| 31 brothers, but returned to Nauvoo with his family the following spring, and on this return trip he called at St. Louis. Of this visit, and of William Smith, this same writer, James Kay, wrote from St. Louis, May 20, 1845, as follows:-
"William Smith and his family stayed a few days here the other week; they are gone to Nauvoo. Mrs. Smith is not expected to live long. They boarded at this house. I, and brother Thomas Clark, had the pleasure of sleeping on the floor to give them our bed, and how happy we felt in trying to give some little comfort to Zion's mourners.
"Elder Smith,-no,-you must form your own opinion; I can only say if any compassion ever was in my heart or if ever felt sympathy for others' woe, it was while looking on that distressed man of God; and yet there was a sort of melancholy cheerfulness in his countenance. I will not attempt describing him, lest I come as far short as others who have tried to give us a portrait of Joseph."-Millennial Star, vol. 6, p. 27.
The editor of the Times and Seasons, John Taylor, wrote of William Smith the February before, as follows:-
"LETTER FROM ELDER WILLIAM SMITH.
"The New York Prophet, of January 25, contains cheering news from Elder William Smith. In the midst of trials tribulations, and accusations from false brethren, he triumphs; and really, when we learned that his 'wife was better,' we rejoiced, for it seemed good before the Lord.
"We give the letter entire, that the saints generally may sympathize with Elder Smith in all his afflictions, and pray for him, and rejoice, as the Lord, in his infinite mercy blesses him and his family."-Times and Seasons, vol. 6 p. 814.
The reader will see that William Smith was in good repute with these people in February, 1845, and was hailed as a man of God in May of the same year.
From St. Louis he proceeded to Nauvoo, where his wife died, and was buried from the residence of Mrs. Emma Smith, May 24, 1845.
Soon after his arrival he received the office of Patriarch,
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