| 269 Mrs. Bidamon raised her four boys and an adopted daughter, now Mrs. Julia Middleton, to woman and manhood, all of whom, except Frederick before named, now mourn her demise. She was the companion of her first husband for eighteen years, and shared his fortune during the fourteen years of his active ministry; passing through scenes of sorrow and trouble that tested her character to the extreme; and won the esteem of all. She was the wife of Major Bidamon from 1847 to 1879, nearly thirty-two years, and proved herself to be a worthy companion. She was mistress of the Nauvoo Mansion, with the exception of two or three short intervals, from its erection in 1843 till about 1871, when the building fell into the hands of her sons Alexander and David, when she and her husband removed to the Riverside Mansion in a part of what was known as the Nauvoo House, on the river-bank at the foot of Main Street. She was loved and respected by all her neighbors, for her charitable and kind disposition. She was a good and faithful wife, a kind and loving mother, as the expressions of her children and associates will verify. If such a record as she has left does not render a person worthy of a better life beyond, it is difficult to conceive how it can be done.
The body of Mrs. Bidamon was laid in the parlor of the Mansion, where she resided, in the morning after her demise, and in the evening of the same day, was placed in the burial case, where it was constantly watched by Mrs. Middleton, the inmates of the Major's house and a few intimate friends, until the afternoon of Friday, May 2. At twelve m., the friends and relatives of the deceased began to arrive, and at two p. m., the hour set for the services, the rooms were filled, and a large number in attendance who could not find entrance, but stood gathered near the open doors to listen.
The funeral services were in charge of Elder John H. Lake, of Keokuk, Iowa; the sermon was delivered by Elder Joseph A. Crawford, of Burnside, this county; the singing was in charge of Elder Richard Lambert, of Rock Creek Township. There were six bearers, five of whom were nephews of Mrs. Bidamon, sons of sisters of Joseph Smith, her first husband, four of them brothers, named respectively, Solomon J., Alvin, Don C., and Frederick Salisbury, the other nephew Don C. Milikin; the other bearer was Elder D. D. Babcock, of Montrose, Iowa.
After the services were over, the large company filed through the room past the coffin, viewing the face of the deceased as they passed. It was a touching sight to see those citizens so long acquainted with the silent sleeper, while she was living, pausing beside her to take a last look at her peaceful face, so calm amid the grief of the assembly. Now and then one to whom she had been dearer than to others, would caress the extended hand, or gently stooping lay the hand upon the cold face or forehead, some even kissing the pale cheek in an impulse of love and regret. But scenes of grief must pass-the family at length took leave of her whom they had so long known and loved. The coffin lid was put in place, the six bearers raised their burden reverently, and with the mourning train,
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