From Our Pioneer Heritage: Volume 5: Three Pioneer Women Speak: Eliza Shelton Keeler: A Tribute:
On the 10th of September I was blessed with a little daughter, whom I called Eliza Bethia, after my mother and myself. The neighbors were kind to us, coming in daily and doing all they could, for which we were most grateful. When the baby was eight days old, Bishop Butler came to the house and blessed her. He and his wife came often to see us and to administer to our wants. I had quite a serious time but with the help of the Lord was restored to health and strength. That same fall and winter the Elders were all called home from their missions. Johnston's Army was reported trying to enter Salt Lake and exterminate the Mormons. James arrived home the 12th of January, 1858, after having been gone eight months. We were glad to see him, even the baby, for all that she had never seen her father.
During the spring of 1858 there was a general move of the Saints from north to south, the people leaving homes, crops and all. Our folks, Ann and Martha came to us. They had large families, being in polygamy. Our house was too small to accommodate them. But we did take in an old lady and her son by the name of Butterfield from Salt Lake. We had a good time visiting that summer. In the fall people thought the danger over, and so moved back to their lands. My folks also went back. We hated to see them go, we were so far apart. We went to gather service berries Emily, James and I and the baby. The baby took sick from this trip in the sun and eating the berries. She had diarrhea and canker set in. I knew very little about doctoring her, so she grew weaker day by day, in spite of all I could do. I had her administered to often, but after suffering for seven long weeks her pure spirit took its flight to the Father who gave her—she was skin and bones. My heart was grieved to part with my first born, all I had. She died the 19th of September, 1858, being one year and nine days old. She had a round face and pretty black eyes, and was an interesting child.