Rotten Eggs, A Blind Mule and a New Wife

Solomon Hancock was called on three missions for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While on his first mission, Solomon's wife Alta Adams died and he had to return home to his family. He had 4 children still living; Eliza - 14 years old, Joseph - 13 years old, Charles Brent - 11 years old, and George Washington - 8 years old. Seven children had dies before Alta. After a few years he was sent back to finish his mission in Cold Water, Michigan. In this are he became acquainted with a niece of Alta's, Phoebe Adams. Solomon baptized Phoebe into the Mormon Church 18 June 1836 and they were married 28 June 1836. It was said that Phoebe's people were so prejudiced against the Mormons that they gave Phoebe an old blind mare to leave the state on and one change of clothing, tied up in a handkerchief. To show additional insult, they threw rotten eggs at the newlyweds as they rode away Phoebe was never to see them again. Taken from Elijah and Francis Hancock, by Spencer Palmer