`Sparking' on Mormon trail shortened courtship in valley
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"Sparking" was what Aroet Lucious Hale called "courting." A member of Heber C. Kimball's 1848 pioneer company, Aroet, 20, developed a "friendship" with fellow-pioneer Olive Whittle. His diary recorded that he did his "sparking" on the road so he didn't have to do much courting in the valley. Aroet and Olive married after the trek. ("Diary of Aroet Lucious Hale, 1828-1849," pp. 16-17.)
Seven-year-old Christine Marie Larsen learned much about the art of courting along the trail. An immigrant from Denmark, she came west with her family in 1866. Their teamster's name was David Reece, who took a liking to the little girl. He found a "spot" for her to ride in the wagon with him and sometimes walked with her.Soon, David became attracted to a young lady, also from Denmark. But he could not speak Danish, and she could not speak English. Little Christine had learned English from Mormon missionaries, so she sat between the young couple on the wagon and interpreted for them. Soon, the couple learned the language of love, and the little girl no longer needed to interpret. ("History of Christine Marie Larsen Warnick by herself," Warnick Family History, vol. 1, pp. 252-255.)
