Norton Jacob — Fever Broken by Baptism for Health (1847)

Norton Jacob, a member of the original 1847 pioneer company, was taken suddenly ill on July 2, 1847 with a fever that had spread through the camp after the company emerged from the frost and snow of the mountains into the heat of summer. He suffered excessively through the night with pain in his spine, joints, and head. The next day a Brother Charles anointed his head and back and rubbed it hard, and the pain in his back ceased, though the fever continued. That evening, after the company had crossed the river and moved down its bank three miles, Heber C. Kimball came to visit him, and Charles Harper baptized Jacob in the river for the restoration of his health. He was confirmed by Brethren Kimball, Markum, Barney, Charles, and Doctor Willard Richards. Jacob recorded that the administration had the desired effect and broke his fever. The account comes from Norton Jacob's own pioneer journal, kept during the first journey to the Salt Lake Valley, and is preserved in his published Record. Jacob (1809-1878), a carpenter and millwright, was captain of the 14th company of ten in the vanguard pioneer company of Brigham Young.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

July 2nd. I was taken suddenly ill with a fever which has been in the camp since we came out of the mountains. I suffered excessively with pain in the spine, joints, and head, with a high fever through the night. 3rd. Charles anointed my head and back, and rubbed it hard, which caused the pain to cease in my back, but the fever still continued. I kept in my wagon through the day. The remainder of the wagons were brought over, and we moved down the river 3 miles and camped on its bank. After arriving in camp, Brother Heber came to visit me, and Charles Harper baptized me for the restoration of my health, which was confirmed upon me by Brethren Kimball, Markum, Barney, and Charles, and Doctor Richards. The administration had the desired effect and broke my fever.