From the journal of Hope Hulet:
Our little son, Robert Hulet, was our third son and seventh child. He was born prematurely and was always very delicate. He was a lovely child. He had a good amount of dark hair. His eyes were dark but I thought that, had he lived, they would have been blue. He was always so patient and pleasant. He was born 9 August 1934. When he was about a week old, Fred’s sister, Eva, came and stayed and helped for a week. She was very much appreciated. That was before we had insecticides. The flies were bad and she worked so hard to keep them out of the house and to keep things clean.
Little Robert seemed to enjoy having some of us near him, but would lie contentedly looking around the room when left alone for a while. He was given a blessing and name on 14 October 1934.
At Christmas time, I noticed that he seemed to enjoy seeing the Christmas tree ornaments. So sometimes I would hang some of them up high so that he could see them. He would seem so happy while watching them even though he was so young. Soon after he was four months old, we noticed that he would say “Mama” when he wanted my attention. The other children had said “Mama” by the time they were six months old and “Daddy” a short time later.
During the month of January 1935 we had a siege of influenza in our family as many other families did. The weather was very cold and windy. Our house was not built to keep out the cold, as it should have been. We tried very hard to keep the children warm night and day, but although Fred kept a fire going night and day in two stoves, it was impossible to keep the cold winds out. Robert’s Death.
Each of the children had a turn with the flu, which required care night and day. We, of course, became very weary from lack of rest. We kept the baby in a little bed near the heater and thought we were keeping him warm, but one evening when I took him up to care for him, his little feet were cold. I was thoroughly alarmed. Soon we noticed that he had a cold and sent for Dr. Sater, who lived across the street from us. He came and we did all we could to try to check the cold, but it soon developed into pneumonia. Several friends and neighbors came to help us: Dr. and Mrs. Sater; Mrs. Lillie McGraw, who had been a fine neighbor at Meadow Creek; Beulah Pierce, who had been such a wonderful neighbor for the four years while we lived near her; and some of the Relief Society sisters, Roxie Horne, Stake Relief Society President, and sisters Mary Elison and Alice Neddo of the Malta Ward. Many others came and helped or offered help in any way they could. I was afraid to hold my baby very long at one time, lest I should fall asleep and let him fall, even though I wanted so very much to hold him in my arms. One night while Sister Horne was holding little Robert, she said, “It sounded like he said “Mama.” I said, “Yes, he has been saying “Mama” since he was four months old.” He likely thought I was neglecting him. Regardless of all we could do for him, his little spirit slipped away the morning of 30 January 1935 and he was buried 2 February 1935. No one can realize what the experience of losing a precious little member of their family is until they have had to endure it. At such times the Gospel gives one great comfort.
People were very kind and sympathetic. Fred’s brothers, Clarence and Charles, and sister, Eva, came from Salt Lake to attend the funeral services. Also, my mother, Mary Ida Hulet; my sister, Verda; and my brother, Howard, and his wife, Rae, came from Peterson and Morgan, Utah. Opal and Ray came from Rockland, Idaho. We appreciated all the kindness and consideration. It all helped a great deal but, of course, could not ease our sorrow or loss.
That dear little soul had been such a joy to all the family. Many nights I could not sleep for thinking of that little baby being out in the cemetery, while the cold winter winds were blowing. I wondered just how his little spirit was being cared for. I often prayed to know about him. One night I had a very beautiful dream (it must have been a dream). In the corner of our bedroom was a very large overstuffed chair, but as high as the back of that chair there seemed to be another beautiful chair, it made me think of a throne. In this chair sat a very beautiful woman, quite large in stature, dressed in white. She looked so kind and motherly. In her arms she was holding a small dark-haired child. The baby seemed to be nursing. For a few moments he turned and looked at me. He smiled and said, “Mama,” and then turned back toward that lovely lady. That dream was a wonderful comfort to me. I felt reassured that little children have a Mother in Heaven.
Additional Note: Bronchial pneumonia happens when the pneumonia spreads to several patches in the lungs. Bronchial pneumonia is prevalent in infants, young children and aged adults and it is usually caused by Streptococcus pneumonia. Bronchial pneumonia also called as bronchopneumonia involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes due to infection. Bronchial pneumonia is not confined to a single anatomic location. Whatever the case maybe, the symptoms are typical, which causes cough (with or without mucus), rapid breathing, chest pain, and shortness of breath. In addition to these symptoms, fever, headaches, sweats, and weakness are usually present.
