My 2nd Great Grandfather - Edward Bunker, Jr - What Any Man Should Do for His Brother

This story was adapted by my father, Jim Hartley, which includes some parts from his brother Bill Hartley's (my uncle) work. To me, this story is a good example to learn from regarding charity, kindness and sincere prayer. Below are my father's words:

Edward Bunker, Jr. – What Any Man Should Do for His Brother

Edward Bunker, Jr.
1847 - 1915

Sometime around the beginning of the 20^th Century, a young Chicago banker, Thomas N. McCauley, faced a frightening situation that his enormous wealth couldn’t resolve—he was gravely ill. According to his doctor, the only hope for recovery was for the young executive to spend six months to a year in the West, living in the open. Reluctantly, Mr. McCauley entrusted his extensive business affairs to associates and went west, accompanied by his doctor. For months the two men leisurely traveled about the Rocky Mountain regions in a covered wagon.

While on the edge of the Great Basin’s western desert, McCauley suddenly developed a fever of 102 degrees and severe chills. Fearing for his patient’s life, the doctor hurried the wagon to the nearest settlement: Bunkerville, Nevada, a small Mormon settlement near the southwest corner of Utah. For reasons unknown, the doctor harbored bitter feelings toward Mormons. But, the situation was desperate, so he swallowed his prejudices and appealed for accommodations at the humble home of a local farmer. It happened to be the home of Edward Bunker, Jr., the town’s most prominent leader and Mormon bishop, as well as the son of the man for whom Bunkerville was named.

The strangers had not known that the Bunker home often served as a hospital or hotel for people passing through those barren regions. While bishop from 1883 to 1908, Edward Bunker also served as the local doctor, setting about 40 broken limbs, amputating fingers, lancing sores, and once even successfully sewing on a boy’s foot that had been amputated by a mowing machine.

Mr. McCauley and his doctor were instantly made welcome. Their wagon and team were cared for, and the home’s parlor was quickly converted into a makeshift hospital room. Every convenience and comfort available in the little rural community were offered them.

Day after day the doctor and the Bunkers carefully nursed the critically ill patient. McCauley’s progress was slow. During the weeks that passed, the doctor spent his time either with the sick man or off by himself—he kept his distance from the Mormons. But, since McCauley was confined to his bed, he could observe many of the Bunker family’s daily routines. Particularly when the parlor door was left ajar, McCauley could see the family members come and go, interact, have meals, and hold their daily family prayers and devotions.

Eventually, Mr. McCauley’s condition improved enough for the doctor to allow him to resume the journey. On the morning of their departure, the Bunker family arose early as usual. Unknowingly they had awakened their guests, who could not help but overhear the special family prayer offered in their behalf. As was the family’s practice, Edward gathered his wife and children in the dining room where they knelt together. Edward reverently poured out his soul in supplication. Among other things, he fervently thanked God for blessing Mr. McCauley with a great recovery of health, and he invoked a special blessing on him for a full and complete healing. During the prayer, the doctor slipped quietly from the parlor with tears trailing down his cheeks. McCauley himself was nearly overcome with emotion.

After their prayer, the family went off as usual to attend to their daily chores. Edward came into the parlor to say goodbye to his guests. While shaking hands with Mr. McCauley, he expressed his great pleasure at “having been favored with the privilege of rendering an act of kindness,” then wished him and the doctor a pleasant journey.

“I am greatly indebted to you, Bishop Bunker,” said McCauley, “and I desire to properly compensate you for your merciful kindness and care of me, which is responsible for saving my life. I am a man of ample means and to reward you generously would be a great pleasure to me.” Edward kindly refused the offer. “No, I can’t accept anything from you,” he humbly said. “I have only done what any man should do for his brother.”

In response to Mr. McCauley’s continued insistence to grant some kind of compensation, Edward replied: “I am already amply repaid for my helpfulness to you. The only way you can pay me is by doing for some other person as I have cheerfully done for you.”

After returning to Chicago, Thomas N. McCauley was a changed man. He never forgot the debt he felt he owed to Bishop Bunker. In the following years, Mr. McCauley generously used his wealth and influence to help many others, particularly Latter-day Saints who were in need.

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Adapted by James E. Hartley from the Edward Bunker Family Association’s Bunker Family History, Vol. 1, 1957 (edited by Josephine B. Walker, Delta, Utah); and William G. Hartley’s article, “Financier and Bishop Bunker,” New Era, November 1976, 10-11.