Oliver G. Snow speaks.--His maiden speech.--Performs a good
deed.--Called to go to assist the emigration.--Encounter with
Indians.--Mission to England.--Visits New York.--Arrives in
Liverpool.--Goes to Manchester.--An incident relative to the death of
Dickens.--Oliver attends a sectarian lecture.--Is challenged.--Attempts
to respond.--Is repulsed.--The priest is disgraced and forsaken.--A
visit to Scotland.--Descriptions.--Return to England.--Incomprehensible
dialect.--Released.--Home again.--Ordained member of High
Council.--Marries.--Mission to the States.--Visits Oberlin.--Ludicrous
incident.--Visits his grandmother.--Preaches her funeral sermon.--At
home appointed President of Box Elder Stake.
I was born on the twentieth of February, 1849, in Salt Lake City.
When quite young, my father having been called to preside over the
then crude settlement known as the Old Fort, where now Brigham City
is located, after erecting a commodious dwelling, with a view of
increasing a feeling of brotherhood among the Saints, opened his house
for public entertainments. At the opening one, a dramatic performance,
I was on the programme for my "maiden speech," composed by my father
for the occasion, commencing as follows:
Ladies and gentlemen, one and all,
I welcome you to my father's hall.
For its delivery I was awarded a pocket-knife. Those entertainments
produced a most desirable effect in promoting friendship and affability
among the people. When eight years of age (a very cold day), I was
baptized in the mill-race by Elder Neely, and confirmed by my father.
In the following spring I had the pleasure of rendering useful service
to a Brother Jones, who lived north of us. At that time the settlers
were annoyed by a gang of horse thieves, composed of mountaineers;
so much so that there was no safety for animals when not in use,
except under lock and key. One evening, on entering one of my father's
pastures, I saw two horses tied to a bunch of willows, and thinking
that one or both belonged to the Bishop, I decided to take them to the
owner; but the Bishop informed me they were not his, and they were
secured for the night.
Early next morning, as I was driving cows to pasture, I saw a dark
visaged man emerge from a thicket by the road side over which I had
just passed, and, drawing a revolver from its scabbard, he inquired,
in a gruff tone, if I knew the whereabouts of the two horses he had
tied to a tree in the pasture. I told him the whole affair, as well as
an eight-year old boy could, under the threatening circumstances. Then
pointing to the caliber of his six-shooter, he said, "Unless you bring
those horses back, I will put a bullet through you of that size." I was
relieved when the interview closed, and lost no time in reaching home,
where I learned that the owner of the horses had arrived from Salt
Lake, where they were stolen from him. The officers were notified, the
thief secured and justice meted to him, and I escaped the bullet.
In 1864 I had the honor of being ordained a member of the Fifty-eighth
Quorum of Seventies; and soon after, at the re-organization of the
militia, was called to act as standard-bearer in Colonel Loveland's
staff; accompanied my father through the southern settlements, on one
of President Young's tours, as far as Santa Clara.
In the spring of 1868, I was called, with others, to perform a journey
to the States to bring a company of Saints across the plains. On our
return we had a fearful encounter with Indians, who ran off fifty head
of our stock, which, after several hairbreadth escapes, we succeeded in
recapturing, and arrived home in safety.
During the autumn of 1868 and the following spring, I assisted in
building the great trans-continental railway; and during the summer of
1869, studied in the University of Deseret, under Prof. J. R. Park.
In May, 1870, at a General Conference of the Church (held in May,
awaiting President Young's return from St. George), by communication
from my father, I was notified of my appointment as missionary to
Europe, to come immediately to Salt Lake, to be set apart by the
proper authorities for said mission. Not having the slightest previous
intimation, I was taken by surprise, yet most gladly responded to the
call; went to Salt Lake City, was set apart by my father and others,
returned to Brigham City to bid adieu to friends and relatives, and
within five days from the first announcement, I was on board the train
_en route_ for Great Britain.
On reaching Ogden I had the pleasure of meeting a goodly number of
Elders destined to the same point; and in each other's society our five
days' transit across the continent to New York was very pleasant. There
we were detained one week, waiting for the steamer, which afforded a
fine opportunity for sight-seeing, which was a genuine treat to those
born and raised in the Great American Desert, beneath the towering
cliffs, "crowned with eternal snows." Arriving at New York, I was not
only surprised but almost bewildered by the confusing jargon of the cab
drivers, hooting and wrangling to secure passengers for the hotels. Two
of them had a serious confab about which was entitled to me, when I
took my valise, engaged another cab and left them to fight it out.
On the twenty-fifth of May we embarked on the beautiful steamer
Minnesota, and after an uneventful voyage of eleven days, landed in
Liverpool, where we were met and cordially greeted by President A.
Carrington, at Islington, for many years the headquarters of the
European mission. I soon received an appointment as traveling Elder
in the Manchester Conference, with President David Brinton. Being
an entire stranger, entirely ignorant of the locations of branches
and residences of the Saints, as my predecessor was about to make a
farewell visit through the conference, I accompanied him on a general
tour.
About this time the celebrated author, Charles Dickens, died, and I
recollect a little incident in relation to his death, which occurred
on the first evening after we started. While waiting refreshments
in a hotel in Bolton, a gentleman stranger of fine presence, whom
we afterwards learned was a highly educated, prominent journalist,
entered the room where many people were seated, some in groups and
others as wall flowers, when the strange man commenced to eulogize Mr.
Dickens, giving an account of his death, the great loss the community
would sustain by his demise; and in beautiful language and eloquent
dramatic style, portrayed the great worth and superior abilities of
the deceased, adding that it would have been better that a thousand
Britons had died, than for that noble man to give up his life. Finally,
striking his broad, intellectual forehead with the palm of his hand,
he exclaimed as if his whole soul was filled with anguish: "What, O,
what was God Almighty thinking of when he caused that great and noble
man to die?" We concluded that, although the speaker was considered
great among his fellows, he certainly must be out of joint where that
expression originated.
During this tour we everywhere met warm receptions from Saints and
strangers. Although the people generally seemed very indifferent to
the Gospel, while I labored in the Manchester Conference, I baptized a
number into the Church. In May, 1871, I was appointed to the Presidency
of the Leeds Conference, in which capacity I labored one year and
six months with much satisfaction. While there, a seemingly trivial
circumstance occurred, which resulted in much good. One day, in passing
up Manningham Lane, I noticed a large placard posted in a conspicuous
position in front of a building which had occasionally been occupied
by the Saints for meetings, saying that an apostle of the sect known
as the apostolic church would deliver a series of lectures in said
building, the first to be given that evening; the subject, "Behold the
Lord cometh with ten thousand of His Saints, go ye out to meet Him."
Curiosity prompted me to go to the lecture. The self-styled apostle,
on entering the speaker's stand, immediately commenced praying very
fervently, and in a particularly forcible strain, that the Lord would
shed His Spirit abroad in the room and remove the terrible influence
that prevailed in consequence of the Mormons having held meetings in
that house. After this impressive supplication, he arose and stated to
the congregation that having been informed that a Mormon missionary was
present, he would like to make a few prefatory remarks before taking
up the subject of his lecture. He then warmed up with a tirade of
vituperation and scandalous abuse against Joseph Smith, the Prophet,
exhausting the vocabulary of the English language in epithets, and
rehearsing many of the time-worn slanderous stories manufactured by his
most bitter enemies, and long since exploded. Having occupied much time
which should have been devoted to his lecture, he found it necessary
to apologize by saying his reason for having done so was he understood
that a Mormon Elder was present, "and," said he, "I challenge him to
come forward at the close of the lecture, and deny the charges I have
made, if he can."
Consequently, when he closed, and the meeting was about to be
dismissed, responding to his challenge, I arose to contradict his
absurd charges and calumnies, when he became exceedingly angry and
vehemently opposed my speaking; but the audience was determined that
I should be heard, several exclaiming, "Let the Mormon Elder speak!"
It seemed that the man must permit me to reply to his accusations or
create a riot. At this juncture, Mr. Sewell, the owner of the hall,
arose and said he hoped no disturbance would be made on the part of the
audience, and although the position assumed by the apostle appeared
strange, he said, "Still, inasmuch as he has rented the hall, he
undoubtedly has the right to dictate who may speak," and said further,
that he should regret to have any trouble arise over the matter. To
which I replied that no one would regret more than myself that anything
of that kind should occur; but I supposed the gentleman, in good
faith, challenged me to refute his statements, if I could, concerning
Joseph Smith and what he calls Mormonism; and being prepared to do so,
I was simply responding to that request when I arose to speak, not
supposing for one moment that any rule of decorum would be transcended;
but inasmuch as he persisted in maintaining his very singular point
of refusal, I thought I could afford to content myself with the
result. At all events, it was manifest that his course did not meet
the approval of a majority present, the fraud being too transparent,
and although intended to injure our cause, it certainly produced the
opposite effect, by arousing a spirit of inquiry and investigation
with those who otherwise, perhaps, would never have given attention
to the subject. It also had a marked effect in destroying respect for
the self-styled apostle. I was informed that his audience diminished
until he finally abandoned his lectures before the expiration of his
engagement.
In 1872, I visited Scotland, and was truly delighted with the points
of historical interest I viewed during my brief stay in that highly
celebrated country. I there had the privilege of addressing a
congregation assembled in conference of the Saints, in a beautiful hall
in Glasgow, many of whom were strangers.
I took a trip with Elder George Reynolds (then President of the
British mission in the absence of President Carrington) upon the
beautiful _Loch Lomond_. After riding about ten miles, we reached
Ballock, a small pier situated on the east shore of the lake, where we
disembarked, walked about two and a half hours and reached the summit
of the celebrated Ben Lomond, upwards of three thousand feet above the
level of the sea, an eminence commanding a most magnificent view of
the surrounding country. We also visited Dumbarton Castle, where, with
other specimens, we were shown the gigantic sword of William Wallace,
which, by testing, we found to be of immense weight.
In Edinburgh we visited the private residence of the great Protestant
reformer, John Knox, in which was found one solitary article, an old
arm-chair, said to have belonged to him. We also paid a visit to the
palace and abbey of Holyrood, which is associated with very many
historical incidents, and so replete with various relics of antiquity
as would require volumes to describe. The picture gallery is one
hundred and fifty feet in length, and its walls are hung with portraits
of one hundred reported kings of Scotland. Our conductor pointed out
to us the place in the palace where Lord Darnley vented his murderous
jealousy on its unfortunate victim, Rizzio.
We also ascended the hill known as King Arthur's Seat, supposed to
have derived its name from the fact of the king having set it apart
as a place of resort. It affords a magnificent view of Edinburgh and
surroundings; I think the most enchanting scenic view I ever beheld.
Away to the right, the lovely Firth of Forth is seen, and the German
Ocean glittering in the sunlight, like a field of diamonds, while on
the left, rises, with majestic grandeur, the great towers and splendid
mansions of the city of Edinburgh. I made the most of my brief visit
to the "banks and the braes" of old Scotland; and on the 21st of May,
returned to my missionary field in England, continuing my labors until
September following--making my stay in that land nearly two and a half
years, having had the honor, through the blessing of God, of baptizing
about forty souls; also had the pleasure of attending conferences in
Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, London, Durham and Newcastle. When
in Birmingham, I visited the celebrated pen manufactory of Gillott &
Sons, and was amused to learn that so simple an article passed through
twenty-four different processes before it became a finished pen.
At the time of attending the London conference, I had been in the
missionary field two years, when in company of President Carrington,
of the European mission, he asked me if I was very anxious to return
home, saying, if I was not, he would like me to remain until autumn. I
replied that I did not call myself to the mission, and felt perfectly
willing to conform to his wishes; hence the time was extended to the
following October.
While traveling in England, I was forcibly struck with the contrast
in the financial condition of the Saints there and those in Utah. I
learned that many families lived at least one week ahead of their
means, the year round: many being under the necessity of pawning their
Sunday clothes at the broker's on Monday morning, for means for their
families to subsist on during the week, and at the end of the week,
take their week's wages and redeem said clothing to wear on Sunday;
then on Monday morning repeat the same, over and over during the
year. Although thus situated, their kindness and hospitality to the
missionary Elders was a subject of notoriety.
When entering on my labors in Lancashire, I was much surprised, and not
a little amused, in observing the peculiar dialects in vogue, at times
finding myself completely non-plussed in endeavoring to comprehend the
meaning. For instance, meeting a gentleman on the road with which I was
unacquainted, I enquired the direction to a certain point in question,
to which he responded, "_go top at broo and then spur_." I afterwards
learned that he told me to enquire at the top of the hill.
In October, 1872, I was released to return home, leaving Liverpool on
the steamer Idaho, and arrived home on the 13th of November, after an
absence of two and a half years, and can truthfully say that in no
period of my life have I derived more solid, genuine satisfaction than
during that period. Soon after my return I was ordained a member of
the High Council of Box Elder Stake. During the following winter was
employed in the mercantile department of the Brigham City Mercantile
and Manufacturing Association.
On October 13, 1873, I married Mary B., daughter of Eli Harvey and
Susannah Neff Peirce--the former, first Bishop of Brigham City, also
one of the Pioneers to the valleys of the mountains.
At the October Conference of 1875, I was called on a mission to the
States, and in connection with my missionary labors, had the privilege
of visiting my relatives, and holding many public meetings among them;
they according me every courtesy. Having a letter of introduction from
my father to Chauncey Blair, Esq., of Mantua, Portage County, Ohio,
I visited that gentleman, and expressing a desire to preach to the
people, he kindly offered to procure the church owned by the society
of which he was a member; but subsequently informed me that he was
unsuccessful, those interested in the building having refused on the
ground that they expected a minister from another locality to preach in
their church on the same day as I proposed. But on learning from Mr.
Blair that I could occupy the Town Hall, my appointment was circulated,
and a splendid assembly convened. I was afterwards informed that the
minister who essayed to hold forth in the church closed his meeting in
disgust with only one-half dozen present.
When in Oberlin, the following ludicrous circumstance occurred, which I
will relate, although at my own expense. I was introduced to one of my
father's former college associates, by name Mrs. Bacon. Having formed
a habit of associating an unfamiliar name which I wished to remember,
with something familiar, I very naturally associated the lady's name
Bacon with hog; thinking that in the event of forgetting Bacon, it
being so closely connected with hog, I could readily recollect it. But
after spending a very pleasant evening in her house, on rising to take
leave, I said, "I wish you good evening, Mrs. Ham." Although I realized
my mistake the instant it was uttered, I made no apology, thinking "the
apology might be worse than the offence;" but concluded my plan was not
so reliable as I had supposed.
On my way to the States, I went a short distance out of my way to visit
my aged grandmother on my mother's side, by the name of Goddard. She
had been a member of the Church for many years, and expressed a desire
to accompany me to Utah on my return home, to which I gladly consented.
But when in the following season I called on her in fulfilment of my
promise, I found her very feeble, being over eighty-nine years of age,
yet she seemed elated and buoyant with the anticipation of coming to
the home of the Saints, until, by persuasion and entreaties of her
daughter, with whom she resided, in connection with many of their
neighbors, she was induced to relinquish the fond idea of gathering
to Zion, which seemed to have been the motive power of her mortal
existence; for when she yielded her ambition to brave the fatigue of
the journey, she apparently let go her hold on life, which passed out
like the last faint gleam of an exhausted lamp, and I saw her eyes
calmly close in the sleep of death. By request I preached her funeral
sermon, and followed her remains to their last resting place.
At the re-organization of the Box Elder Stake of Zion, by President B.
Young, I was appointed to preside over said Stake.
In January, 1878, I was elected member of the board of directors of the
Brigham City Mercantile and Manufacturing Association, and have been
re-elected annually, up to the present. In August, 1880, was elected
representative to the twenty-fourth session of the Utah Legislature,
and have been returned to the twenty-fifty and twenty-sixth biennial
sessions.
I had the honor of assisting in the ceremonies of laying the corner
stones of the Logan Temple, which is now nearing its completion.
Since called to the important position as President of the Box Elder
Stake of Zion, I have assisted in organizing wards, relief societies,
young men's and young women's mutual improvement and children's primary
associations; ordaining Bishops, setting apart officers in various
departments of the Priesthood, also officers in relief societies and
in the associations, all of which I am expected to watch over in the
capacity of President of the Stake.
With all of these weighty duties and responsibilities resting upon me,
I am frequently led to exclaim with one of old, "_Who is sufficient for
these things_."
Oliver G. Snow.