When I had visited with them a few days, I preached several times in

the public schoolhouse, and then traveled and preached. On one occasion

I had a walk and talk with my father alone. We talked of my absence,

and he said, "James, I had given up all hopes of ever seeing your face

again, but thanks be to God I have that privilege. You always have

stood up for the faith and have been a man through thick and thin for

your religion." Then he said, "Oh that I had the faith that I once had,

and felt as I have felt! I would be a happy man if I had the spirit

that you have, and that I once had." He burst into a flood of tears,

and exclaimed, "Oh, my God, I am in the dark and I do not know that I

shall ever feel as I once felt. Then I could divide the last loaf, yes,

the last morsel of food that I had with a Mormon. Talk about heaven!

The true spirit of Mormonism is heaven. I thank God that you have kept

the faith, though you have had a hard time of it." Then he added,

"James, stick to it and never give it up; for if there is any salvation

for me or any of my family it will be through you, for you are the

Joseph of my family, and I have known it since before you were born."

He then seemed as humble as a little child, and continued: "James, be

faithful in the work, but as for me or any of my family going to Utah,

I don't think we will ever go."

I told him he could do no better than to go with his entire family and

renew their covenants, for the good Spirit was for all who would seek

it in the proper way. At last father said that he did not know what

they should do yet, the weather being wet and cold.

We returned into the house and I stayed with the family the first

month, preaching in the public schoolhouse every Sabbath. Then my

brother Willis and I traveled around from place to place, and preached

everywhere we found an opportunity, first to Raglan Township, and then

to the northeast, forty miles into Shelby County. We preached several

times in Garden Grove schoolhouse, and went from there to a small town

called Monteno, thence to Pottawatomie County. We preached to a full

hall in Council Bluffs City, then went out on Mosquito Creek, in what

was called the Garner settlement. Thus we continued to travel and

preach from place to place and bear our testimonies, as health and

opportunity permitted.

In January, 1859, preached my cousin Ira Johnson's funeral sermon; he

had been accidentally shot and killed while out with a surveying party

in that region of country. The same day I baptized six persons and

confirmed them; this was at my father's house, and from that time my

father seemed quite changed in his feelings. He said it was all that he

could do to keep out of the water, and stated that he had never felt

better in his life than he did on that occasion. Said he, "James, I

want you to preach all the time."

On April 7th I received a letter from General Horace S. Eldredge,

asking me to come down to Platte County, Missouri, and receive one

hundred and seventy-seven head of work oxen that he had contracted

for with Mr. Lampton and Mr. Thompson, cattle merchants. Having also

received the written contract for the cattle, I started on the 8th,

and on the 9th I took passage on the steamboat _Satan_, which lay

at the Council Bluffs landing. I paid ten dollars for passage to

Parkville, Platte County, Missouri. The boat called at all important

towns and landings. Nothing out of the ordinary happened except that

we were driven under a high sandbank in a short bend of the river,

by a powerful wind storm, and in trying to extricate the boat, the

side-wheel next the shore threw the water with such force against the

bank as to cause it to cave in onto the boat, so that the guards and

wheelhouse were carried away.

I landed at Parkville on April 13th, stopped overnight, and on the 14th

proceeded eight miles to Mr. Thompson's. On the 15th I went with him

to his partner in the contract, Mr. Lampton. The men General Eldredge

promised in his letter on the 15th to send to help drive and care for

the cattle, did not arrive until the 27th, when Eldredge came with five

men. He furnished money to pay the expenses, and gave instructions,

then returned to St. Louis. On the 28th, 29th and 30th, myself and

party received and branded one hundred and seventy-seven head of work

oxen and two valuable mules.

We started for the north on May 1st, traveling through Rochester,

Marysvale, Lindon and Sydney, keeping from the river and on the high,

rolling prairies, through what was called the Platte purchase in

Missouri. We arrived in Council Bluffs on May 15th, and went from

there to Florence, Nebraska, where I delivered up the drove of cattle

and span of mules, on the 16th, to Bishop Frederick Kesler, who was

General Eldredge's agent. We lost but one head from among the cattle,

although we had an exceedingly stormy and muddy time of it most of the

way, having to swim several streams that had been swollen by the heavy

rains, so that the journey was taken with great hardships, and danger

as well.

I went to my father's home on the 17th, in Calhoun County, Iowa,

settled with my father, who was very kind to me and my brother Willis,

helping us to two yoke of oxen to cross the plains with. We bade

farewell to the parental home and to the family on the 27th. Father

accompanied us to Council Bluffs and paid our expenses until the 30th,

when we parted with him. We crossed the river at Omaha, and moved up to

Florence, where we went into a camp or rendezvous and waited for others

to come to make a company strong enough to cross the plains.

The company had its camp some three miles northwest of Florence, where

General Eldredge, the Church agent, and Elder George Q. Cannon, agent

for the European emigration, both called on me to go out into Nebraska

and also to cross into Iowa and purchase work cattle for them. Each

furnished me with five hundred dollars in gold then, and as it was the

time that hundreds of gold hunters were returning from Pike's Peak, I

had great success in my purchases, spending a thousand dollars some

days in the purchase of cattle, buying whole teams as they stood on the

road, sometimes wagons, equipage and provisions. I would hire a trusty

man to drive them up to Florence, and then I would replenish my pockets

and go on again. For ten days I traveled early and late, and did

thousands of dollars' worth of business for the Church and emigration.

CHAPTER LIV.

GIVEN CHARGE OF A COMPANY TO CROSS THE PLAINS TO UTAH--COMPOSITION

OF THE CAMP--START WEST--PERFORM BAPTISMS--MEET A WAR PARTY OF

SIOUX INDIANS--PLACE WHERE A. W. BABBITT WAS KILLED--MEET MORE

INDIANS--HOW TROUBLE WAS AVOIDED--CAMP LIFE AND DUTIES--ENTER SALT LAKE

VALLEY--COMPANY GREETED BY THE CHURCH AUTHORITIES--REPORT TO PRESIDENT

YOUNG AND AM RELEASED--TRADE AT CAMP FLOYD--EXPERIENCE WITH A THIEF--GO

TO WORK ON THE OGDEN CANYON ROAD--HARDSHIPS ENDURED.

ON Sunday, June 12th, Elders Eldredge and Cannon visited the camp and

held meeting, then organized the company, naming James S. Brown for

president and captain, the selection being unanimously sustained.

George L. Farrell was made sergeant of the guard, William Wright

chaplain, and John Gordon secretary. A captain was appointed over each

ten wagons, namely: first, Wm. Steel; second, W. Williams; third,

Christopher Funk; fourth, Newbury; fifth, Kent; sixth, Giddens.

These names were suggested by Messrs. Eldredge and Cannon, and were

unanimously sustained by the company of three hundred and fifty-three

souls. The outfit consisted of fifty-nine wagons and one hundred and

four yoke of oxen, eleven horses, thirty-five cows, and forty-one

head of young cattle that were driven loose. We had provisions for

seventy-five days.

On June 13th, 1859, the company set out for Salt Lake City, Utah.

There were nine different nationalities of people represented, namely;

English, Irish, Scotch, Welsh, Danish, Swedish, Norwegians and

Icelanders; we also had some Americans from the Eastern, Middle and

Southern States, all mixed together. Many of them had never driven an

ox one mile in their lives, and the result was almost like herding

a train on the plains. If it had not been for G. L. Farrell, James

Hickson, Samuel Garnet and Willis Brown, all excellent ox teamsters,

besides some five or six others that were quite handy, we would

doubtless have had most destructive stampedes. As it was, the company

did not have any serious mishaps. In a few days the train became

regulated and we had more system and order in travel. For the first

five or six days of the journey the stock seemed in danger of being

destroyed by flies and mosquitoes, and the people suffered much from

the same cause. On the 18th we passed Captain Rowley with the handcart

company.

On June 19th the camp stopped on the Loup Fork, a tributary of the

Platte River. There was a small town there called Columbus. On the 20th

the company moved up the river and camped on a small stream, Looking

Glass Creek. That afternoon I baptized and rebaptized eighty souls,

and other Elders confirmed them, while some men of the company bridged

the stream. On the 21st we proceeded to Genoa Ferry, where we were

joined by Captain Walding's company of thirty-seven souls and ten more

wagons, thus increasing my company to three hundred and ninety persons

and sixty-nine wagons, with cattle and other property in proportion.

At that place we chartered the ferry boat from J. Johnston and did the

work ourselves. We paid seventy-five cents a wagon, and it took fifteen

hours' hard labor to cross. The stock all swam safely over, and the

company camped on the west bank. The handcart company came up that

night about 10 o'clock. On the 23rd our company proceeded up the river.

We met with a company of Sioux Indians on the 24th. These formed a

line of battle across the road ahead of the company, and sent two men

to meet us. I was traveling in advance of the company, and although

I had never been among the Sioux Indians in my life for an hour, nor

had I ever been where I had an opportunity to study their language, I

had not the slightest difficulty in talking to them, or they to me.

Consequently I learned at once that these Indians were on the war path,

and were hunting the Omahas and Poncas. They were hungry and said they

must have food from the company; so they were told to form a line

parallel with the road, and to keep one-fourth of a mile back, so as

not to stampede the train or frighten the women and children. They were

allowed to send two men on foot to spread blankets where the company

could put such food as we had to share.

Meanwhile I gave orders to the sergeant of the guard, G. L. Farrell,

and the several captains to draw up in close order, have every teamster

in his place, and all the women and children in the wagons, and for

each man to have his gun where he could lay his hand on it without a

moment's delay. Each family was to place some food on the blankets by

the roadside. Not one team was to stop without orders. The wagons were

to be corralled as quickly as possible, if they must be, at the first

signal from the captain to do so; for the Indians appeared very warlike

in their paint and feathers.

When the red men learned that it was a company of Mormons they had

met, they readily complied with the captain's terms, and a number rode

up and shook hands with him. As the company passed their lines of not

more than one hundred and fifty warriors, there came fourteen buffalo

in sight, quite close, and attention was turned to them so much that

the Indians took what the company had placed on their blankets and we

passed on without further interruption.

It was about this date that the teamsters had become acquainted with

their teams and the latter acquainted with their drivers, so that

things began to work more orderly than before. The camp was called

together every evening for prayers, and for instructions for the next

day.

About the 26th the company started across from the Loup Fork to Wood

River. That night the stock took fright and gave some trouble before

they were recovered; but the next morning the company resumed its

journey, leaving Wood Birdno to pursue two valuable young fillies, one

his own and the other belonging to Captain Brown. Mr. Birdno did not

overtake the company till the fifth day.

One evening the company camped on a tributary of the Platte River,

where Almon W. Babbitt was killed by the Sioux Indians some eighteen

months or two years before. The company crossed the stream and camped

just opposite where that terrible tragedy occurred, and just as the

cattle were being unyoked the Sioux Indians flocked into camp, all

well-armed warriors. I saw that it was quite possible that they meant

mischief, as there were no Indian families in sight; so I called to

the company to continue their camp duties as if nothing unusual had

happened, but for every man to see to his firearms quietly and be ready

to use them if an emergency should arise. Then I turned to the chief,

and it being again given to me to talk and understand the Indians, I

asked what their visit meant, if it was peace that they go with me to

the middle of the corral of wagons and smoke the pipe of peace and have

a friendly talk, as myself and people were Mormons and friends to the

Indians, and that I wished them to be good friends to me and my people.

The chief readily responded, and called his peace council of smokers

to the center of the corral, where they seated themselves in a circle.

I took a seat to the right hand of the chief and then the smoking and

talking commenced. The chief assured me that their visit was a friendly

one, and to trade with the emigrants. I inquired of him why, if their

visit meant peace, they all came so well armed. He answered that his

people had just pitched camp a short distance back in the hills, and

not knowing who we were had come down before laying down their arms.

By this time it seemed that there were about three Indians to one white

person in the camp. I told the chief that it was getting too late to

trade, my people were all busy in camp duties, and I was going to send

our stock to where there was good feed for them. It was my custom, I

said, to send armed men to watch over them, and the guards always had

orders to shoot any wild beast that might disturb them, and if anybody

were to come among the stock in the night, we thought them to be

thieves and our enemies. If they attempted to drive off our stock, the

guards had orders to shoot, and our camp guards also were ordered to

shoot any thief that might come prowling around camp at night. I said

that, as we did not desire to do the Indians any harm, we wished the

chief and his men to go to their camp, as it was now too late to trade.

But in the morning, when the sun shone on our wagon covers, not when it

shone on the mountain tops in the west, but when it shone on our tents

and wagon covers, they could leave their arms behind and come down with

their robes, pelts and furs, and we would trade with them as friends;

but he was not to allow any of his men to visit our camp or stock at

night.

The chief said that was heap good talk, and ordered his people to

return to their own camp. They promptly obeyed, to the great relief

of the company, which had been very nervous, as scarcely one of them

except myself had ever witnessed such a sight before.

Next morning, between daylight and sunrise, the Indians appeared on

the brow of the hill northeast of camp. There seemed to be hundreds of

them formed in a long line and making a very formidable array. Just as

the sunlight shone on the tents and wagon covers they made a descent

on us that sent a thrill through every heart in camp, until it was

seen that they had left their weapons of war behind, and had brought

only articles of trade. They came into the center of the corral, the

people gathered with what they had to trade, and for a while a great

bargaining was carried on. For once I had more than I could do in

assisting them to understand each other, and see that there was no

disturbance or wrong done in the great zeal of both parties.

The trading was over without any trouble, there was a hearty shaking of

hands, and the company resumed its journey up the river, passing and

being repassed by numerous companies moving west to Pike's Peak and to

Utah, California, or Oregon. There were gold seekers, freighters, and a

host of families of emigrants; and as the company advanced to the west

we met many people going to the east. They were traveling all ways,

with ox, horse and mule teams, as well as by pack trains of horses and

mules; while some were floating down the Platte River in small row

boats.

I have omitted many dates, but feel that I must say that some time

in July we came up with Captain Horton Haight, who started two weeks

ahead of us, with a Church train of seventy-five wagons of freight.

Both trains passed Fort Laramie that same day. Mine camped seven miles

above the fort on the river, where we laid over the next day, and had

our wagons unloaded and thoroughly cleaned from the dust and dirt;

then they were reloaded so as to balance their loading anew. All sick

cattle were doctored, while the female portion of camp washed and did

considerable baking. The next day we proceeded on to the Black Hills,

in good spirits, the people generally well and encouraged. The road

then began to be rough and gravelly, so that the cattle began to get

sore-footed, and that changed the tone of feelings of some of the

people.

We went on in peace over hills and dales to the Sweetwater, thence up

that stream to what was called the last crossing, where we stopped

one day, and again overhauled our load, doctored sick cattle, baked,

etc. From there we crossed the summit of the great Rocky Mountains to

Pacific Springs, so called because their waters flow down the Pacific

slope. From that point we traveled over very sandy plains and saleratus

deserts, to the Little Sandy, then to what was called the Big Sandy,

and thence to Green River, the last hundred miles being the most

soul-trying of the whole journey, owing to being sandy and poisonous to

the stock. We traveled day and night, all that the cattle could endure,

and in fact more than many of the people did endure without much

complaint and fault-finding.

After a day's rest on the Green River, however, and being told that

there was no more such country to cross, the train entered on the last

one hundred and fifty miles of the journey, crossing over to Ham's

Fork, then to Fort Bridger on Black's Fork, and on to the two Muddys

and to Quaking Asp Ridge, the highest point crossed by the emigrant

road. From there we went down into Echo Canyon, then to Weber River,

crossed it and over the foothills to East Canyon Creek and to the

foot of the Big Mountain, where we met Apostles John Taylor and F.

D. Richards. A halt was called to listen to the hearty welcome and

words of cheer from the Apostles. Then the company passed over the Big

Mountain to the foot of the Little Mountain, where we camped. Many of

the people were sick from eating chokecherries and wild berries found

along the roadside.

Next day we proceeded to the top of Little Mountain. When I saw the

last wagon on the summit, I left the sergeant, G. L. Farrell, in

charge, and went ahead to report the approach of my company and their

condition, as there were one hundred or more without food for their

supper. I called first on General H. S. Eldredge, and took dinner with

him. He received me very kindly, and accompanied me to President

Brigham Young's office. The President welcomed us as cordially as a

father could. After he had inquired and was told the condition of the

company, he sent word to Bishop Edward Hunter to have the tithing yard

cleared for the cattle, to have cooked food for all who needed it, and

to have the company camp in Union Square.

When steps had been taken to carry out these orders, I called at my

father-in-law's in the Fourteenth Ward, where I learned that my family

were well. Then I went back, met the company on the bench east of the

city, and conducted it down to the square, where we found Bishop Hunter

and a number of other Bishops and people of the several wards, with

an abundance of cooked food for supper and breakfast for the whole

company. Several of the Twelve Apostles were on the ground to bid the

company a hearty welcome, and delivered short addresses of good cheer.

This was August 29, 1859.

Next morning, the 30th, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, Ezra

T. Benson, Charles C. Rich and Erastus Snow of the Twelve Apostles,

Bishop Hunter and other prominent officers of the Church, came to the

camp, called the people together, and again bade the Saints welcome to

our mountain home. They advised the people where to go, and what to do

to support themselves for the winter.

It was while yet on the Union Square that Apostle Charles C. Rich told

me that he and others had been called to take a mission to England,

leaving home in the spring, and that they would like me to go with

them; he thought I had better shape my affairs so that I would be ready

for the call.

During the day the people found shelter and friends, and I reported

to the _Deseret News_ office and to President Young, who told me I was

honorably released from any further responsibility for the company.

On our journey across the plains we had two deaths in the company, and

five births, and had lost twenty-five head of cattle--a very small

percentage compared with losses in general.

After the interview with President Young, I followed up my brother

Willis, who had gone ahead with our team. We stopped that night at

Charles C. Rich's, twelve miles north of Salt Lake City, and on

September 1st reached my home in Ogden City, where we found all well

and pleased to meet us again.

At Ogden many friends and relatives called to see us. In a day or two

after our arrival, we went to cutting bulrushes along the slough on

the bottom lands, with a scythe, that being the only chance for us to

winter our stock. In a short time we purchased a wagon load of butter

and eggs, and took it to Camp Floyd, forty miles southwest of Salt Lake

City. We made a good profit on that load, then made a second trip and

had stolen from us one of our mules worth one hundred and fifty dollars.

As we could not get a trace of the mule, Willis returned to the city to

get another animal, so we could move our wagon. About 12 o'clock one

night, while he was gone and I was sleeping alone in the wagon, the

moon shining bright and clear, a thief cut the hind end of the wagon

cover open, and drew out one of the quilts. As he was taking the second

I awoke and caught him in the act. I asked what he was doing there,

and was told it was none of my business, but to get out of his wagon,

or he would send an officer after me. At the same time he put his hand

on an old fashioned United States holster pistol that he had in his

belt, then staggered off, feigning drunkenness. I saw that he went

into a corner where he could not pass out, so I hastened and called

the landlord, Mr. Kinney, a man about sixty years old, and told him

what had happened. Said he, "If he went in there he cannot get through

that way." He peeped into a dark corner, where the buildings were so

close that a man could not squeeze through. "Here he is; come out, you

thief," said he, and the midnight marauder made a break to pass. The

old gentleman struck at him as he went by, and the next instant I had

him by the throat. By that time the thief had got his pistol disengaged

from his belt, but before he could turn it towards me I caught it from

his grasp, threw him heavily on the ground, and held him there till Mr.

Kinney brought an officer.

Meanwhile we were surrounded by half a dozen gamblers, one of whom

said to the thief, "What are you doing down there, Rainbow?" A second

ordered him to get up. They all seemed to know him, but all were

strangers to me. I had passed the pistol to the old landlady, who

brought it out, offered it to the officers, and told them she saw the

thief try to shoot me when I snatched it and passed it to her. At that

the thief swore the weapon was not his, but mine, and that I had drawn

it to shoot him. Then the officers told me to keep the pistol, and they

let the thief go to a saloon in a gambling house, where he treated the

crowd, and told them that he had an engagement for a woman to meet him

there that night, but he found a man instead, and that was all there

was of it. At that the officers liberated him, and I concluded that I

had got into a den of thieves, so disposed of my load and left for home

as soon as I could. All the profit that we had made in the first trip

was lost in the second, for we never recovered the mule.

The weather being cold, we threw up that business and took a contract

amounting to two hundred and fifty dollars on the Ogden Canyon road,

and in the bitter cold weather of winter worked till the job was

completed. That work finished, we took another contract to get out

timber for the first county jail in Weber County, and continued to work

in the canyon until April 1st. The winter had been so long and severe

that we sold part of our wearing apparel and bed clothes for hay to

keep life in our animals.

CHAPTER LV.

CALLED ON A MISSION TO GREAT BRITAIN--PREPARE TO DEPART--START

WITHOUT PURSE OR SCRIP--JOURNEY TO SALT LAKE CITY--SET APART FOR THE

MISSION--BEGIN THE JOURNEY EASTWARD--ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY--MY

POST AS CHAPLAIN--OVERTAKEN BY APOSTLES A. M. LYMAN AND C. C.

RICH--TRAVELING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS--SNOWSTORMS AND WIND--FORAGE

IS SCARCE--MEETINGS WITH THE INDIANS--CAPTAIN REYNOLDS' EXPLORING

PARTY--ARMY DESERTERS IN OUR CAMP--MAIL FROM HOME--EMIGRANTS WESTWARD

BOUND--DISSATISFACTION IN CAMP--FEELING ABOUT APOSTLES LYMAN AND

RICH--I RESIGN AS CAPTAIN, BUT AM ELECTED AGAIN, AND FINALLY RESUME

COMMAND--MAIL ROBBERY--MORE DISAGREEABLE STORMS--MEET A HANDCART

COMPANY, AND APOSTLE GEORGE Q. CANNON--REACH THE MISSOURI RIVER--VISIT

MY FATHER AND HIS FAMILY--GO TO ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI--MY FIRST VIEW

OF A RAILWAY TRAIN--AT MY OLD HOME IN BROWN COUNTY, ILLINOIS--JOURNEY

EASTWARD BY RAIL--ARRIVE IN NEW YORK FOR THE FIRST TIME--FIND FRIENDS.

SOME time in February of this year (1860), I received a letter from

President Brigham Young, informing me that I had been selected to

accompany Apostles Amasa M. Lyman and Charles C. Rich on a mission to

Great Britain, starting in April. The letter authorized me to call on

Bishop Chauncey W. West, to have my city and five-acre lots fenced and

cultivated by labor tithing, for the benefit of my family; also for the

Bishop to furnish my family, from time to time, with such necessary

articles as they needed and could not otherwise obtain. I called on the

Bishop as authorized, and showed him the letter, but the work he was

called on for never was done, and my family suffered in consequence.

I settled my business and prepared for the mission, and in April

attended conference in Salt Lake City, where my name was presented and

sustained with those of many others called to perform missions. On the

19th of April, I blessed my family and bade farewell to them till I

should be released from the duty which now rested upon me of preaching

the Gospel among the inhabitants of the British Isles. I had a ham

and a few articles of food, a light change of clothing, and my rifle.

These I put in the wagon of H. Hanson, who was starting to Salt Lake

City, on his way to fill a mission in Denmark. Then, with my shot-pouch

and a new pair of boots across my shoulder, I began my journey from

Ogden, intending to hunt up a yoke of cattle I had on the range, and

drive them to Salt Lake City. Not a dollar of money did I have--I was

entirely without purse or scrip. I found my cattle, drove them to Salt

Lake City, turned them over to my father-in-law, Nathan Tanner, to pay

a debt I was owing and to obtain some flour for food on my journey, and

I was ready on April 20th, the date appointed, to leave on my mission.

But some of the others were not ready, and the departure was postponed

to April 25th.

On the last named date, we gathered at the Church historian's office

in Salt Lake City, to be set apart and receive instructions for our

missions. President Brigham Young there gave us counsel never to

be forgotten, and our hearts rejoiced therein. Each of us received

a certificate of our missionary appointment, signed by the First

Presidency, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Daniel H. Wells.

We were then instructed to meet next day, the 26th, at the mouth of

Parley's Canyon, and to proceed therefrom under command of Joseph W.

Young, our baggage being hauled by teams owned by the Church that were

going to Florence, Nebraska.

President Young had designated me to take charge of one of the teams,

with permission to leave it when Apostles Lyman and Rich overtook us,

which they expected to do in three or four days. Thus I had in my care

four yoke of oxen and a large government wagon; and, in company with

several others, went to President Young's mill south of the city. We

took on from a thousand to twelve hundred pounds of flour to each

wagon, and proceeded to the place of rendezvous, where there were

gathered thirty wagons, with about forty missionaries and the Beebe and

Buzzard families, who were going back to their farms in Iowa.

On April 17th, Presidents Young and Wells came out and organized the

company, appointing Joseph W. Young as captain, and John Woolley

as sergeant of the guard. Myself and two others were selected as

chaplains. The company was instructed as to necessary duties in

crossing the plains, and we started. Our route was up Parley's Canyon,

then down Silver Creek to the Weber River, thence up to the mouth of

Chalk Creek. At the Spriggs coal pit a number of us visited the mine,

the tunnels of which went straight into the mountain side. Then we

proceeded across to Bear River, and followed along the Big Muddy. The

Beebe and Buzzard families and E. D. Woolley and company continued on

by way of Fort Bridger, while the rest of us made a road across the

bend of the Muddy.

Apostles A. M. Lyman and C. C. Rich overtook us on May 4th, and we all

camped together that night. Walter M. Gibson and I were transferred

to Samuel White's wagon, and on the 5th we bade farewell to Joseph W.

Young's company, taking an early leave of them, and proceeded to Ham's

Fork, on which we camped for the night. There I was made captain of the

company, with John Tobin as sergeant of the guard, and W. H. Dame as

chaplain. Guards were placed out to take care of the stock. That night

there was quite a snowstorm.

Next morning, the weather was cold and disagreeable. We made our way

to Green River, where we met some people who had apostatized from the

Church, and were going back to St. Louis; we also met some Shoshone

Indians who were friendly. We camped on the Big Sandy that night, and

had quite a hunt for our animals, which strayed off because there was

so little grass. But we recovered all of them.

On May 10th we came to Pacific Springs, where we met Buzzard, Beebe,

Woolley and company, and received them into our company without any

change in organization. That day we crossed over the South Pass and

the Sweetwater River, and camped on Willow Creek. Next day we went

through a number of snowdrifts, passed over the Rocky Ridge and to

the Sweetwater, following along the river. That night we met a party

of Shoshone Indians returning from a fight with the Crow Indians. The

following morning, the 12th, we missed part of our animals, and were

detained till 11 o'clock securing them again. We then moved forward on

our journey, and on the 13th, at the second crossing of the Sweetwater,

encountered a severe snowstorm.

From then till the 18th the wind was very high, and the weather

disagreeable. Grass was very scarce. On the 14th we met a band of

Arapahoe Indians on a buffalo hunt, and on the 15th met Captain

Reynolds with a party of explorers. We afterwards heard that the

entire party were killed by Blackfeet Indians, on the headwaters of

the Missouri River. On the 18th, as we were traveling down the Platte

River, Sergeant Min, with a small party of soldiers from Fort Laramie,

searched the wagons in our company for three deserters from Camp Floyd.

There were two of them in our camp. They had come to us in Parley's

Canyon, saying they had been discharged. One of them, George Kelly,

showed his discharge papers, but he had re-enlisted, and deserted after

receiving his bounty. The other was a servant who had stolen a gold

watch. His name was Alexander Demster. Both were taken to Fort Laramie.

On May 20th we arrived within seven miles of Fort Laramie, where we

rested our animals and attended to necessary work for proceeding

farther. We also built a raft and went across to the fort for our

mail, getting a few letters. There was none for me. We wrote to our

families, and on the 22nd again moved forward. This time we had two

other discharged soldiers with us; one of them had a wife and child.

I had changed from Samuel White's wagon to D. Savage's, and drove his

six-mule team most of the way. From the 23rd on we met many people

bound for California, Oregon, or the Pike's Peak gold mines.

We passed Chimney Rock on May 25th, and rested that evening at a

fair camping ground. There had been some dissatisfaction on the part

of owners of teams because the grass had been short and the animals

were not doing well. Fault was found with the camping places, and as

Apostles Lyman and Rich often had been consulted and had suggested the

location for camp, these prominent members of our company felt that

if there were any blame in making the choice it belonged to them. So

the Apostles asked forgiveness for what they had done, and promised

they would have no more to do with directing the journeyings of the

company. When I found that I was deprived of the counsel of such men, I

resigned my office as captain. John Tobin also resigned as sergeant of

the guard. That night was passed with the camp in a disorganized state,

and next morning there was no one to lead out with orders to proceed.

The team owners and others found themselves well puzzled, and began

to realize the mistake that had been made. By advice of Apostle C. C.

Rich, I called the company together, but none knew what to do. Finally,

Elder Rich suggested that they elect as captain someone they would not

find so much fault with. The vote was for me, and at the request of

Elder Rich I again assumed command, and we moved on. John Brown was

selected as sergeant of the guard.

At Ash Hollow we learned that the St. Joseph and Great Salt Lake mail

coach had been robbed on Greasewood Creek, by Shoshone Indians, and

that the mail carriers had been killed. We were detained at Ash Hollow

several hours on the 27th, by the severe illness of A. Beebe's wife.

For several days thereafter there were high winds, and showers, making

the roads very disagreeable, so that it took us till May 31st to reach

Buffalo Creek, where we saw some buffalo. The next night we camped

ten miles above Fort Kearney. On June 2nd we called at Dr. Henry's

ranch for dinner, and seven miles further on reached the place where

Joseph E. Johnson and his brother had located, and were publishing a

paper called the _Mountain Echo_. At this point Nephi Johnson and Daniel

Babbitt left us, as they had reached the end of their journey. We

continued on four miles further, and camped.

Proceeding on our journey, we reached and crossed the Elkhorn River on

June 6th, and that night met and camped with a company of Latter-day

Saints crossing the plains with handcarts. The company was in good

spirits, and glad to see us, and we spent the evening in singing the

songs of Zion. Just as we had gone to bed, Apostle George Q. Cannon;

who had charge of the Church emigration that year, came up, in company

with Horton Haight and others, and we were glad to arise and shake

hands with him. He was a particular friend and brother with whom

several of us had traveled many miles and spent many pleasant hours.

After a long talk Elder Cannon turned in with me for sleep.

On the morning of June 7th, the members of the handcart company were

called together, and Apostles Lyman and Rich gave them some good

instructions. Then we bade them good-bye, and proceeded to Florence,

where we met many warm-hearted Saints from Europe. On the 8th, I

procured a span of mules from Horton Haight, and a carriage from George

Q. Cannon, and accompanied by J. C. Rich, crossed the Missouri River

to Calhoun, Harrison County, Iowa, where we met with my father and his

family. They were well, and greatly pleased to see me. We visited with

my relatives till the 11th, when J. C. Rich and I parted at Crescent

City, while I returned to Florence, where my father visited me on the

12th, and invited Apostles Lyman and Rich and myself to take dinner at

the finest hotel in the town, which we did. My father promised me there

that if he lived and was able to sell his property, he would accompany

me to Utah when I returned from my mission.

On June 15th, I went to Omaha in company with J. C. Rich, F. M. Lyman,

and R. McBride, where we were joined next day by A. M. Lyman, C. C.

Rich, G. Q. Cannon, and John Tobin. We took passage on the steamboat

_Omaha_ for St. Joseph, Missouri, where we landed on the morning of the

18th. That day while strolling through the city with Francis M. Lyman,

I first saw a locomotive and railway train in motion. It was to us a

grand sight, and we viewed it with admiration and satisfaction. At 6

a.m., on the 19th, we boarded the train, C. C. Rich, J. C. Rich and

John Tobin going to St Louis, and the rest of us to Quincy, Illinois,

where I left the party and went to Versailles, Brown County. There I

received a hearty welcome from relatives and friends.

I remained in that locality five days, until the 24th, visiting uncles,

brother-in-law, cousins, and other relatives, and also the farm on

which I was reared. At Versailles, on the evening of the 21st, I

lectured, by request, on my travels and experiences. The schoolroom

being too small to accommodate the people, the Methodist church was

procured, and was well filled, many of the audience being my old

schoolmates. They were glad to meet me, as I was to meet them.

I stayed that night with Joseph F. Vandeventer, and next day, in

company with him and his brother Thomas, visited my father's old farm,

then owned by William Knox. There were many changes about the place.

The cemetery was fenced into a pasture, and I was unable to find my

brother's grave. The fruit trees in the orchard were well grown, and I

was given some good apples and the best cider I ever tasted, made from

fruit from trees I had set out with my own hands.

That day's walk brought to my recollection my youthful days, my hunts

through the woods and my adventures, my toilsome labors in grubbing

underbrush and clearing the land, threshing wheat in the hot, autumn

sun, feeding stock in the cold winter, my cold fingers, benumbed body,

and frozen toes--once shedding my toenails through frost, and peeling

the skin off my feet--in short, I was reminded of much toil on the

part of my parents, brothers and sisters and myself, and of many days

of sickness with fever and ague. We returned to Versailles, and next

evening, the 23rd, after more visiting, I consented to preach, and was

given good attention by a large congregation. On the 24th, I went down

to the river landing at the mouth of Crooked Creek, with my uncle and

Joseph F. Vandeventer, but learning that the boats were uncertain, I

resolved to go to Meridotia and there take train for New York, in order

to meet Elder C. C. Rich. To do this, it was necessary for me to borrow

twenty dollars, which I did of Mr. Vandeventer. At 9 o'clock that

evening I was on my way, on the Quincy and Toledo line, passing through

the great Wabash valley. After several changes of cars, and crossing

North River on a ferry boat, I landed in New York City on June 26th,

without knowing a soul that lived there.

I walked up to Broadway, and took a Sixth Avenue omnibus to

Twenty-third Street, where I found the residence of Brother Jonas

Croxall, and introduced myself to his wife, as he was not at home. I

had eaten but two meals since I got into the cars at Meridotia, and

they cost me seventy-five cents. I had ridden over one thousand miles

on the cars from Illinois, and had ninety-five cents when I reached

the end of the journey. My supper that night was provided at Brother

Croxall's. About 11 o'clock in the evening Brothers Croxall and A.

M. Lyman came in, they having been on a visit together at Brother

Schettler's.

CHAPTER LVI.

VISIT VARIOUS PLACES OF INTEREST IN NEW YORK AND VICINITY--ARRIVAL

OF THE GREAT EASTERN--PREACH AT WILLIAMSBURG--NEW YORK'S CELEBRATION

OF THE FOURTH--MY THIRTY-SECOND BIRTHDAY--SECURE PASSPORTS AND OCEAN

PASSAGE--CROWDED IN THE STEERAGE--FOGGY AND WET WEATHER--VIEW OF THE

IRISH COAST--FLEET OF BRITISH WARSHIPS--LAND IN LIVERPOOL--ASSIGNED

TO BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE--IN BIRMINGHAM--LISTEN TO ANTI-MORMON

LECTURE--VISITING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE AS A MORMON MISSIONARY--PLACES

OF INTEREST--TRANSFERRED TO NOTTINGHAM CONFERENCE--PREACHING AND

VISITING--MISSION TRAVELS--GO TO LONDON--SEE NOTABLE PLACES--NEWS OF MY

DAUGHTER'S DEATH--BIRTH OF ANOTHER DAUGHTER--RETURN TO NOTTINGHAM.

THE 27th of June was spent with Apostle A. M. Lyman and J. Croxall,

walking about the city of New York. That day F. M. Lyman and Reuben

McBride arrived, and next day Apostle Lyman and his son Francis M. left

for Boston. With Reuben McBride, I visited the various departments of

the place where J. Croxall and his son worked. We then crossed East

River with Thomas Miller, and strolled through Williamsburg. We were

introduced to a Brother Stone and family, with whom we stayed all

night. On the 29th we were made acquainted with many Latter-day Saints

in Williamsburg, then crossed over to Brooklyn, where we went through

the navy yard and other places; at the first named place we went on

board the old ship of war _North Carolina_. That day we heard the salutes

fired for the _Great Eastern_, as she steamed up the wharf in New York.

The ocean monster was hailed with joy and enthusiasm. She had been

sighted at sea the evening before.

In New York City, on the 30th, we visited Barnum's museum, Castle

Garden, the postoffice, and had a view of the _Great Eastern_. I received

a letter from my family reporting all well. The 1st of July was Sunday,

and we met with the Latter-day Saints in Williamsburg. The speakers at

the meetings that day were Apostle C. C. Rich, Elder Walter Gibson and

myself. I crossed over to New York that night, and the remainder of our

stay in the city was the guest of Bernard A. Schettler, who treated me

very kindly. During the next few days we visited many factories, ships

and places of interest, and wrote letters home. On the 4th, which was

my thirty-second birthday anniversary, there was a grand celebration.

The militia of New York City paraded, passing the George Washington

monument in review. There was a grand fireworks display in the evening;

and in the afternoon we witnessed the aeronaut, Mr. Wise, ascend out

of sight with a balloon. On the 9th we sent to Washington for our

passports. W. H. Dame and I were appointed on the 12th to take the

money of our party, secure berths on the steamship _Edinburgh_, of the

Blackball line between New York and Liverpool, and to purchase articles

necessary for the journey across the Atlantic Ocean. We attended to

this duty on the 13th.

July 14th, our party, thirteen in number, went on board, and at 12

o'clock noon, the vessel left the landing. We paid twenty-five dollars

each for steerage passage. There were nearly three hundred passengers,

and the berths were all taken up, so our lot was rather hard. Being

very much crowded for room as well, it was plain that our part of the

voyage was not to be very pleasant; but we were on board and had to

make the best of it.

By the 18th we were off the banks of Newfoundland, in a dense, damp

fog, that obscured the sun and made it impossible to see more than a

few rods from the ship. The steam siren kept up a constant whistling,

to warn other vessels of our location and approach. The fog lasted till

the 23rd, when it lighted up, but the weather was cloudy, with some

rain. On the 24th a vessel bore in sight.

Next day we had headwinds, and the sun shone for a short time. We came

in sight of the southwest coast of Ireland, and at the cry of "Land!"

every countenance brightened. All were on deck to catch a glimpse of

the welcome scene. As this proceeding was going on, we heard the cry,

"Sail ho!" and in a short time there came into full view a fleet of her

majesty Queen Victoria's warships, eleven in number. They were steaming

along the coast to the south and in advance of us. Suddenly they

changed their course and came to meet us. When they drew near, their

signal flags were hoisted on the masts, making a beautiful and imposing

appearance.

That night at 11 o'clock we ran into Queenstown, the harbor of Cork,

Ireland. There some passengers for Ireland, and mail were taken off,

and we headed for the coast of England, coming in sight of Wales the

next day.

Early on the morning of the 27th we were on the muddy, dark waters

of the Mersey, and soon landed in Liverpool, where the dank, smoky,

mildewed walls looked to us as if they had stood for a thousand years.

To our eyes the city had a very dismal and forbidding appearance.

After the usual custom house inspection, we sent our baggage to the

Latter-day Saints' office at 42 Islington, and walked there ourselves,

a distance of a mile and a half. At the office we met Elder N. V. Jones

and others, who received us very kindly. The following day we were

appointed to our various missionary fields, J. C. Rich and I being

assigned to Birmingham pastorate. That afternoon Elder Rich and I paid

a visit to Birkenhead, across the river Mersey, and met with some of

the Saints.

Sunday, July 29th, we all attended meeting with the Liverpool Saints,

in their assembly room on Great George's Street. Next day, Elder Rich

and I took train for Birmingham, passing through a tunnel a mile and

a half long on the route. Arriving at New Street station, Birmingham,

we hailed a cab and were taken to No. 163 Burton Place, Spring Hill.

There we had expected to find Elder Charles W. Penrose, but he was not

at home. His sister-in-law met us, and seemed surprised at our call. I

told her who we were, and we received a rather mistrustful invitation

to come in; but after questioning us some she became satisfied of our

identity, and provided us with something to eat.

Later, F. G. Blake, who was traveling Elder in that place, came in, and

we took a walk with him, meeting Elder Penrose. We all went to West

Bromwich that evening, and heard one Mr. Bird, an old apostate from

Utah, lecture against the Mormons. He was doing this for money, and the

large hall was full of people. He made many false accusations against

the Latter-day Saints, which were loudly applauded by his ignorant

hearers. After the lecture we returned to Birmingham, and stayed all

night at Elder Penrose's.

To us, Birmingham seemed as dark, smokey and mildewed as did Liverpool;

but it was well located. The place was one of the busiest manufacturing

centers of the world. The railway lines passing through do not obstruct

or occupy the streets; on one of the roads, which is built on a series

of arches, the cars run level with the chimneys on three-story houses;

and other roads pass beneath the city, running under large houses.

The New Street station was one of the best and most commodious I have

ever seen; indeed it is now one of the largest in the world, occupying

eleven acres, with a fine iron and glass roof eleven hundred feet long.

After visiting from house to house with the Saints on August 1st, we

preached that evening in the Oxford Street Hall. Next day our visiting

continued, and we found a dull spirit among the people. Trade was

very bad, and the working people were extremely poor. Many of them

were unable to give us a good meal of victuals unless they suffered

themselves in consequence; yet they seemed very kind to us, but

sluggish in spirit. That night we preached in Hockley Chapel, Farm

Street.

On the 3rd we visited the different markets in the city; on the 4th

met Elders A. M. Lyman, C. C. Rich and N. V. Jones; and on the 5th

were with the Saints in conference in the Odd Fellows' Hall, where

large congregations assembled. The presidents of the branches in the

Birmingham conference made favorable reports, and the Gospel was

preached by Apostles Lyman and Rich and others of the Elders. That

night J. C. Rich and I stayed at Brother Acock's. It did not seem

possible to get the people into the notion of going to bed before

midnight; that seeming to be the custom in the English cities.

The Gillott steel and gold pen factory was the object of an interesting

visit by J. C. Rich, F. G. Blake and myself on August 6th. We passed

through the factory, and saw the work from rolling the large bars

of steel down to finishing the pen ready for use; there were four

hundred persons employed in the factory. That evening the Elders met in

council, and J. C. Rich and I were appointed to labor in the Nottingham

pastorate. Next day, in company with several others, I visited the

grave of Elder James H. Flanagan, who died while on a mission; his body

was interred in the old Birmingham cemetery. In the evening we had a

pleasant sociable at the home of Brother Smith, and next day J. C. Rich

and I took the train for Nottingham, where we were met at the station

by Elder Edward Reid, president of the conference, and were conducted

to No. 24 Promenade, Robinhood Street, where the wife of Elder David

John had dinner waiting for us. We next went to Radcliffe Chapel,

where we met with a goodly number of Saints, and preached to them.

Elder David John presided over the Nottingham pastorate. The day after

reaching the town I took a severe cold, and had to lay by the next day.

We found Nottingham a very different place to Liverpool and Birmingham.

The town and adjacent country were not so smoky and unhealthful. The

town had about one hundred and eighty thousand inhabitants, and was the

center of the silk and cotton lace and hosiery industries.

On Sunday, August 12th, Elders A. M. Lyman and N. V. Jones (who had

come from Liverpool) and I preached to the Saints; on the 13th J. C.

Rich and I went to visit G. Wright, at the request of his niece who

lived in Utah; his home was at Fisherton, on the river Trent, and after

an unwelcome greeting there we returned to Nottingham. Next day we went

to Mansfield with Elder James Payne, passing through the place where

Robin Hood roamed. That evening we preached to the Saints, then spent

the next two days preaching in different villages. At Pixton, on the

16th, we visited a coal pit.

Leicester, the county seat of Leicestershire, and center of the boot

and shoe trade, was our destination on August 19th. We preached there

that night, and on Monday visited the museum. The rest of the week we

spent in visiting and preaching in several villages, then returned to

Nottingham. At Loughborough, on the 22nd, our meeting was disturbed

by several rude young men, who laughed and asked questions in an

offensive manner. A stone was hurled through the window at me, while I

was preaching. It passed just in front of me, but no one was hit. The

meeting was dismissed in confusion.

On the 26th, we went to Derby for a couple of days. My health continued

to be very poor during this period of my travels. Burton-on-Trent, a

place noted for the brewing of malt liquors, was visited on the 28th,

and that night I preached at Branston, then stayed at the house of a

chimney-sweep named Doman. He had been in the Church nineteen years.

Next day we preached in the pottery district, then returned to Derby,

where, on the 31st, we went through Fox & Company's shot factory, going

to the top of the tower, two hundred and twenty steps. That evening we

went to a theatre.

During the first part of September, I traveled and preached, visiting

Nottingham, Derby, Belper and several adjacent villages. I attended

the Derby races on the 6th; there were about twenty thousand people in

attendance. On the 12th, I left Nottingham for London in company with

Brothers J. C. Rich and Blackburn, and Sister Cook and daughter, going

via the Midland railway. From St. Pancras station we went to Brother

John Cook's, at No. 30 Florence Street, Cross Street, Islington,

London, where I made my home during my stay in the metropolis. There we

met with Elders John Brown, F. M. Lyman, and John Gleason.

I remained in London and vicinity until October 3rd. During our stay

at the national capital we visited many interesting places, among them

being the tunnel under the Thames, which is reached by a flight of one

hundred steps, is four hundred yards from end to end, and while we were

passing through there were some fifteen to twenty ships lying above it,

and steamboats passing over it up and down the river. We visited the

British hospitals for invalided soldiers and sailors, and went from

there to Greenwich, whence is measured longitude east and west, and

where we also saw the standard weights and measures of Great Britain.

The British Museum; the King's Library; Westminster Abbey, where Great

Britain's rulers are anointed and crowned by the archbishops of the

Church of England; the Parliament buildings, wherein are the House

of Lords and House of Commons, with the throne and the woolsack;

Buckingham Palace, the city residence of Queen Victoria; St. Paul's

Cathedral, which was undergoing repairs; National Gallery; Cattle

Market; Zoological Gardens, with the giraffe, the hippopotamus, the

rhinoceros and all manner of beasts and birds; South Kensington Museum;

Hyde Park; White Tower of London, where are the block and ax used in

beheading Queen Anne Boleyn and Mary, Queen of Scots, also the royal

regalia, and much other material of historic value; London Bridge, with

its vast traffic; Crystal Palace with its tower four hundred and twelve

steps to the top, from which can be seen six counties of England;

Anatomical Museum; Madame Tussaud's Bazar; the Dockyards, and the rich

residence portion of London, all were visited by us, and were very

interesting and entertaining.

On September 13th we attended a tea party of the Saints near King's

Cross station. Several times I preached to congregations, both on the

Surrey side of the Thames, and on the north side. On the 14th, Elders

A. M. Lyman and N. V. Jones came from Scotland to London. I received a

letter from home on the 25th, Tuesday, bringing the sad intelligence

of the death of Deseret Ann, my second daughter, also of the birth to

her mother, my wife Rebecca, of a daughter. I wrote an answer to that

letter the same day. During the time I was in London I had a severe

cold and my health was far from good. I returned to Nottingham on

October 3rd, via the Great Northern railway, and resumed my missionary

labors in that conference.

CHAPTER LVII.

AGAIN AT MISSIONARY LABORS--BAPTISMS--BECOME QUITE ILL--APPOINTED PRESIDENT

OF THE NOTTINGHAM DISTRICT, EMBRACING THREE CONFERENCES--VISITED BY

APOSTLES A. M. LYMAN, C. C. RICH AND OTHERS--SETTLING DIFFERENCES AMONG

CHURCH MEMBERS--ATTEND A PHRENOLOGICAL LECTURE--GET A CHART--GO TO

LIVERPOOL--IN CONFERENCE AT NOTTINGHAM--MY PASTORATE ENLARGED--WITNESS

A MILITARY REVIEW--MORE BAPTISMS--VISIT SHEFFIELD--FIXING MY

NAME--POVERTY IN NOTTINGHAM--INVITED TO TAKE A TRIP TO PARIS--GO TO

LONDON--HAVE TO GIVE UP THE VISIT TO FRANCE--IN POOR HEALTH--RETURN TO

NOTTINGHAM--SEE PROFESSOR BLONDIN.

THE month of October was occupied in traveling and preaching in the

district where I was assigned to labor as a missionary. In fulfilling

this calling I visited, besides the town of Nottingham, which was

headquarters, Derby, Leicester, Burton-on-Trent, Radcliffe, Arnold,

Hucknall, Mansfield, Pixton, Ilkiston, Woodhouse, Wirksworth, Mount St.

Bernard, Tutbury and other places, preaching in some of them several

times. On October 23, I visited the Mount Saint Bernard monastery, and

a reformatory for incorrigible boys. The first named was a Catholic

institution.

November was occupied similarly to October, and in addition to most of

the places visited in the last named month, I was at Belper, Carlton,

Coalville and other small towns. On the 11th I baptized three young

women, Annie Simpson, Harriet Cadman and Eliza Bates. The weather

turning cold and stormy, my health was not very good. Apostle C. C.

Rich came on the 24th and on the 28th we went to Sutton, where I had to

stop for several days, I was so ill.

The month of December had some very cold and stormy weather, but my

health was somewhat improved. I continued in my missionary district,

going to several new places. I was invited by Sisters Underwood and

Burrows to take dinner on Christmas. Mr. Burrows was a policeman,

and was not a member of the Church. I stayed with him at his home

on Christmas night. The next evening we had a meeting in Radcliffe,

at which an unpleasant spirit was displayed by some. I advised the

Saints to fast and pray to get the Spirit of the Lord. Brother John

was offended with this advice, and remonstrated, and when the meeting

was dismissed there was a feeling of dissatisfaction among the people.

On the 30th of December I was appointed to the presidency of the

Nottingham pastorate, embracing the Nottingham, Derby and Leicester

conferences of the Church. I was quite ill at this time, with the

mumps. My appointment came from Apostles A. M. Lyman, C. C. Rich and

George Q. Cannon, the presidency of the European mission of the Church

of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The opening of the year 1861 found me quite ill, and for the first few

days of January I was confined to my bed most of the time. On the 6th

we held conference in Nottingham, and on the evening before, Elders

A. M. Lyman, C. C. Rich, G. Gates, J. Gleason, C. Welsh, A. Orme and

H. Druce came to meet with us. We had a good time at the conference.

Elders A. M. Lyman and C. C. Rich stayed with us till the 11th, and I

visited part of the time with them, going to various villages in the

neighborhood, where they preached. During the remainder of the month I

traveled and preached and attended to the conference books and business

generally. Brother David John came to me on the 28th, being very

sorry for the unpleasant remarks he had made, and we settled matters

satisfactorily to both, parting with the best of feelings. The next day

he and his family moved to South Wales. My health continued to be quite

poor. On the 30th I took a shock from an electric battery, hoping it

would do me some good.

My health was not much improved during the month of February; but I

continued my missionary visits and other duties, writing to my father

and family, and endeavoring to carry the Gospel message wherever I

could. On the 13th, at the urgent request of Sister Mary Wilson, I

visited her parents and sick sister at Newark, being kindly received

and invited to call again. From the 19th to the 23rd, Elder C. C. Rich

paid a visit to the conference and preached to the people.

On March 2nd I attended a meeting called at Pinxton to settle a

difficulty among some of the members of the Church. It had continued

about three years, but after a long meeting we succeeded in arranging

matters, and three of the parties concerned agreed to repent and be

baptized. My visits to the various branches continued. On the 6th I

baptized Wm. Burton, Miss Cadman and Miss Betts. On the 12th I was

associated in the confirmation of twelve persons who had been baptized

by Elder J. C. Rich the evening before. On the 25th of this month I

attended one of the Fowler and Wells lectures on phrenology, and was so

interested that on the 28th I obtained a phrenological chart of myself.

I attended a tea party on April 1st, about two hundred persons being

present. The evening was spent pleasantly, in singing, reciting and

speech-making and partaking of lunch. The next day I baptized seven

persons at Nottingham. In the course of my missionary duties, I called

a meeting of the Mansfield branch on April 9, to settle a difficulty

of long standing. I released from performing any Church official

duties all who held the Priesthood, because of continual jarring and

contention among them. On the 18th I went with some emigrating Saints

to Liverpool, to assist them, settling their business and getting their

tickets.

At Liverpool, on the 19th, I accompanied Apostle C. C. Rich on a

search among the docks for a ship that could be chartered, but we were

not successful in finding one. The next day the Saints went on board

the ship _Underwriter_, which had been chartered previously for this

company, and I assisted those who had come with me to get settled on

the vessel. The next day, Sunday, the presidency of the mission went

on the ship, where the company was organized with Elder Milo Andrus

as president, Elders H. Duncan and C. W. Penrose as counselors, and

John Cook as steward. The migrating Saints were also given appropriate

instructions by Apostles Lyman, Rich and Cannon. Next day the vessel

sailed, and on the following day, Tuesday, I returned to my missionary

duties at Nottingham and vicinity. On the 29th, the day after holding a

conference at Nottingham, I baptized six persons.

In the early part of May--the 5th--conference was held in Leicester,

Apostle C. C. Rich being in attendance. He remained till the 9th,

preaching to the people in different places. On the 17th I received a

letter from Apostle George Q. Cannon, informing me that my district

had been enlarged, the Lincolnshire conference being detached from

Elder Joseph F. Smith's district and added to mine, so there were four

conferences in my pastorate. On the 20th I baptized one man and two

women who had been cut off the Church, but desired to return. Next day

I was a spectator, with about forty thousand other people, at a review

of the Nottingham Rifles, before the Duke of Newcastle, at Nottingham

Forest. On the 25th Apostle G. Q. Cannon came from Liverpool, held

meetings, and attended to business in conference.

On June 2nd I attended to three more baptisms, and on the 6th was at

the Sheffield conference, which was in charge of Elder Joseph F. Smith.

During my stay there I visited a large manufactory of steel and iron

ware, and called on the Norfolk giant, but he was too ill to be seen.

On the 13th I returned to Nottingham, traveling as far as Grantham with

Apostles Lyman and Rich, who went on to London. The remainder of the

month was occupied in my general duties. It was in this month that I

wrote to the _Millennial Star_, explaining how my name was James Brown,

and then because of others of the same name I became known as James

Brown 2nd, then James Brown 3rd, and had concluded to take my mother's

maiden name, Stephens, so that thereafter I would have an initial to

distinguish me, and be known as James S. Brown.

At Nottingham, on June 6, many poor people marched through the streets,

asking and singing for food, or money to buy it. The next day after

meeting, I was presented by Sister Elizabeth Wilson with a small

anchor, cross and heart she had made out of a stone she had picked up

on the beach at Folkestone, England. On the 8th I received a letter

from Apostle C. C. Rich, inviting Elder J. C. Rich and myself to meet

him and Apostle A. M. Lyman in London on the 14th, to take a trip to

Paris, France. Accordingly, I arranged the conference business, and we

were in London on the date named, attending conference.

Our contemplated visit to France had to be given up, however, as the

Apostles were called to Scotland to attend to some matters there. We

visited many places of interest in London, such as the Anatomical

Museum, the Polytechnic Institute, Crystal Palace, Bank of England,

the Fire Monument, the Docks, Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral,

Smithfield Market, the Mint, Windsor Castle, and Eton College. On the

17th, at Crystal Palace, we heard the chorus of three thousand five

hundred children. At Eton College we found the students inclined to be

impudent, throwing pebbles at passers-by and staring rudely at them.

During the latter part of my stay in London I was quite ill, and had

to remain indoors part of the time, once being in all day. I returned

to Nottingham on the 24th, where the only thing of particular interest

outside of my missionary duties that I observed during that month was

on the 30th, when I went out to the park and saw Professor Blondin

perform on the tight rope.

CHAPTER LVIII.

PROLONGED ILLNESS--ATTEND TO MY DUTIES WITH DIFFICULTY--LETTER TELLING

OF THE BATTLE OF BULL'S RUN--WITNESS AN EXECUTION BY HANGING--VISIT

FROM GEORGE Q. CANNON, JOSEPH F. SMITH AND OTHERS--DEATH OF THE

PRINCE CONSORT--GO TO BIRMINGHAM--CONFERENCE OF THE PRIESTHOOD IN THE

BRITISH MISSION--LARGE MEETING IN ODD FELLOWS' HALL, BIRMINGHAM--AGAIN

AT NOTTINGHAM--VISIT LIVERPOOL--CONSULT A PHYSICIAN, BUT GET LITTLE

RELIEF--SEE THE LIVERPOOL GRAND NATIONAL RACES--DEPRAVITY AMONG POORER

CLASSES IN LIVERPOOL--AGAIN AT NOTTINGHAM--RELEASED TO RETURN HOME--BID

THE PEOPLE FAREWELL--DISPLAY OF THEIR AFFECTION FOR ME--REPORT OF MY

LABORS PUBLISHED IN THE MILLENNIAL STAR--ON BOARD SHIP--PLACED IN

CHARGE OF THE COMPANY--SAIL FOR AMERICA--DRIVEN BY HEADWINDS ALONG

THE COASTS OF THE ISLE OF MAN, WALES, IRELAND AND SCOTLAND--SEVERE

SEASICKNESS--GET TO SEA--SLOW VOYAGE--DEATHS AND BURIALS AT SEA--LAND

AT NEW YORK--GUEST OF HON. W. H. HOOPER--JOURNEY TO FLORENCE,

NEBRASKA--CAPTAIN AND GUIDE OF INDEPENDENT COMPANY--REACH SALT LAKE

CITY--REPORT TO PRESIDENT YOUNG--AGAIN AT HOME.

DURING the remainder of the year 1861 I was in very poor health, often

having to stay in my room all day, and when I was able to get about,

many times it was with great difficulty, as I was quite lame in my

hips and shoulder. I tried various applications and simple remedies,

but to little purpose. I moved around as best I could, however, and

by determined efforts I was able to attend to my duties, visiting the

Saints, and preaching the Gospel wherever opportunity offered, whether

at indoor or outdoor meetings. Sometimes, when I was able to get to

the meetings of the Saints, I was too ill to stand up and preach, but

toward the latter part of the year my health improved a little.

The civil war in America was on, having begun after I left; and on

August 5th I received a letter telling of the battle of Bull's Run,

near Manassas Junction, which was fought July 21, 1861, and in which

the Union forces were defeated. On the 16th of August I went to the

Derbyshire jail yard in Derby, and there saw a young man named George

Smith executed by hanging. He had murdered his father. From thirty-five

to forty thousand people witnessed the execution.

On the 1st of September Apostle George Q. Cannon was in Nottingham,

attending conference, and we had large meetings and an excellent time.

On October 1st Elder Joseph F. Smith and other missionaries came from

Sheffield on a visit, and remained several days, spending the time

among the Saints. At Nottingham we had a tea party in the Arboretum, at

which about two hundred persons were present. I was visiting the Saints

at Pinxton on December 14th, the day that Prince Albert, husband of

Queen Victoria, died at Windsor Castle.

I started for Birmingham on the 31st of December to attend a conference

of those in the British Mission who held the Holy Priesthood. This

conference began on Wednesday, January 1, 1862, and was largely

attended. We had a most enjoyable time in making reports of our

experiences and in receiving instruction and testifying of the

blessings of the Gospel. The meetings began at 10 a.m. and lasted

till 2 p.m., then at 4 p.m. and lasted till 7 p.m. They continued

through Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the presidency

of the European Mission, Apostles A. M. Lyman, Charles C. Rich and

George Q. Cannon, being in attendance and directing the meetings. On

Sunday, the 5th, we met with the Saints in Odd Fellows' Hall, the

congregation numbering about fifteen hundred persons; an excellent

feeling prevailed. Next day the Priesthood meetings were concluded, and

on Tuesday I left Birmingham for Derby, in my own missionary district.

On the 27th of January I was in Nottingham, and baptized and confirmed

Elizabeth Hardy.

My health again became quite bad, but I performed my duties, preaching,

baptizing, visiting and conversing with the people on the subject of

the Gospel, and attending to the business in my pastorate, until March

5th, when I took the train for Liverpool. There I consulted Apostles A.

M. Lyman and G. Q. Cannon, and on the 7th Elder Cannon introduced me to

Dr. Smith, who pronounced my ailment neuralgia, and prescribed turkish

baths and the magnetic-electric machine. I remained in Liverpool till

the 22nd, occasionally visiting, in company with some of the Elders,

places of interest such as the new park and the botanical gardens. On

March 11th we saw the Liverpool races at Aintree, a suburb. There were

two plate races and the grand national steeple chase. At one hurdle

a horse fell on his rider and the latter was picked up for dead, but

he recovered; three other riders were unhorsed. About twenty thousand

people were in attendance at these races. It was while in Liverpool, on

March 18th, as I was walking through the northwest part of the town in

company with Elder George J. Taylor, that I saw hundreds of people in

the most degraded state in which I ever beheld human beings.

My health having improved a little, I returned to Nottingham on the

22nd, Apostle G. Q. Cannon's wife and child accompanying me. Mrs.

Cannon had been very ill, and had been advised to go to Nottingham in

the hope of the change benefiting her health. On reaching Nottingham,

I there resumed my missionary labors. My health again began to fail,

and early in April I received notice of my release to return home. On

the 7th of April Sister Cannon went to Liverpool in company with her

husband. I settled business of the conference and went to different

branches and bade the Saints good-bye. They exhibited their affection

for me by many words and acts of kindness. On April 13th I preached

my farewell sermon in Nottingham, and it was with mingled feelings of

sorrow and joy that I bade the Saints farewell--sorrow to leave them,

and joy to see the display of love toward me by both members of the

Church and numbers of people who were not members. On Monday, April

14th, I went to Liverpool. The next day I wrote the following, which

was published in the _Millennial Star_:

"Liverpool, April 15, 1862.

"_President Cannon:_

"DEAR BROTHER:--I take pleasure in writing to you a brief report of

my labors in the ministry of the Nottingham District. On the 7th

of August, 1860, I was appointed by the presidency here, namely:

A. M. Lyman and C. C. Rich, to labor as a traveling Elder in the

aforementioned district, where I continued my labors in company with

Elder Joseph C. Rich and under the pastoral charge of Elder David

John, until January 1st, 1861. I then received an appointment to the

presidency of the Nottingham District, composed of the Nottingham,

Derby, Leicester and Lincolnshire conferences, where I continued my

labors until the 14th instant, when I arrived in Liverpool, having

received your letter of release, with the privilege of returning to our

mountain home in Utah.

"I can truly say that I have taken much pleasure in my field of labor,

for I have seen my feeble exertions in connection with the Priesthood

laboring with me crowned with success. I have witnessed an increase

of the good Spirit among the Saints. We have not only witnessed these

symptoms of increase, but have added by baptism some two hundred and

fifty souls, besides many rebaptisms; and many misunderstandings of the

Saints have been corrected, so that, with a few exceptions, the Saints

are in fellowship with one another.

"In that district, I think, there have been some four excommunicated

and five disfellowshiped during the last twenty-one months; and with

the present year's emigration, we have two hundred emigrated from

that district. Suffice it to say, that the district is in a healthy

condition. The Saints are feeling very well, and are full of the spirit

to emigrate. Many strangers are becoming very much interested in our

meetings, insomuch that some of them attend regularly; and on Sunday

evening, the 13th, after I preached my farewell sermon in Nottingham,

some four or five strangers, whom I have no recollection of ever seeing

before,--shook hands with me, saying, 'God bless you,' and at the same

time they did not forget to bless me themselves, thus exemplifying

their faith by their works. I find the people in the midland counties

to be a kindhearted people; and when once you get the crust of

tradition in which they are encased cracked, so as to feed them with

the bread of eternal life, they generally receive it with great joy and

gladness.

"Although I have not enjoyed very good health any of the time I have

been in this country, I feel sometimes to regret leaving the mission,

when I reflect upon the memory of so many warm throbbing hearts for

Zion, whose circumstances are rather forbidding at present; yet I

feel that if they would arouse with more energy and life, and be

more faithful in reading the _Stars_ and _Journals_, attend their

meetings, and be more faithful in their duties, and not pore over their

poverty so much, the time is not far distant when they will be able to

accomplish that most desirable object of going to Zion.

"And now I beg to bid good-bye to the Saints of the Nottingham

District, and say, may the God of Israel bless and preserve them,

together with all the Saints and the honest in heart in all the world.

And as I expect to leave this country on the 21st instant, I bid adieu

to her majesty's dominions and to all her subjects. I have lifted up my

voice and cried aloud, and spared not, till I feel that my skirts are

clear, so far as this mission to the British nation is concerned.

"And now with kind regards to yourself, Presidents Lyman and Rich, my

brethren and co-laborers in the ministry and the many faithful Saints

under their watchcare, I bid all an affectionate farewell, praying God

to bless and prosper every effort made to advance the interests of His

kingdom.

"I subscribe myself your brother in the Gospel of Christ,

"JAMES S. BROWN."

I was variously engaged the next two days in preparing for the voyage,

and in assisting others. On Saturday, the 19th, I went on board the

ship _John J. Boyd_, on which we were to sail. That day a young man who

resided at Nottingham and who had been courting Miss Mary Oakey, from

the same district, came to Liverpool, and the young lady went out with

him. They were never seen again by us. We supposed they had eloped.

On Monday, the 21st, I again went on board. Apostles A. M. Lyman, C. C.

Rich and George Q. Cannon came on the vessel and organized the company

of emigrating Saints, with the following presidency: James S. Brown,

president; John Lindsay and J. C. Rich, counselors. The Apostles gave

us much good instructions and bade us good-bye, after which we made a

further temporary organization so as to call watches for the night;

then, after prayer, we retired, it being about midnight. Next day the

company was organized into nine wards, with a presiding teacher over

each. There were on board six hundred and ninety-six emigrating Saints,

and the crew, which made the total up to seven hundred and thirty-five

souls.

At half-past seven o'clock on the 23rd we weighed anchor, and the

vessel was towed about twenty miles out to sea, and left, in a strong

headwind. We beat about the Irish Channel all day, and about 4 p.m.,

drew so close to the Isle of Man that we could see the towns and

distinguish the houses. Then we tacked about and sailed away along the

coast of Wales. Nearly everybody on board was seasick, and one child,

about five months old, in a family named Hardy, died. It was buried at

sea on the 24th. Myself and counselors went among the people, waiting

on them and cheering them.

Next day the heavy headwind continued, and the seasickness seemed very

severe. I was affected myself, but still was able to help others. We

went along between the Isle of Man and the coast of Ireland, and by the

26th, when the wind became lighter, we could see the coast of Ireland

on our left and the Scottish hills on the right. We could also see the

Irish houses, farms and roads quite plainly. It was noon on the 27th

before we passed out of sight of land, the last we saw being a small

island off the northwest coast of Ireland.

From that time on we experienced all kinds of weather, from a dead calm

to a heavy gale. On the 1st of May the wind was so strong it carried

away the jib-boom and fore-top-gallant mast. On the 5th a little boy

named Benjamin V. Williams died from a fall down the hatchway on May

1st. Taking all things together, however, we got along fairly well.

Once we had to complain to the captain of rough treatment by the third

mate and some of the sailors, and it was checked. On May 21st we

sighted Sandy Hook, and on June 1st we cast anchor in the bay of New

York. On the voyage we had had cases of measles and whooping-cough, and

there were seven deaths in our company while we were at sea.

On landing in New York I received an invitation from Hon. Wm. H. Hooper

for the Utah Elders to stay at the Astor House at his expense. Eleven

of us availed ourselves of the courtesy extended. On June 2nd the

emigrants were landed and we proceeded west via Niagara Falls and the

lakes to Detroit, then by way of Chicago, Quincy and Hannibal to St.

Joseph, Missouri. From that point we went to Florence, Nebraska, by

steamboat, and there I turned over my charge to Joseph W. Young, who

was conducting affairs at that place.

I was next assigned to an independent company which had its own

outfit, and was selected as captain and guide. The company consisted

of two hundred and fifty souls, with fifty wagons and teams. We left

Florence in the latter part of June, and arrived in Salt Lake City on

September 23, 1862. I made my report to President Brigham Young, and

was honorably released. I stayed in the city till after the October

conference of the Church, then hastened home to my family in Ogden

City, finding them all well.

CHAPTER LIX.

REMOVE FROM OGDEN TO SALT LAKE CITY AT THE REQUEST OF PRESIDENT

YOUNG--NECESSITY FOR PREACHING AMONG THE SAINTS--IN THE EMPLOY OF

PRESIDENT YOUNG--ON ANOTHER MISSION, THIS TIME IN UTAH--PREACHING

AND LECTURING--BUILD A HOUSE--GO TO THE CANYON TO GET FINISHING

LUMBER--SHOT IN MISTAKE FOR A BEAR--MY WOUND VERY SERIOUS--TAKEN TO

WANSHIP TO RECEIVE CARE--MY FAMILY NOTIFIED AND SURGICAL ASSISTANCE

OBTAINED--MOVED TO MY HOME--IN BED NINE MONTHS--TWO SURGICAL

OPERATIONS--GROW STRONGER--EMPLOYED AT THE WARM SPRINGS--DR.

ROBINSON--ABSCESSES IN MY WOUNDED LIMB--OUT OF EMPLOYMENT--GO TO THE

CALIFORNIA LINE TO EXAMINE A GOLD PROSPECT--PERILOUS JOURNEY--INDIANS

ON THE WARPATH--REMARKABLE EXPERIENCE WITH A BAND OF SAVAGES--GIFT OF

SPEAKING THEIR LANGUAGE--UNABLE TO WORK THE GOLD CLAIM BECAUSE OF LACK

OF WATER--RETURN TO SALT LAKE CITY--GO TO THE GOLD DISCOVERIES ON THE

SWEETWATER--DISCOVER A PLACER CLAIM--AN ATTEMPT TO ROB ME OF IT--RUSH

FOR A MINE--HOLD THE CLAIM--ASSAILED BY HOSTILE INDIANS--A RACE FOR

LIFE--THREE MEN KILLED--WE ABANDON CAMP--DEFER WITH MY LAME LIMB--LOSE

THE MINING CLAIM--HAULING COAL AND PRODUCE--ALMOST DIE--CONFINED TO BED

FOR MONTHS--AMPUTATION OF MY LIMB TO SAVE MY LIFE--RECOVERY--ATTEND TO

MY NURSERY--ADVENT OF THE RAILWAY--TRAVELING AND PREACHING--A SLIGHT

SUN-STROKE.

SHORTLY after my return from my mission to Europe, President Brigham

Young was in Ogden, and told me he wished me to locate my family in

Salt Lake City, preparatory to my going on another mission, if not a

foreign, a home mission; "for," said he, "I don't know of any people

on earth that need more preaching to than do the Latter-day Saints

at home. We send our Elders out to preach and to gather the people

from workshops and factories, then set those people down here in a

new country and leave them to do the best they can, without necessary

experience; and the result is that many of them get discouraged and

apostatize; whereas, if the Elders would keep the harness on, and

preach to and encourage them, they would stay and make good Latter-day

Saints."

I moved to Salt Lake City according to President Young's advice, and

was about eleven months in his employ. Then, by his appointment, I

traveled through the Territory, preaching, and lecturing on my travels

and experiences. The people in Utah were liberal, giving me much

assistance, principally in the way of farm products.

In 1863 I purchased a lot from President Young, began the erection of a

two-story-adobe house, and moved into it in 1864. It was not completed,

and in August I went into the mountains to get finishing lumber. On the

night of the 20th of that month I was shot by a camp mate, in mistake

for a bear. The young man who shot me was Alexander Gilbert. The bullet

entered two-thirds of the way above my knee, on the inside of the left

thigh, and shattered the bone into many fragments. The weapon was a

United States yauger, and carried a half-ounce ball, which was broken

to bits, and, with parts of my clothing, including two pieces of a

brass suspender buckle, lodged in my limb.

The accident occurred in Alexander Canyon, about three miles above

Wanship, Summit County, between 11 and 12 o'clock at night. There were

four of us in camp at the time. The man who did the shooting ran and

told George G. Snyder, who was soon at my side with a team and light

spring wagon, and with some stimulants. He and my camp mates tenderly

lifted me on the bed, and conveyed me to the home of my father-in-law,

Nathan Tanner, in Wanship, where I was kindly cared for by him and his

family, and my own family notified of the accident that had befallen

me. My wound being of a most serious character, the best surgical

attention procurable at the time was obtained.

The surgeon advised amputation, but I objected as long as there was any

hope of saving the limb. I laid there till November, then was moved to

my home in Salt Lake City. For nine months I laid on my back, unable

to move from that position. During that time two surgical operations

were performed, taking out parts of shattered bone and the bullet. I

was reduced to a skeleton, and became so weak I could not feed myself

or even lift a sheet of paper between my thumb and finger. After the

second surgical operation, however, I began to improve, and in a few

weeks could get around with a crutch and a cane.

As I grew stronger, I was able to work some in my nursery; and when, in

the autumn of that year, 1865, the municipality opened the Warm Springs

to the public I was given charge thereof, and remained in that position

till the autumn of 1866. I was there at the time Dr. J. King Robinson,

who had had a dispute with the city over the Warm Springs property, was

killed, October 22, 1866. When I was brought from Wanship in November,

1864, after being shot, Dr. Robinson, as associate surgeon in my case,

was the first one to do any cutting on my limb.

During the time after I was able to move around, subsequent to the

months I had to lie in bed, my wounded limb gave me much trouble.

Abscesses would form, causing me severe pain, then would burst, and

when the pus was drained the flesh would heal again. But I was able

to perform only light physical labor, so when, late in the autumn of

1866, business fell off at the Warm Springs, I was notified that, as I

was unable to do all the work required and the bath house did not have

sufficient patronage to pay two men's wages, my services were no longer

required. While business was good I had purchased a hack, one of the

first in the city, to convey passengers to and from the Warm Springs,

the route being to the business part of town, but as traffic fell off I

had to dispose of the vehicle. Thus when I was thrown out of employment

I was left without means of obtaining a livelihood for myself and

family.

I had some specimens of the gold I had discovered near the southeastern

boundary of California in 1849, when I was going on my first mission to

the Society Islands. I showed the specimens to President Brigham Young,

and in the spring of 1867, with a company which he had authorized me

to select, started for the California border, our destination being a

point in the desert known as Salt Springs. The company included Wood

Birdno, Lemuel Steele, Dr. Hickman, Robert Egbert and seven others

besides myself.

On reaching Los Vegas, we learned from white men, of whom there were

about fifty there, that the Indians were on the warpath. Two of the

savages had been killed by the white men, and their tribe was seeking

revenge. The red men had challenged the white men to come out of their

fort and fight; but the challenge was not accepted. We were warned that

to continue the journey meant certain death, so I told my companions

they were at liberty to return, but I proposed to go on. All of the

company elected to do the same.

We proceeded very carefully, and in going along a narrow canyon we

observed fresh Indian tracks. These were noticeable for about five

miles, but in that distance we saw no Indians, though we momentarily

expected them, and kept a sharp lookout. At last we discovered one

Indian who claimed to be friendly, but he left us soon--an action which

we accepted as an indication of trouble. In the afternoon we selected a

camping place on an almost bare knoll, where it seemed impossible for

a man to find shelter enough to hide himself. As I was very tired, my

companions spread some quilts for me to lie down on. Scarce had they

done so when a large Indian rose up from a little gully where he had

been hidden. He was within shooting distance, and was well armed. As

soon as we saw him, my companions seized their weapons, whereupon I

shouted "Hold on!"

The Indian made a motion as if to express a wish to shake hands, and

I threw my hand up and down again, in an involuntary movement, the

meaning of which I did not know in Indian sign language. The stranger

received it as a friendly invitation, and came forward and shook hands.

Again, as on former occasions, I had the gift of the tongue or language

which the Indians in this vicinity--near Williams' Ranch--spoke, though

I had never heard it before. I talked to him, and learned that there

were other Indians secreted close by. He called to them, and about

fifteen rose up and came to camp. I was informed that white men had

killed some of their number, and that one wounded Indian was lying a

short distance away. This one I asked to be brought in and laid near my

bed, which was done. Dr. Hickman examined his wounds, a shot through

the cheek and one in the hip, which he said were not fatal.

I also directed a piece of wagon cover spread out, and told the Indians

I wanted their weapons laid on that, which was done. Then some of our

company rolled the wagon cover up and tied it, so the guns could not be

got at readily if there were trouble. Then, when our guards had been

set for the night, we laid down and slept in peace and safety. We made

a bargain with the Indians to take care of our animals at a place where

there was good grass, and they did so.

The next day we moved on and met no further trouble or danger. We

reached our destination in due course, and examined the gold prospect,

which was quite rich. But there was no water within twenty-five miles,

and it was not practicable to work the mines with the methods within

our reach in those days. We had to give up and return home, our route

of travel being by way of the Colorado River as far as Call's Fort,

then by the settlements on the Muddy into Utah. I reported the trip and

its results to President Young.

At that time there had arisen some excitement over gold discoveries

on the Sweetwater, near South Pass. Fourteen years previous to that

date I had related to President Young how the Indians had told me of

gold in that locality. President Young showed me specimens that had

been brought him from the new discovery, and told me to get a few men

and see what I could do, as he believed it was a good opportunity for

me. I did so, and in July, 1867, in company with Foster Curtis, Brower

Pettit, Benjamin Brown and B. Y. Hampton, started for the Sweetwater.

Reaching our destination, we prospected for the precious metal. One

day I went out alone, and at the base of a slope near the Teresa mine

I discovered free gold. I dug a hole and worked at it, securing dirt

that carried fifty to sixty cents per pan. It was a placer claim, and

I decided that we would occupy it. While I was getting out some of

the gold, S. Sharp Walker came along and saw it, and on going to camp

told the men. I did not know this till after, but early next morning,

before daylight, I overheard a man in the tent next to our wagon tell

of a plan to seize the claim. A lot of men were there, Mormons and

non-Mormons. I awoke my companions, and it was agreed that they should

go and stake the claim, while I should get it recorded. This we did,

and had the work accomplished before day was fairly on. I reached the

claim, to which the others had preceded me, before those who intended

to jump it arrived at the place, and when the latter came up I was

prepared to defend it. One man said he had staked the claim before

us, but as his statement was not true, we stood him off and retained

possession.

Our party went to work, while I started to find my horses, which had

strayed away. As I rode up on a knoll, I discovered a war party of

seventy-five or eighty Indians, supposed to be Sioux. I had intended to

dismount and fasten my saddle, but finding I was discovered and that

about twenty-five of the Indians were closing in on me with horses much

faster than I had. I started for camp with the loose saddle, skurrying

over rocks and sagebrush. On the way back I found my horses and started

them, and they ran directly into camp. In the ride my foot came out of

the stirrup, and my lame limb dangled, beyond any power of mine to use

it. Two Indians ran close up on me and one drew his bow with a fixed

arrow. I straightened up, expecting to receive the missile in my back.

Just then some of the men who were in our camp, and who had heard my

shouts, came out and fired, and my pursuer turned to save himself,

while I escaped injury.

At the camp all was excitement. One man, Corinth Lawrence, had been

shot and scalped, his body being found some time after I came in.

Isador Morris had had a narrow escape. That day there were two others

killed on their way to camp. They were Anthony Showell, an eastern

man, and Orson Taylor, from Springville, Utah. Showell was found and

buried, but Taylor's body never was discovered, that I can recall.

In the camp there were George Naylor, Gilbert Webb, Jesse West, John

Pitts, Robert Watson, Jr., George Boyd and many others from Salt Lake

City, as well as men who had come from various parts of the country.

The man who had tried to jump the claim I had found assumed charge and

got the camp together, intending to make a stand in the brush. I knew

the danger of such a proceeding with seventy-five or eighty hostile

Indian warriors near, so, with my companions, withdrew to a better

position; soon all the camp followed, and we prepared for defense. The

intended claim-jumper, whose name I am unable to recall, was a partner

of Corinth Lawrence, and requested me to take charge of the funeral of

the dead man, which I did, and he was buried as carefully as we could

do it. That day I suffered greatly with my lame limb, and an abscess

burst and discharged freely.

[IMAGE: CHASED BY A WAR PARTY]

Next morning we broke camp and returned home, for it was not safe to

remain there, in a hostile Indian country. Later in the season, Brower

Pettit and Foster Curtis returned to our claim, but it had been seized,

and was held by parties from California. There was a great rush in

of people, and the town of South Pass, or Atlantic City, was built.

The next spring I went out with more men, but our claim could not be

regained, so we had to give it up. The parties who seized it took many

thousands of dollars out of it. The second year, however, the mining

boom collapsed.

During the summer and autumn of this year, 1868, grading for the

Union Pacific Railway was going on. I hauled coal from Coalville to

Salt Lake City, and also hauled tithing produce from Ogden and Logan,

taking produce for pay, so that my family was well supplied with

provisions. On my last trip from Ogden I was caught in a snowstorm on

the sandridge, took a congestive chill, and almost died on the way.

When I reached home I was unable to get off my wagon. I was cared for

by my family, but suffered greatly, and in addition to the suppuration

in my thigh, the wound bled so as to endanger my life. Finally, on May

27, 1869, my left limb was amputated about four inches from the hip

joint. The surgeons were Dr. W. F. Anderson, Dr. H. J. Richards and Dr.

J. M. Bernhisel. Apostles Wilford Woodruff and George Q. Cannon were

present also. The operation which I had objected to for nearly five

years became necessary to save my life.

In a few weeks from the time of the amputation I was able to get out

a little, and pruned a few trees. From that time on I worked, though

it was under many difficulties, till I had pruned my nursery of ten

thousand trees, and had given them necessary care. I was able to be

present at the ceremonies at the entrance of the railway into Salt Lake

City, January 10, 1870. During the succeeding two years I attended to

my nursery, also traveled and lectured on my experiences and preached

as a home missionary, from Paris, Idaho, on the north, to St. George,

Utah, on the south. In the summer of 1871, while working in my orchard,

I was overcome by heat, having a slight sunstroke, some of the effects

of which have never left me. Still my health was better than before my

limb was amputated, and with crutches I got along fairly well.

CHAPTER XL.

I CALLED ON A MISSION TO THE UNITED STATES--JOURNEY EASTWARD--VISIT

RELATIVES EN ROUTE--REACH NEW YORK--MEASURED FOR AN ARTIFICIAL

LIMB--HOW IT WAS PAID FOR--VISIT AND PREACH--MEET POOR

ENCOURAGEMENT--GO TO BOSTON--WORLD'S PEACE JUBILEE--BUNKER HILL--AGAIN

AT NEW YORK--RELEASED TO RETURN HOME--BACK IN UTAH--TRAVELING AND

PREACHING--SENT FOR BY PRESIDENT YOUNG--CALLED ON A MISSION TO

ARIZONA--DIRECTED TO FURNISH NAMES OF OTHERS--SEND THE LIST--PRESIDENT

YOUNG ADDS OTHER NAMES--SET APART FOR OUR MISSION--DIFFICULT TO COLLECT

MONEY DUE ME--LEAVE MY FAMILY POORLY PROVIDED FOR BUT TRUSTING IN THE

LORD--PLACED IN CHARGE OF THE MISSION--LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS--START

SOUTH--PEOPLE CONTRIBUTE LIBERALLY--TRAVELING IN STORM--ARRIVE AT

KANAB--IN ARIZONA--A HARD JOURNEY--MARRIAGE OF MY DAUGHTER--REACH LEE'S

FERRY ON THE COLORADO--CROSSING THE RIVER--REACH MOANCOPPY WASH--DECIDE

TO WINTER THERE--EXPLORE THE VICINITY--MEET FRIENDLY INDIANS--BUILDING

A HOUSE--EXPLORING THE LITTLE COLORADO--A DIFFICULT TRIP--DESCRIPTION

OF THE ROUTE--FIND A PLACE FOR ANOTHER SETTLEMENT--SAN FRANCISCO

MOUNTAINS--FINE FOREST GROWTH--CAUGHT IN DEEP SNOW--THROUGH WITH A

PERILOUS JOURNEY--DECIDE TO RETURN TO SALT LAKE CITY AND REPORT--HEAVY

SNOW--TRIP HOMEWARD--CORDIALLY GREETED BY PRESIDENT YOUNG--WITH MY

FAMILY.

ON the 8th of April, 1872, at the general conference of the Church in

Salt Lake City, I was called on a mission to the eastern part of the

United States, and hastened to settle my business preparatory to my

departure. At 5 p.m. on May 1st I left Salt Lake City, going by train

to Ogden, and then east. There were about twenty-five other Elders

in the company. My companion in the Pullman car was Moroni Brown, of

Ogden. On reaching Missouri Valley Junction, Iowa, I stopped over with

my brother-in-law, B. H. Dennis. On May 4th, I went to Calhoun and

preached in the schoolhouse; returned to Missouri Valley Junction on

the 6th, preaching in the courthouse. My father paid the expense of

securing the last-named building.

I continued my journey on the 7th going by way of Chicago,

Philadelphia, Newark and Jersey City, to New York. There we met with

Elder Wm. C. Staines, and on the 12th went with him to Brooklyn. On the

13th I was measured at Mr. Hudson's, 696 Broadway, New York, for an

artificial limb. The way I came to do this was through Leonard Wines,

of Salt Lake City. Mr. Wines and I had been good friends in our younger

days. In later years he had made some money on the mail line west,

and meeting me one day on the train the idea struck him that I ought

to have an artificial leg. The result was that he and some friends

whom he called on raised the necessary amount to pay for it, which sum

he presented to me, telling of his purpose. Naturally I had a high

appreciation of his kindness. It was on May 27th that I received the

artificial limb.

We obtained lodgings with Brother Isaac Elkington and family, and

visited and preached where we could. We met very little encouragement

from the people. On June 13th we left for Boston on a steamer of the

Neptune Line, going first to Providence, from which place we went by

rail to Boston, and thence to Portsmouth, N. H. At the latter place I

visited my father-in-law, Thomas Lester.

On the 17th of June we were at the World's Peace Jubilee, in Boston,

and also visited Bunker Hill and mingled with the vast assemblage

there. I paid a visit to the home of Thomas Lester, Jr., about fifteen

miles out from Boston, on the 18th, and then returned to New York,

where, on the 19th, we met President George A. Smith of the First

Presidency of the Church. He told us we were at liberty to return home,

as the antagonism was so great that there was no chance to preach

the Gospel to the people at that time. That evening we filled an

appointment at Paterson. N. J., staying at the home of W. Dover till

the 23rd, when we returned to New York.

Having been released from our mission, owing to the indifference of the

people, we started home the first of July. For some three years after

my return I traveled and preached as I had done formerly, in southern

Idaho, western Wyoming and northern Utah.

On Wednesday evening, September 29, 1875, on returning from a preaching

tour in the northern part of Utah County, I was informed by my family

that President Young had sent for me to do some interpreting in the

Navajo language. I had met the Navajo Indians going away from his

office, and as I knew my presence was not necessary then, and as I was

quite ill with a nervous headache, I did not go up till next day.

Going to see President Young, I met him in front of his office, in

his carriage. He said he had wanted me to talk with the Navajos, but

I was too late, for they were gone, "but," said he, "I knew you had

the spirit of it." He then drove off, and his private secretary, Elder

George Reynolds, invited me into the office, saying the President

wanted to see me particularly on missionary business. At this I went

inside and waited. Soon the President came in and after speaking to

some others who were waiting for him, came to me and said, "Oh, Brother

James, that I could see you as I have seen you, strong and active! I

should like to send you on a mission to those Indians, for you are just

the man to go there with a few other good men. The Spirit of the Lord

is upon them and they need a few men among them who will teach them the

truth."

To this statement I replied that I was unable to endure hardships and

exposure as I had done, for my health was very poor and I was not able

to wait on myself in camp life. I stated, however, that what the Spirit

of the Lord directed through him I was willing to try to do to the best

of my ability; and added, "You know where to find me; I am just where I

always have been, on hand."

President Young then said. "Bless your soul, the Spirit does and has

dictated to me all the time to send you to take charge of a mission

in that country. You are just the man for it, and if I had sent you

before, we would have had a mission and settlements there now. I think

that if we fit you up with a good spring wagon or carriage, and some

good brethren to wait on you, that you can go. Just get a list of names

of good men, and hand them to me--a list of men that will stand by

you, but none of your babies. I want good men to go with you on this

mission, so hand me a list of names."

When the conversation ended, I returned home, and after much thought

and prayer for the guidance of the Lord, wrote the following names, my

own at the head of the list: Daniel B. Roson, John C. Thompson, Seth B.

Tanner, Morton P. Mortenson, Bengt Jenson, Hans Funk, Ernest Tietjens

and John Davies. The latter got excused, and President Young added the

following: Andrew L. Gibbons, Luther C. Burnham, Thales H. Haskell, Ira

Hatch, Warren M. Johnson and William H. Gibbons. These were called on a

mission October 9, 1875, at the general conference. On Monday, October

11th, we were set apart for our mission.

I found some difficulty in collecting debts due me, over a thousand

dollars altogether, so that I could not get enough to fit me out

comfortably nor to provide for my family. Still I was determined to go.

When it came to parting from my family, it was hard to leave them, with

only ten days' supply of fuel and less than fifty pounds of flour in

the house, and not knowing where the next would come from. It seemed as

if they could not endure the separation when they saw me fitted out so

poorly. But I blessed them in the name of the Lord, and told them that

if they would live their religion they would not suffer so much want

when I was away as if I had stayed home. Then we separated sorrowfully,

and on October 30th I went by train to Provo. Some of the company had

preceded me a day or two. I had in the meantime received much personal

instruction from President Young, and was given the following letter:

"SALT LAKE CITY, U.T., October 28, 1875.

"_Elder James S. Brown. Salt Lake City:_

"DEAR BROTHER:--You are hereby appointed to take charge of the mission

about to go south and southeast of the Colorado River.

"It will become your duty to found settlements in suitable locations,

where the brethren can congregate in cultivating the earth to bring

forth substance for the families of the brethren who may feel disposed

to join you.

"You will work in harmony with other brethren who are now in the south

building up new locations, and will in all things seek the welfare of

those associated with you, and the building up of the kingdom of God.

"In the formation of settlements, and in all circumstances that may

arise on your mission, you will seek the wisdom of the Spirit of the

Lord, and be guided by its whisperings in all things from day to day.

"The brethren with whom you are associated are counseled to act under

your directions, that the spirit of union and concert of action may

characterize all your movements. And we call upon all men unto whom

you shall come to aid and assist you according to their ability in

promoting so good and glorious a cause as settling this rugged new,

country.

"We would counsel you, if you will do it, to sustain each other as

brethren, and work together in the holy order that God has revealed.

"We pray God our Heavenly Father to bless and prosper you and to make

you instrumental in accomplishing much good to those with whom you are

called upon to associate, and to labor for on this mission, in the name

of Jesus Christ. Amen.

"Your brethren in the Gospel,

"BRIGHAM YOUNG,

"DANIEL H. WELLS,

"First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

From Provo I got a ride with a team to Spanish Fork, where, on Sunday,

October 31st, I preached to the people, having great liberty of the

Spirit. Then Bishop Snell asked the people for a contribution and they

responded liberally, raising twenty-two sacks of flour, twenty-six

bushels of potatoes, and thirteen dollars in money. That night I went

on to Salem and preached, and also received a small donation from the

people. I next went to Payson, where I preached on Monday evening, and

where the people subscribed liberally, so that I had thirty-three dollars

in currency, fifty sacks of flour, and twenty-six bushels of potatoes.

Thus my words to my destitute family were fulfilled, and they were

provided for as well as myself.

At Payson I met some of my missionary companions, and we moved on

southward. Others joined us on the journey, and on November 9th we

reached Salina, where we pitched our tent and I camped out for the

first time on our trip. At Richfield we received contributions of

provisions, and again at Panguitch. Much of our journey between these

two places was in storm--rain and snow--and was far from comfortable.

On the 18th we crossed the rim of the Great Basin. We reached Kanab on

the 20th, where we were joined by the four brethren who had been called

from the southern settlements.

I left Kanab on November 22nd, going to Navajo Wells. Before leaving

Kanab I had telegraphed to President Young, written to my family, and

arranged with Bishop L. John Nuttall to have our mail sent after us as

soon as possible. At Navajo Wells I joined our party, and next day we

went on to the Buckskin Mountains, making dry camp that night. On the

24th we reached House Rock Spring, where we were overtaken with letters

from home. I had one from my eldest daughter. Lydia Jane, stating that

she was to be married to Homer Manley Brown on November 22nd. It had

been arranged before I left home that the wedding was to take place

this month.

We traveled steadily on, the country being dry and forbidding. Our

beef cattle having run off, Ira Hatch and Luther C. Burnham went to

find them. Burnham brought them into camp at Badger Creek, on the

26th, but it was 2 o'clock on the morning of the 27th when Ira Hatch

got in from his fruitless search. That day we went on to Lee's Ferry,

on the Colorado River. We had sent two men ahead to arrange for us to

be ferried over the river, but they reported that it was not possible

to cross that night. I thought differently, and as it was Saturday,

I determined to get over. Some of the party objected and some were

willing, and this division delayed our crossing with the wagons till

about 10 p.m.; but we were safely over the stream. Next day our animals

were ferried over. At the ferry, Mrs. Lee was out of provisions, and

we helped her to some, and also gave her ten dollars, of which I

contributed two dollars. Next morning she sent me a Navajo blanket and

a cotton handkerchief.

We left Lee's Crossing on November 29th, and continued over a dry,

rough, difficult road till December 3rd, when we reached Moancoppy,

the pleasantest spot we had seen since before arriving at Kanab. I was

impressed to make this place winter quarters, and designated a site

for a fort. We were all pleased to have a rest from traveling, as our

feed had given out and our stock was sick with the epizootic. Near this

place there were some old Indian farms and a few stone huts laid up

without mortar, but all had been deserted. There were also some springs

near by.

The morning after we had camped there, a small hunting party of Navajos

came in, and after we had given them their breakfast they smoked

their corn-husk cigarettes and departed. A. S. Gibbons, Ira Hatch and

I examined the country around Moancoppy, and found a few ponds of

water and a good place for a reservoir to catch the spring rains; we

also discovered a fertile spot of a few acres, and two small springs.

December 5th was Sunday. We held a meeting, and all our company,

thirteen in number, expressed themselves as feeling well and zealous in

our missions.

On Monday we explored the vicinity, but found nothing inviting outside

the neighborhood of our camp, where we all were satisfied a missionary

station should be built, as it was the best we could do. We went to

work getting timber and doing other necessary work, my part being

to guard against hostile Indians. T. H. Haskell and Ira Hatch, our

interpreters, went to the Oriba Indian village, some fifty miles away.

On their return they reported all was peaceful; they were accompanied

by Chief Tuba and his wife Telassinimki, who were highly pleased to see

their old Mormon friends.

On the 8th we laid out a house twenty by forty feet and twelve feet

high, to be built of stone. Our beef cattle having become very wild, we

had to kill them and cure the meat.

J. C. Thompson, Ira Hatch, S. B. Tanner, L. C. Burnham and I started

on December 9th on an exploring trip up the Little Colorado River and

around the San Francisco Mountains. When we had gone twelve miles,

breaking the road through the canyon, we were glad to find some pools

of water, and to rest for the night. Next day we came to the Little

Colorado River from forty to fifty miles above its mouth. The river

bottom was about half a mile wide, and the water very low. We continued

up the river to the Black Falls, where the stream passes over a ledge

of volcanic rock twelve or fourteen feet high. Four miles farther up

it ran through a very narrow gorge, and we had to pass over the hills

through deep sand, which our team found it very difficult to cross.

Fifteen miles farther on we came to Grand Falls, where the river runs

over shelving rocks for eighty to a hundred feet. Higher up the stream

the bottoms widened out, in some places to four miles, the timber was

better and the stream was larger. We killed two antelope and dried the

meat. Our forward journey continued to the old Beel trail, then on to

Sunset Crossing and the old Prescott road. Seven miles above was a mail

station, and there, at 9 o'clock on the night of Friday, December 17th,

the mail carriers met, and we learned some general news from them. Next

day we traveled fifteen miles farther, to where some Mexican herders

were camped with about four thousand sheep. The water in the river had

improved in quantity and quality, and the surroundings were such that

we felt we could recommend it as a place for settlement. We were also

impressed to return to Moancoppy, and started on that journey on the

19th. We changed our course and took more to the hill country, heading

for the San Francisco Mountains.

The return trip was very hard. We saw plenty of timber--the finest

forest growth I ever beheld. On December 24th, when crossing the divide

between the San Francisco Mountains and Mount Hendrick, we encountered

a terrific snowstorm, and had to camp for the night. Next day we

continued on our way, making slow progress in the deep snow. We passed

below the snow line on a very rough country, where sometimes, with

brake set, it took the four of us all we could do to keep the wagon

right side up. We were thankful to reach the river on the 28th and

Moancoppy on the 29th.

At a brief consultation that day, it was decided that I should return

to Salt Lake City and report to President Young the result of our

explorations. Next day the bandaging of my artificial leg gave way and

T. H. Haskell repaired it. On New Year's Day, 1876, J. C. Thompson, W.

H. Gibbons and I set out for Kanab, where we arrived on January 6th.

I requested Bishop Nuttall to forward me to Orderville, which he did.

From there Bishop H. O. Spencer took his team and conveyed me to

Panguitch. We met a heavy snowstorm on the road, the snow on the rim of

the Basin being up to the wagonbox. From Panguitch I was forwarded to

Monroe, where I telegraphed President Young that I would be in the city

by January 15th. I was advanced by team from there to the railroad,

where a pass sent by President Young was ready for me, and I arrived

in Salt Lake City and reported to him at 6 p.m. on the 14th. At the

railway station I was met by my children and the neighbors and two

vehicles. If I had been President Young's own son he could not have

received me more cordially than he did when I reached his office. After

our conversation I returned home, where my folks thought I should have

gone first; but they were overjoyed to see me, as I was to see them,

all in good health and well provided for. We were highly gratified to

realize that the Lord had heard and answered our prayers.

CHAPTER LXI.

ATTEND MEETINGS WITH THE FIRST PRESIDENCY AND APOSTLES--MORE

MISSIONARIES CALLED TO ARIZONA--MANY INQUIRIES REGARDING THE

MISSION--OUTLINE THE ROUTE--PREPARATIONS FOR TRAVEL--START

SOUTH--AIDED BY CONTRIBUTIONS--REACH MOENCOPPY--MEET LOT SMITH

AND COMPANY--BAPTISMS--START FOR THE LITTLE COLORADO RIVER--GUIDE

MISSIONARY COMPANIES TO THE PLACE WE HAD SELECTED FOR SETTLEMENT--LOT

SMITH REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY APPOINTMENT FROM PRESIDENT YOUNG

AS PRESIDENT OF THE MISSION--HE ASSUMES LEADERSHIP AT THE NEW

SETTLEMENT--I RETURN WITH MY PARTY TO MOENCOPPY--OTHER COMPANIES OF

MISSIONARY SETTLERS SUSTAIN MY PRESIDENCY--MY HEALTH IS POOR--SETTLERS

DISCOURAGED--CHEER THEM UP--WORK OF FRONTIER LIFE--SUCCOR A COMPANY

WHOSE WATER SUPPLY IS EXHAUSTED--TAKING UP LAND--MAKE A LONG

EXPLORING TRIP--INTRODUCE BOOK OF MORMON TO NAVAJOS--RETURN TO

MOENCOPPY--INDIANS DISSATISFIED--GO TO SALT LAKE CITY WITH A DELEGATION

OF NAVAJO CHIEFS--THEIR SUPPOSED GRIEVANCES SETTLED--TELL PRESIDENT

YOUNG I HAVE COME HOME TO STAY--HE SENDS ME OUT AGAIN--DIRECTED TO

PROCURE VOLUNTEERS--LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS--LECTURE, AND TAKE UP

CONTRIBUTIONS--RETURN HOME--MY FAMILY ILL--PROVIDE SUPPLIES FOR

THEM--CONDITIONS IMPROVE.

MY stay at home lasted till January 30, 1876. I attended several

meetings with the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles, and other

leading brethren in the Church. They were consulting as to the best

means of colonizing that part of Arizona we had been exploring, and two

hundred missionaries were called to go there and settle the country.

Scores of visitors also came to my house to inquire regarding my

travels and the place where I had been. I went over to Apostle John

Taylor's house on invitation, and there George Goddard reported our

conversation, as I was requested to outline the route to Arizona, which

outline was afterwards published in the Deseret News. During my stay I

also made a brief visit to Ogden.

As the time drew near for me to start south again, President Young

loaned me a team and light wagon to travel with. He also advised me to

find a boy about sixteen years old to go with and wait on me. I was

thinking of how I should follow this counsel, when John Reidhead, who

was one of those called to the Arizona mission, came in and proffered

his son--an offer I was pleased to accept. On Friday, January 28,

Brother Reidhead and son started south with my team and baggage.

Early on the morning of Sunday, January 30, I took leave of my family,

and went by train to Spanish Fork, making an appointment at Springville

as I passed. I was met at the station at Spanish Fork, and conveyed to

the meetinghouse, where I addressed the congregation. That evening I

returned to Springville and filled the appointment there. Next morning

I was met by Brother Reidhead and son, and proceeded to Payson. I

had had raised for me, by subscription, a span of small mules, so I

sent back President Young's team and harness, and went on my journey,

preaching almost every evening in one or other town on the way. We were

treated very kindly. Our route lay through Fillmore, Beaver, Parowan,

Cedar City, Toquerville, and on to Kanab, which we reached February

23, finding Bishop Nuttall quite ill. We made our home at Bishop Levi

Stewart's.

On March 2nd we set out from Kanab, and reached Moencoppy on the 8th,

where we found all well. The building constructed by the settlers was

so far completed as to protect us comfortably from storm and cold; and

a dam had been constructed, with a water ditch three miles long, giving

us quite a reservoir. Plowing also had been begun, though the weather

was very disagreeable.

On the 11th, J. C. Thompson and A. S. Gibbons went to meet Lot Smith

and a company coming from Utah. On Sunday, the 12th, we held meeting,

and a young man named Franklin D. Gillespie, who had fallen in with us,

desired to be baptized into the Church, as did Ly and his wife, two of

the Oriba Indians. The ordinance was attended to, and I also ordained

the chief, Tuba, a Priest.