DEATH OF APOSTLE KIMBALL--ALL ISRAEL MOURNS--EXPRESSIONS IN HONOR OF
THE ILLUSTRIOUS DEAD.
The words of Heber were indeed prophetic, that he should not be long
on earth after the departure of the beloved wife of his youth. The
event for which both had earnestly prayed, that they might live and
die, and rise and reign together, was destined by the heavens to be.
On the morning of the 22nd of June, 1868,--eight months later to a
day--death again entered the household, leveling his fatal shaft at
the mighty heart of its patriarchal head. At the age of sixty-seven
years, his mind yet unimpaired, his iron frame unbent by age, but with
health shattered by toil and trial in the service of his Maker, Heber
C. Kimball, the Apostle of Jesus Christ, the tried and trusted friend
of God, passed peacefully from earth away.
His death was superinduced by a severe fall, sustained by him several
weeks before. He had driven from Salt Lake City to Provo, alone,
arriving there in the night. While nearing his residence in that city,
where lived his wife Lucy and her family, the wheels of his buggy went
suddenly into a ditch, throwing him over the forward wheels violently
upon the ground. After lying for some time stunned and helpless, and
chilled by the night air, he was finally discovered and assisted into
the house by his friend, Bishop A. F. Macdonald.
This accident, though he partly recovered from its effects, was the
immediate fore-runner of his fatal sickness.
The _Deseret Evening News_ of Monday, June 22nd, 1868, in an extended
editorial thus announced his death:
"A prince and a great man has this day passed from among us!
President Heber Chase Kimball, who was born June 14th, 1801, fell
asleep at 20 minutes to 11 o'clock this morning, June 22nd, after
a pilgrimage on the earth of sixty-seven years and eight days.
Many of the residents of this city will be prepared to hear this
sad news; but upon the Saints throughout this Territory and in
foreign lands, it will fall unexpectedly and heavily. Two weeks
ago yesterday he preached in the new tabernacle, and those who
listened to him on that occasion could not have imagined from his
appearance that in so brief a period as has since elapsed we
should only have his lifeless remains to gaze upon. Since he was
thrown from his buggy last spring in Provo, his family and
intimate associates have noticed that his health was not so good
as it had been; but a casual observer would not have perceived any
change; he moved around and attended to his duties with his
accustomed diligence and vigor. On the 10th instant, at the mass
meeting in the new tabernacle, it was remarked that his face was
very much flushed. He complained that day of dizziness, and
torpidity of his right side; he attributed the feeling to
rheumatism, with which he was sometimes affected. The next day,
Thursday, the 11th, he went down town twice; but his family and
others noticed that in walking, he did not use his right leg with
his usual freedom. On Friday, the 12th, he arose in the morning
and dressed himself; but was compelled to return to bed. His son
Heber called upon him, and he conversed quite freely with him
about his affairs. This was the last conversation of any length
that he had with any person. It was soon plainly apparent that he
was attacked with paralysis of the right side, and from this time
until his death, he was only able to utter a sentence
occasionally, though most of the time he appeared to be fully
conscious of everything transpiring around him. When his
particular friends called upon him, especially Presidents Young
and Wells, he seemed to arouse himself to speak, and by the
pressure of their hands and the beaming of his countenance, would
signify his pleasure at seeing them. Until Saturday last it was
hoped that he would recover and be himself again. Every
indication of a change for the better was eagerly noted. Every one
was reluctant to admit that Brother Heber would not recover. If
such a thought presented itself it was immediately repelled. But
on Saturday evening it was visible to all that he was changing for
the worse. Yesterday he failed rapidly. From early in the
morning until afternoon his body suffered, though he himself
seemed unconscious of it. He was administered to by President
Young and the Twelve, and he was much relieved. Towards evening he
rallied, opened his eyes and for some time was conscious, and
appeared to recognize those who stood around him. This was the
last awakening of the faculties prior to death.[A] He relapsed
into unconsciousness, and gradually passed away without a
contortion of countenance or the slightest movement of a limb. * *
* His family and many of his friends were in the room where he
lay, and so peacefully did life leave his body, that some five
minutes had elapsed before those who were watching his countenance
were satisfied that his spirit had fled. Like a babe falling into
a gentle slumber, he passed away. It was a frequent remark of his
that he should not die. Those who stood around his bedside were
reminded of it by President Young--who saw his beloved and
faithful friend and fellow-laborer breathe his last--quoting the
remark, and adding that Brother Heber was not dead, he had gone to
sleep. Gloom and death were not there. None experienced those
undefinable feelings of dread which sometimes prevail on such
occasions. Sadness there was; but it was not mingled with doubt;
it was for the loss of the society of the loving husband, the
tender father, the steadfast friend, the wise counselor and the
undaunted leader. Yet this grief was not the only feeling. If
there can be any pleasure in contemplating the separation of the
body and spirit under any circumstances, then that chamber in
which the earthly remains of Heber C. Kimball lay this morning was
a place of joy. It was a scene of victory and triumph. A faithful,
unflinching servant of God, one who had passed through the most
severe ordeals with unyielding integrity, had met man's great
enemy, and through the atonement of the Savior and the previous
promises which he had given, had come off conqueror. What a host
of faithful ones have awaited his arrival in the spirit world!
Recall the names, beginning with Joseph, the head of the
dispensation, and what a glorious list is presented to the mind!
With what ineffable gladness will they meet and welcome him to
that happy land! Will it not be home to him when he meets those
bright ones with whom he has labored so long and so familiarly,
and who know his guileless simplicity, his truthfulness, his
unshrinking faith, his integrity and worth?
[Footnote A: His last words, uttered distinctly the evening before
his death, were: "Truth, eternal Truth."]
"As this news is flashed with lightning speed from one end of the
Territory to the other, profound grief will fill every heart. The
love of the Saints for Brother Heber is deep-rooted and universal.
A great people will this day mourn in learning of his departure,
and how deep will be the sorrow also of his brethren and sisters
in foreign lands! Yet it is not for him we should mourn. He is
ransomed and free. We yet remain in thralldom. The course of those
who live is not finished, the battle is not won. The supreme wish
of every heart who witnessed his departure doubtless was that
their end might be like his."
On the same day the Mayor of the City issued the following:
"TO THE CITIZENS OF SALT LAKE CITY.--
"As a token of respect to the memory of our esteemed friend and
fellow-citizen, the late HON. HEBER C. KIMBALL, whose demise took
place at his residence in this city, at 10-40 this a. m., it is
hereby requested, that all unite throughout the city in closing
their respective houses of business on Wednesday the 24th inst,
being the day appointed for the funeral obsequies of deceased.
"DANIEL H. WELLS, Mayor.
"MAYOR'S OFFICE, SALT LAKE CITY,
"June 22d, 1868."
The following telegrams, sent from different parts of the Territory,
will show how universal was the respect paid to the honored dead:
"LOGAN, 22nd.
"PRESIDENT B. YOUNG:
"We feel very sorry, but not without hope, respecting President
Kimball's death.
"PETER MAUGHAN."
"SPRINGTOWN, 23d.
"TO THE BISHOPS OF SANPETE CO.:
"A great and worthy man in Israel is fallen--President Heber C.
Kimball--not by transgression, but by the providence of God. The
distance is too great for us to attend his funeral to-morrow.
This, therefore, is to request your congregations, to meet
to-morrow at two o'clock p. m., and offer up their prayers and
condolence in behalf of the bereaved family, as a tribute of
respect to the memory of the illustrious dead, thereby respecting
ourselves.
"ORSON HYDE."
"ST. GEORGE, 24th.
"PRESIDENT B. YOUNG:
"The Saints of the south, assembled in the St George Bowery,
mingle their tears with yours in the funeral obsequies of our
lamented brother, President Heber C. Kimball. With his bereaved
family we deeply sympathize; with all Israel we mourn his loss,
and with him we rejoice that he has entered into his glory.
"ERASTUS SNOW."
Here is the City's tribute to his memory:
"At a regular meeting of the City Council of this city, on Tuesday
evening last, the 23rd inst, his Honor the Mayor, announced the
death of the Honorable Heber C. Kimball, and, on his suggestion, a
committee was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the
feeling of the council on the occasion.
"Councilor Burton, on behalf of the committee, presented the
following preamble and resolution, which were read and unanimously
adopted:
"_Whereas_, It has pleased the Almighty, in the dispensations of
His Providence, to remove from our midst by the hand of death our
esteemed fellow citizen and much beloved President, Heber C.
Kimball, who, with unwavering integrity and untiring zeal, has
ever been a faithful laborer in the cause of truth and an earnest
advocate of civil and religious liberty, and of every principle
calculated to ennoble and elevate humanity; therefore, be it
"_Resolved_, That while we recognize the hand of the Lord in all
things, we deeply feel the loss which the community has sustained
in his death, and in common with the citizens of this city and
Territory, and the Latter-day Saints throughout the world, we most
sincerely sympathize with his family and friends in this their sad
bereavement.
"The Council adjourned without the transaction of further
business.
"DANIEL H. WELLS, Mayor.
"ROBERT CAMPBELL, Recorder.
"Council Chamber,
"June 23rd, 1868."
A full account of the funeral of President Kimball is reserved for the
next and final chapter.