John Hamilton and Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan. Part 20. November 1886, Mellie joins her husband in Kansas City.

From John Morgan journal, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Special Collections.

1886
October 29
Writing all day and making arrangements for the expected arrival of the Elders from Zion. Brother William Spry arrived in the city at 7 p.m. on a delayed train to take brother Kimball’s place in the office.

About a month earlier, on October 1st, President Morgan wrote, Writing letters and attending to mission business. Brother Kimball [presumably Elias] got ready to start home. He has been in the office since November 1885 and has proved himself a good Elder and a most excellent man in every way. He has been of incalculable benefit in corresponding with the Elders and returns home with the satisfaction of knowing that he has filled an honorable mission and has done much good.

You might enjoy these brief histories of each 19th Century Southern States Mission President, posted here at The Ancestor Files.

1886
November 4
Busy writing and mailing reading matter during the day. In the evening at 6:25 p.m. took M. and C. train for Memphis going to Kansas City to meet my wife, Mellie …
John Morgan arrived in Kansas City on the 6th at 5:20 p.m. Met Mellie at 5:40 and started on our return to Memphis at 6:45 p.m. She came through from Salt Lake City alone and left all well at home.

November 7
Had breakfast at Thayer and arrived at Memphis at 3:30 p.m. Visited the Wharf, Elmwood Cemetery, and the First Presbyterian Church. Stayed all night at Gastons.

November 8
After visiting some of the stores about town, took 10 a.m. train and started for Chattanooga. During the day a boy threw a rock through a window and dashed quite an amount of glass into Mellie’s eyes and face, but fortunately no serious damage was done. Arrived in Chattanooga at 9:30 pm. Tired and ready to rest.

November 9
Rained this a.m. and a very unpleasant day. Read and looked over the mission correspondence received while I have been away and answered a number of letters.

November 10
Walked down in town with Mellie and bought little Mellie a dress. Visited the ice house and other points of interest about town. Answered a number of letters.

November 11
In company with Mellie, took train at 10:30 a.m. and went to Knoxville. Arrived at 3:10 p.m. and after talking business with [illegible] an hour, went to the Hattie House and registered and visited the Iron works and other points. Attended the Theatre and saw Mr. and Mrs. Knight in “Over the Garden Wall.”

(To be continued.)

An interesting history of the Gaston Hotel proprietor is found here (search for Gaston).

Pictures from Wikipedia. Bird's eye view of Kansas City, Missouri. January 1869. Drawn by A. Ruger, Merchants Lith. Co. Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis Tennessee.