2012 Springtime Visit to Manassa, Colorado.

San Luis Valley, Colorado map

4th Street, Manassa, Colorado, looking to the South. 

The trees on the left border John Morgan's lot.

A Trip to Manassa, Colorado has been on my “To Do List” for the last three or four years. This spring my husband made it a reality by driving us there. We got a taste of the route a train trip from Salt Lake to Manassa, Colorado might take, and what Manassa, Colorado is like today.

We definitely got a taste of Springtime weather in the San Juan Mountains and the San Luis Valley in Colorado. Historian Andrew Jenson wrote that the “San Luis Valley extends north and south about 150 miles, with an average width of about 50 miles. The elevation of the valley is from 7000 to 8000 ft. above the level of the sea. Winds are very prevalent in the valley, but usually only a little snow falls in the winter.” This was the valley John Hamilton Morgan guided emigrating converts from the Southern States Mission to in 1878.

Each of the five days we traveled it snowed, and each day the sun broke through revealing blue skies. As we descended below the 10,700 ft. high Wolf Creek pass in the San Juan Mountains, and dropped into the San Luis Valley, we met a wind so fierce that the skies had turned gray and were filled with dust. Gray blotted out everything, making it difficult to identify road signs. The skies cleared as we reached Manassa, but the winds never did die down.

True to John Morgan’s journal entries the railroad tracks traced the length of the valley from Alamosa, Colorado south to Antonito. We did not drive further south than Manassa.  A highway followed the course of the train tracks through the valley. As we turned off the highway and left the railroad tracks behind to drive to Manassa, I was reminded that it was always a three-mile-walk for Great Grandfather John Morgan, if he hadn’t arranged for someone to meet him with a wagon.

When we arrived in Manassa we followed the Platt Map that John Morgan’s son, Nicholas Groesbeck Morgan, included in a pocket of his 1965 book, The Life and Ministry of John Morgan by Arthur Richardson.

We saw most of the Manassa sites that are posted on the Internet here. And we found John Morgan’s lot on 4^th and Smith Streets where he built a home for Annie and their family, and where he planted countless trees. The home no longer stands.

This is the west side of John Morgan's corner lot.

John Morgan planted many trees on his Manassa property as recorded in his Spring 1888 journal entries.

March 20- Went across the river with Henry Huffaker to look at some government land and found a very nice tract. Had some holes dug to plant trees in.

March 21 – Accompanied by brother Samuel Jackson, went across the river and looked over the country again. Planted a dozen apple trees and six Lombardy Poplars.

March 22 – Hung my meat up to smoke and moved the coal. Fixed down the floor over the well and went across the river with several of the brethren to look at the land.

March 24 – Busy this a.m. setting out shade trees along the west side of the lot and other work about the place.

The sign is across the street on the corner.

The site where the first church and school house was built in Manassa

 is marked by this cairn and plaque. 

October 10-11, 1885 while John Morgan was in Kansas City he purchased some fruit trees and arranged for their shipment to Manassa. On November 25, 1885, John Morgan, Annie, and their baby daughter, Annie Ray, moved into the home he built on 4th and Smith Streets in Manassa. 

To be continued.
Part 2
Part 3

John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

John Hamilton and Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan. 1886. Part 22.

Continued from here.

November 18
Busy during the day looking after the saints who were coming in from the different conferences about all that were expected got in good time and at 6:25 p.m. we left for the west over the [illegible] and C. railroad for Memphis. Sister Knight and family had to remain to wait for Mr. Knight.

November 19
Arrived at Memphis at 7 a.m. having picked up two parties during the night, one of them accompanied by Elder F. R. Lyman. Met a few emigrants here. Re-checked our baggage and had breakfast at the Gaston Hotel and at 10:55 a.m. left for Kansas City over Fort Scott Railroad.

November 20
Arrived in Kansas City at 8:20 a.m. and transferred the people to the Santa Fe Railroad. Bought tickets and started them West in care of Elder Lyman. Mellie and I remained. During the day we visited different parts of the city, the Museum Panorama of the Battle of Gettysburg, and Mission Ridge, some large stores, and other points of interest.

November 21
Met the 8:20 a.m. Memphis train and met Mr. Knight and family. Bought their tickets and secured berth for Mellie and I to Pueblo and at 9:45 a.m. left for the West.

November 22
Quite cool this a.m. Some snow. Arrived at Pueblo at 9 a.m. where we met Elder Lyman and brother Mooney’s family. Some trouble having arisen over their tickets and they had awaited our arrival. Arranged matters for them in a few moments and went to the Artesian well and had a bath. At 12:35 Mellie left for home. During the p.m. I bought stove and attended to some business about town.

November 23
Left Pueblo at 2 a.m. and arrived at LaJara at 10 a.m. Came on to Manassa where I met Annie and baby [Annie Ray 1884-1972]. Both quite well. In the evening, went to see Victoria Kirtland and Robert Sellers, both of whom are lying very low with Typhoid fever, and latter died at 7 p.m.

November 24
Attended the funeral of brother Sellers [Wm. Roberts Sellers, Nov. 16, 1857 – Nov. 26, 1886]and spoke to the saints at the [Manassa] cemetery, dedicated the grave.

(To be continued.)

Pictures, Battle of Gettysburg by Currier and Ives, and An AT&SF [Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe] Passenger Train, circa 1895, from Wikipedia.

John Hamilton and Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan. Part 19.

Continued from here.


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

1884
December 14 Clyde Smith [Could this be Annie’s brother?] came to Mellies at about 3 a.m. and woke me up, stating that Annie needed me. On arriving found her in child labor which kept up until 7 a.m. When she gave birth to a girl baby [Annie Ray Morgan] , weighing twelve pounds. Remained with her until after 2 p.m. and then came down to Mellies. Attended to the milking and chores and returned. During the evening I wrote a letter to the “News” relative to Sectarian Schools …

Through the 18th John Morgan wrote letters, called at the Pres. office, saw brother Reynolds, arranged to get $250.00 and visited a number that I was indebted to and paid them ... He attended Seventies Council ... had a talk with Pres. Cannon relative to my situation and other matters. Storming for the past two days.

December 19 Called on the Pres. and had a talk with brother Geo. Q. Cannon about some land matters in Colo. In the evening went to Ogden with sister Bickington [presumably midwife, see previous post]. Took daughter Mellie along. Met Elder Roberts on the train and had a talk about mission matters and land business in Colo.

December 20 At home all day.

December 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
Have been in hiding during these days to keep out of the way of Marshalls. On Christmas day, Hyrum Groesbeck and wife spent the day. In the evening I blessed my little boy and gave him the name of Nicholas Morgan. Spent one day with sister Weinel. Elder Roberts called on me and had dinner.
During the days in the house I read "Turgees appeal to Ceaser,” and "Conquest of Mexico By Cortez” and its subsequent History.

December 27
Arranged with Dicksen through Jno. Groesbeck to get out on the street and have been out all day attending to business …

December 30-31
Called on Pres. Taylor about money to aid the Colo. Saints in the purchase of some land, which aid was refused on the ground that money was scarce and people should seek to aid themselves. Weather quite cold ...

January 1, 1885 At Annies for dinner. A number of callers at Mellies. Among the rest, John Richardsen, formerly of Ill., with whom I was acquainted when a boy and had a long talk over old times.

January 2… I went to the City Hall and met Marshall Phillips who gave me some information of a personal nature. [Its unknown whether Marshall is Mr. Phillips' first name, or his title.]

January 3
In the house all day out of sight. Read “Shermons March to the Sea,” and Burns.


January 4
In the house during the entire day. Sunday.

January 5 Came down to sister Weinals and spent the day quietly. Read Aldine and Burns most of the day. A heavy snow last night.

January 6 At sister Weinals today. Jno. Groesbeck called and informed me that he had obtained my Supt’s Appropriation. Brother C. F. Wilcox called and I had a lengthy talk about school matters. Read Burns and wrote a number of letters.

January 7... Mellie returned with N. H. G. [presumably Nicholas Harmon Groesbeck] and Mollie [sic. Mellie].

January 8
At home all day out of sight. A number of callers, but everything quiet. Made arrangements to go East.

January 9, 10, and 11 Out of sight all day out a few minutes and at work getting affairs fixed to leave, settling up accounts and writing letters.

The following post is about John and Annie’s travels during February – April, and their return to Salt Lake after learning of baby Flora’s death, April 1, 1885.

[Editor's note: While looking for Mellie in some 1884, 14th Ward Relief Society records, I found Sister Weinel. John Morgan spent considerable time at Sister Weinel's. For every question I find an answer to, six more arise.]

I took the picture of the Nicholas Groesbeck Morgan bust, stored in the Utah Historical Society Library, last October. Thanks to cousin Karen M.

John Hamilton Morgan Journal entries. 1885 Part 2 of 2.

Manassa, Colorado's first log cabin church and school house.

[Editor’s note: John Morgan continued with his responsibilities in the Southern States Mission from June 21, 1885. On August 27, 1885 he met Mellie (wife, Helen Melvina Groesbeck) and two of their children (one is Nicholas G.) in Pueblo, Colorado. They traveled together to the Colorado and Arizona settlements where John Morgan participated in multiple conferences. On September 14 they traveled from Snowflake to Taylor, Arizona, when he wrote the only comment he recorded about his family during that time. Our boy has caught the sore eyes. On September 19, 1885 they were back in Pueblo, Colorado.]

1885
September 19
Took 7:40 train for Pueblo. Arrived at 10 a.m. and went over to North Pueblo and bought some things for Mellie and the children. At 12:30 p.m. saw them on board West bound train. Accompanied them as far as Canon City. Returned and started east at 4:45.
…
September 24
[Chattanooga since September 21, 1885] Attended to some writing and other business connected with the mission. Sent Annie $100.00 to come home on.

September 25
Went to Knoxville on the 10 a.m. train. Met and talked over the Christensen case with Gen. Thomburg and decided to try to stop prosecution by taking advantage of error in Court record. Returned to Chattanooga at 10 p.m. [This journal entry appears in Part 1 of this post.]
…
November 5
Busy during the day attending to mission correspondence and informing brother [unknown] Kimball of the details of the duties devolving upon him. In the p.m. received a telegram from A.M.M. [Annie Mildred Morgan] from N. Y. [New York] announcing her arrival. Started on the 10:20 p.m. to Kansas City to meet her.

…
November 7
Arrived in Kansas City at 9:20 a.m. Called at Mr. Moss’s office and coming up by the Cable Ry. Had an oyster stew for breakfast. Walked about town some and secured a boarding place at 805 Wyandotte Street. At 7:30 p.m. met A. M. M. and baby and accompanied them to our room. Pleased to be with them again.

…
November 10 [in Kansas City] Had a horse and buggy and rode out to Blair and Kauffman’s Nursery four miles from the city to see about some fruit trees. In the p.m. went to the Museum. Pleasant weather.

November 11

Met Mr. Blair of Blair and Kauffman, Nurserymen, and arranged for some fruit trees to ship to Manassa. In the p.m., attended Bartholomews Equine show at the Gillis Opera House, one of the finest shows I ever saw.

November 12
Very cold this a.m. Some little snow fell. Was out but little. Visited the slaughter pens and packing house of Amour and Co. and saw a big establishment for butchering cattle, hogs, and sheep. The baby is a little unwell with a cold and I find I am taking a heavy cold and feel quite feverish.

November 13
Walked out on the street with Annie and the baby twice during the day. ...

[November 14-19, John Morgan appears to leave Annie and their baby in Kansas City. He travels to Memphis and Chattanooga, conducts mission business, and arranges for emigrating saints.]

November 20
Arrived in Kansas City at 10:20 and met Annie and Ray. Had to lay over until 10:10 p.m. Visited two or three points about the city during the day. Left on time and all well.
…
November 22
Came in sight of the snow-capped mountains at daylight. Crossed LaVeta Pass in six inches of snow. Arrived at LaJara at 10 a.m. and went to Richfield. Held meeting at 2 p.m. After meeting drove to Manassa and held evening meeting.

November 23
Visited around among the saints during the forenoon and went to Antonito in the p.m. to buy some furniture.

November 24
At work at a house to move Annie into and had brother D. [Daniel] R. Sellers doing some carpenter work and Elihu Ball ? the crevises [sic].

November 25
At work at the house until late in the evening. In company with Pres. [Silas S.] Smith, and Elders Bean and Jolley, drove to Ephraim and held evening meeting.

November 26
Working about the house and getting ready to move in. Quite cold and blustery today.

November 27
Moved in today and put down the carpet and stayed at the house for the first night.
Part 1

J. Golden Kimball

Silas S. Smith

Picture of Manassa log school and church and John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Marriott Library, Special Collections, University of Utah. From The Life and Ministry of John Morgan, by Arthur M. Richardson, copyright 1965, Nicholas G. Morgan, Sr., pg. 146, Daniel R. Sellers, president, United Order of Pueblo (1877-78).

John Hamilton Morgan, Journal entries, 1885, 1 of 2 Parts.

[Editor’s note: After an April 13, 1885 departure from Salt Lake City for the East, Annie Mildred Smith Morgan and baby Annie Ray (1884) are with John Morgan as he leads the Southern States Mission and stays away from the Marshals in Salt Lake City, Utah. While I was looking for the material for “Something Further about C. F. Christensen” I realized Annie spent months of her first year as a mother with John Morgan in the Mission Field. It appears that Annie and baby stayed in the Wm. R. Manning home a great deal of the time, some miles outside of Rome, Georgia. Would that be in the Haywood Valley? They spent a great deal of time traveling on trains throughout the mission. He took her with him to visit some nice places.]

1885
April 21
Up at 5 a.m. and made ready for the start which was made at 6:25. Had a pleasant days run by way of Cleveland, Rome, and Calera, Ala at which point our car was side tracked and waited two or three hours. Our party divided. Some taking a train waiting for N. O. [New Orleans] We laid over until 9 p.m. when the down train picked us up for N. O.

April 22
Got up early this a.m. and read paper and talked with the folks in the car for a while. Arrived at N. O. at 10 a.m. and put up at 310 Canal Street, (?) Slept a while and walked considerably trying to get a baby carriage. Succeeded at last, walked up Canal Street late in the evening.

April 23
Attended the Exposition and had a very pleasant day. Enjoyed ourselves in viewing the wonderful collection from all parts of the world. Returned to the city by boat and made preparations to leave for Chattanooga tomorrow morning. Cool during a great part of the day.

…
May 5 [in Chattanooga] At work mailing papers, writing letters, etc. In the evening we walked down to the river and saw the May Excursion come in. Received the news giving an account of the trial of A. [Angus] M. Cannon, including the ruling of Judge Zane, that the Edmunds Law was aimed exclusively at the saints.

...

May 27
Wrote some answers to questions to publish in the N. Y. Herald and other papers. At 10:35 took train for Rome, Ga, where I arrived at 1:30 p.m. Obtained a buggy and drove out to brother Wm. R. Mannings where I met Annie and the baby and the members of the family. Spent the evening pleasantly talking to the folks.

…
June 17

Attended to mailing some tracts, collars, cuffs, etc. to the Elders and took 10:25 a.m. train for Rome where I arrived at 1:30 p.m. going by carriage to brother Mannings where I arrived at 4 p.m. and found Annie and Ray well.

June 18

At brother Mannings all day. Did some considerable writing. Fixed a lot of reading for people in Carter County.

June 19
Wrote some this a.m. and at noon started for town. Made the 2:50 p.m. train and arrived in Chattanooga at 6 p.m.

June 20
Attended to some business at the street and at 10:25 a.m. took train and went to Rome and met Annie and Ray. Waited until the 5 p.m. train and came up to Cohuttah where we took a sleeper and slept comfortably and nicely until reaching Bristol. At 6 a.m. I left the train and Annie and Ray went on to New York and from there to England.

[Editor’s note: I do not know if Annie’s trip to England was planned prior to when they left Salt Lake City, or came about for other reasons. Of which I can see many. I assume she went to England to visit her parents, who she lists as Joseph Smith and Sophia Perry, Penkridge, Staffordshire, Eng. in the Conejos Co. Church Records, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members list 1909, Book I-M.]

June 21
Remained at Bristol during the forenoon and at 12:25 p.m. took train for Chattanooga where I arrived at 10 p.m.

(To be continued.)

Part 2

John Hamilton Morgan Journal at the Marriott Library, Special Collections, University of Utah. 2009 summer picture from LDS Church Plaza gardens, Salt Lake City, Utah.

John Morgan Journal, missionaries jailed, 1885; May 14-22.

Red Butte Garden trail, Salt Lake City, Utah, September, 2009

[Editor’s note: Motivated by these two very interesting posts at Amateur Mormon Historian and The Ancestor Files, I decided to add the following information from John Morgan’s Journal.

In an earlier post John Morgan and his wife, Annie Smith Morgan (married 1884) and their baby Annie Ray (born 14 Dec 1884), are making a second attempt (April 13, 1885) to travel East to the Southern States Mission.]

1885
May 14
[Chattanooga, Tennessee] Went out with Annie trading this a.m. During the day received a telegram from Elder C. F. Christensen stating that he had been arrested in Carter Co., Tenn. for preaching polygamy. Wired him in reply and wrote him and Gen. Jno. T. Wilder in regard to the matter. Mailed a circular letter to the Elders in the mission.

May 15 … Called on Maj. McGuffey and showed him Elder Christensen’s letter and had a talk with him on the subject.

May 16
Received a letter from Elder Christensen stating that they had been sent to jail at Elizabethtown, Carter Co. … I have now done all I can for the brethren here and leave tonight on the 7:10 p.m. train to go to them, trusting in the God of Isreal [sic, probably typo] to protect us.

From May 14-21, John Morgan details his course in his journal. He approaches one official to obtain a letter of introduction to the next, ultimately acquiring the needed introductions, letters and signatures to proceed. Satisfying each demand, President Morgan traveled from Chattanooga to Johnsons City, to Elizabethton. He returns to Chattanooga, then to Knoxville, and back to Johnsons City, and on to Elizabethton on May 21, accompanied by the needed authorities, signatures and papers to free his missionaries. In the following journal sample President Morgan describes meeting his jailed missionaries. (Click on the following image to enlarge. Hopefully you will be able to read this poor copy.)


May 18 … Bought the boys some lemon and sugar to make a drink.
…

May 21 [arrived Elizabethton] … at 7:55 a.m. I went directly to the jail and met the brethren. Both of them were quite well and feeling well and after a short interview, I went to the Hotel and met Mr. Collins on the way. Together we went to the Synder House and had quite a talk on the subject. Col. T. [Col. Jacob Thomburg, of Mess. Thomburg and Andrews of Knoxville] had gone out into town to make an impression and look around. About 11 he returned and the bond was shown to him and in a few moments it was presented to the jailor with Col. T. as security. It was accepted and the brethren were immediately released. All of us met at the Snyder House for dinner. Feeling splendid at the result of our labors which, through the blessing of the Lord, had results in their release. After dinner, we walked out to the spring above town and called on the jailer and wife and thanked them for courtesies extended. At 3:20 the Col. And myself took train for Johnsons leaving the Elders to return to their fields of labor tomorrow. Arrived at Johnsons at 4 p.m. and wrote a few letters. Afterwards went to bed to rest until the 1:55 a.m. train arrived.

May 22
Took train at Johnson at 1:55 and came to Chattanooga parting with Col. Thomburg at Knoxville. Found Annie and baby well. …

[Note: This section of my John Morgan Journal copy ends June 17, 1885. When the additional pages I’ve ordered from the Marriott Library, Special Collections, are available I will look for an entry that might answer the Amateur Mormon Historian’s query, “I wonder when President Morgan went back to eastern Tennessee and noticed the court records.”]

John Hamilton Morgan, Manassa, Colorado, July 5-August 17, 1890, 1 of 2 parts.

John Hamilton and Annie Smith Morgan with their family; Annie Ray, Myrtle in front, and John Albemarle on his mother’s lap. This picture was taken June 19, 1890, at Marshall’s Gallery, Denver, Colorado.

Because of the John Morgan journal we know more about this 1890 picture of John Morgan’s family. His journal offers glimpses into family life such as this one, and the passing of Myrtle five weeks later. Perhaps they typify events, even pictures, with other family members that are yet to be discovered.

It is evident that John Morgan “catches up” at different times in his journal. These entries are exactly as they appear in the typed version of his journal at the Marriott Library, University of Utah. This 2 part post begins the day after John Morgan returned from a trip to the Manti Temple that is posted here.

1890
July 5
Have finished tearing down the old building and the men are getting out the cellar for the new rapidly. [The old building is the Morgan Commercial College. John Morgan will build the Morgan Hotel on the same site.]

July 6 to 22
Have been busy with my building work and other duties. On the 22 started for Colorado over the U. P. at 5 p.m.

July 23
Had breakfast at Rawlings. Changed cars at Cheyenne and arrived at Denver at 7:45 p.m. Left for Manassa at 11:30 p.m.

July 24
Arrived at the crossing at 12 m. Team met me and learned that little Myrtle had the measles and was quite sick. On arriving home found her very sick with pneumonia. Labored with her the rest of the day and night. She suffered severely but was very patient.

July 25
Continued nursing Myrtle who seemed satisfied only on my lap. She showed some better indications today.

July 26
No improvement in our little one’s condition. Still we are doing everything we can to help her.

July 27
Myrtle worse this a.m. and very seriously sick. Have had her administered to and doing everything in our power.

July 28
As the first rays of the sun shone through the window our darling died in my arms, quietly and peacefully falling asleep. A dear gentle good spirit, all too good for this world of sin and misery. The friends and neighbors came in and did all they could for us showing every kindness.

July 29
Funeral at 2 p.m. today. Brother [probably Brigham Henry] Roberts and [probably William] Spry were the speakers, having arrived on the noon train. A large attendance and everything that loving hands could do, done.

July 30
Rained and very wet so that it is almost impossible to do anything.

July 31
At work trying to get the weeds out of the trees and garden that are about to take everything.

August 1
Still at work with the weeds, and received a telegram notifying me of brother [probably George] Goddard coming.

August 2
Both the other children taking down with the measles, the baby breaking out heavy. Ray complaining.

August 3
Both children in bed with measles, but doing well.

August 4
Ray, up and about the house. Got the trees plowed out and trimmed.

August 5
At work about the corrall [sic] and making hayracks, preparatory to haying.

August 6
Plowed the potatoes and hoed them. The children much improved.

(To be continued.)

John Morgan Journal and picture from John Morgan collection at the Marriott Library, Special Collections, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.