John Hamilton Morgan, the Groesbecks, visit cousins Cobb in Florida. 1885.

In 1885, January 25, from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Southern States Mission Headquarters, John Morgan wrote: At 9:40 p.m. Henry Dinwoody [1825-1905], N. H. [brother-in-law, Nicholas Harmon] Groesbeck, [brother-in-law] Jno. Groesbeck, and his two boys [presumably John Amberson 1872-1930, Frank Bringhurst 1873-1951] arrived from Cincinnati. ... John Morgan showed his visitors the local sites and they made ready for a trip South.

from John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Specdial Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.
1885
January 30
After breakfast came down to the R.R. and waited about one hour for the train which proved to be a terribly slow one, the engine gave out and we had to change at Cochrane, reaching Jessup four hours late or about 7 p.m. Had one of the worst suppers I ever ate. Took sleeper from this point in and left Jessup in a heavy rain.

January 31
Arrived at Jacksonville, Fla. At about 7:30 a.m. and went to the Grand View House. Raining considerably during the morning. At noon cleared off and was warm. We visited the principal point’s of interest about the city, including the vegetable and fish markets, public, and business street, museum, etc. Crossed over the river and visited Ex-Gov. Reid’s orange orchard eating oranges that we picked ourselves. Very many northern people here for the winter. Flowers are in bloom, oranges hang on the trees, on the side-walks, and in almost every yard.

Florida Capitol, 1845, from Wikipedia

February 1
Took train at 9 a.m. for St. Augustine arriving there at 10:20. It is the oldest city in America, inhabited by Europeans. Here Ponce de Leon landed. In 1565 Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed and took possession in the name of the Spanish King. Many old buildings are still standing, erected 300 years ago, of a conglomerate called Coquina composed of sea shells and land. During the day we visited the Atlantic Beach and gathered some shells. Crossed the Mantauzas River in a sail boat. Attended U. S. Military Dress Parade. Visited some orange groves, the old Fort San Marco, the cathedral, Plaza, City Gates, etc. N. H. G., H. D., and myself remained all night at the Cleveland House.

St. Augustine, Florida, from Wikipedia

February 2
Crossed the River on a sail boat and took wooden trainway street car and rode to the Light House which ascended it being 164 feet high, where we had a splendid view of the coast. Returning to the city, we had dinner in the old Court House and at 3:30 p.m. took train for Jacksonville, arriving at 5 p.m.

February 3
At 7:35 a.m. took train over the Florida Central and Western Ry., one of the roughest roads I ever traveled over arriving at Tallahassee at 4:30 p.m. and put up at the St. James. Called down and saw cousins Rice and Hack Cobb, who are running a Livery Stable here. Had a pleasant little chat with them and attended the session of the Senate during the evening. Quite a number of negro members.

Bridge Lions, Matanzas River, from Wikipedia


St. James Hotel, Tallahassee, Florida,
from Wikipedia

February 4
Took a walk with brother Dinwoody and at 10 a.m. Hack furnished us a carriage and driver and drove us over the city. We visited all the prominent points, including College and colored Public School and had dinner with cousin Rice Cobb and at 2:40 took train for New Orleans, arriving at River Junction at 5 p.m. where we took sleeper for New Orleans. During the night the train jumped the track, nearly all going off but one car. Did not get on again until after daylight.

February 5
Arrived in New Orleans at 2:30 p.m. On the train between Mobile and N. O. met Olivery Shelby, of Ind. Stopped at 76th St. Charles Street, Slept in the hardest bed I ever found.

February 6
After breakfast walked out on the street and met a number of Salt Lake people. Rode [sic] street car out to Exposition. Visited a number of different departments and spent a pleasant day. The Exposition is simply immense in every way.

St. Augustine, Florida, from the Light House,
from Wikipedia

An earlier reference to cousin Cobb is found here.

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 and daughter, Mellie, 1886, Part 1

This picture is scanned from The Man Who Moved City Hall; Nicholas Groesbeck Morgan, by Jean R. Paulson, published 1979 by Press Publishing Limited, Provo, Utah, pg 24.

[Picture caption:] The oldest daughter of John and Mellie Morgan was named for her mother. This photo of Helen Melvina Morgan Burt was taken by noted photographer C. R. Savage. Helen later married George Austin. [John Morgan called his daughter Mellie.]

"In her youth Mrs. Austin acted as her father’s secretary and accompanied him on numerous tours of the mission and to other parts of the United States."--From an obituary for Helen Melvina Morgan Austin, death 1952, sent me by a Groesbeck descendant. In 1886 Mellie accompanied her father to the Southern States Mission. She was sixteen years old, having been born January 19, 1870 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

This previous post from John Morgan’s journal concluded in Manassa, Colorado on November 27, 1885.

1885
December 25 [Salt Lake City, Utah]
At home quiet with the family. Had our Christmas turkey alone, and had a very pleasant day …

On the 27th, after bidding the folks goodbye, John Morgan took the train to Springville, Utah where he stayed at brother in-law Harmon Groesbeck’s. On the 28th … At 1 p.m. met my daughter Mellie on the D. and R. G. train and with her continued on east. Passed the day quietly and pleasantly.

December 29
Awoke soon after leaving Black Canyon and enjoyed the scenery across Marshall Pass. Arrived in Pueblo on time and found Mellie’s pass had not arrived and so concluded to go to San Luis Valley on a visit. Went to bed at the Depot House.

On the 30th snow drifts delayed their travel. Ultimately, … brother Hislet [sic, Heiselt] took me to Manassa where I met Annie and the baby both quite well. But the weather intensely cold.

John Morgan won’t receive the pass he needs for Mellie to travel further with him until they get back to Pueblo on January 7th.

1886
January 1
… A terrible wind storm came up in the night drifting the snow through everywhere and making everything cold.

January 2
Busy making Annie comfortable and getting the snow out of the house. At home most all day.

... John Morgan continued busy with Church meetings, speaking, writing, and visiting throughout the communities. He and Mellie arrive back in Pueblo on the 7th where he got a room in the Victoria Hotel. They couldn’t get out on the 8th as they … spent the day quietly waiting for the snow blockade to be broken. … at 8:30 p.m. went aboard the sleeper for the east, with a prospect of getting away during the night.

January 9
Laying at LaJuanta all day …. January 12 Some indications that we would get away today but night found us in the same old spot.

January 13
At 12 it was announced that we would get away during the afternoon and at 3:15 p.m. we pulled out in two sections, cheering and in high glee after our long confinement …

January 14
Ran all day through Kansas, snowing, raining, and sleeting at entervals [sic]. Evidences of heavy storm all along the road. Telegraph poles prostrated and deep snow banks. Arrived at Kansas City at 10:30 p.m. and went to the Lindell Hotel. Very tired and over all the streets there is a glare of ice.

January 15
Visited about over the city with Mellie and in the evening met Lon at the Union Depot. At 6:30 left over the Ft. Scott and Gulf Ry. For Memphis.

January 16
Changed out of the sleeper into chair car and rode to Memphis in chairs. Arrived on time. Called on Mr. Ellis and received a pass for self and daughter to Chattanooga. Had a short visit and chat with Mr. Hughes at the M. and C. Ticket Office. Walked over to the M. and C. Depot and at 10:20 left for Chattanooga.

January 17
Arrived at Chattanooga at 9:45 a.m. and met brother Kimball at the Depot. Went to boarding house and slept part of the day. Talked over mission matters with brother K.

January 18
Called on Mr. Sutton this a.m. on railroad matters. Walked about town with Mellie a while. A rainy disagreeable day. Busy in the office all day and evening on mission business.

January 19 and 20
Busy during the day writing and sending out emigration circulars. Got Mellie a pair of shoes and in the evening visited the South Tredgar Iron Works. A Mr. Stewart presented Mellie with a copy of Robinson Crusoe as a birthday present.

(To be continued.)

Lon [Leonidas] Morgan is John Morgan’s brother. Click here . and scroll down for a picture and mention of Lon.

Elias S. Kimball. In these 1885-1886 journal entries, when John Morgan refers to Brother K. or Brother Kimball, it appears that he is referring to Elias S. [Smith] Kimball. You can search for a biography here.

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

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 Hamilton Morgan Journal, something further about C. F. Christensen and $5

[Editor’s note: This August 14, 1885 journal entry answers the question Bruce Crow posed here. I’ve added the additional John Morgan journal entries about the Christensen case I found through the end of 1885.]

1885
August 14
Arrived at J. C. [Johnson City] at 5:30 a.m. Had my boot heels fixed by a red headed shoemaker and at 6:30 took train for Elizabethton. Arrived at 7:00 a.m. Had breakfast at the Snyder House. Met C. C. Collins and had a talk with him on the Christensen’s case. At my request he examined the court record and found that it read that C. F. Christensen is bound to the State of Tenn. in the sum of five dollars and Wm. Green in the sum of five. Met quite a number of friends and was introduced to a number of Mrs. Ingles. Had a very pleasant talk with Simmerly and others.
…
August 19
Started early this a.m. and accompanied by brother Rouche, walked to Roan Mt. station and came to Elizabethton on the cars. Had dinner at the Snyder House and a talk with Collins. Wrote quite a number of letters. Warm.

August 20
Met Collins and had quite a talk with him about the case. Afterwards walked to depot and took train to Johnson City. Had dinner at the Hoss House. Took train for Chattanooga and arrived at 10:20. Hot and dusty.
…
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.
…
October 12
Arose at 4:30 and went out to the Depot in an awful rain storm and at 5:37 took train for Chattanooga. Had breakfast at Round Mountain and dinner at Newport. Met Col. Thomburg at Knoxville and held a consultation on the Christensen case. Arrived in Nooga at 10:10 p.m. Tired.

[Note: This doesn’t look like it has ended yet. But my copy of this part of John Morgan’s journal ends on January 3, 1886. There is no further mention of the Christensen case through that date. I can tell I’ll need to return to the Marriott Library, which I really enjoy doing. When and if I discover further mention of this incident I’ll share it here.]

You can get a good look at, and a bit of history about, Col. Thornburg by reading about this incident at The Ancestor Files. John Morgan’s rn must have looked like an m to the typist who transcribed his journal.



It appears C.C. Collins was a local court official.

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, A Father's Heart

This is my second post from studying the John Morgan journal in the Marriott Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. My intent continues to be to learn more of him, my great grandmother, his other wives, and our family. I’m grateful for the increased strength and understanding I’m gaining from this course.

John Morgan is preparing to travel with Southern Mission emigrant converts.

1885
February 19
Emigrants coming in all day from various parts of the mission. Bought tickets and checked luggage during the day and at 10:20 p.m. took Memphis and Charleston train for Zion. J. M. Sutton of the east Tenn. and E. F. Lisson of the Santa Fe accompanied.

On February 23 his group arrived in Pueblo, and then LaJara, ... where we were met by a goodly number of saints who cared for the emigrants.

During this time John Morgan stayed in Manassa and in various homes throughout the area. His daily journal entries detail the saints he visits, blessings he administers, meetings he attends, those who attend, and addresses given. He records people he visits with, arrangements he makes for his properties, his manual labors, and notates letter writing, reading, and mail received. March 6: Administered to sister Campbell and then took a ride across the west field to the ditch. Had two or three runs with some dogs and Jack rabbitts. From this descendant’s view, 118 years later, his pace is exhausting.

March 9
Had a severe attack of rheumatism last night and in much pain this morning. Met a number of the brethren in counsel. About noon accompanied Pres. Smith to Richfield where I tried to alleviate my pain with linements and administering and otherwise, but to no effect. At 5 p.m. took train at LaJara accompanied by three sisters enroute to Utah. At Garland was joined by brother B. In much pain all evening.

March 10
Arriving at Pueblo at 12:35 a.m. Walked over to the Fargo House and secured room with fire in it. Rolled and tumbled the rest of the night. Most of the time on the floor. As early as I could, walked up to the Artesian well and had a bath and began using the water.

March 13
Wrote a letter to brother Kimball and another to Pres. S. Smith. Am improving finely. The pain is leaving gradually and getting good sleep at night. Walked down into town with Annie, and click here

too.

John Morgan and Annie and baby Annie Ray, left for Kansas City on March 17 on the Santa Fe sleeper. Traveling still on the 19th he noted Ray slept nearly all day. They arrived Chattanooga in the evening of the 21st. He conferred with many on mission affairs.

March 24
Read the decision in the Supreme Court on the Edmunds Law, annulling the Commission Test Oath. Arranged with Mrs. Paxton for Annie and myself to room there.

In the evening of March 25 they left for New Jersey via Washington. He arranged to have some printing done, wrote and received a number of letters, and Walked to the top of Cameron Hill with Annie and had a fine view of the city and surrounding country. On the 27th he received a telegram informing him Flora (John and Mellie's [Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan] daughter) was quite sick.

He wired a reply that day. The next day he received a wire that Flora had Malarial Fever and was slightly improved. On the 30th he arrived in Knoxville at 11 a.m. and wrote a letter to Mellie from the Hattie house. He continued conducting business.

March 31
Received a telegram at noon today that Flora was much worse and made arrangements to start home taking M. and C. train at 10 p.m.

April 1
Arrived at Memphis at 10 a.m. and transferred across the river. Started on time. Received a telegram that Flora was still living, but could not last long.

April 2
A heavy storm during the night. Train two hours late. Arrived in Kansas City at 11 a.m. Found the Santa Fe Train gone. Went to the Lindell Hotel. Received a telegram at 1 p.m. that my dear little Flora was dead. She was born on the [19] day of [September] 1882 and died at 11:05 a.m. on the 1st inst. A bright, beautiful child that my love and affections clung to as strong as the bonds of death, but we had to give her up for the time to claim her in the morning of the first Resurrection.

My heart seems almost broken at the thought that I could not be with her.

April 3
Took train at 10 a.m. for the west on the Santa Fe. A pleasant day.

April 4
Arrived at Pueblo at 10:30 a.m. had dinner and at 12:35 took D. and R. G. train for home. Considerable snow on Marshall Pass, but pleasant weather.

April 5
A large rock fell from the mountain side in Black Canyon and Lay on the track detaining us an hour or more. A heavy rain storm in Emery Co. delayed us still further. At Springville, met Jno. A. Groesbeck. Left the train at Francklyn and met H. G. who brought me to brother Pratt who carried me into town where I met my family and my dead baby. All the rest well.

April 6
The friends assembled at 10 a.m. for the funeral. Elder B. H. Roberts spoke and was followed by Pres. A. M. Cannon. The ward choir sang. Brother Geo. [unreadable initial] Taylor presided. Went to the cemetery and deposited her remains in the tomb. Returned to Josephines where I remained until late. Came home about 8:30 p.m.

April 7
At home during the day. A number of friends called to see me. Elder Roberts, S. S. Smith, Brother Cowley, and others.

April 8
During the a.m. the feeling came over me to leave which I did with Ann G. and went up to Johns where I spent the rest of the day. In the afternoon Apostle Jno. Henry Smith called and we had his company two or three hours. In the evening I had a long talk and visited with Apostle F. M. Lyman and talked over a variety of matters.

During the next few days he received many callers at home and he wrote letters. On April 12 At home and quiet all day. Walked out with Mellie in the evening. The next morning, the 13th, Brother Spence called with a ticket for Annie. Arranged to leave for the east tomorrow.

I took the picture of the flowers this Spring 2009, on the Church Plaza, Salt Lake City. Journal entries from John Hamilton Journal at Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.