John Morgan at October 1887 conference in Tennessee.

Mount Olivete Cemetery

1101 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, Tennessee

 approximately seven miles from Nashville, Tennessee

 picture from Wikipedia, November 2005

Yesterday’s Amateur Mormon Historian’s post was of interest to me. The conference Bruce wrote about occurred in the midst of the following John Morgan 1887 Southern States’ Missionary posts. 

                                                                                             

September11 – 18, 1887

September17, 1887, Newspaper account of Tennessee conference mobocracy

October13, 1887

His map of the railways bordering the Middle Tennessee Conference is equally intriguing and illustrates John Morgan's use of the railways during his travel there.

From Chattanooga, Tennessee, Mission President John Morgan recorded in his journal:

October 7, 1887 — Made preparation during the morning and at 1:35 p.m. left for Murfreesboro over N.C. and St. L. Railroad to attend the East Tennessee conference.

At Decherd, met Elder E. S. Wright.  At Murfreesboro, met Elder H. K. Perkins and accompanied him to brother William Burks, four miles out at the Labanon pike [about seven miles from Nashville, Tennessee].  Arrived at 7:30 p.m. where we stayed tonight.

October 8 — After an early breakfast, started for the conference, fourteen miles distant. Arrived at 8 a.m. at Miss Simmons where we met all the Elders laboring in the East Tennessee Conference. Held Council meeting and at 10 a.m. met in Conference with a fair attendance. Had a dinner under the shade of the tree, and met again at 2 p.m.  A good spirit manifest. After meeting, held another council.

October 9 — Stayed at Mrs. Simmons last night. Held council at 8 a.m. and met in council [council was crossed out of typed journal transcript and conference written in its place] at 10 a.m. and increased attendance, and a good spirit manifested. Had lunch and held council between 12 and 2. Had another good meeting, after which Elder Wright and myself bid the Elders and saints goodbye and accompanied Brother Halfaen home. During the Conference the East Tennessee conference was divided and Elder  S. H. Head [Samuel Hugh Head  served SS Mission January 24, 1886 -  unknown release date]  was appointed to preside over the East half.

October  10 — Started at 5:30 a.m. for Lebanon and at 7 a.m. took train for Nashville, arriving at 8. Visited the Capitol Bridge Market, Vanderbilt, Penetentiary, [sic. penitentiary] and other points of interest about the city. At night attended the Theatre, Vendome, Keene in Marc Anthony.

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

1887 Tennessee Conference Mobocracy.

CONFERENCE IN TENNESSEE.

Sensational Scene in a Meeting--

Manifestation of Mobocracy.

WOLF CREEK,

Lawrence County, Tenn.,

September 17^th, 1887

Editor Deseret News, from A. L. Fuller

Yesterday’s comment from Dale on an earlier blog post here led me to locate the mentioned newspaper article.

Dale's comment: I found this post through Amy's blog. Asahel  L. Fuller is my great grandfather. As clerk of the West Tennessee Conference, he wrote an account of this incident to the editor of the Deseret News. Fuller's account is much more detailed than the above. He gives the location as Wolf Creek, Lawrence County, Tenn.

I agree with Dale, his Great Grandfather Fuller’s Deseret News account is much more detailed. Since I was able to locate it, I have included it here for any interested. Click on the image to enlarge.

Elder Fuller's closing sentence is very interesting: "We desire to make special mention of sisters Hattie Blackburn and V. E. Grimes , who showed more courage than all the men present in quieting the mobocrats."

Note: Further information on this occurrence has been posted by The Ancestor Files and  the Amateur Mormon Historian.

John Hamilton Morgan's first convert is sealed to him.

According to The Life and Ministry of John Morgan by Arthur M. Richardson, page 361, Jennie Whipple was John Morgan’s first convert, while he was serving in Illinois. This picture of her is [a copy of a copy]from the John Hamilton Morgan collection, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.

From The John Morgan journal there I found some entries mentioning her.

Normal, Illinois
1876, January 3
Returned to my father’s home today. The Christian Church at Lexington was refused at the last moment and so I failed in my endeavor to speak there.
Normal, Illinois
1876, January 4Went to Bloomington this morning and visited with Sister Beeston [Beeson]; had a truly pleasant interview with her. It is surely good to meet one of your own people and I thank God for His blessings to her and to myself. [Note: On this day, John Morgan entered in his journal a paragraph about his genealogy. It is posted here on this blog.]

Bloomington, Illinois
1876, January 5Brought Aunt up from Father’s today and called on Sister Beeston; [Beeson] had a pleasant talk and administered to her. …

Normal, Illinois
1876, January 8
Visited Sister Beeston [Beeson] this morning and fixed her windows for her. Had an interesting interview with her and Miss Miller. ...

Money Creek, Illinois
1876, January 14
... [Note: The following is inserted in his typed journal following the entry for this day.] (Eliza Jane Beeson (Whipple) born February 6, 1842 in Fairfield, Columbiana County, Ohio – daughter of Henry Martin Beeson and Ruth Cope, baptized August 25, 1883 by Elder John Morgan, Confirmed by George Reynolds. Desires to be sealed to John Morgan – copied from a note that she left with Lily T. Freeze).

I have learned the following about Sister Beeson or Whipple. From page 361 of The Life and Ministry of John Morgan by Arthur M. Richardson, "Another visitor he was happy to see, came to town on the 20th Jennie Beeso Whipple from Illinois who had been his first convert to the Church while serving as a missionary in that state in 1876. On the 25th he baptized her at 11:30 a.m. at Warm Springs with George Reynolds serving as witness."

[Note: The 1883 John Morgan journal section, that may substantiate this 1883 baptismal date, and the same New Family Search baptismal date, isn’t in the Marriott Library collection. ]

Salt Lake City
1884, October 29Accompanied Jennie Whipple south on the [illegible] C. train. She is going to Nephi. I left the train at Draper and returned on the 10:10 a.m. train. ...

[Note: In August, 1887, John Morgan was in Salt Lake City, visiting Mellie and his family. He was being sought by the Marshals. His journal entries from that visit are posted here in this blog.]

1887, August 4
At home quiet all day. Sister Jennie Whipple came down in the afternoon and remained until dark when I drove her out to the Hot Springs ...
According to New Family Search, Eliza Jane Beason was in the Salt Lake Temple completing her own temple work on August 17, 1899. She was sealed to her parents January 17, 1900.

In 1900 Jennie Whipple was Head, or Superintendent of the County Infirmary at 1979 State Street, in Salt Lake City, according to the Farmers Precinct, Salt Lake County Census. She was born February 1842, was 58 years old, widowed, and both of her parents were born in Ohio.

Jennie B. Whipple was living at 210 Fern Street, in Salt Lake City, when she died on May 30, 1909. The information on her State of Utah death certificate was provided by Bishop T. F. Tingey.

She was buried June 2, 1909 in John Hamilton Morgan’s family plot at the Salt Lake City cemetery. You can see her gravestone’s proximity to John Morgan’s gravestone in the picture at the end of this post.

Eliza Jane Beason [Jennie Beeson Whipple 1842-1909] was sealed to John Hamilton Morgan, December 14, 1927, in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Note: I did not know who this "fallen headstone" belonged to [front left], when I first began visiting John Morgan's gravesite--years ago. Another descendant pointed it out to me last Fall. It appears all of John Morgan's wives were living in Salt Lake City in 1927. No--there is a wife who never lived in Salt Lake City!

President John Hamilton Morgan and Elders, October 1887.

This picture is used with permission of, Special Collections Department, J. Willard Marriott Library, 295 South 1500 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0860, Tel: (801)585-3073, Fax: 801)585-1115, www.lib.utah.edu/spc. Do Not Copy This Picture. You may contact the library to purchase a copy, or link to this Post.

John Hamilton Morgan (8), Mission President, and missionaries, Southern States Mission. (Picture presumably taken October 18, 1887, by Baptist Preacher Fitzgerald, at Brother Jno. Carrs, a nine mile walk across the Blue Ridge from Vesuvious [train station], Virginia.)

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

On October 13, 1887, from Mission Headquarters in Chattanooga, Tennessee, John Morgan made preparations to go to Virginia and West Virginia on a two week trip to attend Conference …left on the East Tennessee 10 p.m. train. On the 14th … arrived at Vesuvius 4:30 p.m. where I met Elders Milo Hendricks and T. A. Williams. Accompanied them on a nine mile walk across the Blue Ridge, to brother Jno. Carrs where we met a number more Elders and spent an enjoyable evening.

On the 15th and 16th they held meetings at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day. On the 17th Met the Elders in council and we decided to divide the Virginia Conference and appointed Elder Miller to preside. New arrangements were made for the Elders as to traveling companions. We spent the greater part of the entire day together.

October 18
Raining this a.m. Elder Hansen from Utah got in last night. We all met at about 9 a.m. and read the General Epistle of the Twelve signed by President Woodruff. After which we had our pictures taken by a Baptist preacher named Fitzgerald, a former mobocrat.

After dinner, I started and walked to Vesuvius station where I took train for the West Virginia Conference …

If only the numbered legend for this picture had survived with it! Is that Brother Jno. Carr’s home they are in front of? If so, there must be a Sister Carr. Note the curtains at the window. Presuming Elder Milo Hendricks, T. A. Williams, Elder Hansen, and Elder Miller, mentioned in these entries, are in this picture, who is who? And who are the other four Elders?

1887, September Southern States Conference

An incident from Amy’s account of the September 1887 Southern States conference interested me. I didn’t have a copy of that part of the John Morgan journal so I returned to the Marriott Library to look further. See paragraphs five and six posted here at The Ancestor Files.

From the John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah:
1887
September 11 [Meridian, Mississippi, after leaving Colorado, September 6.]
Met the Elders in council again this a.m. Attended Sunday School at 10 a.m. the pupils recited 126 verses of Scripture by memory and repeated the Articles of Faith in concert. Conference convened at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. meetings were well attended, and a good spirit prevailed. Stayed at Thomas Odums tonight.
September 12-13 President Morgan traveled to Rome, then Chattanooga, where he … met A. R. Smith who has charge of the office. Spent the p.m. in reading papers, letters, etc. … He worked in the office through the 15th getting correspondence into shape and trying to get the run of mission matters. On the 15th took the train to Tuscombia, then on to Florence, Alabama, for the West Tennessee Conference.

September 16... Left for Cowpens Creek to meet the Elders. … Attended to prayer and held council with the Elders. On the 17th ... Held council this a.m. and met in a conference capacity at 11 a.m. …

September 18
Met the Elders in Council and at 11 a.m. met in Conference at Ilutts School House. An evil spirit was manifest from the start and culminated before the meeting closed in an attack by one (?) Gilbert who with an oath caught up a crutch and tried to strike me as I was talking to the people. Elders Elias I. Wright and Asabel [sic, Asahel] Fuller caught him and prevented any serious damage being done. A general [There is neither a space, nor a word, in the transcript here.] seemed imminent and one woman fainted, others screamed and the meeting was broken up. The Elders all went down on Cowpers [sic, Cowpens] Creek and held council and had dinner with the McMurtryes after which I bade them goodbye and started for Florence, arriving at 8 p.m.
The following is from pages 31-32 of a document (typed transcript like the John Morgan Journal transcript) in the John Morgan Collection titled: Southern States Mission History, From October 1875 to December 1904.

1887, September
The month opened very quietly, the Elders moving cautiously to avoid undue excitement among the masses. Reports from the respective Conferences are all in, showing a very gratifying increase in the number of baptisms during the corresponding time last year, in fact, it was the best received for some considerable length of time.

On the 10th and 11th insts. The Mississippi Conference convened at the house of brother Pleasant Odums. President Morgan was in attendance; also six (6) Elders belonging to the Conference. Meetings were held each day, including councils, in which the Elders expressed their views relative to their labors and received some timely counsel and advice on matters pertaining to their immediate duties.

Everything passed off peaceably and quietly; all enjoying themselves in their meeting together. On the 17th and 18th insts. The West Tennessee Conference was held near St. Joseph, Lawrence County. President Morgan was also in attendance here; and also all the Elders belonging to that Conference, numbering seven (7). The meetings on Saturday were well attended and the various speakers touched upon a few of the first principles of the Gospel. All passed off very pleasantly.

On Sunday, meeting was again held, but not with such good results. After two or three of the Elders had spoken, President Morgan arose and addressed the congregation. While speaking, a fellow, by name, Gilbert, arose and seizing a crutch endeavored to strike him, using some vile language in the meanwhile. Owing to the position he was in, Gilbert could not use his stick to any great advantage, and through the force of the blow, being broken, President Morgan caught the stick in one hand very easily. It was wrenched from him, and after making other fruitless attempts to reach the object of his attack, he withdrew, as did also the crowd of roughs who were with him. This circumstance broke up the meeting and no more was held.
From an alphabetized list of Southern States' missionaries; name, set apart date, date returned, from John Morgan collection.
Albert R. Smith. February 13, 1887 - March 8, 1889
Asahel Luther Fuller. February 14, 1887 - November 24, 1889
Elias Smith Wright, September 10, 1886 - November 12, 1888
I took the picture at Red Butte Gardens, Salt Lake City, September, 2008.

John Hamilton Morgan Journal 1887, Aug 8-14

1887
August 8
At home. This is my Forty-fifth birthday, which I spent most agreeably with my family.

August 9
Wrote and read during the day, at home. In the evening, went to William Burbidges [perhaps William Burbidge in the 17th Ward] where I stayed tonight.

August 10
Remained at B’s [probably Burbidges] during the a.m. At noon, Mellie drove up and took me to brother H. [Horace] Eldredges to attend Seventies council. Presidents Eldredge [Horace S. Eldredge], Gates [Jacob Gates], Cannon [Abraham H. Cannon], and Young [Seymour B. Young], also clerk Campbell [unknown]; considerable business was transacted. After adjournment, went home.

August 11
Made preparation today to leave that city. Had my valise packed, and at 4 p.m. boarded the Utah Central train and safely made my way to Nephi where I landed at 8 p.m. in heavy rain. Drove to Bishop [David King] Udalls where I stayed tonight.

August 12
After breakfast, walked out and M. Charles Andrews [unknown] took me in his buggy about town. Called on brother Jackson [unknown] and had dinner at Bishop Udalls and at 2:25 p.m. boarded Central train for Springville, where I arrived at 4 p.m. Drove up to N. H. [Nicholas Harmon] Groesbecks where I met my family.

August 13
Spent the day with the folks in the house one or two parties called on me. In the evening visited Cornelia Groesbeck [Nicholas Harmon Groesbeck’s 2nd wife 1869].

In the p.m. drove to Spanish Fork and called on brother Neil Gardiner [unknown].

August 14
Most of the morning was spent with brother O. Huntington [perhaps Oliver B. Huntington]. At 1:30 p.m. boarded D. and R. G. train for Colorado. Got a sleeping berth and made myself comfortable.

(This post concludes an 1887, Jul 25-Aug 14 portion of the John Morgan Journal, Marriott Library, University of Utah.)

Seventies

The Happy Birthday Father birthday card was for a different father (Percy Harold Rex (1889-1977). I scanned it from the card in John Hamilton Morgan's daughter's (Bessie Morgan Rex 1891-1938) scrapbook. Note: it is approximately 85 miles from Salt Lake City to Nephi, Utah.

John Hamilton Morgan, his work.

After my most recent post, a John Morgan descendant asked two reasonable questions. When did he work? What was his occupation? I submit the following, with the reference following in each case.

“The tempo of Elder Morgan’s life increased as did the variety of his duties in 1884.
He was chairman of the Legislative Committee on Education,
Superintendent of the Salt Lake County District Schools,
Chairman of the Committee to Memorialize Congress on the Political Situation in Utah,
a Regent of the University of Utah,
a member of the Territorial Legislature,
the 2nd Assistant General Superintendent of the Deseret Sunday School Union,
and President of the Southern States Mission.”

The Life and Times of John Morgan, chapter 19, “Missionary Double Murder,” by Arthur Richardson, copyright 1965, Nicholas G. Morgan, Sr., p. 375.

On October 8, 1884 he became one of the seven presidents of the Quorums of the Seventy. John Morgan served as a general authority for the last 10 years of his life. John Hamilton Morgan from wikipedia.

[1884] … “Six weeks later, John was able to give his son a name and a blessing, on December 25, but departed in the dark of the night soon afterward. He had taken a second plural wife that same year, and the office of the U. S. Marshal had a warrant for his arrest issued from the U.S. District Court. Along with hundreds of others suspected of u.c. (unlawful cohabitation), he was in hiding. A good place to hide was across the continent, so on January 2, 1885, he left for Chattanooga, Tennessee, to take over once again the acting presidency of the strife-riddled Southern States Mission. This time he was gone eleven months, arriving home December 6, 1885.”

Nicholas Groesbeck Morgan, The Man Who Moved City Hall by Jean R. Paulson, Press Publishing Limited Provo, Utah, copyright 1979 by Marjorie Morgan Gray, p. 48.

At theancestorfiles.blogspot.com Amy has posted over fifty articles about John Morgan, his life and work. Her July 27, 2009 post lists John Morgan’s family; wives and children.

Of John Morgan, the New Georgia Encyclopedia suggests his most important accomplishment was the establishment of a Colorado colony for emigrating southern Latter-day Saints.

John Hamilton Morgan Journal 1887 Aug 1-7

August 1
Election day in Utah, for members of the Legislature, and some county offices. Sister Burbidge [perhaps Sister William Burbidge of the 17th Ward] spent the day with us. Uncle [perhaps Morgan Hamilton] left on the 8 a.m. train for the North.

In the evening, drove out with sister Burbidge and later with sister Sarah Smith [unknown].

August 2
At home reading. In the evening drove out with Mellie, called at sister O. Pratts [perhaps a widow of Orson Pratt, he died 1881] and met sister Holt [unknown], tried to assist in settling a difficulty between she and her husband, but could not make much headway. Called at brother Burbidges for Mellie.

August 3
Started early this A.M. and drove to East Bountiful where we called on and had breakfast with sister Cowley [perhaps Matthias F.] and family, after an hour or two pleasant visit, drove to Brother B. H. Roberts and stayed the day with Sister R. [Roberts] returning to the city late in the evening. Deputies Frank [unknown], and Cannon [unknown], drove to south Bountiful just ahead of us and arrested Bishop Brown [unknown] of that Ward.

August 4
At home quiet all day. Sister Jennie Whipple came down in the afternoon and remained until dark when I drove her out to the Hot Springs.

August 5
Jno. And Kate Groesbeck came while we were at breakfast and remained during the day. In the p.m. they and both Mellies went out to the Lake. Drove down to brother Sprys [perhaps William Spry] during the evening and had a short visit. The evening paper contains a letter from President W. Woodruff in behalf of the Twelve, giving good advise and counsel to the saints.

August 6
At home today reading.

August 7
Brother George Goddard and William Willes called on me today and we spent two or three hours conversing on Sunday School matters.

In the evening, Mellie and I drove out to Frank McDonalds [unknown], had supper, and short visit, and returned home after dark.

[The letter from President W. Woodruff in behalf of the Twelve appeared in the 1887 Mellenial Star, vl. XLIX, and follows.]

Jennie Whipple: 1. John Hamilton Morgan Photograph Collection, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Box 1, folder 4, item #8, Jennie Whipple, convert of Elder Morgan. 2. Life and Ministry of John Morgan by Richardson, Nicholas G. Morgan, Sr., pg. 361, “Another visitor he was happy to see, came to town on the 20th, Jennie Beeso Whipple from Illinois who had been his first convert to the Church while serving as a missionary in that state in 1876. On the 25th he baptized her at 11:30 a.m. at Warm Springs with George Reynolds serving as witness.” I couldn’t determine for certain when this baptism at Warm Springs occurred.

Jno. And Kate Groesbeck: Trying to determine who is who in the Groesbeck family in these entries, it appears that none of Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan’s siblings have a wife or child named Kate or Kathryn. Her brother Nicholas Harmon Groesbeck’s 3rd wife is Katheryn (married 1882). In her 1929 obituary she is “survived by daughter Miss Katheryn Groesbeck.”

[Any information or suggestions to further clarify these entries will be appreciated.]

Journal entries from John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

John Hamilton Morgan Journal; 1887, July 25-31

[From John Hamilton Morgan’s journal, Marriott Library, University of Utah.]

On April 7, 1887, from Manassa, Colorado, John Hamilton Morgan wrote in his journal, ... Todays “News” gives an account of a raid made on my house in Salt Lake by Deputy Marshalls on the morning of the 2nd instant.

On July 11, 1887 John Morgan arrived in Salt Lake City from Manassa, Colorado after an absence of many months. His journal entry that day ... [ended with] and found family all well except wife who has been unwell and quite miserable for several months.

1887
July 12
About home all day, reading and resting enjoying myself intensely.

Mellie [daughter, Helen Melvina (17)] not well today, and her mother only feeling a little better. Went to William Burbidges [perhaps William Burbidge of the 17th Ward] tonight.

1887
July 25 Today was quite generally observed as Pioneer Day, stores closed etc. Owing to the precarious condition of President Taylor’s health no organized observance here was attempted. The people went to the lake and other pleasure resorts.

July 26
Rumor was this p.m. officially confirmed of the death of President Taylor, who passed away last evening at 8:15. The evening News contains an official notice from President George Q. Cannon and Jos. F. Smith of his demise. He died in some secluded spot, near the city away from the most of his family and hunted to the last by vicious and wicked enemies of the law.

July 27
At home today. Arrangements are quietly being made for the funeral of President Taylor at noon on Friday. The people feel their loss heavily, but are quiet and collected. A good feeling seems to prevail, and all true Latter-day Saints feel, that all is well in Zion. Stayed at brother Burbidges tonight.

July 28
Received quite a number of letters this a.m. and wrote some in reply. Returned home in the evening and found Uncle G. M. Hamilton [perhaps Morgan Hamilton] at our house. He having called while enroute to Portland Oregon. During the evening, brothers George C. Parkinson and M. F. Cowley came in and spent the evening.

July 29
The city was crowded during the day with people attending the funeral of President Taylor. 25,000 are supposed to have viewed the remains. The day passed off quiet and peaceable. In company with uncle Morgan, called on Ann Groesbeck [probably Hyrum Groesbeck's wife] during the evening. H. H. G. [probably Nicholas Harmon Groesbeck] and Rhoda [Groesbeck], and sister Crandall [unknown] had dinner with us.

July 30
At home until late in the day when Mellie and I went riding south of the city. Uncle and daughter Mellie went to the Lake.

July 31
Mellie and Uncle went out to the Hot Springs this a.m. Hyrumn G. [Groesbeck] came up and I accompanied him to Mountain Dell Ward where we attended meeting which was addressed by Hyrumn [Groesbeck], brother D. C. Young and myself.

Returning in the evening, drove to Hyrumns [Groesbeck] and was soon after joined by uncle and Mellie. Later in the evening, Uncle and I drove out, after I returned home, went back to Hyrumns, he having been taken sick to administer to him. Met Willard Burton who walked up to the house with me.


Famous Warm Springs, 19th Ward


Mountain Dell Ward


Carlos D. C. Young


Calder Park Lake, or the Great Salt Lake


The Historical Record, Salt Lake Stake of Zion, Willard C. Burton, edited by Andrew Jenson, p. 273.



Picture of President John Taylor from Temples of the Most High, N. B. Lundwall, Compiler and Publisher, 1941, p. 91.