John Morgan and Joseph Standing Mission Travels continue. April 29 - May 5, 1876.

Today's only church in Johnsonville, Indiana from Wikipedia

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“was treated very kindly by all especially by Mr. Johnson’s folks”

This statement from John Morgan's previous journal entry has become a theme for this area and time and the people he is meeting in and around Johnsonville, Indiana. They became his life-long friends. 

Perrysville, Indiana, April 29, 1876 – Stayed over the forenoon at Mr. Johnson’s during the forenoon and came over to Mr. Crouch’s where I had supper and talked with an ex-minister for quite awhile. Spoke to Mr. Wright’s to a large audience. Received a letter from Mellie. All Well.

Perrysville, Indiana, April 30, 1876 – Came over to Mr. Jones’, had dinner; put on clean shirt and walked down to the Grange Hall. Had supper with a Mr. Wright, spoke to a large house and was earnestly asked to come back again, which we promised to do. Had a good meeting.

Covington, Indiana, May 1, 1876 – Walked across the country to Mr. Shelby’s this morning. Got my box of clothing from Normal, rode around with Mr. Shelby some length of time. Cool and unpleasant.

Covington, Indiana, May 2, 1876 – Remained at Mr. Shelby’s during the day. Read. Talked and slept in the evening. Went down to town to hold meeting and found the Hall locked. Quite cool.

Over the River, May 3, 1876 – Went to town this morning and made arrangements for meeting Friday night. Walked over to Jones’ and secured two school houses to speak in; stayed all night at Mr. Jones’. Do not feel as well as I might.

May 4, 1876 – Walked up to Mr. Salt’s where I had dinner, went to see the School Marm about the School house. Had a pleasant talk; obtained her consent and appointed a meeting. Plowed a round for a man. Came on down to Salt’s who crossed me over the river in a canoe. Came on to Shelby’s and spent the balance of the day in talking with Joe and Shelby. Cool. Wrote a letter to Jimmie.

Covington, Indiana, May 5, 1876 – Wrote a letter to the People’s Paper and some letters to others. Went fishing in the afternoon and got very wet.

(To be continued.)

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

John Morgan and Joseph Standing Mission Travels continue, April 19-23, 1876.

Wabash River, by Henry Hamilton, 1778. from Wikipedia

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Gopher Hill Church, April 19, 1876 - Went to Mr. Dixon’s this morning and secured his consent for the use of the Church. Went to the school house and had a lecture announced. Came back to Mr. Robert Creigh and stopped over night. Spoke at the Church to a moderate sized audience, who many of them went to sleep.

Wabash River, April 20, 1876 – Walked over to the “Log School House,” and secured a stopping place at the Widow Maginnis’. Walked over to Baltimore School House to learn about our appointment for tomorrow night. Spoke to a large audience who paid close attention and listened carefully to what was said. Met a Mr. Edward Lowe who had been to Utah and had a long talk with him. He thinks of returning there this fall. Reading some of the Doctrine & Covenants each day. Are treated well in the neighborhood.

Baltimore, Indiana, April 21, 1876 – Started early to go to Mrs. Gamison’s to get the Razor and Brush, got out of the way and had a long walk. Had dinner a t Mr. Jones’. Came on down to this place where we held meeting tonight. Stayed all night at Mr. Bogess’, an Infidel who treated us kindly. A small audience out to hear us.

Covington, Indiana, April 22, 1876 – Came over to the place this morning and got a letter from Jimmie. Called on the Editors of the paper and read the news. Came out to Mr. Shelby’s. Had dinner and returned to town. Spoke at the Court House to a good sized audience who gave close attention. Stayed all night at Mr. Shelby’s.

Covington Indiana, April 23, 1876 – Raining this morning. Read, talked during the day. Spoke at the Church this afternoon to a small audience owing to the rain storm. Talked till late with Mr. & Mrs. Shelby. Feel we are doing some good in this locality and trust that our words may have their due effect.

The Shelbys of Covington, Indiana 1870 Census.

Older pictures of interest in historic Covington, Indiana picture collection:

Old Court House

Train Depot

Washington Street 1860

View Across the Wabash: Birds Eye view of Covington

Ferry Boat crossing the Wabash

Nebeker Farm

(To be continued.)

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

John Morgan and Joseph Standing Mission Travels continue, April 14-18, 1876.

(Continued from here.)

April 14, 1876 [continued in Warren County, Indiana]-  Came down to Mr. Robt. Jones and spent the after part of the day. Stormed considerably during the day. Spoke at Zion School House to a large audience who gave close attention. Was kindly treated by all.

Covington, Indiana, April 15, 1876 - Came over to Covington this morning and got my boots fixed. Looked around town awhile and then came to Mr. O. Shelby’s where we stayed all night. Was well treated and felt more at home than we have for some time.

Note: In 1883 John Morgan and his wife Mellie visited this area and Mr. Shelby. In 1885 John Morgan wrote of meeting Mr. Shelby while traveling in the Southern States Mission. “1885, February 5, Arrived in New Orleans at 2:30 p.m. On the train between Mobile and N.O. met Olivery Shelby, of Ind.” 

Covington, Indiana, April 16, 1876 - Wrote letters and read during a portion of the day. Went to meeting and heard a Methodist sermon that was decidedly thin. Visited the Poor House during the afternoon and saw enough to make a man shudder. How much better for the world to organize on a principle that would enable all to help themselves. I feel thankful for the privilege of knowing at least a portion of the Gospel.

Covington, Indiana, April 17, 1876 - Went up to town this A.M. and called on the Sheriff and obtained the Court House to speak in. Called on the Editors of the papers and asked them to insert a notice of the meeting which they did. Walked about town considerable. Wrote a letter to Mellie and went to a log rolling in the afternoon. Still at Mr. Shelby’s Cool and unpleasant.

State Line City April 18, 1876 - Left Mr. Shelby’s this morning and crossed over the River. Got our washing and changed underclothing. Had dinner at Mr. Robt. Jones. Joseph went up the River to make appointments while I started West. Walked all afternoon, secured two school houses and conditionally secured a church to speak in. Weather warm and beautiful. Stayed all night in Samuel Clemns’. As fine a country about here as I have seen anywhere.

(To be continued.)

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