2012 Springtime Visit to Manassa, Colorado. Concluded.

Continued from here.

The only railroad running during the week of our trip to Manassa was the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Prior to Memorial Day, the trains from Alamosa, Durango, and Antonito, Colorado keep an off-season schedule.

When the transcontinental rail link was completed in Promontory, Utah on May 10, 1869 the line bypassed Denver. The Union Pacific chose the gentler grade to the north, through Cheyenne, Wyoming. The following year they built a 106-mile spur south to Denver that was completed June 24, 1870. Thereafter they aggressively developed an extensive narrow gauge network throughout Colorado.  I’d have to do a lot of hunting through John Morgan's journal to determine whether or not he traveled the Durango to Silverton leg we took.

The narrow gauge train from Durango to Silverton ran The High Line, and traveled half-way to Silverton and returned. The single day adventure was great fun, the weather was beautiful, and I felt it was an excellent example of the late 19^th century Colorado trains John Morgan rode.

The 45-mile extension of track, originally called the Silverton Branch, was constructed by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1881-82. It followed the course of the Animas River.

Narrow gauge track in Colorado was laid at a width of 3 feet between rails, instead of the 4 feet-8-1/2 inches of separation with standard gauge rail. It was capable of making sharper curves, and thus more suited to the mountainous terrain found in much of Colorado. The track weighed one half that of standard gauge track at the time, and D&RG was able to operate lighter, less expensive equipment on its narrow gauge lines.

An 1886 John Morgan Journal account of a similar train that was detained for days because of inclement weather and blocked railroad tracks is posted  here.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

America’s Railroad, The Official Guidebook by Robert T. Royem, 2^nd edition 2007, pg 17.

John Hamilton Morgan is sealed to Mary E. Kilgore.

The earliest mention I can find of a Kilgore in John Morgan’s journal was in July of 1877, near Look Out Mountain, Georgia, where on the 18th he wrote … Came to Mr. Kilgore, who appears to be investigating… Thereafter Kilgore is frequently mentioned in journal entries.

1877 Appears to be written while in Cassandra, Georgia

September 30 – At 9 A.M. I baptized: Wm. C. Kilgore, Jas. T. Kilgore and A. H. Mitchell, they were confirmed by Mr. L. [presumably Lisonbee] At 11 Bro. L. preached to a good house full of people who paid close attention. At 3 P.M. I preached to a tolerable fair audience.

1st October – At 12 – M. [presumably John Morgan] baptized Johathan [sic] Road, confirmed by L. [Lisonbee] and Caroline [presumably Wm. C. Kilgore’s wife] Kilgore, confirmed by M. [John Morgan], and immediately after confirmation left for Horton’s Chapel feeling very well on our arrival at Bart Fawcett’s ...

Other early (1877) Southern State's Mission journal entries are posted here and here on this blog.

Nine years later, in 1886, John Morgan’s wife, Mellie, had traveled to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to be with him. Emigrants from the country gathered to Chattanooga to travel west with them. A Sister Kilgore is among them. Additional journal entries from that trip were posted here on this blog.

1886
November 17 This has been a very busy day and a very inclement one. Rained in torrents a great part of the time. Telegrams and letters came in from every direction giving information of the arrival of the saints at the various stations who are enroute to Chattanooga to join the company leaving for Zion tomorrow. Sister Kilgore and a number of saints came in from the country …

A little over two years later, in 1889, John Morgan stopped in Logan, Utah, on his return to Salt Lake City, from a conference in Franklin, Idaho. He had, by this time, married two plural wives, Annie in 1884, and Mary Ann in 1888.

1889
January 26 took the 8:30 a.m. U. C. train for the north to attend Conference at Franklin, Idaho. Arrived at 3 p.m. and drove from the depot to President George C. Parkinsons. Slept at brother M. F. Cowleys. Extremely cold.

January 27It was 10 degrees below zero this a.m. At 9 a.m. Conference convened. At 10 a.m. a fair attendance. …

January 29It was 21 degrees below zero this morning. … At 12:40 p.m. took train for Logan. Had dinner at brother Fullmers and from there to brother W. C. Kilgores where I spent the afternoon and evening.

January 30Went to the Temple early and at 8:30 a.m. spoke a while to the people. Spent the entire forenoon in the Temple and before leaving had Mary C. Kilgore (dead) sealed to me [NFS Mary E. Kilgore 1857-1880]. Taking the 2 p.m. train, reached home at 6:30 finding all well.

From John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah. NFS New Family Search sealing and baptismal dates are in sync with JHM Journal entries. Picture of Logan, Utah Temple from Wikipedia.

John Hamilton and Annie Mildred Smith Morgan. Nov.-Dec., 1886. Mannasa, Colorado.

Continued from here.

John Morgan spent the next month in his Manassa, Colorado home, and neighboring settlements. He taught, served, and instructed the people, worked on his own place, received and answered considerable correspondence, and accomplished countless other tasks.

From John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Marriott Library, Special Collections, University of Utah.
1886
November 25 [Manassa, Colorado]At work piling up lumber during the day. Visited the New Mill site and in the evening administered to sister Kirtland and brother Robert Sellers’ little child.

November 26
At work about the place during the day. In the evening visited and administered to the sick.
November 27Chopped wood and worked about the corral. Read Pres. W. Woodruff’s Epistle to the saints scattered abroad. Met with the brethren and administered to the sick.
November 28 [Sunday]
…Brother and sister Holt spent the evening with Annie.
November 29
… During the p.m. put down carpets in the two new bed rooms.
November 30
Attended the funeral of brother Sellers’ little child this a.m. and spoke to the people. At work about the house during the day. … John Morgan traveled to Denver, Pueblo, Richfield, Alamosa, and returned to Manassa during the next week. … On December 6 he commenced to tack canvass on the walls and ceiling of the front room preparatory to papering the room. William Pinckard helped. Through the 10th he worked at papering the rooms in his home, commenting on how “hard” the “ceiling” was, finally he finished, and the carpet went down. That day, Pres. Smith brought us over a fine beef roast.
December 11-17, John Morgan noted his continued work around his place. He purchased a load of wood, which he split, sawed and cut into wood piles. He killed a couple of pigs and “salted them away.” On the 15th and 16th he administered to brother Sellers, who had an attack of fever and seemed but little better the next day.

December 18Heard this a.m. of the killing of Elder E. M. Dalton at Parowan, Utah by a Deputy Marshall. A telegram came to his father who lives in Manassa to this effect and who was very much broken down and unnerved by the information. This makes one more martyr to the cause of truth and one more drop in the cup of Babylon[‘]s iniquity. Called on brother Dalton Senior, during the p.m. [Note: For further information, search for Dalton at this link.] A cold wind blew during the day.

... Through the 23rd John Morgan continued similar work. He now had the help of the Ganus boys [probably Vance boys, see this post] with the wood chopping. They also helped him work on his corral.

December 24Invited Pres. Smith and Bishop Dalton to spend tomorrow with us. Visited brother Daniel Seller’s family, a number of them being sick. At work about the lot part of the day.
December 25Had quite a lot of company during the day and spent it very pleasantly. Attended a Christmas tree distribution in the evening where many of the poor were remembered.
December 26
Attended 2 p.m. service at the meeting house and spoke to the people on the life of Christ and celebration of Christmas.
December 27Busy during the a.m. in getting brother Daniel Sellers and family moved into another house where they could have some chance to get well. In the evening attended a dance at the New Grist Mill building.
December 28Got ready to start for Utah. … After the typical stops, John Morgan arrived at home in Salt Lake City on December 30th, and found all well and all glad to see each other.
The end.

Pictures from The Life and Ministry of John Morgan, by Richardson, pg. 281.

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. 1886. Part 21.

Chattanooga Cemetery with Lookout Mountain, from Wikipedia

Continued from here.

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

1886
November 12 Woke at 5:30 a.m. Raining hard. Took train at 6:25 a.m. and came to Chattanooga. Arrived at 10:35 and found quite an amount of mail awaiting me.

November 13 Started at 9:30 a.m. in company with Mellie and brother Spry and drove to top of Lookout Mountain. Visited Rock City, Natural Bridge, Sunset Rock, and Grand View. Had dinner at the Hermitage and returned to the city at dark. Attended the Salvation Army Meeting for an hour.

View of Rome from the historic Myrtle Hill Cemetery, from Wikipedia.

November 14 At 9: 10 a.m. left for Rome with Mellie. Arrived at Woods for dinner and drove in a buggy to brother Jas. Mooneys, Ten miles below Rome met Elder Neils Gardiner and brother Mooney’s family and arranged for their emigration. Returned at night to Rome and took train for Atlanta. Arrived at 12 Midnight and went to the Markham Hotel and went to bed tired.

November 15 After breakfast, walked about town. Visited the Kimball House, some stores, a cotton factory, and at 12:15 p.m. left for Chattanooga where we arrived at 3:13 p.m. Up till late looking after correspondence.

November 16 Took 9:10 a.m. train for Plainville and got off at Tank, two miles below town. Walked across the country to brother Reids where I met Elder Stratford and Madsen and brother Reid and family. Had a talk with them about emigration and returning to Plainsville, took 4 p.m. train for Chattanooga and arrived at 8:10 p.m.

November 17 This has been a very busy day and a very inclement one. Rained in torrents a great part of the time. Telegrams and letters came in from every direction giving information of the arrival of the saints at the various stations who are enroute to Chattanooga to join the company leaving for Zion tomorrow. Sister Kilgore and a number of saints came in from the country. Three Elders arrived from Utah on the 8 a.m. train to fill missions in the south. They came by to the office to spend the evening with us.

(To be continued.)
None of the saints mentioned in these entries are found in The Life and Ministry of John Morgan, by Richardson, with the exception of Sister Kilgore. I will post more about her in the future.

Southern States' Missionaries named in these 1886 posts, are found, with the dates of their service, in the alphabetical listing of missionaries in the John Hamilton Morgan Collection, Marriott Library, University of Utah:
Elder Frederick R. Lyman (November 17, 1884 – November 23, 1886]
Elder Lars Peter Madsen (January 25, 1886 – April 23, 1888)
Elder Francis Wm. Stratford (January 24, 1886 - August 14, 1888)
Elder Neil Gardner (June 1, 1885 – March 6, 1887)

Pictures of Chattanooga sites mentioned in these entries may be found here and here. The nicest collection is in Amy's Southern States Mission Post's Index, found at The Ancestor Files, here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(To be continued.)

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

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

John Hamilton Morgan and daughter, Mellie, 1886 trip to Southern States Mission, Part 4, conclusion.

1886 John Morgan traveled with the emigrants February 19-21 from Chattanooga to Kansas City, where he saw them safely off, and began his return to Chattanooga. He arrived there on the 22nd, was met by brother Kimball at the depot and found Mellie no better.

February 22-25, ... Busy at work at my cash book and other office work during the day, wrote some and attended to Mellie the greater part of the day. ... John Morgan continued to attend to his convalescing daughter, Mellie, much of the following month. On February 28th he wrote, Mellie not improving much. And on March 1 … Obtained a feather bed of sister McDaniels for Mellie. …

March 6 Read and wrote during the day. Attended a circus at night. Mellie improving very much. …

March 8 Wrote and read during the day. Attended to Mellie who is improving slowly. …

March 13 Elder Jno. P. Murphy called this a.m., having just arrived from Utah to fill a mission. He spent a part of the day with us. Wrote some letters today and in the evening we administered to Mellie.

March 14 Accompanied brother Murphy to the Depot and saw him off to Georgia. Afterwards got a carriage and took Mellie and Misses Sarah and Susie Fowler to Lookout Mountain. Went to Rock City, Natural Bridge and other points. Returned at 6 p.m. Mellie standing the trip pretty well. …

March 17 Mellie still improving, but quite weak.

March 18 Mellie not so well today. Wrote some letters and attended to Mellie. Beautiful weather.

March 19 Writing and reading today. In the evening brother [perhaps Elias S.] Kimball returned from a seventeen day trip into Georgia. Reported all well.

March 20 At work with brother Kimball getting things in shape to go west.

March 21 Reading and writing the entire day.

March 22 Made preparation to start west tonight. Finished up my correspondence and looked up my business. At 6:10 p.m. took M. and C. train to Memphis. Mellie feeling much better. …

March 25 Arrived at Pueblo at 8:10 a.m. and had breakfast. Waited until 12:35 p.m. and took west bound train to Salida at which point I left Mellie to go on alone while I turned back to Pueblo. Snowed considerably. A fire in Salida today burned two of the center blocks in the place.

"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 the obituary
below.

Wouldn’t it have helped us now if her granddaughters had been named in her obituary?

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

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

John Hamilton Morgan and daughter, Mellie, Part 3

On January 28, 1886, John Morgan’s party left the steamer at Vicksburg and spent the next three days in route to Chattanooga by train. They spent a night at Memphis where John Morgan held meetings with twelve elders from Utah, wrote letters, and assigned two missionaries to W. Tenn. and one to Miss.

Arriving in Chattanooga on January 31, 1886, he was busy thereafter getting Elders assigned and attending to other mission business through February 5. John Morgan’s Groesbeck nephews, John and Joseph, aren’t mentioned again.

February 5
Wrote some letters and went with Mellie to get her photograph taken. Met brother Tillman from Ala. And had a talk with him. In the evening visited brother Jno. McDonald on Boice Street.

February 6
Wrote a number of letters and attended to mission work most of the day, principally posting the office books. A pleasant change in the weather.

February 7
Walked out on Whiteside Street with brother Tillman and visited Frank Paynes and Jno. Jenning’s family. In the afternoon walked up to the top of Cameron Hill and in the evening went to hear Dr. Bachman preach at the First Presbyterian Church.

February 8
At 10 a.m. Mellie and myself started to go up Lookout Mountain. Visited Rock City and had dinner at Mrs. Wilsens. Then drove to the Natural Bridge. Then to Sunset Rock and then to Saddle Rock and Grand View. Had a very pleasant day of it.


February 9
Very busy all day at work at Mission correspondence. Elder Rouche came in from New Orleans. Rained in the afternoon. …

The work of the mission continued. February 14 At work in the office with emigration matters. Getting ready for the company that leaves on the 18th inst. …

February 18
Emigrants coming in on all the trains. At 6:10 we left for the west, picking up parties at Stephenson and other points along the line. Had to leave Mellie in Chattanooga suffering from a severe attack of Eyresipelas [sic, Erysipelas].


(To be continued.)

From John Hamilton Morgan journal, Special Collections, Marriot Library, University of Utah. According to a letter from Mrs. Emma Guthrie, printed in The Life and Ministry of John Morgan, by Arthur Richardson, copyright 1965, Nicholas G. Morgan Sr., pgs 335-337, a Mrs. Melissa (Payne) Jennings was baptized by John Morgan.

John Hamilton Morgan and daughter, Mellie, 1886, Part 2

View Larger Map

1886
January 21
Writing and mailing emigration circulars to the Elders and attending to mission affairs. John and Joseph Groesbeck arrived from Utah.

January 22
Obtained transportation of Mr. Wrenn for self and party to Meridian, Miss. Going to New Orleans. Took 11 a.m. train over Western and Atlantic Ry. And went to Dalton. Lay over two hours. Visited the Court House where the murderers of Joseph Standing were acquitted. At 4:35 took East Tenn. Train to Rome, Georgia where we took sleeper for Meridian. Had a rough ride during the night.

January 23
Arrived at Lauderdale at 5 a.m. and changed cars to M. and O. Ry. And arrived at Meridian at 6:20 Bought ticket and at seven continued our journey to New Orleans. Arrived at 1 p.m. Hired rooms at 221 Gravier Street. Walked about town and went to Robinson Dime (?) Museum.

January 24
Visited the French market early this a.m. then walked about the wharf and visited a Liverpool steamer and a packet running between N. O. and Vicksburg, both very fine. Then took street cars to Greenwood Cemetery which we passed through. Then went to west end by steam (?) spending an hour there. Returned to the city and attended the St. Charles Theatre, “Streets of Paris.”

January 25
Went out to the Exposition this a.m. and met six Elders from Miss Conference visiting and sight seeing. Attended the Exposition all day. Returned tired and hungry. Walked about town a while.

January 26
Went out to the Exposition this a.m. and spent the day. Returned at 4:30 and took steamer, Jas. D. White, to Vicksburg.

January 27
Awoke in time to see Baton Route and during the day steamed up the river, passing Port Hudson and other points of interest.

January 28
Quite cool today. Still on the boat. Arrived at Vicksburg at 3:30. Walked up into the city and got a carriage and drove out to the National Cemetery. Had a fine view of the river. Returned and went to the Verandale House and met Mr. Peck. One of our party in the Blockade.


(To be continued.)


The Groesbecks arriving January 21, could be: John Groesbeck, born 1866 to Nicholas Harmon and Rhoda Groesbeck, and Joseph Groesbeck, born 1864 to John Hamilton and Helen Melvina (Mellie) Morgan. They are probably part of the party mentioned on the 22nd traveling to New Orleans.

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

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.