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History of Mohonri M. Steeles Missionary labours in Europe. [f0027_00022] 1877 April 7th I was called on a mission to Europe, at the April Conference, held in the Temple at Saint-George, at which place I was, when called: I returned home, settled up my business affairs, and was ready by May 13th to Start on my Journey. May 13 In company with my father, John Steele – who was called on a mission at the same time and place, that I was, left Pangwith – (my home) for Europe, My brother John A. Steele, taking us as far as York – the terminal of the Rail Road. When called to go on my Mission I certainly did not know where the money was to be got for that purpose, But by the time I was ready, I had, through the blessings of the Lord, got suffic- ient – to land me in Liverpool, England. May 17th Arrived at York Station, Since leaving home we have had considerable rain, which has made it very disagreeable traveling. “ 18th Took leave of Bro. John A., & left by the 12 M. train for Salt Lake City. Put up with Bro Geo. Price in the 15th Ward. May 22 Have been waiting for the return of some of the Apostles, - so we could be set apart for our labours – who were up in Cash County holding a Conference. This day we visited the Historian Office, where Apostle Orson Pratt met, and 2nd [f0027_00023] and set us apart for our Missions. I was ordained a Seventy. This P.M. we got our papers & took train for Ogden. May 24th Spent yesterday in visiting, And this morning took train for Omaha. “ 26th Passed a freight train between Kearney and Gibbon, that tried to throw a Steer, off the track, resulting in killing the Steer and throwing the train off the track, and Scattering the goods for a considerable distance. With very little trouble, we passed, meeting hundreds of people on their way to the Black Hills, Some had their families, Straggling along the road, none traveled in Companies, & and the prospects were, they would fall, an easy prey to the Indians who roamed that section of country, Killing all they came across. We arrived at Omaha about 4 oclock P.M. and bought tickets for Chicago Ill. May 27th Crossed the Mississippi at Davenport and Rock Island just at day break, and arriv- ed in Chicago 4 P.M. Put up at the Atlantic Hotel. May 29th Visited my Mothers Sister, yesterday, Mrs. Eliza Hamilton. Had a general survey of the Burnt City and other sights, - peculiar to such a place as Chicago. Bought our tickets for New York & left – an 8 A.M. train. No 3 [f0027_00024] May 30th Arrived at Pitsburgh at 2.30 A.M. changed cars passed over the Alleghany Mountains, around the famous Horse Shoe Bend, and arrived at Philadelphia at 3 oclock P.M. Put up with my cousin Mr. Henry Boyd. May 31st Mr. Boyd showed us through Fairmount Park, the water works, on the Schuylkill River, and the Centennial Building came back tierd completely out. June 1st Continued our journey to New York arrived in New York at 2 P.M. and Put up at the Stevens House – visited Bro. W.C. Stanis and found we were 12 days a head of our comp- any. So we visited among my mothers relat- ions visiting Brooklin, Green Wood Cemetery, Williamsburgh, Centeral Park Etc, Etc, Had a splendid time Sight-seeing Etc, Etc, I considered it quite a treat for one who had been raised in Utah – Born Salt Lake City, to see so much of the World We had to fight the “Mountain Meadow, newspaper slang, all the time we were in New York’ and were glad when the brethren in charge of Elder A. F. Macdonald put in an appearance at New York. June 12th Booked on Board the Steam Ship Montana, of Guian Line, Twenty of us in number. Left Harbour at 3 P.M. and No. 4 [f0027_00025] by dusk were out of sight of land. This is my first view of the Ocean. June 17th Went to the Episcopal Service, held in the 1st Cabin. Capt. C. J. Beddal, as Priest. June 21st Landed in the River Mersey this morning at 8 oclock A.M. Pres. Joseph F. Smith, H. W. Naisbett and Elder C. W. Nibbley came on board to see us. We went off on the tug, and for the first time set foot on English Soil, (Rocks). Have had a splendid time, on the mighty-deep. The monotony of the Journey was relieved by the occassional view of a Ship passing, and the sight of the host of fishes, Whales, Etc. that would show them- selves, while sporting in the water. Bro. Joseph F. Smith took us to “42 Isl- ington,” and after an introduction to his amic- able wife, we were introduced to a sumptuous repast, - and we done justice to it, Some of the brethren had been very sick while on Board of Ship and were prepared to do something for an “American” dinner, cooked on land, in Old England. June 22nd Got us a suit of clothes to preach in which cost us £5. Each. (my father & I) Received our appointments to day. My father & I were appoin- ted to labour in the Liverpool Conference, under the directions of Elder James Mellor with the privelige of visiting friends before entering on our labours as Mission- aries. 5th [f0027_00026] June 25th Took train for Bradford, Yorkshire where we went to see my father’s sister Mrs. Jane McClelland, and spent a week very agreeably. My father & her had not met for forty years, and the meeting was a surprise to her, and a plesant one to all. June 28th Visited the famous Salt Ayere Woolen Mills where is employed 4000 hands, 1200 looms on one floor. Five Engines of 100 horse power each, On the grounds is the town of Salt Ayere with Alms house, covering half a block. And, an infirmary on the other half of the block. All owned and built by Sir Tittus Salt. We preached whenever opportunity afforded under the direction of Pres. Mellor we went through the Liverpool Conference, hunting up the Saints. July 9th Shipped on Board the S.S. “Magnetic” for Ireland. At 9 P.M. we hoisted anchor & moved out of harbor. A 12 hours sail brought us to Belfast where my mothers’ brother Mr. Robert Campbell lives. They received us very kindly, and showed us the “Sights” of Belfast. July 12th This is a gala day for the Orangemen. Marching, Stump speeching, Music, fighting, Etc, Etc, is the order of the day. 6th [f0027_00027] Also witnessed the Catholic celebrat- ion, which was after the same fassion as the Orangemen, Having got consider- able drink they indulged in a street fight, which resulted in considerable of the Street being torn up, several got broken skulls, and some got marched off to the Police Station. July 30th Have spent a splendid time hunting up geneology, being turned out of doors Etc. preaching the gospel etc. etc, find there is no one here who dare embrace the gospel, altho’ many believe our testimony. Have visited a great many places of interest. Moved in the best society, defended the Mountain Mea- dows Etc Etc. and now today we leave “Erins Green Shore” for England, at 9 oclk P.M. Aug. 1st Had a rough passage from Belfast to Liverpool. Wm Ashworth & myself were appointed to travel together and hold out door meetings. 1878 May 25th Our labors have been pretty much of a sameness. Preaching out doors & in, when & wherever we got an opportunity. I have blessed several babies for persons not in the Church, Have traveled on foot the most of the time, through rain, & snow, Have had very poor 7th [0027_00028] Health, and to day I have been notified of my release, to retu- rn home in the Company of June 15th. I have walked over fifteen hundred miles to preach the Gospel, in England. Held one hundred meetings Baptised one woman and rebaptised five men and three women. Blessed five children. And admin- istered to 7 sick. And have traveled by land and water upwards of twenty-seven thousand miles since I left home, in the short space of fourteen months and three days. Aug 6th 1877 We held a meeting at Lambeshead Green amd a few days after, a colliery explosion took place there killing 33 persons. Dec. 16th We held a meeting at Wigan and another colliery explosion took place over there, killing 44 persons. Another meeting was held shortly at same place and the Wigan Theater was burned down the next night. Oct 14/77 Held a Meeting at St. Helens and a short time after a colliery Explosion took place killing 235 persons, making 100 widows & over 300 children were left fatherless. June 15th 1878 Left Liverpool for home. Weighed Anchor at 8 o’clock P.M. Before leaving the Rivery Mersey the following organization was made. Theodore Brandli Capt. of Company, with Renhard Maeser 1st & Mahonri M. Steele 2nd counsellor & Saml Claridge Chaplain. M. M. Steele secretary. Made the trip across the Atlantic Ocean in 10 days & had a splendid Passage. Arrived in New York June 25th. 8th [0027_00029] 1878 June 26th At 5 o’clock P.M. left Castle Garden and at 8 o’clock P.M. took train for Pittsburgh. “ 27th At 9 o’clock P.M. changed cars at Pittsburgh for Chicago, where we arrived 28th June at 4 P.M. and changed cars for Omaha. “ 29th Arrived at 7.30 P.M. changed cars for Ogden & left at 9.30 P.M. and arrived at Ogden July 3rd all well. Eighteen days on the way from L.’pool to Ogden July 6th Reposted Myself at Historians Office and also at Pres. John Taylors office. “ 16th Arrived home & found my folks all well I forgot to mentian a district meeting held at Aver Danain Oct. 21st and that was the place that the Great Strike of North East Lancashire commenced, and also the first place for the rioters to commence their work Thus we see the Lord honours the testimony of the Elders of Israel. Yours Truly, Mohonri M. Steele