Transcript
Transcript of "William J. Despain journal, 1900 October-1902 November."
Call Number: MS 10135
Title: William J. Despain journal, 1900 October-1902 November
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William J. Despain
Granite Ward Salt Lake
Co Utah
W J Despain
Granite Utah.
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1900
A record of my mission.
Oct 8 I was set apart by
brother Elder Joseph McMurrin
one of the first Presidents
of the Seventies to the Northern
States Mission
Oct 11 I left home at 11 oclock am
left Salt Lake City at 6:40 PM
Oct 12 was detained one hour
at the head of Echo Canyon
Passed Evenston at mid Night
Passed Green River at 4 oclock am
Rock Springs at 5 am Rawlins
at nine oclock am. Passed Fort Steel
at 10 am at 10+30 crossed the
Wyoming Line into Colorada passed
Larima at one 45 P.m
Oct 13th Junction City at 11+45 am
with it Beautiful Dwellings and
gardens. Fort Riley with its
Barracks and Beautiful Dwellings
ariving at Kansas City at 5 pm
leaving at 6 45 P.m Crossing the Misouri
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River at 10 pm at Glasseo
Oct 14th Reach Chicaga at nine (and) five am
went to Lincon Park and looked at the
animals and the fine Walks and then
got supper and then went to Meeting
then going to our hotell Grace.
Oct 15 got Breakfast at nine 30 went
to the Mission Office at 10:30 am and
from there to the continantal Clothing
Store and got our over coats and
umberaler went Back to the
mission House and got our
appointments which was to the
Southern Illinois Conference at
8 oclock We attended an out Door
Meeting
Oct 16th visited the Montgeomry
Ward Co Building went up in
the tower 25 stories high where
we could see all over the City
only for thi Smoke we could
See out on the Lake of Michiga(n)
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as far us the Eye could see from
there to the Public Liberry we
visited the said to the largest
Store in the World Called the
Fair Store it imployes about 1,000
thousand clerks got Diner and then
went to the Stock yards and
the Slaughter pens of Chicago
and Packing houses where they
make their tin cans and pack there
meets from there to the Picture
Gallery and a groop of 18 elders
taken in one groop we had a ride
on the Elivated Car line Back to hotel.
Oct 17th visited the art hall where
there was same very old Relics
Said to be as far back as to
Abrahams day some mumies.
Oct 18th
Left Chicago for St Louis
reached Linclan at 2 Pm where
Mr Bryan was Recieving a
reception by several Bands
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1900
of Music. Reached Springfield
the Capital of Illinois at 2|45 Pm
Reached St Louis at about 7 oclock pm
the President of the Southeren
llinois Mission was not at the
Office but one of his counclors Elder
(E. J. Dalrymple) was there and told us to stay
there till morning and then tasd
Elder W. J. Despain go to East St Louis Ill
and Elder A. W. Thomson to
Stay in St Louis (Mo) till Bro William
L. Wait Came Back Oct 19 went to the
(stock yds of East St Louis)
Oct 20th went to the Merimac River
with Bros William. J. Nelson and
William C. Wilson to Perform
the ordinance of Baptism By Bro
W. J. Nelson a Sister by the name
of Maggee Declue was Baptised.
Oct 21 Bro Wilson Called on one
family and had a friendly
chat with and they asked us
to come again. Oct 22 Bro
Wilson and I went distributing (tracts)
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1900
in the forenoon for two hours
the after noon Bro Wilson was sick
Oct 23 Bro Wilson was still Sick and
I rote a letter to Robert H. Despain home
Oct 24 Bro Wilson sick yet
Oct 25 Bor Wilson on the Sick List yet
Oct 26 I was still waiting for a companion
Oct 27 I took a walk about the towne
Oct 28 Sunday went on a walk with
Bro Wilson out on the Rail Road out of town
Oct 29 Bro Wilson still sick
Oct 30 went to the Laundry waiting for a
new pardner Bro P. M. Baird from
Oct 31 Brigham City Boxelder Co Utah is
my pardner at present was out this four
noon it rained this after noon and Distributed tracts
Nov 1 Bro Biard and my self went tracting
Nov 2 out tracting in the four noon
Nov 3 was Saturday and I wrote one letter
home and one to Alvin A. Despain
Nov 4 Sunday I rite one letter to
J. L. Fadlock and one home
Directed to Miss. Edna. S. Despain
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1900
Nov 6th 1900 it was Election Day and
I recieved two letters from Home and
answered them one to Robert H. Despain
and one to my Wife and Children
Nov 7th went and visited 11 familys
Nov 8th visited Eight familys.
Recieved a card from S.A.D. Reynolds
and answered the Same.
Nov 9th Stayed at Room all day.
Nov 10th stayed at home all day.
Nov 11th went over the River on Steam
Boat and walk Back on the Bridge
with Elder Nelson.
Nov 12th out tracts with Elder Baid
for one hour.
Nov 13th out distributing tracts for one
hour. Nov 14th Recieved a letter from home
(President Elder Weight made us a visit.)
and answered it in the forenoon The afternoon
went out tracting for two hours
Nov 15th was out tracting with Bro
James W. Nelson for two hours.
Nov 16th it was Raining with sleet got a
Letter (it) from Robert H. Despain and answered
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1900
Nov 17th Stayed at home and washed my
Socks and handkerchiefs.
Nov 18th went over the River and attended
Meeting at 730 Pm and then came
Back after night
Nov19th Recieved a letter from my Son
Alvin and answered it and went
to the Exspress office and got some
money 5 dollars.
Nov 20th was out distrubuting tracts got
a letter from Wife and Family and answer(ed)
it. Nov 21st out tracting and Reading the
bible. Nov 22 out tracting half day
Nov 23 Stormed went to the stock yar(ds)
Nov 24 rote a letter to Cousin in [illegible]
Nov 25 went to St Louis Mo to Sunday
School (at 10+30) and spoke on the attributes of
God and went to Meeting at 7+30 P.m
Nov 26 stayed at home and Studied some
Nov 27 out of a tracting in the forenoon
Nov 28 out forenoon
Nov 29 was a holyday and I staye(d)
at home all alone and had for [illegible]
some Donuts and mince pie for supper
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1900
Nov 30th I went and got two of my
teeth pulled I Recieved a letter from
my cousin Marselles J. Reynolds from
St Louis Mo
Dec 1 was saturday Bro Peter M. Baird
and I took a walk out in to the woods
and came Back home and Recieved a
letter from home Wife and Family
and answered it the same afternoon
Dec 2nd was Sunday Bro Beird went to
Sunday School at ten 30 oclock. took
Diner with sister Perkins and Lunch
at the same place and went to
Meeting at 730 Pm Bro (Dr.) Nelson spoke
on the Identity of God and Proved
it according to science and said
that he knew that there was a God
Monday Dec 3rd Elder P M Beird and
myself was out tracting and had
a long talk with a man that
knew the Bible By heart he
Believed about the same as we do
with the Exception of the Holy Ghost
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1900
Tuesday Dec 4th it was cold and
looked stormy and we stayed at home
Dec 5th we tract Dec 6 tracted.
Dec 7th Lofed. Dec 8th I and Andrew Thomson
visited Marcellas J Reynolds in
St Louis Mo got a letter from home
Dec 9th went to sunday school at 10+30
At 7:30 went to Meeting and Bare
my testamony to the Doctrins of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints. Dec 10 stayet at home
and answered a letter to Wife
and family
Dec 11th myself and Elder Oleson and
Elder Nelson went to the stock yards
as Elders Olsen and Elder Maughn
Pade us a visit
Dec 12th I went and got my photos
at Shields Photo Gallery
Dec 13th out tracting
Dec 14th out tracting Recieved a letter from (Alvin and answered)
Dec 15 was Saturday washed socks and
Kerchiefs and rote home.
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1900
Dec 16 went to Sunday school and Meeting
Dec 17 Stayed at home in the fore noon
Got a letter from home in the afternoon and
answered it Dec 18th finished my letter and sent it
off Dec 19 got a check from Chicago and
went to the Express Office and cashed it
Dec 20 stayed at home and sent the
Era to Charles my Son
Dec 21 Stayed at home and rote home to
Charlie
Dec 22 went to M J Reynold and stayed
at his place 2 Days and nights got home on
the 24th Dec Got two Letters from
home and some mony in one and
answered them
Dec 25 got two letters from home one
from Robert and one from Warren and went
to Marsellas J. Reynolds with A. W. Thomson
and Eat Dinner at Reynolds and then went
to 2800 Franklin Auv St Louis Mo and
stayed all night Dec 26 A. W. Thomson
and I went for a walk over part of
St Louis Mo went to the Steam Boat
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1900
warf and wached the hans unload
some Lumber and load some freight on
to a steam Boat and went Back to 2800
and stayed all night and on the
Dec 27 Elder Dalrymple (and I) went to 604
Collinsville auv East St Louis Ill and
I wrote two Letters Home one to Robert
H. Despain and one to Warren S Despain.
Dec 28th Stayed at our quarters
Dec 29th Stayed at our quarters and rote a letter
home Dec 30th went to Sunday School and then
went to a resturent and had a Turkey Dinner
and from there to Franklin auv 2800
head quarters at 730 attended Meeting at
Fraturnal Hall and then back to 604
Collinsville auv East St Louis Ill
Dec 31st Stayed at 604 all day
January 1st 1901 I went to the Post office
in the forenoon and got two Letters from
home one from Warren and his Mother and
one from Edna and a parcel with an apron
in it and answered Both Letters
Jan 2nd Stayed at quarters 604 Collinsonville (auv
East St Louis)
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1901
Jan 3rd Stayed at quarters and studi(ed)
my Books Jan 4th Studied the Scriptures
Jan 5 got a letter from my son Robert and
answered it and and read the scriptures and Elder
Baird took a walk through the East St Louis
City Jan 6 went to Sunday School a 10/30 (ocl)
and went to Bor Elleygoods for Dinner
and from there to 2800 Franklin auv
and visited Elder A W Thomson till
Meeting time at 7/30 (ocl) got Back to 604
Collinsville auv East St Louis Ill, at 10/30
Jan 7th went out tracting and studied
Jan 8th out tracting and read the scriptures
Jan 9 it was stormy and we stayed indoors
and studied our Books
Jan 10th (home noon got a letter from Wife)
(and answered it) Out tracting and did not
get into a house in the afternoon
Jan 11th Cold and Stormy and Studied my
Books Jan 12th got a letter from son
Alvin A. Despain and answered it
in the forenoon Shaved in the after
noon Jan 13th went to Sunday School
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and then went and visited Elder A W
Tomson and had Dinner and then went
to Meeting at 730 pm
Jan 14 Recieved a letter from my
Daughter Edna and went tracting boath
forenoon and after noon and answered
it Jan 15th was out tracting and Reading
Jan 16th it was cold out for a walk in the
forenoon and was Reading in the afternoon
Jan 17th out tracting in the fore noon cold in
the afternoon and was Reading in the afternoon
Jan 18th it was snowing in the morning and I
got a letter from my Wife and Son and children
and answered it taking all day to answer them
Jan 19th studied my book and washed my
hankerchiefs and socks
Jan 20th went over to Sunday School at
10/30 oclock am went to sister Perkins
for Dinner and stayed with her and
Elder James W. Nelson till time to
go to Meeting at 7/30 P.m and then
home on to our place of Boarding with
Elder P. M. Baird.
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1901
Jan 21st Recieved a letter from
Wife with 5 dollars in it and
answered it and sent some photos
home and was out tracting a lone for the first (time)
Jan 22nd out tracting alone and had one re visit
and a long talk on the principles on the gospel
and got my shoes fixted
Jan 23rd I fasted all day and had a long
walk out to the country and in to the
woods Eat Supper at 6 oclock
Jan 24th it was blowing Cold and we
Stayed at our Room all day and had
Bros H. N. Godfrey and J. W. Nelson
for Dinner and Read the O Prats works
Jan 25th Got a letter from Alvin and answ(ered)
it it had ten Dollars in it I went to the
Barber shop and got a shave and my hair cut
Jan 26th was Saturday and we stayed at
our Room
Jan 27 was Sunday and we went to the Sunday
School at 10/30 (am) over in St Louis Mo at Faturnal
hall and went to the Resterent and got
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1901
Dinner and then I went to 2800 Franklin Auv
till 6/45 till time to go to Meeting at 7/30 (pm oclock) at
and listen to Elders Agvere and Doctor
McGregor on revutalions and prophieces
and then went to East St Louis Ill and got
to our Room at 10/30 Pm
Jan 28th stayed at Room on account of cold (weather)
Jan 29th out tracting in the forenoon got a letter
from my Wife and son Warren and the little
girls and answered them in the afternoon while
it was Raining and after supper and Posted it
Jan 30th the weather was cold and we stayed
at our Room and read our Books all day
Jan 31st out tracting in the forenoon for one
hour the afternoon walked around town and
went to the julery shop and left my wach
to have it fixed.
February 1st Stayed at our Room in the
forenoon the afternoon out tracting got a
letter from Neilson Thompson the cleerk of
the 93rd Quorum of Seventies
Feb 2nd was Saturday and it snowed and I
answered Bro Neils Thompsons letter and (read some in O Prats works)
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1901
Feb 3rd is Sunday I went to Sunday School at 10/30
and from there to my cousins Marcellus J
Reynolds and stayet all night with the Family
Feb 4th I went to 2800 Franklin auv St Louis
Mo and there Elder A W Thomson and I went
to the Museum of Anatomy 11 S Broadway
St Louis Mo and then we went to the Ferry
and there I left Bro Thomson and took the
Ferry Boat and crossed the River and walked
to my Room and got a letter from home
from Edna and Marvin and Lauretta
and answered them in the afternoon and at night
Feb 5th the weather was cold and I did not go
out tracting I received a letter from Robert
and Julia Despain my Son and Daughter in Law
and answered it in the Evening
Feb 6th out tracting in the forenoon.
The afternoon Stayed at Room and shave(d)
Feb 7 staid at Room in the forenoon
and went to conference in the after
noon (Elars Oleson and Dalrymple and Prs Kelck)
(gave some good sermons on the gospel)
and went to Marcellus Reynolds
and stayed all night with his family
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1901
Feb 8th went to Franklin auv 2800
to preisthood Meeting and got a
new companion Elder W. H. Wilson
and stayed at 2800 untill Meeting
time Elders Nowlin was the first speaker
and Nealson was the second speaker and
Lewis A Kelch was the last speaker
Feb 9th was saturday and we stayed at our
Room all day.
Feb 10th was Sunday and we went to Sunday
School in the forenoon and to Meeting at
7/30 in the Evening and then Back to our Room.
Feb 11 the Elders changed places with
one an other I stayed at my old Room
and got two Letters one from my son
Alvin A Despain and one from my sister
Amanda C Wixom and answere them
that Evening and after Noon
Feb 12th Stayed our Room I got a letter from
Wife and Daughter and Son Douglas and
answered the one to my Wife
Feb 13th (I) went out With W. H. Wilson tracting
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1901
Feb 14th Elder W. H. Wilson was out tracting
in the Evening we went over to St Louis Mo
to Sister Matsons to a birthday gathering and went
Back to our Room at 3 oclock A.M in the morning
Feb 15th we stayed at our Room on the account of
be up Late the night before in the Evening held
(a Meeting at Mrs Efys our Land Ladies)
Feb 16th was Saturday and we stayed at our Room
Feb 17th was Sunday we went to Sunday Sundy
School at 10/30 (am) and then went to the Resturent for Dinne(r)
and then went to 2800 Franklin auv Mo and from
there to the art gallery and took in the sights of
the arts of Painting and Sculpture with some
ancient Relics and then went Back to 2800 Franklin
and at 730 Pm went to Meeting and Elder A W
Thomson spoke and myself and Elder W. L Waite
Spoke upon the princpals of the gospel for 30 min
and went Back to East St Louis Ill to our Room
Feb 18th after Breakfast went out tracting for one
hour in the forenoon out tracting in the after
noon Feb 19th got a letter from my son Robert
and answered it and wrote one to Polk Despain
in the forenoon at two o clock P.M. I got a letter
from My Wife and Son Warren and went to
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1901
Administered to one Alexander Allen
With W. H. Wilson and tracted a little while
the wind Being very cold we came back to
our Room commenced to answer my Wifes
letter untill supper and after supper finished
my Wifes Letter and posted it
Feb 20th the weather was a cold north west
wind and we stayed in our Room and I read
my Books Feb 21st was cold wind in the fore
noon and I stayed at the Room the afternoon
was Snowing and we all stayed in our Room
and I got a letter from my Wife and
Daughter Lauretta and answered it that
night Feb 22nd was cold and snowing
and we stayed in our Room and studied
our Books all day
Feb 23 was Saturday cold and stormy
and we stayed in our Room all day
Feb 24 was Sunday we went to Sunday
School at 10:30 A.M. and from then to 2800 Frankl(in)
avnue St Louis Mo and stayed there till time for
Meeting at 7/30 P.M. Elder H. M. Godfrey
gave us his farewell Discouse as that he
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had got his Release to go home and
then Elder W. H. Wilson spoke upon the
Prexistents of man for some length of time
Meeting adjourned and then we went to
our Room arriving at 10/30 P.M.
Feb 25th I Recieved two letters one from my
sone Alvin Dated Feb the 20 and one from
my Daughter Eliza Parks Dated Feb 16th
and I answered the letter to Alvin
Feb 26th Stayed at Room in the forenoon the
afternoon and tracting I got a letter from
my Daughter Edna and two neices audry
Despain and Hettie Egbert and my Daughter
Lauretta Despain
Feb 27th stayed at the Room in the forenoon
went out tracting in the afternoon
and to Meeting at 8 oclock P.M. at
Alexanders Allens.
Feb 28 was stormy and we stayed
at our Room and I wrote to Edna
and Douglas and Lauretta and two
Neices Audrey Despain and Hattie Egbert
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1901
March 1 stayed at the Room on the account of
mud in the Evening at 8 oclock P.M. held a
(cottage) Meeting at Mrs Elys our Land Ladies Elders
Peter M Baird and O.L. Barrus and myself
Spok to the people oc(u)pping about one hour
March 2 was Saturday and I washed my
Socks and hankerchiefs
March 3 went to Sunday school at 10/30 AM
and from there to 2800 Franklin auv Mo
and got Dinner and Read the Deseret News
at 7/3 P.M. went to Meeting and Listen
to Elders Robert Fletcher and W. P. Walters
speak to the people there was 50 persons
at the Meeting there was 12 or 15 strangers
at the Meeting to listen to the Elders and
they seemed to like the preaching very much
March 4 Stayed at the Room and got a letter
from my Wife and answered it in the
afternoon
March 5 the weather was very cold
and we stayed in our Room and was
Reading March 6 (got a letter from Wife and Daughter with 5 Dollars and answer) it was cold and we
Stayed in our Room President W. L. Weight
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1901
was over with Elder W. P. Walters and
stayed the afternoon with us. At 8 P.M.
we held Meeting at Alexander Allens
March 7th out tracting with Elder W. H. Wilson
in the fore noon out a lone in the afternoon
March 8 I two letters one from Chicago
with ($)376(¢) in an order in it and one from my
Son Alvin. A. Despain with ($)10 dollars in it
and (answered Alvins letter and answered one to James H Despain) went to the Express Office and drawed
the money on my order from Chicago in the
Evening Elder W. H. Wilson and myself went
to a Methodist Meeting at 7/30 Pm
March 9th was Saturday we stayed in the
Room all day and read the the Deseret News
and Some in the New Testament.
March 10th was Raining Elder W. H. Wilson
went to St Louis Mo Elders Barrus
and Baird and myself Stayed at our
Room all day.
March 11th out visiting one of the Saints
in the afternoon at Sisters Millers
March 12th I got a letter from James
H Despain from Danvill Soldier Home
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1901
I got a letter from my Loving Wife
and son Charles and Neice Hattie Egbert.
I answered my Wife and Son Charles Letters
March 13th Stayed at the Room on the acount
of Mud and Rain at 8 oclock P. M. held Meeting
at Alexanders Allens Elder W. H. Wilson
ocupied the time after Meeting we adminst(ered)
to two persons one Married Lady and one
young Lady Miss S Jackson
March 14th it was stormy and cold and we
Stayed at the Room all day and studied our
books March 15th it was stormy and cold
and we stayed at our Room I got a Letter from
my Wife and Daughter Edna and answered it
March 16th Elder W. H. Wilson and myself
was called to go to Elexander Allens to
administer to Mr Allen in the forenoon
in the after noon we went to Marcellus
J. Reynolds and stayed all night with
them March 17th went to Sunday school
at 10/30 A.M. and from there to 2800
franklin auv and Paid 10 cts for Dinner
and stayed till time for Meeting at 7/30 P.M.
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1901
Doctor Nelson was the Princpal Speaker
and I made a few Remarks and then got
to our Room at 10 P.M.
March 18th I. Recieved a letter from my sister
Amanda. C. Wixom we stayed at our Room in
the forenoon out tracting in the afternoon
March 19th the weather was Rainy and we stayed
at our Room
(and I Recieved a letter from Robert H. Despain and two little girls
and answered them) Elder R. L. Jenson from the
Southern States Mission Stayed all night
with us March 20th Stayed at Rooms in
the forenoon out tracting in the afternoon
March 21st Stayed at the Room all day
March 22nd Stayed at the Room in the forenoon and
recieved two letters from my Son and
Wife and answered the one to Alvin
was out tracting in the afternoon.
March 22 out tracting in the afternoon
March 23 was Saturday I washed my so---
March 24 was Sunday we went to Sunday
School at 10/30 A M went to Sister Perkins
for Dinner and stayed there till time to go
to Meeting at 7/30 P.M. and three
Returning Elders spoke to us on the
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1901
princpels of the gospel and then Elder
W. H. Wilson and myself walked Back
to our Room at 10/30 P.M
March 25th Stayed at Room in the forenoon
went out tracting in the afternoon and then
went to the Laundry
March 26th Stayed at Room in the forenoon
out tracting in the afternoon.
March 27th Stayed at Room in the forenoon
out tracting in the afternoon and a letter
from home from Wife and Daughter
Edna and Warren and answered them
in the Evening
March 28th Elder W. H. Wilson and
myself visited Elexander Allen and
Wife and administered to Nancy Allen
in the forenoon in the after Noon
was out tracting
March 29th it was stormy and we stayed
in our Room all day I got a letter from
my sons Robert and Warren and
answered them and wrote one to my
Wife and put it in Roberts and Warrens
[Page 30 of 184]
1901
March 30th was Saturday we stayed at our Room
March 31st Sunday we went to Sunday School at 10/30
A.M. went to Doctor Mcgrigans for Dinner and
to Meeting at 7/30 P.M. and then Back to our
Room at 10/30 P.M.
April 1st Stayed at Room and Rained.
April 2nd Stayed at Room in the forenoon
got a letter from sister Amanda Wixom
took a walk in the after Noon and studied
my Books April 3rd out tracting 3 hours
April 4th Stayed at Room all day and
Studied my Books got a letter from Edna and Lour(etta)
April 5 Stayed at Room in the fore noon
Elder Baird and my Self took a walk
in the after noon and President W. L. Waight
pade us a visit in the afternoon and it Rained
April 6 was Saturday and I took a walk
and got a letter from Alvin A. Despain
and answered Alvins letter answered
Edna s and Laurettas letters in the Evening
April 7th was Sunday we went to Sunday
Shool at 10/30 A.M. Elder W. L. Waight and
myself went to Sister Loockets for Dinner
and then we went to the big fire that burn(ed)
[Page 31 of 184]
1901
the big flouring mill and then Back to
Sister Lockets and from there to 2800 Franklin
auv and then to Meeting at 7/30 P.M.
and then to our Room at 10/30 P.M.
April 8th Stayed at our Room in the forenoon
Elders W. H. Wilson and O L Barrus went
and got a permit to speak on the streets
from Mayor Stephens out tracting in the
afternoon April 9th stayed at our Room in
the fore noon and studied our Books in the
afternoon was out tracting.
April 10th Stayed at Room all day and
Washed my socks
Aprail 11th Stayed at in the forenoon and
wrote a letter to Sister Amanda Wixom
walked out in the afternoon
April 12th I got a letter from my Wife
and two little girls and answered them
in the afternoon and sent the Eras to
Charles April 13th was Saturday and
it Rained and we Read the Deseret News.
April 14 was Sunday went to Sunday
School at 10/30 A.M and from there to
(2800) Franklin auv Mo for Dinner and
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1901
and then to Meeting at 7/30 P.M.
Elders O. L. Barrus and Dalrymple and Waite was the speakers
and then Back to East St Louis at 10/40.
April 15 out tracting in the forenoon
for one half hour tracting for one and a half
in the after noon
April 16 Raining all day and we stayed
at our Room and Read the News and
Studied our Books
April 17th it was Rainy and we stayed
at our Room and Studied our Books all day
April 18th Studied Books all day
April 19th Got a letter from my Son Alvin
Despain and one from Wife and Daughter Edna
and answered all three and went to the
Post Office and Posted them and got 49 cts
worth of stamps at 7/30 P.M. went to Salvation
Army Meeting and Back to Room at 9/30 P.M.
April 20th was Saturday Elder W. H. Wilson
and my self took a walk out of town
to look for a place to do some Baptism
April 21st went to Sunday School at 1/30
A.M. and to the resterent for Dinner Up
to 2800 Franklin auv and to Meeting
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1901
at 7/30 P.M. and then Back to 604 Collinsville auv
at ten 30 P.M. to our Room.
April 22th it was very stormy and we stayed
at our Room all day I got a letter from Wife
and Daughter Edna and answered it and
Sent some tracts an a flour Boot home.
April 23rd Stayed at our Room in the forenoo(n)
and out tracting in the afternoon
April 24th Stayed at Room in the forenoon
the afternoon walked down the street and
bought a shirt for Elder Baird and
Sister Perkins and two Daughters
came and took supper with us and
we all went to Meeting together out
at (Eders Baird and Wislon and Barrus was the speaker) Alexander Allens at 8 oclock P.M.
and then Back to my Room While Elders
Wilson and Baird and Barrus went home
with the Sisters
April 25th Stayed at the Room in the forenoon
Studied my Books in the afternoon at 8 P.M.
we held Meeting on the street
April 26 went out to Sister Millers to see
what time that the funeral would be
[Page 34 of 184]
1901
and then went Back to our Room and had
Dinner and then back to Sister Millers and
held the funeral at three oclock P.M.
Elder W. H. Wilson Being the Speaker
and then Back to our Room and then held
a Meeting on the street a 8 p.m. and Back
to our Room
April 27th was Saturday and I went on
a walk out of the city to gether some flow(ers)
and could not find any only some voilets
in the Evening us 4 Elders went to one Mr. Bills and administered to him
and Some yellow flowers that Looked like
ware April 28th was Sunday and Elders
W. H. Wilson P M Baird and myself went
to Sunday school at 10/30 AM and then
to the Resturant for Dinner and from there
to 2800 till Meeting time at 7/30 P.M.
Elders Richie and W. H. Wilson was
the Speakers and then Back to our Room
in company With Mr Alexander Allen
and Wife and Mrs Jackson part of the
Way and when I got to the Room there
was two letters waiting for me one
from my Wife and one from Neils Thomps(on)
[Page 35 of 184]
1901
April 29th I answered the Letter to my
Wife and family and went and took Dinner
at Mr Alexander Allens and then Back to our
Room untill about 7 oclock P.m. Elder W. H.
Wilson and myself went Back to Mr Allens
and administered to Mrs Allen and had
a long talk with the old folks and then
Back to our Room and to Bed
April 30th I got a letter from Alvin
Despain my Son Stayed at Room all day
May 1st answered Alvins letter in the fore
noon out tracting in the afternoon
May 2nd Studied My Books and took a
walk thru the city
May 3 Stayed at Room in the forenoon
Made a visit to our friend Allens in
the afternoon and took supper in the
Evening May 4 was Saturday and I
washed my hankerchiefs and socks
in the forenoon in the afternoon Elder
W. H. Wilson my companion and I went to
Cousins Marcellus J Reynolds and staye(d)
all night with his family in St Louis Mo
[Page 36 of 184]
1901
May 5th Eat Breakfast with Reynolds
and went to Sunday school at 10/30 A.M.
and from there to 2800 Franklin auv and
from there to Bro Alligoods and then Back
to 2800 and took Lunch with Dr McGrogen
and Family and from there to Meeting at
7/30 P.M. and from Meeting Back to our
Room 604 Collinsville auv at 10/45 P.M.
May 6 Stayed at our Room and Studied
my Book Some and got a letter from Wife
and Daughter Edna and Son Douglas and
Daughter Tessa and Son Lawerence and
answered them
May 7 it looked so stormy the I stayed at
Room all day and Read the Desert News
and the scriptures Some
May 8th we stayed at the Room all day
on account of Rain at 7/30 P.M. Sister
Perkins and two Daughters Rose Rainey and
Maggie De clue came to our Room and
us four Elders W. H. Wilson O. L. Barrus
P. M. Baird and myself went to Mrs.
Jacksons and took supper after supper
[Page 37 of 184]
1901
we all went in to Mr W. A. Allens
Room and held a Meeting Elder P. M. Baird
Presiding Elder Barris and Elder Wilson
was the speakers
May the 9th it was still cloudy and Elder
W. H. Wilson and Elder P. M. Baird and
myself went to William Allens and took
Dinner with them and then Back to our
Room I recieved a letter from my Wife
and Daughter Lauretta and answered then
and wrote one to my Son Warren and sent
the Era to Charles my Son and Eat supper
and Elder O. L. Barrus and P. M. Baird and my
self went to W. A. Allens and held Meeting
Elder Baird and myself was the speakers
and Back to our Room.
May 10th we stayed at our Room all day
and studied the Scriptures
May 11th I got a letter from my Wife
and went out and told the peopl that
there would be a Meeting at Mr Allens
at 8 P.M. and Eat Dinner at sister Millers
and called at Mr. Allens and then
[Page 38 of 184]
1901
went Back to our Room and answered
the letter to my Wife that Evening
May 12 Elder Barrus and myself stayed
at our Room and studies our Books till
night and then went to Allens and
held Meeting Elder Barrus Presiding I
spoke on baptism and Elder Barrus
Spoke on the gospel and then returned
to our Room.
May 13th stayed at our Room in
the fore noon and went out tracting
in the afternoon for one hour and half
May 14 stayed at Room all day and Read
the news and the scriptures
May 15th Elder W. H. Wilson and myself
was out and administered to one old
Lady and one child in the forenoon
out tracting in the after noon held
Meeting at 8 oclock P.M. at Allens
May 16th Elder W. H. Wilson and myself
made two revisits and administered to
a little Girl and I Eat Supper with
William Allen and Family at 4 oclock P.M.
[Page 39 of 184]
1901
May 17th I got a letter from home from
Wife and Son Warren and answered them
and (sent a packeg of photos home) wrote a letter to John and Eliza Parks
May 18th was saturday stayed at our Room
and studied our Books
May 19th went to Sunday school at 10/30 A.M.
and then to the Resturant and got Dinner
and then to 2800 Franklin auv Mo and
from there Back to 604 Collinsville auv Ill
and then to 1329 Ill auv to Meeting at
Alexander Allens at 8 oclock P.M.
May 20th I got a letter from my son Alvin
and answered it in the forenoon out
walking around the City in the afternoon
an went out on the street to Meeting
Elders W. H. Wilson and P. M. Baird was
the Speakers President W. L. Wait stayed all
night with us to Night.
May 21st I stayed at the Room all day it
Rained in the Evening
May 22nd Elder Wilson and I went and (administered to two Ladies) Fore noon
and took a walk in the after noon and went
to Supper to A. Allens and stayed to Meeting
[Page 40 of 184]
1901
May 23rd Stayed at the Room in the fore noon
out tracting in the after noon got a letter from
My Daughter Edna. S. Despain and My little
Daughter Olive and answered them in the
Evening May 24th visited Mrs Jackson
and took supper at Allens
May 25th Stayed at Room all day got a letter
from Wife and Son Warren and
answered them Boath in the Evening
May 26th Elder P. M. Baird and myself
took a walk out on the RailRoad to
the nine mile Post and picked some
wild Strawberries and returned at
five P.M. Elder W. H. Wilson and
myself went to Allens to Supper
and held Meeting Elder Wilson
occupied the time in speaking
May 27th we stayed at Room in the
forenoon in the afternoon [words crossed out]
May 28th stayed at our Room in the fore-
noon and in the after noon Went to
St Louis Mo to see Sister Bell Perkins
off for Utah and fell in with
[Page 41 of 184]
1901
Elder William Butler on his Return
home as it happened to be that he Lay
over for a few hours and I jest happened
that I met him on the street and he knew
me across the street and then we walked
around over St Louis Mo and took supper
with Doc Mcgregors and then went to
the depo and seen Sister Perkins off on
the train and then Bid Elder W. Butler
and companions good by and went Back
to our Room at 10/30
May 29th Elder W. H. Wilson and myself
went out and visited two Ladies and
Administered to them in the forenoon
Visted Allens in the after noon
and held Meeting in the Evening
May 30 I got a letter from Robert
H Despain and answered it also one
from my Wife and answered it
also May 31 Elder W. H. Wilson and
I went to Marcellus J. Reynolds
and got Dinner and went to Henry
Shaws gardens with the family
[Page 42 of 184]
1901
and took in the sights of the flower
gardens which was a very pleasant
afternoon to look at the flowers
of all countrys that could be got and
then Back to Reynoldss to supper
and stayed all night with them
June 1 we went to Forest Park
and ejoyed our selves all day in
looking at the anamales and walking
and Resting in the Beautiful Shade
and grass and looking at the flowers
an then Back to Reynolds to Supper
and Stayed all night again
June 2 we went to Sunday School
(I got a letter from Alvin Despain with 5.00)
at 10/30 P.M. and met Elder Perkins [illegible]
and then Back to 2800 Franklin auv
and then to the Resturant to Dinner
and then Back to 2800 til Meeting
at 8 oclock P.M. and then to our
Room at 604 Collinsville auv East
St Louis Ill at 11 P.M.
June 3 I went to Franklin auv
Mo with my Report and got my
[Page 43 of 184]
1901
self a pair of Pants and then Back
to 604 Collinsville auv East St Louis (Ill)
and read the paper the afternoon
and wrote up my journal and
answered Alvins letter.
June the 4th I was out tracting.
June 5 Stayed at the Room all day and
Studied my Books
Jun 6 Elder W. H. Wilson and myself
went to Forest Park to a Pic nic
in honer of Elder W. L. Weights departure
Jun 7th I made two Revisits and
go two letters from home one
from my Wife and Daughter Edna
and one from my Son Warren and
Daughter Lauretta and answered the to
my wife and sent my son Charles
the Mutial Era
June 8th was Saturday and it Rained
all day and I answered Warrens
and Ednas and Lauretta letters
and addressed them to Edna
[Page 44 of 184]
1901
June 9th was Sunday. I went to Sunday
School at 10/30 am to diner to the Resteren
ant and then to 2800 Franklin auv St Louis
Mo and then to Meeting at 8 oclock PM
June 10th out tracting 3 hours one in the fore
noon and two in the afternoon
June 11th out tracting.
June 12th out looking over the city to
find out where to tract in the fore
noon in the after noon President
Parkinson and I was out tracting
together at night held Meeting on
the street at 8/30 P.M
June 13th I went out to Allens and
Millers in the forenoon the after
noon I had a pain in my temple
and I stayed at our Room as the wea
ther was so hot
June 14th Elder W. H. Wilson and myself
was out tracting together and we took
Dinner with Mrs Nancy. Allen
June 15th was Saturday Stayed at home and
washed hankerchiefs and socks
[Page 45 of 184]
1901
June 16 Elder W. H. Wilson and myself
went to Sunday School at 10/30 A.M. met
with Elder George Shiff on his Road home
from South Eastern Texas after Sunday School
went to the Resterent for Dinner Elder Shiff
paying for our Dinner then to 2800 Franklin
auv and stayed there till time to go to Meeting
at 8 o clock P.M Elder Shiff was the first
speaker Elder Jenson was the second speaker
Elder W H Wilson and myself went Back to
our Room after Meeting in East St Louis Ill
June the 17th Stayed at Room all day got
a letter from home Wife and Son Warren
and Daughter Lauretta answered my Wifes
Letter also got a letter from Elder Wm
Butler of Butlerville Ward Salt Lake Co
(and helped hold a Meeting on the street on 8/30 P.M.)
Utah June 18 out tracting in the afternoon
Elder Wilson left our Room for the
Country to go with President Parkinson
that leaves me without a companion
for a while June 19th I was out tracting
in the fore noon stayed at Room in
the afternoon head Meeting at 8 PM
at Allens with Elder Jacob Jensen
[Page 46 of 184]
1901
June 20th Stayed at the Room all day
and helped hold Meeting on the street
at 8/30 PM Elder Jacob Jensen was
the first Speaker then myself and then
Elder P M Baird was the last speaker
June 21st I went out tracting with Elder
O L Barrus in the fore noon the after-
noon the weather was too hot so we
Stayed at the Room in the afternoon
June 22nd was Saturday we stayed at Room
all day I got a letter from my Son Warren
and answered it and wrote one to John
C Egbert the Themamerter Regstared at
120 in the Sunshine at 3 oclock P.M.
June 23rd was Sunday Elder Barrus
and myself went to Sunday School at
10/30 A.M. and from there to the Resturent
for Dinner and from there to 2800
Franklin auv Mo till time to go to
Meeting at 8 o clock P.M. and then
Back to 604 Collinsville auv East
St Louis Illinois at Eleven o clock P.M.
[Page 47 of 184]
1901
June 24th the weather was too
hot to tract I went and took supper
at Allens in the Evening. got a letter
from my Son Alvin and answered
it and wrote one to John Egbert also
June 25 the weather was still too
hot. I got a letter from my Daughter
Edna with three Dollars order in it
and answered it with one to my Wife
in it June 26th the weather is hot and
we stayed at our Room all day till in
7/30 PM. three of us Elders went to
W. A. Allens and held Meeting at
8/15 PM Elder Barrus was the first
Speaker Myself the second speaker
Elder Baird the last Speaker and then
Returned to our Room.
June 27 Stayed at Room in the forenoon
at 8/30 PM we held Meeting on
the street June 28th Stayed at Room all
Day I went and took Dinner with Allens
folks June 29th was Saturday We held
Meeting on the street at 8/30 P.M.
[Page 48 of 184]
1901
June 30 we went to Sunday School at
10/30 A.M. from there to 2800 Franklin auv
for Dinner and stayed there till time to
go to Meeting at 8/30 P.M. Elder E. J.
Dalrymple was the first speaker Elder
J. Bankhead the second speaker he was
on his way home from the Southern
States Mission after Meeting Elder W. P.
Walters and myself Walked Back to
604 Collinsville auv East St Louis
July 1st The weather was so hot that
we stayed at our Room Except going
to Wm. A. Allens and admistered to
the old Lady Allen and then Back to
our Room the Rest of the Day I got a
letter from my Son Charlie from
home and answered it and wrote one
to my Wife at the same time
July 2nd Elder P. M. Baird and I went
to Wm. Postleweight for Dinner and
spent 3 1/2 hours in conversation with
three Ladies and then started to our
[Page 49 of 184]
1901
Room and was caught in a rain shower
and went to Allens till the Rain was
over and had a chat with them for one
hour and then we went to our Room
July 3rd stade at Room in the forenoon
and the after noon we stayed at the
Room Elders P. M. Baird and W. P. Walters
and O. L. Barrus and myself went to
Allens and administered to Sister
Allen in the afternoon
July 4th we all went to Forest
Park with the Saints and Enjoued
our Selves in singing hiyms and
Boat Riding till 8 o clock P.M. and
then Returned to our Room at 11 PM
July 5 Elders O. L. Barrus left our
Room for the country W. P. Walters
left also to visit [illegible] in the country
Elder E. Rowberry came in the Place
of Elder Barrus Elder P. M. Baird
and my self went to Allens and
and administered to Sister Allens
Elders Baird and Rowberry went on an Excursion
[Page 50 of 184]
1901
July 6th I moved from 604 Collinsville
auv (East St Louis) Ill to 2800 Franklin auv St
Louis Mo July 7 was Sunday at 10/30
A.M. I went to Sunday School and from
there to Clark Street and took Dinner
and Supper with a Mr Robert Duke
and Family and then himself and Wife
went to Meeting with me to Fraturnal
Hall 77 Street Franklin auv St Louis
Mo after Meeting I went Back to 2800
to my Room July 8 Elder Oley Olsson
was my companion out tracting in the
forenoon and Elder President Parkinson
was my companion in the afternoon
at 8 o clock P.M we held a street Meeting
Elder C. N. Maughn was the first
Speaker and President Parkinson was
the second Speaker Elder Wm Dredge
was sick with the Chills and Fever
July 9 was out tracting 3. hours in the
Evening two Elders from the Mausina
Mission Elder Jones and Elder Bradshaw
[Page 51 of 184]
1901
July 10th out tracting in the forenoon
alone July 11 tracting in the forenoon
a lone Stayed at Room in the afternoon
and wrote a letter to Bishop J. A. Muns
in answer to one that he wrote to me on
the 3 and to Meeting at 8 P.M. on the street
Elder Fred H. Bradshaw was the speaker
July 12th Stayed at the Room 2800 all
Day went out on the street and held Meeting
Elder Wm. Dredge was the first speaker
Elder Parkinson was the second
Speaker July 13th I went to Cousin
Marcellus J. Reynolds and Stayed all
night then Breakfast and Dinner
with them on July 14 and went to
hear a Mrs and Mr Hall Talk
Devil Doctrines to the people (3 o clock) and then
from there to my Room 2800 Franklin
auv St Louis Mo and then to Sunday
School of 7 P.M and attended Meeting
at 8 P.M. Elder E Rowberry was
the first Speaker myself the second speaker
[Page 52 of 184]
1901
Elder W. R. Dredge was the third
Speaker July 15 out tracting in the
(I got a letter from my Son Alvin with 5.00 in)
fore noon and had a two hourS convers
(I got one from Niels Thompson the [illegible])
ation with a lady on the gospel
I went with Elders Maughn and
Dredge at 8 P.M. and held Meeting
and when Meeting was out there was a
Woman made a little speach and tryed
to couterdict what had bin Said by
Elder Dredge as that he was the Main
Speaker at our Meeting
July 16 I was out tracting in the fore
noon the after noon I Studied the
testament and wrote a letter to Ner
Thompson of Sandy Ward
July 17 I was out tracting in the fore
noon the after noon was hot Weather and
I stayed in Elders Dredge and Maughan
left me in charge of the office while
they went visiting Saints and I
wrote in my Journal and Read my
testiment
[Page 53 of 184]
1901
July 18 out tracting in the forenoon
Stayed at Room in the after noon
on account of the heat Elders Dredge
and C. N. Maughan went to East St
Louis and left me a lone at 2800
Franklin auv St Louis Mo till
noon on the 19th of July 19 I stayed
at the Room all day because that
it was so warm and I wrote a
letter to my Wife and Son
Warren and Daughters Lauretta
and Tessa and Olive
July 20th was Saturday I got
a letter from wife and son
Warren and Daughters Lauretta
and Tessa with five Dollars in
it I went and bought me a summer
Coat for $275 and wrote up my Journal
I got a letter from W. W Butler of
Buttler Ward Salt Lake Co Utah
at the same time that I got the one
from home that is Granite Ward
[Page 54 of 184]
1901
July 21 was Sunday Stayed at Room
all day till time to go to Sunday
School and Meeting Elders P. M. Baird
Ephriam Rowberry from East St Louis (Ill)
took lunch with us
July 22 I was out tracting in the [illegible]
noon the weather was so hot in the
afternoon that I stayed at Room
I got a letter from my Loving Daughters
Edna and Olive that was Dated on
the 18th of the month
July 23 Elder C. N. Maughan and
myself visited Sister Madsons
and administered to their Baby that
was sick and went from there
to Forest Park and Eat Lunch with
Doc Mcgregor and wife and Sister
Blanch Martin and Elder W. R
Dredge and spent the afternoon in
the Park untill about 5 o clock
P.M. and then Doctor Mcgregor
and myself returned to 2800 Frank-
lin auv Elder Dredge and myself
[Page 55 of 184]
held a Meeting on the street at
8 o clock P.M.
July 24 I was out tracting in the
forenoon for one hour and out for
one hour in the afternoon the weather
Being so hot that I did not feel like
Staying out in the heat any longer
than that one time in the Evening Presid(ent)
Parkinson and Elder W. R. Dredge and
myself went out on the street to hold
a Meeting they sung a hymn and I
Preyed sung another hymn and then
left as that there was not any one
to listen to the speaker so we went
to our Room
July 25 Elder W. R Dredge and
myself Made a revisit and had
a 2 hours chat with a Lady on the
gospel in the forenoon the after
noon I wrote a letter to my son
Warren July 26 out tracting in the
fore noon it was too warm in the after
noon Elders Dredge and Olson and
[Page 56 of 184]
1901
President F S Parkinson and myself
held Meeting on the street at 8 PM
July 27 was Saturday I Recieved a
letter from Wife and Son Robert and
answered them went with the Elders
President Parkenson Oleson and
Dredge and held Meeting on the
street after we closed our Meeting
there was a man that oposed us
and then Elder (F S) Parkersan made a
reply to him and we had the
sympathy of the crowd so far
as we could learn
July 28 was Sunday Presidan
Parkinson and myself went to
visit Sister Madsons and
administered to her Baby and
then went to Sunday School
and Meeting in the Evening
July 29 I was out tracting and
wrote a letter to my Daughter
Edna S Despain
[Page 57 of 184]
1901
July 30 out tracting in the fore noon in
the after noon I went with President F. S.
Parkinson to Bro Allegoods and Andrew
Madson and had supper with them and
administered to their Baby and then
Returned to 2800 Franklin auv
July 31 out tracting for one hour
in the forenoon out for one hour
in the after noon and went and held
Meeting in the Evening
August 1 I was out tracting for one
hour a lone in the fore noon and the
same length of time in the after
noon Aug 2 out tracting in the fore
noon in the after noon President
F S Parkinson and myself visited Sister
Madison in the Evening and Eat sup-
per with them and administered to
their baby and had a long chat
with Andrew Matson
Aug 3 was Saturday I Recieved
a letter from my Wife from
home and answered it Elders Maughan
Dredge and Myself held Meeting at 8 PM on (street)
[Page 58 of 184]
1901
Aug 4th was Sunday I stayed at Room
all day untill 6 o clock PM. and went to
Sunday School at 6.45 P.M. and to Meeting
at 8.15 P.M. and then Back to Room at 1030
Aug 5th Stayed at Room in the forenoon
and Read the Deserett News in the after-
noon I was out tracting in the afternoon
Aug 6 Elder W. R. Dredge and I was
out tracting together I Recieved a
letter from home from my Wife
with $10 dollars in it and I answere(d)
it Sister Maggie Declue cooked
Supper for us which we apprecia(ted)
very much as that we was keeping
Bachlors Hall and to have a
meal cooked by a Lady was a
treat to us and we Enjoyed it
and then we all went to Brother
Martins in honor of Elder A. M.
Olesons Birth Day and lunch with
them had sane songs and Music
and Returned to our Room at 12 o cl
midnight
[Page 59 of 184]
1901
August 7th I stayed at the Room in
the fore noon and read the Era was
out tracting in the after noon
August 8th I was out tracting in the
fore noon the after noon I stade at
the Room and Destroyed a lot of Letters
and wrote some in my journal
Aug 9th I was so horce that I could
not talk that I stayed in the Room
all day and Read the Deseret News
and my Bible Sister Blanch Martin
Made us a short visit in the Evening
and her and Sister Mcgregor Eat supper
with us and also Bro Mcgregor Eat
Supper with us
Aug 10th was Saturday I wrote a
letter to my Wife and sent the Era
to My Son Charlie W. Despain
and went to cousins Marcellus J.
Reynolds and stayed all night with
them Aug 11st went to a Meeting of
the Zionist and from there to 2800
Franklin Auv and then to Sunday School
and [illegible]
[Page 60 of 184]
1901
Aug 12th I got three letters one from
my Wife and one from my Son Alvin
and one from Neils Thompson. I answere(d)
one to my Wife and visited a family
with President Parkinson in the Evening
Aug 13 I was out tracting for three
hours and wrote a letter in the
Evening to my Son Alvin A. Despai(n)
Aug 14th I was out tracting a lone in
the forenoon in the afternoon Elder W. R.
Dredge was with me tracting and we
took Supper with Bro Ellegood and
family came Back to our Room and eat
watermellon at our Room having
Brother and Sister Mcgregory to help
Aug 15th I was out tracting in the forenoon
I recieve a letter from my Sons Warren and
Douglas and three little Daughters Lauretta
and Tessa and Olive and Answered
them all in the after Noon
Aug 16 I made one visit to an old lady
By the name of Dillen and had an hour
and half Conversation with her and
[Page 61 of 184]
1901
Read the Desret News in the after noon
and in the Evening Presidend F. S. Parkinson
and myself visited Andrew Madson and
had supper with them and administered to
Sister Madson as she took sick while we
was there and then we went to our Room
Aug 17th is Saturday and I answered Neils
Thampsons Letter which I Recieved on the
twelfth of this month and it Rained
in the afternoon and 4 of us Elders held
Meeting on the street at Eight o clock P.M.
Aug 18th was Sunday and I wrote two letters
to my two Neices Audry Despain and
Hattie Egbert Sister Gibbs from Chicago
called and Eat Breakfast with us Elders
C. N. Maughan and W. R. Dredge and my
Self stayed at the Room all day untill
6 o clock P.M. and then went to Sunday
School and Meeting myself Being
the first speaker I spoak on the signs
of the times and the Second coming of
the Savoir Proff Hanes. Commings was
the second speake he gave us a Historacal
[Page 62 of 184]
1901
sketch of the Saints Settling in Mexico
and Some of his Experience in Missionary
Life and some of his Conversations with
Business Men of the World which was interes(ting)
Aug 19 I recieved a letter from My Wife
and Daughter Edna and went and boug(ht)
a finger Ring for my Wife for a Birth
day Present in the fore noon I answer(ed)
Young Sarahs letter in the afternoon in
the Evening President Parkinson and I was
called to Sister James and administe(red)
to her Aug 20th I was out tracting 5 hours
Aug 21st I was out tracting in the fore
noon the after noon stayed at Room
and answered My Daughter Ednas
letter that was written on the 15 [illegible]
Aug 22nd I Recieved a letter from
my loving Wife Dated the 18th and
19 of this month stating that My
Mother was not expected to live
I stayed at the Room all day in
the Evening thear was a crowed
of the Saints Gathered at our Room
[Page 63 of 184]
1901
2800 Franklin auv and Engage(d)
ourselves in songs and Recitations
and Eating Mellons there was
Sister Blanch Martin and her
Father and Mother Sister Gibb
from Chacigo Mrs Allegood and
two Daughters and two Sons Bro
McGreigor and Wife we had
Some music an a fiddle and
Guatar By Doctor Mcgrigeor
and Elder W. P. Walters untill
11 o clock at night
Aug 23th I was out tracting in the
forenoon in the after noon I
went to the photograph gallery
and had my picture taken and
answered my Wifes letter
Aug 24th was Saturday I Recieved a letter
from my Wife dated Aug 21 stating
the Death of my Mother which occured
a five minits to four o clock A.M. on
the 21st of this month August 1901 I was
Down to the picture Gallery in the after
noon
[Page 64 of 184]
1901
Aug 25th was Sunday I answered the
letter to my Wife that she wrote on the
21 stating the Death of my Mother on
that date at 5 minuits to four o clock
am Aug 26th I stayed at the Room all
day and Read my testament and the
Deseret News and got a letter from
my Son Robert and answered it.
Aug 27th I stayed at Room in the fore
noon and went to the photo gallery and
got one of my pictures
Aug 28th I went to East St Louis and
(Elder Maycock came in from Chicago)
visited Wm. A. Allens family and
held Meeting then with Elder P. M.
Baird I was the first speaker Elder
Baird the second speaker and I stayed
with the Elders that night and visited
(Aug 29th) William Allens family and then
Came back to 2800 in the Evening
Aug 30th I was out tracting in the forenoon
in the afternoon I in company with
Elders Parkinson and Maycock
and C N. Maughan and W. P. Walters
[Page 65 of 184]
and Sister Parkinson and Sister
Madson and family and Sister Madsons
Brother went to the Merinae River and
Elder Parkinson Baptised four
Andrew Madson and two of his Sons
and Sister Madsons Brother after
they got dressed they was all confermed
Elder Maughan was Mouth in conferming
Andrew Madson Sr Elder Walters was
Mouth in conferming Sister Madsons
Brother I was Mouth in
conferming Andrew Madson Jr Elder
Maycock was Mouth in conferming
James Madson we Returned to our
Room at 2800 Franklin auv and found
a crowd of Saints awaiting our
Arrival to Enjoy a Social time
together for an hour or two which
was griatly appreciated By all that
partisipated there in -
Aug 31 was Saturday and Sister Mc
Gregary cleaned up our Room for
us and I wrote up my journal
[Page 66 of 184]
1901
Sept 1 was Sunday and I stayed at the
Room all day Brother Browen came in
Elder Thomas H Burtan and Elder
Wm A. Wilson came in from the
Country as that Bro Burton was called
home to his Father Furnal Elders
Kotter and Richie came in from
the Country Being called in By the
President to fill up the Places of
Elders C. N. Maughan and W. P.
Walters who was Reliced[released] to go home
having fulfilled an honorable Mission
I went to East St Louis to tell the Elders
that if they wanted to see Elder Burton
that for them to come over to St Louis
Mo Before two o clock and went to sun-
day school at 6 30 P.M. and to Meeting at
8 PM Sept 2 I got a letter from home
with five dollars in it from my Wife
and I answered it and stayed at the
Room all day until 7 oclock P.M
then we went to Bro Martins
at 2604 and a sociable time untill
[Page 67 of 184]
12 (oclock) midnight and then Back to our Room
2800 Franklin auv St Louis Mo
Sept 3 I stayed at the Room in the fore
noon and wrote in my journal
Sept 3rd the day was spent in laying
around the Room until about 730
P.M. when there was a crowd of
Saints and friends went to the
Union Depo to see Elders C. N.
Maughan W. P. Walters F. S. Parkin(son)
and Wife off on the train for their
Homes in Utah and Idaho with
their Relises [releases]
Sept 4th Elder F.H. Ritchie and
Myself was out tracting Boath
in the forenoon and afternoon
Sep 5th Myself and Elder F. H. Ritchie
was out tracting to gether all day
Sept 6 Elder F. H. Ritchie and my
self was out tracting to gether
and when we came to our Room
Elder Ritchie President J. R. Mayco(ck)
and myself administered to Elder
[Page 68 of 184]
1901
O. Wm Kotter who was sick
Sept 7 was saturday I wrote a letter
home Elder Kotter still sick
Sept 8 was Sunday and we all Stayed
at our Room untill time to go to Sunday
School at 630 P.M. and then went to
Sunday school and Meeting
Sept 9th I Recieved a letter from my
Wife and I answered it Mrs Fry visit(ed)
the Room and I had a long chat on the
Gosple with her and I Staid with
Elder Otto Kotter as that he was
Sick Still
Sept 10 I Stayed at our Room with
Elder Kotter and waited on him He
is a sick man
Sept 11 we fasted and Prayed for
Elder Kotter and sent him to the
City Hospitle as that he hud the
Typhoid Fever
Sept 12 I was out tracting boath
in the forenoon and afternoon
and Recieved the Photo of my
[Page 69 of 184]
two youngest children I spent
one hour and a half in the Park by
a school house and watched the school
Children Play and in the Evening
went with President Geo R May-
cock and Elder W. R. Dredge and held
Meeting on the street on Franklin
auv Sept 13th I stayed at the Room
all day Sept 14 was saturday and we
Stayed at the Room and I took a strole over
the City with Bro J. F. Beaver in the after
noon and then went out on the street
with Elders Dredge and Maycock
and held Meeting Elders Maycock
was the first speaker and Elder Dredge
was the second speaker
Sept 15 was Sunday we fasted and
Prayed for Elder Otto Kotter who
was sick Elder W R Dredge and I
went to an old Brothers By the
name of Shniepel and took
Dinner with him and Family and
Brother Madson after went to Meeting
[Page 70 of 184]
1901
and Sunday School Elders F. H. Ritchen
was the first speaker in the Meeting and
and Joseph McGregor was the second
speaker Sept 16th I Received two letters
from home one from my Wife and
Son Alvin and Daughter Lauretta and
one letter from My Son Warren and
I answered the ones to my Wife and
son Alvin and (Daughter) Lauretta
Sept 17th we stayed at our Room
and took Dinner with the Mcgregory
Familys Elder Barrus and Wilcox
came in from East St Louis Ill.
in the Evening five of the Elders
made a visit to Bro Martins to
Practice some hyms for our conf-
erence Meetings
Sept 18th I answered a letter to my
Son Warren and Went to Marcellus J. Reynol(ds)
and stayed all night came Back to 2800
Franklin auv and then went to the Hospital
to see Elder Otto Kotter with President
George R Maycock and Elder W. R. Dredge
[Page 71 of 184]
1901
in the Evening we went to Look at a
nother house to Rent and then Back to 2800
we had supper at the Resturant at 7 oclock
I went to Stay all night with J. F. Beauer
Elder A. W. Thomson came in from the
country Sept 20
was fryday and we stayed at the Room
toll after noon and I went to the store
with Elders W. H. Wilson and A. W. Thomson
and they Baught them a pair of pants a peice
and A. W. Thomson Baught him a hat also
Sept 21st was Saturday and we was
geting Ready for Conference all Day
untill 8 P.M. and then went to mee(ting)
Elders F. G. Neilson was the speaker and
W. A Wilcox was the Second Speaker
and Elder George D. Bennet from the
Southern States Mission on his return
home (was the third speaker and I went and stayed with Bro Bauer)
Sept 22nd was Sunday and we
held Preisthood Meeting at ten oclock
A.M. at the Room 2800 Franklin auv
St Louis Mo and at 6 PM we held
Sunday School and at 8 PM held conference
[Page 72 of 184]
1901
Elder W. H. Wilson was the first
Speaker and Elder J. A. Sermon was
the Second Speaker and I stayed at Bro Beuer
Sept 23 I had a bath and took my
dirty cloths to the Laundry and then Elder
A. W. Thomson (and myself) walked to Shaws Gardens
and then took the street cars and came
Back to 2800 Franklin auv and then we
wrote Letters home I wrote to Neils
Thompson of Sanday and then we went
to the Resturant for Supper
Sept 24th Elder A. W. Thomson and myself
went to Forest Park and then to Marcellus
J Reynolds for Supper and then we took
the street car for 2800 Franklin auv
arriving at about Seven oclock.
Sept 25th we stayed at the Room all day
Sept 26th I stayed at the Room all day Dr McGrig(ary)
and Bro moved from 2800 to another place
Sept 27th Elder A. W. Thomson and myself
Stroled about the City as that we was
waiting for our companions to git Ready
to go to our fields of Labor I Bought
[Page 73 of 184]
1901
two Shirts to take to the country with
me President George. R. Maycock Recieved
a teligram from home that his Brother was
Dead which Brought gloom over us in sym-
pathy with him in the Loss of his Brother
Sept 28 waiting for Elder W. H. Wilson to
get Ready to go to the country and strolled
around the city with Elder A. W. Thomson
Sept 29 was Sunday and we stayed at
the Room all day and went to Meeting
at 8 P.M. Elder P. M. Baird was the
first speaker Elder W. B. Dredge was the
second speaker Presidand Geor R. Maycock
was the third speaker
Sept 30 Therr was some Baptising
Done by Elder Baird out at the Meria
Mack River about 15 Miles in the country
and Back it was Alexander Allein
and his Wife Nancy. Allein and they
was confermed by Elers W. H. Wilson
and W. R. Dredge
[Page 74 of 184]
1901
Oct. 1 Elders (A) W Thomson and Eldir
Robert Fletcher wend to Shelby Co
Illnois to their field of Labor Elder
W. H Wilson and yself went and
got our Clergy Permit to go to Peray
County Illinois and then went to East
St Louis and visited Bro Allen and
family and Eat supper with them
and then we called at Sister Millers
and Bade her good By and went to
604 Collinsville auv to my old winter
quarters and I had a nice chat with
my old Land Lady Mrs Eby and she
told me that if we got into straiten
circumstances jest to Let her know and
that she would send me some Money
in case of nessitty which was Excepted
with gratful Heart She gave me a Picture
of her house and some of the Elders and
herself which I Recieved with Many
thanks to her for her kindness and
wishing her Gods blessings
[Page 75 of 184]
Oct 2nd Elder W. H. Wilson went to
the Post office and got his Money order
cashed and then we found out alea---e
the time that we was to Leave East
Saint Louis and I went to Bro Allens
and Eat Dinner with them and at
4 o clock we went to the Depo
and got our tickets for Pinkneyville
Perry County Ill and started on
our journey at 5/18 P.M. and
landed in Pinkerville at 7/30
P.M. (a distance of 65 miles from St Louis) and went to Young Su-idgalls
and Stayed all night and got Brea-
kfast Oct 3rd we walked to Round
Prieria a distance of 12 miles and
got their To Bro Rudolph Bladders
at 3 o clock P.M. and found them
so Pleased to see us Elders that
Sister Bladder cryed with joy as
that they had not seen any of
the Elders since last March and
they Made us welcome
[Page 76 of 184]
1901
Oct 4 Elder W. H. Wilson and myself
went an seen the School trustees and got
the Prvilage of holding Meeting in the school
House their Names was Rattleburgh
and Krup and [blank space] and then Back to
Bro Bladders for Dinner and then we
went to see the School teacher and
he agreed to give out that there would
be Meeting there on Saturday Night
at 7/30 oclock P.M. and then we went
Back to Bro Bladders and I wrote in
my journal
Oct 5 Elder W. H. Wilson and myself
visited Bro and Sister Gernand and
talked to them on the Princpals of the
Law of Tithing and fast day offering
and Eat Dinner with them and then
went Back to Bro Bladders for supper
and then went and held Meeting
in a School house there was
about 16 Persons at the Meeting
I was the first speaker Elder Wilson
was the second speaker and then
[Page 77 of 184]
we went Back to Bro Bladders
and stayed all night
Oct 6 Elder W. H. Wilson and myself held
a cottage Meeting at Bro Rudolph Blatters
house and administered the Sacrament to
the Saints at 10 oclock A.M. and had
Dinner at two oclock P.M. and went
home with Brother Gernand and Wife and
took supper with them and then went
Back to Bro Blatters and went with
them and held Meeting in a School house
at 7/30 PM Bro Wilson Sang a song
and then I opened Meeting with Prayer
Elder Wilson sang another Hymn and
Made a few Remarks and introdused
me to the Congregation then I arose
and spoak a short time and then
Bro Wilson took up the Rest of the time
after Meeting We went home with
Bro Gernand and Family and stayed
all night with them and Eat Break=
fast with them on Oct 7th. and then went
to Bro Blatters and done some Writt---
[Page 78 of 184]
1901
and Eat Dinner with Bro Blatters and
went to Jacobs Weavers and had a long
Chat with him and then we went Back
to the Bro Blatters and stayed all night with
them and Eat Breakfast with them
Oct 8th Elder W. H Wilson and myself started
out on foot for Nashville Washington Co
at 7 A.M and arived in Nashville at
about 3 P.M. a distance of 14 Miles we
got a short ride on the way we stoped
an old Ladies By the name of Mullers
and gave her 50 cts a peice for our nights
Loggins and Supper and Breakfast
Oct 9th we left Nashville at 8 A.M.
and walked 14 Miles to Ashley and
from there to Dunrocks three Miles
to the north of Ashley and Stayed at
Dunrocks all night and got supper and
Breakfast
Oct 10 Elder W. H. Wilson and myself
helped Mrs Durock and Mrs
Champion to Make Apple Butter
which took all day to make 20
[Page 79 of 184]
1901
gallons which was hard word to
stur and we stay all night at Dunocks
and Eat Breackfast and then Elder Wilson
and myself went to Bro J. D. Kenyon Oct
(Oct) 11th and had Dinner with Bro Kenyons and
then we went Back to Mr Dunrocks
and left our grips and went to Mr
Fosters and had supper and stayed all
Night at Fosters and had Breakfast
on Oct 12th and it Rained all the fore-
noon and we had Dinner and then
we went to Mr Durocks for to
stay all Night
Oct 13th was Sunday Ee stayed at
Durocks all day and all night
Oct 14 we went from Durocks
to Round Praire a distance of 20
miles to Bro Blatters and
Stayed all night with them
Oct 15th we answered Some letters
that we recieved on our
return to Bro Blatters I reciev(ed)
two letters from home one from
[Page 80 of 184]
1901
my son Warren and one from
my son Robert and answerd
Warrens and put one in to my
Wife Sarah C. Despain
Oct 16th I stayed at Bro Blatters all day and
wrote a letter to my Son Robert and
Studed my testament and Read the News
and Some in the Era and learned some
good instructions from it in the Evening
we held a cottage Meeting at Bro Blatters
Oct 17th after Breackfast we went to Bro
Garnands for Dinner and Supper and
to stayed all night and got Breakfast
Oct 18th at 8 a.m. we left Bro Gurnards
for DuQuoin Perry Co Ill arriving
at Bro Christain Schmidgall at about
4 oclock P.m walking the Distance of about
16 or 18 miles Elder W. H. Wilson Recieved
two letters one of them from Presidant
Geo. R. Maycock to us telling us that Bro
Kotter was out of the Hospatile and
at Bro Andrew Madson at St Louis Mo
[Page 81 of 184]
1901
Oct 19th I wrote a letter to Bro Alexander
Allen and wife asking them to send
(and then we went to Bro F Ritters and got Dinner and supper)
me my under Cloths by Express and
stayed at Bro Christains Schmidgalls
all night
Oct 20 we went to Bro Frank Ritters
an held Meeting at Bro Ritters and took
Dinner with them and there Brothern
Bro Blatter and Wife and Bro Gurnends
and Wife and Bro Gurnands Folks and
Bro Blatter went home Back to
Round Prairie and we went to Bro
Schmidgalls and stayed all night
and got supper
Oct 21st we got Breakfast and then we went
to Bro Frank Ritters and then us and Bro
Ritters Family got in to Mr J. Goldmans
Wagon and went to Bro Gurnards Place
to Round Praire getting there at about
four oclock P.M. and stayed all night
Oct 22 at about 10. o clock Elder W. H. Wilson
Baptised 4 Children 3 of Bro Ritter Children
and one of Brother Gurnands 3 girls and 1 Boy
[Page 82 of 184]
1901
and then we confermed them in the
house of Bro Gurnards I was Mouth in
the Confermation of William Ritter Elder W. H.
Wilson was mouth in the confermation of
Ellen Ritter I was mouth in the confermation
of Florance Ella Ritter Elder W. H. Wilson
was Mouth in the confermation of Matilda
Rozena Gernand we Eat dinner and then
Mr George Golden hitched up and took
us Back to DuQuion to Bro Ritters and we
stayed all night with Bro Ritters Family
Oct 23rd got Breakfast and went to Bro
Christains Scmidgalls and wrote some
letters home in the afternoon we went
to Bro Archibalds and took supper
with them and we had a good time in
Singing and chatting Bro and Sister Scmid-
gall came and we had some singing
and chatting untill Bed time and then we
went home with Bro Schmidgall and
Stayed all night with them
Oct 24th I went to the Express office and
[Page 83 of 184]
1901
got my under cloths that I sent to
East St Louis for and then Brother
Scmidgall took Elder Wilson and myself
in his Buggy gave us a ride for 10 miles
on our journey to union County and
then we took it a foot for 12 or 15 miles
farther and then we got a place and stayed
all night for 37 1/2 cts a pice supper Bed
and Breakfast Jackson Co Ill passing through
Carbandale and Boney dale and Makanda
Oct 25th we (traveled about 12 or 15 miles and) stayed some where in the Neighbor-
hood of Anna all night (in Hack) and arrived at
Oct 26 Bro Marshalls Penrods at about 12 noon
in Dougola Union County Illinois and
had Dinner withe them and stayed all night
Oct 27th was Sunday and we stayid all Day at
Bro Marshalls Penrods and talked on
Different Subjects and (and went to a Presbytearran church) stayed all night
Oct 28 we left Bro Penrods at about 8 o clo(ck)
am for Ullin and arived at Bro Cole-
mans at 12 noon and was Welcomed
at Colemans got dinner and attended
a furnal at 4 o clock P.M. and Bro
[Page 84 of 184]
1901
Coleman took charge of the Meeting
Elder W. H. Wilson Done the Praying Speaking
and dedication of the Grave By Request of
Bro Coleman Elder Wilson and two
young Ladies sung some hymns a songs
and accompaned themselves on the Organ
untill Bed. time
Oct 29th we went to the Post office and got
3 letters I got one from Bro Allens folks
and Elder Wilson got two from head
quarters in the fore noon and spent the
after noon in chatting with Bro Coleman
and family
Oct 30 we stayed at Bro Colemans and
in the after noon I went out Geathering
hickory Nuts with the Boys of Bro
Colemans
Oct 31 Elder Wilson and myself visited
a Person that had applied for Baptism
and Spent the Rest of the Day with
Bro Colemans
Nov 1 I Baptised two Persons By the
Name of Lilly Angeline Ray and
[Page 85 of 184]
1901
Ida. Coleman Elder W. H. Wilson con-
feremed Sister Ray and I confirmed
Ida. Coleman we left Bro Colemans
at two o clock P.M. in Pulaska County
Ill and to Cypress in Johnson County
and stayed all night at a hotel
Nov 2 we left Cypress and went to
Sister Millers at Oak Grove for dinner
and from there to vianna with Millers
folks in a wagon and stayed in vinna
with Bro Francis that night we
got a letter from Presidand Maycock
from Mattoon Cumberlan Co Ill
Nov 3 was a Sunday and it Rained very
near all day in the Evening Elder Wilson
and Myself with Bro Francis went
to a widow Sister by the name of Zada
Miller Bro Wilson and myself administered
to one of her children and then we
three went to a Babtist church
and listened to a gentle man lecture
on Temperence and then Back to Bro
Francis and stayed all night
[Page 86 of 184]
1901
Nov 4th we went to the Post office
and from there to Sister Zada Millers
and from there Back to Sister Millers
at oak Grove or hells neck for dinner
and wrote in my journal and som
letters one to Sister Allen and one
home
Nov 5th we stayed at Bro Millers all day
and I choped some wood for the fireplace
and a small chill in the after noon
Nov 6th we went from oak grove to
vienna to get some Mail But Reciev(ed)
only the Era and wen to Bro Wm Francis
and Eat dinner with Sister Francis her
Being a lone and then from there to Bro
Betts near a place Called Buncom in
Johnson Co and stayed all night
Nov 7th we stayed at Bro Betts in the
fore noon Elder W. H. Wilson wrote a
letter to Mrs Eby in East St Louis Ill
and went to Buncom and posted it
Nov 8th we Eat Breakfast at Bro Betts
and then Elder W.H. Wilson and I
[Page 87 of 184]
1901
went to a place by the name of William
Dooleys and Blessed a child (I was mouth) and Eat Dinner
with the Family and and Back through the
town of Buncom in Johnson County Ill
Back to Bro Betts and had supper and Break-
fast Nov 9th was Saturday Elder Wilson and
I went to James Dooleys and took Dinner
with them Mr Dooley Being very sick
after dinner we went Back to Bro Betts
going through Buncom and from Bro Betts
to vienna to the post office Bro Wilson
Recieving a letter from his Wife I was
a little Disapointed in not getting a letter
we went to Bro Wm Francis and got
supper and stayed all night with them
Nov 10th after Breakfast we went to
oak grove or hells neck to Samuel
Millers and held meeting at 11 oclock
A.M. Reinstating Bro William Francis
to his former standing in the church
after meeting we was invited home
to Bro William Browns and got supper
and stayed all night with them
[Page 88 of 184]
1901
Nov 11th we came Back to Sister Samuel
Millers for supper and stayed all night
Nov 12th we went to Bro Bennett Parks
and stayed all night with them
Nov 13th after dinner we went Back to
Sister Samuel Millers on our way to
Bro Finleys we went on to Bro Samuel
Finleys and got supper and stayed all
night with them
Nov 14th we stayed all day and I split
wood all day and Elder Wilson went to
Samuel Millers to see if there was any
Mail for us Returning in time for
Supper after supper we held meeting
in Bro Finleys house and staid all night
(Elder Wilson being the princple speaker)
and Eat Breakfast Nov 15th we went to the
County seat Namely Vienna Johnson
County Illinois and got our mail
Seven letters a peice and visited Sister
Zina Miller who has a very sick child
and from there Back to Sister MacDan-
els or aunt Mavinds more commonly
called and stayed all night
[Page 89 of 184]
1901
one of my letters was from my
Sister Amanda C. Wixom and one from
my Son Robert H Despain and three
from my Loving Wife one having five
Dollars in it with some postage stamps
and one from My Daughter Edna telling
of the Death of My Nephew John Bevdet
Thompson and one from Presidend
Niels Thompson one of the Presidants
of the 93 Quorum of Seventies of the
Quorum to which I belong to
Nov 16th we went to Sister Marnida
Mcdaniels and stayed all day and in the
after noon held a short Furnal service
and went from there to Mr Charlies
Watsons and stayed all night withe him
Nov 17 we went to Mr Samuel
Millers and met Presidant Maycock
and Elder W.R. Dredge and held
meeting at S Millers I being the first
Speaker I spoke in the law of tithing to
the Saints Elder Wilson was second
[Page 90 of 184]
1901
Speaker and Elder Wilson and myself
Stayed at Samuel Millers Prisedant
Maycock and Elder Dredge went to
Bro Bennetts Parks and stayed all night
Nov 18 Elder Wilson and myself and
Presidant George. R. Maycock went to
viena for our Mail and to post some
letters Pres Geo R Maycock got a letter
But there was none for me Elder
Wilson Recieved a letter from his
Wife I Bought me a pair of Shoes in
vienna we Eat dinner at Bro William
Frances family Elder Wilson and I
went out to Bro. WW. Betts and left
Presidant Geo R. Maycock at Bro
Frances to stay all night with them
Nov 19 Elder Wilson and I left W.W. Betts
at about nine oclock and went through
Goreville about twelve oclock having
Peremomons and Hickory nuts for dinner just
for a change going on t Pulley, Hills and
not finding no one there to takes us in
So we passed on being in Williamson
[Page 91 of 184]
1901
County we went 5 mites (miles) to a sister By
the Name of Dora Huggins the Husband
Being a non latterday saint we P went
on 5 miles farther to the town of
Marian and stoped at a Sisters (by the) Name
of Bradley ariving there at 20 minuts
after Seven with my feet Sore and
tired for we had walked in the Neigh-
hood of 22 or 23 miles with out dinner
only Some Wild fruit called Percimonds
and Some Nycne nutts But we got a
good comfortable feather Bed with
Plenty of covering on it and we
Slepted like cats or like two Bugs
in a rug
Nov 20th we stayed all day at Sister
Bradleys Elder Wilson went to the Post
office in Marion and I wrote a letter
to Bro Neils Thompson and one to
the Quorum which took very near
all day to do that
Nov 21st we went to Pulleys Mill
and stayed at Bro Newlands that
[Page 92 of 184]
1901
night with them for we was weary
after Walking all Day
Nov 22 it Rained all day and we stayed
all day and all night with Bro New-
lands Nov 23rd we left Bro Newlands at
Pulleys Mill and walked to Buncom about
10 miles going throu Goreville and stoping
at Bro W.W. Betts and stayed all Night
with them finding them with a sick
Daughter Nov 24th we walke from Bro
Betts to vienna a distance of five miles
to Bro William Francises and found no
one at home we walked from there
to Sister Marinda McDaniels for
Dinner and stayed the afternoon Spent the Evening
with Mr. Charles Wright in singing some
Hymns in company with Elders Geo R.
Maycock and W.R. Dredge and then we went
Back to Sister Marinda MacDaiels and
stayed all night
Nov 25th I went to vienna to the
Post Office and got a letter from my
[Page 93 of 184]
1901
Loving Wife and a letter for
Elder Wilson and then we went
to William Browns and stayed all
Night after Breakfast (Nov 26) Elder Wilson
and I Boath went to vienna Elder
Wilson got a litter from his Wife
and I posted a letter to my Son
Robert. H. Despain we Eat dinner
with Sister Francis and her
Mother and Children and then
Walked Back to Samuel Millers
and met President Geo R Maycock
and Elder W. R. Dredge and chated
with them for about one hour
and Bade Elder Dredge farewell
as that he was going home Before
we would meet again and then
Elder Wilson and myself Started
for Pulask-a County and Alexander
Stoping at Bro Samuel Finleys
and held meeting and Stayed
all night with them
[Page 94 of 184]
1901
Nov 27 we went to Sister Smiths
(and I wrote a letter to my Wife) and got Dinner in Cypress and then we
walked on to Ullin in Pulaski County
Ill a distance of twelve miles arriving
at Bro Colemans at about seven oclock
in the Evening got supper
Nov 28 we made out our Reports and
sent them to Mattoon and visited Sister
Ray who was very sick and visited
her again in the Evening
Nov 29th Elder W.H. Wilson and I went
to Mr Jeff Roberts and got dinner and
Supper and Stayed all night Elder Wilson
visited Sister Ray and she was up
Nov 30 We went to Sandusky Alexander
Co Ill Pased through Tamms at twenty
five minuites to twelve oclock and arived
at Sandusky at about half Past one oclock
and went to Mr Bishops and stayed
all night there
Dec 1 we stayed all Day and went
to Sunday School what was known
Union Sunday School and then
[Page 95 of 184]
1901
went Back to Mr Bishops and
stayed all night
Dec 2nd we left Mr Bishops at about
half past 8 oclock and went to unity
and arrived at Bro Robert L Soots at
about Eleven oclock A.M. and Stayed
all the rest of the day and all night
with Bro Smoots
Dec 3rd Elder Wilson and I went and
seen the Directors about giting a school
house to hold meeting But was Refused
we met with a Mrs Hayley that seemed
to be very anxious to hear us speak
and then we returned to Robert L Soots
for Supper and stayed all night with
them
Dec 4th Elder W.H. Wilson and myself
took a walk from Bro Soots to
unity down the track and Back to
Bro Soots and got Dinner and then
we went to a Mr Frank Pryers
and stayed all Night with them
they treated us with great Respect
[Page 96 of 184]
1901
Dec 5th we left Mr. Priyers and then
went and Bid fare well to Bro
Robert Soots and Walked to a place
call Deswood Passing through San-
duska and going to Mr Wm. Mccrite through
the Snow Storm the first snow that
we have seen this fall up to this
Date this is in Alexander Co Ill
Dec 6th we left Mr Mccrite and walked
to Ullin in Pulaska Co a distance of
about 11 Miles arriving at Bro Colem(ans)
about half past 11 oclock and got Dinner
and stayed all Night with them in
the Evening we visited Sister Ray and
administered to her as that she was sick
Dec 7th we started to cypress about half
past Nine oclock ariving at Sister
J. M. Smiths at about two oclock
got dinner and Rested untill four
oclock and then Passed through
Cypress at about half past four
oclock and went to Mr Holtzshize(ns)
arriving there at about five oclock
[Page 97 of 184]
1901
and stayed all night with them
and they treated us with the greatest
of Respect Dec 8th we went to Samuel
Millers for Dinner and it Rained in the
after noon we met Mr Charles Watson
we stayed at Samuel Millers all
night Dec 9th it was storming very
near all Day and we stayed all day
and Night Dec 10 we went to vienna and got
some letters from home I Recieved one
letter from My loving Wife and one
from My Daughter Edna with one
in it from Lauretta and then I answ-
ered them all and put in one to Tessa
and one to Olive and we stayed all
Night at Brother William Francises
Dec 11 Elder WH Wilson went
to the Post office and Brought me
two Letters one from my loving
Wife and one from my Son Alvin
from Wyoming and then we went
[Page 98 of 184]
1901
to Bro W. W. Betts near a place
called Buncombe in Johnson County Ill
and (wrote a letter to Alvin my son) stayed all night with them
Dec 12th we stayed all day I split some
stove wood to pass off the time and
then we stayed all night
Dec 13th it Rained all day and we had
to stay all day at Bro Betts and and
family all night and it was Raining
and snowing all night and the ground
was covered with snow on the morning
of Dec 14th we went to Sister Marinda
McDaniels and stayed all night
Dec 15th we went ot Samuel
Millers to hold Meeting But the
weather was so cold that there
was no one came to meeting
and we did not hold Meeting and
we stayed all night
Dec 16th we stayed all day on
account of the cold weather
and all night
[Page 99 of 184]
1901
Dec 17th we went to vienna and got our
Mail I got two Letters one from my Loving
Wife and one from President Neils Thompson
and I answered the one to My Dear Wife
and the weather was so cold that we
concluded to stay all Night with
Bro Wm Franciss through the persuasi(on)
of Sister World and Sister Francis
Dec 18th we went to Mr William Browns
and stayed all night Mr Brown gave
me a Cypress walking cane
Dec 19 Mr William Browning came to Mr
Browns and kindly invited us to go home
with him which we Gratefully Excepted
and we went home with Mr Browning
and stayed all day and night with him
and his family it Being the coldest
and most snow of the season so far
Dec 20 we administered to one of Mr Brownings
Children and then left there for Bro Samu(el)
Finleys and walked about four Miles
through the snow arriving at Brother
[Page 100 of 184]
1901
Finleys at about one o clock P.M.
and got dinner and stayed all night
Dec 21st we went to Bro Bennit Parks
and stayed all night with them it was
cold and snow on the ground
Dec 22nd we went to Mr Charles Wrights
and stayed all night with them the
weather had Moderated a great deal
and the Snow was thawing.
Dec 23rd Elder Wilson and myself went
to vienna to the Post Office Elder
Wilson got two Letters and a news
paper while I looked on in disapoint-
ment in not geting any letters we
Eat Dinner with Sister Francis
and Family and Sister World and
Bro Wilson went back to the Post
office while I Read the news paper
and then we through the snow and
mud to Sister Marind. Macdaniels
and stayed all night. Dec 24 we
went to the district called No 9
[Page 101 of 184]
1901
and visited two Familys one by the
Name of Watson and another By the Name
of Frank and then we went to
Samuel Millers and stayed all night and
spent Christmass with them Dec 25th we stayed
all Day and night with them I wrote a letter
to my Loving Wife and family Dec 26th
we left the Neck as it is called and to vienna
to the Post office and I got a letter from my
Son Warren with five dollars and three
postage stamps in it and a packedge with
three white hankerchiefs in it one had my
Enitials of my Name worked in it which
gave me much Pleasure to see something
that was from home and I Bought me a
Pair of Boots to keep my feet Dry and
warm and a new neck tie we Eat
Dinner with Sister Eliza Francis and then
we walked on to Bro W. W. Betts and
stayed all Night with him and
family Dec 27 we went to a place
called Goreville and asked for a Bro
[Page 102 of 184]
1901
By the Name of Jones and went to
his place and found that he was not
at home we passed on to a place by
the Name of Pulleys Mill and stayed
all night with a Bro By the Name of
M. L. E. Newland
Dec 28th I wrote a letter to my Son Warren
and my Loving Wife and Posted it at Pulley
Mill after Dinner we went to Mr Berl
Johson who greeted us with the greatest
Respect and welcom us in to his house
and we stayed all Night with him
Dec 29th we stayed all day with Mr
Johnson and all night Dec 30 I
wrote a letter to Presidant Neils
Thanpson and we went to (Bro) Tannar
Adams clost to Goreville and
took Dinner with him and then
we went to Bro W. W. Bills and
stayed all night with them and
family Dec 31st we stayed all day
at Bro Betts and he killed hogs that
Day and we stayed all night with them
[Page 103 of 184]
1902
January 1st Elder Wilson and myself
Bid fair well to Bro Betts and
Family and went to vienna for our
Mail Elder Wilson Recieved three letters
and two papers I was Disapointed in
not geting any letter from home one of
Bro Wilson letters was from Elder Routter
to us Boath stating that thear would
Be three New Elders added to our
Conference including one of them to
Be our conference President Elder Wilson
went Back to the Post office to post a
letter to Bro Routter and got me two
Letters one from my Loving Wife
and one from my Son Alvin from
the Big Horn Country I read one of
the at Bro Wm Francis s and then
we started out from vienna and
went to Mr Samuel Millers and
stayed all night January 2 I helped
Mr Miller and his son Gether cann
all day gitting in about 80 Bushels
into the crib Elder Wilson went
[Page 104 of 184]
1902
and gave out a meeting to be held
at Mr Millers at two o clock on Sunday
the 4th Jan 2nd I helped gether corn and
Elder Wilson visited two or three family
January 3 I was helping to gather corn
Jan 4th I helped to gether corn a half day
Jan 5th Elder Wilson and my Self held
Meeting at Mr Samuel Millers at two
o clock and stayed all night at Samuel
Millers
Jan 6th Elder Wilson and myself went
to vienna and I got two letters one from
my loving Wife and one from Presidant
Neils Thompson of the 93 Quorum of
Seventies which gave me much
comfort and Encouragement and went to
Bro Betts and stayed all Night
Jan 7th we stayed all Day and all Night
Jan 8th we left Bro Betts and called
at Sister Williams and had a chat
with her on the Road to vienna Elder
Wilson got a letter and the Era
and then we went to Bro Wm Francis
[Page 105 of 184]
1902
and stayed all night Jan 9th I wrote
a letter to my Loving Wife and family
and posted it and then we went to Sister
Marinda MacDaniels and got Dinner
and Elder Wilson cut up a hog for Sister
Marinda MacDaniels and got Dinner
and Elder Wilson cut up a hog for Sister
Zada Miller a widow and helped her
salt it at Sister McDaniels in the Evening
we went to Mr Charles Wright and
stayed all night with him and family
Jan 10 I choped some wood in the morning
Before we left Mr Wrights and then we
went to Sister Mcdaniels and Done some
writing in our journals
Jan 11 we went to Bro Bennets Parks
and stayed all Night and all Day Bro
Parks Brought me a letter from
the post office from my Son and
Daughter Warren and Edna
Jan 12th I wrote a letter to Edna
and comenced one to Warren
we held Meeting at 215 and
then went to Wm Browns and
stayed all Night
[Page 106 of 184]
1902
Jan 13th we went to vienna and
got our mail I got two Letters one
from my Sister Amanda C. Wixom
that is in Idaho and one from my
sisterenlaw Annie B Despain in
Behalf of the Relief Society of Grant
Ward with $10 dollars in it and
I answered it and Eat Dinner at Bro
Francis I went down and posted some letters
and went to the store and got myself
some cuffs and a pencil and then we
went to Samuel Millers and stayed
all Night with them
Jan 14th we went to (Bro) Samuel Finleys
and got Dinner and I wrote a letter to
my Sister Amanda. C. Wixom that is
in oakley Idaho in answer to one
that I got on the 13th of this month
and at night we held a cotage
Meeting at 730 in the Evening and
Stayed all Night at Bro Samuel
Finleys Jan 15th Elder Wilson
[Page 107 of 184]
1902
and I went to Cypress and visited
Sister J. M. Smith and her Son
Richard Smith I mailed Some
Seed corn field Peas home and
a letter to my Sister Amanda
C. Wixom in Oakley Idaho and
I had my Boots half Soled and
heel taps put on them and then
Returned to Bro Finleys and
got Supper and then we went to Mr
Penders and held Meeting and stayed
all night with them and Eat Breakfast
Jan 16th Elder Wilson and Went to Millers
in Pulasha Co a distance of 15 miles to
Bro Jeroam Colemans and stayed all
night Jan 17th we visited Sister Ray
and strold around over town and Eat
Dinner with Sister Ray and then went Back
to Bro Colemans and stayed all night
Jan 18th we went up town and to
the Saw Mill and watched the men Saw
lumber and seen how they hauled
[Page 108 of 184]
1902
Logs out of the cash Creek with steam
Power By letting a log car down in to the
water deep Enough to let the Logs float on
to it and then pull the car up to the skid
way By Steam Power and then we went to
the veneering Mill and watched the men make
ve neer from Blocks of wood on pieces of Big
Logs of wood Returned to Bro Colemans and
got supper and had a chat with the Family
and then we went to Mr John Rays and stayed
all night Jan 18th we went Back to Bro Coleman
and went in to the woods and Bent some Hickory
Walking sticks and stayed all Night with Bro
Colemans Family
Jan 19th was Sunday We Stayed all day at Bro
Colemans and Shaved and I wrote a letter
to my Loving Wife and in the Evening we
went to a Methodiest Meeting and listen to a lot
of demonstrations Made by the Minister
that was not true after the meeting we went
Back home with Bor Coleman and Stayed
all night with them
[Page 109 of 184]
1902
Jan 20th we left Bro Colemans for a place
By the Name of Cypress in Johnson Co
a distance of 12 miles calling at Mr Jeff
Roberts for a few minits arriving Sister
J. M. Smiths at a bout half past 2 o clock
and got our dinner and it comenced to
Rain and we stayed all night with Sister
Smith and her Son Carle
Jan 21st we went to (the Post office and posted a letter to my Wife) to a place called Tadpole
and stoped at Sister Holdshizers and got
Dinner the weather Being windy and snowing
the Roads Being Mudy we went from Holt-
Shizers to Bro Samuel Finleys a distance
of about 5 miles from Sister Smiths
and stayed all Night at Bro Finleys
Jan 22 Elder Wilson and myself went to
vienna stoping on the way at Samuel Millers
a few minits when we got to vienna we
got two Letters from Presidant Jos M.
Christainson and I got two Letters from
my Wife and one from My Daughter in (Law)
Julia Despain we Eat. Dinner with
Sister Francis and her Mother Sister World
[Page 110 of 184]
1902
and then we went Back to Mr Samuel Miller
and got supper and went to Mr Wm Brown's
who was very sick and stayed there about two
hours and then we went Back to Samuel
Millers and stayed all Night
Jan 23 we went to vienna and I got a
letter from my Wife we got Dinner at Bro
Wm Francis Jan 24th we went to the Depo to
meet the Presidant of the conference But
he failed to come and then we went Back
to Bro Francis and got supper and went Back
to the Depo at 630 and the President did not
come then we went to a Collered Meeting
and heard a collered Minister Deliver his
sermon there was only 12 collard people and
three white persons at the meeting then we
went to Bro Williams Frances and stayed all
all night
Jan 25th we went to the Depo and then
from there to Sister Zada Millers and got
Dinner and then from there to Samuel
Millers and stayed all night with them
[Page 111 of 184]
1902
Jan 26th was Sunday we went to Bro Bennets
Parks and shaved and Eat Dinner with them
and Bro Wm. Francis was there for Dinner also
Elder Wilson and myself went to Samuel
Millers to hold meeting But it Rained
and there was not Enough came to hold
meeting so them was none We stayed
all night at Samuel Millers
Jan 27 we went to vienna for our Mail
a distance of four Miles I got two letters
one from my Son Alvin. A. Despain
and one from Presidant Neils Thompson
of the 93 Quorum of Seventies we sent
a letter to Presidant Jos M. Christianson
and I sent one to my Loving Wife that I
wrote and then we went to Buncomb
to Bro W. W. Bells Making a distance of
about ten miles in all that Day on foot
we stayed all night with them
Jan 28 we rote some letters and cards
and Elder Wilson took them to Buncom(b)
Post office the letter that I wrote was
to my Son Alvin A Despain we
[Page 112 of 184]
1902
stayed all night again at Bro W. W. Betts.
it was Raining and sleeting all night the
(Jan 28th) Weather Looked so Bad that we did not
Leave Bro Betts it was Raining and sleeting
the most of the Day and I wrote in my Jour-
nal
Jan 30th we went to Vienna to the Post
office I got a letter from my Son Douglas
C. Despain and Lauretta and [word crossed out] Tessa
and Olive and then we went to Bro
Wm Francis and got Dinner and then
we went and visited Mr Parks and a
Sister By the name of Arta Laneen
who was sick and then we went Back
to Bro Francis and from there to Sister
Marinda MacDaniels and stayed all
Night
Jan 31st we went to Samuel Millers
and got Dinner and then to the school
haus and seen the School teacher and had
him to give out that there would be
meeting there in the School house on
Saturday and Sunday and there we
[Page 113 of 184]
1902
went to Mr James Wrights and had a
talk to him then we went to Mr Wm
Browns and administered to Mr Brown who
was sick and stayed all night with them
Fed 1st we went to Samuel Millers and
then we went to the school house and
cleaned it out and Made a fire in it to
warm it up for Meeting at two oclock
and went Back to Samuel Millers and
gor Dinner and shaved and went to Meeting
and Met Elders Levern Barrus and Presidand
Joseph M. Christainsen and we held Meeting
Elder Barrus and myself went to Bro Bennet
Parks and stayed all night
Feb 2nd Elder Barrus and myself went to Mr
James Wrights to see if we could get their
organ for the Meetings But the Ice and sleet
was (so) Bad and Every Body was scarde to
hitch up their teems there was such a
hard Sheet of Ice that it was two slick
for to drive teams over Elder Barrus and
myself Met Elder Wilson and Presidant
[Page 114 of 184]
1902
Christainson at Mr James Wrights and
then we went to Meeting at 11 oclock holding
fast Day Meeting My Self Being the first speaker
Elder Barrus was the second speaker and Elder
Wilson was the third and last speaker then
Elder Barrus and I went to Mr Samuel Millers
and got Dinner at 6 oclock we went to
Meeting Presidand Joseph M Christainson
ocupied the time then Elder Barrus (and myself) went
Back to Samuel Millers and stayed all Night
Elder Wilson and Presidant Christanson went
to Bro Bennet Parks and stayed all Night
Feb 3rd Presidant Jospeh M Christainsen and
myself went to Mr James Wright and made
a short visit and then we went to Sister
Marinday MacDaniels and got lunch and
stayed all night
Feb 4th Presidant Christainsen and myself
wrote some letters in the fore noon and
Eat Dinner and then we went to vienna
and got our mail and went to the Barber
shop and got shaved and shampoon and I got
[Page 115 of 184]
1902
my hair cut and then Back to Bro Wm Francises
and stayed all Night with them
Feb 5th I went to the shoe shop and got my Boot fixed
and I got some Buttons for my vest and coat Presid(ent)
Christainsen (and I) went to (Mr Lansers and had prayer Sister
Lansers was sick) the Post office and got
a letter for me from my Loving and true Wife
Dated Jan 25 we then went to Bro Francises and
got Dinner and then we went to Charlie Wright
and visited with them a little while and then
we went to Sister Marinda MacDaniels
and got Supper and stayed all Night
Feb 6th Eders Wilson and Barrus came to
Sister MacDaniels and took Dinner with
all of us and then Presidant Jos. M. Cristain(son)
took their Departure from the folks and
Elder Wilson and myself walked with
them for a couple of miles and then we
Bade them farewell and then Elder Wilson
and myself turn Back and went to Mr
James Wrights and had a long conversat(ion)
and Elder Wilson played on the organ and
we stayed all night with them
[Page 116 of 184]
1902
Feb 7th Elder Wilson and myself went
to Bro Bennit Parks and done some wash
Eat Dinner and then went to Mr Benard
and called at Bro S. Finleys and Mr
Penders on the Road a distance of a
bout 6 miles from Mr James Wrights
to Mr Benards
Feb 8th Elder Wilson and myself went to
Bro Samuel Finleys and stayed all day
Bro Wilson went to Cypress and Mailed some
letters and we stayed all night at Bro Finley
Feb 9th Elder Wilson and myself went to
Mrs Samuel Millers and got Dinner and
held Meeting at two o clock Elder Wilson
was the speaker and then we stayed all
night at Mr Samuel Millers
Feb 10th we went to vienna and got our
Mail I got two letters one from my Son
Alvin A Despain and one from my
Daughter Edna and some from the
Little girls we got Dinner at Bro Wm
Francises and we went to the
photo gallery and had Some Photos
[Page 117 of 184]
1902
taken and then we went to (Mr) Charles
Wrights and stayed all night
Feb 11th we went to Sister Marinda Mc-
Daniels and done some writing in my
journal we took Dinner with Sister
Mcdaniels and then we went to Mr
Charles Watson s and stayed all Night
Feb 12 we went to Mr Frank Leenas
and there was no one at home and we
went to Mr Wm Browns and stayed all
night (Feb 13th) I went to the Woods with the Boys
and helped them to chop some wood Elder
Wilson went to Samuel Millers and I
stayed at Browns for dinner and then I
went to Millers and that Elder Wilson had
gone to Bro Bennett Parks and I followed
him up and we stayed all night at Bro
Parks Feb 14th it snowed all the fore noon
(and I wrote a letter home to My Wife and Son Warren) and Blowed and snowed all the after noon
I stayed all night at Bro Parks Elder
Wilson went to Samuel Millers and stayed
all night. Feb 15 I went to Samuel Millers
and then Elder Wilson and myself went
[Page 118 of 184]
1902
to vienna got dinner at Bro Wm Francises
and got dinner and then we went to the photo
Gallery and got our pictures and then we
went Back to Bro Francis and I put some
little Presents in a Box for the little Folks
at home and then Elder Wilson and myself
went Back to the post office and I posted a
letter to my Son Warren and a Box to my
Wife and then we went to Bro W. W. Betts
Making a distance of abut ten miles for
that Day Stoping all night at Bro Betts
Feb 16th was Sunday we stayed all day at
Bro W. W. Bette and all night
Feb 17 Elder Wilson and myself went from
Buncombe to Pulleys Mills we called at Bro
Monrow Adams and got dinner at Goreville
in the after noon we went onto Pulleys
Mill to Bro L. E. M. Newlands got supper
and stayed all Night with them Bro Feb 1
Newland was sick and we administered
to Bro Newland and the Doctor came in and
we had a long conversation withe him his
Name was Doctor Fryer
[Page 119 of 184]
1902
we got dinner and went to Mr B. S. Johnsons
and got supper and Mr Johnsons Son and
Daughter gave us some Music on their
fiddles and then went to the organ and
Miss Jennie Johnson played some tunes
on the organ Elder Wilson played Some and
Miss Jennie helped him to sing one or two
hymns we chatted a while and then went
to Bed Feb 19th we stayed all day and
chatted with the old Gentleman and
stayed all Night with them
Feb 20th we went to Bro W. W. Betts
walking about Eight Miles got Dinner
and supper and stayed all Night with
them Feb 21st We left Bro Betts and went
to vienna and got our Mail I get one
letter from my Wife and Son Warren
I got My Boots half soled and Baught
myself a new hat and then we
went to Sister Marindas McDaniels
and stayed all Night
Feb 22nd we went to Bro Bennett
Parks I wrote a letter to Loving
[Page 120 of 184]
1902
Wife Sarah. C. Despain and my Son
Warren and we stayed all night at
Bro Parks and a good chat with then
Feb 23rd we went to Mr Samuel Miller
and Stayed all Night and had
Feb 24th Elder Wilson and myself went
to Bro Samuel Finleys a distance of
four Miles and stayed all night with
Bro Finleys
Feb 25th we went to a place called Cyprs
an posted some letters and visited Sister
Margret. J. Smith Eat dinner with her
and then we went to Samuel Miller
and stayed all Night
Feb 26th the Roads was so Mudy that
we could not travel so we stayed all
day and I Made two ax handles to
pass a way the time and choped
some wood for the fire place and
Stove to cook with and we
Stayed all Night again at Samuel
Millers Feb 27th it was storming
or Raining in the fore noon
[Page 121 of 184]
1902
in the after Noon we went to
Mr William Browns and got into the
(Mud) over shoe tops
Feb 28 the mud was so Bad that we
stayed all (I got a letter from Dear Sarah and children and Warren])
day at Mr Browns and all
Night
March 1st we went to Samuel Millers
and Eat dinner with them and then
we went to Sister Zada Millers and
had a chat with them I gave one of my
picturs to Sallie Miller and then we
went to Sister Marinda McDaniels
and stayed all night
March 2nd I answered My Dear Wifes
letter and Lauretta and then we went
to Mrs Charlies Wrights and stayed all
Night had Breackfast
March 3 we went to vienna and got
our mail I got a letter from my
fellow Bro in the quorum Bro Neils
Thompson of Sandy and then we
went to the photo gallery and ordered
[Page 122 of 184]
1902
one Dozen and a half more pictures
and from there to the depo to see the agent
about our Permits and then to the Shoe
Shop and got our shoes and Boots fixted
and posted some letters and went to Bro
Wm Francises and stayed all Night
March 4th we stayed all day at Wm
Francises and all night
March 5 we went to see Bro W.W.
Bitts and Stayed all night walking
about five miles
March 6th we stayed at Bro Betts
and I wrote a letter to Bro N Thompson
and I went to the woods where
Bro Betts and his Boys was making
Spoakes and we stayed all night
at Bro Betts
March 7th we stayed all day with
Bro Betts it Rained in the after
noon
March 8th we went to Buncombe with
Bro Betts Family and then walked to
Sister Marinda McDaniels a Distance
of about seven Miles and stayed all Night
[Page 123 of 184]
1902
March 9th Elder Wilson and myself went
to Zada Millers a widowed sister and
stoped for an hour and chatted with her
and her Family for one hour and then
we went to Samuel Millers and held
a cottage Meeting in his House after
Dinner at two o clock in the Evening
we went to Bro Bennitt Parks
and stayed all Night
March 10th we had Breakfast I split
some wood while Elder Wilson went
to Samuel Millers to see if Dossie Miller
could play her lesson on the organ I
went to the woods and gethered some gum
Balls for orniments to send home untill
Dinner after Dinner I wrote a letter to
my loving Wife
March 11 Elder Wilson and myself went
to vienna and posted some Letters
and I sent a package of orniments
to my Loving Wife changed our
cloths and then we went to
Mr Charles Wrights and stayed all night
[Page 124 of 184]
1902
March 12th we went to Mr Wm Brown
and stayed all Night
March 13th we stayed all day at Mr Browns
and Night
March 14th we went to Mr Samuel Miller
and then we went to vienna and I
got a letter from my Loving Wife and
one from the Rail Road Authorities
the one that came from my Wife
informed me of my Sons Robert and
Alvin having the Small Pox we
visited Sisters World and (Sister) Francis
and Eat Dinner with them and then we
went to Bro W. W. Betts and stayed all
Night with them I answered my Wifes Letter
March 15th we stayed till after Dinner
and Bro Betts hiched up his team and
Brought us to vienna (and I mailed a letter to Wife) we went to
Bro Frances for a few minuits and
then we walked to Samuel Millers
and stayed all night with them
March 16th Elder Wilson went to
[Page 125 of 184]
1902
Bro Bennett Parks and I wrote a
letter to my sons that is in Wyoming
and then I went to Bro Samuel
Finleys to tell him about the meet-
ing and I walked Back to Samuel
Millers in time for Meeting at two
o clock and Elder Wilson and mhyself
held the Meeting and then we went to
Bro Parks and stayed all night
March 17th we went to vienna to
see if our permits had come and Eat
Dinner with Bro Wm Francis and Bro
Wilson went Back to the Post office
and then we went to Sister McDani(els)
and stayed all night
March 18 we went to vienna
and I got a letter from my
Nephew Orson L Despain from
Sevier County Utah and I answ-
ered it and then we went to Mr
Samuel Millers and stayed
all night
[Page 126 of 184]
1902
March 19th I went to vienna
with Mr Miller and got my
Dinner at Bro William Francises
and then to the Post office and
then I walked Back to Mr
Millers Elder Wilson visited
a Mr Charles Watson to get
the Book of Mormon which he
had of Elder Wilsons and then
we went to Bro Bennitt Parks
and stayed all night with them
March 20th I made a hen coop for
Sister Parks while Elder Wilson went
to vienna to se about our Permits
and I raked the weeds off of some of
Sister Parks garden
March 21st we went to Sister Browns and
found No one at home and from there
to Bro Samuel Finleys and stayed all
night with them we met a young
Man by the Name of Snow that
told me that he weighed 212 hundred
lbs and then we went to Mr Samuel
[Page 127 of 184]
1902
Millers and stayed all Night
March 22 I went to vienna to see about
our Permits and Mailed a letter to
the officials and sent a card to the
Post Master in DuQuion telling him
to hold my Mail there untill I call
for it and then I went to Bro Wm
Francis and Eat Dinner and then
I walked Back to Mr Schiller's
and then Elder W. H Wilson and I
went to Mr Wm Browns and stayed
all night
March 23rd we went to Mr Samuel
Millers and stoped a few Minits
and from there to Bro Samuel
Finleys I stoped at the Bro Finleys
while Elder Wilson went to Mr
Benards to see about holding meeting
Elder Wilson Returned to Bro Finleys
amd we had dinner and then we went
to Mr Benards and held Meeting
at three fifteen and then we
[Page 128 of 184]
1902
Returned to Bro Finleys and stayed
all Night with them
March 24th we went to vienna
Stoping at Mr Samuel Millers on the
way and when we got to the Post
Office we found that our Permits
was there and I got a letter from
My two Sons Robert and Alvin
and then we went to Bro Franciss
and Eat dinner and then we Bade
Sisters World and Francis farewell
and then we went to Sister Marinda
McDaniels and Bade her and Sister
Alice Miller farewell and then we
went to Bro Bennet Parks and Bade
them farewell and then went to Mr
Samuel Millers Making about 12
Miles walk for that day and we
Stayed all Night with Mr Miller
March 25th Elder Wilson and myself
Bade farewell to Samuel Miller
and Family and walked to a place
[Page 129 of 184]
1902
Called Ullen in Pulaska County
a distance of 18 Miles Stoping at Bro
Jeroam L Coleman ariving there
at about half past three o clock in
the after noon I gave Sister Coleman
one of my photos and her Daughter
one also and we stayed all night
with them
March 26 we stayed all Day in Ullen
and visite Mr Jeff Roberts in the
after Noon and I Bought me a shirt
on our way Back to Bro Coleman
and we stayed all Night
March 27 we Bade farewell to
Bro Coleman and Family and took
train for Du Quoin Perry Count
at 9.20 oclock we arrived at DuQuoin
and went to Bro Smythgalls Elder
Wilson went to the Post office and
Brought me a letter from my loving
Wife which gave me Much pleasure
to Learn that all was well at home
[Page 130 of 184]
1902
and we visited Bro Frank. Ritters family
and went Back to Bro Smythgall and
stayed all Night with them
March 28 we visited Bro Coventry
Archibald and took Dinner with them
and then we went about town and then
we went to Bro Smythgall and found
Bro Frank Ritters there waiting for us
to go home with him we went home
with him and stayed a few minuits
with him and family his wife was
Sick we went to Bro Archibalds
and took Supper with them and then
we went to one of his Daughters and had
the old folks went a long with us
and three Name of his Daughters and two
of their husbands came in and we
had a good time we had Some Music
and Songs and hymns Sund and
accompanied on the Piano until ten
oclock and then there came in anoth
Soninlall cane in and nothing
[Page 131 of 184]
But Elder Wilson should Make a
talk on the princpals of the gospel
and he talked for three quarters of
an hour and then we went Back
to Bro Christian Smythgalls at 11
oclock P. M. and went to Bed
March 29 at 7.45 oclock Elder Wilson
and myself Started for Round Prairee
on foot a distance of fourteen Miles
arriving at Bro Rodolph Blatters at
three oclock P.M. and got Dinner
and had a Bath and changed our under
clothe and stayed all Night with Bro
Blatters
March 30 Elder Wilson and myself
went to Bro Gernards with Bro and
Sister Blatter and Eat Dinner with
the Gernards Folk and held Meeting
at two oclock and after Meeting
we went Back to Bro Blatters and
Eat Supper and stayed all Night
with them
[Page 132 of 184]
1902
March 31st Elder Wilson and myself Walked
from Bro Rodalph Blatters Round Prairer
to DuQuoin a distance of about 16 miles
and stayed all Night with Bro Christain
Smythgall
April 1st we Boarded the Illinois Centril
train at 8+15 A M. for a station By the
Name of Watson in Effinghain County Ill
passing through a small town by the Name
of Tamray at 8+50 A.M. through Bois at 9 Am
through Ashley at 9+15 A.M. through Raydom (9+8AM)
through Richview at 9+20 Am through
Irvington at 9+27 Am Through Centrailia 9+37
Am through Centril City at 9+55 Am
through Oen at 10+10 A.M. through Tonti
at 10+21 A M through Alma at 10+31 A M
through Kinmiondy at 10+42 A.M. through
Farina at 11+ AM. through Leclede at
11+8 A.M. throught Edgwood at 11+15 am
through Clio at 11+23 A.M. off at Wats
at 11+30 A.M. and then we walked to
Bro Hoggs a distance of about 8 miles
[Page 133 of 184]
1902
and then to Bro John Mores and met
Elder A L Barrus and Ward Elder
Ward and myself went to the Post
office and I got a letter from my
Nephew Orson L Despain from
Sevier County Utah and then Elder
Ward and I went to Bro Hogges and
Stayed all Night with them
April 2 we went to the school
call the Hill School house and
Met Elders Wilson and Barrus
they was cleaning out the house
to hold Conference in and then Elders
Wilson and Barrus and Ward went
to Bro Hoggss and got their organ
while a keat the News and wrote
up my Journal the Elders came
Back to the School House with the organ
and then Elder Ward and myself
went to Bro Howard Willits and
and Stayed all Night and Elders
Wilson and Barrus went to Bro
[Page 134 of 184]
1902
Hodges and set up with them
as they had some sick Folks
April 3rd we four Elders met
at the School House and chatted and
Elders Barrus and Wilson practiced
Some hymns on the organ and
then Elder Ward and myself went
to Bro John Mores or more comm
gly known as Uncle John Mores
and stayed all Night with them
April 4th Elder Ward and myself
went to the School House and
met Elder W H. Wilson and Elder
Barrus and chatted them for a while
and then Elder Wilson went with
myself and Elder Ward to where we
could get a place to Stay During
our Conference at Uncle Henry
More is a friend of the Elders and
Elder Ward and myself stayed
all Night at Uncle Henry
Mores
[Page 135 of 184]
1902
April 5 Elder Ward
and myself Went to the School
House and Met Elder Barrus
and got A Notice Directed to
the Mormom Preachers warning
us Elders to get out and stay out
and then four More Elders came
Elder Kotter and Elder Ephream
Roberry and Elder Whiteside and
Elder James (and Elder Hetchen) came and joined us
and we all had a laugh at the
Notice and then we all went to supper
at 7+30 oclock we held meeting with
Presidant Woodruff and President
Christainson was with us and Pres
Christainson Presiding after singing
President Christainson called on me
to open the Meeting By Prayer which
I did Elder Kotter was the first speaker
Elder Fletcher was the second speaker
Presidant Woodruff was the third
Speaker after Meeting we all went to
our places to Stay all Night
[Page 136 of 184]
1902
April 6th at 11 o clock A. M. we all
Meet at the School House and held
our Priest Hood Meeting and we
got our appointments and New
companions I was appointed to Labor
with Elder Andrew W. Thomson in
Douglas County at two o clock we
held one of our conference Meetings
after singing Elder Ephefram Rowberry
opened Prayer and then there was singing
Elder O L Barrus was the first speaker
and then Presidant Joseph. M. Christainson
was the second Speaker and then there
was an adjournment till seven o clock
At seven o clock we conviened after
singing and Prayer Presidant Wood-
ruff was the first speaker and
Elder Wm H Wilson was the second
Speaker and then Conference adjourned
and then we all went to our place
to stay all night
April 7th we Bade farewell to
Each other and then we separate
[Page 137 of 184]
1902
I ricieve a letter from my Wife
and Son Warren with an order
for 8 dollars in it and then after
dinner Elder A. W. Thomson and I
went ot Bro John Mores and stayed
all Night
April 8th Elder A. W. Thomson and
myself bade fare well to Bro More
and family and started for a place
called Bagota in Jasper County Ill
ariving there at about three o clock
at Bro G. W. Winters a distance of
sixteen Miles and Stayed all Night
with Bro Winters
April 9th Elder A. W. Thomson and
myself left Bro Geo W Winters at
Bagota at a bout nine o clock A. M.
and walked to a place called Newton
a distance of nine Miles arriving at
a Mr George Hall at about three
o clock P.M. and stayed all night
with them having a good time Elder
Thomson and Miss Ana Hall playing
[Page 138 of 184]
1902
on the organ and singing together
April 10th we went to the coal mine
where Mr Hall worked and looked
around and then back to Mr Halls
for Dinner and we Eat Some Walnuts
and some Hickoy Nuts and then we
Eat some Dinner was weighed and
I weighed one hundred and fifty lbs
and then we stayed all Night with Mr Hall.
April 11 Elder Thomson and myself left
Newton at about Eleven o clock (AM) for Mattoon
arriving there at about 12+30 P.M. stoped there
about two hours and half and then took train
for Areola Douglas Co Ill arriving there
at a bout half past 5 o clock P.M. then we
walked around with the City Marshal to
find a place to put up at after walking
around for an hour we found a Room at
a Mrs Hobbs and rented one of her for
$5 and 50 cts for month paying her for the
Months Rent and then went and got our
grips and things and Brought them to
our room and went to Bed
[Page 139 of 184]
1902
April 12th we walked around the town
and took in in the sights and Rented a
Box at the Post office No 354 and I wrote
one letter to my Wife and then we got
Some provisions and Eat our supper
and then we went to Bed
April 13th was Sunday I wrote two
letters one to My two Sons Robert H.
And Alvin A Despain and posted
them and one to Neils Thompson
and put them in to the Post office
and had something to Eat and studied
my testament and then went to Bed
April 14th Elder A.W. Thomson and I
went to see if we could get a school
House to preach in But was Refused
it goes by the name of the Welsh
School House and then we tryed
to get a presbytarin church But failed
in that But while we was trying
to get those two houses we Distributed
Some tracts and leaflets and had
some gospel conversations we was
[Page 140 of 184]
1902
out a bout five hours for that day
and then I went to the Bakery and got some
Bread and a pumkin pie and we Eat supper
and Elder Thomson went to the Post office
But got nothing
April 15th Elder Thomson and I left our
Room at twenty Minuts to ten o clock
(am) and walked out about Six miles
and tryed to get a house to preach
in But did not succeed as we only
got to see one of the Directors we
distrabuted tracts on our way Back
Making about 16 miles altogether
Riturning to our Room at 6 oclo(ck)
P.M. April 16th Elder Thomson and I
left our Room in Areola at about
10 oclock A M and walked to
Chesterville a distance of about 6 miles
to see if we could get a church to
hold meeting in and was Refused
By two of the Directors professing
to Be Christains and then we
tracted on our way Back to
[Page 141 of 184]
1902
our Room I was invited to
Dine with a man by the Name
of Taylor and I eat Dinner with
him and Sold him a voice of
Warning to Mr Taylor we
arrived at our Room at half
past 6 oclock P.M.
April the 17 I went to the Post office and
got Elder Thomson a letter for him
from Elder Jensen and then we went
out to Chesterville and tracted that
place and seen one of the Directors of
a School House but did not get the
house to hold Meeting and walked a
bout 10 Miles getting Back to our Room
at five oclock P.M.
April 18 it looked so much like Rain
that we did not go out tracting I went
to the Post office and got a litter from
home stating that my Son Warren
had bin very sick the Letter was
written on the 14th of April
we visited a BRoom Factory and
[Page 142 of 184]
1902
watched the Men Make Brooms and
then Returned to our Room and I wrote
two letters one to Bro Wm. A. Allen
and one to Bro W.W. Betts at Buncomb
Johnson County and Read the Deseret News
and I Read some in the Voice of Warni(ng)
April 19th it was saturday and we took a strol
about town and to an Elevator where
there was some me loading some
cars as the weather was Dissagreeable
we did not stay long and then we came
Back to our Room and I wrote two
letters one to Bro Coleman and Family
and one to my loving Wifee and children
April 20th was Sunday Elder Thomson and
myself after Breakfast tool a walk
He went to the Post office But got Nothing
and then we walked out on the Illinois
Central Rail Road two Miles South of
the town of Arcola and Back to our Room
and Studied our Books and it Rained
in the afternoon and I wrote a letter
to Bro and Sister Parks in Johnson Co
[Page 143 of 184]
1902
April 21st was Monday the wind Blew and
we did not a out tracting as that it loked like Rain
and I Recieved a letter from my
Sister Amanda C Wixom from Idaho
Dated March 29th
April 22nd Elder A W. Thomson and myself
went out tracting and spent 2 hours the
wind was heavy and we did not stay
long as it was disagreeable to go through
the wind and we Returned to our Room
in the after noon at a bout two oclock
and I wrote an answer to my sister
Amanda C Wixom in Oakley Cassa Co Idaho
and it Rained in the Evening and I had a chat
with a Mr Hobbs the Land Lord of the House
April 23 I went to the Post office and got
one letter for Elder Thomson and a packeg
or a Box with some cake in it and I Bought
Something to Eat and we stayed at our
Room all day on account of the cold
wind we walked around two Blocks
while our Land Lady cleaned up
our Room
April 24 Elder Thomson went to the
Post office and a letter for me it was
[Page 144 of 184]
1902
from my Loving Wife and Dutiful Son
Warren and a little peice from lovely
little son Lawrence at 10 oclock we went
out tracting and put in two hours at
it in the fore noon and three hours in the
after noon and then we went to our
Room and Eat supper and then Elder
Thomson went to the Post office and
got a letter from Elder Fletcher to himself
April 25 it was so windy that we did not
go out tracting and we layed around our
Room al day (April 26th) Elder Thomson went to the
Post office in the Morning and got a letter
and a photo from Robert H. Despain and
Family and Alvin for me which
pleased me very much to see the photos
of three of my grand children one of them
I had Never seen and I wrote a letter to
My loving Wife and son Warren
and little son Lawrence and went and
Mailed if and got my shirt and henc----
at the Chinese Laundry
[Page 145 of 184]
1902
April 27th it was sunday and we stay
ed at our Room and I wrote 2 letters to
My two Sons that are in Wyoming
Robert H and Alvin A Despain
April 28th Elder Thomson went to the
Post office and Brought me two letters
one from my loving Wife and children
and one from Presidant Neils Thompson
in the afternoon we was out tracting
for two hours I had a nice talking to
a Lady and then went to our Room
April 29th Elder Thomson went to the Post
Office and got the Paper and a Number of
the Era and one letter for myself from
my Loving Daughter Edna with a three
Dollar Post office order in it on account
of the Rain last night we did not go
out tracting untill after Noon
I visited Eleven Houses and met a
Minister of the Luthern Faith and
had a chat with him and then we
walked down the stree together I went
to the Post office and got my order cashed
[Page 146 of 184]
1902
and I Bought a bottle of shoe Pollish
April 30th Elder Thomson and myself walked
out a Place called Bourtin Ill a distance
of about 16 miles in all to Day
May the 1st Elder Thomson and myself
went out to a place called Zalton and
tryed to get a house to preach in but
failed we walked a bout ten miles
to day Being tired after our walk
I wrote two letters one to my
Loving Wife and one to my Lov
ing Daughter Edna
May 2nd We laid around our Room and
I went to the store and Bought myself
a pair of Shoes and 3 pair of socks and
a pair of cuffs
May 3 was Saturday I wrote a letter to
Mr Samuel Miller and family in
the fore noon Elder Thomson wrote
to Presidant Jos M. Christainson
May 4th was sunday Elder Thomson
and myself took a walk out about
two miles and Back to our Room
[Page 147 of 184]
1902
and Eat our dinner and I wrote a
letter to My Family and directed it
to my Son Douglas C. Despain it
took me all of the after noon to
write to them
May 5th Elder A. W. Thomson went to the Post
office and Brought me a letter from
my Loving Wife with a one dollar order
in it which I was Pleased to get as my
Perse was low I went to the Post office
and got my order cashed in the after noon
we went out tracting for two hours and
a half and I had a good time talking to
the Ladies
May 6th I was late geting started and did
not go out tracting But went out and set
down By a tree and studied my testament
in the fore noon the after noon was
Blustery and Raining So we had to stay
in our Room all the after noon and
Read the paper and the Era and our Books
May 7th I went to the Post office and got
Nothing came Back By the grocery and got something
to eat
[Page 148 of 184]
1902
after Breakfast we went out tracting for
two hours I came across an old Presbistarian
Babtiest Minister and a long chat with
him in the fore noon in the afternoon
I was out tracting and let one Lady have
a voice of warning and was out three hours
May 8 Elder Thomson went to the Post
office and got himself a letter from
home after Breakfast we went to
two places one By the Name of Tilson
and the other Name was Kemp a
distance of fifteen Miles walk for
to day and done some tracting on
the way
May 9th I went to the Post office and got
the Deseret News our paper and we Read
it in the fore noon in the after noon we
was out tracting for three hours and
then we went to our Room and Eat supper
Elder Thonson went to the Post office
and Brought me a letter from my son
Robert and Julia Despain with
a one dollar Bill in it
[Page 149 of 184]
1902
May 10th was Saturday Elder Thomson
and myself went on a Walk of a bout
two miles and gethered some Maple seeds
and Back and I wrote a letter to my
Son Robert H. Despain and Wife Julia
May 11th was Sunday after Breakfast Elder
Thomson and my self took a walk of about
one mile and a half and Back to our Room
I wrote a letter to my Dear Wife and
then we eat our Supper which consisted
of Light Bread and grape Nut food and
water and sugar there was a Gentleman
called in our Room for a few minits and
chated with us for a few Minits 19th Month
since we left home
May 12th Stayed at our Room in the fore
noon out tracting in the after Noon
for three hours and had some threats made
if we did not get out of the town
Met one lady that was at the head
of what is called Ladies aid Society
and spent about one hour in plesent
chat on the principles of the gospel
[Page 150 of 184]
1902
May 13th Elder Thomson and myself was
out tracting for one hour and a half the
after noon it Rained and we did not
go out in the afternoon
May 14th it looked so much like Rain that
we did not go out in the fore noon
the after noon I was out tracting for
four hours and visited a old gentleman
that was Blind and had bin for two
years and had Brights Desease Besides
May 15 (I recieved a letter from my Wife with $10) We Bid farewell to Arcola and
went to Mattoon arriving there about
two o clock P.M. and stayed all night
May 16th I wrote a letter to my Loving
Wife in answer to hers that I Recieved
on the 15th it was dated on the 12th of this
Month with a ten dollars order in it
I wrote a letter to Presidant J. M.
Christainson in the after Noon
May 17th We stayed in Mattoon all day
I Bought me a umberella and a
Shirt and a neck tie in the after
noon there is six elders here in
[Page 151 of 184]
1902
Mattoon at present Elder Thomson and I
will go to Douglas Co if all is well
May 18 is Sunday and us Elers are at
the Bourn in Mattoan this forenoon
Elder Knoth and myself went to a Presby-
terian Church in the Evening
May 19 it looked like Rain and Elder
Thomson and I did not leave Mattoon
I washed out some hankerchiefs
and a Pair of Socks I paid to Elder Barrus one (dollar tithing)
May 20 Elder Thomson and myself left
Mattoon and Walked to a place called
Dorane a distance of five Miles and it
Rained and we Returned By train Back
to Mattoon Because that it was so
muddy that we could not walk out in
the country in the Evening we sent our
dirty Clothing to the washer woman
May 21 Elder Thomson and myself
Stayed at head quarters all day I wrote
two Letters one home to my Dear
Wife and one to Presidant Neils
Thompson of Sandy Salt Lake Co
[Page 152 of 184]
1902
and I half soled my pants as they
Needed Some patches Before I went
to the country
May 23th Elder Thomson and myself left
Mattoon at 12+30 noon and Bought our tickets
for Golton Douglas Co ariving at Golton at
about one o clock P.M. and then we took
it a foot calling on the inhabitants of
the country as we traviled East for about
9 miles and stoped at a mans By the name
of Alonzo Hunter where they treated us
with the greatest of Respect and Enteret-
tained us over night
May 24th we left Mr Alonzo Hunters
at about six o clock A.M. and walked
a bout 6 miles and got caught in the
Rain and we hat to run under
an old corn brick shed out of the
Rain after the shower was over we
went on our way for about one mile
and a nother Shower overtook us and
we got in to an old Gentlemans
House and stoped for about two
[Page 153 of 184]
1902
hours waiting for the sunshine and
wind to Dry the mud and water up
and then we started for a town
by the Name of Newman ariving
at that place at about half past 7 o clo
P.M. Paying 75 cents a peice for supper
and Bed
May 25 we left Numan at Seven o clock
A.m and Started for Edgar Co Ill. going
through a place Called Thume a distance
of 6 miles and then out to Metcalf and
from ther to Mortenman in to Edgar
County arriving at Bro Albert Baity s
at about 6 o clock P.M. after supper Elder
Thomson sand some Hymns and we tad
a good chat with a young Lady By the
Name of Lida Miller and we Blessed
a Child of Bro and Sister Baity s
May 26th we stayed all day at Bro
Baitys and hoed out their garden to
pass away the time as we wanted to
Rest for one day after two days hard
walking
[Page 154 of 184]
1902
May 27th Elder Thomson and myself stayed
at Bro Albert J. Baitys all day and hoed
out some patatoes and some corn and
Read the News paper and sung some
Hymns and talked on the gospel some
and stayed all Night with them
May 28th we left Bro Baitys at about 8
o clock A.M. for Douglas Co Ill arriving
in that county at about 5 o clock P. M. and
Distributing tracts on the Road in the Evning
we tried at five differen houses Before
we got a place to stay all Night at the
fifth house we got Entertainment By a
man By the Name of George. M. Dawson
they treated us very kindly giving us
a feather Bed to sleep on
May 29th Eldr Tomson and myself left Mr
Dawsons at 7 A. M. and walked 20 Miles
to Stoping Tuscola Douglas Co Ill and put
up at the Douglas Hotell in Tuscola
May 30th we left Tuscola at 7 o clock A. M.
by train for Matoon arriving there
at about 8 o clock A. M. and stayed
[Page 155 of 184]
1902
all day and Night at head quarters
in Mattoon Coles Co Ill
May 31st we stayed at Mattoon waiting
for Elder Barrus and Elder Knott to
get located in Springfield the Capital
of Illinois as they left Mattoon this
Morning for that place and to locate
head quarters there for the Southern
Illinois Conference Elder Thomson went
to the Post office and got A letter for
me from my loving Wife and Daughter
Lauretta Dated on the 22nd of May it
came to Mattoon and then it was forw(ard)
to Newman and then Back again to
Mattoon again where I got it
June 1 was sunday we stayed at our
Room all day I answered My Dear Wifes
and Daughters welcom Letters in the Evening
three of us Elders went to the Christain
Church it was Elder Thomson and Elder
Whitesids and myself that went
Elder Shirtliff stayed at the Room
[Page 156 of 184]
1902
June 2nd we stayed at the Room all day
Elder Thomson went to the Post office
and Brought me a letter that the 29 of
May it was from my Loving Wife and
Daughter which gave me pleasure to hear
from home
June 3 Eler Thomson and myself and
Elders Whitesids and Shirtliff left
Mattoon for Springfield at 12+40
Noon going through Allenville and
Sullivan Bethany Dalton City
Hervey City Mount Zion Decature
where we saw Elders E Roberry
and James Jensen for a few minits
and then on through Baresdale and
Warrensburg Latham Mount Pulaski
where we changed cars for Spring
field arriving there at 4 oclock P.M.
there we left Elders Whitesids and
Shirtliff and Elder Thomson and
Myself took another train for
Virden going through Woodside
and Chatham Auburn and Theyer
[Page 157 of 184]
1902
Arriving at Virden at 5 oclock P.M.
and then we had to walk about
one mile and a half to my cousins
S.A.D. Reynolds and Mary Reynolds
arriving there at about 6 P.M. where
they Recieved us very Kindly and
gave us supper and Bed for the
Night Meeting with Miss Pearl
Reynolds and her sister Elzter we
had some Singing and Music on
the organ By Miss Pearl Reynolds
June 4th we stayed at S.A.D Reynol(ds)
all day Meeting with Ashel Reynolds
at noon as that he came to Dauglas
for dinner
June 5 we stayed all Day at Douglas
Reynolds and had an introduction to some
more Relatives as they happened to
come to see Cousin Mary Reynolds
one of her Nices and her husband
who gave us an invitation to visit
them which we agreed to do Elder Thomson
went to the Post office But got nothing
[Page 158 of 184]
1902
June 6th I went to the Post office with
Douglas Reynolds in his Buggy and I
got a letter for Elder Thomson from his
Wife stating that they was all well at
home while I was in town I had an
introduction to a Man by the Name of D. W.
Costley a second Cousin by Marrage
June 7 we walked around and chatted
I got a letter from home from my
Loving Wife and son Warren I was
pleased to learn that the folks was all
well and hearty
June 8th we stayed untill after dinner
with cousin Douglas Reynolds and cousin
Mary Reynolds and then Cousin Douglas
hitched up to his Buggy and took Elder
Thomson and myself to Girard about
four Miles to Cousins Asael Reynolds
there we found one of Cousin Asels
Daughters sick we was Welcomed
and we stayed all Night having
a good time with the family
[Page 159 of 184]
1902
June 9th we wrote home I wrote one
letter to Presidant Christensen and
one to my Wife and son Warren
in the after noon I went with cousin
Asa Reynolds out for a ride as he
asked me to go with him he was
an agent Selling Sewing Machines
for the Singer Sewing Machine Co
we went to Virden about four Miles
and Back
June 10th I went with Cousin Ida Reynolds
to her daughters and Back in the fore noon
we set around in the shade and about
three oclock Cousin Asa and Elder Thomson
and myself took a walk around through
the town of Giard Cousin Asa introducing
us to some of the prominant Men of the
town one Newspaper man with the
Rest of them he asked some questions
and I answered then for him and
then we came Back to Cousin
Asa s place and I straiten up my
Journal
[Page 160 of 184]
June 1902
June 11th I stayed at Reynolds all day and
Elder Thomson went to Virden with
A. Reynolds for a ride as he was going
with a Sewing Machine that he had
Sold as that Reynolds was an agent for
the Singer Machine Co
June 12th Cousin Asael Reynolds and
Elder Thomson and myself went to
Virden to see the unvailing of a statute
of a Phillipene Scout of the U.S
army which was interesting to all of
those that could get close Enough to
see and hear the Program But the day
was so warm it was uncomfor-
table in the sunshine Elder Thomson
got a letter from a Neice from San-
pete Co Utah I got two letters one
from Presidant Christensen and one from
Miss Agnes, Despain a Nice of mine from
Sanpete Co Utah we all three came
Back to Giard and I wrote two
letters one to Elder Barrus at Springfield
and one in answer to the one that I
[Page 161 of 184]
June 1902
got from my Neice in Sanpete Co utah
June 13th we Stayed at asa Reynolds and
visited Asa fatherinlaws in the Evening
June 14th we stayed at asa Reynolds till
after Dinner Cousin Moses. A. Newells
came and we went home with him
into Montgomery Co a distance of about
five Miles from Girard
June 15th we stayed all day with Cousin
Moses and talked up on the gospel and
Different Subjects all day staying all
Night Cousin asa Reynolds and Cousin
Ida came to Cousin Moses Newells and
Brought us Boath a letter a piace they
was from home mine was from
my loving Wife and Daughter Lauretta
June 16th we answered our letters
and took then and posted them in the
fore noon after dinner we went
to the Mail Box and got some Mail
for Jessa Newell and some for
Moses A Newell and called at Jessa
and delivered him his Maile Returning
[Page 162 of 184]
1902
to Moses a Newells and stayed all night
June 17th Elder Thomson and myself was
invited to Eat dinner with one Jesse. W.
Newell a son of Moses. A. Newells
which we Excepted and went and
took Dinner wih him and his Wife
and then back to Moses A. Newells
and stayed all night with them his
Daughter Exchanged photos with
me her Name is Agnes Newell
June 18th we walked around and passed
away the time waiting for Cousin
Moses A Newell to get through the cutting
his rye so that he could take us around
over the country
June 19th Cousin Moses after Breackfast
hitched on to his Buggy and took us for
a ride out over the country going to a man
By the Name of Caleb. Despain the son
of Jothon Despain Post office address is
Wagganor Mountgomery Co Ill and then
we went to Farmersville and then Back
[Page 163 of 184]
1902
to cousin Moses. A. Newell at two oclock
P.M. (I helped Agnes to pick some goos berries) we Stayed all Night
June 20th we got Ready to go to Girard
and it commenced Raining and we put off
going to Girard and stayed all night with
Moses A Newell
June 21st we went Girard cousin Moses took
us there in his Buggy to Asael Reynolds
we had dinner and Asael Reynolds
hitched up his horse and Buggy and
took us to virden to Douglas Reynolds
I got four leters at the Post office one
from Elder Barrus and one from Sister
Amanda C. Wixom one from my sons
Robert and Alvin Despain and when
we got to Douglas Reynolds there was
one from my loving Wife and one from (Neils Thompson)
June 22nd I answered Sister Amandas letter
cousin Bertha Lawd and Husband came
to Douglas Reynolds and brought some
Ice cream and we had a good time
for the Evening and they invited us to
Dinner for the next Day We Excepted
it
[Page 164 of 184]
1902
June 23rd Elder Thomson and I went
to Samuel Lawds and took dinner
with them and Enjoyed our selves very
Much got a letter from my Wife
which gave me much pleasure to
Learn that the family was all well
we Returned to Douglas Reynolds
in the Evening (I wrote to my Wife in answer) and stayed all night
June 24th I wrote to Presidant Christensen
and answered Roberts and Alvins letters
June 25th Elder Thomson and my self went
to Litchfield to Jacob Harvells arriving
there at about 9+30 Mr Harvell Made
us welcom and took us to the dwelling
House and intordused us to his Family
and they Made us welcome we chatted
and had Dinner Mr Harvell Excused
himself and went to his work as that
he was in the Jullery Buisness and
had to attend to his work
June 26th Elder Thomsom and myself
Stroald about the Beautiful City
of Litchfield and took in the sights of
[Page 165 of 184]
1902
the town and then Back to Mr Harvells
June 27th it Rained the most of the Day In
the after noon we went to the Barber shop
and got our hair cut and a shave and then
Back to Mr Harvells and in the after noon
there was a man come to Mr Harvells and
took a group of the folks that was at home
with myself included in the group and
photographed us
Jun 28 Elder Thomson and myself Bade
farewell to the Family of Jacob Harvells
his Wife was a cousin of mine and we
called at his Jewellry shot and Bade
him farewell and then left Litchfield
at 9+30 A. M for virden Macoupin Co Ill
arriving at virden at about 10+30 AM
and going to Mr S. A. D. Reynolds
one of my cousins it Rained all the after
noon it Raised the creek out of its Banks
in many places
June 29th it was Sunday and Elder Tomson
went to Springfield while a stayed
[Page 166 of 184]
1902
at virden and wrote two letters
one to my Dear Wife and to Presidant
Neils Thompson a particular friend
of mine Elder Thomson came Back from
Springfield and Brought my Release
to me at about nine oclock P.M.
June 30th I prepared to start for home
and waited for Elder Barrus to come
with my tickets But he failed to
come and I stayed all night with a
Mr Danuel. W. Costley a second cousin
of mine by Marrage
July 1st Boarded a train for East St Louis
at 7+40 A.M. in my travils on the way
I saw vast fiends of grain and corn
Being carried away by the flood that
was caused by the Resent Rains that
fell in some of the country that I
passed through on my way to East
St Louis I arrived in East St Louis
at about 11+45 A.M. Going to 604
franklin auv and from there to
[Page 167 of 184]
1902
William. A. Allens and got dinner
Meeting Elder W.H. Wilson at Allens
and then went to his Room and Met Elder
Wilford Ward there and from there Back
to 604 franklin auv for my Grip and
then Back to their Room and then I went
to Allens and got my things and Back to
the Room where Elders Ward and Wilson
was and stayed all night with them
July 2 I went to the Depo to meet Elder
Barrus But he did not come and then I
went to Mr Scovell and Eat Dinner
and had a Social time in the Evening
I went to Bro Allens with Elders
Wilford Ward and W.H. Wilson and
they held meeting and I stayed all Night
at William A Allens
July 3 I wrote two letters one home
to my Loving Wife and one to Elder
A.W. Thomson and Posted them and
then I went to Sister Millers to
for Dinner and Back to where the
Elders stop and then in the Evening
[Page 168 of 184]
1902
Elders W.H Wilson and Wilford. Ward
and myself went to Mrs Elys and got
Supper while then Elder Barrus came
in from Springfield with his ticket
and mine for home him and me then
went to 15 street Broadway East St Louis
and got my tellescope after Biding the
Elders and the folks good Bye and went
to the Union Depo and checked our Lugg(age)
for Salt Lake City and went and got a Room
and stayed all night in St Louis Mo
July 4th Elder L. Barrus and myself
Boarded a train for Kansas City at 8+[illegible](am)
(a) Distance of 323 Miles arriving at Kansas
City at about seven oclock P.M. we
had to lay over in Kansas City two
hours in order to connect with the Denver
train at nine P.M. we left Kansas
City for Denver Colorado ariving
there at about 4 P.M. on the 5th of
July having to layover Eight hours
to get a train for Salt Lake City
lLeaving Denver at a bout 12 mid
[Page 169 of 184]
1902
Night arriving in Salt Lake City
at Eleven 30 P.M. July the 6th we put
up at Valley House for the Rest of
the Night July 7th we went and got
Breakfast and then I went to the
Presidants office and Reported my
returne and then I started for my
Home in Granite. Ward arriving at
home at about 3 oclock P.M. finding
all well Sunday 13th I went to Seven(ties)
Meeting August the 3rd I was sustained
as a home Missionary I was set apart to
the calling under the hands of the Pre-
sidancy of the Jordan Stake Presidant
James Jensen Being Mouth my
first appointment was on aug the 31st
to Cresent (Ward) in Company with Bro Robert
S Pixton the Next appointment was
Sept 14th at West Jordan Ward
Sept 28th to Butler. Ward Next was
to Bluffdale Oct the 12th Next to Oct
26th to Draper Next to East Jordan
Nov the 16 Nov 26 I was st apart
[Page 170 of 184]
as Ward Missionary on the home Mission(ary)
Nov the 30 to Herrimon Ward
[Pages 171-180 of 184]
[Blank page]
[Page 181 of 184]
Wm. J. Despain Labored in the
fawling Countys in Illinois
East St Louis StClair County .. 1
St Louis [illegible] Mo 2
Washington County Ill 3
Pery County ... 4
Pulaska County ... 5
Union County ... 6
Johnson County ... 7
Alexander County ... 8
Williamson County ... 9
Effingham County ... 10
Jasper County 11
Douglas County 12
Macoupin County 13
Montgomery County 14
[Page 182 of 184]
1364
15
30
15
5
______
1429
30
______
14.59
20
_____
1479
23
16
_____
15.18
15
18
_____
15.51
15
20
____
15.86
[Page 183 of 184]
No of miles traveled on foot in my
mission
[the following were written horizontally]
30 10 10 10 15 12 12 20 20 10 12 10 10 10 20 25 10 15 15 10 ____
15.02
20 10 10 15 10 10 10 25 12 12 15 30 20 10 10 10 10 15 10 5 10 3 ___
10 2 4 10 10 4 4 5 3 5 10 5 10 5 5 3 15 5 5 14 17 12 ___
8 13 11 11 10 11 15 19 8 11 5 5 6 8 5 10 7 7 18 16 18 7 9 12
[Page 184 of 184]
[back cover of journal]