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Platte D. Lyman Journal
January 11 1881 — February 19 1894

Tuesday Jan 11th 1881
     Six of the boys who have been out 5 or 6 days after stolen horses, returned today with 5 head for which they paid the Navajos $2.00 apeice [sic], they found them in the Comb Wash 10 miles above the road.

Wednesday Jan 12th 1881
     Attended the Young Mens Meeting and had a good time, was enrolled a member of the assosciation [sic].

Thursday Jan 13th 1881
     Fred and Walter returned from Montezuma where they had been for the mail, and brought a quantity of papers and letters, among the later one from my, brother Marion informing me of thedeath [sic] of Jp Thomas Callister on the 1st of Dec. also of the appointment of Peter Andersen as Bishop of Oak Creek with Geo Finlinson as his 1st and C. H. Jensen as his 2nd counsellor [sic]
     Attended a ditch meeting where Wm Robb, Joseph Barton and P. D. Lyman were elected a comittee [sic] to attend to all matters connected with the water ditch and field fence for this season

Sunday Jan 16th 1881
     Rain fell mostof [sic] last night and today until towards evening, when 1 inch of snow fell.

Monday 24th Jan. 1881
     The weather is quite cold, but clear and dry. Today Colonel Critchlow Engineer on the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. passed here with 6 men looking for a route for a railroad through to St. George. He called on me for information concerning the countrry [sic] from her westward.

Thursday Jan 27th 1881
     Cleared and burnt the brush off my lot, and in the evening attended a very pleasant party and supper got up by the officers of the Y. M. M. I. A. who are C. E. Walton prest. and Jos. F. Barton and Jos. A. Lyman counsellors [sic].

Monday Jan 31st 1881
     On Saturday last bro Jones and I went to Montezuma and put up at bro Thales Haskells, and on Sunday we attended Sabbath School, and in the afternoon and evening held meetings where we both spoke and had a good time. A good feeling seems generally to prevail and we were coridally [sic] received by all the Saints.
     There are 7 families here and room for 4 times as many. Bro Hyde is putting a wheel in the river for the purpose of raising water for irrigation which bids fair to be a success. Today we returned home and found all as well as usual. Some rain fell yesterday, but not enough to do any good.

Thursday Feb 3rd 1881
     Today 5 families with 10 wagons and 35 children came in from the older settlements intending to locate with us.

Friday Feb 4th 1881
     Our Baby has been quite poorly for a few days, and this evening he seemed so much worse that we called in Sister Haskell who is a very good nurse, and she worked with him till almost midnight when he seemed to be some better. Some rain has fallen today, and a few hands have commenced work on the ditch

Saturday Feb 12th 1881
     The baby is well as usual now. I have worked on the ditch all the week, there have been occasional squalls of snow, but the weather generally is very good.

Saturday Feb 19th 1881
     Worked all the week on the ditch, there have been about 18 hands out, and we are making good progress. The boys who have been herding the horses brought them in today and gave up the herd.

Saturday Feb 26th 1881
     Have worked on the ditch most of the week. Day before yesterday a report was raised that the Indians were driving off our horses. I started with 4 over the bench to the northwest to ascertain the truth of the matter, and when out about 4 miles and just about sunset we met 1 Ute, whose actions and words confirmed us in the belief that there was something wrong. We sent 1 man back to camp for provisions and more men, and the rest of us followed the trails as far as the Butler Wash 10 miles from town, where we found a camp fire and as the night was dark and the ground rough, we passed the fire and followed the trail 2 miles farther, and watched until daylight when we went down to the camp and found 2 indians with 14 head of horses, but all their own. We then returned home, meeting on the way 3 of the boys who were bringing out provisions for us. Today our horse herd took another start it having been arranged for the men to herd in turns according to the number of horses they have in the herd.

Sunday March 3rd 1881
     Worked on the ditch all the week, and on the evening of the 3rd attended a very pleasant party in the School House given by the Relief Society. Attended meetings and Sunday School as usual, which are generally well attended and always interesting

Saturday March 12th 1881
     Have been partially disabled during the week with a lame back. This morning 3 children were born in the Fort 1 of them a twin girl belonging to John and Pualine [sic] Pace being dead at its birth was buried this afternoon.

Tuesday March 15th 1881
     Had a furious wind storm with some snow on Sunday and the weather has been cold and raw ever since, had a blustering snow squall last night, but today is plaesant [sic] although rather cold. Several of the boys started out yesterday ond [sic] a stock drive intending to be absent 4 days.

Monday March 21st 1881
     Mr. Critchlow and party passed through here today on their return from Escalante, having satisfied themselves that there is no chance for a railroad from here west. From them I learned that a new road is being made from Escalante by way of the 10 mile wash and Escalante Creek to the Colorado River at a point 5 miles above the mouth of the Lake Wash, at which place bro Hall has located his ferry, having moved his boat up from the “Hole in the rock” which is an abandonment of that road.
     Mr. Critchlow and his party came over the new road and thought the distance a little longer than the old road and very little if any better

Wednesday March 23rd 1881
     Yesterday and today I have done a little fencing in the Butler Wash. We have just received our mail from Mancos for the first time since Jan 13th, I learned from it that bro Lovell died on the day just written.
     This afternoon Jos. F. Barton while hunting horses on the South side of the river came on to Navajoe [sic] Frank who was driving off 3 head of horses belonging to this camp, and when he found he was discovered he left the horses and got away as fast as possible. He had been in the Fort in the morning friendly as usual, but he is a bad Indian [sic] he has stolen our horses before, and has also insulted the women on several occasions.

Monday March 28th 1881
     In company with bro Jones I went to Montezuma to attend the funeral of bro Harrimans little daughter who died yesterday, and after the burial held meeting with the Saints and heard all the brethren speak from which I learn that there is some bad feeling existing in the branch, which appears to be the cause of the meetings not being kept up. I advised them to make a settlement of all their grievances, and get a better spirit and keep up their meetings regularly. Slept at bro Hydes.

Tuesday March 29th 1881
     Today bro Hyeds wheel began to raise the water and pour it into the flume in a way that is all that could be desired
     The wheel is 16 feet in diameter and 12 foot breast and has a capacity of 23000 gallons per hour. In the afternoon bro Jones and I returned home.

Saturday April 2nd 1881
     The river has raised about 17 inches and today we turned a stream into our ditch which broke the bank in several places as it is not yet sufficiently settled to stand well

Sunday April 3rd 1881
     Attended Sunday School, and afternoon and evening meeting as usual and had a good time. We will now discontinue our evening meetings as the evenings are getting very short.

Wednesday April 6th 1881
     This being the anniversary of the arrival of the greater part of the camp was appropreately [sic] celebrated, with a meeting with speeches & songs in the forenoon, and a childrens party in the afternoon, and in the evening a party for the adults was had, and all went off very agreeably and all seemed to enjoy themselves.

Sunday April 10th 1881
     Joseph and I have been herding the horses for the past 3 days commencing at thursday [sic] noon, and ending at noon today. Our stock is generally doing well, but for some inexplicable reason, quite a number of our horses are going blind.

Monday April 11th 1881
     Weather warm and windy. The river has fell [sic] so that there is no water running in our ditch. My wife Annie is quite indisposed, since yesterday evening.

Tuesday April 15th 1881
     Returned home from hunting stock, have been 30 miles northeast of here and found a good stock range about the head of the Butler & Cottonwood Washes
     The weather is very hot. Killed a beef in the evening.

Tuesday April 19th 1881
     Went with several other [sic] 10 miles up the river to work the road

Thursday April 21st 1881
     Finished work on the road and returned home, the brethren on the Recapture have completed a low water ditch. The river has raised so that the water comes into our ditch.

Saturday April 23rd 1881
     Hauled fencing heaterday [sic] and today. Our ditch breaks so often that quite a force of men are kept at work most of the time repairing it.

Sunday May 1st 1881
     Attended meeting and Sunday School as usual have sowed and watered some lucern during the week and have helped some to enclose the field and worked at repairing the ditch which still breaks.

Thursday, May 5th 1881
     Attended Fast meeting, during which Joe Neilsen came into the fort and reported seeing indians [sic] among our horses on the bench, who also shot at him. Some 8 or 9 of the boys immediately mounted horses and rode to the Butler Wash where they found about 30 indians with 60 or more squaws and papooses. They had some sheep and goats and about 150 head of horses, among which were 11 head belonging to the settlement 2 of them having been taken from here last season. These they however gave up, after a little flourishing of their guns. The boys then returned to the fort, all but 4 who stayed on the bench to look out for our horses. About 11 in the evening bro Jones and I and 5 others rode out to the herd where the boys were and camped with them.

Friday May 6th 1881
     Started this morning very early and rode to the indian [sic] camp just as they were gathering their horses to move. They seemed very friendly but a few of them were very mad when another stolen horse was taken from them. As they moved off up the [sic] was another stolen horse wast [sic] taken from them. We travelled [sic] with them for several miles and as we returned found that they had been shooting down our cows and destroying the calves
     This band are renegade Utes & Navajoes [sic] whose camp is principally in Arizona between here and Moancoppy (Moenkopi). They had about 40 horses branded B some of them fine large horses of good stock, they also had plenty of greenbacks to which they attached very little value. It is very evident they have raided somebodys [sic] ranch as in addition to the horses and paper money, they have harness lines and blind bridles and halters.

Saturday May 7th 1881
     Fred and Eddy and Walter started for Colorado with their teams to work on the Railroad, quite a number of others will go in a few days to work for supplies
     My lucern [sic] was up good 4 days after it was watered. We have just heard that bro Neilson is near the Colorado on his way here, and his son Jos will start back tomorrow to assist him in.

Monday May 9th 1881
     Started for Colorado with Delia and the children and several of the brethren who are going to work for supplies.

Wednesday May 11th 1881
     Layed over at Montezuma yesterday and fitted up a team and wagon of bro Hydes which I am taking on shares and which I have hired James Jensen to drive. Today drove 10 miles and camped where the road leaves the San Juan River

Sunday May 15th 1881
     Drove from Mancos to the saw mill on Cherry Creek, much of the way in a heavy rain storm which made the road very bad. There are 15 teams in our company. We have learned that the indians [sic] whom we saw had killed 3 men at Yellow Jacket Springs near the Blue Mountains and plundered the ranch.

Monday May 16th 1881
     Several of our horses were poisoned last night be [sic] eating some poison weed and two of them were so bad we had to leave them. Drove to the La Platt.

Tuesday May 17th 1881
     This morning the boys went back and found the sick horses so bad they were compelled to kill them. Drove to near Durango a new town just below Animas and camped with some familes [sic] from Bluff City. Today met 2 men who own most of the stolen horses in the possession of the Indians.

Wednesday May 18th 1881
     Passed through Durango and camped on the Florida

Saturday May 21st 1881
     Have layed over for 2 days and tried to find a job but have not found anything to suit us, and today 7 of us started for the terminus of the Railroad in New Mexico for freight, the balance going back to Durango for work.

Wednesday May 25th 1881
     Drove to the Amargo in New Mexico 90 miles from Durango and the present terminus of the D. & R. C. R. R.

Thursday May 26th 1881
     Loaded freight for Durango and drove out 12 miles. I think this is the wickedest and most lawless town I ever was in. One of bro Kelsys horses was stolen last night.

Thursday June 2nd 1881
     Drove into Durango and unloaded our freight. Bro Kelsys horse was found in the streets here hobbled.

Saturday June 4th 1881
     Left my family near Durango with some families from Bluff City, and started for Amargo again, met bro Allens folks on their way to San Juan from Manassa in Colorado.

Sunday June 5th 1881
     This morning early when the boys went out for our horses they found 2 mounted men among them who made off in a hurry as soon as they were discovered, they were evidently after our horses and in all probability are a part of the gang who have robbed the stage several times on this road during the past few months.

Wednesday June 15th 1881
     Returned to Durango with our loads and found our folks all well although Delia has been quite sick. While coming in this trip met quite a number of men from Bluff City who left sometime after I did.

Friday June 17th 1881
     Moved my folks down to the grading camp of the Juab Contract Co on the Florida

Monday June 20th 1881
     Loaded up freight at Arboles the terminus of the R. R. at the Junction of the Piedra and San Juan about 40 miles from Durango.

Tuesday June 21st 1881
     Returned to Florida and heard alarming reports of indians [sic] troubles near the Blue Mountains which may affect our settlements on the San Juan.

Friday July 1st 1881
     Saw bro Hyde from Montezuma who reported all quiet on the San Juan

Saturday July 2nd 1881
     Eddy and several others started for the old settlements in Utah today, and some of the boys are going to Arizona for work. Times are very dull here now.

Thursday July 7th 1881 Durango
     Four of our horses have been gone 4 days and I am afraid they are stolen. Several of the boys started for Silverton on their way to Gunnison.

Saturday July 9th 1881
     Have hunted 5 days for our horses but can find no trace of them, they are undoubtedly stolen. Three of them are out of Walters team and as he cannot move his wagon he will stay here awhile and look for them. I started for Silverton loaded with grain.

Wednesday July 13th 1881
     Sold my corn and flour in Silverton at little or no profit, and continued on our toad [sic] up the Animas toward Gunnison.

Thursday July 14th 1881
     Pulled up an awful hill and passed over the summit several thousand feet above snow drifts 50 feet deep, drove down the summit and camped on the head of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison.

Saturday July 16th 1881
     Camped at the Lake last night, and today passed through the Lake City and overtook the rest of our party sold a span of mules

Tuesday July 19th 1881
     Stopped at the Grading camp of Grover McCune & Read on the Denver & South Park R. R. on the Ohio Creek 22 miles north of Gunnison City. Put some of our teams at work on the grade

Monday July 25th 1881
     Four of us (K Jones, O Kelsy, Joe Neilsen & myself) started to Hancock 60 miles distant for supplies for G. Mc. & R got a card from Walter saying that one of our stolen horses had been seen in Durango.

Wednesday July 27th 1881
     Drove over the Alpine Pass over the Continental Divide 11000 feet above sea level down to Hancock a little town in an awful mud hole and the terminus of the D. & S. P. R. R.

Sunday July 31st 1881
     Returned to camp with our loads which we got $1.65 per cwt.

Tuesday Aug 9th 1881
     Started for Hancock and met Walter with our horses he having paid the thief $55.00 to bring them in.

Monday Sept 26th 1881
     Have finished freighting for G.M & R and settled up with them and today started for home.

Tuesday Sept 27th 1881
     Met F. R. Lyman in Gunnison who will go with us to Bluff on his way to Oak Creek.

Saturday Oct 8th 1881
     Drove into Durango and layed over to buy supplies. We have had snow or rain most of the time since leaving Lake City.

Monday Oct 10th 1881
     Finished loading up and drove a few miles and encountered a fearful rainstorm

Tuesday Oct 11th 1881
     Received a letter from Mother informing me that Joseph had been shot through the leg by horse thieves at the Colorado Ferry. I left my team and started for home at once on horseback with Walter.

Thursday Oct 13th 1881
     Reached home 1 hour before noon, and very soon after Joseph was brought in, and in a much more comfortable state than I expected to find him. He is shot through the left leg and the bone broken just above the knee. Two men from Colorado stole some horses from the settlement and were followed by L. H. Redd, Hyrum Perkins, and Joseph who overtook them at the Ferry (Halls) on the 2nd inst., and succeeded in recovering our horses and also those belonging to the thieves together with their saddles and some of their clothing, and were recrossing the river when they were fired on from the other bank by the outlaws who until now had kept out of sight. Our boys returned the fire quite a number of shots being exchanged during which Joseph was shot just as he was getting ashore to make the boat fast.
     After dark the boys started this way, Joseph riding 6 miles on horseback when he became so weak they were compelled to stop until help could be got to move him. He layed on the ground 3 days and nights before his leg was dressed and then was moved to the Clay Hill where he stayed until Mother, Bp Neilsen and some others could go from here and bring him home.

Saturday Oct 15th 1881
     Started back to meet my team went as far as Montezuma

Sunday Oct 16th 1881
     Rode to Navajoe [sic] Spring and met the wagons all well

Saturday Oct 22nd 1881
     Drove into Bluff City and found all as well as usual excepting Joseph who has been quite sick since I was here but is now some better

Thursday Oct 27th 1881
     Fred and Walter started for Oak Creek today in company with Joseph Neilsen and some others, we have had considerable rain of late.

Thursday Nov 10th 1881
     Snow fell yesterday last night and today, and it is still very cloudy. Joseph is a little better, but his condition is rather fluctuating. The bone is shot worse than I first thought. I probe the wound once aday [sic] and have taken out several fragments of bone, and there are more to be taken out.

Saturday Dec 3rd 1881
     Today bro Edward Dalton of Parowan came in having been sent to Pres. Taylor to visit the Saints here and counsel with them relative to their labors and prospects on this river. He brought a letter of counsel from Prest. Taylor to the Saints here advising them to Fort up and take small peices [sic] of lard all of which we had done more than a year ago.
     Josephs condition seems to be about the same he feels moderately well, but does not seem to gain strength nor improve much in anyway [sic]

Monday Dec 5th 1881
     Yesterday we had 2 very good meetings, bro Dalton spoke at both of them and gave the Saints good advice. Today he went with us over the ground between here and the head of the ditch some 4 miles above the Fort and conluded that the work we have got to do this winter in order to get the water out in the spring is a great deal for the few men that are here.

Tuesday Dec 6th 1881
     Today bro Dalton went to Montezuma, 5 wagons came in from the west and a few have lately come from above so that we now number 25 men all told in this place. Some have been at work for 2 weeks on the ditch. I am so tied at home waiting on Joseph and looking after the wants of the family that I am unable as yet to do anything on the ditch. The weather is very fine. By letters from the west, we hear that one of the outlaws in the Skiff from Halls ferry, reaching the former place alone and in possession of all the arms previously borne by himself and comrade whom in all probability he had killed, he journeyed as far north as Parowan and then went west unmolested the report of his deeds not having reached there until after his departure.

Saturday Dec 10th 1881
     Attended meeting in the School house this morning and on the suggestion of bro Dalton the settlers voted unanimously to throw out all credits for work on our old ditch which is an entire failure, and count as valid only that done after Nov 1st 1881 and on the new ditch. Bro Dalton started for home today. I think his short mission among us has been productive of good from the instruction he has given, and some of suggestions he has offered. During the afternoon some of the brethren were rebaptized [sic]. Joseph seems about usual.

Monday Dec 26th 1881
     Yesterday (Christmas) passed off very quietly, our meetings and Sabbath School being well attended as usual One inch of snow fell last night but today is very pleasant. The weather for some time past has been rather cold Some of the brethren who have been freighting in Arizona are returning home and we have a pretty good force at work on the ditch which is progressing favorably. Joseph seems to be gaining slowly all the time, we lift him into a chair every other day and he is able to sit up 3 or 4 hours at a time very comfortably

Saturday Jan 7th 1882
     During the last week of the old year, work on the ditch was suspended, the brethren spending their time in hauling wood looking after stock, killing beef and doing some dancing. This week they have resumed work on the ditch. The last of our people have returned from Arizona and we have now 32 men in the fort, 2 Herd the horses. Joseph seems to be surely growing better, can help himself considerably in getting into a chair, his knee is quite stiff and the break pretty well grown up. Last night a little flurry of snow came, but all fair now.

Thursday Jan 12th 1882
     This evening about 8 o’clock, Josephs wife and her borther [sic] Alvin Roper arrived her from Oak Creek
     Joseph seems to be gaining all the time and has a fair prospect for recovery. The weather is quite cold

Monday Jan 16th 1882
     Snow fell during the forenoon, and melted as fast as it fell. Helped Bp Neilsen and bro Jones to make up their tithing report for the past year. The whole amount of tithing paid in this ward is $760.00 over $400.00 of it in cash. Most of the brethren are at work on the ditch

Sunday Jan 29th 1882
     Alvin Roper and I spent the past week looking after cattle and horses. Sold some cattle to Mr. Ryman of Rico who paid a very fair price The weather is a little colder than usual and there are occasional falls of snow very light.

Thursday Feb 2nd 1882
     Attended fast meeting in the forenoon, with only one other man, but a good congregation of women had a very interesting time.
     In the evening Special Mail Agent J H Mahony came in from the west, looking up the necessity for a mail service from Mancos here, seemed favorably impressed and promised to recommend to the Department that service be put on at once. Requested me to go as far as Montezuma with him.

Saturday Feb 4th 1882 Montezuma
     Came to this place yesterday with Mr. Mahoney who continued his journey towards the Mancos this morning with John Allen Jr. I returned to Bluff. Alvin Roper started home today with Hall & Barney

Sunday Feb 12th 1882
     Have worked most of the week on the ditch which is progressing very well. The weather is getting warmer. Today Joseph came in and took dinner with me, he walked on crutches while some one held up his lame leg, he is getting along slowly, his knee will be quite stiff, and the leg 2 or 3 inches shorter than the other one.

Monday Feb 13th 1882
     A Mass meeting was held in the School House this morning for the purpose of organizing an Irrigation Company, at which 5 Trustees a secretary and treasurer were elected I being one of the first.
     In the afternoon bro L. C. Burnham who presides over the Saints at Burnham 80 miles southeast of here on this river in New Mexico came in on a visit he had his wife and one child with him and staid [sic] over night with us.

Tuesday Feb 14th 1882
     Spent the forepart of the day showing bro Burnham some of our surroundings, which he seemed to think is very good, and in the after noon [sic] he started back and went as far as the camp at the head of the ditch where the brethren are at work, here we held meeting in the evening around the campfire and had a very good time.

Wednesday Feb 15th 1882
     Bro Burnham continued his journey this morning and the rest of us went to work on the ditch

Saturday Feb 18th 1882
     High wind prevailed all day yesterday until late in the evening and this morning about 3 inches of snow lay on the ground most of which however melted away during the day which has been quite warm and pleasant.

Monday Feb 20th 1882
     Bros Haskell, Jones & Redd went over the river today in to the Navajos country to try and recover some of our stock supposed to be in the possession of the indians. The balance of us went to work on the ditch

Saturday Feb 25th 1882
     Bro Haskell and party returned yesterday, having failed of getting anything, excepting 3 ponies belonging to his place.
     We have succeeded well with our work and will soon have the water in our ditch, although the river is unusually low.

Sunday Feb 26th 1882
     Bishop Neilson having chosen Kumen Jones to set as 1st counsallor [sic] in place of Geo Sevy who had resigned, and having chosen Lemuel H. Redd to be his 2nd counsellor [sic], and they having been sustained by the vote of the ward. I set them apart to these offices, and also ordained bro Redd a high priest. Wm Robb was then set apart as a teacher in the place of bro Redd, by the Bishop and his counsellors [sic].
     Joseph is improving, and was able to attend meeting to day [sic] for the first time since he was hurt. The weather is quite good and we have light rains occasionally, which will be a help to the grass

Thursday March 9th 1882
     A party of the brethren who have been out for 7 days after horses stolen by the Navajoes [sic], returned today having accomplished nothing. The horses are supposed to have been stolen by Frank from whom they took a horse a few days ago.

Sunday March 19th 1882
     We have strong west wind nearly all the time, making work on the ditch very unpleasant. The river has raised about 1 foot, and we have a good stream of water running about ¾ of a mile in our ditch. Joseph is not so well as usual, being somewhat troubled be heart disease and liver complaint. On the 10th inst, H Perkins started for Cedar City with Jon Gower who is nearly dead with consumption

Monday March 20th 1882
     Started up the Cottonwood Wash with Jos F. Barton and Orrin Kelsey to make locations in the little valleys at the head of the wash in the interest of the people of Bluff City.

Sunday March 26th 1882
     Returned home, have been as far as the summit of the Elk Mountains 60 miles from here, to which point there is a good chance for a road from here, and the country beyond towards the Henry Mountains looks favorable and this is likely to be the place where a permanent road across the Colorado will be located. Found a good stock country and one nice stream of water. Made 3 locations in the most desirable parts of the country.

Monday March 27th 1882
     Election of officers for Irrigation Company came off today, every thing [sic] passed off very pleasant. Most of the men are at work on the ditch which is progressing rather slowly, it being a very big job.

Saturday April 29th 1882
     The water came into town today in our ditch, for the first time this spring. Most of our force have worked water ditch until now, and will soon be at leberty [sic] to do something else towards raising a crop. The river has not raised very high as yet, although the weather is quite warm, and the trees are looking considerably green. On the 24th inst. a Co-op store was organized here, with P. D. Lyman Prest., Jens Neilsen Vice Prest., C. [copy unreadable] Walton, Kumen Jones and Hyrum Perkins Directors and L H Redd Sec’ty [sic] and B. H. Perkins Treasurer.
     During the week I received a letter from bro F M L informing me that Uncle Edward was sent on a mission to the Sandwich Islands and would take his family with him. Also that S. S. Smith was released from the Presidency of the San Juan Mission, and that I had been selected to take charge of the settlements of the Saints on this river both here and in New Mexico.

Saturday May 6th 1882
     Have been herding most of the week. The water has raised and washed around our dam and headgate so that both are useless, and has carried away 30 rods of our ditch, beyond the possibility of repair.

Monday May 8th 1882
     Yesterday we decided that our only hope for a crop this season was in making a new ditch at the head so today we have commenced laying off 214 rods of ditch which will have to be made before we can get the water to town, This makes our ditch 5 miles long from the head to the fort.

Sunday May 21st 1882
     Joseph Neilsen and wife (my sister Ida) and several others from Iron Co came in during the week.
     We are making good progress with our ditch

Monday May 22nd 1882
     Bro J. S. Smith Passed through here today with his family on his way to Manasas, where he intends to locate permanently as President of that mission

Saturday May 27th 1882
     Completed the new ditch today and have the water in it

Sunday June 4th 1882
     The river is falling considerably, but we have the water in the ditch and the men are busy watering their land preparatory of planting

Sunday June 11th 1882
     Our Co-op Store opened yesterday with J. A. Lyman as salesman

Sunday July 2nd 1882
     Have planted some corn and garden, and during the last week make a trip to the valleys in the Cottonwood looking after stock. Found the water to [sic] low to be of any use for irrigation

Tuesday July 4th 1882
     Attended a celebration in Bluff City

Saturday July 22nd 1882
     The river is down to low water, and all hands are at work cleaning out and deepning [sic] the ditch The weather is very hot and dry, although we have had some rain of late. During the for part of this month the Pah-utes [sic] killed some of our cattle in the Butler Wash and stole some horses which have since been brought back by the Navajoes [sic].

Monday July 24th 1882
     Attended a celebration in the School House to day [sic] and had a good time. We have plenty of water in the ditch and a good deal of the crop is doing very well.

Thursday Aug 3rd 1883 [sic]
     Delia gave birth to a fine daughter, at 3:30 this morning both mother and daughter are doing very well.

Sunday Aug 20th 1882
     Delia is getting along very well and the baby is doing nicely. Joseph is gaining slowly all the time, he has discarded his crutch and walks with a cane, during the past week he has been with me after fencing, and is getting so he can use an ax a little. Our crops are looking very well, we have plenty of water. The weather has been very hot since the 1st of this month. I am 34 years old today.

Wednesday Sep 13th 1882
     Bros Jones & B Perkins and I went down the river to the Comb Wash in search of cattle supposed to be in possession of the Navajoes [sic]. Camped with some miners.

Thursday Sep 14th 1882
     Crossed the river and rode south through the hills and entered the Chinalee Wash 6 miles from its mouth and followed down and on our way found 7 head of cattle which were being kept out of our way by Hos. Kay the Navajoe [sic] Captain to whom 2 of them belonged, the rest being our own or belonging in the settlement. After a little talk with HosKay [sic] we brought ours away without any trouble, and returned home that night

Sunday Sep 17th 1882
     It has rained yesterday and today, and this morning a stream of water 3 times as large as the Seveir [sic] came down the Cotttonwood Wash and spread over a good deal of the best crop in the field.

Monday Sep 18th 1882
     This morning the flood is almost stopped and I think has not done much damage only in preventing the men from getting their crops in for some time.
     Last night we had the first frost of the season which killed some of the small vines but did not damage anything else.
     Some are very busy hauling corn which is a very good crop. Everything we have planted has done well considering the lateness of the season.
     The people feel well with regard to their prospects.

Wednesday Sep 20th 1882
     Yesterday finished fencing one of my lots, and today commenced hauling corn. The corn crop here is beyond all comparison the best I ever saw anywhere.

Wednesday Oct 4th 1882
     Today bro Kumen Jones started back to Utah with his wife, her sister and my sister Lydia M., my wife Annie also went back, with a son and daughter of bro Hydes, on a visit to her parents.
     Bro L. H. Redd will start back tomorrow

Sunday Oct 8th 1882
     The weather is very good. The people are busy hauling corn and cane and making mollasses [sic].

Wednesday Oct 25th 1882
     Our first mail by regular service from Mancos, came in today, Joseph A. Lyman is Postmaster. I received a letter from bro S. C. Burnham of Farmington, informing me of the sudden death of his wife Matilda who left a boy baby a few hours old.
     The Navajoes [sic] have brought many of their sheep onto this side of the river eating up a great deal of grass and scattering our cattle badly. The Utes who have been around here lately, have in their travels shot some of our cattle, leaving them to rot on the ground

Thursday Nov 2nd 1882
     Attended Fast meeting and blessed my little daughter and gave her the name of Mary. Spent the balance of the day and also the evening attending to business of the Irrigation Co.
     Reports reach us from up the river of the killing of a Ute by white men, and the likelyhood [sic] of an Indian outbreack [sic] on account of it.

Monday Nov 6th 1882
     Today our Co-op Store paid a dividend of 10 per cent [sic], having done business a little less than 5 months.

Tuesday Nov 7th 1882
     The election today for Delegate to Congress, resulted in 31 votes being cast for John F. Caino, as the peoples canidate [sic] and none for any one [sic] else.

Thursday Nov 9th 1882
     Started for Mancos for a load of potatoes and grain

Wednesday Nov 15th 1882
     Reached Mancos yesterday. This morning bro Walton and I blessed a little child of James Dunton and one of Juan Hobb, and loaded up our wagons.

Thursday Nov 16th 1882
     Started home the weather is quite squally and has been stormy

Monday Nov 20th 1882
     Reached home and found all well, a company of 10 wagons came in yesterday from Iron Co. The weather is quite pleasant

Sunday Dec 3rd 1882
     During the week we have had a little more reinforement [sic] to our number from Iron Co. and have also had some excitment [sic] owing to the sale of a large newly discovered copper mine 50 miles southwest of us for ¼ of a million of dollars, and the probable establishment of a mining camp in that vicinity

Thursday Dec 7th 1882
     This morning I baptized Eberhardt Meskin a german [sic] who came down from Colorado a few months since and has been investigating “Mormonism”. Also re-baptized Geo Ipsen, both were confirmed at the Fast meeting in the School House. In the afternoon I wnet [sic] on the ditch to work

Sunday Dec 10th 1882
     Bros Jones & Redd returned from the old settlements on the 8th. Today I attended Sunday School and assisted to set apart several teachers who had been chosen by the Superintendent, to assist him in the management of that institution

Wednesday Jan 3rd 1883
     Have been hunting cattle for several days and today Joseph and I sold 18 head of cattle and 1 horse for $465.00 to Mr Emerson of Animas City Colorado. The weather has been severely cold for a few weeks, but is milder now and a light snow is falling

Thursday Jan 4th 1883
     Attended Fast meeting. Snow still falling

Monday Jan 15th 1883
     The weather is still quite cold, and there are occasional snow squalls, not enough however to keep the ground white. Most of our men are at work on the ditch which is progressing finely. Parties of miners are almost constantly passing here to or from the mines, and new discoveries of fabulous richness are frequently reported.
     Our meetings are well attended by the Saints and often by strangers who listen with respect to what we have to say. There are now 50 men here and nearly that number of families. During the past 6 months there have been 13 children born in this place.

Sunday Jan 21st 1883
     Attended meeting in the afternoon, but dispensed with evening meeting because the weather was so cold. I have been looking after cattle for several days past and find them badly scattered. The cold weather continues and is beyond all comparison the most severe we have know since we settled here.

Saturday Jan 27th 1883
     Spent the past week in hunting stock and hauling wood
     The weather is much milder than for weeks past. This afternoon Brigham Young and Heber J Grant of Salt Lake City accompanied Joshua Stevens of Burnham came to this place to hold meetings and visit with the Saints.

Sunday Jan 28th 1883 Bluff City
     Three meetings were held in this place today all of which were well attended by the Saints with some unbelievers and some Lamanites, much good instruction of a general character was given, and some instruction relative to the conduct of the Indian mission about to be established in this part of the country was also given

Monday Jan 29th 1883
     Today the Apostles held a Priesthood meeting in the forenoon and a general meeting in the afternoon which was well attended. Several saints from Montezuma being present. We have had a very good time during the visit of our brethren and I hope their instructions to us will be productive of an increase of faith and good works among us.

Tuesday Jan 30th 1883
     Today Bros Young and Grant started back and went as far as Montezuma where they stayed over night at bro Hydes. I accompanied them as they had asked me to go to Burnham with them and visit the Saints at that place.

Thursday Feb 1st 1883
     Yesterday we layed over at Montezuma and held one meeting and had a good time, and today started for Burnham accompanied by bro Kumen Jones who came from Bluff yesterday. Drove 25 miles and camped, road snowy and muddy, and a cold wind most of the day.

Friday Feb 2nd 1883
     Drove 10 miles to the fork of the road and took the right hand road drove 15 miles and nooned on the Mancos about 2/3 of the way down from the settlement of its mouth on the San Juan
     Drove 10 miles a trifle east of south over a miserable barren stretch of clay hills covered with mud and snow camped on the San Juan river, no feed, a light fall of snow

Saturday Feb 3rd 1883
     Drove 15 miles up the bottoms of the San Juan to the Hog Back a rough rocky ridge running in to [sic] the river from the north and which compels the road to cross to the south side from where it crosses to the north side after going half a mile. We nooned here and continued our journey 10 miles farther up the river to Burnham which at my first visit nearly 3 years ago was called Navajoe [sic]. Here are Walter Stevens formerly of Holden, his sons Joshua and alma [sic] with all their families. Jeff and Henry Slade of Pine Valley with their families and bro Luther C. Burnham formerly of Cache Co who presides over the few saints located here. The vallies [sic] both above and below here are easy of cultivation and are filled up with gentile settlers. Bro Jones and I stayed with Joshua Stevens and were very well treated.

Sunday Feb 4th 1883
     Attended 2 meetings for worship in Walter Stevens house when bros Young and Grant gave good instruction to the Saints and also to the few gentiles who were present, bro Jones and I spoke a few minutes as also did bros Burnham and Walter Stevens
     In the evening an informal meeting was held and the condition and needs of the mission were talked over, and I was set apart by the Apostles to preside over the settlements of Bluff, Montezuma, Burnham, and Mancos.

Tuesday Feb 6th 1882 [sic, should be 1883]
     Spent yesterday in looking at some of the facilities of this place and visiting among the Saints, stayed last night and the night before at bro Burnham, and today bro Jones and I started down the river for home.
     After parting with bros Young and Grant who go to Durango where they will get on the care for our settlements in Arizona going by way of Manassa Santa Fe and Sunset on the Little Colorado.
     Bro Jones and I rode 30 miles and camped on the river

Wednesday Feb 7th 1883
     Passed miles of splendid coal deposits, crossed the line into Colorado passed the mouth of the Mancos and passed into Utah, going within 2 miles of the 4 corners of Colorado New Mexico Arizona and Utah [sic].
     Stayed over night [sic] with bro Haskell at Montezuma 40 miles from where we camped last night.

Thursday Feb 8th 1883
     Rode 15 miles to Bluff and found all as well as usual. The weather is beautiful and the ditch is progressing finely. Just before I reached home Joseph and Orrin Kelsy had located claims for themselves and me on a ledge of rock bearing gold and silver which Joseph and I discovered 2 miles up the Cottonwood Wash about 8 months ago.

Sunday Feb 11th 1883
     Helped to lay off work on the ditch yesterday and the day before and today attended meeting afternoon and evening and had a good time

Thursday Feb 15th 1883
     We were favored with a fine rain monday [sic] night and Tuesday, and last night ½ an inch of snow fell. The mail failed to come last night for the first time since it began to run in October last.

Sunday Feb 18th 1883
     Spent 5 days laying off work on the ditch, during the past week, and today attended 2 meetings and spoke in the evening. The weather is quite pleasant.

Sunday Feb 25th 1883
     The measles are among the Navajoes [sic], and the children of the settlers have also got them, so generally that day School and Sabbath School are discontinued for the present. The weather is beautiful and work on the ditch is progressing finely

Sunday March 4th 1883
     Cloudy and moist, had rain last night, have been working on the ditch and looking after cattle during the week. The children are getting better

Sunday March 11th 1883
     The weather is quite warm. There is still considerable sickness among the children. The ditch is progressing very well. I have spent most of the week looking after cattle
     During the week bro Herriman of Montezuma had a little boy die, who was just recovering from the measles

Wednesday March 14th 1883
     Weather is cool by spells and some what [sic] cloudy. There is still considerable sickness here among the children.

Thursday March 15th 1883
     Bros Ben Perkins and Sam Wood and I started for the valley in the head of Cotton wood with a team and wagon and some saddle horses, intending to make a house and other improvements

Friday March 16th 1883
     Reached the valley this evening and found 4 families of Navajoes [sic] there with a good many sheep and horses.

Sunday March 18th 1883
     Today the Navajoes [sic] moved out with all their effects going south towards the river.

Monday March 19th 1883
     Have been hauling fencing for a corral. The Piutes [sic] have been straggling around here for a few days, and this evening 2 of them passed our camp with 3 loose horses which we suppose they have stolen from Bluff. They however did not allow us to see the horses so as to recognize them. Bro Perkins and I undertook to over haul [sic] them but it was too near dark for us to follow their trail.

Tuesday March 20th 1883
     This morning bro Perkins and I followed the tracks until they went over the summit into the Comb, when we turned back to camp, and decided we should get word to Bluff as soon as possible, and the brethren desiring me to go I started at 12:30 and reached Bluff at 6:12 p m found many of the people had been sick and some were still far from well. Bro Rowley had a little boy die during my absence.

Wednesday March 21st 1883
     Bro Haskell and 3 others started out to recover the stolen horses, and bros Wood and Perkins came home from the valley.

Friday March 23d 1883
     Bro Haskell and party returned having recovered 2 horses, but not of the lot which I saw on Monday evening.

Saturday April 7th 1883
     Bro Haskell and 5 others started out today to try and recover some more of the horses, stolen by the Utes

Thursday April 12th 1883
     Started for Durango with a load of wool for the store in company with 3 of the brethren

Wednesday April 18th 1883
     Reached Durango last night and loaded our wagons today and started home.

Tuesday April 24th 1883
     Reached home in the worst sand storm I ever saw found all as well as usual. Have had a cold windy trip and some snow

Saturday May 5th 1883
     Parties have been in here from above buying saddle horses and cattle for which they pay a very good price
     The weather is quite warm, the water is in the ditch but still requires considerable labor to watch it and keep the banks from breaking
     During the week I found 4 head of cattle which the Utes have killed and left most of them to rot.

Monday May 7th 1883
     Our co-op Store declared a dividend of 25 per cent [sic] today, and this evening at the election of officers for the ensuing year the former board were re-elected with the exception of B Perkins whose place was filled by J. A Lyman and Kumen Jones, by Wm Adams
     We have had a good deal of hard wind of late making working out of doors very disagreeable. The ditch still requires almost the entire attention of all hands, the water has been in the Fort but owing to constant breaking of the banks nothing has been done as yet towards plowing or planting

Sunday June 10th 1883
     All hands are busy watering and planting, the ditch stands very good, and everything is prosperous at present.

Wednesday July 4th 1883
     Attended a celebration in the School house and had a good time. Everybody has been busy for a month planting and now the head of the ditch is filled 2 ft deep with sand and will have to be cleaned out before we can get any water

Thursday July 5th 1883
     Attended Fast meeting today. After meeting bro Kumen Jones and Thales Haskell Jr. started out for a visit to the Navajoes [sic] northwest of here to learn the language, as they have been selected to act as missionaries among that people.

Saturday July 14th 1883
     The water was turned in the ditch again today, after being out about ten days. The weather continues very hot and dry. Bro Jones and companion returned today
     I finished planting last Monday, but some are planting a little yet.

Wednesday August 1st 1883
     The ditch has broke a great many times lately and the crops have suffered seriously in consequence but within the past week we have had several refreshing showers that will help materially.. A great deal of water is coming down the Cottonwood was and flooding much of the crop but doing very little harm

Thursday Aug 2nd 1883
     Attended fast meeting in the forenoon, and in the afternoon started for a short exploring trip to the Colorado river in company with bros K Jones & H Perkins

Thursday August 9th 1883
     Returned home today having found some excellent stock country on the summit of the Elk Mountains and some very rough and worthless country beyond. We went within about 25 miles of the river and found the prospects so poor for a road that we returned back.
     Bp Neilson started for Cedar City today on visit. Crops are looking well and people are moving onto their lots.

Saturday Aug 18th 1883
     Bro L. H. Redd and I went to Montezuma and staid [sic] overnight at bro Allens, and on Sunday attended Sunday School and meeting, and found the people feeling very well, returned home in the evening.

Sunday Aug 26th 1883
     During the week moved one of my houses onto one of my lots, preparatory to getting all my effects out of the fort. The weather is still quite warm but we have occasional storms of rain.

Thursday Sep 6th 1883
     Moved my family onto my lot in the afternoon after attending Fast meeting in the forenoon

Wednesday Sep 19th 1883
     Went to Montezuma and met my bro F. H. Lyman and Elders John Morgan President of the Southern States Mission, who are visiting us for the purpose of holding conference and further organizing this stake.
     Took dinner at Bro Hydes and returned to Bluff.

Saturday Sep 22nd 1883
     The past 2 days have been spent by visiting brethren in looking at our ditch and the ruins in this vicinity. This morning Conference at 10 o’clock A M with a good attendance and a fair representation from the outlying settlements

Sunday Sep 23rd 1883
     Conference adjourned at 4 p m today, we have had much good instruction and a liberal outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord. L. C. Burnham was chosen and set apart as Bishop of the Burnham ward in New Mexico with W. J. Stevens as his 1st and Albert Farnsworth as his 2nd counsellor [sic]. The resignation of Wm Hyde as presiding priest of Montezuma ward was accepted and John Allen Jr was installed to preside in that place, which was attached to Bluff City Ward. An elders quorum was organized with Wm Hobb as President and Saml Wood and Orrin Kelsey as his counsellors [sic]. After meeting bros Lyman and Morgan started for Salt Lake via of Durango & Denver and I started a little later for the same destination in company with Lars Christensen, expecting to overtake bro Marion somewhere on the way. Stayed at bro Hydes

Thursday Sep 27th 1883
     Reached Durango this morning and started east about 10 a m on the D & R G R R in company with Sis Abigail Stevens of Burnham N. M. was joined about 9 p m at Antonito by Pres. S. S. Smith of San Luis Stake

Friday Sep 28th 1883
     Reached Pueblo this morning and layed over several hours and in the afternoon rode on to Salida and stopped over night at a hotel

Saturday Sep 29th 1883
     Started west this morning in company with bros Lyman and Morgan who have just returned from a detour to Leadville, crossed the Marshall Pass 10852 feet high and passed by Gunnison City and down the Gunnison River to its Junction with the Grand which we crossed and son [sic] on to the desert between it and Green river, before reaching which night overtook us.

Sunday Sep 30th 1883
     Reached Provo at 4:20 a m 899 miles from Durango. Stopped off and attended ward meeting and a Missionary meeting at the B Y Acadamy [sic] at both of which I spoke for a short time.

Monday Oct 1st 1883
     Went into Salt Lake City and reported the San Juan Mission to Prest Taylor and the Apostles who were somewhat divided with regard to the wisdom of continuing that Mission under the unfavorable circumstances which so far have attended it. Attended the Theatre in the evening with Marion and saw Dion Boucecauet the great actor and dramatic author

Tuesday Oct 2nd 1883
     Went to Tooele with Marion and met my wife Annie who is stopping with his wife Clara

Thursday Oct 4th 1883
     Annie and I went to Salt Lake and stayed at her fathers

Friday Oct 5th 1883
     Conference convened at 10 this morning in the Assembly Hall with a fair turn out, and in the afternoon met in the large tabernacle

Sunday Oct 7th 1883
     Conference colsed [sic] this evening, we have had a good time, much good instruction has been given and there have been representatives from the most distant stakes of Zion
     My brother Walter C was married on the 4th to Sylvia Lovell and my Sister Harriet to John Lovell at the same time in this city.

Tuesday Oct 9th 1883
     Have attended several meetings since Sunday and at 3 p m started for Oak Creek on the cars with Aunt Caroline. Reached Leamington at 10 and was met by Fred and Eddy with a conveyance in which we rode to Oak Creek reaching there at 1 a m.

Wednesday Oct 10th 1883
     In the forenoon attended the funeral of a child of Simeon Walkers and spoke for a few minutes and in the afternoon went up Oak Creek Canyon and the mill which the boys have improved considerably by putting a circular saw in place of the upright saw, and also attaching a shingle mill, all of which do very well.

Saturday Oct 13th 1883
     Went to Fillmore day before yesterday with Eddy, and spent one day with the people there and returned to Oak Creek today.

Monday Oct 15th 1883
     Attended meeting in Oak Creek yesterday and spoke to the Saints, and spent today visiting my friends, and at 9 in the evening Eddy and I started for Leamington from where I took train [sic] for Provo at 2 a m.

Tuesday Oct 16th
     Reached Provo at 7 this morning and stopped at bro Marions until 1 p m when I started east on the Dand R G, in company with several missionaries going to the States

Thursday Oct 18th 1883
     Reached Durango at 10 p m and met bro K. Jones and Joe Neilsen who reported all well at Bluff

Thursday Oct 25th 1883
     Reached Bluff in the afternoon and found all well but some of the people considerably exercized [sic] over a report of the probility [sic] of the abandonment of this mission, which however strikes many of the people quite favorably

Sunday Oct 28th 1883
     Attended meeting and spoke to the saints has [sic] a rather slim turnout owing to many of the brethren being away to Mancos & Durango after supplies

Saturday Nov 3rd 1883
     Went to Montezuma with Delia & mother and stayed at Sister Hydes.

Monday Nov 5th 1883
     Held meeting at Montezuma yesterday with the few Saints who live there, and today returned to Bluff

Saturday Dec 1st 1883
     Today Bp Neilsen came in from Utah with a company of three wagons. He brought a letter from Apostle Erastus Snow giving the privilege of leaving the mission to myself and any others who might desire to leave, at the same time puting [sic] it in such a way that the only inference to be drawn is that those who leave are destitute of faith and a contented spirit. Some may take advantage of this release but I do not consider it an honorable release and in consideration of my labors here I think it is unjust to me to say the least of it, to speak of me alone personally in the way bro Snow had done in a letter written to the people generally, and to be read and re-read by them

Monday Dec 3rd 1883
     Yesterday a majority of the brethren from Montezuma came down here to attend meetings which were well attended, and at which the propriety of leaving this place was freely discussed, a majority desiring to remain here, at least for another season, as they did not consider we had yet given the country a fair trial.
     Some of the brethren whose sentiments may I think be materially changed by circumstances aside from the general welfare of the place, spoke in a very bigoted and inconsistent way in favor of remaining here. Most of them however take a rational view of the matter, and will no doubt be governed very much by the success of the next season.
     In the evening a meeting of the Irrigation Company was held at which an entire new board of trustees were elected, and a tax of $29.00 per acre was levied to complete the ditch, this swells the tax to $69.00 per acre making a total of $48300.00 on 700 acres, and the end is not yet.

Monday, Dec 10th 1883
     Spent yesterday at Montezuma with Bp Neilsen and Bros Jones & Adams held meetings and had considerable talk with the brethren some of whom are quite dissatisfied with their scattered and isolated condition and think seriously of moving either the Burnham or this place

Tuesday Dec 11th 1883
     Bros L. H. Redd and John Pace returned today from the old settlements with their families where they have been on a visit since last Septmember

Saturday Dec 22nd 1883
     Today our Quarterly Conference convened in Bluff City, with a very good attendance. Rain has fallen almost constantly for 48 hours.
     During the week most of the brethren have been at work putting an extension of about 14 feet on the north end of the School house which gives us much more room

Sunday Dec 23rd 1883
     Conference closed at 8 p m today, we have held 5 general meetings and in Priesthood meeting all of which have been well attended, there has been a good turn out [sic] of the Saints from Burnham, Mancos, & Montezuma, and although we have had none of the Apostles or any brethren outside of their own stake to instruct us we have had a time.
     And no doubt much good has been done, the people all seem to feel very well and all the speakers were possessed of a good spirit

Tuesday Dec 25th 1883
     This day passed off very quietly. At 11 A M by request I married Theodore Moody and Laura. M. Barney, and in the afternoon joined in partaking of a family dinner at Bro K Jones’s where bp Neilsens family and ours filled the house to its capacity. I have been busy the past 3 weeks building and getting nearly done

Thursday Jan 10th 1884
     Attended the funeral of my sister Ida’s baby girl aged [copy blank] days, the day is very raw and windy.

Monday Jan 14th 1884
     Have been busy for the past 7 days gathering cattle to drive back to the lake as the feed is very poor here.

Tuesday Jan 15th 1884
     Started to the lake with bro Redd and 3 hired hands having 225 head of cattle

Wednesday Jan 23rd 1884
     Reached the Lake today have had a very good trip and lost a very few cattle

Friday Jan 25th 1884
     Started for home today

Tuesday Jan 29th 1884
     Reached home today and found all well, have had some snow and rain, and the weather is still unsettled being rather cold and squally.

Wednesday Jan 30th 1884
     Received a very good letter from Bro Marion relative to this mission, which is very gratifying to me, he stated that the Presidency and Apostles had taken no action in regard to this mission. and that some felt it very important to continue this settlement and others (Prest Taylor among them) did not feel like requiring men to remain in any places they were not satisfied with

Tuesday Feb 5th 1884
     Today Bp Neilsen, bro Redd and I started for Burnham to visit the Saints at that place. Drove to Montezuma and stayed at bro Allens

Friday Feb 8th 1884
     Reached Burnham this evening and found all well, put up with the Bishop, have had muddy roads snow storms and cold weather making altogether a very disagreeable trip

Sunday Feb 10th 1884
     Yesterday attended a Teachers meeting for the purpose of settling a difficulty between W. J. Stevens and his Father, which however resulted in nothing. Today I confronted bro A. S. Farnsworth with the charge of exposing his person and taking indecent liberties with some of the young sisters of the branch which he at first denied, but after laboring some time with him he expressed a willingness to do whatever was required of him to make the matters right I told him I thought he should make a confession before the meeting and ask forgiveness of the people and then resign his office as counsellor [sic] to the Bishop all of which he done, and the people forgave him and accepted his resignation. During the day W. J. Stevens confessed in meeting to using improper language in a party two days before to his Father and to the people and asked forgiveness of all interested which was readily granted. Held 3 meetings.

Monday Feb 11th 1884
     Finished up some tithing business and in the evening met with the Priesthood of the ward and had a very good time in talking to them and listening to some of the brethren
     We have attended 5 meetings and done considerable business of various kinds. The Saints have treated us well and seemed glad to see us. They have built a good school house (adobie [sic] not quite finished) and their being now in ward 12 families, and more coming

Tuesday Feb 12th 1884
     Started home today in a blinding snow storm drove 14 miles and camped the weather is very cold

Friday Feb 15th 1884
     Reached home today, have had a bitter cold and disagreeable trip, found all as well as usual excepting mother who has been troubled for several days with a very severe pain in her head

Saturday Feb 23rd 1884
     This morning bro Kumen Jones little son aged about 5 months who has been sick 6 days, died having suffered greatly most of the time, his mother was my sister Lydia May.

Sunday Feb 24th 1884
     Bro Jones baby was buried this morning, the funeral being attended by most of the people in the place. We have had more snow and rain this winter than I ever knew here before, the roads are quite muddy, and the ground is sufficiently wet to bring up any kind of crop. Work on the ditch is progressing favorably and the prospect is good for a crop this season

Saturday March 1st 1884
     Today bro L. H. Redd, John Adams and I started for the Lake to look after our cattle

Sunday March 9th 1884
     Started back today, have had rain nearly every day for a week, found most of our cattle doing well and no worse scattered than we expected. Found one small herd at the head of the Cedar Ridge where there is about 10 inches of snow

Monday March 10th 1884
     Left the road at the “Wind Camp” and turned off to the left crossed the Clay Hill range and struck into an open wash leading northwest towards the Colorado follwed it down hoping to find a better way for a road across to the settlements in the basin

Tuesday March 11th 1884
     Reached the river today about 35 miles from where we leave the road. The wash is favorable for a road but so far we have seen no chance to get away from the river on the west side

Wednesday March 12th 1884
     Looked up the river today as far as we could gon [sic] on foot and think we discovered a much better wash to take a road down from the head of the Cedar ridge, and that apparently will strike the river almost or quite directly opposite to the route booked out from Rabbit Valley by bro A. H. Thurber 2 years ago
     Started for home, rode 8 miles and camped

Saturday March 15th 1884
     Reached home today, and found everybody as well as usual. The excessive rains have raised the river about 7 feet causing considerable damage to our ditch by washing some of it away, and filling much of the deep cut several feet deep with quick sand
     The Cottonwood Wash also sent down a large body of water which deviating a little from its usual course struck the Southwest corner of the port filling a number of houses with water and mud to the depth of 8 or 10 inches, and causing the inmates to move to higher ground. Cellars, pig pens, an [sic] chicken coops were flooded, and corn in the stock buried from 1 to 2 feet deep in mud, doing in this way hundreds of dollars damage, besides burying fences beyond the possibility of redemption, and covering a part of several of the best claims on the river 18 inches deep with worthless white sand
     Some of the people seem a little discouraged by these misfortunes, but most of them seem as determined as ever to hold on until they conquer all the various obstacles to be met with in reclaiming this forbidding looking country

Saturday March 22nd 1884
     Our Quarterly Stake Conference convened today we had a very fair turnout, although there were very few present out side [sic] of the Bluff ward, held 3 meetings.

Sunday March 23rd 1884
     Held 3 more meetings today and adjourned for 3 months, most of the people seem to have enjoyed themselves pretty well. I have not enjoyed myself as well as I like to on such occasions, owing to a feeling that some have foolishly worked up between a few who talk of moving away and the balance who may desire to remain here

Sunday April 6th 1884
     At 12 M [sic] today I preformed [sic] the marriage ceremony for Jesse J. Smith son of Silas S. Smith and Margaret A Haskell daughter of Thales H Haskell

Saturday April 12th 1884
     The weather is quite variable being warm and cold wet and dry, windy and pleasant by spells
     During the week I have sowed wheat and planted potatoes. The river is quite high, and the Cottonwood wash sends down a very regular large stream of water

Monday April 14th 1884
     Bro Ben Perkins and I started today for the Lake to look after our cattle, camped in the Comb Wash

Monday April 28th 1884
     Returned home today in a fearful wind storm having found all well at the Lake.
     Found the people at home as well as usual, another flood has been down the Cottonwood raising higher in the Fort more than the previous one but doing less damage. The weather is still quite chilly at night, and all kinds of vegetation are very backward.
     Old man Mitchell and his sons and son in law who live 20 miles above here on the river, had some difficulty with the Navajoes [sic] about a week ago and shot and killed one and wounded two more. Troops were then sent for to Fort Lewis who came down but so far have done nothing

Sunday May 4th 1884
     Today a party of Navajoes [sic] came in to trade for the first time since the fracas at Mitchells. They are all back 2 days ride from the river and very much afraid of the Soldiers
     They are as usual very friendly to our people

Tuesday May 20th 1884
     For several days past, the people here have been growing into the conviction that they have very little if any prospect of establishing themselves independently in this place, and today they almost unanimously signed a letter to President Taylor setting forth som [sic] of the obstacles they have to contend with and also some of the sacrifices that have been made in endeavoring to establish this place and asking to be released from this mission unless suitable help is forthcoming at once to enable them to stay. The head gate and head of the ditch is washed away with the high water, also an extension of ¾ of a mile at the head of the ditch which has cost the most of the labor done during the past winter.

Sunday June 8th 1884
     Joseph has been quite sick of late with some liver desease [sic]. We are having higher water than ever was know here at the spring of the year. Bros Hydes and Adams wheels have been washed down the river
     The ditch is considerably damaged, and the river is getting higher all the time. We have the water in the ditch about 1/3 of the time. A very little crop has been planted. Most of the people have their minds made up to move and are only waiting the answer of the Apostles.
     Our range is better than ever before since we lived here. Stock are doing well but money is very scarce and times are dull

Wednesday June 18th 1884
     Last Saturday evening a heavy rain storm broke our ditch bad in several places and filled it up with sand in others. Yesterday the river raised about 2 feet higher then [sic] we have ever known it before, and flooded nearly all of our field lying east of the settlement, and ran 2 ft deep into bro Adams house in the lower part of town. It has damaged the ditch by washing away the bank of filling up so that we have no idea of attempting to repair it and consequently will not raise a crip [sic], all the people feel anxious to move away. Mitchells place is entirely washed away, and bro Hydes place and the Fort at Montezuma, and bro Allans houses are flooded so that his family are compelled to move out on to higher ground. Bro Hyeds house at Rincon are filled 4 feet deep with water, and some damage done to his goods and household effects.

Friday June 27th 1884
     Started for the Lake with bro Redd and bro Adams son

Monday July 7th 1884
     Returned home today having found everything well at the Lake, during my trip, went to the Colorado River which is very high and has carried away all the boats from Halls Ferry. During the past week a difficulty occurred between cow men and Indians on the South Montezuma during which 2 Indians were killed and 2 white men were wounded. This may yet lead to considerable trouble

Monday July 20th 1884
     Troops and cowboys have been following the hostile indians, and about 5 days ago came on them somewhere west of the Blue Mountains near the Colorado River and were driven back after having 2 men killed. The indians suffered no loss

Wednesday July 23rd 1884
     Bishop Neilsen today received a letter from the First Presidency urgin [sic] all who would to remain here and try and build up a place. He also received one from Bro Snow saying that Bro Joseph Fand himself would be here on August 3rd to visit the Saints.
     The letter from the Presidency was a copy of one sent to Apostle Young and Lyman but it never reached them it suggested Bishop Neilsen as a suitable man for Stake President in case of a vacancy which would certainly occur if I was released which was suggested by the letter

Friday August 1st 1884
     Bro Thales Haskell and I went with 4 horses and a spring wagon to Montezuma to meet bros Smith and Snow. Put up at bro John Allan Son [sic].

Monday Aug 4th 1884
     As our brethren have not come and we donot [sic] know when they will. I returned to Bluff today and bro Haskell went on up the river to see if he could find our visitors
     Bro Wm Hyde has parted with his first wife who is living in Bluff, and he with his other family are moving up the river, intending to locate at Peak 25 miles above here

Wednesday Aug 6th 1884
     Bp Neilsen today received word by letter from Apostle Snow, that their visit was postponed until Sep 21st. This is quite a disappointment to the brethren, some of whom have come from Mancos to attend meeting

Tuesday Aug 12th 1884
     Today Bp Neilsen, Bro Haskell and 5 others started to look for a valley which is supposed to be somewhere between the Blue Mountain and the Colorado River.

Friday Aug 15th 1884
     Today my bro Joseph A started for Oak Creek by way of the Blue Mountain and Grand San Castle Valleys. He took his family and also Mother and Lucy. I took my team and helped them a few miles as the road is rather bad.

Saturday Aug 16th 1884
     Went a half days drive with Joseph and left him about 25 miles from Bluff, in company with 11 other men most of them with families going back to the old Settlements to live.

Tuesday Aug 19th 1884
     Bishop Neilsen and party returned today, having found the valley they were looking for. It is about 75 miles from here, northwest of the Blue Mountains has 2 streams of water in it capable of watering all the available land about 1200 acres, which is scattered in patches along the stream for 15 or 20 miles, and would necessitate the scattering of homes miles apart which would be unsafe as it is in the heart of the country claimed and infested by the renegade Utes and Pah-Utes [sic] who work up all the Indian deviltry that has troubled this section for a few years past.
     This evening at ½ past 10 Delia gave birth to a fine 10 pound girl, both mother and baby are doing very well

Wednesday Aug 27th 1884
     The mail today brough [sic] us news of the killing by a masked mob at cane creek Lewis County Tennessee on Aug 10th of Elders Wm S Perry of Kanarra and John H Gibbs of Paradise missionaries and also two other brethren residents of Cane Creek and the serious wounding of a woman who is a member of the Church.
     Bishop Neilsen received a Telegram from Bp Lunt, informing him of the death of his (Bp Neilsen) wife Katrina at Cedar City, on the 23rd of Pneumonia. She leaves 3 small children.

Friday Aug 29th 1884
     Today Bp Neilsen first wife and her daughter Julia started back to Cedar to take care of his children.

Sunday Aug 31st 1884
     I joined in marriage Amasa Myers Barton and Hariet Parthenia Hyde

Sunday Sep 7th 1884
     Bro Redd and others returned from the Lake and reported that the Indians (Utes) had been on the ranch and killed some of our cattle

Monday Sep 8th 1884
     Started to the Lake with some hands to gather up and bring in our stock

Monday Sep 22nd 1884
     Returned from the Lake having got all of our cattle but 11 head, some of which we found dead
     During my absence Prests J F Smith and E Snow have visited this place and held meetings at one of which I was released from this mission and any who felt like doing so were requested to stay and hold the place if possible

Saturday Sep 27th 1884
     Sold our (Lyman ) cattle to Callan and Smith of San Miguel Colorado.

Monday Oct 6th 1884
     Returned from a 6 days trip back on the Cedar Ridge looking for cattle lost as we were coming in. Thos Talbot and Loren Neilsen, Sent [sic] from Oak Creek by my brothers with teams to help me move in came in today.

Tuesday Oct 7th 1884
     Commenced to load up our wagons

Wednesday Oct 8th 1884
     Still loading up. Attended a party in the evening got up as a farewell to me. Did not enjoy myself.

Thursday Oct 9th 1884
     Started late in the afternoon, and drove as far as the mouth of the recapture and camped. My sisters Ida and May are with me and will travel with us until we meet Joe Neilsen Idas husband who is returning from Utah.

Monday Oct 13th 1884
     Camped at Peters Ranch on the northeast of the Blue Mountains. Were overtaken today by bros Perkins, McKleprang and Bartons on their way to Iron Co. They left Bluff 2 days after we did.

Tuesday Oct 14th 1884
     Rain most of the day. Got one wagon stuck in the mud and lost about half a day, so did not overtake the rest of the company.

Thursday Oct 16th 1884
     Camped last night 14 miles from Grand Valley, at the forks of the road. Met J Neilsen this morning, and parted with Ida and May who go back to Bluff with him. Today Soren Neilsen tipped his wagon over but did not do much damage. Camped at night in the upper end of Grand Valey

Friday Oct 17th 1884
     Drove down through Grand Valley to the ferry on Grand River where we overtook bros Perkins and company. Stayed all nith [sic] at Orlando Warners

Saturday Oct 18th 1884
     Unloaded our wagons and took them to peices [sic] to ferry them over in a skiff, which took us until dark

Wednesday Oct 22nd 1884
     Crossed Green River on a very good ferry, large enough to carry 4 horses and a wagon at once

Saturday Oct 25th 1884
     Camped last night on Huntington Creek and today passed by Cottonwood Settlement and drove to Ferron where we camped

Tuesday Oct 28th 1884
     Climbed the mountains all day, passed Sam Gibsons Ranch in the afternoon and camped on the summit or rim of the Basin.

Wednesday Oct 29th 1884
     Drove down the mountain past Goosebery [sic] and Salina and camped in the bottom of the Seveir [sic] River

Friday Oct 31st 1884
     Passed Round Valley Lake and drove to Seipio where we put up at Willis E Robisons, Delia’s nephew

Sunday Nov 2nd 1884
     Camped last night below Duggins Ranch and today drove into Oak Creek where we were welcomed by our folks all of whom were in good health
     We have made the trip in very good time have had no mishaps of a serious nature, and have had good weather most of the way, and everything considered have had a very prosperous trip, for which I feel to thank my Father in Heaven.
     All the Settlements through which I have passed show every indication of prosperity. Making a marked contrast to affair on the San Juan.

Thursday Nov 6th 1884
     Took Delia and the children to Fillmore to visit her folks

Monday Nov 10th 1884
     Returned to Oak Creek

Tuesday Nov 11th 1884
     Joseph and I went to Leamington and put up at bro C Oversens, at the old place which used to be mine

Wednesday Nov 12th 1884
     Got on train at 2 o’clock this morning and rode to Salt Lake where we arrived at 10 A M and were met by Annie and my brother Marion

Sunday Nov 16th 1884
     Met Fred this morning just up from Oak Creek on his way to the Southern States on a mission

Tuesday Nov 18th 1884
     This morning Jodie and Fred and I started south on the D & R G and went as far as Provo where we parted with Fred who went on east and in the evening we went on to Leamington and put up at bro Oversens

Thursday Nov 20th 1884
     Came to Oak Creek yesterday, and today rode over the mount in to Scipio and stayed with W E Robison

Saturday Nov 22nd 1884
     Came to Fillmore yesterday, and today attended the Stake Conference and had a good time

Sunday Nov 23rd 1884
     Attended more conference meetings today and enjoyed myself very well

Saturday Dec 20th 1884
     Delia has been gone to St George nearly 3 weeks with her mother and Brother to do some work in the Temple. Our 3 older children are here (Scipio) with Sister Lillas Robison. I think of locating here and will stay this winter on J V Robisons farm about a mile from town and in the mean time look for a suitable chance to buy a home. Went to Fillmore today expecting to meet Delia

Wednesday Dec 24th
     Delia and the party got home last night all well and today we drove to Scipio over dreadful muddy road

Tuesday Dec 30th 1884
     Moved down to the farm through a good deal of mud and snow, and began keeping house after a rest of nearly 3 months

Sunday Jan 18th 1885
     Bishop Yates presented my recommend from Bluff and I was received into the Scipio Ward

Monday Jan 26th 1885
     My brother Joseph and his wife came over from Oak Creek on a visit to us.

Wednesday Jan 28th 1885
     Today I bought 10 acres of land and 5 acres of water for $150.00 from Hans Eskalund

Friday Jan 30th 1885
     Joseph and his wife went home today and I went afterwood [sic]. Yesterday I bought Josephs cattle which were left at bluff. 7 or 8 head.

Sunday Feb 1st 1885
     Attended Sunday School and meeting and set apart as a Sunday School Teachers [sic], and was informed by Bp Yates tha [sic] had been selected to act as one of the Ward Teachers.

Thursday Feb 19th 1885
     Bros F M Lyman and H. J. Grant held meeting here this evening, and gave much good instruction

Sunday Feb 22nd 1885
     Today the Quarterly conference of this Stake closed in Fillmore having convened yesterday morning. We have had a very good time although the weather is quite stormy.
     Bros F M Lyman, H. J. Grant & S. B. Young have been with us had given the people much good counsel
     During the conference Bp Jos D Smith resigned as Bp of Fillmore as he is going on a mission to England in a few weeks. Thomas C. Callister was chosen as Bp with Alma Greenwood and James A Melville as his counsellors [sic], all of whom were unanimously sustained by vote of the people. I was chosen to fill a vacancy in the High Council.

Tuesday Feb 24th 1885
     Yesterday the Mutual Improvement and Primary Associations and Relief Society held their Conferences all the meetings of which were very interesting and well attended. Today we returned to Scipio over wretchedly muddy roads, found all well at home.
     I have made a homestead of 160 acres of land in this (Round) Valley

Saturday March 14th 1885
     Went to Oak Creek to visit the folks, found all well as usual

Tuesday March 17th 1885
     Spent yesterday and the day before in Oak Creek and returned home today.

Monday March 30th 1885
     Today bought a place in Scipio (Round Valley) consisting of house granary and other improvements 3 lots, 20 acres of land and 22 ½ acres of water for $800.00 in cash.
     Today put in 5 acres on my own land, have got some grain sown, but much of the land is too wet to work on yet, although the weather is very pleasant. I hear from Fred occasionally he is in Mississippi in good health and enjoying his missionary labors.

Friday April 3rd 1885
     Went over the mountains to Oak Creek on horseback and then on to Fool Creek and staid [sic] at Alvin Ropers, had a very heavy rain storm today.

[1885-94]

Saturday April 4th 1885
     Drove some cows to Round Valley, had another heavy rain storm. Joseph came over after grain

Sunday April 5th 1885
     Helped Jodie to load his wagon and saw him started for Oak Creek. More rain

Sunday April 9th 1885
     Went to Fillmore to see Uncle Partridge who has just returned from a mission of almost three years to the Sandwich Island, found him well

Friday April 10th 1885
     Had a good visit with Uncle Edward and then returned home. There has been so much rain and much of the ground is so wet that we are getting in very little crop.

Saturday April 18th 1885
     Paid Br Clousen the Cash ($800.00) for his place and received the deeds for the same. He intends to start for the east in a couple of days, and identify himself with the “Josephite” faction

Sunday April 19th 1885
     Uncle Edward came in last night from Fillmore on his way to Salt Lake, and stayed over today and spoke to the Sunday School and meeting

Monday April 20th 1885
     Clousens folks went to Juab today where they will board the train for Omaha. It has snowed nearly all day, and is quite muddy underfoot.

Wednesday April 22nd 1885
     Snow has fallen more or less all day, but Uncle E and I have taken most of my things up to my house. We all stayed over night at Sister Lillas Robisons. She and her folks have all been very kind to us since we came in from San Juan

Thursday April 23rd 1885
     This morning Uncle E. went on to Juab from where he will go on to Salt Lake by train this afternoon.
     I took my family and the rest of my effects up to my place and took possession of the house
     The weather is still squally, and the ground so wet that no planting can be done

Thursday May 7th 1885
     Finished putting in small grain. There is still considerable rain, nearly every day, grass and all kind of crops are looking very well. The prospect of a fruit crop is very good.

Friday May 8th 1885
     This evening a meeting was held here to ratify the action of the Mass meeting in Salt Lake and express our sentiments with regard to the course of the Government toward us as a people. The meeting went off very well and bro Thomas Memmott and I were elected to represent this place at the Mass meeting in Fillmore

Sunday May 10th 1885
     Yesterday bro Memmott (Mermnolt) and I went to Fillmore and attended meeting where we had a good time This morning we attended Sunday School in Fillmore and then drove to Holden and went to meeting and spoke to the Saints and then drove on home to Scipio.

Sunday May 24th 1885
     Yesterday and today attended the conference of the Willard Stake, had a very good time.

Monday May 25th 1885
     Drove home to Scipio and met Ole Jensen who started with me to San Juan, nearly 6 years ago. He comes now from Castle Valley and in on his way to Idaho. Within the last few days frost has entirely destroyed the apple crop in this valley.

Saturday June 13th 1885
     Delia and I went with bro Daniel Thompson to Deseret where we met Apostles F M Lyman and J H Smith and a number of grethren [sic] from other parts of the county. Put up at bro M. M. Bishops

Sunday June 14th 1885
     Attended two meetings, and was called on to apeak [sic]. Had much good instruction from the brethren, and a very good time generally

Monday June 15th 1885
     Drove to Oak Creek after attending one meeting this morning, found our folks all well.

Tuesday June 16th 1885
     Attended two meetings at which we received much good instruction from the Apostles.

Wednesday June 17th 1885
     Returned to Scipio in company with bros Thompson and Yates, found all well at home

Thursday July 2nd 1885
     In company with bros D. Thompson and J. A. Vance I went to Fillmore as a Delegate to the Legislature and some county officers. Wm H King was nominated as Representative from this county to the Territorial Legislature

Saturday July 18th 1885
     Bros J. B. Martin and I started to visit Leamington as Home Missionaries, and went as far as Fool Creek Flat and put up with Bp L E Christensen

Sunday July 19th 1885
     Drove down to Leamington and attended Sunday School and meeting at which we both spoke. After meeting by request I blessed an infant child of Geo Morrison. He was cut off the church for adultery, by the High Council on the 24th of May last. His wife is still a member of the church.
     In the evening we drove over to Oak Creek and put up at Aunt Carolines.
     Found all as well as usual. Mother is away on a visit to Salt Lake

Monday July 20th 1885
     Drove home and found the folks all well

Friday July 24th 1885
     The people had made all preparations to celebrate this day, but learning of the death of General Grant which occurred yesterday morning, suspended all operations on that account.

Saturday July 25th 1885
     Bro J. B. Martin and I went to Fillmore and attended a session of the High Council which lasted until 11 o’clock at night, settling a difficulty between Bp Black and two members of his ward, and between F. [copy unreadable] Robison and Edward Trimble

Sunday July 26th 1885
     Attended Sunday School and meeting in Fillmore and listened to very instructive discourse by Bro K. G. Maeser of the B Y Academy of Provo

Monday July 27th 1885
     Went as far as Holden with bro Martin and stopped there to meeting and heard bro Maeser preach and then rode with him to Scipio where he held meeting in the evening.

Saturday August 1st 1885
     During the last three days, have made a trip to Lyman Brothers saw mill in Fool Creek for lumber

Saturday Aug 8th 1885
     During the week have made another trip to the Saw Mill have had some quite heavy rain which has done some damage to crops, destroying entirely 5 acres of wheat for me

Saturday Aug 15th 1885
     During the week have cut a part of my second crop of lucern [sic] and today went to Oak Creek as a Home Missionary taking my little boy Albert with me. Found all well.

Sunday August 16th 1885
     Attended Sunday School and meeting both of which were well attended and at both of which I spoke and had a good time.

Monday Aug 17th 1885
     Returned home today with a load of shingles. The weather is very hot and the sand on the road is very bad. Just as I reached home, one of bro W. E. Robisons children a little girl about 4 years old was being buried, having died early this morning of croup

Saturday Aug 22nd 1885
     Have been hauling and stocking hay and wheat most of the week, and today went to Conference at Holden leaving my little boy rather sick at home.
     Attended 3 meetings in the new brick meeting house and had a good time. Apostle J E. Smith was present and there was a fair representation from all the wards in the stake. During the afternoon and evening we had an unusually heavy rain storm. I put up at bro B J Stringhams

Sunday Aug 23rd 1885
     Still somewhat rainy. At the opening of the meeting this morning. Apostle Smith offered the dedicatory prayer. Two meetings were held today both very interesting and well attended. Conference then adjourned for 3 months. I returned in the evening and found the little boy still ailing. The balance of the family are well as usual.

Sunday Sep 6th 1885
     Our little boy has been quite low with fever but is now mending and in a fair way to recover, for which our thanks are given to our Father in Heaven for it is his power alone that has saved him.
     We have got all of our grain and most of our lucern [sic] cut but have got about 10 days hauling to do yet. Most of the crops in this valley are first class.
     Most of the crops in this valley are first class [sic]. Two threshing machines are running and everybody is busy. The weather is somewhat cooler than of late and we have some wind and occasional squalls of rain, which make it rather unpleasant handling hay and wheat.

Friday Sep 11th 885
     Rain fell in the valley this morning and snow fell on the mountains, but most of it disappeared before night.

Saturday Sep 12th 1885
     Cut my corn which has matured very well. We have had no frost yet but are threatend [sic] occasionally with it. Although the weather seems now to be pretty well settled.

Saturday Oct 17th 1885
     Bro Daniel Thompson and I went to Oak Creek, most of the way in a rain. Met Apostles E Snow, [copy unreadable] Lyman and H J Grant, and Uncle Edward Partridge

Sunday Oct 18th 1885
     Attended three good meetings today, at the first of which bro Snow spoke, after which he went on to Holden to hold meeting, and the rest of the brethren stayed in Oak Creek where all had a very enjoyable time

Monday Oct 19th 1885
     Returned to Scipio and took Mother with me, found the folks all well at home. Attended meeting in the evening and heard bro Snow preach

Saturday Oct 24th 1885
     Have been threshing part of the week. This evening J A Lyman & Jos. Andersen came in from Oak Creek as Home Missionaries and put up at my place. Attended an infidel lecture in the School house.

Monday Oct 26th 1885
     Mother went home with Jodie today

Tuesday Nov 10th 1885
     Finished threshing had 525 bushells [sic] of grain, and would have had more but was damaged by storms during the summer.

Saturday Nov 14th 1885
     Went to Oak Creek yesterday with a load of potatoes and returned to day [sic] with a load of lumber
     Some snow has fallen during the past week but at present the weather is very pleasant

Sunday Nov 15th 1885
     I learned today that Apostle Albert Carrington is cut off from the Church for adultery. This reminds me that ten years ago when I was on the sea on my second mission to England James Sharp (now Mayor of Salt Lake City) told me that bro Carrington had committed himself with a woman but I thought he was talking wild.

Sunday Nov 22nd 1885
     Yesterday and today attended the quarterly conference at Fillmore. Has [sic] a moderately good time.

Saturday Dec 19th 1885
     Went to Kanosh as a home missionary with bro W.E. Robison, and put up at Bro Jas Abrahams.

Sunday Dec 20th 1885
     Attended Sunday School and 2 meetings all of which were well attended, and had a good time. Had a visit with Bp Kimball who has been sick for more than a year, but is mending slowly and has a prospect of recovery

Monday Dec 21st 1885
     Returned home, had a little rain in the evening

Wednesday Dec 30th 1885
     Plowed part of last week and this and finished today. There has been a little snow and rain and frost but not to amount to much. The ground is bare now and there is very little mud.

Friday Jan 1st 1886
     The weather is quite cold and the ground is froze up solid. There is about 1 inch of snow on the ground.

Monday Jan 18th 1886
     Have just had a 2 days snow storm which leaves about 15 inches of snow on the ground. Today we have had a pretty general rabbit hunt and a good many of the little pests were killed.

Thursday Jan 21st 1886
     Went to Fillmore today with bros D. Thompson & Yates and met with the Presidency, High Councile [sic] and Bishops of this stake and assisted to organize the “Church Association of Millard Stake” for the purpose of securing the church property from our enemies.

Saturday Jan 23rd 1886
     Attended 2 meetings yesterday considering matters connected with this Stake, and returned home today. The snow is almost entirely gone, and the loads are quite soft.

Friday Jan 29th 1886
     This evening Uncle Edward came in from Fillmore on his way to Provo, having left his wagon between here and Holden on account of the muddy roads.

Saturday Jan 30th 1886
     Took my team and went back with Uncle after his wagon

Tuesday Feb 2nd 886
     Uncle Edward spoke to us in meeting on Sunday last and layed over yesterday on account of the rain and today I helped him with my team as far as Chicken Creek where we camped for the night
     The roads are fearfully bad.

Wednesday Feb 3rd 1886
     Helped Uncle up to just where he shipped most of his load on the cars for Provo, and went on with his team and wagon and I returned home.

Saturday Feb 6th 1886
     Yesterday I came to Oak Creek and stayed over night and found our folks well as usual, and today I went to Deseret to fill a home missionary appointment and met Bros Thos Memmott and W E Robison who have been traveling through a part of the county visiting the Seventies. I attended a meeting of the Young Mens Improvement Association in the evening and stayed wiht [sic] bro J F Gibbs

Sunday Feb 7th 1886
     Attended Sunday School and 2 meetings today at which bros J. S. Gyles, Thos Memmott, F. F., W.E. & J L Robison and I spoke. The people turned out well and we had a good time.

Tuesday Feb 9th 1886
     Came to Oak Creek yesterday with bros Memmott and W. E. Robison and stayed all night, and today drove to Scipio and found all as well as usual.

Wednesday Feb 10th 1886
     Yesterday evening our dam at the Lake broke and this morning a large force of men with teams went up to repair the damage. We found the head gate and flume entirely gone and a gap about 35 feet wide washed in the dam through which a stream of water larger than the Seveir [sic] was rushing with frightful velocity

Thursday Feb 11th 1886
     We succeeded today in checking the water after it had run for 36 hours and towards evening had it pretty well under control.

Saturday Feb 13th 1886
     We have got the dam pretty well secured and all hands went home today

Sunday Feb 14th 1886
     Attended Sabbath School in the forenoon and spoke on the Sacrament. Also meeting in the afternoon and in the evening I spoke by request on the comming [sic] forth of the Latter Day work, the house was well filled and all paid good attention.

Monday Feb 15th 1886
     Heard today of the arrest of Prest Geo C Cannon at Humbolt, Nevada by Federal Officers.
     I have been into the feild [sic] today to see what damage was done by the water, hundreds of acres of land are under water, much of which was plowed and would have been sown in a few days much damage has been done by land being cut up by the water running over it, and considerable fencing is washed down and floated away.
     We have still all the water in the Lake we will need for irrigation this season.

Friday Feb 19th 1886
     Have been hauling manure so far this week, and today drove to Fillmore in the forenoon, and in the afternoon met with the High Council and heard two trifling cases of damage by Stock, between Ed Trimble and John Call and Bp Thos Callister and also the confession of Soren Christensen guilty of adultery, who was by unanimous vote of the council cut off from the Church

Sunday Feb 21st 1886
     Yesterday and today attended the Stake Conference and had a good time, the weather is pleasant and the roads are dry and good, and the people have turned out well to all the meetings. Mother came to Fillmore but has been quite sick all the time and not able to attend meetings

Monday Feb 22nd 1886
     Drove to Scipio and found everything as well as usual and some of the people at work putting in grain

Sunday Feb 28th 1886
     For a few days past the weather has been and still is quite cold with occasional snow squalls which however amount to very little

Tuesday March 2nd 1886
     About 3 o’clock this morning my Brother Walter came in from Oak Creek to tell me that Mother who has been sick ever since conference is much worse I immediately started on horse back over the mountain, and reached Oak Creek at 9 A M. and found that Mother had died at 5 minutes to 3, or about the time Walter reached my house. She has never been a strong woman since I can recollect and has had much poor health. The complaint of which she died was I think Pneumonia or congestion of the lungs. She would have been 66 years old if she had lived until the 20th of next April. She had been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from her childhood and had reared her children in that and had herself obeyed ever [sic] law and order of the church so far as the privilege had been given her to do so. She was a kind and affectionate Mother, very solicitous for the welfare of her children and esteeming nothing which she could do for their comfort or happiness a hardship or a sacrifice. May she rest in peace until the Saints of God are called forth in the morning of the first ressurrection [sic] in which she will surely have a part.
     Mother was buried on the 3rd (Wednesday) in the Oak Creek Cemetery beside my 3 children and my sister Carlie.
     BPs Yates (of Scipio) and Anderson (of Oak Creek) spoke at the funeral which was attended by most of the people in the settlement.

Thursday March 4th 1886
     Returned home (Scipio) part of the way in a snow storm. We have more or less snow nearly every day.

Saturday March 13th 1886
     The weather is still quite unsettled, and I have worked at Joiner work in the house all the week. Today Alvin Roper and my sister Martha (his wife) went to Oak Creek they have been here on a visit since last Tuesday.

Saturday March 20th 1886
     Finished up my work in the house. Have made a flour box, cupboard and book case, and some other little things, the weather is some better.

Thursday March 25th 1886
     Commenced to sow wheat. The weather is quite pleasant but rather cold.

Saturday March 27th 1886
     A very cold day. Rode to Fillmore in the afternoon and attended a meeting of the Y. M. I. A. of the county

Sunday March 28th 1886
     Attended 2 meetings of the Young Mens Conference and had a very good time.

Monday March 29th 1886
     Went to Fillmore to attend a High Council meeting and took Delia and 2 of the children with me.

Monday April 19th 1886
     Snow has fallen almost constantly since Saturday night and has melted so that the ground is quite muddy. Drove home and found the road dry and dusty in Round Valley.

Wednesday April 21st 1886
     Finished sowing wheat, have 18 acres in

Monday April 26th 1886
     Went to Saline to get a cow of mine that had got in the Stray [copy unreadable]. Stayed at bro Gates

Tuesday April 27th 1886
     Sold my cow and returned home, and shortly after my bro Joseph and his family and my sister Lucy came in from Oak Creek on a visit

Friday April 30th 1886
     Jodie went home leaving Lucy who will stay with us for a while

Saturday May 8th 1886
     Finished sowing oats. Have been clearing new land most of the time for the past six weeks. The weather is very dry and the wind blows nearly every day.

July 1st 1886
     Lucy has gone back to Bluff. The rabbits are destroying many acres of grain in this valley and in other parts of the county. I have lost all that I put in on new land (17 acres) from rabbits, lack of water in time and failure to fence.

Wednesday Sept 15th 1886
     Had my grain threshed today, had 440 bushels good grain The season has been very dry with the exception of about 2 weeks in August when it rained almost incessantly for several days and done [sic] considerable damage to hay and grain, and in some parts to the Kanyon [sic] roads grain crops in this valley are much lighter than last season. May has come in from Bluff on a visit.

Monday Sep 27th 1886
     There is considerable sickness here (fever) among both children and grown people, and there have been lately quite a number of deaths mostly children
     I am making arrangements to go out to San Juan this winter with a herd of beef steers which I have bought on time from Almon Robison. We have raised a fair crop of apples and plums and a few peaches in this place

Nov 1886
     Bp Yates and I have bought a bunch of stock cattle of Mr. Webber and in the early part of this month started for San Juan in company with other parties who are hunting range for their stock. When we left Scipio our company consisted of Daniel Thompson, Thos Yates, Henry Thompson, Wilmer Thompson, Wm Partridge, James Johnson, Chas Walsh, Jos A Lyman, Esdras Martin, Stephen Martin and myself.
     We were joined in Rabbit Valley by bro L H Redd Jr. We have a little over 1000 head of cattle about 40 horses and 2 wagons. Delia has a fine boy born on the 11th of Oct who we have named Edward Partridge

Jan 4th 1887
     I arrived in Bluff today alone having left the company on the Colorado river Bro Thompson located his stock on Fells Creek on the west side of the river and Bro Yates located his steers with my cattle which I put on my old ranch at the Lake

Nov 1890
     We have a little girl named Caroline born May 15th of this year. Since 4 years ago I have spent my time looking after my stock in San Juan and in going back and forth to Scipio where all my family are with the exception of Annie who has been in Bluff for some time.
     At the Quarterly Conference of the San Juan Stake of Zion held at Mancos in Colorado on the day of this month I was sustained as 2nd counsellor [sic] to Prest F A Hammond, and was set apart to that office by Apostly F M Lyman.
     After this conference Prest Hammong [sic] his 1st counsellor [sic] Wm Halls and I visited all the wards and branched in the Stake as follows. La Plate and Burnham in New Mexico and Bluff, Moab and Monticello in Utah

March 1891
     During the winter I went from Bluff to Scipio (my 10th trip over the road since Nov 1886) and sold my place there Chas E. Petersen for $1100.00 and about the 26th inst started with my family and effects in 2 wagons for Bluff going by way of Rabbit Valley and Dandy Crossing

April 18th 1891
     Reached Bluff today all well. Have had more or less snow and rain on the trip. And have pulled through 4 feet of snow and 2 feet of mud in place, besides a great deal of heavy sand.

March 1892
     Took Wayne H. Redd in with me to help me take care of my cattle, as I have about 700 or 800 or my own and belonging to other parties which I have on shares

March 1896 [sic]
     During the winter we have been in the midst of a mining boom caused by the reported discovery of gold on the San Juan river about 100 miles below here. But the reports have been greatly exaggerated or entirely without foundation, and as a consequence the country is full of disappointed and disgusted men many of them in destitute circumstances.
     In company with Bros Benson Hanson and Benjamin and Hyrum Perkins I have spent some time in digging for relics in the old ruins and cliff dwellings which about everywhere in this country, and have made a very good collection of mummies skulls, stone and bone implements, and a great variety of other articles including corn, cotton, beans, squash seed, pottery and basket work. All of which we have loaned to the worlds Fair for the Season.

April 1893
     Attended the general conference of the church in Salt Lake City and also the dedication of the temple. At which we had a most enjoyable time. Delia and Annie were both present the former having come in from Bluff ahead of me to visit her mother and relatives in Fillmore, and the latter is attending School in Salt Lake.

July 1893
     We have spent between two and three months in gathering and driving steers which we have sold to B. F. Saunders and have delivered in Montrose and vicinity in Colorado.

August 1893
     Attended Stake conference in Monticello. I should have mentined [sic] that in Feb of this year, O. C. Roberts of La Plata was excommunicated from the church by the High Council of this Stake of Zion for not complying with a decision of Apostles B Young and John E Smith. As Prests Hammond and Halls were both directly or indirectly interested in the case, I presided alone over the council and was very thankful when the council unanimously sustained my decision. The decision of the Apostles was given 5 years before the action of the council.

Oct 16th 1893
     Today my brother Jos. A. and his family started for their home in Oak Creek having spent about 6 weeks visiting us at Bluff. We have had a good time

Nov 1893
     During the latter part of the last month and the early part of the present I made two trips to Cortez in Colorado for flour and potatoes, and about the middle of the month I went to Monticello where I met Prests Hammond and Halls and Apostle B. Young and Elders R.S.Watson and Andrew Jenson. The last named is travelling [sic] in the interest of church history and goes from here to Bluff. While the rest of the party went to Mancos where we held conference and from there continued our Journey down the La Plata to Jackson in New Mexico where we held meeting and then went on to Fruitland where we met Bro Jensen and Bro Edwards who had brought him from Bluff. We tarried here several days and held meetings and reorganized or completed the Bishopric by choosing Walter Stevens as 1st and John H. Young as 2nd counsellor [sic] to Bp L. C. Burnham. From here Bros Young and Watson will go to old Mexico. Bro Jensen to Manassa [sic] [copy unreadable] Mancos, and Bro Edwards and I returned to Bluff. arriving there in two and a half days and found all as well as usual. My trip has occupied 16 days

Jan 13th 1894
     With some of the brethren have spent the past ten days digging for cliff dwellers relics with poor success.
     Today I was chosen by the people of Bluff to visit Salt Lake and wait on the Legislature now is session and if possible defeat the passage of a bill giving to Grand Co on our north one third of our county and about the same proportion of the county revenue.

Jan 15th 1894
     Started for Salt Lake in company with Nephi Bailey of Monticello

1894 Jan
     I reached Salt Lake on Jan 20th having travelled [sic] by team to Thompsons Springs where I got on the train at 4 A M and reached Salt Lake about noon. The following monday [sic] I visited the Legislature and made the acquaintance of several members and learned the statue of the San Juan Co division bill.
     I have been before the Committee on counties and have waited until the bill was killed in the house and have turned our collection of relics that was loaned to the worlds Fair over to the Deseret Museum to whom we sold it last summer
     The 26th of this month I went with Bro Marion to Ogden where we visited Nathan Farmer Jr. also our bro Edward and his family and called on Father Bailey whom I knew in London 25 year [sic] ago We then took the train for Logan where Bro Marion got off, and I went on to Smithfield and staid [sic] at Bro Jonah Clarkes [Annies Father] until Sunday noon the 28th and I went to Logan with Bp Ferrel and attended Stake Conference and on the morning of the 30th returned to Salt Lake City

Feb 6th 1894
     Went to Leamington by train and then to Oak Creek by wagon where I spent the 7th and on the 8th went to Fillmore and stayed over the 9th and returned to Oak creek where I spent Sunday the 11th and spoke to the Saints.
     Spent the 12th in Oak Creek and on the 13th went to Provo where I was met by Uncle Edward Partridge with whom I stayed over night.

Feb 14th 1894
     Spent the day with Uncle Edward in visiting the Acadamy [sic] and friends in Provo and in the evening at 10:34 I got on the train for Thompsons which I reached about 5:00 o’clock the next morning.

Feb 18th 1894
     Reached Monticello last night, after a cold ride from the Railroad and having encountered bad snow from the Peters Hill. Attended Sabbath School and meeting at both of which I spoke to the Saints. After which I rode over to South with Willard Butts and attended a very interesting meeting of the improvement associations at his house.

Feb 19th 1894
     Willard furnished me a horse and I rode to Bluff much of the way through deep snow my folks as well as usual.