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William Decatur Kartchner Hartford, Montgomery, Pennsylvania
was the birthplace of William Decatur Kartchner. He was baptized a member
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints May 8, 1843.
Mr. Kartchner started westward with the Mississippi Saints,
and failing to meet the pioneer company under Brigham Young as planned
en route, he wintered in Pueblo, Colorado with other members of the
company and the sick detachment of the Mormon Battalion
quartered there. This group of southern Saints entered Salt Lake Valley
a few days behind the vanguard company. Mr. Kartchner assisted in the building
of the Old Fort where the winter of 1847�48 was spent. In the spring he
moved his family to Holladay where he took up land. In 1851, in answer
to a call from the Church authorities, William journeyed to San Bernardino,
California, to aid in the settlement of that Mormon outpost. When the Saints
were called home in 1858, he and his family made their way to Beaver, Utah.
Later he spent some time in the Muddy Mission, Panguitch, and Parowan,
then went to Arizona. In both Parowan, Iron County and Snowflake, Arizona
he served as postmaster. Always an active and conscientous worker in the
Church he was ordained a Seventy, served as superintendent of the Sunday
School, ward and block teacher. His first wife, Margaret Jane Casteel,
came to Utah with him. He later married Elizabeth Gale, daughter of Henry
Gale of Australia who came to Utah with an oxteam company. William was
the father of twenty-one children. Five years before his death Mr. Kartchner
lost his eyesight. He passed away in Snowflake, Arizona May 14, 1892. The
following is taken from his journal: About the year 1730 George, William
and John Walton came from England arriving in Virginia the early part of
the year. Here they separated, George going to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
where he became a prominent lawyer and statesman and a member of the first
continental congress which convened in Philadelphia in 1774. George was
also a member of the third congress held in Philadelphia. John was the
youngest. William followed George to Philadelphia. Although but little
is recorded of the heroic deeds of the Walton's during the American struggles
with the Indians and in the Revolutionary wars and contentions, they lectured
through the country in favor of continental rule and when that sacred document,
the Declaration of Independence was written George Walton was one of the
signers. George also lectured in neighboring towns encouraging the citizens
to volunteer in defense of the constitutional rights. William Walton M.D.
did much valuable service for his country as a physician and surgeon in
the American army. He had an interesting family residing in Philadelphia.
His efforts resulted in the accumulation of valuable property. His daughter
married a man by the name of Wilcox from England. This couple, Sarah Walton
and John Wilcox had six children: William, James, John, Prudence, Sarah
and Ann. About the year 1700, three Kartchner brothers came from Germany
and settled in Philadelphia. One, a boy of ten summers, stayed there and
married a German girl. They would occasionally speak to each other in German
but used the English language in common talk. But little is recorded of
his deeds, he being a private citizen. Mr. Kartchner was in comfortable
circumstances in Philadelphia. Their son, John Christopher was born August
29, 1774. John C. was very fond of sailing and loved to build little boats
and set them adrift on the Delaware. He became a very interesting boy for
his activities and would go to the tops of hills where groves of hickory
saplings were. He would climb them and taking hold of the bent end of the
limb would swing from one tree to the other with great force. This he called
flying science. At that date boxing schools were considered the foremost
part of a young man's education. John C. studied boxing and became second
to none while practicing with his play fellows. His enemies soon learned
to dread him. He was a boy of few words and never quarreled with his companions
but took special pleasure in punishing his offenders. The first appearance
of his indignation was made known by a blow well aimed and might be compared
with a kick of a mule. It was followed by quick successive blows so that
a man was whipped before he had time to defend himself. John C. saw an
inducement to learn the paper trade. Mr. John Wilcox, husband of Sarah
Walton, daughter of William Walton, was a papermaker by trade and soon
became the owner of a paper mill some thirteen miles west of Philadelphia,
and carried on a lively business for what was called a hand mill as the
machine mill had not yet been invented. They hauled their paper to Philadelphia
where they bought rags and vitriol and other materials as were needed for
carrying on the paper-making business. John C. Kartchner went as an apprentice
to Mr. Wilcox and soon gained the admiration of his master by his promptness
and firmness. Fear had no place within him and if a hard trip or dangerous
exploit came up it was known to all that John C. was capable of handling
it. He was full of fun and liked to play tricks. At one time on returning
home he picked up a black snake and placed it in his bosom to let it appear
at its pleasure. It lay still against the warm bosom until they were eating
dinner. The serpent smelled the vitals and was induced to stretch forth
his head to the consternation of all, who with one accord jumped back falling
pell mell to extricate themselves from the approaching danger. The whole
scene was enjoyed with a quiet smile from John. John C. Kartchner became
acquainted with Miss Prudence Wilcox, daughter of his master, John Wilcox.
Prudence was born December 6, 1787. Being constantly together, they fell
in love and were married about the year 1804. Prudence sister, Sarah Wilcox,
was married to a Mr. Ellis a blacksmith who would occasionally disturb
the peace under the influence of whiskey. He was of little worth to his
fellows except in the good done in hammering iron. Sarah Ellis lived in
Philadelphia until about the year 1830 when she took fever and died. What
became of Ellis is unknown. Ann Wilcox, another sister of Prudence, was
a virtuous old maid who was much skilled in embroidery work. She lived
and died at the home of her sister Prudence at the age of about forty years
at a place called Manayunk, six miles west of Philadelphia. She was buried
in the old Baptist Churchyard on Ridge Road, one mile north of the residence.
Prudence Kartchner had seven children: Caroline, Peter Wolliver, Margaret,
Mark, John C., William and Sarah Ann. Caroline was born October 11, 1810.
In 1812 war broke out. Prudence's husband. John C. volunteered and went
on shipboard and landed at Mobile; from there to New Orleans and immediately
under General Jackson's command. During his absence Peter Wolliver was
born August 29, 1812. On John C.'s arrival home, he was greatly rejoiced
over his "warrior" as he called him. In the battle of New Orleans
they were commanded until they could see the whites of the eyes of their
English intruders before they fired. After passing through these bloody
scenes it seemed to beget within them a general hatred toward the English.
Margaret was born July 9, 1814. She married James Webb, a Yorkshire man
and blacksmith, contrary to the wishes of her father's family. Mark was
born April 18, 1818, died April 23, 1818. John C., the father, went to
work for himself papermaking and soon became the proprietor of a mill.
Business being brisk, he hired hands and took apprentices, finally taking
a partner in the business by the name of William Wolliver, his wife's cousin,
who kept a book and paper store in Philadelphia, who received the paper
to sell, and bought rags, vitriol and material for the mill. Thus it ran
along for some years apparently prospering and at the time John C. sent
by the regular teamster for money and goods to pay hands, Mr. Wolliver
pronounced the firm broke. Well known to John C. to the contrary, he went
immediately to Philadelphia to the store, but books and things were so
arranged as to be impossible for him to save himself. He returned home
and resolved to go ahead although much discouraged. The news was circulated
soon that Kartchner-Wolliver company was broke and soon the mill was attached
and sold for debts. This mill was situated eight miles west of Philadelphia
on Mill Creek. This so discouraged John C. that he took to drink to drown
his troubles. Another son was born November 13, 1816 whom he called after
himself, John C. Jr. About this time he decided to emigrate west of Ohio
but his wife Prudence objected. He now worked journey-work from one mill
to another. Finally he went to the Catskill mountains and worked the better
part of one year, drinking hard and fighting often. It began to tell on
him. He came home sick and was nursed well again and went to work near
his home. He thought of entering suit against William Wilcox for his wife's
part of an estate in Philadelphia, left to his children by John Wilcox,
but was drinking too much to save up a beginning. Another son was born
May 4, 1820, at Hartford, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He wanted to
name the baby Decatur, after Commander Decatur, but his wife wished to
name him William Walton after her grandfather. So they named the boy William
Decatur. This boy became the writer of this history: John C. became much
careworn from the once happy business agent, paper maker, down to what
they called journeyman workman. He was never known to quarrel with a man,
Mr. Lavern told me, but would fight at the least sign of an insult. Time
passes swiftly without much interest to him. In 1823 on September 7th,
his youngest daughter, whom they named Sarah Ann was born. About this time
John C. moved his family to Manayunk, and shortly after John Wilcox, my
mother's youngest brother came from Buck County, Pennsylvania to visit
the family. He was a young man and a great musician. He had three instruments,
violin, clarinet and flute which was amusing to me and I think brightened
up the dull scenes of our home considerably. My father worked in the Manayunk
Mills. My uncle was also a papermaker, worked with him and lived with my
father. It was common for men to work by piece, and so they would generally
complete their days work by 2 or 3 o'clock, and then amuse themselves and
the family with sweet strains of music. My mother also worked in the paper
mills in the room called the soul, picking paper. She would have her baby
under the bench, and a touch of her foot would keep her quiet in a kind
of box cradle. In the winter of 1825, my father took sick, by excessive
drinking and exposure, took very bad with rheumatic fever. All was done
that could be thought of by the medical faculty of that day without success.
The old school doctors were then thought to be foremost in the healing
arts. My father lingered, receiving no benefit from anything until April
2, 1826, when he died, leaving my mother with five children in poverty
to support. Our connections came from Philadelphia and Buck County to the
funeral, which was a large attendance of carriages. His remains were interred
in the Dutch Churchyard, seven miles southwest of Manayunk. I was sitting
on my Uncle John's lap and put my head out of the window of the carriage,
when a sudden jolt caused the window to strike my chin, which resulted
in my tongue being bitten, which caused me to renew my sobs and tears.
I remained with my mother some one year, and she moved eight miles southwest
to Mill Creek to Telender's Paper Mill. Peter W. was apprenticed; my brother,
John C. worked in the mill for wages. My mother also picked paper at a
low rate of pay. I was sent to school to a Mr. Hoffman a universalist.
One evening while coming from school, a young man was imposing upon me
and plaguing me. I tried to get away from him by running but when my efforts
were in vain, at last I fought with him and he punished me severely. When
we arrived at the mill, my brother John C. saw the affair and called him
to account for his conduct. The young man answered saying he would punish
him the same if he interfered. They soon came together and without much
talk a severe encounter ensued in which both were punished. My brother
had knocked out of joint two thumbs, and before the mill hands came to
them and parted them they had become desperate, and when parted the young
man was carried home and remained in bed some days. In the spring my mother
took me to Mr. McKnight's to be his cowboy. I remained during the summer.
I thought the days and weeks long and cried to go home, but they were very
kind to me and gave me presents but I suffered in my mind very much. In
the course of the autumn Mr. McKnight died of consumption and was buried
in the same yard that my father's remains were buried in the year before.
Soon after James McKnight came to administer the estate. He was very kind
to me and petted me which I had been used to at home. He would take me
in the old gig to the tavern and give me money to pay the hosteler and
for the drinks. I felt quite at home again until the business was settled
and he returned to his home in Buck County and I returned to my mother.
My parting with Mrs. Shoster, the lady who kept house for the consumptive
old bachelor, was tender. By this time Uncle John Wilcox came to visit
my mother in Mill Creek. He took me with him to stay one year as lay boy,
as he had rented a paper mill seven miles northeast of Manayunk. My brother
Peter was about to be whipped by Garrett Hender, his master, when he turned
on him and tore a large leg from a spinning wheel and went for him. He
was sued by his master for assault and battery. He, Peter, soon after ran
away and went to the far west, and then south as far as New Orleans. He
came back to Memphis sick and had many warm hearted friends. Next spring
my Uncle John took me with the family visiting my mother who had moved
to Manayunk. I stayed with her and went to work in a woolen mill and the
next winter at very low wages. The next spring she sent me to school to
a Mr. Murphy, but I hated the school room and learned nothing. I begged
to go to the factory to work. At last she consented and I went to work
in a cotton factory, piecing rolls on a mule. I received two dollars per
week, and generally fifty cents for spending money with which I bought
tobacco which I commenced to use before I was five years old. The rest
of the money I kept in a small stone jug. I worked in the cotton factory
until I was twelve years old, when the little finger of my right hand was
caught in the cog wheels. I was laid up six weeks with it. I refused to
return to the factory. My mother said I must either go to the factory or
go learn a trade, that she could not support me. She wanted me to learn
the carpentry trade but I chose the blacksmith trade and was bound by indenture
to Benjamin Miles for seven years and six months, with a consideration
of receiving one quarter of day school and one quarter of night school.
My mother joined the old Baptist Church soon after my father's death. My
father was an infidel and would not allow his Family to attend sectarian
meetings. He and Mr. Lavern once arranged a hogshead for a Methodist Minister
to stand on to preach, and so fixed the hoops that a hard stomp would knock
the head in and in the midst of his sermon he commenced stomping and at
once dropped into the empty hogshead, out of sight of the audience to the
surprise of all but father and Mr. Lavern who were enjoying a hearty laugh
at the expense of Acre Brown, the preacher. In 1833, my mother happened
to be up in the night and said the stars were falling from Heaven and waked
the older members of the family; she was not excited but many of the citizens
were upon their knees praying and thought the world was at an end. In the
year 1834, mother married a Mr. Francis B. Collins, a nephew of Collins
the noted ax maker, at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. They moved to Kensington,
Philadelphia County. During this time I was working hard early and late
and did not get enough to eat. Our breakfast was a half mackerel for four
large boys, a small parcel of light bread and two cups of water stained
with a little coffee. In the winter time I was called up at three in the
morning to make fires and then call the cook. We ate breakfast and were
ready to work at daylight. We had dinner at twelve and supper at 5 p.m.
and continued to work until 8 p.m. In the winter of 1835, we were allowed
to go to school from 7 to 10 p.m. five nights a week. The teacher remarked
that he had not seen anybody learn faster than I could. I, at that time,
had time allowed me to go to school. I could receive an education easier
than at any other period in my life but I was wanted in the shop and taken
from school and worked very hard days and occasionally all night, until
the spring of 1836. As is natural for boys to want to play, I had no other
time to play except at night, and on one occasion I stayed until after
nine o'clock and when I went to the house, the door was locked, and I went
to the stable and took shelter in the hay mow. The first time I had ever
slept out of doors and I had had comfortable quarters; and in the morning
I went to work as usual in the shop, and as it was customary for the old
boss to stay in the house until after breakfast and have family prayers,
the other hands worked until eight o'clock, stopped for breakfast in summer
and winter, breakfast before daylight. On the above named morning I went
with the others to breakfast and to my surprise Mr. Miles had in preparation
a large tapering stick the size of a rattail file which he used on my back
so unmercifully as to raise a solid scab half the length of my back. My
cries were heard by all the neighbors. I could not eat but was required
to do labor just the same. My friend, Mr. Mariwine, advised me to sue Mr.
Miles which I did at noon and went to work as usual. Soon after Mr. Miles
came and taking me by the hair, pulled and slapped me first on one side
and then on the other, punishing me severely. Again we were notified to
attend trial and my statement, with my back made bare to sight, was not
seen or heard and I was ordered back to work and to be a good boy. The
next morning I arose early and ran away to my mother in Philadelphia, a
distance of six miles and stayed visiting with her for two weeks, when
she required me tc accompany her back to Manayunk when a new trial commenced
before Mr. Murphy. As before, a kind of mock trial went on and my mother,
having no money to carry on the suit, was dismissed. I was told to go back
like a good boy. I told the court I was a poor orphan without money and
would have to submit but was not satisfied. I went back but resolved in
my own mind to never do good for the manager. I had become very handy in
the shop. I took every opportunity of making small irons for the neighbors.
One of my friends, being a saddler, paid me in money. This state of things
went on some six weeks during which time my oldest brother came from the
western country. He told me, after hearing my grievance, he wanted me to
run away and go with him which suited my feelings. I had by this time laid
up five dollars. I told my brother the small amount of money saved up and
asked him if that was enough to help bear the expenses. He said yes I could
go without a cent. We set the time for two weeks to start on a Sunday morning,
as I would have one day start before I would be pursued. Meantime I went
to Philadelphia on next Sunday to visit my little sister, Sarah Ann, as
my mother had married and moved to Harper's Ferry, Petersburg, Virginia
and left me with Mr. Miles, and Sarah Ann with a cousin who was keeping
a store in Philadelphia by the name of Myrtle Shay. When Sunday came I
put on two shirts and two pairs of pants for a start for I had to go through
the room the folks were sitting in and when I had traveled one mile and
a half I met my brother at the bridge where we had appointed to meet. We
talked matters over and found that I had left some letters in my old hat
box that would reveal my course of travels and he advised me to return
and destroy them and in so doing I worked one week for my old boss. The
next Sunday I started again with my clothes as before. As I arrived at
the locks, one and one half miles above town, I found a Union Packer ready
to start. I made an engagement with the captain, a fine young man, to work
my passage. He left me at the helm while he ran to the other end of the
boat and found that I was able to steer the boat and after that he took
passage on the stage by land, some twenty miles, and left me to run the
boat. As I sounded the horn to land at a town, I saw the Captain standing
on the wharf awaiting the arrival of the boat. He expressed himself well
pleased with the hands and I continued as helmsman. Crossed the Susquehanna
and up the Union Canal. As I was running into the locks of Harrisburg I
gave the horn a toot to warn the locksman to open the chambers. My brother,
Peter, hollowed, "Is that you, boy?" I answered in the affirmative.
Here I met my two brothers 150 miles from home. The good Captain took them
aboard. We traveled with him to Blairsville from there to Pittsburg, 46
miles on foot. I was so tired the last five miles I walked between my brothers
supported with locked arms. In the morning we bought a skiff and hoisted
a blanket. At Wheeling we got aboard a flat boat and helped to man it to
Cincinnati. Brother John and myself soon found a position in a carriage
shop. I received $5.00 and my brother $8.00 per week. Brother Peter hired
to go to New Orleans. We remained until fall when hearing nothing from
Peter, we closed business and took passage on the steamboat William Penn
to Cairo, then got aboard the Mediator bound for New Orleans, but we landed
at Tennessee. Mr. Shaver, of LaGrange was down to purchase Litic Springs
for the firm of Col. Shaver, carrying on a carriage shop at LaGrange. He
had heard that there were two boys, spring-makers from Philadelphia. He
soon made our acquaintance and hired us to go to LaGrange, 50 miles. He
purchased spring steel instead of springs. As soon as we arrived we commenced
making springs. The shop was visited by many to see the Yankee boys make
springs as they called us. We worked until the next June. A great many
were sick with the fever, and we feared the fever and so settled up and
went to Memphis, took steamboat, United States for St. Louis and there
took steamboat for Illinois River. Found James Webb, who married my oldest
sister, carrying on a wagon shop. He hired us. I took the fire at $12 per
month and John was helper at $25.00 per month. I worked two months and
demanded $30 per month which was agreed to at once. My brother John fell
out and quit and went to chopping cordwood, and made but little, while
I became foreman of the shop and got my own price per day. Finally brother
Peter came to see us and in a few weeks he and John went down the river
leaving me at Naples, Illinois, the sickliest place I have ever seen since.
I stayed until the fall of 1839. Brother Peter wrote me to come and bring
a set of blacksmith tools. Accordingly, I settled up, bought the tools
and a wood work of a wagon and iron and steel, and my brother-in-law fitted
up a flat boat and put on six wagons bound for Alton. I put my tools, wagon
and things aboard and fastened my yawl and shoved off. He and I were captain,
mate and crew, arrived at Alton safe. He sold out and I put my things in
my yawl and shoved off alone for Illinois town. On the passage I met a
large steamboat whose waves came near sending my irons to the bottom, with
hard swinging and keeping bow to wave I was saved and landed safely. I
put my goods in a warehouse and walked to my brother's. We hired a team,
and I went after my things. I set up shop�John, trader, Peter, farmer.
We then went into co-partnership but my older brothers could not agree,
so we held a council in which I was chosen chairman, and was chosen chief
advisor. After that we would council together but my word decided all cases.
We prospered and gained in property very fast. It was my motto to keep
the word of the firm good. We were able to borrow money or buy on credit
and became well known in the country as a trading firm. People wishing
to exchange animals or wagons must be accommodated if we made good in our
business. This brought a great many people to the place to trade and made
business in the shop. I was digusted with keeping "bach" and
I went to board at Thomas Nelson's 400 yards from our place. And while
I was there, I was very fond of reading and called for some history to
read and he handed me some Latter-day Saints works, Parley P. Pratt's writings,
Voice of Warning. I read with increasing interest. Toward the last of April,
1842, my brothers, Peter and John, came home from St. Louis where they
had been at work into bachelor quarters again. Peter was chief cook and
we hastened to put in our spring crop. During the summer Peter was courting
a Miss Lucinda Herrin and married her in the fall. He brought her to our
bachelor home and we lived agreeably for some three months. By this time,
she, Mrs. Peter Kartchner, showed decided preference favoring myself to
John. A disturbance was the consequence. My shirts were washed and ironed
and put away carefully, while brother John's were left in the dirt. I told
her it would cause disturbance and that we would get our washing done elsewhere.
But she agreed to do our washings on my account. In the summer of 1842,
Peter bought a place four miles west of the old place and finally moved
to it early in the winter. John and myself took our teams and went and
helped improve it by hauling timbers and rails. The spring of 1843, John
and myself put in our crops at our old place and all seemed well until
the 7th of May. Thomas Nelson told me there were two Mormon Elders at the
Free Settlement 10 miles below. I saddled my horse and rode down, stayed
all night and was baptized on the 8th of May, 1843. My brother John heard
of it before I returned home and met me at our gate and asked me if I had
been baptized by them dammed Mormons. I answered in the affirmative�he
dammed me and the Mormons. I tried to pacify him to no purpose. This was
our first disturbance and that which was formerly my whole delight for
my future home was now loathsome. I bore it one month, during which time
my whole faculties was exercised in prayer and study which led me to flee
to the Church for peace and safety, which I did in June. I went straight
to the Prophet's house, had an interview which was very agreeable and consoling.
I worked on the Temple sometime and was baptized in the river for my father
and other dead relatives. I returned home late in the fall. Stayed with
John that fall and sold out to him in November, and in December took my
blacksmith tools in a small wagon, drawn by my favorite mule; located on
Bear Creek, put up in a hickory log shop and worked the winter 20 miles
below Nauvoo. During the winter I became acquainted with Jacob L. Casteel's
family and became familiar with Margaret Jane and was married to her in
1844 by Elder James B. Hamilton on the 17th of March. I moved my shop and
lodgings to my father-in-law's. The mob was threatening the settlers and
I stood guard the greater part of the winter and during the very wet spring.
My father-in-law was called on a mission in company with Alfred D. Young
to go to Tennessee. About that time I was taken with rheumatism caused
by exposures. My brother John came to see me from Naples, Illinois and
visited Nauvoo. Standing guard at nights, with a continual rain for six
weeks, on one occasion, we sent express to Nauvoo. Due to this continuous
rain, most of the small ravines swam the horses, and the day the mob was
to meet to go to Carthage, an express was sent to Nauvoo from our county
to raise a force, but Reynold Cahoon opposed the enterprise, saying Joseph
Smith left word for them to stay at home. He advised them to do so and
the result is that two of the best men on earth were martyred. The mobbers
numbered some over one hundred and fifty, and as soon as this horrible
deed was perpetrated, they and the citizens fled leaving Carthage in a
fright. About this time a wagon drove to Carthage from Nauvoo and the bodies
were put in and they were placed in the Hall of Joseph's Mansion for two
days for the afflicted Saints to gaze upon, passing in at one door and
out of the other. At this time I was helpless with rheumatism and could
not move my head or foot. I was laid up until the first of July when I
was able to be out again. The Nauvoo Temple was progressing rapidly toward
completion. The sisters were called upon to furnish the window glass. Margaret
Jane, my wife, donated or gave an offering in money for that object. I
was unable to work during the summer. An expedition was ordered by Joseph
the Prophet, prior to his martyrdom, for a few families to emigrate to
the Missouri River and put in crops preparatory to the Church moving from
Nauvoo westward. Under charge of Elder James Emmert and John L. Buffer,
his counselor, I was called upon to go, being just married, as they wanted
young men mostly and was instructed to keep it a secret as all would want
to go if the word went forth that we were going west. This instruction
was given me by Zacariah D. Wilson, the presiding High Priest of the Liberty
Branch, situated at the head of Bear Creek, twenty miles below Nauvoo.
We were told by Z. D. Wilson that he was in the highest court on earth
and was told at this council in Nauvoo to counsel the company to not ask
council of Brigham Young as he would see our faint heartedness and would,
of course, discourage those asking such advice. Sometime in September I
sent my blacksmith tools to Nauvoo to be put aboard a small flat boat,
which was manned by Captain Emmett, Williams and son Simpson and Gardner
Peterson and families. It was towed by a rope by men on shore until opposite
the Iowa River. They sold their boat, while those taking wagons and teams
crossed at Burlington. They made a rendezvous about ten miles above Iowa
City and built small log cabins and wintered, during which time the men
worked in the lumber camps for provisions. Captain Emmett gathered from
the Sisters at this camp their feather-beds and jewelry and sent them below
and sold them for grain and other supposed requisites. Early in March of
1845, we were ordered to yoke up and move up the river for the teams were
mostly oxen; at this juncture our provisions were placed in provision wagons,
except a few sacks of grain which were placed in my wagon and others he
could trust and we began to draw rations. As my wagon was loaded heavily
on the start, my young wife and others able to walk were compelled to walk,
many times in water shoe-deep for we had no path and many of us had our
feet so swollen we could scarcely put on our shoes in the morning. We traveled
slowly up the river to recruit our stock, our rations were reduced to one
gill of corn to the person, and at this time Brother Hinnan numbered the
camp and found it to be one hundred and thirty souls, but on reducing rations
caused complaint and desertion. Captain Emmett appropriated the property
left to his own use and discouraged others by starving them, designing
to make himself the owner of the stock left. By the middle of May we left
Iowa River. Our course was across the large prairie toward the Sioux Indian
country and many became dissatisfied as we were traveling to the north
of Council Bluffs, our supposed destination. While on the Iowa River we
found maple trees from which we made some sugar, which we used while crossing
the large prairie. At Sioux River, rations were stopped for three days,
we dug Sioux roots and wild onions and a little maple sugar we had saved.
We made a raft of dry cottonwood logs and by means of a rope crossed our
wagons, 22 in number. Emmett would tantalize the camp from time to time,
saying he had all he could eat and to spare, and I think it true for I
had supplied myself with good, fat pork before starting and never saw any
of it after putting our provisions in common stock, and Emmett was seen
cooking pork and beans many times while the general camp lived on a gill
of corn per head a day without salt. While on the Iowa River Wilson's family,
President of the Liberty Branch, privately told those he had counseled
to emigrate with this company, that Captain Emmett was intending to go
and lead the company north of Council Bluffs, the first intended destination
of our company; and his advice, as President, was for all to return to
Nauvoo. Captain Emmett found out Wilson's advising part of the company
thus and called a general meeting of the company to investigate. His life
guards were ordered to load their guns with powder and ball and be ready
at a minute's warning to form a line and be prompt to execute any order
by the Sergeant of the Guard that would be giving the signal. We formed
the line, I being one of the said guards. Captain Emmett formed at the
head of the company with a sword and two pistols belted on him and a rifle
in hand. He said in an excited tone, "We are called together to investigate
this mutiny in camp." He told the consequence of division, also his
decision to put a stop to it by calling these life guards to execute the
offenders. He talked at length, when about closing he named Z. D. Wilson
as chief offender and thought of executing him at the root of the tree
where he was sitting. Wilson sobbed aloud in the bitterness of his soul,
expecting every moment to receive his death order, when I advanced one
step and said if Wilson was guilty of crime he should not be executed without
a fair jury trial every American citizen was entitled to; that I would
see he had his rights, which caused quite an excitement in the meeting.
It was soon dispersed to their several tents and wagons and that night,
soon after dark, I was called upon by Simpson Emmett, the Captain's son,
and three others and disarmed of my weapons, except my butcher knife and
told that I was no longer a Life Guard and my rations would be reduced,
which was then only one gill of corn without salt. Billy Edwards came to
me next day and slapped me on the shoulders and said, "You are a true
Democrat and no coward," that he was going back and wished me to go
along. I told him no. I would see the end of all this. He, Mr. Russell,
wife, two boys, Thomas Edwards, T. Edwards, Jr., June William Edwards,
Chester Loveland & family, Page, Sister Hart, Jimmie Nelson, Rebecca,
his wife; John Flowers and family; Wily Flowers, left his family; Samuel
Coon and family, Elicsi St. Marie and family, Stephen F. Casteel and his
sister Emeline; James Hickman and family, and others with Z. D. Wilson
and wife went back down the Iowa River to Iowa City. John Flowers was so
starved and reduced he could not walk and undertook to go to a house; when
he arrived in the settlement in search of food he gave out and continued
going on his hands and knees. After this company had rested for two weeks
they returned with the sheriff for their property. They looked so fat I
thought they must be bloated. But they told me it was solid fat. Captain
Emmett fled in haste, the officer arrested John L. Butler, Lyman Hinnan,
William Potter and Gardner Potter, Armstead Moffit, and as Enoch Burns
passed my tent a man hollered, "There goes another damned rascal,
catch him," and he was arrested, taken back to Iowa City, and put
in jail and tried for their being in with Emmett, depriving the above named
of their property. After investigation they were discharged and they came
back to our camp. After J. L. Butler visited Nauvoo, he came back and encouraged
us to follow Emmett, and we would be all right, said he had seen an angel
in Nauvoo who had spoken favorably of the camp. We drove out on a very
large prairie without road or trail and came to a small creek. I thought
Skunk Creek, traveled on some distance and came to a wide river with steep
banks�I thought the Des Moines, with a good rock ford. Traveled four days
and came to a deep creek, no timber. We placed two poles across and slid
the wagons across on their axletrees. Traveled northwest several days on
the same prairie and came to the Sioux River. We made a cottonwood raft,
was three days working hard, to cross. Our women hunted Sioux roots and
wild onions to eat as Emmett stopped our rations while we crossed the river.
First day's travel after leaving the river a party of men came to us, said
they lived at Fort Vermilion a few miles due west and invited us to the
Fort. They gave us some dried buffalo meat, too, and I thought it was the
best I ever ate. It was very fat and our starved systems seemed to crave
grease. The next day we drove to the Fort, camped a little above and Emmett
hunted up and down the river for a place to cross. Failing to find one
we moved down a little below the Fort and camped in a circle as usual.
Captain Emmett rode his horse ahead and made the circle, turned the wagons
tongues in, so by placing the tongues on the hind wheels, made a corral.
The French and Indians came into camp and accused us of being starved which
made Emmett mad. They pressed their hands on their cheeks and pointed to
our cheeks. I told them I wanted some meat and they brought meat and roasting
ears of corn to my father-in-law and me and those who acted mad like Emmett,
did without this luxury. A steamboat had gone up the Missouri River to
trade for furs. This trip was made once a year. I determined that if I
could get passage on board I would. About the 16th of July, it came down
and I went aboard and secured a passage to St. Louis. I told Mr. Henrie
I was going ... my wife and me carried our chest to the boat landing. I
went back 200 yards for something when I saw Potter coming toward me with
a desperate look. I hastened back to the boat, and he ran after me, I believe
with bad intent. I ran on the boat, Butler and Holt were searching my chest
and took all my valuables even to my bullet molds. Butler accused me of
stealing a pot. My wife said her mother owned it ever since she could recollect.
We left everything, team, wagon and tools and sweet was the sacrifice compared
to the starvation and oppressions and abuse we had endured for the eight
months past. We were treated very kindly by the boat man. Captain Emmett
took my wife's feather bed and wedding gifts and trinkets and so the last
search by Brother Butler left us very destitute. No clothes except that
which we had on. The boatman saw our destitute condition and gave us shirts,
pants, coats and some calico and sheeting and a rich French gentleman,
traveling for his health, gave me two blankets and ten dollars in silver,
for which I thanked him and blessed him in the name of the God of Jacob.
We were invited to eat in the cabin where every luxury was furnished and
two weeks of July were thus passed away and we found ourselves in St. Louis.
I found my brother-in-law, James Webb, he took us to his hotel and gave
us dinner, and gave us a recommend to his place ninety miles down the river
to a place called Yankee Town. We took steamboat passage down and after
nine hours ride landed, finding my oldest sister and family all well but
very proud, we were beneath their notice. In one week, we were so common
and unpretentious, I rented a house of a gentleman by the name of Mr. Powell,
a rich southern farmer. My young wife took sick with intermittent fever
and was very low. My sister was alone and seldom came to see her, but Mrs.
Powell came often to see her and gave us medicine and administered to her
wants; for the first time I laid my hands on my wife and prayed for her
recovery with all the faith I could muster and the vomiting was stopped
gradually. As soon as she was out of danger, I crossed the river, went
on foot sixty miles east to see my brother John who lived in Washington
County, Illinois. He saddled two horses, we started back to see his sister-in-law.
He bought some necessities and provisions and visited three days went back
after the wagon and team. He was gone a week and came to the opposite bank
of the river and we ferried our things over in a skiff in the latter part
of August. We lived with him comfortable and happy the fall and winter.
He gave me the farm we were living on, and said after we lived on it five
years, he would make a deed for it. In the spring of 1846, I learned some
Mormons were going West from the six mile prairie and John Brown from the
nine mile. My brother had some blood hounds and we did take real comfort
hunting raccoons until this company was making preparations to start to
the Rocky Mountains which exercised my mind greatly. Finally, Brother Crow
heard that I was used to camp life, and came to see me, and offered me
a wagon and half a team and wished me to furnish the other half and haul
1,000 pounds for him, which caused my brother to tremble, fearing that
I was going to leave again. I told him I would rather be a Mormons' dog
than to stay in that country where my people had been robbed, pillaged,
murdered and now an exterminating order issued for them to leave the United
States. So on the first day of March 1846, we started in what was known
as the Mississippi company. Crossing at St. Louis we traveled up through
Jackson county, Missouri to Independence, and soon after organized our
company with William Crosby, Captain. About the middle of June we arrived
at Grand Island on the Platte River, where according to previous agreement,
President Young and the Pioneer Camp were to meet us. Not finding them
after waiting one week, we concluded to go southwest between two and three
hundred miles and wait, for we were at the end of our instructions. When
we arrived at Pueblo on the Arkansas River, we found small farms of corn
cultivated by Indians mostly and traders, who had Indian squaws for wives,
of whom we bought corn and prepared for winter quarters, building a row
of log houses on the opposite bank of the river from Fort Pueblo. When
we had about completed the houses a detachment of the Mormon Battalion
composed of the sick and disabled, under the command of James Brown and
Captain Nelson Higgins, hearing of our camp on the Arkansas, was sent by
Colonel Cooke to our camp for a change of diet, as we were traveling emigrants
and would have cows and plenty of milk; which was advised by the army surgeon,
by whom we learned the cause of President Young's delay. Allow me to retract
a little, and go back to Camp Pueblo, where it was determined to winter.
Brother Crow, by council of his wife, broke his obligations to furnish
me and wife with provisions and turned us out of his wagon and withheld
provisions. I made camp under a large cottonwood tree to the mercy of kind
friends in an unsettled country. John Brown a brother of Sister Crow, gave
us some flour and bacon and blessed us, and said we should have supplies
in some way. On the 17th of August, 1846 our first little angel daughter
was born, under that tree, under these destitute circumstances, not knowing
where succor was to come from to make Brother Brown's promise fulfilled.
When our babe was a week old, a messenger was sent from Bent's Fort, 80
miles below, for a blacksmith and the man brought a horse for me to ride.
I recommended James Harmon as gunsmith who accompanied me. We started next
day, leaving my young wife and babe to the kindness of Catherine Holladay.
Two days of hard ride to the fort. Our first day out we encountered a large
grizzly bear and after a shot apiece from J. Harmon and myself, we broke
him down in the back. He ran towards us dragging his hind parts, when Harmon
drew his pistol and finished him. On arrival at Bent's Fort we were welcomed
by Mr. Holt, the bushway of the Fort or boss. I went to work and made what
is known in shops by the name of "Stake Horn" in lieu of anvil,
on which Mr. Harmon welded the hubbands and other small work, while I welded
the tires and set them and other heavy work. The work was mostly for the
U. S. Army, under the command of General Kearny, then under way for the
scene of action, the Mexican War. We worked until late in the fall most
of the time at $2.00 each per day. We lay hard and slept cold, so that
I had another attack of rheumatism and returned to Pueblo sick, but with
my money with which I was enabled to buy corn and an old wagon. During
my absence the part of the Mormon Battalion who was sick under command
of Captain Brown and Higgins, had come to our camp and built a row opposite
our row of log cabins for winter quarters and placed over the doors signs
for sport. One night an alarm was given that 500 Spaniards was close by
marching into camp ... The camp of Spaniards proved to be a band of elk
... During the winter my wife went in snow knee deep many times to the
grove 100 yards away and carried a limb from the cottonwood tree for fuel.
During my confinement with rheumatism we received word that President Young
and the Pioneers would start from the Missouri River early spring and we
were to intercept their company at Fort Laramie and preparations for the
journey made business for all. I repaired my wagon sitting on the bed before
I could stand on my feet. My wife carried the parts of the wagon to me
needing repairs, although kind friends helped us to get ready. Sometime
in April we were ready to start and Brother Sebert Shelton furnished us
a second yoke of oxen. I was unable to walk and Jackson Mayfield and his
brother, John, and Lysander Woodert or Woodworth hunted my team and yoked
them day by day. In a few days I could get out by the wagon tongue, and
by means of a small vise screwed to the wagon tongue, I, by use of files,
did many jobs of blacksmithing for the brethren. Also fit up one pair of
spurs I had forged at Bent's Fort. Arrived at the Chahely Poo River, a
tributary of the Platte River. Amasa M. Lyman, one of the Twelve, and Thomas
Woolsey sent from the Pioneer Camp with a message from President Young,
met us on the above river. On meeting them Brother John Hess ran, embraced
and kissed Amasa for joy. When our camp arrived at Laramie, the main road,
we were three days behind the Pioneer Camp and traveled about that distance
from the main camp until we entered the Salt Lake Valley. President Young's
health was poor. He, wife and three or four others lingered on the road,
so that we caught up within a few miles of his camp. We traveled a day
or two behind the Pioneer Camp and arrived in Salt Lake City the 27th or
28th of July, 1847. President Brigham Young and H. C. Kimball and other
men were our escorts and bid us welcome. We moved into the Pioneer Camp
and soon conformed to the general rule of being baptized for the remission
of sins. My wife, Margaret Jane, was sick with mountain fever, when we
went to City Creek and was baptized by H. C. Kimball and was confirmed
with all our former ordinations and blessings pronounced upon us. We were
directed to build a fort surrounding ten acres of land. We ploughed a narrow
strip outside of the line designed for the wall, turned on the water and
tromped it with the oxen and made adobes and built the outside wall very
thick with occasional portholes. We drew our lots or space inside to build
our houses. My house was the third house north of the west gate of the
old Fort. A Liberty pole was erected on the east side of the middle of
the Fort. A short time after its completion, one of the Mormon Battalion
boys by name, Daniel Brown, had his hands tied high to the pole and with
shirt off had several stripes administered on his bare back for stealing
a lariat. Burr Frost was the first blacksmith who put up a shop and worked.
My shop was the second in the valley, which was on the east side of the
Fort, and tools furnished by Thomas S. Williams who never paid me a cent
for my winter's work in the shop. Spring arrived, we were to farm as we
had traveled, by tens, fifties, and hundreds. The land our ten drew was
on a high bench six miles southwest of the city and our captain, John Holladay,
Sr. He asked permission from his captain for us to locate three miles farther
south at the large spring. It was granted, and soon we moved out there,
built a row of small houses and fenced a field. My rheumatism had now settled
in my ankles and feet and I stood on my knees to do the ditching, and my
portion of that fence. During this time our breadstuff gave out. We had
our last ox killed, an old favorite of mine. Our last bread was of a bushel
of wheat I bought from our beloved Brother Parley P. Pratt, who had refused
ten dollars in gold, and took one ton of hay for it. We could obtain no
more for love or money. I went to town and bought four pounds of flour
at 50 cents per pound for our little girl, our only child. One lovely morning,
latter part of June, 1848, our captain John Holladay, came to me holding
a quarter of a skillet loaf of bread in his hand, eating at the same time
of it and said."Brother William, what under heavens are we to do for
bread?" In March was a very pleasant spell of winter. On the tenth
William Matthews planted his corn, urged me to plant my morsel of seeds,
but as our next year's bread depended on the good use made of the few kernels
of corn, I waited. A cold spell of weather set in, April, and Mr. Matthews
seed corn rotted in the ground. He had other seed corn to supply and plant
a second time and a third time replanted the same patch and he was put
out with my slow actions. My corn ground was ploughed ready waiting for
one month and on the 10th day of May, I planted the long saved seed. It
soon sprouted and came up. It grew finally and to my surprise began to
shoot near the ground as I never saw Spanish corn grow before, and had
from six to eight ears to the hill, and we had sufficient for bread for
three families. In October of 1848 I went back to Emigration Canyon to
meet my father-in-law and family. I met them on the Big Mountain. Soon
after their arrival we all moved to Amasa's Survey, built a two story log
house with two apartments for the two families. We hauled my abundant corn
crop and shared equally and had some to spare for others. Next season we
made a light crop of wheat and some corn. Winter of 1849 the settling of
San Pete Valley was agitated and father-in-law wished to go on account
of good range for his cattle. Early spring, after a hard winter and deep
snow in San Pete he came to visit us and during his stay one of his oxen
was driven to Salt Lake by some general drive being made ... he never got
his ox. The winter of 1850, a project was set on foot by some of the Church
authorities to plant a colony in southern California and some of the families
were chosen by Amasa Lyman and others by Charles C. Rich. Myself and family
were chosen by the former. I declined going. When Amasa heard it he said,
"that if I refused to go he would cause me to have a worse mission,"
which scared me as I had not received endowments. I thought I would be
excused on that ground but on February 8th, I was notified to be at the
Endowment House for the purpose. On arriving was ordained into the Quorum
of Seventies by Jedediah M. Grant, afterwards placed in the 19th quorum
and received endowments preparatory for the mission south. Met other families
of the mission in the Endowment House. The winter was spent in preparing
to start on the 13 of March, 1851; started and when arriving at Peteetneet,
afterwards called Payson, we had organized into two companies, known as
Parley's company and Lyman and Rich company. It seemed a great many more
than was called was moving with us and President Brigham Young and Heber
C. Kimball called a meeting at this place and Heber preached and discouraged
many from going. The teams of our company were mostly oxen unshod and became
footsore when on the desert and many were left behind sore looted and for
want of water. Brother Parley's company had mostly horses and mule teams
and gained a month on us in traveling to California. In order to raise
some money, two wagons of Parley's company was sent back with light loads
of groceries to Mohave to meet us, which worked well. They raised considerable
money to pay their passage to Valparaiso, South America. First of July
we camped in Cajon Pass and was counseled to remain there until a place
could be purchased. Some few disobeyed and went to settlements. We remained
in camp until September 1st instead, during which time I worked at blacksmithing
under a sycamore tree, setting wagon tires. As no one was making anything
the brethren burned coal for this work and was charged twelve and one-half
cents per tire. During our stay in camp a stake was organized with David
Seeley as president and Samuel Rolfe and Simmion Andrews, counselors. Bishop,
William Crosby, with A. W. Collins and William Matthews, counselors, so
that when we moved to the ranch we were fully organized. The sycamore tree
after was known as the "Conference Tree" while it lived. The
writer passed there in March, 1861, on a business trip returning to Beaver,
Utah and saw the tree was dead, being burned at the roots. In October we
held the harvest feast in the meeting shed called Tabernacle, where the
different kinds of produce were exhibited�corn stalks sixteen feet long,
melons 38 lbs. and mammoth pumpkins. A public dinner and dance and general
good time for all. During our seven years stay, many pilgrims came from
Australia, mostly on their way to Salt Lake City, Utah, the gathering place
of the Saints. In 1855 the crops of San Bernardino were a failure and Brother
Lyman and Rich held a two day meeting and concluded to send missionaries
to all the counties and principal cities of California. Eighty-four Elders
were called to go. I was called to go in company with John D. Holladay
to Santa Barbara on the Pacific Coast. We journeyed with many other Elders
en route for our fields of labor, holding meetings in camp every pleasant
evening enjoying much of the Holy Spirit. Myself and fellow laborers were
left at the city of Santa Barbara�our field of labor. We posted notices
after obtaining the use of the Court House for next Sunday, but as our
meeting in the Court House was put off Sunday, I proposed to Brother Holladay
that we spend the five days in the upper coast part of the country. Brother
Holladay declined going but blessed me in going. I took a young man with
me by the name of John Matthews; next day in a town named Carpenteria,
I found a few Spanish settlers, but I could not speak the Spanish language
sufficiently at that time to preach to them. A few miles farther I found
a man from New York State, a farmer who was having his small grain threshed
with a large threshing machine and about fifteen men were at work. Soon
they stopped for dinner and while resting I presented them with the Church
works to read. I waited and assisted Mr. Balandingham to unharness, when
he asked me if I was a Mormon Elder. I told him I was. He said when a boy
he lived at the hill where Joseph found the gold plates and wanted to know
if the Mormons increased in number or otherwise. And when I told him the
people had grown from a town to a territory of 24 cities and towns and
an extent of 500 miles of country, he cursed the Mormons for increasing.
He asked me if Brigham Young prophesied as did Joseph Smith. I answered
yes, and fifteen thousand Elders also prophesied that if this generation
did not heed to the warning voice of the Elders of the Church, the Lord
would come out of his hiding place and vex nations. We traveled a few miles
south and found a very friendly feeling toward us, preached and left a
favorable impression toward the people we represented. Traveled toward
Santa Barbara, arrived there Saturday evening; found Brother Holladay down
hearted and lonesome. We met affectionately. Next Sunday we preached in
the Court House to a large congregation, a very hot day in August. We became
thirsty and seeing one of the upper coast converts in the congregation
was favored by him with a pitcher of water and a glass. We had a great
flow of spirit and services continued for two hours. Bore a faithful testimony
and warned them of judgments to come. Returned home in September 1855,
raised a fine crop, paid all our surplus property to Lyman and C. C. Rich
and Ebenezer Hanks to pay for the ranch. The summer of 1857, President
W. J. Cox received a letter from President Young requesting all the Saints
to come home to Utah and there was a general rush to sell. We received
little or nothing for our places and many could not endure the sacrifice
of property and remained there, and died there, and all who stayed became
cool in the gospel. Myself and family arrived in Beaver, Utah March 1,
1858. I drew land in the new field and busied myself making a new farm.
Mr. M. K. Shepard refused my wife three yards of domestics. First year,
sent my team to move the poor from Salt Lake City as Johnston's army was
at Hams Fork, threatening the destruction of the Mormons. President Young
sent the public shop to Parowan. The frost killed my wheat that year and
I went to the public shop to work and earned bread for my family. Lived
in Beaver until 1860, heard my father-in-law at San Bernardino was dead.
Visited the place in December and settled up the estate. We returned in
March in company with George Woods, James Whitaker, Silas Harris and Ezra
Strong. December 5, 1862, I married Elizabeth Gale who was born January
20, 1845 in Australia, daughter of Henry and Sarah Gale. We remained in
Beaver until 1865, when President George A. Smith called upon me to go
to the Muddy. I was on the road two weeks, leaving the farm unsold, leaving
Sister Kartchner and the children; taking Lizzie with me. We arrived in
November, put in fall wheat and in May 1866, my wife and children arrived.
About every six months we moved to a new townsite until the winter of 1869.
My wife and children visited San Bernardino to see relatives, returning
March 1870. Brought vine cuttings and trees. It now began to look like
home. About 1870, Joseph W. Young brought a letter from President Young
instructing us to take a vote of the people whether we would break up the
settlements on the Muddy. The vote carried to break up and we left on February
18th. We drove through our wheat field, beautiful and green, via St. George
and Long Valley, arrived at Panguitch March 20, 1871, where I met George
W. Sevy in the Old Fort and was invited to stop and settle. Our last cow
died on arriving. Put in a crop of wheat, but the frost killed it, on the
first day of August. I was called upon to organize a Sunday School, which
I did and soon had upwards of one hundred scholars and was greatly blessed
in my labors. I was counseled to petition for a mail route connection of
Marysvale and Kanab, which I did; and petitioned for a Post Office at Panguitch.
I was appointed Postmaster. Panguitch was the head of two routes with weekly
service and we received our mail matter regularly for three years, when
semi-weekly service was put into effect. The first day of January, 1876,
a new route became a law established from Panguitch to Paragonah with weekly
service and was an advantage for business, both south and west. Contractors
name was James W. Parker; carrier's name, A. Lamoreaux. In December 1874
the United Order was organized by Joseph Young: Bishop, W. Sevy, Pres.
J. H. Imlay and John Norton, Vice-President; W. D. Kartchner, secretary.
The Board was the following named brethren: George W. Sevy, James H. Imlay,
John W. Norton, David Shakespeare, St. W. D. Kartchner, Joseph Knight,
E. Edward Bunker, Jr., Jesse w. Crosby, Ira B. Elmer, Alma Barney and John
Reynolds. We met in Parowan in December to file our bonds and take oath
of office, it being the County Seat, and paid Jesse N. Smith eighteen dollars
for two hours service; returned home next day; appointed Board meetings
once a week and sometimes oftener to adopt rules and arrange business.
At first it was agreeable and a good spirit prevailed, but soon contentions
arose. On the 23rd of March 1877, John D. Lee was executed, being shot
at Mountain Meadows, Utah. I went to see his body; he had been dead three
days and smelled bad. I'll never forget the horror I felt and the way I
got out of the house. In general conference at St. George 1877, W. D. Kartchner
and sons and son-in-laws were called on a mission to Arizona Territory
to start in the fall, and on making arrangements to go it was thought best
to do work for our dead friends, accordingly the latter part of May we
started for the St. George Temple. W. D. Kartchner and wife, Margaret;
Phoebe, Mark's wife; Sarah Emma and her husband, N. Miller; and Don C.
Clayton, his wife, Mary Marinda, arrived in St. George 30th of May 1877.
We were called to the Arizona Mission by Daniel H. Wells at the Spring
Conference and started on the 15th of November 1877, arriving at Sunset
on the 20th of January, 1878. Sister Kartchner was sick the entire route.
John and Alma hunted and found a place afterward called Taylor which we
moved to on the 22nd of January, 1878. On the 24th, the company organized
with John Kartchner, Pres. W. J. Flake and Albert Minerley, counselors,
and began cutting timber for a United Order house, kitchen and corral.
A conference was held at Sunset on the 3rd of February with John W. Young
presiding, and on the 4th a Stake of Zion was organized, when our place
was called Taylor and John Kartchner appointed, Bishop. He retained his
counselors. On February 15th L. Smith and George Lake, also Bro. Wilcken
visited Taylor and held a meeting attended with some encouragement. On
the 16th, Joseph Knight, Jr. fell from the water wagon and tore loose three
inches of his scalp above the right ear. On the 17th, home missionaries,
Dobbin Porter and Fields, gave us some encouragement. February 21st, we
dedicated the dining room and kitchen and had the first dance; 22nd, Brother
West and children arrived and wished to join the Order; 25th, W. D. Kartchner
bought of Brother Bushman 2 pigs for $12.00, also sent for the Deseret
News. March 2nd: First child born to Sarah E. Miller; March 3rd and 4th,
cash called for to buy seed grain of Mark Kartchner and Palmer for $45.00;
W. D. Kartchner, $10.00 and N. Miller, $5.00. On March 1st, Brother Brady
and Chalk with their families arrived and wished to join; 6th, W. J. Flake
and James started for grain; 14th, Prudence Miller was blessed; 15th, Brothers
Copelin, Holt and W. Farnsworth arrived; March 18th, Flake arrived from
St. John with 7,000 lbs of wheat. April 8th: A. Stewart and family of ten
arrived. May 5th, Brothers Burnham, Hunt, his wife and two daughters visited
Taylor; 13th, sowed the first wheat; May 17th, the water run in the ditch
through Taylor; 18th, W. J. Flake expressed himself dissatisfied with the
Order; May 23rd, mush ice in a pan; Conference at Sunset; 24th, three wagons
started to conference; 25th, the flood washed around the dam; 28th, Bishop
brought Major Ladd to level another ditch four feet below the first one;
31st, commenced work on the new ditch; three men were sent from Woodruff
to work on the ditch. St. Joseph sent four men to work. June 6th: W. J.
Flake withdrew from the Order. Sunset sent two men. June 13th, W. D. Kartchner
drove to Brigham City for a nurse for Sister Bates. Brother Joseph Knight
stayed two days; 15th, rain came up the river and washed out the dam the
second time; 17th, the men became dissatisfied and discouraged at Taylor;
23rd, Bishop started to Sunset with Brother Joseph Knight and family; 27th,
Joseph Knight died; 28th, several of us went to the burial at Sunset. July
13th: Brother Hamblin and Harris arrived from the Zunis; 14th, Sunday,
stopped with us to meeting, gave an account of laying on of hands of 406
Zunis in one day for smallpox with miraculous results; 15th, Lucy Flake
took her things out doors and out of the Order; 16th, Charles Hall and
Woodruff Freeman stayed at Brother Flake's camp; N. D. Kartchner arrived
at 8 p.m. with 3,200 lbs. of salt; W. J. Flake moved from Taylor 18th of
July. On the 6th of August we moved from Taylor, arrived at Stinson's and
on the 9th met Mr. Clark. He found us moving and asked us five hundred
dollars more than he did in July. August 11th, we bargained with W. J.
Flake for one-fourth part of the Stinson place and to be the upper part;
on the 12th we moved to the upper part east side of the creek. On the 13th
it commenced raining and rained nearly four weeks. When it cleared up,
myself, John, Orrin, Mark and Palmer went to the timber for logs. Nowlin
was taken sick with chills. We made one trip for logs and were gone three
weeks. Brought remainder of logs and 1,300 clapboards, sent two teams for
remainder; on the 17th of September W. J. Flake and family started to Beaver,
Utah. On the 23rd myself, Orrin, Aaron went to making adobes. We received
a letter from Pres. Lot Smith notifying us that Apostle W. Snow and Elders
Nuttall, Jesse N. Smith, Ira Hinckley, Ed. Noble and Olliphant would preach
at Sunset September 21st. My son and wife went to meet them and returned
with them. On the 26th, at 5 p.m., Elder Snow and company held meeting
at our camp. Apostle Snow gave liberty to all who wished to withdraw from
the Order and after supper he sat up with us at the campfire till after
midnight. He said this way of running the Order was not right, for the
stock was common stock of the devil. Said the Lord cared no more about
the way we ate our food than He did how the squirrels ate their acorns.
He answered questions freely. On the 27th, stayed counseling until noon
and took a vote of those present for John Hunt to preside as Bishop of
Stinson Valley; sent for the baggage wagons up the creek when he rode over
to Stinson's in company with us and selected a townsite at Stinson's, then
bid us adieu on the new townsite. The second day after he sent back the
name of the town, Snowflake, and town and farm plot and to send for Brother
Ladd's surveying instruments. October 2nd: Don returned with compass and
on the third we commenced the town survey. W. D. Kartchner and sons and
son-in-law gave a white cow for surveying Snowflake townsite. Oct. 13th,
Brothers Dean and Cordon as home missionaries, came to our camp and went
over to Snowflake to preach. On the 22nd W. D. Kartchner went over to work
on the house; returned to camp on the 28th and moved Sister Kartchner over
to Snowflake. November 3rd. Moved into the house. Nov. 4th, Bishop Hunt
visited Snowflake and picked his lot and contracted with N. Miller to build
him a log house; 5th, the Territorial Election, Judges of the Poles, James
Stinson, Brothers Bagley and Wansley, 13 votes were poled at Snowflake;
6th, Minerley and wife and Ida Hunt started for Utah; Lizzie moved into
her house; 22nd, William McGary and half-brother took dinner with us; 23rd,
a company of negro soldiers camped here with a white captain for officer;
traded 100 lbs. of bacon for a beef to Mr. Stinson, a black steer. After
supper a few negroes at the U.S. Station tent gave a voluntary negro concert.
December 20th: Started to Sunset Mill for flour and to get corn ground;
21st, met Brother Flake opposite Taylor Town and offered him a twenty dollar
gold piece for cancelling my Post Office debt at Panguitch, Utah of $19.05.
Arrived at the mill at night. 22nd, Sunday, got my grinding and bought
flour, 400 lbs. of L. Smith; 24th arrived home, also Flake arrived, finding
all well; 25th, took dinner with daughter Prudence Jane Flake. On the 17th
of January, 1879 President Jesse N. Smith and company arrived and held
first meeting. 19th and 20th, started to St. John to buy a place for his
company; 24th, returned. Could not buy and did not like St. John Valley.
25th, bought land of Flake and took up city lots. 26th, Bishop Hunt started
for Savoy for flour. Pres. Smith held meeting at Walker's town, three miles
above; 27th, very high wind, Flake started to Sunset for his sheep. After
some six weeks rumors were going the rounds that Pres. Jesse N. Smith had
the right to call for and move the Church steam sawmill to the most central
place for convenience of all the settlements. Pres. Lot Smith proposed
to furnish the people of Snowflake Stake, through Pres. Jesse N. Smith's
order, 150,000 feet of lumber free if the mill would be allowed to remain
as before. I was going to Brigham City grist mill to receive 600 lbs. of
flour I had bought of Milligan, through Brother W. J. Flake, at $6.00 per
cwt. At the same time Bishop George Lake asked $7.00 per cwt., for the
same flour. And king within forty miles to the sawmill I, and son, Orrin,
went to the sawmill and obtained 600 lbs. of flour. Sister Knight and two
little ones wished a passage with us to Snowflake. We arrived home 8th
of March. Brother Lot Smith loaned to the Snowflake Conference 150 bushels
of wheat for seed; also some molasses. The 10th of April a County Convention
was appointed at Snowflake, the county seat. Monday the 7th, was the worst
windstorm. No one could plough or sow. All outdoor work ceased the entire
day on account of the wind and dust. The wind from the southwest. On May
14th the first town ditch was surveyed. On the 6th of June, I took sick
with a pain in the bowels and dropsy developed. On June 28th I attended
conference and got worse. Kept to my bed for sometime. September 4th. I
was able to sit up a little. My neighbors and acquaintances proposed several
remedies and everyone applied seemed to help me, among which was the bitter
aloes in whiskey for purgative and wild milkroot in whiskey, a large tablespoonful
every six hours for a few days, then every morning until after I was well;
also grapevine bark ashes, a teaspoonful in a little wine every morning.
In five days seven gallons of water ran from me through the natural channel.
Up to January 1880, I continued taking the milkweed root which is the best
of all the remedies. December 14, 1879. W. J. Flake arrived from Utah ahead
of the train. January 27th, 1880. Snowed all day and all night. The snow
was eleven inches deep on the level and it turned cold. The thermometer
stood at 20 degrees below zero and for three weeks snow remained. Good
sleighing. February 16th. A south wind blew. The next day it continued
and the weather moderated. March 16th. Sowed ten acres of wheat. April
1st. Commenced making a ditch on the west side of the creek. Continued
through April until the 13th, a terrible windstorm stopped the work at
noon. Wind continued bad for a whole week, no work could be done in or
out doors and clouds of dust were driven past at the rate of twenty miles
per hour. April 23rd. W. D. Kartchner started to the mill at Sunset with
29 bushels, 20 lbs. wheat and several small grists for the neighbors. Paid
Lot Smith $52.50 tithing money and $30.00 for Bishop Hunt for flour. Lot
Smith refused to donate graham for the poor of Snowflake. Returned home
on the evening of the 29th. Met with John W. Young at Woodruff and we met
with the ward for prayer when J. W. Young gave a statement of his trip
to Albuquerque to purchase goods and on his return he bought Thompson's
point to put up his goods. 30th, J. W. Young went to the crossing at Showlow
for Brother James Woods for his clerk. Returned 30th to Woodruff with Heber
Perkins for clerk. Nephi and Allen Smithson's passed en route for the Gila
River on the 8th of May. May 19th, high winds moderated. June wind continued.
9th high wind. June 26�27. Conference. John W. Young represented railroad
business. July 5th. Orrin and Aaron started for the railroad to work for
J. W. Young and Jesse N. Smith. July 7th. A very good rain. July 16th.
Started in company with Nowlin to steam mill in Tom's forest with two span
of horses, one a wild colt and when opposite the steam mill he scared and
ran away into a tree and I fell under the front wheel. Nowlin stopped them
suddenly as the front wheel reached my left arm which saved me. July 15th,
Aaron and Orrin started in company with Jesse N. Smith to beyond Fort Wingate
to work on John W. Young's contract on the railroad of five miles grading
and waited three week for the tools and provisions at their own expense.
August 7th. Bishop Hunt caused the Trustees to start two schools with his
two daughters as teachers, one at Snowflake at thirty dollars per month,
and one at Walker for twenty-five dollars per month; thus depriving the
boys on the railroad and also the boys on the farm from sharing the benefits
of school money, appropriated on our school district quota for 1880 by
commencing before fall or winter, as the funds are exhausted in September.
The flies are uncommonly numerous and very annoying in the harvest fields.
Sept. 18th. Nowlin started to Globe City, Arizona driving stock at $2.50
per day in company with Mark. The Southeastern Stake of Zion Conference
held at Snowflake September 26�27. Present of Twelve Apostles, Erastus
Snow and Brigham Young. Pres. Jesse N. Smith presented a complete organization
of Stake officers which was effected by calling and setting apart a High
Council at the time. I was a Seventy, belonging to the 19th Quorum, when
I was ordained a High Priest under the hands of Brother Erastus Snow and
Brigham Young, Brigham Young being mouth, and set apart as a High Councilor.
William D. Kartchner drawing odd No. 9 in connection with Jesse N. Perkins,
Samuel Rogers, E. W. West, Joseph Fish, Noah Brimhall, Wilhelm Bateman,
Thomas Greer, Charles Shumway, Woodruff Freeman, John A. West and Mons
Larsen. It was ascertained at this conference that the Eastern Arizona
Stake numbered officers and members 1234. December 5, 1880. A petition
for a postal route from Sunset asking the P. O. Department for a route
and service from Holbrook viz. Woodruff, Snowflake, Taylor and Showlow
to Apache Camp. Post masters recommended for Holbrook, Heber R. Perkins;
for Snowflake, W. D. Kartchner; for Taylor, Jesse N. Perkins. The above
petition was read in Sunday meeting by W. D. Kartchner and signers solicited.
December 24th. At 3 o'clock I found I was in bed not breathing. Don Clayton
and family were visiting with us and stayed all night. Sister Kartchner
raised an alarm. Brother Clayton raised me up and blew in my mouth and
administered by the laying on of hand's at which time I came too again
at six o' clock. I was found to not be breathing and was some seconds again
without breath when they sent for John, my eldest son. They again administered
and thus I was redeemed from the fit. Our Snowflake conference convened
on the 25th of December and continued on the 26th. Much good instruction
was said to be given, but I was not able to attend meeting. February 2,
1881. Brother E. Snow of the Apostles met with us at Snowflake. Brother
Snow said "By the blessings of a kind Providence and of our Heavenly
Father, I am permitted to meet with you brethren and sisters of Snowflake
after parting with you last fall. I made my report to the presiding presidency
at Salt Lake City when I received a new appointment to repair again soon
to the Territories of Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona and I have been
to Manassa, which is in Utah. I see a great many in that region of the
country moving, who have come without being called and who are in a suffering
condition. I advised them to go down the Rio Grande out of the snow and
work on the railroad. They are mixed up with rather rough associations.
These railroads are no doubt for the more speedy gathering of the Saints,
but our interest is not in building railroads, but it is in raising grain
and children to eat it. The Rio Grande valley is large and water plentiful,
fifty miles wide and 150 miles long." He counseled us to study the
scriptures for in them you think you have Eternal life and they testify
of me, but you have the more sure word of prophecy until the day star arises
in your hearts. We keep warning men of the near approach of the Son of
Man. He said Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Sidney Rigdon saw the Angel
beside a cloud of witnesses by the Holy Ghost. Counseled us to stay on
the farm and raise grain. "The railroad is bringing in a rough class
and your boys will be better home. You have been defrauded in Election
matters. Your duty is to forestall these wicked men and contend for your
rights. It is necessary for you to keep the field's." John Allen said,
"I live in Colorado Territory, it is cold there the altitude is 7,500.
In traveling I find pleasant weather here. It is the most desirable spot
I have seen. The railroad, no doubt, is for a good purpose, but we had
better stay on our farms for with it came the roughest kind of men. We
are filling up the waste places with our brethren and children." Brother
Snow arose again and said he was glad to meet the brethren of Taylor but
could not stay with them. February 26th. Met with the High Priests. The
brethren spoke on the indications of the near approach of the Son of Man
and of the need of our being united. February 27th. I preached to the people
of Snowflake on the necessity of oneness and kindness to each other to
merit the Spirit of the Lord. March 6th. I addressed the Snowflake Sunday
School on the subject of the Promised Land and the reference in the Book
of Mormon of the man who discovered America. March 20th. The High Council
of Eastern Arizona Stake of Zion met at the Joseph Fish house in Snowflake
with Jesse N. Smith and L. H. Hatch and Oscar Mann, his counselors presiding.
Each member of the council present expressed themselves willing to act,
four being absent, when a united expression to sustain Pres. Smith in counseling
Bishop Christopherson of Round Valley to not give recommends to one Joseph
Thene for going to law outside the Church with Brother Perkins. Also Moses
Cluff on fraud in selling and moving to Gila. May 28th. Met with the High
Priests Quorum. April 21st. Homesteaded on section 24 of Township 13, Gila
and Salt River meridian range 21 East County of Apache. Bishop John Hunt
came to my house and informed me that I was the choice of he and the people
to be Postmaster of Snowflake, and I drew up the petition for a Post Office
with the name W. D. Kartchner for Postmaster. Our petition was granted
and I received my appointment June 27, 1881. On August 15th I filed my
bond with Bishop John Hunt and A. J. Stratton as bondsmen under $1,000.
As no service was ordered, the people of Snowflake carried it one week
and Taylor people the next week, alternately, volunteer service, it being
considerable labor for me to hunt carriers and to make a record of same.
Only two refused the first round. U.S. Service was commenced Sept. 5, 1882
by W. W. Wall with two trips per week from St. Joseph via Snowflake, Taylor,
Showlow to Fort Apache and back, with side mail to Springerville via Erastus
and St. John. In June 1883, by W. J. Flake's counsel, I resigned the office
of Postmaster in favor of J. R. Hulett. In August I was taken sick and
unconscious one night and day and the children were called in supposing
me to be dying, but the laying on of hands restored me to consciousness.
I gained slowly. Conference convened at Taylor September 28th, continued
29th�30th. A good spirit was enjoyed by all present. I attended on Sunday
and also High Council at 5 o' clock p.m. The Snowflake mail was the third
route I petitioned. The first was on the Muddy, from Calls Landing to St.
Thomas via St. Joseph to Paranigat. The second mail route was on the Sevier
River from Gunnison via Monroe via Panguitch to Kanab. In the Snowflake
office I furnished corn and meals to the amount of $105. I also went security
for $100. On August 5, 1881 at 8 a.m. Sister Margaret Jane Kartchner took
sick with a pain in her head, also a bad cough. She continued to get worse
day after day. All was done that could be by medical aid at hand and gradually
declining until the 11th at 11 o'clock, she died without a struggle, with
a pleasant smile on her countenance. Her neck was blue with the effect
of mortification before death. The coffin was closed at 11 o'clock on the
14th, the funeral services were held in the Snowflake Meetinghouse at 12
noon and Bishop Hunt asked the people to excuse them for not opening the
coffin as it was not wisdom to do so. The cortege started from the meetinghouse
at 1 p.m. for the cemetery, with a large attendance of carriages and wagons
filled with people to follow the respected dead to its last resting place.
There were a great number on foot following and while on the move near
Brother Fish's residence a hard rain commenced and Bishop Hunt called a
halt and advised the coffin to be covered with blankets and that the people
go to their houses. When the rain had partly subsided the men finished
the ceremonies in a hard shower of rain. The speakers at the meetinghouse
were Brothers Samuel Rogers, Jesse N. Perkins, Sr., and Bishop John Hunt
gave her history. From his early boyhood he knew her to be a true Latter-day
Saint and to possess all the qualities required of a mother, wife and sister;
that he had traveled in company with her and her husband from Pueblo, Colorado
to Salt Lake Valley in the spring of 1847. She was the third daughter of
Jacob Israel Casteel and Sarah Nowlin, born September 1, 1825 in Cooper
County, Missouri. Memorial by the Relief Society of Snowflake to the memory
of our beloved sister whose death occurred August 11, 1881 at 11 a.m. "Our
departed sister was loved and respected by all, and we recognize in our
late much esteemed sister a woman of great integrity. One who was devoted
to her faith and works, her religion and her God. We realize that the labors
of our beloved sister, in our society, was a praiseworthy example; it strengthened
our faith and led us in the path of truth, virtue and eternal life. "Resolved
that we extend to her husband and family in this season of their great
bereavement our bountiful heartfelt sympathy. We hope they will follow
her precepts and example, and while mourning her loss they may realize
that though suddenly called from earth, she has gone where the flesh cannot
hinder her spiritual labors in that paradise of bliss, that through much
suffering she was prevented from doing while here. She has joined a host
of friends beyond the veil, who are looking forward to a reunion with those
who remain. "She will be deeply mourned by her posterity and many
other friends and acquaintances. Her memory will ever be fondly cherished
by those who knew her many virtues, her loving disposition and honorable
life. "Resolved that we acknowledge her honesty of purpose which was
apparent to all her sisters. She was one who would not turn aside from
the gospel of Christ. Her vision of truth was dear and her attachment to
the revealed religion taught by Joseph Smith in these last days was true.
She was truly a mother in Israel and a true follower of Jesus Christ. "Resolved
that while her departure shadows all our hearts, it arouses our deeper
desire to continue faithful that our last days may be faithful like hers;
full of faith in a hope of the glorious resurrection. "Resolved that
a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to the husband and family of
the deceased, and also a copy be forwarded in our general records."
Presidents, Mary J. West, Eliza S. Rogers, Mary E. Hulett. William Decatur
Kartchner and Margaret Jane Casteel had the following sons and daughters:
Sarah, William Ammon, Prudence, John, Mark Elisha, James Peter, Alzada,
Mindie, Nowlin Decatur, Orrin, Euphemia Arddomona. September 12, 1881,
Don C. Clayton and Mary Marinda, his wife, Clarence and Vinnie arrived
from Salt Lake City, Utah. March 15, 1882, Bishop Hunt sent John Oakley
to me for Tithing wheat. I weighed out 8 bushels of wheat, tithing for
1881 delivered to him. Paid Bishop Hunt at Snowflake, wheat 384 lbs, $15.00,
squash and turnips $1.00. September 21. Paid W. W. Willis molasses, 3 gallons
$4.50. Sept. 20, Orrin hauled tithing from Phoenix Mill, $1.30. October.
Paid Father Pearce 100 pounds wheat. $2.00 wheat to Oakley 420 pounds $12.60.
May 15th, 1882. I examined the tithing book and no credit. 6 bushels and
24 pounds of wheat, 1 gallon molasses, vegetables or eggs, $3.00. September,
1883. Paid molasses to Bishop Hunt, 2 gallons. October 14, 1883. Paid wheat,
3 bushels, $6.00. I have been suffering with the dropsy for two years,
unable to stoop down or walk except occasionally. I would get better and
able to go to meeting, and in the month of March, 1882, my son John brought
some whiskey from St. John into which I steeped the wandering milkweed
root and took it six times per day until it acted as an emetic and the
swelling went down out of my stomach and bowels into my legs, and finally
in a short time of four weeks left me entirely, a very poor object. I had
been reduced from 174 pounds, my standing weight, to 145 pounds in two
weeks. I took sick with a strange disease known as the pink eye and became
unconscious with severe pains in my head and fever. Suffered much for two
weeks. The last of April I began to walk around again. On the first day
of May I was called upon to unite in matrimony David V. A. Talley and Sarah
Hazeltine West. I did so, having authority as Justice of the Peace of the
Snowflake Precinct, Apache County, Arizona. About this time what was known
as the Edmunds Bill became a law in the U.S., whereas all polygamists were
considered criminals and subject to both fine and imprisonment on conviction.
George Q. Cannon was denied his seat in Congress as Delegate from Utah
Territory. In 1882, my team could not be found till very late in the spring
and John proposed to Nowlin and Orrin to take his team, also Alma Palmer
and Miller, and help Aaron put in some wheat for me. The result was I had
three acres of wheat put in. December 7, 1882. I was sick with billiousness
and sinking spells and was unconscious. I had prayed to know if my labors
had been accepted and was immediately made whole. Such joy I had never
experienced before, and on the night of March 19th, 1883 was taken with
a sinking spell and was unconscious part of the evening. I feared to die
with a great fear and I saw in a vision the Tower of Babel. Its center
and foundation were solid with brick and lime, with a winding stairway.
I saw the Brother of Jared and company travel marks to the seaside and
the beautiful mount of white and transparent rock that the brother of Jared
asked the Lord to touch that they might shine forth in the barges while
crossing the sea. I saw the place of landing. It resembled a valley I had
seen in a former vision. The gold they found for making the plates of which
the Book of Mormon was made. I met persons and pleasant weather but I passed
through a troop of demons who held me bound at first but I passed on to
where I was filled with joy. I was well and had so good a time I would
like to go anytime. My work is done. I saw many of the more intellectual
and honorable who were much favored. May 22nd, 1883. On this day at 5 p.m.
our home and kitchen furniture were burned with all our provisions. Donations
as follows: Mrs. W. W. Walls; flour 65; bacon 67; sugar 97; coffee 25 $2.44
Prudence: 3 pans, 1 pan biscuits, 1 bed tick 1.50 Mark: 1 brass kettle
1.50 Jane Flake: In the store 10.00 Sarah Miller: pan 40; flour, bowls,
spoons, 60; corn 50 1.50 Mrs. M. Stratton: 1 quilt 1.00 Samuel S. Rogers:
wheat 100 pounds 3.25 Mrs. Atchison: bacon $1.00; dishes 50 1.50 Clara
Turley: 2 milk pans 1.00 Roselfa Gardner: 5 yards factory .75 Pres. Jesse
N. Smith: Cash 3.00 Joseph W. Smith: Cash 1.00 John R. Hulett: In store
pay 2.00 Prudence J. Flake: 1 sieve .25 Nellie Smith: 1 quilt 5.00 Relief
Society: 2 plates 20 cents; 1 quilt $5.00 5.20 Addle Fish: 1 second hand
quilt 2.00 Sister Copeland: 1 second hand quilt 2.50 Jesse N. Smith: Paid
at Woodruff store on stove 5.00 John Smith: sent greenback 5.00 Brother
John Kartchner 5.00 $60.39 July 8th. I took sick and became unconscious
one day and night. December 6th. Also became unconscious and was sick two
days. December 18th. Had a fit and was filled with the horrors of the damned,
also Wednesday night did not sleep. Thursday night had the good spirit
and slept soundly and good on Friday and visited Bishop Hunt. Annie and
Orrin arrived on the 20th. I embraced Bishop Hunt and kissed him and blessed
his family and himself as one of the noblest sons of men that now stands
on the earth. Brother Hunt put on his hat and handed me my hat and stood
at the door waiting for me as I blessed sister Lois and she blessed me
in turn. January 26th, 1884. High Priest Quorum met at Taylor. I was permitted
to speak and spoke at length. The Spirit gave me utterance. I blessed the
brethren and encouraged those bearing rule to urge the people in their
several wards to pray nightly to the Lord and He would protect them from
our enemies. President Paul Smith was understood to say he wanted the Taylor
brethren to make the long ditch for he had lived on a dry lot since he
lived there. Brother Flake called him to explain it and he explained, said
he meant the brethren at Snowflake in the same as at Taylor as he considered
us one in this work as being under one head. February 2nd, 1884. I started
for Woodruff for goods for our Co-op store. It rained at night. Sunday
morning I met with the Saints. At 2 p.m. Pres. Hatch gave an account of
his mission to Silver City in company with Pres. Jesse N. Smith and then
called on me to talk. The good spirit was enjoyed by all present and a
good meeting was the result. I started home with wife and two children
on Monday and found the creek had raised to near the level with its banks.
We drove on up to Taylor, stayed with Bishop Standiford, who treated us
very kindly and helped me to cross the next day very carefully. Arrived
home on the 5th. Kartchner Records Joseph Smith's Views A speech of the
Prophet Joseph Smith, which will surely come to pass: On the 22nd of June,
1844, on this day our General called us in order and to my astonishment
counseled us to give up our arms that had been supplied for our defense
by the authority of the State of Illinois, saying, "We will give to
them that asketh of us and trust in God for our future welfare. I wish
to tender you my thanks, as soldiers and citizens under my command. I proclaim
as your General, you have done your duty faithfully in guarding this city
and in preserving the lives of all the people as well as mine in a special
manner, for I have seen you on duty without shoes and comfortable clothing
and if I had the means to buy or I could obtain these necessary things
for you I would gladly do it, but I cannot mortgage any of my property
to get one dollar. But I will say this, you will be called the first Elders
of the Church and your mission will be to the nations of the earth. You
will gather many people into the fastness of the Rocky Mountains as a center
for the gathering of the people and you will be faithful because you have
been true, and many of those who come in under your ministry because of
their much learning, they will seek for high positions and they will be
set up and raise themselves to eminence above you, but you will walk in
the low places unnoticed. And you will know of all that transpired in their
midst and those that are your friends will be my friends. This I will promise
you, that when I come again to lead you forth, for I go to prepare a place
so that where I am you shall be with me." With these sayings he thanked
us for past duties and said, "You are now dismissed to take care of
your wives and children and homes." On the 23rd of June we heard a
call upon the Legion to muster on Main Street near the Mansion House. I
again saw our General in his uniform upon a small house frame. He again
spoke too the Legion laying his hand upon the head of Levi S. Hancock who
was sitting at his feet: "The Lord has this day showed to me that
which was never shown to me before, that I have thousands of friends while
others have sought to crawl into my bosom because of my good feelings toward
them and now are the vipers that seek my life and if they take it they
will pursue you. They will do it anyhow and when you are obliged to fight
be sure you do not stain your hands with the blood of women and children.
When your enemies call for quarters be sure you grant them the same and
then you will gain power over the world." He then raised his hand
from Levi Hancock's head and also raised his voice, saying, "You will
forever be named the Nauvoo Legion and as I have had the honor of being
your General and leader, I feel to say a few words for your comfort and
I wish to ascertain your interest and faith in your future mission of life
that you are engaged in, even the same cause with the Priesthood sealed
upon you and your calling is to minister life and salvation to all the
nations of the earth, although things appear at present crisis by the works
of our enemies that they do hold an over-ruling power over us. But I will
liken these things to a wheel of fortune. If we are at this time under
the wheel it is sure to be rolling on and as sure will the Saints be sometime
on the top of this great wheel if you hang on for your fortune is in view.
"If it were not for the tender bonds of love that binds me to you,
my friends and brethren, death would be sweet to me as honey. My enemies
are after me to trust my life among them by their vouches and honor of
state, and that by the Governor and authority of the state of Illinois.
I, therefore, will say to you Saints and Elders of Israel, be not troubled
nor give yourselves any uneasiness so as to make any rash moves or to take
any hasty steps in doing any wrong whereby you will be cut short in your
calling in preaching the Gospel to this generation for you will be called
upon to go forth and call upon the free men from Maine to gather themselves
together to the Rocky Mountains and the redmen from the West and all people
from the North and South and from the East to go to the gathering places.
There you will gather the redmen in the center from their scattered and
dispersed situation, to become the strong arm of Jehovah to protect you
from your foes. "These things I feel to tell you before hand that
you may always be ready for your duty, for at this time I need the best
of friends to stand by me, and on this occasion I would like to know by
your own answer, yes or no, are you willing to lay down your lives for
me?" The answer was then heard with one unanimous voice, "yes."
I am your father, shall I not be your father? They all with a loud voice
said, "Yes." He said. I am willing to lay down my life for you
if innocent blood is spilled on this occasion. He then drew his sword out
of his scabbard, raising it above his head saying, "I will call upon
the might of God to bear witness of this. I have drawn my sword and it
shall never be sheathed again until vengeance is taken on all our enemies.
I will call upon the elements in our defense. The winds with the whirlwinds,
the thunders and lightnings and hailstorms, the heavens shall tremble and
with earthquakes the earth shall be shaken, with the seas heaving themselves
beyond their bounds. These things shall be brought to bear against our
enemies for our preservation as a people of the Lord. We have given up
our arms. They have taken away our rights of protection by our city charter
and now they desire that I shall surrender myself into their hands."
His blessings upon us, we were dismissed to go home.
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