Weather Cold Attended to business and in the evening attended a meeting of the Stake Presidency.

I attended High Council and Stake Priesthood meetings at Tooele. Assisted in getting out bills. &c.

Fast day

Weather Cold I Fasted as I always do until after Circle about 5 P.M. Gave my fast offering of $1.00 which is a custom with me Gave second donation to nickle fund in the [p. 185] Tooele School of 25¢ this time to make the contributions reach 100% of the membership. I attended Tooele School, afternoon and evenings and Prayr Circle. Administered to June Edmunds a Patriarchal blessing.

Weather Cold I attended to business as usual which was good. I this day paid off $750. owing at U Nat. Bk.

I attended to business as usual. Assisted in consecrating a bottle of oil at Geo Speirs store and later in administering to D K Adamsons child. Very Cold at night.

Attended to business as usual

" " " "¹

Attended to work and business as usual and in the evening attended a meeting of the Stake Presidency

I met the morning train with team & surray and brought up from depot Prest. Jos. F Smith, his wife Sarah and My mother Bro F M Lyman & Hyrum M Smith rode up with hack. Attended the Conference minutes which were better attended than usual and a good spirit prevailed and good instructions given.

Stake Conference continued. morning and afternoon and a meeting in the evening of Mutual workers. I took the folks to train after afternoon meeting. Hyrum M. remained to evening meeting. I occupied a few minutes of the time in evening meeting J A Lundberg & H M Smith were the other speakers. An excellent Conference

Attended to business as usual.

" " "²

" " "³

" " "⁴

Talked with Prest Smith over phone about eastern trip.⁵ [p. 186]

Sent $137.75 ck. to Prest Smith to buy tickets for Alice & me to Vermont & Return. We are to leave Salt Lake Mond. 18th @ 7:10 AM v.i.a. U. P. Ry. Hauled two loads of baled hay from Bench farm. Had Toby Shoed.

Tooele Weather pleasand [pleasant]. Ground frozen and good roads.

I hauled three loads baled hay off bench which finished all the bench hay.

We now have sold all the loose hay we have to Spare and have about 20 tons of baled hay to Sell. Attended a meeting of the Stake Presidency in the evening. Folks well except colds which several of us are afflicted with.

Weather pleasant, Ground dry & frozen.

I made ready to Start on a trip East with Prest. Jos. F Smith & Party. I having been invited by Prest Smith to go along. The purpose being to unveil and dedicate to the memory of the Prophet Joseph Smith the monument erected under the direction of Junius F Wells for the Church on the spot of his birth in Sharon Windsor Co. Vt. Said dedication to take Place on Dec 23d the 100th anniversary of the Prophet's birth.

Tooele Weather pleasant. I administered to B. H. Rowberry’s baby, assisted by John Gillespie & Moroni England.

My wife Alice A and Son Oliver 20 Mo. old passed and I left home on the 5 P.M. train to join the party east to the Monument dedication. We took room at the Whitehouse in S L City and went up to my Sister Asenath’s where we spent the even [p. 187] with my mother & the other folks. We returned to the hotel about 10 P.M.

Salt Lake City

Weather pleasant My wife, my Son Oliver L. and I with 27 24 others forming the President’s Party left Salt Lake City at 7:20 A.M. on the Pullman Car Sofala for Vt. There were added to the party at Layton one and at Ogden two others making 30 in all not counting the two porters Seth Young and Bud.——

The names of the party as listed are as follows.

1 President Joseph F. Smith

2 "⁷ Anton H. Lund

3 "⁸ F M Lyman

4 Patriarch John Smith

5 Apostle John Henry Smith

6 " ⁹ Hyrum M Smith

7 "¹⁰ Geo. Albert Smith

8 "¹¹ Chas W. Penrose

9 Seymour B. Young

10 Rulon S. Wells

11 Angus M Cannon

12 John McDonald

13 Joseph F Smith Jr.

14 L W Shurtliff

15 Geo. Romney

16 Loren Farr

17 B F. Grant

18 Ashby Snow

19 Elias A. Smith

20 Frank Y. Taylor

21 Benjamin Goddard

22 Jesse M Smith

23 Geo. F. Richards

24 Arthur Winter

25 Susa Young Gates

26 Alice Richards

27 Oliver L. Richards

28 Ida B. Smith

29 Edith A. Smith

30 Ina C Smith¹²

Seth Young)

Bud Rice) Porters¹³ [p. 188]

We traveled on O.S.L. Ry as far as Green River thence by U. P. Ry to Council Bluffs, thence by North Western Ry to Chicago, thence by Nickle Plate, West Short and Vermont Central to South Royalton the place of destination 3½ miles from the monument. We arrived at So. Royalton at 7:20 A.M.

just four days and nights from Salt Lake City. Our Car was switched off four or five hours at White River Junction 19 Miles west of So. Royalton.

There were 12 upper and 12 lower births in the Car and an apartment in one end for Ladies and another in the other end for men with toilets, wash stands &c also a State Room occupied by Prest Jos. F. Smith and his Brother John Smith the Patriarch. I had upper 9 and Alice & the boy Oliver had lower 10 births while Prest Lund had Lower 9 and Susa Y Gates upper 10 she having changed births with my wife whose birth was upper 10 on account of the baby.

On the way, we had singing and at night had prayrs. Our car went with us from first to last and we slept in it every night except one while gone the exception was at Boston where we put up at the Parker house at a cost of 5.00 for a room one night. At South Royalton our car was stopped opposite the Hotel (South Royalton House) Charles H. Woodard Proprietor where we took our meals while we remained at So. Royalton.

Arriving at St. Royalton at 7:20 A.M. Fri. 22nd Some of the party by sleigh went up to Tunbridge 5 or 6 miles where the Smiths once lived and where Hyrum Smith was born. Seymour B. Young, Susa Y Gates My wife, baby & I drove over to the Monument by sleigh a distance of about 3 miles. Found Junius F. Wells [p. 189] and some ten or 12 others working at the cottage & Monument making ready for the dedicatory services to take place the following day. The cottage which was built on the foundation of the Smiths house not being quite finished. The same hearth Stone occupies the Same position in the new as in the old house. The monument stands on a little knoll about 30 ft from the house. Its base is 12 ft square, Its second base 9 ft sq. The Die 6 ft sq. and 6'-2" high. The Cap 7 ft sq. and the spire 4 ft sq. at bottom and 3 ft at top and is 38½ ft high representing the age of the Prophet when he was martyred. The Spire is said to weigh 45 tons and the whole monument 100 tons and is 57 ft 2" high. The stone is dark Granite finely polished and very symmetrical hence a beautiful piece of workmenship. We picked apples from the trees within 20 feet of the monument the Same being frozen, we squoze most of the juice out and brought some home for Mementoes or Souvenires. I also got a walking stick cut from one of the Apple trees cleared away to make room for the monument. We saw the spring or well about 25 yards from the house where it is supposed that the Smiths got their water Joseph was but 3 or 4 yrs old when he moved from here. The apple trees are said to have been planted by Joseph’s Father. The Country is much broken up with hills & hollows and no land fit for cultivation. The orchard having been planted among the rocks no irrigation being necessary. This farm of perhapse 80 acres has a deep ravine running through it and on the opposite side from the [p. 190] monument there is a small spring and our folks have made a reservoir and piped the water part way with two inch pipe and finished with 1" pipe down into & across the Deep ravine & brook as they call it up to the Monument Cottage its source being 80 ft higher than the base of the Monument so that the water can be thrown fore [far?] above the house. The house is fixed up with baths, wash bowls, sink &c It has a basement probably 24 ft square. There is also an upstairs making 3 floors

<At So Royalton on the eve. of Dec 22 a Sort of Musical reception was had in the Woodard Hotel hall up stairs. John Henry Smith delivered a Patriotic speech which was fine.>¹⁴

South Royalton

Weather threatening storm.

We all breakfasted at the hotel after which in buggies & sleighs though sleighing was poor having been worn out and thawing we started for the Monument Joined by a party of 20 elders, school students &c from Boston New York and other places who arrived the evening before. It commenced to storm, snow, on our way up there about 9 A.M. and continued until our return about 4 P.M. but the Snow melted about as fast as it fell. Arrived at the monument about 9:30 A.M. Others Kept coming from all directions until they were counted at 437 present. At 11 A.M Services began in the Cottage I sat near the Speakers and could hear every word. Alice on account of the baby had to keep near the entrance to another room and could not hear it all. The out side doors were thrown wide open although it was cold and standing room on the stairs or in adjoining rooms was at a premium.

The porches were full and others were unsheltered. During the Dedicatory services Prest. McQuarry held an open air meeting at the Monument in a snow storm. After singing Prest A. H. Lund offered the [p. 191] opening prayr, Singing.

Elder Junius F. Wells by request related how he had thought when near those parts some nine years ago that there should be erected there a monument and as the 100 aniversary of Joseph’s Birth approached It occured to him with renewed force and he had ventured to suggest the matter to the Presidency of the Church who after due consideration decided to buy the farm and erect a monument to the memory of the Prophet Joseph to be dedicated Dec 23 1905 (this date.) and he was appointed some five months ago to take Charge of the work.

The Monument was contracted for of W. F. Howland of Barre Vt. The Spire which was the largest & most difficult to obtain was quarried from the Boutwell, Milne, Varnum Dark Quarry and weighed when taken from the Quarry 60 tons. When sawed and finished & polished, weighed 45 tons All of the Monument except the spire was taken from the Mar and Gordon Dark quarry and the whole weighs 100 tons. The difficulty in obtaining a stone that would make the spire was depicted and it was told how a rail road had to be built down into the quarry to load the stone. A special dispensation had to be obtained from the Ry Co. a special train furnished and a Ry Supt sent along as the base was wider than the Ry Rules would allow and it was wholly unsafe to stand it on edge. The difficulties in moving the Stones from Cars to destination was depicted graphically. How that the bridge across the White river had to be strengthened and in driving piles found mud & quick sand so that it was necessary to put in mud sills first. The [p. 192] interposition of Providence in reducing in 3½ hrs the temperature 35 degrees and freezing up a mud hole in which an em[p]ty hay press was stuck just the day previous. How that the two base stones stuck 22 heavy work horses in a low wheeled wagon with tires 22 inches wide on level; his temptation to give up and ask that it be shipped to S.L.C. The necessity for changing the Die from a higher to a lower truck to pass under the bridge top. How nearly it came to tipping off into the river which it likely would have done had it been on the higher trucks or wagon. Cheering the horses and inspired horse. Bulls being from 6 inches to 60 ft Dead, men, (Logs planted in ground) trees, blocks & plants being used. It required two weeks to move one load over the ground 3 miles. The difficulty of putting the Shaft in place was also depicted. It being polished surface had to be handled with care and new machinery had to be provided. It was put in place about the 8th of Dec.

After Bro. Wells finished his report which was most interesting and frequently caused tears to rise in my ey[e]s Bro. F. M. Lyman made a brief talk followed by Dr Fish who bade us welcome there then John Henry spoke followed by a Duet by Robert Easton & Sister Lulu Gates Then speeches were made by Hyrum M. Smith, Jesse M Smith and C. W. Penrose Then followed the Dedecatory prayr which was most impressive and is now in print in the papers. This prayr was offered by Prest Joseph F. Smith. He read it, but with feeling.

The services concluded at 1 P.M. After the dedicatory services concluded we repaired to the monument where the Stars & Stripes which veiled the Die and [p. 193] cape of the monument were drawn by Edith Smith unveiling the monument at 1:23 P.M. Eastern time 2 hrs faster than our Mountain time.

After the Services we all registered in a new book provided for the purpose. Oliver held the pen holder while I wrote his name.

A great many of those present if not all were served to a good lunch in the basement the Same having been cooked by one Miss Day of So Royalton. The lunch was most excellent. The members of our party gathered in the room where the dedicatory services were held and there Prest A H Lund in a nice speech expressive of our high regard & love for Prest. Jos F. Smith and our appreciation of his kind invitation to us to join his party presented him in behalf of our party from Utah with a nice heavy gold Chain & locket. Prest Smith with heart & Eyes full made a brief reply. Many tears were here shed again. Then Bro Junius F. Wells distributed to each one present a round colu[mn] of granite polished on one side these were sawed out of a large stone cut out of the Centre of the base of the monument. When he had done Bro Lyman reminded him that Oliver had not received one when President Smith with his own hand gave him one Oliver thought it should open like a bin and insisted that I open door.

After conclusion of all our Services much literature was distributed gratis to those who had come to the services the Vermonters.

We returned to So. Royalton and at 7:30 P.M. held Services in the upstairs hall of the Hotel which was roomy, well [p. 194] decorated and warmed & lighted.

The choir sang Joseph Smith’s First Prayr.

Prayr by Prest Schurtliff

President Smith was the first speaker and his talk was like that at the fire side but was a beautiful portrayal of the beauties of the Gospel

Second speaker A H Lund

Third "¹⁵ C W Penrose

All spoke exceeding well.

So Royalton

Weather Clowdy. We slept in our car and at 5:30 A.M. started for Boston distance about 160 Mi. We touched Sharon, Canaan, Concord, Manchester Nashua, Lowell &c. Arrived at Boston at about 10:30 A.M. We quit our car and put up at the Parker House hotel. <Room 364> Attended afternoon meeting in Deacons Hall. Here I met Wm Spry’s Sister a married lady, married to an outsider

The Speakers at this meeting were as follows.

Geo A Smith, Hyrum M Smith, Rulon S Wells & Prest Jos. F. Smith. Lulu Gates sang Jos. Smith’s First Prayr. also another Song. Excellent talk especially R S Wells. Prest McQuarry presided and made a few remarks at close of meeting. There was an evening meeting but Alice & I did not go as she was very tired. We both had a bath.

Boston, Christmas day. We arose about 8 A.M. and walked out to the street car line the weather was clear cold and ground dry. Boys were skating on Swan lake at public gardens. We took car to Rose Wharf. There we took the ferry boat and crossed the bay & back for 6 cents each. Got my shoes blacked while waiting for the boat to start back. Saw the Mighty ocean, the U. S. Revenew boat and many of the large 5 mast ships; some in motion coming in & going out: [p. 195] Leaving the Wharf Alice the baby & I walked up through town to the State Building, all stores closed. About the building there are a number of monuments, statues &c Here we took a hack and viewed the City including the Charles river about the State house is the Eagle monument erected 1790, Horace Mann 1853 Stature, Gen’l Hooker on his Black steed. & others We drove down Common Wealth avenew where the wealthy reside, saw the Trinity Church; The Public Library; West Minister Hotel. This building at an enormous expense to the City had to be uncapped i.e. the top story taken off I think the Cost to the City was $500,000. We also saw the Mass. Hist. Society Building, John Boyd Oriley Monument & stature; Metropolitan Park System a drive of from 25 to 20 miles. Saw Mrs Jack Gardner’s Palace, Statue of Liberty. Saw the Spot where John Hancock’s residence Stood the first Signer of the Declaration of Indipendence, the place was indicated by a stone slab with inscription on Common Wealth Avenew. We paid the hack man 1.50 for an hours ride. We visited Old South Church meeting house now used as a museum. We spent an hour there & while there the baby slept on the Rostrom. From here went back to the hotel thence to the Bunker Hill monument. Here also Stands the Statue of Colonel Wm Prescot. Inscription June 17, 1775. The Bunker Hill monument measures about 30 ft square at base & build of hewn stone. It is so high that the windows at the top look from the ground to be about like pigeon holes.

We left Boston at 6:19 P.M. Christmas day for the west. I think we rode on the Boston & Maine Ry from Boston to Rotterdam [p. 196] Thence by the Nickleplate Ry to Chicago.

We arrived at Palmira N.Y. at 10 o’clock A.M.

Carriages were at depot to meet us. Our Car was dropped off and by teams we went up through the City of Palmira and beyond about two miles to the former home of the Smith family now owned by one Mr Chapman. At the time the boy Joseph had his first vision he lived in a log house later torn down by Mr Chapman's father and it was in that house the Angel Moroni appeared to him. The house now occupied by the Chapman family was taken built according to Joseph’s mother’s record by Alvin Jos’. Brother about 1825 which agrees with Mr Chapman's version. So Joseph must have had his visitation from the Angel in the old house. We saw a cannon ball found in the roof of this house while undergoing repairs a number of years ago. There were two of them and my Father F. D. R. got one of them on one of his visits to this house We saw the room which according to Mr Chapman Joseph used to Sleep in and were shown the Corner in which the translating of the Book of mormon was done a curtain having been drawn across the corner for seclusion. On this farm which was once owned by the Prophet Joseph’s Father is a grove of hardwood timber and it is supposed that it was here Joseph received his first vision in answer to prayr when both the Father & Son appeared unto him. Mr Chapman avears that his Father never cut a tree that was alive out of that grove and charged his son to never let an ax be used there except on dead timber. & He said he had obeyed his fathers injunction but there have been trees cut. We surrounded the Stump of what was once a very large tree and sang Joseph Smiths First Prayr. [p. 197] This grove is about a half mile from the house and between the house & the grove is a small stream of water running through the meadow. Mr Chapmans says old residenters tell that Joseph used to baptize in this creek and even show the [s]pot where the dam was put in to the creek. For the truth of this statement I could not vouch. In the house are some pieces of furniture said to have been made by Brigham Young. They show fine workmanship but of obsolete patterns showing age in that respect.

Leaving the Smith farm we drove on about two miles to the Hill Cumorough or as called there Mormon hill. We got permission of the owners who live jus[t] at the foot of the hill at left of picture to go on to the hill. Our Company bought of these people 16 arrow heads which they claim to have picked up on and about the hill and paid them $8.00 i.e. 50 Cents each. We all went upon to the hill which is steeper than the picture shows. The wind was blownig [blowing] so hard that I had to hold my hat on with one hand and holding the baby on the other arm it soon became tiresome so Alice, baby and I and some others did not remain there long but retraced our steps to the carriages at the foot of the hill. Near the top of the hill I gathered som[e] small rocks of different colors and appearance and on the Spot where we thought most likely that the plates were found I got 4 other stones and brought home with me. I also have a cane cut from the Grove where Joseph is supposed to have gone to pray. After we returned to the foot of the hill we [p. 198] heard the others singing and on their return to us some of the party reported that Prest Jos. F Smith offered an excellent prayr while on the hill.

From Cummorah we returned to Palmira and passing through the town we visited the Cemetery. Saw the grave of John Gilbert who printed the first edition of the Book of Mormon also Admiral Samson’s family burial where his wife and several children are buried. This is a beautiful cemetery. The Sexton said there was an old cemetery some distant which was used up to 1844. The first interment in the new yard was in 1844 and there have been 6000 burials while the City has a population of but 2100. The weather was raw & cold.

We took dinner at the Powers House Hotel An excellent dinner at a charge of 75¢ ea. Alice & I and the boy walked to the Car while some of the others went & saw the old printing press on which the first edition of the Book of Mormon was printed.

We left Palmira after dark in the evening of Tuesday Dec 26, 1905 and Arrived at Cleveland, Ohio, about 7:30 A.M. Wed. Dec 27. We breakfasted at the Depot Dining room and at 9 A.M. on special street car we started for Willoughby about 16 miles distant. Round trip 75¢ ea. We went near the Lake Erie so we could see it plainly for several miles. Passing City Square in Cleveland we saw a great monument on the inside of which were cut into the stone the names of ten thousand soldiers and sailors. Also saw a monument reared to the memory of Moses Cleveland the founder of the City. A Pedistal and Statue. We also saw other monuments. [p. 199]

Arriving at Willoughby about 10 A.M we took teams for Kirtland about 3 mi. distant. The teams (two) were over loaded and some of us had to walk up the hills We had to cross the Chagrin river twice Once at Willoughby and once at Kirtland The temple is on the hill in middle of town and not far from the bluff of the river. Arriving at Kirtland we obtained permission to enter the temple. There were present of the Josephite Church Apostle Mr Green, Elder Stone and an Evangelist one apostle Mr. —— We entered the hall or anteroom and registered and paid our contributions thence to the main room on ground floor, thence upstairs where there are five rooms narrow but full length <width> of the building. These rooms are said to have been used for the School of the Prophets. Lectures &c. It is said it was here the Lectures on faith were given. The exterior measurement of the temple is 59 ft wide and 69 ft long walls 2 ft thick hence interior measurement 55' x 65' The Melchesedek Stand in the west and the Aaronic Stand in the east end. The Cemetery is just across the street We saw the home of the Johnsons also where the Smith family lived also Joseph’s home where Joseph the leader of the Josephite faction was born. We bought mementoes here at the temple. We remained in and about the temple from 11:30 to 1 P.M. then started for home Willoughby at 1 P.M. Arriving at 2 PM we took dinner & then returned to Cleveland on special car by another route. Bro Lyman had relatives at Willoughby and he called on them and joined us at Cleveland later. We saw at Willoughby [p. 200] the Chicamauga Monument on the Square.

Between Willoughby and Cleveland there are large and extensive vineyards and orchards. This appears to be a fruitful section. We were told that between Kirtland and Willoughby land was being picked up at $300. per Acre. Returning from Willoughby to Kirtla Cleveland we Saw the home and properties of John D. Rockyfellow one of the wealthiest men in the world. He owns 3 5 thousand acres of land about his home some of it containing beautiful residences. His palace looked to be made of white marble. We stopped off at the Cleveland Cemetery and went up to and in the Garfield Monument, saw his Statue also his casket mounted on a marble pedistal. Obtained mementos here. Admission 10¢ We also saw Mark Hannah’s Monument at a distance. Saw the tomb <vault> in which Garfields remains were kept while the monument was being built. While there it was guarded night and day by a squad of Soldiers.

We returned to our Car about 5:20 PM and about 8 PM Wed. Dec 27th left for Chicago

<Between Willoughby & Cleveland on our return to Cleveland we came by Euclid Avenew said to be the finest in U. S.>¹⁷

We arrived at Chicago about 8 A.M. We were met by Carriages furnished by the Bain Wagon Co. and in a rain storm wer[e] transferred to the North Western station where we boarded a special Pullman Car and went north west along lake Michigan about 55 miles into Wisconsin to the Bain Wagon works at Kinosha Here we were shown through the Bain Wagon Co works. while the work was in full blast from here we were taken in Carriages to the Pennoyer Sanitorium where we were served with a nice dinner, From here in carriages we were taken to Racine [p. 201] and there shown through the Racine Carriage Co. works while the work was in full blast. From here in Carriages we were taken to the <Jefferies> Automobile works here there are about 24 acres of land covered with buildings and these full of fine machinery and work run making the Rambler Automobile. From here we took train and returned to Chicago traveling at the rate of 67 miles pr hr. Mr Slawson of Bain Wagon Co was our escort. Zion City is on this lin[e] near to Kenosha also the American Steel and wire factory all of which we could see as we passed. On our return to Chicago we were furnished with free theatre tickets and most all but myself and Oliver went Prest Seymour B. Young chaperoned my wife.

<The Deseret Semi Weekly News Issue of Jan 8, 1906 gives a full account of our travels & trip.>¹⁸

Chicago

Stormy We slept in our car. Left car for Stock yards at $ 9.45 A.M. Saw through the Swifts yards and followed the different processes of killing hogs, sheep and cattle and the process of putting up the hams &c for market Also saw how the Ole[o]margerine is made at the rate of 25000 lbs daily. Also the Soaps &c We were dined by the Company in fine Style at their dining room. Returning to Chicago proper at about 1:30 P.M. Alice, baby & I went up to Montgomery ward building and by elevator went up to top of tower 25 stories high. Did some trading up town and returned to our car at about 6 P.M. I left Alice & baby at car with Br McDonald & the porters and I went to meeting with the other members of the party at [p. 202] our L.D.S. chapel. Prest Ellsworth presided. Bro Benj Goddard offered the opening prayr and Frank Y Taylor the Benediction. The Speakers were in order as follows John Henry Smith, F. M. Lyman A H Lund and Prest Jos F. Smith! Good talk and good spirit prevailed.

We left Chicago at 11 P.M. for home.

We arrived in Omaha about 4 P.M. Sat. Dec 30, 1905. Left Omaha about 5 P.M. The Supt.’s car was attached to our train at Omaha and taken as far as Chyene [Cheyenne]. In the evening the Supt Mr. Parks Mr Morris & wife & daughters and Mr Whitney came into our car and we sang songs made speeches, told stories &c. This evening I offered the evening prayr.

Weather fine ground dry We took breakfast in the Dining Car. The train men put a sleeper on our rear with diner in head and people went through our car to & from the Diner so that we had no seclusion until evening when we held a meeting at which all spoke and we had a good meeting.

We reached the Summit (Sherman Station) at 3:45 P.M. Sunday Dec 31, 1905.

We Sat up until after 12 o’clock thus seeing the Old Year out and the New Year in. 8¼ hours west of Summit.