Byron Harvey ALLRED

Allred Lineage:   Byron Harvey, William Moore, Isaac, William, Thomas, Solomon born 1680 England

Born: 05/29/1847
Died: 08/06/1912

Submitted by: Byron David Stout 04/08/1997

The Life and Times of Byron Harvey Allred
Based on his personal Diaries with a few additional details by his youngest daughter - Viola Allred Stout
Edited by Byron D. Stout, a grandson.
Typing of original manuscript:  Lloyd Thayne and Byron D. Stout, grandsons.
With assistance from Don Allred and Robert Blakely of the Allred Family Organization in identifying descendants of Byron H. Allred Sr. and locating photographs. Elsie Allred helped to locate a couple of valuable photographs.  Also with the assistance of Joseph David Stout, a great grand-son and computer whiz; and Mark Budd, also a great grand-son and a photograph whiz.

Other family members have provided assistance in providing names and addresses so I could mail announcements of this  book. However, to those other 1200 or so Allreds that have not yet heard of this book, I apologize. I didn't know where to find you.

Byron Harvey Allred (Sr.)

Preface

WHAT WOULD THIS GREAT PROGENITOR OF OURS WANT TO TELL US IF HE COULD SPEAK TO US TODAY? So far, hardly anyone has bothered to try and find out what he attempted to tell us. His diary has laid in fragments in boxes and drawers, hardly ever seeing the light of day to be studied by any of his numerous descendants.  His life was cut short at a very critical time, leaving his family in disarray when a steadying hand was needed the most. As a result, his descendants have become splintered into sharply contrasting groups.

This book contains all of the known diaries of Byron H. Allred.  Nothing has been changed to accommodate someone else's philosophy. At the end of the diaries, a few pages have been added from the life history of Viola Allred Stout, his youngest child, to add some interesting memories of her father. At this writing she is 92 years old and still remembers much of her fathers influence up to the time of his untimely passing, when she was only 8 years old.

This book is made up of three sections, as follows:

SECTION #1:

The beginning of the diaries as written by Byron Harvey Allred, including a brief outline of his early life with his parents and covering up until 1895. This section has been transcribed by Lloyd Thayne, a grandson. He is the son of Orissa Allred Thayne who was a daughter of Byron H. Allred and Matilda Rolf Allred.

SECTION #2:

Containing the balance of the writings of Byron H. Allred concerning his life and times, written in his "small tablet". He apparently had no more diaries. These writings cover the years of 1898 through August 4th, 1912. This section was transcribed by another grandson, Byron D. Stout, son of Viola Allred Stout who is a daughter of Byron H. Allred and Mary Eliza Tracy Allred.

SECTION #3:

Copied from the book "My Life - I've Made it So Far... And Still Striving." by Viola Allred Stout, the youngest child of the youngest wife of Byron H. Allred. I've copied only a small portion covering her memories of her home life while living with her family in the Mormon Colonies in Mexico.

Byron Harvey Allred (Sr.) didn't write much, but he did leave us some very important lessons. How are we doing with those few lessons he left for us? That's up to us. He certainly did his part in trying to "Bring up a righteous seed". We all should get rid of the weeds in our own lives....

Perhaps a good place to start might be with an entry in the autobiography of William Moore Allred, Byron's father, showing how a close call almost cancelled this part of the family in the beginning.

"(An incident I forgot to mention as we crossed the plains.) I had a door in the side of my wagon cover and Byron was about four years old, he fell out of the wagon at this side door right in front of the behind wheel, but he lited on his feet and sprang forward just in time to save himself as the wagon was going slow in the sand."

Now, the rest of the story is as written by Byron H. Allred himself.

IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF BYRON HARVEY ALLRED

Wife #1 Phoebe Irene Cook 19 Jan 1852 19 Apr 1912

Byron Harvey Allred Jr. 31 Mar 1870 18 Jan 1937

Myra Irene Allred 10 Apr 1872 09 Sep 1912

Wife #2 Alta Matilda Rolph 05 Aug 1855 25 Jun 1948

Miss Allred Sep 1876 Sep 1876

Orville Albert Allred 27 Nov 1877 06 Apr 1937

Melvin Calvert Allred 20 Oct 1879 18 Apr 1896

Alta Matilda Allred 06 Apr 1881 14 Nov 1948

Minnie Diantha Allred 01 Jan 1883 10 Feb 1883

Ednar Jay Allred 05 Mar 1884 25 Nov 1938

Cora Allred 31 May 1886 21 Feb 1970

Eva Allred 17 Feb 1888 02 Nov 1918

Orissa Allred 19 Apr 1890 19 Mar 1972

Cyrus William Allred 17 Dec 1892 18 Jan 1893

Orson Parley Allred 13 Nov 1895 29 Aug 1977

Rolla Arland Allred 10 Mar 1898 03 Dec 1971

Wife #3 Mary Eliza Tracy 03 Mar 1873 30 Sep 1949

Henry Garcia Allred 08 Feb 1895 19 Nov 1954

Loraine Tracy Allred 26 Feb 1897 26 Nov 1897

Lavon Tracy Allred 07 Oct 1901 29 Aug 1995

Mary Viola Allred 26 Apr 1904 NOW 92 YEARS OLD.

JOURNAL OF BYRON HARVEY ALLRED

Section #1: The following was typed by his grandson, Lloyd Thayne, from his journal with an attempt to correct grammar, capitalization or spelling only where obvious or necessary to retain intent. All information in italics are inserts by the typist and not in the original journal. The beginning of the journal, as we have it, is a ledger of business activities of B.H.A. while he was in the mercantile business.

I am a son of William Moore Allred and Orissa Angela Bates.  Born in Kanesville, Potawatamii County, Iowa on the 29 day of May A.D. 1847. I moved to Salt Lake City, S.L. Co. Utah with my fathers family in the year 1851 in the fifth year of my age and my father lived at this place until the spring of 1855 when he moved to a place known as Bensons Mill in Tooele Co Utah and in the summer of 1850 to a place three miles from there then known as Patens(?) Ranch where he lived until the summer of 1858 when he moved to Grantsville Tooele Co Utah. From the time my father arrived in S. L. City until the present time he had no team but depended on his daily labor for his family's sustenance, he being a carpenter and joiner by trade. I did not know what it was to have the comforts of life as many other children did who's parents were of the more wealthy class yet I was taught by my parents (God bless them) to reverence the name of the Deity and keep the commandments he laid down by his servants the Apostles and as my parents were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints they received their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple and were sealed over the altar according to the pattern lain down by the leader Joseph Smith Jr., I being the first child born unto them after they were sealed I had a natural inclination to be religious.

I was baptized at Benson's Mill, Tooele County., Utah on the 29th day of May 1855 by my father and confirmed by John Rowbery, then bishop of that place. Previous to this I was blessed at Omaha by Elder Orson Pratt and the blessing was written which I here give as it was written by the request of Apostle O. Pratt, who Blessed me.

Blessing conferred upon the head of Byron Harvey Allred in the City of Winter Quarters situated on the Omaha Lands on the 3rd day of November A.D. 1847 by Orson Pratt and his father Wm M. Allred in the presence of Sarah M. Pratt and Matilda Reaves and his Mother Orissa A. Allred.

"Byron Harvey Allred, in the name of Jesus Christ I lay my hands upon thy head in conjunction with thy father and we bless thee with long life here on the earth and the destroyer shall not have power over thee inasmuch as thy parents shall nourish and strengthen thee and thou shalt live and in due time receive the Gospel and the Holy Priesthood and all the powers and blessings thereof. The spirit of the Lord shall be upon thee and round about thee to preserve and guide thy footsteps and thou shalt increase in wisdom and knowledge as thou shalt increase in years, and all these blessings we seal upon thy head in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." 

I will here relate a circumstance which transpired in the year 1856, just after my Baptism (or in less than a year after). I told a lie to John Rowbery, then Bishop, not intentionally but through fear more than any thing else, as I answered his question hastily before thought on account of strangers being present. I then ran, not stopping to correct my answer to him.  After I had retired to my bed that night the eyes of my understanding were touched by the inspiring influence of God and I saw (while wide awake and before closing my eyes in slumber) that place which is as a lake of fire and brimstone and I beheld the misery and suffering, weeping, wailing and the gnashing of teeth of those who are partakers of this punishment and the voice of God spake unto me, "This is the destination of all those who loveth and maketh a lie." I experienced the agony of this hell as tongue cannot tell nor has yet entered into the heart of man except to those to whom it is revealed or are made partakers of the same. And I wept until my pillow was soaked with my tears of anguish and I called my mother to my bed and related the circumstance of my telling the lie and asked her to forgive me and for God to forgive me before the vision vanished.I here bear my testimony to those who shall read this journal that I know the suffering which follows the transgressor. I implore you to leave the road of vice and follow in the path of righteousness for my testimony will come up against all who hear it at the judgement day and my garments will be clean.

I will now return with my reader to Grantsville. The residence of my father while in this place in the year 1857. The government of the United States not being satisfied with the persecutions we had received from their hands, seeing the church was prospered more than ever, sent an army to these valleys known as Johnson's Army and Pres. Brigham Young being appointed Governor of Utah by the President of the United States forbade the army coming in to the territory without his orders and to prevent them the Governor B. Y. sent armies of men in to Echo Canyon. During the winter of 1857-58 my Father spent most of his time in Echo Canyon. The army was permitted to come in the Valley after a treaty was made but previous to their entering the valley the saints were called to move south which they did, leaving a few armed men to attend to the crops. My father settled for the summer in a place known as Spring Creek now as Spring Lake Valley in Utah County. After the army came through and were permitted to occupy a place known as Camp Floyd in Rush Valley West of Utah Lake the Saints were permitted to return to their homes in the fall of 1858.In the spring of 1866 my father sold out and moved to St. Charles, Bear Lake Co, Idaho where he now resides. We landed there on the 23rd day of May. Not a road in the canyon or a house built. On our arrival we went to work helping to build up the country, make roads, bridges and enduring a great many hardships as are subject to follow the settling of a new country. At times going without bread, living on boiled wheat and wheat ground in a coffee mill for our extra meals and part of the time could not get that. In the year 1867 I was ordained to the office of an Elder under the hands of Elder Wm. M. Allred (March 6th 1867). Time passed on, and on the 5th day of October 1867 I was married to Phoebe I. Cook, daughter of Phineas Wolcott Cook and Ann Eliza Howland in Salt Lake City, Utah By George Q. Cannon, one of the Twelve Apostles of the Church. My wife and I lived with my father and mother until Oct 1868 when we commenced keeping house with one frying pan, one old iron kettle, three or four knives and forks and about the same amount of old plates furnished us by our parents, two yearling heifers. I soon made the raise of a stove (or substitute in the shape of a skillet and lid) to bake bread in, instead of baking slapjacks in the frying pan. Thus we began our marriage career knowing how to appreciate every cent we got by hard licks each doing our share of the work together.

On the 31st day of March, 1870 our hearts were comforted by my wife giving birth to a son whom we called Byron Harvey. He was blessed Apr 17th 1870 by his Grand Father Wm. M. Allred and my wife gave birth to a daughter on the 10th day of April 1872. Her name we called Myra Irene, she was blessed 28th day of Apr 1872 By John A. Hunt.

In the year 1874 I got into a controversy with Neils Wilhelmson, one of our prominent and most faithful Elders of St. Charles, in regard to the atonement of Christ which resulted in my mind becoming darkened so I could not understand the principles of the atonement. I saw at once my position and my liability of being led into unbelief as I knew Elder Wilhelmson was a well informed man yet he could not explain the point of doctrine I wished to understand yet he said I was in the wrong. I will here insert it that it may be of use to those who read this journal. N. Wilhelmson said in a public meeting that Christ atoned for the sins of the world unconditional(ly). Said I if so, why do we find the following recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. Speaking about the wicked, Jesus says "My blood will atone for none such." I wished to know of him if the atonement was without condition why these were not atoned for. He could not answer it but said the atonement was general to the human race. Knowing God could give my mind rest I fasted and prayed and thus continued with out ceasing for 30 days. When the following vision was given to the entire satisfaction of my mind as always attends the answer given by God.

I saw that the passage quoted had reference only to the personal sins that Jesus would not bear, not the original sin of Adam. I also had the eyes of my understanding quickened and I beheld in the past 1874 years (or there about) that the Son of the Eternal Father took upon Himself flesh and blood. But at the time I beheld Him I knew not that He was the son of God but beheld Him as a man at whom all fingers of scorn were pointed and I could behold the hearts of all the inhabitants of the earth for they were before me and I beheld them all and could put forth my hand and pick out all those who would fight against this Son of God without them uttering a word, seeing by this that God knew the hearts of all his Children and nothing, even the most secret combination were not hid from his view. I beheld that the suffering of the Son of God was pained because of the wickedness of the people of the world that I could even behold that his sufferings were so great that his heart strings were as white as the driven snow with the pressure upon them.

I beheld after his death that he was watching over this people and I beheld that this Church were again brought into bondage and surrounded by the whole world and the people were gathered together in mighty prayer. And the persecution was so great that as near as I could discern one half of this people would not lay their lives upon the altar and die for the cause of Christ but separated themselves from us and looked for all those who would stand to their religion or the religion of Christ to be wiped off from the face of the earth and all that stood to life or death were as martyrs of the cause but to the satisfaction of the sufferers of Christ I beheld the Atoner of our sins or the Savior of mankind, the same personage I beheld at first, appeared in sight and uttered the following words.  "Depart ye cursed." I wept bitterly both for joy at seeing the saints thus delivered also with pain for the suffering of the saints of God before their delivery. The voice of God came unto me saying you shall declare unto this people that trials await them and if they prepare not for the same they will be overcome and that this kingdom will never be overthrown. If you declare not these things according to your calling your garments shall not be clean from the blood of this generation. Therefore to all those who may read this journal I declare in words of soberness that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ and the only door to the Kingdom of God and that all mankind must come unto him and endure to the end or they can not be saved. I boast not but give the honor and glory to God forever, amen.

Perhaps it would be as well to relate some circumstances of note which transpired previous to this. When B.H.A. Jr was about 3 or 4 months old some of the young people wished me to take care of him and let my wife go with them a horseback riding. As soon as the question was asked me I was impressed with a feeling I never before experienced by way of a timely warning that if she went she would get hurt. Notwithstanding the warning, I consented to let her go whereupon the horse was saddled and as soon as my wife got on him and started I could not stay in the house but picked up my child and went into the street and watched her until she, with the rest, went out of sight. We were at a visiting party at my fathers and I returned to the house and sat down with the company but could not rest. Children were passing in and out of the gate and it was shutting perhaps every minute as they ran to and fro at play and once when I heard the gate shut I sprang to my feet and said "There is the message" and met the child at the door who informed me that my wife was thrown from the horse and severely hurt. I met the wagon at the gate which conveyed her and helped to carry her into the house thus showing me that I should never resist the promptings of the spirit of God if I would escape accident.

I then made a covenant with God that if he would forgive me that time I would always obey the promptings of the Spirit. During the same year I was working in the canyon and very busy as it was about harvest time and I knew not how to spare a day as the week was planned so as to finish my hauling Saturday and commence harvesting next week. As I went to the corral to yoke my oxen It was again warned that if I went to the canyon that day a serious accident would happen. I hurried on, hitched up my oxen, and drove around to the house the impression increasing and there I stopped and said: "Did I not covenant with God to listen henceforth?" Where upon I unyoked my oxen and worked around home that day. Thus, I am satisfied, avoiding or perhaps escaping death. The balance of the week I continued my canyon work with nothing hindering my labors. Dear reader you may think this an imagination of the brain but I can bear you testimony that no person is safe without living thus before that just God who knows and foresees all things.

(1872) At another time when I and my wife were asleep in our bed I was awakened by hearing the most beautiful singing the human ear ever experienced. It was as far in the east as the ear could distinctly hear and it gradually drew nearer and nearer and finally I found it was coming close. I awoke my wife and she heard as I heard the most beautiful of earthly music which passed by us and died away in the west as it appeared in the east. She will bear witness of this to this day. When the singers passed by I beheld, I should judge, 8 or 12 personages down to the waist (bust form) facing us and I knew it was a Choir of Angels. The persons my wife did not see. Thus God permitted us to enjoy a taste of the heavenly Choir.

In May 1875, previous to my obeying the Patriarchal Order of Marriage, I was weighed down with grief on account of the trial I see it was to my wife Irene for me to obey that law. I felt as though I would gladly sacrifice my own life, if it would answer the end, than see her pass through what she was passing through. And as I also felt the great responsibility taking upon myself this care, and know my wife and I had always lived so happy together. I was pouring out my soul to God to have him move from me this trial if it was possible to be done and attain to that glory which I anticipated when all at once a vision was opened to my mind, it being in mid day. I was surrounded with the most intense darkness and I beheld dangerous prisons and prison bars and the most hideous form which could be imagined to be from the depth of hell sneering and grinning and pointing the finger of scorn at me. And the voice of God spoke to me thus "My son, if you are willing to endure all this and obey my law and have eternal life or remain as you are with your wife in peace not facing the sterner tricks of life and fall short of what you would desire to enjoy you may choose for your self." I was thus left in the greatest of distress and darkness until I raised my voice to God and I said "I will obey thy law, Thou, Oh God, being my helper", when immediately the vision was withdrawn and I again beheld the brightness of the sun and my mind was left calm and composed and made up on the course I would pursue. And thus can I bear testimony to all who may read this that I  know that had I not obeyed this Patriarchal Order of Marriage I would have fallen short of my exaltation and been damned. And for this cause have I made up my mind to face, if necessary, the fiery darts of hell which may be hurled against me and ask God to help me that I may hold out faithful to the end of my days and I know all will be well.

In the year 1875 I obeyed the Patriarchal Order of Marriage and married a girl by the name of Alta Matilda Rolph. We were sealed on the 31st of May.

The winter of 1876 and 1877 I spent with my family in Sanpete and Millard Co., Utah, visiting with our relatives. We left home on the 7th day of November 1876 and in the spring of 1877 on the sixth day of April we attended conference of the church in the Temple at St. George, Washington Co., which was dedicated at that time. Councilor Daniel H. Wells offering the dedicatory prayer. During our visit I was called on to speak a great deal both in Sanpete and Millard Co on the principles of my religion, and enjoyed the Spirit of God on those occasions. We got a recommend from Apostle C. C. Rich to go through the Temple and were permitted to ascend to the top of the dome, our guide showing us all the apartments in the temple and explaining their use. The baptismal font was a grand sight. My wives were both baptized in there for their health. We had a very hard trip, being in snow, mud and rain for 16 days, and arrived home on the 4th day of May 1877. About this time while asleep I beheld Pres. Brigham Young standing before a large assembly of people and uttered the following words, "All those who are willing to sacrifice all for the Kingdom of God follow me." At this point my wife awoke me and I told her of the dream and wished she had not awoke me. She said perhaps it would be repeated. After I again dropped asleep I beheld the same thing and I, with a great crowd, followed him. It was as though I was at a great height in the air as I could see the whole face of the country and the people went south on the shores of a large body of water with trees on the shores. I saw grain raised and it was a beautiful place to look upon.

As near as I can judge by the shape of the earth it was on the border of the Gulf of Mexico but let it be where it may, if I ever see the place I shall know it.

My wives and I were rebaptized at St. Charles Idaho Sept 22nd 1875 by Asst. Wm Budge. Reconfirmed by C. C. Rich, N. Wilhelmson and John A. Hunt.

A..m. gave birth to a son at St. Charles, Bear Lake Co., Idaho on the 27th day of November, A. D. 1877. He was blessed Dec 23rd 1877 by myself with the name of Orville Albert.

During the spring of 1877 Brigham Young located and dedicated a spot at Logan, Cache Co. for a temple to be built by the Cache, Box Elder, and Bear Lake Stakes of Zion. During this spring at St. George Conference Pres. B. Young received a revelation from God to organize the church into Stakes of Zion to be presided over by a president and two councilors, being the first Stake organization in the Kingdom of God. Pres. B. Young died on the 29th of Aug 1877.

I was called on to go and work on the temple road (or road to the temple sawmill). I left home on the 18th day of June 1877. The company was overtaken on the 19th by Pres. Wm Budge and Bro. John A. Hunt of St Charles. The company was called together and Elder Benoni(?) I. Hunt was appointed Pres.of the company and I was appointed chaplain.

It was the council of Pres.Budge that Bro. B. I. Hunt hold meetings every Sunday and that I see that the body was called together every morning and evening and united in prayers. I am sorry to relate here that not one meeting was called during the month of our labors, but not one evening or morning passed without I called the company together and called on first one and the other and I am happy to say that not one refused but some were not willing at first but after I talked to them at different times showing their duties towards themselves as well as their families at home. The company consisted of thirty men, ten from each of the following settlements: Paris, Bloomington and St. Charles.

June 20th while on the road Leonard Floid shot a doe. It made quite a treat for the company. After noon we came to a place on the Logan river where the bridge was washed away and the current was swift. I was called on to return home on the 21st to report the condition of the road and prevent any one from crossing and getting drowned. I returned home on 21st and overtook the company on the 22nd at their place of destination but not until I was drenched through with rain.

23rd Prest's Preston and Lewis from Cache Valley came and located the work. We were set to work washing dugways up the canyon where the sun beat down being on the north side of the canyon. I was careful to retreat to the creek several times a day and slip into the creek to prevent my boots from burning and my head was so hot that I would pluck leaves from the trees and put them in my hat and every few minutes I would have to change them, they being wilted by the heat.

28th Thos. Slight came from Paris but brought no letter from my family but brought tools for the body. 26th Alvin Brochet came from Logan to superintend the putting in of a bridge at the temple fork.

27-28-29. I worked with others on the bridge.

July 1st I received a letter from home, the first since I left.

2nd We were again visited by Pres. Preston.

4th I was released from work to go to camp half past five p.m. (sick). Through the blessings of God by the ordinance of administration I was healed and able to resume work on the 5th.

The bridge was finished on the 4th costing 211 dollars. Bro. Alvin Brochet returned home to Logan.

6th Pres. Wm. Budge and Q. A. Stucki came from Bear Lake Valley.  No word from my family.

7th Camp was moved about one mile up the canyon.

8th John Hill came from St. Charles and brought a letter from my family. Also a company moved to our camp from Liberty.

11th I sent a letter home by Bro. Joseph Phelps who stopped with us over night. We also had another addition to our Co. from Montpelier.

12th Another Co. arrived from Boid(?) and Randolph. Camp was again moved up the canyon. During our work we were obliged to keep our beef in the creek to keep it from the flies. The substance almost all soaked out of it and part of the time our flour was so dark that the bread baked looked as black and heavy as adobe. Had it not been for the blessing of God we would have all been sick working so hard on such food and in the July sun.

13th Frank Rich started for home. The night of the 14th a council was held between the Leading Prest's of Co's and it was decided that on account of no provisions fit to eat that the Paris, Bloomington, and St Charles Co's be dismissed to return home. I started across the mountain home in company with Jay Rolph arriving home 6 O'clock PM on the 15th of Aug 1877, walking so far through the hot sun my feet were blistered in several places.

I was called on to act as secretary for the Elders Quorum of Bear Lake Utah which office I filled for 2 years making a visit through the valley once or twice a year with our Pres. Wm. A. Hymas. On the 29th day of January 1878 my Mother died, only being sick three days. She died in full faith of a glorious resurrection. I sold my place in St Charles and moved to Garden City, Rich Co, Utah, arriving here on the 5th day of May 1878.

My son B.H.A. Jr. was baptized at this place on the 30th day of June 1878 by Elder Robert Pope and confirmed same day by Elder Wright A. Moore.

Garden City ward was organized in 1879, with Robert Calder Bishop and Wright A. Moore 1st and Monzo Cook 2nd Councilor. I was called to act in the office of a Priest same date. This place being under the Fish Haven Ward up to this date. I have striven to fill this office to the best of my ability and in my weakness.

On the 20th of Oct 1879 A. M. gave birth to another son who was blessed 16th day of Nov 1879 by Andrew Galoway with the name of Melvin Calvert.

I had to labor hard for a living but tried to keep in view the principles of the gospel of Christ and teach the same to my children in my weak way both by precept and example. My daughter Myra Irene was baptized on the 18th day of July 1880 by myself and confirmed (same date) by Wm H. Longhurst.  M. gave birth to a daughter on the 6th day of Apr 1881 and was blessed Apr 24th 1881 by Wright A. Moore with the name of Alta Matilda.

On the 24th of July 1881 I was at a celebration on the shore of the Lake when I was again impressed with the warning spirit of God that something was going to happen if it was not avoided, but what it was I did not then know, but I ask God to let me know before it was too late. I came up home and back to the bowery again, the warning increasing upon me not ceasing to ask God to not leave me but let me know in time to prevent it. When I got back to the bowery my son Harvey met me and said he had promised to run a race with the horse I had there and wanted to know if he could. As quick as thought the answer was given.  "No", said I, "my son, if you do you will get hurt." Thus again acknowledging the hand of God in warning me of the plot the Devil had lain to injure my child. The honor and glory be thine, oh Lord. During the winter of 1882-83 the congress of the United States passed a bill known as the Edmonds bill which disfranchised all polygamists and placed the power of elections in the hands of three commissioners and making all births under this law of plurality of wives illegitimate after the 1st day of Jan, 1883. By this unjust law I was saved the trouble of voting and holding any office of trust under the government of the United States.

M. again gave birth to another daughter on the 1st day of Jan, 1883 we called Minnie Diantha who was blessed on the 21st day of Jan 1883 by Lashbrook Laker. During this winter the whole settlement was visited with the measles, my family not escaping, and my wife A..M.. supposing she had had the measles we did not expect such a thing as her having them. She was taken sick not knowing what it was until her milk dried up and the child was poisoned by partaking of the small quantity remaining in the breast and she died on the 11th of Feb, 1883, her mother not being able to attend the funeral.

I think it proper to here relate another or two dreams for future benefit.

I dreamed of seeing a large company of people traveling and we pitched our tents one night at the foot of a very steep hill. In the morning we started up the hill and the further we went the steeper it got and the road up the hill seemed to be as strait as could be and after traveling some distance we came to a road winding around the hill. At this road the main bulk of the teams turned off rather than face the hill.

I kept on after traveling some distance I looked back. It was so steep that I at once turned dizzy and was obliged to again fix my eyes on the hill upwards. I struggled on and as I neared the top I found the road got steeper and rocky and the rocks would slip from under my feet and it was with the utmost endeavors that I could keep from sliding back but I kept my eyes fixed on the top and worked with all my strength to gain the top until I was almost exhausted and it seemed as though I would be obliged to yield and go back down the hill. I knew if I did it would be instant death. Finally I reached the top almost worn out.  There I beheld a beautiful table land and on this place a beautiful mansion. At this point I could see the teams of those who took the road that led off as far as the eye could behold, wandering along whether they knew not until they were lost to my view and I saw them no more. The teams seemed faded and the people trudging along also apparently weary. I then approached the mansion and there was a door keeper that I was well acquainted with who welcomed me and admitted me and found that there was no road leaving from this mansion and all who entered therein remained there forever. I awoke with the knowledge that if I ever entered the mansion of the Father I would be obliged to struggle with the things of life and that it would be only by thus working until almost worn out and keeping my eyes on the object for which I was striving to gain or I would fall and all who gave up the hill and turned off another road would be lost.

I think it proper before going any further to take from my daily journal some of the teachings of the apostles of God delivered at different times to the people. I will first record a prophesy of Joseph F. Smith and George Q. Cannon delivered in St. Charles Idaho in A.D. 1877. The people had for 7 years been troubled with grasshoppers increasing every year. During this time the eggs would be deposited in the ground and the next spring multiply from twenty to fifty fold and in the year mentioned they were depositing their eggs. The ground was so full of holes that it looked like a sieve with all prospects of every thing being swept from the earth the next year. At this time Pres. B. Young and party made a visit to this valley. The meeting was held under a bowery built in St. Charles and the hoppers were so thick that the sun was as if a cloud was passing under it and they were crawling on the stove and on every person while the following prophesy was uttered. "I prophesy in the name of the Lord that if the people will serve the Lord that the grasshoppers shall trouble you no more." Though it may (not) seem a miracle to some not one egg hatched but all rotted in the ground and from that day to the present (1885) we have not been bothered with them.

At a quarterly conference held in Paris, Idaho Pres. George Q. Cannon delivered the following prophetic prediction (Aug 19th 1883). "I prophesy in the name of the Lord that the time will come when this nation will accept the Principal of Polygamy for policies sake and for the advantages they derive from it, not under the law of the Lord, but by their own laws for convenience sake." At a priesthood meeting held in Paris, 1883 Pres. Budge said "Little children should not be ordained to the priesthood because they were not expected to live," which had in some instances been done.

Also that a bishop had not the right to ordain any to the office of the Melchizedek Priesthood without first being authorized so to do by the Presidency of the Stake. Neither did the Presidency of the Stake have a right to ordain a seventy without the consent and sanction of the Apostles or one of the Seven Presidents of all the quorums for the following reasons: The Bishops acted only in the Aaronic Priesthood in his ward and the organizations of the Higher Priesthood (Elders and High Priests) were under a Stake organization while the Seventy and 12 Apostles did not come under a Stake organization but the Church organization, and for this reason no Elder or High Priest should be ordained or any be ordained to these offices without they were sanctioned by the General Priesthood meeting held monthly.

1884. M. A. gave birth to another son on the 5th day of March 1884. We called him Ednar and he was blessed.

I will here relate a dream which I had in 1884. The Bishop called for all who wished to serve God to follow him giving no reasons or even explaining where they were to go. But few of the ward were willing to take to their tents and follow unless they knew where they were going.

A small minority followed him. After we had traveled some time we pitched our tents and was there met by the Stake Presidency and others from other settlements of the Stake who had been called in a similar manner. After thus traveling some time we came to a large company headed by the Presidency and 12 Apostles, which were from all the Church, all being called as before named. In a few moments I found the Presidency, the Twelve and Presidents of Stakes could no more be seen. I felt uneasy and as though I must follow them although I did not know where they had gone. I had on my back a heavy bundle which somewhat made me weary. I followed the dictates of the Holy Spirit and continued traveling on (whither I knew not) until I came in sight of a very large tent. I entered it and there I saw a large table extending the length of the tent. I being weary laid the bundle on the ground and laid my head on it. Soon a visitor came along and asked me if I would set up and eat which I willingly accepted. I sat close to the 1st Presidency and 12 and when seated I could see at a distance the large crowd I had just left but they could not see the tent. I saw others anxious to find the leaders. As I could see they felt as I did and thus others found their way there. I spoke to President John Taylor thus, "Pres. Taylor, if you would beckon to those in the crowd I am satisfied they would come as I can see they are looking for you." With a smile on his face he said "I know they would but none are permitted to come but those who will be led by the Spirit of God and all such will find us. At this point I awoke and the dream is so plain none need err in the interpretation of it, or in partaking of the supper of the Lamb if they will first follow their Bishops, next in order Presidents of Stakes, next Apostles and Presidency,  and always follow the dictates of the Holy Ghost all will be right.

At the quarterly conference at Paris May 10th and 11th 1884 there was 3 quorums of Seventies organized in the Bear Lake stake by President Joseph F. Smith and Abraham M. Cannon, one of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies. I was called to act in the office of a Seventy of the sixth Quorum and was ordained to that office on the 11th day of May A.D. 1884 by Abraham M. Cannon.

In the spring of 1885 commenced one of the heaviest persecutions of the Latter-Day Saints I have ever up to this time experienced but nothing to what I expect to see if I am faithful (and I pray to God I may be). This persecution was carried on under the Edmunds law against Polygamy and unlawful cohabitation. Many of the faithful saints were imprisoned such as (name not readable) for the term of 4 1/2 years and fined 800 dollars. Also Angus Cannon and M. (?) and others were fined $300.00 and imprisoned for 6 months. Several denied their wives and agreed to live within the law, becoming weak in the faith. On the night of the 27th of May 1885, on account of the Officers of the Territory of Idaho usurping authority and declaring the Co. offices vacant and putting in thieves and scoundrels to take charge of the county records, the county recorder L. M. Stuckey and Walter Hoge came from Cache Valley (where they had been hiding to escape the marshalls) passed here in the night to Paris and returned before daylight with all the books, records, documents and etc., concealed them in my barn for several days until the usurpers ceased hunting for them. For about 20 days my house was occupied by different individuals who would come all times of the night fleeing from the Marshalls who were in hot pursuit to try them for obeying the commands of God. For several days persons occupied my house who were not permitted to be seen by our nearest friends or to know they were there on account of the diligent search which was made by the Marshalls of Idaho to compel them to testify against their husbands. About this time the Democrats came into power and things stood almost still during this change, but few being arrested.

Men would be imprisoned and fined for taking care of their plural wives and their children and supporting them while the adulterer and seducer was set free in every instance when he would not acknowledge but one wife. He couldn't be handled for keeping any amount of mistresses he wished to.

On the 20th day of September 1885 my brother Marvin A. Allred was arrested for polygamy in Montpelier, Idaho by Martin Duboise and a young girl by the name of Mary Osborne was summoned as a witness against him, she being supposed to be his second wife.  His arrest was supposed to have been made for the purpose of preventing him from assisting persons liable to arrest to escape as he was at the time following up the officers and by his arrest three or four in Montpelier escaped the officers while making set his bonds.

My son Orville A. was baptized on his 8th birthday, Nov 27th by myself in Garden City, Rich Co., Utah. In order to baptize him I made a dam in a creek running in front of the house and the ice was floating in the water. He did not even flinch from the water, he being so determined to obey this ordinance as soon as he was old enough. He was confirmed on the 29th by Elder Wright Moore. On the day of December 1885 I was called to act as ward clerk in the absence of William Read.

I was hired to teach the District School which opened Nov 30th 1885.

We had a very pleasant fall, weather being pleasant up to December 26th. Snow falling about 2 inches and on the 30th day of December it fell about 4 inches which made very decent sleighing for New Years. We held a S.S. Jubilee Jan 1st 1886, and we had a very good time.

On the 8th day of February 1886 Marshall Ireland offered a reward of $500.00 (five hundred dollars) to any one to give information which would lead to the arrest of Pres. George Q. Cannon (1st Councilor to Pres. John Taylor) and on the 13th day of Feb. 1886 he was arrested in Winnemucca, Nevada Territory, by the sheriff of that Co. He was brought to S. L. City under military guard on the 17th and gave bonds for his appearance to the enormous sum of $25,000.00 for the first indictment and $10,000 on two others (three indictments for unlawful cohabitation) amounting to a total of ($45,000.00) forty five thousand dollars, his trial to take place on the 17th day of March 1886. He not being well for some time, accidently fell from the train and was badly bruised and confined to his bed for some time after his arrival.

Instead of him appearing for trial his bonds were paid and he was nowhere to be found and did not appear for trial as some  expected he would, which to some was a time of rejoicing, expecting nothing else but that if he once got into the clutches of the gentiles he would be taken for treason as Joseph Smith was and never get away alive as the feeling of hatred was so strong against him among the crusaders.

On the 27th day of May A. M. A. gave birth to another daughter whom we called Cora. She was blessed on the ?th day of July 1886 by elder Byron H. Allred (her father).

The persecution of the Church continued to increase and many of the leading men were compelled to hide up and when they traveled on business they would go disguised, wearing masks, and were known to but few of the people.

Christopher A. Merkley was called to go on a mission to the southern states and on the night of Sept 11th 1886 a party was held at St. Charles in honor of his being called and to bid him a cheerful God speed. The exercises were of an appropriate kind and great respect was shown him.

On the night of Sept 12th 1886 I received a letter from Pres. Wm. Budge in which he wished me to kindly provide for his friend Bro. Williams and not let it be know that he was in the country. A scene took place that night which will fully represent how closely men were pursued by our enemies. After Bro. Williams arrived he took off his disguise and one of his own sons, age about 3 or 4 years, for the first time for about two years knew him as he really was his father. In seeing him (although he had been riding for several days with him and his elder children and had been at home with him at times for 2 years but not permitted to know him only as Bro. Williams) threw his arms around his neck kissing and caressing him and exclaimed while tears streamed down his young face, "Oh, father, I know it is my father", but he had to be told that it was father now but when in company and masked it was then Bro. Williams as usual. Dear reader, you may better imagine than I can describe how the little fellow hovered around his father that night. Bro. Williams was in person, Charles W. Penrose, who had been followed by Marshalls as far as New York and landed there only to see the vessel bearing their desired captive to England. I, being well acquainted with Bro. Williams, had an enjoyable time with him.

On the night of Sept 30th 1886 I had the pleasure of entertaining Apostle F. M. Lyman and wife and Geo. L Merrill and wife. The evening was spent in listening to the wise councils of Apostle Lyman and on the morning of the 31st (?) I took a team and assisted them to the divide between here and Logan, spending the time while traveling receiving good council from Apostle Lyman.

On the night of Oct 14th Bros. Fred Turner and Bro. Deuce of Logan and our friend Bro. Williams spent the night with us and in the morning passed on to Paris on business.

Pres. Wm Budge and (?) Stuckie in connection with others of the Stake authorities stopped with us to and fro which afforded me a good chance of receiving good council from those who knew the will of God. About the 19th of Oct., 1886 Judge Hays of Idaho pronounced the test oath (which had been passed by the Idaho Legislature nearly two years ago) constitutional which was in substance that every person in Idaho Territory who voted at any election or held any office of trust or emolument should take and subscribe an oath that they were not a bigamist or polygamist and that they did not cohabit with more than one wife, neither believe in or belong to any church which did believe in or practice either bigamy or polygamy. Several of the most active members of the church spent a great deal of their time traveling and writing for the welfare of the church and to prevent all illegal proceedings against the people.

On the evening of the 19th of Oct. our friends Bros. Williams and Deuce accompanied by Pres. Wm. Budge and Charles Nibley arrived in their efforts in trying to use their influence by writing a letter to Judge Hays and sent Bro. Fred Turner with it and if possible get him to allow at least those not polygamists to vote and be eligible to office and if not it was their intention to try and get a decision on it by the Supreme court of the United States before the election which comes off the 2nd Monday in November which will take almost night and days labor to accomplish.

The result was that Judge Hays decided this act constitutional which disfranchised the whole population of the Mormon people in Idaho and all offices were made vacant on the 8th day of January I started for Woodruff, Rich Co., Utah where on the 10th I in company with Pres. Budge and Bishop of this Ward and others met Bp. Orson F. Whitney and Charles W. Stayner of S. L. City who were traveling through the Stake as home missionaries. They held one meeting in Woodruff at 10 o'clock A. M., Bro. O. F. Whitney occupying the whole of the time. At 2 P.M. meeting again combined Bro. C. W. Stayner occupying all the time.  Another meeting was held at 6:30 P.M., Bro.Whitney being the speaker. On the morning of the 10th we traveled to Randolph a distance of 12 miles and at ten O'clock A.M. we held a meeting, Bro. Stayner occupying the time and at 2 P.M. Bro. Whitney occupying the time and again at 7 P.M. Bro. C. W. Stayner speaking. On the morning of the 11th we crossed the mountain to Lake Town meeting and being in a severe wind and drifting snow storm. The meeting was held at 2 P.M., Bro. Whitney being the speaker, and after (that) meeting the Bishop wished me to return home and see that all arrangements were made to have the house in order for the meeting. On account of having the mail contract from Lake Town to Montpelier to see to and the severe drifting snow continuing I was not able to attend any more meetings but another was held in Lake Town at 7 P.M. and also 10 A.M. at Meadowville and the company arrived at Garden City and held 2 meetings at 2 and 7 P.M. and then continued north through the valley. I enjoyed the speaking at all the meetings the Spirit of God being enjoyed to a great extent.

On the 12th of January 1887 Congress passed what is known as the Edmonds Tucker Anti-polygamy bill which will be given here in full. Since writing the above the bill was passed to a conference committee from each house and was revised before becoming a law and on account of its great length I do not write it, but suffice it to say in the bill the Corporation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was dissolved and the property to be handled by the Supreme Court of the territory. Also a test oath was administered to the voters in substance that they were not bigamists or polygamists and would not aid or abet, council or direct or advise others to break the law by committing this crime of bigamy or polygamy. Also women were disfranchised. But instead of the oath being put as the law directed, it was added to and one clause read as follows: "Where the decision of the courts comes in conflict as regards these crimes with the instructions and laws of your organization which would you obey?" If they would obey the laws of God they were rejected, otherwise they were considered voters. I am sorry to say that many of those who professed to be men of God took the oath.

The following appeared in the Deseret News of March 18th '87 as follows. Mormons may after taking the oath still advocate polygamy and defend it, that the oath refers to overt acts only. To be sure a mormon may do this but only at the expense of what should be his honor because he has sworn he will not do Also the following: "The Mormon with more wives than one could not honorably make the promise demanded by the court, but the Mormon with but one wife or no wife at all, providing he has no present intentions of entering into plural marriage or advising or helping others to do so, can make the promise required by law."

By the above will be clearly shown that there are those among us who (though they promised at the waters of baptism to keep all the laws of God) have no intentions to progress any further as pertaining to the Laws of God and have virtually said "This is as far as I will follow the servants of God", and thus broken their covenants made at the waters edge to council others to obey the Laws of God or even do so themselves. They also virtually agree and promise to obey the laws of the land which are contrary to the constitution rather than the laws of God, rather than to be like Daniel who was cast into the lions den for daring to pray to his God (our faith is weak) according to the revelations of God.

Pres. John Taylor resigned his position as Trustee-in-Trust of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and dissolved the church corporation on the 1st day of March A.D. 1887 and deeded all the church property to Ward and Stake ecclesiastical associations, so when the bill became a law (which was on the 4th day of March 1887 by the President not signing the bill but leaving it not vetoed for 10 days making it a law without his signature) there was no corporation or property for them to handle. During the night of April 1st 1887 I dreamed that I was in Randolph, Rich Co., Utah addressing a congregation of Saints. I enjoyed the spirit of God to a great extent even so much that the night was much appreciated and one point of doctrine I taught was that every man was more or less accountable before God for his family and when he appeared before the great judge he would say "Father here is the wives and children you gave me, while I was upon the earth. I brought them safely through all the trying scenes of life. I have tried to so conduct myself that my examples have been such that they have followed and thus they are with me." To such was said "Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

While on the other hand, some would say "Father, here is my family or those of them that would be controlled (some being absent)." The Father would say "Where is John, Mary (or any other one missing)." "Oh, they were led into bad company, drinking and other excuses as the case might be and I could not control them." Then came the question, "Did you do your duty by them, both by precept and example?" "Say--no---not in every respect. I did drink before them. I used rough language at times and in fact I did not set that example I should have set before them." Such persons would have to wander down through the different mansions and degrees of glory or Kingdoms and hunt up and help such children to pay the uttermost farthing for their transgressions and bring them back and present them before the Father before he could receive His welcome applaudit as the other one did. Showing to my satisfaction that we were held accountable for the conduct of our children to a great extent, especially where we placed before them (or our wives) any stumbling block which would cause them to stumble and fall.

During the past year I had many dreams of a similar kind where I taught many an audience the principles of the gospel and passed the nights most enjoyably. At times (I) would see and converse with the leading men of the church as if awake. Thus did I enjoy my religion which I have espoused in a way and manner which is only to be felt but not explained to anyone and known only to a true saint of God.

I will also state that I had many weaknesses and passions which I have to struggle with daily and many a time would give way to the weaknesses of the flesh which caused me to feel very bad over and often exclaim, "Oh Father, have mercy on me a sinner!", as I knew I was.

Pres.John Taylor died July 25th 1887 at the age of 78 years, 2 months and 24 days and was buried July 28th 1887, this being the 3rd time this church has mourned the loss of its leader.

On the 17th of February 1888, A.M. gave birth to another daughter whom we named Eva. She was blessed on the 27th of April A.D. 1888 by Elder Byron H. Allred (her father).

The temple at Manti, Sanpete Co., Utah was dedicated May 21st The dedicatory prayer was read by Apostle Lorenzo Snow, it being given by revelation to be read, the same as it was at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. There were 3 days meetings held, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and the power of God was made manifest wherein strains of music by the Angels were heard and the faces of some of the speakers shone and a light from heaven shone around their heads. Visions were seen and the persons of Pres. Brigham Young, J. M. Grant, Pres. John Taylor and others of the departed faithful were seen and many hearts were made to rejoice in the God of Heaven and the saints with on accord shouted each day, "Hosannah to God and the Lamb, forever and ever, Amen."

On the 6th day of July 1888 on account of the danger of arrests, I moved A. M. Allred to St Charles with six children, the oldest ten just and the youngest nearly four months old. As she left the settlement, and the old home began to fade from her view tears could be seen start from her eyes and course down her cheeks when she thought of leaving the peaceful home with the garden just ready to produce its luxuriant crop with a good orchard with an immense quantity of small fruits and several apple and other fruit trees loaded, perhaps for aught we knew to see it no more. But with uplifted heart to God, whom we served, to permit her to again return and possess her lovely home in peace after she had made sufficient sacrifice in the gospel which we had embraced.

Not withstanding all this, we felt to thank God that we went for the sake of a principal of our religion not as criminals, but servants of a just God and we leave it with God to deal as seemeth Him good with those who have thus caused so much suffering and deprivations, and feel to say, "God have mercy on them."

B.H.A. Jr. was ordained an elder Aug 23rd '88 by R. Calder.

On Sept 17th 1888 President George Q. Cannon surrendered himself to Marshal Dyre and appeared in court before Chief Justice Sanford (who had been appointed to take the place of Judge Zane) and plead guilty to the charges against him (two counts) for unlawful cohabitation and was sentenced, by his request, at the same time to a fine of $200.00 and imprisonment for seventy-five days (1st count) and $250.00 and 100 days (2nd count). He went direct to the penitentiary from the court room.

A few days previous to this Apostle Moses Thatcher appeared before the public and allowed himself to be arrested for the same offense but as nothing could be proven against him he was acquitted. At this stage of the game, it looks as though we would soon have the privilege of hearing the voices of the Apostles and leading men again, as they have generally been absent for 3 years and most cases are outlawed (by the limitation law).

Oct 2nd 1888, I left home to go to Logan (in company with my wife P.I.A.) to see my son B.H.A. Jr. married. He was married in the Logan Temple Oct. 3rd to Miss Charlotte Pead by Elder Mariner W. Merrill.

We arrived home 10 o'clock AM Oct. 5th, it being our wedding day, 21 years having elapsed since that time.

The Idaho test oath as previously referred to became a great barrier. It was decided that the Mormons could not take the oath or the courts decided that they should not be allowed to take it, where upon the Presidency of the Stake decided that the people should request that their bishop take their names off the church record that they could vote and avoid prosecution. The majority of the people did so and voted. Many were arrested for perjury and the Deseret news of Nov. 6th 1888 said that there has been no council given from the authorities but each one would have to bear the blame for themselves. What will be the outcome the future will tell.

During the month of January 1889, I dreamed that I went to an unknown town to attend a meeting which had been appointed where the Church Authorities were to preach. As I entered the fort which surrounded the meeting house, I saw two buildings, one situated in the center of the fort, a plain log house and the other was a large beautiful building adorned with all the beauty and grandeur this world affords, having walks at every story, around out side the building. The building consisting of 3 stories and a large open place near the top of the house where could be seen as well as heard, beautiful sounds of music. And I beheld that most of the people were gathering to the latter named building, dressed in the finest of apparel. I saw as I passed along, a man who seemed to be engaged in taking notes and I asked him if the beautiful building was the one where the meeting was to be held. He said it was the first named building and that the people preferred the beauty and grandeur of this world including dancing and music rather than the word of the Lord.

Up to this time I have refrained from mentioning that when I first settled in Garden City, that I engaged in merchandizing and during a few years, I found with all the care that I had over 70 persons indebted to me to the rise of $1200.00 or there abouts. The reason I failed to mention this was I thought I could swing from under the burden of indebtedness which this brought me under. Therefore I have said nothing about it until the present. But thinking it might be of use to my children to keep out of debt, and learn to pay as they go, I write this. I have thus struggled on paying as fast as I could and giving my family a scanty support in order to meet all I could, not being able to collect but very little available means from those owing Up to the present time (February 1889) I have managed to pay about 1/2 of my indebtedness seeing (almost without an exception) I have paid interest until it has now almost amounted to the principle. I have concluded to make a sacrifice of my home and pay my indebtedness and with the balance left me start anew while I am able to labor, and thus stop the interest for my family. (It) has increased until it will be impossible for me to support them and pay more than the interest will amount to, and still have the principle on my hands. The result of the future I will hereafter record, that if possible my children may learn without having to pass through the same as I have. There was a settlement started by Pres. Charles O. Card in Alberta Canada. I have been corresponding with him and find according to his statement the country to be a good one, no irrigation required, good grass, etc. It is now my intention to look at that country. I presented my circumstances to the presidency of this stake (Wm. Budge and James H. Hart and they felt sorry that I should be compelled to go but said if I liked the country I should have their blessing to accompany me. While on my way to see the above named brethren I dreamed the following dream and I will record it that in the future I may see the fulfillment or the interpretation thereof.

I saw a white bird coming through the air and lit on my head. I put up my hand and took it off my head and looked at it. It was about the size of a dove and I never saw a fatter fowl. The fat lay in rolls. It made no attempt to get away from me and I carried it home and it remained with me and was with me when I awoke. The above dream (of the bird) I had on the 25th day of Feb. 1889. On the 3rd day of March, 1889 I received a letter from Prest. Budge and Hart stating they had reconsidered the matter and if it met my mind they would like me to accompany them to Star Valley, Uinta Co., Wyoming, as several wards were to be organized there and my help was needed. Then I changed my mind and determined to submit to the wishes (or call) of the servants of God. On account of the roads breaking up early we were compelled to put off the visit anticipated until after the Apr. Conference. Wanting to settle as soon as possible I left home on the 1st day of April 1889 for Star Valley in company with my son Harvey and John C. Farmer. We arrived in Afton on the evening of Apr. 2nd, (and) proceeded through both valleys. We camped on snake river at the north end of the north valley.

Arrived in Garden City again on the 6th of Apr., taking up a place in the lower valley. We made preparations to start at once. On the 11th of Apr. there was a grand surprise gotten up in Garden City for myself and family, showing the gratitude of the people for the service we had been there. I was presented with 'The Life of P.P. Pratt' by the first class of young men of the Sabbath School, John D. Bryson being the teacher and presenting me with the same in behalf of the class, extending also their thanks for my services in the school, I being the supt. of the Sabbath School for several years. My wife Phoebe I. Allred being Pres.of the primary for several years, also 1st counselor in the YLMIA, she was presented by the Young Ladies with a beautiful globe and flowers, also a picture of the Logan Temple by the primary. Of the above offices and I as Clerk of the ward, my daughter Myra secty of primary, the above positions were resigned from, and on the 16th of April 1889 we left Garden City for our new home.

We had severe weather and did not get into Afton until Apr. 21st. We proceeded to the lower valley and found the water taken from  our place. We remained there until the 28th when we returned to Afton and attended meetings held by the Prests. of the Stake. I had a place given me west of Afton and commenced to improve it.  On the 28th of Apr., the Presidency and Co. left for Bear Lake Valley. Harvey and Orville left Afton for Garden City for other loads on the 30th of Apr. Matilda and her 4 youngest children stayed behind at St. Charles and went to George Town to see her folks while I prepared a place for her.

I left Afton May 3rd for Montpelier expecting to meet Matilda there but, the letter not being received, I went to George Town the same day and the 4th of May drove from George Town to Afton with her and the children. Matilda moved on the farm below Afton on the 8th. On the 13th of May commenced improving a place on Crow Creek and let Warren Longhurst have the one below Afton. I moved on the place on the 13th of May 1889. On the 2nd day of June I baptized my daughter Alta in Fairview. She was confirmed the 6th by Elder Thos. Woolly. Myra started for Garden City July 2nd.

A conference was held in the valley in the different settlements and wards were organized. I was ordained a high priest by Pres. Geo. Osmond on the 2nd of July and set apart to act as 2nd Councilor to Bp. John C. Dewey of Fairview Ward.

Irene started to Garden City the 11th of July. The same day I purchased a farm and city lot of Ether McBride which I gave to my son Harvey (farm, not lot) with water rights complete, farm consisting of 160 acres of land. During the summer I labored at building for others a portion of the time, earning the means we needed for the family that I might be able to meet the debts on my hands. During the summer I paid most of my accts. and felt quite free hearted to commence winter.

Myra started to Garden City again Sept 9th 1889. I was at John Days Lake putting up hay. I put up (with others) five large stacks, enough to feed all our stock which was destroyed by the cattle, leaving us without hay for winter.

On arriving from John Days Lake Sept. 14th 1889 I found a letter awaiting me from Pres. Budge which required my presence in Paris at once. I left for Paris Sept 16th and returned on the mail the 20th, Harvey and Warren arriving in Afton the same day.  Harvey and Irene left for Garden City again on the 27th Sept. Orville and I left Afton 29th arrived in Garden City 30th. Overtook Warren, Myra and Irene at the spring in Garden City canyon. Went to Logan Oct. 1st. My daughter Myra was married to Warren Longhurst Oct. 2nd 1889 by Pres. Marion Merrill. Got home in Afton Oct. 10th. All came together and brought stock with us. Left again 14th for grist mill at Lake Town, Utah. Got back the 19th 1889.

Harvey and Orville left for Garden City Nov. 6 to move Harvey over. There came up a severe snow storm. I left on the 8th, attended conference at Paris and rec'd a letter from Harvey stating a team was lost. Went as far as Garden City. Could not find the team and returned without it, bringing with me flour for winter. On account of the snow, Harvey did not come over. Warren and Myra also left on the 7th of Oct., not being prepared to winter here, thus leaving Irene without either of her children here through the winter. I arrived home from conference the 15th Nov. '89. I moved into Fairview the 18th of Nov. 1889. Irene feeling lonely without her children, and to pass away her time, she wrote the following verses to her children, also to Warren Longhurst, our son in law.

Dear Myra, when I think of thee
And how hard it is to part
With a child I always hold so dear
It almost breaks my heart.

Perhaps 'tis best, we cannot tell
Gods ways are not a man's
I'll try to acknowledge His hand in this
And bear up the best I can.

But it seems so lone and drear to me
The organ sounds not the same
When I try to play upon the keys
Each tone repeats thy name.

It seems but hollow mockery
To try as best I will
In spite of all my efforts
The tears my eyes will fill.

But I can only wait and pray
For God to keep us through
Till the early spring shall come again
And we meet again with you.

To be comforted, my daughter
And perform a noble part
In the work of God you're engaged in
Will give you joy of heart.

 

Dear Warren, when we parted
My heart was like to break
I think of the verses in my album
You wrote there for my sake.

When I look at that I feel comforted
I have proven the one of thy work
So far as my lot with thee hath been cast
And thy voice mine ear hath heard.

My son have a thought for thy welfare
And an interest for thy loving wife
And the joy we can be to others
Along through this lone dreary life.

When you take the accordion to play
On some lonely and drear winter's night
Give a thought for your ma so far away
And the evenings we passed so light.

When we were all together
In the bay window room of our home
When the peals of merry laughter
Resounded from room to room.

Though your absent by no means forgotten
By the one who is now far away
Who will watch and wait for your coming
With the early sweet spring day.

(To Harvey)

This winter night as I sit alone
My thoughts revert to the
Of your happy innocent babyhood
When you played about my knee.

And then a little later on
When you played with the boy Ben
In bending over a willow stick
What a trick your played on him.

And still later on in childhood
When you toddled off to school
Your little sister on your arm
It was your general rule.

And then again in youth
Companions you thought you'd change
Your sister for a sweetheart
It was not the least bit strange.

And so early then in wedlock
You chose with her to join
Your hand and hearts together
In the Heavenly order began.

When in less that a year the treasure
God sent, you so gladly received
With joy of heart unspeakable
Yes, the boy God freely gave.

To your tender care and training
Be wise in your judgement too
For God will hold you responsible
For those intrusted to you.

Be faithful in sprinkling your gate posts
With keeping the commandments of God
For those who will hold out faithful
Must cling to the Iron rod.

When the enemy says "Come over,
We will give you the riches of earth."
Oh, trust in our Heavenly Father
And think of your lineal birth.

And the promise made if you're faithful
Of the labor its your lot to do
In meeting the tribes as they come from the north
And speak in their own language too.

That thou shalt have power o'er the elements
And confound sinners with your tongue
And march in the hosts of Israel
When the victory song is sung.

Your promise is ne'er to taste of death
But be changed in the twinkling of an eye
And be a Savior in Zion
When Christ shall rule on high.

You see satan begins to array himself
In colors gaudy and bright
As the vision seen by Lehi
He stands by the door to invite.

Many we see are going there
To join in the gay festive throng
To mock and point scorning fingers
At those trudging so patiently on.

We know that God will not be mocked
But must be honored in truth
For vengeance is His and He will repay
The careless of old age and youth.

When satan arraigns his army
Says "Come over and be like us
We will give you food and raiment
Of knickknacks and costly stuff."

Let's try and be on the side with those
Who trust in the living God
And walk in the steps of our Savior
Holding fast to the Iron rod.

The plots and schemes of our enemies seemed to increase with double rapidity and the First Presidency (Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, and Joseph F. Smith) issued a proclamation to all the stakes and wards in Zion to hold a day of fasting and prayer on the anniversary of the birthday of Joseph Smith, Dec 23, 1889, fasting to begin at sundown Sunday the 22nd and continue until sundown the 23rd, being twenty four hours, that we might perhaps persuade the Lord to not allow the schemes and plans of our enemies to overthrow us or drive us from our homes. The several wards were to meet in their normal meeting houses and devote the day to fasting and prayer. Consequently we did so in the Fairview Ward and the power of God was made manifest and the future bondage of the Latter-day-Saints was made manifest and also the overthrow of this Government, and many were worked upon by the Holy Ghost that they were led to make a public confession of their sins and thus were we blessed beyond measure and more united feeling existed in the ward after that.

On the 21st of Jan. 1890 the following lines were rec'd from Garden City. The lines composed by Myra Irene Longhurst for her parents, Byron H. and Phoebe I. Allred.

My dear Parents:

1st I am thinking tonight of the time long ago When my young heart from sorrow was free Of, dear Father and Mother who  cherished me then, How oft I have played round your knee.

2nd You were always so kind, so loving and good And taught me to walk in God's way I was then round your knee, dear Bro. and S. You taught our young lips first to pray.

3rd To our Father in Heaven who all blessing did give And to be thankful for all we received Twas your loving words that healed all our pains When our young hearts with sorrow were grieved.

4th  We've tried to remember the words that you taught And have tried to improve by them too Tis now I appreciate, when far far away, Your council so encouraging and true.

5th  Twas when I grew up that dear Warren came And told of his strong love for me You kindly did grant us the wish of our hearts And I promised his bride for to be.

6th  He's always so loving and faithful to me I try to be gentle and true I could not doubt one with so noble a heart Who strives the right path to pursue.

7th  How I long to behold your dear faces once more To kiss you dear lips once again When we come in the spring time to build up our home We will try there to ever remain.

8th  May God still preserve your dear lives long on earth May you labor e'er more for the right I remember dear Pa and Ma in my prayers And now say pleasant dreams and good night.

From your loving and affectionate daughter, Myra I. Longhurst

The long winter lingered and stock continued to die day after day. I would pack willows from the creek to let the stock eat to save life. The people in the valley using seed grain to preserve the lives of their animals until the people became almost destitute of bread and also potatoes and a united effort was made to break the snow road through to Montpelier where lots of corn was shipped from Nebraska and other places, which could be purchased there at the low price of 79 cts per hundred weight whole corn and 89 cts cracked corn. On the 18th of March 1890 I left with a company of 28 men and ten teams (some starting on the afternoon of the 17th) to break through. We labored hard, and we were through at night. But the Lord was with us and the snow was soft and easily tramped until the morning of the 21st. From then on we had to shovel the crust off the top so that the horses could get along. On the morning of the 22nd, I was sent ahead to take word to a Co. of men from Montpelier that we would be out of provisions and hay that night, and for them to endeavor to meet us, which they did (breaking one trail to get together). The teams met on the 23rd, 2 pm, and got into Montpelier on the 24th. I continued my journey on to Garden City where the children were arriving in St. Charles the 22nd, and in Garden City the morning of the 23rd and attended Sunday School and meeting. I helped Harvey complete his fence around his lot which we did at noon the 25th and then started home in the afternoon, Harvey with me. We took a load of corn from Montpelier, and arrived home in Fairview 3 pm, March 28th, 1890.

Harvey started back the 29th for another load. Another calf died while I was gone, leaving me with 3 cows and 2 calves and 3 horses to rustle and feed grain each day, they hardly being able to get up alone. I will here state that as soon as we found we were going to have a severe winter many men who had hay refused to sell it, but proposed taking stock to winter for 1/2, which they readily got of the people rather than to see them all die.  And seeing such an opening to make money, those who had hay, overran their hay so by the time spring came they were as bad off as those who had no hay as they lost, during March, hundreds of head of cattle and horses. At this stage of trials the church proposed to furnish all the surplus grain in the Bear Lake Stake to the people for feed and to eat without interest, until after the harvest of 1890.

At 6 o'clock pm on Apr 7th 1890, we had one of the most severe wind and snow storms known during the winter which lasted about one hour (severe) but continued to snow and blow lightly until 7 AM..

M. gave birth to another daughter Apr. 19th, 4:00(?) am. She was blessed by the name of Orissa, by Elder B. H. Allred, her father, May 3rd, 1890 at Fairview, Wyoming.

During the winter of 1889 and 1890 I also acted as Ward Clerk in the absence of the Bp. (as he left the ward in Oct. 1889 and did not return until July 16th, 1890) and a competent person joined the ward to place in that office May 16th 1890.

I hauled lumber from the sawmill to Harvey's and Warren's houses to make the door and window frames and casings. On the 17th, A. Merkley came and on the evening of the 18th I left with him for Bear Lake to help the children in, as Harvey had made three attempts to get in the valley before but was hindered by the deep snow in the mountains. Harvey, Warren and Seymour with their families arrived with me on the 23rd and we went onto Harvey's place the 24th and found a wagon box and a few logs on his place but no person there. We found it to be a man by the name of Bruse. He left after informing him that we would proceed against him at once.

I left for Bear Lake Valley on June 1st about sunset and attended fast meeting, 5th, in Lake Town, returning home on the morning of the 8th in time for Sabbath School.

Prest Wm. Buder and Co (My father, M. Booth and wife) arrived here June 20th 1890. They held meeting in Afton, on the 22nd and visited all the settlements in behalf of the Relief society and Y.M.M.I.A. Relief Society meeting was held in Fairview June 23rd, 2 pm; Presidency meeting, 24th, 7 pm and Y.M.M.I.A. on 25th, 10 am. The company left Fairview the 26th for Bear Lake Valley, all well and leaving the people much refreshed by the good council given. We had a good enjoyable time, long to be remembered. Warren Longhurst started for the balance of his things in Garden City on the 23rd.

Bp. G. C. Dewey arrived home on the 16th of July 1890 having been about over 8 months and a grand reception was given in the school house that evening consisting of picnic, songs, recitations, dancing etc.

On the 8th of Aug I started to conference in Paris. Irene accompanied me. We arrived in Paris the 10th in time for conference which was held in the Stake Tabernacle. Apostles John Henry Smith and John W. Taylor in connection with Pres. Seymour B. Young were present. We had an excellent conference.  Several persons were ordained seventies and were catechized very close, in regard to their faithfulness in keeping the commandments of God. We went to Montpelier Monday night and attended a meeting there where the above named persons spoke and we arrived home on the 11th.

Irene, Warren, and Myra left for Garden City, (Irene to attend Ladies conference in Paris and make a visit to the relatives) Aug 21st 1890, they expecting to be about 2 or 3 weeks.

The 103rd(?) Quorum of seventies was organized at Afton, Uinta Co, Wyo., Aug 31st. Started home on the 1st of Sept. The third day of Sept 1890 the first frost killed our garden.

Seymour and family got here from Bear Lake Valley Sept. 9th. I left Fairview on the 12th of Sept 1890 for Bear Lake Valley. Went to Andrew Reid's and met Irene there. Returned home on the 13th with a lady whom we will call Carrie Brown. Warren and Mira got back on the 19th of Sept. from Garden City. Left home Sept 28th, 1890 for conference in Salt Lake City (131) in company with my wife Irene, for conference at Salt Lake City, Utah, arriving in Ogden Oct 3rd at 12:30 pm having much rain on the way and snow in the mountains. We had a very interesting conference (arriving in S. L. City 8:45 pm Oct 3, conference commencing Oct 4th, 10 am). I was invited to see Pres. Wilford Woodruff and Geo. Q. Cannon at the guard's house after meeting Oct 4th, 1890 which I did having an enjoyable time. Pres. Woodruff informed me that had not the Manifesto been published (which appears below) that this nation would seize the Temples and stop the work therein; also imprison the leaders for life. They there informed me that I was to leave my home in Fairview Wyo. and move to Mexico where our people are establishing a colony and that if possible I should leave this fall. I was also requested to see Wm. C. Spence (P.O. address Box B, S. L. City, Utah) who would give all the necessary information to procure tickets at reduced rates. Also Bro. A. F. MacDonald, Pres.of the Mexican mission, which I did, getting all necessary information pertaining to my trip. On the morning of Oct 6th the following manifesto was read and presented to the conference and while it was being read Prest. Woodruff wiped the tears from his face which were forced to flow to give vent to the great regret and emotion in his breast that this nation was so blind that they could not see that they were bringing the wrath of God upon them and that they were responsible for this step, and the sin should rest upon them, feeling no doubt like our Savior. (Oh Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do.)  Handkerchiefs were brought to almost every eye in the congregation. It was unanimously sustained by the conference and accepted.

Prest. Woodruff's Manifesto To whom it may concern. Press dispatches having been sent for political purposed from Salt Lake City, which have been widely published, to the affect that the Utah Commission in their recent report to the Secty. of the Interior allege that plural marriages are still being solemnized and that 40 or more such marriages have been contracted in Utah since last June or during the past year. Also in public discourses the leaders of the church have taught, encouraged and urged the continuance of the practice of polygamy; I therefore as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints do hereby in the most solemn manner, declare that these charges are false. We are not teaching polygamy or plural marriage nor permitting any person to enter into its practice and I deny that forty or any other number of plural marriages have during that period been solemnized in our temples or in any other place in the territory. One case has been reported, in which the parties alleged the marriage had been performed in the endowment house in Salt Lake City in the spring of 1889, but I have not been able to learn who performed the ceremony. Whatever was done in that matter was without my knowledge. In consequence of this alleged occurrence, the endowment house was by my instructions taken down without delay. In as much as laws have been enacted by congress forbidding plural marriage, which laws have been pronounced constitutional by the court of last resort, I hereby declare my intention to submit to those laws and to use my influence with the members of the church over which I preside, to have them do likewise.  There is nothing in my teachings to the Church or in those of my associates during the time specified which can be reasonably construed to inculcate or encourage polygamy and when any Elder of the Church has used language which appeared to convey any such teachings he has been promptly reproved and I now publicly declare that my advice to the Latter-Day Saints is to refrain from contracting any marriages forbidden by the law of the land.  Wilford Woodruff, Pres. of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints {Note: Included in the journal at this point is a newspaper clipping of the above manifesto with a resolution by Apostle Lyman to accept the above on behalf of the church.}

Because of the above, many fell away and renounced their religion.

On account of severe snow and rain storms I did not get home until the 17th of Oct. During the night of Oct 16th while camped at what is known as "camp give out", a lady by the name of Sarah Ann Johnson, wife of Joseph E. Johnson, while on the road home to Puck Spring, Wyo. Territory was taken in labor. My wife and I were called up. She was placed on a bed of quilts in the open cabin and, having nothing to give her to help nature, I in connection with Harris Putnam (his wife being there) administered to her and at 12:55 o'clock am, Oct 17th, she gave birth to a fine daughter. In the morning she, feeling remarkably well, was put in a wagon and taken to Montpelier, Idaho where she expected to remain until able to continue her journey home.

We continued our journey home and arrived there the evening of the 19th. While at conference in S. L. City, Oct 1890, I was called by Pres. W. W. and Geo. T. Benson to go to Mexico that I might be free to more fully obey the laws of god which we were forbidden to do in the United States. In response to this call and not being willing to succumb to the laws of the land which were in violation to the laws of God and to keep my covenants with God and my family, I set the time to start, Nov 10th, I made known to my family the call and all were willing to obey the same. I commenced settling up my affairs as fast as possible. And on so short a notice I could not sell my place but sold what loose property I had around to raise all the means I could and found I could not collect notes due me, so I was compelled to leave most of my family behind for a short time and have them follow as soon as God opened their way. So I started at the appointed time, Nov. 10th 1890 before day light, Mary E. being the only one coming with me. I cannot describe my feeling when I left my loved ones behind me to take such a journey and to think that I was going over 1900 miles away where I could not get back if sickness came among them and neither leaving available means for them to come to me or taking means whereby I could return to them no matter if even death should be allowed to visit them. Thus I left, not for wealth or to attempt to accumulate wealth but sacrificed all I had and left my family in the care of God for the sake of his eternal laws.

I arrived in Ogden, Weber Co., Utah 12:20 am (midnight) on the 14th of Nov.,'90. Stayed at Mary's father's, H. H. Tracy, and left Ogden for Deming, N. M. 8:45 pm, Nov. 15th. We arrived at L. City 8:55 pm and at Provo, Utah 11:30. At day break we were near a station called Cisco, Utah, near the line between Utah and Colorado Territory. This was one of the most barren and desolate regions I ever looked upon, interspersed with now and then a rocky, sandy mountain and almost covered with small brush and large sand hills and washes. It did not look like human life could be sustained. the only attractive object I saw for miles was a chicken hawk apparently in search of some strayed squirrel or rat for his breakfast. We passed several stations in this lonely region with out even a stream of water to quench one's thirst. At intervals we would see some stock at a distance picking at the white sage, no grass being in sight. For several miles in this country we traveled north east. (I neglected to say we were on the Denver and Rio Grande R.R.). We struck Grand river about 8 o'clock am. Arrived at Delta (150 miles) at 12:30 pm Nov. 16th. This place showed more sign of civilization than any I have seen since leaving Utah. We left Grand River at Grand Junction and followed up the Gunnison River, being a place, I was informed, having 2000 inhabitants. After leaving Montrose we took into low sandy hills with some low scrubby cedars. After being along for some time we arrived at mountains covered with snow. I was here amazed to see a very fine mountain resort at the mouth of Black Canyon call Commoron (?). It is 15 miles through this canyon through which the Gunnison river runs. At the head of this canyon we came to a station called Topiners(?). We soon started up grade (but at the foot of this mountain we leave the city of Gunnison, Colorado Ty.) At the summit of this mountain there was about 1 foot of snow. About 11 or 12 o'clock we came to a place known as Slyda (Salida), one of the most attractive places I have seen on the line (has 3000 inhabitants). It is situated on the head waters of the Kansas (Arkansas) River.

We arrived at Pueblo 4 o,clock am 17th where we had to lay over until the evening. I here wrote home and walked around a part of the day viewing the city. In the morning a fine dressed gentleman (so I took him to be) came to me and during the conversation he asked where I was going. I told him to Deming M. He said he was a merchant of that place and would be apt to accompany me to that place. He was going through with a large stock of goods to that place and informed me that he had to see to having his goods transferred onto another train. Said his name was Miller and in the afternoon he wished me to go down to the lower (?) with him while he attended to having his Mdse transferred, so I went with him. We came to a place on the banks of the Kansas (Arkansas) river with a narrow path on the one side, the steep banks of the river and on the other, thick willows. At this point he was called to by another man who said he had changed the freight and that he was the R. R. Agent, but that charges were being made between the different R. R.s. So (until settled) he would have to have pay for the goods to this point before forwarding them on, whereupon he drew from his pocket a check for $1000.00 which the man said he could not change unless he would go down to the office but had not time to go back to the upper depot. He asked me to loan him some money and take care of his satchel (or valise) which he had left at the depot we had just left. I loaned him $75.00 and took care of the valise until another party claimed it when it flashed upon me for the 1st time that I had been made a victim of their deeds and robbed. I after wondered why I did not think far enough to resist them, but on due reflection I see I was in a place where if I had refused a lick from either of them I would have been floating down the river and I had to say "Thank God, my life is still spared" and I have gained an experience (though sad) that I will never forget. This event left me with only $11.00 to go on with. I continued my journey at 9:30 pm. I will here state I tried to get policemen to help me but they said it was of no use as there was a gang of such persons there and they could not help me any as I did not know the parties and their clothing would soon be changed.

I arrived at Lahonta (Lajunta) 11:30 same night where I had again to lay over until 8:30 the 18th of Nov. Lahonta is a very nice railroad station situated on a level plane with but few mountains in sight.

After leaving Lahonta we traveled over a level plane covered with grass broken only here and there by washes caused by rains, there being no rivers in this country. We soon came to low hills covered with small cedars and grass, very much parched by the rays of the sun, only when rains quenched the thirst. While crossing this plane and flying with almost lightning speed farther and farther from the ones I so dearly loved (a fugitive in exile for the gospel's sake and no means to take me back and no show for the loved ones to ever come to me unless God, whom I served, interposed and furnished it, which I had not for a moment doubted as He had never forsaken me and I knew He never would if I would serve Him.)

I was compelled to yield to a rush of tears and heart felt emotion for those I so dearly loved, whose faces I knew not when I would see again. Some who read this may think me weak minded but if so to such I will say "If you love as I love, even that love which emanates from the bosom of the Father that every wife and child are each dearer than life to me, each one being as a member of my own body, so much so if one member is afflicted the whole body feel it. (To continue my narrative.) As we draw nearer the mountains we come to a nice resort in low hill covered with cedars, several nice buildings being high up on the hill. Among the cedars, a short distance from here we came across a coal mine called Starkville. No farming going on at any of these places to speak of. At the head of the canyon is a long tunnel which is called the line between Colorado and New Mexico.

From here we go down grade (we passed this tunnel 1:45 pm the 18th). At 2:10 pm we came to a nice city in (New) Mexico called Raton. We traveled from here about 60 miles and came to snow, the ground being almost covered. This distance is on a level tract of land covered with grass. We could see south in the distance snow capped mountains, at the foot of which is situated what is known as Wagon Mound. This place also had had some nice comfortable dwellings erected. We arrived at Wallace, 7 pm.  where we learned there had been a wreck ahead of us and we had to again lay over until 7:25. Next day, 19th of Nov. we  passed several settlements, none of them of note, until 8:45 in the evening we came to Albuquerque, the finest settlement yet seen in New Mexico. Here the street cars were running.

An incident here occurred which made me feel quite bad, there being a lady along with 4 children since we left Lahunta. She seemed to be quite intelligent, and had been married and left her husband, the father of the 4 and one small child she had left behind, it being kidnapped by her former husband. She was now on the way to her 2nd husband near South America. At this place the officers served papers on her and took her and her children off the train, who left it in tears and the children weeping bitterly. Afterwards learned that she was taken back to Kansas City and stood trial and was again released and got as far as Deming, N. M. where she was betrayed by a deputy officer into the hands of others who took her back again and the inhabitants of Deming came near raising up and taking her from the officers and sending her over the line into Old Mexico. I have not heard of her fate since and her name I did not learn and I think she was traveling under an assumed name.

We next crossed the Rio Grande river. The settlement on this river is called Zeleta. At this place several fruit trees including grape vines were cared for. Here 2 or 3 Indians came on the train to sell fruit who were well dressed. We passed several stations. At some, a little farming was done. We took dinner (train stopped for dinner) at 12:45 at San Mercital. We arrived at Rin Con 3:45 pm, 50 miles from Deming. We were much pleased to find a train in waiting to carry us on to Deming where we arrived at 6 (six) pm the 20th of Nov. 1890. On the 21st of Nov. 1890 Bro. A. F. Macdonald drove out for a ride in the evening and Mary E. and I went along, returning about Nine o'clock pm. We did not leave Deming until the 22nd. We then hired passage for Juarez for $8.00 Mex. money which was only worth 80 cts. on the dollar American.

We went in company with Pres. Brigham Stowel (and wife), Taylor (and family), Walser (and family) Wathan, Elajson (?), James Mortenson, and McLellin. The company consisted of 8 wagons.  Bro. Taylor acted as interpreter for the Co. through the custom house. It was considered by some like running the gauntlets to get through the custom house into the Mexican Dominion in many instances where papers were not right or articles along which should not be brought, and many were charged heavy duties and in several instances heavy fines were imposed, and in a few instances, mostly with Mexicans (as our people generally tried to comply with the law yet in some instances were not as honest as they should be) parties were imprisoned and fined and their team and loading confiscated, under the crime (penalty) of smuggling.

We arrived at San Fran Cisco branch of the Juarez Ward, afterwards known as Colonia Dublan, on the night of Nov 30th, 1890 where we stopped at James Mortenson's, pitched our tent, and I worked for him at intervals for food and wood. I got a chance for my wife Irene to teach school so wrote to her to start on the 15th for this place. I left San Fran Cisco on the 13th of Dec. to meet her. I met her in Deming the 20th of Dec 11:30 am, she bringing with her my daughter Cora. No tongue can tell how pleased I was to meet them. We arrived home again Dec. 28th 1890. My wife Phoebe I. took the school during the winter which brought in means whereby we had food to eat which was a great help to us.

I labored where I could get a chance to and dug a well on my city lot. During the winter I got considerable work to do though every thing being high, that is most of the (?) and a little means went only a very little ways. I had to pay $35.00 per M. for common lumber. I worked and got nearly 3 thousand feet of lumber which it took to build with and made a table, benches, well curb, etc., but little money could be had for work and at harvest time it seemed almost impossible to get flour or corn meal, though there was a plenty to sell but no money to buy with. We run completely ashore and got at one time 11# of shorts and 6# of flour was all I could get to do 11 in family and having to eat for 2 or 3 days this kind of bread my wife Irene, who had suffered so much up to this time with the (?) was reduced to almost a skeleton and her system being so impaired and blood impure, not having sufficient good food to eat took a back set and was very low, came near dying. Had it not been for the blessing of God she could not have survived the attack and being thus compelled to get the very scanty fare and taking all the spare means to get medicines for her and not being able to leave home to work, was thus brought down to almost nothing. But I will say to the credit of some of our neighbors they were very kind, while those who had a plenty cared not for the needs of the suffering but were very wiling to sell what they had in abundance, providing I could pay the money for it, but they cared not for anything but this world's goods. One morning when my wife was very bad we had for breakfast, beans and not a mouthful of bread for even the sick. A few moments before setting down to breakfast a man by the name of Orville Allen came and had considerable bread with him which he left and also when shaking hands with my wife left in her hand a silver dollar, telling her he wanted her to get something she could eat to strengthen her and we got hold of some flour by the time this was gone. Thus God did send to us the bread that we did not have to do with out a meal of victuals for the want of bread.  Thus we see God's ways are not man's ways and He uses His faithful servants and handmaidens to accomplish his purposes. I also learned this one lesson, that though provisions may be in sight and plenty to spare, some few who profess to be Latter-Day saints would see the sick go without food, and they with a plenty of bread to sell, but unless they could pay for it they might starve. But I am happy to say but few are this way. I never lived among a better people than we have in this place.

The man who had the complete control of the bread stuff was Geo. Patten, he having a plenty of money and provisions on hand, buying up and doubling (in most instances) on his money and soon as the Mexicans began to thrash he offered $3.00 a (?) for wheat when he could have got it at 2. or 2.50 if he had waited a short time and thus he raised to wheat so nearly all having to buy had to pay a higher price for what they bought. He seemed to think that if the people bought what they wanted at the price they had done before he would not get to sell his out, as they would be supplied, but tried to control the market to the injury of the Lords poor. This man was not here for to serve God but because he had an indictment hanging over him in the United States for murder and was afraid to meet it, yet he was put in and acted as a teacher to the people, which was very annoying to me and nearly all this community were here because they could not keep the laws of God in the U.S. Pray to God to hasten the day that men will not be placed to govern the people of God because they have money and favor those in authority and not because they merit it.

A priesthood meeting was held in the Dublan ward July 18th, 1891.  Apostle Teasdel being present and presiding and connection with Bp. George (?). Our Presiding Priest, Bro. Frederick F. Jones was honorably released and sustained as Bp. of the Dublan Ward and on Sunday 18th, 1891 he was ordained and set apart to act as Bp. and he chose his councilors as first Councilor, Frederick G. Williams, and as second Philip H. Hurst. Willard Carroll was chosen clerk of the ward.

There was a general conference call for the Mexican Mission to be held at Juarez Sept 5th and 6th 1891, being the first conference held in this mission though there was one held in Oct 1885 by Apostle Thatcher and a few traveling missionaries on a mountain known as Popocatapetle, meaning the Mountain of Smoke, it being a volcanic mountain. Apostle Teasdel presided at this conference and we had an enjoyable time.

On the first of Aug., 1891 I got a position for my wife Irene as clerk in the store at Dublan. She and Mary moved down in one room. I also got employment there for some time which helped us out very much of our destitute condition. The following are lines composed by my wife Irene during her loneliness of the winter of 1889 and 90 which properly belong there but as it got misplaced did not get in its place among her compositions.

My Dear Husband

This almost three and twenty years
We've traveled side by side
According to our compact
When I became your bride.

We've had many trying changes
To face us in our path
But God has brought us safely thus far
And we still cling to the truth.

And to each other tenderly
Growing dearer day by day
Gathering roses as we find them
Strewed along our thorny way.

O'ft when I've felt down hearted
And the world seemed lone and drear
Kindred and friends have turned and
I found thee ever near.

To comfort and console me
By thy kind and loved embrace
Ready to die for those you love
If death should e'er you face.

When darkness seemed us shadowing
And an outcast I might be
What priceless words of comfort
Thou has always given me.

Thou hast sacrificed thy feelings
So oft for my sake
Smothered thy bitter shaking sobs
Lest they caused this heart to break.

My husband, what a sacred name
Can we realize what it bears?
No, Only by the light of love
God grants us for our prayers.

In years to come my husband
God grant that I may be
A worthy object of thy love
Through all Eternity.

When gray hairs adorn our temples
And our brows more marked with care
Should Satan attempt to part us
We'll each others prisons share.

Then courage Husband from then on
In the cause thou hast espoused
And I'll call on God to give thee
Revelations of His laws.

To guide thy wandering footsteps
On this worrying sinful earth
Till on the resurrection morn
Thou mayest rise and call us forth,

To the glory and salvation
God has there proposed for saints
To reign in joy forever
Without this Earths complaints.

Oh, what a joyful wakening
To light and endless day
Where sorrow, sighing, and death
And earth cares pass away.

Your Loving Wife
Phoebe I. Allred

Time passed slowly on but we received no means from those owing us and were compelled to sell our organ. I sold to a man by the name of Brigham Stowell who was very kind to go my security for money when I arrived in Deming but as I could not get any from home was willing to take the organ and agreed to pay the note and the balance to A. B. Call whom I had borrowed money of and instead of doing as he agreed he kept a part of it on an account I owed James Mortensen for trees which was not due until I should receive money from those owing me at home but this man owning a share of the trees thought more of a few dollars than he did of his word and to get the money, told several lies about it before he got through. This breech of a man's word also distressed me very much, and I could not meet my obligation with Bro. Call at the time I promised to. Previous to this act, I held great respect for Bro. Stowell, but from this time on I will not take his word on anything, as I know by sad experience, his word cannot be depended on if money can be obtained by breaking it. It appears to be the greatest trial I have had has been caused by trusting dishonest men.

It caused me many hours of suffering, both in body and mind, distressing me sorely at times to get the common comforts of life for my family. My wife Irene, though getting regular pay every month, used it (as she always did her self earned means) for the benefit of the family where ever it was needed and by this union of effort between us the family got along very well and the blessings of God did attend us.

The land on which we settled (Colonia Dublan) was not purchased as expected as John W. Young interfered and attempted to get it and by so doing he could put his railroad through cheaper, but in this I could see the hand of God manifest, as it was intended to let every man have his own deeds to land instead of holding the deeds in a company form as the purchase would be made by a company, giving every man the privilege of selling to whom he wished regardless of standing. This was the cause of this people being obliged to flee to this land as men had sold out to men not of our faith and opened the door for outside elements and our people were surrounded on all sides and their family affairs were so well known that they were compelled to either flee for safety or not keep their covenants with their families and many in Utah so promised to obey the law and did not live with their plural wives or raise children by them.

Word having arrived that this tract of land was now ready to be sold, John W. Young not being able to get it, there was a meeting called of the ward (male members) Oct 11th for the purpose of finding out what way the people wanted the land bought. Those present with 2 exceptions wanted it purchased by the church company and hold the deed in Co and not allow any man his own deeds and thus prevent any one from selling to any person unless be brought a good recommend with him and only the improvements sold, the land belonging to the company. The man before referred to in my journal, Geo. Patten, had bought every place he could and held several (?) (almost one third of them) refused to have it bought in this way. He said he wanted to pay for what he had and hold deeds in person otherwise his places were for sale at once, which I must say was very pleasing to me to think that such steps would compel such men to leave. This meeting was adjourned until the evening of the 13th of Oct As many men were absent on the evening of the 13th but few were present for some cause not given and also the man, Geo. Patten, as before referred to, but he sent word that his mind was the same. It was decided by unanimous vote that we ask the Mexican Stock Association to purchase the land and we would leave it with the Co what should be done, and we would abide the rules and regulations of the company. The Bishop and councilors were appointed to write and represent the people.

Prest. Joseph G. Smith of the Presidency was under indictment for unlawful cohabitation and polygamy was pardoned by the President of the United States, Harrison, and preached his first discourse in the Tabernacle, S. L. City on the 27th of Sept. 1891, being the first time for seven years, which was very gratifying to the people as well as himself.

Every thing seemed to close in around the people in so much they were required to quit living with their plural wives in the United States, some doing so rather that leave their homes and face the hardships of pioneer life and make new homes in this land of freedom, while others continued to slowly wend their way to this land. There was a conference held at Juarez commencing Nov 21st, 1891 but on account of the pressure of business of the First Presidency with the U.S. government we were not favored with the presence of any of them or the twelve except Geo. Teasdel. Much important business was attended to for the welfare of the colonists. Times seemed to get harder with the people for the want of means to buy provisions with as the means generally was in the hands of a few and they seemed to hold the tighter to it and many Mexicans were hired by them because of the cheapness of their labor, while the honest poor were left without work unless they would labor as cheap which was contrary to council to hire any unconverted labor but many hired not withstanding this as a few dollars looked so large to them.

About the first of December 1891, I received some means from the property I left behind, which helped to alleviate our suffering very much and meet some of the obligations we were under in struggling to settle here in Mexico. The very dry weather continued. Holidays came with dry, but cold weather. The thermometer registered as low as six degrees below zero, which had not been know before since our colonists commenced settling here six and seven years ago. At this time we purchased two more cows with young calves (which made 3 for us, the first going dry) which helped much to relieve our wants. I also purchased a yoke of oxen and paid the cash for them and got a wagon for putting up fence which also helped to provide for our wants and when I look back I cannot help but see that God only has helped us to what we needed, and miraculously provided for Many of our poor brethren had labored for some time on the railroad and had not received their pay up to the close of the year 1891 and many were very destitute of the comforts of life and many suffered for want of proper food to eat and clothing to protect their bodies form the cold weather. The store at the Dublan colony was closed at the last of Dec 1891 leaving my wife Irene without employment except what little work she got giving music lessons etc.

We each continued to labor wherever we could for our sustenance, and the purchase of the tract of land on which we lived still being a failure. All improvements seemed to stop and times grew quite dull, insomuch that quite a number of the poorer class of people were compelled to move to the mountains to support themselves and keep their small allowance of stock from starving, there being so far for them to go for feed and back for water. On the 6th of Jan. 1892, Irene, Orville and I left home to work in the mountains and get out posts to pay for my wagon and to sell. We returned on the 15th. I left home again for Pecheco (in the mountains) on the 21st and found that I could get work to do and concluded to move to Pecheco for a while until some land purchase might be made where I could get land to improve upon where I wished to make a home as I did not like the location of Pecheco and I desired to not make a permanent home until I could satisfy myself to go to work and improve with a will. So I returned home on the 28th of Jan 1892 and prepared to move.

We started for Pecheco on the 2nd of February, our team being so weak we got only to the Juarez creek and they completely caved out. I met with Bro. Charley Whipple who kindly hauled our wagon to his place 8 miles and I helped him split posts the next morning and he took us to the oak flat and a man by the name of Peter Dilman, having 2 span of horses and a light load,  hitched on to our wagon and hauled us to the park, and Bro. Beecroft hauling his wagon. I then hitched up my oxen and went as far as Bro. Alan Spilsberry's place and my team was so weak we obliged to unyoke them to get them up the hill, Bro. Spilsberry furnishing a span of mules for me to go on to Pacheco with.

All of these men considered it a pleasure to assist us under the circumstances and charged nothing for it. We arrived in Pacheco the morning of the 6th of Feb. 1892 and hired a team of Bp. Smith and started back for the balance of the family on the 8th and arrived with them in Pacheco on the 14th of Feb.

We were compelled to live from day to day having only cornmeal enough to last but a few days at a time, receiving no means from those owing in Utah and Wyoming. As soon as I got to Pacheco I took up a piece of land for dry farming, as there is a great deal of rain in the mountains, and started to dig a well on it.  I started again for Dublan (to go take post timber down to pay for my wagon) on the 22nd of Feb., having to hire a team, my oxen being so weak I could not use them. I was obliged to borrow some corn meal to do my family until I returned, trusting in God to open the way that I might get something to buy with while I was down as there was yet no mill in the mountains.

I still found no means had arrived and they could not get the small amount A. B. Call owed us as he said the breaking of the Evanston bank had broke him, and his family had to mix shorts with their flour and were getting tired of it. I asked him what he thought of my family for they had not had a loaf of flour bread for several months, but that made no difference to him, he felt too poor to pay me and having nothing to take back for my family or to pay what I had borrowed for them I made arrangements with Joseph Jackson, then owner of a grist mill to furnish him 500 pickets and I got fifty # of shorts and fifty # of flour of him to take back. Thus the Lord still took care of me and mine. I returned home very sick, having been out in a heavy rain and I was wet through as well as some of my bedding.  I was not able to do but one days work the next week.

I continued work on a well which I had started until the 19th of March, not yet getting water. The people of Pacheco ward were so kind that I did not have to go without meal and I borrowed to this time trusting in God for means to come to relieve our suffering. So I was obliged to again quit my work and return to the valley to take the pickets and get some more bread stuff if possible. So I started the 22nd of March. On the 17th of March a celebration of the organization of the Relief Societies was held throughout the church, it being fifty years since Joseph Smith organized the Society. We had an interesting time in Pacheco during the whole day and a dance and picnic. In the evening I started again. I got no money, but found that the people who were able had put up means and purchased 600 (?) of corn of Escarate for the people and to keep it in the country and got 253 # of Bro. Taylor of Juarez, who had been appointed to keep it and was to pay for it as soon as I could. I also took 500 pickets down and paid Bro. Jackson for what I had borrowed before and got the balance in flour and shorts.

I also got 20# of flour and 20 of shorts of A. B. Call of what he was owing and thus by the blessings of God was enabled to take back a little over 500 # of corn, flour and shorts to my family. I got home the 27th.

I moved on to the flat where I had started a well on the 28th of March and on the 30th I went to hunt one of my oxen and found him dead, again leaving me without a team to work. I went to Hop Valley and back on the 30th and made arrangements for another ox, not broke, but could not get him at that time and after much searching and hard walking I found one which I could commence breaking on the 24th of April. Oxen at that time cost for 3 year olds $16.00, 4 and 5 year olds (choice of kind) $20.00, which was very reasonable.

We had a heavy snow storm on the 5th of Apr. 1892 which done much good. Having no team, I worked to a great disadvantage.

Ednar Jay was baptized April 7th, 1892 at Pacheco, Chihuahua, Mexico by Frank Scott Jr. and confirmed same day by Henry Lunt.

On the 6th of April 1892 Prest. Wilford Woodruff in presence of 40,000 people by the power of electricity raised and placed in position the cap stone on the Salt Lake Temple. There was also a graven image of stone raised on the pinnacle of the temple to represent Moroni spreading the gospel. The numerous concourses of people shouted Hosanna to God and the Lamb 3 times, making the City to almost tremble. Though in obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel I was in far off Mexico, it is an event long to be remembered and worthy of note in history.

The closer we drew to harvest the more scarce did bread stuff become, and the liberal people of Pacheco loaned to each other until the 25th of April there was hardly a family in the Ward that had enough to do them one week (and two to the outside). As my wife Irene was mixing the last shorts in the house (or tent) and Matilda used her last the same day for supper, I received two letters containing (one $12.00 and one $5.00) some cash which was just in time. As the Lord knows all things I could plainly see He had not forgotten us yet but was ever near to bless.

I left home on the 6th of May and traveled to the Gavahanos(?) river and valley, also Round Valley seeing some lovely country on the trip, returning the pm. Provisions continued to get more and more scarce and we had to ration ourselves and eat but little corn bread. On the 20th of May, my strength failed me and I became very weak, not being able to sit up but a little while at a time. By being compelled to eat more meat and drink soup (beef), some of the children being the same.

I was not able to work but little and on the 25th of May, Bp. S. Smith told me he had 100# of bread stuff left and I could have 1/2 of it.

He sent to Sonora for provisions to do the ward and expected to let all have whether they had the pay or not, for said he "I cannot see my ward go hungry. I will advance means for them."  (No) more brotherly kindness could be manifest. On the 25th my meat gave out and we had nothing but corn bread (borrowed) and water so I sent the store and run in debt for 50 cts worth of Pelon with which we sweetened the coffee made out of meal bran to soften our bread and, as everything else, the Lord blessed it and we relished it.

On the 1st of June we got some flour and having at that time run out of corn meal we had a change from corn meal and water to flour bread and water, not yet being able to obtain a particle of grease or meat of any kind to make soup or gravy. I left home on the 3rd of June to get work for something to sustain life with. Irene and Orville and I went to the Canyon road but could get no money or bread stuff or work. I left Irene at Helen Pratt's to get a chance to go on to Juarez and Dublan where she was going to work. I returned home the next day, seeing no other alternative than to continue to work fencing and improving my home and trust in God as usual for the way to open to get food for my family. I commenced to plow with my 2 yoke of steers for the first time on the 5th. The ox I had left being very ----of the steer's shoulders being sore I could----little with them each day. We put in corn on the 9th and as fast as we could get the ground ready, the land being very dry, and trusted in God to send rain to bring it up. The provisions sent for by the Bishop as well as flour that had been purchased in the United States and let come through free of duty not arriving, I was compelled to leave home on the 13th of June 1892 for provisions, there not being much feed after we leave the mountains and teams weak, I had a very hard and tiresome trip, arriving home on the 17th with 200# corn meal and 75# wheat, also 45# shorts. Irene returned home from Dublan on the 23rd of July having earned over $20.00 and in her usual motherly and kind way brought back what was needed for the family, not using but little for herself.

I continued fencing my place and on the 8th of Aug. Irene, Melvin and I left for Dublan. I returned (going only to Juarez) on the 12th bringing some fruit (peaches, grapes, and melons, etc.) which was quite a treat to all after passing such hard times. I prepared to go and pile up wood for coal at the big saw mill. I left for that place on the 16th with Mary, Orville and Ednar, (Irene staying in the valley). I returned from the coal camp on the 18th spending (preparing to go and time in going, etc.) 5 days and could not get the job as the water was so scarce for teams they had to be limited to certain number and they horses, no oxen, as oxen drank much more water than horses.

I then started to Diaz to try and obtain cows (On the 22nd of Aug and returned to Juarez and attended conference) and succeeded engaging one hundred head to keep on shares for three (3) years and I also leased a tract of land from the company where I had located and quite a tract described in this agreement. I got home on the 30th of Aug., Mary returning with me and leaving Irene to go to Dublan and she also expecting to go back into the United States to visit our children as they had sent money for her to go. With the Johnson Brothers, failing to bring the flour they agreed to ----- left without flour, and for the first time since we w-----went without bread for days, though we had meat- ---squash out of the garden for which we felt truly blessed.

I left home on the 12th of Sept with Mary and Ednar for Deming to take Irene to that place, that she might go to Wyoming on a visit to her children, she being at Dublin and going with us from there. Irene left Deming on the 20th at 11:30 am, I starting back the same day. On the 24th of the month I met the sad news that proved to be in truth as follows. A family by the name of Thompson, living at Pratt's ranch, four (4) miles north of Cave Valley were fired upon by nine Indians, killing one boy and his mother, and wounding one boy, the ball passing in near the left nipple and coming out near the back. This boy lived. The Indians took every thing in the house in the shape of clothing, dishes, and ripping open the feather tick and emptying out the feathers.

The Indians were followed as far as it was possible, they muffling the horses feet so it was impossible to track them. They appeared to separate and were lost. It was at last decided that they, after starting north, turned south and a company of men (10) ten from Juarez and five from Pecheco followed them. I met my sons Orville and Melvin at Diaz and found that all the settlers out from town were requested to move in until the locality of the Indians were determined upon and their intentions ascertained. My family was consequently moved into Pacheco where I found them on my arrival home on the 30th of Sept. The result was all my crop was destroyed by cattle and a large drove of sheep kept by Johnson Bros. which was herded on my crop until it was left as bare as a floor even to potatoes, cabbage, and which was desolate looking place on my arrival. I was obliged to again go to Juarez for provisions. I left on the 17th of Oct, 1892. On the 18th I got as far back as the big mill at top of the mountain and lost my horses and hunted there until nearly noon and found their tracks leading home.

I arrived home without the team at five o'clock pm, my feet being blistered and so hungry, sore and lame. Started back on the 20th to find the horses and bring the load home. Started for Diaz for cows on the 26th of Oct. We were detained because of heavy rains for two weeks and did not get home with the cattle until the 24th of Nov, 1892. I again moved back to the ranch on the 28th of Nov. On the 12th of Dec. (morning) the snow was 6 inches deep which was very nice for the land. Quite cold weather continued and with it, a scarcity of bread stuff as I could not hear from Irene in the U. S. and no means to buy with, and on the 14th of Dec. we got entirely out of flour and were compelled to eat bran bread which was very coarse food, and I could not leave home to get any on account of sickness. I would go out to chop timber to clear the land and use the logs for lumber to build and after I would chop about one hour I would tremble so I would have to go to the house and eat a piece of bran bread and rest a while before returning to my work and thus I built up my home, if not with fear, with trembling limbs. I was always so healthy with plenty of good wholesome food to eat until coming to Mexico that I never could really say I was tired after a hard days work but at this time one hour would make me more languid and tremble more than one day should do with good food to eat, but still I labored on, hoping to live to see better days.

We also had a heavy snow storm commencing Dec. 18th, 1892 which fell to the depth of 10 inches. These storms made us to rejoice for we knew it was a blessing from God and meant good crops the coming harvest.

Matilda gave birth to another boy on the 17th of Dec. which we called Cyrus William. He was blessed Jan 11th (?) on acct. of being sick by Elder Byron H. Allred.

Hard times for food continued. We were able to get some shorts at times to mix with bran which we relished very much and we could get out of meat and would have to eat shorts and bran bread with water salted and peppered, which answered for seasoning. And thus we continued to exist for some time.

My son Cyrus William died in Pacheco, Chihuahua, Mexico, Jan 18th, 1893, age one month and one day.

On the 16th (?) of Jan 1893 Apostle Geo. Teasdel and others held a meeting at Cave Valley and that branch began working in the United Order, the first in the Mexican Mission.

On the 27th of Jan. my son Ednar got kicked by an ox and broke his leg between the knee and hip, which helped to add to my distressed circumstances and in ---- as I was.  I with Mary, left home for Juarez for provisions on the 8th of Feb., being overtaken by the heaviest snow storms known in Mexico for years. It fell 22 inches deep and we were four days getting home from Juarez.

We arrived home Feb 12th, pm, bringing with us a good supply of provisions with a plow and scraper. Our storm continued at intervals having the land thoroughly soaked and an abundance of water everywhere.

I left home again for Juarez to get seeds to plant Feb the 21st and returned the 23rd hiring my things hauled up, B. H. Bingham taking the contract with me to put up the fence for Bp. J. N. Smith, and I sold him one yoke of my oxen with the promise that we were to work together, he selling the oxen at once and not helping one day on the fence. I worked my cattle down so I had to quit work and was obliged to hire help to finish the fence. I got it done on the 20th of April 1893 by working my oxen so hard I could not do the plowing I wanted to do and was left without a team to do my own work with only at intervals until the fence was done, he again disappointing me in this instance, also it was over $100.00 damage to me.

The temple was dedicated in Salt Lake City Apr. 6th, 1893 being just forty years to the day from the time the corner stones were laid. There were so many people wanting to go through and see the temple that each Stake was appointed the time they could go through, that all could get a chance who were worthy a recommend. It was also ordered by the Presidency that a general reaffirmation take place and each member of the church make a public acknowledgement of their sins and ask forgiveness that those who entered the temple might do so pure. We being so far from headquarters did not get the news in time as appointed so we held the 6th of Apr. fast day at 9 o'clock AM for that purpose in Pacheco. Pres. Wilford Woodruff offered the Dedicatory prayer.

We had a lovely rain on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of May 1893.  The water ran in the roads for some time. On the 12th it rained so hard which hasn't been known in this land since the saints settled it. The crops grew rapidly and I had corn eaten off the second time when it was 6 or eight inches high until I had to replant it. Also a nice crop of potatoes eaten off, the oxen and cows belonging to the mill hands. On acct. of this carelessness I was obliged to stay home.

Hard to get my fence completed. Even when I got my fence within 10 rods of the house they would take no pains to stop their cows or oxen around the fence but generally I had to send my children back with the cows and drive them around the fence. I was so perplexed and obliged to set up nights and watch and even then have their loose horses and cattle come onto the corn and gardens and destroy it. It seemed at times that it was almost unbearable. After taking the second thought, I felt as Prest. John Taylor once said that "I would be damned if I would stand it, and then I would think again, I will be damned if I don't" so I would send the children again and drive them around and try to feel cheerful over it as possible.

The first heavy rain, the beginning of the rainy season, was July 5th, 1893. Matilda moved into her house the same day in the forenoon, before the rain. It began with a heavy hail which fell about 1 inch deep cutting the corn and leaves of all plants quite bad in about fifteen minutes, the water was running in large streams.

I started to Juarez on the 14th of July on horseback to get flour. I returned on the 15th with 18# and it rained until I was as wet as if swimming in it. The rain continued nearly all night, wetting the ground nicely. The rains continued to get heavier. The first day of Aug I started to Juarez for flour, Mary and Melvin going with me. The Juarez creek was so high it swam the oxen coming back and run over the wagon bed. The rains fell in torrents washing the roads and filling the hollows with water. We got home the 6th leaving the wagon at Strawberry Hill and had to go back after it the 7th. My wife Irene having been very sick in S. L. City still I could not hear from her which caused me much uneasiness of mind. On the 18th of Aug, 1893, James Sellers, first councilor to the Bp. of the Pacheco ward was struck by lightning and instantly killed, about a mile from my house, near the saw mill and only about 3 or 4 rods from his own house.

Orville and I left home for Juarez to gather stock on the 28th of Aug 1893. I returned on the 31st bringing with me 100# of flour and that was all I could get. It done us until the 15th of Sept and we thus were without, having some potatoes roasted and parched corn(to) the 26th of Oct. getting during that time only 60 lbs of flour.

I shingled Matilda's house on the 26th of Oct 1893 and labored hard to make my house comfortable and at last got it enclosed and a fireplace built which was much appreciated, my whole family being poorly clad. Cold, dry weather continued until Dec. 20th it began raining, on the morning of the 21st it turned to snow. Kept blustery for 2 or 3 days and turned off cold and clear which lasted until Jan the 11th it commenced raining and soaked the ground quite well so we commenced plowing on the 12th. I continued to log for the Pacheco Sawmill Co. during the fall and winter of '83 & '84, and improving my own place as fast as I could. We had another snow storm on the 2nd of Feb, lasting only one day.

Apostle Brigham Young arrived here on the 2nd, one of a committee to look at a tract of land lying south of Pacheco known as the Chihuahua Country. Apostle John Henry Smith was to join the party on the 7th when they will proceed to look at the country.  The company consisted of 10 men, including some of the leading men of our colonists. The reports of the land were  favorable.

Apostle John Henry Smith preached in Pacheco (also Apostle Teasdel) holding 2 days meetings, Feb 18th and 19th. We had an enjoyable time.

I received two letters and two postal cards the 25th notifying me that my wife Irene would leave Provo for home on the 24th and would arrive in Deming about the 26th, leaving me only one day's notice to meet her. I started on the 26th for Deming, leaving three of my children sick, Orville being much the worst. I left all in the hands of God as He is the only one I can depend upon. Mary (my wife) also having a bad gathering on one thumb.  I arrived in Deming on the 3rd of March and found my wife had not arrived. I telegraphed and found she was very sick. With the help of the Lord she was able to arrive in Deming on the 7th of March, being very, very pale and weak, but she gradually improved in health. We arrived home on the 18th, finding my family all able to be around, though not all able to be at work.  We continued our plowing and planting as fast as possible, though many obstacles were placed in our way. I concluded to build on the town site.

Irene and Mary moved into (a house rented from Sister Cowley) town on the 14th of April, 1894.

During the time I was working on the sawmill I gave an order to Franklin Spencer (given Oct. 25, 1893) for lumber ($20.00) for which he agreed to let me have my seed potatoes, 1000#. He let me have five hundred #. The balance he refused me and broke his word with me. I preferred a charge against him before the Bishop's Court which the Bp. refused to hear, not being a sufficient charge as he considered, so it was heard as an arbitration case. The arbitrators were the Bishop's Court.  Instead of saying the order was or was not good they decided to split the difference and I was to have one half the potatoes and to take back the balance of the order, which left me 500# short of the seed potatoes I expected. This trial took place on the 5th of May 1894. Some of the people were much moved over the curious discussion, thinking if one half the order was good, the other half should be or neither one good. In this I learned another sad lesson, that Franklin Spencer's word was good for nothing when means were at stake, as he could readily sell the potatoes at this time for cash by breaking his word with me, which he did. A petition was sent around asking the Bishops court to reconsider the case and it was signed by the majority of the Ward. What will be done (if anything) with it will hereafter be known.

My Daughter Cora was baptized on the 7th of June, 1894 by Elder George Hardy and confirmed same day by her father.

I finished shingling my small room in town the 16th of June and commenced hauling water and planting corn. The water was  hauled in barrels 2 miles, this season being the driest known since this mission was commenced. The stock commenced breaking into the field and destroying the crops of the brethren of the town of Pacheco and almost the entire crop up to date was eaten up and many a man hauled water and planted (or replanted) his corn. The cattle were almost beyond control, grass outside being dry. Our first rain came on the 28th of June, being quite early in the year for rainy seasons to commence. All felt to praise God for it. Our rains during the rainy season were lovely, not coming in floods as usual, but just what a person would desire, very still and quiet rains and intervals, one to 4 days generally, between.

At times light shower for 2-3&4 days at a time, then warm pleasant weather would follow.  I again engaged to log for the Cave Valley Co. as they had rented to a saw mill for one year. I left home (the ranch) on the 22nd of __ (Irene, Mary and I) to attend conference at Juarez. The teaching generally was on the principal of faith coupled with works and to live by faith and after conference adjourned it looked as though they meant to put the action to the word for it seemed to be an impossibility to get flour on any consideration, but intended us to live by faith without flour or meal. I managed to get 50# (only) of flour to take home with me, but felt to thank God for that and plead for more when that was gone.  We got home on the 30th of Sept., Irene remaining at Bro. Alma Spilsbury's on account of his wife being very sick (Irene and Mary moving to the ranch for two or three months to make  butter, moved the 29th). They returned Sept 25th.

During the summer of 1894 I was appointed Teacher of the Theological class of the Ward in the Sabbath School. In the  month of Sept a question came up in the class as follows: "Why did Peter say to one class of people (see Acts 2nd Chapter) 'Repent every one of you and be baptized, etc.' while to other (see Acts 3rd chapter) 'Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the time of refreshing shall come etc.'?" I answered it that the latter was those who murdered Jesus and that a murderer could not receive baptism, see compendium, page 28th, also Doctrine and Covenants page 170. Where upon I was contradicted by both the Supt and Bp. which caused quite a feeling and an investigation into the matter. The Bp. (Lessa N. Smith) and Supt Sam'l W. Jarves) announced to the class in my absence that the doctrine was incorrect. I cited them to the Compendium which the Supt. said was not authority and stated that the Bp. said if I still persisted in my ideas to ask me to resign as teacher, which I at once did and entered complaint to the teachers against both Supt. and Bp. for accusing me falsely. When I took our standard works for my guide at the S. School dated___14th my name and Parley Johnson's were not called_____school as teachers. I asked the Asst. Supt.
(Bro. Dar__)______names were dropped without being released properly. He asked the Asst Secty who informed him that the Supt. S. W. Jarves went to her house and ordered our names scratched off and also scratched out our credits the Sabbath before and on the 21st of Oct. It came the Theological Class turn for the exercises and the Supt. announced that the Theological class was not prepared. I then asked the privilege of offering a few suggestions, which was granted. I then asked to be properly released that I might not have the stain on me of not having the class prepared. The Supt then stated that we were not sustained publicly and did not need to be released publicly was false as the minutes of_____showed_____thus sustained. He also stated that I had not been to him to try and settle it which was also false for myself and Parley Johnson held a private council with him and his Asst (by my request) on the 30th Sep. (The question came up on the 23rd of Sept.) Irene left home for Dublan (to wait on the sick, Neils Larsen came after her) on the 21st of Oct. She returned on the 6th of Nov. On the 10th of Nov. the petition above referred to was heard before the Bp. and councilors' and testimony given on both sides which satisfied the petitioners. I believe to a man that the decision as before given by the Bp. and one councilor, the other, Austin Farnsworth, not agreeing but saw as the people did, was given on the testimony of Franklin Spencer against the testimony of Alonzo Farnsworth, his books and my own testimony.  It was there settled on -------- and other things (feelings) which had existed in the Ward for some time were also settled.  That is as to the Sabbath School, as far as could be as the Bp. and S.S. Supt.'s minds were not changed but they let everything drop and restored myself and Parley Johnson to our positions with an agreement and would as soon as convenient be heard by higher authority.

M. A. gave birth to another son on the 13th of Nov. 1894 and we called his name Orson Parley. He was blessed Dec. 6th 1894, by Byron H. Allred, his father.

I left home on the 11th of Dec 1894 to work at Round Valley to make me a home. Not that I was in any way dissatisfied with Pacheco, only that I had no land closer than my ranch (3 miles) and my children could not get to their school, meetings, etc. I considered it my duty to get land close enough to a settlement that I could give my children an education and also have them attend Primary, Sabbath School, etc.

I again commenced teaching the Theological class in Sabbath School and the first Sabbath I was reviewing the lessons on Baptism. I said it was so essential that even Jesus Christ was baptized by John though there was no guile found in his mouth and He being the Son of God making Him half immortal and in order that He might endure the pain he had to endure (see Mosiah 3rd, 7th verse, also 15th chap., 1-5). As soon as School was out I was again called up for teaching incorrect doctrine, where upon I wrote out my resignation as I did not wish any more controversy with them. I moved my two wives, Irene and Mary, to Round Valley on the 19th of Dec. 1894. On the 30th Bp. J. N. Smith and Councilors appointed Presiding Officers of that Branch.  Alonzo --Farnsworth being Presiding Priest,---- appointed Supt. of the Sabbath ---.

--- Moved in our house Jan 23rd and we had a heavy snow begin on the 26th. Mary T. gave birth to a son on the 8th day of Feb. 1895 in - -- that colony (Garcia) so he was blessed Feb. 17th 1895 by his father, by the name of Henry Garcia.

This concludes the original Journal.

******************************************************

The following was written on what he referred to as the Small Tablet. It picks up right where the Journal left off, and he continued using it as his journal for the rest of his sojourn on this Earth. This section read, interpreted and typed by Byron D. Stout.

Prest. Wilford died Sep 2nd 1898, who was succeeded by Lorenzo Snow who took his place Sep 13th 1898. During his short reign he caused a great reformation in the payment of Tithing. He died Oct 10th, 1901 and was succeeded by Joseph F. Smith, son of Hyrum Smith. He was ordained & set apart to preside this same month. He being the first leader of the Church who was born under the Covenant of the Priesthood & legal Heir at this date. The Quorum of the Apostles, with a few exceptions, are men of the Covenant and a great change is expected and much power manifested.

Mary gave birth to another son on Oct 7th, 1901. He was blessed Nov. 3rd by the name of Lavon Tracy by myself. My son Ednar was ordained a Teacher Oct. 27th by myself.

My son Orville returned from Naco, Arizona Oct. 26th, having been gone over 15 months to work. The Lord blessed him and he earned 3 span horses, 2 wagons, 1 saddle, and sent & brought home about $550.00. Best of all, he conducted himself as a Latter-Day Saint and was well respected. He & Alta attended school in Col. Dublan the next winter.

On the 15th of June 1902 Bishop J. Robinson, B. Call, Stake Supts. Jessie N. Smith and H.L. Payne called a meeting at Guadalupe and organized a Branch Sunday School, with B. H. Allred as 1st teacher and Heber Johnson as assistant, with other officers as necessary. On Sep. 14th 1902 my son Ednar was ordained a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood by Elder Joseph Cardon. Irene and I attended Sunday School Convention at Col. Juarez which continued for 4 days.

Irene went to Col. Juarez Sep 18th 1902 and did not return until Nov. 10th, coming home sick. The Dublan Pasture Company was organized Sep 19th, 1902. Orville came home on a visit Sep 29th and left again on Oct 7th. My Daughter Alta M. was married Nov 12th, 1902 to James Peter Hansen by Elder A. F. McDonald. Orsonwas Baptized Nov 13th, 1902, and Confirmed the same day by his Father, B.H. Allred.

My children began going to school Dec 2nd to Sister Sarah Stout, being the 1st school being held in Guadalupe. My son Henry Garcia was Baptized & Confirmed Feb 8th 1903, by myself.

In January 1903 my son Orville sent me a $500.00 check. I at once paid for my farm and got the deeds recorded, which took a great load from my mind, and I could labor with much more satisfaction. My son Ednar left home on the 12th of March 1903 to join Orville. Irene & I left home June 6th and met Warren Longhurst and our daughter Myra. Returned home (from Ciudad Juarez) on the 8th. On the 15th of June my daughter Myra was very sick. After we administered to her, we knelt around the bed and each prayed in turn for her recovery. After raising to our feet, I went around to her side and took her by the hand, and after struggling with my feelings to control them, I pronounced the following blessing upon her: Myra, if you and Warren will obey the laws of the Lord regardless of the sacrifices of means or feeling, the blessings of Sarah of Old is yours, and your last days shall be your best days. After I ceased to speak, a cold feeling struck me and I felt that they both heard the blessing with a feeling of doubt, or in other words, thought that they had not confidence in the blessing sufficient to claim it and I fear they will not receive it, for the blessing was on condition of their living the law to claim it.

I left home June 16th 1903 to meet my son B. H. Allred Jr. and family, leaving my daughter Myra very sick at home. When I got to Guzman Station I received a dispatch from my son Orville at Minaca Station. My son Ednar was hurt, for me to come quickly. I stopped over night at Ciudad Juarez with Harvey & Family, there meeting 7 Grandchildren I had not seen before & 1 I had seen when 15 months old, nearly 14 years ago. I took the 1st train to Minaca on the 17th, Harvey going to the Colonies. I arrived in Minaca on the 18th at 4:30 PM, got a mule & saddle and rode to Camp K31 by 8:30 PM, 20 miles. Found Ednar had been hurt by a blast on Saturday the 13th, cutting his eyes badly, cutting the lid off his left eye and striking under the eyebrow of his right eye, tearing the skin loose from the scalp and indenting the skull over the eye, which pressed upon the brain making him lose his reason completely, in which condition he remained until the afternoon of my arrival. He rallied enough to know my voice.

He being among those who were not of our faith, I was alone in regards to the Authority of the Priesthood. The first opportunity when I was left alone in the room with him, I officiated in the ordinance of laying on of hands. Not having oil I asked the Lord to accept the offering or ordinance as it was the best I could do, and to allow that every bone, nerve, & muscle should return to its natural place. The next morning when the Doctor, whom by the way had done all he could and dressed up the wounds, etc, arrived, he looked at the boy, who then could see out of one eye, sit up, and talk rational as ever, said "boy, I did not expect to see you as well as this. It is a miracle to me sure."  The truth was that the indenture of the skull had sprung back, God alone doing the work, leaving his brain clear. I remained with him until the morning of the 22nd. He could then walk around outdoors, but the wounds were too bad to admit him going home with me. I made arrangements for him to come home one week later with my son Orville. I took a rock from the left eye as big as a pea, which had remained in the wound for 8 days. It hadn't quite reached the eye-ball.

I arrived in Ciudad Juarez the evening of the 23rd, where I found a Telegram awaiting me, informing me that my daughter Myra was Dying. I arrived home the 26th, finding her still alive, though 2 doctors gave her up, stating she could not live. By constant supplication to the Lord, he healed her. So much has she recovered that I continued the S. School July 5th, 1903. Orville and Ednar arrived home as expected on the 3rd of July.

A Company, consisting of myself, my wife Irene, Harvey & Gottie, Warren & Myra, Orville & Lothair left for the Sierra Madre Mountains July 29th, 1903, and returned Aug 5th. My daughter Myra was again attacked with the same complaint, it being decided to be Appendicitis. On Aug 25th we started to ElPaso, Texas, where on the 27th the operation was performed. I returned on the 28th, Irene on the 5th of Sep. and Warren & Myra returned on the 28th of Sep. Orville again left for Minaca on Sep 2nd, and returned Oct 15th. He & Ednar & Alta left with teams on the 21st.

My son Harvey was taken down about the 19th of Oct with Typhoid fever, was sick until Dec 19th. Jan 1st 1904 he took dinner with us & his family at Guadalupe. Irene again returned to El Paso with Myra Dec 7th, where another operation was performed. Irene returned Dec 24th. My son Orville again came home from Minaca Dec 24th and returned Dec 29th. Orville & Ednar came home to stay Feb 8th 1904, work having closed down.

Mary gave birth to a daughter April 26th, 1904. She was blessed May 5th and given the name of Mary Viola by her father. Irene left for the city of Chihuahua June 17th. My son Orville was married July 4th, 1904 to Zelma Patten by Apostle George Teasdale. On Nov 6th 1904 a Branch Organization was affected in Guadalupe, Mexico, with James Mortenson, presiding High Priest. He was set apart by Pres. A. W. Ivins. Our 1st meeting was held Nov 13th 1904 in the house of A.B. Clark, known as the Henry Desma House. James Mortenson being absent most of the time, the Branch was under my care.

On May 7th 1905, Abram Ward, son of David F. & Sarah Stout was blessed by his father. On May the 14th several young men were ordained to different offices in the Priesthood. Among others, my son Ednar was ordained to the office of an Elder by B.H. Allred.

Leroy Hyde was ordained to the office of Deacon by B.H. Allred. June 11th 1905 I began plowing, the ground being nice. Aug 16th I went to Col. Juarez to work and came home Sep 2nd 1905.  Conference was held in Col. Juarez Sep. 17th & 18th. Pres. Joseph F. Smith, Sumner _________ and J.F. Smith Jr. were present, being the first President of the Church ever visited Mexico. Irene moved to Dublan to clerk in the store on the 10th of October.

The Academy was dedicated on Sep 18th by Pres. Joseph F. Smith.  The Relief Society and Primary were organized at Guadalupe Mexico on the 17th of March 1905. Phoebe Allred as President of the Relief Society and Henrietta Stout of the Primary. The YMMIA

Association was organized Nov 15th 1905 with T.F. Clark, Willard Mortenson & Calvin McOmber.

Rolla A. was Baptized Mar 24th 1906 by Elder Ednar P. Allred & Confirmed Mar 25th by his father. The same day Martin W. Mortenson was ordained a Teacher by Elder David F. Stout. Ednar left home April 23rd 1906 to work at _______. He labored on the farm and hauled some lumber to Ojitos.

There was a special meeting called at my home on Aug 3rd 1906, Elder James Mortenson presiding, for the purpose of taking into consideration our school and building of our school house. After prayer by L. P. Hanson, the following was agreed upon:  George W. Haws & Byron H. Allred were elected trustees with James Mortenson as Presiding Elder. It was also agreed that we put up a brick school house & the house committee were instructed to proceed at once and arrange for the brick and have the house put up as soon as possible, and also that the trustees at once make arrangements for a teacher or teachers as they thought best, and to try to procure a house to hold school in until the afore said house was completed. James Mortenson being ready to go to ElPaso, to be gone for an indefinite length of time, the above business he requested be pushed to completion. Benediction by James Mortenson.

William Wallace Clark was ordained an Elder by myself on Aug 5th Ednar returned home Aug 15th. It began snowing Nov 18th in the evening, and snowed steady for 24 hours, in which time snow fell 20 inches deep & had melted some. In all near 2 feet of snow fell on the level. Several head of range stock died. On Thanksgiving Day, Nov 29th, my family were at Harvey's & took dinner, there being present 32 persons of my family. Orville & Cora not being there. My son Henry G. was ordained a Deacon Jan 20th 1907 by myself, and Orson P. the same date by Elder David Stout.

On Sunday, March ___ 1907, James Mortenson was honorably released as Presiding Elder of Guadalupe & Elder George A. Black appointed in his stead. He being off at work I was appointed to still remain in charge until he returned home, which was May 12th. My son Byron H. Jr. left Mexico with his family December 30th 1907. On March 8th 1908 A.W. Ivins, being chosen as one of the Council of the Quorum of Apostles, was released as President of the Juarez Stake, and the following chosen: Junius Romney, President; Hyrum S. Harris, 1st Councilor; Charles E. McLellen, 2nd Councilor. A Stake reunion was held on the March 9th for Elder Ivins. We had a lovely time. He was presented with a gold watch costing $300 Pesos. The Academy was beautifully decorated and electric lights beautifully displayed both inside & outside of the house.

Myra & Warren moved to Colonia Juarez on March 26th 1908 and Mary, Henry, Rolla, & Viola left for Conference in Salt Lake City March 28th. On May 30th 1908 a terrible tragedy was committed, wherein Elder George A. Black was shot by a Mexican & instantly killed. He being the Presiding Elder of Guadalupe and a man beloved, it cast a feeling of gloom over the Branch. On June 28th 1908 I was chosen as Presiding Elder in his place and was set apart by President Junius Romney. I went to ElPaso & met Mary & children, got home June 26th.

An Armenian family of 4 came to my place to stay an indefinite time Sep 17th 1908. I petitioned the Presiding Bishopric of the Church for assistance on our school house Aug 11th 1908, and on Sep 26th received the following: S.L.City, Utah; Aug 27th 1908; Elder Byron H. Allred, Presiding Elder, Guadalupe Branch, Mexico. Dear Brother, The 1st Presidency send you herewith enclosed, a check for $700.00 to assist in the erection of your new Meeting House, in response to your application of the 11th inst. Signed "Your Brother, George F. Gibbs, Secty.

We completed the belfry on the Meeting House Oct 24th 1908 and hung the bell. The Meeting House was dedicated Feb 7th 1909.  Pres. Junius Romney and many others being present. The dedicatory prayer was offered by Pres. Harris. Pres. (or Apostle) A.W. Ivins returned from S.L.C. and visited us in company with Prof. G.C. Wilson on Feb 21st 1909, giving us great credit for our well finished house, said it was the best in the Stake (except the Academy).

Irene, having burned her hand very badly, went to Juarez to stay with Myra April 10th 1909, and did not return until May 13th.  Closing exercises of the Stake Academy was May 19-20-21st. My son Orson Parley was Ordained a Teacher by E.P. Allred Dec 26th 1909, also Henry G. was Ordained a Teacher by B.H. Allred on the same date. On the 23rd of July 1910 I left home for S.L. City. I arrived in S.L.C. on the 27th and went the same date to Ogden where I visited the Tracy family. I left for Montpelier, Idaho at 11:50 PM where I arrived on the 28th at 10 AM and was met by my Brother Marvin, whom I had not seen for 20 years. I visited my relatives in Bear Lake for several days. I went to Star Valley Wyoming, visiting there with my relatives until the 11th of August when I returned to Bear Lake and attended a Reunion of my Father's family on the 13th, it being my Brother Marvin's Birthday. There was in attendance at the Reunion 114, and absent were 160, making in all of my Father's descendants 274. On the 13th at 8 PM I left with my son B.H. Allred Jr. for Blackfoot Idaho, where we arrived at 8 AM Aug 14th. Attending the Stake Conference, I remained in that vicinity until the (erase) of Sep, arriving at Paris Idaho on the (erased), attending Quarterly Conference there. I remained in Bear Lake Valley until Oct 1st, when I left for the S.L. Conference. I remained in Ogden & vicinity until the 4th, arriving in S.L.C. on the morning of the 5th. I met the train of Conference people from Mexico. I staid with Joseph ______ during Conference, meeting many of my Uncles & Cousins from almost all over the surrounding territory, having an enjoyable time. I left S.L. City October 9th for Mexico, where I arrived on the 14th, finding all well.

Another fatality occurred on January 22nd 1911. Mexicans going to James Mortensen's house, killing his wife Elisabeth, and also shooting and killing George M. Koch, who went with me at mid-night to try and save her and the children. It was another of the many cases where the Lord delivered me from peril, as the rain was falling & the night very dark. I managed to conceal myself (or the Lord only did it) until I got sight of them, and by shooting at them twice in the darkness of the night. Though I did not hit them I succeeded in running them off. The four children were saved. The officers of the law were very energetic by the assistance of many of the natives & our brethren in capturing 3, though every evidence made us believe there were 4 or 5.  A Revolution now exists in this Government, which has been growing more serious week after week. On the 24th of December the train was stopped between here & ElPaso, also wires were cut so that there was no communication either by letter or telegraph was received until Jan 15th 1911.The Rebels drew nearer & nearer until Feb 3rd it was reported that they were going to attack Ciudad Juarez and the train was stopped by the Soldiers, the conductor & engineer forced, under penalty of death, to return that night with the Soldiers. The wires were again cut, and up to this date (Feb 9th) no word has been heard from the train or Soldiers. The train returned on the 20th of Feb and ran until the 26th when it went out and did not return on the 27th as it should have done. The long looked for battle between the Rebels and Casa Grande began March 6th about 4:30 AM. Very heavy shooting continued for 5 hours, when it spread up & down the river in the mesquites & hollows until about 12:00 noon. The next train arrived on the 3rd of April. No more trains ran until _________.

The great battle beginning May 7th and ending the 10th at evening. The Rebels being victorious, taking the great Federal General Nevarro. At this point a treaty was inaugurated which it is hoped will end the war. At least for the present - 3500 Rebels leaving here the 28th & 29th of May, going south to the city of Chihuahua. We had a telephone put in my house on the 27th of May 1911. My son Ednar was married May 30th 1911 to Lucy Wood. I performed the ceremony. They left for Kilometer 93 on June 6th. The first part of July I received word that through my Grandmother, Mary Calvert, from her father Lord Calvert, there was a large fortune fell to me. My father being a grandson of Lord Calvert. I await further development of the report. Irene was called to Mrs. Mills July ___, and returned the 14th. I brought Warren, Myra, & Eva from Juarez July 15th, returned the 18th. School was closed for the Holidays Dec 15th, all came home.  On the 28th Orson came down with a fever which proved to be Small Pox, of which we were all vaccinated. Matilda took care of him.  Irene, Orissa, & Henry stayed from school until Jan 22nd. No other one from the family came down with it, all praise be to the Lord who is so mindful of His children.

On Feb 3rd a company of the Liberal Party came to Casas Grande and took control of the place, opening the prison doors and turning all prisoners loose, among them the last one of the murderers of Elizabeth Mortensen & George M. Koch. Word was at once sent to the American Consul and also the Leaders of The Church and we will now look anxiously for the complete fulfillment of the Prophecy of Apostle Ivins at their funeral "On this case hangs the growth or the downfall of this Government and the former Government under Pres. Diaz was completely broken in less than 6 months, as they were not punished, and at the present time are turned loose. Truly the Judgements of God will follow some 2 or 3 thousand of the Liberals collected here, stealing horses, saddles, guns, and provisions, including flour from the mill. Then they began burning bridges North & South, the railroad again stopping, the last train coming in on the 5th of February, and it didn't return until Feb 23rd.

The last of January 1912, I beheld the most lovely representation of the power and influence of the mission of the Holy Ghost. Tongue cannot describe, nor word portray, for I beheld that it was the Power which was in & through all things and filled the immensity of space. Not even a leaf nor plant could exist or retain its form or identity without it, without which all substance would fly into atoms, and a decomposition of all things would take place.

My daughter Mary Viola was Baptized May 4th 1912 by Henry Garcia Allred and Confirmed May 5th by myself, Byron H. Allred. The Academy closed May 3rd, 1912. The War conditions continued to grow worse until our property was not safe. Horses, saddles, and stock (beef) were preyed upon so bad that a man was not safe to ride a horse away from home, and even when in our own corrals, they (The Red Flaggers) would take them by several armed men drawing guns on men while others took the property. On July 27th we were forced to give up our arms and ammunition, whereupon every house was searched and people abused and insulted. After being deprived of guns to protect ourselves, we were counselled to begin a general move into the United States. I left with the first Company July 28th, 1912. Every day saw many hundreds come into ElPaso until there was not a woman or child left except 2 who would not come. Only a few men came, sufficient to care for the women and children, the balance stayed at home in different Colonies, and organized themselves to have order and system in their movements.

Irene left for Blackfoot, Idaho August 4th 1912. Tongue cannot tell the gratitude of the refugees to the people of ElPaso for kindnesses shown us when the trains would arrive. Automobiles and buggies were at the depot to convey the Company to rooms where provisions were brought to feed about one thousand 2 or 3 hundred (1,300). The Government of the U.S. as well as the Church appropriated well over $100,000 to cover the expenses of the fleeing women and children, but thanks be to God, not one life was lost in the flight for life. We held a meeting on the first sabbath, August 4th, at what is known as "The Stables" (actually a lumber yard), where electric lights and water fixtures were arranged, and ice to put into the water. Wagons brought loads of provisions every day.....

END OF THE WRITINGS OF BYRON H. ALLRED

Fond memories by the youngest child of Byron H. Allred (Sr.)

OLD MEXICO AND A HAPPY CHILDHOOD
by (Mary) Viola Allred Stout

Living in Old Mexico in what was called the 'Mormon Colonies', the United States to us was the Land of Enchantment where Grandma and all our uncles and aunts lived, but Mexico was our HOME. Father eventually had three houses in Guadalupe. (1) Auntie's (or the big house) then (2) another house just north by a few hundred yards and (3) almost directly across the street east, from House No. 2 was inherited by Mother from a wonderful "big brother".....a Danish lad who lived with our family (Marinus Koch was his name.) But the hub of all family activity and "HOME", was at the "Big House" which stood on the west side of the road and Guadalupe's southernmost "White's" abode. Only Loretto's home was south of us (a Mexican family.)

The first incident that still stays with me during my childhood, is company coming, a celebration taking place for some special occasion, women coming to and fro from the kitchen to the table set up in the front room for the occasion, it all seemed so exciting. I watched new things added to the table, but all I could see was barely over the top of the table and the sides of the dishes rising up like little mountains. I remember thinking "I'll be so glad when I can look down at the table and see what is in the dishes and how it looks from up there."

I remember we changed our house around once too, I remember we had the kitchen and bedroom in two places. Changing kitchens in those days did not involve the plumbing, etc. as it would today.  It was only a matter of moving the wash stand which held the bucket of water and basin, in which we all washed, a soap box and the mirror and comb rack hanging above the stand, then the big family table around which we ate our meals together, with all the chairs necessary to seating a large family, plus a big, black iron stove which burned wood, hauled in from the river banks or nearby hills. These were exchanged with a big bed, a heavy dresser and metal trunk, also a rocker which served the purpose of putting all the babies to sleep at night. I do not remember any linoleum or carpeting in either room. It seems like they were wide boards scrubbed periodically, with hand-made throw rugs strewn about. Our front room (the northeast room) seemed luxurious to me then. South, against the west wall stood a coffin-like box covered with a padded, flowered material (like Chintz), inside many of Auntie's nick- nacks. Of interest to me then was the fifteen to twenty odd rag dolls there with which I played occasionally. In the northwest corner stood an organ. We pumped it with a bellows by foot.

Our front door was on the north wall with a window on each side. On the wall, just east, was placed (eventually) our pride and joy--A TELEPHONE! To my knowledge, it was the only one in Guadalupe but Dublan and Juarez was available. I suppose Father indulged in this luxury mostly to keep in touch with church officials and especially for contact with loved ones in Juarez.  In the northeast corner a majestic 'secretary' stood; the left half was shelves with a rounding glass door which was actually kept locked because therein were the family treasures, to be looked at through the glass except on special occasions when they were brought forth.

I remember two sea shells which I was allowed to hold against my ear and listen to the ocean roar (which recalls the teasing Dewey gave me after we were married. I was telling about these choice shells and he proved to me that a glass held against the ear did the same thing!) Our picture album (which Marinus had given Mother) had the pictures of Grandma and Grandpa Tracy, Grandma and Grandpa Allred, some uncles and aunts--none of which I had ever seen. Then there was our stereoscope through which we could see pictures beautiful to behold. On the cards the picture showed double but when glimpsed through the glass, it took on dimension. They were our 'picture shows' of the pre-movie days.

Also within this secretary for me to gaze upon daily and occasionally hold for a few rapturous moments, stood my doll, a gift from Marinus Koch, a Danish lad who lived with us. It was the only doll I ever owned that had real hair, curled into ringlets, a pleated pink dress, a bonnet, white shoes and stockings, it's eyes could close and it's head was made of china, a doll rare in Old Mexico, and my most prized possession!! There were undoubtedly many other articles there but these are all I remember. However, the right half of the 'secretary' were drawers and a desk with writing material, rarely used. I imagine Mother wrote home to her folks no oftener than once or twice a year and Father's parents were dead.

Just south from the secretary against the east wall stood a small table and thereon was the Allred's priceless possession, an Edison PHONOGRAPH!! It's big horn rose so stately above the cylindrical shaped records, and by the hour we listened rapturously to the few records we had. The only record I remember by name (probably that is because it was my oldest sister Myra's favorite) was "Red Wing." She used to play it often, memorizing it. As I was the baby sister, I was allowed to be in there with her. In the corner was a "peddle" sewing machine and above on a bracket from the wall lived our canary birds, they were beautiful singers. In the southeast corner, jutting out in the room, were two steps and a landing (Lavon's and my favorite sitting place) to view the goings on in the front room. From this, a door opened that led up left to the only upstairs room, a bedroom where Auntie slept. This was a room I will always remember. Auntie (Phoebe Irene Cook Allred) was meticulous in every detail and her room was a personification of her character. By the side of her stately brass bed, with its white spread, lay a hand-made rug with a beautiful woven horse on it. This she had made herself. Father drew the horse and I believe Auntie valued this rug second to her gold watch which she always wore, pinned to her left bosom and hanging from a chain around her neck.

Back downstairs and directly in front of the steps was a china closet built into the south wall of the front room, where the best dishes were kept. Scattered around were a few chairs decorated with print-covered cushions tied to the back and seats. A small table stood in the center of the room on which was our best coal oil lamp majestically casting it's yellow light to a readable distance of about three feet. This completed the furniture. The floor covering was of a hand-woven rag carpet stretched and tacked down. Under this was scattered fresh straw each year to give longer wear to the carpet and more 'cushion' to our feet. How proud I was of this room!! This was the NICEST FRONT ROOM IN GUADALUPE, MEXICO!!!

Another feature of our house that stands out in my memory was the "patio," just outside the kitchen door, which was, at one time, Mother's bedroom. Sweet smelling honeysuckle grew over the lattice which formed the east, west sides and roof. I remember that humming birds spent more time there than I. The dirt floor was hardened almost like cement by the daily sweeping and sprinkling of the ground.....what a cool retreat after a barefoot run through the burning dirt and scrambling over hot pebbles! In this shady retreat, hung the water "olla" (pronounced "oya") which was refilled several times daily from a deep well across the road, southeast from the house. Directly to the west of the house was our "refrigerator".....our cellar! I loved to enter this cellar. I believe it was dug about six feet deep and 12 x 12. The ceiling was A-frame shaped, the center rose about 4-5 feet above ground. The timber ceiling was covered with one to two feet or more of hard packed dirt. Inside were kept all vegetables and fruits. On the shelves were the pans of milk. The cream was skimmed off and on churning day I was often drafted to pump the churn handle. We patted the butter into squares and drank the buttermilk. Some of the skimmed milk was used in the house, the rest was fed to the pigs. Our folks also made cheese. I only remember that it went through a process of being pressed under a weight. I took peeks occasionally and rejoiced when it was "ripe" and ready for consumption!

My father stands out in my memory as a great stalwart--a true patriarch. As I visualize the ancient prophets of the Old Testament, my father's face comes before me because of his stately bearing. He had determined, piercing eyes (yet filled with kindness and compassion.) He stood at least six feet tall, straight and lean, with dark, brown wavy hair, sprinkled with gray, especially noticeable in the wave over his right temple as his hair fell away from the part on the left side. I never fully saw my father's face. He wore a beard which covered his face as far as beards grow. He kept it trimmed about three inches below his chin. He was immaculate in appearance, kept his beard neatly combed and his clothes had to be "just so." He was very proud and carried himself very straight and except for the times when rheumatism forced him to hobble about, one could almost say he had a "military bearing." I can best sum up my father by saying he was a fearless man. He would have died for his beliefs, he was uncompromising in his convictions. He was tender and kind, a choice person to have 'on your team.' He often played with us children. Many times do I recall his getting me off "stink base", he was loads of fun!

Father was considered a good speaker and I always sat a proud little girl on the front row as Father presided over his small "branch" at Guadalupe. He often took me into the tithing office with him at Dublan, seven miles north, where he transacted his Church business with President Ivins, then later with Bishops Thurber-Bentley. I always enjoyed those rare trips because I was allowed to walk up and down the aisles of Bowman's Store and gaze at the merchandise on display, harnesses for sale, wagon wheels, saddles, bed frames, feather ticks, dishes (where Mother spent most of her time), bolts of cloth (Father often bought a bolt at a time, the boys got shirts and we girls got dresses.)  The only candy I ever remember was hard-tack and Mexican candy called peloncia, licorice and horehound. I do not recall Father ever going to Dublan that we didn't receive a treat of candy or other goodies on his return.

The wedding I remember in Mexico was performed in our front room. I think Father performed the ceremony between my  half-sister Cora and Wallace Clark. Cora had lived mostly with us instead of her mother so she was especially close to us and I remember Lavon and I sitting on the "landing" on the east side and hating Wallace with all our hearts because now he was taking Cora away, and we couldn't see why she should want to leave us!

Father purchased a small pony. This pony was a great joy to me. Lavon and I shared it and we had hours of fun. It has made me long for my children to have one, but City life made it impractical. I remember our community combination church and school house built about two blocks north of our place. The day the bell was raised and put in place was a big event in our town. School was held in the one room building on week days and church convened there on Sundays. In school each class was segregated around a table. Eight tables in all, I think. One teacher handled all grades, hearing recitations at first, one, then the next, and on down until all had been heard. While the teacher went from table to table, those not performing were to study their lessons. At that rate, seven-eights would study and the other one- eighth would give their recitations. The only two teachers I remember were my sister Orissa and  Calvin McOmber. We used slates instead of paper and pencils.

When the students graduated from this school, they were then on their own unless they were privileged to attend the "academy" about 14 miles away. This was located westward (probably a little northward) through the Mexican town of Casas Grandes (through which the railroad ran), on up into the mountains and down a steep winding grade into a beautiful little town nestled in a valley through which flowed a small river, giving moisture to the farms and the valleys below. This town was Colonia Juarez, the educational center for all mormon colonies. Here my older brothers and sisters received their "higher  education"  equivalent to High School, I presume.

Several homes provided board and room for students. Some joined forces and "batched" it in homes temporarily vacant while the owners visited the States. We were especially fortunate because the teacher of Horticulture at the J.S.A. (Juarez Stake Academy) was husband to two of my sisters, both choice women beyond a doubt. My eldest sister Myra was very much like her mother (Auntie) in talent; both being capable, neat and good organizers. From Father Myra got her keen wit and jovial disposition. From both, Myra had a spiritual quality rarely found in such magnitude. Myra was Auntie's only daughter and Father's pride and joy. Though he loved us all and demonstrated it in word and deed every day, a deeper look that was most tender was on Myra. She wrote many poems to and about Father.

(Quoted in the diary) While I have often described the relationships of our unique set-up (in the polygamous atmosphere) to my children.....I should also like my grandchildren to get a clear picture of life as it was then lived by commandment from God. Why the Lord should give this principle to the little group who were all ready having a difficult time to survive the persecutions of the "outside" world I do not know. Joseph Smith faced a skeptical, unbelieving world when he told of his being visited by God and His Son, Jesus Christ, and by an angel delivering to him gold plates from which he translated and gave to the world a new  witness for Christ, the Book of Mormon. The world had eliminated visions, revelations, and even God as the real Father, making Him to be like a puff of wind, without substance. The highly intellectual, masterful, kind, loving, benevolent Father our innermost souls know Him to be was relegated to a mere essence. Thus, Joseph Smith, because he saw Him and His Son, brought Him back to the world as a Glorified Being, the world then rejected his story and killed him.....so, it seems strange that during his brief lifetime, another burden was placed on his shoulders (Polygamy.) Joseph Smith later joined other great prophets, giving his life for this  witness.  Many men have had relationships with more than just their wives and the world at large has recognized it as a fact, but never has the highly civilized people done so openly, and to take to wife more than one woman, honor and recognize her before the world, seemed degrading and indecent. In Old Times, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, stalwarts in God's sight and man's, had wives and concubines.  The only scriptures to condemn the practice of polygamy was that book that Joseph Smith gave to the world, the Book of Mormon, to quote: "It is an abomination in my sight unless I command it, to raise up a righteous seed." (Mosiah,) The only answer then seems that God desired right at the crucial time to "raise up a righteous seed"--for the law of plural marriage was practiced 47 years in the United States and 51 years in the whole church. (It is interesting to note that from the General Authorities of the Church, with very few exceptions (Apostle Widtsoe at this writing-1940), they all are descendants of the plural families of the church which included a mere 2% of the membership..... thus the Lord did succeed in "raising up a righteous seed" and producing mighty leadership to carry out the destiny of this church  was William (who died in infancy.)

Father had several children by these good women when he met Mother--Mary Eliza Tracy. His first son Harvey was even older than Mother, who was a mere 15 years old, reared in hardship with little schooling, suffering the privations of poverty and the necessity of responsibilities far beyond her years. Born and reared in Ogden, she had accompanied two of her father's wives to Star Valley, Wyoming, that they might escape the persecution then being heaped upon those who were endeavoring to keep this commandment. While in Wyoming, Mother became very good friends with Aunt Irene who mothered her and gave the love, kindness and understanding a lonely girl away from home needed.  When the long, bitter cold winter had passed and Mother was to return to Ogden, Utah, Father and Auntie had about decided her future. Mother's devotion to Auntie equalled her respect and admiration for Father and their plans for her to become a member of their household in the role of "plural" wifehood made her life seem bright and full of happy anticipation.

Plans were made for Father and Mother to attend October Conference in Salt Lake and there be sealed. Mother went earlier to the Logan Temple to receive her endowment. There was much talk in the Church. After having used every resource to be allowed to live this law of plural marriage, and having many of their leaders and others thrown into prison for so doing (even though it was not then against the law,) the leaders were seeking every means to save their people persecutions suffered at the hands of mobs. Laws were finally put in the State constitution prohibiting plural marriage, later adopted by the United States. Thus, at the conference Mother and Father attended in October, 1890, a manifesto already drawn up was voted upon by the members assembled, which carried by a majority vote; that the Church would abolish this unpopular practice.  (Read Doctrine and Covenants 124:49-50.) All plans were suddenly upset. Following this momentous meeting, my parents went to the Office of the President of the Church and told him their predicament. President Woodruff said he could do nothing for them but he would refer them to one who could. I do not know the name of the man who then came, but he told Mother and Father to leave the United States and go to Mexico and there go to a Brother McDonald (as I recall the name) who had been given the authority to perform such a union. The plans were then made by all families concerned, a hasty farewell visit to Ogden where Mother saw for the last time her father (Helon Henry Tracy), plus her mother (Emma Burdett Tracy), and brothers and sisters whom she was not to see for 22 years. The trip was made by train to El Paso, Texas. At Grand Junction, Colorado, Father met an affable man who seemed so friendly and solicitous during their layover there. He induced Father to accompany him a short distance from the depot to obtain food, where he  proceeded to show why he was so friendly, and robbed him of all the money he had. When they arrived at their destination, they were naturally penniless, but found kind people who befriended them and divided their substance. This was the Mortensen family, whom it was their good fortune later to live as neighbors in Guadalupe, where I was born.

The first home of my parents that I remember their mentioning was "up in the mountains" (Garcia.) I know, though, that they had also lived elsewhere. I was told that one place was named for my folks who endured so much privation, that it became known as "poverty flats." I heard my mother tell of living in a tent at one time. Because of this, she had a deep fear of the Mexicans, snakes and triantulas. In Garcia, after five years of marriage, Mother had her first child. A home was being hastily constructed, but Henry arrived before the roof was completed.  Kind neighbors held canvas over the bed to keep out a downpour of rain while Mother laboriously brought forth her son.....the first white child born there (hence his name--Henry Garcia Allred.)

Two years later, another son Loraine, spent a sickly ten months on Earth, and then departed. From what descriptions Mother gave, his sickness was a rupture and strangulation of the intestines. A small, unmarked grave on the mountainside holds his wee bones until resurrection morning. Somewhere during this time, our family moved to Dublan. The railroad was being built and little Henry watched as the big engine came on a side track to load on water from a large "Dyke." A phrase, made familiar to us all was that seeing the engine come down to get water, Henry would excitedly tear into the house and breathlessly pant, "Here comes the tain down the tack to dit a dink at the dyke." Our home in Guadalupe, Chihuahua, Mexico was known to Church members as a small "Pueblo" in the "Mormon Colonies." Father collected his three families and settled them there sometime before 1902; just seven miles south of Dublan. Mud, clay, straw was mixed by the older children (adobe bricks formed, dried and put together to build our Big House.) My brother Lavon Tracy was born here (7 October) and then later on April 26, 1904, I joined the family.

Father and Auntie had made a trip to Dublan for supplies that day. When they arrived home, Mother was in labor. Doctors were not to be had but the Elders were. Brother David Fisk Stout was called to assist in administering to Mother, and then Auntie took over. I arrived at 10:00 p.m. Father then went to unharness the team and Nellie (one of them) had given birth to a colt, so I was called "Mary's little colt."

I do not know how many acres Father owned nor how many horses and cows, I only know they seemed ample for us to lead normal, healthy lives, even above the average family located there. Our climate was ideal to my reasoning. We had warm weather most of the year. It was very hot for three or four months with cool, rainy winters. I do not remember a stove in our house other than the cook stove but on very rare occasions, it snowed and those were the times to celebrate. We could hardly wait for enough to fall so that we might scrape it up, dash into the house and add sugar and vanilla and a wee bit of top milk, stir quickly and eat at once before it melted. This was our ice cream.

The rainy season was of particular delight to us children. As soon as it let up, all the children headed for the "wash," about a block northeast from our house where the water ran off from where the hill had dug away the dirt and left a regular "little falls" right after a big rain. We enjoyed playing under the falling water and digging our toes into the sand. Here was born my love to play in the sand, and feel it under my feet, between my toes, as all my children will attest. This is something I still haven't gotten over, as every trip we take passing sand dunes, our car must stop so that I can enjoy a few minutes with my shoes and hose off, and feel the sand under my feet.

I remember very few occasions when we wore shoes other than to Church. This was enjoyable except in the warmest weather when the hot ground burned so that we ran for the ditches to walk along the cooler sand and often through the running water. When the ditches took a turn from our destination, we would dash for the nearest shade, running from one shady spot to the next. The result was often cracked, sore feet and well I remember the task of washing our feet at night before we went to bed! Often, I even played "possum" so that Father or Mother would perform this task for me! Our weekly baths were accomplished by hauling  in the round wash tub, emptying kettles from the stove, then adding cold water to the right temperature. Chairs were placed around the tub and a quilt was draped over to give the bather privacy.  This, accomplished in the kitchen and with the family coming and going, one can imagine just how much privacy was enjoyed.

The strategic position of our house brought many interesting people. Usually they stopped at our well to refresh their horses and replenish their own water supply. While doing so, they gave the news from the settlements "in the mountains" and best of all, usually distributed a generous supply of "pine gum" to us kids who chewed on a mouthful for hours to "break it in," then we cherished it for days! (Saved & chewed, to take out the bitter taste.)

I was the youngest of Father's children (two and one-half years younger than Lavon.) Lavon was two years younger than Rolla, who was two years younger than Henry and Orson. Orson and Rolla were Aunt Matilda's sons, so I was far removed from a sister. My best playmates were Esther and Millie Jarvis and Lillian Mills.

My only experience with "outsiders" was the Mills family. They lived there for a short while, a year or so to my memory, right across the street from us. He was evidently under contract to excavate for some archeological society. He traveled about digging into mounds, and not far from Guadalupe (south) we visited one of his excavations. He showed us the pottery, skeletons, adobe walls of what had been an ancient community. I remember the bones all seemed to be under the floor of the dwellings. Lillian had two brothers--Claude and Clay. We enjoyed them immensely, though we could not help but notice that the family was "different." Occasionally, the children attended our meetings with us, mostly when their father was away. Even Sister Mills did on rare occasions but never after the one time her husband returned home unexpectedly, marched into our meeting, tapped her on the shoulder and she docilely followed him from the room. I remember Mother saying that Sister Mills explained that he was a most possessive and jealous man. If Mr. Mills ever smoked, he never did so in my presence. I was quite in awe of him but for the short time they lived as neighbors, Lillian was always my best friend. When he had completed his excavations, they returned to the United States. Mother and Mrs. Mills corresponded a few times. Our last news of them was that Mr. Mills had committed suicide. This news came years later from California. I have often yearned to locate Lillian. A Jarvis family moved in then and Millie became my playmate.

I stated before that on special and rare occasions, Auntie let me play with the many rag dolls kept in her covered, cushioned long box in the front room. Mostly I played with my two or three sawdust-filled dolls.

The favorite spot to play was at the large Mulberry tree at the southeast end of the house. A large swing allowed us to pump high up into the air. Lavon and I loved to climb into the upper branches when the wind was blowing, settling comfortably between branches, the wind gently swinging us to and fro.

Lavon was the thorn in my side on occasions, yet, other times he was my favorite playmate. He got my doll once and hung her by the feet up in the tree beyond my reach and more squealing and crying resulted than I remember any other time. We often  played on the straw stack, Lavon would lie down and put his hands above his head and bring his feet up. I stood on his hands, his feet on my stomach, he swung up with hands, let down his feet and away I would sail through the air, head first into the straw!  Oh, what fun!

Hay bailing and thrashing time might have been a headache to the adults who had lots of work to do, cooking for the men, etc., but to us kids, it was like a circus day. Mortensen's had a molasses mill and we enjoyed the day our sugar cane was hauled over there and molasses came pouring out of the spout. However, I was afraid of their turkey gobbler because it cornered me once. I spent one hour in their "outhouse" once fearing to emerge because the gobbler was just outside. Sugar cane was our candy, at its ripe season. We cut the stalk in sections, then sucked the syrup as we squeezed out the juice (canker often resulted.) I also loved eating candied orange peel. I also loved eating tomatoes and often took the salt shaker and sat out in the patch eating tomatoes by the dozen.

We had home-evenings that were delightful! Flinch was always the favorite game. We grew peanuts and they hung on the vines in the granary to dry; then were sacked until ready for use. We always roasted them in the oven as we used them and the delicious taste of fresh-roasted peanuts will always be potent in my memory. Honey and molasses taffy is the only home-made candy I remember. Mother does not stand out in my memory when games and social activities were enjoyed. She seems to have preferred to watch rather than to participate. Father was always the center of activity, the life of the party and ONE VERY GOOD SPORT!

Father had a "sweet tooth". I have never heard of any medicinal value in licorice, yet Father used the excuse of buying it for his rheumatism. He bought small pellets about the size of a medicine capsule, quite strong tasting. Whether this licorice contributed to or relieved his rheumatism, I do not know. A candy favorite I chose often, even in preference to the colored striped stick candy or round, hard peppermints was "piloncia" (a dark brown mound of what I would now define as burned sugar but what a delicacy to me then! Popcorn was raised and a common treat.

My mother (Mary Tracy Allred) never thought of herself, but spent all her time and energy in waiting on others. With all her love and concern for others, she did a lot of worrying. I cannot recall a time when Mother was not worrying about something. When Lavon and I liked to dash out in the rain or hurry up to play at the "wash" or ride our pony or go to neighbors to play, she always was reluctant for fear we would get hurt, catch cold, or get sick. Every trip we took, she was fearful something drastic would happen. However, Mother's great fears were not entirely without cause. When she was first married and lived in the mountains, most of the people there left to go to Juarez to Stake Conference. Had Mother not been such a "stay-at-home," she likely would have gone, but a few women and one or two old men usually remained. On one occasion, an elderly neighbor lady, alone, was found lying across her bed, murdered! The guilty one was never apprehended. Living was not conducive to  tranquility there.

Gypsies traveled through about once a year and as we lived at the cross roads, usually our home was visited, asking for supplies. Mother usually hurriedly hid us until they were well on their way. She feared we might be kidnapped and carried away. And of course, it just had to be Mother who uncovered the bird cage the morning a large rattle- snake found its way up the sewing machine into the cage and devoured the mother and baby bird. Our male bird was clinging to the top of the cage frightened. Mother ran out screaming. Father killed the snake at once but the birds were dead. Our beautiful male songbird never sang another note. One other experience Mother had with a snake was in the middle of the night. Lavon was ill and some special medicine had been kept in our china closet in the front room. The candle Mother carried did not penetrate far in the darkness and she was raising her hand to unlatch the cupboard door when she saw the snake uncurl and raise its head as if to strike right before her on the protruding shelf!

I guess the worst experience I had as a child happened when my playmate May Bunker and I became locked in the outhouse. After yelling at the top of our lungs for what seemed hours, we resorted to crying, with no results there either. Eventually we got out but not through the door, through the holes (ugh) and we were not a welcome sight! (PEW!) It caused several to scatter in different directions before we were finally cleaned up!  (Recently in reviewing this incident, Lavon admitted he and his boyfriend were the culprits who had locked the door from the outside and then went off to play.)

I remember a visit to Dublan where I had my first glimpse of the "miracle of the ages", a horseless carriage! From the short demonstration then, I never expected to step into one. Everyone in proximity gathered around but only the "liberals" were impressed. The shying horses, the noise and "shivering" of this oddity sent the conservatives away shaking their heads. All the women in the colonies were called "Aunt" whether by blood or only related in a common cause, or as neighbors. The men were all "brothers" and in truth they were, because a unity and brotherhood existed that made every man one's brother. The fatherhood of God, the sonship of all men was beautifully demonstrated in the Mormon Colonies of Mexico. Thus, Father was Brother Allred and Mother was Aunt Mary to everyone. There was a season or so that I remember my more adult brothers  Marinus included) taking turns going away to work on the canal. The word meant nothing to me, until the day of its dedication or opening gave me my understanding and an exciting experience.  There was a great deal of preparation, a lot of food prepared and packed for the big picnic. Two teams made ready to transport the families to the dedication ceremonies. As I remember, the dam to be opened and water let into the new canal, was northeast of Guadalupe. Enroute we encountered many families headed for the same celebration. In a little joking rivalry, our wagon and another's started to out-do the other. Pretty soon we almost had a  runaway.  The team became overly excited and it took some minutes to reign them into control!  Some rough riding mingled with apprehension on our part made it anything but enjoyable until later, when we decided it had been exciting! Before the festivities got underway, the children had fun climbing up and running or sliding down the canal banks. Of course, there were tense moments to make sure everyone was up on top when the headgates were opened and water flowed into the canal and was on its way to provide irrigation to thirsty crops in the nearby colonies.

Myra, my oldest half-sister, never was blessed with children, though Eva, the second wife (and her half-sister) had several.  Warren taught school all day. Myra filled her time with Kindergarten. As I was the youngest at home and adored Myra, my parents decided to send me to Juarez that I too might enjoy the Kindergarten. Everything to delight a child was there. I had always enjoyed going to the swinging bridge that crossed the river. I could spend hours there when I accompanied the folks on a visit (besides the toys, slates and other facilities for a child's delight) but without my parents with me, the joy was gone and the few days I remained were spent in crying and refusing to play with the other children, so when the weekend came and a load of young people returned home from J.S.A., Myra sent me along with them to my home.

I remember a trip into the mountains Father made when I went along. We camped in the wagon at night and Father kept his gun by his side should wild animals or prowlers molest us. The mountains were beautiful and I never tired of enjoying them for picnics or camping. I remember a cave Father took me to, some distance up the hillside. There were carvings on the rock at the entrance as well as inside and a few broken pottery beautifully carved, which Father would not molest.

"Some day someone will come to interpret these messages and if we take, say, part away, we might spoil the story it has to tell," he explained. I think it was Garcia we visited, but all I remember was sweet "Auntie" Bingham that I met, an old friend of the family and that I ran down a winding path to a clear, sparkling spring where the water for the family was obtained.

Another trip with Father, northward, brings only one recollection and that was that Father held me by the hand as we approached a man, surrounded by many people, and Father introduced me to "Villa." It was not many months later that this same Pancho Villa led a successful revolution against the Government.

Most celebrations were on a community basis. We usually met at the Church. There was plenty of space to hold recess and games, followed by programs and picnic inside. We usually celebrated Pioneer Day on July 24th. One year I recall that just at the conclusion of the program, a fake raid was pulled and Jesse Mortensen (about 17) was carried off by the "raiders," who were dressed as Indians. It was so realistically done that several thought it was authentic for some time!! I was "in" on the plans, so through all the program, sat in tense excitement and anticipation. Marinas Koch had engineered the plot.

I was considered a good runner and never remember any races where I did not get top prize up until I was 13 or 14. It was lots of fun watching the men in relay races "threading the needle" and putting pillow cases on pillows. It seemed the idea never occurred to them to do like women do, hold pillow in mouth and pull case up over, they stuffed them down in with their farm calloused fists which convinced me that man's place was not in housework!

Thoughts running through my mind at this time: (1) Mortensen's making candy peel and making molasses. (2) My running away when Father killed the pig. I was sent outside to play and managed to run around the barn just in time to hear the shrill squeal of the pig. I ran frantically down the street to Jarvis' where I remained for some time. In fact a worried Mother finally found (3) Esther Jarvis and I baptizing all our dolls so they too could go to heaven. This was about a week after our own baptism, May, 1912. (4) Blue dishes. When I ate on one of them I got sick to my stomach. It was the odd blue color, I guess. I do not know why I got sick. (5) Lavon cutting my hair. My hair was "corn silk" in color and usually in ringlets but I wanted to be like Lavon so one day we secreted ourselves on Auntie's steps (leading up to her bedroom) and I held my hands out to catch the falling hair as Lavon practiced barbering. (This was followed by spankings!) (6) The bats in Stout's barn. Stout's house was fascinating to me as it was long and narrow. One room after another--then the south end was the barn (also attached.) I used to gaze in awe through the cracks and watch bats flying about in the loft! I never dared enter the barn for that reason! (7) Father's bad attack of "la grippe" (Spring of 1912). Father was generally a healthy man except for rheumatism which caused pain and lameness on occasions. But I remember his week or more illness of "la grippe" when Mother and Auntie "steamed" him. They put hot pans of water under him and wrapped quilts around him. He was too weak to set or stand for several days. We offered some mighty earnest prayers for his recovery. (8) Marinus' coming to live at our place. I frankly don't remember when Marinus came. I remember him there, don't remember otherwise except when he went away to work a few months at a time. The story I heard of his back ground was that three boys and one girl left home in Denmark because of a cruel father. Their mother had helped them get away. They migrated to the United States, then came into the Mormon Colonies of Mexico. Marinus became our "Big Brother."

I remember very little of our trip north, when for the first time since she left them in 1890, Mother had an opportunity to return to Utah to see her mother, brothers and sisters, and to introduce to her family her three children. Grandpa Tracy (Helon Henry) had died years before our visit. I do not remember many of my uncles and aunts, individually, on this visit. In Ogden, there was Grandma Tracy, Aunt Annie, Myra, Florence, Blanche and Uncle Helon. In Idaho Falls, Aunt Lydia and Minnie, two uncles (Ad for Adam) and Richard (christened Mormon.) I just remember there was one who put me up on his shoulders as Marinus often did and I did not dare let him know how very frightened it always made me. This was up in Idaho Falls. It seems like it was "Uncle Ad."

In Ogden, I recall Mother riding away in a horse and buggy with Aunt Annie to a conference and I was left with my cousin Vincey. was probably ten or so years older and very pretty, I thought. But this fact did not lessen my fears, as always before in my life my mother or father or someone close had always been available, and now I was alone with a stranger! I recall watching the carriage disappear as it circled the east end of a pond and was lost among the trees. My inward fears have seldom been detectible, so I presume that no one ever knew the terror I felt. I do not know where Lavon was, but I recall thinking that perhaps that last glimpse was my final chance to see Mother. Somehow, I thought she would never come back and all the rest of my life I would have to be in this strange house with my pretty but strange cousin! What seemed to me to be an eternity later (likely three to four hours) what a surge of relief I felt when Mother returned to me!! The above memories are my sole recollections of this visit to the United States.  Our visit ended prematurely because Mother received a letter from Father about someone being killed and I can recall  Mother's explaining that due to this, she felt her visit should be cut shorter than planned.

George A. Black, a Guadalupe neighbor, was killed May 30, 1908 by an angry mexican over a water argument with his son Ed Black.  Uncle George A. had endeavored to conciliate and was killed for his efforts. This, then, puts the date of our trip likely in the spring as he was killed the last week of May. So I was four years old at the time. Aunt Misha, his widow, gave birth to a baby girl three months later. She was named Georgia. As George Black was Branch President in our little town of Guadalupe, at the time of his death, this left a vacancy which was filled by my father. I recall the many opportunities this position brought to my father. The visiting brethren from the ward in Dublan were often guests in our home. The word "Brother" was heard often in our home as all men were "brothers" in our Mormon community.

The names of President Ivins and later Bentley, Romney, Huish, Bowman all linger in my memory as prominent citizens or church leaders with whom Father affiliated. I always enjoyed the rare trips (it seemed like they were every three to four months) to Dublan because I was allowed to walk up and down the aisles of Bowman's Store. This store to me was the fairyland of Mexico.  What Disneyland is to our modern children, Bowman's Store was to me! Bowman's Store was a symbol of all the things one dreams of one day obtaining. The most delightful sensation was the assurance that something would be purchased before we left.  Therefore, as Father transacted his business, buying needed farm implements, replacements, purchasing the lists given him by Auntie, I would gaze upon the rare edibles, dolls, etc. pretending like little girls will, that someday........

The first great tragedy to touch my life came about January 22, 1910 or 1911. I awakened one morning to see four faces peering at me. It was Leornard, Fern, Leland, and Arnold Mortensen, our neighbors and playmates who lived at the northern end of Guadalupe on the East side, nearly to Stouts. I was overjoyed at seeing them. My yearning for playmates was unquenchable. I hurriedly dressed. Auntie assured me they were there for the day and because of my joy, in the first while no thought of why they were there entered my head. I soon became aware of the gloom overshadowing the family and my visitors, and I soon learned that Sister Lizzy Mortensen, their mother, was dead.  This, to my childish mind, was not so tragic if it meant the children would live with us. The real tragedy unfolded as details came out and I learned that a murder had been committed and our beloved Marinus also was dead!!

During the night, three or four mexicans had demanded entrance at the home of Sister Lizzy Mortensen's. Through the bolted door she had asked what they wanted and as they demanded food, she busied herself and prepared something for them. They shot the lock loose on the door, entered, murdered her, made all the children climb in one bed, put a mattress over them and demanded their silence as they ransacked the house for money they expected to be hidden there. At the first sign of this disturbance, Civil War Veteran Madsen, who lived in a one- room place at the rear of the Mortensen house, hastily dressed, slipped out and hurried through the corn field and over to our house where he rapped on the window to awaken Father. Father summoned Marinus; they hastened to the Mortensen place with guns while determining a strategy enroute, to approach the house from both sides. Marinus reached the house first and was spotted at the windows by the children who whispered to him the news, "They have killed Mama and are still in the house." The window was on the north of the house and the kitchen protruded out on the east. At the shock of this news, Marinus lost caution and turning hastily, somehow put himself at the corner in direct view of the kitchen door where emerged the Mexicans just leaving the scene of their crime.

Marinus called out "Brother Allred, they have killed Aunt Lizzie." At that moment, two or three shots rang out and Marinus dropped. The Mexicans then ran from the house. Father shot at them several times. He said he saw one stumble and then go on. They mounted horses, hidden in nearby trees and rode away. Father rushed to Marinus who died without more words.  Father entered the house, found Sister Mortensen dead on the kitchen floor, the children frightened and weeping in the bed under the mattress. He brought them to our place where they and "Old Man" Madsen remained the rest of the night and next day. Mother sat at the north window and cried most of the day it seemed to me. I remember Mother's sorrow was not only that Marinus (whom we loved as a member of the family) was dead, but that his body could not be moved. Father was gone all day relative to this situation. Rain fell during the night and following day and Marinus lay there for hours while Father went to Casas Grandes (seat of Government) to officials of the law to report the case. They took their sweet time in conducting an investigation. As I recall, it was late evening before the bodies were removed and prepared for burial. The murderers were apprehended, identified as former employees of Mortensen's, but their incarceration was short lived, as they supposedly "escaped" before their trial was concluded. Father was naturally the main witness at the trial and the evening of their escape he feared they might have reason to want him out of the way, so our family was "alerted" for an emergency. The thing I remember most about our preparations was how well Father schooled us in what to expect and how to respond without planting great fear in Instead of sleeping in our several bedrooms, we all occupied two rooms. Lavon and I were assigned to a far corner on the floor. We were instructed how to place our clothes just right so we could hurriedly dress in the dark and prepare to evacuate at a moment's notice, or how to remain still and make no sounds should that be our orders. I was all ready to prove my ability to carry out instructions. Our family kneeled at our usual prayers that night but it seemed they were longer and held more meaning than usual. What makes me smile, now, at the recollection is that I went to bed with a feeling of importance at the role I was about to play, then woke up the next morning realizing the night had passed and all our plans had been for naught! It was almost a feeling of disappointment that I had not had an opportunity to prove myself! Childish bravery!  Childish ignorance! But Father had instructed us so calmly that it seemed more like an adventure, a game, than preparation for tragedy.

Speaking of Lavon and I sleeping together, which we usually did, I cannot resist telling on the silliest things we used to do that even yet makes me smile at the recollection.  We used to play duets. How? He would put his right hand under his left arm pit, the thumb in front and fingers at back-hand under his arm pit. He would then pump his left arm out and in like a pump handle (arm bent at elbows, hand at shoulder) thus his left elbow pumped up and down. Well, it let forth the silliest sounds I have ever heard. My part was to place both hands under my knees similarly, then kick my feet up and down to evoke the same sounds which sent us into peals of laughter, usually resulting in a visit from Father to settle us down.  Lavon and I were very close in our relationships. I am sure in true brother and sister fashion we had our quarrels and unhappy moments. I recall mostly his incessant teasing and being the baby of the family, I am sure I took every advantage of it and was spoiled. Yet, with the passing of time, all my memories of our association is sweet. He emerges in my memory as my pal, guide, protector. I think this is generally true in brother and sister relationships if their childhood had been a happy one.  Our wading the ditches together, swinging, riding our pony, all are happy memories. But playing on the haystack is where we had the most fun, throwing each other.

I turned eight years old April 26, 1912. As every well-trained little Mormon boy and girl knows, this is a milestone in their life. So it was with me, anticipated and enjoyed. What a great event--MY BAPTISM!! It was, I think, the 4th of May when I was baptized. Anyway it was before Fast Day. We went to the river in a wagon. There I was dressed in a white dress and my brother Henry (who was my hero) who had just become a Priest, with authority to perform such an ordinance, leading me into the water and there he baptized me. It was a happy eventful day. I was confirmed by my father on Fast Day.

1912 was an important year in the history of MEXICO, yet the  revolution covered several years and was only one of many that Mexico had during its political upheavals, but 1912 is indelibly written in my memory.  I knew that there was a war going on. Troops often passed through Guadalupe. Most of them stopped at our well across the road and for an hour refreshed themselves and their horses at the trough. We were not permitted out of the yard during their stay, but watched interested and with no little fear until they mounted and marched away. Sometimes they were in small bands and sometimes fifty or more. Often their leaders came to our house and talked to Father. I never knew what about. I remember our guns and valuable things were hidden out in the granary those days and women folks were ordered to remain indoors.

One morning I was awakened at what sounded like hail or rocks rolling on a tin roof. A battle was raging just west of us across the river. No school was held that day. I recall Father leaving the house to advise every family to remain at home. It was a day of quiet women walking back and forth in the house and protesting every time Father had to leave to milk the cows or tend to necessary chores. One other experience relative to the revolution happened one day while we were in school. A group of soldiers came up and stopped across the street at the Jarvis' house. They had Emerald Stout on a horse and all of us peered through the windows, filled with fear that he was going to be killed. He was later released. If any other event transpired in Guadalupe relative to the war, I was unaware or have forgotten it.

It was in July of 1912 when all the Mormon colonists became involved. It was because we remained neutral and did not take sides that we were ordered to leave Mexico. I know that when the terrible news of the war's significance came to us it was really unbelievable to me. I recall being out in the tomato patch (my favorite spot while they were in season) setting on the ground eating tomatoes with my salt shaker in hand as usual, when Lavon came running out to tell me that we were going to leave--yes move away--and that in 24 hours we would not be there anymore and I recall sitting there a long time and tried to visualize what it would be to not be there, to leave, and be somewhere else!! People were coming and going, back and forth, hurrying up the street, and returning......

The transition of moving from the "big house" to Marinus' home had been quite a change but now Lavon had told me that tomorrow we would leave here--MY HOME, my dolls, our dog, our garden, our EVERYTHING--and go somewhere else! It seemed hours before Mother missed me and called me to the house. I recall dreading to enter and hearing that what Lavon had told me was true.  Little children are so helpless and hindersome at such times, wandering from room to room, watching the activities as adults hurry about. Father dug a hole behind Marinus' house and there many things were buried. I can see Father greasing guns and farm implements, wrapping them in burlap and after depositing them and covering over with sod, patting it down and then there was something else we could do, walk back and forth over the ground to eliminate evidence of the "burial" place.

For such a large family we left with mighty little, two or three trunks, as I recall, and about that many rolls of bedding. I remember Father negotiating with a Mexican family that lived somewhere north of Guadalupe. They were to move into the big house and for the privilege of it, they were to "keep an eye" on the other homes and thus discourage the two factions of Army, Federalists and Revolutionists from taking turns ransacking the places. Even as Father reassured us repeatedly that we were being evacuated from Mexico only for the duration of the revolution, there still seemed to be a finality about it.

Pictures were a rarity in Mexico and I recall only about three times in my life having mine taken. Where the films came from is a mystery to me, but I remember Father trying to get us together at Auntie's and three or four pictures were taken of us at the east side of the house the morning we left. Only one recollection of our farewell comes to mind.

As we drove down the road toward Dublan, our dog whom we loved, as usual started to follow us. father gently but of necessity, firmly ordered him back to the house and I recall the reaction we had to this and Father's assurance that the Mexican family would take good care of him.

At the station in Dublan there was much confusion. People from all the Mormon Colonies were assembling and with limited space everyone had to eliminate part of their baggage. Father being branch president was put in charge of our Guadalupe group and I saw little of him during what seemed hours as people were assigned seats and making last minute adjustments to luggage. I only remember, as the train pulled out, many a trunk and "grip" was left lying on the ground by the side of the tracks! It seemed to me that my mother cried most of the time. Auntie was our bulwark. She seemed to be more cheerful. Father and the older boys rode in the baggage cars. I do not know where Aunt Matilda rode, probably close by and busy with her own family, but Auntie seemed to take over Lavon and me, and our problems, as she often did so on many occasions. Her life was to mother someone.

I have no idea the hours spent on the train. It is only about 150 miles north to El Paso but I know it was dark when we arrived. Whether it was Government or City Officials which had made preparations for us, I do not know, but many cars were at the station to transport us to a temporary refuge. I do know that Mother did not want to ride in one and as it was not many blocks distance, she took me by the hand and we walked. We needed only to follow the stream of cars to find the large dance hall where several hundred refugees bedded down on the floor for a sleepless night. The next day we were all moved to a lumber yard where each family was provided a "stall" to set up temporary quarters. I remember we ate. I suppose it was brought there and served by the agency providing all this help, but the big assembly we held or the meeting where several men spoke I remember best because of the song we sang there. it was the Mormon theme song "Come, Come Ye Saints" and from that day to this day, that song so impresses me. It penetrates my memory to such an extent that I have never yet been able to sing that song through, a lump always prevents me from managing to sing the last two verses. How many days we were there at the lumber yard in El Paso I do not know. I believe it was about four or five days. What Father was doing all the days there I do not remember, but I do recall he did not want us running around idle and in the way. He got Rolla, Lavon and me a job!

While it stands out as a big and important job in my memory through the years, it probably was only an hour or so a day for those few days, but I can vividly remember standing by Lavon on the street with the El Paso Herald under my arm! I sold some newspapers too! I remember how overjoyed I was when a man gave me 25 cents to keep!! We had left Guadalupe July 29, 1912 and by August 5, Orson and Henry were both sick, along with many others, at the Lumber yard. A doctor was consulted and we were advised to get out of there lest a typhoid epidemic result. Next thing I knew we were moving up on a hill. I presume it really was not a hill, but just a higher elevation than the downtown district. It was a two story brick house and all of us but Auntie moved in. Harvey, Auntie's son, lived in Blackfoot, Idaho, and she had decided to take this opportunity to visit there until we could return to our homes. She left on the early morning train as we took over the house, August 6. The house was not just for us. Several families were included and I know Father had also located other homes for our Guadalupe members to occupy, who felt it unwise to remain at the lumber yard.

I would suppose that our clothes were pretty dirty by this time, and limited as we were for changes, Mother asked Father to please bring her a tub and washboard on his return later in the day. That evening down the block we saw a tired "papa" alight from a streetcar and come towards the house carrying these items. I was sitting on the steps of the large front porch. Several were assembled on the porch and all seemed to be talking and visiting as Father came up the walk, taking his last few steps in this life. Father was never a silent type. He was always a good mixer, very amiable and as his face seemed set and drawn, he did not respond to the greetings of anyone, but walked directly into the house. Seeing this, Mother quickly arose and followed him remarking, "You look very tired."......

Father entered the large hall, laid the tub and washboard on the floor and immediately sank to the floor. As Mother saw him prostrate and the color change on his face, she came to the front door and called, Henry, Aunt Matilda, come here!" Henry and Orson were then dispatched down the street to find a doctor, but before they returned, Father had left this life. An hour or so later, another truck load of people arrived, moving into the house. I remember a sleepless night on the floor, some strange man (to me) sat all night in the front room by Father's casket.

A custom, for why, I do not know. The law was to bury the dead in 24 hours, so August 7th a service was held and Father was buried in the Evergreen Cemetery of El Paso, Texas. All I remember was the black hearse and the black veils Mother and Aunt Matilda wore down over their faces and the hot, hot sun. I do not know who took over managing things for us. I guess it was Bishop Thurber of Dublan Ward.

All I know is that telegrams were exchanged with the Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City. Anthony W. Ivins once of the Colonies, now in S.L.C. arrived and decided the best thing for us to do was to go north, to relatives. We all left about the next day heading for Blackfoot where Auntie had arrived, only to receive the news of Father's death. Aunt Matilda's son Orville was also living in Blackfoot, so she went to his home while we went to Harvey's where Auntie was.

Only one memory I have retained of our train trip north and that was of being locked in the bathroom. I remember the door opening sightly and a black face peered inside as I was using the facility. It was shut immediately so I felt no fear until I prepared to leave, only to find out the door locked! I did not know the custom of locking bathrooms at train stops until the tickets were collected. All I knew was a "black man" had locked me in and my fear grew with each passing moment. Terror finally reigned. I screamed, beat on the door, window, walls. I was practically in hysterics when the porter finally unlocked the door and let me flee to Mother! The few minutes I was locked in had been an eternity to me.

Thus concludes the "Mortality" period of the trials & tribulations and the accomplishments of this great ancestor.  It's up to us to determine just how successful he was in "raising up a seed" as he so completely devoted his life to. It appears that when this phase of his life ended he had already brought many souls into this life, and at this writing (1997) there have been over 1500 whom he can claim as his own.