Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-04-24

hpiii ttshi ASSf'
To the Editor:
| received my call January, 1895, 10
the Southern S ates mission. got per
mission to precede the company week,
in order to visit relatives and places of
intert ST en- route.
lett my home, Rexburg, Idaho,
February i2h; visited my old home,
South Weber, Davis county, Utah; spent
two DAYS with friends; proceeued to Salt
Lake; vas set apart February 18th, and
took the eastbound Rio Grande Western
train at 7:ao p. M; passed through the
mountains, vie wing the beautiful scenery
for which this route is celebrated; called
at Denver and Kansas city, arriving at
Cairo, Mo-, on the 10th, where | spent
four DAYS with relatives and friend; re.
turned to Kansas city on the 2llh; took
dummy and street car lines twe,ve miles
to Independence; strollod over temple
site, attended two meetings OF the Re-
organized church, and returned to Kan
sas city, expec ing to meet company
Of Elders. They did not arrive, and
continued my journey via Memphis, 10
Chattanooga, arriving on the 2blh.
met the company OF Elders neat day,
where 1900 soldiers are buried. We
visited National cemetery and Lookout
mountain, ascending and descending on
cable cars.
Ne received instructions concerning
our duties, and WIS assigned 10 labor
in the S nth Alabama conference, of
which Joseph s. Geddes was president.
took tram to the old Spanish city OF
Pensacola, Fla, arriving March and;
visited the harbor, where many ships
we're anchored. Tney represented many
nations, having their national colors
hoisted, making a picturesque scene,
long to be remembered.
On March 4th | was met by Elder To-
seph Larson, of Pleasant Grove, Utah,
who proved to be most efficient mis-
sionary. Our lot was cast to travel in
Escambia county, Fla, and we proceed
ed with our canvass, repairing to the
country, Pensacola having been finished
by Elder Gedd and companions. We
made a house 10 house canvass, making
a great many trends. and finding the
people kind and hospitable We held
many meetings and succeeded in bap-
tizing four honest souls into the told OF
Christ.
During our sojourn we visited the navy
wards at Warrington, at the mouth oil the
,
much dilapidated, and the m7son work
crumbled There was a great deal OF
old-time artillery, and stacks Of cannon
balls Of all sizes and shapes to be seen
on either side OF the walks, which were
about thirty feet wide. They were so
arranged that they were easily got at
without any overhauing.
We went to Fort Barrancas; also Wis.
tied the lighthouse, and were granted
the privilege oil ascending the stars,
100 feet, where we could get good
view OF the Gulf of Mexico, and the
country in the rear.
South Alabama conference was held
in Clenshan county, July goth, 1895; had
most enjoyable time. We met with
many friends OF Elder p. Flam, OF Rex
burg, Idaho, who had labored there
some six years previously, and who
spoke very highly OF him as messen'
ger Of the Gospel.
returned to my old field accompan-
led by Elder Frank Smith, OF Meadows,
Utah, where we continued until the con-
ference was divided and Florida confer
ence organized, with Elder Joseph A.
West, OF Salt Lake, as president. was
then assigned to labor in the south hall
OF Madison county, with Elder Wooton,
and later with Elder w. Criddle and
other companions. We canvassed and
preached ten months, during which time
we were visited twice by Elder West,
Elder Chris. J. Brown, OF Ogden, and
Elders +. Cutler and w. II. Summer
hays, making several tours of the coun'
ty. Myself and companions baptized
twenty-five people.
We attended the first Florida confer
ence, held in Suwanee county, May
goth and 3Ist. 1896; enjoyed rich out
pouring OF the Spirit, and listened to the
inspired instructions given by Elder
Elias Kimball. The Elders were as
signed to their new fields OF labor.
returned to Madison county, continuing
until August 18th, when was called tc
labor in Baker county, with Elder Smith
and later with Elder Criddle and Eldei
Joseph Facer. OF Willard, who arrived
mere March 25th, in company with Eldel
lanes II. Alien, OF Lewiston. Elder:
Criddle and Allen were sent into Charl
ton county, Ga
In our travels we came to the littl,
town OF Olustee, noted for a battl,
fought there; also for the mammoth saw
mills owned by Epinger & Russell com
pany. We had a pleasant interview
with Mr. Epinger, whose residence is il
New York. He crossed the plains il
1850, en- route to California; stopped il
Salt Lake two weeks, and was kindly
treated by our people, since which tim,
he has always stood up for them.
We have been successful in obtaining
many churches, schoolhouses and dwell
ings, in witch to hold meetings. Amonl
Others who have opened their doors, Il
Mr. Robert Rogers, who visited Utah
and worked for Hon. ID, II. Peery, ant
and who always has words Of praise To-
Utah and her people.
We were accorded pleasant visi
from Elders Brown and Gee, who as
sisted in holding meetings and leaving
appointments for Elder Cutler aut
companion, who are nov with us. Ii
the past three weeks we have held q
meetings and baptized two members.
From Elder Cutler, our president, We
learn that good reports are coming il
from all parts. The health Of the FL
ders is good. Conference will cohven
in Jefferson county on May Ist and and
when we expect TO have a spiritual ie s
and another visit by Elder e 5. Kim
ball, VINO no doubt viii have much time
ly counsel to impart 10 Elders, Saint
and lrieuds.
the harvest tiuly is great, but tn
laboreis are few" There is great de
mand Tor good Elders, those who hav
ayaitai theunge lyeg at the pnpnttnpitfa