The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1907-03-26
OF FATHER DAMON'S
PREDECESSOR IS HERE

Back in 1888, and for ten years fol-
lowing, Uncle Diehl' presided over
the destinies of the Seamen's Bethel,
| In Honolulu. In 1913, stricken with
| illness, he determined to return to the
east and before leaving for his voyage
around the Horn, fully realizing that
he would not reach home. he prepared
n rough wood coffin in which his body
was to be placed should he pass away
at sea. His fears were realized and
somewhere in the Pacific his body, in
the rough wood box, was cast over
the side of the vessel, which his fam
lily hoped would carry him home to
them.
In the family, back in the States"
was a little girl, thirteen years old at
the time of this missionarys death,
who had heard a good deal of the
work of her uncle with the sailors in
the Sandwich Islands," Later the
events became items in the history of
the family. When she became a moth
err, she used to tell her children of the
uncle who had been sent out by the
American Board in Boston to labor
here so long ago.
All this time there was a desire in
her heart to visit the islands and view
the scenes where her mothers brother
had worked, but whenever it came
time to start on the journey some
thing interviewed to change the plan.
The exception was in February last.
The eager niece, who Is Mrs Anna c.
Felt, accompanied by her daughter,
left Chicago for tour that would in
clude all of the Southern States with
the exception of Florida, and termi-
nate on the western end at Honolulu.
Mrs. Felt and her daughter are at
the residence of Mrs. Angus. on EN-
ma street, where they We're seen last
night.
II have not the words to express my
delight at being here" Mrs. Felt re-
marked to a reporter for the Adver-
tiser. las child l heard consider
able of the islands as my uncle re-
sided here, and worked in the mis-
sion field during the last ten years of
his life. He was sent out in 'SS and
brought with him, as part of the
deck load of the ship, the lumber for
his house. Rough weather was en-
countered on the way out and his
house was washed overheard.
when his health failed him and he
decided To leave home, the American
Board was notified and sent out Father
Damon to relieve him. The ship he
went on passed that on which Uncle
Diehl had taken passage for home. We
never saw my uncle again. for he died
and was buried at sea. l Remembers
meeting Father Damon and his wife
twice after | had grown up; once In
Plattsburg n, Y, and once in Iowa,
We have been TO Mr. Damon's house
In Moanalua this afternoon and we are
10 go To the native church, where,
Rev Frank Damon Informs us, a slab
was placed In memory OF my uncle.
Everything We have seen has been OF
interest, because there is so much OF
Honolulu woven Into the history OF our
family"
Mrs, Felt has visited every state In
the Union excepting Florida and okla
homa A season or two ago she ac-
companied her daughter ON trip
through Alaska ana has made several
voyages on the lake steamers, She
has never been suiferer from sea-
sickness ana on the voyage down ON
tho China she did not miss a meal, She
takes a lively Interest IN the Y, w,
g. A, as well as In the Y. n, O. A, and