John Morgan Diary, December 7-8, 1888

December 7

Had dinner and spent the day with brother C.I. Robison [Charles Robson] and A.M. Tenney [Ammon Meshach Tenney, at the time the President of the Mexican Mission], spent the day very pleasantly.

December 8

Brother William Spry [President of the Southern States Mission from 1888 to 1891 and Governor of Utah from 1909 to 1917] came in by the coach this morning and was warmly welcomed. Had a walk about town and at 2 p.m. opened our Seventies Conference with a fair attendance. I made some explanations relative to our visit after which brother George Passey, George F. Ellsworth, and George W. Lewis [that's a lot of Georges!] spoke to the people, after which brother Spry occupied some time. Attended a concert tonight.


[I can't find a biography of Ammon M. Tenney, which is a shame, since he was such a fascinating man. For tidbits of his life, see Mormon Settlement in Arizona. The picture of Tenney is from that book.]

John Morgan Diary, December 6, 1888

December 6

Rained this morning. In the afternoon, drove with President C.I. Robison [Charles I. Robson, president of the Maricopa Stake from December 4, 1887 until his death on February 24, 1894] to Papago Ward and attended a Relief Society Meeting of the Pima and Maricopa Indians. A number of them testified to the truth of the Gospel. A native choir furnished the music. After meeting, drove on to the Mesa and looked at an old ditch, evidently dug many long years ago. The depth in one place was twenty feet, and extended over a great extent of country. Rained tonight.

[John Morgan is talking about the Hohokam Canals. They are still visible in a number of places including the Park of the Canals. Click on this link and scroll down to the bottom to see a photo of part of the canals. When a new group of Mormon settlers arrived in the Valley and moved to the top of the mesa, they used some of the existing Hohokam canals as the basis for their irrigation system.

Additionally, a history of the city of Mesa, Arizona, explained the location of "Zenas" mentioned by John Morgan on December 5. Zenos was the name of the Mesa Post Office from 1886 to 1889.]

Sources:
See linked items.
Forty Years Among the Indians (Daniel Webster Jones) for his account of the Indian mission, see in particular Chapter 46 through 51.
The Planting of Mesa, a history of early Mesa based on McClintock's Mormon Settlement in Arizona


Photo of the prickly pear and fruits from www.flickr.com/photos/cobalt/2735004962/.

John Morgan Diary, December 4-5, 1888

December 4

Started early in company with Brother Merrill and O.C. Wilson [Oliver Cowdery Wilson (1855-1896)], for Bowie Station, 44 miles distant. Had a hard days drive and arrived about dark. Had supper and at 7:30 bade our friends goodbye and took sleeper. Started to attend our appointments in Maricopa Stake.

December 5

Changed cars at Maricopa Junction at 4 a.m. and taking the Maricopa and Pheonix [sic] Train for Tempe where we arrived at 7 a.m. and were met by President Geo. Passey [at the time just released as Maricopa Stake Sunday School President] and Geo. F. Ellsworth [the first assistant superintendent of the Maricopa Stake Sunday School] who drove us to Zenas [Mesa], seven miles distant. Had breakfast at brother Passeys.

The weather is delightfully warm and pleasant, this being a semi-tropical climate. We gathered ripe figs and peaches from from the trees today and found the weather quite warm. Wrote a number of letters. Stayed tonight with President Talma Pomeroy [Talma Emerson Pomeroy (1863-1940)].


[I don't know who made the typescript of the journal that I'm working from, and how spelling or grammatical errors were handled (or created) by the typist.]

Source:
The Contributor
History and Genealogy of the Pomeroy Family
History of the Mexico Mexican Mission
Jubilee History of the Latter-day Saints Sunday Schools
New Family Search

Photo from www.flickr.com/photos/gem66/2539994049/.

John Morgan Diary, December 3, 1888

December 3

A number of the brethren came in early this a.m. and spent the day with us. Among the numbers, Patriarch P.C. Merrill, and Counsellor W.D. Johnson. At 3 p.m. we started for Layton Ward and stopped at brother William Packards [sic]*. An appointment was made and meeting held. A full house and good spirit prevailed.

*William Jefferson Packer has already shown up twice in Ancestral Files, once in the comments, once in a post. He was a missionary serving in the Southern States Mission during the early 1880s.

Photo of the Safford area from http://www.flickr.com/photos/7603557@N08/457282817/.

John Morgan Diary, December 2, 1888

December 2

Drove to Pima Ward and met a large crowd which was spoken to by several of the brethren. Had dinner at Ed Easts [probably Edward Martin East (1856-1930) and his wife Minnie Bassett East (1860-1947) and since her family remained in Salt Lake City, she could be the Sister East mentioned on December 1], a still larger crowd in the p.m. and an excellent spirit. This closed our conference meetings in this stake. Returned to President [Christopher] Laytons where we remained tonight.


Photo of the Pima area from www.flickr.com/photos/kenlund/3444145412/.

John Morgan Diary, December 1, 1888

[Here I will note the purpose for this trip. A previous post on the Council mentioned that on October 7, 1884, John Morgan was called as one of the Seven Presidents of the Seventy. He was assigned the responsibility for overseeing the First District, a group of twenty-six quorums of seventies. In addition to making a living for his families, pursuing political and educational goals for the state of Utah, he would have travelled throughout the district, overseeing and reorganizing the quorums.]

December 1

Drove to Thatcher Ward where we found a large congregation assembled and met President C. Layton [Christoper Layton] and Counsellor [sic], also Patriarch P.C. Merrill [Philemon Christopher Merrill] and many others, among the rest, sister East, formerly of the 14th Ward. [This would be his ward in Salt Lake City.] Brother Merrill addressed the people, after which I spoke to them. A good spirit prevailed. Dinner at brother Laytons and an afternoon meeting addressed by J.R. Wilker [Welker], Oscar Wilsen, and J. East, President of the 89th Quorum of Seventies. All seemed to feel well and spoke briefly, but with a good spirit. In the evening, quite a company gathered at President Laytons and we had a most enjoyable time.


Photo of the view from Mount Graham from www.flickr.com/photos/steev/211809032/.

John Morgan Diary, November 27-30, 1888

November 27

Rained all night and raining this morning. President [Jesse N.] Smith returned to Snow Flake. The Mail Driver reported the Rio Perqua [Puerco] was very high and that it would be impossible to cross it for several days. At 2 p.m., brother Ellsworth [probably Edmund Ellsworth II] and Lillywhite [I’m guessing 20-year-old Joseph Lillywhite, Jr., whose father had died earlier that year leaving his mother with seven living children] drove up with a four horse team. Brother Hulet and myself and wife, with them as passengers drove ten miles to the river and found that it had fallen low enough to allow us to cross which we did, by the blessings of the Lord safely. [I assume this is the incident described in this post.] Had supper at Sister Clawsons and bed at Hotel. [Holbrook]

November 28

At 1:40 a.m. took train for Alburquerque [sic] where we arrived at 12. Snow had fallen along the entire route of travel nearly to the city. Had dinner at Arnojo Hotel [the Armijo House] after which we visited the old part of the city, the Cathedral and Catholic Schools etc. We enjoyed ourselves very much during the afternoon and in evening I wrote a number of letters and retired early.

November 29

At 3 a.m. took Santa Fe train south to Denning [Deming], the snow extended down the Rio Grande Valley 150 miles. Dinner and two hours lay over at Rincen. [Rincon] ? [Question mark penciled into the text.] Arrived at Denning [sic] at 3 p.m. Lay over an hour and then took S.P. Railroad for Bowie where we met brother J.R. Welker [James Robert Welker] with a team to convey us to the settlements on the Gila River. The country we have gone over today is almost barren, except on the Rivers where Mexican cultivation and civilization have found root.

November 30

After a good breakfast, started on a 44 mile trip, the roads were almost impassable on account of the recent heavy rain that has fallen at at 7 p.m. it was quite dark when we got in.


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[Very interesting route through New Mexico. Almost 700 miles by road (I’m not sure how long the route would be by train) in order to skirt the White Mountains.]

Sources:

Albuquerque Remembered
Church Chronology (Jensen)
Conquerers of the West
Edmund Ellsworth II
Eller Family Association
Flickr: The Wash
Mormon Settlement in Arizona (McClintock)
Mormon Settlements in Arizona Collection (Tanner) at the Archives of the University of Utah Marriott Library
Washington County Early Marriages (many Honeymoon Trail)
West American History (Bancroft)

John Morgan Diary, November 23-26, 1888

[Perhaps it would be of interest to note that John Morgan had been married to Mary Linton for just a few months at the time that they made this trip together.]

November 23

Administered to two of brother Kemp[e']s sons who were afflicted with sore throat. Started at 9 a.m. for Snow Flake over a rough road and arrived at 4:30 p.m. Stopped at Bishop Jno. Hunts. [John Hunt was bishop of Snowflake and the father of previously mentioned Ida Hunt Udall, and many other children.]

November 24

Rained this morning. President Jesse N. Smith [Jesse Nathaniel Smith was president of the Eastern Arizona Stake until it split in 1887, when he became president of the Snowflake Stake] and Bishop Cope called in and spent the forenoon pleasantly. Seventies Conference met at 2 p.m. and after I stated the object of our coming together brother J.R. Hulet, H.J. Perkins, and Jos. W. Smith [Joseph West Smith, a son of Jesse N. Smith] stated the conditions of the quorumn [sic] and gave some general counsel[.]

Adjourned until 7 p.m. Had supper at brother Larsens. [I'm guessing Alof and May Louise Hunt Larson.]

Meeting convened and was addressed by Elder B. Duffin [possibly Brigham Fielding Duffin of Woodruff, Arizona], brother Cope, and myself. A good feeling prevailed and much good instruction was imparted.

November 25

Conference met at 10 a.m. Bishop Jno[.] Hunt, President J.N. Smith, and Jno. Morgan spoke to the people. Dinner at brother Thomas Minnerlys where I met sister Cross and daughter.

At 2 p.m. Sunday School Conference met. Superintendent Jno. A. West presided. Brother West gave a detailed account of the condition of the schools in the stake and stated that but few of the Ward Superintendents were present. Assistant Superintendent P.C. Woods was the next speaker and he spoke on the general principles of the Gospel. Jno. M. spoke on educational matters.

Supper had at Jos. W. Smith [Joseph W. Smith, a son of Jesse N. Smith]. The speakers at the evening meeting were D. Webb of Woodruff on the subject of controlling Sunday Schools and conducting them without reading exercises. Superintendent J.H. Willis [probably John Henry Willis, one of the founders of Show Low] was the next speaker and gave quite an amount of information on the subject of Sunday Schools. Bishop Cope spoke at length on a variety of topics. President J.N. Smith closed by words of encouragement and counsel.

November 26

Rained during the night. At 8:30 a.m. Superintendent Jno. A. West; Assistant Superintendent P.C. Woods, Bishop Jno. Hunt, William Flake and J.H. Willis his counselors, also brother Lindquist met with me at brother Hunts to settle a dispute relative to the duties of the Stake Superintendent and a long council meeting resulted. Brother Hunt proved to be correct in the position he had taken with Brother West, but the Bishop seemed almost wild on the question of his rights in presiding.

At 11 a.m. in company with President J.N. Smith, J.R. Hulet, and wife we started for Woodruff. Arrived at 4 p.m. After a muddy wet ride, stopped with Bishop Jas. Owens [James C. Owens, another of the founders of Show Low] and at night held meeting which was lightly attended owing to the rain and mud. An excellent spirit prevailed.


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Sources:
Arizona Memory Project: Show Low Collection Highlights
Arizona WPA Pioneer Interviews: Annella Hunt Kartchner
Colonization on the Little Colorado: The Joseph City Region (Tanner and Richards)
Flickr
A History of the St. Johns Arizona Stake (Wilhelm)
Jesse Nathaniel Smith
Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia (Jenson)
Latter-day Saint Women on the Arizona Frontier (Arrington)
Take Up Your Mission: Mormon Colonizing Along the Little Colorado River (Peterson)
Rootsweb

John Morgan Diary, November 17-22, 1888

1888

[November 17, St. Johns, Arizona]

At 7 p.m. another meeting was held. The speakers were J.R. [John Riley] Hulet, D.K. [David King] Udall, and Jno. [John] Morgan. We stayed at brother Udalls for the night.

November 18

Meeting at 10 a.m. The speakers were Elder Jno. Brown [John W. Brown, first principal of the St. Johns Academy], a recently returned Missionary, W.H. [William Hoover] Gibbons, and Jno. Morgan. The meetings were all well attended. Sunday School Conference convened at 2 p.m. Supt. Rancher [William David Rencher] called the meeting to order and spoke to the people. He was followed by Chas. Jarvis, Assistant Superintendent. Brother Doxie [sic] spoke to the people followed by John Morgan.

At 7 p.m. meeting convened. Superintendent [John H.] Murdock of the St. Johns Sunday School spoke first.

Brother D.K. Udall spoke at some length, followed by J.M. after which conference adjourned.

November 19

Brother Eliza [Elijah] Freeman called with his wagon. Mary [Linton Morgan], Ida [Hunt Udall], and myself drove over to the Reservoir; from there to the mill. In the afternoon visited with brother Freeman and family.

November 20

In company with brother W.H. Gibbons, H.J. Perkins, we went to brother Udalls ranch at Springerville, a distance of 35 miles. Ida and David [Udall] followed in another wagon. Arrived after dark.

November 21

Wrote a letter to Annie [Smith Morgan] and wrote up my Journal. Afterwards in company with Brother W.H. Gibbons and brother D.K. Udall, drove to the town of Springerville. Had dinner with Bishop George Crosby and at 2 p.m. met with the Saints.

Brothers H. J. Perkins, D.K. Udall, and myself were the speakers. From there we drove to Eagerville [now Eagar] and called on sisters Eager [Eagar] and Tenny [Tenney] and from there to Brother Udalls where we spent a most enjoyable evening.

November 22

Bid the folks goodbye and in company with brother H.J. Perkins and William A. Jones, started for Erastus [now Concho], a distance of thirty-five miles. Arrived there at 5 p.m. and stayed with Bishop C.I. Kempe [Christopher Jensen Kempe]. Held meeting at 7 p.m. It was addressed by Brothers Perkins, Jones, and Freeman, and myself. Erastus is a good location, but is poorly managed.


View Larger Map

Sources:
Arizona Pioneer Mormon
Flickr
Freeman Family History
Latter-Day Saints' Millennial Star
Mormon Settlement in Arizona
New Family Search
Wake Family History
What I Remember of the Benjamin Brown Family
Young Woman's Journal

John Morgan's Diary

Thanks to Morgan cousin Bessie S. who sent a scanned selection from the John Morgan diary, which she has been reading in the archives at the Marriott Library at the University of Utah. She just put up a post about John Morgan's early missionary work that is worth reading. The selection she sent details a trip John Morgan took in November and December 1888 with his wife Mary Linton Morgan. The trip was mentioned in a previous post.

I have typed up the selection from the diary and identified as many people as possible. It will take about six days to post, starting tomorrow.

For another recent mention of John Morgan, see today's post on Amateur Mormon Historian called The Train Ride Home.