August 4th I commenced putting some gearing together for a shingle machine
for Bp Hancock but I have but little faith in its doing much business as the
water wheel is too small I finished it and started it the 22nd but it had
not power enough but it was just what I told him it would be so I threw off
one belt and drum and gave it half the motion that it had at first and then
it went vary well
23rd I received a horse from R W Glenn at $80. 00 on the mill debt at San
Pete
August 31st I took a piece of ground of Benjamin F. Johnson on shares it is
vary weedy but I think thare is seed enough scattered on the ground to do
first rate. I am to give one third of the crop for the use of the ground and
it is to be divided in the shief
Sept 1st Today we received a letter from Catharines parents they are on the
road here from Ireland they have had all their cloathing stolen on the
railroad I hired team of the Bishop and got in my wheat
Sept 10th I finished Hancocks store Alexander Mcray came along collecting
claims as before spoken of and he wanted to make one for me and I told him
that he might make such a one as he thought I was worthy of so he made one
that amounted to 17000 dollars or thare about and asked me to get as many as
I could to do likewise this however I had some hesitency in doing for I
thought that to have anything to do with such things would be likely if ever
paid to pass through my hands and more or less of it might lodge in them and
by this means I might become lifted up and perhaps deny the faith and
thought to reject the offer as I had no way to accomplish it without paying
him three dollars for each I had not the means to spare and concluded to
abandon it for the presant. I however concluded to go to the city on that
and some other buisness, so I hired my passage with Samuel Adair I stopt at
the Indian farm and took the job of building the house for 600 dollars I did
not do anything at that time about the claims but returned home the 13th and
made arrangements to go to the farm to fulfill my contract I took my 2nd
wife Amanda and the tent and started. I hired from three to five hands at
one dollar and a half a day and boarded them I had to push my laber as fast
as possible for fear of cold weather as it was getting late in the season
The agent let the job of laying the stone and adobies and the plastering
Oct 8th today Catharines mother and two sisters and two brothers came they
are perfectly destitute of cloathing and provisions except those that they
have on and thare is no way for them to be supported but by me The father
having died on bear river
llth David Savage Amandas father came here on his way home from conferance
Sunday 12th he took all hands down to the farm to visit Amanda. Margrette
McCleave Catharines sister wishes to stay with Amanda and her mother
consented Catharine desired to stay in Amandas place and do the work for me
and my men but I did not think that it was wisdom She had for sometime
previous been refractory in her spirit and I warned her frequently of the
danger of such a course but she did not heed my advice but become worse and
worse through jealousy until she was taken sick and was vary troublesome to
Ann Eliza in my absence. She kept her running to wait on her from morning
till night and would be satisfied with nothing untill she was quite worn out
with her laber her twins were quite unwell the most of the time and the
addition of so much family made a thrlble task on her hands
14th Margarette has proposed to be sealed to me of her own free will and
choise. This makes Catharine ten fold worse
20th had a snow storm took a heavy cold and had a chill went home and took
an emetic
22nd felt better and went again to the farm to work Catharine is some better
and think she will do better
30th she is quite unwell today
Nov 1st she had a false conseption and feels quite sick
3rd today she had three hysteric fits
Saturday 8th I came home and found her as troublesome as she knew how to be
she had no simtims of sickness of any kind but was as ugly as she could be
and she had worn them all nearly out takeing care of her. I told all of them
to go to bed and rest as well as they could and I would take care of her
that night, she kept me running to wait on her nearly all night at last
seeming to be at a loss for something to ask me to do she took a notion that
she must have her legs rubed which I did faithfuly but she would not be
satisfied she declared she was numb and I must rub her as I had not and
after repeating it time after time she declaring that she had no feeling in
her legs and she must die if I did not rub her finealy being out of all
patience and knowing that she was trying to deceive me as her pulse was
perfectly regular and she was every way perfectly natural I went out and got
a small willow about a foot long to test her sense of feelings and turning
up the bed cloathes touched her legs vary lightly she immediately drew up
her legs and screamed that I was shipping her She got worse and worse until
the devil had perfect controal over her no one could do anything for her but
Ann Eliza and she tried every way she could to kill her till she had to be
tied hand and foot We tried the priesthood but she defied its power at last
I told the Bishop that if she could be baptized 7 times I thought she would
get better so he told me to go and do it, and I put her in a rocking chair
and with the help of two or three elders carried her to the creek and when
she saw the water she new that it was the water of baptism and she began to
rejoice. We put her down carefuly into the water and I attempted to baptise
her feeling confident that I should overcome but the first attempt I did not
get her face under the water she still continued to rejoice and it seemed to
me that my strength was nearly gone and on looking around I saw several
persons standing on the bank whose sympathies ware in her favor But I told
the man that was assisting me that we must immerse her as we had not yet
done it so we succeeded the second time which caused the devil to rage and
foam worse than ever. Finding by this time that a powerful influance was
operating against me I was compeled to give it up She got worse and worse
and put her foot in the fire and burned it badly and then swore that it was
me She would throw everything in the fire shecould get her hands on. Finding
that I could do nothing with her and as my buisness was crowding it was
agreed that I should go to my work and leave her in care of Ann Eliza and
her mother. I started Monday 10th determined still to overcome and took to
prayer and fasting. This I kept up till Friday night and I heard a loud
thumping under the floor whare I was at work and as thare was no entrance
thare I knew well that I had gained a victory over the evil spirits that was
possessing her and they had taken that method to revenge themselves but the
spirit of God was with me and I felt strong. Saturday 15th got home and
found my testamony had been true as she got over her madness Friday evening
and had been out to the neighbors on a visit. She seemed however to be still
disobedient to me and her feelings of oposition ware the same as it had been
some time before She was vary cross at times and ugly to Ann Eliza and her
mother and made several attempts to injure them but was as often prevented
except once she clenched Ann Eliza by the wrist leaving the marks of her
nails She circulated the story that I had whipt her nearly to death and
stated that thare was welts or scars on her legs as big as her finger She
continued to barber this lieing spirit ever after but not always quite so
bad.
20th I finished my job and moved home
21st I told Ann Eliza to get ready to go with me to the city as I had
engaged our passage with bro Adair who was going But the bishop on hearing
of it told him not to take any passengers as he wanted him to take tithing
wheat it was my intention to by some things for the family but she could not
go and I started off on foot
24th Snow about 6 inches deep I had bought 6 cords of wood for which I had
paid 4 dollars a cord for in money. I found I had cleared on my own laber on
the house at the farm about five hundred dollars in a little over two
months. I found while at the city that I could collect Indian claims
together and Curtis E Bolton agreed to make out the papers (as he was deputy
clerk of the district court of United States) and take his pay after they
ware collected at 2-1/2 per cent and if not paid he was to have nothing and
having obtained the consent of Alexander Moray I got some forms printed and
started home whare I arrived 30th I had some choars to do up and got ready
to start out south I had bought about one hundred and thirty dollars worth
of goods at the city for my family and hired Geo Hancock to bring them home
for me. I killed two oxen for meat for I did not know how long I should be
gone and a big family had to be fed at home I paid half of one to Levi
Hancock for my house (about the 1st of September I sold the house that I had
of Glenn to Elias Gardner he was to deliver me three thousand feet of lumber
within one week which I intended should finish off my house but he failed to
fulfill his agreement and refused to do anything about it till I complained
of him before the 70s he then said he had done wrong and asked pardon and
then paid me one thousand feet and gave me a note of 75 dollars against
Ephraim Hanks this settlement was made about the first of December)
I started for Iron County in company with David Savage It was extremely cold
weather and I froze my left big to
6th of December we camped about 4 miles south of the Severe in company with
the members of the legislature on their way to Fillmore it was too cold to
go to bed and to keep from freezeing we sat up and kept fire all night.
Amanda was in company going to her fathers on a visit I took claims along
the way and paid all expences of myself and Bro Savage and when I got to
Iron County I found claiments plenty they paid me generally two bushels of
wheat each and I let Bro Savage have the most of it and he was to pay me as
soon as he could I left Cedar City homeward about the 26th day of December
1856 I had let him have wheat so that when settlement he owed me 180 dollars
I was on foot haveing to walk 18 miles to Parowan and it was late about half
way on the journy thare came on a violent storm of snow and I could hardly
find the road it being dark I was vary tired, about this time I was
overtaken by the mail from Calaf-ornia I asked them (as thare was two men)
to let me ride but they declined doing so but shipt up thair horses but I
caught hold of one of the straps behind and hung on for three or four miles
but I became so tired that I was obliged to let go. It continued to snow
vary fast and I came near finishing before I could get through but I could
keep the track after the stage vary well. I got in about two hours after the
mail and put up at the same place Doct Meeks. I thare made claims and paid a
debt for him (Savage) of 45 dollars in wheat at two dollars a bushel, and
all the wheat that he had of me this included was ownly counted to me at one
dollar and half and he had no trouble to collect it He came to Parowan while
I was yet thare and let me have two ponies that he said was left in his care
to sell by a man by the name of William Bringherst who was in Calafor-nia
and as he was going directly thare he would see him and get them of him I
could take them home with me and trade them for oxen or cows just as I chose
I told him that If he had not already bought them that if the man should
learn that he had disposed of them it might be harder for him to get them,
but I would take them home with me and use them and he could write to me as
soon as he got thare and let me know. I also sent him an order at the
Sanbarnadino Tithing office obtained of Bsp Lewis of Parowpn for wheat
delivered to him I found the same Cuthbert that I had bought a cow of while
I was liveing in Salt Lake City the circumstances I will here state I went
out one day to buy a cow as we had none I came along to his house and asked
him if he knew who had one to sell he said he had a first rate one that he
would sell cheap for cash I asked him how much milk she was giveing he said
she was giveing from 6 to 8 quarts at a time and gave her a good recommend I
then asked him his price he said he would take forty dollars for her and not
any less. This I thought was a big price but as good cows ware scarce I did
not think I could do any better so I paid him the money and took her home
but she was totaly dried up. The next time I saw him I told him that the cow
had not filled the recommend he had given her. But he perfectly denied all
that I told him that he said about her and said he could prove it by his
wife and brother in law, I told him I supposed then that he could prove
anything then that he chose and let the matter drop not having any chance to
get any redress.
He had been out to Las Vegas at work at his trade black-smithing and was on
his way home to G. S. L. City he wanted someone to put a span of horses on
his waggon and help him through he found a man that would go as far as Salt
Creek for 40 dollars he came to me and told me of it I told him that I could
put my ponies on and go with him and he would save something. So he
concluded to do it and I bought a harness for 15 dollars and we started the
snow was about a foot deep the most of the way and over two mountains it was
from two to three feet deep and a crust on the top not quite sufficient to
bear the horses or waggon and in many places we ware obliged to break the
crust with our feet and it was attended with much fatigue but on the 6th day
at about 9 o'clock in the evening we arrived at Nephi or Salt Creek horses
nearly used up I charged him twenty dollars I found my own feed and
provisions he was angry at first and refused to pay me but after some talk
he concluded to do it. So I took my ponies and started for home which was 24
miles whare I arrived the 8th day of Jany 1857 I found all well and glad to
see me as far as my own family ware concerned Catharine had behaved vary
shamefuly to Ann Eliza and her mother. Mosiah Hancock the man that I had so
much pity for in the summer before and took him in to keep from starving had
been secretly making love to Margarette when he knew at the same time that
she had promised herself to me I asked him if he intended to marry her he
said yes if I did not I told him that I did not want her since from
appearances he had made her unsteady but I thought that was one way to repay
me for kindness shown to him I related the circumstances to Bsp Hancock who
was his cousin he immediately sent for Mosiah and told him that he was ready
to marry him if he wished, he came back and invited Margarette out doors and
they went to the Bishops and was married and came back but said nothing but
in a few minutes a man came along and told me of it. I then told him that I
had kept him and his wife as long as I could now he must leave which he did
by going in along with the bishop
llth John Young came to our house and two of his wives one was Catharine's
sister they talked to her and she promised to reform He said I had done
enough for Sister McCleave and her family and he would send someone after
her forthwith, A man by the name of Nathaniel Case came and wanted to board
with me for he said he had no place to go. he had been much in the habit of
telling big stories that had no truth in and I told him of it and told him
that I did not harber such men about me. he said that he had been in such a
habit but he was determined to reform and do better and I finely told him
that in case he would do so no more he might come and try it.
12th Catharine asked our forgiveness for lieing about us to the neighbors. I
told her she must go to the neighbors and make her confession and she
concluded to do it which when she had done she was forgiven and she promised
to do better.
13th I went to Salt Creek to mill and took Ann Eliza with me to visit Sister
Bradley I made out a few claims and returned the 14th.
15th Paid some flour debts and started for the city with my claims. It was
vary cold and stormy the snow fell two and half feet deep in City. I came
near getting lost in the storm at the point of the mountain between Utah and
Salt Lake valies While I was In the city I got some more blanks printed but
never made use of more than 10 or 12 of them as it was getting too late to
present them to the agent as no claims are allowable by the United States
after three years so I arived home again the 24th While in the city I got a
certificate of membership from my quorum or recomend signed by Jesse P
Harmon President of the llth quorum
Sunday 25th I attended mass quorum meeting at Payson I presented my
reccommend and was united to the mass quorum by unanimous vote While in the
city I payed Brigham all I owed him to 45. 65 forty five dollars and sixty
five cents I then asked the clerk Hiram Clawson to take the note I field
against Epraim Hanks of 75 dollars to balance the account and credit the
rest on my tithing as that was behind $187: one hundred and eighty seven
dollars and some cents but he refused to take it and on con-fering with
Brigham he ordered him to give me credit for the amount and square the
books. I thanked him for the presant. I then paid on my tithing till I
reduced the old account to one hundred and three dollars I sought an
opertunity to see Brigham but did not get the privlage until I went into his
house I met him accidentaly in the big haul after complamentary remarks I
told him I had spoken against him telling him what I had said and I was
sorry I had done so and wished him to forgive me he said he would not do it
til1 I had seen Br Grant and made things right with him I told him I had an
impression that he had something against me and intended to have seen him
but he was now sick and I could not have the privelage but as soon as he got
better I would come down and see him and whatever I had done wrong I would
try to make it right. I told him I did not know what it could be and if he
knew I would like to have him tell me He said that I had told Grant that I
had worked for him Brigham a long time for nothing and boarded myself I said
I had no reccolection of such a thing but it was vary true that myself and
bro Grant had been great friends and he had told me many things in
confidence and I had done the same by him but I would see him as soon as I
could have the privelage He then asked me why I left the public work. I
answered because you told me to! he said did I tell you to I said you did He
said then according to your story I have done wrong but I am not going to
confess I said I do not want you to confess but I want your forgiveness for
what I have said that was wrong he said well you see bro Grant We then
parted I saw Bp Hunter and he said I should be blessed more than I ever
antisipated for I had been faithful in paying my debts and espesialy my
tithing and said many comforting words to me. This was vary thankfuly
received by me. My time was ocupied for several days in trying to regulate
the afairs of my family and settling my affairs with the Bishop and the
Indian agent and others I found my tithing for the year ending Dec 31st 1856
had amounted to one hundred and eighty eight dollars showing that I had made
eighteen hundred and eighty eight dollars thus proveing true the words that
were spoken by Dimic B Huntington saying that within fourteen months I
should be prospered more than anytime before I was to pay fifty six dollars
of the debt at the general tithing office to Bp Hancock. I had paid my
presant years tithing to Bp Hancock in work and was ownly behind yet the 103
dollars of original, 56 dollars to be paid at this office Payson Catharine
has forgotten her pro-mice to do better I have given her good council and in
fact every one else that she has been connected with Ann Eliza has born
almost everything from her. She seems bent to do evil continualy. We are now
in a refermation for which thare seems to be much need The people are called
on through the mision-aries to repent of all their sins and confess their
faults pay up their tithing and be baptised for the last time for the
remision of their sins and those that have not committed the unpardonable
sin shall be forgiven but it is said that it is the last time that baptism
can atone for sin, if we sin again a sacrafice will have to be made
according to the magnatude of the sin
29th This morning I saw Br Jacob Hutchinson and McBrlde they told me that
they ware sent out as missionaries to settle anything that anyone might have
against the first presidency and as 1 had something against him I was
required to make things right I told them I had nothing against anyone but
as far as I could whare I had done wrong I had taken measures to make it
right and neither they or me could do any more., time would probably set all
things right
|