1870-07-26-Manhattan
Journal of Josiah Marsh Ferrin
Ferrin, Josiah M., Journal (Ms 12085), 5p. pp. 78-86, 90-92.
Tuesday 26th At 4 a.m. we cast anchor at Statan Island. At 6, raised anchor and sailed in to the Harbor at New York, landed at 9 a.m. Myself and Elder Rodgers was sent off with the cabin luggage. We all put up with the Stephen House, had dinner, then we went to see Brother Staines. We then proceeded to Castle Garden, and assisted the Saints to get their luggage through the custom house. After this was all accomplished, I went in company with [p. 81] Brother Pidcock, Farr Richards, Rogers, Grant, & Sisters Campbell and Fanny to see the Central Park, we went up in a street car, distance 6 miles. We hired a carriage to drive us around the park which we enjoyed very much. After spending a few hours there we returned by the street car. We went and saw that the Saints were as comfortable as they could be under the circumstances in the Castle Gardens. Then returned to the Stephen House where we remained all night.
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Wednesday 27th We got all preparations made for our journey on the cars & at 1 p.m. we crossed the river to the Jersey side, and at 5 we started homeward bound. We lay at Philadelphia 3 hours and left at 12 o'clock at night.
Letter from W. C. Staines - July 29, 1870
Staines, W. C., [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 32:33 (August 16, 1870) p. 525.
New York, July 29, 1870.
President Horace S. Eldredge.
Dear Brother--The steamship Manhattan, with a company of Saints, arrived on Tuesday, 26th. The company were all well and felt first-rate. I saw them leave the railroad station on Wednesday, 27th, at 3:30 p.m., in a special train. All had plenty of car room, and all left apparently well pleased.
The president and brethren who had charge of the company, wished me to say to you that the captain and all the officers, doctor, and stewards did all they could to make the Saints comfortable.
The passengers coming only to New York gave us a great deal of trouble with their luggage, as is always the case. No one has any idea of the trouble the brethren have. In the first place the party owning the box or bag cannot be found, hoping to have it sent on, so that he can go too.
I found several who were expecting money here from Utah (but none had come), and who had nearly enough to pay their passage through.
The weather has been terribly hot here. All say they never knew it so hot before. A great many people are sick, and many are dying in consequence.
With kind regards to yourself and Sister Eldredge and all at 42 Islington, I remain yours faithfully,
W. [William] C. Staines.
Letter to David and Ann MacNeil - 27 September 1870
MacNeil, John [Letter to David and Ann MacNeil, July 26, 1870 and September 27, 1870] in Buchanan, Frederick Stewart, ed., A Good Time Coming: Mormon Letters to Scotland (Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1988) pp. 98-100.
Dear father and mother,
When I last wrote you we were in Castle Garden. We stayed a day and a night there and then got into the cars. I liked the cars better than the vessel. …
