1871-07-02-Wyoming
Journal and Diary of George Lake
Lake, George. Journal (Ms 7573), pp. 214-27, 239-46; Diary (Ms 8620 reel 5 #3)
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Sunday, 2nd - Arrive at Staten Island, 9 miles from New York, at 5 a.m. where we have to layover until tomorrow. The doctor came on board and placed us under quarantine although he passed the cabin passengers all safe. The day passed off quite agreeable to us. We lay at anchor in the Hudson River. I obtained permission of the captain to hold meeting on the quarter deck whereupon we met at 6 p.m. and after singing and prayer, Elder Shipp and myself occupied the time in setting forth the gospel truths and bore a faithful testimony of its truth.[p.223] After meeting was closed, the captain came to me and entered upon an argument on what had been preached by us but his arguments all went to justify men in whoredom and lasciviousness but I talked very plain to him and warned him against such damn sins.
Monday, 3rd - We had to lay in quarantine until 4 p.m. when the doctor came on and vaccinated the company, although quite against their feelings. This over, we weighed anchor and steamed up for Castle Gardens where a tender came to us and our goods were all moved onto her and we were landed in the Castle with our goods. And the Saints was unable to get their bedding as it was locked up in the cloakroom. Here they were forced to rest upon the floor. I set a guard over them to keep the strangers from intruding and then I went to the Stevens House with the rest of the elders and took supper and then retired to rest having seen our agents, Brothers [William C.] Staines [p.224] and Duesenberg, and giving in my report to them which proved quite satisfactory.
Tuesday, 4th - This being our national birthday, there was a great doing in the city with her thousands of flags floating to the breeze and her bands playing [-], and firecrackers filling the air with her deafening noise but my time was taken up in helping the Saints to start on their journey. They were soon on their way and I went to Castle Garden and bought me a ticket for Toronto, Canada, cost $7.70. I had a very pleasant interview with Elder John Taylor of the Quorum of the Twelve who takes train this evening for Salt Lake. I crossed over to Jersey City on a boat over the Hudson River where I saw the Saints take their seats for Zion with a hearty goodbye and a God bless you. I started back to New York and took train for Toronto at 8:15 p.m. [p.225] As I had an emigrant ticket, I had to ride with a most disgraceful lot of foreigners, but I worried it through and arrived at Albany, the capital of New York at 6 a.m. Felt quite well in body and mind.
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Thursday, 20th - I took train back to the Falls—no cost—and took a view of the notorious Falls of Niagara which presented a most lovely view—the water falling a distance of 230 feet with an eternal rainbow, one end of which set in the falling water with the surrounding shady grounds and lovely walks—all of which presented a lovely scenery. All of which I gazed at with admiration. This over, I took my seat at 7:30 a.m. and resumed my journey. Passed through Rochester at 9:45 a.m. and on the way passed many lovely villages and [p.240] rural scenery—all of which was very pleasant to view. Arrived at Albany at 5 p.m. and arrived at New York at 9 p.m. I then made my way to the Stevens House by bus—3 miles distant—and soon found rest from my labors. Felt weary in body.
Friday, 21st - I wrote to Elder Shipp of Salt Lake City and then took a stroll through the town. Visited the barbers and had my hair and beard cut. I felt rather cloudy in my spirits but I trust it is all for the best and I shall look forward with happy thoughts to a brighter day.
Saturday 22nd - I met with Brother Dusenbergs this morning who had just returned from Omaha where he had been forwarding the emigration. We took breakfast together and then went down to Brother [William C.] Staines' office where I remained a short time and then returned to my room and attended to writing my journal. In the afternoon I visited Dr. Jourdan's Museum of Anatomy [p.241] and gazed with awe upon the horrid scenes thus spread before me. As I saw spread before my view the debauchery of the human family in life size waxwork. After taking a view of this horrifying scene, I returned to my room.
Sunday, 23rd July. The day passed off very dull and disagreeable as my mind was at home. Besides I was alone in a strange city. The evening passed more agreeable as Brother Warren Dusenberg came and spent the evening with me.
Monday, 24th. I still awaited in anxious suspense for the steamship "Colorado" to arrive from England as it has on board a company of Saints with whom I am to accompany to my mountain home. I spent much of the day in the office with Brother [William C.] Staines.
Tuesday, 25th. The arrival of the "Colorado" was announced having on board 150 souls of the Saints among which the following elders were found returning from their missions: [p.242] H. G. Park, George Barton, Thomas Owls, and E. F. Bird. I found among the number many of the Saints of my former acquaintance who seemed to be very glad to see me. All of which tended to charge my lonely condition and cheer my drooping spirits. Brother [William C.] Stianes then presented us each with $10 bill to defray our expenses home. I spent my time in trying to administer to the wants of the Saints.
Wednesday, 26th. The Saints were crossed over the river with their luggage and soon was seated in our cars and at 7:30 p.m. we bade adieu to Newark City & it faded in the distance while all nature seemed to smile upon us as we glided along to the West.
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The Life of Charlotte Ann Bates
Bates, Charlotte Ann Hillstead. The life of Charlotte Ann Bates (Ms 11320), pp. 2-3.
… One morning we went on deck. The fog had passed away and the sea was like blue glass and we could see New York.
Before we could leave the ship we had to line up and be vaccinated. Someone had the smallpox on the ship. We landed on what they called Castle Garden, but I did not see a castle nor a garden. It was just a big wooden shed with a roof across it and we stayed there two or three days. Mother was afraid to let us go away. We might get lost. We landed on the 4th of July. It was the first time I saw firecrackers. The thing that appealed to me was the way the little girls dressed. They wore high top shoes. They looked wonderful to me. There were fruit stands there on which were the first peaches, apricots, and tomatoes I had ever seen. My brother saw the tomatoes and bought some. He took one bite and spit it out and gave me the rest. I thought it was like poison. It was many years before I learned to like tomatoes. We stayed for several days sleeping on the floor in Castle Garden. I suppose those who had money went to hotels but we had plenty of company, all nationalities. But we didn't care. We were going to Zion to be with the people of God and mingle with the prophets of God and his people.
We left New York and started for the West. We were not like the emigrants who had to walk all the way. I think we were about ten days on the train. …
