1882-05-27-Nevada
Diary of Abraham Hoagland Cannon
Cannon, Abraham Hoagland. Diaries. (MSS 1929), bx. 1, fd. 3, pp. 42-70.
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Friday, May 26th. It was a little rough this morning and quite stormy but towards afternoon it became very [p.49] fine; the sea became as smooth as glass. This morning Brother [Ulrich] Stauffer came in my room and said that little child of Sister Sturzenegger's had died at three o'clock this morning. We held a short service over the body of the same. Brother [John] Alder and I saying a few words, and the body was then weighted with irons, sewed up in canvas, and dropped at the back of the ship, where it immediately sank. It was about six months old. Another child died in another part of the ship and was also dropped in the sea. A meeting was held in the evening in which instructions were given the Saints in regard to their landing in New York, and further journey; I instructed the Germans. I was walking in the moonlight on deck for a while after meeting, [p.50] in company with some of the Saints. There are some hounds in the intermediate part of the ship, who are trying to lead some of our girls astray, and we therefore had to keep close watch. Sister B�hler is better today. 325 miles today, and we have still 404 to go, before we arrive at New York. Some people were a little seasick today.
Saturday, May 27th. It was a beautiful morning, and the Saints seemed to enjoy it. I was writing for some little time in the morning. About noon we came in sight of Long Island, and sailed during the afternoon along its banks. About 5 p.m. we arrived in full view of New York harbor, and while sailing up the same, our eyes were [p.51] feasted by the beautiful sights to be seen. The entrance to the harbor is guarded by two strongly fortified forts, from which hundreds of cannons protrude, teaching enemies not to attempt to capture this city. The banks were clothed in green, and everything seemed to greet us on our arrival in "the land of the free." Just outside the harbor we passed a sunken vessel, which collided with another ship four weeks ago, while starting out for Liverpool. The hull is below water, but the bridge and rigging are to be seen. No lives were lost. We received the quarantine doctors about 5:30 p.m. when all but the cabin passengers were inspected. We then had supper, during which time we arrived in the docks, about 7 o'clock, and were met by Brother James [p.52] Hart, our emigration agent. He gave me a little business to attend to, after which I took a 15 minute walk onshore. It was about 11 o'clock when I returned to the ship and went to bed.
Sunday, May 28th, 1882. I arose quite early this morning and wrote a letter to Brother [Albert] Carrington concerning our journey. After breakfast the examination of all baggage was commenced. All our people had to open their boxes, but as we generally take up a collection for the custom house officers, before leaving the ship, they generally very lenient with us, and allow us to pass, unless we have something which is very noticeable. Of our company the two Misses Keep were the only ones, who were required to pay duty, and that was on some new satin, silk [p.53] and velvet goods. I had some German Mission books and articles for other parties, which were really dutiable but they were passed without cost. About noon we boarded a river boat and were taken to Castle Gardens, where our people were all registered and then exchanged their foreign money for American. I stood at the desk of the money changers to see that our people were not cheated. I was interviewed by a reporter of the New York "Staatszeitung" as also by one of the commissioners of emigration, this afternoon. I gave them information concerning our labors, teachings, etc. in Europe. About 3 p.m. we boarded another boat and were taken to the New York and Lake Erie Rail Road Station, where a train was in readiness [p.54] for us. I spent several hours in conversation with the Saints, and as the train was about to leave in the evening, Brother [James] Hart came and advised me to remain and see father. I concluded to follow this advice, and Brother [Rodney] Hillam also decided to remain with me. We bid the Saints "goodbye" and then went with Brother [James] Hart to the Grand Central Hotel, one of the finest in the city, where we received a telegram from Father, saying he would arrive from Washington tonight. We ate supper and then repaired to the Jersey station, where at 10:40 I joyfully greeted father as he alighted from the train. He was glad to see me looking and feeling so well. He wrote a few days ago to Brother [Albert] Carrington [p.55] expressing the desire that I should not be released to return home until fall, as he thought I might get into trouble, but the letter reached its destination after my departure. It was after midnight when we retired. Father is not as fleshy as he formerly was, but looks fully as healthy.
Monday, May 29th. This morning I was out walking with father and the other brethren. I had a long conversation with the former and I can see how severely he feels mother's loss. He gave me instructions concerning the children, and also gave me good instruction in regard to my own affairs. He advised me to work in the Instructor office on my return home, if I could find [p.56] no better employment. He felt that it was his duty to return to Washington today, and I therefore accompanied him to the station in Jersey City, from which place he departed at 3:40 p.m. He does not yet know when he can return home, for although he has lost his seat in Congress, is the counsel of President [John] Taylor for him to remain in the capital for the time being. In the evening Brother [James] Hart took Brother [Rodney] Hillam and me to Harrigan and Hart's theatre to see the play of "Squatter Sovereignty." It was a low comedy and did not suit me very well. We retired about 11 o'clock.
Tuesday, May 30th. It being decoration day, great preparations were made to celebrate it in this city. The U. S. President Arthur, and other dignitaries [p.57] of the nation are in the city. "Bob" Ingersoll, the great infidel, is orator of the day. About 10 a.m. the procession started past the hotel and for about two hours there was a constant stream of soldiers marching along to the tunes of about twenty bands. The veterans of the last war with their tattered and time-worn banners; the disciplined soldiers with flying colors and gaudy uniforms, and the volunteers with their stately tread, formed a picture well worth seeing. All New York seemed to be out to witness the process, which to me, finally became monotonous. I was not aware that the United States government could boast of such a fine body of troops, and so nicely uniformed, but I was pleased to become acquainted with [p.58] the fact. In the afternoon I made a few purchases of books, etc. Brother Newton Farr, who has been for some time in Brooklyn, came to the hotel and told us that he would be our traveling companion on the way home. He was taken sick with the diphtheria on his arrival from England, about 10 days ago, but is now almost well. About 6:30 p.m. we three went to the station of the New York and Lake Erie Railroads and soon were rolling along Zionward. Brother [James] Hart attended to our tickets, for which we thanked him. We made beds as well as we could on the seats of the car, where we rested pretty well.
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Diary of William George Davis
Davis, William G. Diary (Ms 1689), fd. 2, vol. 3, pp. 36-50.
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26th. Raining. A six-month old child belonging to a Swiss sister died this [p. 44] morning and was deposited in the sea. Also a child in steerage, not of our people. These are the first deaths that has occurred during our voyage. The rain ceased and the sun shone beautifully after about 10 a.m. We were met by a pilot from New York, during the afternoon, when about 300 miles from New York, who came on board and took charge of the ship. We held meetings in the steerage at night. A good spirit prevailed, after which we had a very pleasant time walking the deck, the moon shining beautiful.
27th. We came in sight of land during the forepart of the day. The sea being calm, we had a very pleasant time and seen some beautiful sights along the coast, also both sides of the harbor. [p. 45] We passed the doctor while in the river then moved in to Alexandria docks. Brother James H. Hart came on board about 8 p.m. and gave us instructions in regards to passing the custom officers on the morrow and proceeding on our journey westward. Myself, in company with, President [William] Webb, Elders [John] McAllister and Grahi [George Graehi] accompanied Brother [James] Hart to his boarding house in New York after which we took a stroll through the city. Many of the main streets were lighted up with electric light, also some large buildings. We returned to the ship and lodged in our state rooms as usual .
28th, Sunday. We passed the customs officers, then proceeded to Castle Garden by steamboat and from thence to the depot of [p. 46] New York Lake Erie & Eastern Railroad. Took train for the west and started 7:35 p.m. by way of Buffalo & Detroit.
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Letter from W. R. Webb and A. H. Cannon - May 28, 1882
Webb, W. R. and Cannon, A. H. [Letter], Latter-day Saints ' Millennial Star 44:24 (May 28, 1882), pp. 381-82.
New York, May 28, 1882.
President A. [Albert] Carrington.
Dear Brother,--
It is with pleasure that we employ this opportunity of informing you of our safe arrival in this city after a pleasant and prosperous voyage across the Atlantic. �
Yesterday we arrived in the New York docks in good health and spirits, and were pleased to meet Brother [James H.] Hart, who informed us that he had made arrangements for us to proceed on our journey Zionward this evening.
Praying God to bless you in your labors, and with kindest regards to yourself and all at "42," we remain,
Your brethren in the gospel,
- W. [William] R. Webb, President.
- A. [Abraham] H. Cannon, Clerk
