1889-10-17-Wisconsin
Diary of James Madison Flake
Flake, James Madison, [Diary] in James Madison Flake comp. by S. Eugene Flake (Bountiful, Utah: Wasatch Press, 1970) pp. 63-64.
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Thursday Oct. 17, 89 New York, America. Beautiful day. We arrived at New York about four this evening making twelve days from Liverpool, our best time was three thirty; poorest was one sixty three in 24 hours. We had one of the severest head winds for four days and nights, that the captain had ever experienced. Our company all behaved extremely well. BrotherJ. [James] Barker who came with us, got drunk several times and became the "Butt" of the company. Brother Reine, Arthur Bateson and I took a stroll in the city in the evening. It is very different from the Old World and we feel very free and at home once more. The electric light has been ordered off by the mayor of the city. Most of it is shut off making the city very dark in some parts.
Friday Oct. 18, '89 New York, America. Fine day. We passed our luggage, and also the Saints, all right. The agent, Mr. Gibson and all are very kind and courteous. We are staying on an Old Dominion Steamer till prepared to start. Went over to West and East Brooklyn, back to New York taking in the sights. Went to a theater, but left after the first scene as it was Dutch. We then went and hunted some more amusement. Seen a woman called Big Eliza, said to weigh 760 pounds, measure 38 inches around the arm. Saw Bronco Charley swallow swords. He put three in his mouth and pulled them out one by one. Saw a Canada girl with hair dragging the floor when standing straight. Girl with big snakes coiled around her. And a Fiji man eater, also some singing and dancing.
Saturday Oct. 19, '89 Atlantic Ocean. Fine day. We visited the Central Park. It is very grand and has a number of wild animals and statues of interest. …
Letter from Edward Bennett - October 31, 1889
Bennet, Edward. The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 51:48, (Dec 2, 1889) pp. 764- 65.
Holden, Utah, Oct. 31st, 1889.
President George Teasdale.
Dear Brother,--I take the present opportunity to report briefly an account of our journey from England to the far, far, west. …
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On nearing New York, Captain Worrall wished to know how we felt respecting our treatment. I replied that we had been treated most satisfactorily, and reminded him that he had repeatedly told me that anything our people might want would be forthcoming, if we would make him acquainted with it, and I was pleased to say our experience had corresponded therewith. We presented him with a complimentary letter, which was written for the occasion. He, and also the purser, Mr. Edwards, expressed themselves highly pleased with it.
On landing in New York we were met by Mr. Gibson, who is a gentleman in every respect. No greater attention could be paid to any people than he paid to us. We had no trouble whatever in passing the custom house officers, or the commissioners in Castle Garden. We were in New York two days, delayed on account of being longer on the ocean than usual; but we were given quarters by the Old Dominion Company, the officers of which did all they could for our welfare. Elders Henderson [POSSIBLY J. A. Hendrickse], Gill, [James] Wrathall and myself went up to the office with Mr. Gibson, and procured our tickets, exchanged the money for the company, and received full instructions concerning our journey.
I was introduced to Mr. Prindle, passenger agent, who paid us every attention. We found, upon our arrival in Norfolk, that he had a special train awaiting us, and in a few minutes we were on the train moving westward. …
Letter from P. W. Baker - October 19, 1889
Baker, P. W. [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 51:47, (Nov 25, 1889) p. 750.
New York, Oct. 19, 1889
President George Teasdale.
Dear Brother,--
We are pleased to inform you of our safe arrival at New York. …
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We arrived at the docks on the evening of the 17th, and were met by Mr. Gibson, who assisted us in every way that he could. On the 18th we passed through the Custom House; then took a boat and went to Castle Garden, where we registered. We then went to the Old Dominion Dock, where we waited till three o'clock, when we sailed for Norfolk.
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