1876-01-31-Montana
Diary of Isaiah M. Coombs
Coombs, Isaiah M. Diary (Ms 1198), reel 2, bx. 1, fd. 9, vol. 22, pp. 30-33, 36-104.
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Monday, 31 - 8 a.m. Have just got up after a comfortable nights rest. We are still steaming along smoothly and rapidly.
9 1/4 a.m. Have just received our pilot. Have been on deck since breakfast viewing the shores of dear old America. Oh what a happy sight. Thank God oh thank God! is all I can say or think. The captain has made all the cabin passengers a present of a copy of our chart showing the course the ship has traveled and the number of miles of each days travel which are as [p.72] follows viz. -from Liverpool to Cape Clare 260 miles, from Cape Clare to noon on the 21st 233 miles, the 22nd 299 miles, 23rd 225 miles, 24th 251 miles, 25th 254 miles, 26th 109 miles, 27th 246 miles, 28th 316 miles, 29th 304 miles, 30th 266 miles, 31st 310 miles to Sandy Hook, and from Sandy Hook to New York 17 miles, - total 3090 miles from Cape Clare to Sandy Hook. By the route we have taken it is 2813 miles. The "City of Brooklyn" has made the fastest trip on record from Liverpool to New York in 7 days & 5 hours. 12 p.m. Passed Sandy Hook a half an hour ago. She stopped now between Statten and Coney Island. The doctor is on board.
6 p.m. Got in after the tide was out and was in consequence a long time getting to our place at the pier. I learned soon after we landed that Brother [William C.] Staines, our church agent on whom I have a draft for the money to pay the fares of myself and the Christe family had gone home and that it was too late in the evening to call at his place of business to ascertain [p.73] whether he has left an agent to act in his stead during his absence. Sent the Saints all off to Castle Garden and I am staying aboard the ship for the night by invitation of Captain Beddoe. Brother Eccles [Eckles] has gone to see the company provided with lodgings for the night and will return and lodge here himself. In the morning I will call at Brother Staines place of business, 8 Battery Place, and see what can be done. Brother Eccles [Eckles] is drinking and acts very strangely. I felt very discouraged this evening and almost sick. Have pain in my shoulder and breast. Thank God for the privilege of once more treading on solid land and that land my own native land, dear America. Brother Eccles [Eckles] and cousin and son of Brother Holmes' family came back to the ship a while ago and stayed a short time. I took Eccles [Eckles] [p.74] severely to task for his conduct. Told him that his drinking had destroyed my confidence in him, that I did not admire his way of doing business at all. And now to bed.
February 1st - Did not sleep much last night. Felt uneasy and anxious about everything; but how pleasant it was to be stationary and quiet. No rocking, no pitching, no roaring of waves, no trampling of feet. Oh the quiet was something delicious. Arose early this morning and went in search of my little company, could not find them. Bought a few crullers for my breakfast. At last, met Brother Eccles [Eckles] in the street who conducted me to No. 12 on the street next the river where I found my little company who were all glad to see me. Brother Eccles [Eckles] had been wanting Brother Holmes to lend him $102.00 to pay his own and cousin's fare home. Brother Holmes asked my advice [p.75] on the subject. I told him I had no advice for him, that he knew Eccles [Eckles] as well as I did and he must act on his own judgment. He thought the subject over and finally concluded to let him have the money. I drew up a note for the amount payable on demand with 2% interest from date which Brother Eccles [Eckles] signed. This I call on the part of Brother Holmes a magnanimous act. I bought the tickets for the whole company, 12 in all, as follows viz: Brother Holmes and family, 6 1/2; for myself and Sister Christe [Christie] 3 1/2; for Brother Eckles and cousin 2; total 12 at $51.00 per ticket. Posted the letter to Fanny and to Dr. Rogers. Also some letters entrusted to me by Brother Young for Brother Warburton. Took a walk up to the general post office with Brother Eccles [Eckles] and cousin. It was raining. It is now a 1/4 to 4 p.m. We are to start from pier No. 1 at 5 o'clock. [p.76]
Pennsylvania Railroad Cars
9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2 - Left New York on time yesterday evening. Crossed the river to Jersey City where we secured comfortable seats in one of the emigrant cars. Started from there at 7 o'clock. Did not sleep much during the night. We had a heavy storm of wind and rain nearly all night. It seems as if the wind is to pursue us from Liverpool to Utah. When it got light enough to see, found ourselves on the banks of the Susquehanna River, which is full of floating ice. As I write we are passing through Harrisburg [Pennsylvania]. �
