This is the anniversary of Mellie’s wedding day¹ and of Maria Whitney [Hall]’s birthday. It calls up many unpleasant recollections as well as much that is sentimental in its nature. So much misery for me and so much that is depressing in its nature, that one cannot help feeling sad & sorrowful. [p. 160] {p. 164}

Orson Pratt is dangerously ill and there is but little entertained of his recovery to health. So many old members of the Church dying that one cannot help fearing and trembling. My husband seems aging very fast & I feel almost afraid disease of mind & body might cause him to succumb. Good news from the ladies in the East.

Mailing at last have been so aggravated in getting the printing done in time. Aunt Eliza is trying to get her new book out in time for Conference. It is a nice book of Bible Questions & Answers.² She has done this and it was more than one could have expected and yet she wants to do more. [p. 161] {p. 165}

Still busy at the mailing yesterday the fair opened³ and Orson Pratt died⁴ news came too of the death of Ferrie [Feramorz L.] Young⁵ at sea just when he was expected him home it was quite overwhelming indeed. We all felt it very much knowing him so well. There will be some display for Orson Pratt

Just the day before Conference people coming in by thousands, the city seems thronged. We have the Monks [Charles and Emma Leywood Monk] from Spanish Fork & Sophia [Lyon] Hyde from Sanpete. Belle and all her children from Ogden The house seems full up to the very top of the garret noise and bustle. Yet we are all very well. [p. 162] {p. 166}

Conference opened as usual but dismissed at eleven o’clock so the people could see Orson Pratt’s corpse which lay in state in the great Tabernacle for his friends and the Saints to view for the last time. At 2 the services begun which were for the two who had died so near together Orson Pratt & Ferrie Young

Conference continues, lots of people still coming in. Every place crowded with people. Preaching of an excellent character never better. music very fine meetings overflowing every day. Theatres in the evening crowded. In the Salt Lake Assembly Hall this evening. Pres. Taylor spoke upon priesthood in a very plain manner [p. 163] {p. 167}

Conference is as interesting as it was at first. Good teaching from the Apostles and First Presidency. Elders called on missions Ort has been publicly notified officially, Home Dramatic Club performing with good success⁶ meeting of the young peoples associations in the Assembly Hall this evening

This is the last day of the semi annual Conference. Missionaries all called today. John Q. who has been gone since August 9, was sustained by the vote of the people in Conference assembled. Some of the people are beginning to return home. Sunday school Union tonight⁷ [p. 164] {p. 168}

Today it is 29 years since my last marriage⁸ it calls up many tender remembrances of bygone days. My husband seemed to love me then, how is it today? Never has an unpleasant scene taken place between us, in all these years. through trials that would pierce the inmost recesses of the human heart I have risen triumphant.

Plodding away at my paper trying to get ready for the press work. Bishop [Edwin D.] Woolley⁹ was buried last Sunday, from the big Tabernacle, He was one of the oldest Bishops in the city. The brethren of the first presidency & twelve have gone north to Bear Lake Valley [p. 165] {p. 169}

It seems lonely in the city so many gone out of town. We are ever so busy Annie is learning the Kensington embroidery Louie has lessons twice a week for her pupils in painting. I try to keep everything going but it is sometimes difficult indeed, yet we must not complain

Well, well, it is nearing publishing day and I do not feel as if it had been long since the last issue. Between writing visiting the sick answering everybody’s questions, keeping up correspondence & trying to please all parties I find myself pretty well used up and weary in the extreme. [p. 166] {p. 170}

Well it does seem just impossible to get the paper out on time, no matter how hard I may try. Went to the theatre this evening with Rob. Ort did well in the part he sustained. He does seem lucky in everything. He makes a great fuss over me now and professes a wonderful attachment for me.

Lost my gold eye-glasses last evening but do hope to find them again. Paper not out on time– so much to do for Saturday Went with Belle to the Stores. she went to the theatre with Rob in the evening. Annie & I staid at home. Sunday went to depot with Belle and then to the graveyard [p. 167] {p. 171}

Well this is Winnie [Winnifred I. Woods]’s birthday and we had a carriage and went up to the grave yard and took flowers called at Mellie’s but she was not in. A sad sad day came home and spent the evening in our own parlor, some young friends called but I was sorrowful.

Busy all day mailing papers have just got a new stove: it is damp and disagreeable. There are preparations going forward for a trip to St. George. Pres. Taylor and some others Mrs. M. M. Barratt expects to be one of the party it is disappointing some well, well all must be tried– [p. 168] {p. 172}

Mailing all done today Annie has been very helpful. Baby is well. We must not complain while we have health Sent Dot up a birthday present. She is going to give a party tomorrow on her birthday. Louie gave her a box of paper & envelops for us and Annie a collar her mama gave her a nice pair of kid gloves.

Nine years today since Dot made her debut the first daughter of Belle’s, born in the beautiful home in 20th, Ward. I hope she is having a good time we are all in health & surrounded with blessings, but when one’s heart aches like mine, what can be done? Where turn for comfort? [p. 169] {p. 173}

This is the grand season of the year for foliage and sentiment. One whose mind is free to follow out his fancies can find intense enjoyment out of doors at this season of the year. Would that I had means and a mind at ease I would climb these mountains & satisfy my love of nature’s works.

Aunt Eliza & Sister [Mary Ann Burnham] Freeze went off this morning to attend Conference at Morgan.¹⁰ I am so much in the habit of going with her that it seems almost out of the way for me to be left. I fancy she did not half like to go without me; however she has gone and I am here. It is allright and for the <best> [p. 170] {p. 174}

A dismal day but I went off to the meeting in the 14th, Ward Assembly Hall; dull and dismal yet inside there was a good feeling and power manifested. I spoke freely and so did others. These meetings are educational in a spiritual and progressive sense They help us to reach the higher standard of excellence.

At 10 A.M. Ort came and we went together to see mother Whitney. She was brighter than usual & we had quite a good time. I gave Ort a fine gold pencil & pen with his name engraven on it. He seemed much pleased. Louie & Annie & I all went to Mell’s took baby and had dinner there. Ort preached in [p. 171] {p. 175} the evening and I went to bid him Goodbye

Next morning he went off by the seven o’clock train.¹¹ Belle met him at the Ogden depot it seemed lonely. his wife¹² went to Provo with her father in the afternoon. I cannot quite reconcile all things as I would wish to. Annie & I sent to John Q. so did Belle

Sister Howard and I met Aunt Eliza coming from Morgan plodding along with her bundles. She came in and we had quite a little visit together. Sister H. and I called on Sister Barrett last evening & asked her to contribute to Mrs. Ferguson’s expenses. She gave us five dollars. [p. 172] {p. 176}

Busily the preparations are being brought forward for the journey South. I have been in the Office today more than once. Tomorrow I expect to go to Coalville to the Summit Conference of Relief Societies. I am making all needful arrangements. The girls do not like me to go at all.

This afternoon Pres. Taylor and a large party left for the St. George Temple– by 2 o’clock train & at 20 minutes to 4. p.m. Sister Sarah M. Kimball and I took train enroute for Coalville. At Ogden we took Park City train and arrived at Coalville 1/2 past 8 o’clock safe & well in the rain. [p. 173] {p. 177}

Br. [William W.] Cluff has an elegant home and we were warmly welcomed. Conference was held here today we went to Litha [Talitha Free] Smiths to dinner– in the evening had a sort of Council Meeting where all sorts of matters were discussed. It rained all day long. Went over and saw the Ladies Relief Society Store which does them credit.

Left Coalville by 8 o’clock train arrived in Ogden just after nine went up to Belle’s & staid all morning then went to see Co-op and Sister Richards took evening train for home. found all comfortable but baby had been suffering from croup very much & girls felt sorrowful. [p. 174] {p. 178}

Went to Tabernacle. Lou went up to Sharp’s it came on to storm and she was out riding but I had returned home. We had a cozy time in the parlor. Annie writing to John Q. and I to Aunt Zina. Storms without but peace within. We ought to feel grateful that baby is better.

A miserable gloomy day calculated to depress one’s spirits. There are many disheartening things to struggle against but if we can only keep up good courage and persevere we shall win the prize at last. The girls mean to go up and see Belle tomorrow and spend her birthday with her and the children in <Ogden> [p. 175] {p. 179}