January 1889

Spent the day at Annie [Elizabeth Ann Wells Cannon]’s in Ogden– we had a nice dinner turkey plum pudding and other luxuries. John Q. [Cannon] and Annie played a game of checkers in the evening. Nothing going on especial– Margaret [Cannon] is better but far from well. Eugene [S. Sears] is here– I laid down awhile on the sofa and when I got up felt very strange and in attempting to leave the room fainted away.

Was not able to go to the train and stayed in bed most of the day– Annie & John Q. had been up with me all the night before– At evening felt better and came home. Went over to Lydia Ann [Alley Wells]’s and slept with her. Sat up late talking with the girls in the parlor– I see how very comfortable L. A. is in her cosy bedroom up stairs. much more so than I have ever been. [p. 1] {p. 28}

<Called on Mrs. [Jennie Anderson] Froiseth with Mrs. [Emily Tanner] Richards & Mrs. Arthur [Isabel Cameron] Brown Fast day and O so much to do.> Last evening I went direct to the President’s office or rather to the Historian’s Office and there were the brethren & sisters all assembled in council. Br. Franklin [D. Richards] ushered me in to the big room. Pres. [Wilford] Woodruff,– Franklin Richards, Brigham Young [Jr.], John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant & L. John Nuttall– Zina [D. Huntington] Young Jane [Snyder] Richards Bathsheba [Bigler] Smith Sarah [Granger] Kimball Emily Richards & myself composed the meeting¹

Went to Mrs. Clara Young [Clarissa Clara Decker Young]’s & <saw Mrs. [Catherine] Lewis> Today I have tried so hard to get off to Ogden because it is Q’s [George Q. Cannon]² birthday but it really seemed impossible. Struggle as I might one hindrance after another came along and it was the train on which I left the city When I arrived the children were all in bed, but I had a visit with Annie and that was a great deal. Q. had lots of presents– [p. 2] {p. 29}

Today I stayed all day long and we visited had a fire in the parlor and looked over Annie’s books and papers, had quite a nice time and enjoyed it very much indeed. Tried to get Mrs. [Florence Grant] Odell’s papers over to her but failed utterly, did not hear all day how Mrs. Young was. We felt very anxious knowing how dangerous she was considered to have been when I left home–

All day we were thinking of Talulah [Young Wood] and her great grief and at the folks took me down to the train and I started for home. As soon as I came on the train Talulah came up and embraced me, and O, how glad I felt that she could control her grief as she did. Alfales [Young] Clint [Clarissa Young Spencer] & Johnnie [John D. Spencer] were all with her, her mother had died Saturday. [p. 3] {p. 30}

This morning hurried with copy so I could go to the funeral. It was indeed a very peaceful one and did not seem at all like death. Ort [Orson F. Whitney], Seymour [B. Young] & the Esquire³ were the speakers, and the remarks were very consoling. singing was excellent and there was a very long array of carriages everything was in the best of order, no confusion whatever

Poor girls how lonely they must be today, I am besieged on all hands to assist in organizing a woman suffrage Association and yet none who have ever been in plural marriage can have any position in it. We have had one meeting last evening and one today and it seems almost impossible to get at it in the right shape [p. 4] {p. 31}

Everything has to be done today and tomorrow comes the organization, and tonight the double wedding at Jennings–⁴ Sister Zina was here with me until almost time to go, and we went down street together– I bought a book for each of the girls for one of them “Sweet Nature” and the other one “Gems from Whittier” dressed in my gown and went in Dr. [Romania Bunnell] Pratt’s buggey, talked suffrage most of the evening.

Organization of a Woman Suffrage Association today felt very unpleasant about the work– had the Articles to write for By Laws etc. this very morning except what was scribbled after coming from the wedding.⁵ Came home and went to work preparing other matters for the Credentials, Dr. Pratt and myself will have all to do. [p. 5] {p. 32}

As I expected Dr. Pratt came and we went off to get signatures etc. All is ready and as the Ch. Ex. Com.⁶ is sick and as the Committee are not yet in working order it was not to be expected that they could do everything without help– Sister [Elizabeth Anderson] Howard did not come according to promise and prepare the enrollment– Aunt Zina is coming tomorrow.

Aunt Zina came early and a fire was already made in the parlor– we sent off for Dr. [Elvira Stevens] Barney to help us and meantime Sister Howard came in– the work was tedious and was not finished until after midnight– there was 60 yds of names– 8393. signatures I have been to see Sister Richards and also to get a seal made to stamp the credentials for Sisters [Emily] Richards & [Margaret Nightingale] Caine to go to Convention [p. 6] {p. 33}

This morning it was 1/2 past 5. when I went to bed and I rose about ten and got ready to leave on the noonday train for Ogden– John Q. Annie & the children came to the depot– we had a nice dinner and pleasant afternoon and evening– and talked over all the work of the past week in the suffrage movement– sat up ever so late fire in the parlor wrote to Mell [Melvina Whitney Woods]–

Apostle F. [Francis] M. Lyman was sentenced today to 85 days imprisonment 2,00 fine and pay the costs of the Court⁷ Brought Eugene down tonight from Ogden came down from home and found Sister Froerar [Froerer]⁸ quite ill. Had to prepare copy for the paper and so on, Eugene is quite pleased letters waiting for me from the North, and from other friends– [p. 7] {p. 34}

First day of Eugene’s visit to Salt Lake and I am so busy it just seems impossible to give him proper attention he is such a superior little fellow and so loving– Sister Froerar is very ill and I feel so worried about her Mamie Hooper Jennings child⁹ is very ill her only boy– it is diphtheria and an alarming case– Aunt Zina has been up there– there is great alarm on account of the fatal disease <spreading>.

This is a bitter cold day– and tho’ we were so hurried with the mailing, Sister [Mary Mitchell] Pitchforth from Nephi came to spend the day and I had a fire in the parlor and we visited and talked over the affairs of state and nation as well as of individuals and had a very nice time. Suffrage Circulars <to be> sent off to Washington came in today– [p. 8] {p. 35}

Today has been one of great confusion and my head has ached very much indeed. Emeline [Young Wells] has been helping me all this week and Eugene has been staying with me. The weather is very cold & altogether I have felt utterly miserable. So much sickness and sorrow and privation of all kinds to be endured in this world. Ort & Zina [Smoot Whitney] called tonight. Have been out with Sister Pitchforth today.

Today I rec’d a letter from my husband by the morning mail written at about the same time that mine was to him. As the Temple letters are put in a box he would get mine last night– and read it that evening.¹⁰ Several strangers have called on me today. Miss Kate Barry of Minneapolis, Mrs. Irvine of Mo. [Missouri] a very strong woman & advocate of woman’s rights. & Mrs. [Annie Reinberg] Adams– sister in law of [p. 9] {p. 36} Secretary [Arthur L.] Thomas–

Today Sisters Froerer and Sorenson who have been staying with me went away to Dr. [Ellis Reynolds] Shipp’s & left me alone with Eugene. We were here together and had our supper and breakfast & then he went to bed and prayed to be made well of his pain and I sat up writing copy, prepared for Monday so I could stay all day with Annie in Ogden– I was up until three A.M. writing, editorial matter.

This morning did not get up very early, Eugene was so sweet, we had breakfast together here in my own room. The Lord had heard & answered his prayers and he was much better, could walk quite well. We went to Ogden on the mid-day train, John Q. & Annie met us at the depot and we dined with them and had a pleasant evening visiting & talking over city news and matters etc. [p. 10] {p. 37}

<Aunt Eliza Snow’s birthday> This morning I lay in bed late to rest my nerves and head, and had breakfast at lunch time. Annie & I were in the parlor together all afternoon dined about five, and soon after John Q. & Annie took me in the carriage to the train– rested all the way home, as there was no one to talk and came home to a cold and lonely house. Wrote to Belle [Isabel Whitney Sears] & to Verona [Dunford] tonight

Such a dismal morning, went over the way and had a cup of coffee– then in to see L. A. & Susan [Alley Wells]– talked over about our homes being sold and felt very low-spirited– and indignant too– went into Kate [Catherine Wells]’s studio awhile, also called to see Mrs. C. [Claudius] V. Spencer [Louisa King Spencer] and enjoyed the call very much. had a letter from Mell this morning– wrote to her tonight also sent off Receipts & gift books Sister Richards came in today– [p. 11] {p. 38}

<Mrs. Judge Sanford [Sarah Poyen Sandford] called today–> Ort & June [Junius F. Wells] have both been in to see me today. June told me about dining with W. [William] D. Howells in New York and read me the letter he had received from him also the answer he had written in reply. I have been working away at my copy and this evening wrote 7½ pages of letter paper to my husband. Received two letters from him recently. Have been quite alone during the evening

This is Will [William W. Woods]’s birthday and would have been Sidney [W. Sears]’s if he had lived. I bought a present for Sep [Septimus Whitney Sears] today and wrote him a Letter as his birthday will be on Saturday. Telegrams announce that Emily Richards has spoken in the Convention– Aunt Zina Sister S. M. [Sarah M. Granger] Kimball, Jane Richards, Sisters [Elizabeth DeFresne] Stevenson, [Aurelia Spencer] Rogers [Lucy Rice] Clark & others have been in– Finished my letter tonight 12 pages– was compelled to go out & [p. 12] {p. 39} get some one to stop off the water– the pipes burst in the summer kitchen. Drenched everything.

Today I called on Dr. Hughes [Martha Hughes Cannon] who has been thrown from her buggy– gave Talulah a Chinese cup and saucer– called on Ellen [Spencer] Clawson– Had a letter from Mell about the house and took L. A. & Susan the keys–¹¹ have written this evening Amelia [Folsom] Young and her Br. Hyrum [P. Folsom] have been in to see me today. John Q. came down on business & called

Have Rec’d pass on both R.R’s Mrs. Judge Sandford came and spent the morning with me. I liked her very much she is connected to Mr. [John Greenleaf] Whittier the poet. A party of strangers came while she was here. In the afternoon I went to Ogden– John Q. and Annie came to the depot to meet me. Q. on Gipsey and Eugene Louise [Cannon] & Marga<ret> [Cannon] in the carriage. Mr. [Septimus Wagstaff] Sears left for home & took Gene with him. had lunch at Annie’s [p. 13] {p. 40}

I staid in bed late to get rested– Annie felt quite miserable– pain in her side– Received a letter from Belle and one from little Em [Emma W. Sears]– I visited all day with Annie and in the evening John Q. was with us. We had a very pleasant evening together and a nice lunch in the parlor– John Q. was reading from A Tramp Abroad & occasionally read out loud.

Came to the depot in time, John Q. Annie and little girls with me and arrived at home before . Found among my mail a letter from Verona, Matilda Joslyen Gage and several others. Emmeline [Young Wells] was busy folding. Ruby Clawson is very ill with diphtheria, I went over to the house to lunch They are preparing to move– The weather is very cold Ri [Maria Young] Dougall was here today [p. 14] {p. 41}

This morning commenced on the mailing. Ort came in to see me. talked about the life of his grandfather¹² and my dream of the Eclipse of the sun. Had lunch at Lydia Ann’s– They are beginning to pack up in good earnest. Dr. Pratt came and read me parts of a letter from [Charles W.] Penrose– went to the Y.L.M.I.A¹³ in the 17th Ward, spoke a short time to the young ladies. Have not felt very well this evening

Have had to go out on business and do not feel very well. I am exceedingly depressed in spirits and have some strange thoughts that cause me anxiety. Have a letter from my husband and have begun writing one to him Amelia [Folsom Young] has been in Dr. Hughes and other ladies, and we have talked a great deal on Church matters & interesting affairs [p. 15] {p. 42}

This is the birthday of Aunt Zina Young she is 68 years old. it is also Sister Jane Richards birthday she is 66. The Young girls Maria Dougall & Phebe Beattie made a party for Sister Zina and invited her particular friends (ladies) there were about thirty present– a delicious lunch was served and a meeting in the evening. It was a pleasant change for me. Sister Smith & Alice [Merrill] came home with me