This morning went out to Sunday School and took the Sacrament in the Council House at Manti and addressed the Primary children, then went to the train– George M. Cannon and Prof [Andrew C.] Nelson, also others whom I knew came along we had a rather tiresome trip did not reach home until dark, saw John Crichlow [John F. Critchlow] M.D. who was Daisie’s old sweetheart, seemed very anxious to talk to me; asked many questions about Daisie etc. came down home and called over to Belle’s Em. had been very bad during the afternoon. Lucile told me a strange lady wanted to see me at the Knutsford and without delay I went to call upon her. Miss Virginia V. Dodge of Beverly Ohio– had coffee up stairs {p. 259}

<Letter from Adrian Michigan> This morning breakfasted here at home alone and then went over to see Belle at her lovely home. Em. is looking badly indeed, her illness is beginning to tell upon her very sadly. The morning was rather dismal and not a bright outlook for day before election; I went direct to the office and then to headquarters also to see the boys at the State & Savings Banks, afterwards called on Miss Virginia V Dodge at the Knutsford also Junius F. with me. Went to Jeweler’s Store and ordered dessert spoon for Belle birthday present and had it engraved I. M. S. Nov. 2. ’96– Em. made some pretty doyle’s [doilies?] and painted a picture for her– Lucile gave her a silk petticoat. Tonight I am here alone tired and weary and somewhat out of sorts, yet determined to persever– {p. 260}

This is the first State election and naturally rather exciting & extremely interesting considering the womens vote and the vote for Presidential electors and the free silver question is making things very different from the usual regulation elections– I was at headquarters again and again & news coming in from the several counties and also from states– very conflicting, now and again– democratic and then contrary, Republican mostly in the East– Towards evening crowds were collected here and there and excitement ran high, I was weary of the confusion the contradictory reports were confusing and I went home tired out and half-sick– Sat up and read nearly all night here alone– time to think, yet hopeful of the result in my favor¹ {p. 261}

This morning was the first one of the Committee at the depot and the rain was pouring, nevertheless Mrs. McCune sent her carriage and Mrs. Grant & Mrs. [Emma Adams] Empey also arrived. Prompt at the time the train pulled in and Dr. [Anna Howard] Shaw and party arrived. Miss Mary G. Hay,² Miss Lucy E. Anthony,³ Miss Harriet May Mills⁴ and Mrs. Emma Sweet,⁵ Miss Hay, Mills & Sweet went with me to ride until 12 M. I lunched at Mrs. Empeys by invitation with Miss Shaw & Lucy E. Anthony & the Bishop Empey Mrs. A. W. Grant was also a guest six of us. A terrific storm of wind hail and rain came on spoiling the reception only about thirty ladies came Miss Hay & Mrs. Sweet dined with me down town, the lecture was very fine but the storm made the number very small– {p. 263}

<Miss Shaw & party left this A.M.> This is little Florence Wells first birthday she is the Governor’s daughter–, I was working away and the day was dismal when a message came from Mrs. [Sybella Johnson] Clayton inviting me to go to Saltair with a party– so I picked up and started off– John Q. was one of the guests. Miss Virginia V. Dodge of Ohio was the lady in whom the trip was given, we reached there in good time and climbed to the top of the Pavilion– all passed off pleasantly. after my return I finished some work and came down home, called at Belle’s and then came home to go on with my copying of the poems. I had a letter from Auerbach estate relating to the Deseret Hospital, and one from J. E. Dooley Chairman Rep. State Committee commending my work in the Campaign and so forth– {p. 264}

Today have been very low-spirited and weather gloomy as well, wrote editorial went to the Post Office etc. and did various things sent off my drawing for book cover to New York, and also sent away letter to delinquent subscribers. Read proof until ten p.m. wrote letter to Business Manager of Deseret News Co. and sent a check for fifty dollars also one and a half in tithing. I have scarcely been able to hold up all day long and have suffered tortures in my feelings. I had a conversation with Junius this morning which gave me some hope in the future, and revived my spirits a very little. I have such poignant grief over my family that it overburdens me even ordinarily and when added to that is the burden of debt it is too much for a delicate woman to endure. {p. 265}

This morning went over to Belle’s and saw all the girls & herself went to the office and copied a poem “Ode To June,” meantime Mr. Doherty came from New York and invited me to go for a ride with him; he went over to the Tabernacle and Temple grounds while I made hasty preparations and about 1/2 past 12. he came back We drove to the City and County Building where the reception to the officers at Camp Douglas was in progress, Annie and John Q. were both there and we went in. Introduced Mr. Doherty to them & to Col. Clayton & wife and also to Governor Wells. We then drove down past Annie’s and to Belle’s called there, had already Lucile in the carriage then to Belle’s and stayed a few minutes took in Dot and drove past my house, then up town to see the city found Annie, and we drove until about 1/2 past five o’clock– went up to see Helen [Mar Kimball Whitney]– {p. 266}

We had a very pleasant talk Helen and myself and she was so delighted that her eyes shone brightly– there were so many things in common with us. I stayed late and came home feeling sorrowful about her living– it seemed death was upon her. One recalls much of the past when sitting by the sick or perhaps dying bed of a dear friend. Today I have felt death was near her and have talked with all those who have been to see her. The day has been dismal. I have been very busy and have tried to do the things that seemed necessary and important. Have been writing for my paper and reading proof.

I have no heart to see any one I feel so broken up about Helen. {p. 267}

This morning went up to Helen’s as soon as I reached the office and was there almost all day– she seemed almost unconscious and as if she might die at any moment. Ort was writing on the history in the next room I wondered how he could be so composed. How terrible it seemed for the girls. They adore their mother– Gennie [Genevieve Whitney Talbot] has a new baby and has named it Anna Helen [Helen Anna Talbot] for its two grandmothers and Helen [Whitney] Bourne has a new boy baby called Bryan [W. Whitney Bourne]; neither of them can help with their mother, which makes them feel very sorrowful. Zina Ort’s wife came by the evening train she brought Race [Horace N. Whitney] & Byron [C. Byron Whitney] and will stay until all is over and settled. I went up again late but found no change in her condition. {p. 268}

I was very ill and restless during the night and wrote some letters this morning and felt troubled about Helen yet dreaded to go to see her about three o’clock Q. came on horseback to tell me Helen was dead she passed away ten minutes past 2. p.m. I went up immediately and remained all the afternoon and evening then went over to Lydia Ann’s and had supper and stayed until Susan came home from evening meeting– they consented to make the temple clothing all except the apron which Zine will make. May will make the vail of chiffon I am to help buy the things in the morning came home very weary and did not sleep much through the night. {p. 269}

Went to the coop with Phebe [Judd] Kimball & Emma [Emmaretta Whitney] Pyper to buy Helen’s things then to Lydia Ann’s to take them then to get the measure and so on it took nearly all the day. Went to office and worked as well as I could. There are so many annoyances just at present All day people were coming in asking particulars about Helen’s death, meantime I was writing the sketch for the Deseret Evening News– Belle & Em. were up getting some things for the trip. Mr. [Septimus Wagstaff] Sears was in and out and at evening Annie came and we went to Helen’s and then to see our folks at Lydia Ann’s and Susan’s, we had some supper there and spent a pleasant hour or more, then down town & Annie home {p. 270}

Tuesday was a busy day as Belle was to start in the morning of the 18th. and she had to sign papers etc. and it kept her so long that she could not go up to Helen’s and see the girls. However everything was done that could be and I think they will go very comfortably fixed. I do hope it will be a pleasant trip and benefit both of them. Mary Jane [Whitney Groo] Joshua [K. Whitney] & Vilate [Groo Taylor] were all at Helen’s when I went up today. Belle & Septimus called on Dr. Whitney and wife at the Birch house before going. Emmie seems pleased and that may help some– John Q. went down to bid them Good bye I was over late and felt very sorrowful. {p. 271}

The folks Belle Septimus and Emmie went on the first car to catch the Atlantic Express. May Heaven preserve them safe from harm. I went up to Helen’s and saw her dressed. She looked grand but so very much changed. Her coffin was embossed velvet white expensive covered with a coverlet of flowers. The room was literally full of the most lovely blossoms and vines. Funeral from the Chapel in the 18th. Ward. Speakers were Jos. C. Kingsbury, Heber J. Grant John Henry Smith Angus M. Cannon & Jos. F. Smith the last speaker’s sermon was deeply impressive, singing fine– at the grave all controlled themselves well. I went there and spent the evening Ort invited all the family {p. 272}

This morning while in the office at work an invitation came from the 15th. Ward Sarah M. Kimball President to attend an entertainment for widows, and so I hurried through and went it was in the room over the Meeting house and crowded full almost all were widows. Speeches were made and songs sung. Bishop Elias Morris was present and praised the Relief Society very much others who spoke were Sarah M. Kimball, M. I. Horne Zina D. H. Young B. W. Smith E. B. Wells & Angus M. Cannon. In the evening I went up to Mrs. Salisbury’s and had a pleasant time. {p. 273}