August 1911


1 August 1911 • Tuesday

Home.

Weather warm Folks well.

I attended a committee meeting at 10 A.M., Went to City & County building and arranged to have a water meter put in my house.

I spent the afternoon home worked out doors a part of the time.

2 August 1911 • Wednesday

Home.

Weather Cooler. All well.

The water meter applied for Aug 1st (yesterday) installed to-day. Pres. Lyman’s installed at same time. The minimum charge is 60¢ per month. The rate of charge is 7¢ per 1000 gal. I have been paying $16.80 per yr. water tax. In reading the meter Cu. feet are indicated. Each Cu. ft. stands for 7.48 galons i.e. Seven and forty-eight hundredths galons equals a Cu. foot.

I sat with committee reading Bro. Osborn Widtsoe’s book manuscript on Restoration in forenoon. My Son Geo. & I visited Elias Morris’ stone cutting yard and inspected his tomb stones & monuments.

I wrote business letters to J. A. Hyde & to Hyde Whitmore Co. Assignee Thos H. G. Parks. [p. 275]

3 August 1911 • Thursday

Home.

Folks all well. Weather pleasant

I attended regular weekly Council meeting in the temple from 10 AM to 3 P.M. and when I came out I found Alice, Ruby, Lucena, Edith and two of J W Tates daughters Luella & Edith waiting on the temple Corner for street car to Saltair depot. I joined them and we went to Saltair and had a bath and supper and returned home on 7.15 train. Watered the lawn as usual read the News and retired at 10 P.M.

4 August 1911 • Friday

Home.

Folks Well. Weather warm.

I showed Pres. Lyman how to read his water meter.

Attended a committee meeting with Elders Penrose & Smith J. F. Jr., at the formers office where we engaged in reading manuscript as per appointment of First Presidency.

I reported to the Ward Clerk Anthony Fisher of 27th Ward of which I am a member, the blessing of our baby Ray of Oct 19, 1911 by my self. This by indorsement of the bishop.

This day’s paper announces the signing yesterday of the treaty of Arbitration for peace by U.S, England & France. All questions in[p. 276]cluding questions of territory, mon[e]y or honor to be settled by arbitration.

I spent the afternoon home studying. Alice & I spent an hour or two with Le Grand and Ina at their home and LeGrand & I administered a blessing unto Ina who is nearing time of confinement.

5 August 1911 • Saturday

Home.

Weather warm Alice was sick during the afternoon and night with heat and summer complaint. She got to feeling better towards noon to-day.

I spent the time home studying until time to take 4:15 P.M. train which I took for Logan Cache Co. where I went accompanied by Elder Joseph F. Smith Jr. to Attend Cache Stake Conference. We were taken from Logan Ry. Station by Joseph E. Quinney of the Cache Stake presidency to the Stake tabernacle where we attended a stake priesthood meeting, the Attendance being 226. Pres. Hyrum Grant of Davis Stake being present was asked to talk which he did occupying about ten minutes. I followed for about 30 Min. Subject. Necessity for officers in the church discharging with fidelity the obligations laid upon them. Read Matt 25:14–<28.> The “talents” Our callings are as talents, we should improve them and if we do not [p. 277] that talent may be taken from us & we be accounted as slothful servants. Elders Jos. F. Smith Jr. and Pres. S. F. Baliff each spoke briefly.

Elders Smith & I staid at Pres. Baliff’s while in Logan.

6 August 1911 • Sunday

Home Logan.

Am well. Weather pleasant.

Attended 10 O’clock Conference meeting in the Cache Stake tabernacle. Attendance 1105. Stake population 8800+ The Sacrament was administered and the following named brethren Spok[e] in order as named. Joseph E. Quinney of the Stake presidency, Prof. Linford of B.Y. College, Jos. Hyrum Grant of Davis Stake, Pres. Chas. H. Hart.

Between meetings Elder Jos. F. Smith Jr. and I walked over to former President Isaac Smiths, he had gone to Lewiston, we then called at my brother Fred’s. Only Carrie, Maybel & Nanny at home

At 2 P.M. meeting, present, 1390. Authoriti[e]s sustained. The speakers were as follows; Dr. Oliver H. Budge of the Stake presidency, Joseph Smith Jr. myself and Pres Baliff. I recapitulated the good things said of the people & spoke well of the Presidency, explained the principle of Storing wheat, elevators prefered to granaries, High Priests & Seventi[e]s [p. 278] eligible for teacher’s work &c. good liberty.

At this time we brokefast with an excellent dinner parpared by Pres. Baliffs daughter. After Supper the Rev. Mr. Nutting & another minister named [blank] called on us and Elder Smith & Mr. Nutting had quite an argument over points touched upon by Elder Smith in his afternoon talk.

At the evening Conjoint Mutual meeting. There were rendered several musical Selections, a reading by a sister, a talk by Bro Cordon of former presidency and I followed with a talk of about 35 minutes. Subjects. Sacrifice & tithing. The sacrifice required of us to-day is tithing. Elder Smith followed.

After evening by request Pres Baliff, Elder J. F. Smith Jr & I called upon Sister Preston who was prostrated with grief on account of the drowning of her 19 yr old Son Vernon in the Bear River while bathing Near Tremonton to-day noon. We administered to her a blessing. I was mouth. Retired to bed late.

7 August 1911 • Monday

Logan.

I had a poor nights sleep;. mosquitos bad. Pres Jos. E Quinney took us for on Auto ride for 40 minutes before train time 8 A.M. Elder Smith & I left Logan at 8 A.M. & arrived in Salt Lake at 11:50 A.M.

Folks well, weather warm. [p. 279]

Wrote up my journal and other records & did other writing. Received a letter from my son Joel in England and answered it.

8 August 1911 • Tuesday

Home.

All well. Weather very warm <88°>

I attended a committee meeting from 10 AM to 12 noon reading history manuscript. Spent the afternoon & evening at home. Spent a half hour with Pres. Lyman considering important matters. Alice’s sister Estella Lee & her children came in from Tooele without giving us warning. My cousins Sadie Longstroth Wright an[d] Ethel Longstroth called to see us in the evening.

9 August 1911 • Wednesday

Home.

Weather 99° All well.

I attended a committee meeting, reading Osborn Widtsoe’s book manuscrpt on Restoration from 10 to 12 o’clock Met Pres. Lyman in his office at 12 noon with brother [blank] fulmer interviewing him as to his circumstances and how he would feel about taking a second mission to Tahiti to preside over that mission. He manifested a proper spirit of willingness and his circumstances were [p. 280] favorable. We later suggested his name to the Presidency & Twelve to succeed Pres Seegmiller in the Tahitian mission and it was indorsed.

I attended a director’s meeting of the U.I.V. Co. at 2 P.M. and my Circle meeting at 6:15 P.M.

10 August 1911 • Thursday

Home.

Weather warm & dry. Folks all well.

Attended regular weekly Council & prayr meeting of the First Presidency and the Twelve in the temple from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. I received here an appointment with Pres. Jos W. McMurrin to Cassia Conference next Saturday and Sunday.

By courtesy of Pres. F. Y. Taylor I received a complimentary pass to the Wandamere Moterdrome for myself & party. I took with me Mama, Estella Lee, George, Sarah, & Ruby and heard the Mexican band play, saw the Motercycles races and George and the girls danced. A pleasant evening’s entertainment.

11 August 1911 • Friday

Home.

Still warm Folks well.

Estella Lee and her family and Alice and our children from Nina down in age went to Farmington on 9 A.M. train to Spend the day with their kindred people.

I sat with Elders Penrose & Smith J F Jr. [p. 281] reading the Witdsoe manuscript in the forenoon. Edith & babe went to Tooele to-day and George took dinner with us.

George, LeGrand, Sarah, Ruby, Lucena, Mamie & I went out to the lake and had a bath. I later took train which leaves Salt Lake 11.45 P.M. for Oakley, Idaho to attend the Cassia Stake Conference.

12 August 1911 • Saturday

On Train.

Am well.

Elder McMurrin & I on our way to Oakley Idaho, took breakfast on train while waiting at Pocatello. We arrived at Oakley at 3 P.M. and were met at train by Bp. David P. Thomas of Oakley Fourth ward with Auto and driven to meeting house meeting proceeding. I spoke about 25 minutes. Subject advantages & blessings of having been born of L.D. Saint parantage & having had the invironments of the gospel. Referred to Saul of Tarsus ( Paul) We might have been as he was. The lesson we should learn from Paul’s experience. What the world should learn. Elder McMurrin occupied about 35 minutes. Attendance 337.

Attended Conjoint Mutual in the [p. 282] evening. A programme of 90 mins. all local talent was rendered and as the temperature was very warm we concluded without either Bro McM. or I speaking.

I staid at my Sister Sarah’s.

13 August 1911 • Sunday

Oakley. Ida.

Well. Warm.

Ordained & Set apart Bishopric <of Marion>

Attended two Conference meetings and an extra public meeting in Burley ward in evening.

Attendance 610 — 629. 150

I spoke at afternoon meeting on Academy debt, patronage & the object & benefits of Church Schools. Sacrifice as required by the Lord. What is the Sacrifice required of us? At Burley I spoke on free Agence Read the hymns Know this that every soul is free— and Wheat & Tares. Though in the outward Church Saints should live right before the Church & the world. Example. Prejudices.

I had good liberty at all the meetings. I took dinner at Pres. Jacks and blessed his invilide wife. Called on my Cousin Edmerisa Whitney Oldham and Dr. Oldham took us in his Auto from Oakley to Burley 25 miles in 1 hr 37 min. We took train soon after 9 P.M. [p. 283]

14 August 1911 • Monday

On train

Am well. Warm Weather.

Elder McMurrin & I arrived from Cassia about 11:40 A.M.

I took my bath and spent the afternoon writing in my journal & records and answering Correspondence. Wrote to Joel, to my sister Alice, to my brother Fred, to Bp Sparks, to Pres. E. J. Wood, mailed $10.00 ck to Dr A. G. Gowans, glasses for Lucena, mailed certificates of ordination &c.

15 August 1911 • Tuesday

Home.

Warm weather Am well.

Alice not quite well but at her work as usual.

I did some choring before breakfast, nailed up vines, repaired screen on door &c. Went to the Bps Building to read manuscript with Elders Penrose and Smith J. F. Jr. but the former was out of town and our committee meeting was postponed. I spent the afternoon at home.

16 August 1911 • Wednesday

Home.

Folks usually well. Weather continues warm

I spent the day home studying and writing. Attended my circle meeting in the evening. [p. 284]

17 August 1911 • Thursday

Home.

Folks well. Temp. 101°

I attended regular council meeting of the First Presidency and the Twelve in the temple from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M.

Alice and I went out to Saltair on 5 PM train, had a bath & returned on 7.15 train. Alice and I spent several hours at my son LeGrand’s home in the evening. LeGrand and I administered a blessing unto Ina as she was in labor.

18 August 1911 • Friday

Home

Folks usually well except that LeGrand’s wife, Ina, is sick with confinement, she having given birth at 3.45 A.M. to-day to a nice baby girl.

I staid home until evening when Alice, Geo., Edith & I went up to LeGrands & saw the new baby.

*I this day shaved clean the first time for perhapse twenty five years that I have been without mustache.

19 August 1911 • Saturday

Home

Warm All well.

I attended to some business down town and went out to Salt Air with Mama, Geo & Edith & Mamie and Mama & I by courtesy of [p. 285] Elder Heber J. Grant attended the Salt Lake Theatre.

I this day filed my claim against the Hyde Whitman Co. Consigned for $250. plus interest on promisory note favor of N. L. Richards or Geo. F. Richards

I filed with temple recorder about 133 names for temple work and had previously paid him $50.00 to apply on same.

I sat for my photograph with a smooth face. Secured my Standard pullman birth for Los Angeles for Monday night.

20 August 1911 • Sunday

Home.

Cooler All well.

I took 7.45 A.M. train for Tooele. Attended Tooele School & meeting and spoke at both. Had a brief but pleasant visit with Nerva and Estella at Nerva’s where we took dinner. J. W. Tate & Bp. Edward Atkin came in and we administered to Nerva’s little Alice, Bp. Edward Atkin anointed & I sealed the anointing.

On arriving home about 7 P.M. found my son George & Edith & had a nice visit with them.

Ina continues to improve nicely & the baby is well. [p. 286]

As I am about to leave for Mexico to be gone about six weeks and there is scarcely sufficient paper left in this record to last & record the events of that trip I abandon this record here and with the 21st commence with a new record book.

We have had a long season of hot weather and welcome the indications this day of a change and moderation in the temperature.

This day’s paper records more fighting in Mexico 90 miles from the City of Mexico in which 150 were lift on the plazza of Tautepec, [1/2 page blank] [p. 287]

[pages 288–299 blank]

Price paid 40.¢.1 [p. 300]

[end of fourteenth volume]

Cite this page

August 1911, The Journal of George F. Richards, accessed April 27, 2024 https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/george-f-richards/1910s/1911/1911-08