Geo. F. Richards

Salt Lake City,

Utah

From Mar. 1, 1915

To Dec. 25, 1915

No. 18 [p. [0]]

Home.

All usually well.

Some wind during the day and snow at night.

I went down town in forenoon and attended to several items of business, made checks and mailed in payment of bills & other dues. I finished reading the “Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come”. by John Fox Jr. A good book of 404 pages. Called on my son George & family in the evening. Arranged with temple recorder to do sealing work to-morrow and arranged with members of the family to be proxies.

Home.

All at home usually well.

Snowed all forenoon. Members of the family eight in number went to the temple and did sealing work. I performed the ordinance of sealing twenty couples who are dead. My son Joel & his mother stood for seven couples, Albert Zabriskie Richards and wife stood for seven couples and Willard Richards Smith and my sister M A. Grover stood for six couples. The two boys not [p. 1] at the altar while the other one was were witnesses. Then in sealing a number of children to parents, my sister M E. Knowlton and I stood for parents and the others were proxies for the children, Alvin Smith performing the ceremony and brothers Haggmon & Bowman were witnesses.

After this work was done by permission, I showed some of the folks through the upper rooms of the temple. It required the time from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. to get ready to do the temple work and dress to leave. I went in at about 10:20 A.M. & had the record made. Some of us did not get out until about 2:00 P.M.

I got a prescription filled and I mixed same making a qt. of hand lotion. Took supper with Geo. & Edith and Mother & I spent the evening there.

In the evening Geo. L. Tate phoned in from Tooele that Nerva and the baby were ill and asked that Ruby come out and help them. We arranged accordingly that Ruby go out in the morning. [p. 2]

Home

Ruby went to Tooele. No word from Nerva. Folks here well. I spent the forenoon at home and in the afternoon & evening I attended Religion Class and Y.M.M., General Board meetings and my Circle meeting and later on invitation of Elder H J. Grant with others of my family, occupied his box of the theater. A minstrel show of inferior class.

Home.

All usually well.

Fine day.

Snowed at night.

I attended council meeting in the temple from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. I spent remainder of afternoon at home reading “The Fortune Hunter”. by Vance. With several members of the family attended a play at Empress by the L.D.S. Students. “Nathan Hale” good.

Home.

Stormy day.

All usually well.

I phoned Pres. C A. Orme of Tooele on Ecclesiastical business.

I spent the day home reading &c. Finished reading “The Fortune Hunter”. by Louis Joseph Vance a book of [p. 3] 338 pages. A good book for MIA Course. The girl Bettie is a character resembling the girl in Corporal Courses. Shows how one can rise. It shows the folly of marriage for wealth, the value of true love can not be estimated in gold. Work when learned brings more joy to one than wealth & ease. How one not given to work may learn.

I read fifty pages of Pilgrim’s Progress, a book of 96 pages illustrated.

Home.

Pleasant day.

Folks usually well. I took 7:30 A.M. train for Tooele. Was met at Tooele Station by Pres. C A. Orme, A J. Stookey & J. W. Tate with team & carriage and taken to Grantsville where I attended a meeting of the High Council called for 10:00 A.M. also a meeting of Stake officers at 11:00 A.M. Separated into departments I went with the Presidency & Bishops to their department and spoke to them. Took dinner with John Wm Anderson, Bp of Grantsville second ward.

Attended Stake Priesthood meeting at 1:30 P.M. 38 present. I spoke to them of duties of officers likened these offices to talents to [p. 4] be improved. Ours a mission of Service, care of Priesthood & young people from baptism to marriage &c.

I returned from Grantsville by same team, quite a cold ride. After the forenoon meeting I set apart Rachel Anderson Smith, First Counselor in the Stake Presidency of the Primary Associations and Esther Anderson Halliday, second Counselor. Found my daughter Nerva and children feeling pretty well.

Geo L. Tate my son-in-law has a job pipe fitting at <1–> 275 per day at Smelter. I set apart Rachel A. Smith & Esther A. Halliday Counselors in Stake Primary Presidency.

Tooele.

Folks here well.

Cold at night.

I met the Presidency of the stake and Bishopric at Tooele North Ward meeting house at 9:00 A.M. John Lindberg before us a member of the High Council to explain his statement of the day before in High Council meeting that it is necessary to buy goods on Sunday. He says most of the merchants of Salt Lake & of the State meet the salesmen of Eastern firms on Sunday in Salt Lake and make their purchases. From [p. 5] one hundred to two hundred men can be seen in one day at Hotel Utah doing Sunday buying, Bps., Presidents of Stakes & other leading Church men who are in the Merchantile business.

We heard Bp. Joseph Cross Orme’s statement that he expected to spend the summer & each succeeding summer in Idaho and desired to be released. He was released as also his Counselors John Joshua Gillett & Alfred Lyman Hanks his counselors.

An expression of the North ward priesthood was taken last Sunday which showed brother Gillett to be most in favor 31 out of 39 having named him. The next highest were Alfred Hanks & Wm Cassity each having been mentioned by twelve. We proposed as the bishopric of Tooele North ward these three men in the order named above. This business was presented at the afternoon meeting by myself and was unanimously sustained and I ordained & set them apart as follows.

John Joshua Gillett ordained a bishop & set apart to preside over [p. 6] the Tooele North Ward.

Alfred Lyman Hanks set apart First Counselor to Bp. Gillett.

Wm Henry Cassity a Seventy was ordained an High Priest & set apt. a member of the High Priests Quorum of Tooele Stake also set apart second counselor to Bp. Gillett. This was done in the meeting. I was mouth in each instance by request of Pres. Orme & was assisted by Pres. Chas. Alvin Orme & Alonzo J. Stookey of the Stake Presidency, Bp Gillett assisted in the setting apart of the counselors.

Sacrament was administered, one baby blessed and brother A J. Stookey, myself & Pres Orme in the order named were the speakers. I took train for home after the meeting. We went from our council meeting in the forenoon to S. School just before the departments were called together for closing exercises & I did not have opportunity to address the School. At the meeting I occupied about 30 minutes on the operations of the Spirit in guiding the work of the Lord, choosing officers &c. Read from D&C Sec. 1:38; 6:22–24; 8:1–3; 9:7–9 [p. 7]

Alice & I called on Joel & George and their families in the evening.

Home.

All well.

Fine day.

I went down town about 9:30 a m. and got home about 3:00 P.M I had my hair cut, went shopping with Mother and at Auerbachs bought her a dark blue walking suit paying $30. for it.

We had wardteacher Brother Eby with us in the evening. My daughter Mamie received a beautiful diamond ring from Clarence this evening. The engagement token.

Home.

All well.

Fine day.

This is the 33d anniversary of my marriage and Mama & I have invited George & Edith & Joel & Georgina to go with us to the Orpheum this evening. We went to the Orpheum. I spent the day home studying and reading.

Home.

All usually well.

A spring like day.

I spent the day until 3:30 P.M. at [p. 8] home studying & reading. Attended Y.M.M Board meeting from 4:00 to 7:10 P.M. Attended the Ensign Stake Priesthood meeting in the 21st ward meeting house at 7:30 P.M. I was one of the speakers and occupied 25 minutes. Subj. Tithing, good liberty, deliberation, reasoning upon the subject. Made strong appeal. Satisfied with my talk. May the Lord be praised.

Home.

All usually well.

Fine day.

I walked down town in the morning my son George walked with me. It took us 32 min to Main St. without hurrying too much.

Attended weekly Council meeting in the temple from 10:00 to about 3:00 o’clock. Received appointment to Uintah with Pres. R. S. Wells for Mar. 20th and 21st Conference conditioned on the roads & weather being such as will justify.

My daughter Nerva and her three children Alice, Joel & George and my daughter Ruby who has been visiting in Tooele came in on the noon train for a visit with us. [p. 9]

I wrote letters to Pres. Don B. Colton of Vernal & to Willard R. Smith & to A. Z. Richards sending printed genealogical letters to them.

I spent the evening at my son Joel’s home with other members of the family.

Home.

Fine weather.

Our immediate family usually well. Sister Sarah E. Smith very poorly. My grand child Josephine is quite sick of Tonsilitis. I assisted her father in administering to her. I spent the day home and most of it in reading “Hugh Wynne” I am well & happy. Rained at night and I got up in the night and brought in clothes.

Mama & my daughter Nerva went to the Assembly Hall Concert in the evening.

Home.

All as well as yesterday.

Stormy morning.

I wrote to my son LeGrand, Holland. Remained home all day and read & studied. A treat to me.

Home.

All usually well.

Pleasant weather. [p. 10]

I attended Ensign Stake Conference, the morning session in the 21st Ward House and the afternoon session in the Assembly Hall. I attended 27th Ward meeting at night and occupied about 40 minutes on the subject of Service. Men are that they might have joy. &c.

My sons Geo & Joel & their families visited with us between meetings and after the evening meeting. My Sister Nerva also spent several hours visiting with mama & my daughter Nerva who did not get out to the meetings.

My son George & I visited Hyrum Goosbeck who is seriously afflicted with Tuberculocis and by his request we administered to him. By request of Pres Penrose, the Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith and I accompanied him to the home of his son Edwin C on 3d & F Sts. and administered to him.

Home.

Fine day.

Aunt Sarah is nearing deaths door. During her sickness she has not suffered very greatly but just wore out. Alice & I called down and saw [p. 11] her towards evening.

I made two trips down town covering about eight hours time. My son & I visited the four principal stores handling hand bags and I bought at Hulbert Bros. a Walrus bag, 16 in. long & 9" wide and paid $15.00 for it and considered that I got a good bargain. My son George contemplates buying one also.

I went with Mama Nina & Mamie to Z.C.M. & bought shoes and at the Paris bought a hat for Mama cost $7.00 including a veil.

I sat with a number of the First Presidency and the Twelve at the Pres. office and considered a proposition of purchase of a piece of property in New York City for one hundred thousand dollars, action deferred until we could learn if the property is in a desirable part of the City.

Home.

All usually well.

Georges children have Tonsilitis & are poorly.

Sister Sarah E. Smith some better to-day but very low.

A letter received to-day from my Son LeGrand in Holland says all are pretty well except the baby Jane [p. 12] who is still quite ill with whooping cough.

I finished reading Hugh Wynne by Mitchell, a book of 567 pages. An interesting book well written founded upon the Revolutionary events of 1775–1782.

I took Mother, Nerva, Ruby and Ray & Nerva’s three children to the Orpheum in the afternoon, the Old Folks day and they were there in force. A good show. We returned in a Gitney buss.

Pres Lyman requests me to attend the funeral services of Sister Daniels Smoot in Cannon Ward tomorrow at 2:00 P.M.

We spent the evening at my son George’s.

Home

Fine day.

Ray is not feeling well today.

I spent the forenoon at home. Attended the funeral services of Sister Daniels Smoot held in Cannon ward 2:00 P.M. The speakers were in order as follows; a brother of James G. Duffin, Daniel Thomas & myself. I occupied about 25 min with good freedom. [p. 13]

By appointment I accompanied Elders Whitney & Talmage to Ogden and attended Tabernacle Choir Concert at opening of the Alhambria Theatre.

Home.

Stormy morning.

All usually well.

I made ready to start for Vernal, Uintah Co. and took my grip with me to the temple prepared to leave there to take 2:30 P.M. train.

My appointment was changed to Bear Lake so I need not leave until to-morrow.

Was in meeting until about 3:00 P.M. Attended to a few items of business and returned home where I spent the remainder of the day & evening. I have taken cold during the day.

Home.

Cold developing.

I took 8:00 A.M. train for Bear Lake Stake accompanied by Bp. O. P. Miller. On the train we met Pres. Shepherd, his wife & daughter on their way home from California. We reached Paris at 5:00 P.M. and went to Pres. Shepherd’s home to stay.

Later in the evening attended a meeting of the Stake Presidency and [p. 14] the Stake Sup’tcy of Sunday Schools. Decided to not divide Montpelier First ward at this time for want of suitable material in North division. Arranged for Conference and S. School Convention meetings and treatment of topics &c.

Paris, Idaho.

My cold still bad.

Clear Cold day.

Elder Wm A. Morton came in this A.M. and joined us representing the Gen S.S. Union Board.

At 10:00 A.M. Conference meeting the attendance was 515 of stake population of 7724. Six speakers. I did not take any of the time.

At 2:00 P.M. meeting, 700 attendance I was one of the speakers and occupied 30 minutes with good freedom on the subject of Spirituality in the home and incidentally in S. School, and in all Church work. Read from D&C 6: 8: 9: At 6:30 Attended Concert by the Harmony Concert Co. and at 8:00 P.M. Convention departmental work. I went with the Parents Class workers and took part in their discussions. Attended SS. Social from 9:30 to 10:30

Paris, Idaho.

Cold Same

Weather Same. [p. 15]

Attended 9:00 A.M. Convention meeting and read the Gladys Holton paper on “The Teacher”

Attended 10:30 A.M. meeting of Conference. Attendance 1417. I occupied 15 minutes. Subject Lesser Priesthood inactivities & incidentally Higher P. inactivities. Sacrament had. After meeting the Stake Presidency, Bp. Miller & I set apart the Bloomington ward bishopric as follows.

Allred A. Hart ordained a bishop and set apart to preside over the Bloomington Ward by myself.

Abram O Christensen set apart First Counselor by Bp. O P. Miller.

John P. Hulme set apart 2nd Counselor by Pres. Shepherd.

At 2:00 P.M. meeting, attendance was 1425. Authorities sustained I occupied 40 minutes with good liberty Subject Missionary work & Tithing. Splendid Attention.

At 4:20 Attended a meeting of the Stake S. School Board of 20 members. Bro. Morton instructed them for about 45 minutes. Sunday evening meeting, the attendance was good. Two recently returned missionaries [p. 16] and brother Wm. A. Morton were the speakers. A good meeting.

Paris. Idaho.

I took train for home at 7:30 A.M. and arrived in Salt Lake at 4:30 P.M.

I took shave, bath & change of apparel and Alice and I went down to Aunt Sarahs. I had learned on my arrival home that Aunt Sarah E. R. Smith died at a few minutes after last mid night. We did not get to see her but did see the folks and extended to them our sympathy.

We called to see Geo & Joel and their families but Joel & family were away from home and Geo & family had retired for the night.

Home. All usually well.

I visited my sister Asenath and at her request administered to her. Alice & Ray with me. I took Ray with me down town and had his hair cut and put him on the car & sent him home. [p. 17]

I met my daughters Sarah & Mamie at Z.C.M.I. and with them helped to select a suit for Sarah. I met Elders Grant & Ivins in Committee on the proposed sale of Provo Tabernacle block, North half. 300 feet facing north and 200 ft deep and valued it at $56,500.00 and made our report accordingly.

Listed as follows:

100 ft adjoining Orme Ry Co. facing N. 200 ft deep @125.00 $12,500

100 "¹ next East, 200 ft deep @ $150.00 15000

100 " Corner 110 ft deep @ $200. 20000

90 " facing East by 100 deep. @ $100. 9000

$56,500

My sister Asenath told me today that she intended to give me a check for enough to pay for the endowing of fifty males which would be $37.50 I think she will give it when needed.

I attended 27th ward M.I.A. meeting in the evening. Later visited with my sons Geo & Joel & their families at Joels home.

Home.

Fine weather.

I spent the forenoon home working on Church statistics and the afternoon attending the funeral services & burial of [p. 18] Aunt Sarah Ellen R. Smith.

The services were held in the 17th ward chapel which was filled including chairs in the isles. The speakers were in order as follows; Bp. C. W. Nibley, Elder Geo. Albert Smith, Prests A. H. Lund & C. W. Penrose. D. O. McKay offered the invocation & A. W. Ivins the benediction. J. E. Talmage offered the prayr of dedication at the grave.

I attended my Circle meeting at 6:30 and later the Tabernacle Concert in Large Tabernacle. About 1800 singers.

Home.

Clowdy.

My grand child Josephine had her tonsils & adnoids taken out. Others usually well.

I attended weekly Council meeting from 10 A.M. to about 2:45 P.M.

Attended to business at temple got sheets of sealing work done and recorded same.

I went up to my son George’s and spent about two hours. Josephine is getting along nicely.

George & Edith are talking of making the California trip with Mother & me. [p. 19]

Home.

Josephine improving

I went down town in forenoon and attended to some business Had fastenings on my hand bag repaired.

Aunt Seney gave me a check made in favor of Joseph Christensen (temple recorder) for $37.50 to pay for temple. I took this check & my check for $7.50 and filed with the recorder to pay for endowments for 60 men @ 75¢.

In the afternoon Alice, my sister Nerva & I went through the temple. I went through for John Cooper.

I received a letter from Jas. M. Layton of Glenwood, Canada offering to buy my Canadian land for $20.00 per acre. I wrote him offering it to him for $25.00 per acre.

Alice & I spent the evening at my son George’s. Mother was assisting Edith in her treatment of Josephine and George was doing some type-writing for me.

Home.

All usually well

Beautiful day. [p. 20]

I spent the forenoon cleaning up front & back yards, lawn &c. Spent the afternoon studying & in the evening I visited with my sons Joel & George & their families, read papers &c.

Home.

Well.

I took O.S.L. 8:00 A.M. train and went to Willard City having been appointed to take Pres. Jos F. Smith’s place in dedicating the New ward meeting house. I was met at the Station by Bp. Joseph Hubbard and we rode with a brother Barker in his Auto to the meeting house. I left home without eating any breakfast and found that the fast day had been changed to this day on account of the General Conference coming on the following Sunday, the First Sunday of the month, so I fasted with the people & broke fast at Bp. Joseph Hubbard’s after 5 P.M.

I met with the S. School officers & teachers in prayr meeting at 10:10 A.M. and with the Sunday School proper at 10:30. This ward has a population of 800 souls [p. 21] and there was an attendance at school of 300. Pres. Oleen N. Stohl in California, his two counselors were present.

I spoke to the School and occupied 32 minutes. Subject. Hist. of Israel from Abraham to Moses & the Ten Commandments. Bearing false witness the principal feature between Sunday School and the afternoon I administered to a Sister Bertha Stoffer assisted by other brethren. Bro. Barker took us in Auto about town to see the town.

At afternoon meeting the attendance was 419.

A baby was blessed. A report of the building committee was read which showed that the cost of making addition to their meeting house including repairs on old part and installing heating plant, fount, electric lights, plumbing & water system &c. $16613.98 of which the Trustee in Trust contributed $5150.00

Bp. Joseph Hubbard made a brief talk and Prests Snow & Horsley of the Stake Presidency each spoke. I occupied the time from 3:05 to 3:55 in preaching & offering the [p. 22] dedicatory prayr about 15 min. prayr. At conclusion a number of people came up and spoke to me. One said he enjoyed the prayr & had never heard a better prayr. Another Counselor Taylor in the bishopric said my speaking was restful to him. Some talking tires him. I felt that the Lord aided me. May his name be praised for ever. I spoke of the Gospel as one of sacrifice, self denial & Service.

I took 6:18 P.M. Ogden Rapid Transit Car and connected with S.L. & O. Ry Car leaving Ogden 7:00 P.M. Arriving in Salt Lake at 8:10 P.M. My visit seemed to be appreciated and three of the brethren accompanied me to the car. Some wind & dust.

Home.

All well as usual.

I arose at 6:00 A.M. and carried out ashes, rubbish &c just in time to escape heavy snow & sleet storm. It rained during the night quite hard.

I remained home all day reading, writing and studying. I wrote to LeGrand, Nerva and Lucena [p. 23] also to my brother Fred.

After Supper I wrote my thoughts on a subject comparing our faith with that of other religionists and felt that I was especially inspired of the Lord.

Mother & I spent a little time in the evening at my son George’s.

Home.

All usually well.

Pleasant weather.

I attended Quarterly meeting of the Twelve in the temple from 10:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. with an hour’s recess. An interesting session.

The City in preparation for street paving 3d Ave from N St East is putting in new water mains of 6″ pipe on South Side of the street and have made the excavation in front of our home to-day. I have engaged Walsh Plumbing Co. to deepen our service pipe from mains to the house to prevent future freezing.

I received a letter from Ernest Quinton of Glenwoodville, Canada wanting to lease my Canada land at $25. per year the 160 acres.

I answered that I am figuring [p. 24] on a sale of the property so would not at present consider his proposition to lease the land.

Geo. & Edith took supper with us. We talked over the proposed trip to California.

Home.

All usually well.

Fine weather.

I made some plumbing repairs. exchanged taps & put on new one. I remained home working at my desk until after 2 P.M. Walked down town and called at my Sister Asenath’s. Attended to business and waited at Pres. Bp’s. Bldg for a 4:00 P.M. meeting which I found had been postponed. Went home and later attended my Circle meeting and a recital at the Con. Music Co.’s parlors. My daughter Nina played two selections.