295 E. Lane, Liverpool.

All are well at Durham House

While at my desk writing to Uncle Arnold D. Miller <in Astralia> at 1:20 P.M., my son George who was reading the Des. News of Dec. 12th just received this morning, says called my attention to an account of an accident which happened the day previous while coasting on First Avenue, by which my son Oliver and a 13 yr. old girl, daughter of F. L. Cruikshank ran into a motorcycle and both were rendered unconscious and Oliver received a compound fracture of the right leg. Both were taken to L.D.S. hospital after receiving first aid treatment at their homes. Oliver regained consciousness after reaching the hospital. The girl was still unconscious on the morning of the 12th.

The last word from home was by letter from Mother of Dec. 8th.

I wrote to Alice and to U. Arnold.

Liverpool.

Heavy wind all last night.

I received by the morning mail a letter from Edna of Dec. 13th and by evening mail a letter from Joel of Dec. 15 th both relating the circumstances of Oliver’s accident of Dec. 11th and his condition up to the time of their writing. Oliver’s leg was broken clean above the ankle and about halfway between the [page break] kneed and the hip it was an irregular break and more serious. The limb had received treatment and a rope attached to the leg at one end hung through a pully and a weight on the other end was arranged to pull the fracture into place. He had eaten som breakfast on the 15th and was fairly comfortable. The Crookshank girl was reported in a more serious condition but was improving.

This day I dictated a numbr of letters and attended to much important business pertaining to the work of the mission. Twelve of the thirteen conferences were effected by these changes, the Leeds Conference being the exception. Nine conferences were given new presidents.

L’pool.

All usually well at Durham House.

I received by the morning mail letters from Hugh and from Sarah. The latter was dated Dec. 15th and an addendum 16th. This letter announced the birth of a baby girl to my daughter Mamie Silver on Dec. 15th her wedding day anniversary. The note added on the 16th said Mamie and baby were as well as could be expected.

I worked in my office all day attending to correspondence &c.

L’pool

All usually well here. Snowed considerably during the day. [page break]

I spent the day in my office as usual.

Letters from home as late as the 16th Dec. say that my son Oliver is getting along favorably at the hospital.

295 Edge Lane, L’pool.

All well here.

A letter received this morning from Elder Geo. Albert Smith of Dec. 17 and finished on the 18th says he just phoned up to my home and learned that Oliver is doing nicely. This is encouraging word.

I am well and happy this the first Sunday in the year. I feel that the New Year opens auspiciously for me and mine. The Lord has been good to me and I praise His holy name and worship him in spirit and in truth and I trust with clean hands and a pure heart I rejoice in the knowledge I have of the gospel and the testimony I have of its divine truth and saving power, with the privilege of living in these the latter times and of receiving the gospel. Since no man cometh to God except the Father lead them, I thank the Father in the name of our dear Lord for leading me, and I trust and earnestly pray that He may continue to lead me that my faith may never [page break] falter and that I may never lose my footing and fall into disgrace or dishonor.

O I do love the Lord. He is my strength, my rock and my refuge. He has brought me through the valleys of the shadows of death and hath delivered me from the bondage of sin and hath given me peace, liberty and freedom, and has made it easy and natural to trust in Him. He has brought me to prominence in His Church and has helped me to carry my responsibilities, and made my labors a joy unto me. He has given me a faithful loving wife and a large family who are a credit and honor to the name they bear and to me. I am one of the richest of the rich, yet one of the meanest of the mean. I must repent and be more godly in my thoughts, words and actions. I must try to become what an apostle of the Lamb should be in every particular. I am resolved to try again and harder than here to fore. The beginning of this new year is a fitting time to take stock of myself. “Just stand a side and watch yourself go by. Think of yourself as “he” and not as “I”. Pick flaws; find fault; forget the man is you, and strive to make [page break] your estimate ring true.”

I shall practice on that sentiment, and may the Lord help me and you who are also trying.

I attended S. School and prayr meeting and the 2 P.M. fast meeting and spoke at the two meetings. I have enjoyed the day and am happy tonight feeling well in both body and spirit.

L’pool.

All well here.

I spent the day and evening at my desk as usual. Attended to local correspondence and wrote to Alice to Elder Geo. Albert Smith, Pres. A. J. Cannon of Basel, Switzerland, and Pres. A. J. A Butterworth of the Netherlands.

L’pool.

We are all well at Durham House. I spent the day in my office as usual and attended the Reliefsociety meeting in the evening.

A letter received to-day from Mother written at the L.D.S. Hospital one week after Oliver’s accident says that he was not suffering much but that the fractured limb was not yet set so as to be put in plaster but had a 20 lb. weight hanging from the leg to draw it down into place.

L’pool.

All usually well. I worked at my desk as usual during the [page break] day and attended the evening public meeting. I was one of the speakers.

L’pool.

All well here. Windy & rain.

I received letters from my son LeGrand, his wife and the little girls by the morning mail and a letter from Mother by the afternoon mail. I wrote to LeGrand and to Mother. I told them that it is my intention to release Geo. and Edith about the First of Feb. I also told Alice that I hope she will be ready to leave for England soon after Geo & Edith get home so as to get here before the equinoctial period.

I spent this day in my office as usual.

The latest word from home which is by letter from Mother of Dec 22nd

L’pool.

We are all well. A bright day.

I made a trip down town on business and spent the remaining time in my office.

My son, his wife and children have this day engaged passage on the Tunisian from Liverpool to St. John, N.B. due to leave on the 31st inst. I expect Mother and some of the children to come to England later on when Oliver recovers from his injuries so that he can travel or be left at home. I regret having to let [page break] my son George and family go at this time but the circumstances seem to demand it. When he was called, he gave up a well earned practice in dentistry to answer the call. He has been away from home nearly two and a half years. It will be more than that length of time before he reaches home. He intends entering into business life with LeGrand my second son and is much needed at the present time and will be needed ever more as the season advances. George has never fully recovered from his financial obligations incurred while studying his profession and to remain here longer would mean to incur additional obligations. His wife’s health is poor, and she is in need of medical treatment which she is unable to obtain here. This because they have not got the necessary means and they know no Doctor in whom they have sufficient confidence to trust with the case.

Lpool.

I had some discomfiture during the past night with a soreness in the region of the appendix and it still bothers me this morning.

I left Liverpool for Hull in company with Elders Wyatt and Holland on the 10:45 A.M. train from Lime [page break] St. Station and we were due at 3:14 but did not arrive until 4:15 P.M. We went to the Eders lodge at 46 Park St. where I lodged for the night. I ordained Frank Alexander of Norwich Con. an Elder & set him apart for a <mission.>

146 Park St., Hull.

I had a fair night’s rest and arose at 6 A.M. and without breakfast walked across town to the boat on which Elders, Jno. H. Wilding, Arnold G. Holland, Frank Alexander, Sidney L. Wyatt, Orial L., Anderson and I crossed the Umber River and by train went on to Grimsby. We attended S. School at 10:30; Officers, Priesthood & Missionary meeting at 12:30; Dist. Conference meetings at 23:00 and 6:30. I spoke at all the meetings and was blessed of the Lord and was satisfied with the meetings. I remained over night at the home of Mr. Edwards who is the owner of the hall and whose wife is a member of the church. The address is Thrift hall, Pasture St., Grimsby. Elder Holland occupied the same bed with me and accompanied me to the Ry. Station in the Morning.

Thrift Hall, Pasture St. Grimsby

I had slight touch of appendix trouble yesterday and to-day, if what I think is appendix trouble is what I think it to be.

I left Grimsby at 8 A.M. and arrived in Liverpool, Cent. Station at 2:30 P.M. [page break] I spent the remainder of the day and evening in my office attending to correspondence &c.

A letter from home of Dec 26th stated that Oliver was still at the hospital but that he seemed to be getting along as well as could be expected. Others all well.

L’pool.

All well.

I spent the day in my office as usual. In the evening my son George, Elder Cottam and I attended a lecture in the Picton Hall. We walked down town and back a distance of about two miles each way. My son Geo. & family are expecting to leave for home Jan. 31st

L’pool

We are all well.

A beautiful day.

I spent the day in my office as usual and attended the evening meeting, visiting with the saints after meeting. My son Geo. & I took a walk and then visited until midnight.

L’pool

All well here.

My son and I walked out to the Knotty Ash Rest Camp and back 4 or 5 miles. We went to take letters and money to Scott Anderson & a young man named Miner The remainder of the day and the evening was spent in my office. I received letter from Alice [page break] saying that she had received passports for herself and four children and expected to leave for England as soon as Oliver gets well enough to travel.

L’pool.

I am well. Edith and Josephine both went to bed with the headache after noon.

I worked at my desk all day, as usual. In the evening I wrote to Geo. L. & Nerva. George and I sat up late visiting.

L’pool.

All well again. Unusually fine day

I spent the greater part of the day at my desk. About 3 hrs. time was spent in meeting Elder Stephen H. Winter. Failing to meet him at the pier head I later met him at Lime St. Station. Five of the eleven elders who are to sail Tuestay cam in to-day & are staying at Durham House

295 Edge Lane, L’pool.

All well.

Attended Liverpool Branch Conference at 11 A.M. and 6:30 P.M. I was the concluding speaker at the morning session and occupied about 25 min. with exceptional liberty of thought and expression. After the evening meeting I sang songs with the Elders and saints until bed time. [page break]

L’pool.

All well.

I worked at my desk all day and in the evening except what time I spent with the elders. About 3 P.M. we received word from the Ocean Services Co. that the steam ship Grampian on which our eleven elders are to sail would not leave until the 24th. It was to have sailed tomorrow. Such disappointments are quite common.

Lpool.

All are well here. Moderated temp. I spent the day in my office as usual and in the evening I attended a lecture in the Picton Hall.

Lpool.

All well.

An unusually bright day

My son and I walked down town and attended to important business and made some small purchases. Called at office of Bureau of Labor and obtained card on which to make second application for release of one of our employees, Wm Mercer, from Government service.

We called at the American Consuls office and renewed our registration. I obtained permanent exemption from registration through the U.S. Consul and the British Chief Connstable of Liverpool. This permits me to go anywhere in Gt. Britain without registering out of Liverpool or in and out of the city to which I may be going, provided [page break] that my address shall not be changed for a period of more than one month.

We called at the Ocean Services Steam Ship Co. office and secured a cabin berth on the Corsican for George and family for home voyage to leave Liverpool for St. John N.B. on the 28th or 29th next. If we do not hear any thing from home that would cause us to change the plans, these arrangements will stand.

I spent the afternoon in my office and attended the meeting in the evening.

L’pool.

All well here.

I spent the day in my office as usual and, the evening with the elders who are to embark tomorrow.

295 Edge Lane, Lpool.

I am well and happy.

The forenoon I spent in seeing off for home eleven elders on the Grampian. At 12:30 I received a cablegram from my wife signed Alice Richards which reads as follows; “Sail Metagama Feb. 24th McKay,— no children— Successor leaves April— All well”.

There is so much meaning in the above cablegram and of a pleasing character that I felt that my cup of joy is running over. I mailed letters and cabled and [page break] telegraphed Mother and Pres. J. G. McKay, the latter in London.

My son George completed arrangements for his and his family’s sailing Jan. 28th on the Corsican. He will barely have time to reach Salt Lake before Mother will have to leave, according to above regulations. This is a happy day for us all here and there.

Liverpool.

We are all well.

My son received word from the steam ship Co. that the Corsican is to sail on the 30th inst. instead of the 28th. He and Edith are busy packing trunks &c. making ready to leave on the Corsican.

I spent the day in my office attending to business as usual, which consists principally in answering correspondence.

Liverpool.

All well.

I spoke in S. School on the gem Luke 1:53. My son George and daughter Edith both spoke also. At the evening meeting George and Edith were the speakers and both spoke well.

L’pool.

All at Durham house are well excepting our cook, Miss Annie Birchall who went to bed ill to-day. Elder Sjodahl, my son & I administered to her at [page break] her request.

I spent the day at my desk as usual. In the evening, my son and I visited to-gether. He and Edith have been busy the past few days packing their trunks and making ready in other ways to leave for home. The sailing date now being fixed for Jan. 30th.

We are having a long spell of cold, stormy weather, typical English weather. To-day it has been snowing quite lively.

Liverpool.

I am well, also the folks in the house excepting Annie Birchall who seems to feel no better this morning. I attended to my office work as usual. I wrote to Alice, Edna, Oliver, Estella and Ray enclosed in one envelope. In the afternoon I went down town and bought articles to send to the children by Geo. & Edith. I bought Ruby a stran of beads of great variety in size, shape & color of antique design for which I paid 20 shillings. I also bought for Edna a stran of beautiful rose beads cost 13/6. I got Estella a wristlet of beautiful design, silver and of design Venecian filigree. I bought cowhide foot balls for Oliver & Ray 8/11 each. In the evening my son George and I went to the “Shakespeare Theatre” and saw the Opera “Carmen” Enid Cruickshank as “Carmen” was superb. We walked down and back and had a good visit. [page break]

L’pool.

Annie better.

Others well.

I spent the day in my office as usual and attended a Branch farewell reception in the evening given for my son and his family. I offered opening prayr and made closing remarks. Retired after 12 o’clock. The social was a success. A nice salad bowl was given to George and Edith with Silver ladels. The children each got a present also.

L’pool.

Annie better.

Others well.

I worked at my desk during the forenoon answering letters. George type wrote them as I dictated. After the noon luncheon, we made ready and went to the Canada dock where we met Bros. Stanley Ravenscroft and Walter Andrew who hat come down to see Geo. and family off. They went aboard the Corsican at 2:45 and after putting their luggage in their room (No 16) they came to the edge of the deck and we conversed for a short time before saying our last adieu. I was the only one from Durham House who went to the Dock with George and his family. They went away happy in the thought that Mother would soon be coming over to keep me company. I feel all right about their going for the same reason.

According to cablegram received [page break] on the 24th inst. Mother and Sister J. G. McKay of Huntsville are to sail from St. John, N.B. Feb. 24th on the Metagama and my successor is to come in April. According to that, I judge that mother will have but about two months stay in Gt. Britain and we will then return home to-gether.

There now remains but three of us missionaries in Durham House and but thirteen Elders from Zion in the Conferences, each one of whom is a president. We have four local brethren, all young men, and two lady missionaries giving all their time as missionaries and a corps of 368 Lady Missionaries who are giving such time as they can spare to missionary work.

L’pool.

I am well.

Cold weather.

I spent the day and evening at my desk as usual. My son, who has been doing my typewriting, having left for home I have to attend to my correspondence by pen. This day I have written ten letters besides other work.

I received a letter from Mother to day which was dated Jan. 13–14 in which she tells of the serious illness of my son LeGrand who was at that time in the [page break] L.D.S. hospital, and of the illness of Nerva’s family, LeGrands family, Joels family and Mamie & children, all of whom have influenza. Little Clarence being very low having the Pneumonia, but he seemed to be improving.