



Produced by Holly Astle, Mormon Texts Project Intern
(http://mormontextsproject.org/)







HELPFUL VISIONS.

THE FOURTEENTH BOOK OF THE FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES.


Intended for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day
Saints.


JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR OFFICE,

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

1887.



COMBINED FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES,

Nos. 1-5, $1.35,

Nos. 6-10, $1.25.



CONTENTS.

A TERRIBLE ORDEAL.

CHAPTER I.

Remarkable Spiritual Manifestations--Thrilling Experience of Elder
David P. Kimball, as Narrated by himself.

CHAPTER II.

Account of Patten Kimball and Others, Regarding the Search for and
Finding of his Father.

BRIANT S. STEVENS.

CHAPTER I.

Briant Stringham Stevens Becomes a Missionary to His Associates and
Brings Four Boys to Belief and Baptism--A Good Child who Passed Amidst
the Daily Temptations of Life Unscathed.

CHAPTER II.

Accidents to Briant--He is Ordained to the Priesthood--Patient
Endurance of His Sufferings--He is Blessed to be an Elder and then
Slumbers in Death.

CHAPTER III.

A "Helpful Vision" to Briant's Stricken Father--the Comforter Brings
the Peace which Passes All Understanding--The Funeral of the Little
Missionary--His Work Lives after Him.

FINDING COMFORT.

CHAPTER I.

Called to Australasia--The Modern Imitators of Job's Friends--Our
"Special Instruction" is to "Build up the Kingdom of God in those
Lands"--A Disappointment ends in a Blessing--Promises by an Apostle
which were Literally Fulfilled--We Reach Sydney, I am Separated From my
Companion.

CHAPTER II.

Labor which Brought Little Compensation--A Mysterious Call to
New Zealand--Attacked by an Evil Spirit--The Visitation Thrice
Repeated--Meeting the Brother of a Friend--On Board the _Wakatipu_
Bound for New Zealand.

CHAPTER III.

An Irreverent Company of Passengers--Sickness and a Horror of Life
Fall Upon Me--A "Helpful Vision"--"Only be True"--Invoking the
Name of Christ--A Jolly Singer and a Jolly Song--Landing at Port
Littleton--Strange Recognition of Brother Nordstrand--His Dream
Concerning Me.

CHAPTER IV.

Reason for my Sudden Call to Leave Sydney--The Little Old Lady of the
_Wakatipu_--She had Waited a Generation to Renew her Covenants--Another
"Helpful Vision"--A Mysterious Half-Sovereign--Saved from Death in a
Swift River.

CHAPTER V.

Some Old Members of the Church--The Spirit Prompts Promises to Them
which are Literally Fulfilled--Help from a Catholic Who is Suddenly
Converted and Who as Suddenly Apostatizes--A Spontaneous Prophecy--The
Journey Home--A Careful Observer--Safe in Zion.

TRAITORS.

Solemn Warnings--A Traitor can Never be Anything but
Despicable--Examples of the Past.



PREFACE.

The very encouraging reports we are constantly receiving from various
parts of the country concerning the vast amount of good accomplished by
these small publications, induces us to issue the fourteenth book, with
the sincere hope that it may not be less interesting or instructive
than those which have preceded it.

The Visions here recorded will again prove that truth is stranger than
fiction, and we trust that a perusal of these manifestations will lead
our young people to seek for the guidance of the Lord in all things,
and make Him their constant friend. The article on traitors is very
appropriate reading matter for the present season, and will, it is
hoped, cause everyone to look upon the men of this class with the
contempt they so justly merit, and sustain everyone in shunning as they
would poison, any traitorous act.

Our great desire is that this little book may assist in the education
and elevation of the young people and others who may peruse it.

THE PUBLISHERS.



A TERRIBLE ORDEAL.

BY O. F. WHITNEY.



CHAPTER I.

REMARKABLE SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATIONS--THRILLING EXPERIENCE OF ELDER
DAVID P. KIMBALL, AS NARRATED BY HIMSELF.

The following narrative of the experience of the late David Patten
Kimball, who was lost on the Salt River desert, Arizona, in the latter
part of November, 1881, is taken by permission from a letter written
by him to his sister, Helen Mar Whitney, of this city, on the 8th of
January, 1882. Brother Kimball was then a resident of Jonesville,
or Lehi, three miles from Mesa, where the letter was written. The
events described took place while he was returning home from a trip to
Prescott, the capital of that Territory.

The experience related was of so remarkable a character as to meet with
dubiety on the part of some, especially those inclined to be skeptical
regarding spiritual manifestations. Some went so far as to ascribe the
sights and scenes through which the narrator claimed to have passed,
to the fevered fancy of a mind disordered by strong drink. That such
should have been supposed, particularly by those who are ignorant of
spiritual things, is not surprising, when it is remembered that even
the Apostles of Christ, on the day of Pentecost, were accused of being
"drunken with new wine," when the power of the Spirit fell upon them
and they "spake with tongues and prophesied."

What is here presented is the plain and simple testimony of an honest
man, who adhered to it till the day of his death, which occurred within
two years from the date of his letter, and was in literal fulfillment
of certain things which he said were shown him in vision, and of which
he frequently testified while living.

For the benefit of such as may not have known Brother David P. Kimball,
we will state that he was the fourth son of the late President Heber C.
Kimball, whose wonderful encounter with evil spirits, on the opening
of the British Mission in 1837, has become a matter of Church history.
Here is the excerpt from David's letter:

"On the 4th of November, I took a very severe cold in a snow storm at
Prescott, being clad in light clothing, which brought on pneumonia
or lung fever. I resorted to Jamaica ginger and pepper tea to obtain
relief and keep up my strength till I could reach home and receive
proper care. On the 13th I camped in a canyon ten miles west of
Prescott, my son Patten being with me. We had a team of eight horses
and two wagons. That night I suffered more than death. The next night
we camped at Mr. McIntyre's, about twenty miles farther on. I stopped
there two nights and one day, during which time I took nothing to drink
but pepper tea. On the 16th we drove to Black's ranch, twenty-eight
miles nearer home, and were very comfortably located in Mr. Black's
house.

"About 11 p. m., I awoke and to my surprise saw some six or eight men
standing around my bed. I had no dread of them but felt that they were
my friends. At the same time I heard a voice which seemed to come from
an eight square (octagon) clock on the opposite side of the house.
It commenced talking and blackguarding, which drew my attention,
when I was told to pay no attention to it. At this point I heard the
most beautiful singing I ever listened to in all my life. These were
the words, repeated three times by a choir: 'God bless Brother David
Kimball.' I at once distinguished among them the voice of my second
wife, Julia Merrill, who in life was a good singer. This, of course,
astonished me. Just then my father commenced talking to me, the voice
seeming to come from a long distance. He commenced by telling me of
his associations with President Young, the Prophet Joseph, and others
in the spirit world, then enquired about his children, and seemed to
regret that his family were so scattered, and said there would be a
great reformation in his family inside of two years. He also told me
where I should live, also yourself and others, and a great many other
things. I conversed freely with father, and my words were repeated
three times by as many different persons, exactly as I spoke them,
until they reached him, and then his words to me were handed down in a
like manner.

"After all this I gave way to doubt, thinking it might be only a dream,
and to convince myself that I was awake, I got up and walked out-doors
into the open air.

"I returned and still the spirit of doubt was upon me. To test it
further I asked my wife Julia to sing me a verse of one of her old
songs. At that, the choir, which had continued singing, stopped and she
sang the song through, every word being distinct and beautiful. The
name of the song was, 'Does He Ever Think of Me.'

"My eyes were now turned toward the south, and there, as in a large
parquette, I beheld hundreds, even thousands, of friends and relatives.
I was then given the privilege of asking questions and did so. This
lasted for some time, after which the singing commenced again,
directly above me. I now wrapped myself in a pair of blankets and went
out-doors, determined to see the singers, but could see nothing, though
I could hear the voices just the same. I returned to my couch and the
singing, which was all communicative and instructive, continued until
the day dawned. All this time the clock I have mentioned continued its
cursing and blackguarding.

"Mr. and Mrs. Black were up in due time and got breakfast. I arose and
made my toilet, plain as it was, and took breakfast with my host and
hostess. When my boy got ready to start, I went to pay my bill, and to
my surprise heard a voice say or communicate: 'David Kimball has paid
his bill.' When I got into the wagon, my guards, or those who were
around my bed during the night, were still with me. My father had told
me that he and President Young and others would visit me the next night.

"We drove on until about 11 a. m., when a host of evil spirits made
their appearance. They were determined to destroy me, but I had power
of mind to pay no attention to them, and let them curse all day without
heeding them any more than possible. Five times they made a rush _en
masse_ to come into the wagon, the last one, where I was, but were kept
off by my friends (spiritual). About 2 p. m. I told my boy to stop and
we would water our horses. We used for this purpose barrels that we had
along with us. After this I walked to the west side of my wagons, and
looking to the east, I saw and heard the evil spirits floating in the
air and chanting curses upon Brigham Young. I saw two other groups of
the same kind, but did not hear them. Then I looked to the south and
the whole atmosphere was crowded with fallen spirits, or those who had
not obtained bodies. Others who tried to torment me were spirits who
had lived upon the earth. Having seen so many and being complimented
by my guard for seeing so well, I became a little timid and asked my
spiritual friends if they had any help. The answer was, 'Yes, plenty.'
I now told my boy to drive on--he was entirely oblivious of all that
was taking place with me--and soon after I was so exhausted that I fell
into a troubled sleep and must have slept quite a little while.

"After I awoke I seemed to be left alone, and was lying on my back,
when, all at once, I saw an old man and two young girls. This vision
coming on me so suddenly, I was startled, and finding my guard gone, I
jumped out of the wagon and got up on the spring seat beside my boy.
But I could not get away from them. I was told in a coarse, gruff voice
that the devil was going to kill me, and that he would follow me night
and day until he destroyed me. I remembered the promise father had made
me the night before--that he intended to visit me the next evening--and
I nerved up and tried to pay no attention to my persecutors, but I must
confess I was frightened.

"We arrived at Wickenburg just at sundown. The old man and the girls
were tormenting and tantalizing me all the way, but never coming very
near to me. We got supper and I took a room at Peeple's hotel and
retired about 10 p. m. When everything was quiet my spirit friends,
eight in number, returned and my tormentors were required to leave.
Soon after, a glorious vision burst upon me. There were thousands of
the Saints presented to me, many who had died at Nauvoo, in Winter
Quarters, on the plains and in Utah.

"I saw Brother Pugmire and many others whom I did not know were dead.
When my mother came to me it was so real and I was so overjoyed that
I exclaimed aloud. So powerful was this vision that I asked President
Young, who seemed to be directing matters, three times to relieve me,
or I would faint. A great many others passed in regular order; and I
recognized nearly all of them, and was told the names of all I did not
know. My father sat in a chair with his legs crossed and his hands
clasped together, as we have often seen him. Those who passed along had
hidden him from my view till then.

"This scene vanished, and I was then taken in the vision into a vast
building, which was built on the plan of the Order of Zion. I entered
through a south door and found myself in a part of the building which
was unfinished, though a great many workmen were busy upon it. My guide
showed me all through this half of the house, and then took me through
the other half, which was finished. The richness, grandeur and beauty
of it defied description. There were many apartments in the house,
which was very spacious, and they differed in size and the fineness of
the workmanship, according to the merits on earth of those who were
to occupy them. I felt most at home in the unfinished part, among the
workmen. The upper part of the house was filled with Saints, but I
could not see them, though some of them conversed with me, my father
and mother, Uncle Joseph Young and others.

"My father told me many things, and I received many reproofs for my
wrong-doings. Yet he was loth to have me leave, and seemed to feel very
badly when the time came for me to go. He told me I could remain there
if I chose to do so, but I plead with him that I might stay with my
family long enough to make them comfortable, to repent of my sins, and
more fully prepare myself for the change. Had it not been for this, I
never should have returned home, except as a corpse. Father finally
told me I could remain two years, and to do all the good I could during
that time, after which he would come for me; he mentioned four others
that he would come for also, though he did not say it would be at the
same time.

"On the 18th of November, about noon, we left Wickenburg (which is
twenty-two miles from Black's Ranch where we stopped the previous
night) on our journey home. I was exhausted from what I had
experienced, and could feel my mind fast giving away, but I had
confidence that I would reach home alive. There were no Elders to
administer to me and no kind friends to look after my wants except my
son, who had all he could do in looking after eight horses and two
wagons. As my mind wandered and grew weaker, I was troubled and led by
influences over which I had no power, and my friends, the good spirits,
had all left me.

"We drove about twenty miles that afternoon, camping about eight miles
from water, on the Salt River desert, which is about fifty miles
across. During the fore part of the night I heard the horses running as
though they were frightened. My son was asleep, but I got up and put my
overcoat across my shoulders and went out where they were and got them
quieted down. I was about to return to the wagon, when that same old
man with gray whiskers, who had tormented me before, stepped between
me and the wagons. He had a long knife in his hand. I was frightened
and fled, he pursuing me and telling me he was going to kill me. What
I passed through I cannot describe, and no mortal tongue could tell. I
wandered two days and three nights in the Salt River desert, undergoing
the torments of the damned, most of the time, which was beyond anything
that mortal could imagine.

"When my mind was restored, and the fever which had raged within me had
abated, I found myself lying on a bleak hill-top, lost in the desert,
chilled, hungered, thirsty and feeble. I had scarcely any clothing on,
was barefooted, and my body full of cactus from head to foot. My hands
were a perfect mat of thorns and briars. This, with the knowledge that
no one was near me, made me realize the awful condition I was in. I
could not walk. I thought I would take my life, but had no knife or any
thing to do it with. I tried to cut an artery in my arm with a sharp
rock I had picked up, hoping I might bleed to death, but even this was
denied me. The wolves and ravens were hovering around me, anxiously
awaiting my death. I had a long stick and I thought I would dig a deep
hole and cover myself up the best I could, so the wolves would not
devour my body until I could be found by my friends.

"On the night of the 21st, I could see a fire about twenty-five miles
to the south, and felt satisfied that it was my friends coming after
me. I knew the country where I was; I was about eight miles from houses
where I could have got plenty of water and something to eat, but my
strength was gone and my feet were so sore I could not stand up.
Another long and dreary day passed, but I could see nothing but wolves
and ravens and a barren desert covered with cactus, and had about made
up my mind that the promise of two years life, made by my father, was
not to be realized. While in this terrible plight, and when I had just
about given up all hope, my father and mother appeared to me and gave
me a drink of water and comforted me, telling me I would be found by
my friends who were out searching for me, and that I should live two
years longer as I had been promised. When night came I saw another fire
a few hundred yards from me and could see my friends around it, but
I was so hoarse I could not make them hear. By this time my body was
almost lifeless and I could hardly move, but my mind was in a perfect
condition and I could realize everything that happened around me.

"On the morning of the 23rd, at daylight, here they came, about twenty
in all, two of my own sons, my nephew William, Bishop E. Pomeroy,
John Lewis, John Blackburn, Wiley Jones and others, all friends and
relatives from the Mesa, who had tracked me between seventy-five and
one hundred miles. I shook hands with them, and they were all overjoyed
to see me alive, although in such a pitiable plight. My own feelings
I shall not undertake to describe. I told them to be very careful how
they let me have water, at first. They rolled me up in some blankets
and put me on a buck-board and appointed John Lewis to look after me
as doctor and nurse. After I had taken a few swallows of water, I was
almost frantic for more, but they wisely refused to let me have it
except in small doses every half hour.

"I had about seventy-five miles to ride home. We arrived at my place in
Jonesville on the afternoon of the 24th of November, when my wife and
family took charge of me and I was tenderly and carefully nourished.
In a few days I was around again. I told my experience to President
McDonald, Bishop Pomeroy, C. I. Robson and others, and most of them
believed me, but my word was doubted by some. The report had gone out
that I had been drinking and was under the influence of liquor. This
was an utterly false report. I told them I had just two years to live,
so they could tell whether it was a true manifestation or not.

"Now, Sister Helen, during the last twelve years I have had doubts
about the truth of 'Mormonism,' because I did not take a course to keep
my testimony alive within me. And the letter I wrote you last August,
I suppose caused you to feel sorrowful, and you prayed for me and God
heard your prayers. And our father and mother plead with the Lord in
my behalf, to whom I will give the credit of this terrible but useful
ordeal through which I have passed and only in part described, an
ordeal which but few men have ever been able to endure and relate what
I have seen and heard.

"Now, my dear sister, you have a little of your brother David's
experience, and let who will think that I had been drinking. I know
these things were shown to me for my own good, and it was no dream
but a glorious and awful reality. My story is believed by my brethren
who have respect for me. I will console myself with the knowledge I
have obtained. Let the world wag on, and let hell and the devil keep
up their warfare against the Saints of God. I know for myself that
"Mormonism" is true. With God's help, while I live, I shall strive to
do good, and I will see you before long and tell you all, as it never
will be blotted out of my memory.

"With kind regards, in which my wife and children join, I remain, as
ever,

Your Affectionate Brother,

David P. Kimball."



CHAPTER II.

ACCOUNT OF PATTEN KIMBALL AND OTHERS, REGARDING THE SEARCH FOR AND
FINDING OF HIS FATHER.

The following account is furnished by Elder Solomon F. Kimball, brother
of David P. Kimball, who was in Mesa at the time of the occurrence
described and thoroughly conversant with the facts:

On the morning of November 19th when Patten arose and missed his father
he thought probably he had gone out to hunt for the horses, and felt
no uneasiness concerning him. He made a fire, prepared breakfast and
waited some time, but could not see or hear him anywhere. The horses
came strolling into camp and were tied up, fed and watered. Patten then
ate his meal and saddled a horse and rode back towards Wickenburg,
until he came to a small place called Seymour on the Hassayampa but
could find out nothing of his father's whereabouts. He went back to the
wagon and hunted the country close around camp but found nothing but
his father's overcoat, which was a few hundred yards from the wagon.
It being an old camp-ground, it was impossible to find his tracks. He
finally came to the conclusion that he had gone towards home, so he
hitched up his team and drove homeward until he came to Mr. Calderwoods
at Agua Fria. (Cold Water). At this place there was a well dug on the
desert about twenty miles from Salt River. Patten had traveled about
twenty-two miles before reaching this point, but was disappointed in
not hearing anything of his father. He had traveled all night and Mr.
Calderwood was up and around when he arrived. He related his story to
him and was advised by him to leave his team there and take the best
pair of horses, and hitch them to his buck-board and go on to the
Mesa. Here he could get help to come and hunt for the missing man. The
distance was forty miles, which would take all the rest of the day (the
20th). He acted on the advice, however, and arrived at his destination
at 9 p. m. The news was circulated, and in less than two hours, twenty
of the best and most experienced men at Mesa and Jonesville were on the
road, taking Patten back with them. They also took a wagon to carry
water and provisions, but most of them were on the best of horses.
They had sixty miles to ride, before beginning the search, which was
accomplished by daylight next morning. After feeding their horses and
eating a lunch they held a consultation and agreed to abide by the
following rule. If any one of the party found his tracks he was to make
a smoke and this would call the others in that direction. They then
started out in different directions. They scoured the country until
about noon, when Sern Sornson and Charles Rogers found his tracks.
They supposed they were about twelve miles from where he was lost, and
about ten miles from Agua Fria, close to the main road on the south
side. They soon gathered some brush and started a fire, putting on
plenty of green weeds, etc., to cause a smoke, and soon attracted the
attention of their comrades. His tracks were followed. They wound round
and round, going in no particular direction. Some places he would cross
his tracks eight or ten times in going one hundred yards, which made it
quite difficult to follow.

After spending a part of the afternoon trailing him up, the tracks
finally took a direct course leading to the north. By this time all the
searching party were together.

Another meeting was held and the plan adopted was for eight horsemen,
four on each side of his tracks, to ride at a considerable distance
apart, so as to cut off the track if it turned to the right or left,
and two or three of the best trailers to keep on the tracks, while the
buck-board and wagon followed up. These were out of sight most of the
time, as very good time was made by the trailers after this plan was
adopted. The ground was quite soft, and those on the trail would gallop
their horses for miles, but darkness soon put an end to their work for
this day, a good thing for both men and animals.

They had traveled upwards of one hundred miles in about twenty hours.
They were working men and had plenty of strength to carry them through
under all circumstances. They camped on the highest ground that could
be found close by, and made a large fire which was kept up all night by
those on guard.

As soon as it was light enough to see the tracks, every man was at his
place moving as fast as he could under the circumstances.

This was the morning of the 22nd. One great drawback they met with that
day was that when they would come to a deep ravine where water had run
during rainy weather, the tracks would follow up sometimes for miles
and then continue in the former direction. Places would frequently be
found in the sand where the lost one had dug down for water with his
hands. Now and then they would find a piece of his clothing and see
places where he had run into the fox-tail cactus, cat's-claw and other
thorny bushes. One place was found where he had broken off the limb
of a tree for a walking stick. The party followed his tracks all day
without stopping, only as they were obliged to, on account of losing
the trail or from some other cause.

Darkness overtook them again, but nothing could be heard or seen of
the missing man. They slept on his tracks, keeping up a fire all night
as before. His sons and others could not rest, and followed his tracks
after dark by striking matches and putting them close to the ground
to see if they might possibly find him. Some thought they could hear
a sound but it was so indistinct they could not discern the direction
from which it came. It was indeed he who called, for they were then
only a few hundred yards from him, but he was too hoarse to make them
hear. On the morning of the 23rd at daylight his anxious friends were
on his tracks, and had gone but a short distance when Charles Peterson
saw him. He had a long staff in his hand, and had raised up as high
as he could get, being on one knee and the other foot on the ground,
and was stretching himself as far as he could and looking eagerly for
their arrival. The crowd made a rush, and in a few seconds were with
him, Bishop E. Pomeroy being the first. He was in his right mind and
knew all present, and was glad to shake them by the hand, calling each
by name. He was in good spirits and joked the boys frequently and gave
them instructions to be careful in giving him water, etc. There was no
water except in a canteen that had been reserved for his especial use.
The company suffered themselves for want of water. They had traveled
upwards of one hundred and fifty miles in less than forty-eight hours.

David had dug a deep hole with his stick and had used his hands to
move the dirt. He said he was digging his own grave. He was rolled in
blankets and put on the buck-board. All drove to the nearest houses,
seven or eight miles distant, on the Hassayampa, where all refreshed
themselves with water and something to eat. Soon they were on the road
homeward. They drove to Mr. Calderwood's, which was about thirty miles,
and stayed all night. He was very kind to all and told them to help
themselves to any thing he had, such as hay, grain and food. He acted
the gentleman in every respect. A large number of men had also left
Phoenix in search of David, among them being the U. S. Marshal, and
others. Men and Indians were riding over the desert in every direction.
Next morning the company drove to Jonesville, forty miles distant,
where they arrived about 3 p. m.

David was carried into his house where he was surrounded by his loving
wife and children.

When he recounted his experience, he said that one thing that kept him
from choking to death for want of water, was the damp pebbles which he
dug from low ravines and held them in his mouth. The Indians said that
no human being could walk as far as he did, go without water and live
four days and five nights. The party that found him said he must have
walked at least seventy-five miles, some said one hundred.

He testified that on the afternoon of the 22nd, his father and mother
came and gave him water and told him that his friends would find him.
His clothing was all gone except his under garments, which were badly
torn.

Before leaving home on his trip to Prescott, David had worked several
days fixing up his books and accounts, and burning up all useless
papers, after which he told his wife that he felt different in starting
on this trip from anything he had ever felt before. He said it seemed
to him that he should never return. He told her that if this proved
to be the case, he had fixed his business up in such a shape that she
would have no trouble, and would know as much about it as himself.
She frequently spoke of these curious remarks, and felt considerably
worried. When the news came that he was lost, all was plain to her, and
she never expected to see him come home alive. Nothing could comfort
her and she watched night and day until he was brought home.

* * * * *

In the Fall of 1883, Elder David P. Kimball paid a visit to Salt Lake
City, to see his sister Helen and others, to whom he confirmed by his
own lips all that his letter contained, and told some other things
in relation to his marvelous experience. He declared solemnly to her
that he was perfectly sober when he passed through the trying ordeal
related, and bore a powerful testimony to the truth of "Mormonism."
He seemed a little reticent to most of his relatives, and talked but
little of his strange experience, feeling pained that so many seemed to
doubt his word, and being unwilling to make himself obtrusive. When he
bade his friends farewell, there was something about him which seemed
to say that he was taking leave of them for all time. This visit was
no doubt made with that prospect, for it was almost two years from the
time he was lost on the desert. He returned home to St. David, Cochise
County, Arizona, and almost the next news that came from there was the
tidings of his death.

A letter from his nephew, Charles S. Whitney, who was then living with
him, written home on the 22nd of November, 1883, contained this:

"Uncle David died this morning at half-past six, easily, and apparently
without a bit of pain. Shortly before he died, he looked up and called,
'Father, father!' All night long he had called for Uncle Heber. You
remember hearing him tell how grand-pa came to him when he was lost
on the desert, and how he plead for two more years and was given that
much longer to stay. Last Saturday, the day he was so bad, was just two
years from the day he was