William Asper Life Sketch William was born on a farm in ...

William Asper Life Sketch(from his diary, and from MS 6331, his notebooks, at the Archives)

William was born on a farm in Pennsylvania on April 15th of 1836. He had two older brothers, teenagers, and three sisters under age eight.His mother was a middle child in a Firestone family of fifteen children. His father was a grandchild of the Pennsylvania Dutch. Halley's Comet had swept by a few months before William came on the scene. He wrote a diary, and in it William said:

Father was a farmer, and had 200 acres. When I was a bit over age 3,I saw the first-ever threshing machine in the area.

I attended the general school, a strict one. It was held mainly during the winter months, when farm chores were less demanding; yet Ihad to miss school at times to help with a project. I attended from age 7 or 8, until age 12.

I was tall, and father had asthma, so I was essential to him in running the farm. Father could play some on the violin, and he taught me how, beginning at age 4; I had an ear for music.

Father liked only the Lutheran church. I enjoyed the Sunday school lessons -- held only in the summer months -- and became familiar withthe Bible. I often went in the woods for a private devotional of reading from the Bible and then praying. I became impressed in my heart that the preachers we had could give no authoritative instructions on how to be saved, as could the apostles of old. I didn't yet understand the subject of authority, but I saw that the preachers were not definite in their advice or preaching. I was about 7 years of age at this time.

Father hired a boy to help on the farm when I was about age 10. He was nearly 16 years old. He had a habit of swearing. He kept away from doing it in father's presence. I gradually picked up that habit. Then one day, that boy rebuked me for swearing. I said nothing, but I thought it very strange that he, an inveterate swearer, would rebuke me for simply following his example. Yet, his rebuke impressed me, and I repented of the habit that very night, andprayed for forgiveness.

My parents were strict in observing the Sabbath: On Sundays, no one in the family was allowed to whistle a tune, fish, skate, play ball, or swim. I kept on praying regularly.

When I was 12, Elias and George married and moved away. That left methe only boy at home, so I had to do just about all the farm work. Idid my best. I succeeded in cradling grain by the time I was age 14,but couldn't do that for the whole crop until I was 16. Although I

could put up with the farm life, I longed for something better (in mymind). I determined to be a mechanic. I prayed about it. I decidedto seek to be a carriage-maker, or if not, a carpenter.

My elder sister, Leah, had hurt her foot at an early age, and took cold in it -- scrofla, with a white swelling -- and she could not walk much. Our next eldest sister, Rebecca, married when I was 15. That left only my next oldest sister, Sarah, and myself to do the farm work for father.

In 1853 (I was nearly 18), father decided to rent the farm to his son, George, and let me go off and become a tradesman. After much planning, I left home in March of 1854 with a knapsack and 80 cents in my pocket. I had arranged with a Mr. William Greenwood at Stoughstown, Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania, to board with his family as an apprentice. He was a wagon, plow, & graincradle maker. I madea verbal agreement to serve him for two and a half years for $40, anda finished grain cradle. There were plenty of such shops, so not everyone needed or wanted an apprentice. Mr. Greenwood's was the largest shop. His other apprentice was his son, Jack. Jack was careless and sometimes disobedient, so I gained favor with the parents. They also took to me.

Stoughstown was a one-street town; all the houses were on one street.In my first days there, I connected with a carpenter's son and apprentice, John Redick. We went everywhere together; we were inseparable in our spare time. We both liked to study and learn new things. I learned singing, reading music, reading and writing essays, phonography, arithmetic, grammar, history, and debating.

I'd been brought up having coffee about twice a day at home. After reading "Fowler & Wells" work entitled "Tea & Coffee", I quietly madeup my mind to stop that habit. A month after this, when I visited the folks at home as usual, mother was alarmed at my not drinking teaor coffee. She said, "Why son, you'll get sick if you don't drink it!"

John and I would manage to get a candle or lamp and be together studying in the evenings. We also studied religious things Sunday mornings in the woods. Church meetings were not held regularly. Butwhen they were, there was generally a choir needed, and John and I would help in the choir, and that helped us have more reason to attend church.

The Greenwood family were devout in the "United Brethren Church", andthey held daily family devotionals. Yet Mr. Greenwood was not stoic or strict, but affable and fun to be around. I loved him like I loved my own father.

At end of the two and a half years, Mr. Greenwood told me he would pay me a journeyman's wage of $15 a month. That was in the autumn; Iworked at that wage until spring. Yet, I had a desire to go west, not for the money, but to see and learn more of the world, & see how large it was.

The $40 over two and a half years meant I had slim finances. I received nothing from my family during this time; I just kept my wants below my income. The experience was a good blessing; I have never been without money since I left home.

During 1856 I thought about marrying, for I was 20 years old, but I didn't want marriage without a year or two of courtship.

On the 30th of March 1857 John & I took train at Newville for Mansfield, OH. (That was "the West" of those days.) The mail train took 14 hours for 250 miles (Harrisburg to Pittsburgh), but Pennsylvania Railroad did it in 10 - marvelous. Since the mail train was cheaper, we took it, and found why it took four hours longer: it stopped in every little town on the way!

The day after we arrived, we went to Lexington, Ohio, to visit my brother, Elias. Nice visit. Then we hired a team & went to William Ferguson, old neighbor of my family. He was once our schoolteacher, and had become my brother-in-law. Nice overnight stay there. He toldme Elias had joined the Mormons a month ago. (That would be March 1857; our records say November 1856.) The next day, John left to go back to Mansfield, to get a job. The Fergusons drove me another 10 to 15 miles to Elias's place. (That's in Morrow County, OH, according to the DUP, just where this account puts it.) I had presents for him which I should deliver in spite of the disgrace & dishonor in being with Mormon. Elias didn't recognize me at first. We had a nice cordial visit; the Mormon subject was only broached a couple of times, and seeing I was cold, they dropped it. I stayed there the better part of a week, but our differences made it desirable not to stay too long.

So I sought work in nearby towns; I got job with D.W. Funk in Shelby,Richland Co., Ohio, making carriages and light spring wagons at $18 amonth plus board. After one month, he raised to $22, without me asking. After another month, I decided to meet John & go further west. We decided on Lacon, Illinois. We passed through Chicago on the way - considered by all a den of thieves. Now last part of June,both found carpentry jobs.

John and I went to Lacon, Illinois, and got a job together. The worksite was some distance out of town, so they said they'd send a wagon for us our first morning. We waited, but the wagon never came. So we left our trunks in town and went to Low Point, in Woodford County.

That's close to Prairie country, about 20 to 25 miles from Lacon, to see some old friends from Stoughstown: John Harlin & son, Samuel; also A. E. Holfortz, who was Mr. Heslam's son-in-law; and others. Aswe walked, a heavy thunderstorm came upon us; we got drenched. We weren't used to walking, so we were tired when we got to our friends'. We had a good reunion.

We found work near there, so we got our trunks shipped to us. There was plenty of work to do. We earned $1.50 a day, plus board. As there was no place nearby to spend the money, it all went to savings.

Yet, after two months of this, I was bored -- I wanted to work in an actual carriage shop. That meant we needed to be in a larger town. We tried Peoria, Illinois, but there was no work there. We found work in Washington, Tazewell County, 15 miles East of Peoria, with T.Birkett & Co., at their shop there. They had 25 employees. I boarded with the Spingage family, of Kentucky. They were good company to keep. A Mr. E. K. Bruce formed a glee club, and we had weekly practices, which were very enjoyable. Our group was invited to sing in the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Christian churches. I worked by piece, and earned $12 to $15 a week. But about this time, the deficient banking system brought on a depression (this was duringPresident Buchanan's administration) and some banks failed. Employers could not make payroll. This was as the year 1857 ended.

In the spring of 1858, still loath to leave this place, I bought a pocket diary and have ever afterward continued to keep one. So you will see that dates given after this time will be more accurate. I joined the Odd Fellows, and progressed through their ceremonies. With our old friends, I hunted wild geese and prairie chickens, but was not too successful.

John Redick had worked in Peoria for a while, but then returned to Pennsylvania. We kept up a correspondence.

In 1858, on May 13th, we had an unprecedented storm of wind and hail at Washington. It lasted about an hour. It lifted and moved large two-story houses off their foundations. It also unroofed buildings. Being a level country, the wind had full sway.

I was bored at having only half-time work. The firm employed many married men, so I designed to leave, so there would be more work for them. The firm gave me a note for my severance pay (due to the depression there was little cash). I sold the note to T. Birketts and Abraham Birkett at a discount. With the money, I bought gold. At this time, I had less than $100. The spring rains made traveling difficult, and held it up some. I took time to re-visit my old Stoughstown friends.

Going to Peoria, I got passage on the steamer, "Sam Gity", bound for St. Louis. Steamer travel was fine; the spring rains held up other means of transportation. Yet, in the night, the boat got entangled in some trees (We were on the Illinois River), and about turned over.I found that the crew knew some new swear words I had never heard. When we got to the St. Louis wharf, the unloading was done from the second level onto a gangway. But, at this time, the water was so high that the wharf at St. Louis was under water. Therefore, the boats unloaded onto streets that sloped down to the river. There were many boats, but few such streets, so this made for a big trafficjam.

I arrived in St. Louis on June 15th, and stayed at the Kings Hotel. I took a small tour of the city and found the city of St. Louis to bedisgusting. I would not stay there, even if work was to be had there. The drinking water was muddy, so I did not drink very much. The next evening, I got passage in a state room. But the steamer, "Great West" didn't leave until 3 p.m. the next day (June 17). That night the paddlewheel struck a sunken log, and broke. We made it to Cairo, Illinois. That city was inundated. Some houses had been lifted off their foundations, and looked to be tipping over. We touched at Evansville, Indiana, then Louisville, Kentucky, Madison, Indiana, and then finally got to Cincinnati. I had my baggage removed to the Broadway Hotel. Then I took train to Columbus, Ohio. Going on through (past Columbus) to Shelby, Ohio, I visited my old employer, D. W. Funk; also some others. From there I went (southwestthen south) to Lexington, Ohio. I had heard that Elias had traded his farm for a store in Lexington. I found him and family all well. I spent a few days there. Mormonism was still a bad subject to treat. I left Monday, June 28th, for Wooster, two miles to the south, where I found William Greenwood. He had moved there a year before. We had a general good time. I helped him some, and stayed about a week. Then on July 5th, I took train at 3 p.m. for Pittsburgh, arriving there at 7 p.m. They put on a good display of fireworks there. I got to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the next morningat 8 a.m. and took train for Newville, where it arrived at 3 p.m. I went home from there, 2.5 miles, on foot.

Staying at my parents', I visited friends at Stoughstown and Walnut Bottom until July 13th. Father would have me stay and take care of the farm, but it seemed to me the Western people had more energy and were more progressive. I had learned to like their ways. Then William Greenwood sent word that there was work in Wooster, so I saidmy good-byes. There were some of the fair sex among my friends there; however, I had not made any engagements or promises. I only enjoyed their association as a pastime.

I left August 23rd for Wooster, along with John Redick and Abraham Null. We arrived in Wooster and 8:15 a.m. on August 25th. The

employment was at John Wilhelm's carriage shop, where he employed 12 to 15 men. Here I spent over two and a half years in a very pleasantand agreeable way. John also got a job nearby. I joined the Lutheran choir there. Then I joined the Baptist choir. Here I also played the organ for them, besides leading the choir.

I bought a melodeon in June of 1859 to practice on. I frequented thepublic library. I liked to write and to receive letters. When I wasintroduced to Miss Harriet A. Albright, I had serious thoughts come to mind. I felt I ought to be settling down. That was on 20 Nov 1858; she lived two miles south of Wooster.

John Redick married Henrietta Greenwood on February 3rd, 1859. I wasstaying at the Howard House, a private hotel in Wooster. I remained there until May 7th, 1861.

My sister, Leah, died 20 May 1859; I got word of it a few days after it happened. I went to see Elias, but he had moved, leaving no notice. In June I became a member of a new fire-engine company, Relief #4, assigned as a horseman. I served and trained about two years. I often took Miss Harriet out visiting on Sundays for a buggyride, to see old friends.

As Congress convened for the year 1860, the House of Representatives could not elect a speaker, nor could Congress organize for business. They quarreled over the space of several months, and finally organized themselves.

January 1860 being a dull time, I concluded to visit Elias at Olive Green, Delaware County. (It was good that I made the trip then, for in April, he started for Council Bluffs.) On this visit, my ears were first opened to hear the principles of the gospel. Here I began, on the sly, to read the Book of Mormon, the Voice of Warning, Spencer's Letters, etc., and I asked a few questions about them, but did not let anyone know that I had any favorable thought about it, either, or that I had read these books. I preferred sleeping in the store, as Elias had no spare bedrooms. That made it so I could read in secret late at night. All this, and what Elias had told me, was what made quite an impression upon me; but of course I claimed that when I got home I had access to other books that would answer and explain everything (that Mormonism was not true). I only wanted to get a thorough understanding of their situation so I could refute everything in an intelligent manner and not wrong myself or my brother, for I had no such idea that I wold ever disgrace myself and embrace such a faith. Hitherto I had attended church mainly for the society of those who went there. I could not bear the society of thebaser sort of people, and churches attracted the more moral class. While at Olive Green, I also made the acquaintance of several Mormonsin that place: Edwin Sprague, A. Messenger among them. I tried to

avoid talking of Mormonism, but they, several times, referred to its principles.

On January 27th, Elias took me to Lexington, where I took train to Shelby to see friends. I then got back to Wooster on the 28th.

February 18th, not feeling very well, I hired a horse and sleigh to take a ride out south to see Miss Albright, but the horse got excitedand bucked, and ran away. A man coming the other way caught him, andtogether we returned to town. I was sick with bilious fever. John invited me to stay at his house and recuperate. After much entreating, I finally consented. February 26th, he sent a carriage for me. His house was only forty rods from the hotel, but I could not walk that far. I was bedfast at his place for a month. I was delirious some of the time. Friends from the Odd Fellows came and watched with me nights. The Lutheran Pastor, Rev. Baltzly, visited me once. I asked him why the church had no healing gifts, as in the time of the apostles. He explained why in the usual sectarian manner. Miss Albright also visited me. I had some time to ponder about Mormonism. On March 17th, I felt well enough to go back to thehotel. The walk back took all the endurance I had. I then experienced a relapse. I was sick again until the 6th of April. I then went back to work.

That summer, I took Miss Albright out riding, to visit her relatives.We attended a 4th of July picnic in the woods about ten miles out in the country. It was a very well-attended picnic; it seemed that the serving table was a mile long.

I had had a dream the night before. My hotel room was on the southeast corner of the hotel. Through the window the gas street lamp was in plain view. That lamp was always extinguished at 1 a.m. Sometime before midnight, I dreamed the room was full on angels -- just myriads of them. They were the type that had wings. I awoke, and the room was as light as noon-day, as if the sun shone on all thewalls and on the ceiling, and it was so very bright. The angels departed through an opening on the north side of the room, just belowthe ceiling. But one very large angel, the size of a full-grown man,remained and sat on my bed between myself and the wall. My bed head was on the south. The angel was clothed as white as the driven snow,and the clothing was in the style of temple clothing. He called my attention that the next day was the anniversary of American Independence, and I understood him to say that in 24 years, a government would be organized on the land that would stand forever, or that would never be overthrown, or words to that effect. I made no reply but wondered why the room was so light. I turned my head onmy pillow to look out of the window to see if it was the light of thegas-works a quarter of a mile away that made things so light. It wasthere, but it was a mere tallow-dip, compared to the light around me.

Then I turned my head back, and my visitor was gone, and the room gradually became dark again. It was a hallowed feeling I had. I could vividly recall the feeling for a month after.

During 1859 I had attended the Lutheran church; in 1860 I was more attentive at the Baptist church, as I said, but I went to the Lutheran Sunday school, as it was held during the summers, and at a time separate from the other meetings.

As I had promised myself at Olive Green that I would thoroughly investigate and answer every point to prove the Mormons wrong, I readthe Bible, the History of the Reformation, and other church histories. I prayed over it for more light, and I sought in all humility the truth, and received a whispering or inward burning, suchas mentioned in the scriptures as a testimony of the results of investigation. I received this many times, but at the time did not realize it. Still, long before the year was out, I had fully and assuredly made up my mind I must be a Latter-day Saint, or I would bedamned if I did not. And I had also made up my mind to gather with the Saints the next year. I would have been baptized, had I known where to go, in any reasonable distance. But knowing my brother Elias had long since started for the Missouri River by team, and knowing of no one else in the state, I concluded to wait until I could go the following spring. Now I kept this all secret, except for Miss Albright, to whom I told all of my experience and conclusions.

The time being dull as the year 1860 ended, I decided to visit my parents one last time, and then head west. But I wold keep my secret, for it would trouble them. Father had before told my he would cut Elias short in his will. So, on November 27th, I took train for home.

Near there, on January 10th (1861), Abram Null, who was an apprenticewhen I was in Stoughstown, married Rachel Redick. I was the best man; Mary Redick, her elder sister, was the bridesmaid. We were all good friends, full of fun and innocent nonsense, and enjoyable company.

When I left on January 31, very strangely, father gave me $10. He had never given me so much money before, at all. I got to Wooster, made more visits, had dinner at the Albrights' on February 10th. Thenext day I took a short-term job, expecting to start for Salt Lake inMay. The Albright family were all willing to have Harriet go with me, without marriage being spoken of. When that got to the neighbors, it was stopped. I told Harriet that I would return in a year or two. I left on May 1st.

President Abraham Lincoln called for three hundred thousand men for

an army to quiet the rebelling of the Southern States. My employer promised a great raise if I would stay on, but I left for Utah. I wrote everyone my intentions. I went to Cardington, to find A. Messenger, whom Elias wished me to bring along, and then I returned to Crestline. There, as in other places, I would often see trains ofUnion troops passing, being mustered into the service, for war was declared by the Southern States.

I waited at Crestline for A. Messenger. On May 6th, he joined me, and we continued our journey westward, arriving at St. Joseph, Missouri, on May 7th at 10 p.m. The next day we got passage on "WestWind" for Council Bluffs; had a fine trip. Sunday May 12th, about noon, we met Elias and many other friends. We spent a month or more in getting ready, packing up, fixing wagons, etc. A Mr. Martindale was there, a missionary from the Valley, and he preached. So here, Iattended my first LDS meetings, and heard my first sermon. I have the consolation that I was not ever preached into the Church. In theevening of May 25th (1861), I was baptized by Elias.

On the 19th of June, the camp leaders called a a sacrament meeting. I was confirmed in that meeting, but I did not note by whom.

On June 15th, we had moved over the Missouri River; we camped on the 16th one mile west of Florence, or Winter Quarters. There were people of many nationalities in our company. All were new to the concept of driving or tending livestock. I drove a team of three yoke of cattle for Elias. We started at 3 p.m. and made our first move of six miles, and camped on the Little Papillion River.

We make a corral at night to keep the animals in by driving the wagons around in a circle and interlocking the wheels. That way, theIndians can't stampede them and drive them off. Yet, we didn't always have to have the animals inside. And it is amazing to watch these European people who know nothing of livestock, try to round up the animals and hitch them up, and drive the wagons. It's almost funny.

On June 25th, we met the Church train of about 200 wagons coming to meet the poor at the Missouri River. We reached Columbus at noon on the 26th, and ferried over the Loup Fork and camped there. Tuesday July 2nd, we crossed the Wood River; here I left the train and went to a fort a couple of miles away and mailed some letters for the East. We stopped near this place for two days. The evening of the 4th of July we nearly had a cattle stampede as we were bringing them up to corral them. There was also a dance held that night, but my dancing education had been neglected, but I soon got the spirit of it, and had an enjoyable evening. July 5th, we passed a few miles from Ft. Kearney. July 9th, we camped on the bands of the Platte River, among myriads of mosquitoes. A little boy was run over by a

loaded wagon today. He was administered to, and seemed to forget he was hurt. The Platte here is shallow, but is nearly a half-mile wide. July 10th, we stopped and set tires, since the weather, being drier than when we started, has dried out the wheels, and the tires need to be re-fit. There was a big storm that night. I went to bed early and curled up in my wagon ready to sleep, but A. Messenger, my traveling companion, snored and jarred and shook the wagon. I was onguard duty every third night.

July 14th, we had traveled outside the timber belt, and so the peoplegathered buffalo chips to make fire with. At this place, there was asmall grove of timber on the other (south) side of the river. I concluded to take off all my clothes, swim across with an axe and rope, and bring over some wood. I knew I could. I was an expert swimmer. After I lifted myself from the water on the south side, I realized it was all mosquitoes, and being naked, I hastily retreated to the water. Finally, I got one log floated across, but it had not been worth all the trouble.

The terrain was sandy hills and bluffs now. The wagon wheels sank halfway to the hubs. We had to double-up on the teams. Sundays wereresting days. July 25th, we camped near Chimney Rock. On the 26th, a Scotch sister with marriage trouble ran away from camp, despondent,ready to destroy herself. We lost a lot of time in searching for herand coaxing her to return. On July 31st, we reached Fort Laramie. Imailed some letters there. That is considered to be the halfway point between Omaha and Salt Lake City. We had a lot of wagon tongues break, and around here there was no wood to repair them, so we patched them as best we could. On August 1st, we crossed to the south side of the Platte River on a bridge. About this time, I experienced a 36-hour fast. I had been on guard duty, and got back too late for breakfast, and had to simply hitch up and go. But beinghealthy, I did not mind.

August 4th, some elders returning from the East overtook us, and toldus of the Battle of Bull Run; the Union side was terribly whipped. On the 15th we went through Devil's Gate. There were a lot of fish in the river, but we had no nets with which to catch them. August 18th, 21 wagons left us, dissatisfied. (Also on the 24th.) August 19th, we met some U.S. troops on the was east. August 20th, we had abit of snow and cold, but the Welsh hardly noticed it, being hot under the collar from arguing all the time. We rested our cattle twodays. We reached the Green River on the 29th. We spent the 30th crossing it in ferry boats. We got to Black Fork on the 31st, and Big Muddy on September 3rd. Here, Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow overtook us on their way west. On September 6th, we camped at the head of Echo Canyon, and on the 8th, we stopped and built a mill withS. P. Hoyt. That took several days. On Tuesday the 10th, Elias wenton with a few wagons, mine included, to Salt Lake City, entering it

on the 12th. That done, he returned to his family in Echo.

I boarded at Mrs. Busby's in the 13th Ward. I went to the post office right away. I found some letters waiting for me. I set to answering them, telling everyone I had arrived. On Sunday, September15th, there were morning and afternoon meetings in the Bowry, with a ward meeting in the evening. Monday I went to the Salt Lake Theater as a carpenter, helping to lay floor joists. I worked there two years.

These days, I marvel that I endured the plains trip so well. But as a boy, I had been barefoot; on the trail due to crossing water often,and mud, your boots go on and off often. I finally just left them off. Also, I have found after all the years, that of those in my company, only one-fourth have remained faithful. (It could be that he lost contact with some who were called away to colonize.)

On the evening of May 25th I was baptized by my brother Elias, and onthe 15th of June we moved over the Missouri river and on the 16th made camp one mile West of Florence, which is situated about 6 miles North of Omaha, and was the general out-fitting place for the Saints since 1847, then called Winter Quarters, this was but a small village, having few stores and some log cabins & etc. On the 19th of June Elders N.V. Jones, William Martindale and Jacob Gates called the cam[p] together, held a meeting, administered the sacrament at this meeting, I was confirmed, and did not note by whom.

Our company was organized with my brother Elias as Captain[.] We had about 50 wagons, averaging about 2 yoke of cattle to each, and over 200 souls, all but a very few were members of the Church, and of manynationalities; Americans, English, Scotch, Irish, Danes[,] Swedes, Norwegians, Welsh, all were inexperienced on the plains, most of themhad never before yoked up an ox, nor driven an ox - team before, except Peter Rank of willcreek and Mr. or Brother Kelsey who were returning to the valley. I was driving a team of 3 yoke cattle for mybrother Elias. We started at 3:00 PM, as a company and made our firstmove of six miles and camped on little Japilion [Papillion Creek]. A correll is formed by driving around on a circle and interlocking the wheels, [illegible] leaving a small opening at one side, sometimes chaining them together on the outside. The camping and cooking is done [.] and on the inside the cattle are kept, when not on feed, andfor safety from stampeding by the Indians, but we seldom resorted to driving the cattle into the corrall, only to yoke them up. It was a ludicrous and a very awkward move both laughable and sorrowful on thepart of some, and especially of our brethren from England, Wales or the continent [.] in driving oxteams, and the result that followed was tipping over of wagons, breaking tongues & etc.

On June 25th we met the first half, and on the 26th the other half of

the Church train of about 200 wagons who had come from the valleys, to meet the poor at the Missouri River, who were coming from England and the continant, and were unable to fit themselves out with teams provisions & etc.for the journey accross the plains. Reached Columbusat noon of the 26th where we were ferried over the Loup Fork and camped near by. Tuesday July 2nd we crossed the Wood River, here I mailed some letters for the East. Stopped two days July 3 and 4th at Wood River Centre, and on the evening of the 4th came near having a cattle stampede, as we were bringing them up in the evening to corrall them. Had a dance here in the evening in the corrall, but my dancing education had been neglected, and I did not indulge, in fact I felt too sorrowful and sedate, the last month or so, and did notseek or wish for any kind of amusement. On the 5th we passed within a few miles of Fort Kearny, 200 miles West of Omaha. July 9, made camp, about dark on the banks of the Platte River, among myriadsof mosquitos. A little boy was run over by a loaded wagon today and after being administered to seemed to forget he was hurt. We are traveling on the North side of the Platte River a shallow turbulent stream , that is ever changing its channel, and near half a mile wide.

On July 10th we stopped, set tires, rains are less frequent of late, and tires getting loose. Reached Pawnee Springs on the evening of the12th about 10;00 PM, in a violent thunder storm. I felt thankful I was not on guard that night. I hastily unyoked my cattle and let the guard look after them and crawled into my wagon, to bed. I had to share the wagon with the old gentlemen A. Messinger, all the way accross the plains, who snored so as to jar and shake the wagon, quite an annoyance to me. I was generally on guard every third night.

Pawnee Springs rises, or boils out of the level ground and has a flowof about 6 inches diameter, moving little grains of gravel around themouth, with the force of the clear cold and delicious water. No treesor shrubery near, but not very far from some low sandy ridges. Saturday July 14th camped on the banks of the Platte, being outside the timber belt[,] we have had no wood for some days, cooking & etc is all done with "Buffalo Chips", (dried manure). It is amusing to see the women gather up buffalo chips in their aprons and carry them for miles in that way till we make camp, but at this camp I saw a small grove of timber and brush on the South side of the river. I concluded to take off all my cloths, swim across with an axe and ropeand bring over some wood. The river is a swift current with an unevenbottom, at one place one can wade it and in a few steps it may be 10 or 15 feet deep. Being a fair swimmer I had no fears on that part andconsequently arrived on the other shore without much difficulty and ascended the bank immediately[.] being naked, I was covered with mosquitos and green or blue flies, some call them ox flies, their sting is as penetrating as a hornets, and for a moment I felt as if Ihad a swarm of bees on me for I was [-] literally covered with them.

I dashed back into the water to get them off, and then hastily made another attempt to get a log to the water[.] after several attempts Iprocured my log, which I floated across, but it hardly paid for the fun and suffering I had in getting it.

Our route now led over some sandy hills or bluffs. The wagons sometimes sunk into the sand half way to the hubs, and makes a harder, more [-] sluggish or more lifeless pull than mud the same depth; We often had to double teams, and sometimes put 18 or 20 yoke cattle on one wagon to move it up t the hills, which caused slow progress among some of these sand hills. On Sundays we generally rested most of the day, and hold meetings, very often though move camp only a few miles. Almost every evening and morning the camp was called to prayers and those who did not attend were not considered very good saints . On the 25th. we camped near Chimney Rock which is situated on a level plain, a very high knoll, with a tall perpendicular chimney like rock or tower reaching skyward to a great hight, we have traveled in sight of this for three days.

On the 26th, a scotch sister had trouble with her husband, and run away from camp, evadently in perswasion of an evil spirit, or a very despondent feeling as if she would destroy herself, in searching for and perswading her to return detained us considerably. On Wednesday July 31, we passed Fort Larmie, whith is Sourh of the river about twomiles, I induced a man to drive my team, while I walked ahead, crossed the river, went to the Fort, mailed some letters, and received some [-] mail from friends in the East. This place was considered about half way between Omaha or Florence and Salt Lake City, but the worst of the road is said to be still between us and the valley. The country now is becoming more hilly and gravely and the oxen getting foot sore and we have to resort to shoeing them. We are also getting more accustomed to breaking wagon tongues, which we have to mend as best we can for there is no timber to make new ones, we have to splice as best we can and wrap and bind with wet rawhide.

August 1, 1861, crossed the river to the South side on a bridge, the river not being very wide or deep here. Reached Cottonwood creed August 2nd, here had an ox killed by lightening, having driven the cattle across the river to feed, and a thunder storm came up. Here I also had the experience of a 36 hour fast, through being on guard andaway from camp, and on business or duty for camp. When I returned hadto hurried by yoke up and drive until the second day, was nearly consumed, yet I did not pay much attention to it, being robust and strong and able to endure, what most anyone else could. We reached Horseshoe on the 3rd, and on the 4th, Elders Gates, Spencer and Jonesovertook us, they having driven through with mules, and a lightspringcovered wagon. They brought us the news of a big battle at Bulls Run,at which the Union troops were terribly whipped and driven with greatloss.

Our next main point was Independence Rock and the Sweetwater river, which we reached on the 14th, and on the 15th Devils-Gate, a narrow passage through which the river passes, with very high perpundictularwalls, It was in this vicinity that I saw in the Sweetwater more fishto the square foot from one to two feet long, than I ever saw in my life before, and felt that it was a great loss that we had [...] no nets to catch them in. I think with a small sein we could have caughta wagon load in half an hour, as the waters were very low and the fish were corralled as it were in the deeper places, which were not over 2 feet deep and unable to pass over the shallow places.

On Sunday the 18th Peter Rank and Mr. Kelsey with part of the camp, 21 wagons in all left us, becoming dissatisfied, and on the 19th we met some 6 companies of U.S. Troops, from Fort Crittenden on their way East, to join the Northern Army, and defend the U.S. Flag, or fight for the Union, and whip the seccessionists of the Southern States, out of the idea of dissolving the Union. On Friday night August 20th we had some snow, quite cold, but several families of ourWelsh friends next morning did not sense it, or it did not cool theirardor, as some were quite warm under the collar, having quarreled, that discusted the whole camp, and would no doubt have caused the poor Lamanites to blush, had they seen and heard the uproar; but it was finally quelled and were enabled to proceed, and on the 22nd we overtook P. Ranks second [....] train at upper crossing of the Sweetwater, passing Pacific Springs on the 23rd , quite cold and frosty.

Feed was now very scarce and our cattle becoming weak jaded and worn out. On the 24th five more wagons left us and went onward, we reachedthe Little Sandy on the 25th , where we found some better feed; here we rested two days to recruit our cattle, moving out on the 28th[.] We reached Green River on the 29th and crossedit on the 30th , camping on Black Fork on the 31st . Next day, took Youngs cut-off at Hams Fork and reached Big Muddy on Sept. 3, here Elders Orson Prat and Erastus Snow, returning missionaries, overtook us and camped withus; bringing us later news from the States and seat of war. On Sept 4th we camped near quaking asp ridge, here Peter Rank and his companyleft us again and continued their journey; we are now in a rather mountainous country.

On the 6th after traveling 16 miles we camped at the head of Echo canyon, and on the 7th after a very tedious and rough drive down Echocanyon we reached the Weber River, camping a few miles South of Echo canyon, and on Sunday the 8th we moved up to where Hoytsville now is,where we rested for several days, it was at this time that S.P. Hoyt had located here, and commenced to build a mill.

On Tuesday the 10th a few wagons, my brother Elias amoung them

started for Salt Lake City, and came in through Parleys Canyon, camping on the second night, or the 11th just North of the mouth of Parleys Canyon, and on the 12th entered the city, stopping one block west of the 19th Ward meeting house with some friends, some of the party, where we had dinner, and in the afternoon I found a place to board at Mrs. Busbys in the 13th Ward where I moved my boxes and luggage and took up my abode.

I was re-baptized October 17th by Bishop E. D. Woolley in President Young's font near the west end of 1st St. where it joins State St. Iwas confirmed Sunday evening, October 20th, at the ward meeting. I also wrote Miss Albright every two weeks or so. I watched with a sick man, a Brother Clemons, some in the fall of 1861. I formed a glee club. It included photographer C. R. Savage, and we practiced in his gallery, a little north of the Salt Lake House. I joined the Tabernacle choir, but only for the winter. On November 23rd, a battalion of artillery was organized, and I was chosen color sergeant. We held weekly practices, some of them sword drills in thebasement of our ward's building. I was called to go get my endowments by Bishop Woolley, on November 30th, and John V. Long ordained me an elders. This gave me another meeting to attend, whichI seldom missed.

December 9th, I was at work on the roof of the Theatre when a very high gust of wind came up. It picked up boards lying on the roof andscattered them like so many shingles, one striking me, and it came near to throwing me off the building. I thought at first I was seriously hurt, but was able to be at work the next day again. December 19th, I attended my first Ball. It was at the Social Hall. I felt green and backward, but after adjusting, enjoyed it very well.Miss E. Bowen was my companion. On December 23rd, I got a patriarchal blessing from John Smith. December 31st, I attended my second party, at the Seventies' Hall. Miss E. M. Alstrom (now my wife) was my companion. Thus ended the year 1861.

On April 13th of 1862, Brigham Young held a choir contest. There wasthe old Tabernacle choir, and C. J. Thomas' choir, of which I was a member. We won. On May 1st, I waked alone on Ensign Peak to look over the valley. Our battalion was called out June 12th to chase andarrest a band of Morrisites, who were escaping justice, going north. We caught up with them near the Weber River. There was a gun battle.We made camp for the night. It was rainy the next day, and no tents were shipped to us until evening. The next day, Sunday, June 15th, we shelled their camp. Finally it was arranged for our captain to meet with Morris. During that meeting, they again pulled guns, so our captain and his aide fired back. Morris and Banks were killed; the rest then surrendered. It was a horrible sight to see the bodies, including some women and children as we helped clean up theircamp Monday. There were only two casualties on our side, and that

was due to men exposing themselves during the battle, against orders.There were the regular celebrations on July 4th and 24th. August 3rd, for my first time, I was called up to speak in ward meeting. I wished I could have sunk through the floor. On the 6th, I received apatriarchal blessing from Patriarch Charles Hyde.

I borrowed a horse and visited Elias October 9th, traveling over Big Mountain. October 28th I was called as a one-night per week guard atPresident Young's office; it was a three-year call. You are on duty for two hours of the night, and can sleep the rest of the time nearby. Also, having been appointed a teacher, I went on my first teaching tour November 25th with Joseph Busby.

December 24th, the Theatre was complete on the inside, so it was dedicated, and we had a dance on the stage. December 27th I was ordained a Seventy by John Pack, and was in the 8th Quorum. The Theatre was open twice a week, T. A. Lynes playing the principal leading roles. March 3rd, people held a meeting in the Tabernacle torequest Governor Harding and Judge Drake and Judge Faite to resign and leave. They were obnoxious to the people, acting tyrannical and arbitrary. After that, we thought Captain Connors and his men at Fort Douglas might attack us, so we set up a guard at the office.

In April, I took a contract and built a two-story porch on Mrs. Tuft's Hotel, near the 8th Ward square. I also bought a yoke of cattle for $100, and sent them to the Missouri River for the poor. Only one returned; I sold that for $40 to Joseph W. Young.

I had kept up a regular correspondence with Miss Albright. I once more urged her to come and meet me somewhere westward of her home, believing that if she would come part of the way, there would be no obstacle in the way. But if I traveled to her home, her relatives and friends would be around to discourage her, and such a trip would be in vain. She wrote that she still wanted me to come to her. I asked President Young, and he said there is poor success in elders going so far after females. So I made up my mind, and on June 20th 1862, I married E. M. Alstrom at the Endowment House, Wilford Woodruff officiating. On the 23rd of July [he means June] we went tohousekeeping, having rented a few rooms of John Gray, on the east side of the block the Social Hall was now on. We had only a cook-stove, a bedstead, and several chairs. A box answered for a table for some time until I procured one.

The Theatre being done, I next worked at the Public Shop on the Temple Block, as of July 13th. We at home had plenty to eat, but luxuries were out of the question.

On the 11th of February, 1864, I killed my first pig. It was difficult to get food of the proper kind for the pig, and anyone who

had seen the pig would have imagined I killed it to keep it from starving.

The month before, Jason Luce, a desperado, was executed for murder.

April 30th, 1864, Abbie Leah was born. I blessed her in fast meetingAugust 4th. In about April, Folsom and Romney took charge as a firm to run the Publick Shop. June 6th, I bought a lot with a foundation for a house on it, from Clarence Morrill of the 19th Ward, on the bench, and prepared to build a house there. August 9th, we moved into my new house, without doors, windows or plaster. The doors and windows were added the next day. I worked at the Church store, the Lexington and Kinkard Building. We were fitting it up for Hooper andEldridge. After-hours I worked on things at the Theatre. Sunday, October 16th, I was asked, and did, to work Sunday on the store. That is the only time I ever worked a Sunday. I also worked eveningson my house.

1865 now: I did theatre work, also worked on the Salt Lake House hotel, gittingup a bar room there for F. Little, the proprietor. March 4th, a procession of the Camp Douglas troops and the Nauvoo Legion marched through the streets of Salt Lake City. That night at the Theatre, W.C. Dunbar sang before the curtain, "Uncle Abe Again in the Presidential Chair."

Miss Albright wrote. It had been two years since I had last heard from her. She stated that she had kept company for some time with Joseph Rice, an old friend of mine, and had become engaged to him, but that before their marriage, he had died. She wanted to hear fromme now. I answered April 2nd. I addressed it to Miss H. Vore, as she had instructed me to do, so it would not fall into the hands of any others of the family or her friends.

April 15th we received the news of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln the night before, in Ford's Theatre, in Washington. That postponed the performance in our theater. Wednesday, April 19th, funeral services for President Lincoln were held in the Tabernacle. Monday, May 9th, I was made a special policeman of Salt Lake City, to be on guard during the summer once a week, in the vicinity of the 19th Ward. Ashburne Nebeker was to be my companion, but I never could get him out, so I was alone. It was at this time when there were quite a number of strangers, miners, etc. in the city, and young females were sometimes found out at night in different parts of the city with strangers, especially in the outer or quieter parts of town. On June 11th, 1865, the House Speaker, Schuyler Colfax and his party arrived, enroute to San Francisco. On Sunday the 18th, he delivered an address in the Bowry on the life of the late Abraham Lincoln, which I attended. July 4th, our procession

through the city was nearly a mile in length. We displayed items of the military, agriculture , mechanics, the professions, etc.; there were also speeches in the Bowry, too.

During the fall, besides my work at the theater, I also had charge ofroof and dome of the City Hall, and enclosed or completed the dome onOct 27th. Nov 1st, I went with the Nauvoo Legion over Jordan for four days, encampment for drill and camp duty, but was furloughed after the second day to prepare for a play in the theatre the eveningof the 4th. Nov 23rd, Faust Stables were burned. A big loss.

December 8th, I received a letter from my sister Sarah, that Father had died on the 13th of November, and in his will, he barely mentioned my name, and Elias, because we had joined the Mormon Church, giving us $600 each out of his estate of about $25,000. George and Rebecca got the balance, providing Sarah died without issue. I had not even expected this much.

December 22nd, Sarah Elsie Asper was born at about 6:30 a.m. My diary here was a cheap 5-10 cent passbook, for which I paid 75 cents in those times.

1866:In 1866, Julia Dean Hayne was the chief attraction in plays at the theatre. E. W. Tullidge [photo available] had written a play, "Elanor De Vere", for Julia, and it played to a full house. But now,March 15th, he was arrested, and considered insane.

On March 31, Abbie Leah took sick. Dr. Anderson called by, and couldnot tell the disease. We administered to her, and she seemingly grewno better. On April 23 we called in Dr. Newton who knew just what ailed her, and predicted that in a few days she would be all right. He was correct in that, for she kept getting worse until she finally took convulsions and on April 29th, at 8 p.m. she passed away. I felt relieved at this as the pain she seemed to endure must have beenintense and she would look at us with such a plaintive and piteous and pleading expression as if to say, "Please help or relieve me!" We buried her May 1st, 1866.

May 3rd, Sarah Elsie was blessed at fast meeting by her father. We had no 4th & 24th celebrations this year, for the Indians were troublesome in Sanpete County, & many of the Legion were down there. They returned July 21.

I felt drained by all the excitement this spring, and needed a rest. For that reason, it was good that the theater closed for the summer. September 27th, Miles P. Romney, who lived on the hill near me, was intoxicated. His wife came to my house; he shot at her. I went up to see him, he afterward came down to my house & took her home. Oct

23, Dr. Robinson assassinated; the murderers were never found out. October 30th, we had another encampment like in May. This time we held a sham fight; it was fool-hardy, for danger of injury.

In December, I received from the East, J. H. McNeckton's work on "Stair-building" which furnished me an abundance of field for study and practice during the long winter evenings, and at which I worked with a mill to accomplish what I set out for; that is, to master the art of "handrailing". T. A. Lyne held the boards at the theatre, butI seldom went & then only to assist occasionally with the scenery. That was as 1866 was ending.

1867:One of the public hands, Bro. Grist, fell off the roof and broke his leg, and became destitute. March 24th, I circulated a subscription among his fellow workmen and received $74 for him, which I turned over to him. May 21, all were discharged except myself and one or two others. After this I made contract with and roofed a house for T. B. H. Stenhouse on the hill in the 17th Ward. June 19 I was called as Sunday School teacher in the 19th Ward, and I took pains toelevate the class. July 4th, speeches in Bowery by John Taylor, F. H. Head, G. A. Smith; the 24th was quiet. Aug 1, visited by millionsof grasshoppers, covered everything green; after a week or so, not a green leaf seen, trees appearing as in winter. Fruit worthless. August 11th, the 19th Ward bishop called me to work at the new (the big) tabernacle. I was assigned to be in charge of the front -- the priesthood stand, pulpits, etc. It was mainly completed by September14th. I then got permission to work on my own house. I added two rooms on the north side. I organized a choir to sing in the Sunday School of the 19th Ward. On October 6th, the new tabernacle was opened for conference, and I attended. Our troop exercises were heldOctober 28 to November 1st across the Jordan. The authorities came and organized a Sunday School in the 13th ward, but no meetings were held until after April 1871 (almost four years). At the end of the year, our Sunday School held its yearly party. Having given up theatre work, etc., I devoted evenings to studies in stair-building and geometry.

1868:I was given a quarter winding staircase to build. I laid it off, putit in place in the house, got out the rails on the plumb line and thebutt-joint principal, and succeeded very well. The boys (who were working for me) said it all went together as if I was a stair-builderof many years' experience. They were astonished that it was my first. I used evenings, when not in meetings or chorus practice, planning the work ahead. Wednesday, February 19th, Alice Saloma was born at 9 a.m.; she was blessed by me May 7th in fast meeting. March6th, the choir sang in ward meeting for the first time. We kept performing, and in time, Brother E. Beesley took my place. This

choir activity tied me to ward meetings regularly. Sunday April 12th, I was invited to attend the "School of the Prophets", a secret meeting held twice a week in the afternoon in the tabernacle. I seldom missed any until finally they were stopped. Friday, May 15th,while in school, a felon (boil) commenced in my finger. I got no sleep that night, and could not go to work. I put my arm in a sling.For diversion, I took a walk around town. I happened to talk with Marsens Cannon. He told me he'd read in some paper to take a raw onion, mash it up, and apply it on the felon. As if by inspiration that happened. It worked. I applied it that evening (8 p.m.) and slept all night, the pain gradually leaving. The next day, I was well as usual. June 18th our Sunday School took their first excursion -- going up City Creek to Pleasant Valley. June 22nd, President H. C. Kimball died. We had another grasshopper invasion (war) near the end of June. It lasted only a few days. In the general conference on October 8th, I was called on the Dixie, or Muddy, Mission. I immediately commenced operations to dispose of my property. I sold the 50 pounds of wheat I had stored, and some furniture, and was ready to sell my house, by George Q. Cannon came to me with word that I was not to go at present. I worked these daysfor Folsom & Romney; they then consolidated with Latimer & Taylor, and set up machinery. November 7th, my old shopmate, William Thompson, died. I was saddened. He had a nice funeral. The ward organized a silk-producing society on November 23rd; it never fully matured. The ward also held a meeting December 16th to organize all the different trades into a society; I was the carpenter's treasurer.This also never fully matured. Our Sunday School put on a program December 23rd to get funds to buy books, etc. We raised about $60. Again the long winter evenings afforded me study time. Some nights Isat up past midnight practicing geometry and such.

NOTE: Here is a tabulation of William Asper's positions in the 19th Ward Sunday School: 19th Ward Sunday School (I was called as) 1867 Jun 9 Teacher 1867 Sep 13 started singing class 1868 Mar 8 choir sang in Ward Meeting first time. 1868 Jun 28 Asst. Supt. 1869 Sep 19 Supt.

1869:The Sunday School held another party at the end of January. They raised $60 again. Our ward, the 19th, organized a Zion's CooperativeMercantile Institution on February 8th, and put me in as director. Also the ward tried raising money to buy a home for the poor in the ward; we raised $370, but as that was not sufficient for the purpose,we abandoned the project. A little later, in a drive to get funds for immigrating the poor saints here, I gave $25. In the last part of April, Sarah and Alice got Scarlet Fever. Administration helped

them feel better. On May 10th, the Central Pacific Railroad drove the last spike in the cross-country line, and there was a celebrationin Salt Lake City that night. Our ward found a place, and opened its"Ward Store" on July 10th. August 2nd, there was another grasshopperwar, of short duration. September 19th, I was appointed Sunday School Superintendent. I had jury duty at the end of September. Ouryearly troop exercises were held October 19th. I built a house for George Q. Cannon.

1870:Sunday, January 23, I joined John Taylor's "prayer circle"; they met immediately after the afternoon tabernacle meeting. I attended that regularly until I left on my mission in 1881. On Monday, January 10th, the rail line from Ogden to Salt Lake City was completed, and Brigham Young drove in the last spike. The last tie was of locust timber, and varnished. I received a letter from M. F. Anthony: my sister Sarah, his wife, had died on December 24th of 1869 in delivering a stillborn baby. I was sorrowful. March 31st, Flora Minnie Asper was born at 11 p.m. Sunday May 1st, Alice S. was sick with the measles. June 12, a Saturday, I went on the train to Lake-Side (Heights Grove) [the new Ogden line] and when I returned I arranged for the 16th and the 19th wards' Sunday Schools to have an excursion that way. That was done on June 24th -- the first Sunday School excursion in Utah. We used nine cars and had 740 adults and children. August 13th and 14th, I attended the debate that J. P. Newman had come to Utah for; he wanted to debate Orson Pratt on the question of whether the Bible sanctioned polygamy. Newman was whipped. I went with Mr. Folsom to Provo to see about taking a job of building housing at the Brigham Young Academy. On the way, one ofthe two horses got sick, and that delayed us. October 29th, I arose from a troubled sleep and went to the rear porch for some clear air. I fainted and fell outward on the partially frozen ground. I called for help. My wife came, as did Joseph Watson. He administered to me, and it helped, but I was unable to work for several days. Now, even though I was a foreman for Mr. Folsom, I began taking on my own work. I was also a school trustee in 1870. At year's end the SundaySchool held its regular parties, raising funds.

1871:Feb 18 I arranged to use Bishop N. Davis' adobe barn for a shop. There was plenty of work. I employed one or two men. We built two large flights of stairs for John T. Caines, and finished a house for George H. Taylor of the 14th Ward, and one for Thomas Williams of the12th Ward. Also a large home for I. W. Sears, and one for H. B. Clawson, John Lowe, George R. Jones, and others. Then I enlarged my shop at Davis', even adding a lumber yard. February 8th, Sarah took quite sick with fever, but recovered. The Methodist church revivalists came through, putting up a circus tent for meetings on 3rd South between Main and 1st East streets. July 4th was splendid

with speeches and fireworks. The family was a bit poor in health, soI took them on a trip in the mountains and visited Elias, 23-25 July.In August, Barnet Giles, a Jew who had been converted in England but had drifted away, came and wanted baptism again. I said okay. But Ifelt he would stray again, which he did within a year, and became very bitter. On September 20th, Bishop A. H. Raleigh came to the shop and informed me that he had chosen me as his 1st counselor, and Peter Nebeker as 2nd counselor. I was ordained a high priest October26th (by Bishop Raleigh) when I finally brought myself to attend the biweekly general bishop's meeting. October 3rd, President Brigham Young was arrested for polygamy, got bail, and attended conference. After pleading not guilty October 24th, he went into hiding. October21st was the last day of the School of the Prophets. Some had probably told what was discussed there. He built a house for a Mr. Jones near Warm Springs. November 10th, while directing some additions to H. B. Clawson's house, I fell about ten feet, breaking an adobe wall. I sprained my left ankle, and was not able to walk. Once home, I commenced poulticing with jimson, vinegar and salt. I had little sleep, and could not work, nor walk. After five such days, I went to Dr. Anderson, who put his hand on it and said it was broken. It had partially knit, so the setting was painful. December1st, I was able to get to work on crutches. During my time at home, I had a great many visitors. Our choir moved the practices to my house. In December, I talked with one of my Sunday School teachers who had the idea that the brother of Jared was Moses. I pointed out to him the comma in the text, and told him the brother of Jared was Mahonri-Moriancumer. The Sunday School had their year-end parties. At the one December 31st, the lady teachers presented me with a leather-bound copy of "Chamber's Information for the People", which Iappreciated. It was a complete surprise, for it is generally conceded that females are unable to keep a secret. A very agreeable surprise.

1872:My diary for 1872 has mysteriously disappeared. It was a busy year. More houses were built: Ernest Young, G. H. Snell, G. Conrad, P. L. Williams, and others. I employed from 15 to 20 carpenters and like numbers of other trades. My son, William, was born April 5th, 1872, and blessed on the 12th. I had the same duties in the ward. Most ward Sunday Schools had started libraries, and some of the books werequestionable. So the Deseret Sunday School Union was started, and they appointed a committee to review and make policy for Sunday School libraries. Committee members were John Jaques, Robert Campbell, Evans of the news office, John K. Hale, and myself. We metweekly at the 13th Ward after the afternoon meetings. It was hard tofind time for another meeting. The task took us almost four months. I never missed a meeting of the committee. My schedule was like this: Sunday School in the morning, "Circle" at noon, afternoon sacrament meeting at the tabernacle, then at the ward, then Library

Committee meeting, then evening meeting in the ward, together with other ward affairs. Some Sundays, I hardly had time to get my meals.And during the week there were choir meetings (This is when E. Beesley took over my directing) teachers' meeting, School of the Prophets, etc. I never thought for a moment to murmur. Noted the Chicago Fire October 9th. In the fall, one evening I was handed a neatly written note, sealed, inviting me to attend a meeting at City Hall at 7 p.m. and to bring my Doctrine and Covenants along. To my surprise, the door was guarded by the City Marshall, and my name was announced before I was allowed to enter. It was the School of the Prophets, reorganized, and limited to about 40 members. I felt honored. President Young spent the evening going over the need to not tell outsiders what we discussed. After about a year or more, ittoo, was discontinued, as there had appeared some "leaks".

1873: The SS parties usually included student awards for good behaviour, etc. During the winter, the Tabernacle meetings were stopped, and sacramental meetings were held only in the wards. (Recommenced afterApril Conf.) Feb 18 the bishop informed me I had been selected for amission to Arizona to assist in forming a colony south of the San Francisco mountains. Feb 20th, I sprained my foot very badly; could not wear a boot for some time. I turned off some work in preparationfor my mission, and March 8th, when those called met, Pres. D. H. Wells (Brigham Young was in St. George) told me it was not designed that I should go; my name had been placed on the list by mistake. I met with Brigham Young and Daniel H. Wells a week later, saying: Thisis the second time now I've been publicly called on a mission, and privately told not to go. People wonder if I have ignored my call, and doubt my character. Pres. Young then told me he wanted me to contract to build his house opposite and afterwards the Gardo House. However, my bid was not successful. The library committee work concluded at this time. On the 14th of May (1873) I married AdelaideAdelia Wilcox at the Endowment House, Pres. Wells officiating. We had a rather a quiet affair; I returned with her to her parents' house, had dinner, social time, she came home with us about 10 p.m. I helped organize the children's jubilee in July. July 26th, I gave the first note in my life of $100 to a Brother Bowman. Our baby boy,William, sick since first of August with summer complaint, teething, etc., was very low now for several days. He passed away Sunday Aug 31. about 12:30 p.m. I had given him a patriarchal blessing at 2 a.m. On September 20, we got news of the Great Bank Panic in the East; money was very scarce. Oct 1st, Zion's Savings Bank & Trust Co. commenced business. Mary Jane Asper came in on Oct 4th, she having been married lately to William Weaver, who at that time was not a member of the Church. On October 29, we all moved into our newhouse on Center St. It was quite comfortable, with plenty of room. Nov. 2, sacrament meetings held in wards again. There had been some extravagant funerals, so leaders gave advice. Myself, I'd like just

linen clothing, roomy coffin of Black Walnut. The bishop should conduct. No invitations. No black clothing or crepe bought to wear by friends, but Sunday best dress. (He signed that declaration.) November 22nd: work is down; I discharged a number of my men, not able to make collections promptly so as to pay them. Found myself indebt about $1000 through building my own house on Center St & not selling the old one as intended. It was this way: Bishop A. H. Raleigh earlier had counseled with me to go ahead and build my house,and he would probably buy the old one. But now, when I reminded him of his offer to buy it, he said, "With the Bank crisis, I can't buy it." So I rented it to Bro. J. H. Rumell for one year for $25 a month. My creditors were not urging the payment of my obligations tothem, yet I felt that I was carrying a very heavy load, and did so for 4 or 5 years.

1874:February 5th, Albert Elias born at 8:30 a.m.; he was blessed on the 13th. The city election was held, D. H. Wells incumbent mayor was unchallenged until the day before. William Jennings decided to run against him. But he lost, & we still have Mayor Wells, by a majorityof 2200 votes. In April, the idea of the Order of Enoch was put forth, and 85 families signed up in the 19th Ward. May 3, sacrament meetings were held in the tabernacle again. Sunday May 17, our little daughter Alice was out in the street and was kicked my a mare of my neighbor, Wm. Gorringe. The mare had a young colt and no doubtthe child desired to pet it. The mare kicked Alice in the face most terribly, as she was almost unrecognizable. This happened minutes before I arrived home from afternoon meeting. I administered to her and hurriedly went for & called Dr. Anderson, who sewed up and dressed the wounds and announced that no bones were broken. She was over it in a few days, but it was a miracle she was not killed. May 24th, the United Order was organized in our ward. A couple of men inthe School of the Prophets began talking in that meeting against the United Order; they were dismissed. Again tried in meetings to organize the trades, but no progress made. I was appointed chairman to erect a platform in the tabernacle for our coming Jubilee. July 23 there were heavy rains in City Creek Canyon, the creek rose extremely high, flooding cellars, and doing much damage. The Catholic Church was struck by lightning and received considerable damage. Preparations for the Jubilee on the 24th continue.

For our Sunday School Jubilee on the 24th of July, I arranged for thewards from Ogden and points inbetween, to come on the train to Salt Lake for our program and good time. It turned out nice. (The "Heights Grove" spoken of earlier seems to have been near Farmington.) There was a surprise party at our house July 31st. Twenty-four were there, and all stayed until about 1 a.m. On September 2nd, I had a severe attack of rheumatism in my shoulder andcould not sleep or turn in bed for nearly a week. I took a few

medicated vapor baths which helped. By September 9th, the 19th Ward had $5,000 in the United Order. On the 16th, I was elected director of our ward's united order. October 21st was the time for the sacrament meetings to be switched to the wards. October 26th, GeorgeReynolds was arrested on the 1862 law against polygamy. The 19th Ward decided to buy the J.B. Mailens [Malen] Soap Factory in the Pugsley Tannery Building and carry on that business (as part of the United Order). I had built a home for our bishop, A. H. Raleigh, at the corner of First West and Second North. He invited our family over for its dedication. There were the usual year-end Sunday Schoolmeetings.

1875:David Rich in some way got an invitation and permit and came to the Sunday School party January 6th. He had recently been on a drunken spree and shooting scrape. I and others objected to him, but he behaved satisfactorily. I was released as a teacher in the Sunday School; I needed the time free. [George Nebeker had long since been replaced as bishopric 2nd counselor.] February 8th, Bishop Raleigh and George Nebeker happened to meet on the south side of the temple block and had some words, and finally a few blows. A business transaction in the past had made hard feeling between them. We started a series of doctrinal teacher training meetings. On March 11th, President Young was arrested and fined $25 and sentenced to 24 hours in the penitentiary for refusing to pay alimony and attorneys' fees in favor of Ann Eliza Young, divorce case pending. President Young contended that she was not a legal wife, so the court had no jurisdiction. I was assigned to round up some others a guard, and asPresident Young was taken to the penitentiary, we stood guard outside. (That was in Sugarhouse.) That made the jailer afraid, or nervous, and the judge was nervous, also. It snowed seven inches that night as those not on duty bedded down in the cold. In a few days, President [Ulysses S.] Grant relieved Judge McKean for this. Conference was held April 6th through 11th, inclusive. The ward members also tried to think of ways to get rid of the coddling moths that were ruining our fruit. April 19th, Addie moved back to my old house to take care of it and for other reasons, as the parties renting it had moved out and renters were scarce in those days. The directors of ZCMI asked for bids to build a store building between South Temple and First South on Main Street. They gave no plans to bid from. I bid $40,000; don't know the amount of other bids. The building was finally done by Church workmen working by the day. There was a considerable floating population, so we deemed it prudentto have a special police on guard. It was all volunteer, assigned bywards. I began taking my turns on May 14th. At my project of A. C. Smoot's in Provo, my rails did not fit the staircase. I went there and found that the rails were fine, but the stairs had not been made according to plans. So told them to make new crooks at special places, and twists, etc., and then I returned for two days and hung

the rails. June 19th, Mary Jane Asper and William Weaver came and received their endowments in the Endowment House, they having been married some time previous. The Church leaders wanted a Jubilee likelast year, so I organized that. My son, Albert Elias got cholera infantum in the violent form. He could not keep anything down, or in. He wanted a drink every five minutes. The impression came upon me that ice would ease his suffering. So I procured some ice, and with it, cooled some water. We applied cool wet cloths to his stomach and bowels, and gave him ice water to drink. He soon fell asleep and afterwards recovered. He was still a bit ill a week after, so I took him to Dr. Anderson, who said Albert had a rupture. The doctor got him a truss, and that made Albert lively, as normal. On September 1st, George A. Smith died rather suddenly, which increased our sadness for him and family. September 11th, in setting stairs in the James Watson home, I cut my hand with a sharp hatchet, which laid open the knuckle of the left forefinger to the bone. I wrapped it, and kept on working. It swelled. Doctor Anderson gave me a salve for it, which reduced the pain, but it took a week to get better. September 12th, George Ernest was born at 11 p.m. On October 3rd, President [Ulysses S.] Grant visited our city on his trip across the continent. It was declared a holiday. Crowds lined the street to wave at him as he passed. He went on to Denver. On October 14th, at the request of the First Presidency, I went, along with many others, to the Endowment House and we were re-baptized as symbols of being in the United Order. It was mainly for bishoprics and leaders. Some weren't able to make that time, and came the next week. John Taylor confirmed me. November 7th was the time to move sacrament meetings to the wards. On November 13th, I ran out of cashto pay my men on that payday. That was due to the tightness of the economy and the consequent difficulty of collecting. I worried much about that and apologized to the men, but they didn't seem to mind that much. The following week, I had the money, and could pay them all. November 23rd, Mary and Addie became fully reconciled. On November 24th, George W. Asper came to board with us and go to schoolat the Deseret University, remaining all winter. There were the yearly Sunday School parties. The year 1875 was not a favorable yearfor business. I built several houses, but the business is not large or profitable.

1876: The ward got involved in supporting people who were called to colonize Arizona. Brigham Young said, this people never would go back to Jackson County as a whole people, but a portion of them wouldand he expected to form a chain of settlements along the mountains from here to South America. During March, some members petitioned for the removal of Bishop Raleigh, so we others made a petition to retain him. That night I dreamed I was on the sidewalk at the cornerof First West and Second North, and the bishop was on the sidewalk about 60 feet west of me. In the middle of the street appeared a

serpent 100 feet long. I called to alert the bishop. He was able toward it off with his arms. On March 5th a New York Times correspondent visited our ward meeting; Orson Pratt spoke on raising up a latter-day Zion in America. April 5th was the great powder magazine explosion on Capitol Hill. We suppose that two young men were returning from hunting and used the door of one ammunition bunker in target practice. (Or, they were just passing when internalheat set it off.) We only found fragments of their bodies. The blast broke most of the plate glass windows on upper Main Street. Rocks were hurled for nearly a mile, and embedded themselves three orfour feet in the earth when they landed. One rock hit a lady who wasoutside at her well, and she died. April 20th, Dom Pedro, the emperor of Brazil visited here, on tour. On May 6th, one of our solid financial men here resigned. He had recently tried developing unprofitable mines. He owed me money for work I had done - $100. Hedied, and was buried July 23rd. May 7th, the sacrament meetings wereback at the tabernacle. The Sunday School leaders wanted a grand picnic for all the leaders and teachers, and I was assigned to arrange it. It was a good picnic. July 4th, I baptized Alice Salomaand I confirmed her July 6th in fast meeting. We held the children'sJubilee in the tabernacle. August 10th I took a week or so vacation and took the family into the mountains. We found it too windy for camping, and traveled on to Elias's, and put our tent up near his house. August 23rd, I made the mistake of endorsing a $600 note for Dr. J. M. Bernhisel on Zions Savings Bank. I knew a few years before, that he loaned money on a large scale without means, and I mentioned that to him, but he cunningly remarked that it was true, but he had his money out at various places and need a few hundred dollars until he could make collections. He ha been honorable, so I cosigned. The bank required a cosigner in this case.) But in reality, he was bankrupt. I eventually took out a third mortgage on his home (which was all he had - he said) as security, but I never received a dollar from it. October 8th, Agnes Asper and A. G. Brim came in to conference, and on the 9th, they were married in the Endowment House. George Nebeker was president of Wasatch Coal MiningCo. The high council held a trial to decide the case between him andBishop Raleigh. I, being an alternate, was needed and attended the trial. It was decided that Nebeker should give a bond to Bishop Raleigh for debts. This year, the sacrament meeting were transferredto the wards on October 11th. I was ordained a High Priest (& 1st Couns., Bishopric) on October 26th.

1877: January 1st, there was a surprise party here. We had a pleasant time. The Church authorities wanted the YMMIA started in each ward about this time. On the 22nd of March, I was called out of bishop's meeting, for my daughter Flora Minnie had fallen coming home from school while playing with other children, and had broken her collar bone. I took her to Dr. Anderson, who set it, and she was more

comfortable. I acted as bishop for about 5 months (17 Nov 1876 to 21April 1877) while Bishop Raleigh went to St. George to train temple workers. (The temple there was dedicated April 6th, 1877.) Our 19thWard started a tannery. After a year, ZCMI bought it and ran it. May 31st, Elder George Q. Cannon said that President Young wanted thebishops and their counselors to administer the sacrament to the children in Sunday School, every Sunday. On July 2nd, we got a new bishop: R. V. Morris. I was chosen to be first counselor, and H. Arnold was second counselor. We held a farewell social for Bishop Raleigh. August 23rd, the bishops met and decided to build a new stake tabernacle. It was afterwards called the Assembly Hall. President Young asked me to be on the committee to supervise the construction. He took sick that night, and expired on the 29th at 4 p.m. It was a very sad day for Israel. In the next conference, on October 6th, there was a solemn assembly where the quorums all voted in turn to sustain the new presidency of the Church. It was unanimous. 1877 was not a very profitable year financially, althoughI built a number of houses.

1878:The ward soap factory was finished, but some bills had yet to be paid, and I was not satisfied with that. It was soon resolved. I was elected president of the YMMIA, but I didn't relish it, for I hadSunday School, deacons, ward outings, teachers, and bishopric meetings, committee work, my civic duties; and one of my wives was the YLMIA president, and another, the Primary president. May 10th, Itook a chill and fever. My mouth was a mass of sores. I thought I had a cold, or maybe rheumatic fever, or maybe scurvy. I was administered to about every day, but it gave little help. It took a month for me to get better. June 6th I baptized Flora M. Asper. September 27th, Sam Racolel, a Kanaka, fell from the walls of the temple and was killed. He had been assisting to hoist and set stone there. I was an election judge (election was in the first week of August) and also a delegate to the county convention, as it was a congressional election. My time was used in the following areas: We disbursed special Christmas gifts to the poor in the ward, Sunday School meetings, Sunday School Union meetings, monthly priesthood meetings, Assembly Hall committee meetings, deacons meetings, semi-monthly bishop's training meetings, and teacher development meetings,YMMIA meetings, and this was especially so in the winter.

1879:January 7th we learned that George Reynolds may have to go to prison;the US Supreme Court ruled the 1862 polygamy law constitutional. TheSunday School good-conduct awards meeting was January 12th. The people were losing interest in the United Order. January 23rd, Addiegot quite sick. I tended to her and had to miss some meetings. At award party in February, I beat all challengers at checquers. And thehard feelings between Bishop Raleigh and George Nebeker was taken to

a high council tribunal. Since one of the high councilman was not available, I was in the tribunal. It was amicably resolved - they were to be friends, and be re-baptized. The YMMIA still wanted me aspresident, but the people in it were hard to work with, doing little,or as they pleased. April 14th, I was a petit juror; we treated the famous Shurtliff case of grand larceny of Wells Fargo Express Co. Ittook us 12 days; 4 voted for a guilty verdict, 8 for acquittal, on May 7th. On April 23rd, I married Rebecca J. Noall at the Endowment House at 8:30 p.m., Joseph F. Smith officiating. We went to our separate homes afterward, to avoid giving any onlookers a chance to accuse us of polygamy. In a polygamy case, Daniel H. Wells was askedto testify as a witness, about the Endowment House clothing. He would not do that, and was fined $100 and had to spend 45 hours in the penitentiary. As he got out, we made a parade, which was 50 minutes long in passing, and escorted him home. We had a small program in the tabernacle, too. June 15th, during a meeting in the tabernacle, a strong wind blew some of the iron roof off, and broke one of the skylights. The noise and crash and falling of glass caused quite a little stampede from under the skylight, but it soon quieted down. That month also, George Nebeker had a fight with Brother Solomon. July 12th, I brought Rebecca home in the evening. This event had been arranged for more than a month, and all had been kept quiet, but this morning's Tribune had an article about us:

"Some four weeks since one Elder Asper, superintendent of the 19th Ward Sunday School, took to his home a concubine in the person of Rebecca Knowles, residing one block West of the Depot near Snells soap factory, When the fact became known to the neighbors. Asper, the law-breaking lecher became frightened and finally sent the newly made Conk home to her friends. The Federal officials will please make a note of this."

Not one word of which is true, which no doubt originated with some ofour Latter-day Saints held in full fellowship. We held another July 24th Jubilee at the tabernacle. I was a county delegate to the convention, also. There were some legal proceedings this summer where the Brigham Young heirs thought some Church property was theirs. The court finally found that it wasn't. I was election judge on election day, August 4th. Mary Jane Weaver attends the University here now. August 19th I got a severe headache at work. Ilay down at home, and hardly could move. Then the thought struck me to have Beckie come in and lay hands on me and pray for me. She and others came, and they all thought it better to get a man to administer to me. I told them, no, I was impressed to have Beckie [here he writes as if it were more than one woman] lay on hands and pray. That was done, and the pain left me inside of one minute. October 4th, I had a severe attack of rheumatism, and was in bed for two days. The sacrament meetings were moved back to the wards on November 16th this year. On Christmas day, the whole family took

dinner together at the house on Quince St. and spent an enjoyable evening there together, too.

1880: The ward YMMIA was disorganized [dissolved]. It was nothing but a nigger show with the leaders they had. It was soon again reorganized, and I was not in it. April 5th, a bond election was held to get $250,000 to build the Salt Lake and Jordan Canal, therebyincreasing the water supply. I was an election judge. May 4th, I was invited by the ward Relief Society to an annual meeting, and was called upon to offer the dedicatory prayer on the house. Afterwards they served a dinner. Eliza R. Snow, Mother Whitney, and E. B. Wellsand others were there. On June 14th, Ernst and Albert both got the measles severely. July 5th, I procured a team and took the family upCity Creek Canyon for a day outing. It was nice. We returned at 7 p.m. Along with two others, I went July 29th and visited George Reynolds at the penitentiary. We have a good old-fashioned chat withhim. This year, I built a house for Miss Ernestine Young, she being adminsitrix for the estate. But when I finished, she gave up the administrix, and I had to go to court for my money. It took six months. On September 5th, President [Rutherford B.] Hayes visited this city. All the Sunday Schools had their students out to greet his procession by the way. On October 8th, Alice Saloma took sick with diptheria, very severe. But frequent administrations and remedies which were thought best, helped her, and in a week she beganto mend. Her palate was nearly gone, and it was a long time before she could talk plainly again. Her eyes were also affected, but by administering to her and being prayed for in the Circle, they returned to their normal condition again. November 15th, Rebecca wasconfined, and Alfred William was born at half past nine p.m.; he was blessed by myself on the 23rd. November 21st, Addie got sick, but recovered in a few days. On December 29th, I felt a pain in my head.Administrations gradually helped. This year, the business is there, but it is hard to get paid. And it was the Church's Jubilee year: the Church donated extra to the poor, remitted large amounts of back tithing and Perpetual Emigration Fund debts. It was a great load on the bishops to distribute all the extra help for the poor.

1881:Wards took their turns, on assignments, to officiate in the EndowmentHouse, as it was a period of re-baptizing and other work. Since mostof the ward leaders were away when our assignment came around February 1st, it was just myself and one other man who went. I baptized 200 in cold water. I got out, but there was word that one man would soon be in, so I waited, shivering in my wet clothes. I needed a good drink of composition at home to get the cold out of my system. On March 15th, I received word that I was called to the Southern States as a missionary, to start in about four weeks. I replied that my business was large, and it might take six weeks to

close. I was told that was fine. About this time, it was discoveredthat the wardhouse was partly on public land used for a school. We all solved this by arranging new deeds so that where things stood they could stay. Not everyone liked that. On March 30th I borrowed a horse and spring wagon to go over Jordan on business. The horse was balky and he stopped once in a slough of water and wouldn't go for a long while. I decided it would be better, in the future, to walk, rather than get such a horse. On April 6th, in conference, my mission was announced with that of many others, and I was set apart by Lorenzo Snow. Seventy-five people came as a surprise party to my house for my birthday. I was tired that month from getting my books up-to-date and arranging the rental of my shop. I told the Brethren that I wanted my missionary certificate made so that I would have authority to officiate in the state of Pennsylvania as well as in theSouthern States. They readily agreed to that, saying if there was any receptive spirit among my relatives there, that I should stay there as long as needed.

I traveled with a company of about 40 missionaries that left on the 19th; only six were going to the Southern States. We encountered thebig water of the Missouri (in flood), and that delayed us several days.

I got to the home of my brother, George on the 27th of April. All was well, and they were very glad to see me after an absence of 20 years. I spent about six weeks visiting among old friends and relatives in Adams and York counties, but soon found that my estimateof their honesty as to obeying the gospel, or even desiring to hear of it, was entirely too generous. I set to work to obtain genealogies of my ancestors. There I also encountered huge difficulties, as to where the family records were kept. But I persevered, and visited cemeteries and church yards, and conversed. The most prominent, or fruitful source of information was my Aunt Rebecca Asper Brenneman, my father's sister, who is now 72 years old,whose mind seemed to have been stored with just what I wanted of the different families on both sides of the house. She was, of course, unable to give dates, but the tombstones helped me there. She took great pride in remembering and maybe the Lord had spared her to give the information I desired. I wrote to President John Morgan in Nashville, telling him about what time I would be ready to go to the Southern States. Meanwhile, Elder Joseph E. Mullett, who had just recently gone on a mission to the eastern states, and was now in Philadelphia, wrote me to come and assist him and then he would accompany me to the Southern States Mission. He had heard that President Morgan wanted me in Virginia. So once I was done with my genealogical gathering, I went to Philadelphia. Elder Mullet and I made our headquarters at Jacob Hampton's, 132 Greenwich St. We gathered old members, held meetings, and organized a branch. (They all emigrated within two years.) When the proper time arrived, we

left Philadelphia for Hew Hope, Augusta County, Virginia. That was on June 24th. Elder Mullet had learned in his correspondence that was the place I was to be. In getting there, we went through Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The prejudice there was high. One day in August, when I had gone alone on an errand, I returned to findElder Mullet gone, having left only a note for me to read. Due to the prejudice there, I baptized only one man. I did some good in Fluvanna County, and then I heard of a conference to be held in Burkes Garden (Virginia) September 23-25, so I arranged to be there. President Morgan didn't come to the conference as we expected becausethere was a mobbing in Georgia, and he had to help the elders there.I enjoyed the association of the other elders during conference. Still, I had no companion, so I stayed and worked with the elders nearest to my previous area. And I found them talking of asking for,or simply expecting their release to go home. And some of them had been in the field only three to six months! (Later, when President Morgan made new assignments, only one was released.) I told them in no uncertain words that the Lord had called me here, and I would stayand do my job. I then got Elder Joseph L. Townsend to go with me to my old area, Fluvanna County, or specifically to Clinch Valley and set up meetings. We heard of threats being made against us there if we should come, but we went anyway, and found no danger. Then we gotword from President Morgan that we should come to Burkes Garden and help the members there pack and prepare to emigrate; they planned to start out on November 8th. There were about 40 planning to emigrate that season. Arriving there, Pres. Morgan assigned me Elder E. Carslisle of Logan as my companion. After helping the members, we were to work out into nearby counties and open up new fields of labor, as the way might open up before us. We continued working in Clinch Valley. We made our headquarters Matthias Beaver's house in Jeffersonville, Virginia. We gradually worked over into McDowell County, West Virginia, and then into Buchanan and Russell counties, in Virginia.

On April 3rd, 1882, I received a letter from our district president, Elder J. W. Stevens, assigning me to Bedford and Franklin counties with a new elder, Jessie M. Smith of Salt Lake City as my companion. So I made my rounds of saying good-bye to the members and friends. Iarrived at Roanoke, West Virginia, met Elder Smith, and stayed on thetrain four miles more to Gisha. From there we walked out to J. W. Payne's our new headquarters. My feet were blistered and sore, so werested two days. When we again began to work, we gradually worked into Botetourt County, and then into Montgomery and Floyd counties. We baptized one woman, Sister Burnett, in Botetourt. On May 5th, I received notice from Pres. Morgan that I was appointed president of the conference. That was unexpected. So my companion and I took train at Roanoke on which we met Pres. Morgan, and arrived together at Marion Smyth County the same night. The train, the next day, tookus to the mountains, to Chesnut Ridge, where Pres. Morgan had

arranged to hold conference. That was July 21-23. There were all ofeight elders there, plus Pres. Morgan. We rejoiced at being together. We all did visits to members there. My companion and I returned to Bedford County on August 3rd to continue our work. On August 21st, I baptized and confirmed Sister M. E. Kerby, after only five weeks of lessons. At the first of September I had hemorrhage ofthe bowels. I was healed by Elder Smith administering to me. On September 12th, Elder John T. Henninger arrived; then I could be freeto travel and visit my conference [district]. We three started out October 12th for southwestern Virginia - Smyth County, to help the two elders there. We found one elder sick. He was released to go home. We helped [better] organize the branch there and baptized four. Next we went to Burkes Garden, arriving on October 20th. The elders were glad to see me. Here the branch had been organized 18 month previous, but they had not held regular meetings. After a few weeks helping there, I went to Russell County on November 3rd, and held a proselyting meeting in the Shady Grove Schoolhouse on Sunday November 5th. We followed that up by setting a two-day meeting for November 19th and 20th. A large congregation attended those.

Here, we extract from the diary of Levi James TAYLOR (1851-1935) which he had started 17 Oct 1882): Nov 5th, he noted that William Asper's companion was James W. Bean. November 6,7,11,12 were meetings; Elder Asper sang. In his entry of November 14th, he noted that Elder Asper was a firm believer in Law of Celestial Marriage. November 19th was a Sunday, and meeting was held in the Shady Grove Schoolhouse. On the 20th, Bros. Asper and Bean started for Jeffersonville. Months later, on the 16th of a month, he wrote Bro. Asper. August 5th was a Sunday in 1883; he received letter from Elder William Asper [who had returned] that all is well in Salt Lake City. Continuing with William Asper's narrative now:

After that, I went back to Burkes Garden. It snowed those days. There were ten elders in my conference now. There was plenty of snowand slush in December. Elders Carlisle and Smith went to open a new field, and February 7th (1883) I received notice that two more elderswould be added to my conference. Now, by this time we had baptized four: two here in Burkes Garden, and two in Franklin County, and so considerable opposition was then shown in the vicinity of Jordan Town, Bedford County. Mobs posted notices and sent us notices and verbal threats to others, but their courage failed at the very last, and we were safe. On March 10th (1883) I received notice from President Morgan that I would be released to return home with the March 29th emigration company from Franklin County and nearby counties. I said some sorrowful good-byes. Then I departed for Marion, by rail. I arrived at McIntyre, in Smyth County, on the 18thof March. There I was busy helping and directing the preparations ofthe company. I went back to Marion on the 26th in a foot of snow.

Here I hired room at the hotel to house the women and children, to help keep them comfortable. Myself and Elders Carlisle and Coray arethe ones being released. Now the mission will be left with twelve elders, and due to my setting the tone, not one of them desires to bereleased. I have made many friends in Virginia. At the first of my mission, it was hard to get places to stop [stay a night], but now, Ireceive invitations from far and near to visit, even from ones of whom I have no acquaintance, and certainly more than I could respond to.

Our emigrating company now numbered 45. (That was on 28 March 1883.)We left, and arrived in Chattanooga that evening, met President Morgan,, and departed at 5 a.m. on the 29th on the Central Southern Railroad. We reached Cincinnati at 6 p.m., and St. Louis on the 30that 8 a.m. We have been joined by others, so now we total 14 elders and 170 souls. We arrived at Kansas City at 8 p.m., and got to Pueblo at 2 a.m. Here, on April 1st, President Morgan and 124 of thecompany, along with four elders, took the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad for Mannasa, Colorado, leaving 46 members and ten returning elders in my charge, for Salt Lake City. We left Pueblo at 7 a.m. ona special - the first passenger train over the entire railroad, sincea part of the railroad had only been completed the day before, and was not yet opened for passenger or even freight traffic. We consequently had some difficulty in getting relays or crews and engines at each division, which delayed us very much. But we arrivedat Provo at 7 a.m., and at the Salt Lake City Denver & Rio Grande Railroad depot at 10 a.m. on April 3rd, 1883. We had traveled a distance of 2,576 miles. Three of my daughters met me. There were anumber of carriages there to take the emigrants uptown, eleven of them going to my house, where all the family were, and there we had dinner and congratulations and etc. On April 4th, I called at the Historian's Office and made my report. On the 5th and 6th, I was sick in bed nearly all day, but on the 6th, got up about 4 p.m. At 7p.m. the Sunday School martial band serenaded me and escorted me to the meetinghouse, to which I objected, but it was no use. They administered to me and made me dress and go. There were 300 there waiting. I shook hands until I was tired out. There was a program of songs and speeches, and a sumptuous dinner, then more speeches, and they dismissed about 11 p.m. By this time I had forgotten I was sick.

After a rest of a week or two I began thinking about business. I never had looked favorably upon a partnership in businesses, but now I began to think I must do so. I reflected and prayed over it, and on the 6th of April, I approached William Noall, one of my former apprentices, on that subject, and proposed to join with him. After some days' thought, he accepted, and on May 1st, 1883, we embarked inthe building business. We soon had all the work we could handle. Besides that, good journeymen were scarce, and we had great

difficulty in meeting our contracts on that account. Our work was also much scattered from Kaysville to Riverton. On May 2nd, my cousin, Dr. J. A. Brenneman, visited me. He had been to Riverside, California, during the winter, for his health, and he stopped over for a week. I introduced him to the leading brethren and sisters, which he seemingly appreciated. May 28th, I went to Kaysville to layoff a two-story dwelling for J. H. Larkins. He met me weeping, sorryI had come, as his sister, Mrs. William Foxley, was about to die, they having wired relatives from Salt Lake City and Ogden and other places to be there, and he could not leave her in her last moments. I walked with him up the street where we saw a large number of peopleoutside of a house, his sister's house. He had expected her to pass away the previous night. We went inside; he wanted me to come in. He spoke to her. When he told her I was there, and she then asked for me to administer to her. I was unacquainted with anyone but him, but I went in the room full of men and women. I did not know whom to call on to assist me, but finally asked one man if he was an elder. He said he was, and it was her husband. I anointed her and was also mouth in sealing the anointing, and I commanded her to be healed. I walked out soon after, Mr. Larkin following me. I told him I could see no reason why she would not be well again. He said that was impossible; the doctors had given her up, that her womb was gone entirely, and etc. We walked up to where he was going to build.In a short time a messenger came, saying she was better. We laid offhis new house, and returned to her. She was sitting up, talking cheerfully, trying to undo the snarls in her hair, which was all matted. Then I administered to her again and spent the day with them. She lived four or five years more, and then died.

The young men of our ward wanted me to start a theology class. I thought about it, and then got permission from our bishop, James Watson, and we had a class of 15, and started May 29th. I had set a limit of 15. (The class lasted until August of 1884, when I had to go away. At that time, Apostle J. W. Taylor had moved into our ward,so he then took over. Yet, he too, soon had to leave, so the class was stopped.) They all learned well. I also resumed working in the Sunday School I made a Sunday School on the Jordan at the request of Bishop Watson. Yet, there was no house there, so it was abandoned when autumn came. June 21st, the old Council House was burned, and also Savage's Art Gallery and Clawson's Wagon Yard. July 10th, ZionsSavings Bank was robbed in daylight by David Rich and Adophus Smith. David was convicted and had a long term in the penitentiary. On August 22nd, we leaders took the Sunday School members, and the ward members, to Black Rock Beach. This was my first trip to this bathingresort, and I had my first steamboat ride on the lake and my first bath in the Salt Lake. July 25th, Andrew Burt, the city marshal was shot and killed by a Negro whom he was about to arrest. The Negro was lynched by a mob, which caused great excitement for a few days. September 14th, I baptized my son, George Ernest, and confirmed him

October 4th in fast meeting. Sunday October 28th, the Whitmore Hotel, near the Union Pacific Railroad was destroyed by fire. On December 29th, 1883, Matthew Noall Asper was born at 6 p.m. His mother became very sick on the 31st, but soon recovered when administered to.

1884:I blessed Matthew at home on 6 January 1884. There were the usual yearly Sunday School meetings. I had met an L. W. Lighty, a cousin, and a free thinker. We corresponded regularly. I sent him pamphlets; he tried to convert me. Now we're on polygamy. He may yet not believe, even if the Lord appeared to him. But it has been agood correspondence. About this time I also wrote dialogue which wasproduced in our Sunday School review, and afterwards, some of the brethren had it put in print. In fast meeting April 3rd, my sons Albert Elias and Ernest George were made deacons. I also blessed Matthew Noall Asper again in that meeting. About this time also, Addie had quite a spell of sickness for a week. May 6th, I was down at the depot and saw George A. Wilcox and family off for the Islands,he having gone the night before, because the officers were after him on a polygamy charge. May 12th, I was sick with a high fever for about a week. I was administered to quite often. May 23rd, Flora was sick for nearly two weeks, and then Addie had another spell of several weeks. June 2nd, we commenced to take down the old house that Addie and Beckie had lived in, which was twenty years old. We rebuilt it with brick, and it was ready to occupy again on July 26th.

On July 18th, I met Brother William H. Folsom, the Manti Temple Superintendent. He had spoken to the Presidency about my going and taking charge there with him. They told him that I may want to rest after my mission, but they approved. So I began preparations to go. Again, we leaders took the Sunday School, on July 29th, to Black Rock; we had a large crowd and they had a good time. August 14th, wereceived confirming news of the martyrdom of Elders Gibbs and Berry on Cane Creek in Tennessee. This left gloomy feelings among the Saints. August 21st, I took the train for Manti, arriving the same evening about 6 p.m. I was quite sick, having hemorrhage of the bowels yesterday and today. I had charge of every aspect of the temple construction, except for the stone work, which itself was nearly all done by now. Brother E. Parry, master mason supervised, but the whole load finally fell upon me, the entire finishing and thechanges. I had little thought of the trying experiences I would havebefore the whole structure was completed. I was called back to Salt Lake City to speak at the memorial service for the two slain elders. I took the theme, "Father, forgive them". Brother Folsom was the next speaker, and he criticized this theme, and denounced my sentiments. Brother J. E. Martin was presiding, but he did nothing about it. A few days afterward, he came to me at Manti and apologized for Brother Folsom's remarks. The newspaper report had

made Brother Folsom's remarks coincide with mine.

I had no suitable office, so I prepared a room in the temple, and on September 6th I moved into it, where I lived and worked three and a half years. I also went to Salt Lake City for conference October 2nd. October 8th, I visited the Logan Temple. On the 13th, I was back in Manti. On November 17th, President Taylor and George Q. Cannon and others came down and gave instructions concerning the Celestial Room and the Sealing Room. I came home on December 23rd for the holidays. I had a picture taken at my house. There was plenty of Sunday School work to catch up on there, too.

1885:I returned to Manti on January 7th. The persecution in relation to polygamy was severe now. Rudger Clawson got sentenced to four years in the penitentiary, with an $800 fine. The leading brethren went onthe Underground ("UG" in his diary). Being in Manti put me away frommy families in Salt Lake City, and gave me a little peace from the persecution. I was called to teach a Sunday School class of young girls there in Manti. My health was not too good, so I rented a roomand had Addie come to keep house. That helped my health. On February 16th, Elders F. M. Lyman and H. J. Grant visited the temple.I had a pleasant hour in their company. On March 5th, B. H. Roberts visited the temple. That was my first acquaintance with him. On May 15th, I went to Salt Lake City, got off the train at the Morgan Smelter and walked the rest, so as to arrive home after dark. I did not go out during the day. May 19th, I returned, bringing Alfred with me. Alfred was quite happy all the way, and more so when he sawhis Aunt Addie. June 16th, I received a telegram from William Noall that my folks in Salt Lake City had been subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury on the 19th. After this I was not seen out by daylight anymore. I would go home at 9 p.m., and go to work at daybreak. I took to the UG [Underground] for good on the 28th. I stayed in the temple all the time. However, George Romney's and JohnNicholson's families were in Manti, and their evidence seemed to havebeen sufficient to indict all three of us, but I was not sure of it until the 29th, when I received a letter from U.S. Marshal Ireland. He said I had been indicted and a friend of mine had suggested to themarshal that I would give myself up. So the marshal had written me suggesting I come at once, or advise. I did not feel at all anxious about going, but the temple people wanted me to stay and not give myself up. They suggested that I take a week off somewhere else. SoI went to John Tuttle'' where they had arranged for me to stay. I stayed thus in seclusion until the 13th. On July 4th, someone in Salt Lake City had all the flags put at half mast, and the gentiles almost produced a riot. But on the 23rd, word came of the death of General Grant. July 13th, I returned to the temple and made my home there for nearly three years, seeing no one, only a few trusted ones whom I had to see for the work. It would seem very lonely to many,

but I was on the Lord's errand, and He had thus far protected me. Maybe this "imprisonment" is one where I can do His work. [Here he notes the grand jurors' names, then continues:] July 29th, after testifying, Rebecca slipped out and went home, and thereby escaped being held under bonds. She went to Idaho. On her return, she didn't stop in Salt Lake City, but came here, arriving at Moroni in company with John Henry. But I did not see her until the 30th. Her luggage was shipped a week after she got here. September 20th, I again went up the [Manti] canyon before daylight, and was joined there by Addie, Beckie, Brother Ellis and Brother Cox and his second wife. I did not like her countenance, and a gloom came over me. Shebetrayed our whereabouts. So I went with Brother Ellis in a buggy tohide at Brother J. T. Henninger's, near Moroni. In the dark, it tooka long time to find the house, and we nearly froze. It was nice there; his wife had had a dream that she was hiding a man, and supposed it would be Joseph F. Smith, but it was me, and that was okay. I spent some time fishing. On the 29th, after dark, I walked the dark road to Ephraim, 11 miles, to Peter Ahlstrom's first wife's house. I stayed a night or so, then went on to Manti, walking in the dark. I arrived at the temple at 11 p.m. I was gloomy and nervous. My thoughts were: Whom can you trust? Then Brother Ellis related to me, in private, a circumstance that he saw a few weeks ago. That waswhile there was much excitement and talk about a deputy marshal coming here and arresting me. He said that one evening that week, ashe was bringing me my supper, walking through the dark hall past the east door. As he opened the door to the Font Room Hall, the hall wasas light as day, and a man large in stature was standing as if guarding the door to my room. Brother Ellis had turned around to lock the door where he had come in, and the he started towards my room, and the bright light gradually departed and he was again enshrouded in darkness. This he declared upon his sacred honor, and to him it was a testimony that the Lord had a work for me to perform here and was watching over me, and that the deputy marshals would never be permitted to arrest me or take me from here. That was a great comfort to me, yet it did not give me assurance by any means that I would be allowed to finish the work undisturbed - because eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. (He adds: It has all turned out well.)

But November 8th, my calmness was disturbed. I heard: The marshals are in town, and we expect they will search the temple tomorrow. So we arranged this: Rebecca, Matthew and myself went to Brother Kareham's; Addie and Alfred went to John Tuttle's. We remained at these places, expecting any day a raid on the temple would come. None came. I returned to the temple on the 16th. Addie and Beckie went to their home. I kept out of Brother Cox's sight. He soon afterward had a difficulty with Brother Folsom, and went to Salt LakeCity. (Later, he appealed to me to help him get his job back; I talked with Brother Folsom, but was told that Brother Cox had quit on

his own, and his work was near an end, anyway.

This was about the time of the Knothole Conspiracy in Salt Lake City.This was: A number of Salt Lake City police had induced a woman of easy virtue, named Fanny Davenport, to open a house of ill-fame, so the police could spy on who came. They expected to catch some prominent federal officials. They did. The officials feared the outcome, so they got Judge Zane to indict some of those who had spied. That resulted in jail terms for some of the police who were involved. Sunday morning November 29th, the temple boarding house was searched by Deputy M. Clausen and others, but no one was there that they were looking for. For several days then, I expected a raidon the temple. I was sick, so I arranged a system of bells so I could, if needed, escape before the marshals entered. But the scare subsided. My folks moved from where they were to a more secluded home rented from Mrs. Black, where the watchmen could get my supper and bring it to me. This relieved Brother Ellis, who almost entirelyby himself had faithfully attended to that for the last six months. Peter Ahlstrom always brought my breakfast in his pocket every morning as he came to work. I received word of a temple search to bedone Sunday, December 24th. Also, on the 26th, I went to Brother Tuttle's. I returned soon to the temple; I felt a certain safety there. 1886:We received news of George Q. Cannon's arrest in Nevada. He was brought to Salt Lake City under military escort, and placed under $45,000 bonds. He defaulted. About this time, Addie went to Salina on a visit to friends there. She was asked to teach school there, and did so for several months, returning permanently on May 24th (1887).

On April 18th, Brothers Ellis and Ahlstrom, the watchman and myself began holding sacrament meeting in the temple. That was nice. In these days, I had not been to Salt Lake City for a year, so I arranged for a team, and had Christian Anderson drive it. It was a light wagon, and covered, to I could hide when in sight o a house. Weleft for Salt Lake City on the 30th of April, passing through Spring City, Mount Pleasant, Fairview, and Indianola, where we stopped for the night. The next day we went through Spanish Fork Canyon and got to Provo to stay the night there. We arrived in Salt Lake City the third day at 10:30 p.m. After a nice time there, we left at 3 a.m. on the 7th of May, and arrived at the temple after a good return trip. The temple seems lonely to me. In these days, with painting going on, Brother Ahlstrom generally opened the temple windows in thedaytime to let out the paint smell. On the evening of July 8th, as he was closing the window in the Telestial Room, he saw a man pass downward to the Garden Room, but took no particular notice. Then he went into the Garden Room and closed the windows there. The door to

the Creation Room was locked. He realized the man he had seen had noway to get out. He was alarmed. He sought out the key keeper, but was told the door had not been unlocked that day. But there was no one to be found. Was the man immortal, or did he get out through thekeyhole? In August, I had the diarrhea, so on the 29th, Chris Anderson took me and Rebecca and Matthew out to M. P. Henninger's near Moroni, to experience some open air, and to feed the mosquitoes.

1887:February 12th, we heard that the marshals had searched the temple block, and had found nothing. Feb. 17th, William Noall came, bringingsome books to balance. He also put up some stair rails he had furnished for the temple. His father, Simon Noall came too, but did not stay. March 1st, I rented a roomier house for Beckie and Addie. But by March 23rd, we found the neighbors nosy, so I began cooking myown supper in the temple. Peter Ahlstrom still brings my breakfast. April 16th, I made another trip to Salt Lake City. I stopped at Nephi, at Sister Pitchforth's; it was their stake conference, and I met many old friends. Got to Salt Lake City at 8:30 pm. I stopped at Bro. Noall's (for the night). I did some business. On the 27th at 3 a.m., I started back. I arrived at Manti at 9 p.m. on the 29th. May 9th there was another rumor. I went to John Tuttle's for two days. May 12th, Apostle F. M. Lyman came by; we had a nice visit. On the 20th, Brother Folsom went on the UG. I saw no need of him doing so. May 24th, Brother Ellis came and said the deputies were there, so I went to a secluded room. They passed near me, but found me not. It was said they wanted W. T. Reid, but it may have been me. In starting this search, Deputy Ethernever had the idea to run up the outside steps, but found doors there all locked. He ran back down, yelling for someone to get the keys, but by then the search party wasinside and he missed entering. I think he may be a murderer, and the Lord didn't want him inside a temple. On June 1st, Alice bore Hugh William. June 2nd, the deputies in Salt Lake City searched my house, and didn't find me, of course. On the 24th of June I visited my folksin Manti, wearing overhauls and a jumper, carrying a shovel as if irrigating. June 23rd, Rebecca bore daughter, Leone Adelia at 7 am; blessed by me on the 9th of July. July 23rd, Addie left for Logan to assist her father who was working on the temple there.

... fearing every step I might plunge into some deep hole. Thus I waded, wandered and prayed, faint and exhausted for drink, not daringto drink the warm alkali water I was wading in. The mosquitoes more like a cloud around me, billions of them. In the one hand I had a stick to explore my path with, and in the other I held a handkerchiefto wave off mosquitoes. I waded for hours, probably passing many miles in the water. I kept calling on the Lord to assist me and lead me to safety. At last I came to dry land, and saw the road I was seeking. (I had guessed wrong before.) I found a telegraph pole, and tried to rest at its base, but I could not sleep, being famished for

thirst. I was several miles south of Manti, in a swamp called Alkali Salratus Swamp, which has many saleratus holes, and it's a miracle I never fell in one. Then I came to a swift stream from a warm spring. I drank some; that revived me. I soon came to a water ditch south of town. A drink there helped allay my thirst. I got to Addie & Rebecca's about 2:30 p.m. They brought me some water, but gave me little at a time. I became sick with a fever and chills, and went tobed. I couldn't sleep. Their remedies were not much help. The next day I was able to return to my temple room, but since then I have never had the strength & vitality I before possessed. On August 20th,Addie returned from Logan. Apostle Lyman, plus J.H. Smith were here incognito auditing the books. The work is about complete. I had thoughts to go to Salt Lake City, get arrested, serve my term, and befree. But lacking Bro. Folsom, the Brethren reconsidered, and said Ishould stay on. They left Aug 27th. We rented a house in Gunnison to be more at ease. On the night of Sep 8th, Bro. Metcalf aroused me, saying that Alice was very sick. We got there at 5 a.m. and administered to her. She got worse, then better, and in a few days, was out of danger, so I left her on the evening of the 13th. As I returned, my wife Mary arrived in Manti. She went on to Gunnison to help Alice for a few days. On October 11th, at 11 p.m., I was calledin the night to Gunnison, for Alice's baby was very sick. We got there at 3 a.m. The baby had died at 2:30 a.m. Oh, the sacrifices Alice has made! She moved back to Salt Lake City. On November 4th, 1887, Apostles E. Snow, B. Young and Moses Thatcher were here choosing curtains and carpets and ordering them. On the 17th of November, I went out through the building, among all the men, as there has been considerable ill feeling some times, and my appearing might help it. Anyway, I need more exercise in direct sunlight. I made a Christmas visit to Gunnison from December 24th to 29th.

1888:Satan tries to discourage the workmen, etc. The carpenters finished up and went to other jobs on 31 March 1888. Finally there was just me, Brother Ellis, S. P. Neve, the janitor and Peter Ahlstrom. We engaged ourselves in putting up drapery, carpets, and adjusting locks. On the 28th, Brother Ellis left. He was a true friend. I had written Bishop James Watson for advice, whether I should go to Colorado or Mexico. He approved Colorado. I shipped my trunks to SaltLake City and prayed that the Lord might accept my labors here, and show me my way to keep out of the hands of the enemies of his people.It was fulfilled to the very letter, and I have the testimony that mylabors were accepted in that temple. (Writing this in 1893). Matthew was sick April 7th; I got there at 2 a.m. Sunday Morning. After administering to him, he began to recover. I returned Monday the 9th.On the 14th, I received an anonymous letter, and Brother Ellis, did also, advising us to leave the temple. But it may have been a false letter from a jealous workman, so we ignored it. On the 17th, I tookcold. I was administered to and sweat some, and was partly better

the next day. April 30th, we finished all the hanging of the draperies. May 1st, I settled my affairs here. On May 5th, Brother James W. Bean [an old missionary companion] let me borrow his horse and buggy for a week or two if I happened to see my way clear to go to Colorado. I arrived home at 10 p.m. On the evening of the 7th, Bishop James Watson said that D.C. Young, who was now the architect for the Salt Lake Temple, desired my services. I looked up George Q.Cannon [leaders were hard to locate, due to persecution] and asked his advice. He said, "Work on the temple." I stayed alternately at home and at Will Noall's. My health was poor. On 21 May 1888, the Manti Temple was dedicated. Heavenly music was heard. President Woodruff arranged a place for me to stay and hide. Cost was secondary to safety. I got a room in the Chase House, in Liberty Park. I moved in on the 31st of May. That is where several city employees live, and there are bed bugs. A went and got some powders to apply. Rebecca sent word from Gunnison that she had been subpoenaed, and that Alfred was sick. I arranged rooms for her in Salt Lake City. They got here the fourth of July. Rebecca now was in the First Ward; Addie was in the old house [19th Ward]. I moved to Rebecca's on the 21st of July to avoid the marshals. I visited more with George Q. Cannon, asking that I might go to Colorado. He said no. I moved to Lehi Pratt's home in the 21st Ward. The temple work was slow for me. It seemed they almost ignored me. As I neededto hide, Alfred William was baptized by William Felsted. That was onhis eighth birthday. I confirmed him on the 17th. At the last of November, George Q. Cannon gave himself up and received a light sentence. Francis M. Lyman did, also. I wanted to follow, but the bishop and others said I was needed for the temple. James Moyle wanted plans for a two-story building; Bishop Watson wanted a meetinghouse for the 22nd Ward. I made the plans for them as night work. Presiding Bishop Preston wanted plans for a stake tabernacle at Mesa, and I soon completed that for them. Soon the shop equipmentfrom Manti arrived, so Will Noall set up shop on Davis' property as before, consulting me all the while. Matthew Noall and wife also returned from the Islands. I had my first family visit with them on April 28th.

On May 14th, Moses Thatcher called on me; how would I like to go to Logan? There, they need a bank and other buildings. I could even change my name and be free there. That same week the Brethren approved it, saying I could try it for eight months. On May 29th I moved to Logan. I found the bank foundation in water, quicksand. It needed new floor plans, two vaults, a 50x100 counter, four stories, bank & office, two stores and an opera house with a basement under the whole. There was plenty of work. I rented rooms in Chris Garfs house nearby. I then rented house for Rebecca, who came June 6th. I moved to E. Benson's, nearer to her. I went to the 2nd Ward Sunday School, and had the sacrament. That was my first public meeting in four years. I likened my isolation to that of the disobedient spirits

of Noah's time. Finally free, I cried. But soon I had many calls to speak, so I decided not to go to meeting so often, so as not to have that exposure. Aug 11, at the 5th Ward Sunday School, a young lady from the 19th Ward told me Sarah my daughter was in town at the People's Hotel. I went to see her, and had a nice visit. Addie also made a short visit about this time. It was hard to get good brick in Logan at that time, so we ordered brick from Ogden. Cut stone was a problem; we had to send to Salt Lake City for that. That meant numerous delays. Roof finally on end of November, the rainy season just starting. My only chance to visit home, Salt Lake City, was November 21st. Brother David Eccles was on the train, but saw the marshals, and advised me take the midnight train instead. I arrived home at 3 a.m. December 9th, I wrote to Alice and A. C. Sadler to approve their marriage plans. "Be sure it's in the temple", I told them. But they had Bishop Orson F. Whitney marry them. Then on December 21st, 1889, Ethel May was born; she was blessed on the 31st.Rebecca was very low at this time. On the 18th, I had to re-figure thestone plats of the towers; they had been figured wrong. December 22nd to 23rd was a general church fast, sunset to sunset. About this time there was three feet of snow on the level in Logan. That made for very good sleighing, but foot travel was hard. The railroad was blockaded in January due to the snow, and we seldom got mail regular,sometimes not for near a week.

1890:I had a severe case of La Grippe January 19th. On the 10th of February there was a great election in Salt Lake City. The Peoples and Liberty parties contended; there was some fraud. April 25th, Thatcher Bank moved into their new building in Logan. The Opera House and stores were not yet complete. Plans are under way for an eight-room central school, and houses for P. Cardon, E. T. Richman, Preston Morehead, Thomas Irvine, J. R. Blanchard, & others. Also there is the Brigham City Theatre. I moved, because the landlord wentto Ogden to live. The Opera House presented its first play on September 18th. In October, I went on visit to Salt Lake City, whereSarah was recovering from typhoid fever. On my return I stopped in Brigham City and took measurements to convert the old Coop Store intoan Opera House. I visited with Apostle Lorenzo Snow in his bachelorsquarters there, as he called it. About this time, I found that glasses were a needed aid to me in reading building plans. October 28th, I received word that Flora was dead. That came like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky to me. Again, I was warned by G. W. Thatcher to take a different train; the marshal was on my next train south, so that delayed my plans. I tried hiring a team, but no one wanted to take me. The slow mail and telegraph had delayed news of Flora's death. I waited a day, and got to Salt Lake City the next day about noon. Her funeral was the 30th, the following day. Flora'sage was 20 years, 6 months, and 22 days. I couldn't get her off my mind for months after. I believe she was called for a purpose with a

great work was in store for her to do on the other side of the veil.

Lizzie Benson, daughter of Mrs. E. T. Benson, with whom I boarded fora year and a half, was married to Evan Owen of Wellsville. I, of course, attended the wedding, and also visited them at Wellsville a few days later where I spent several days.

This is the last paragraph in the journal, page 149. Apparently William Asper wrote out this journal longhand for his son, Matthew, using notes from his calendar-booklet diaries for the period after 1869. At this point, another project demanded his time, and he neverhad opportunity to return to this and finish it.

Matthew later typed the manuscript. As of 2010, Frank Asper, Jr., has the manuscript and a carbon copy of Matthew's transcription.

In I 1889 had to monitor the masons; they had made a wall wrong. In 1890 I had several people request that he make plans for (their) houses. In 1891 I made the plans for the "new tabernacle" in Brigham City. An entry for May 26 says: "At temple doing work for ancestors of Asper family (about 25 (male)); Mary Jane was baptized for about 30 (female)."

In the year 1892, on February 9th at 11 p.m., Frank was born. It wasa snowy day. I blessed him and named him in fast meeting February 18th.

In early 1893, I got a request for six more staircases for the Salt Lake Temple. On Apr 6th: 'Violent Hurricane swept over the city about the time that the Salt Lake Temple was dedicated. Heber C. Kimball had prophesied that 8 years ago."

In 1897, on January 7th Ethel (8 yrs old) had a swollen leg, or knee.(She later died at age 14.) On May 26, readying for Memorial Day, I & Alfred fixed Cemetery lot where graves had fallen in. This year, Ifelt exhausted a good part of the time.

Ern filled a mission to the Eastern States in 1898. I had Sarah called on a short mission to join him upon his release, and help him get in to relative's home that a man couldn't by himself. Ern had begun a spare-time series of visits the year before, but it was clearthat he needed help.

In 1900, smallpox closed everything for a while, even the temple. OnMarch 3rd, Frank was baptized at the Tabernacle by John N. Bailey, Jr.; I confirmed him on Sunday March 4th in Meeting. On my birthday this year, the children gave me a watch engraved inside the cover, "Presented by your children on the 64th anniversary." Then, August

14th I started baptisms for several hundreds of dead relatives. November 18th I fell in the temple, spraining my right arm. In October of 1900 there was a Thursday meeting to hand out lists of non-tithepayers to visit ("I got ten").

1901: January 24th 1:30 PM Rebecca's family (with me) sat for a family picture, & also for my own picture. My birthday this year wasa testimonial from all the children on a silk umbrella. Beginning in May, I was named one of the executors for Bishop Raleigh's will. This activity drug on through the next five years. October 10th brought a surprise – Lorenzo Snow's death. No one had suspected he was ill.

In June of 1905 we took a trip around the Northwest.

In 1906, I looked at pianos with Beckie; nine days later we had threepianos here on trial. March 21st I bought a span of horses in Farmington; next day I bought a wagon & harness. April 18th noted the San Francisco Earthquake. 1000's killed & injured.

In 1907, on May 30th, there was a balloon ascension at Liberty Park. In December, I and all the children and their spouses gathered for Christmas dinner.

In 1908 (Feb. 2nd) Frank was in the Symphony Orchestra that performedthat evening. On Feb 28 the doctor wanted Beckie in the hospital, butshe wouldn't. We fasted the next day for her, & it helped. I had felt ill & tired for a long time; the doctor (Wilcox) said there is nothing organically wrong. We tried a canyon retreat near Alta for me (& the family). Matthew rode his "Wheel" to & from the city, oncemaking it home in 1 hour & 40 minutes. Our mill caught fire at 6:30 PM August 12th; $1500 loss, but insured.

1909: I got books this year for birthday presents. On May 21st Halley's comet was tail-less in evening. On August 26th & 27th I began temple work anew (new list, probably). I became an ordinance worker in December 1909, taking the place of one who had died.

For 1910: On April 30th, doctor said I had an enlarged prostate gland, when I complained of persistent, severe, low-back pain. I canrest only lying on my back. I weigh 220 lbs, & must lose some to have the operation, which I am gradually reconciling myself to. By May 12th, I was on morphine, & digestion was bad also. May 21st, I saw a tail-less comet in the evening (Halley's, again). May 23rd themoon eclipse gave a [better] show of the comet. May 29th, Addie was among the many who visited me. June 3rd, Leone was delivered of a son about 11 AM. This is the last diary entry. William Asper died of prostate cancer on June 13th.