Pages 10-11

10


Mar 1899 Pacific Ocean

Returned to Sf. At 4-05 P. M. we set sail for Society Islands on board the ship Galilee. In command of Cap. F. B. Dinsmore On board besides Elder Hansen I were Messers Attwater, Mooath, Barnet &.

first & second mate, six sailors & one pet dog Baby, the pet of the crew, there were also pigs & chickens which were desposed of for food during the voyage.

The ships cargo cansisted of lumber, hard ware, dry goods, groceries etc. The Galilee has a displacement of

After biding friends on the wharf good by we sailed were drawn out by the steam tug, beneath the cheers & waving hankerchiefs of the crowd of people that stood on the pier and were soan out of Golden Gate where the tugg left us and we wer



11 Mar. 1899 Pacific Ocean

alone upon the high seas. The wind was favorable, the sea quite rough. I enjoyed being rocked and tossed by the huge waves untill nearly dark, when began to feel dizzy, my inward organs began to feel troubled. A and soon all the life sustaining substance with in me made its way out at the same source that it came went in, I felt that I was sea sick. With the last view of my native land I went to the cabin to spend the night by being rocked in the cradel of the deep, like the infant child in the the cradel of wood.

Sat. 4:- Sea modrate, wind favorable, Sea sickness still remained, our general course being South, South West.

Sun. 5. Weather & sea fair.

This being fast day it was observed by Elder Hansen & I.
one reason for my observing it might be sighted. I was not able to do otherwise. I had suficently recovered to put in an offerance at the supper table at 5 P. M. having eaten nothing since bording the ship.

Pages 8-9

8
Feb. 1899 Sanfrancisco

to the L.D.S. head quarters where we were recieved hospitabily by Elder Nye & wife, with a number of elders laboring in this visinity. I remained here for the night.

Sun. 26. I atended the meeting of L. D. S. at 11 A.M. in the hall at 909 Market Street. In the afternoon In company with Elder Hansen, I visited Golden Gate park which is a very beautiful place. We put up for the night at a private room at 34 Golden Gate Avenue residence of Mrs. M. Kane we also atended a meeting of the L.D.S. in the evening.

Mon.27 Visited the U.S.Mints, The Sutro hights, the Cliff house and Dr. Jordan’s museum of anatomy. Went to the Columbia theater in the evening, the play entitled the sign of the cross.

Tues 28. We met elder Batt of Brigham city who remained with us during the day. We visited the

9
Mar 1899 Sanfrancisco

Acadimy of science. Visited one of the seinedarie asended hill where we obtained a beautifull view of the city. We also visited the schules, and the L.D.S. Dance in the evening.

Wens 1: Aranged for our transportation to Papeete, Tahiti.

Visited the Battleship Iowa, which was lying in the harbor, were treated very cortusly by the crew who showed us around the ship. In the evening we atended the Alcizar theater, play, The girl I left behind me.

Thur. 2 : We visited the diamond palace Jewelry store. Strolled through china town, returned to our room & written wrote letters to our folks at home whoam we beleived to be ancious to here from us.

Fri 3:-Took the ferry boat across the bay to to Oakland, & Berkly visited the grounds of the state uneversity.

Pages 6-7

6
Feb. 1899 Murry, Salt Lake.

It being Washingtons birthday I could do no buisness. I went to Cotton Wood to visit friends stopping at Bro. Henry Birds. I visited the Smelting works being erected by the Bancroff Bros. Atended a dance in the evening with the young people at the Society hall.

Thur. 23:- Returned to Salt Lake City. Was ordained a Seventy and set apart to labor in the Society Island mission by Apostle Geo Teesdal . After making arangements for my transiportation I took lunch with Elder Ujene M Cannon. I went to Farmington in the evening spent the night with Bro. ____ Miller.

Fridy 24:-Returned to S.L.C. where I met my father who had come to The City on business, after remaining at the depot a few minuets I left for Sanfrancisco. Changed



7
cars at ogden taking the SP.R.W. to Corene. I met Bro. Willard Hansen & Wife who were acompanying their son Christen J. Hansen (my companion) as far as Sanfrancisco. There ware traveling with us on the train Sister Eliner G. Jones of Logan, Ut. Bro. as a missionary to Sanfrancisco; Bro James Gilbert & wife of Mury Ut. traveling for pleasure. & Mrs. Oneil of Ogden. All of whoom asisted in making the trip very plesant.

Sat 25: Arived in Sanfransisco at 9 P.M. I left my native home land draped in a mantal of cristal white snow to arive so suddenly to a land of fragrent flowers, large beautiful grain fields, and green glowing pastures. We found our way through the crowded streets

4

Go Amos thy distant course persue,

Select many of the just and true.

Think not though distant that thou are

Thou can’st forgotten be.



While memories live with in our hearts,

We will always remember thee.

May happiness ever be thy lot,

Wherever thou shalt be.



And joy and pleasure light the spot,

That may be home to thee:

And when in your hand this pen you take,

Think of the ones that presented it to thee



And though oceans wide between us roar,

And distant be thy lott;

Should we never see thee more,

Amos forget us not

M.A.





5
The evening was spent in every way that would satisfy the taste please the ear, and gladen the heart. Though events may pile upon my mind mountain high and my heir turn white with age, yet glimering as a bright star will be the memories of these happy events.

Sun 19th:- As twas my costum I atended Sunday School Sacrement and evening had the privelege of speaking at each of these. bid fare well to many friends.

Tues 21:- I parted with my beloved home. My sister Hannah & Nephew Samuel P. My father, mother, Bros. Samuel & William and a number of friend acompanied me to the depot from whoom I parted at 4-15 PM. On the short line R.W. I reached Willard City at 6 oclock where I remained for the night to visit friends.

Wens: 22 Left Willard on the morning train for Salt Lake City

Volume 1 Pages 2-3

2

Feb Jan 1899 Call and Departure

Wens 25: Recieved a latter from the missionary comitee of the church of Jesus Christ of Later day Saints. Asking if I was willing to except a foren mission. To preach the gospel, and if so at what time I could leave.

I ansured this letter Feb 27 stating my willingness to except this call & could be ready at any time. Acordingly at our stake quarterly confrance held at logan. Feb. 29 & 30 I was called ( at the after noon meeting of the 29) to meet with the apostle in the vestry of the Tabernacle at the close of the meeting. I did as directed, and in conection with upwards of 20 elders who had met to recieve apointments to various fields of labor. I recieve my apointment at the hands of Apostle Georg Teasdale to labor in the Society Islands mission. To leave Sanfrancisco Mar. 1/99. From my apointment to the

3
Feb 1899

the time of my departure my time was spent in preperation & friendly calls

Wens 15- A fare well party was tendered me in the evening at the Ward Asembly hall, by where a great number of friends from the sourounding settelments as well as those from my own ward, had gathered for that purpose. Thy Hyrum Opra Orchasty furnished music. All seemed to enjoy the evening in the highest degree. An evening was spent which I shall long remember, for the respect and esteem shown to me.

Saturday evening 18// A suprise party was tendered me by the young Ladies M. I. A. during the evening The young ladies presented me with A fountian pen with which I write these lines, acompanied with the following verses.

Volume One Title Page

1

Daily Journal

of

R. A. Dowdle

From

Feb

21st

1899

To

Jan 5 1900

Missionary in Society Islands

I know no one is reading this right now...

But maybe someone will.  Anyway I'm going to do something different.  Ruth generously took the time to scan the entire set of diaries, I now have digital images of the pages.  I will post each page with the transcription.  If you see anything in need of correction, please reply in the comments, and I will fix the original document.  Once a volume is done, it can be saved as a document (with images) and distributed to anyone interested.  (It will be a word document, because that is what I have, sorry).