February 19-25 1899 Travelling to San Francisco

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 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 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.

More info about George Teasdale

George Teasdale was born in London in 1831 and died in 1907.

From "General Authorities Born in the British Isles" by Bernell W. Berrett, New Era. November 1971.

Jan-Feb 1899 Call and Departure

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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.
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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.
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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.

Title Page and Editors Notes

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Daily Journal
Of
R. A. Dowdle
From
Feb
21st
1899
To Jan 5 1900
Missionary in Society Islands

Editors Notes:


Spelling and formatting have been preserved as much as possible, and three underscores “___” have been used to denote any words that are illegible.



[Robert headed pages with the month on the far left and the year on the far right, with the location in the center of the pages. This has been adjusted to read the month and year first, then the location.
Ex: “Mar Pacific Ocean 1899” has been changed to read “Mar 1899 Pacific Ocean”

Robert wrote his letter “o” in much the same manner as his letter “a”, the choice of this letter is made by context.]

Welcome!

I have been working on transcribing Robert Dowdle's Missionary Journal to the Society Islands.  I thought that it would be nice to post it as a blog, therefore people can read it one day at a time, and it can be easily published in a public forum.  Eventually I would like to include original images from the journals which are currently in the collection of the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University, Provo. 

I am transcribing the text as close to the original as possible, keeping original spelling and grammar.

Please feel free to invite friends or leave comments.

-Lucy Moulton