Escape From Prosecution: Raplh Smith's Journal
In August, 1863, Ralph took a load of provisions north to Virginia City, Idaho Territory. He sold the provisions, worked a while and returned about Christmas time.
February 5, 1864: Ralph's wife Hannah Hodgetts gave birth to a daughter, Hannah Hodgetts Smith, her fourth child. She took child-bed fever and died when the baby was eight days oold. Hannah was only 25 years, eight months and 30 days old, having been a faithful and affectionate wife and loving mother.
September 19, 1864: "My wife Emma Girdlestone gave birth to a son, named Frederick Girdlestone Smith, while I was away from home."
January 1, 1865: Cut timber and slid logs for the Logan Tabernacle.
December 7, 1865: President Young called for cash to send east to purchase wire for a telegraph line. The line was built in 1866.
Ralph married Susannah Jolly, March 30, 1867 for time and eternity. The marriage was performed by George Q. Cannon.
May 18, 1868: A female Relief Society was organized with Mary Ann Maughan as president.
May 1, 1869: Logan Coop Merc Inst. was started.
November 22, 1869: Ralph took his mother Mary Usher Smith to Sale Lake City, where she received her endowments and was sealed to his father Thomas Smith for time and eternity, by George Q. Cannon, Ralph acting as proxy for his father.
December 14, 1869: "Went to Evenston Coal Mines. Worked there all winter. Got enough money to pay for my land a new wagon."
August 23, 1871: A company was organized to build a railroad from Ogden to Soda Springs, Idaho. Ground broken at Brigham City on 26th. Ralph with son Thomas Hodgetts and their new wagon commenced work with the engineers party for the UNRR, staying until Dec. 20 when a snowfall of two feet stopped the work.
January 31, 1873: The railroad was completed to Logan. "All this year, I work for the railroad."
President Brigham Youn asked the saints to work on the Tabernacle again and enlarge it from former size to 65ft.x130ft.
July 1874: Work was progressing rapidly. "Worked for and on Tabernacle, the railroad and etc."
December 28, 1874: Mary Ann Stuart Rutledge was sealed to Ralph by Apostle Wilford Woodruff, for time and eternity.
Feb 5 1876: Was at Salt Lake City with Brother Edward. Obtained second naturalization papers.
November 1876: Ralph was called to be a home missionary and superintendent of Sunday School.
May 24, 1877: Bishop Henry Ballard called Ralph to superintend excavation of the Logan Utah Temple foundation. Commenced work.
May 28, 1877: with a number of teams to make ready for construction of Logan, Utah, Temple.
June 24, 1877: President Brigham Young died at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah.
September 17, 1877: The cornerstones of the Logan, Utah, Temple were laid. Southeast Corner by the Twelve Apostles, Southwest corner by bishops and lesser priesthood. Northwest corner by President of High Priests and Presidents of Stakes. Northeast corner by President of Seventies and Elders. Large gathering of people witnessed ceremony. Eight of the Twelve Apostles present and counselor Daniel H. Wells.
October 3-4, 1877: Assisted bishop Ballard to compile historical account of Logan, Utah, City.
November 14, 1877: Still working on the Temple Broke a large rock on Temple block which could not be broken at the quarry. Trimmed out of smallest piece a good large corner, laid it on the Temple walls on west and corner near doorway.
November 22, 1877: Walls were covered for the winter. I have finished my work at the Temple for present. Have opened new road to Green Canyon to haul rock for Temple, improved dugway: having been employed at Temple since May 28, overseeing men and teams in all excavations for foundation. Roads and lime vats and all duties called to attend by C.O. Card, keeping time of those employed on the block, giving same to Temple clerk James A. Lishman at tithing office.
January 20, 1878: The Utah Northern Railroad is now in the Union Pacific Railroad officials care, who are pushing it northward.
January 27, 1878: Subscripton list started to raise m oeny for organ for Sunday School. $40.00 raised at Sunday School and raised $70.00 at evening meeting.
February 14, 1878: Mutual Improvement Society was commenced in Logan Second Ward.
November 2, 1878: ralph was set apart for a missoin he was called to during the Mormon October conference.
November 7, 1878: Received certificates as missionary to Southern States (His account of the hourney to Alabama given on page 49 of his diary.)
November 11, 1878: Received mission papers. Among missionaries going wre: Ralph Smith, Logan to Southern States, Alabama. Also George Watson and Edlef Edlefal.
November 12, 1878: "Sent letters home. My feelings much overpowered me."
Arrived at Scotsboro, Alabama, November 24, 1878 at 1:40 p.m.
November 24, 1878: "Courthouse was obtained for first meetings, attentively listened to. Brother Watson to be first speaker, though he was ill. Immediately after this, he too much worse, but by their united faith and laying on of hands, he was entirely healed. (Next 3 1/2 pages of original diary too dim to read.) Some time in December a mob, 200 strong drove us out of the country. After leaving a mr. Miller's house, and about one-quarter mile in the woods, a man rode his horse withing 50 or 60 feet of us and told us if we knew what was good for our health, we had to leave that part of the country, and rode away, not giving ua chance to talk to him."
"Journeying among these people since leaving Scotsboro, having seen but two good houses with glass windows and two log houses with glass windows. In each one, a cook stove. Houses only fit for fine weather."
Ralph labored in these southern states until sometime in March, 1879, when he with Elder George Watson traveled to New York City. After seeing the sights there for a week, they embarked upon the S.S. Wisconsin, for Great Britain. Their voyage was long and stormy, but had many chances to testify to the passengers. Landed at Liverpool, England, May 3, 1879, leaving the next morning for New Castle on Tyne, then to Ryhope Colliery. Visited with Joseph Rutledge, coal viewer. "(Joseph) was once a Mormon and in Utah with his wife."
Saw great demonstraton of vast strike of miners in Durham, all loss with no gains, thence to Thornley and Wheatly Hills. Saw Brother Jolly's sister, got what information i could and gave them Brother Jolley and wife Susannah's addresses. At Durham found my cousin Ralph S. Irvin, who went to Australia with my dear Father. But he could give me no tidings of my father. he thought Father was in Salt Lake City with his family. visited Dr. Watkin, father's cousin and learned where to look for some genealogy. He had none. He thought Chester C. Street Church a likely place. We witnessed the coronation of the bishop of Durham in the Abby with great pomp and display and much marchingn of the priests. I counted 384 of that cloth and stripe and examined the costly outlay on the place where enthroned, and the diamon studded pulpit where he delivered his speech. To me all was "soloman" mockery before God our heavenly Father.
Cheap trains had brought together a vast people, notwithstanding a very stormy wet day. I then proceeded to Evanwood. Found my Uncle Sober Watkin Smith in very poor circumstances. Stayed two nights and one day by going out to sleep. Made some little presents for them to get food, etc., etc. Then went to Chester C (or Le) Street and to Perkinsire, to my Uncle Joseph Fairs. No one hom but cousin Miss Dorothy Fairs. I asked for Uncle Joseph and Aunt alice, who was dead a few months before. Also Uncle Thomas, my Aunt and Mother's brother and learned all of my Mother's brothers and sisters were dead. Later many questoins asked about Utah, her people and religion. I did my duty by showing views and narrating and testifying of the truthfulness of the Gospel.
May 19, 1879: Went down to Chester le Street. Saw the Curat and Vicar. Paid fees and com a search for ancestors in old records. Got many names and kept at this work about two weeks, staying at Uncle Joseph Fairs at Perkinsville. I then went to Washington New Bottle Hoten Le Springs and Lamesly Churches and Witton gilbert for Mr. Dixon, his father and mother and family. To New Castle on Tyne and over the moore and found Uncle Edward Smith's widow and one daughter, living with her son. Took me to my cousin Ralph Smith, who is Master Shifter at Cox Lodge, also a visit with Uncle Joseph and Cousin Dora. To Reckton, where i was born, and to Picktory village, where Mother was born and many of our relations. We also made a visit to Uncle Mathews and Margaret Fairs, his wife at Tyne dock, who had been at their father's, to see me and attended meetings at New Castle on Tyen, endeavoring to discharge my duty and magnify my calling. Received an apointment to labor in the Liverpool Conference. Hastened to get there with my labor and arranged by letter for some part genealogy be sent me by mail. My health pool Troubled with dysentery.
June 6, 1879: Went to Liverpool. Saw President budge, his counselors Nicholson and Cope. Also Apostle Orson Pratt. WAs administered to by them. I travel and preach, making over Darwin my central point. Much wet weather and poor health. Produced in great measaure by damp beds. Attended conference at Liverpool 16-17 August. Released to go home because of poor health. I again visited friends and went to Birmingham on Dudley. Got my wife Hannah Hodgett's father and mother's names. Redchester held meeting and from ther to Norrage (Norwich), Norfolk, to wife Emma's brothers John and James Girdlestone. Stayed there nine days, my health so poor. Desired to go to London to try for tidings of my Uncle Ralph Smith's family, but had to desist and went to Uncle Sober Watkin Smith's and from there to Uncle Joseph. Found Aunt Dora sick with Typhus Fever. On to new Castle on Tyne and attended meetings. Feel very ill.
September 4, 1879: Fine morning! AT 5 o'clock took train for Liberpool, leaving the land of my birth the second time. Farewell.
Beginning of voyage very rough and I seasick. Weather improves, so do I. Preach to many passengers. Appreciate good food and plenty of it. Traveling between three and four hundred hiles a day. So far lovely passage, though very sick part of the time.
September 15, 1879: Arrived at quarantine. Made the passage in nine days, nine hours, including the difference of time of 4.55/60.
September 16,. 1879: Foggy morning then turning nfine. quiet rest then Quarantine examination. Breakfast, the custome house exam. Receive letter with check from family for railroad fare home.
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