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Show AN INTERESTING LETTER. L. II. Hougaard Tells of His Experience. Omaha, Neb., July 7, 1902. Mb. L. A. Lauber, Manti, Utah. Dear Sir: As the weather is stormy, I will embrace the opportunity of writing you a line or two, that you may know I am still among the living, enjoying good health, and making life as pleasant as possible. Our glorious Fourth of July is now passed, for which I am not very sorry, as the people, here in this part of the world, celebrate so different to what I have been accustomed to, that it interests me but very little. A majority of the people of Omaha spent their Fourth at the parks and resorts, re-sorts, and while there, the "hobo element" ele-ment" took possession of the town, and also a portion of the surplus cash. We happened to be out of the city, consequently conse-quently the blame cannot be laid to us. The people say they know the Mormons believe in the laying on of hands, and are not at all backward in accusing them of the same. Ot one occasion, while out visiting a family, we were told they were personally acquainted with the Mormons from the beginning. They knew Joseph Smith believed be-lieved in the laying on of hands, and also that he practiced it, in consequent of which the people were compelled to get a lock and key for their hen houses. "By their fruits ye shall know them." They were people who were born after Joseph Smith died, and could furnish no proof for their statements, so we were compelled com-pelled to reject their doctrine. Our spring conference was held on the 10th and 11th of May, at which time we enjoyed ourselves very much. After the exercises were held, the Elders were assigned as-signed new companions, and their fields of labor for the summer. Elders M. J. Miller, Joseph S. Larkin and I, were as- spent in watching the different sports of the day, the evening in boating. The crowd at the lake was large, and a number of the people embraced the opportunity op-portunity of boating, as the lake was clear and calm. Ere long, a white cumu-lous cumu-lous cloud was seen in the southwest, the sight of which caused a number of people, peo-ple, who were acquainted with cyclonic clouds, to pull for the shore, while a few of us less informed, were in no hurry. The storm came on and the waters were set in motion, causing large waves to rise, and making it hard to find a landing place. In our boat were four in number: Elder Andrew Anderson, our friend brother Danielson and his littlegirl, eight years of age. After a short struggle with the waves, we reached the shore all right, but there were several boats still missing, one of which could be seen, containing con-taining four young ladies, with no one to row them to shore. While screaming and calling for help, the waves were tossing tos-sing them about and drifting them further fur-ther from shore. There were hunSreds of people calling to them, trying to tell them what to do, yet none of them offered of-fered any assistance. Seeing their condition, con-dition, and being able to swim fairly well. I thought it my duty to help them. I felt safer in not having a boat, so I started for them, not in the "Mississippi river" however, but Lake Manawa, the crowd still telling them what to do, and also trying to dietata to me. When I reached the boat, I received several God's blessings from the girls. Had the people known I was a Mormon, perhaps the)' would have drowned me in the lake, The motive which caused me to help1 them could be equally as strong for fourA as for one, and had there been seven, y y assure you they would have held very tightly to the coat, at least until they 1 were onshore. "Isaiah 4th chapter 1st v." J All are well here, and that this may ' find you and family enjoying health, wealth and happiness, I remain as ever. Yours Respectfully, L. H. Hougaard. signed to labor in Omaha, among the saints and investigators. The remaining Elders, ten in number, took their grips on their shoulders and left the city, without with-out purse or scrip, for their fields of labor. They are getting along very well, with the exception of the stormy weather which is not at all pleasant. The month of June was very stormy, there being but three or four days we received no rain. One day would be cold and stormy, the next hot, with thunder showers. A great change from last year at this time; rain storms' in place of hot winds. In looking over the Free Press, which, by the way, is a very welcome visitor, and read with much interest, I noticed a statement that L. H. Hougaard had earned the title of "hero," which I must say is not the , case. The circumstance referred to, is of some interest to me, but notsufficient to assume the title of "hero." Two Elders, Andrew Anderson and Joseph Jos-eph W. Haws, were on their way to South Dakota to open a Conference, ahd remained re-mained here in Omaha a few days to visit. While here, they were desirous of visiting Kanesville, now Council Bluffs, and the points of interest in that vicinity. The morning of June 14th' was clear and cool; thinking it a good day for a trip out of town, we boarded the street car, and in about 20 minutes found ourselves in the State of Iowa, city of Council Bluffs, at the home of one of our Mormon Mor-mon friends. After visiting the old Mormon grave yard, now known as Walnut Hill cemetery, ceme-tery, Brigham Young's residence of early days, and other places of interest, our friend suggested we take a trip to Lake Manawa, which was unanimously agreed upon. After partaking of the hospitalities of our good friends in way of lunch, we were off to the lake. The afternoon was |