| Show OKLAHOMA TW TO MEXICO MARSHALL Okli oklahoma hol ju abi many of the latter day t i friends and companions clasped hands the morning of july to say fa farewell to those who intend leaving their former home to cast their fate and fort fortune tine among the covenant chit children dren of the lord neath the genial sky ot of mexico the morn was calm as a dream of fairyland not a cloud threatened the serenity of the happy company of saints now and then a well prepared covered wagon pulled into brother hunters yard laden with the necessary bedding cooking utensils eatables etc for the jo journey urney of about miles th through rough oklahoma texas touching new ew mexico thence landing among leir their brethren and sisters in colonia juarez the entire trip is to be made by team the travel will be in a southwesterly direction throughout elder kimball president ot of the indian territory mission placed elder ed M mcarthur at the bead of this colony and we must say he has worked hard by day ind and night to arrange everything in good order for the trip As his father before him we recognize in in brother mcarthur one of sound judgment a man of great worth by precept example dictation and work he is as the sturdy oak mid the tendrils of his company who greatly respect and appreciate his counsels presiding elder wallace too has made every effort to assist the saints through instruction from elder kimball by having all the money in the mission fund donated to the needy thus rich and poor alike among the saints have all things in common well night came on in in all its beauty the rain of the had cooled the atmosphere and the heavenly rays of a summers moon shed forth her light be speaking to all mankind the handiwork ot of providence our company consisting of the following are now grouped ungrouped en near the dying embers of their camp fires to participate in the celebration ol of pioneer day elder mcarthur as the father of our departing saints is crouched upon the stand or spring seat in the center of the company supporting him on either side are elders wallace allace newman Newta sm Bw bowring ring then completing the circle are the mexican colonists amos P ward wife and three children W F hulse wife and three children I 1 E hunter wife and seven children and L 0 ward our program was varied first singing songs of zion latter day saints hymn book followed by a de commemoration of the day ot of days for utopians Uton ians we spoke 04 of and sung the praises of our forefathers tor for havin having planted among the everlasting hills bills t ut that glorious commonwealth which patriotic utah enjoys enious today long may the memory of those veterans be honored cherished and reverenced reveren ced by the inhabitants ot zion after some solos quat and hymns we knelt in humble reverence to our father thanking him for every blessing of past life imploring him for a continuation of his guiding hand through our future then we retired to sleep happy contented to arise early for our journey southward july found all well long before afe sunrise sunrise all were on the stir sheet iron stoves roared under the load of fine oak while potatoes eggs and other eatables were prepared for cooking house hous housewives e wives kivow busied themselves in get ting breakfast husbands rustled their teams while boys and girls of younger eftis years played about in tender glee with our prat ling babies at a m the patting parting hour had come it was sad I 1 yet so lovely sad to see mothers leaving some of their married chi children laren behind them brothers saying good bye to brothers sisters drooping upon the affectionate arms of sisters and little cousins biding farewell to kin and playmate all amid the falling ot of tears which alone can relieve the pent up feeling separation brings to affectionate humankind yes it was lovely to look upon the scene knowing that a few more of the pure in in heart were leaving babylon to assist in strengthening a stake ot of zion I 1 we traveled twenty miles that day and camped on a lovely green spot three miles north of cedar our tour lour teams circled as was the custom of former days supper over teams well cared for we enjoyed our usual festivities and then retired july A distance ot of two and one halt hall miles was covered this morning before 7 here we were to meet two more more teams one was detained thus thui our lay over of one day our time here was not spent in idleness however as books papers bibles etc were brought into requisition little groups of saints dithered gathered to talk over and listen to Si gospel aspel principles as they were being explained our sisters too did their cooking and cleaning after the shades of the evening came over us all assembled again this time every one took part in the exercises we sang 0 babylon 0 babylon we did thee farewell rewell la elder newman well recited poor little jim elder full mer caused a titter here and there especially ally among the ladies b by y singing please dont tickle the baby IV now we hear from L 0 ward the coon is abing to heaven on wings of angels it was really funny and brother ward spoke it well one most appropriate song followed waste not want not I 1 by J E hunter sister hulse and stella hunter sang an interesting duet and then the latest two little girls in blue come forth from the musical organs ans I 1 of A N wallace chorused by S mcarthur carthur fullmer newman and bowring several hymns were then sung as we sat under the broad canopy of heaven the last beant think not when yo you u gather to kioh and elder willace wallace offered the closing prayer as we knelt in su to him who holds the destiny of nations in his providential ident ial hand earlier in the day we held our kfare farewell meeting all being comfortably seated elder wallace called the meeting to order ye elders of israel was sung and prayer was offered by elder james M fullmer the blessings of the lord were implored for the departing colonies protection from sickness pam pain and sorrow while journeying homeward well chosen and heartfelt were the words that thanked the lord for former blessings and sincere were those that so humbly asked for a continuation of his mercies remarks of very appropriate prop bearing were given by herup verup elder der newman who spoke of our lathers fathers pioneering utah and them making the desert to blossom as the rose he said that now a bright and happy future is before the oklahoma saints in their obeying counsel and planting them 1 selves on the mountainside mountain side of mexico elder bowring followed several brethren and sisters bore faithful testimonies being moved to tears as they said father thy will be done elders mcarthur and wallace gave valuable instruction to those who leave us and encouraged those who remain to be honest virtuous true to themselves and loyal to their country their fellow men and their god elder fullmer was at home indeed with his good counsel and encouraging remarks he told the saints to be prayerful bearing and forbearing and their journey would be pleasant their destination reached in safety brothers newman wallace fullmer mcarthur and bowring sang farewell with appropriate words which caused the falling ot of tears even from some ot of the stoutest brave hearts and honest souls seemed to droop under the weight of joy and sorrow thus one more of the happy days so common to 10 our oklahoma branch has gone forever but its pleasant memories shall linger in our hearts until time shall sap our vital forces and angels call us home to that golden shore from whence no weary traveler doth return elder wallace and I 1 stood in silence as we saw the six teams pulling their cargo of twenty six noble souls from the little village of cedar As brother wallace and I 1 sauntered toward orlando from there to lake ake train to indian territory we met a very pleasant gentleman by name W W adams he is a nephew of our venerable bishop kesler of salt lake city our every comfort was granted by mr adams and though he is a poor man I 1 must state our bill of fare we were practically broke save car tare and as there is no free silver in this locality we had to be somewhat close in in our spending money so we were invited to eat watermelon being our first this year we placed ourselves very comfortably on the outside ot of three big ones then corn had just come into use and we had plenty of it also green beans sweet pot toes and other luxuries gave us what the natives call your fill fid 11 bishop kesler is highly respected by his bis relatives in oklahoma Terri territory tor y As a bishop father and friend the elders speak well of him also our corn here is looking better than it did a month ago yet many will have very little of it and others have none our enid friend wants to keep quiet or demay we may furnish more facts to the SOT sorrow row of our boomers all is in good condition in the mission field we trust it may ever thus remain until scattered israel is fully gathered and zion rejoices W D BOWRING |
