"At a little before one o'clock on Saturday, October 23rd, a company of Saints, 258 in number, left for New York on the S.S. Wisconsin, of the Guion line. They were composed of 188 English, Scotch and Welsh; 23 Swiss and German; 22 Scandinavians; 10 Italians; 2 Dutch (Netherlands); returning elders, 12; visitor, 1.
About half-past ten o'clock President Budge, accompanied by other Utah elders, went on board in a tender and effected the following organization: president of the company, John Nicholson; first counselor, George Crane; second counselor, Andrew Ferguson; chaplain, Hyrum Bennion; captain of the guard, William H. Haigh; clerk, Edward E. Brain.
After organizing, President Budge gave the necessary instructions preparatory to the voyage, and expressed his approval of the labors and spirit of the Utah elders who were released to return on this vessel. Some were going sooner than others had done, owing to ill health, but he had considered it would not have been right to retain them in this land at the sacrifice of their health, and he desired it understood that they, as well as those who had stayed the full time, were honorably released, and were entitled to credit for their zealous labors during the time they had stayed in the field.
Elder Charles. W. Stayner followed in a few brief remarks, by way of encouragement ot those undertaking the journey to Zion, and closed by blessing the elders, the company and the vessel on which they sailed, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Elder John Nicholson also made a few remarks expressive of his gratification in laboring in England and in the society of President Budge. He urged a general regard of the instructions imparted, so that the labor of those in charge might be rendered as light as possible.
The names of the Utah elders returning on this vessel, besides those already mentioned, are William Robertson, Jacob Rivoir, Charles. W. Hulse, E. B. Snow H. A. Dixon and Jesse West. The last four were released on account of ill health. Brother Rivoir was accompanied by his wife, who has been visiting Italy, her native land, where Brother Rivoir has been laboring assiduously, notwithstanding the obstacles existing in that land.
The vessel was in good trim and the weather remarkably fine, the Saints seemed cheerful, and, under the blessings of God and the counsels of the elders, the last company of the season will doubtless compete favorably with its predecessors, and in due time be announced at its destination in safety."
MS, 42:43 (Oct. 25, 1880), p.682
"Sat. 23. [Oct. 1880] . . . The steamship Wisconsin sailed from Liverpool, England, with 258 Saints, in charge of John Nicholson. The company arrived at New York Nov.
2nd, and at Salt Lake City Nov. 11th."
CC, p.107
". . . A small company of 22 emigrants bound for Utah sailed from Copenhagen Oct. 15, 1880, per steamer 'Cato' for Hull, England. Thence they traveled by rail to Liverpool, which city they reached in time to go on board the steamer 'Wisconsin,' which sailed from that port Oct. 23rd with a large company of British, German, Swiss, Italian and Dutch Saints. Elder John Nicholson was appointed leader. The company arrived in New York Nov. 2nd, and in Salt Lake City, Nov. 11, 1880. . . ."
HSM, p.245
(source abbreviations)