. . . I was notified to be ready to return with a company of Saints that was to leave Liverpool Sept. 2nd on the S. S. Wyoming. I think there was between 600 and 700 Mormon passengers on board. On the voyage home we had considerable head winds and [p.85] the vessel rocked considerable.
We arrived at New York early in the morning of Sept. 14, and was soon landed at Castle Garden. I was kept very busy in assisting the Saints with their luggage. In the hurry and bustle I lost track of a sack with my blankets, a pair of boots and a parcel belonging to President Joseph F. Smith. I looked for that sack everywhere, but did not find it and had to leave without it. But I was made happy to hear by the next company that came along, that Brother [William C.] Stains had found it and forward it too me.
Before landing in New York, Brother John C. Graham requested me to take the English money from the Saints and get it changed into American money. This was no small job as there was a premium on gold and silver, but I accomplished it with a small loss to myself of less than one dollar. I was also requested to purchase provisions for the overland journey. This found me lots to do, and in rustling around so much I got very warm, and when the train was ready to start I sat down in a car, cooled off and caught cold and brought it home with me. We [p.86] got along alright overland. There was some sick and 2 or 3 deaths on the way. At length we arrived at Ogden on the 23rd of Sept. at 7:30 a.m. There was quite a crowd here to meet their relatives and friends. My wife met me here, but at a distance did not know me. I was much more fleshy that when I left and I wore a full beard. We were soon transferred from the Union Pacific line to the Utah Central and in due course of time arrived at Salt Lake City and I soon found myself at home again for which I felt truly thankful. I should have mentioned before that my sister, Anne, came with me. She was glad to get to the end of our journey. . . . [p.87]
BIB: Sansom, Charles. Autobiography and journals (Ms 8372), pp. 85-87. (CHL)
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