Elder Willard F. Smith, writing from on board the Wyoming, Jan. 1 to his brother Alma, says:

"My health is and has been first rate ever since I left Liverpool, except one or two days, when I was troubled somewhat with erysipelas in my face, but nothing very serious. Have had a very pleasant, though tremendously rough voyage most of the way; yet the sea was comparatively calm two or three days at intervals. On the 26th ultimo the driving shaft of the engine was sprung and bent, caused by the increased velocity of the propeller while out of water, then suddenly coming in contact with the water again as the stern of the old ship descended below to rise again on a drifting wave. The time lost in repairing it was eight and a half hours, which will throw us later in getting to New York than we should have been.

Brother Tanner has been fearfully seasick all the way; has not been to the table but twice since we left. Brother Armstrong has also been very sick, but is improving nicely.

I purpose telegraphing home from New York, telling them I am coming, and if Brother Tanner is strong enough we will proceed west tomorrow evening. We are now expecting the pilot to appear every hour.

When you see the Saints throughout the conference, bid them all goodbye for me, and tell them Willard leaves with his blessings upon them; and thank them all kindly for me for the hospitable manner in which they have provided for my wants.

The weather has not been cold, though very windy and rainy. I have nearly converted several on board, and all have ceased to oppose me, and are continually asking me questions, which I am only too proud to be able to answer. I have been seated at the left of the captain at the table, with a clergyman on my right. Religion is the general topic with all.

New York, Jan. 2. - we reached the dock at 12:30 p.m. today, and, after making arrangements, will proceed west via Niagara Falls this evening at 8 p.m. There has been four feet of snow here, but it is raining very hard today, and it is horribly wet and sloppy under foot. We are all feeling well, physically speaking, compared with former days of our journey. We may be several days more getting home, owing to the heavy fall of snow, but at all events it will be better than being tossed about on board the Wyoming, which became very monotonous." [p.45]

BIB: Smith, Willard F. [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 46:3, (Jan 21, 1884) p. 45. (CHL)
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