-- Oct 26, 1899; Thursday
Presidents Lorenzo Snow and Joseph F. Smith were at the office, and proceeded thence to the Temple to meet with the Apostles in regular council.
Salt Lake Temple, 11 A.M. Present: Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant, George Teasdale, Anthon H. Lund, Matthias F. Cowley, Abraham O[wen]. Woodruff and Rudger Clawson.
Brother John Henry Smith informed the Council that he was in Ogden [Utah] yesterday, and called upon President Franklin D. Richards, who is home from California. He found him under the influence of opiates, administered by his physician, and he could not be aroused. In the evening Brother Smith called again, and found the patient conscious but very nervous, his limbs fairly twitching and jerking. It was a case of absolute collapse, mentally and physically.
Brother Woodruff said that he called upon President Richards Sunday night. The latter was in bed, and did not recognize his visitor at first, but when he did recognize him, he gripped his hand and held it tight. Brother Woodruff and Brother Samuel W.
Richards administered to him, the latter anointing him with oil. President Richards kept hold of Brother Woodruff's hand in such a way that he could not lay hands upon his head; he did not seem to know enough to let go of the hand, and Brother Woodruff had to separate himself from him in order to perform the ordinance.
The following report, collated through correspondence with the various Stake Presidents, and including all the Stakes excepting Wayne [Utah], was read by the secretary: "In 1890, at the time of President [Wilford] Woodruff's manifesto, there were 2,451 polygamous families within the confines of the United States. Since then this number had been reduced 750 by death, and 63 by removals into Mexico and Canada, and 95, by divorce; leaving 1,543 polygamous families yet remaining. In other words, thirty-seven per cent of these families had ceased to exist as polygamous families since President Woodruff's manifesto.["] ...
Brother Grant informed the Council that in a conversation with A[lfred]. W. McCune, about two years ago, the latter had acknowledged that the [Salt Lake] Herald people made a mistake in "kicking" him (Brother Grant) out of the Herald Company, forty-nine one-hundredths of the stock in that paper then being owned by Heber J. Grant & Co[mpany]. This acknowledgment was forced from those people in consequence of a falling off of patronage. Mr. McCune had invited Brother Grant to become associated again with the Herald, to take charge of it, and name its manager. The speaker went on to say that when he conducted the paper it exercised an influence for good towards the Church; but in view of the present state of affairs it was a question with him whether it would be wise for him to again take hold of it. It was now running behind at the rate of $2,000 a month, and he had reason to believe that McCune would renew his invitation if he thought it would be accepted. Brother Grant merely mentioned the matter for consideration. No one present had anything to say upon the subject.
When the order of conference appointments was reached, President Snow remarked that he expected to go to Logan, and he asked if any of the brethren had a clear view as to who should be made President of that Stake, to succeed Elder Orson Smith. If so, he would be glad to have an expression of it.
Brother Lyman, arising, said that he had already expressed himself to President Snow on this subject, and he would now repeat that after looking over the situation he could find no other man as well qualified for the place as Brother Charles W. Nibley. He was a man of faith and integrity, a good theologian, and a successful business man. He was also a successful polygamist, and had two sons in the mission field.
Brother John Henry Smith could also heartily sustain Brother Nibley, if chosen, but it occurred to him that if Brother Orson Smith, who was no doubt at home by this time, could satisfy his creditors, the problem might work out itself without any change.
Brother Grant stated that while he could sustain Brother Nibley as President of Cache [Utah] Stake, and believed to be true all that Brother Lyman had said of him, still he had never been
impressed that he was spiritually minded enough to be a Stake President. The speaker regarded Brother Nibley as the brightest man in Cache County, but his interests were outside that County, and the appointment would entail a personal sacrifice on his part. Brother Grant did not think that Orson Smith could now retain the confidence of the people.
Brother Lund was not acquainted with Brother Nibley, but the problem presented itself to him in this way. There was a large faction in Cache Valley that were followers of Moses Thatcher, and the speaker thought that if someone could be found who had influence with that side, and was still a man of integrity, he would be able, more than anybody else, to break down the Thatcher influence.
Brother Teasdale had no views to express, and Brother Woodruff said he could support Brother Nibley. He had also heard Brother Joseph Morrell spoke of very highly, and believed him to be a good man.
Brother Clawson was not intimately acquainted with the brethren of Cache Stake. He believed Brother Nibley would make a good President, also Brother Morrell, but he was ready to sustain any man that President Snow might name.
Brother Grant now arose and said that as between Brother Nibley and Brother Morrell, he believed the latter was the better man for the place.
President Smith felt that Brother Nibley was in every way qualified, excepting perhaps his physical condition, but his health was improving. He had not thought of Orson Smith coming back again. He had always believed in Brother Smith's integrity. His return might have the effect of pacifying his creditors, and it might be the proper thing to retain him, if it could be done consistently, and perhaps give him other counselors. It did not strike the speaker that Brother Morrell was a man equal to the requirements of the position of President of Cache Stake. If there was nothing more crooked in the record of Orson Smith, than that he had made a break in order to meet his debts, he could still sustain him in his position, if the spirit of the Lord approved. Or if it were thought wise for Brother Nibley, who was a near friend of the speaker?s in every way, to preside over that Stake, he could heartily sustain him especially if his bodily strength would permit. Brother Nibley would be his next choice after Brother Smith.
Brother Grant here remarked that perhaps it would lengthen Brother Nibley's life to make him President of the Stake, as it would take his mind off so much other business.
President Snow then said: "You have all spoken and given your views. Your feelings do not fully accord. Cache is a large and important Stake, and it would be well to choose a man that the people are acquainted with and in whom they have confidence, both as to his faithfulness and his ability to preside over them. If a man could be selected who combines these qualifications, and especially if he be head and shoulders above every body else
named, he would be the right man for the place". The President then said that he could mention a man whom the people would be perfectly satisfied with, and would have reason to be satisfied, but in selecting him they would have to go a little out of the ordinary course. That man was M[arriner]. W[ood]. Merrill.
Whereupon President Smith said quickly "I believe, President Snow, that you have struck the right man, and I would nominate him but for his Apostleship".
Brother John Henry Smith: "I move that we adopt the selection of the President".
Everybody present seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously, all feeling that Brother Merrill was the right man in the right place.
Brother Grant now asked if there was any word for him relative to his taking hold of the Herald. President Snow intimated that he had no word to give. Brother Clawson moved that Brother Grant be authorized to look into the matter further, and the action, seconded by Brother Woodruff, was carried. ...
Presidents Lorenzo Snow and Joseph F. Smith were at the office; President [George Q.] Cannon, their associate, still absent and sick in New York City.
The case entitled Levoy Campbell versus Silas S. Smith, appealed to the First Presidency from the High Council of San Luis [Colorado/New Mexico] Stake, and referred to a committee consisting of Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Anthon H. Lund and Abraham O[wen]. Woodruff, now came before the Presidency for final action. The committee had found that the case had been decided unanimously by the Bishop's court as well as the High Council, and they saw no reason why the decision should in any way be changed. The Presidency approved these findings.
Brothers Rulon S. Wells and Joseph W. McMurrin, of the late presidency of the European Mission, waited upon President Snow in regard to their individual accounts at the Liverpool [England] office, as to whether or not they should be balanced. The President asked them to submit their accounts in detail, which they promised to do after first writing for them to be sent from Liverpool. These brethren also spoke to President Snow regarding the case of Jacob R. Hunter, of Granger [Utah] Ward, who had transgressed with a married woman while on his mission to England; her husband being hopelessly insane, and not a member of the Church, while she herself was a member. Hunter had since married the woman and they were now living in Granger. The Bishop of that Ward wished to know what should be done in the case. It was decided by President Snow that the Bishop should be written to and requested to call upon him the next time he comes to the city. (1)
-- Oct 28, 1899; Saturday
Presidents Lorenzo Snow and Joseph F. Smith were at the office.
In answer to a telegram sent today to Brother F[ranklin]. S. Richards, at Ogden [Utah], asking how his father was, a reply came to the effect that Dr. Joseph S. Richards, who was then in
attendance upon the patient, would call and report his condition to President Snow, while on his way home in the evening. The President reported that the Doctor had called on him last night and informed him that Brother Richards was in a comatose state and could not be aroused to consciousness. He did not look for his recovery. In fact, the Doctor said that if he should get over his present sickness, it was not probable he would ever be himself again; meaning that his mind would be weak, and his recovery would therefore be an affliction to him.
Word came from President [George Q.] Cannon this morning that he would be able to sit up today, though the damp weather was against him. He grows stronger every hour, and the doctors say that he will be able to move in a few days.
President Smith leaves tonight for Alberta, Canada, accompanied by Rudger Clawson and J. Fewson Smith. The object of Brother Clawson's going is to audit the accounts for Brother [Milton D.] Hammond. The services of Brother J. Fewson Smith have been secured instead of those of Joseph A. West, engineer. (1)
Endnotes:
1 - First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes
LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow
Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
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