S. S. Nevada, July 7, 1886.President D. [Daniel] H. Wells.

Dear Brother,--We are just going up the East River and passing Governor's Island. The quarantine officer has been on board and found all satisfactory for landing. Our ocean journey, so far as the weather is concerned, has been quite agreeable. We have encountered some head winds, which has lengthened our journey a little, and also occasioned some seasickness. A number of the Saints have been quite ill, but the last two days of calm sea has made quite a change in this respect, and all seem to feel well at present. The older persons in the company have been remarkably well throughout the whole journey.

Three small children belonging to Saints from Denmark have died during the last two days, and yesterday afternoon an old lady from Copenhagen died very suddenly. All four have been buried in the deep, with such ceremonies as the circumstances would allow. None of these deaths were caused by diseases of a contagious nature, nor were they unexpected. The three infants were sickly from birth and had long been expected to die. The old sister was struck with apoplexy six years ago, and had never fully recovered since, and this was really the cause of her death. The doctor and attendants did everything in their power to help us in these mishaps, and deserve great credit for their exertions.

July 8th. We reached the dock at 9:30 a.m. yesterday, and began immediately to leave the vessel. We were met here by Brother [James] Hart, Junior, who gave us all necessary instructions. In Castle Gardens we encountered some difficulty in getting some of our sisters and widows through, on account of the new bill with regard to emigrant paupers, etc. The officers at the Gardens questioned every individual very closely as to whether they had [p.475] relatives in Utah, if they were married, where the husband was, etc. Also children where their parents were, to whom going, etc. And in all this they did not allow us to say a word by way of explanation. They held back about a dozen young and older sisters, but finally let them go.

Our luggage and ourselves were taken across to Jersey, and here all the luggage was weighed in a bulk, leaving 135 dollars for us to pay in overweight. After considerable work on the part of all who were willing to help, we managed to get aboard the train at 9:10 p.m. and left Jersey at this hour, via the Philadelphia and Reading. All is well with us now, and everything is moving agreeably. Twelve persons, members of the Philadelphia Branch of the Church, joined us at Philadelphia last evening, and our company now numbers 437, the elders included. We change at Baltimore and take the "Baltimore and Ohio" to Chicago. A part of our company, in charge of Elder L. J. Nuttall, leave us at Chicago and go via the D.&R.G.

I take great pleasure in making mention of the efficient and valuable aid rendered by Brothers Nuttall and Collett, as well as other of the brethren, who worked with a will, which helped greatly in getting us off as fast as we did.

The brethren all join with us and the emigrants in kindest regards to yourself and the brethren at "42," [42 ISLINGTON IS THE ADDRESS OF THE MISSION HOME IN ENGLAND] as well as all the elders and Saints in the mission.

We remain, very respectfully, your brethren in the gospel.

C. F. OlsenL. J. [John] Nuttall, Junior,R. [Reuben] S. Collett.Per C. F. O. [p.476]

BIB: Olsen, C. F. [Letter] Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 48:30 (July 26, 1886) pp. 475-76. (CHL)
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