. . . Saturday Oct. 5th 89. Irish Channel E. Stormy: Brother Teasdale ask me if I was going to go to Salt lake City, said if I was he wanted me to preside over the company. For once I was lucky. We have been organized by Brother Teasdale, Brother [Edward] Bennitt was set apart to preside J. [James Madison]Flake was set apart as first counselor and Brother Harry Payne was called as second. We sailed off at four in the evening, after we got started we put elders over each ward of the emigrants. I met with mine, counseled with them and we had prayer. The elders all gathered and had prayer by themselves . I had a talk with a man about the principles of the gospel. Some are getting sick as the ship is commencing to pitch.

Sunday Oct. 6, 1889 Atlantic Ocean. The ship doesn't pitch so much this morning, but there is a brisk head wind, and it is cloudy. We pulled into Queenstown about twelve today. Took some more passengers on board. We have a first class passage and are well treated by all.

Friday Oct. 11, 89 Atlantic Ocean. Foggy. It has been very stormy since Sunday and the sea has been very rough. Nearly all on board has been sick, even the doctor. One child died on the ninth and was lowered in the deep on the tenth. I have often pictured to myself a death or burial at sea as being a very lonely and trying scene, but strange to say I think I never attended a funeral where I felt so little emotion as at this one. I spent thirty six hours in my bunk so sick that I could not bare to keep my eyes open. Since then I have been barely able to keep up. I haven't relished my food at all till this morning, not eating as much since Sunday as a man might eat at one meal. The ocean is very much smoother than it has been, and it is to be hoped will continue. The Saints are nearly all on board. We have had our hands full trying to get the Saints in as comfortable a position as possible and trying to get the elder all out of bed. Brother [A. W.] Judd from Kanab being the only one who was not bedfast. For a time our progress has been very slow only from one hundred and fifty to one seventy seven miles per day and night. The sea knocked in one of the windows of the companion way on the deck, splintering the woodwork. May they never come again and we'll give the praise to him who looks down where the little children pray:

Saturday Oct. 12, 1889 Atlantic Ocean. Stormy. We are making very good progress, and are able to be on the open deck the most of the time. Have several interesting talks with our fellow travelers every day. The sick continue to improve. [p. 63]

Sunday Oct. 13, 89 Atlantic Ocean. Stormy, but not very rough. We attended Church of England & Catholic services. I see a whale spouting his water and diving.

Monday Oct. 14, 89 Atlantic Ocean. Stormy. We have passed the banks of Newfoundland, and a number of fishing smacks. The wind is now a stern for the first time as we have had heavy head winds all the way. The ocean is almost calm.

Thursday Oct. 17, 89 New York, America. Beautiful day. We arrived at New York about four this evening making twelve days from Liverpool, our best time was three thirty; poorest was one sixty three in 24 hours. We had one of the severest head winds for four days and nights, that the captain had ever experienced. Our company all behaved extremely well. BrotherJ. [James] Barker who came with us, got drunk several times and became the "Butt" of the company. Brother Reine, Arthur Bateson and I took a stroll in the city in the evening. It is very different from the Old World and we feel very free and at home once more. The electric light has been ordered off by the mayor of the city. Most of it is shut off making the city very dark in some parts.

Friday Oct. 18, '89 New York, America. Fine day. We passed our luggage, and also the Saints, all right. The agent, Mr. Gibson and all are very kind and courteous. We are staying on an Old Dominion Steamer till prepared to start. Went over to West and East Brooklyn, back to New York taking in the sights. Went to a theater, but left after the first scene as it was Dutch. We then went and hunted some more amusement. Seen a woman called Big Eliza, said to weigh 760 pounds, measure 38 inches around the arm. Saw Bronco Charley swallow swords. He put three in his mouth and pulled them out one by one. Saw a Canada girl with hair dragging the floor when standing straight. Girl with big snakes coiled around her. And a Fiji man eater, also some singing and dancing.

Saturday Oct. 19, '89 Atlantic Ocean. Fine day. We visited the Central Park. It is very grand and has a number of wild animals and statues of interest. Tonight we collided with a small lighter while at full speed, but owing to the boat being small and our ship so large it did not damage us but brought us to a sudden stop. Our treatment is of the very best.

Saturday Oct. 26, '89 Snowflake, Arizona. Beautiful weather. I got home yesterday Oct. 25 about ten in the night. My wife met me at Holbrook with a team. I have been very kindly treated and received by all my former acquaintances. Went to the high priests meeting this afternoon. . . . [p. 64]

BIB: Flake, James Madison, [Diary] in James Madison Flake comp. by S. Eugene Flake (Bountiful, Utah: Wasatch Press, 1970) pp. 63-64. (CHL)
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