It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from this/these transcript(s) must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collection Coordinating Committee. [Notes added by transcribers are in square brackets. Dashes in square brackets indicate unclear words or letters. indicate words the author inserted to a previously written line.] Newell Kimball Whitney Papers: Groo Family Papers (S3) Number of Pages: 284 ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F10_I1_p001.jpg) Advertisment Look Here Parties Holding Orders on me issued by D.D. Jones for work on Jones & Groo's Contract U. P. R. R. can recei- ve payment in part, in merchandise, Provisions, Orders, &c by presenting their Orders at my office No 2 City Hall. Isaac Groo. Des. E. News. Dec 24th '69 ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F11_I1_p009.jpg) Australia Australia- Our subject for con- sideration this Evening, is a big thing. Considered as an Island it is immense. being the largest on the surface of our Globe- So large in fact- that an American Citizen landing on its shore, feels very much as the boy did when he put on his Father's shirt - very lonesome It's greatest length from East to West, is 2400 miles And its greatest width from North to South, about 2000 miles - perhaps I can Convey to your minds a better Idea of its size, by Comparison It is about 26 times as large as England & Ireland, about 6 times as large as ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F11_I1_p010.jpg) India, and only lacks abou whole continent [-] Europe - or by whom first discove Evidences however- that Por Navigators, visited portions of latter part of the 15th Century But the honor of taking name of the King, was reserve Navigator, Captain Cook, in the year 1770- and gave from a real or supposed About this time, there Occurred between, Johny Bull & however, detain you with the misunderstanding- suffice closing the Ports of the American transportation of Felons. from then began to look around for her Surplus Scaliwags – of Australia, brought by Government to make of it ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F11_I1_p011.jpg) 1/5 of being as large as the the Exact date of its discovery, [-]ed is not known- there are toguese, Dutch, and other its Coast as Early as the or the beginning of the 16th= formal possession of it, in the d to the Illustrious English who landed at "Botany Bay" it the Name of New South Wales- likeness to South Wales- was a little "Onpleasantness" Brother Jonathan- I will not familiar incidents of that it to say, it resulted in colonies, to any further Great Britian- that Goverment a suitable place to ship and the favorable report Capt Cook decided the British a penal Colony – ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F11_I1_p012.jpg) Consequently in 1778. the (Numbering 11 in all), landed 757 Convicts, 192 of whom, 200 Soldiers accompanied They also brought, Horses, seeds, or plants, of Coffe, Coco Grapes of various kinds,- &c &c - they Commenced bank of Port Jackson, (One world.) and laid the foundaton present Capital & Chief City Wales. the Early settlers and privations, which is remote from Civilization. Thin Heistman has informed point- but Thin Early diffi of fresh supplies from England th[---], becoming in a few Some writers have been on the morality of the Inhabit City of Australia — But ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F11_I1_p013.jpg) first fleet of Couric Ships, at Batany Bay- they brought were women, and 18 children the Expedition as a guard, Cattle, Sheep, Hogs, & Goats,-besids a banana, Orange, lemons, Apples, pears, peaches, strawberris their Settlement on the South of the finest Harbors in the of the City of Sydney, the of the Colony of New South Endured many hardhsips incident to all new settlements at one time they were nearly us, they were nearly at Starvation cultes were overcome by the Arrival and the Colony soon began to years, nearly Self Sustaining. very Severe, in thier reflections ants of Sidney, the Parent when we Consider, that the ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F11_I1_p014.jpg) first settlers were Felons, an unfit, for Even a Home England, the wonder to as moral, and just as they too, that New South Wales Settlement, up to as recent circumstance, [---]hspired year 1851. which had a direct society – It was the discovery speculators and adventurer world. One of their old this Event, said, "that the discovery of "Gold in that Here - whole frame work of Lo use a Homely is yourself-" If you do not - and learn somthing of the The Nationality of Australia English- the nature born City of the Population - the Chinese Minng districts, and ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F11_I1_p015.jpg) d Convicted Criminals— in the Penitentiaries of my mind is, that they are are - We must Consider Continued to be a Penal date as 1849. Another in this parent Colony, in the tendency, to demorilize the of Gold, which attracted miners, from nearly all parts of the there settlers speaking to me of - for several years after the disorganized for years, the Calonial Society-" phrase- "You know how that our visit some of ^ best mining camps morality- of camp life– is as might be supposed, s, furnish a large portien are numerous in all the the Dutch or German Element ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F11_I1_p016.jpg) the Calony is largely represented in ^ there, as Elsewhere are The Constitution of is a modified form of It vests the Legislative Parliament- Called the legislative Assembly, the not less than 21 members The Assembly, is Elected by the People. A must be a natural born he must have been years, and a resident for district from which he qualifycations are also No property qualifycations man a right to vote- Hence univesal suffrage prevails ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F11_I1_p017.jpg) of South Australia - and as a rule, Excellent Citizens. the Australian Colonies- the Constitution of England- Power in two houres of legislative Council — and the Council is Composed of Appointed by the Crown- composed of 72 members- man, to be Eligible to office Citizen—of If an Alien naturalized at least fine two years [-] the Electoral is Elected - the Same required of Electors — are required, to Entitle a you will Understand that in Australia — ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F12_I1_p001.jpg) Grace Whitney Groo Baptised by Isaac Groo June 27th 1874 Confirmed by Bishop S. A. Woolley- ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F12_I2_p001.jpg) Wednesday, April 12, 1876 This forenoon while asleep, I dreamed that I was in Salt Lake City, at the south east corner of the Union Square. In the street I saw a beautiful white lamb about half grown, called it to me, and it came up and sucked my finger. I examined the wool around its neck and along its back, and called the attention of one who was with me, Mrs. W., to the fineness of its texture, and etc., and while looking at it it changed from a lamb to a beautiful boy about five or six years old, dressed in a most beautiful "Scotch Plaid" dress. I passed on north from where I stood, and came to a pool of clear water, full of dead snakes, of great varity, I passed through the gate into the square, where I met Bro. Wm. Adkin, and said to him, "Why don't you inquire something about Australia? He turned his head and wept, and I awoke. Thursday, April 13, 1876 I dreamed last night of being home in the 9th Ward, Salt Lake City. Saw several of my children, Josephine, Rose, Sydney and others. Sister Lovesy and Sister Mair said they wanted to pay me their titing, and each gave me a hand full of small silver coin. James Malin had a thrashing machine running on my upper city lot, and the machinery, belting, and etc., reached across the street, and seemed to be connected with Dr. J. M. Benedict's house. April 20, 1876 I went to bed after dinner this afternoon and while asleep, I dreamed that I was in a strange place or land, where I had been for some time, I was in an upper room, looking out over a beautiful valley, not unlike Bear River Valley, where I saw a number of covered wagons emerging from a canyon, coming over the plains toward me. I exclaimed, "Brigham!, I'll bet a dollar!" and ran out to meet them. Did not find Brigham, but met a company of Saints, many of whom I knew. Was with the camp some little time, saw them turn out their teems, build their camp fires etc. One lady got out of her carriage and I took her babe in my arms. I carried it a few rods, then he spoke to his mother and said, "take care of your babe", when I handed him again to her. Some of the Saints inquired where I had been, I said I had been in Calif. and was now stopping there and looking after that valley and its interests. Awoke and wroterdown silly and incomprehensible, incorrehent dream. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F12_I3_p001.jpg) THE TERRITORY OF UTAH. To all who shall see these Presents, Greeting: KNOW YE, That Whereas Isaac Groo, at an election held on the first day of November, A.D. 1861, was duly elected to the office of Lieutenant Colonel of the First Regiment of the First Brigade of the First Division of the Militia of the Territory of Utah, as appears by the Certificate of the Adjudat General of said Teritory, on file in the Secretary's office of said territory. Therefore I, Charles Dunkee ~ Governor of said Territory do hereby Commission him a Lieutenant Colonel of the first Reigment of the first Brigade of the First Division of the Militia of Utah Territory - and authorize and empower him to discharge the duties of said Office according to law, and to enjoy the rights and emolu- ments thereunto legally appertaining, for the term [-] by law or until his succesor shall be elected and qualified to office. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of said Territory to be affixed. ~ Done at Great Salt Lake City, this Fifteenth day of February A. D. 1866, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty Ninetieth The Governor Charles Dunkee Amos Reed Governor Secretary of Utah SYI ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F12_I4_p001.jpg) NATURE & RELIGION Nature, the common mother of all beings, may be compared to a delightful nymph whose charms never fail to retain their attractive power. It is thee, O Nature! that I desire to court, for I admire the attractions of thy loveliness; there is nothing about thee but what is pure as purity itself; all thy lineaments are fine and in every way beautiful; thy charms are great, varied and transcendant: while I live I will adore thee; for the more I study thy character, and the closer I observe thy laws, the more am I enamored with the beauties of thy face and form, which, as I contemplate, grow more and more beautiful, brilliant and fantasticly, fantastical, O, Nature! Sweet and delightful Nymph! thou shalt be my adored partner and guide through the journey of life. I faithfully promise never to forsake thee, but accompany theee hand in hand in all my future movements: for in doing this I feel a most positive and tranquil assurance, that I shall secure to myself a thousand pleasures, a thousand exquisite enjoyments; I shall never want a stimulus for a virtuous action, and never call an opportunity of doing good to those with whom I live and with whom I am indebted for life, and all that sustains that life, to thy productions and thy gifts. But what can I say of RELIGION. I know very well I ought in truth to say. I know I ought to be able to say that in that "sacred word" all that is good, or great or praisworthy can be found, but alas, such waying would be false in theory and false in fact; for, in contemplating thee and thy works of hypocracy, deception, anarchy, oppression and death, I cannot but compare thee with all thy pretentions and apparently fine proportions, to a most deceitful countesan decorated with silks, satins, ribbons, feathers and musk scented; gaudy finery, which allure and deceive the eye when observed at a distance, but on a closer inspection, the paint and frippery is discovered. They no longer hide thy hideous deformity. You really are a deceptive, impure and diseased strumpet, from whose loathsome carcass I cannot but turn with painful, sickening disgust for thy abominations; have filled the world with ignorance, superstition, oppression, tyranny, fear, sorrow, suffering and death. ISAAC GROO Sydney, Australia May 25, 1876 ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F12_I5_p001.jpg) PLAIN DEALING & SINCERITY Plain dealing iw a virtue, without which, no well regulated society can exist; this all men will allow. Indeed it is so necessary so desirable and withal, so estimable a quality, that the man can scarcely be found who would be thought to be deficient in this noble trait of the human character. Every man tells us he likes to speak his mind, but how few speak the truth. Since then, plain dealing is allowed on all hands to be so indispensible, why should it not be in more general use? Why should not every man speak what he really thinks? Why should not every man be what he appears to be? It certainly must argue a deficienty of right in some part of the community, when the state of the community is such that few if any, speaks his mind to his fellow creature, but dissimulation and gross hypocrisy appear to be the order of the day. All men seem to be desirous of hiding their faults and appearing to others to be what they really are not; how mortifying must this be to an ingenious mind, to live in a society where to acknowledge the genuine sentiments of his mind; to speak his opinion on all subjects unreserved- ly; and to appear what he really is; would be considered a species of mental incapacity and the subject of it not fit to mix in polite society. The candid mind, by acknowledging and discarding its faults, has reason and truch for the basis of all its passions and desires, and consequently is happy and simple. The disingenious person by indulgence of one unacknow- ledged error, is entangled with an after-life of guilt, sorrow and per- plexity. Truth and reality have all the advantages of appearance, and many more. If the show or appearance of anything be good, surely the possession must be better; for why does any man dissemble, or seem to be what he is not, but because he thinks it good to have such a quality as he pretends to? For to counterfeit and dissemble is to put on the appearance of some real excellency. Now the best way in the world for a man to seem to be anything, is really to be what he would seem to be, or what he would desire xx the community in which he lives, to think him to be. Besides, it is many times as troublesome to make good the pretence of a good quality, as to possess that quality, and if a man have it not, it is ten to one but the community will discover that he is without it, and then all his pains and labor will be lost. It is extremely difficult to personate and act a part long, where truch and sincerity are not at the bottom. Therefore, if any man thinks it convenient to seem good, let him be so indeed, then will his goodness appear, and the society in which he dwells and of which he forms a part, will place a correct and proper estimate of his real value. So that xxx upon all accounts sincerity will prove to be true wisdom. The arts of deceit and cunning, continually grow weaker and less serviceable to them who use them, whereas integrity gains strength by use, and the more and longer a man pracices it, the greater service it does him, by confirming his reputation, for when a man has forfeited the reputation of his integrity, sincerity, or veracity, he is then comparatively fast and nothing will then service his turn, neither xxxxx truth nor falsehood. And who is there who will not agree in this princible if they do not adopt the practive? It is certainly the duty of every man as well as his advantage, to practive these virtues, and thus bring them under the notice of everyone with whom he has to do; what can he more praiseworthyM What more ennobling to the character of an individual? And what a greater benefit to society? For how can we expect to reform continued ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F12_I5_p002.jpg) the habits of our fellowmen, how ameliorate the condition of mankind, how eradicate the evils which afflict and debase the human family? But by bringing to their view, and enforcing on them the practice of those virtues, which are the blessing and the ornament of our own lives and characters. Let us then avail ourselves of every opportunity to enlighten, instruct, and inure to habits of virtue, our fellow men; who have been, from age to age and from generation to generation, so besotted and led away by false maxims of virtue, by tales hatched up by designing men of a commercial after-life of promised rewards, or punishments, that real morality and genuine social virtue is scarcely to be found among men, and in their stead has been substituted a false, degrading and demoralizing system of misnamed virtue, which is styled religion, and which has almost succeeded in banishing everything that is praisworthy or really honorable from amongst mankind. To rid the minds of men of this false virtue, should be the first care, and most ernest endeavor of all who sincerely desire the welfare and happiness of the human family; and then seek diligently to replenish those minds with what is really useful, of which PLAIN DEALING and SINCERITY are amongst the most desireable and necessary. ISAAC GROO SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA June 6, 1876. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F12_I6_p001.jpg) Animals, but the sheep, hogs, dogs and poultry, fruit and vegetables on exhibition were very inferior. The same drouth from which the colony has suffered during the greater portion of the last year, has no doubt affect- ed the vegetation and fruit. The agriculturial implements were coarse and clumsey, reminding one of the days of yore, when, one venerable Great Grand- sire, used to root the ground previous to planting, with a crude instrument called a bull plow most of the labor saving machinery was ditto. The fine arts gallery in the upper story of the exhibition building was very liberally supplied with pictures and paintings, many of which suggest- ed to my mind the picture of which the boy drew on his slate and thought others who saw it might understand what he designed it to represent he wrote under it "this is a horse", but the artists who executed the pictures in this extensive collection being less thoughtful than the boy, failed to tell what they intended to represent by theirs, hence, in passing through this large hall and examining what I suppose was designed to represent the pro- duction of art I found that it was a very severe tax on my imagination, to make out what the pictures really were intended for in many cases it might have been a horse or a kangaroo or a wallaby, or a laughing Jack Ass, a bird sacred in Australia, as an inveterate enemy and destroyer of snakes. The American manufactures on exhibition at this fair, were particularly conspicious for their absence, the few things shown would better represent the improvements in America in 1825 than 1876. Clearly showing a design stu- died design on the part of the government officials of the antedeluvian col- ony of NewvSouth Wales, to misrepresent and keep the masses of the people here ignorant of the advanced ideas, and superior productions of America. But I can pardon this stulted stupidity, on the basis of natural philos- ophy for I beleive it is an established fact, that you cannot make a Silver Whistle out of a Pigs Tail. Yours truly, and affectionately, Isaac Groo. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F12_I7_p001.jpg) Written for Herald Newspaper. From no. 9 Denham Street Glebe, Sydney N.S.W. Australia Worcester informs us that Egypt holds a conspicuous place in history on account of its great antiquity and early attainments in the arts; and it is the cradle in which the sciences ( that is, some of them ) were rocked when they were very young. Egypt not only claims to be the birth place of science, but claims the honor of the invention of the art of using the goose quill ( not, however, for picking the teeth ) but for spreading our ideas, if we have any, on paper. But it is not of Egypt, nor of Greece, nor of Rome, nor the infalible Pope, nor U. S. Grant, nor the third term, nor any other man, that I purpose now to write; but, of New South Wales ( one of the colonies ) this great God forsaken, vermin cursed, rum poluted island - AUSTRALIA. And, although it does not, like Egypt, claim the honor of any remarkable inventions, nor boast of a hoary antiquity, it is nevertheless, a great county; so great that an American here feels very much as the little boy felt when his mother put him in his fathers shirt - that is to say, "very lonesome". But while this great country cannot boast of wonderful achievements in arts, literature or science; nor has any just claim to be proud of its antiquity, still it should, and in my estimation does, hold a very conspicuous place in prospective history on account of its antideluvian customs and per- sistent unwillingness to forsake the antiquated ruts of ages and generations past and the snail-gait movements of a thousand years ago. Sydney, the capitol of this colony ( New South Wales ) has suburbs as follows: Glebe, Woolloomooloo, Paddington, Bolmain, Surrey Hills, New Town, Bondi, etc. too numerous to mention. The buildings are constructed of stone, brick and lumber and are of every conceivable shape, size and design; some few are really imposing edifices and reflect credit on the architect and builder. Such is the General Post Office building, a large and beautifully designed structure, built of gray sand stone, with a portico on two sides running the entire length of the building, the ceiling roof of which being supported on the outer edge by heavy and very finely polished granit columns. But the postal arrangements for the distribution of the mail passing through this colossal edifice is as worthy of censure and condenmation as the building is of praise and admiration. In this department of the Government of New South Wales, it is most painfully apparent that Sydney is at least 150 years behind the age in which we live. Just imagine an American here eight thousand miles from home with his native inherent impetuosity, not only unabated but really intensified by home sickness, or if not that, a most intense longing for anything that has evey seen or come from America, waiting and lounging around a Post Office two days ( yess, two days ) to get his little tokens of kind remembrances from loved ones at home. After the arrival of the mail steamer by which those little tokens came, to way that the post office of Sydney is conducted on the old fogy principle of 150 years ago would be drawing it very mildly, and would carry but a very meager idea of the tardy manner in which the mails are handled here in this age of progress, vim steam and electricity. There may be one polliative, extenuating excuse fothe antideluvian, fogy-ism everywhere displayed in this colony; the climate here is at best extremely enervating and colony has suffered for nine or ten months past from a most withering and death dealing drouth and very likely continued . . . ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F12_I7_p002.jpg) this lack of energy and dispatch, so distressingly apparent at the post office is directly or indirectly traceable to this cause. My Christian feelings of charity suggests that I put this construction on the conduct of the Sydney port office officials, which otherwise would appear intolerable and most reprehensible. I trust that before another mail from America arrives, we shall be blessed with copious showers of rain to revive the parched and dying vegetation in and around Sydney and ( if they are too far gone ) re-animate the officials and employees of the postal department of the capitol of New South Wales. The drouth or something else is seriously affecting the rising generation...The boys and girls of Sydney. I think it must be something else. The great majority of the young men here are spindle shanked, pale and liliputian in size; so pale and little that the fierce southerly busters for which this colony is famous, would waft them to realms Etherial, as the gentle breezes of a New York autumn wafteth the feathery down of the Canada thistle from field to field, did they not take the precaution to weight themselves down with a nine inch clay pipe. But nearly all of them seem to be aware of the frailty of their natures and their liability at any moment to be blown from this inundane sphere; hence, have adipted the pipe as an anchor to hold them to earth. The girls, many of whom are shingle-shaped with pale faces and sunken eyes, and as I see them by scores every afternoon from 5:30 to 6:30 wending their way homeward, tires and lonely, I feel in my heart to say God help those from overworked and poorly paid shop girls whose very life seems to hang by a thread and as I look into their wan and pale faces and contemplate their feeble and undeveloped forms, I cannot but think that should opportunities be offered them for honorable marriage, not one in a hundrec could fill the high destiny for which woman was created. There is something radically wrong in the social conditions of the colony of New South Wales. Intemperance has much to do with the sad condition of the Society of Sydney and suggests to the mind of the careful observer, the reason why the girls and boys exhibit ( as they certainly do ) the painful and unmistakable signs of rapid degeneracy. I mentioned to you in a former letter, the superabundance of grog shops in this city. There is a bill before the legislative now in session h re for the better regulation of these brain-soften- ing, pauper making, wife beating, vice promoting and death dealing institutions. The bill contemplates the closing them on Sunday, but this will not effect any material change, for even now, the front door to these dens of vice is demurely closed on the Sabbath but the latch string to the side or parlor doors is always out and on Sunday nights as the lights gleam through the venetian blinds, it reveals to the passer-by what is going on within. The bartenders in nearly all of these grogeries are girls, denominated here "bar maids" and this in my opinion, renders these places double dangerous, for many a youth and not a few hoary headed husbands and fathers frequent these shops not so much for the love of drink as for the other attractions, behind the bar; and when there, few men have the courage ( if they have the will ) to resist the persuasive persuasiveness to take a glass continued ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F12_I7_p003.jpg) of Colonial Ale or something with the pretty bar made. What the City Cojncil of Sydney should do to check this growing and blighting evil, is to pass a restrictive high license ordnance and at once abolish at least 4/5 of these saloons and place the license at such a rate, that every one who could buy or borrow a few shillings could not engage in this demoralizing and degenerating traffic. In contemplating the evils of intemperance in these Australian colonies, I am reminded of a judge in New Zealand, whose name I think is McKean ( not J.B. ) but one who for depth of thought and philosophical investigations in relation to cause and effect would compare very favorable with the immaculate, much lamented, and late Chief Justice of Utah, it seems wonderful how much there is in a name. This New Zealand judge, after years of careful study and silent and deep meditation and profound contemplation of the wonderful works of nature, has at length made one of the most wonderful and startling discoveries of the 19th century. He has discovered that the poor, innocent, harmless, useful and domestic sheep, wyich has hitherto been regarded as one of the greatest blessings to mankind, as a source of food and clothing, is in reality the direct cause of nearly all the ills that afflict mankind and the great majority of the evils and vices of intemperance can be traced to the meek and innocent Cotswold sheep. Mutton, says this bright legal luminary, promotes indigestion; indigestion promotes a longing desire for stimulants; a longing desire for stimulants leads to the intoxicating bowl; the bowl leads to the gutter; the alms house, the jail and the gallows and fills the world with widows, orphans, wretchedness, misery, want and woe. I have not followed the exact language of this philosopher but have given you in my own words a brief synopsis of his wonderful discovery . . . as long as there remains a lamb on earth to shake its tail, or the mother of lamb to utter its innocent and plaintive "bah". So long will the name so renowned in Salt Lake, emblazon the pages of history, and be handed down from age to age and from generation to generation, as the name of the one who was a strenuous advocate and promoter of temperance, but an inveterate enemy to all sheep in general and the Cotswolds in particular. The all importana subject of education, is attracting some attention here at present; there is a bill before Parliament to amend the public school Acts of 1866 and a huge meeting was held at the Masonic Hall in Sydney on the 3rd ult. by the NEW SOUTH WALES PUBLIC SCHOOL LEAGUE for the purpose of examining the merits of the bill and to give public expression to their ideas of education, which was that it should be national, secular, compulsory and free and it is really refreshing ( in this land of fogeyism) to be able to note that the gentlemen who addressed that meeting were a class of men on whom the protracted drouth has had no stultifying effects. They were intelligent clear-headed, progressive and representative men; an honor to the great national and important cause they represented and intelligently advocated. They were men of whom Australia has reason to be proud, men whose minds have not been cast in iron moulds, nor judgements warped by sectarian, denominational creeds and dogmas, but men who comprehended the condition and requrements of the whole people and whose eyes are open to the deplorable fact, as stated at that meeting, the 1/3 of the children of school age throughout the colony of New South Wales are receiving no education. These men, though now in the minority are public benefactors of their race and will continue to agitate this subject until continued ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F12_I7_p004.jpg) they succeed in bringing about this most laudable and praiseworthy object of placing within the reach of all ( regardless of circumstances of condition ) the means by which every child in the colony may acquire an education which will enable all to better comprehend and more intelligently perform the duties and requirements of the Government under whith they live. ISAAC GROO ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F12_I8_p001.jpg) Worcester informs us that Egypt holds a conspicous place in history on account of its great antiquity, and early attainments in the arts, and it is the cradle in which the sciences ( that is some of them ) were rocked when they were very young. Egypt not only claims to be the birth- place of science, but claims the honor of the invention of the art of using the goose quill, not, however, for picking the teeth, but for spre- ading our ideas, if we have any, on paper, but it is not of Egypt, nor of Greece, nor of Rome, nor the infalible Pope, nor U. S. Grant, nor the third term, nor any other man that I purpose now to write, but of New South Wales one of the colonies this great God foresaken vermin cursed, rum poluted Island, Australia. And although it does not like Egypt, claim the honor of any remarkable inventions, our boast of a hory antiquity , it is nevertheless a great country, so great that an American feels very much as the little boy felt, when his mother put him in his fathers shirt, that is to say, "very lonesome". But while this great country cannot boast of wonderful achiev- ments in arts, literature, or science, nor has any just claim to be proud of its antiquity, still it should, and in my estimation does, hold a very conspicious place in prospective history, on account of its antideluvian customs, and ersistant unwillingness, to forsake movements of a thousand years ago. Sidney, the capitol of this Colony ( New South Wales ) has suburbs as follows, Glebe, Woolloomooloo, Paddington, Balmain, Surry Hills, New Town, Bondi, Etc. "too numerous to mention". The buildings are constructed of stone, brick, and lumber and are of every conceivable shape, size and design, some few are really imposing edifices and reflect redit on the architect and builder, such is the general post office building, and a large and beautifully designed structure built of gray sand stone, with a portico on two sides running the entire length of the building. The ceiling or roof, of which, being supported on the outer edge by heavy and very finely polished granite columns, but the postal arrangements for the distribu- tion of the mail passing throught this collassal edifice is as worthy of cencure and condemnation as the building is of praise and admiration. In this department of government of New South Wales it is most painfully apparent that Sidney is at least 150 years behind the age i in which we live. Just imagine an American here eight thousand miles from home with his native inherent impetuosity, not only inabated, but really intensified by home sickness, or if not that, a most intense longing for anything that has ever seen or come from America. Wait- ing and longing around a post office two days, yes, two days for his l little tokens of kind rememberances from loved ones from at home, after the arrival of the mail steamer by which these little tokens came, and to say that the post office of Sydney is conducted on the old fogy principle of 150 years ago, would by drawing it very mildly and would convey but a very megre idea of the tardy manner in which mails are handled here in this age of progress. Vim, Steam and Electricity, there may be one plaaiative extenuating excuse for the antideluvian gogyis, every where displayed in this colony. The climateehere is at best, extremely enervating, and the colony has suffered for nine or ten months past from a most withering and death dealing drouth, and very likely this lack of energy and dispatch, so distressingly apparant at the post office, is directly or indirectly tracibly to this cause. My christian feelings of charity suggests, that I put this construct ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F12_I8_p002.jpg) ion on the conduct of the Sydney post office officials, which other- wise would appear intolerable and most reprehensible, I trust that before another mail arrives from America, that we shall be blest with copious showers of rain, to revive the parched and dying vegetation, in and around Sydney, and ( if they are not too f ar gone ) reanimate the officials and employers of the postal department of the capitol of New South Wales. The drouth, or something else, is seriously affecting the rising generation. The boys and girls of Sydney, I think it must be something else. The great majority of the young men her are "Spindl Shanks", pale, and liliputian in size, so frail and light that the fierce Southerly busters", for which this colony is famous, would waft them to realms eterial, as the gentle breezes of a New York autumn wafteth the featherery down of the Canada Thistle from field to field, did they not take the precaution to weight themselves down with a nine inch clay pipe. But nearly all of them see med to be aware of the fraility of their natures, and their liability at ny mo ment to be blown from this mundane sphere, hence, have adopted the pipe, as an anchor, to hold them to earth. The girls, poor things, many of whom are shingle shape, whith pale faces, and sunken eyes, and as I see them by scores every afternoon from 5:30 to 6:00 wending their way home-ward, tired and lonely, I feel in my heart to say, God help those poor over-worked, and poorly paid shop girls, whose very life seems to hang by a thread, and as I look into their wan and pale faces, and contemplate their feeble and undeveloped forms, I cannot bt think, that should opportunities be offered them for honorable marriage not one in a hundred could fill the high destiny for which woman was created. There is something radically wrong in the social conditions of the Colony of New South Wales. Intemperance has much to do with the sad condition of the society of Sydney, and suggests to the mind of the careful observer, the reason why the girls and boys exibit, (as they certainly do) the painful and unmistakable signs of rapid degeneracy. I mentioned to you in aformer letter the superabundance of grog shops in this city. There is a bill before the legislature now in session here, for the better regulation of these brain softening, pauper making, wife beating, vice promoting and death dealing int stitutions. The bill contemplates the closing them on Sunday, but this will not effect any material change, for even now, the front doors of these dens of vice, are demurely closed on the Sabbath, but the latch string to the side or parlor doors, is always out and on Sunday evenings , as the bright light gleams through venetian blinds, it reveals to the passer by, what is going on within. The bar tenders, in near ly all of these grogreies, are girls denominated here, "bar maids". And this in my opinion, renders these places doubly dangerous, for man y a youth, and not a few, hoary headed fathers and husbands, frequent these shops not so much for the love of drink, as for the other attractions behind th bar, and when there, few men, have th e courage, if they have the will, to resist the persuasive persuasiveness, to take a glass of colonial ale, or something with a pretty ba r maid. What the city council of Sydney should do, to check this growing and blighting evil, is to pass a restrictive high licence ordinance, and ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F12_I8_p003.jpg) at once abolish at least 4/5 of these saloons, and place the licence at such a rate, that every one who could beg or borrow a few shillings could not engage in this demoralizing and degenerating traffic. In contemplating the evils of intemperance in these Australasian Colonies, I am reminded of a judge in New Zealand whose name I think is Mc Kean not ( J. B. ) but one who for depth of thought, and philosoph- ical favorably, with the immaculate, much lamented, and late chief justice of investigations, in relation to (cause and effect) would compare very favorably, with the immaculate, much lamented, and late chief justice of Utah. It seems wonderful how much there is in a name. This New Zealand judge, after years of careful study, and silent and deep meditation and profound contemplation of the wonderful works of nature, has at length, made one of the most wonderful and startling discoveries of the 19th century. He has discovered that the poor, innocent, harmless, useful, and domestic, sheep which has hitherto been regarded, as one of the great- est blessings to mankind, as a source of food and clothing, is in reality, the direct cause of nearly all the ills that afflict mankind, and the great majority of the evils and vices, of intemperance, can be traced to the meek and innocent Catswold Sheep. Mutton, says this bright legal luminary, promotes indigestion, indigestion promotes a longing desire for stimulents, a longing desire for stimulents leads to th intoxicating bowl, the bowl leads to the gutter, the alms house, the jail, and the gallows, and fills the world with widows, orphans, wretchedness, misery, want and woe. I have not followed the exact language of this mutton philosopher, but have given you in my won words, a brief synopsis of his wonderful discovery. As long as there remains a lamb on earth to shake its tail, or the mother of a lamb to ustter its innocent and plaintiff bah, so long will the name so renouned in Salt Lake emblazoned the pages of of history, and be handed down from age, to age, and from generation to generation, as the nane of one who was a strenuous advocate and pro- moter of temperance but an inverterate enemy to all sheep in general, and to the Catswold particular. C t The all important subject of education is attracting some attention here at present. There is a bill before parliament to amend the public school act of 1866, and ahhugh meeting was held at the masonic Hall, in Sydney on the 3rd ult., by the New South Wales public school league for the purpose of examining the merits of the bill, and to give public expression to the ideas of education, which was, that it should be national, secular, compulsory, and free, and it is really refreshing in this land of fogyis to be able to note, that the gentlemen who addressed that meeting, were a class of men whom the protracted drouth has had no stulyfying effect. They were intelligent, clear headed, progressive and representitive men, an honor to the great national and important cause they represented, and intelligently advocated. They were men of whom Australia, has reason to be proud--men whose minds have not been cast in iron moulds, nor judgment warped, by sectarian, denominational, creeds and dogmas, but men who comprehend the conditions and requirements of the whole people, and whose eyes are open to the deplorable fact, as stated at that meeting, that 1/3 of the children of the school age throughout the colony of New South Wales are recieving no educucation. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F12_I8_p004.jpg) These men, though now in the minority, are public benefactors of their race, will continue ot agitate this subject until they secce succeed in bringing about this most laudable and praiseworthy object of placing within the reach of all, (regardless of circumstances or conditions) the means by which every child in the colony may acquire an education, which will enable all to better comprehend and more intelligently perform the duties and requirements of the government under which they live. Yours truly, Issac Groo Copied by B.C.G. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I10_p001.jpg) Salt Lake City, Jan. 17th 1894, My Darling Wife, 'Tis fifty years, the records say, Since you beheld the light of day. And first Inhal'd the atmosphere, In this terrestrial Changing Sphere. And now thy life I will review, Thy footsteps Carefully pursue, From Childhood's happy, sunny days Throughout lifes winding, mystic maze. Through all the Slippery paths of youth, I trace thee to the ways of truth, Virtue and truth thy guides have been, To lead thee past the snares of sin. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I10_p002.jpg) These with friendship love and light, Have always guided thee aright, Thy judgment sound- thy prudent care, Hath Kept thee from the tempter's Snare. But purity of heart and brain Cannot the Elements restrain Nor neutralize the Seeds of death, That we inhale at Every breath. In Every clime, in Every Sphere, On Every day, in Every year, The Seeds of death are being Sown, Wherever life on Earth is known, All Else uncertain- death is Sure, And we Submit- and must Endure, What God, and nature hath decreed, However much our hearts may bleed. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I10_p003.jpg) In this brief life from birth to tomb, Its winding ways Encounter gloom, Conflicting Eliments of strife, Mingle with the peace of life. Sickness, and sorrow, pain and woes, In all our pleasures Interpose, Yet from our doctrines it appears, That all mankind are Volunteers, Comeing from a world of bliss, To taste the miseries of this- And thus, by contrast we shall learn, (And when permited to return) Can fully then appreciate, The Glories of that Endless state. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I10_p004.jpg) I bless the day- revere the place. Where first I saw thy honest face. In that Chaste, and placid mien, Every virtue could be seen. Grouped, as in a picture rare, Plainly visable were there. Three years and more, from that blest day, (When first we met in balmy may) Then, with your precious hand in mine, We knelt together at the shrine. And there, you pledged your heart to me, I vowed to love and cherish thee, Thine was the Crowning gift to me, My souviner- for Eternity. "Old time," since then has changes wrought, And years distressing scenes have brought, Sad scenes we could not then descry, Have since been shared by you and I- ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I10_p005.jpg) I need not now, our woes relate, Nor uselessly repine at fate, Let it suffice, just now, to say, That all along life's rugged way, Thou hast been true, to Every trust, In all thy dealings fair and just. And Ever ready to impart To the sad and sorrowing heart, Kind words of sympany to bless, And mitigate the soul's distress. Thy sacred mother's life divine, Now, reproduced we have in thine, Friendship and truth, her daily dream, And "Peace and Love" her Constant theme, These Graces, clustered round her soul, And gave to her that self-control, For which, her life was so renowned, A trait, 'mong mortals rarely found. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I10_p006.jpg) And as a peerless Legacy, These virtues she bequeathed to thee, Thou hast the gift, with care preserved, And never from their precepts swerved. And now, as I your life review, I find this statement strictly true. Throughout thy life of fifty years, No blot, nor blemish, now appears. How gratifying now to know, That such a record thou canst show. This Natal day has come to thee, To usher in thy Jubilee- A season- let us hope- of rest, That you with blessings may be blest, May health and happiness increase, To Crown thy future years with peace. Yours Forever, Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I1_p001.jpg) An Acrostic May the "Godess" of wisdom, of virtue, and light. And the Angel of peace, guide thy footsteps aright, Reflecting before you in language most plain, Your duty, and pathway to Glory and fame. Jehova's just laws, may they keep in thy way, And assist you, the same to revere and obey. Never yield to the "tempter." if life you would win, Ever tread 'neath thy feet all temptations to sin, Walk proudly the pathway that Angels have trod, Having always around you the Armor of God, In Every condition, in him put your trust, That you may receive the reward of the just. Never think from the "conflict," but battle for right, Ever keeping in view the bright regions of light, You then shall be "Robed" in pure spotless white. Amen. Little Cottonwood Mills. Sunday, Sept 4th 1864. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I2_p001.jpg) BOTONY BAY Feb. 1, 1871 With Dearing, Wright and Mark, today I took the cab for Botony Bay And there along the sandy shore I hunted shells from twelve to four Then from Sir Joseph Banks hotel I bid the Botony Bay farewell, Returned to Glebe with blistered feet And had for tea an onion treat. Then night her sable curtain spread And soon I found myself in bed. But not to sleep in calm repose But there to battle midnight foes Mosquitoes soon with music calls, The bed bugs from the creviced walls While they in turn call fleas and ants The allied forces then advance. Mosquitoes first attack my face, While bed bugs sieze the other place The cussed fleas bite everywhere And ants all rush into my hair. In wildest rage I scratch my heel While in my har the ants I feel. I reach my poll the ants to clean While bed bugs take me in the rear. I leave my hair the bugs to hunt Then fleas attack me in the front And as I scratch each bitten place Mosquitoes settle on my face. Exhausted now and nearly dead I haul the cover o'er my head. With greates efforts now to breath I feel my breast with anger heave. And smarting from my head to feet My only hope seems in retreat. 'Tis said, "who fights and runs away May live to fight another day". These words seem wise and just the mete Of consolation in defeat They cheer the vanquished who must yield To victors in the battle field. Though whipped, I leave my bed tonight I may again renew this fight But bleeding now at every pore I'll take my blanket out of door And seek some cool refreshing breeze Away from bed bugs, ants and fleas. And should mosquitoes find my place I'll spread the netting o'er my face And thus some sleep I may secure For this I never can endure. I reasoned thus and reasoned well 'Till daylight broke the awful spell Then blotched and smarting left my bed With fevered tongue and aching head. ISAAC GROO ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I3_p001.jpg) Inscribed To Mrs Mary Jane Groo on her 28th Birth Day, "Tho noisless seems the wheels of time yet years they swiftly roll away And in the Records now I find, That you are twenty Eight to day, But time, nor years has not Effaced, Affection from your husband's breast, His love he knows was not misplaced But still with you feels richly blest, Then time, & years roll on I say, For age, your charms to me increase Dear honored wife and mother- may your future years be years of peace Isaac Groo Salt Lake City Jan 17th 1872 ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I4_p001.JPG) Isaac To Mary, Mary darling, though far distant. Tossing on the deep blue sea I remember in my absence You to day, are thirty three, And to day, with that Gold pencil, "Birthday-Gift" from you to me, I would fain, in Golden letters- Fondest love inscribe to thee. But all words tho fitly spoken Are but feeble I Confess- Language written is but futile Love's Emotions to Express. Unexpresed by word is language Love's fond tokens to impart Understood, by those who only, Know the language of the heart- ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I4_p002.JPG) In this silent, purest language, Language of Celestial spheres, You and I, my dearest Consort. Have conversed for many years- On this Natal day 'tho absent Far from where I fain would be, In this silent language- Darling- Fondest love I send to thee. Isaac Groo At sea on board the Steam- Ship "City of Sydney" January 17th 1877. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I5_p001.JPG) Birth day gift (1886) To M, J, G As the glorious sun at morn dispels The gloomy shades of night, So one sweet face with loving smiles, Imparts its hopeful light. That placid face my guiding light, Though Clouds may overcast, Will, like the Polar Star remain, As Constant to the last. The radient light of that dear face, Illumes my darkest days, It penetrates these prison walls, With its refulgent rays. Maternal love– that never fades- Has stamped upon that face, Seraphic ilnes of purest light, Which time can ne'r Efface. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I5_p002.JPG) Nor weight of years, nor cares of life, Can this pure light obscure, Its luster will grow brighter still, While life shall here Endure. Then hail Each natal-day with joy, And let the years increase, That precious face will yet remain, An Emblem true - of peace. The gloomy Clouds that now appear,- The threatening storms of strife, Will but unfold thy trusting heart, And gild thy loving life. May Each recurring natal-day, Bring brightest years of Earth- This is the Earnest prayer for thee, From one who knows thy worth. Yours Truly Isaac Groo- ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I6_p001.jpg) Salt Lake City, Jan 17th 1888, My precious one, my darling wife, How checkered are the ways of life, How full of sorrows and of cares, Its pathes, how full of hidden snares. Amid its winding ways obs^cure, How many tempting scenes allure, And urge us on to darker shade, Where gloom of night our souls invade. How various fates Conditions Change, And seeming well-laid plans derange, Without the voice of Hope, to cheer, How dismal would this life appear. Without her aid who can Control, The trying scenes that vex the soul? She comes to us in darkest hours, And healing Consolation pours Into the bleeding heart the balm, the And bids ^ sorrowing soul be calm. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I6_p002.jpg) Of gloomy clouds she clears the skies, And wipes the tears from weeping Eyes, To the afflicted Every where, She comes to drive away dispair. O that today I might be free, That to my heart's own home with thee, I might return like Noah's dove, To that dear Ark my home of love, That I might, on this Natal day, Return to that blest home to stay, The only home or place that seems, The acme of my fondest dreams. It grieves my soul that I must be, so near, and yet so far from thee, That for a rightious holy cause, I'm Exiled by Inhuman laws. But fate prepares the bitter cup, From which humanity must sup, And possibly, it may be best, That we should taste it with the rest, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I6_p003.jpg) Sages and Poets sometimes say, In sacrifice our blessings lay, It is the hidden spring from whence, Arise our gifts of recompense. I cannot tell- this may be so, It is, for aught that mortals know. This much however, I admit, If, in his wisdom God sees fit, To test our strength, with burdens great, At last - he'll move than compensate. Hence, I must cease this gloomy strain, And from my murmurings refrain, Though we now share the Edmunds Curse, Yet, our Condition might be worse- Although I cannot visit thee, We still are blest with Children three, Our precious boys, our Darling "Late"- Are with us yet in spite of fate- Our other three are with the blest, In realms of blissful peace and rest. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I6_p004.jpg) The thorny path of life they trod, Propels us on, towards them and God, And Each birthday along the road, Is twelve months nearer their abode. I fain would now some words impart, Expressive of my brain and heart, But language fails me to Express, How much in thee, I find to bless. "In constancy and nuptial love," Thou art the Emblem of the dove- For justice, and Maternal care, A wreath of Laurel you should wear, Wisdom and truth, hath stired thy mind, And righteousness thy soul refined. May all thy coming days and years, While passing through this vail of tears, Fall lightly, as the heavenly dew, And all along thy journey strew, Such blessings, as will best impart, Most peace, and Comfort to thy heart- Your loving Husband. Isaac Groo. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I7_p001.jpg) This- dearest, is the day of days, For which I offer thanks and praise, Of all the days that Crown the Earth, I prize that most, which gave you birth. The day is sacred and divine, That linked your destiny with mine. That natal day God sent to me, An Everlasting Gem- in thee, A precious Gem that now appears, More lustrous with the wear of years, A Jewel rare- that years have not, yet tarnished with a single blot. Forty and five, have passed away, Since you first saw the light of day, Since I first saw thy precious face, The years I can distinctly trace. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I7_p002.jpg) In retrospection I now view, The day when first I met with you, 'Twas in the blooming month of May, When nature smiles. and all was gay. Beside the swollen, turbid stream, I met the Image of my dream, That meeting- and at that "first sight," My soul was filled with new delight, I saw in thee- to tell the truth- What I had vainly sought from youth, I found what I had long desired, love And felt my soul with ^ Inspired, And since the precious day divine, I led thee from the Altar- mine, Thou hast been, (my darling wife,) The light and glory of my life. Yourself, your children, and your home, The source from whence my pleasures come, Affections' fount- from whence I draw, In spite of Edmund's Tucker law, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I7_p003.jpg) That law- as by the courts defined, Is powerless the heart to bind, The law- Tho Infamous and mean, The heart's affections can not wean. Our liberties it may curtail, And cruel sufferings Entail, Yet cannot break the sacred tie, That binds in wedlock you and I. Well Darling- it perhaps is time, That I should close this birth-day rhyme, My feeble words can never tell, "How much I love thee and how well." We can but Hope, and pray that he, Who guides all human destiny, Shall so control the deeds of men, That we may soon be free again, Be free to come, and free to go, Our true affections free to show, Yea, free to meet, and part at will, And free our Covenants to fill. over ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I7_p004.jpg) May you live to see many happy returns of this day. And may Each succeeding one, be an Improvement on the last, and may God our Eternal Father abund antly bless you, and all that appertains unto you, is the sincere and most Earnest disire and prayer of your affectionate but lonely Husband. Isaac Groo. Salt Lake City Jan. 17th 1889, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I8_p001.jpg) January 17th 1892. To Mary, Since last I wrote you dearest one, We've journey'd once more 'round the sun, On this, our grand old Earth. 'Twas just one year ago to day, That I attuned to you my lay, In honor of thy birth. This is the day of all the year, The day of days I most revere, My day of jubilee. And why should I , not venerate, The day on which, was born my mate? Mate for Eternity. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I8_p002.jpg) From days of youth, my dream of life, Has been to gain just such a wife, As I have found in thee, Whose qualities of heart and brain, Without the semblance of a stain, (That mortal Eyes can see.) 'Tis Eight and forty years to day, Since on life's stage you came to play. Thou hast well Earned thy fame. You chose- (whatever might betide,) The "Golden Rule" to be thy guide, All honor to thy name. Your darling sister - "Re" must know, What is transpiring here below, Hence is her spirit blest. To comprehend what thou hast done, And see the body of her son, Beside her own- at rest. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I8_p003.jpg) Job's patience, and his Earnest zeal, His constant care for other's weal, Seem now combined in thee, Your Angel Mother's life divine, Daily reflected now in thine, In fullness of degree. Thy sterling traits, which all now see, Were plainly visible to me, Just thirty years ago, Those precious gems now well matured, By trials you have since Endured, Were then, in Embryo, The budding girms so clearly seen, When you were but a girl Eighteen, Their Golden fruits have shed. Thy deeds of Charity and love, Will yet be recognized above, By blessings on thy head. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I8_p004.jpg) Thou hast been sowing from thy youth, The seeds of rightiousness and truth, Those seeds will never die. But yield an hundred fold of love, With Everlasting peace above, In realms beyond the sky. In this uncertain life below, We do not harvest what we sow, Only a slight degree. But in the life where right prevails, And Justice holds her Even scales, Our recompense will be. And yet we trust, that Christ our friend, Will send his angels to attend, Thy footsteps here below, That henceforth- from this natal day, He will his righteous power display, And true compassion show. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I8_p005.jpg) He tempers winds to the shorn lamb, And bids the raging storms be calm, Yet more he'll do for thee, He'll bid the storms of sorrow cease, And send his messengers of peace, To thy Companions be. Then let us trust, and hope, and pray, That we may live to see the day, When Justice here shall reign, And gentle peace, her wings may spread, O'er Utah's Vales- and blessings shed, 'Till we our rights regain. O Churning thought- that I may see, The happy days again with thee, And with our children dear. When Intermeddling Courts shall cease, And we together dwell in peace, Without Judicial fear. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I8_p006.jpg) I must conclude this feeble lay, And in Conclusion let me say, Though this, my last should be. In the next life, as well as this- It there, will Constitute by bliss, To love, and think of thee. Wishing you many peaceful, prosperous, and happy returns of this day, I am as Ever Yours Truly, and Forever, Isaac Groo. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I9_p001.jpg) Jan 17th 1893, My Dear Mary Jane, To you I must speak plain to day, And trust you'll pardon what I say. If I could choose from womankind, A wife Exactly to my mind, Her Geneology I would trace, Back to a thoughtful moral race, The law Heredity- we find, Inherits and transmits its kind. From thistles, figs cannot be grown Each seed producing like its own. Would like a wife of mine to be From affectation wholly free. Affected persons oft we find, Evince a weak and shallow mind, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I9_p002.jpg) Would like one cautious in her speech And mostly by Example teach, By precept too she should impart, Instructions to the brain and heart. She should possess in large degree- Job's patience and integrity, And in affliction's trying hour Have self-possession and will power Sufficient then, to there control, The deep Emotions of her soul. Perception should be keen and bright To read humanity aright, As by the fruit, we judge the tree, And thus should judge humanity. Pre-eminent would have her be In deeds of love and Charity. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I9_p003.jpg) Her qualities should best appear At Home- in the domestic sphere, For there, she would preside as Queen Where all her virtues could be seen. A wife possessing traits like these, The most fastideous man should please, The love of such a wife as this, Would Constitute my greatest bliss, I should Esteem her love and worth, More than all the wealth of Earth. And now, in Candor let me say, On this recurring natal day, Thou art the one, in whom I find, The wife Exactly to my mind, Of all the women I have seen, Thou art my Choice- my darling Queen ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I9_p004.jpg) Every Virtue- Every trait, That I herein, Enumerate, Within thy Character are found, And in thy daily life abound. What more could Erring man require? Or most Exacting spouse desire? Than find a wife of forty nine. Replete with attributes divine. Old time has gently dealt with you, His finger marks are light and few, With all the cares thy years have brought, They have no serious Changes wrought, 'Twould be a search in vain to day, To find among thy tresses gray. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F13_I9_p005.jpg) Henceforth- God grant, that naught may come To mar thy peaceful model home. God bless you now my dearest one, God bless our daughter and our son, When thou art old, still they will be, A source of constant joy to thee. Amen. Yours Forever, Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I1_p001.jpg) Inscribed to Mrs Ann E. Whitney. On her 72nd Birthday, Dec 26th 1872, I fain, dear Sister, Mother, friend, A tribute of respect would pay, And with my pen my Efforts lend, To cheer thy heart on this birthday. I would thy life, review from birth, And Every act inscribe in gold, [--] half thy noble deeds of worth, In Golden letters, could be told. A life of three score years and ten, Devoted to God's righteous ways, Requires a far more gifted pen Than mine, to render suited praise. Thy presence long has cheered our home, And still thy name we now revere, And yet for many years to come, May you remain, our hearts to cheer. Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I2_p001.jpg) Lines Inscribed To Mrs Elizabeth Ann Whitney, On her 73rd Birth-Day. Dec 26th 1873, ============= 1 Dear Mother, as another year Has rolled away, we meet thee here, To Celebrate thy birth. As children we are greatly blest, With you, dear mother, of the best, That dwells to day on Earth. ——————— 2 With all our hearts, the Lord we praise, Since he has lengthened out thy days, And spared thy life of love. Nor time, has not a single trace. Within the year, left on thy face. Which beams from light above. ——————— 3 We feel the loss while here to day, Of our dear sister called away To realms of light and love. But would we call her back again To this dark world of sin and pain? From home and friends above, ——————— ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I2_p002.jpg) 4 No. no, since she is happy there. We will Each one ourselves prepare, To meet her in the skies. Where Father Dear, has long since gone, With Joseph the Annointed one, Where pleasure never dies. ——————— 5 The children on the Earth are few, Who can a parents life review, and find that life like thine. Without a blemish from thy youth, A life of goodness, light, and truth, A life of love divine. —————— 6 It seems, thy mission here has been, To warn the wayward not to sin, And teach the way to heaven, And unto you, for deeds on Earth, Will, by the Lord who knows thy worth, Eternal life be given. ————— 7 And Exaltation will be thine, A Queen in heaven you will shine, For Christ will bless and own, And with our father at your head, To you, and him, it will be said, "Come sit down on my throne." ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I2_p003.jpg) 8 And as your children, here to day, We'll strive thy precepts to obey, And imitate thy love. That when our mortal life is o'er To realms of Glory we may soar, And dwell with you above. Isaac Groo Salt Lake City Dec 26th 1873. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I3_p001.jpg) Where'er, Dear Friend, on earth I roam, Though on the land or on the sea, My wind oft' to my "mountain home" Reverts to "loved ones" there with thee. And, as familiar scenes I trace Around my home with friends so dear, I always meet one precious face, That beams with love my heart to cheer. A face that [----] affection's smile, True index, to the heart within, A peaceful heart devoid of guile, The heart, that grieves to witness sin. A heart that four score years- but five. Has always throbbed for other's woes, Rejoiced when truth and virtue thrive; The heart from whence affection flows. Of such a heart, Dear Friend, as thine No suited praise can here be given; Its priceless deeds on earth will shine, Its golden record blaze in heaven. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I3_p002.jpg) 'Tis there alone the righteous find True recompense for deeds of worth And there now waits a husband kind To welcome thee from scenes of earth. And there, with him who waits for thee, Awaits thee too sweet, peaceful rest— A rest from earthly sorrows free, With queenly robes with Heaven's blest. This feeble token, Dearest Friend, As birthday gift I send to thee, And as your precious prayers ascend Remember, Oh! remember me. Isaac Groo. To his Precious Friend Mrs E. A. Whitney On her 75th birth day— December 26th 1875. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I4_p001.jpg) LINES, ------- ADDRESSED TO MRS. E. A. WHITNEY S. L. CITY, ON THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF HER BIRTH-DAY. ------- Where'er, Dear Friend, on earth I roam, Tho' on the land or on the sea, My mind, oft to my "mountain home" Reverts to "loved ones" there, with thee. And, as familiar scenes I trace Around my home, with friends most dear, I always meet one precious face, That beams with love my heart to cheer. A face that wears affection's smile, True index to the heart within— A peaceful heart, devoid of guile— A heart that grieves to witness sin. A heart that fourscore years, but five, Has ever throb'd for others' woes— Rejoiced when truth and virtue thrive— A heart from whence affection flows. In heaven above, the righteous find True recompense for deeds of worth; And there awaits a husband kind To welcome thee from scenes of earth. And there with him, who waits for thee, To welcome thee to peaceful rest— A rest from earthly sorrows free, With queenly robes, with heaven's blest. This feeble token, worthy Friend, As birthday gift, I send to thee, And as your fervent pray'rs ascend, Remember, O, remember me. ELDER ISAAC GROO. Sydney, Australia, Dec. 26th, 1875. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I4_p002.jpg) flagrant evils, unless she can exert it through the powers of fascination of character, or con- versation. To be sure, woman may, and does, accom- plish much by personal influence and purity of character in her home and among her asso- ciates, yet there is so much evil that is coun- tenanced in society, in circles large and small, that she must wage a perpetual warfare if she would maintain pure principles and promote good. How many wives and mothers there are without any sympathy, save such as their suffer- ing sisters can accord, and yet they must not be allowed the privilege allotted to the meanest and most debased of the other sex, in-making and sustaining the laws under which they live. There are thousands of married women in the United States, who would be much better off if they had no husband; a source of contin- ual annoyance, dragging them down. by their vileness and intemperance; yet they are com- pelled to support this miserable existence, or perhaps involve themselves in greater difficul- ties. The general exclamation is—these women are to be pitied; but of what use is pity that reaches no farther, that extends no real help, that opens no way of escape? Woman has been the sufferer from this ter- rible and crying evil INTEMPERANCE, and she ought to have the privilege of using some great er influence towards suppresing it than can ever be accomplished through fireside instruc- [---------] [-------] [------] the lecture [-----] of the ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I5_p001.jpg) Mother! One name above all names of earth We more esteem for its real worth, And prize above all other; With veneration we revere That precious name forever dear,~ That sacred name is "Mother." The cherished names of "child" and "wife" Connected with the joys of life, With those of "father", "brother," Are all sweet names; but not so blest As name of one who first caressed ~ The sacred name of "Mother." In infancy what tender care To that of mother's can compare? Or who like her to keep Our wayward feet from danger's way; And guide our footsteps day by day, And guard us when we sleep? Through every stage of life we find A mother's admonitious kind A safeguard and a sheild, That will, in all the scenes of life, Protect from Error, Sin, and Strife; And purest pleasures yield. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I5_p002.jpg) In cold adversity's dark hour, When gloomy clouds around us lower; In sickness and distress; 'Tis then a mother's love divine, Like stars at night, will brightest shine, With ready hand to bless. Forsaken oft by other friends; A mother's friendship never ends~ She never doth forsake. Her children, whether young or old, By love and kindness she will hold, And suffer for their sake. A mother's love in weal or woe Like never-ending rivers flow, And sweetest joys impart. Her presence and her words inspire The soul with pure celestial fire, And warm the coldest heart. More to be pitied far above All others, whom a mother's love Hath been to them denied. Those who by Providence thus left, Of half life's comforts are bereft, Though blessed with wealth beside. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I5_p003.jpg) Though far away now o'er the sea, A mother's love is sent to me; Yet oh! how much I miss Her presence (here so far from home While in this distant land I roam), And her maternal kiss. Dear mother, yet I trust again I soon thy presence shall regain, And join you with the rest Of loved ones in my native land, Where Zion's peaceful, happy band With unity are blest. Where peace and plenty smiles around, Where Friendship, Love and Truth abound, And confidence repose. Where kindness unto all is shown, Where Hate and Envy are unknown, Where love unceasing flows. Oh, Mother! I would gladly come To that most sacred spot –my home, On this your natal day. But though upon a foreign shore, I wish you birth=days many more; And for your peace will pray. ========== " ========== Compliments of Isaac Groo To Mrs Elizabeth Ann Whitney, On her Seventy-sixth birthday December 26th, 1876. ================= " ======================= ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I6_p001.jpg) Compliments of Isaac Groo to Mother Whitney on her 77th birth-day. December 26th 1877, My dearest friend, divinely blest, I fain would now, (at your request.) Some fitting Souvenir Convey, In you, on this recurring day. Would gladly some fond token write If angels would my pen indite, For they, have thy companions been, Have known thy life devoid of sin. Have all thy years rejoiced to know, Your heart has throbbed for other's woe, Have viewed with pleasure, all thy life, As daughter, sister, friend and wife, Have watched thy footsteps through the past, And found thee faithful to the last. If mortal [---] perfection gained, For you, that title can be Claimed. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I6_p002.jpg) And as Each Natal day appears, They add fresh luster to thy years. Then let the years roll on apace, They leave new beauties on thy face, As thoughts, as pure as purity, Leave traces of divinity. Around thy brow these traces twine, And prove thy nature is divine. 'Tis he, whom you so long have served, Your life, and beauty has preserved, And when your ripened year has come, Unto himself, will bring you home. In Glory there, with Newel K. You'll wait the resurection day, That birth-day, will secure to thee, A brilliant Endless, Jubilee. Amen. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I7_p001.jpg) From the Exhaustless stream of time, Another natal day appears, Extending on thy life divine, And adding to thy lustrous years, Just seventy and nine to-day Has been extended unto you And now, along that lengthened way We take a retrospective view, And can but feel a joy supreme. As we retrace thy steps to youth, And find the "Golden Rule" thy theme Thy safe-guards, friendship, love, and truth, Thy footprints all along life's years, We find within the "narrow way" Thy Eyes, oft dimmed with sorrowing tears Have never led thy feet astray, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I7_p002.jpg) Thy spring, and summer years have flown And autumn's Golden days are Thine, But seeds of truth, in springtime sown, Are now producing fruits divine. And when thy winter days shall come, And scenes of mortal life are o'er, In a celestial, Endless home, You'll find a Golden harvest store. Compliments of Isaac Groo, To Mrs Elizabeth Ann Whitney On her 79th birthday Dec 26th 1879, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I8_p001.jpg) Lines Inscribed To ======= Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Whitney, ===== On her 80th Birth-day == Dec 26th 1880. === To one whose pure, Exalted mind, With purity of life combined, I now attune my artless lay, On this recurring natal day. To one, whose days are marked with love, As seraph, from the realms above. And all along her lengthened years, Faith, Hope, and Charity appears, And Friendship, Love, and truth divine, With purest sympathy combine. Thousands, by cruel fate distressed, Her sympathetic heart hath blest, Her words of consolation given, Have fallen like the dews from heaven, And made the restless soul repose, As dew, revives the drooping rose. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I8_p002.jpg) Unmimbered, bleeding hearts of grief, Have found in them, a calm relief, And from her placid, artless face, Have found, a balmy sweet solace. How pure, must be that loving heart, That can, to sorrowing souls impart A consolation, and a charm, That will, affliction's sting disarm, And pour into the aching breast, The healing balm of peace and rest, And fill the throbbing heart with cheer, When Hope, has fled, and all is drear. How rare, 'mong mortals, 'tis to see A being, from all vices free. Yet here is one, whose years, four score, Are all, with virtues written o'er. A life, without a sinful spot, Without a blemish or a blot, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F14_I8_p003.jpg) This dear one has, with patience borne, The persecutor's bitter scorn, From Ills, and cares, though often faint, Yet all Endured, without complaint. In cold adversity's dark day, Her feet, hath kept the "Narrow way," In constancy, that path she trod, With true fidelity to God. His recompense, to this dear friend, Is life, and bliss, without an End. Isaac Groo. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F15_I1_p001.jpg) To "Latie" Groo From her Father Isaac Groo Eight years have passed my darling "pet" Since first you came to dwell on Earth We loved you then, we love you yet And bless the day that gave you birth, And may your precious life be free From sickness, sorrow, pain or care, Dear Latie may you never be The victim of the tempter's snare, Isaac Groo Oct 23rd 1875 ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F15_I2_p001.jpg) LOVED ONES AT HOME. Waft, waft gentle breeze, waft to Utah As you float o'er this great western sea Go visit, I pray, thee, my loved ones And carry a message from me. Oh take on thy wings gentle zephyr The angels of peace as you fly To bannish from loved ones affection And wipe the sad tear from each eye. Go dimple the cheeks of dear loved ones Tith health giving laughter and glee imprint on their lips sweetest kisses For papa now absent at sea. And bid the chill breezes of winter To the cold arctic regions repair For in Utah I fain would have summer For loved ones dear loved ones are there. Sweet breezes, oh bear with this message, The angels of truth, love and light. And bid them remain in my cottage To comfort by day and by night. And see gentle breeze while you tarry That my loved ones have plenty in store That the cold hand of want shall not enter Nor ever intrude at their door. And as time honored Santa Claus visits To peddle his sweet Christmas toys Oh tell him to fill every stocking Of my dear little girls and my boys. That their innocent hearts may be merry Their spirits be blithsome and gay And my precious dear loved ones be happy Though papa is far, far away. And whisper to each, as you meet them. That the wanderer soon will return, That his hear with affection for loved ones, Unceasing continues to burn. And when this brief mission is ended, Then to Utah's sweet vales he will come And clasp once again to his bosom His loved ones, dear loved ones, at home. ISAAC GROO The above was written at sea on board the steam ship "COLIMA" while on the voyage to Austrailia. November 30, 1875 ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F15_I3_p001.jpg) ODE TO MUSIC In every land and every clime, Sweet music hath its charms to bless, Around the earth its tones devine, Bestow their comforts in distress. Eternal as the ages roll, Life's scenes, sweet melody improve, Like Angels, music will control, And fill the heart with peace and love. Blessed indeed are those like thee, On whom the art to play is given, Your boon should ever cherished be, Dear Bella as a gift from heaven. Isaac Groo. With compliments to Miss Isabella Boyd. Sydney, Australia. May, 12th, 1876. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F15_I4_p001.jpg) To J. T. Jesus to whom each knee shall bow, and every tongue confess, O'er all the earth mankind thy rule and spirit yet shall bless, Heaven, with teeming millions there, and all the earth below, Naught but thy Godlike goodness here, or precious love will show. Till on the sea, or round the earth, in every land and clime, Your glory will be seen and felt, your light resplendent shinel Each tongue will lisp their Saviors name, and sing thy praises above, Redeemed from sin and error dark, will bask in light and love. Mankind will then, when rescued from delusion's fatal flood, Admit thy holy birth devine, and own thy mission good, No longer doubt thy virtues pure, of thy atoning blood, In endless life and liberty, and love and truth supreme. Shall millions know thy blood did cleanse, and all mankind redeem And those who now thy precious life, and character defame Proud though they be, shall then revere, and bless thy holy name. In sadness bow their cruel necks, and in that solemn hour Give thee thy proper title -King- and own thy righteous power Shall with their lips in burning shame, thy righteousness confess God is thy name, and that oh earth thy mission was to bless Until thy grace through meekness low, and true repentance brings The Infidel to own thee Lord, and hail thee King of Kings. Isaac Groo. Sydney, Australia. May 30th, 1876. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F15_I5_p001.jpg) THE MIND - A SCULPTOR There is no sculptor like the mind. The man who thinks, reads, studies, meitates, has intelligence but in his features, stamped on his brow and gleaming in his eye. There is nothing that so refines, polishes and ennobles a face and mien as the constance presence of great and good thoughts. The man who lives in the region of ideas, moonbeams though they be, becomes idealized. There are no arts, no gymnastics, no cosmetics, which can contribute a tithe so much to the dignity, the strength, the ennobling of a man's looks as a great purpose, a high determination, a noble principle, an unquenchable enthusiasm. But more powerful still, than any of these, as a beautifier of the person, is the overmastering purpose and pervading disposition of kindness in the heart. Affection is the organizing force in the human constitution. Woman is fairer than man because she has more affection than man. Loveliness is the outside of love. Kindness, sweetness, good-will, a prevailing desire and determination to make others happy, make the body a fit temple of the Holy Ghose. The soul that is full of pure and generous affections, fashions the features into its own angelic likeness; as the rose by inherent impulse grows in grace and blossoms into loveliness which art cannot equal. There is nothing on earth which so quickly and so perfectly beautifies a face, transfigures a personality, refined, exacts, irradiates with heavens own xxxxxxx impress of liveliness as a prevailing kindness of heart. The angels are beautiful because they are good, and God is beauty, because He is love. To be beautiful in person, then, we must not only conform to all the laws of physical health, and by gymnastic arts develope the elements of our physical being in symmetry and completeness; but we must also train the mind and develop the affection to the highest possible degree. To be beautiful, we must feed the spark of intellectual fire by reading and meditation, until it burns in steady flame, irradiating the face by its brilliancy, suffusing the countenance with perpetual light. To be beautiful, we must fill the brain with great and good thoughts and live in an atmosphere of ideas. To be beautiful, we must put a great, organizing and ennobling purpose into the will and concen- trate our thoughts and affections upon it until enthusiasm wells up in the heart and illuminates the countenance and rebuilds the body in its own divine plan. To be beautiful, we must cherish every kind impulse and generaous disposition, making love the ruling affection of the heart and the orering principle and inspiring motive of life. The more kindness the more beauty; the more love, the more loveliness. And this is the beauty that lasts. Mere physical good looks fade with the years, bleach out with sickness, yield to the slow decay and wasting breath of mortality; but the beauty that has its seat and source in kind disposition and noble purposes, and great thoughts, out- lasts youth and maturity, increases with age, and like the luscious peach, covered with the delicate plush of purple and gold which comes with autaumn ripeness, is never so beautiful as when waiting to be plucked by the gatherer's hand. ISAAC GROO - Sydney, Australia, June 13, 1876 ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F15_I6_p001.jpg) THE RISE AND THE FALL One morning in Eden as Adam awoke He thought that the Lord had been playing a joke For, as he sat staring and rubbing his eyes He met, as he gazed, a most pleasing surprise. At first he could scarcely his eyesight believe He rubbed them again, that they might not deceive But surely there lay fast asleep by his side In nature's adornment his heavenly bride. Enraptured he gazed on her beautiful form As the sun rose in splendor and gilded the morn. No eye of intruder, nor footstep was heard No voice in the garden, but voice of the bird. Intently he sat with his eyes firmly fixed Inhaling the zephyrs ambrosially mixed Exquisite his joy in secluded retreat With this sleeping beauty his bliss now complete. Enamored while silently viewing her charms Reclining he clasped her asleep in his arms. Awake! oh awake! he in ecstacy cries Oh heaven's best gift, come open thine eyes. Oh look dearest Eve - see this garden of ours Its streams and cool fountains, its fruits and sweet flowers. At length with bright eyes, looking full in his face Her xxxx lips softly whisper'd, "O, what a nice place". Instinctively now to his bosom he pressed His bride and in love's wild excitement caressed. xxxxx Then raising her gently from green grassy bed Her soft hand enclasping he tenderly led Through groves where the birds in sweet melody sung And fruit in abundance most temptingly hung Where air was perfumed with the fragrance of flowers Ambrosially filling the cool shady bowers. Now darling - said Adam - you freely may eat Of all that you find in this garden complete Every flower and fruit is for you dearest wife Except the one fruit - on the tall TREE OF LIFE. That tree now behold, in the center it stands. Its fruit you must never molest with your hands For the day that you eat, you surely will die And return then again, to your home in the sky. Dear Eve, until now had been silent and heard All adam had said - and had noted each word. Her turn now to speak - slightly tossing her head, In tenderest tones and mild accets she said, Dear Adam, pray tell to your own darling wife Why she must not take from the tall TREE OF LIFE. Tell me, dear husband, now please tell me why If I but partake of this fruit we shall die. Then pressing his hand, with that womanly power She led him away to a rose-covered bower And there on a solft grassy mound as they sat They talked very sweetly of this and of that. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F15_I6_p002.jpg) Rise & Fall In plumage of nature (as turtle dover) dressed They lovingly cooed and then fondly caressed Thus adorned with the beauties dame nature had made As targets for cupid, they sat in the shade In Eden's cool bower and ambrosial air Sweet kisses are given by this, the first pair. Reclining on soft grassy couch now to rest Her tresses disheveled, conceals her pure breast And hides the fond hand of him in her arms Who now in wild ecstacy toys with her charms Her eyes with emotion now sparkle like fire Her cheeks deeply crimson with ardent desire Her soul seems enwrapt now in heavenly flames As Adam, dear husband, she wildly exclaims. No longer, now do not your darling deny Oh! give it me quickly or else I shall die Oh! Adam, dear Adam, if a God you would be Pluck the fruit standing ready and give it to me Let us freely partake then as God's we shall know The evil and good and both wiser will grow Then seizing the tree in her delicate hand Which now stood erected in magesty grand She places the fruit to her feverish lips And in raptures and bliss its sweet juices she sips Then giving to Adam - with passion now mute - Reciprocates freely and eats of the fruit Their souls now united in heavenly bliss And lips firmly glued with love's passionate kiss Magnetic emotions with ecstacies fill Their souls, as now comes, the ELECTRICAL THRILL. That "death thrill" preceeding the wonderful fall When over, Eve sighing said - Love, is that all. Then Adam replying with innocent bow Said weekly, that's all I can do for you now. Then fondly caressing dear Adam she said We both have now eaten, but neither are dead The fruit has not caused either sickness or death Altho, as you see, it has shortened our breath. Oh, if that were dying, then dying is bliss Then tenderly sealing hier words with a kiss She whispered, O what a delicious repast Such feasting - I with it forever would last I fain would be tasting the fruit of this tree And dying forever if dying that be. Then smiling so sweetly she reaches once more Where the tree in its beauty was standing before There fallen and clammy it withering lay Its beauty and glossy leaves faded away. Dear Adam, my husband, she eagerly cries Will the tree that has fallen again every rise? Oh, yesx, he replied, for you now know it all You know, dearest darling, the RISE AND THE FALL. Isaac Groo Sydney, Australia September 8, 1876 ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F16_I1_p001.jpg) Acrostic Virtue- my darling little "pet," Is in thy features firmly set Like diamonds in a golden case A round Each feature of thy face Truth, love and beauty can be seen Engraven on thy looks and mien. When gazing on thy face we see How thoughts as pure as purity In Every lineament is traced, To indicate a mind most chaste. No Evil "tell-tale" thought of mind, Engraven on thy face we find, Your Eyes (like mirrors) as they shine Goodness reflect, and thoughts divine, Remember then to lovely be, Our thoughts with virtue must agree, Our hearts from vice, be always free. Isaac Groo With Compliments To Miss Vilate Whitney Groo Sydney, Australia, June 23rd 1876, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F16_I2_p001.jpg) Man and the Waves, === === == ===== Mankind like the waves of the ocean seem tos't Appearing to day, and tomorrow is lost Reappearing again as Each wave succeeds wave You see him to day, but tomorrow his grave Joyful and happy this hour he appears Again you behold him in sorrow & tears Now peaceful and calm, as the zephyr of morn Enraged then again like the ocean in storm We find him at times, like the innocent dove, His heart full of Kindness, affection and love Inspired with devotion, kind words gently flow To banish affliction, to sooth us in woe face Nymphlike Expressions seen stamped on his ^ Elysian Enjoyments around him we Trace Yielding reflections, like ocean at rest Gorgeous beauties like her from his breast. Reflections of sea and all beauty is lost Of the ocean, when billows by tempest are tos't. Of man all reflection and beauties depart ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F16_I2_p002.jpg) Go quickly, when anger possesses the heart O man, hear the billows that Constantly roar Driven fiercely by tempest on rock-girted Shore Behold them, as wildly in anger they roll Learn wisdom from waves and thy passions Control Endeavor to gain by the lessen they teach Sending forth in their madness the Spray o'er the beach See them O man, in their fury portray Yourself, when the demon of Ire you obey On all within reach, when in anger you rave Unkindness you scatter as spray from the wave From ocean's smooth surface complacent & blue Oft "white Caps" appear to the mariners view Reminding the seamen a storm is at hand Every "tar" to his post, then Comes the Command Very often these "Caps" of diminutive size Enraged by the tempest, like mountains wise Roaring in anger before the fierce squall ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F16_I2_p003.jpg) Astounding how quickly they come & appal. No one can but see, in the tumult of waves Demoniac likeness of man when he raves, For man in his fury brings sorrow and tears Ocean's huge billows confusion and fears. Receeding in weakness, as waves strike he rocks Exhaustion so fallows, man's furious shacks Vice, anger, and Sin like the billows on Shore Efface Every beauty, around our own door Rebounding as waves, with demoniac roar. Isaac Groo Sydney Sept 22nd 1876. PS Dear Mary, the above acrostic, I hastily pencilled the other day, and have not had time since to look over it, and now as I copy it, I notice it requires con- siderable Revission – but I trust you will accept it, as it is at present. Together with my Prayers for your continued Health, Peace, Joy and Prosperity Truly Yours, Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F16_I2_p004.jpg) PS Tell our Dear Mother I will remember her On her next birth day. I.G ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F16_I3_p001.jpg) From Isaac to Mary Our precious dear loved one, first pledge of our love, In glory now mingles with angels above, In the regions of peace, happy home of the blest, Our darling has found that sweet haven of rest. All pain and afflictions with Gracie are o'er, The grave has no terrors on that blissful shore, While all that delighted, our darling one here, She'll find in perfection in that holy sphere. In paradise, all in sweet harmony move, United by truth, purest friendship, and love, No word of contention, the spirit assails, For Order, the first law of heaven prevails. No beds of affliction, nor sorrowing tear, No anguish at parting in that happy sphere, Our loved one is waiting to welcome us there, Her rest, and her glory Celestial to share. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F16_I3_p002.jpg) Though sadly we miss her, we will not complain, For he who bestowed, will return her again, To us, he in mercy will open the gates Of heaven, where Gracie our coming awaits. We soon shall be through with this life and its cares, Its sorrows, its trials, temptations and snares, Released then from sickness, afflictions and pain, Our lost and our loved one, we then will regain. Then again to our bosom we'll clasp darling Grace, And angels, past sorrows shall fully Efface, In the regions of glory, where joy never Ends, We'll dwell with our father, our God, and our friends. Isaac Groo To Mary Jane Groo, Jan 1st 1880. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F16_I3_p003.jpg) Grace was born, Feb 10th 1866, Died Dec 29th 1879. Aged 13 years, 10 months, and 19 days, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F16_I4_p001.jpg) To Mary, 1 Dearest loved one oft I wonder, Will the precious season come, When again without restriction, I may meet you at your home. Meet you with our loving Children, In a home devoid of strife, Where forever love and union, Fills the blissful cup of life. 2 Like an Oasis in the desert, Seems thy peaceful home to me, Where oftimes oppressed and weary, I have rested there with thee. As the Arab in his travels, Seeks those verdant spots to rest, I too, seek your home and presence, Which to gain_ is to be blest. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F16_I4_p002.jpg) 3 As the sailor seeks the haven, Safe from storm-tossed waves at sea, Thus would I most gladly hasten, To thy haven-home and thee. Where no dismal Clouds of discord, Cast their gloomy shades of strife, There- O there- I fain would tarry, All the coming years of life. 4 Break- O God- these Chains that bind me, That I may once more be free, Free to visit Unmolested, Dearest one on Earth to me. Hope- that darling angel whispers, "I those letters will remove, Then again, you may untrameled. Dwell in peace with those you love." Amen- Yours forever Isaac Groo Salt Lake City Nov 28th 1886, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F17_I1_p001.jpg) A Spirit Visit It might have been a fancy - Perhaps I only dreamed - But Gracie, darling Gracie, Appeared to me, it seemed. She came in light and beauty - In plainest accent said: "Don't weep for me, dear papa, Behold, I am not dead. My disembodied spirit, This spirit you now see Still lives in realms of glory, From all afflictions free. Oh pa! I fain would show you Death's hidden mystery; Would tell you of the spirit life When from the body free. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F17_I1_p002.jpg) But this is not my province, Nor can it be explained, 'Tis only through death's portal This knowledge is obtained. But this much I can tell you To set your mind at rest, When death destroys the body The spirit joins the blest. The just ascend in glory To regions far above, Where all is light and beauty, Affection, peace and love. Tell [--] to cease all grieving, Tell sister Latie dear, Tell Grandma, too, and Lonnie, That I am happy hear. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F17_I1_p003.jpg) Here are your last, dear loved ones, In this Elysian home, With patience now are waiting To see our parents come. And when we here shall me[-]t you No parting woe will grieve. My time is up, dear papa, Good night, I now must leave." She then, with noiseless footsteps Walked quickly to the door, Then turning threw a kiss and said, "Tell ma to grieve no more." Distinctly then repeating What she at first had said, "Don't weep for me, dear papa, Behold, I am not dead." ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F17_I1_p004.jpg) Then in a cloud of beauty, A cloud of peerless light, That darling one, receding, Was lost again to sight. And thus my dream was ended, If dreaming it could be, And yet I cannot but believe That Grace appeared to me. Isaac Groo. Grooville, Wyo., Sept. 7, 1880. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F17_I1_p005.jpg) The Death of "Mamie." Woolley Dec. 19th, 1888. The night was cold, and oh! how drear All nature seemed, that dismal night; No voice to utter words of cheer, As Mamie's spirit took its flight. Around her lifeless form we stood, With aching hearts and weeping eyes, As her bright spirit went to God, To dwell in blissful paradise. With grief = oppressed in silence there, We gazed upon that silent day, Upon that form, "divinely fair", Whose spirit had just passed away. No pen can write, nor words express, Our grief, when scenes like this assail; To undertake is to confess That language must entirely fail. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F17_I1_p006.jpg) Nor can we fully comprehend The grief and woe that others feel, Except we, too, have lost a friend, And felt the pangs of his ordeal. He may, by sympathy, expressed In words of tenderness and love, Console the aching heart distressed, And partially its grief remove. But God alone our grief can know, And fo parental anguish feel – 'Tis he who will compassion show, And he will all our sorrows heal. He is the source of love and peace; The source whence all our blessings rise- 'Tis he who bids our sorrows cease, And dries the tears of weeping eyes. Isaac Groo. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F17_I1_p007.jpg) Hope. Celestial maid, from realms above, Bright messenger of peace and love, Whose mission is to bless, To aid afflicted mortals here, And whisper tender words of cheer, In places of distress. The high and low, the rich and poor, Oft find these standing at their door, When trouble has assailed, We fly to thee when all is drear, Thy placid face our hearts can cheer, When others means have failed. In thee we have a constant friend, Wo will our darkest hours attend And watch with tender care; Will soothe the sorrowing hearts that grieve, Our deepest sufferings relieve, And drive away dispair. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F17_I1_p008.jpg) Thou art the one bright angel dear, That visits every clime and sphere, To seek abodes of woe. Where anguish and distress abound, Thy holy presence thus is found, Compassion to bestow. When tempest=tossed upon the sea, The trusting sailor looks to thee, midst overwhelming wave. He hears thy voice above the roar, Of billows dashing 'gainst the shore, And trusts that thou wilt save. Thy light doth pierce the dungeon's gloom, The convict felon's soul illume, Inspiring him to pray. Implanting in his vicious heart A disposition to depart, From sin's polluting way. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F17_I1_p009.jpg) And even when the victim stands, On scaffold trap with pinioned hands, Hope does not then depart. But as a never=failing friend, She waits to see the trap descend, Then feels his pulseless heart. She still pursues, for aught we know, That blackened spirit, to bestow Compassion for its sin, And points to realms of light afar, Where gates of mercy stand ajar, That it may enter in. Isaac Groo. Salt Lake City, Feb. 5th, 1889. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F17_I1_p010.jpg) Apology For Death. 'Tis death who holds the mystic key That opens wide the prison door, And sets the captive spirit free, To other worlds and realms explore. Then why so dread his face to see? Or tremble when his voice we hear? He comes to set our spirits free And guide us to a brighter sphere. He comes to do our father's will And carry out his just decree, To aid his children to fulfill The law of final destiny. None can escape his watchful eye– His mision is to each and all; or The rich^ Th^ poor, the low or high Alike are subject to his call. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F17_I1_p011.jpg) Nor age, nor can conditions shield The victim from his certain aim; To him humanity must yield Whenever he presents his claim. His claim is just, and man should know "It is a glorious boon to die," To leave the scenes of earth below, For everlasting life on high. Where justice holds her even scales– Where all our wrongs shall righted be– Where friendship, love and truth prevails Through cycles of eternity. Then let our groundless railings cease Against this "angel in disguise;" He is the way to perfect peace – On Death our endless pleasure lies. Isaac Groo. Feb. 17, 1889. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F17_I1_p012.jpg) Virtues. The virtues of humanity, Are friendship, love and charity; These, with justice, truth and right, With true integrity unite, And with benevolence combine To form a character divine. These are the priceless gems of worth, That perish not with things of earth; They never tarnish, never rust, Nor do they mingle with the dust. And all who own such jewels here, Retain them in the higher sphere, Where every virtue,–each a gem, Embellishes their diadem. Isaac Groo. Salt Lake City, Feb. 1st, 1891. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F18_I1_p001.jpg) Mormon Reflections In Prison. There's a feeling of gladness steals o'er me, As the sun slowly sinks in the west, I know then the hour is soon coming, For a season of quiet and rest. I know when nights' curtain is falling, We then must repair to our cells, And there, while enshrouded in darkness, Are free from demoniac yells. I would that the nights might be lengthened, And the days are swift arrows of light, Would fly from the glorious morning, And merge in the darkness of night. In fact, I would change the conditions, For here the night only hath charms, With the Godess of sleep I then nestle, And peacefully rest in her arms. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F18_I1_p002.jpg) Oh, that I could sleep like Vanwinkle Though the long gloomy months in the Pen., And only arouse and awaken, When restored to my freedom again. But why all this useless repining? Or why seek unconscious to be? 'Tis better to cultivate patience, To bear what the fates may decree. Though courts of injustice imprison, And nations oppress with their might, I will not forsake the brighter pathway, Of justice, of truth, and of right. Affictions may come like a deluge, And prisons retain me through life, I cannot renounce my convictions, Nor abandon a child, nor a wife. Isaac Groo. Utah "Pen.", Nov. 1, 1885. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F18_I1_p003.jpg) To Mrs. A. W. Cooley on the death of her child, While her husband was in prison "For Conscience Sake." Oh that I could now, in the hour of distress, Send words of condolence, to comfort and bless; Would gladly, on this sad occasion of grief, Condole with you kindly, in words of relief. Your darling has passed the bright portals above, Where all is resplendent with beauty and love. From that blest abode, from afflictions now free, In the stillness of night she will whisper to thee; Will bend o'er thy pillow, while sobbing you sleep, And tenderly whisper, "dear mama, don't weep." You may not distinctly her sweet accents hear, And yet you will feel that her presence is near [-] She comes as an angel of peace, to impart Consolation and hope to thy grief=stricken heart, found, In that glorious realm, which thy loved one was ^ The heart - broken mother with glory is crowned. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F18_I1_p004.jpg) And in this bright crown, your child as a gem, the Will add to your glory of your diadem. In that blessed region no marshals arrest, And tear away fathers from children distressed; No prisons are there, where husbands must moan, To know that dear loved ones are sad and alone. r No, no–in that blissful empy^eal home, enter No tyrants can come no evils can come, and For there dwells our father, our mother,^ friends, A home of perfection where life never ends. Isaac Groo Utah penitentiary. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F18_I2_p001.jpg) Mrs M. J. Groo. Apr 15th 1886. My Dear Wife: Oh can it be dear loved one now, That I must disregard my vow, To nourish, love, and cherish thee, When thou hast been so true to me? Must I henceforth to thee pretend, That thou art nothing more than friend? And if perchance we sometimes meet. As only friend must I then greet? Shall I, 'cause heartless tyrants reign, From justice, truth, and love refrain? Shall I my sacred vows Efface? And all my manhood now debase, For fear of penalties or pain, Or such a heartless wretch as zane? I tell you no- it shall not be, For you are more than friend to me- yes wife- with all that word implies. This sacred name without disguise, I Ever shall accord to thee, No matter what the fates decree. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F18_I2_p002.jpg) No power on Earth need now pretend, To change the name of wife to friend. Incarnate fiends may undertake, Our sacred Covenants to break, May strive with all the powers of Hell, The truths of heaven to repel, But covenants and truths will stand, And yet redeem this "promised land"- For God our father hath decreed, That from this people shall proceed, A race and Nation, that shall be, From tryants and oppression free, Free to own his righteous cause, And free to keep his holy laws, Free a trusting wife to claim, And call her by that sacred name- I know the nation's silly boast, That fifty millions are a host, In numbers true, they are indeed, But thier Jehovah has decreed, That laws Celestial shall begin, To banish wretchedness and sin. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F18_I2_p003.jpg) He has decreed that he will fight Our battles, and defend the right, We know his word will never fail, And truth and justice, will prevail- The conflict is not doubtful then, With God and right, 'gainst wicked men. We can afford to wait and see, This boasting Nation's destiny, The "mena teckel" on the wall, Already tells thier doom and fall, And from their ruins will appear, A nation who will God revere, A nation he will own and bless, And all their cruel wrongs redress. In Utah now, that nation's germ, Composed of men and women firm, Is growing stronger year by year, And soon a people will appear, United in the bonds of peace, When pride and vanity will cease, Inhuman Marshals will not then, As blood-hounds hunt for honest men, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F18_I2_p004.jpg) Nor fathers in foul prisons moan, To know their loved ones are alone, Exposed to insult- without means Of self-protection, from the frinds- That blissful day is drawing near, When husbands will no longer fear, Nor longer hide in solitude, From Sleuth-hound marshals vile and rude, Nor fear a trusting wife to meet At home, or on the public street, Will dare protect her precious life, And own her Everywhere as wife- That glorious day is sure to come, When you and I can meet at home, And with our loving Children blest, Be free- and fearless of arrest. Yours Truly Isaac Groo. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F18_I3_p001.jpg) Oct, 22nd 1892, My Darling Daughter, Since your first advent on the Earth, Twenty five years have passed away, We bless the hour that gave you birth, And bless you, on this natal day- May all thy comeing years be free, From scenes of sorrow and distress, And may the future fates decree, That only, which will cheer and bless. Your Loving Father Isaac Groo, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F1_I2_p001.jpg) Acrostic My dearest companion and partner of life All my fond "hopes are granted," in thee as a wife Round thy home– the Spirit of heaven I feel Your presence and love all my Sorrow can heal. Jehovah be praised for a gem of Such worth And the pleasures with thee, I Enjoy on the Earth – No actions of Envy, of discord, or Strife fair Ever mar, in the least, thy ^name as a wife. When Sickness assails, or trouble is near How then, like an Angel thy presence Can Cheer In "Every Condition" of life here below Thy Virtues and goodness more plainly you Show. of Evil can No powers is able to turn thee from right– Each act of thy life Shows wisdom and light – Your fame and your Glory Shall Ever be bright. God our Father, is able and willing to give Rich blessing to those who righteously live; Onward– then travel, my Dear Mary Jane, Onward– till life Everlasting you gain. Isaac Groo Little Cottonwood Mills Dec 8th 1865, 10 O'clock P M, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F1_I3_p001.jpg) Little Cottonwood Mills Dec 8th 1865 Dear Mary. it is now past 10 O'clock P M Yet I do not feel like retiring to rest without Conversing a few minutes with you by means of Pen and Paper. nothing remarkable has transpired here Since you left- we had a very Severe Snow Storm the day after my arrival in the Kanyon, and Since then, the "Cold Chilly winds of December" has rendered winter Clothing, and large fires requisite. I think Bro Woolley's 118 degree thermometer would have fallen to its utmost Capacity last Sunday night if it had been here. it was as Cold as I have Ever known it in this Kanyon- and the weather had been very Cold Every day this week– to day it is a little more moderate. I had partly made up my mind to Come home tomorrow, but Circumstances are Such that I Cannot well leave before tuesday next- Then, if nothing happens I Shall See you. Bro Siddoway thinks, with Ordinary luck, he will have the mill in running Order by that time– I havent heard a word from You Since I left You at "the Garden Gate." Jim has been up three times this week- but as usual knows nothing of You or any one Else. I have been looking for Carloss all the week but have looked in Vain, tell him the road is firstrate, Just know Enough to make good waggoning, hope he will Come up monday — On Another part of this Sheet You will find an ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F1_I3_p002.jpg) acrostic on Your full name, which I have written this evening, since 9 O'clock You will please not Critisize it to Closely for I have written it, as I am now writing this, viz. in haste - and I presume I could make Several amendments by more mature deliberation, but Oh! how feeble indeed, is Spoken or written language to Convey the feelings of Hearts United, and that beat in Unison together. I have Something to, tell You when we meet — nothing very important however - Still I will not Commit it to Paper- Jim tells me that Eliza has not Yet returned from the North - hope She Enjoys herself, well I must repeat what I have Often Said when Parting with You - and what I always feel God Bless You forever and forever. "Good Night" Isaac Groo To Mary P S, my love to Mother and Maria I G ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F1_I4_p001.jpg) at Wm C. Gilletts Grahamsville Jan 31st/70 My Dear Mary Jane, 11 Oclock P.M. I have no time to write, I have not retired to rest since I Came to Sullivan Co till after 1 Oclock at night. I arrived here last Saturday Evening, found Brother David & Cousin "Jon's" waiting for me, on Sunday visited the old homestead. Yesterday visited Abigail Jelliff, Aunt Jane Gillett, & my Esteemed Colored freind Sally Booth, to day visited Aunt Molly Sarr Uncle John Sheeley & Sam Divine, & tomorrow if all is well I shall visit Almira's Sisters at Napanoch, have been very kindly received by Every body whom I have met. Expect to Preach in the School House in Bro Davids district next Friday Evening. have Enjoyed Excellent health since I left home, will give you all the news when I again reach my beloved Mountains Homme, which by the by, I would not Exchange for all that I Seen in thees great & wealthy State, Kiss Grace & my Darling little pet and tell them they have a fathers Prayers & blessing though at present far away. My kind regard & Choice Blessing for our beloved Mother- and accept this hasty note & with it the most Earnest Prayer & Blessing of your Devoted Husband Isaac Groo to Mary Jane- PS Sarah will understand where I have visited when you give her the above names I. G ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F1_I5_p001.jpg) Wasacht 8 Oclk P.m Nov 5th 1874, Dear Mary, We reached here this Eving at 6 o clock, have had our Supper, and are in good warm quarters for the night, it has stormed Every day since we left, raining and Snowing jointly and alternately, Consequently our journey thus far has not been as pleasant as might be desired. Still we have Enjoyed Excellent health, & have made about 25 miles Each day, Gran Raymond passed here yesterday about 10 O clock a.m. and is just one day ahead of us. We Camped last night in an old deserted Blacksmith Shop, and about 2 Oclock this morning. was arroused from a Sound & Sweet Slumber ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F1_I5_p002.jpg) by the most fearful howling of Wolves that I Ever listened to. & to & add to the hideousness [---] of the scene, a Minster Dog, about the size of a common Black Bear, and very much resembling one, Either from fright, or some other cause, had taken refuge under our waggon immediately in front of the shop, and such a noise as he made, must be heard to be understood, and immediately after giving this unearthly howl, growl, snarl, or yell, he started Entered the shop, and if you have had ^ been within 20 rods of that line spot you would have heard the loudest & most positive "Git Eout" what ever saluted the mortal Ear, & he got out, & I returned to my Sweet Slumber & did not awake until 1/2 past 5 this mor[-]in[-]. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F1_I5_p003.jpg) this Evning I called in the R. R. station here. and had a very pleasant chat with a Mrs Bross, formerly from Port Jarvis N. Y. her husband keeps the Wasacht Station, & is a very Pleasant & agreeable Gentleman, and if I were to judge, should say that he had a wife Evry way adapted to him, more well now a word ^ about the weather, it hasen't stormed for the last few hours but look very threatening this Eving, but we are on the Backbone of the Wasacht mountains, hence, the rest of our journey will be down grade and if all is well we shall reach "Liberty" Sunday night, & then we can soon have comfortable quarters. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F1_I5_p004.jpg) tell "Lenny" that I will shoot him the first goose that dares to show its head on Bear River, Kiss Grace & Laty, & give my love & Blessing to our Dear, Dear, Mother, and accept this from, your, Mountaineer J. Groo L,, Mary Jane, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F1_I6_p001.jpg) Groo's Ranch Sunday Aug [-]th/75 My Dear Mary Jane, Bro Geo Snyder just Called on me, is in his way to Montpelier, which gives me an opportunity to send [---] word to "love'd ones at Home" I Enjoy Excellent Health, although nearly worked to Death, but, am happy to know that my heavy work is now about over here for the present, and tomorrow morning if all is well, we Commence Haying in good Earnest , Stables, Corrall, Stock yard all Completed, there is one Serious "draw back" to this Country, and that is Flies, they Commence about 7 a. m. and Continue till about 5 P. M. and during that time it is ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F1_I6_p002.jpg) 2 almost Imposible for stick to Eat, yet my Cattle are looking fine, the weather since I came is Excessively Hot during the day but cool and delightful in the Evening, yesterday I went to the Kanyon, and on the side of the mountain wher I got my Poles, there was raspberries by the bushel, ripe & fine, & the mountain Currants are just now ripening, and I notice some that would really be worth Cultivation in Salt Lake City, game is very Plentiful last saturday week we killed 3 fine Grouse with Stones, not having any fire arms with us, and on Sunday P.m I noticed a flock of Sage Hens a few rods from my Door Orson, Sam, and Gran, started ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F1_I6_p003.jpg) for them, and in about 5 minutes came back with Six very fine ones, we catch all the Trout that we require whenever we take time to go down to the River, so you see that this is really a game Country, tell Lawrence that I have, a great big Grizzley Bear's Head on my "log cabin" also a Beaver's Head, and a very fine Elk Horn, &c &c. I have had no opportunity as yet to come Home, but think that Raymond will leave here in a few days for Home and I will come with Him, Mary I feel condemned when I think of how you are living, and regret very much moving you from your home until I was prepared to have you a Comfortable place ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F1_I6_p004.jpg) here, but I trust you will pardin me, when you understand that I thought I was doing that which would be best, and thought, that long E're this, you would be comfortable, Situated here with me, however we Cannot always control circumstance neither can we always foretell future Events, your - Etc, all came through safely, and are all right, Orsen & I Occupy the Lounge for our - and when I can guarde myself from musquitoes, I really enjoy it. Bro. Snyder is ready to Start and I must close, Praying God to Bless you & all that opp[--]f[--]ng unto you & preserve you in life & Heath, until I return, Amen. Yours Forever I. Groo remember me kindly to our Dear Mother, and Kiss the Children for their absent Father. I. G ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I1_p001.jpg) Sunday, Nov 7th 1875 4 O clock P. M My Dear Mary, I do not think of anything that would give me more pleasure just Now, than to have a Chat with you, hence, I take my pen, the only means left me for Communication, I have very many things to say to you, but you must not Expect me to say all in one short Epistle, you have doubtless learned of my safe arrival, to this great bustling City, as I have written several letters Since I came, one to Byron, one to Sarah & one to Eliza, yesterday I called on Belle at the "Russ Hotel" and spent 1/2 an hour with Sep & her very pleasantly, I learned from them that they purpose remaining here several weeks & perhaps months, to day I spent about 6 hours in the Celebrated Woodward Gardens ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I1_p002.jpg) Located on Mission St. between 13th and 15th Streets, these gardens are truly wonderful, and in my judgmnt is the most Interesting place in California. on Entering the Visitor finds himself within a few yards of the Museum which stands immediately opposite the Entrance, To the right and left of him, no matter what season of the year he will see a beautiful growth of green grass, plants, flowers, & trees, and then as he passes around, he sees Everything to attract, to arouse, to interest, and to Instruct, 10,000 varieties of birds, from the tiny Humming bird of Every Clime, to the "King of Birds" the largest Eagle, then an Endless variety of Our Ancestors, from the most dimunitive Baby monkey, up to the full stature of man the Orang Outang, then the Bears ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I1_p003.jpg) and such Bears, as only Cali- fornia can raise, from the Small harmless Black bear of the East, to the giant Grizzley of the West, One of the latter at the Gardens weighs one thousand & six hundred lbs, then here is the Camel, the dromedary, the buffalo, the moose, the Elk, the Deer, the goat, the "sacred" Cattle of Siberia, the Lama of South America, Wolves Foxes, Kangaroos, Li[-]ns, Tigers, Wild Cats, Sea Li[-]ns, Sharks, and ten thousand varieties of reptiles, fish, Etc, Etc, then an Endless variety of tropical, trees, fruits, & flowers, here we have, the "Dragon Tree" native of South Affrica the strange from the leaves and beautiful, Palm tree, ^ of which Those cheap fans are made, the Magnolias, the Fucias, the Laurels, and last but not least the New Zealand Flax. I took a good ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I2_p001.jpg) Auckland, New Zealand Dec 15th 1875 My Dear Mary Jane I will not let this opportunity pass without sending you my blessing. this is the 4th Letter that I will send from this place, I have written one to Pres. Young, One to Sarah E, and one to Byron, Consequently I need not recapitulate the News written in those Letters, suffice it to say that I am well, have Enjoyed myself better than I thought it possible for me to on the Ocean, was very sick the 2nd day from Sanfrancisco, and was pretty Sick last sunday, and until about noon on monday, we had a very rough sea, and the ship rolled about fearfully which brought on sea sickness again, Yesterday I went on shore & traveled all day through. Auckland, it is a lo[-]ely little Town of about 6000 Inhabitants, nestled among the Volcanic hills, but it is one of those Places, to which distance lends Enchantment, veiwed from the bay , where our Ship is anchored, it is bewitchingly Lovely, but when I traveled through it I found that most of the houses have an old and dingy appearance Etc On the opposite 1/2 sheet you will find my "Annual Message" to our Dear mother, I trust that She, with yourself, and our precious little ones are well, I wrote to Sarah a few of my Ocean reflections, of "Loved ones at home," which you might copy, and perhaps the children could Sing, in Lieu of the Song "Do they miss me at home" &c we expect to leave here to day & proceed on our way to Sidney, Distance 1260, remember me to all of my family and tell them I shall look for a Letter from Each Soon after my arrival in Sidney, Yours Forever Isaac Groo, To Mary, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I2_p002.jpg) I am very thankful for your gift to m to me an [--] allway rember you in ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I3_p001.jpg) Sydney, Australia [76] Jan 4th 1875 My Dear Mary Jane. more than two months have now passed away since I took you by the hand and said God bless you, and it has been the longest 2 months that I have ever experienced, and now, when I call to mind my departure from my loved ones at home on the afternoon of Nov 3rd 1875, and take a retrospective view of my long & tedious journey to this land it seems like an unpleasant Dream from which I am just beginning to awaken, I can hardly realize that I am 10000 miles from you, and my precious family, and from the saints in their Home of Peace & prosperity, but it is a stern reality, I am in Australia, in the City of Sydney, a city of 200 000 Inhabitants, a City where there is a Grog shop on nearly Every Corner, and there are at least two corners here where we have one in Salt Lake City as the streets are not more than 1/2 the width of ours. I have seen more drunken women the week that I have spent here than I Ever saw in Salt Lake during the 21 years I have resided there ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I3_p002.jpg) and an Exhibition of more wretchedness & squalid Poverty, yet they will prate about Utah & the mormons. to say Bro Cratall and I took a stroll down town & dined with one of our sisters an Irish woman, good, jolly, honest, soul but oh-well we had a good dinner, but there was a—here and a—there, and I told Mark when we got into the Street on our way home that I really believed that Cleanliness was a part of Godliness, but such is missionary life, and we can only do as Paul adminished the brethren in his day, viz, "Eat that which is set before you, asking no questions for conscience sake" Sydney is not a very handsome City, many of the buildings are low, old, & dingy, but they have some very fine Edifices, their Post Office, and City Hall, are very fine indeed, and they have some fine Churches, and there are some stores and private residences, very neat in design & substantial in Construction, then they have a very large public Park Covering 500 or 600 acres I spent New Years day in their Botanical ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I3_p003.jpg) and Zoological Gar[-]ens, viewing the Tropical Trees, Shrubs Flowers Etc, and had an Excellent opportunity of seeing their "Releif Society," which was out in vast numbers, and Dressed in their best bib & tucker, and I must Confess that I was not very favorably Impressed with the beauty of Sydney Belles, but I could not but admire their style of dress which was plain and neat, but not Gaudy, Everything here is purely English, and I presume that in Sydney we have the same distinction of Caste, that one sees in England, the aristorat, the second or middle class, and the Poor, while on the Ocean I made the acquantance of several of the leading men here, who were returning from tours around the world, have called on 2 or 3 of them since my arrival here and was Introduced by them to quite a number of prominent men doing business in Sydney, one man to whom I was Introduced, insisted on my going with him to his Office on Pitt St, I went ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I4_p001.jpg) No 9 Denham St, Glebe, Sydney, New South Wales Australia. My Dear Mary Jane, Your previous favor of Jan 28th is before me, and you cannot imagine how happy I am this Evening, the mail From San Francisco arrived yesterday morning at 6 a. m but through the snail like way of doing business here the letters were not ready for distribution, until to day, I came up from the Post Office last night after dark, the maddest man that you Ever saw, I felt like knocking Everything and Everybody, I met off the side walk, I felt like pounding a little life, vim, and american Enterprise into the old Fogy heads of Sydneyites, I knew I had letters from home, but could not get at them, although the mail arrived at 6 a,m, the People of this New South Wales Colony, are living about 150 years behind the age Yet they are a pretty good People, they treat me very well, Yet some of the News Papers "go for me," I was told by a Lady the other day that she saw an account of of one of my lectures in some Sydney Paper, in which I was Called a very "hansome wolf" in Sheeps Clothing &c and warned the People to look out for me, &c &c, I lecture Every Sunday Night at 7.30 in the Australian Hall, and for 4 weeks past have had good audiences, & with one Exception the very best attention, a week ago last sunday 3 or 4 hoodlums Came into meeting and made a little noise, I am Extending my acquantance among the People and in a quiet Social way, making friends, and removing Prejudice, I spent an Evening not long since in Company with the famous Mr Lyreman, formerly a Church of England ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I4_p002.jpg) but now a great Spiritual, or Spiritualistic Lecturer_ he is drawing immence audiences, I attended by Special Invitation, One of his Private Sceances, or rapping meetings, there were present about one Dozen Persens and about an Equal number of Each sex, we all seated ourselves around a large Center Table, on which we placed our hands, and Lyreman of Course, called the Spirits from the "vasty deep", but they wouldn't come, we remained about 30 minutes, in that Position, when he said there were some opposing Influences present, and suggested that they get a smaller and lighter table, which was done, when they began to gather around the smaller Table, i very c[-]mtiously remarked to Mr L, that as there was not room for all to be Seated around the table, I would remain in the sofa &c, &c, another Gentleman remained with me, they gathered around he at the head, where they sat another 1/2 hour, and in the mean time Sung a beautiful song to tempt the Spirits, but they wouldn't be tempted, at least they didn't get a single rap, while at the little table, Mr Lyreman said to the Lady of the house, who was then sitting at his left, "Mrs W. I didn't see you at my Lecture last Night" you missed a treat said he, she replied, (as one of the party afterwards, informed me) that altho she has missed a treat, in not hearing him, she had had a at at the Australian Hall. feast in listening to a Lecture ^ on Utah and the Mormens" by her friend Mr Groo, the Mormon Elder, she has been a my lecture on Utah & the mor[--] Constant attendant at his Lectures, but since that Night, ^ 3 weeks ago last sunday, she has attended every one of our meetings both in the afternoon & Eving, &c, &c, quite a number are investigating our principles, and I think I shall soon ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I4_p003.jpg) have the satisfaction of baptising several persons, who now Express themselves firm believers in Every one of our Doctrines Except Plural Marriage, but when I talk with them about that, they say that they can see that it is far superior to what they witness all around them in Monogamic Sydney life, you will please only read this letter to a few Special friends, for I do not care to have it generally known, that I attended a Spiritual Sceance meeting, however I went for the purpose of doing good, and God was with me, and I made the acquantance of several Gentlemen and ladies at that meeting with whom I have since met, and from whom I have recd quite flattering Compliments, and with whom I have freely talked of Utah and all the peculiar- arties of our People, and feel that I shall yet see some of that little party, rejoicing in the Gospel of the Son of God, The weather Continues hot and dry, and my rest at night is very much disturbed, with the heat, bed bugs, fleas & mosquitoes, but I trust the cool weather will soon Commence, & then I shall feel better, I am getting rather thin in flesh but my Spirits are buoyant, and I have great Liberty of Speech in all my Lectures of Sermons, and if I do not baptise a single Soul, I have already made many warm friends, and removed a vast amount of Prejudice from the minds of the People with whom I have met, Mr Geo S. Wright, baggage Clerk, on the Steam Ship Colima, whose acquantance I made on my voyage to Sydney, is a very precious friend of mine he sails for San Francisco on the 11th, I gave him a letter ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I4_p004.jpg) of Introduction to Byron, and told By to Introduce him to his mother, he spent the day with me last Sunday attended both of my meetings at 3 and 7.30 P.m took tea with me at Sister Peggs between meetings, has called on me twice before and Dined with me, he is in every Sence of the word a Gentlemen, I wish you to see him when he arrives at Salt Lake, he will tell you more than I could write in a week, about Sydney Etc. I send by him a littl box of sea Shells, which I have gathered in different places around Sydney, they are not of much value, but will amuse my "loved ones at home" I mean my precious little Children. Tell Grace I will answer her precious letter next month, and will also write to our Dear mother, to whom I now Send my blessing, the good news from home recd to day, has inspired my heart with new hopes, and renewed Energies, I was Sick this moring but as I went down to dinner a few moments ago, Sister Pegg the good Soul, Says Bro Groo you are looking better, can you Eat any dinner [-] I replied "you bet," I am as hungry as a "handsome Wolf," these letters to day are the first new[-] from home think of it, and remember that the mail leaves San Francisco once a month, and Dear Mary, don't let it come to Sydney without bringing a letter from you while I am in this far off, far off land. Kiss Latee, L[-]nnie, and Grace, for their Papa, and, and and, well, tell your mother to kiss her Daughter. Success to you and your Machine. God Bless you forever and forever, Isaac Groo to Mary. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I5_p001.jpg) Australia, Apr 3rd/76 My Dear Mary Jane, I was disappointed in not receiveing a letter from you, this mail, and will probably get Even with you, by disappointing, you the other way for you will not Expect one from me this mail, but I intend to write you Everey time the mail leaves Sydney for America, if I can get a sixpence to pay the Postage, although I have nothing very Special to say to you, by way of New[-], Yet I feel to say God Bless you, and God bless those who bless you, this is my Constant and Earnest prayer. You cannot realise how I relish a word from home. I get out my letters Every day or two and read them over and over, again, and always have a feast when so doing, and I hope and pray that while I remain in this most God forsaken of all Countries, I shall have the Consolation, once a month, of reading a letter penned by the hand of my Dear Mary, you Could spend half an hour Each Sunday, in writing, say one page of Foolsca[[-], and then when the 4 weeks is up, you would have a good long letter ready to send & would not miss the time, and that would be a kind of Journal, of the news & Events of the month. The weather here is getting a little cooler, and I trust that I shall Enjoy good health, if it does not change again to its opressive heat, This is a very trying Climate, on a person born and raised in a "White" Country, and I have felt some days & weeks, since I have been here that I really Could not Endure it, I could Endure the heat & dust &c. if I could have had a place where I Could lie down in peace at night, but that has been denied me, Consequently, I have had but little sleep for 4 or 5 weeks past, and the result is, that my "nervous Sister," as Mrs Partington says, is Considerably deranged- Remember me in Love to Mother, & tell Lonny & Latie & Grace that I send them ten thousand kisses, and an absent Fathers blessing- Yours Forever, Isaac To Mary- ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I5_p002.jpg) recived May 9 No 9 Denham St. Glebe, Sydney Australia April 4th 1876. Miss Grace Groo My Precious Daughter Your very welcome letter reached me all right and I have read it about forty times, and Every time I like it better- I read it the other day, to a little Girl about as large as Latie, a real sweet little Pet, that reminds me very much of Latie, she has just such Flaxen Curls, and a sweet pretty face, Every time I see her she puts her little arms around my neck and gives me a Dozen sweet Kisses, which makes me think of you & home, her father is a poor wretched man, that through strong drink has lost all his property, and is almost a beggar in the streets, I will tell you all about this little girl when I come home- I forgot your birth day, but will write you something that you Can preserve as a Token of Remembrance, from your Father when he was In Australia, but I cannot write it now, I have severeal long letters to write to day & tomorrow, for the mails close, for America on the 6,th and I must have my letters ready by that time, or I could not send them for another month- I am very glad to learn that you are going to school, for I know that when you are attending school you are acquiring information, that will be of more value to you than Money, write m[-]e Every month my Darling & I will answer all your letters, and tell you all about this Great City, and the People who live here, I have written a letter for the Herald. which you will read & that will give you an Idea of Sydney, From your Affectionate Father Isaac Groo, To Grace Groo, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I6_p001.jpg) May 3rd 1876 My Dear Mary, It is just six months to day, since I took your hand and said "Good bye," and it really seems six years, but I am thankful to know that the six months have passed, and I am yet alive, there has been days during the last three months, that I felt –as though I could not possibly Endure this climate, If I were to tell you that I had went to bed and had had one good nights rest in Sydney, I should tell you that which is not true – many nights I have not closed my Eyes in sleep until day light in the morning, but the weather is now Cooler, and I think soon, I may possibly be able to rest & sleep at Night, but the Mosquitoes & Fleas are yet very active. I have nothing very special to write you by way of News, I am still living in Sydney, Should have visited Melbourne before now, If I had money, but the few Saints in this branch are very Poor, and it seems to be about all they Can do to live without furnishing means for me to travel, and the prospects for baptising any others, are not very flattering. but that is just as God wills, it is for me to preach the Gospel, and that I am doing faithfully ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I7_p001.jpg) May 30th 1876 My Dear Daughter Grace, as you desired, I have written an acrostic on your name. as a birth day gift, which you will find on the other side of this sheet, I can hardly realise that you are Eleven years of age, but such is the Case, and I suppose you are growing so that I shall hardly recognise you when I return to Utah, Especially if I should not return for three or four years but i trust my stay on these lands will not be that length of time. Still it makes but little difference where I am so long as I am doing good, and to do good, always and Everywhere, should be our Chief aim and desire. I am pleased to learn from your ma, that you are attending school, and I feel assured that you will improve your "golden opportunity" now, to store your mind with irref[---] information. My Prayers are daily offered for your blessing. Your absent Father Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F2_I7_p002.jpg) Acrostic. Gently from the Southern ocean Rolled along on waves of blue, Are the balmy zephyrs ever, Coming with the Evening dew Each Successive night in Sydney, While I stroll among the trees, Home and friends in thoughts are with me, In the fragrant summer breeze. Then the gloomy thought steals o'er me, No, I'm far from friends to greet, Even if again I see thee, Years may pass before we meet God my father, in kind mercy, Regard my absent ones I pray, O send forth thy kind protection O'er my "loved ones" far away. Isaac Groo Sydney, Australia Feb 10th 1876_ ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I1_p001.jpg) June 20th 1876 Sydney Australia New South Wales My Dear Mary, Your precious letter of May 11th is before me, and altho, I am thousands of miles, away from you, yet your influence and blessing is here with me to night while alone in my little room, Mark and Johny have gone down town, and here I am at No 9 Denham St. writing to Loved ones far away, and when I think of the great distance that separates us and of the huge billows of the great Western Ocean that roll between me and mine, there is a strange and indescribable feeling of sadness steals over me, and somebodies Eye will moisten and great teardrops will fall on my paper and for a few minutes, my pen Ceases to imprint my thoughts and Ideas, in fact no pen can describe my feelings to night- I feel sad and Extremely lonely, yet I have nothing in particular of which to Complain ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I1_p002.jpg) 2 and have much, very much for which to be Thankful, and I am Truly Thankful for the blessings I Enjoy and it fills my heart with grattitude to God, every time The mail arrives from the East and brings me inteligence of the s Prosperity and health of my family but my prospects here for doing good seem anything but flattering. The People do not want the Gospel and honest Enquiring Souls in and around Sydney are as scarce as white black birds. Still we labor and toil, and Pray, and Preach (when we can get any body to listen) and strive by Every honorable means to lay before the Citizens of this Great City. the Principles and Doctrines of life and happiness, but our labor and Efforts seem lost, and I sometimes think while Contemplating Sydney society, that words of instruction given here is like "Casting Pearl before Swine." ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I1_p003.jpg) 3 - they seem to be incapable of Comprehending the truth or they love Darkness more than Light because their deeds are evil. I am pleased to learn that you have rented your house, for I think with the difference you receive in Rent above what you pay, will, with what you receive from the farm, Enable you to live Comfortably until I am permitted again to return to you, where I can once more provide for you. Sarah tells me that the prospects for fruit are good, but I fear the ravages of the "Moth" however be their day may ^ past, hope so at least, the fruit we get here is very poor, owing I suppose to the Drouth of last sum[-]er. I generally get an apple on Sunday, as a treat, the English people, I think, always have their best dinners in Sunday the very day that I seldom ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I1_p004.jpg) 4 Care to Eat a hearty dinner, and sometimes I think give offence for refusing to eat more than I require on that day, all nations have their peculiarities, and hearty eating on Sundays seem to be the English peculiarity. The customs here are purely English, Women carry the "purse" and do all the Shopping by invitation I accompanied a Lady, not long since, through Paddy's Market, where she generally makes her purchases, this market is only open on Saturday Nights, from six till 12, and during this time you can purchase, almost any thing that Can be thought of Fruits, vegetables, Groceries, Boots, shoes, Clothing, Crockery and Queenswa[-], Etc- while passing through, we seemed to attract some attention- , and I soon learned the Cause ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I1_p005.jpg) 5 It was my arristocratic appearance for as we passed along through the Crowd, some one, remarked "The Idea of arristoctats Coming to Paddy's market,-" I trust that you will not feel flattered, not put on any airs, because I have been taken here for Sir Herc[-]lus Robison or some of the Royal family, of New South Wales, but this was really the Case- Not long since there was publ ished here in the Sydney Herald "Notes [-]n America" by some Aus tralian traveler, and among the Notes, was a long article about the Mormons and the haggard & [-]accier[-]ic appearance of Mormon women &c, the following Eveing after these Notes appeared in the Herald, I was spending the Evening with a little party of Ladies and gentlemen, when the Conversation turned to this Subject, Mormon women &c &c, when are woman of the party ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I1_p006.jpg) 6 thinking no doubt to gain [ripped page] by being a little sarcast[---][ripped page] give me a little touch &c [ripped page] making Several remarks relative to the article in question, Expressing her self very freely, that she believed what was Said in the paper to be true Etc. turned to me and Said "Mr Groo, what do you think about it", I Said you will pardon me madam I will not tell you what I think but will tell you what I know. I then Said I have wives in Salt Lake City, whom I Could divide in four Equal parts, and Each part would make a better woman looking ^ than I have yet seen in Sydney. She was rather stumped, but Contrary to my Expec tations she did not get angry- I then Explained to them the native Institutions of our church, the liberty and happiness of Mormon women, as Compared with women of Sydney &c &c when several of the party expressed their ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I1_p007.jpg) [left top corner torn off, obliterating text] [---]f in what I said, and acknowledged [-----] our Institutions, Certainly was [------]ulated to produce more happiness than was Experienced, in monogami[-] life as now Existed in Sydney, and when we parted they all shook hands with me very Cordially, & seemed pleased with the information I had given them relative to Utah & the Mormons, and partical arly the Mormon women. " I am tired now and sleepy too" so I will Close the labors of this day by saying what is Constantly in my heart, Mary— God bless you forever & forever Isaac Groo To Mary jane Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I2_p001.jpg) Sunday morning, Aug 20th/76. My Dear Wife, Another week has passed, and the beginning of a day of rest, is here, the weather is dark and Cloudy and Everything around Sydney this morning seems to wear an aspect of gloom, still another week has passed, I wish to impress that fact upon your, mind, Another week, Yes another week, well You Say, what of it, Suppose another week has gone? Well I'll tell you, what of it, you must recolect that another week has passed, as Pat would say "now do ye moind that?" This important point established, in Your mind, that another week has passed, You will then readily understand, that is to say, You will Comprehend, or in other words you will know, that - that - that - well in short, that another week, yes, that's right, that another week - I think that's the word, yes, I'm quite certain, well without being tedious, I merely wish to inform you, that one more - "I beg your pardon", perhaps, I have said something before, that would, lead you to anticipate what I wish now to state, that another week, has passed and it is Sunday morning, and it is a dark and Cloudy morning, that is to say, the Sun, does not Shine or properly speaking, the glorious King of day, in Consequence of certain mists, and fogs and clouds ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I2_p002.jpg) that intervene between, that luminous old King, and Sydney, his light, is prevented from having its full force and benefit upon this portion of the colony of New South Wales hence, it is a dark and gloomy morning, and another week— you may have inferred from Some remark previously made, that, what I wish to Say is Simply this, that another week is gone, and it is Sunday morning, and it is a dark and Cloudy morning- and I am inclined to think, that the weather, has much to do with the State of our feelings, therefore in contemplating this "vast subject" the mind is led to enquire why is it, that we are Sometimes merry and Sometimes sad? That Sometimes we laugh and at other times we weep, that Sometimes our Spirits are buoyant, with hope, then again we feel depressed and Can see only the dark side of the picture, well this is a probation of Contrast, Sunshine & Shadow, Light & darkness, sickness & health, joy & Sadness are its Chief Characteristics. and it is no doubt, wisely So ordered, by our Heavenly and Eternal Father, good & Evil is placed side by side, and we have our Inde- pendent Agency, to Choose the one and reject the other, and learn by Comparison, that which will promote our happiness, which is the object and design of our Creation & Existence on the Earth - ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I2_p003.jpg) and my Experience has taught me that in order for me to be happy, I must Seek to make others happy, I must Strive day by day, to over come Every Evil propensity of my fallen nature, I must Seek Continually to Cultivate and develop, and apply in the best manner possible, that which is good, I must read good books, I must think, I must meditate, in the wonderful works of God, I must Carefully note down, the Effects of my acts, and Conversation, and as a wise Philosopher, must regulate both So as to produce only that, which Contributes to joy, peace, happiness, Unity, and Love - I will then Come to be, what we all desire others to think we are - Viz. Good, and if we are in reality good, goodness will follow us, wherever we go, as the phosphorescent light, follows the wake of a Ship on the Ocean, and will Illuminate our pathway through the journey of life. We will then have no difficulty in walking Circumspectly in the "Straight and narrow way" mentioned in Scripture, for our whole body will be full of light, for it will be a fit Temple in which the Holy Ghost Can, and will Continually dwell, and that is the Spirit which leads into all truth, and brings to our minds things past, present & to come. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I2_p004.jpg) I have made some new acquantinces here Since I wrote you last, have by Invitation visited two families, and been very kindly received and Entertained by both, and by both Invited to Call often, one family are Presbyterians, and a few weeks ago were Extremely bigoted, the two Eldest daughters 21, and 19, came one Evening about five weeks ago to my meeting and heard me Lecture, I spoke very Earnestly that Evening on the Inconsistency of many Sectarian Creeds, said among other things, that most of the sectarian world, according to their professed belief, would make out God to be worse than the vilest Devil, that the most vivid Imagination could picture – I then showed that God was our Father – that he desired the happiness of his Children and would save all– Except those who had received the Holy Ghost & denied &c, &c, Some of the Saints thought, after meeting- that I had given those young Ladies, such a fr[-]ght that they would never Come to meeting again, but they took in Every word, and went home, with their bigotry Completely Eradicated from their hearts, and their faith in Presbyterian ism, very much weakened,They have been to meeting since and seem to be very favor- ably Impressed with Mormonism. their Father ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I2_p005.jpg) is dead he was the Mayor of one of the finest, and most arristocratic Suburbs of Sydney, and a very fine man, and very Popular, they are very well connected here, and have Invited me to visit with them several places, and friends in and around Sydney. I feel Considerably Encouraged in relation to this family. If they Continue to investigate the Doctrines of the Church, I think they will Embrace the Gospel, their widowed mother, is a woman of culture and refinement, as also their aged grandmother, about 75- the other Evning when I was visiting with them, I was often reminded of our Dear Mother, by the kind, gentle, spirit, and graceful Easy manners of this old Lady, I talked with the family till ten oclock and when I bid them good night, the old grandmother, said "God bless you". It is really refreshing to find such a family in this Debauched & wicked land, well Mary I must Close my letter- as I have several others to write before the mail leaves for San Francisco. If I have time I will write to Grace, Latie, and Lonny- If not tell them Papa received their precious letters, and sends his blessing to them - God Bless You, Isaac Groo To Mary Jane - ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I2_p006.jpg) P.S Please say to my Dear Friend Emiline that her interesting letter of July Came safely to hand, but I really have not time, to reply by this mail, remember me kindly and in love to her, and , I hope and trust that her daughter will fully recover from the injury sustained by that sad accident to her - You will overlook the nonsensical beginning of this letter. I had much rather laugh than Cry, and to present the latter, I often say or do something that will Excite the bump of the friend- Yours I. G. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I2_p007.jpg) Sept 21st 1876 To Grace, Latie, and Lonnie, God Bless You, my Dear Children. Your Father in Australia is well but oh how he misses the Cheerful faces and happy voices of his Darling Loved ones at Home I often dream of you at night, and dream[--] y Kiss you but awake and find myself Thousands of miles away from You, but I have many reasons to be Thankful to God our heavenly father, for he has watched over You and preserved Your life and provided for your daily wants since I left you and will Continue to do so until I return again to You, which I trust will not be many months hence, The weather here now is ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I2_p008.jpg) is delightful, the Evenings & mornig are cool and pleasant, and the days not too hot for Comfort, has Brother Croxall been to visit you and did you like the little Presents I sent you from Sydney,? there are a great many nice things in this great City, but there is also a great many things here which I hope you may never be permitted to see - Sometimes when I am going down town I see fifteen or twenty women so Drunk that they can sca[-]clly walk and sometimes the Policemen are drgging them across the Street to the "Lockup" again Praying God to bless you I Conclude my letter and subscribe myself your Affectionate Father Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I3_p001.jpg) Sydney New South Wals Sept 21st 1876 My Dear Mary another one of those precious letters, bearing Your autograph reached me last Friday, and I now seat myself to reply altho I have nothing of importance to write you by way of news I am happy to inform you that, Physically I am well, and mentally, I am not very sick, Yet at times I feel just as Lonny Expresses it- God Bless that Noble Boy, and preserve him from all Evil till I can again take him on my knee and tell him about the strange things I have seen in this distant land, I dreamed not long since that I was in your house, and Lonny was on my lap, and I was talking with him ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I3_p002.jpg) him, when he looked withthose Sparkling Eyes full in my face and Said. "Pa I don't love You" I replied well I know another little boy that does love me, and he looked for a moment and then burst in tears, and Cried as tho his heart would break, and when I awoke there was another great big boy weeping as though his heart would break. Enclosed you will find an Acrostic - written on your name As y and before your next Birth day I will try and Send You something to Remember me by - give Yourself no uneasiness Dear Mary, with regard to any further Decisions- accept this, with the Prayers and blessing of your absent Husband Isaac Groo To Mary - ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I4_p001.jpg) Oct 15th 1876. Sydney, Australia. My Dear Mary, Your Precious favor of Sept 6th Came duly to hand on the 13th and I now seat myself in my little room at No 9 Denharm st to reply - I am happy to learn that you and the Children Continue to Enjoy that inestimable blessing health. Tell that Sister who gave me the money and requested me to find (if possible) her sister that I have not yet been able to ascertain her where abouts, but I am going to melbourn next week, and will there advertise, and Endeavor to find her. I have nothing new to write You. the warm weather is beginning to bring into activity the mosquitoes, which for 2 or 3 months past have been Comparatvly quiet, but this is a threadbare story. and I beg Pardon, for mentioning the name of Mosquito, Flea, bed bug, Louse, ant or CockRoach- ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I4_p002.jpg) The weather this spring has been very de- lightful, all that I Could desire it to be. neither too Cold nor too hot. and the balmy air in the Suburbs of Sydney is fragrant with the heath of beautiful flowers, Yesterday. I attended a Funeral of a little two year old girl of one of the Saints in the Sydney branch - went by train ten miles to the Cemetery which Comprises an Area of Several hundred acres. Some portions of which, is most beautifully decorated with Trees, Scrubs, and Flowers, among the latter, I noticed [---] many varieties, the most brilliant and beautiful Geranium that I ever before Saw, the flower resembles very much those large Pansies that once were in front of your little Cottage, but were much larger - and more variagated - The little girl was a nice little thing Creature, and her Death was very Sudden I was playing with her at 7 o clock in ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I4_p003.jpg) the Evening, asking her whose "Kitten" she was, and who she loved &c. &c. &c. and she always replied "Uncle Groo-" at 1/2 past 7, while at Tea, in her Grandmas Next door to her mother's, I was called in to administer to her, found her in a spasm, or Convulsion, in which she Continued, until 1/2 past one in the morning when Death relieved her of further Suffering. Her Condition during the few hours of her Illness. brought vividly to my recolection the Extreme suffering and Death of our Dear little Dave. and I lived & Endured again, the sad anguish of the time when his pure spirit was released, from his brief Mission on Earth to return again to Loved ones at his heaven home. But I must banish these sad thoughts from my mind, and the thoughts that I too am on a mission, far, far, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I5_p001.jpg) Oct 19th 1876 P.S. Douglass A Swan starts for home tomorrow, by whom I shall send my letters this mail-- he will call on you, and from him you will learn particulars relative to me up to date. Enclosed you will find my Annual Contribution to our Dear Mother - as a birthday Present. I have written it to the Tune she generally sings, in that sweet "Dear Chloe- while the busy Crowd" &c. I have written it a little in advance - that it might reach her on her birthday. You will present it to her on receipt, or Keep it for a Surprise - for her on the mornng of Dec 26th 187 just as you think proper and with it my Prayers and Blessing I. G ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I6_p001.jpg) Melbourne, Nov 8th 1876 Mrs Mary Jane Groo, My Dear Wife - The mail from San Francisco is due at Sydney to day, and if I were there, I should in all probability have the pleasure this Evening of perusing one of your - always interesting and welcome welcome letters, but as you will see by the heading of this letter, I am not now in Sydney — It was my good fortune on the 24th of last month to secure a First Class Berth on Board the steamer "Wentworth," bound for Melbourne, and after a little more than two and a half days I landed at "Sand Ridge," about 3 1/2 miles from this City- was met by my Brethren and conducted to where I found Kind friends anxious to contribute to my comfort, and I assure you I needed consolation and rest. for I suffered Extremely on the way down from Sea sickness - but thank heaven I have fully recovered and am feeling better than I have felt for three months past, my appetite is voracious I sometimes say to Sister Cant with whom I am staying that it is fortunate for her that I came at a time when provisions are cheap for if I had arrived in the winter when Everything Eatable was about twice the price that it is now, I should have produced a famine in the land. Well Mary, does it seem to you that I have been away from home more than a year? such is really the fact, just one year from the day I said good bye to loved ones at home and at the same hour of the day, I was sitting in a Photographers Galery in Melbourne to have my likeness taken to send back to loved ones at home - and Enclosed you will find a poor shadow of the substance left, after a year's toil in australia. The past year has made Sad havoc with my health, but I trust, I shall regain it, after returning to my mountain home where I can once more breathe an atmo- sphere uncontaminated – since my arrival in this City I have Lectured twice, in a neat little hall, where the few Saints hold thier meetings, but only a few came to hear ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I6_p002.jpg) I advertised last sunday, that I would "Expose Mormonism" thinking that would draw a full house, but the Ruse didn't take- the weather however, was very unfavorable a heavey thunder storm Coming in just at the hour of meeting. The People in these Colonies care but very little about Religion - althrough their Cities are well stocked with beautiful churches. Melbourne is a much finer city than Sydney, and the People here do not Exhibit the unmistakable : Evidences of Degeneracy that are so frequently met with there - the weathr here, is much better suited to my constitution than there, being several degrees cooler since my arrival I have felt no inconvenience whatever from heat, and before I left Sydney the weather for several days was Roasting - here at Foots Cray where I am staying, the People tell me that masquitoes never bother - pardon me for mentioning that name - for the very thought of what I Endured from them for 6 months in Sydney, nearly drives me crazy- I will leave the balance of this sheet to fill up after I receive my letters from home - which I shall probably get, in three days from now, if the mail has reached Sydney as pr schedule time- Monday- morning, 13th No mail for me yet, and the probabilities are that I must, Send my letters, this month, before receiving. any News from home- but I trust, that all are well. I Lectured again last Evening in the "Literary Institute," had a good Congregation, that paid particular attention. Subject- as pr Enclosed advertisement- I spoke just an hour- after meeting was invited to visit two families this week, they seemed very kind and shook my hand with the warmest grasp of friendship. I am happy to know that I am still making friends, in these God forsaken colonies, If I cannot induce anyone to accept the Gospel - Kiss and Bless our darling little Girls and Precious Boy, for their absent Papa, Remember me in love and Blessings to Mother- Praying God to abundantly Bless you. and preserve you in life and health till I return. I subscribe myself as Ever Yours Truly and forever Isaac to Mary ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I7_p001.jpg) Sydney Dec 14th 1876. Dear Mary, Tomorrow the mail for San Francisco Closes, and If I write you by the outgoing Steamer, I must not delay, I recd your letter Enclosed in Hellen's and was again made happy to learn that you and the Children and our Dear Mother wire well- When the last month's mail arrived, I was in Melbourne, and my letters were forwarded from Sydney, but none Came from You, and I wondered why, When You see Mrs Springhall tell her that I found her sister while at Melbourne, She is a widow with Eight Children one of whom was married the day I Called upon her. I gave her my Card, and Sydney address ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I7_p002.jpg) and also the address of her sister in Salt Lake &c. &c. she has I think, some real Estate property but judging from appearances has rather a hard struggle, to make a living for herself & family. her address is - Mrs. Marion Alum, Albion Street, West Brunswick, Melbourne - Victoria - Australia - I returned from Melbourne on the 3rd Inst. was not so sick on my return voyage, but my health is not good, and I sometimes fear that it never will be again. Yet I may regain my former strength, If in the Kind Providences, I am permitted to return to my mountain Home, where I Can get a drink of Cool Water, and a breath of pure air. I am feeling better than I did on my arrival ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I7_p003.jpg) In Sydney, a week ago last Sunday Home, Comfortable & very pleasant Room, in Sydney at present, near the Park, and Central park of Town, and have Every Comfort and Convenience that I require, but the Climate of Australia does not agree with my Constitution, however, I look forward with pleasing antici- pation to the time when I Can bid this Colony & Country Good bye. I have found a few very Excellent People here, friends not of our faith, in fact Infidels who have healed me with great kindness - and who Continually manifest, a greater degree of Christian- ity - and Exhibit more of a Christian Spirit, than the great majority of professed Christians. I was pleased to hear that ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I8_p001.jpg) You I shall hail it with a cheerful and glad heart. I have released Brother Mark Craxall to accompany Brother Miller Home, Bro M, is sick has been for some time past, and I think it time for him to "hie away to his mountain home", Brother Mark, will visit you and from him You will learn the particulars in relation to my present Condition, He was my room-mate, on the ocean, has been my bed-fellow and Counselor since my arrival in Australia. and I have learned to love him with a love, that is only Exceeded by my love, for wives and Children, and I shall miss him very much, when he is gone- but it is right that he should now return to his Loved ones at home, and I Say God Bless him, and may his voyage and Journey home be a safe and pleasant one_ I shall miss him, oh how I shall miss him, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I8_p002.jpg) Mary-you will Excuse me if I do not write you a long letter this mail- if I have time I will write to the Little Girls and to my Precious Little Lonny, God Bless him- when I read your letter and learned how the tears stood in his sparkling black eyes because he had no letter, I could not refrain from weeping, and the tears flowed from his Father's great Gray Eyes, in torrents for 1/2 an hour- I am happy to learn that you Enjoy good health, and that You do not lack the Common Comforts of Life- Praying God to Continue his Blessings unto you, and our Darling little ones and to your Dear Dear Mother, I subscribe myself, Yours Forever Isaac Groo To Mary ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I9_p001.jpg) 3 You I shall hail it with a Cheerful and glad heart. I have released Brother Mark Crosall to accompany Brother Miller Home, Bro M. is sick has been for some time past, and I think it time for him to "hie away to his mountain home", Brother Mark, will visit you and from him you will learn the particulars in relation to my present Condition, He was my room-mate, on the Ocean, has been my bed-fellow and Counselor since my arrival in Australia - and I have learned to love him with a love, that is only exceeded by my love, for wives and children, and I shall miss him very much, when he is gone - but it is right that he should now return to his Loved ones at home, and I say God Bless him, and may his voyage and journey home be a safe and pleasant one- I shall miss him, oh how I shall miss him, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F3_I9_p002.jpg) Mary- you will Excuse me if I do not write you a long letter this mail - if I have time, I will write to the Little Girls, and to my Precious Little Lonny, God Bless him. When I read your letter, and learned how the tears stood in his sparkling black Eyes, because he had no letter, I could not refrain from weeping, and the tears flowed from his Father's great Gray Eyes, in torrents for 1/2 an hour. I am happy to learn that you Enjoy good health, and that you do not lack the Common Comfort of Life- Praying God to continue his Blessings unto you, and our Darling little ones, and to your Dear Dear Mother, I subscribe myself, Yours Forever Isaac Groo To Mary ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I10_p001.jpg) Grooville, Wyoming Sunday, July 17th, 1881 Dear Mary, My Darling Wife, I cannot think of anything this morning that would afford me more real Enjoyment than your presence. but that boon is denied me, and I must resort to my pen, as the only means by which I can Communicate with You. I think I Can truly say, that not an hour since I left Salt Lake City, have you been absent from my mind. Every thing here seems so unlike Home, Seems so far removed from those with whom I ought to be, and more particularly now, do[-]s this feeling prevail with me, hitherto when I have left you for a Season, I knew that there was at least One Companion left you, one Confidential kindred with whom you could associate, and in whom you might with propriety & perfect Safety ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I10_p002.jpg) Confide any, and all matters pertaining to your domestic, or any other afairs- A "Sister and a friend," in the fullest sence of those words, and one, than which, there never was, nor Ever Can be a truer nor purer, And the thought that, that dear Companion has been been removed from you, increases my Anxiety for you, And my desires to be constantly with you- I trust that the day is not far distant when these desires will be realized - There is a calm and placid Angel that visits our Earth and Comforts Every Soul that dwells thereon, It is the Angel of Hope. She is the hand-maiden of God, she takes the oppressed and down-troden millions of his Children Kindly by the hand and smilingly and Encormapilgly points to the future, She Sooths away despair, and Enables the despairing ones to go on their way rejoicing, for the Changes thin ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I10_p003.jpg) their nights of darkness into days of light and Expectation. It is she who Stands by us while in painful Anxiety, and Suffocating grief, we watch by the bed side of our dying loved Ones, and when they have made the last gasp, and the last struggle for life is over, she lovingly whispers to our bleeding hearts, and tells us in language that cannot be misunderstood that our darling loved ones are not dead. She informs us that their fixed eyes and Ghastly features will yet smile on us animated with life, beauty, and perfection- that their rigid Arms will, in the Glorious future, again Clasp us to their loving bosoms, and their silent tongues will speak to us words of Consolation, in tenderest accents of recognition, of love, and eternal affection- she tells us the day is not far distant when ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I10_p004.jpg) this Gloomy change will be more fully understood, and apparent death, regarded as a friend, and not as a pittiless Enemy, when it shall be recognized as a servant of God and nature, to unfold the bud, and develop the perfect flower- What we call death, is the process of dissolving the Connection between the Mortal and the immortal - the gross and the spiritual - to exchange an old Garment for a new - beauty for deformity, the Earthly for the heavenly - In this mysterious transformation there is no cessation of Existence- The immortal heart of the Spirit will beat on forever and forever - And all the faculties of the immortal Soul freed from the clog of Earth will Expand for Ever and Ever, And our darling friends who have undergone this Change, are now able to think more rapidly, to Ejoy more perfectly, to Act ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I10_p005.jpg) more wisely, And in this Exalted & Glorious spheres, Compre- hending time & Eternity (as we do not) can wait more patiently our coming. than we our finite condition can endure their going. When we Contemplate the life and character of our dear departed sister, we cannot but Conclude that by self Cultivation, and Education she had fully endowed & qualified the herself to enjoy ^ society & surroundings of Glorified and Celestial beings. Every God-like faculty of her whole being cultivated and developed in a most remarkable degree, her reverence made her adore the Creator - the Organ of benevolence, promfited her to deeds of Kindness & Charity - Self Esteem, imparted dignity and Grace to her character- Affability, Courtesy, Cheerfulness love & liberality, attended and ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I10_p006.jpg) marked her footsteps, through all the varied Scenes of her precious life. to do good, Constituted her joy. She labored to serve others, not by reproofs and reproaches, for she knew too well that they can never conquer Error, but by the power of benevolence, Charity, kindness, patience and Endurance- by these Superior faculties and powers, She was Successful in redeeming and saving one at least, who must henceforth, recognise in her a Savior. Envy & Hypocrisy, the bane of Society, never found a resting place in her generous and angelic heart, no truer words were Ever uttered than those Expressed by Brother Wells at her funeral, when ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I10_p007.jpg) he said, "In all the history of her life, not a line nor word Could be found of an immoral nature," no, her life was a life of purity, her Character spotless- We mourn her unexpected and sudden departure, yet we realize the truthfulness of the Saying so often quoted, Our loss, is her infinite gain. And we would not, If we possessed the power, Call her back to the Suffering Scenes of Earth life, she has passed the last and most Glorious transformation and has been Conveyed through the Golden Gate of the tomb, to new & Glorious Scenes, to innumerable friends, to the hosts of Heaven, to Immortality, and Eternal happiness and Glory, We will patiently wait, our Summons to Come, when we will again meet her and our lost and loved ones there- ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I10_p008.jpg) Remember me in love and Blessing to our Precious Children Latie and Lonnie, and tell Grand-ma that the sweet influences of her Angelic Spirit is wafted to me over the towering Summits of the Wasacht Mountains, and bless her for me- And Dearest loved one, May the Angels of Hope, Health and Peace, abide with you Continually to administer Comfort, Consolation Health & Happiness, Is the Earnest Prayer of your Affectionate Husband Isaac Groo, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I11_p001.jpg) Wyoming, July 25th 1881, Dear Mary, Tomorrow is our mail day Again, and I hope I shall recieve Some token of remembrance from home, not a word has yet reached me since I left. one Herald Came, but that had no News later than I had read in Salt Lake. I suppose You had a fine time yesterday- no - I am mistaken, to day is your Celebration, hope You are Enjoying it. G. Raymond & his wife were up to the Ranch Saturday Afternoon and invited me down to spend the 24th with them, I went down in the Morning and did not return until after dark last Evening, when I arrived found the Log Cabin deserted- All had gone to Smith's Fork, Sam ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I11_p002.jpg) Belle, Johney and Sid, they returned however, after I had been home about an hour. And Expressed themselves as having had a Splendid time, Horse racing Etc Etc, was the Order of the day, they have 3 drinking Saloons in full blast at Smith's Fork. Therefore you can form an Idea of what Con- stituted the Chief Characteristic, of the 24th celebration at Cokeville. The other day, Contemplating the Evils of Intemperence I wrote the following, knowing the Sentiments Expressed, to accord you your views The Erring Brother Chide not fo the Erring brother when, His wayward feet hath gone Astray, Kind words imparted to him then- You'll find is far the better way. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I11_p003.jpg) 2 Extend to him the friendly hand, And words of gentleness impart, These are the means that will Command, And help subdue the Erring heart. 3 Reproaches ne'r will Conquer Sin, Nor cold reproof will faults remove, The heart, by kindness we must win, And conquer by fraternal love. 4 The Erring one should ever know, He has in us, a pittying friend, We must, by deeds of mercy show, we have a helping hand to lend. 5 Where'r the erring one we find, Tho' deep in sin's polluting stream, We may, by admonitions kind, And deeds of charity, redeem- ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I11_p004.jpg) 6 There is a placid Angel dear, He'll lend her Efforts to reclaim, On Earth her Mission is to cheer. God's holy Hand-maid, Hope, her name- 7 With such Assistance persevere, Nor fail in doing all we can. 'Till we behold our brother dear, Return to us an honored man. Isaac Groo, P. S Express my love to Latie, Lonny & Grandma, tell Latie she may look for a letter from Pa next week. God Bless You All, and preserve you in health. Is the most Earnest desire of Yours Truly & forever I. G ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I12_p001.jpg) On the death of Sister Maria Whitney, Hall. Dearest Sister much we loved thee, Loved thee that for thy worth alone. Loved thee for they deeds of mercy, All along life's pathway sown. As our dearest friend, we loved thee, Loved thee for thy friendship pure, Knowing well, such friendship Ever would in Constancy Endure. Though in sorrow thou hast left us, In our grief we'll not Complain, For our loss, and sad bereavment, Is your everlasting gain. Much then, Sister as we loved thee. Deeply as our loss deplore, Yet we would not, now recall thee. From that peaceful Golden shore. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I12_p002.jpg) From thy blissful home in Glory, From the realms of rest above, Where Celestial light and beauty, Fills thy spotless soul with love. Passing scenes, and retrospection, While life's journey we pursue, Will awaken in our bosoms, Sweet remembrances of you. When some form, divinely perfect, We may sometime Chance to see, In that form, thyself reflected, Will attract our minds to thee. Where we find a wife's devotion, With the truest Constancy, Memory will then transport us, Back in pleasing thoughts of thee. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I12_p003.jpg) When maternal love, unbounded, We, in some fond mother see, Then, in fondest recolection, Will our thoughts return to thee. Thy dear name, our darling sister, We shall Ever venerate, And thy life of peerless virtues, Strive while here, to Emulate. Fare-thee-well, then, friend and sister, Mourning, we must say adieu, But, when mundane Scenes are over, We will Come and dwell with you. In thy pure Empyrean Glory, Where no sorrows Ever Come, In Elysian fields of beauty, Make with thee, our Endless home. Isaac and Mary Jane, Groo June 27th 1881, Salt Lake City Utah. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I12_p004.jpg) Grooville, Wednesday Morning Aug 17th 1881. My Dear Mary, On the foregoing pages you will find a few lines, which I wrote with my pencil in my diary, the day our dear sister died. last sunday I revised them Somewhat, and transcribed them to this Sheet. I notice this morning, that they need Considerable revission still, but I send them to you, in their Crude state, knowing that you will make all due allowances for their imperfect style. I have Expressed our Sentiments, and have taken the liberty to sign our names. Accept them, as a slight token of my Sincere friendship, for your dear Sister, and with them, Accept the undying love of Your Husband Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I13_p001.jpg) Wednesday P.M. August 24th 1881, My Darling Wife, 'Tis said, that "absence Conquors love," The saying is not true. No absence, for whatever time, Could Change my love for you. The saddest days I Ever knew, The darkest of my life. Have been the absent days, away From you, my darling wife. One being, and but one alive, Could make that love grow less 'Tis but the precious one, to whom, I now, my love Confess, Where love, reciprocal is felt, Absence, will closer wind Around Each heart, the Mutual Cord, And both will str[-]nger bind. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I13_p002.jpg) Nor distance, cannot love Subdue, (Love, worthy of the name,) True-love, tho distant as the poles, Will burn with Steady flame. So distant have I been from You, That oceans rolled between. Yet dearest, you were in my heart Of love, the ruling Queen, Though absent then, or Ever near, Whatever be our fate, My love for you will never wane, While you reciprocate. Then judging, as we wisely judge, The future, by the past, I can in verity assert, My love will Ever last, Amen, From Your loving Husband Isaac Groo. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I13_p003.jpg) Dear Mary, Some author asks the question- "on whom does time, hang so heavily, as on the slothful and lazy-" I do not believe that I am Either lazy or slothful, Yet, if there is a human being on the Earth, on whom time, hangs more heavily, or to whom the hours move more slowly than they do with me, I sincerely pity that being, his condition ought to awaken in Every humane heart, the tenderest of human sympathy. never before have I felt, the hours, days and weeks, so lingering, as they have appeared Since I left you in July to come to the ranch. I have received one, and but one, letter from you since I arrived, for that one, that precious one, Accept my most Sincere and heart-felt Thanks. I do not wish to Complain, nor would I ask you to write me a long letter Every week ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I13_p004.jpg) in answer to mine. for I realize my Darling one, that your hands are already overburdened, but If you would Send Lonny, to the Post Office, & get ten cents worth of Postal Cards, and just write my address on one side, and on the other, say, letter received, all well or something to that Effect, It would give me great pleasure, It would Inform me that my letters were not lost, but were being carried to, you, now I only know that you have received one of mine, Yet I have written you Every week since I reached the Ranch, Drop one of those Postal Cards in the office, Every Saturday night, and the following Wednesday, I shall hear from you, It is now 3 Oclock P.M. and I Expect the mail Carrier along in about 3 hours, will suspend writing until he arrives. 6 O'clock P.M. my darling, "I take it all back", your Precious,Precious, favor of the 19th is before me. and a gift of a Thousand Dollars, would not have the heart-Cheering Effect on my lonely, and ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I13_p005.jpg) Depressed Spirits, as has this thrice welcome missive, from your hand. God Bless you, forever and forever. I am happy, more than happy, to hear directly from God, and to learn that the dark and Gloomy Cloud of Anxiety, and Sickness, is at last beginning to lighten, and God grant, that you may Soon See its Silver lining which, for weeks past, has been so gloomily obscured. I have been Sick the nature of which I Explained in a letter to Darling Latie three in four days ago, But I am well now, have been at work, yesterday, in the forenoon, also to day ditto, and by tomorrow, I shall be able I think to put in a full day- Sam finished Mowing, at Noon to day, but we have about 40 tons Scattered over the Meadow Yet to haul- ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I13_p006.jpg) Give my love and Blessing to Grandma, and the children- And accept this, and with it the Heart of Hearts, from your, Absent, but loving, and now Happy Husband Isaac Groo- ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I1_p001.jpg) Tuesday P.M. Grooville, Wyoming, May 22nd 1877. Dearest Mary, George Contemplates Starting for Salt Lake tomorrow morning, and I will make of him a "Post man", to deliver letters to Loved Ones at home, I havent had a sylable of News from home since I left, and so far from as understanding any- thing about home or Salt Lake City, I might as well be in Australia, but I trust that you are all well, & Enjoying life as much as Possible under Existing circumstances, with the Exception of Howdy, we are all able to take our share of Bread & Milk 4 & 5 times per day. Howdy met with a severe accident on the 11th Inst, & has not been ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I1_p002.jpg) able to walk Since, but his leg is doing very well, & I think will soon be Sound & all right again, I Suppose you moved on the 1st and are now "as snug as a bug in a rug", in your new and Hospitable quarters, well God Bless You, and Bless & Comfort those who bless you, Is the Constant Prayer of One who knows You merit the Blessings of Heaven & the Blessings of Earth & you shall by & by, have the Blessings of Isaac, if you fail in those of Abraham & Jacob. Tell Grace Latie & Lonny, that I would like very much to have them out here to help me drink up the milk & Eat the Trout that we have almost daily. I think I can arrange to have them Come out & Spend a ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I1_p003.jpg) month or two on Bear River this Summer, they will Enjoy It hugely- The weather here has been stormy and generally disagreable most of the time since our arrival three weeks ago to day, I have'nt heard from Mary for nearly 2 weeks but I trust that she & babe are well, or I should have heard from them, She has a fine boy, and I think, a first Class Husband- Remember me in Love to our Dear Mother, & give my Kindest Regards to Bro Joshua. & belive me as Ever Yours Truly & Forever Isaac To Mary. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I2_p001.jpg) Camp "Solitaire." Monday Evening. Dec 3rd 1877, My Dear Mary, Your precious favor of the 26th Ult. reached me this afternoon - and is the first tidings from home, since my arrival at the Ranch on the 4th of Nov. You speak of receiving my letter of the 10th, did you receive the one I mailed you at Evanston on my way out? I wrote Sarah, from Wasatch, you from Evanston, and Eliza from Randolph. From my heart of hearts I thank You for your letter recd to day. and am Extremely thankful to learn that you & our darling loved ones are well. You will have learned Ere this, that I too, am well but I wouldn't mind being Sick a month If I could realize the Evanston Surprise of which you speak, but I must wait and summons the Angel of hope to Enable me to wait patiently, till the happy hour shall arrive when I Can ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I2_p002.jpg) welcome you to our home on the Bear- Everything about the Ranch wears a wintry aspect at present- to day it has been snowing, and to night it is Cold and dismal, just the kind of weather to give one the blues, but the kind and Encouraging Spirit of your letter, is the best antidote in the world, for that kind of disease or any other Hyp-o-chon-driac-al affection and I trust that you will send the Antidote often- that in case I should be attacked with that disease. I will have the remedy [--] hand with which I can affect a speedy cure- nothing I have ^ of interest to Communicate to you- I am happy to learn that certain Parties, whom I will not name, have talked themselves to death. and I will venture a guess, that it was a hard death to die- and one, in which, they will ^ find it Extremely difficult to obtain and an honorabe Resurection - but let them "wiggle" they have done their work, and will yet receive a just Compensation therefor- I will Conclude my letter by Praying God to preserve you in health, and abundantly bless you in all your you labors and Continue to bestow upon ^ an abundance of his holy spirit, that you may be happy in your loneliness this winter. and I will forever and forever bless you. Yours Truly & Forever Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I3_p001.jpg) Saturday, July 12th 1879 Mrs Mary Jane Groo Dear wife, Enclosed find Token of Remembrance of our wedding day. from which, you will be able to judge of my situation on that occasion, , Gee & family had previously moved to their Caim at Smith's Fork, and on the morning of the 4th Sam went up to attend a dance at Bourn's, I worked around the Ranch until about 3 Oclk P.M. then went over to Orson's, took dinner with them, went fishing &c. &c. returned to the Old Log Cabin a short time after sun down, got up the cows, milked, fed the Calves Pigs &c. and then it was 10 Oclock, when I went ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I3_p002.jpg) Into sams Room & wrote one hour, and then retired to bed surrounded by the most death-like stillness that I Ever before Experienced. how did you Spend the day? tell me as soon as you can spare a few minutes to write. last monday I went up to Raymond's Canyon to cut poles for fencing my meadow, remained there until last Evenig when Sam came up and brought me home, he remained at the Ranch to milk &c &c, To day I purpose going up to Smith's Fork, & Monday if all is well we shall Commence haying, it seems next to impossible to keep the Stock off my meadow. and I ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I3_p003.jpg) regret very much that I did not bring the little boys out with me, they would have saved me ten thousand times, ten thou sand steps, Joshua & Partner are still Prospecting among the hills, but have not yet made any very valuable discoveries, they are now away with Callett over on Ham's Fork, I believe. Kind Love & blessing to Mother & the Children - Yours Truly & Forever, Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I4_p001.jpg) Grooville August 17th 1879 Mrs Mary J. Groo My Dear Wife As a Husband, I may be too Exacting, perhaps I am. Is it requesting too much from you, to ask that you devote about one minute of your time to inform me whether you did, or did not, receive a Communication from me written in the Early part of July last? If you think the request un-reasonable please say so, and I will immediately appologise, Yours as Ever Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I5_p001.jpg) Grooville, Sunday, May 9th 1880, My Dear Mary, You will have learned Ere this reaches you, that I am once more at the Ranch, we arrived Monday Evening the 3rd, and did not reach here an hour too soon, as I found the water very high and running over my main distributing Dam, which would, in all probability gave way, if it had not been attended to that Evening. the weather was warm & pleasant while, we were on the road, but Since our arrival here, with one day's Ex- ception, it has been Snowing & has been Cold & Every way dis- agreeable, the Stock is now doing well- but I have lost four of my best Cows, besides my Bull and several young cattle. Most of ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I5_p002.jpg) those I have lost, died through Eating Poison Parsnip, which Seems to grow in great profusion over the River, where the herd has been running, since the hay gave out, we have deserted the old Cabin occupied by Mary while you were here, Sam's room is our Kitche[-] and Yours, Sam's & my bed-room. Mary & family moved back to Smith's Fork today. Therefore Rose, Sam, & I are all that is left at the old Log Cabins on the Bear. and I cannot but feel rather lonely this afternoon, reminisences of the past Come flitting before me, & the form, & cheerful face, of that precious lost loved one, is Constantly in my mind, I see her in Rose, as I notice her fixing up these old Cabins, arranging Every thing to the best possible advantage- and singing as she works, trying as Darling Gracie, always did, not only, while staying in this ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I5_p003.jpg) 3 lonely, Isolated spot, but Every where Else, to make the best of Everything, and Contribute, so far as she had the power to the Enjoyment of those with whom she associated. Though now beyond our mortal sight, she still lives, and is waiting to welcome us to the Elysian home of the blest, where Sickness Cannot distract with pain, and where Separations are unknown. May the Angels of Peace, assist us to Endure this brief separation from our darling one, with Christian Patience & fortitude, is the Earnest desire of your lonely Husband Isaac Groo. Remember me in love & blessing to Latie, Lonnie, & Grandma I. G. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I7_p001.jpg) Tuesday Evening, 8 Oclock. July 20th 1880 My Darling Wife, I have just finished Another hard day's Labor, and am realy too tired to write, but this is our "mail day", and If I do not write this Evening, I must defer it for another week. The mail generally arrives here About 10 Oclock Tuesday night, and the Carrier remains all night ( or rather the remainder of the night) at Old Dickeys and Wednesday morning, proceeds to Montpelier returning here about 2 P.M. on his way back to Montp Randoph. I think I mentioned to you in one of my letters that in order for me to get my mail matter the same week that it left Salt Lake it must be posted there on Saturday or Friday Evening to come to Evanston by the Saturday train. Otherwise it loops over at Randolph until the following Tuesday. The weather for the last three days has been the hottest that I have Ever before Experienced on Bear River, and if you are having it there, as much hotter as it Usually is, it must be almost unbearable. for it is all that I can Endure here. and the mosquitos are as active here as in Australia. I think I mentioned this once or twice before, but never mind. for they are uppermost in my mind, just as soon as the sun sets- so you will parden me If I tell you the ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I8_p001.jpg) Saturday, Aug 21st 1880 Mrs Mary J. Groo. My Dear Wife- You'r welcome favor of the 6th Inst reached one last Wednesday morning. but not in time to answer by return mail. I now have an opportunity of sending to Montpelier, provided- I can write a letter in five minutes. happy to learn that your health is good. & glad to inform you that, I too Enjoy Excellent health. but am reduced in flesh - so much that, I present the appearence of a skeleton- we are doing our level best to get through with our Haying before winter sets in, but according to the atmo- sphere this morning, we shall hardly accomplish it, Fred & Harry are assesting us - I think we shall finish Ort's about Wednesday of next week If the weather continues favorable- but recently we have had showery weather, so much so that it has retarded the progress of Our haying, a thing very unusual on Bear River- I think we can put up the remainder of my hay, when we get at it, in about two weeks, Therefore you see, under the most favorable Circumstances it will take three weeks yet to finish- I then intend to make a flying visit to Salt Lake- but my stay, will be short, as I intend to put my coal mine in good working order for winter, Even though Gee & Collett, should fail to assist- but I think they will ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I8_p002.jpg) help- at least they now Express a willingness to do so- my five minutes have Expired & I must conclude- all well at the Ranch- and may this find you and all the rest at home The same is the Earnest, & most sincere desire of your Husband on the Bear. Forever Yours- Isaac Groo will answer Laties letter soon ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I9_p002.jpg) Consequently I know as little of h[-]me, and loved ones there, as though I were a resident of Venus or the moon, but there is an old adage, that now Comes to my mind, "through trials to triumph," perhaps, this will yet prove true in my case, at all Events, I will not permit the Angel of Hope, to leave me, however Gloomy my present Surroundings may appear. I returned from Evanston One week ago last Evening, since then have Spent two days prospecting for Tie Timber, but that class of timber is scarce in the vicinity of the Ranch, Yesterday we Branded our stock, and to morrow If all is well, I Expect to go the Kanyon for a load of logs to finish my barn, I failed to get the ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I9_p003.jpg) roof on last fall, some time this week I intend Commencing work on the coal mine, we have already repaired the road to it and would have been at work there, but the "Open Cut" was full of snow & packed to the Capacity of Ice, Sam is Cutting Rail Roads ties, in Monument Canyon, the first Canyon North of the one to which you accompanied me, Gee has made arrangements to Enter into copartnership with John Stiner in the Liquor business, and I think will be likely to make some money at it, other parties however are Contemplating the same business at Cokeville. that will be a lively Camp, in a few weeks If the Rail Road is not delayed, but at present there is some ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F4_I9_p004.jpg) difficulty, between the two R. R. companies rlative to the right of way, through a narrow pass up twin creeks, but I think the obstructions will soon be renewed and the Grading will be pushed ahead with a bin, Bear River has been higher this spring than I have Ever known it, but the last few days of cool weather has materially lessened It. Grass is very forward here, and the whole Country is a littrel Flower Lawn, Social Conditions being Equal, this country would at present, be to me, a perfect Paradise, but these conditions are altogether lacking- I must conclude my pen & paper Conversation, Praying & trusting, that this may find you & all that appertains unto us, in the Enjoyment of Health, & Happiness. From your lonely, but affectionate husband, Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I1_p001.jpg) Sept 25th/83, Cokeville at Mary's 11 P.M My Dear wife. We reached here this morning in time for Breakfast, found Mary & family well- have spent the day visiting & fishing. tomorrow if all is well shall visit the Ranch, and from there proceed to Raymond's Canyon on a hunt, Sam tells me that the Deer in that Canyon are plentiful this fall- Tanner is at Granger to work on the Rail Road. & If I see him, shall be obliged to go that way home but of this, will tell you later, I shall write him tomorrow morning before I leave. & request him to ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I1_p002.jpg) [-]ome home, that I may have a settlement with him here- Chill and Mrs Callett spent most of the afternoon here visiting with us, & the day has passed off pleasantly- the weather has been warm & agreeable up to date- I trust that you spent a pleasant Eveing at last nights Reception, & I certainly wish the Bride & Groom all the happiness & prosperity that [-]an be secured in mortal life. God Bless you forever & Ever. is the Prayer of your affectionate Husband Isaac Groo Love & Blessing to Latie & Lonnie ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I2_p001.jpg) 9.a.m. Cokeville Oct 7th 1883 My Dear Wife- How varied, are the Scenes and incidents of life and how full of disappointments are our anticipations and Calculations- last Evening when I retired to rest I Expected to Start for home Early this morning - and arose at 1/2 past 5 for that purpose, but on looking out found a Bear River storm in full blast. raining blowing & now Snowing old Granger has been sick for the past week, but last Evening he Seemed so much better that we Concluded, he Could make it back to salt lake, by short drives, and ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I2_p002.jpg) Careful driving his sickness has prevented the possibility of our returning by way of Cache Valley, we must take the shortest way home, & that is the old road down Echo &c- I have not heard a word from home since we left but accept the no news theory, as good news- yesterday Sam, Sil Vanderberg & myself spent the day hunting antolope, but without success, returned in the Evening to much fatigued for health or comfort ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I2_p003.jpg) Mary & family are well she is daily expecting — Rob who has spent the summer prospecting for Copper stain. an d I presume without finding anything of value We met him & Jim Smith on our way out, he said then he would be home in two weeks but has not yet put in an appearance- If it clears up soon we shall start for home this afternoon, If not, as soon as the "Clouds roll by' but how long we shall be on the way is difficult to determine, with a sick Horse ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I2_p004.jpg) Trusting that you are all well, I subscribe myself as Ever your Affectionate Husband Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I3_p001.jpg) Mrs M J. Groo, My Dear Wife, When we reach the Shady side of forty, how rapidly the Seasons seem to glide. And how often then, "Old n Time," the dispenser of years, makes his An^ual visits to distribute our Birthdays. but when our Cheeks were ruddy with the bloom of youth, and our hopes and Expectations were buoyant with Anticipations of happiness, and blissful Enjoyments to come, then his visits seemed long delayed, and Years were Ages, Compared with what they appear after we reach the meridian of time allotted us in this probation. Another brief year has passed since you were forty, and from my heart of hearts I Congratulate you on reaching this natal day under so favorable Circumstances. Your health, the greatest boon of this life, has been preserved, and was never better than at present. And during the fleeting year just passed, Providence- in his Kindness has bestowed upon us an additional Pledge of Affection- and in this precious pledge, I recognise an additional staff upon which we can lean, when our feet shall totter with age, and our bodies bend with the wieght of accumulated Years. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I3_p002.jpg) I also recognise in our darling boy, Another Star, in the Glorious Constellation of your immortal Diadem, which awaits you in the life beyond. In that life, Time will doubtless roll on as in this, but years then, will not Enfeeble the mind nor destroy the body, for that life is Eternal, and is the greatest, and Crowning gift of God. Then let us hail Each recurring Birth-day with Acclamations of gladness. For they are but Stepping Stones that will take us safely over the "dark river"- and usher us into the presence of our Heavenly and Eternal Father. And may Each Succeeding return of this day, bring to you an increase of happiness and prosperity. Your Affectionate Husband Isaac Groo Salt Lake City Jan 17th 1885. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I4_p001.jpg) Salt Lake City Dec 5th 1888, My Dear Son, I intended to answer Your letter last Sunday, but was told that Will wrote you a long Epistle on that day, and since then it seems that something has been in the way until this Evening- but after this you may Expect a letter from the Every week- I was m[-]re than pleased with your welcome letter, In the first place I was glad to learn that You were well- In the next place I was pleased to hear that you had learned more about fitting shoes in the short time you ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I4_p002.jpg) you had been working in Evanston- than all the time you had been employed at the business in Salt Lake. There is an old saying, that "Necessity is the mother of Invention". and you demonstrated that Proverb, by being left al[-]ne in charge of the shop. I don't know that I have any news to tell you, Rose however, has come Home to spend the Hollydays with us, and perhaps a few weeks longer, you understand, I presume the reason why- The weather here, continuus warm and pleasant. more like summer than winter- but the Indications are ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I4_p003.jpg) that we shall have a storm in the near future- and I think it will be snow, Christmas would not seam natural without snow. Roscoe is already telling me what he Expects Old Santa Claus to bring him- and If he gets half the things he has ordered he will have a grand display of Toys. Well Lonney, we are all well- and if this finds you the same then my Prayer will have been answered- God bless you, and preserve you from all evil is the Earnest desire of your Affectionate Father Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I5_p001.jpg) 5 O. Clock) P.M. ) Salt Lake City, Sept. 1st 1893. My Dear Mary, just received Darling Latie's Card of the 30th Ult, happy to know that you were all well when you left Cheyenne. and it gives me joy to tell you that all at home are in the Enjoyment of Health. Roscoe's Birth Day was stormy, and as a Consequence we did not Celebrate it on the "Stormy banks" of old Jordan, but that was duly attended to to-day- and the result was One Chub, but when he learned that it was Caught below the mouth of Sewer, he did not want it cooked. On our way way home I ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I5_p002.jpg) Called on [-]rs. Bennett and Collected the Rent, and paid the amount to Mrs. Wilkinson. Our Baby is the Happiest boy thus far that you ever saw, but I notice that he keeps himself posted, as regards time, and tells me Every morning just how many more nights he can sleep with me before your return. I have nothing Special to Communicate, hence will Conclude – Praying God to bless you and our Darling Latie with the best of health, and preserve all your party from accidents and distress of Every kind, and permit you to all to return in safety to your loved ones at Home. Yours Truly Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I6_p001.jpg) Salt Lake City, Sept, 5th 1893 Dear Mary, I think it is doubtful If this will reach you before leaving the Great White City, But our Darling boy is writing to you this morning and I will say he is well and just as happy as a "big sun flower" Latie's 2nd postal Card reached me yesterday and Contained the Cheering news that you were well and Enjoying the trip hugely, We are Daily Posted through the Herald- of your travels. receptions, Successes, Etc. And I am more than ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I6_p002.jpg) Gratified that you went with the Party, and feel assured that you will return Safely to your Mountain Home, and anxious loving Friends, who patiently await Your Coming. Knowing when you come, the Worlds' Fair will be transferred from Chicago to Salt Lake. Yours as Ever Isaac Groo Love and Blessing to our Darling Latie, and many thanks for reciept of cards I. G ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I7_p001.jpg) [-] Orts Aug 24th 1886-Mrs M. J. Groo- We are still at O.H. Groo's Assisting him with his hay. have just hauled the last load that is cut - but Ort has gone to mowing Lonnie has gone over to Richards and I have Concluded to devote a my leisure time in writing to you. Nothing transpired on our way out nothing of note. Richards came [---] [---] the same Evening we left Home and the following morning we proceeded on our way down the river. reached sillene Saturday morning about 7 oclock - remained there 24 hours and then drove down to Orts - found all well - and apparently glad to see us. the next morning we Commenced ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I7_p002.jpg) for him, and have continued until the present. should have finished his Haying - but for 3 or 4 days of stormy weather- and to day again, we have strong indications of rain, which if it comes, will delay us several days longer- Lonnie seems contented & makes a good hand in the Hay- field - last Friday night he attended a party at Evans' down on Thomas Fork - and says now, that he would like to Employ some one "to kick him for going" I guess it was a Snide affair- when I reached Sillem I wrote to R. W. Gee, asking him to make some Enquiry in relation to finding Employment for Lon in Montpelier I thought ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I7_p003.jpg) perhaps Burgoyne would Employ him in one of his stores- I rec'd a letter from Mary a about a week ago- & she said they had not yet succeeded in getting a job for him - as soon as we finish Haying we shall go to Montpelier & I will then see Burgoyne relative to this matter- Sam contemplates getting Stock to winter - and if he Succeeds, will like Lonnie to stay with him at the Ranch - and I sincerely hope he will get the stock for I believe Sam will have more Influence for good with Lon than any other person. Lonnie would like to "tend bar" for Rob but I told Rob in my letter from Sillem ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I7_p004.jpg) that it was not the Occupation I wished him to Engage in &c &c- My health has been just middling since my arrival here- and to add to my discomfort my old teeth have bothered me and I have Concluded, that one of them is ulcerating and I must seek a Dentist & have 2 or 3 of them extracted. I was pleased to learn that Latie was to have an out to Ogden and also pleased that her partner for the Occasion was John Currie. I was delighted to learn that our darling little Senator was recovering from his llness. I felt when I left that he would be sick - although he appeared better that morning than he had ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I7_p005.jpg) for several days previously- Bless his darling heart how I would like to See him. The weather in Salt Lake must be destressingly Hot- Even here it is almost unbearable- but it must Soon Change for the better- and when the Change , Comes. better Health will prevail. am[-]ng the people- I Saw by the Herald that you had a fine Shower in the City the Sunday after we left, that mush have purified the atmasphere S[-]mewhat. and made it refreshing for a day or two- Did you attend the funeral of Charley Whitney? And how does his Mother Endure the dreadful affliction? ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I7_p006.jpg) I cannot now tell when I shall Come home. I must make Mary a good long visit while I am in this region - and would like very much to Spend a week at Soda Springs before I return- But it is doubtful if I Can make the arrangement - Sam & John, paid me one Hundred dollars on my arrival 96 of ^ which I sent to Byron to apply on that unjust fine- I hope I may raise the balance while I am here to liquidate that debt. Remember me lovingly to Latie and Roscoe and may God Bless you, & Each of you, & preserve you in health is the Earnest prayer of yours Truly Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F5_I8_p001.jpg) "Needle Gun." & purpose Soon to make a trip to the mountains for Elk & Deer we Saw Several tracks of the latter yesterday on our way to the Coal mine. well, the man by whom I will send this, announces that he is ready to Start for St Charles, & I must Conclude. Remember me in Love & Blessing to Mother & Our Precious Little ones, and Kiss them often for their Isolated Pappa "on the Bear," and accept this with my best blessing from Yours Forever Isaac Groo. To Mary Jane Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I1_p001.jpg) Grooville Wyoming June 22nd 1880. My Dear Little Latie Your precious token of remembrance and love, Containing, a likeness of your darling Self Came to hand last mail and I expect Mary down next Saturday - will then present her with your life-like Photograph as you desire. glad to learn of your good health and that your Strawberries are doing Splendidly. but sorry to hear of the bad [-]ondition of the well, however I fancy I understand the Cause. & think I can remedy it when I Come home — Our Strawberries, are just now in bloom and the Canyons are white with Service berry blossoms. The Choke-Cherries have not yet blossomed. but I think we this will be decidedly a fruit Season on the Bear. the River is now very high, out of its banks in many places, were you here it would be impossible for you to reach any of those fishing holes, where you used to Angle for the f[-]ny tribe- without wading and in many places Swimming. the meadow is more like a La[-]e than anything else at present tell Lonny (bless his heart) not to worry about his Calf that was one of the lucky ones that didn't die- Kind regards, love & blessing, to Ma, Lonnie, and your Dear Grandma and accept this with many thanks for your letter From your Affectionate Father Isaac Groo — ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I1_p002.jpg) [following line written in upper left corner, perpendicular to body of text] Miss Vilate Groo Present, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I2_p001.jpg) This certifies that Newel K. Whitney has had the following recorded as his Brands, Viz NKW ½ Inch long by 2 ½ inches wide To be placed on the left horn. Also W. 3 ¼ inches long by 3 ¼inches wide. To be placed on the left shoulder G.S L.City Wm. Clayton Rec Jan 31 1850 pe W. J. Appleby Fees $1.00 Paid Penitentiary Nov 21st 1885 Miss Latie Groo. My Dear Daughter. The Spririt of liberty is always restive under restraint and struggles to be free and I presume, there are but few [---] places or conditions, in which it could be placed, where it would feel more restless and uneasy than when confined within the narrow limits of a prison wall. And yet even here, there are consolations that beautiful hand-maid of God-Hope- is here. And it is among the afflicted that she finds the broadest, and most extensive fields, to disseminate the seeds of consolation and encouragement. She is even whispering to the downtroden millions of God's children, and offering words of comfort - telling the afflicted everywhere to look forward to brighter and happier days -- and those who listen to her kind admonitions, can derive comfort, in all the bereavements, the trials, and afflictions of life. Although my body is now confined within these muddy walls, yet my spirit is as free as the pure breezes that float over this Pen. And there is not an hour of the day, but I am with you all, at home - I go in your peaceful homes, and see your cheerful faces. And look forward with pleasing anticipations to the time when the six months will have passed, and I can again visit you, not only in spirit but in reality, and again receive the caresses and c[---] caress and bless my loving and lovable children. Darling Latie - that happy day will seen arrive - already seven weeks of my confinement has passed and that means nearly ¼ of this affliction is over. My health is tolerable and I learned from a precious letter rec'd from Rose, that all is well at home. Ha[-] Will Taylor returned from his trip to Montana? I would like very much to see his friendly and intelligent face. I received a letter from Josephine last evening and she informs me that Rony and Merve have been talking about coming over to see me. Would like to see them, and they, or any other parties who desire to pay me a visit, can be assured that when they call at my residence I shall be at Home. You may say to them, that I ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I2_p002.jpg) expect to remain here until about the 8th of next April - and then, if all is well, I shall celebrate my birthday in the City. Give my kind regards to your devoted Mother- to your "Big Brother" and see that my darling little Senator is carefully guarded against accidents and exposures of every kind, and accept the blesing of your affectionate Father Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I3_p001.jpg) Pentintiary Dec 1885 Miss Latie Groo My darling Daughter, Your welcome and and interesting letter, is at hand and its perusal Cheers and gladdens my heart, when the Cheering news reaches me that all are well at home, I am Comparatively happy - and feel that I can Endure this imprisonment Cheerfully, so long as peace & health are Enjoyed by those for whom I live, and who are dearer to me than my own Existence. The favorable report of my precious little Senator is most gratifying, and I think what Care, what patience, and what wisdom it requires in the managemnet of that, rapidly developing spirit. And what Consolation and assurance it affords me to know that the little imitative prattler is Surrounded with and impenitrable bulwark of Love- that the Strong Shield of a most affectionate sister's and trusty and noble Brother's love is always around him, and a judicious ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I3_p002.jpg) Mother's care, and Peerless love, to protect, and direct his Every Step. How few there are among the Millions of God's children who realize the care that Should be given to Children, in the Early years of their development - when their minds are in a plastic state, ready to receive any, and all impressions - that may be made upon them - when they are watching, and imitating Every Act, and Every word uttered in their presence - If they receive love, they give it back with interest in return, If caressed, they in turn caress- If they hear loving and Kind words they use only words of love and Kindness "Children are more Easily led to be good by Examples of loving Kindness and tales of well-doing in others - than threatened into obedience by records of Sin, Crime and punishment." strive Then we should always ^ to impress on the child's mind Sincerity, truth, honesty, benevolance, and their kindred virtues, we may then rest assured, that the foundation for our Childs welfare is well laid- ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I3_p003.jpg) There is much mistaken Kindness in the management of Children. The law of love is great, but it sho[---] not its full strength, save when united with Kindness- If we make our Children helpful and useful, we lay the foundation for their happiness- We should by Example, teach them habits of Order and neatness- teach them to give you corteous speech and manners, and they will, more than likely, live to honor you- Take pains to have the home attractions stronger than Can Come from outside Influences. There is no mystery in attaching Children to us- it is simply a law of nature- they are quick to discern who loves and cares for them. A little judicious flattery is almost absolutely necessary in their managment- Many parents never think how far a little praise will go with a Child- It is Sunshine to its Soul and Every ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I3_p004.jpg) child needs it, It is a reward for its struggles to do right- To withhold praise where it is due, Is in my opinion, downright dishonesty. and in case of a Child, Such a Course often leaves a Sense of Stinging injustice- When it becomes necessary to reprove Children, we Should always be careful to use the gentlest, and most persuasive language that we can command. reproof should never Come like a tornado or Cyclone but should fall like the dews distilled from heaven. the Softer, and more gentle it falls, the deeper it Sinks into the mind- and the results, a Thousand times more likely to be good- Children should never be reproved or Chastised before Strangers, they are Exceedingly Sensitive on this point and like many who have passed beyond the years of Childhood, they like Strangers to think well of them- ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I3_p005.jpg) Well Latie- I have dwelt at some length on the Care and healment of Children. Knowing that your Ideas are as I have Expressed - and in Your peaceful home - these principles are, and have been, faithfully observed I was delighted to meet Lonnie. If an Angel had Called to see me I do not know that it would have given me greater joy- And the Call from my Esteemed friends, John M, and Will, Iast Sunday, I assure you was fully appreciated- It gives me pleasure to tell you that I am feeling well. And desire consolation . in the thought that my Condition might be much worse - Remember me Kindly to Loving friends - and Lovingly to Ma, Lonnie, and that darling baby. And accept my Blessing for Each and all. Yours Affectionately Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I4_p001.jpg) Penitantiary Jan 14th 1886 Miss Latie Groo. My Darling Daughter Tomorrow will be our regular day for writing - to "loved ones at home". and I had intended writing several letters - but the fates have decreed that I should undergo the torments of another attack of Nauralgia from which I have not fully recovered- hence, I am in a poor Condition for writing- please say to Belle and Rose that I should have answered their welcome and interesting letters - but for this attack - I have enjoyed good health for the past four weeks. and have been Comparatively free from pain until the night of the 12th Inst, I am much better to-day. but dare not attempt to write but for a few minutes lest I bring on that distressing pain. things here are moving on as usual. good health and a general ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I4_p002.jpg) good feeling prevails at the pen- I had a brief interview with Bro James Layler on tuesday -also with his Nephew John - James will probably be a guest at this Hotel - shortly - Lonnie told me all about my little Senator -and I have no words by which I could express my desire to see Him . and the rest of you - but the months are rolling along . and the six months will soon have passed when I shall again see your loving face - May the God of Israel protect, and bless you all is the Earnest desire of your Affectionate Fa[--] Isaac Groo- ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I5_p001.jpg) Penitantiary Miss Latie. Feb 15th 1886. My Darling Daughter I haven't a particle of news to write you - all the Changes that have taken place here since I wrote you last, has been in the weather. but Even this I appriciate. The premature, and consequently unnatural, and very unusual warm weather which prevailed for several weeks. I regard as unfavorable to health. and had it continued a few days longer would have been destructive to the Peach Crop for this season. Rose informed me that it brought out the violets and Daisies. and I suppose your pansies began to turn up thier pretty faces to the Sun. but this Cold snap will Check them. and I am not sorry. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I5_p002.jpg) for we may Expect plenty of w[---] weather before April- I was disappointed in not seeing you on the last visiting day - when I was called to the gate that morning, I thought now I shall see Latie's sweet face. but "disappointment lurks on many a paige"- yet they do not always sting us with success, as Pope would have us believe- However, I was made happy when I saw the smiling face of Johny who was in waiting for me- and a few minutes later Lonnie came in and Explained the reason why you did not come- Many people get passes to visit friends here on Sunday. I see no reason why you should not have a pass to come on that day, If you desire to come- Should you get a pass on Sunday- Manage to reach here about 1/2 past 10 Oclock ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I5_p003.jpg) [-].M. or by 2'Oclock P.M. We have religious services Every Sunday at 3 P.M. If the roads are in a good Condition, and the weather find I shall look for you next Sunday- Lonnie Corroborated your statement in relation to our little Cherub Roscoe. he said He was just an Embodiment of mischief - and I fancy I can se his eyes sparkle as he Contemplates Engaging in some new act of mischief - does he improve in talking? and has he tackled the oil can since his last soaking? I sometimes worry about him, but then again I ask myself, why indulge in any thought that brings gloom? i have dedicated him, with all my loved ones at home to the Lord- and thus far he has watched over you, and preserved ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I5_p004.jpg) you harm- and I trust he will Continue his protecting care over you. & preserve you from Sickness and all Evil until I Can see you again- My health is good. for which I feel very grateful- and I assure you I am thankful that 4 ½ months of my time here has passed- and the remaining weeks will Soon pass when I can Emerge from the prison to breathe once more the air of freedom. Remember me in love to Ma & Lonnie and Kiss my little Senator for his absent Papa. and accept this with a father's blessing. Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I6_p001.jpg) Penitentiary Feb 27th 1886 Dear Latie. Your welcome favor of yesterday reached me last Evening. words Cannot Express how much I appreciate a letter from home, Especially when that letter brings the cheering news that all are well- It seems almost incredable that my little Cherub boy, can now "paddle his own canoe" and travel alone down through the lot to visit his dear friend Mollie- but She informed me in a recent letter that such is thecase- and from what you say in realtion to my Photograph, I am prepared to believe that he will recognise one when I return. I resemble myself much more than I did four months ago. My beard is now fully an inch long, and already Covers the "naked def[-]rmity" of my face- ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I6_p002.jpg) I was again doomed to disappointment last Sunday, in not seeing you- but your reasons why, are a sufficient apology- but the wheel of fortune is Ever revolving, and the stars of S[-]me that now seem to be in the ascendant- will, in a few more revolutions of that wheel set and and forever after be buried in oblivion- So we Can afford to wait. I Congratulate you on the honor Conferred by a nomination to the Office of Vice President of the Philemon society- If you see John M. say to him that all local papers are prohibited here at present. Thank him for me, for the Herald sent me, heretofore. but to discontinue them. The fragrance of the violets made me homesick- and you know what a distressing sickness that is- ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I7_p002.jpg) you do not misjudge, when you Say, I am happy, when I know that my children are- to learn from time to time, that you Enjoy the inestimable blessing of Health. fills my soul with Contentment, and alleviates very much the distressing monotony, and associations of prison life- I should have said monotony - for my associations are not at all unpleasant. I have Some very dear friends as my associates- and one in particular whom I never met until I Came here, It is he of whom I have previously written, as giving me his seat at the table- He presented me with a beautifully bound Volume of "Scotts Poems" as a Christmas gift. he always addresses me as Father Groo- and he reminds me very much of Sam- hence you will readily understand why I love him. Mrs Godbe sent him a Chrismas present of twelve volumes of Washington Irving's works, he devotes his Entire time in study, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I8_p001.jpg) March 12th 1886 Miss Latie Groo- It seems to me that I have not heard from home for a month, of course it is not so long as that- for Lonnie Angelic visit on the 4th Inst was only 8 days ago- and he brought me the only news that Cheers on this place- and that was, that all were well at home- Yesterday was a day of great rejoicing at the Pen- the news of the passage of the "Copper Act," was communicated by Telephone. and the shouts of joy that went up from the unfortuantes Confined here almost made the old mud walls tremble- While I derive no benefit from its passage- I rejoice that such an humane measure has become a law and it has Elivated our handsome Govenor very much in my Estimation. I am glad to learn that there is one spark of human kindness yet left in his heart- that law will Confer a great blessing on those who ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I9_p001.jpg) Sunday At O, H Groo's Aug 15th 1886 - Miss Latie Groo, My Darling Daughter- Lonnie & I reached here last Sunday about 5 Oclock P.m. found all well- and apparently glad to see us- we have put in one solid week at Haying- during which time we have put 33 loads in the stack- Another such a week will nearly finish o[-]ts Haying for this seasen- After we get through here we shall probably take a few days hunting fishing Etc- and then proceed on our way down the river as far as Montpilier- and visit a while with Mary- I wrote to R. W. Gee from Sillem- asking him to try and find a job for Lonnie in Burgoyne's Store but have not yet recieved an Answer- ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I9_p002.jpg) Sam is now talking of taking stock to feed this winter- & if he does he would like Lon to stay with him at the Ranch The only News that I have to write you- is that Janie Richards is Engaged to be married soon- Martha has the sweetest Pet that I Ever saw- a little Fawn- just as tame as a kitten and as spotted as a leopard- If there was any way to get it home I would make a big Effort to purchase it for my darling little senator- how he would Enjoy its company- Bless his precious heart- How I want to see him- Lonnie, Janie and Martha, are going up to Cokeville to day on Horseback- Lon is now away driving up the Horses – ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I9_p003.jpg) I said I had no news Except Janie's Engagement- I forgot to mention- an Exciting incident that occurred in the Hay field Yesterday - Ort and I were pitching on the load- when I fancied I felt something up my pant leg near the knee- & of course a snake came in my mind- but not feeling any thing more of it for a minute or two, I forgot it- when I was forcibly reminded that it was not fancy- It was then up to my wastband and struggling to get Higher- In my frenzy I grabbed it, and yelled for Ort, who was on the opposite side of the wagon- in a moment he was with me- and running his hand down he seized it by the head and pulled it out- but fortunately ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F6_I9_p004.jpg) I was still alive- and so was Ort & Lon- but the Mouse was dead- I had crushed it in my desperate Efforts to hold it in place until Ort could assist me- the shock to my nervous system was something that I shall never be able to describe- Well I must close- as the Horses are here- and they will now take my letters to the P.O. Love and Blessing to your darling Mother and my dear little Roscoe- and Praying God to Bless you all, and preserve you in health- I am as Ever your affectionate Father Isaac Groo ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F7_I1_p001.jpg) Great Falls - Montana Jan. 15th 1895 My Dear Father:– Every letter I have received from home in the past two weeks have had something to say of your illness. At first I thought you might have a pretty severe cold; but in Marys letter to me yesterday she says you have had to call in Dr. Benedict, which of course makes me think you are in danger, though I most earnestly hope and pray that such is not the case. For several years I have longed for a closer companionship with you, but Fate has willed it otherwise. I love and respect you with all my heart, but I fear I have a few times hurt your feelings when I have been in a contemptibly mean mood, and I have severely lashed myself for it immediately after. This illness that you are now afflicted with worries me. And all day long I think: "Your kind old father will not be with you many more years.' Why have I not at all times tried to make his path to the last few ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F7_I1_p002.jpg) milestones smoother?" I don't suppose this is the way to write to one in your condition, but you know how I feel, very likely, anyhow, and if you can answer this letter I hope you will say that I have your full forgiveness for any moments of pain I may have caused You: And I assure you that no word or action of mine will ever again be the means of grief to you. If I could I would come to you and try to help you back to health: But I am a long ways from home, and my last cent has gone to furnish our bachelor hall with food and cooking utensils. There is not much prospect of my getting employment here before Spring, and it is very painful to look ahead at three long, dreary months of idleness, when I am so much in need of steady work. I am paying a pretty severe penalty for my sympathy with the A.R.U strikers last July; but I am constantly trying to make myself think it is a "Blessing in disguise." I wrote to mr Calvin asking his permission to return to work, as my old foreman said he would gladly make a place for me in his gang if I could get the supt,'s permission to return. Calvins reply was short, but by no means sweet. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F7_I1_p003.jpg) I have had a cold for more than a month, and today I would be sick if I was with Mary, but I can't afford it situated as I now am. Thus far this has been a very mild winter. Very little snow has fallen in this country, and what did come was swept off the face of the earth, three or four days ago, by a "Chinook" wind. Most earnestly hoping this will find you in good health, and that you will never again have to suffer, I am Your Affectionate Son S. J. Groo Great Falls Montana ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F9_I2_p001.jpg) AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ISAAC GROO I was born in the town of Neversink, County of Sullican, State of New York, on the 8th day of April, A.D. 1827. My father's name was Samuel and he was the son of Samuel Groo. My mother's maiden name was Mercy Tuttle, of the State of Connecticut. My father died when I was 6 years old and left my mother a widow with seven children, five older and one younger than myself (three boys and three girls). From the time of the death of my father until I was 11 years of age I lived with my mother, who, by her industry and the assitance of my eldest brother, managed to support her helpless and dependent family, and to send us to school about three months each year. At the age of 11, I engaged to work on a farm for a man by the name of Elijah Brundage, for $5.00 per month. I stayed with Mr. Brundage from April 10 to November 1, 1838. I then engaged with a man by the see note (information missing here) At the age of 16 I purchased a small farm and from that time until I was 20 made a home for and lived with my mother. When I was in my 20th year, on the 2nd day of January, 1847, I married Miss Sarah Elizabeth Gillett, daughter of Horace Gillett and Sarah C. Moore, of the town of Neversink. My wife and her parents belonged to that "peculiar people" known as Mormons or Latter-day-Saints. For two years after my marriage, I followed the occupation of farming. I then sold my farm and hotel to Mr. Freer. I then rented a store and engaged in the grocery and dry goods business in the same village; had a good share of custom and supported my family easily and in good style. I was now in my 24th year and the father of two so ns - George Wl, born November 19, 1847 and Byron, born August 11, 1849. At this time there was a Mormon missionary in my neighborhood by the name of Royal J. Cutler, a man of ordinary talents as a preacher, but a very exemplary, moral and intelligent man. He introduced to me some of the principles and faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I investigated and compared those principles with the doctrines taught and practiced by Jesus and his apostles, and finding them to correspond, and being fully satisfied of the divine mission of Joseph Smith, I offered myself as a candidate for baptism and consequently was baptised for the remission of my sins by Mr. R. J. Cutler on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord 1852, and becams a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. On the 11th day of the following March, I was ordained to the office of an elder under the hands of Royal J. Cutler, Horace Gillett and William L. Brundage, and received my license as a preacher of the gospel. continued ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F9_I2_p002.jpg) In December of the same year (1852) I visited a branch of the Church in Cheming county in company with an English elder by the name of Robert Whitaker. We held several meetings and preached to the people, but none seemed willing to receive our testimony. Consequently, we returned home after an absence of sixteen days. This samt Whitaker soon after apostasized, denied the faith and fought against those principles which he so strenuously advocated a few months before. The following year (1853) I again visited Chemung county, in my native state, for the purpose of comforting the Saints and preaching the gospel to those who might wish to become acquainted with the principles of everlasting life and happiness. During my absence on this occasion, which was about three weeks, I baptized four persons, one of whom was Abraham Scott, cousin of the distinguished stateman and soldier, General Winfield Scott, of the United States army. On my return from this short mission, I immediately set to work to prepare to emigrate to Great Salt Lake City, and on the 9th day of April, 1854, in company with my family, and my wife's father and mother and four of her brothers, I bid adieu to the land that gave me birth, and also to my mother, one sister and three brothers, and started for the gathering place of the Saints of God. Nothing unusual transpired on our journey west until we arrived at Fort Leavenworth on the Missouri river, in the Territory of Kansas, this being the outfitting point for the Saints to cross the plains. Here the cholera entered our camp and many fell victims to its fatal grasp. I was attacked with that most dreaded disease and gave up all hopes of recovery; but through the administration of the holy ordinances of the house of God, instituted for the healing of the sick, I was immediately restored to soundness. On the 21st day of June, we started across the plains, but had traveled only three days when an occurrence transpired which shrouded us for many days in the xx pall of deepest gloom. It was the death of my wife's father, a man of sterling worh and strenuous advocate of right, earnestness and truth. After his death the power of the destroyer seemed to diminish and soon the cholera disappeared entirely from our camp, and we journeyed across the plains unmolested; encounter- ing only those obstacles incident to a life on the plains, and on the 19th day of September, we reached the great basi n of North America and entered the CITY OF THE SAINTS about four o'clock p.m. A few days after moving into Great Salt Lake City, I purchased a city lot in the Ninth bishop's ward, where I located with my family, which now consisted of my wife and three sons - George W., Byron and Orson H. In December following, I commenced teaching school in the Eighth ward, where I taught till the 15th of March, 1866. 55. continued 1/2 ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F9_I2_p003.jpg) In February, the same year (1855) I was ordained to the office of Seventy and united with the 27th Quorum of Seventies, with whom I met till June, 1856, when I was chosen one of the counselors of Bishop Seth Taft and ordained to the office of the high priest. My occupation from the time I arrived in Great Salt Lake City till September 30, 1859, was common laborer in the summer and school teacher in the winter. In the spring of 1859 I was elected to the office of City Counselor and on the 30th day of September, 1859 was appointed supervisor of streets and general watermaster in Great Salt Lake City, which office I held till February, 1864, when I resigned and accepted an offer of John M. Woolley to go to his mill in Little Cottonwood canyon to direct his affairs as foreman in the lumber business at a salary of $1,500 per annum. I had been in the employ of Mr. Woolley about six months when he was accidentally killed and I was appointed by the probate court one of the administrators of his estate, and continued to carry on his business as such until the 15th day of December, 1965, when I left the canyon and accepted an appointment as agent and collector for Great Salt Lake City. I was elected by the legislative assembly to the office of regent of the University of the State of Deseret in January, 1858, and annually re-elected to the same office till 1866. In the winter of 1859 I was appointed one of the board to examine and determine the qualifi- cations of school teachers in Salt Lake county, which office I held till the 1863. In the summer of 1861, I received the appointment of Aid-de- Camp to Colonel Jesse P. Harmon, and member of his staff with the rank of Major, in the First Regiment Infantry, Nauvoo Legion. Soon after this Colonel Harmon was called on a mission to the southern part of the territory and Mr. A. L. Fullmer was elected to the office of Colonel in the First Regiment to fill the vacancy occasioned by the removal of Mr. Harmon; and at the same election, held at Great Salt Lake City on the 2nd day of November, 1861, I was elected to the office of Lieutenant Colonel of the same regiment and received my commission from Mr. Charles Durkee, Governor of Utah territory, on the 15th day of February, 1866, and on the same day took my seat as Judge advocate on a division courtmartial, then convened in the courthouse Great Salt LakeCity. I was re-elected a member of the City Council in February, 1860, 1862, 1864 and 1866. I received my endowment in the house of the Lord in October, 1855 and on the 19th day of March, 1856 I entered into the most holy relations with Miss Elizabeth Clark, daughter of Thomas Clark and his wife a Miss Peacock, wy whom I had three children - Mary, Samuel and William Wallace. She died soon after the birth of her third child and nine weeks after, the child left at her death also died. This was the third child which I had lost, having previously buried two by my first wife - Sarah Elizabeth, jr. and Isaac, Jr., aged continued ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS1_B8_F9_I2_p004.jpg) respectively, when they dies, Sarah - 8 months and 15 days, and Isaac - 9 weeks. On the 20th day of February, 1864, I received unto myself Miss Eliza Lyons, and on the 4th day of July 1865, I received from him who holds the sealing power, and according to the Celestial law, Miss Mary Jane Whitney. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS2_B8_F19_p001.jpg) 1864 G S L City Dec 18th Dear Brother it is now over 4 months sience we have heard from you except through More Gillets letter which said you had been very sick which made us feel more anxious for fear you had some dreadful desease and would not write for fear of woreing Mother I have not writen for some tim myself onaccount of the trou[-] with the Indians there has been some troubles on the road and I thought I would wait a while the mails are now runing agai[-]e Horace wrote and send you Mothers likeness wh[--] I hope you recived allso Brother Clemonds and Groo wrote I know you will want to know all about how we get along so I will try to tell you all I can to interest you ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS2_B8_F19_p004.jpg) our fruit don well we had about 200 pounds of dried peache they sell well from [-]5cts to $100 per pound flour is now selling at $12 per hundred which is the lowest it has been for some time and those that have to pay are now laging in as they think it will bee on the rise goods are high but produce is the same so it makes things about the same a[-]d price after all you can buy goods cheaper now for gold then you ever could, do write often Josh and do send us your likeness if you please we get along first rate and Maria and I do a great deal of sewing as Christmas and new year is close at hand we have a great deal of wo[--] on hand theatres balls and so forth make up the holadays as useyoull their is not a day passes ove ourhed but what we think of you and ask the lord to bless you and preserve you for honor ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS2_B8_F19_p005.jpg) Joshua if you lach means or any thing to add to your comfort let us know and we can pay the mony here and hove it oranged so as you can drow what you want then dont go with out things to make you comfortable Mother was at a ball called Lions Canp just after the returne of Brother Canon and John Yong he spok of you so kind and god said he was proud of you also John and Joseph A Broth Yong and family are very kind to us Sister Eliza and Lin[-] send ther kind love and would be pleased to here fron you also Samira she hos been spending a week with us Carlos sends his love and will try to improve so os to let you heare from hin be fore long the Mulse and old ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS2_B8_F19_p008.jpg) Dear Brother Shury hos told you all the news but I know that a fewe lines from me would do you good I have not writen before but I know will that you excuse me and not Judg me wrongfuly as some might do My health hos been very poor though I hove done a great deal of sewing and tryed to help myself all I con Carloss is young and I do not feel like discourageing him he does the very best he con you said you did not know what would become of the old Maids after they sent all the old bachelors of I think that we will have to wait thier returne and all club together and console one another I was very sorry to hear from Bro Gillets lette you had been very sich but thankful at the same time that you were better do write soom I pray and let us know all about how you get along I hope you will hove the privelege of comeing hone before long and I should not s[----] wonder if you would God ble[--] you I must say good by Maria Whitney ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS2_B8_F20_I1_p001.jpg) G S L City March 23 1857 mary Mary Jane Whitney A Blessing by John Smith Patriarch upon the head of Mary Jane Whitney Daughter of Newel K. & Eliz abeth Ann Whitney born Nauvoo Hancock Co. Ills. Jan 17, 1844, Sister beloved of the Lord I lay my hands upon thy head since you have no father and seal upon thee the blessing of thy father for thou art a daughter of Jacob and of the same blood and lineage with thy fathers, The eye of the Lord has been upon thee from everlasting, He designs thee to be a great one in the house of Israel and inasmuch as thou art young and know not the trials and temptations to which you may be exposed I ask my Father in Heaven in the name of Jesus, to give you a sound mind a discerning of spirits, and a persevering desire to do the will of the Lord. Thou shalt have the spirit of prophecy when thou art young, The Lord hath given His angels charge over thee they will never leave nor forsake thee, they will often converse with thee. & your heart shall be made glad thereby, Thou shalt have the priesthood sealed upon thee for I seal it upon thee now & thou shalt realize it in due time. Thou shalt have a companion in due time and shall be a mother in Israel & shall raise up sons & daughters which shall be greater than David & Solomon. — — — Thou shalt have riches until thou art satisfied, shall have faith to do miracles in the name of the Lord, thy companion shall be a man that shall hold the keys of the priesthood, shall be mighty in Israel, when he speaks his voice shall be obeyed. no good thing shall be withheld from you for I seal upon you riches & honor immortality and eternal lives, even so Amen. inasmuch as you will listen to the counsel of your mother not one word of this blessing shall fail ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS2_B8_F20_I1_p002.jpg) Mary J Whitney Recorded in Book F Page 241 No 534 Mary Jane Whitney Mary Jane ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS2_B8_F20_I2_p001.jpg) A Blessing by Patriarch John Smith, upon the head of Mary Jane Whitney, daughter of Newel K, and Elizabeth Ann Whitney, at born ^ Nauvoo Hancock Co Ill, Jan 17th 1844. "Sister beloved of the Lord, I lay my hands upon thy head, since you have no father, and seal upon thee the blessing of thy father, for thou art a daughter of Jacob, and of the same blood & lineag of thy father, the Eye of the Lord has been upon thee from Everlasting. He designs thee to be a great one in the house of Israel, and inasmuch as thou art young & know not the trials & temptations to which you may be Exposed, I ask my father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus, to give you a sound mind, a diserning of Spirits, and a persevering desire to do the will of the Lord, thou shalt have the spirit of Prophecy when thou art young, the Lord hath given his Angels charge over thee, they will never leave nor forsake thee, they will often Converse with thee, and your heart Shall be made glad ther^eby, thou Shalt have the Priesthood sealed upon thee for I seal it upon the now, and thou shalt realize it in due time, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS2_B8_F20_I2_p002.jpg) thou shalt have a companion in due time and shall be a mother in Israel, and shall raise up Sons and Daughters which shall be greater than David and Solomon, thou shalt have Riches until thou art satisfied, shall have faith to do miricles in the name of the Lord, thy Companion shall be a man that shall hold the keys of the Priesthood, shall be mighty in Israil, when he speaks his voice shall be obeyed, no good thing shall be withheld from you for I seal upon you Riches, & honor, Immortality and Eternal Lives, Even so Amen, Inasmuch as you will listen to the Counsel of your mother, not one word of this blessing shall fail, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS2_B8_F20_I2_p003.jpg) Copy of Mary Jane Whitney's Blessing Recorded in Book F. Page 241, No 534. G, S, L, City March 23 1851, ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS2_B8_F20_I3_p001.jpg) No. 155 Salt Lake City Corporation. $900 CEMETERY DEPARTMENT. Sexton's Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, APR 29 1898 Received of Mrs. M. J. W. Groo $ 900 For care of Lot No. 9 1 1/2 Block 10. Plat H. CITY CEMETERY. for Season of 1893 Jos. F. Simmons Sexton. ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS3_B8_F21_I1_p001.jpg) Cokeville Jan, 22nd 1884 Dear Brother "Lon" I am pleased to say that I am in possession of a pleasant and splendidly composed letter from you. Do not fear any criticism from me, my dear boy; but continue to write, and often too, as I will be pleased to correspond with you always "Old Frank," is well, I think, by this time. I, too, would feel very sorry to lose the dear old fellow. With all his faults, I love him still My colt is a regular beauty, He is larger than his mother I have "broke" him to ride, and he pans out Immensely ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS3_B8_F21_I1_p002.jpg) I am glad to hear that you are going to school, and hope you will do your very best to learn. You will some day see the need of an education, So "pitch in" and make it count while you are there. The boys received their catapults all right – and were more than pleased with them. I am going to school. The news of Cokeville is con- tained in that one sentence I have been hunting two or three times, but had miserable luck each time I am sorry your colt is a "White Elephant" on your hands; but my dear boy, I am glad you have one, because you used to tease ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS3_B8_F21_I1_p003.jpg) so for one, I will try to scare up a little news next time. if I have to make it myself. Your Affectionate Bro, Sam ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS3_B8_F21_I2_p001.jpg) Berlin, July 8, 1891 [the following two lines are printed on a picture] Gruss Aus Berlin Denkmäler v. Blücher, York u Gneisenau Darling little Brother, I have looked for a letter from you, pet but I suppose you are too busy to settle down in the house long Enough to write. I know now those little [----]tters of yours kept on the go when I was home, and I suppose you play as much as Ever - I hope so any way - I bought some thing for you When I was in Paris - but I am going to leave you to guess what it is - I bet you cant - but we shall see when I come home what kind of a guesser you are. Do you Ever say, as you said you would, "well Late has gone or don't you Ever think Enough about it to say that I bet you will be glad to see Latie come walking up the path ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS3_B8_F21_I2_p002.jpg) I wish you and your little friends had as nice a place to play in as the tlt little boys have here, such lovely green parks and Every time I go in them I [---] dog & children playing and wish you were here to play with them - but mamma couldent do without both of us at once could she, so it is a good thing that you are not here. Well Darling, I am trying to rem- ember Everything I see that would be interesting to little boys, and when I come home I'll have such nice stories to tell my pet, we can have a fine time together cant we? For of course you will have lots to tell me too++++++++++++- there are [----] to you and now goodb[-]y Your loving sister Latie Master Ros[---] Groo 367, North 3rd West Street Salt lake City. U. S. A. [------] [-----] ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS3_B8_F21_I3_p001.jpg) Dear Cousin Roscoe Whitney Groo: Here is the record in the War Department Washington which gives you the right to become a Son of the American Revolution and your sons after you; and your daughter the right to join the "Daughters." "Record and Pension Office 524483 War Department Samuel Whitney, Co. of Vt. regit. Rev. War" (515) [Copied from a letter written to our Aunt — Isabel M. Sears — July 16th 1898 and by me (Daisie Dunford Allen) October 28 - 1918] "The records of this office (Record &Pension Office) show that one Samuel Whitney, rank not stated, was a member of Capt. Josham White's Company, Col. Samuel Fletcher's regiment of Vermont Miltia, Revolutionary War. His name appears on a list or pay roll of the com- pany dated, Pay Table Office, Sunderland, Aug 18 -1783 cosering the period "from the begining of ye Campaign 1781 to June in said year" with - the ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS3_B8_F21_I3_p002.jpg) entry after his name "Sum £ 1-6-8," and also appears on a pay roll of the company dated Springfield, Vt. Jan. 28 – 1782, showing that his pay commenced July 1 – 1781 & ended Aug. 22 1781, with a remark indicating that he hired a substitute. The records also show that one Samuel Whitney, rank not dated, was a member of Capt. Josiah Fish's Co., Col. Bradley's (1st) regiment Vermont Militia, Revolutionary War. His name appears on a pay roll of the company dated Oct. 13 - 1783 "for services performed in the month of Sept. 1782, assisting the sheriff in carrying with execution the Laws &c." This roll show that his pay commenced Sept. 16 and ended Sept. 20. It is further shown by the records that one Samuel Whitney, rank not stated, was a member of Capt. Jonathan Warren's Company Col. John Sergeant's (7th) regiment Vt. Militia, Rev. War. His name appears on pay roll dated Sunderland, July 24 - 1783 "for service in Dec. 1782, pursuant to orders received from Col. Sergeants, for ye suppression of insurgents in Windham County" Which roll shows that he served one day. Nothing additional has been found up to date. [signed] By the Authority of the Sec'y of War Chief of office – F. C. Ainsworth, Col. U. S. Army ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS3_B8_F21_I3_p003.jpg) Aunt Belle entered the "Daughters of the Revolution" an this record and her number in that society is "2790 in the D.R. Register" You can refer to this in your papers. ---------------------------------------------------- In Mother's "Whitney Book" compiled and edited and printed by Frederick C. Pierce – 1895 – on page 135 – It speaks of our ancestor "as "Captian" Samuel Whitney who married Phebe Harrington Susanna Kimball, "So perhaps some day the War Dept. will unearth more records as they are doing all the time for the Revolutionary War Records have been very badly cared for. ----------------------- ---------------------------- There is a Soldiers' Monument at Belchertown, Mass. with the names of Benj. Whitney and Josiah Whitney who fell at the Battle of Yorktown, Rev. War. ---------------------------------------------------- Now I will give you our "Whitney" record taken from "American's of Royal Descent" (pages 228-229-230 and 418) The Royal Descent of John Whitney of London, Eng & Watertown, Mass. 1635 who married Elinor. ----------------------------------------------------- Alfred, the Great, King of England married Lady Elsmisha ------------ Edward the Elder, King of Eng.– Lady Edgira ---------------------------------------- Edmund the Elder, King Eng. – Lady Elgifa ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS3_B8_F21_I3_p004.jpg) Pg. 4 Edgar, King of Eng. — Lady Elfrida Ethelred II. the Unready King of Eng. — Lady Elgifa. Edmund II. Ironside, King of Eng. — Lady Algitha Edward the Exile, Prince Royal of Eng —Lady Agatha of Germany Malcolm III Canmore, King of Scots —Princess Margaret of Eng. Henry I, King of Eng. — Princess Matilda of Scotland Geoffrey Plantagenet, Court of Anjou — Empress Maud of Germany Henry II, King of Eng. — Lady Eleanor of Aquitaine Henry III. King of Eng. — Lady Eleanor of Provence Edward I King of Eng. — Lady Eleanor of Castile Humphrey, Earl of Hereford — Princess Elizth Plantagenet Robert, Baron Ferrers of Chartley — Lady Agnes de Bohun John, " " " " — Elizabeth de Stafford Robert " " " " — Margaret le Despencer Edmund " " " " — Eleanor de la Roche William " " " " — Lady Elizabeth Belknap Sir Walter Devereux — Lady Aanne de Ferrers of Chartley Sir James Baskerville — Katherine Devereux K. B., Sheriff of Hereford Sir Walter Baskerville — Anne, vch. Morgan ap Jenkyn K. B. Sheriff of Hereford Sir James Baskerville — Elizabeth Breynton Knight of Eeardisley Sir Robert Whitney M. P. — Sybil Baskerville Sir Robert Whitney of Whitney — Elizth vch. Wm. ap. Morgan ----- new page (VMSS76_S3_SS3_B8_F21_I3_p005.jpg) Thomas Whitney of Westminister Mary Bray John Whitney, London Eng. to Watertown, Mass. who married Elinor ——— John Whitney — Ruth Reynolds John Whitney — Elizth Harris Nathaniel " — Sarah Hagar Nathaniel " — Mercy Robinson Samuel " — Elizth Hastings "Capt." ^Samuel " — Phebe Harrington Rev. War Ancestor Samuel " — Susanna Kimball Nerrel Kimball " — Elizth Ann Smith Isaac Mr. ^ Groo — Mary Jane Whitney Roscoe Whitney Groo — Clara— Rosco Whitney Groo II — John Groo Barbara Groo