Samuel John Robinson and Samuel John Robinson Home in Dublan Chihuahu
Minnie Amelia Stark
Samuel John Robinson and Minnie Amelia Stark at the time of their wedding
Minnie Amelia Stark Robinson and daughters of Samuel John Robinson
Taken from Kindred Saints by Eldon Robinson
Samuel John Robinson was born in Payson, Utah County, Utah, on December 10, 1863. His parents, Joseph Robinson and Jemima Parkes Robinson had been converted and baptized in Derby, England into the L.D.S Church. They met and were married November 25, 1853 and immigrated to America February 22, 1854 on the "Windemere". They found ways of crossing the plains and going to Zion. Joseph drove cattle and sheep for one of the brethren, and Jemima found a way with another company by assisting in the care of children.
Joseph and Jemima found a place to live in Salt Lake City. Joseph found work wherever he could. During the winter of 1858, Joseph was one of the brave men who camped in Echo Canyon to guard against the approach of Johnston's Army. Jemima was caring for her first baby, Elizabeth Annie, who was born April 1, 1857. When orders were given to vacate the city while Johnston's Army moved to Camp Floyd, the family of three moved 63 miles south to Payson. After the scare was over, the family decided to remain and make their home in Payson. Five more children were born to them in Payson. Jemima Mary, May 1, 1859, Joseph William, October 24, 1860, Samuel John, December 10, 1863, Jedde James, September 27, 1865, and Josephine Parkes August 9, 1868. Joseph William died at thirteen years of age. Samuel John became the oldest son. He and Jedde worked with their father to provide a home, food, and clothing for the family. They had some land and a sawmill.
Samuel John wrote an autobiography of his early life and his missionary experiences. It is included as he wrote it with an addition from time to time.
I was born in Payson, Utah County, Utah on the 10th of December 1863. I was baptized on the 3rd of June 1873 by William Whitehead, and confirmed by Thomas E. Daniels.
The schooling in those early days for us children was somewhat limited on account of home conditions and the work that we had in assisting and providing for the needs of the family. I remember that my mother taught us to pray daily. Many times my father worked away from home during the week and mother would always have the children gather around and kneel at night and each one would be required to say a little prayer. Often she taught us prayerful verses by heart when we were too little to offer a word of prayer. Even to this day I remember some of those little prayers in verse.
And from those early experiences in devotion to a Heavenly Father, it was her practice, always, when we came to the Sabbath day, that she required us to attend Sabbath School and Fast Meetings. She accompanied the children in a group, and we were required to sit in the same seats with mother. Often father would be in some prominent place on the stand. Instead of allowing us to play on the Sabbath Day, mother would take the group of children home again and ask us in turn to tell her about the meeting, who spoke and what each one said, as nearly as we could remember.
As I grew old enough to attend Y.M.I.A., I was always encouraged to be on time. I was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood and to the office of Deacon when fourteen years old. I worked in that quorum of the Priesthood, being active to take care of the meeting house as the Deacons took turns in small groups of doing that work, tending the furnace and looking after the lights, which in those days were coal oil lanterns hanging from the ceiling and on the side walls. We were required to have them perfectly cleaned, trimmed and filled with oil for each meeting at night. And the furnace was to be lit early on the Sabbath, about two o I clock in the morning, and kept going during the day. It was required of me to take my turn and as I grew older, as President of the Deacon's Quorum kept me acting as a Deacon, and I was never permitted or required to be ordained to the office of Teacher or Priest. As it had been my teaching to attend to all Church requirements, I was used as a Deacon in many things, the gathering of fast offering, cutting wood for widows, filling the many duties of a Deacon.
At the age of twenty-one I was ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood, to the office of Elder. In those days it was customary in many words in the Church to have a special room set apart as "The Bishop's Room." In this room it was customary to hold prayer circles with the brethren. As a young man in those early years, I was invited to attend those prayer meetings and prayer circles, and there I received many fine instructions on the principles of the Gospel.
During the time my father was in the mission field, I reached the age of fifteen years. Being the eldest son in the family, I was required, or it became my special obligation to do all in my power to meet the expenses and support of the family. We had a small farm and some meadowlands which I was obligated to work, and in order to have some means in cash aside from the farm, with the help of my mother, I took up the occupation of peddling produce to a nearby mining camp, in Juab County, Utah. Each week we would prepare some of our produce and some from the neighbors, and loading a wagon with vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, honey, and different things that we had on hand, or could obtain, would sell it to the miner's homes near the mines. In that early experience, and the benefits and prosperity in that enterprise, I was able to assist in furnishing sufficient means for the home and for my father, and in addition, purchased a new wagon and an extra team, during the two years of my father's absence. Upon his return from the mission, the family, riding in the new outfit I had purchased, met him at the railroad station some distance from town. After the happy greeting of family and friends, father said:
“Well, Sammie, how will we get home?” I said to him: “Oh we have an outfit waiting for us just outside at the hitching post.” So when we got out, and as I untied the team, he said to me: “Whose team and wagon is this?” I then surprised him by saying: “It is yours and ours.”
Well, he was very pleasantly surprised. In father's recounts of his mission experience, we appreciated more fully that through the blessings of the Lord, we had been able to sustain him in the field, as the Lord had sustained him in the Gospel message he bore to others.
It was not long before the general routine of the work again commenced. My father took his place in the direction of all of our activities. The first work that we contracted together was the building, that is, furnishing the material, the stone and blocks, for the building of what was then called the Central High School of Payson. After that was finished, my father took a contract to run a sawmill for the making of lumber for many other buildings and contracts in the growth of our community.
With the years of training that I had had, it was my privilege to assist in all the activities of the young people in the M.I.A. organization. In those days, members were sent out from the wards for "exchange missionary work" between the different associations in other wards or neighboring towns in our Stake. I was often asked to go in company with some members of the M.I.A. These short trips to other towns gave excellent opportunity for development in the meeting and carrying out of the programs then rendered by the wards. During those years of experience with young people, I developed a desire for closer association and began to attend the dances and to participate in dances. In the beginning, being rather bashful and backwards, I would go to the parties without a companion. Like a number of us boys, we would go and depend on our dances with some one else's partner or our sisters, but after a while I began to have a desire to take some of the young ladies myself, which I did. And having a number of experiences and expectations not realized, I continued to seek the sociability of friends and young women and older ones that made our gatherings enjoyable, and the social interest began to be stronger.
I remember well, back when our local drama was carried on with home talent. Many of the plays were cast among our groups and were performed for the public many times with considerable success. I was assigned a part in one play, and when I took the part home to study, mother asked me what I had, and I told her that I had been handed a part in a theater and asked to assist them in playing the part. Upon hearing this, she was somewhat upset in her feelings and said it would take me away from home too much at night and might lead to company which was not desirable. She had not forgotten entirely the traditions of the old world, that the theater stage might lead you astray. But after explaining to her the conditions, and who made up the cast, she consented that I take the part, with the instructions to learn it and do it well. Of course, I was too young then to really judge, however, after the play was over, some of my friends, even some of the critics of the stage, gave me compliments and praised the work that I had done. I even remember many of the details of that play when I was a young man. After that, the part that I had in the choir and in the general routine of the young people's amusements, I was often given a part on the stage, both in drama and in the concerts.
During one of the plays, in which I had a part, the leading lady seemed to be attracted to the manner in which I had handled the role given me, and she said to me one night: “John, if I had a girl big enough for you to go out with, I would invite you home to meet her.” And of course, feeling a little flattered, I presumed to answer: “I think you have one big enough now.” He was talking to Clarissa Amelia Webb Stark about her daughter, Minnie Amelia Stark. She said: “Oh, she is so young.” “I am young too, but we have a life ahead of us and we will both grow in years. I might be down sometime.”
This was the beginning of a long and valuable experience and an association that has been a great blessing in carrying out the commandments of the Lord. I visited the home a number of times during those two or three months, and then Minnie went away to school at the Brigham Young Academy .In the meant time, the labors and duties at home continued. My association among young men who kept the Word of Wisdom strictly and a class of people who enjoyed wholesome amusement, among whom I found other young women who were sociable and compatible, but the thought remained with me that I had met the one whom I hoped some day to make my wife.
As time went by, only an occasional meeting with Minnie was my privilege. She was at Provo and I was in Payson. My work was in the timberline and only some weekends would I go home. Sometimes I would go as far as Provo and spend a part of the weekend. Minnie proved to be earnest in her education and was faithful in all that was required of her. I tried also to live worthy of the high ideals that I found and learned to appreciate deeply in her life. Often at times when we met, the conversation would lead to the things of the future, not only anticipating the possibility of making a home together, but also the search for further knowledge in relation to the principles of the Gospel and the words of the Lord to the people. We studied together the principles of the Gospel, as we had been taught since childhood to observe the teaching of the Lord. We became engaged to be married at some future time, when circumstances and the proper time should arrive.
Along in those years was the time when many of the members of the Church were suffering because of the Edmond Tucker Law against the practice of plural marriage. Numbers of the brethren had been sent to prison and were paying fines for their practice in obeying that holy law of the Lord. Many of our brethren were persuaded to live in harmony with the Edmond Tucker Law, and in those cases the plural families were left and neglected, causing much sorrow to those who had been given love and protection and a name in the world. The opposition in some families was very strong against the practice, because of the trouble and the anxieties of the families of those who were faithful, while the husband and father was suffering in prison.
One evening after reaching home with this young lady, I was invited in as usual after the Sunday evening meeting. Her father and mother made us welcome and as usual some light refreshments were served. It had been our custom in those early days that when the hour of 10:30 came, it was time to go home. On this particular evening, when I asked for my hat so I could be on my way, Minnie said:
“Pretty soon, there is something I want to talk to you about.” “Well, what is on your mind?” I said. “Many thing, but there is one thing that I would like to say and I don’t know how to say it.” I replied: “you have never kept a secret from me before and we have always talked in confidence and agreed on the things we met and passed over.” Then urging her again to tell me what was troubling here, she finally said: “I want you to promise that after we are married, you will not take a plural wife.” I said: “I can’t believe that you would ask that of me. With all of the understanding that we have had and our mutual agreement on the principle of the Gospel, that such a question should be asked, doesn’t sound like you. Who may I ask, has been prompting you to ask me to make this promise?” Minnie hesitated and feared to tell me. “If you cannot make this promise, it will be the end of our association.” Then I told her: “To make that promise would be to perjure myself, as all faithful men promised to keep all the commandments of God and beside, if I should make you that promise, I know that you would not want me, you would not be satisfied with a ‘slacker’ neither with one who had no more integrity than to be turned aside by fear of persecution or the disfavor of friends, in the attempt to keep the laws of God.” I asked her again: “Do you really mean what you say, that unless this promise is made, you will withdraw your promise and our engagement of marriage?” She answered in the affirmative. “All right, Minnie, I want to ask something of you now. I would like you to do this. Say nothing to anyone about this conversation, not even your own parents, but you take it to the Lord yourself, and ask for an answer, asking Him to give you light and understanding and strength and courage to do the right thing. I will see you two weeks from tonight, and I will ask for your answer. In the meantime, Minnie, we can be seen just as we have been, with cheer and looking forward to happiness with our friends. There will be the theater on Tuesday night, I will be here for you, and on Friday night, is the dance which we will attend. I will act as if nothing had been said, with a fearful, hopeful heart. In the meantime, please search the will of the Lord through humble prayer, secretly asking for his guidance. Will you do this, Minnie?” She said: “Yes, I will.” Two weeks passed pleasantly. We spent the next Sabbath evening in the usual way. And again Sunday night came and as usual, we sat in the parlor and as the time came to go home, I said to Minnie, as we stood facing each other: “Can you give me my answer?” She threw both arms around my neck and kissing me she said: “I would marry you if you had ten wives.”
No need to express the joy that filled my heart to hear those words of courage and
constant love that she felt for me. During the months following, arrangements were being made for the wedding, and on July 28,1886, we were married in the Logan Temple, and returned to Payson to begin our life together there.
Minnie Amelia Stark was the daughter of John Daniel Stark who was born in Cambridge Port, Massachusetts September 18, 1845, and as an infant set sail on the Brooklyn with other L.D.S. from New York to San Francisco around South America. His parents were Daniel Stark and Ann Cook Stark. Minnie's mother Clarissa Amelia Webb was born in Salt Lake City, on October 22, 1850. Her parents were Pardon Knapp Webb and Clarissa Jane Lee Webb who came to Utah in 1845. Minnie Amelia was born in Payson, Utah, on October 24, 1869 and was baptized October 24, 1877. She lacked four months being seventeen when she married Samuel John. He was twenty-three at that time.)
I continued my work at the sawmill, hauling timber from the mountains and canyons around Mt. Nebo, which canyons lead out through Thistle Valley and Spanish Fork.
In the fall of the same year, I was appointed to the Presidency of the M.I.A. and to what was then called "the dance committee" to take charge of all the ward dances. A position I filled for nearly four years. In addition to these responsibilities, I assisted in the Sunday School work. (Their first child Lucille was born May 20, 1887. Their second was Jennie who was born January 22, 1890.)
In the summer of the fourth year of our marriage, my wife and children went with me into the mountains for a summer outing. A very dear friend of Minnie's accompanied us, to enjoy the occasion as well as to assist with the children. They remained with me for more than a month. During that time, at the close of the day, we would sometimes walk into the timber line, talking and admiring the scenery and the great handicraft of our Father in the creation of such beautiful things as nature presented in that vicinity. The majesty of the view of Mt. Nebo and the far reaching ranges of mountains seemed to add to the deep appreciation we had for the Gospel and the understanding we had received in the purposes of our Heavenly Father in bringing the Saints to the Valley.
Upon some of these walks, in the cool of the evening, we sat upon a rock to rest and talk of the conditions that existed in the Church, in which many of the brethren were suffering in prison, sent there because of their faith and practice in the principle of plural marriage. And at that time, too, there was an appeal by President John Taylor to all the Church, to be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord, and especially to those of the brethren who were accounted worthy of accepting and practicing plural marriage, that one principle of the Eternity of the marriage covenant. It was taught and encouraged, that especially the brethren who were in presiding positions in the Church should be the ones to lead out. Wherein, the brethren who could not have faith in going forward in this practice, they were asked in some cases to resign. Others, who were in full standing and had faith and determination at any cost to serve the Lord in all his commandments, were appointed to the presiding positions in the Church.
As we talked over the conditions of many families who these relations, Minnie suggested to me: “I have been thinking that if you should ever have in your mind to enter that principle, I would think that it should be while we are both young. That if you took a plural family, these two families could grow and share life together and there would be an element of cooperation and goodwill, instead of waiting, as some have done, until later in life to enter that principle.”
We discussed the matter to some length. Upon an occasion not long after returning home to the Valley, my wife asked me if I had made any thought or choice of someone who might be willing to join our family? I said to her:
"No, not yet. Maybe you can help me.” She said: “Well, I have been thinking and wondering if you ever thought of Annie, who was with us in the mountains? I believe she is a faithful believer in all the principles of the Gospel. Think about it, John.”
Which I did, of course, but in order to becoming more acquainted there could be no courting openly, because of the extreme conditions. To enter into that principle in that day, was as much as a man's life was worth. Annie was one of the group of young people who visited our home from time to time, and occasionally would remain after the rest had said good night. The opportunity to discuss the idea of plural marriage and her attitude toward it, and her feelings toward our family, was occasionally presented, and sometimes when most people were off the streets, we could accompany her to her home.
In the course of time, such arrangements were made, this being in the year 1890. In October of that year, the arrangements were completed and recommends secured from the Bishop, but the "Authority" that was then "underground" was difficult to find. After receiving the recommends to the Temple at Logan, my wife and Annie started with me to attend the Conference in Salt Lake City. Before returning home, we were to go to the Temple at Logan and return home after the marriage. (To avoid any suspicion of our neighbors and acquaintances who knew nothing of our plans.) At the Conference the Manifesto by Brother Woodruff was delivered, advising all members of the Church to live in accordance with the laws of the land in which we dwelt. This interfered with the plans that we had made, and the arrangements. To break the vows we had made with each other, seemed a very difficult problem before us, and my wife said to me and Annie:
“What shall we do?” My answer was: “I do not know, but I will find out.”
I then asked them to meet me at a certain time at the south gate near the fountain on the Temple grounds. It had been my pleasure to meet and know many of the leading brethren of the Church. However, I was personally acquainted with the President of the Logan Temple. Upon finding him, I said: “I have come to ask your advice, Brother Merrill.” I stated the condition that we were in and asked what his advice would be under the circumstances. He said to me: “Can you leave the country?” I said: “I hardly understand what you mean.” “Would your family be willing to leave this country and move to another?” I said I believe they would if that be necessary. Then he said to me: “Go then.” Then we parted, I not knowing the full meaning of this advice.
At the close of Conference we returned home to Payson with no decision as to our future actions. At that time, in our town, there were a number of the brethren who were planning to move their families to Old Mexico, where there had been a place prepared through the advice of President John Taylor, where plural families could be maintained without molestation. Among the group who were going were Annie's father and mother. When the arrangements began to take shape, it was decided that we too would go to Mexico sometime when conditions would be favorable. But Annie's father and mother desired to take her with them and we decided that she should go and that my family and I would follow in the coming spring, to see if there was opportunity there in a land where there was no law against the practice of plural marriage. They left in November, and the arrangements were made that we would go in the following spring or early summer.
In February of 1891, I received from "Box B", a missionary call from the Presidency to fulfill a mission to Great Britain. As a young man I had looked forward sometime to be worthy of a call to preach the Gospel to the Nations, but there was another obligation and a promise that I had previously made for the time when the mission should be undertaken. Not knowing what to do, as I had always kept the appointments of the Priesthood, and not desiring to be excused even under these circumstances, I decided to go and ask advice again as to how I might answer the Will of the Father in this situation? I went to Salt Lake City to inquire of President Wilford Woodruff. At his office they told me that he was not in, but if I desired to see him urgently, I could go to his home. The snow was deep, but I made my way to the home of Brother Woodruff. I was invited in and the surroundings were warm and pleasant, Brother Woodruff asked me to be seated. I related to him the full circumstances. Should I follow the arrangements and go to Mexico, or should I accept the call and be prepared in a month or so to go to England? In a very friendly manner, full of tenderness, he said to me: “The Lord understands your situation, your desires, and your obligations, and he can prompt you in your course of action.” Being unaware of just how and answer might come, I further asked Brother Woodruff: “Does that mean I should go on a mission and give up going to Mexico altogether?” “I didn’t say that, Brother Robinson.” He said, “I told you the Lord would guide you, and I say for you to go and do your duty and fill your mission. Go home and ask the Lord to give you wisdom and guidance and to make known to you his will concerning your actions. I know the Lord is able to give understanding to all men who seek diligently for wisdom and guidance through the Spirit of our Fathers.”
I thanked him and he walked with me to the door, bidding me good-bye and adding: “The blessings of the Lord be upon you.”
I returned to the city and in due time the train was moving south to my homeland. Full of meditation and deep thought and quiet supplication, I asked the Lord to fulfill unto me, if I be worthy, the promise of His Servant, President Woodruff. And as I rode homeward, a very strong impression came over me and the way seemed clear to my understanding as to the course that I should pursue. I calculated the time when I should be in Salt Lake City to answer the call as a missionary. I also figured the time necessary to make a trip to Mexico. The more I meditated, the clearer the whole matter became. I decided before reaching home, upon the plan to go to Mexico and see what the Lord had in store, if anything, for me there. To fulfill my promise, and return in time to go to England and fill my mission.
I reached home after dark, but as I approached, Minnie stood at the open door, anxious to know if any Light had been shed or instructions given? We sat down near the fire and I reported in full the conversation I had had and the impression I had received, which I believed came through the Spirit of the Lord. That I had decided that, with her consent and blessing, I would go to Mexico and see if there was anything further that could be accomplished in relation to our union with Annie. In the days following, preparation was made for my departure, unknown to any of the neighbors or even Bishop as to where I was going. And in as much as the practice of the Church was and still is, that a recommend becomes null and void after six months, I visited the Bishop and ask for a recommend to the house of the Lord. He gave me one without question as to what Temple I might be going.
The day came that I should leave on the journey. Instead of taking the train at our depot, with the idea of concealing more perfectly my leaving, I went in a carriage with my father to a neighboring town, Spanish Fork, and there boarded the train south. My father knew well where I was going, but he and my mother, also, were wise and discreet. I arrived in Deming, New Mexico, and in those early days it required traveling nearly two hundred miles over land to reach the Colonies. The roads were seldom traveled except by men who came to the border for supplies. I was a stranger in a strange land and as I waited on the platform, I saw a small group of men at the other end of the train platform talking. With suitcase in hand, I started towards them. Meeting me, one of the gentlemen passed the time of day and asked:
“Are you a stranger here?” I said: “Yes, this is my first trip this far south.”
He asked me: “Where are you traveling to?” I replied: “I came from Utah and now I would like to find a way to got to the Mormon Colonies in Mexico.” Then he said to me: “I think I can tell you. Those men over there are from the Colonies. They are out for a load of freight. I had two wagons and I hired a man to drive one for me. We are loaded up and expect to leave in the morning early, but the man who came with me left when we got to Deming, that leaves me without a teamster.” He asked me at that same time if I knew how to handle a team? My answer was that I had been doing it for several years. He said: “Very well, if you want to drive the team for me, we will start in the morning with the group and return to Colonia Diaz which is about 115 miles from here.” In due time we reached Colonia Diaz and it was late at night. I was made welcome in the home of Brother LeBaron. He said to me: “I will see you in the morning, Brother Robinson, if I can find a way for you to go on to the other settlements.”
When I arose the next morning Brother LeBaron informed me that two of the brethren were going to Colonia Dublan, which was about sixty miles away. They had a light spring wagon and had no load and they said that I would be welcome to go with them. The way was opened immediately and we went on our journey.
The second afternoon, towards evening, we reached Colonia Dublan, and as we drove into the small town and stopped at the store, I was introduced to Brother Harris and Brother Bently, and in a few moments the question:
“Where are you going?” was asked. “I would like to go to Colonia Juarez if I could find a way,” I said. Whereupon, Brother Harris said: “Brother Robinson, there is a team and the running gears of a wagon moving across the prairie now towards Colonia Juarez.” I hurried along and was just in time to catch the driver and asked for a ride. He said: “If I could sit on the running gears and hang my feet down in front of the brake, I was welcome to ride.”
As we journeyed toward Colonia Juarez with the lumber wagon and team, reaching Casas Grandes River, which was probably six miles from Dublan, we had become a little bit acquainted. I had told him my name and he had told me his. We conversed about the country and other subjects, and as we passed through Casas Grandes and had moved up towards the canyons, he asked me a question:
“Are you the Robinson that was coming down here to marry Annie?” I said: “I presume I am, in fact that is my purpose in coming to Mexico.” He said: “I am afraid that you will have a wait on your hands.” And when I inquired as to why? He replied: “The only man that can give you any instructions or advice is now out of town. He will be gone for some time.”
As we passed on up into the canyon, darkness had already fallen over us and we rode along, talking over the conditions in the Colonies. We met a wagon with a cover, and as we pulled to one side of the dug-way to allow this wagon to pass, the driver said to me: “Brother Robinson, that is McDonald now, he didn’t leave this morning. That is his outfit, and if you would like to say anything to him, stop him and I will wait.”
I hurried after the wagon and overtook it within one hundred yards and going to the side said: “Whoa.” He put on the brake and stopped and addressed me: “What is wanted?” I introduced myself to him, though it was dark, and in short, told him of my errand to Mexico. The he asked me: “If I had instructions from the North and if I was provided with a guide to introduce me into the Colonies for activity there?”
I told him I had no special instructions; neither did I know anything about a "guide" being required. He told me he would not be able to give me further advice at the time, other than that I would have to wait for his return. He would wire the Brethren and ask advice in this case and would either return in a few days or he would write me a letter to Colonia Juarez. He asked me if I had any identification of row standing in the Church. I told him I had some letters on me, and that I also had a recommend from row Bishop to the house of the Lord. He then said:
“Brother Robinson, if you will give me that recommend, I will take care of it and use it if I need to in getting information in your case.”
I handed it to him and bade him good-bye. I then joined Brother Stevens and we reached Colonia Juarez about bedtime .He pointed out the home where I was to go and bid me good-night.
Of course, my friends were surprised to see me as I had not had time to notify them of my intended visit, but I was made welcome. The events thus far were related and the evening was spent pleasantly. Before retiring I was asked to join the family in their usual evening prayer I and was shown to a room where I was to sleep.
The days passed by and a week came to an end, and no letter or word from Brother McDonald. The next week passed and still no word. The time passed pleasantly, being with the family in their devotions and attending the Sunday services. The third week passed and still no answer. Even the family had not heard from the husband and father. It entered into the fourth week and it was nearly the time that I should prepare to return to Salt Lake for the mission appointment. Throughout the week there was no letter in regard to our situation, although there was a letter stating that Brother McDonald had been very sick, and his letter was uncertain as to the time of his return.
Then it was that we decided that there was nothing more to be done, that we had gone to the limit in our efforts to receive the privilege of marriage, and that I would prepare to leave on the following Monday. The mail came in twice each week, and we decided if there was no word from any source on Saturday, Monday would be the day when I would make an effort to find a way back to Deming to retrain for Utah. Saturday came and there was no mail. Of course little preparation was necessary, but it might be difficult to find a way to go, as the road was traveled infrequently.
Sunday morning came, and as usual, preparations were being made to attend Sunday School and Priesthood meeting, but before time for Sunday School, Brother Walser, Annie’s father, had been in town on an errand, and as he came in preparing to go to Sunday School, he said to me:
“John, President Teasdale came to town late last night. I don’t know whether it would be advisable to speak to him. You may please yourself. He is here, however.” I answered: “I believe I will” and being ready for Sunday School before the others, I walked on down, hoping to meet him before Sunday School time. Being early and before people began to gather, I waited outside. I saw a wagon at the home of Brother Eyring that had brought Brother Teasdale to Juarez. In a short time Brother Teasdale came out from the home, accompanied by his wife and little daughter, and as they were approaching the meeting house I thought I would go and meet him in the street so I could have a little private conversation. When we met, I addressed Brother Teasdale saying: “You are Brother Teasdale, I presume.” His answer was: “Yes!” “My name is Robinson, and I would like to speak with you.” He addressed his wife and asked her to go on to the meeting house, that he would be over in a few minutes. Then turning to me he said: “What can I do for you?” I related as briefly as possible, and yet in detail, the experience I had before the date of the Manifesto, and asked him if there was any way that those promises and obligations could be realized in this south land? Then he told me that there was now ay at present. He said: “I know of only one man that has any right to advise on this particular situation since the Manifesto.”
Expressing his regrets for the disappointment that I might be under, he said: “That man is now in Salt Lake City and there is now way that I can tell you that you could receive such a blessing.” I said to Brother Teasdale: “Well, President Teasdale, you are a prophet of the living God, you are sustained by the faith and prayers of all the Saints in the Church as such. I have told you in full my story, and expressed my desire to fulfill this obligation and receive the blessing, but I also desire to return in time to fill my appointment to go to Great Britain. Therefore, Brother Teasdale, I leave with you this situation and place the responsibility upon you as a servant of the Lord, to assist in bringing to pass the promised which have been made to me, that the Lord would guide and direct me in all matters pertaining to this situation and a blessing from the President of the Church to this end.”
His reply to me was this: “What evidence do I have of your standing? Have you any recommendations to such a blessing, or papers form anyone that would authorize me to act in this matter?” (Remember, Brother McDonald had taken Brother Robinson’s current Temple recommend with him, and he had not yet returned home or sent any of Brother Robinson’s papers back.) I replied: “I have not. The only identification that I have is the acquaintance with a number of the members of this ward and some letters written to me. Also I have in my possession, which is out of date of course, a recommend which I received more than six months ago. (John had gotten it when he and Annie went to conference and planned to go to Logan to be married. It was when the Manifesto was read, changing all their plans.) He said to me: “Le me see it please.” I took it from my pocket and handed it to Brother Teasdale. He read it, and looking at me said:
“Brother Robinson, this is more valuable in your case than any papers that you might have. This is dated before the manifesto and therefore, this privilege should have been yours before the Manifesto was given. I must study the matter. Can you and Brother Walser, after meeting this afternoon, meet me at Brother Eyring’s home?” I said: “I can as far as I am concerned, and I will be glad to invite Brother Walser to meet with you.”
In the afternoon the meeting convened at two o’clock. I was present, as was the family of Brother Walser, and all the Saints living there seemed to be present. After the devotional singing and prayer was over, Apostle Teasdale arose and stood on the stand, I presumed by the consent of the Bishop. However, he stood up and said to the people:
“No doubt you brethren and sisters in Juarez wonder why I am here today, being so soon after our quarterly conference when I took leave of you. I want to tell you why I am here. Last Tuesday morning about four o’clock in the morning I was aroused from my sleep, believing I had hear a voice. It said to me, Go to Colonia Juarez. It was so forceful and impressive that sleep was gone from me. I pondered over all things in search of a purpose as to why I should come to Colonia Juarez after I had so recently been her. I pondered over it and the hours passed by with no sleep until it was almost time to get up. I turned over in my bed and tried to dose, then again the voice said to me. Go to Colonia Juarez. It seemed more forceful than the first. I immediately arose and dressed myself and walked out asking myself, Why to Colonia Juarez? How can I get there? The sun was not yet up as I stood pondering and trying to answer the question as to how I could go to Colonia Juarez. I had no means of travel, but the thought flashed in my mind that perhaps Brother Jackson could take me. I proceeded to Brother Jackson’s home and as I approached I found him milking his cows. I called to him and asked if he could arrange to take me to Colonia Juarez.”
“Brother Jackson finally said to me: ‘Brother Teasdale, if you must go to Colonia Juarez right away, I would be glad to take you if I had a team that could go. One of my horses is severely lame and can scarcely walk. I have one good horse and my wagon is in good condition. If I could get another horse, I would be glad to take you.’ I pondered the answer for a moment and it came to mind to go and speak to Brother Galbraith, he had teams. I walked down to the home of Brother Galbraith and he was also in the yard doing chores. I told him what I wanted. He said to me: ‘Certainly, Brother Teasdale, I have horses and I will be glad to let you or Brother Jackson have a good horse to match his so that you can go to Colonia Juarez.’
“I returned and reported to Brother Jackson. He said to me: ‘All right Brother Teasdale, I will get everything ready today.’ He shod his horse and prepared to leave.
“Accordingly, we started on our journey the next day. The road was long, the team was poor and I arrived here late last night. In all the journey, I meditated and wondered what I should say to the people when I reached Colonia Juarez. I did not understand why I should be coming here at this time, but since arriving today, it has been manifested to me, that there is a mission I was sent to perform. It has been made known that there is a work that I should do and I am telling you this, brothers and sisters, that when this Mission is accomplished, I will return to Colonia Diaz.”
Brother Teasdale then proceeded to speak very forcefully upon the principle of inspiration and revelation, occupying considerable time of the meeting in relating faith promoting incidents where the Lord had spoken by inspiration and revelation, repeating that in this particular matter he had been spoken to by The Spirit, and thus, "I am with you today." After the meeting as per invitation, Brother Walser and I went to the home of Brother Eyring and met with Brother Teasdale, who was presiding over the Mexican Mission at that time. In the course of conversation, it was stated by Brother Teasdale, that he would be in Mexico until the following Thursday and he would like the opportunity for another mail to come, to see if per chance there was some communication from headquarters.
“I, Brother Walser, with your permission and suiting the convenience of Brother Robinson, will meet you in your home on Wednesday night, between nine and ten o’clock and we will attend to anything that the Lord may see fit to direct us.”
According to this appointment, we were at the home of Brother Walser and at the hour appointed, Brother Teasdale came. He gave some very wise and timely counsel and much encouragement, again bearing his testimony to the inspiration and power of the Lord upon the minds of His servants, when in the line of duty. After which time he gave unto us a blessing (Married them) for time and all eternity with many promises for temporal blessings and spiritual advancements. We visited on until all arrangements for going away the next morning were made. Fortunately, on that Wednesday afternoon the first opportunity for going to the border was offered to me by a brother from Colonia Dublan, Brother Patten, who, when he met me in the street of Colonia Juarez on Wednesday, asked me when I was returning home? I told him that I was anxious to go as soon as possible. He replied:
“Well, Brother Robinson if you are at my place in Dublan tomorrow morning before sunrise, my son is going to Deming without a load and will drive rapidly right through. He will be glad to take you. But remember, he starts early in the morning before sunrise. If you are there by that time, you will be taken across the line to Deming.”
Only three or four hours remained from the time Brother Teasdale left until it would be necessary to leave for Colonia Dublan in order to arrive there at the appointed hour. The brother of Annie prepared the team. They accompanied me as far as Dublan to see me safely enroute home.
Annie Elizabeth Walser, Samuel John Robinson's second wife, was born October 9, 1870 in Payson, Utah. She was twenty at the time of her marriage. Her father's name is John Jacob Walser, born the 20th of April in Herisas Appenzell, Switzerland. His wife is Annie Elizabeth Louisa Schaerrer, born November 2, 1851, in Hegi, Zuerick, Switzerland. They both joined the Church in Switzerland and came to America, then immigrated to Utah by Ox Team, arriving in the Valley on the 4th of September, 1860. They were married on January 4, 1870, in the Salt Lake Endowment House.)
The journey to Deming was made quickly. I again boarded the train headed for Utah. Arriving there, I had only one week in which to arrange my affairs and be at the April Conference prepared to leave Salt Lake on October 12, 1891. There were many matters to take care of, for the trip to England and for maintenance while away. Not being blessed with much means, it was necessary that I look for a sale of some property that I had. While contemplating the next day on how to arrange it, a friendly neighbor called and greeted me, saying:
“I understand Brother Robinson, that you are preparing to leave for a mission.” “Yes,” I said, “I am trying to arrange it.” He said: “Do you have sufficient means?” And I answered; “Not entirely.” He asked, “By any chance do you care to sell a piece of the meadow land you have adjoining mine? I have been wanting for some time to increase my holdings. If you would like to sell, how much do you want for it?” After a few minutes of thought, I told him I would be willing to sell and named a certain sum that I would want for it. He said: “All right, Brother Robinson, I will pay you that as soon as you can furnish me with the deed.”
So the arrangement was concluded. I had to go to the land office in Provo and have a title made from the maps by the surveyor and a deed made in favor of Harvey Moore. The next morning Brother Moore called and asked me if I had the deed ready. I told him that I had and presented it to him. He looked it over and said that it was all right and gave me the money. It was sufficient for all the needs in hand. The balance of minor preparations were made. My wife and I went to conference before my leaving for England.
When I went on my mission, I left my wife and children, (Minnie, who gave birth to Leland Claude, born 26, October 1891, 14 days after he left for his mission, and Lucille and Jennie.) in a rented home in Payson, and that part of my family in Mexico, (Annie Walser Robinson) with whom I had had only a very few hours of association, also without a home, except that provided by her own parents.
As I traveled with the group of Elders towards our mission, I had many thoughts of gratitude and thanksgiving to my Heavenly Father for His mercies and blessings, and for His assistance in accomplishing the things that seemed most important, and then to be able to go to Great Britain to be a messenger of life and salvation to that nation. There were twenty-two of us in number. Upon reaching New York, our passage over the ocean and the time of departure was all arranged. The first evening on board, as was the custom among the Elders, the missionaries met and appointed one as the President of the Company. After the supper was over in the cabin, the steward came and asked: “Which of you gentlemen is in charge of the company?”
The answer was promptly given, that Elder Larkin, being one of the older brethren and having previously served in the mission, had been appointed. He addressed Mr. Larkin, saying, that the cabin was now at our disposal, the doors would be closed and there would be no interruption for whatever time we desired its use. After he retired, and the doors were closed, Brother Larkin addressed the Brethren. There was a testimony meeting in which an opportunity for all present was given for the expression of our feelings and our determination to perform our mission.
Many timely counsels were offered, urging A Christian-like conduct during the passage and when we should arrive. Also that every act and every conversation should be guarded to convey an understanding to the shipmates of the high ideals of Mormonism and of the Gospel.
There were some of the brethren in the group who had not al ways, before starting on their mission, observed the Word of Wisdom strictly. Two or three of the company had so weakened in New York, as to make purchase of one or two flasks of liquor, also to stock up with a variety of tobaccos, feeling like they could possibly overcome their habit with something to help them at times when the habit pressed too hard. After the meeting was over the brethren dispersed in small groups, discussing the very splendid Spirit that had been present in our meeting and the reaction in the minds of some of the brethren. Two of the brethren from our neighborhood near Payson walked with me up to the deck. The sun was shining very brightly and the sea was calm. We talked up until a late hour, about the things we had heard and our feelings about the things we should do. Those two companions, at the vessel's side, drew from the pockets of their overcoats the supply of the things mentioned above which are contrary to the Word of Wisdom. They held them in their hands and said: “You see these Brother Robinson?” Then they dropped them overboard and brushed their hands. “Well, that is the last of it, from now on our work will be only to preach the Gospel.”
We experienced considerable storm in our passage to England. High seas at times almost threatened the very safety of our vessel. Two different times, I remember well, we were ordered from the deck, the hatchway was fastened down and the waves washed over us furiously. At one of these times, while going below on orders from the captain, before we could all get to the shelter as the storm struck, one of our brethren was blown to the deck floor and the waves swept him violently to the aft of the ship, where he was caught. He was very badly slashed and bruised. They took him below and the ship's doctor was called to dress the wounds. He recovered shortly and by the time we reached England the scars were almost gone.
Upon reaching our mission headquarters, we met President Brigham Young Jr., then President of the European Mission, and received our appointments to the various fields of labor, I being appointed with two companions to the Nottingham conference. In arriving there, I was met by the local Elders. Among them was Moses Thatcher Jr., my first companion. We were permitted two days in which we could visit our relatives and then report back to the office for service. I had the pleasure of meeting my father's sisters who had joined the Church when he was a boy, and others of my kindred, all of whom made me very welcome.
Upon reporting back to the office for work, I was appointed first to labor in the city of Nottingham. After becoming acquainted more or less with the Saints and delivering talks, taking up the missionary work, I began to feel as though I were really into the work of the Lord. I was then appointed by the President to go to a little village of the city to deliver tracts from door to door and to invite the people to meet on what was called "the green" I he having promised me that I would meet many there and hold a meeting in the afternoon of that day. The time came when I arrived at the park. There were quite a large number of the village people already gathered there. We commenced to hold a service. We sang a hymn and Brother Newbold offered the prayer. Then he announced to those gathered, that Elder Robinson would speak first. I had considerable fear as I had not been accustomed to public speaking. I stepped to the curb and began to speak, and the Spirit of the Lord seemed to be upon me to a very great degree and I occupied nearly twenty minutes. Brother Newbold followed and after another hymn, many of the visitors came forward and asked questions and we discussed the principles of the Gospel and our message, and departed. In my own heart I had been so pleased that I began to feel very grateful to be in the missionary field and felt fully prepared for the work. That feeling was possibly too strong. I had forgotten to give thanks and credit to the Spirit and Power that sustained me and gave me words of Life Eternal to speak.
Again in another village the following day, I went out with Brother Newbold and did the preparatory work of inviting the people to the park grounds at the appointed hour. We did go, and the procedure of the day before seemed to be in order. But, when I stepped forward to speak, I had nothing to say. It seemed like my mind was a blank. I tried, but no words would come. I excused myself and retired. Brother Newbold stepped forward and occupied all the time and gave a wonderful sermon. I was sorrowful and asked myself time after time privately what I could have done? Why was it I could not have the Spirit of speaking, as I had had the first day? The next day was the same and for days after that I had very few words to speak when called upon. I became very discouraged and worried, wondering why I could not have the Spirit of the Lord? Without telling anyone, I carried the matter sincerely and humbly to my Heavenly Father, asking for the blessing of His Spirit, but there was no relief for three weeks.
One evening after returning from a street meeting with the same discouraging results, and after retiring to bed, there was a dream given to me that was very plain. I was, as it were, back in my youth, back home near Payson. Not far from there was a little place called "Spring Lake Villa”. There was a large pond in front of the dam, the dam being by the highway along the road from Payson. The pond, entirely of spring water, clear as crystal, perhaps a half mile in length and one quarter mile wide. Along the water’s edge was a sandy beach of clean white sand and the boys from our town often went there to learn to swim, I among them. For a distance out in the pond it was clear, with no obstruction on the surface, and we could even see the bottom of the pond or lake some twelve to sixteen feet below. Beyond that was a heavy growth of moss. The roots of the moss going down to the bottom, looked like small willows, the top was heavily covered with moss. The dream that came to me was, that I was asked to swim to the other end, to cross this pond and go deliver a message to a people on the other side who were working busily, too far away to call to them. I was chosen from among the group of swimmers to go and take the message. I started out, and for a distance, I swam easily with no obstruction. As I got out into that moss and could look down into the water and see the long roots, I began to feel that I was becoming entangled in the heavy growth and fear overtook me and I felt that I would not be able to swim through, so I turned back to shore.
I was asked why I came back before I had delivered my message. I said: “The moss was too heavy, I couldn’t swim any further and I was afraid.”
The answer was: “You must go and persevere and swim across to deliver that message which is so important.”
I was persuaded again to try, and I started out. After going some distance, the same feeling came over me, even stronger, and I turned back the second time. I was chastised for not performing that mission of importance, of delivering the message to the people who were still in sight. I resolved then that I would go, even if I did become entangled, and the thought came to me that when the hard swim came, I must continue on just as far as my strength would take me. I did so and the task was accomplished. I delivered the message. I returned with happiness and the satisfaction of having completed that task.
When I awoke from the dream, it troubled me, and I wondered what it meant, if anything. I meditated and thought about it for a number of days. I pondered the thought that it might be applied to my present situation. Then it came to me, that in leaving familiar places and pleasant associations, likened to the clear water and the white sands below, and encountering the great struggle and effort required to carry out the mission assignment, I had not recognized the Power and Authority that had sent me across the "pond" (ocean to deliver a message. It seemed very clear that I had forgotten to give credit due the Source from which help comes. I did not fail when the meaning of the dream seemed apparent, to sincerely and earnestly thank my Heavenly Father for the dream and for His assistance previously given, and with a firm resolution I vowed that from that day forward, with His help, I would endeavor to deliver that which He gave me to deliver.
My faith in the mission was strengthened, my courage and hope returned feeling that the "Message" that I had to deliver to those people over there was represented by the duty to discuss and teach the principles of the ever lasting Gospel to those who were looking and waiting. So from that dc forward my faith increased and the Lord in turn added His help and assistance in preaching the Gospel. And may I say that even afterwards, through all my mission experience and through after years, that Spirit was always invited before speaking to any audience, and to my satisfaction, it attended the invitation and did render much assistance, a living and everlasting testimony again, of the Power and Inspiration to those who properly acknowledge the hand of God in all things.
As time went on during the mission experience, I was appointed to different fields and with different companions. Some of the time I was sent along for the lack of a sufficient number to fulfill the calls that were made of the President for missionaries to labor in the various districts and fields of action under his direction. One time I would like to mention especially. I was appointed to make a trip through Lincolnshire. It was after I had been in the mission some months. I started out with a list of the places that I should visit and also of the scattered families that I was asked to call upon throughout the district. I was given a month in which to make the rounds. After traveling a number of days and visiting most of the appointments, and being blessed, as I felt the Lord was with me, though I had no companion as a missionary, I met one Sunday afternoon with a branch in a little town called Hucknell. The branch met at the home of President Calidine. The Saints gathered, as the word was spread that there was to be a missionary meeting wi1 them that night and the house was filled with the Saints of the branch and few friends not yet members. During the meeting, several of the members were asked to speak, also the President was asked to speak, and the opportunity given for a few testimonies. Also it was my responsibility to deliver the message from the President of that Mission to the people and instruct them in the principles of the Gospel and encourage them to press on and spread the message to their neighbors. After the services were over, a widow lady came up to me and asked would accompany her to her home. She said: “I have a daughter ill and I would like you to go and administer to her. I have a room to take care of you for the night.”
So I told her I would go, and I bade good-night to the people and left the home of Brother Calidine. We went along the street which ran along the side of a hill, as the little village rested in a rather steep canyon. At the bottom of the canyon ran a small river. I walked home with this sister, through the gate and up the steep pathway to her cottage. After administering to the young daughter and visiting a short time, exchanging ideas of encouragement and faith, the child seemingly was much better and had begun to rest quietly. I was shown to my room and as usual, I knelt down and thanked the Lord for the events of the day and again asked His Divine blessing upon the young daughter of this widow.
The next morning, rather early, I arose, expecting to have to go to Mansfield for one more visit before returning to headquarters. Preparing to go out, I kneeled before our Heavenly Father and asked Him again to guide me this day where I would do the most good. The widow was up also and she had prepared a light breakfast for me. The table was set for only one and after I came into the room, bidding me good morning, she said that her daughter was feeling much better and she was grateful for the visit and the blessing received. She then asked me if I would sit down and eat some breakfast, which was not of any great variety or quantity.
I ate, and as she moved about the kitchen, she opened the cupboard door. From where I sat I could see no food of any kind. A few empty dishes that constituted her store. After finishing breakfast, I got up and thanked her kindly for her hospitality. I drew a piece of money from my pocket and as I shook hands with her I said:
“Good-bye, God bless you.” I left it in her hand. She looked at me and said: “No Brother Robinson, I will be all right.” I said: “I know you will. The Lord will bless you, but please go and purchase some nourishing food for your children.”
With that, she accepted and bade me good-bye. I walked away down the steep pathway that led from the fields to the open road. I started on my way towards Mansfield, but had gone only a few steps when it seemed like a voice spoke to me and said: “Go the other way.” I stopped turned and looked around me, questioning? “What is there the other way? Mansfield is in this direction.”
Contemplating the meaning of “Go the other way”, I started on. But I had only taken about two steps when the voice again said forcefully: “Go the other way.”
I turned around and started the other way. The path led down the hill towards the stream. Crossing a small bridge, I followed the stone-cobbled road that led on down the canyon. I had never been in that country before, in fact, that was my first visit in the eastern hills of the Nottingham conference, but this seemed to be the direction in which I had been directed to go.
After two hours of walking, the countryside began to widen out into a little valley. Farmhouses appeared on both sides of the road and men working in the fields. But there was no indication that I should stop, and I kept on, without stopping to rest, I walked on and on. During the afternoon a storm gathered. Possibly it was four o’clock when I came to the summit of what was called the "saddle", and in front of me was another valley, descending, the road led on. Being hungry and tired from walking through the snow, which by now was about four inches deep, and quite wet, with drifting winds and sleet, I wondered where I should go to answer the call to "go the other way". I trudged on down the road until I came to a little settlement that I had seen from the summit.
As I passed two or three houses, I saw nothing that invited me nor had I been impressed by anything to stop. But, as I was almost to pass the fourth house sitting back from the road, a thought came strongly to me, just as though a voice said to go and find entertainment there. I heeded that inspiration and went in. I rang the doorbell and a lady came in answer. I said to her:
“I am a Mormon Elder, traveling and I want to ask if you could give me lodging for the night?” The lady said: “Come in, I see you are wet. Hang your coat on the rack and come over by the fire and dry yourself.” And then with a smile she inquired: “Which way are you going?” Then I told her I was going to preach the Gospel to all that would hear me and accept the literature that I was carrying. She said: “Sit down. Have you had your tea?” (A common expression in England for afternoon lunch.) I said: “No Ma’m.” She said: “Content yourself and get warm. I will bring something to eat.”
In not many minutes she came with a tray loaded with food and put it on a little table in front of me before the fire, where I could continue drying my clothes. Quickly I gave thanks to the Lord for that which I partook of and for the home that had given me shelter. When I finished the lunch the lady came in again and said to me:
“You say you are a Mormon Elder? Well I know a Mormon man in the village. He undoubtedly would be glad to see you. I have not asked my husband who is not at home about your staying here tonight, but if you will wait a few minutes he should be home from work and I will speak to him.” “Thank you, I will be glad to wait.”
Very soon he came, entering by the kitchen door. I heard them talking, but could not hear the conversation. The husband came into where I was sitting and spoke to me:
“My wife tells me you are a Mormon elder and would like to have lodging here tonight.” I said: “Yes, I did ask the lady if she had a room for me to stay.” He said: “Yes, there is plenty of room mister, you are welcome.” I thanked him. When the lady came in I said to her: “Could you direct me to where I could find the man you were telling me of?” It was then close to evening and the days were rather short, but the village was close by. “Yes, I will tell you right where you can find him.” She replied, giving me his address. “If you go to see him, you will be back to stay with us, won’t you?” “Yes. I will be glad to.” I told her.
I left and went to the village, finding the address to which I had been directed. As
I opened the door I found it to be a shoe shop. As I closed the door behind me, a man working at the benches in the back looked up and saw me, laid his tools down and stepped forward to the counter where I was standing.
“Good evening,” he said, and without a further comment said: “You are a Mormon missionary.” I replied, “Yes, I am. Is your name Clark? I am Elder Robinson.” “I knew as soon as that door opened that it was a Mormon missionary.” At that moment he turned, taking off his leather apron and said to a man working at the bench. “I am going out with this gentleman. Please close up the shop as usual. I will see you in the morning.” He then said good night to the workers. We walked outside and Brother Clark turned to me and said: “Elder Robinson, I have been praying for more than a year that a missionary would be sent here. I have been here for ten years without one word from the church or any of its members. I can’t take you to my home, my wife is not a member and is bitterly opposed to Mormons. But I would like you to walk with me while we talk.”
We walked some distance so that he might tell me his story, which was in effect, that he had been unable to read any news of any kind pertaining to the Church. Publications that had been addressed to him were not allowed in the house. When his wife received them in his absence in the mail, they were burned before he returned home. With that, he had not been able to hear anything about the progress of the Church or the immigration of the Saints to Zion.
“I became anxious, thus I prayed to the Lord to send a missionary. In as much as I cannot take you home,” Brother Clark continued, “I want you to accept this little gift from me to pay for your lodging and food while you are in this neighborhood.” Then he handed me a certain amount of silver money. I hesitated wondering if he could spare it, when he said: “It is a privilege from which I expect to be blessed by the Lord.”
I was in the little village just a few days. I did some tracting and met and talked to a number of old timers in that town. As we were standing one day near the center of town, looking eastward up the street, I could see the high bluff of a rock quarry. One of the men said to me:
“Mr. do you see yon quarry? Thirty five years ago the last Mormon left this country for some place in America. They were among the very best citizens we had and before they left there had been a number of missionaries like you come here and they would pray on the streets. One afternoon they planned to hold a meeting at the top of those high bluffs and a great many people went there to hear. They were up on top of that highest point, because from there their voices carried a long way. There had been a plot against them by a bunch of ruffians. The plot was that some of them would take one end of a rope and slip along behind these preachers, and those they called “Saints” and with a very sudden pull of the rope, they would pull them off this high place and dash them to death below.
When the men got up there with the rope, others of the townspeople saw them and realizing what they were going to do, rushed forward and seized them and they had a quarrel among themselves. While the fighting was going on, some of the crowd cried to these preachers to run for their lives. After that all the Mormons in town left and we have never seen a missionary back here. I don’t think that you will have any success in this town.”
Such was the first conversation, a very descriptive one, but I found same friends, a few that listened and accepted. It happened that in one home I found some people that I had met in another section of our mission. When I knocked at the door to deliver a tract, a young lady answered and recognized me from the time I had met her before along with some friends of hers. I was invited in and received a warm welcome. I was introduced to her mother, a friendly person, and she offered an invitation to me, as she had heard her daughter speak very highly of the missionaries.
“We would like to have you come to our house and stay for a while.”
I thanked them for the invitation and before the day was over, I returned to where I had been lodging for two nights I told the people that I had found some friends who had invited me to stay for a day or two with them and asked how much I owed them for the comfort I had received in their home. Their answer was:
“Nothing, we are glad that we could offer a little help to some one who is preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Again I thanked them and returned to the home to which I had been invited. I again returned to Mansfield for a little visit and then went on to Nottingham, there to make my report at the coming monthly Elder’s meeting. When Brother Newbold appointed Elders again, he assigned Elder Moses Thatcher and myself to go to that far country where I had been alone, to open a mission, which we did. To show the Spirit of Inspiration that followed the meeting at Hucknell, the voice saying, "go the other way", I want to state that in obedience to that prompting, there was opened a wonderful field of labor for the Elders in that eastern part of Nottingham. At Conference, I was appointed the second time to go with Elder Thatcher. We made many friends and opened a branch, and while engaged in that work, I received a letter from Liverpool, signed by the President of the European Mission. This letter was an appointment to return to Nottingham as President of that Mission, as President Newbold was being released to return to Zion.
After President Newbold had taken his leave, the responsibility of the office and the care and direction of the work seemed to me an additional labor to all I had had. Not only was it my desire to continue with the Elders in preaching the Gospel outside, there were the office duties to be attended to each day, such as the mailing of correspondence, the records to be kept of all the work of the Elders, and the sending out of the publication, "The Millennial Day", all taking up a great deal of the time. I tried to go frequently with the Elders after the day's work was done, to hold meetings on the street corners at different locations, where the city officials had designated the Elders would be allowed to preach.
I remember one evening I went with two of the brethren to hold a meeting down near the Central Market. The Market was towards the center of the city, occupying about two city blocks, nothing but stores and market places. The sale of everything, foods of all kind, fish, and everything that people desired to buy in the food line. We went early that evening, Saturday night, to walk through the market to see the great throngs of people who went to purchase for their use. When it came time for the market to close, we started a meeting on the street where we were at liberty to preach. It was about a block from market place, on a street with cobblestone pavement. We took our stand upon the green and as we began, there were three of us in the group. We sang one of the songs of Zion. In that street the buildings were very high and the sound and echo carried well through the streets and towards the market place. And as we sang the second hymn, people from the market began to stop and listen and they began to gather in quite a large numbers. We offered a prayer and another hymn was sung. The three of us harmonized and did well in rendering the songs of Zion.
One of the Elders was then asked to speak. He stepped to the curb and the street was full of people and still gathering. It soon was my turn to speak next and so I stepped out and began to speak. It seemed that the Spirit was very surely with us that night. In order that all of the people could hear, I spoke very loudly, distinctly, and forcefully. The crowd gathered and yet not a bit of disturbance. As we proceeded, the windows in the second and third, and even the fourth floors along each side of the street were opened and the people sat inside and listened to what we had to say. After speaking at some length, as I had done loudly, I wished very much that I had a glass of water, and a moment later, someone pulled my coattail and I looked around. A lady held in her hand a glass of water. I began again by saying: And as I spoke on, the crowd seemed to crush nearer, and then a second pull on my coat. I turned and looked and a gentleman had a chair in his hand and said:
“Blessed are they who giveth unto my servants, even a cup of water, they shall in no way lose their reward.” And as I spoke on, the crowd seemed to crush nearer, and then a second pull on my coat. I turned and looked and a gentleman had a chair in his hand and said: “Would you care to stand on a chair, the crowds are so pressing?” I stood up where I could see further and my voice carried stronger.
After I finished, the third Elder made some very appropriate closing remarks, adding an invitation to all who cared to hear the message we had, would be welcome to come to the chapel on Sunday evening at seven o'clock in Saint Annie's Street, Nottingham. After we had dismissed and the crowd began to move on, many still crowed around us. Each of the three Elders had a group who desired to discuss questions about that which had been spoken that night.
On the morrow was the Sabbath Day. For the evening service the chapel was fairly well filled. A number of strangers came and the Elders and the Sisters made them welcome, shaking their hands and showing them to seats where they would be comfortable. During the meeting we enjoyed abundantly the Spirit of the Lord and the message of salvation was again delivered.
At the close of the meeting, bidding members and friends, as well as the strangers, good-night, with a "please come again". I noticed down at the door there were three people standing to one side. I had noticed them standing there for several minutes, so I took the liberty to walk down and speak with them personally. They asked me if we had any of the song books that we passed out the night before, from which we sang at the street meeting. I told them:
“Yes. We have some.” One of the ladies asked if I would sell her one. I told her:
“I would be glad to. However, we do not have any here at the chapel. We have them at the office. But if you like, you may have the one I have, it is practically new.” “It may sound strange,” the lady said, “that I should ask you for a hymn book, but I was so touched last night at the street meeting by the lovely singing of those songs. One of the songs I had heard when only a small child. I remember a number of the words and the tune was fresh in my mind. When I was a child, living neighbors to a Mormon family, they had a little girl my age, and she would call for me every Sunday to go to Sunday School. My family moved away. I grew up and married. My children are grown. I had never heard any more of the Mormons in all of that time until last night. My husband passed away many years ago. When I heard that hymn, I remembered the loss of the companionship of the little girl. I would be glad to have you come to my home one evening this week and visit my family.”
I answered for myself and one or more of the Elders that could go with me and said I would be there. Accordingly we went. The reception that night was agreeable and pleasant. After discussing the principles of the Gospel for hours, we left, with another pressing invitation to come the next week.
That street meeting was the means of opening the door to a number of investigators who frequented our gatherings at the chapel in Saint Annie Street. The family I spoke of became converted to the Gospel and they were baptized, all of them. I was asked to officiate at the baptismal service.
The family later immigrated to Zion. There were three daughters and a son. They went to Salt Lake City, and when I returned, I found them there, well situated. Two of the daughters had found companions and had been married in the house of the Lord for time and all Eternity.
So in the mission work by accepting and faithfully performing, the Lord moves in mysterious ways and brings souls unto the fold through testimony by both word and son.
Thus were the words of Samuel John Robinson, as written in his own words. The following is his story as told by those who knew him and parts taken from the writings of others.
When John returned home, they started making plans for the move to Mexico. They hoped to move immediately, but Minnie got pregnant and gave birth to John Brentnell (Jay) on the 14th of March 1894. Finally John was ready to leave by wagon on December 1, 1894. Minnie and the four children, Lucille nearly seven, Jennie was four, Leland just turned three, and Jay seven months, was to follow later by train. John drove a team pulling a big covered wagon. He traveled with another wagon driven by his close friend, Timothy Jones, who was taking his second wife, Elizabeth Ann Done Jones, and her son, Charles.
By leaving Payson in December, the first part of the journey was cold and wintry, but to cross some of the Arizona and New Mexico deserts in summer without much water, would have been nearly impossible.
They took the southern route by way of "Dixie". They went through Toquerville on to Virgin City, and up a canyon called, North Creek to Moab. They then crossed the Arizona line to Moccasin Springs. The canyons and mountains up around Jacobs Lake were steep and rough, but very beautiful. It was frightening going over the mountain called "Lee’s Backbone" and also in crossing the Colorado at Lee's Ferry. Many wagons had tipped over at both places. From the Colorado River south to the Little Colorado River, the land is a barren waste with no water. In places they had to dig deep holes to find water for their animals. There were tines when they found natural rock tanks filled with water from a recent rain, but the water was yellow and brackish and had to be boiled.
When they reached the Little Colorado the horses were so thirsty, that it was hard to get them away from the water. The then followed the Little Colorado River through Windslow, Joseph City, Holbrook, Snowflake, St. Johns, and Clinton, Arizona. The trail then crossed into New Mexico and went across the Gila River and down across the Mexican Boarder and to Colonia Juarez There John found Minnie and his Children along with Annie, his second wife, waiting for him at the Walser home and very glad for his safe arrival.
He sought advice from Apostle George Teasdale as to where he should settle. Brother Teasdale told him to go to Colonia Dublan and look around then if he didn't find anything there to come back and he would go with him to Pacheco. This advice was followed and he decided to remain in Colonia Dublan All the land that was being used by the Colonists in Dublan at that time was along the river. The Robinsons were able to secure land from George W. Patten.
John built a four-room adobe house on his property and moved his two wives, Minnie and Annie, his four children in to begin their life in Colonia Dublan, Mexico. Soon after moving to Dublan, John was called as Sunday School Superintendent to replace Anson B. Call who had been called on a mission to England. This was the beginning of a busy life of service in the community.
In December of 1899, at the age of thirty-six, John was called to be the Bishop of the Dublan Ward. Joseph S. Cardon and Anson B. Call were called as his counselors. He served faithfully and well for eight years and was released in December of 1907.
The only entertainment for the early settlers had to be homemade. Samuel John Robinson and Ella R. Farsworth for many years directed plays, helped with programs, taught young people in drama, oratory, and helped in the entertainment of the ward.
In later years the Dublan Bishopric, in order to supply recreation for the ward members, organized a recreation committee, consisting of Samuel J. Robinson, Harvey H. Taylor, Frank Romney, Hannah S. Call, and Ella Farsworth. This committee met once a month to plan recreational activities for each month. There was a play put on each month, dances were planed for children and adults, and banquets and fairs included.
Holidays were loyally celebrated, such as the "5th of May", a Mexican National Holiday; the "16th of September", Mexico's Independence Day; "Pioneer Day", on the 24th of July; "Christmas"; "New Year"; and "Easter". A special program was held on Christmas Eve with Santa, and a program with singing and dancing. On New Years Day, a dinner was held with a talent show after for all ward members.
Easter was always a special time as the entire Dublan Ward would go to the river, where there would be an egg hunt, games, races for both people and horses. There were always swings tied to high branches so that they could swing way high over the river. Men would use a long rope to put across the lap of the person in the swing, in order to make it go very high. There were also games of horseshoes, and of course, the big picnic. It was a happy tradition still being carried on in Dublan. The following day, Easter Sunday, a special program was given in Church on Christ's resurrection and new Easter clothes were worn, welcoming the springtime.
Sports were also a big part of the entertainment. Dublan had many outstanding baseball and basketball teams that not only won championships in Mexico, but also in the United States. Many teams competed in the Churches all Church Competition held in Salt Lake City, winning some of them.
From the terrenos in Dublan along the river to the hills on the east was prairie land, the development of this land held the secret of the future of this Colony. Each year when the summer rains came, the prairie would become beautiful with tall green grass and wild flowers. Some way had to be found to irrigate the prairie land.
East of the Colony, in the foot hills, were two dry lakes. Water from the hills collected in them during the rainy season, but by spring they would be almost dry. It was thought that if, during the high water season, water from the river could be used to fill these lakes, they could be made into reservoirs and provide a source of water for the needed irrigation.
In order to realize this, a canal would have to be built to carry the water a distance of six miles from the river to the lakes. Another smaller canal would also be needed to bring the water back to town from the lakes, a distance of six to eight miles. This could only be accomplished by the cooperative effort on the part of the people. Many had no faith in the project, and it was difficult for Bishop Robinson to convince them of the feasibility of such an undertaking. President Anthony W. Ivins supported the plan and work commenced.
Samuel John Robinson and Joseph S. Cardon, staked off the route which seemed best. This was checked by Louis Paul Cardon, who had a knowledge of surveying. Later, trained surveyors were brought in. They pronounced that the original route was good and no changes were needed. About this time, Henry E. Bowman moved to Dublan to open up a mercantile business. He had supplied the Green Railroad Company with goods and when they were unable to pay, Henry took over their equipment consisting of 200 good mules with harnesses, scrapers, and other tools. These were brought and used by the Colonist to complete the canal. It was finished in 1911. This canal system worked well to supply water to the valley and is still in use.
The Samuel John Robinson family continued to grow. Minnie had eight additional children, added to the four that moved to Mexico with her. Mary, James Elmo, Emma Amelia, Maurine, Anna Montez, Josephine, Samuel Jerald, Joseph, and Daniel Owen.
Annie Elizabeth, Samuel John's second wife's first child, Ethel, lived only a year. Then came Irwin Jacob, Martha, and Louise. In April of 1903, a great sorrow came into the family of the Robinsons. Annie Elizabeth, the beloved wife and dear companion to all the family, passed away while giving birth to twin daughters, Annita and Elizabeth. Elizabeth died with her mother, and Annita followed two months later. The other three children, Irwin, Martha, and Louise, were raised by Minnie as her own. Minnie raised fourteen children to maturity.
Everyone worked hard earning a living and the children were attending school in a peaceful flourishing colony of Dublan until about 1911. At this time the Mexican Government was in a state of revolution. Because of the condition there were bands of rebels going through the country stealing, plundering, and terrorizing. The Mormon Colonies were a prime target as they owned better things and larger homes. There was an especially strong feeling against all Americans at that time. The Mormon Colonies maintained a state of neutrality and surrendered to many of the demands of the Rebels for food, cattle, and all kinds of goods.
These rebels became hateful towards all Americans living in Mexico, and during the summer of 1912, conditions became worse. Invading armies demanded that the colonist turn all their firearms over to them or the town would be blown up. A cannon had been set ready to carry out the threat. Inez Salazar was one of the rebels and was making the gravest threats against the Mormon people.
The Stake President, High Council, and Bishops met Sunday afternoon, July 28, 1912, and decided to turn in the firearms and to evacuate the women, children, and older men. People hurriedly packed trunks, suitcases, and rolls of bedding, most of them thinking that they would return before long.
Many people from the other colonies were leaving and the train had been loaded for several days before this. About 6000 people lived in the Mexican Colonies at this time. Dublan Ward consisted of about 1200 members.
The train arrived at daybreak, and was already loaded to capacity, having picked up others Colonist further up-line. The railroad men said that they were loaded and refused to add other boxcars. Bishop Thurber, John Robinson, and other leaders went as a group and told the train officials that they would take over the train if they didn't comply. Additional boxcars were then attached to the train.
Suitcases, trunks, and bedding were put in first and packed to the depth of four feet. The people then found seats as best they could upon the top of these things. This was truly an "EXODUS". People were leaving homes and treasures of a lifetime behind. Few of these people would ever return to their homes in Mexico. But the great test was in leaving husbands, fathers, and sons, and sweethearts behind to the mercy of those ruthless bandits.
The men and older boys took their horses and cattle to the mountains to hide them, but after a few weeks, they too left to join their families in El Paso, Texas, U.S.A. The United States Government took the crowds of people in, giving empty lumber sheds and bringing food to them. Many people, especially remembered the bottled milk and Post Toasties, as they had never seen before.
Minnie and the other women tried to make the best of it by hanging quilts up to give each family more privacy. When Samuel John arrived, he and Timothy Jones rented an unfurnished house in Highland Park and several families moved into it, feeling sure all could return to homes in Mexico soon. John found odd jobs to provide for his family. Weeks passed and situations became more acute in Mexico.
L.D.S. Church Leaders now advised the people to scatter and make new homes wherever they could. Samuel John was hired to operate a farm near Canutillo, north of El Paso, that was owned by Mr. Tooly, a banker in El Paso. The children attended a one room school with a Mrs. Garrett. The Robinson family remained there until the late summer of 1914, when they then returned to their home in Mexico. Things seemed more peaceful for the few returning Colonist, but Mexico was still in a great political upheaval.
Pancho Villa was a Mexican bandit Chiefton who sought to control Mexico after the fall of President Diaz in 1910. Others also fought to control Mexico. Madero was murdered in 1913 and Huerta became President. Pancho Villa supported him for a time. But then Carranza made a move to take over the government in 1914. Villa attacked his army and was defeated. The United States supported Pancho Villa at first, but turned its support to Carranza because of reports of Villa's brutalities. Villa retaliated against Americans in Mexico.
In December of 1915, the town of Dublan was filled with Pancho Villa's men. On the evening of December 24, armed men went to the Robinson home, located on the outskirts and down close to the river, to enter and search the place. When their demands were refused, they left saying they would return and burn the house. When the family realized that they intended to carry out their threat, Minnie and the children found refuge with a neighboring Mexican family. They hid in a back room until they felt it safe enough to escape through the cornfield up to the big ditch. They followed the big ditch through the fields to the back of Bishop Call's home. There they were made welcome and spent the rest of the night. The next morning they were joined by Samuel John and the boys. It was a joyful reunion. All were thankful that no lives had been lost, but the family was left destitute, as nothing was salvaged from the fire that destroyed their family home.
In March 1916, Pancho Villa led a raid into Columbus, New Mexico, killing 17 Americans. He then turned back towards Dublan killing all Americans and even Mexicans that worked for Americans. He intended killing the people of Colonia Dublan like he had at Columbus. There was no train running for people to escape, so they sought counsel of Bishop Call. Bishop Call remembered what President Anthony W. Ivins had promised to them if they returned to Mexico after the first exodus.
“If you go back and will assist in preserving the people’s property, you go with our blessings. They may rob you and put you to every test, but they shall not have the power to take your life.” He reminded them of this promise and his advice to them that night was simple: “Go home, pray, put out your lights, and go to bed.”
It was later told to the colonist by men who were with Villa at the time, that as they came near Colonia Dublan it looked like the entire town was on fire, so Pancho Villa ordered his troops to go around the outskirts of town, bypassing it altogether. Thus, the Colony was saved by this miracle.
The United States sent General John J. Pershing and his troops into Mexico to capture Pancho Villa with the consent of Mexico's President Carranza. The army not only protected the Mormon Colonist, but also provided work and brought produce. John and some of his sons worked for General Pershing building quarters for the troops. John also rebuilt his home that had burned.
The U.S. Troops were withdrawn from Mexico in January 1917. It was felt by the majority of the Americans and some of the natives it would be unsafe to remain in Mexico. About 1500 refuges followed the U. S. Troops to the border of the U.S.A. They traveled in automobiles, covered wagons, on horseback, and mules, bringing what house hold goods they could, driving their milk cows ahead of them. Hundreds of natives tramped behind them. In a small way it was like the, "Flight of the Children of Israel from Egypt". There were about 200 of the Mormon Colonist left behind.
The Robinson family found work at the El Gato ranch in Canutillo, just north of El Paso, Texas, for a short time. John and Minnie returned to their home in Dublan with some of their children. Some married and remained in the U.S.A. Mexico gave Pancho Villa some land of his own and the raids stopped.
Minnie and John’s son John Brentell (Jay) lost his wife so he and his four children were invited to move back home. Their daughter, Lucille also was left alone to raise her five children and she returned home to help her mother with the work and to raise her children there.
In 1928 John was again sent on a short mission to California where he made many friends and did good work for the Church. His beloved wife and companion of 48 years died on July 18, 1934. Minnie was in her 65th year, had born 13 children and raised four of Annie's, and had nine grandchildren live with her. After her death Samuel John stayed at home for a time, overseeing all three families living in a single home. He filled the role of both father and mother and kept things going.
All through his life, Samuel John took great interest in young people and their activities and entertainment. He promoted the drama for which he had great love. Many memorable plays were produced under his direction. He often took part himself. Plays such as "The Two Orphans, Rag Pickers of Paris, Silver King, and East Lynn". He continued this work until he was well along in years.
In his retirement years, John spent time visiting with his children and their families. He devoted some time to doing genealogical work and for some years did Temple work in Salt Lake and Mesa, Arizona.
During the years of 1947-1948, John was in Salt Lake City living part time with his daughter Maurine, and his daughter Martha. He enjoyed his daily walk from their home to the Temple where he was an ordained Temple Worker. When he began to have problems with his health his doctor told him that he had prostate cancer that should be removed. After the surgery he remained quite ill and Maurine could see very little improvement. Then one morning John told Maurine that he had had a special visitor in his room, but he didn't know just who and couldn't recall the message. He began to feel much stronger and felt impressed to visit his children living in or near Phoenix, Arizona. He arrived in Arizona and visited with his sons, Sam, Owen, Irwin, Elmo, and their families, and his daughter Millie and her family. He was staying with Elmo and Cary when his condition worsened and he died.
John was in his eighty-fifth year when he passed away on April 16, 1948 in Phoenix and his body was returned to Colonia Dublan, Mexico, for services and burial. He had fourteen living children and all were in attendance at their father’ funeral on April 24th, 1948. During his lifetime John expressed how the hymn "School Thy Feelings" was often a great comfort to him, and so at his funeral it and other favorite hymns were sung by a chorus of eleven grandsons. He was buried in the Dublan Cemetery beside his two wives, and Annie, on the prairie where he had worked so long and hard to bring water to the area.
Those who knew him, remember seeing Samuel John riding his faithful horse "Sparky" out on the prairie at a gallop along the canals checking to make that the water reached town. John had raised Sparky from an orphan colt feeding him at first from a bottle and always giving him the best. Many of grandchildren rode Sparky long after Grandpa stopped riding him.
The physical description of Samuel John Robinson is that he was six feet tall with a slender build. He walked with an alert, graceful, and step, that may account for the many miles he covered, even at the end to the Temples. He had dark hair and clear blue eyes. He enjoyed a good or joke and found pleasure in the companionship of family, friends, neighbors, and workmen. His mind was keen and highly sensitive to the world around even up to the day he died.
John was honest, kind-hearted, and quick to aid anyone in need. He used splendid clean language, free from swearing and slander. He truly loved Gospel of Jesus Christ and honestly tried to live by His teachings. He always an ardent, faithful, and loving worker in all his Church Callings supported the Church Authorities fully. His descendants should feel privileged to have had such a fine gentleman for their progenitor.
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