MISSIONARY LETTERS

Notes regarding the Tennessee Mission of Hyrum D. Clark

Late in 1877, Hyrum D. Clark left with his Uncle Edward Stevenson on a mission. They stopped at the home of David Whitmer in Richmond, Mo. and heard his restatement of his Testimony of the Book of Mormon. Asked why he had left the Church, he replied that he had not but that it had left him.

Three letters by him and one by his Uncle Edward are here reproduced.

Shady Grove, Hickman Co. Tenn. March 5, 1878.

Mr. Ezra T. Clark

Dear Father:

I thought a word or two would not go amiss from your son, hoping it will find you all well as it leaves me and Uncle. The weather here is like spring now but the weather is very changeable, generally raining which makes it very muddy. We have had quite a number of meetings, mostly in private homes. There is a branch of 18 members here and a branch of 12 members at Tolly's Bend, a place 11 miles straight north of here. The latter is mostly of the Tolly family and is a very good branch. They are very poor. When you go to have a meeting, they come with a bundle of sticks to light their way. They are scattered pretty well here. We have added 3 to that branch and 1 to this since we came here and the prospect is that more will soon join the ranks. But generally, the people do not seem very anxious to hear the Gospel. Since I received your letter, we have been north 17 or 18 miles to Centerville, the county seat of Hickman County where we held three meetings in their Christian meetinghouse, during which time we held several at Tolly's Bend. Our headquarters is at Robert Churche's. He is good about letting us have horses to ride at times, etc. This branch is mostly composed of Churches. Well, I don't know as this is very interesting to you. You asked how my shoulder is getting. It has got along alright, I think, at least I don't feel any affects of it now and I don't think it will ever bother me any more. Also, my fare was about $70 besides other expenses of laying over, etc. All told, was about $85. I haven't been to scarcely any expense since I arrived here. I don't think I will need anymore just now. I don't know exactly how much I have with me. I have taken out $50 from one place in the belt and have got $20 of it left, so you know how much I have got. Uncle got a letter yesterday, stating that Brother Morgan and others were coming out here and he intimated that Uncle would be going back in the spring, but that I would be apt to stay 2 years. But I don't know how it will be yet.

I received a letter from Joseph (Hyrum’s older brother) when I received yours. All well. I will close for the present, hoping to hear from you. I remain as ever your obedient son H. Clark. I have just written to Joseph S. Clark, I will enclose a letter to sisters.

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