EQC: German Mission - Leipzig (July 1908 to January 1909)

Leipzig was Edwin Q. Cannon’s third area while serving in the Swiss German Mission. He initially spent seven months in Tilsit and then three months in Konigsberg. His time in Konigsberg was cut short when a missionary drowned and it became known to Prussian police that Ed was a Mormon missionary serving illegally in Prussia. Ed was banished from the Kingdom of Prussia and then assigned to Leipzig which was part of the Kingdom of Saxony, also part of the German Empire. Ed was in Leipzig for five and a half months, from July 22, 1908 to January 7, 1909.

David H. Beardshall was President of the Leipzig Conference, today’s equivalent of a zone leader over a zone. Ed stayed with him for almost two weeks until Ed found a room of his own. Then two weeks later, Ed, who had been companionless, was assigned to Lou Peery and they found a different place to stay. They were companions for a little more than two months, then Peery was transferred to Erfurt and Archie Brockbank came from Erfurt to be Ed’s companion. They were companions about two and a half months until Ed was transferred to Magdeburg.

It would be fascinating to know more about the constraints they had to live under. There seems to be an underlying tension to their work. More than three weeks after he’d moved to Leipzig, Ed registered at the local police headquarters. But then on October 1, while at Bible class, they “thought it better not to stay for fear of the police”. Ten days later, on October 11, while Ed was speaking in a meeting, a stranger came in and sat down. Ed thought it was a “detective” and indicated he was “quite frightened.” The elders were “expecting to be taken” at the end of the meeting. It turned out to be a member visiting from another area. Then on January 1, Ed told his landlady “who we were and had quite a conversation”.

Elder Beardshall went home on October 31 and it appears that Elder Felt took his place as Leipzig Conference president. Ed was in charge of “mailing printed matter” such as tracts and newspapers to the missionaries and worked out of the offices of Hiller & Co., apparently the office of a member, Bro. Hiller, that lived in Connewitz. Ed also worked on the branch books which kept him quite busy toward the end of the year. There were three baptisms on August 27 (three women and a man), Ed confirmed one of the three, and Ed baptized three women on September 6. He talks very little about his investigators (he calls them “friends”), what he teaches them, or even when he visits them. This may relate to the constraints of secrecy related to his missionary work.

Ed was visited by his half-brother, Espey Cannon, from September 4 to 8, who was serving a mission in another part of Germany. Ed and Espey also met the year prior, on September 15, 1907. He noted when his half-brother, Tracy Cannon, in Berlin studying music, left to go home on November 2. His future wife, “Miss Luella Wareing,” sent two Christmas packages which arrived on January 4, right before he was transferred.

The missionaries were able to enjoy some culture. He mentions going to plays, operas, including Verdi’s Rigoletto with Enrico Caruso, the Italian tenor, and at least one “moving picture show.” He also saw the 22 year old king of Spain on October 6. The Word of Wisdom must also have been different then. There have now been nine references to Ed and other missionaries enjoying coffee.

The journal entries follow:

July 22, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Beardshall assigned me to the work of mailing the printed matter from here, such as tracts, newspapers etc. to the missionaries. I spent the day at the office of Hiller Co. helping take care of this work. This evening Bro. Beardshall and I visited a friend with Bro. Friedrich and had a very good gospel conversation.

July 23, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

I spent today at the office. Bro. Beardshall and I ate dinner at a vegetarian restaurant.

July 24, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Beardshall and I went bathing this forenoon and this afternoon I worked at the office. This evening I attended a 24th of July celebration held by the Leipzig branch.

July 25, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig, Connewitz)

This afternoon Bros. Algeier, Friedrick and Bruder and I held a little meeting at Bro. Bruder’s. This evening I stayed with Bro. Hiller in Connewitz.

July 26, 1908 (Sunday): (Connewitz, Statritz)

This morning I milked Bro. Hiller’s goat. This afternoon I went to meeting and was called upon to speak. This evening Bro. Friedrick and I went out to Statritz and from there I walked to Connewitz passing the Vokker Schlacht Monument. This monument when it is finished in 1913 will be the largest in the world.

July 27, 1908 (Monday): (Connewitz, Leipzig)

I walked from Connewitz to Leipzig through the woods this morning. I spent the afternoon at the office and this evening Bro. Hiller and I walked to Connewitz.

July 28, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I worked in the office this afternoon. This evening I took a street car ride.

July 29, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

I visited Bro. Algier at Sister Hubolts this morning. This afternoon I worked in the office and this evening I visited a family of friends with Bro. Algier.

July 30, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning, worked in the office this afternoon and this evening I went to Bible Class. Bro. Beardshall returned this morning.

July 31, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

I worked in the office this forenoon and Bro. Beardshall and I visited the art gallery this afternoon. I visited a family of friends this evening with Bro. Friedricks.

August 1, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Beardshall and I visited the Museum of Race Arts, the Panorama, the “Reichs Gericht” building and went to a concert in St. Thomas’ Church. Bro. Beardshall appointed a meeting of the boys here, to be held in his room and all the boys were there except Bro. Bruderer. Bro. Bruderer himself came in about 4 p.m. and as he came through the door he shook hands with Bro. Beardshall, then with Bro. Algier. As he shook Bro. Algier’s hand he gave it a jerk and hollered in German “I’m Crazy”, then he went into a frenzy and it took all four of us, Bros. Beardshall, Friedricks and Algier and I to throw him on the sofa and hold him. After struggling for a few minutes he became rational and in this way for about an hour he would alternately rave then become rational. The brother has been unwell since he has been on a mission and has been worrying about his missionary work as well as about his family at home and about financial reasons and through this his mind became unbalanced momentarily. Bros. Beardshall and Friedricks will stay with him tonight.

August 2, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig, Connewitz)

This afternoon Bros. Dopp and Beardshall, and I went to visit Bro. Bruderer and found him feeling a great deal better. Bro. Dopp and I went to meeting from there and after meeting we went with Bro. Hiller to Connewitz for supper.

August 3, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I helped Bro. Dopp in the office this morning and ate dinner with him and Bro. Beardshall. This afternoon, Bro. Dopp and I hunted for a room for me and finally found one in Comenius Str 41st Etashe. I visited Bro. Bruderer with Bro. Beardshall this evening.

August 4, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I took my things to my new room this morning. This afternoon I sent the mail off for Bro. Dopp. I waited a long time to see Bro. Bruderer but he wasn’t home.

August 5, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

I staid in my new room for the first time last night. This forenoon Bro. Bruderer and I visited the art gallery. We ate dinner at a private place here in the vacinity of where I live. This evening Bro. Beardshall and I visited a blind man and his wife.

August 6, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning and met some very nice people. I went to dinner with Bros. Bruderer and Friedrick and this afternoon we went to Gohlis and saw the Schiller house and from there we went to the turin berg. From the high wooden tower on this hill one can see all over Leipzig as well as all the suburbs. From the “Turmberg” we walked to Charlotten Hof. Here we refreshed our selves with milk then took a boat ride. We went to Bible Class this evening.

August 7, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning. Bro. Bruderer, Sister Walzer and I ate dinner at the private dining place. This afternoon I wrote a letter and this evening Bro. Beardshall and I visited Herrn Nueser.

August 8, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig)

I did some shopping today. This afternoon I went to priestood meeting at Bro. Friedrick’s.

August 9, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig)

I went to dinner with Bro. Bruderer and Sister Walzer. I attended Sunday School and meeting and this evening Bros. Algeier, Beardshall and Dopp and I went out to a small town where one of the sisters lives and held a cottage meeting.

August 10, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I helped Bro. Bruderer tie up his trunk this morning. This afternoon the missionaries and some of the saints took a walk in the forest. We had a very pleasant time together. This evening Bro. Beardshall and I went to visit two families of friends but they did not receive us.

August 11, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning and went to dinner with Bro. Bruderer and Sister Walzer. Bro. Ballif [mission president] came this afternoon. This evening we met Elders Preston and Stevens and we all went to the depot to see Bro. Bruderer and Sister Walzer off.

August 12, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

All the elders of the Leipzig Conference convened in Priesthood this morning at 10 o’clock. We spent the time in giving our reports, and expression to our feelings. After dinner we came together again and Presidents Beardshall and Ballif took up the time giving us instructions. The meeting was of the most profitable nature and we enjoyed a very good spirit. This evening Bro. Tonks and I visited two families of friends and invited them to the meeting tomorrow night. This evening we all went to the opera “Fra Diavalo”.

August 13, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

I went out this forenoon to tell all the saints and friends in this district about Bro. Ballif’s going to be in meeting this evening. I stayed home and wrote this afternoon. This evening I went to meeting and we had a very good time together.

August 14, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning. Bro. Dopp and I ate dinner with Sister Paech and this afternoon I helped him do the mailing. This evening we went to “Peter and the Zimmermann” in the Stadt Theatre.

August 15, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig)

I spent the forenoon writing letters. This afternoon I went to the police Headquarters to register and after that I went to a meeting of the elders at Bro. Algiers. I spent the evening at home.

August 16, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig)

I spent the morning at home studying. This afternoon I went to Sunday School and meeting and this evening I went to a house meeting at Bro. Cretchmeir’s.

August 17, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning and this afternoon Bro. Peery arrived and we spent the afternoon looking for a room. This evening Bro. Dopp and I visited Bro. and Sister Housedorf and ate supper with them.

August 18, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I spent this morning in moving my things from Comenius Str. To Goeschen Str. 17. I went tracting this afternoon and found very few people at home. I made one good visit, however, by an opera singer, who seemed quite interested in what he had already read. Bro. Peery and I went to make a visit this evening but the family was not home so we went to the Cristal Palace Vaudiville. Bro. Peery has been appointed as my companion.

August 19, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning and spent the afternoon at home studying. This evening Bros. Peery and Dopp and I visited Family Lenkheit.

August 20, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

I tracted this morning and the afternoon stayed home and read. I went to Bible Class this evening.

August 21, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

I spent the forenoon tracting. This afternoon Bro. Peery and I helped Bro. Dopp the mail to be sent off then all three of us hunted for a place where they had a swimming pool. When we did finally find a place it happened that on Fridays the swim baths are for women. This evening, Bro. Peery and I visited Sister Mossig and tried to visit a friend but no one was home.

August 22, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig)

This afternoon all the boys here in Leipzig met at Bro. Friedrick’s and studies the Sunday School and Bible class lessons.

August 23, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig)

I went to Sunday School and meeting this afternoon and this evening all of us boys went to Bro. Beardshall’s for a while.

August 24, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning. Bros. Peery and Beardshall and I went out to Bro. Hiller’s for dinner. Bro. Peery and I visited a family of friends this evening.

August 25, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I went with tracts this morning and we ate dinner at Kretchmeirs. Bro. Peery and I visited Sister Goldammer and her aunt and got supper there.

August 26, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

This morning Bro. Dopp and I went to Sister Mossig’s for dinner but we had made a mistake as to the day so we went to the vegiterian restaurant to dinner. I tracted this afternoon and visited Bro. and Sister Kuster this evening.

August 27, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

This forenoon I staid home and wrote letters. Bro. Peery and I ate dinner with Sister Mossig. This afternoon I tracted and this evening I went to Bibel Class. After Bible Class we baptized three women and a man. Bro. Friedrick did the baptizing and I confirmed one of them.

August 28, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning. At noon I met Bro. Dopp and we ate dinner together at the vegitarian restaurant. Bro. Peery and I visited a family of friends this evening.

August 29, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig)

We elders held a priestood meeting this afternoon and this evening we went to the Theatre.

August 30, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig)

I went to Sunday School and meeting this afternoon and this evening Bros. Peery and Dopp and I held a sacrament meeting at Bro. Kuster’s

August 31, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig, Mokau)

Bro. Richter invited all of us elders to dinner today. Bro. Friedrick and I went out to Mokau to find a place to baptize this evening. Bro. Peery and I visited the family of the blind man.

September 1, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I tracted this morning. This evening Bro. Peery and I visited Sister Goldammer and had a good talk with her cousin.

September 2, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

After tracting this morning, Bro. Peery and I went to dinner at the Vegetarian Restaurant. This evening we tried to make two visits, but one family had visitors and the other family wasn’t home.

September 3, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning. This evening I went to Bible Class.

September 4, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning. We ate dinner at the vegeterian resturant and spent the afternoon at home. Espy* arrived from Dresden at 5.55 P.M. and we went to the theatre this evening. The play was “Rosen Montag.”

*Espey Cannon was Ed’s half-brother. They’d previously met on September 15, 1907 in Basel and spent several days together.

September 5, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig)

Espy and I went out to the “Volker schlacht Denkmal” this morning. We also saw the place where Napolion stood while directing the Battle of Leipsic on Oct. 18th 1813. We went to the zoo this afternoon and to the Cristal Palace this evening.

September 6, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig, Mokau)

Espy and I went through the Art gallery today. This afternoon we went to sunday school and meeting. This evening we had a Baptismal Service at Mokau and I baptized three women.

September 7, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I went with the other Bretheren to look at a hall this morning. Espy and I visited the Reichs Gericht Building and the Book Merchants’ museum. This evening Bros Peery and Dopp, and Espy and I went to see Boccaccio.

September 8, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I spent the morning with Espy visiting the university. He left for Berlin at 12 Noon. I spent the afternoon writing. This evening Bro. Peery and I tried to make a visit but the two families that we went to see were too busy to receive us so we went out to the Messe.

September 9, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning. This afternoon Bros. Dopp and Peery and Sister Goldammer and I went out to the “Volkerschlacht Denkmal.” I went to singing class this evening.

September 10, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Peery and I ate dinner at the vegetarian resturant today. This evening I conducted the Bible Class.

September 11, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

I spent the forenoon tracting. This afternoon Bro. Beardshall and I visited a backsliding sister and a friend. This evening we tried to visit three different families but found no one home.

September 12, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig)

I spent the morning at home writing. This afternoon I went to priesthood meeting out to Bro. Frederick’s. This evening Pres. Beardshall and I visited a family of friends.

September 13, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig)

Pres. Bearshall and I visited a family of friends today. This afternoon I attended sunday school meeting and priestood meeting and this evening attended sacrament meeting at Bro. Hillers.

September 14, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Peery returned from Dresden this afternoon. I went tracting. Spent the evening at home.

September 15, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning. This afternoon Peery and I went out and took some pictures. We tried to make some visits this evening but found the people away.

September 16, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

I tracted this morning. I spent the afternoon writing letters. This evening Bro. Peery and I visited Bro Kuster.

September 17, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning. This afternoon went out to find some of Bro. Bruderers old friends. I went to Bibel Class this evening.

September 18, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning. I helped Peery on the reports this afternoon. This evening Bro. Peery and I visited a family of friends.

September 19, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig)

I helped Bro. Peery on the books this morning. This afternoon we elders held a priestood meeting. Bro. Beardshall and I went to the “Walzer traum” this evening.

September 20, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig, Altenburg, Conniwitz)

Pres. Beardshall and I went out to Altenburg today and we visited two saints and a friend and tried to find an old apostate saint. This evening we held a cottage meeting in Conniwitz.

September 21, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I helped Bros Bearshall and Peery with the reports this morning. This evening Bro Peery and I went to Carmen.

September 22, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I tracted this morning. This evening Bro Peery and I held a cottage meeting at Custer’s.

September 23, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

I stayed home and wrote letters this morning. This evening Peery and I went to the “Krystal Palast.”

September 24, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

I spent the morning tracting. This afternoon I went to visit some friends this afternoon I conducted Bible Class this evening.

September 25, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Dopp is laid up with the itch and I spent the day working in the office. This evening Bro. Peery and I visited Bro. Kiesig. Bro. Schwendiman came today to take charge of the branch.

September 26, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig)

I spent the morning at home writing. This afternoon we went swimming and this evening Bro. Algeier and I went to the Merry Widow.

September 27, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Peery and I went to the English Church this morning and this afternoon I went to Sunday School and meeting. This evening we held a sacrement meeting at Bro. Hubalt’s.

September 28, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning. This evening we went to move the things from the old to the new meeting place.

September 29, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I helped move the things from the old Hall to the new one today. The old Hall is at West Str. 24 and the new one is at Windmuhlen Str 42. Bro. Peery and I ate supper at Sister Pietsche’s.

September 30, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

I help paint and clean up at the Hall today. Bro. Peery and I spent the evening at home.

October 1, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

I tracted this morning. This afternoon I wrote letters and this evening I went to Bible Class but we thought it better not to stay for fear of the police so Bro. Peery and I went to a moving picture show.

October 2, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

I went out tracting this morning. This afternoon Peery and I went out in the forest and took some pictures and this evening we went to see the “Dollar Prinzessin”.

October 3, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig)

I spent the morning at home reading. This afternoon Peery and I took a swim bath. I went the Hotel Eva at the old Theatre this evening.

October 4, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig, Altenburg)

Bro. Peery and I went out to Altenburg today to visit two sisters and a friend. We spent the evening at home.

October 5, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I tracted this morning and had a very unsatisfactory time. This evening Bro. Peery and I tried to make a visit but didn’t find the people at home. We went to the Automobile show this afternoon.

October 6, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I spent the morning at home studying. This afternoon Bro. Peery and I saw the King of Spain* as he arrived at the Dresdener Bahnhof. This evening we had a cottage meeting at Bro. Kusters.

*Alphonso XII of Spain, just age 22 at the time.

October 7, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

I tracted this morning and wrote letters this afternoon. This evening Bro. Peery and I visited a family of friends.

October 8, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning while out I gave a tract to an English woman. I had quite a talk with her. Bro. Peery and I went to Bible Class this evening.

October 9, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

I stayed home and studied this morning. This afternoon I went tracting and had a very interesting time. Bro. Peery and I went to the Batenberg this evening.

October 10, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

I spent the morning at home writing letters. This afternoon we held a priestood meeting in Plagwitz at Bro. Dopp’s and Bro. Schwendimans rooms and I spent the evening at home.

October 11, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig)

I visited Bro. Kuster this morning to deliver him some tracts. I also went to visit a friend but he wasn’t home. This afternoon I went to Sunday school and meeting. In meeting I was called on to speak and had hardly gotten started when a man, whom I thought was a detective, came in and sat down. I was quite frightened, moreso than I would otherwise have been had not Bro. Schwendiman pulled my coat two or three different times and I ended my speech as soon as possible. All of us elders were confidently expecting to be taken at the end of the meeting but the man turned out to be a brother from Halle. We held a local priesthood meeting at Bro. Kuster’s this evening.

October 12, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Peery and I went out and took some pictures this morning. I sent most of the afternoon at home studying. I visited a friend however shortly before supper. Bro. William S. Wright from Ogeden arrived here this evening. He stayed with Bro. Peery and me this evening. Bro. Peery and I visited a friend this evening.

October 13, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning. This afternoon Bro. Peery and I showed Bro. Wright around Leipzig and this evening we went to the “Walzertraum.”

October 14, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning and studied during the afternoon. Bro. Peery and I visited Bro. Olze this evening.

October 15, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

I tracted this forenoon. I wrote a letter and studied this afternoon. I conducted the Bible Class this evening.

October 16, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

I tracted this morning and Bro. Peery and I visited Sister Massig this afternoon. We kauften bread and milk ein for supper. Went to see Sarah Bernhardt in “Lax Taska” this evening. It was played in French but the acting was very fine.

October 17, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

Peery and I bathed this morning. This afternoon we went out to Plagwitz to Priestood meeting. This evening we went to hear Enrico Caruso play Rigeletto.

October 18, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig, Grimma)

Bro. Beardshall and I went out to Grimma Sunday morning to hold a meeting. Bros. Dopp and Beardshall had been out there two weeks before and had met the minister and they promised that when they came again they would let him know. We arrived there about noon and soon after Herr Knorr went out to invite a few friends to attend the meeting and also to tell the pastor that we were there. The pastor came at about 6 PM and a number of people arrived shortly after. We had quite an exciting time talking with him and arguing as to which had the correct doctrine. We had the best of the argument, I believe, and made a good impression with the people, but our inability with the language made it impossible to make a decided victory. The people left about ten o’clock and we spent the night with Knorrs’.

October 19, 1908 (Monday): (Grimma, Leipzig, Connewitz)

Bro. Beardshall and I arrived in Leipzig from Grimma about 9.30 a.m. and I went out to Connewitz with him and stayed until noon. I ate dinner at the vegiterian Resturant and met Bros. Peery and Dopp there. I went tracting this afternoon and this evening Bro. Peery and I tried to visit Herrn Musser but he wasn’t home so we spent the evening at home.

October 20, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning. This afternoon Bro. Peery and I visited a family of very poor people. They were entirely destitute, but the man showed a great interest for the gospel. This evening we held a cottage meeting at Kuster’s.

October 21, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig, Connewitz)

I went tracting this morning. This afternoon I went out to Connewitz to see Bro. Beardshall but he wasn’t home but I met him on the way into town and made an appointment to make a visit with him. I mailed the packages for Bro. Dopp and returned home. Bro. Peery got notice to go to Erfurt to take charge there. Bro. Beardshall came about 5.30 P.M. and we visited the poor family that we found yesterday. Bro. Peery and I went to Forster-Chrystel this evening.

October 22, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

I spent a good part of the morning waiting at the office for Bro. Dopp but he didn’t come. I waited quite a while this afternoon and he didn’t come so I came home and wrote some letters. I conducted the Bible Class.

October 23, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

While out tracting this morning I visited the English lady that I found the other day she invited me in and I had quite a talk with her. Her home is in Melbourne Australia and she is here with her daughter who is studying musik. I helped Bro. Dopp at the office this afternoon and this evening Bro. Schwendiman and I visited the family of poor people that we found the other day.

October 24, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

I took a swim bath this morning. I stayed home the fore part of the afternoon and wrote a letter or two and then went out to Plagwitz to priestood meeting. I also spent the evening with the boys in Plagwitz.

October 25, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig)

I went to the depot with Bro. Peery this morning. He left for Erfurt in Thuringen where he has been assigned to labor. I attended Sunday school and meeting this afternoon and spoke in meeting. Bros. Dopp and Schwendimann came out to my room and we spent the evening together.

October 26, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I spent the whole day working on the branch books. This evening Bro. Dopp and I visited Bro. Schrader and got supper there.

October 27, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I spent the morning at home studying and went tracting this afternoon. This evening I went to the Opera Othello.

October 28, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

I tracted this forenoon and went to the vegitarian resturant for dinner. I spent the afternoon at home studying I also stayed home this evening.

October 29, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Brockbank arrived from Erfurt this forenoon. At the “Veg” we met Bros. Schwendimann, Dopp and McKay and later in the afternoon Bro. Gardner. Bro. McKay is going to Zurick to take charge of the conference there and Bro. Gardner is released to go home. We all went up in the tower of the “Rathhaus” this afternoon. Also visited Kretchmars. We went to Bible Class this evening.

October 30, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

Bro. McKay stayed with us last night and this morning I took him down to Sternwartenstr and then went tracting. This afternoon Bro. Brockbank and I visited sister Kuster Herrn Mannteufel and Herrn Heinike. We spent the evening at home.

October 31, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

Bro. Brockbank and I went to the swim Bath this afternoon and then out to Plagwitz to priestood meeting. Bros. Beardshall and Felt were there and after the meeting we went to the depot to see Bro. Beardshall leave for home.

November 1, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig, Connewitz)

Bro. Brockbank and I went through the art gallery this afternoon then went to Sunday school and meeting. After meeting we went to the “Veg” for supper. Bros. Tonks, Felt and I held a sacrament meeting at Bro. Hubolt’s in Connewitz this evening and had a very fine time.

November 2, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I stayed home this forenoon and worked on the books. This afternoon I went tracting and toward evening Bro. Dopp and Brockbank and I visited Herrn Henike. This evening Bro. Tonks came up and we tried to make four different visits but the people we either not at home or unable to entertain us so we went to a moving picture show. Tracy Cannon left Berlin to go home today.

November 3, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I spent the fore and afternoon tracting. This evening Bro. Brockbank and I held a cottage meeting at Kusters’.

November 4, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting both this morning and this afternoon. This evening Bro. Brockbank and I visited Sister Pietsch and had supper there.

November 5, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

Being unwell I didn’t go out tracting this forenoon but this afternoon I tracted and this evening I went to Bible Class.

November 6, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

I tracted this morning and this afternoon. This evening Bro. Brockbank and I visited Bro. Schroder and had supper there. As we were coming home we stopped to look through a telescope which is set up on Augustus Platz every night. We looked at the planate Saturn and the Moon. The ring around Saturn was very clearly to be seen.

November 7, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

Bro. Dopp came up this morning and we went to have a swim bath. This afternoon we held a priestood meeting in Plagwitz. We all went to the “Dollar Prinzessin” in the new theatre.

November 8, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig, Connewitz)

Bro. Brockbank and I spent the forepart of the day at home writing and this afternoon we went to Sunday School and meeting. This evening we attended a cottage meeting a Bro. Hubolt’s in Connewitz.

November 9, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I met Bro. Dopp at 11.30 am and we went out to Bro. Richter’s for dinner. I made two visits this afternoon and spent the rest of the time working on the books. This evening Bro. Brockbank and I visited Herrn Heinicke, the sick friend, after which we went to the Crystal Palace.

November 10, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I spent the forenoon at home writing. This afternoon I went tracting and made one first visit. Bro. Brockbank and I went to visit the blind man this evening but he wasn’t at home.

November 11, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

I stayed home this morning. This afternoon I took a coat out to Bro. Wachmuth in Plagwitz for him to fix it. I spent the rest of the afternoon tracting and made a first visit. I spent the evening at home.

November 12, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

I spent the forenoon at home studying. This afternoon I went tracting and this evening I conducted the Bible Class.

November 13 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

I stayed at home and studied this morning. I went tracting this afternoon while out I made a visit by an old friend. Having no friends to visit this evening I stayed at home.

November 14, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Brockbank and I went swimming at noon today and this afternoon we went out to Plagwitz to and held priestood meeting out there. This evening we went to see the “Baron von Trent”.

November 15, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Brockbank and I went out to Harbolts to dinner. Bros. Dopp, Schwendiman, Wright and Tonks were there and we had a good dinner. This afternoon I went to Sunday School and meeting and spoke at the latter. Bros. Wright and Tonks and I ate supper with Bro. Rockholz and this evening we went to a sacrament meeting at Bro. Kusters.

November 16, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I tracted this morning and worked on the books this afternoon. Bro. Brockbank and visited Herrn Heinicke this evening.

November 17, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig, Connewitz)

I worked on the books this morning. At noon I met Bro. Felt at Hiller’s and from there I went out to where Bros. Tonks and Wright live in Connewitz to get some report blanks. This afternoon I tracted and this evening I went with Bro. Schwendiman to a cottage meeting at Kuster’s.

November 18, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

Today being “Bustag” and a legal holiday we didn’t do any work such as tracting etc. as it is hard to find the people at home. I spent the day and evening writing and studying.

November 19, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

I spent the morning at home studying. This afternoon I went tracting and this evening Bro. Brockbank and I visited Herrn Heinicke after which we went to Bible Class.

November 20, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

I visited an Australian Lady and her daughter this morning. This afternoon I visited a Herr Gumberecht and had quite a conversation with him. I then went tracting and this evening I visited Herrn Koll.

November 21, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

Bro. Brockbank and I spent the morning at home writing and this afternoon we went swimming after which we went to priestood meeting and to Plagwitz. Pres. Ballif [mission president] was present and we had quite an interesting time. We ate supper and spent the evening there.

November 22, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Brockbank and I visited Herrn Heinicke this morning. This afternoon we went out to Bro. Hubolt’s to hold Sunday School. We spent the evening at home.

November 23, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I spent the morning at home writing. This afternoon I went out tracting and made a visit. I spent the evening at home.

November 24, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I werked in the office all day today. This evening Bro. Brockbank and I visited Bro. Kuster.

November 25, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

I tracted this morning and this afternoon. This evening Bro. Brockbank and I tried to find Bro. Peery but failing ate supper and returned home where we spent the evening.

November 26, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Peery and I visited three of my friends this fore noon to invite them to meeting this evening. This afternoon we wall went out to Hubold’s and had a Thanksgiving dinner. There were Bro’s. Ballif, Felt, Dopp, Tonks, Peery, Parrett, Friedrick, Brockbank, Preston, Schwendiman, Adams, Wright, and Stevens all the missionaries of the Leipzig Conference. We had a dindy goose dinner and a fine time together. This evening we had a meeting in the hall and Bros. Schwendiman, Peery, Friedrick, Dopp & Felt and Pres. Ballif spoke. Bro. Ballif was talking quite pointedly on the teaching of Child Baptism and some man caused a little disturbance by getting up and taking his wife out of meeting.

November 27, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

We held two priestood meetings today and received some very good instructions from Pres. Ballif. At noon we all went and had our pictures taken. This evening we at supper at the reform resturant and then went to “Madame Troubadour.”

November 28, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

Bro. Peery and I went down to the office this morning and I had a talk with Pres. Ballif. This afternoon Bros. Ballif, Peery and Schwendiman left Leipzig. We boys held a priestood meeting in Plagwitz this afternoon and this evening we went to see Frau Sigrid Arnoldson and Herrn Kurt Fredrich in “La Traviata.” Bro. Preston is staying with us tonight.

November 29, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

Bros. Brockbank and Preston and I went out to Plagwitz this morning and met Bro. Dopp then we took Preston to the Depot. This afternoon I went to Sunday School and meeting and this evening we held a sacrament meeting at Bro. Hausdorf’s.

November 30, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I met Bro. Felt this morning and we paid a bill for some chairs for the hall. I then took a bath and I spent the afternoon tracting. This evening Bro. Brockbank and I visited a friend.

December 1, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I worked on the books this morning until Bro. Wright came at about 10.30 am, then we talked over about the Christmas Celebration for the branch. This afternoon Bros. Felt and Dopp and I went to see about getting a hall for celebration, then Bro. Dopp and I did some shopping. This evening Bro. Felt came down and we visited the Heinicke family then held a cottage meeting at Kusters.

December 2, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

I went out tracting this morning. At noon I met Bro. Felt at the “Veg” and this afternoon we made some visits together. Bro. Brockbank and I visited a family this evening and we got into quite an argument.

December 3, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

I spent the forenoon at home studying. At noon I went to the Veg and met Bro Dopp there and we ate dinner together. I tracted this afternoon and had quite an interesting time at it. This evening I conducted the Bible Class.

December 4, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig)

I remained home this morning and studied and wrote a letter. I met Bro. Dopp at noon and we went to a new place to eat dinner. This afternoon while tracting I had an invitation to go in to talk to a woman and three of her friends came in to hear. I had a fine talk with them. This evening Bro. Brockbank and I visited Bro. Schrodter and had a good conversation with his wife.

December 5, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig)

I stayed home and wrote letters this morning. At noon Bro. Brockbank and I went and took a bath. This afternoon we held a meeting at Bro. Tonks and studied the Sunday school and Book of Mormon lesson. This evening Bros. Dopp, Brockbank, Fullenbach and Felt and I went to see an operette called “Die Fledermans”.

December 6, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Brockbank and I remained at home until a little after noon and we then went to Sunday school and meeting. Bros. Dopp and Brockbank and I ate supper with sister Anna Hiller and this evening we held a meeting Kuster’s.

December 7, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I spent the morning at home working on the books and later tried to find a hall to hold our Christmas exercises in. This afternoon I went tracting and this evening Bro. Brockbank and I went to visit the “Blind Man” but he wasn’t home so I spent the evening working on the books.

December 8, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig)

I went tracting this morning and this afternoon I went to visit a man but he wasn’t home. This evening Bro. Brockbank and I visited Herrn Heinike.

December 9, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig, Fuchsain, Liebertwolkwitz)

I met Bro. Dopp at the office at noon and we went to dinner then went to the Dresdener Bahnhof and bought tickets for Liebertwalkwitz, and from there we intended to walk to Fuchshain where sister Hausmann lives but we got on the wrong train and didn’t find it out until we got to a little station quite a ways out from Leipsic. At this place we found that Fuchshain was about two hours walk away so we walked. On the way we gave out a few tracts. In Fuchshain we visited sister Hausmann and had cocoa with her and then walked to Gross Posena and visited a Frau Zimmer who is a good friend. We had a good gospel conversation and she also gave us coffee and something to eat. We left there about 6.30 pm and walked to Liebertwolkwitz and took the train for Leipsic.

December 10, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

I stayed home and read and did some writing this morning and this Afternoon I tracted. I went to Bible Class this evening.

December 11, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig, Lindenau)

I spent the morning at home writing. Bros. Dopp, Tonks, Wright and Brockbank and I ate dinner at Sister Suzky’s. This afternoon I ordered some coal for the hall then tracted for a while. I met Bro. Brockbank at 5 oclock and we visited one of his friends. This evening Bro. Dopp and I visited an old friend in Lindenau.

December 12, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig)

I stayed with Bro. Dopp last night and returned home this morning and spent the forepart of the day studying. This afternoon Bro. Brockbank and I went out to Bro. Tonk’s and we held a meeting and practiced singing. This evening we all went to Siegfried in the New Theatre. This is the third piece from Wagner’s “DaRing des Nibelungen”

December 13, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig)

I spent the fore part of the day at home working on the books. This afternoon I went to Sunday School and Meeting and after meeting we held a priestood meeting with the local priestood. This evening we ate supper and spent the evening at Sister Suzky’s. A number of the saints were there and we spent the time talking and singing songs.

December 14, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I bathed this morning then went with Bro. Dopp to look for a hall to hold a concert in, as it has been proposed that we have some of the students from Berlin come down for this purpose. We found a good hall in the “Kunstler Haus” but it hasn’t been decided whether we’ll have the concert or not. I went tracting this afternoon and this evening I went to practice singing in the hall.

December 15, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

I spent part of the morning at home writing and then I went to the office to clear up some matters about the books. Bros. Wright, Tonks and Brockbank came and we all ate dinner together at a “Privat Mittag Tish” This afternoon Bro. Dopp and I took an inventory of the Branch property. I then ordered some coal and waited to have it delivered. I also visited Bro. Felt out at Plagwitz. This evening Bro. Dopp and I saw “the Gotterammerung” from Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen”. I enjoyed it more than I did “Siegfried.”

December 16, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig)

I worked on the books awhile this morning then I went out to Pietsche’s to find out an address but Sister Pietsch wasn’t at home. After dinner Bro. Dopp and I visited Sister Anna Hiller and administered to her. We then visited Herrn Heinike who is the “Kranken Haus” This evening Bro. Brockbank and I visited Frau Grosser and had a good conversation with her.

December 17, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig, Connewitz)

I spent the morning working on the books. I also spent most of the afternoon working on them then Bro. Brockbank and I went out to Bros Wright’s and Tonk’s in Connewitz to practice musick. I conducted “Bibel Klasse this evening.

December 18, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

I spent the whole day working on the yearly reports. Late this afternoon I went out to Plagwitz to take them to Bro. Felt. This evening Bro. Brockbank and I visited a family for the first time and they showed quite a bit of interest for the gospel.

December 19, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

I went out to Plagwitz first thing this morning and helped Bro. Felt with the books. I was there all day and this evening also.

December 20, 1908 (Sunday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

I went out to Plagwitz first thing this morning to help Bro. Felt with the books, but he wasn’t there. At noon I met Bro. Brockbank and we ate dinner at the “Veg.” At 2 P.M. Bro. Brockbank and I went to the Hospital to see Herrn Heineike. We visited with him awhile then went to Sunday School and meeting. This evening Bro’s. Felt, Wright and Tonks and I and Herr Miesegaes went out to Mokau and Bro. Wright baptized Herrn Miesegaes and Bro. Tonks confirmed him.

December 21, 1908 (Monday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Brockbank and I went out to visit Bro. Wright this morning to practice singing. I helped Bro. Felt with the books this afternoon. This evening Bro. Brockbank and I visited a family of friends and had a good conversation.

December 22, 1908 (Tuesday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

I spent the day out at Plagwitz helping Bro. Felt with the books . This evening Bro. Brockbank and I went swimming then visited a family of friends.

December 23, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

I went with Bro. Dopp to see the proprietor of hall where we are going to have our Christmas celebration. This afternoon I visited Bro. Felt at Plagwitz and then helped Bro. Dopp at the office for a while. Bro. Dopp and I then visited the blind man came home and ate supper then went to see [sentence not finished]

December 24, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig, Connewitz)

Bro. Brockbank and I went out to Connewitz to Bro. Wright’s to practice singing this morning. I helped Bro. Dopp at the office awhile then we bought thing for the celebration tomorrow. This evening all the boys met at Sister Engelhardt’s and Sister Wachsmuth furnished cake and coffee and we bought nuts and apples and we had quite an enjoyable time.

December 25, 1908 (Friday): (Leipzig, Golis)

I got up early this morning and met Bro. Dopp at Turner Str. Where we held the celebration and we spent the fore noon decorating the Christmas tree. At noon I went out to Bro. Schrodter’s in Golis and at dinner with him. Our entertainment started at 4 P.M. and we spent the evening having a program and refreshments and then on the end a short dance. Altogether the celebration was quite a success.

December 26, 1908 (Saturday): (Leipzig, Erfurt)

I spent the fore part of the day at home and late this afternoon left for Erfurt. Bro’s. Peery and Perrett met me at the depot and we went up to Sister Ludwig’s and had supper. The supper was gotten up by the saints and most of them were there. After eating supper we played games until 11.30 P.M.

December 27, 1908 (Sunday): (Erfurt)

We went to Sunday School this morning and at noon ate dinner with one of the friends. I spoke in meeting this afternoon and this evening Bro. Peery and I went to a social given by some temperance organization we were invited by one of the sisters and she introduced us to two English people. We spent quite an interesting evening talking to them.

December 28, 1908 (Monday): (Erfurt)

We spent the morning at home. At noon we went to Sister Ludwig’s for dinner and this evening we ate supper at Bro. Braun’s.

December 29, 1908 (Tuesday): (Erfurt, Weimar, Leipzig)

Peery and I left Erfurt at 9.47 AM and went to Weimar and spent two hours there. I went through the “Schiller Haus” and Peery and I visited the Theatre and the “Schiller Gothe Denkmahl”. Together we left Weimar and rode to Cobertha together and changed cars there and came to Leipzig and he kept and with the same to Berlin. Upon reaching home I found, Bro. Doyle Jensen a new missionary who arrived in Leipzig last night. He is from Idaho. We held a cottage meeting at Custer’s tonight.

December 30, 1908 (Wednesday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz, Reudnitz)

I spent the morning writing letters. This afternoon we held a priestood meeting in Plagwitz and I was assigned to work in Magdeburg. This evening Bro. Brockbank and Jensen and I visited a family of friends in Reudnitz.

December 31, 1908 (Thursday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Brockbank and I worked on the books this morning. We went to the Veg at noon and met Bro. Newman from Breslau. After dinner we all went to the photographers and Bro. Jensen and I each had our pictures taken. Bro. Brockbank and I worked on the books again this afternoon. This evening we went to Bible Class and I was called on to occupy part of the time. After Bibel Class Bros. Dopp, Newman, Wright, Brockbank, Jensen, Felt and Tonks and I went to the Café Baur and spent the rest of the evening until 11.30 P.M. then we went out on Peters and Gramaisches Str. to watch the fun which always takes place on New Years eve. The streets were quite crowded but not nearly as crowded as they generally are New Years eve. A number of hacks went through the streets and the crowds would take hold behind and hold them back. Bro. Dopp was helping hold one back and a Police man grabbed him and took him up, but they turned him loose again as soon as they got him to the Police station.

January 1, 1909 (Friday): (Leipzig)

Bro. Brockbank and Jensen and I spent the forenoon at home. At noon I told Frau Steinbrecher my Haus Frau who we were and had quite a conversation with her. All the boys here in Leipzig at dinner with Bro. Hubold. We went skating this afternoon and this evening we went to the “Krystall Palast”.

January 2, 1909 (Saturday): (Leipzig)

Bros. Brockbank and Jensen and I went over and took a shower bath this fore noon, then went to the “Veg” for dinner. This afternoon Bros. Tonks and Newman and I visited Sister Pietsch and she served us with Chocolate. This evening we all went skating.

January 3, 1909 (Sunday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

I spent the morning at home. This afternoon I went to a local priestood meeting, sunday school and meeting and this evening I went to a sacrament meeting at sister Koch’s in Plagwitz.

January 4, 1909 (Monday): (Leipzig)

I went to the “Zoll Amt” this morning and got to Christmas packages from Miss Luella Wareing [later his wife]. This afternoon I visited a woman in Ludwig str and this evening Bro. Brockbank and I visited Herrn Heinicke and Bro. Schrodter.

January 5, 1909 (Tuesday): (Leipzig, Plagwitz)

Bro. Dopp came up this forenoon and he and Bro. Brockbank and I all went down to the “Veg” to dinner. I helped Dopp while at the office and we then went out to Plagwitz and I had Bro. Wachsmuth fix my overcoat. This evening Bro. Brockbank and I visited a family of friends and had a very good time with them.

January 6, 1909 (Wednesday): (Leipzig, Gross Bardau)

I spent the morning at home turning the books over to Bro. Brockbank. This afternoon Bro. Dopp and I went out to Gross Bardau to visit a family of friends. We returned late this evening.

January 7, 1909 (Thursday): (Leipzig, Magdeburg)

Bro. Meyrle Taylor arrived from Konigsberg last night and stayed with Bro. Brockbank and me. I spent the forenoon packing my trunk and left for Magdeburg from the Berliner Bahnhof at 4.06 P.M. I arrived in Magdeburg at about 6 P.M. and went to the boys room at Bahnhofstr 48.