Diary Excerpts of Heber J. Grant, 1887-1899

[Note: The following excerpts from the diaries of Heber J. Grant are provided for research purposes only, not for copyright publication. The originals are currently in LDS church archives; all quotations should be verified against the original sources.]

1887-1889
1890-1894
1895-1898
1899

[January 4, 1899] A general discussion of the Pioneer Electric Co's affairs in connection with the Church was endulged in. Just before the meeting on the Pioneer Co.'s affairs Pres[iden]t Snow asked the brethren whether they favored issuing series "B" Church Bonds for $500,000 It was voted to do so on the same terms as the original issue. I feel reasonably sure that there will be no difficulty in disposing of a second issue of bonds. I was much pleased in listening to a recital of the present status of the Pioneer Electric Co. to learn that after the first of this month that the Union Light and Power Co. will become responsible for the interest on the $1,500,000 Pioneer Bonds. These bonds are guaranteed by the Church and if the business of the Union Light and Power Co. continues to be as prosperous as it is now the Church will be able to escape all liability because of its guarantee for the Pioneer Co.'s Bonds.

[January 5, 1899] Meeting of the apostles in the Temple at llam Pres[iden]ts Snow Cannon & Smith, Apostles Richards, Lyman, Smith, Teasdale, Taylor, Lund, Cowley, Woodruff, Clawson and myself were present. Apostle Lund presented [proposition for meeting house in Demmark approved.] John Henry Smith suggested that an auditing committee be appd. All of these who spoke on the proposition favored it very heartily. Pres Snow was decidedly in favor of such a Committee and said he was working in the dark. Wanted all of his transactions fully examined and audited. Said no one can be hurt by such a committee and some might be greatly benefitted. There may be some transactions that can be explained to our entire satisfaction during the life of Pres[iden]ts Cannon & Smith that could not be explained to our perfect satisfaction after their death. Pres[iden]t Snow appointed FD Richards, Francis M Lyman, John Henry Smith Rudger Clawson and me as the auditing committee. The discussion took a very wide range (he said hurt by his allowance having been cut back without consultation, when had money gave generously,) now that I was ruined financially I felt my brethren should have been generous with me This afternoon attended a meeting at Pres[iden]t Snow's office where the affairs of the Sterling mine was fully discussed. The are in a very bad condition and as the Church has endorsed for a very large sum of money it looks as if it will be called on the make a large loss. Called at McCune headquarters and learned that Frank J. Cannon has been on a big drunk and visiting houses of ill fame. I hope and pray for his father's and mother's sake that these is nothing in this report.

[January 6, 1899] Received $15,000 from John M. Cannon in full payment of the note of AH Cannon deceased for $4000 favor Utah Loan & Trust Co. (much detail on who bailed him out?)(JKnight l0,000 ,Smart and Webster 5,000 GQC 2,000, HJG 2400 biggest) My heart is fill of gratitude to God for His assistance in aiding Elder Cowley and me in getting the funds necessary to cancel the note of AH Cannon and also the $7,500 needed to refund to the Church the money it had advanced to the Utah Loan & Trust Co. last April. [Note from GQ Cannon, who is ill, saying he had reflected on Grant's need.] My object in writing you now is to say that if $1500 will be of any relief to you I can assure you that you will be very welcome to it. If you will accept of it, you need have no scruples about it, as I take it from what I call my dedicated stock money. Though for reasons which I can explain to you when I see you, I am not so fore handed as I would like to be just now, still I would like you to be free with me, and if at any time I can be of service to you it will be a pleasure to With Love, Your Brother Geo[rge] Q. Cannon . . . My first inclination was not to accept this present as I feel humiliated to be placed under a personal obligation to any one of my brethren by having them make me a present, but on the other hand to refuse the gift would be sure to offend Pres[ident] Cannon (read to Snow, Smith, Cowley and they all advised that I accept the present.)

[January 7, 1899] [In letter of thanks next day Grant said he had it in mind to ask him for aid as he had done more on the Ogden Bank matter than his circumstances could warrant, decided not to; sold his only unmortgaged property for bank.] I had subscribed a large amount as much if not more to protect the name of your son Abraham as I had to maintain the good names of Brothers Smith and Lyman. [JFS has once made a motion in temple to let the bank fail.] I went down town about ten AM and learned that the Tribune had published copies of my letters to Golden Kimball. Giving them four pages on their front page. The headlines and comments which precedes these letters are as false as it would be possible to write. I was interviewed by the News Reporter and called the attention of its readers to the falsehoods in the Tribune. Called at McCune headquarters and learned that none of the men there including Mr. McCune did not feel that the Tribune publication of the Kimball would injure Mr. McCune in the least At 12:30 pm had a long chat with Ja[me]s E Robinson in the interest of Mr. McCune I feel sure that I made a good impression on Bro[ther] Robinson. Before talking with Bro[ther] Robinson I had a chat with Jesse W. Crosby Jr. in favor of Mr. McCune and on the (UL&T) Had another chat this PM with Mr McCune & his manager Mr. Fisher Harris on the Tribune publication this am. At 1 PM had a long chat with Senator Hardin Bennion & Representatives Mr. Quarrie and O'Niel in the interest of Mr. McCune.

[January 9, 1899] Chatted this AM with Hardin Bennion and Sam[ue]l W. Stewart in the interest of Mr McCune.

[January 10, 1899] [FM Lyman] made a strong appeal that we one and all pray earnestly that God will sustain Pres[iden]t Lorenzo Snow under the great burdens financially resting upon him. Felt that we should supplicate God to not allow Pres[iden]t Snow to sink under the great burdens on him. [HJG testimony] Told that above all things I wanted a son and the next thing I wanted was to pay my debts. Explained that I was $77,000 worse of than nothing. [MW Merrill] Said he was now fully converted to the is suing of bonds by the church. He favored issuing $1,000,000 (I told him at a special meeting we had decided to issue the second $500,000 so he was in perfect harmony with his brethren. Expressed pleasure that the Bonds were being taken up at . . .

[January 11, 1899] Mattias Cowley Said he was in full accord with the issuing of bonds by the Church and placing them at houses and not remaining in debt to our enemies. (AO Woodruff) suggested that we try and show to Pres[iden]t Cannon that we appreciate his untiring energy and great devotion to the work of the Lord but being as considerate of his feelings as possible in all of our investigations of the church's financial affairs. Bro[ther] John Henry Smith said that we cannot take the fearful load from Pres[iden]t Cannon's shoulders which he is now carrying. He has in years gone by kept us at arms length and today he is in a position of humiliation. Bro[ther] Franklin D. Richards said confidence was never had in the Priesthood by asking for it & and that our only way to have the confidence of the people was to so live that we would merit it. Felt very kindly to Pres[iden]t Cannon but the humiliation which has to come because of many Church business affairs can't be avoided.

[January 12, 1899] Auditing Committee of the Church appointed at one of the recent meetings of the apostles met in the office of Pres[iden]t Snow in the Temple after our sacrament meeting and discussed with Pres[iden]t Snow our duties This evening called at McCune's headquarters, where in company with Byron Groo I had a long chat with McCune and Fisher Harris his manager. They are all feeling confident of success in the Senatorial contest.

[January 14, 1899] My financial affairs have almost worried the life out of me [ he is not sleeping past 2, but happy that Snow has consented to let him buy his sugar stock back from the Church, Cutler cosigned note; to Provo.] Chat in train with Abel John Evans & Geo[rge] Romney in the interest of Mr. McCune for Senator

[January 16, 1899] My bump of self confidence is unusually large and therefor I have no doubt that notwithstanding my present financial distress I school live to yet be acknowledged as a financial success.

[January 17, 1899] . . . Called at Hon. AW McCune's headquarters. He and Manager Harris feel confident he will be selected Senator At The first vote was taken today. Called at the Walker House and had a long chat in Mr. McCune's interest with Mr. R. Tanner of Beaver.

[January 18, 1899] At 9:30 met representative Parry of Iron Co. in the interest of Mr. McCune. At 10 & 2 attended meetings of the church auditing committee in the Lion House. All of the committee present. We had Bank Examiner Anderson's private report of Zion's Savings Bank and Trust Co. Bank Surprised and pained to learn the condition of the Bank in the opinion of the Examiner Had a chat with Bro[ther] Mr. Quarrie and feel sure he will soon be voting for McCune for Senator.

[January 19, 1899] Chatted with Pasper Robertson of Emery Co. in Mr. McCune's interest. Met McCune and had a talk with him in regard to his employing Edward H. Snow as his private sec[re]t[ar]y if he is made US Senator.

[January 20, 1899] Church auditing committee at 10 & 2 o'clock Evening chat W[illia]m H. Seegmiller. He tells me that he fears Mr. AW McCune is lacking in virtue. Told him I would not work for him for Senator if I thought this was the case. Advised him to call and chat with Mr. McCune.

[January 21, 1899] Had a chat with Mr. McCune & he assured me their was nothing whatever in the story that he has been visiting houses of ill fame. I believe him. Tonight I had a long chat with W[illia]m H. Seegmiller and Ed Wooley and they are doing all they can for Mr. McCune's election. Had a long chat with Sam[ue]l W. Steward and his brothers in the interest of Mr. McCune.

[January 23, 1899] This am met Jasper Robertson, Hardin Bennion, SW Steward and other in the interest of Mr. McCune.

[January 24, 1899] At 10 am and 2 pm met with the Church auditing committee. [Franklin D. Richards in California.] Bro[ther]s Lyman, S. Smith and I had a chat with Pres[iden]t Lorenzo Snow, John Henry Smith suggested that Bro[ther] Snow write him a letter, as it was being circulated that it was the mind and will of the Lord that Frank J. Cannon be chosen to succeed himself as US Senator. Bro[ther] Snow signed the following letter which I wrote out at the suggestion of Bro[ther] John Henry Smith Jany 24, 99 Elder John Henry Smith City Dear Brother: Answering your question as to whether I favor the election of any use of my name or the name of the Church in favor of any candidate is without my knowledge or consent and is unwarranted. Yours truly Lorenzo Snow . . . . Had a chat with Representatives Redd and Mansfield in the interest of Mr. AW McCune.

[January 27, 1899] At 10 am and 2pm attended committee meeting of Church auditors Had a long chat this afternoon with SW Steward in Mr. McCune's interest Called on Hardin Bennion to do the same but failed to find him in. Met LH Redd and he told me he had decided to vote for McCune tomorrow. . . . Called this evening at McCune's Headquarters. A good editorial in the News tonight answering the Tribune's attacks on me.

[January 28, 1899] Met Barney Greenwood and SW Stewart and chatted with them for Mr. McCune but failed to get any assurance that they would vote for him. Had hoped to elect Mr. McCune today. . . . At 5 pm met M. Larson at depot and had a short chat with him in Mr. McCune's interest.

[January 30, 1899] This evening called on Bro[ther] Harden Bennion and had a long chat with him in the interests of Mr. McCune Chatted for a few minutes with Apostle John Henry Smith on the same subject.

[January 31, 1899] I had a chat with Bro[ther]s John R. Murdock, Jesse W. Crosby Jr. & Jos[eph] E. Robinson in the interest of Mr. McCune.

[February 4, 1899] I learned from Representative McQuarrie, who called at my home this AM that an effort was being made to have the US Senatorship offered to Moses Thatcher, He had signed a request to Moses asking him to enter the race, but he had done so with the understanding that Moses would refuse to accept and that I approved of the proposition, reserving the right to withdraw his name. I assured him I was not favorable to any such a plan as it was not sincere, and I knew Moses could not get 832 votes if it was not understood that he would decline. I do not like political trades, especially when they are not sincere. Met AJ Evans and learned that he had refused to sign the request to Bro[ther] Thatcher. He had been given to understand that I approved. I informed him that I did not. Chatted with Ja[me]s H. Moyle and gave it as my opinion that the petition to Moses was only a scheme to break up the McCune ranks and defeat him. I was unqualified in my opposition although I had nothing today against Moses and if the Members of the Legislature in all sincerity wanted Moses to go to the Senate I could not as a citizen and member to the Democratic party object. Told him his name and that of RW Young were being mentioned quite frequently for the Senate, and that in all honor we should try to keep the McCune forces together, or he might feel we had not been true to him, and while R] Young was one of my nearest and dearest friends I did not want to see him elected but I did want McCune to get there, and had done and should do all in my power to bring about his election, but if his forces went to pieces I would go to Richard W Young and try to elect him. This evening had a chat with McCune and gave it to him as my opinion that the Thatcher petition was nothing more than a scheme to break up his forces.

[February 5, 1899] Bro[ther] Allen of Hyrum called on me and told me of some R. Rd contracts on which he felt Mr. McCune was morally obligated to pay him some money, I said I could see no objections to his trying to collect, as to his trying to get Republicans to vote for McCune but warned him against paying for votes.

[February 6, 1899] Three votes were given to RW Young today for Senator. Chatted with Bros Robinson and Murdock in favor of Mr McCune this evening.

[February 7, 1899] Talked with Representatives Fisher, Stewart Robinson Mansfield in Mr. McCunes interest. Moses Thatcher's letter read last night to caucus of Democratic Party was published this AM and I had to smile to think that 33 members of the Legislature could be found who would be green(?) enough to ask Bro[ther] Moses to accept the office of U.S Senator It is incomprehensible to me that 33 members of the Legislature, mostly faithful members of the Church, should ask Moses Thatcher to run for Senatorship.

[February 8, 1899] Met with the Church auditing Committee Bro[ther]s Clawson, Cannon, Rossiter and I intended to [inspect Zion's bank real estate, but stormy.] This evening called on CM Nielson, Anthon H. Lund and some other in Mr. McCune's interest Augusta and I had supper at PM Madsen's in company with Representative Larson of Utah Co. Francis Armstrong and wife. We all said as many good things in favor of Mr. McCune's election as Senator to Rep[re]s[en]t[ative] Larsen as we could think of.

[February 9, 1899] Attended a lecture in the Salt Lake Theatre by Hon. Frank J. Cannon on "Senatorial Candidates and Pharisees" He made a vile attack on Apostle John H[enr]y Smith, the Church, Mr. McCune and myself. He had more to say about me than any one else. I fever I heard a man speak with the spirit of an apostate I listened to one tonight during the Senator's remarks. Unless he repents he will soon lose his standing in the church. I got up to go and thinking I wanted to say something said I should not speak and made a second attack on me. I stood while he spoke. I had not the least desire to say a word. No more than I would had a dog been barking at me. I met deitor(?) Goodwin & told him I had no desire to speak and asked him to say so in the Tribune. I telephoned the same thing to the Herald Gusta and I called at B[isho]p Nelson A. Empey's after the lecture where we met the Bishop and his wife and Rep[re]s[en]t[ative] Jos[eph] E. Robinson of Kanab. Two madder men than they were, over Cannon's talk I don't expect to meet.

[February 10, 1899] Was interviewed by the News on the Cannon speech. Shall save a copy for future reference. Called at the President's office and hoped Pres[ident] Cannon would express some regrets on account of his son's speech and was disappointed that he did not Chatted with Pres[iden]t Cannon, but he made no reference to his son's speech. I expected the attack on me and John Hy Smith would have elected Mr. McCune today and was disappointed that it did not.

[February 11, 1899] Hoped Bro[ther] Cannon would say something about his son's speech but he did not, and I was surprised There was an editorial in the Standard of Ogden published Friday night on the Cannon speech that I liked better than anything I have yet read on the subject. This evening I had a chat at my office with Pres[iden]t Seegmiller of Sevier and Woolley of Kanab Stakes and they were both very anxious to have Mr. McCune elected and felt it was very important in order to give the Tribune a set back. Called at the Herald office & asked that the Standard editorial of last night be reproduced. Met Fisher Harris Mr. McCune’s manager and had a chat with him this evening.

[February 12, 1899] [Sunday Tabernacle] Pres[ident] Geo[rge] Q. Cannon followed with an address on charity. In my heart of hearts I could not help feeling that it was a plea for his son to be forgiven & made a US Senator. If I am in error then I have done Bro[ther] Cannon a great injustice and if I am right then I am sad indeed to think one of the First Presidency could do a thing of that kind.

[February 13, 1899] I explained to Pres[iden]t Snow that I felt very deeply wounded at the sermon which Pres[ident] Cannon had preached Sunday in view of the Attack of his son in his speech last Thursday evening. I told him I felt I could not feel well to be obligated to him for the present made me a little over a month ago. The President agree with me that I would feel better if refunded the amount. I wrote a note to Bro[ther] Cannon and enclosed my check for $1500 The letter read as follows (not there) I told Pres[iden]t Snow of my intention to return the 1500 to Bro[ther] Cannon and said he could not blame me for the desire to do so. I am glad he felt this way.

[February 16, 1899] Dictated a long reply to Mr. Ridout's speech.

[February 17, 1899] Cannon speech answered today or yesterday.

[February 18, 1899] I was telephoned for that I was wanted at McCune headquarters. I was read a reply (on back) to a letter from Senator Ridout, which I fully approved. I was delighted to learn that Mr. McCune had little or no doubt that he would be elected today. Coming from the headquarters I met Ja[me]s H. Moyle and we chatted for a few minutes on the Wasatch Block Corner. Mr. McCune passed us and spoke saying he was going to meet a party. I went home and told my wife to go down to the Legislature that there was a how(?) On and she would see Mr. McCune made a Senator. This afternoon I heard that in place of Mr. McCune being made a Senator he had been charged by Representative Law with an attempted to bribe him. I cannot believe Mr. Law's story. Chatted with Moyle & many others. Called at McCune headquarters After chatting with McCune am convinced that Law is a fraud from the work go. Called this evening at Headquarters and remained there and at 11 PM Heard Mr. McCune's statement read. Enough!