CAMERON, Missouri
October 7th, 1880.
Brn. Joseph and Henry: - Since I left my home in Maine I have traveled two thousand four hundred and twenty miles, and I will Just say here that, as I visited the Saints in Boston, Providence, Fall River, Brooklyn, Hornerstown, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Joseph and Stewartsville, they felt that I was not a man of money to bear my expenses, and what I lacked they made up in giving, for which I extend my humble thanks. In all of the above places I was much blessed in the presentation of God's word. At St. Joseph, Missouri, I baptized William Raschke. While at Stewartsville I was kindly received by all, and brother John Kinnaman took me around to see the beautiful country that God made for the children of men. Then, with Bro. Kinnaman, and two of his children, and M. T. Short and wife, I came to this place. Held meetings, and then with brethren Kinnaman, Short, and Flanders visited Far West. At Kingston we obtained the Christian church and M. T. Short addressed thirty-five people. Staid one night with Bro. W. H. Cadman. The next day went where Joseph the martyr lived. As we stood under the large Cottonwood there, I thought of him, and as the spirit rested upon me it brought to my mind what he suffered for the great latter-day work. I felt that I would like something to show of what was done by him, and I took two of the old trunnels out of the frame put up by him. On the temple lot I stepped on the four corner stones. I took a piece of one and thought of the hard work that was done on the temple, but all is gone but a very few stones, may be a dozen. We saw also the place where the rebels lay in ambush for the Saints, and killed them. I felt to thank God that the same class of people are not now there to kill the people of God, but instead we bad several invitations to come and preach.
I must say that my eyes never saw such a pretty country as this is; thank God for the choice he made for the gathering place of his people. I have traveled in the South and in the East, but no land tike this. Because of the troubles upon this land in years gone by, the question may be asked, "Can any good come out of Missouri?" My answer is, Come and see. All Saints who come to this land (if they will mind their own business) will find true hearted friends. Land is from eight to twenty dollars per acre. Some may think that the land for eight dollars per acre can not be very good. Let me say that it is in thousands of places better. The price depends upon the locality. In a village place the land may not be so good, but you would pay twenty dollars or more because of its location.
I leave here on the morrow to attend a two-days meeting in the Starfield Branch, and then to Stewartsville. From there I may leave for home, unless my wife has sold our place in the East, and is coming West. If she can not sell I shall be obliged to go back and fix up for winter quarters, before I go on the South-eastern Mission.
Yours truly, J. C. FOSS.
[Herald, Vol. 27 (1 November 1880): 336.]
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