HISTORY OF ALFRED RANDALL PIONEER OF September 24th, 1848. WRITTEN BY HIS DAUGHTER Emily. Dec. 1944. 61 ALFRED RANDALL From the library of Congress comes the following: "There were twenty-five original Randall immigrants to America from England. "The family name of Randall is distinctly traceable back to the period of the Norman conquest of England A.D. 1066. It first appears in the celebrated 'Doomsday Book' of William the Conqueror in the assignment of lands immediately from the crown, and restricted to those who accompanied the Conquerer from his native kingdom of Normandy, of which the Randalls may have been citizens or the des¬cendants of those who came from Denmark or Norway with Rollo the Dane in 901 A.D." It is also stated that the Randalls descended from a long line of ancestry noted for their stalwart, sterling qualities so essentially fitting them for builders of homes and country. Some branches of the family were in America as early as 1630. John Randall, fourth great grandfather of Alfred, left Clerkenwell, St. James Parish, London in 1667. He settled first in New Port, R.I., but went that same year to Westerly, R. I, where he died in 1685. His father was Matthew Randall, mayor of Bath, England. John's wife was Elizabeth Morton, sister of Sir William Morton. A cousin of Alfred's was a member of U. S. Congress for 26 years and speaker 13 years. Alfred, son of Jason and Martha (or Patty) Thompson Randall was born June 13, 1811 at Bridgewater, New York, the second child in a family of nine. With his parents he moved to Kirtland, Ohio February 19, 1819. As a boy he helped to clear land, it is said, where the Kirtland temple was afterwards built. At the age of 62 twenty-one he bought a home at Munson, Ohio and two years later married Emeretta Davis and moved there; but in 1838 sold out and moved to Chardon, Ohio and still later to Quincy, Illinois. It looks as if he was being led nearer to the church of the L.D.S. as he was converted and baptized by Orson Hyde, May 13, 1840. With his wife who had been baptized previously and his two children he soon moved to Nauvoo. February 13, 1841 he was ordained a Seventy by Heber C. Kimball and made a member of the 15th quorum. He worked on the Nauvoo temple and attended the first meeting held there by the Prophet Joseph Smith. He loved the Prophet and was often in his company as well as with other leaders of the church. At Nauvoo, Council Bluffs and other places we find him entertaining Brigham Young, Ezra T. Benson and others. From Joseph Smith's Journal June 7, 1841 we find, "Started very early for Monmoth, Warren Co., Illinois, 75 miles distant, taking with us Mr. King as attending physician, accompanied by Charles C. Rich, Amasa Lyman, Alfred Randall and many others. Traveled very late, camping about midnight in the road." This was one of the court trials of the Prophet: From the "Journal History" in the Historian's Office in Salt Lake City we find on June 24,1844, that Alfred accompanied the Prophet Joseph to Carthage. It has been stated that he was one of the last to leave the jail, and was pushed by a bayonet back¬ward down the steps. From history, "June 26, Alfred Randall was in Carthage about ten o'clock as the troops under General Ford were in squads around the square. went up to them and heard one say, 'When I left home I calculated to see Old Joe dead before I returned.' Several others said, 'So did I, So did I'; and I'll 63 be d—d if I don't, was the general reply. One fellow then spoke up and said, 'I shouldn't wonder if some d—d Mormon isn't hearing all we say.' Another one who stood next to Alfred said, 'If I knew there was, I would run him through with my bayonet.' "Alfred then went to another crowd and heard one say, 'I guess this will be the last of Old Joe.' From here Randall went to Hambleton's hotel where Governor Ford was standing by the fence and heard a soldier tell Gov. Ford, 'The soldiers are determined to see Joe Smith dead before they leave here.' Ford replied, 'If you know any such thing keep it to yourself." Alfred arrived in Nauboo when Gov. Ford was delivering his notorious speech to the citizens of Nauvoo. The history also says he went from Nauvoo to Winter Quarters in 1846 and came to Utah in 1848 in Heber C. Kimball's Company arriving September 24. He planned to come to the "Valleys" in 1847, but was detained by a broken leg and let Heber C. Kimball take his outfit. January 29, 1848 he married Margaret Harley as a plural wife, Brigham Young officiating. At Council Bluffs he was appointed with others by Brigham Young to take care of families who were left by volunteers in the Mormon Battalion. After arriving in Salt Lake City he obtained land on West Temple north of the tabernacle square and built an adobe house for himself and family. He was a wheelwright and carpenter by trade and helped to build many private and public buildings, among them a saw mill for H. C. Kimball, a woolen mill for Archibald Gardner on the Jordon River, the court house of Salt Lake County, church at Bountiful, etc. He and his son Charles Franklin helped to build 100 houses for Johnson's army after the army passed through Salt 64 Lake. He and his family were in the historic "move" south before the army came in, when the houses were left in condition to be burned if the soldiers stopped in the city. March 23, 1854 in a report of the 15th quorum of Seventies, we find him one of the presidents and the quorum meeting at his home regularly at 6:00 P.M. the first Sunday of every month. In response to the call of the authorities he made four trips East assisting immigrants and bringing in badly needed supplies. These were slow, hard, and arduous trips calling for courage and fortitude. April 6, 1855, he was called on a mission to the Indians in Beaver Valley. While there he converted and baptized ten of them. Continuing from Journal History in Historians office, we find: "August 24, 1856 called on mission to United States." Nothing more is said about it. This may have been one of those trips for immigrants. "Again in October 3, 1361 called to settle in South Utah." This the writer does not understand, but his call must have been changed to something else. With the confidence and love he had for Brigham Young and the church, Alfred Randall would have gone any place he was asked to go. On October 3, 1867, called again on mission to southern part of the territory. This call we know was changed by Brigham Young who came to him and said, "Alfred I want you to send your son Frank," (or words to that effect)" in your place to Dixie. I you to help build a woolen factory." President Young told him to select men to help him and to select a sight for the mill. The story of the mill will be told later. His son Charles Franklin Randall filled the mission to Dixie. April 10, 1862 he was set apart as first counselor to Bishop 65 Nathan Davis. In August 1362 we find him with a company of men under Lot Smith on the trail of a band of thieving Indians and trailing them as far north as the Teton Peaks in Idaho. July 24, 1862 in a celebration in the tabernacle Brothers Randall and Poulter sang two comic songs. On July 31, 1864 (Deseret News) we find Alfred is a member of the Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing society. We find accounts of his preaching in the tabernacle December 4, 1864 and April 30, 1865. May 1, 1865 he was set apart by John Taylor for a mission to the "Sandwich Islands" (Hawaiian). From the records of the Hawaiian Mission: "Friday July 7, 1865 — Elder Geo. Nebeker and company of missionaries arrived in Laie, Oahu, Hawaii. Following are the details of their journey from Utah. 'Elder Nebeker had only reached Utah from his first mission to Hawaii in 1864 when word came from Elder Hammond that he had negotiated, with one, Dougherty, for the purchase of a tract of land upon the island of Oahu, containing 6,600 acres of land known as the Laie Plantation for the sum of $14,000. With this word coming so soon after Elder Nebeker's arrival, President Young at once set about to form a company of saints to go down there and start some kind of industry whereby they might sustain themselves as well as to civilize the natives. Accordingly Elder George Nebeker and others, among them Alfred Randall, and their wives were called to that mission. Elder Nebeker was set apart as the President and also captain of the company. This occurred May 20, 1865 on the west bank of the Jordan River, preparatory to making the first day's journey westward President Young and others having come out to see them off and to 66 attend to the business of organization. The company arrived at Laie on the seventh of July, 1865." Alfred's wife Mildred accompanied him. From her journal we take the following. They traveled four weeks and one half day in wagons, very tiresome. Left the wagons at Lathrop, California, went by train to Sacramento, on steamer "Yosemite" to San Francisco, then on sailing vessel "D. C. Murray" to Honolulu, arriving July 5, on schooner "Emeline" to Laie. From Records:—"July 29. All the missionaries met at the mansion at Laie to talk over matters concerning the mission, and about locating a place for the native saints to build their houses and also to select building places for the missionaries. A Committee of three was appointed for the latter purpose, namely, Francis A. Harmmong, George Nebeker and Alfred Randall. July 31 — Elders Randall, Wright and Pugsley went to Honolulu to purchase building materials for the contemplated missionaries' houses. Tuesday, August 1,— Elders Randall, Wright and Pugsley took steamer at Honolulu for Hawaii for the purpose of looking at some land on that island. August 6 — Elder Randall returned from Hawaii, was very much pleased with his visit to the Island of Hawaii. August 15 Elder Randall was preparing to build his house. He laid the foundation that day. August 24-- The brethern at Laie were busily engaged in build¬ing their houses this week and were making excelent headway." Mildred says on August 20 he delivered an excellent address. According to letters, there seems to have been trouble over the purchasing of land, and the Elders were not able to obtain the 67 land they wanted and they felt that they must talk it over with President Young. Conditions were different at that time than at the present. Deseret News, September 15, 1865—--"Saturday September 2, Elders Randall, Hammond and Pugsley sailed from Honolulu for Utah on bus¬iness connected with the Hawaiian Mission. When they left, the Elders were engaged in building houses and preparing for further activities." October 6—"Gave a brief account of trip to Sandwich Islands in general conference." He expected to go back to the islands, but he was released and his duties were changed. Mildred did not return at that time. Under date of January 14, 1866, Geo. Nebeker writes, "We have a small school of native child¬ren taught by Sister Randall." Mildred went back to Hawaii to teach school arriving there June 3, 1873. April 30, 1874—"Sister Randall has a school of some thirty students, learning the English language, and the interest is steadily increasing." She returned to the states July 3, 1876. Deseret News, May 20, 1913—"Mrs. Mildred E. Randall of Hawaiian Mission fame died in Salt Lake City, age 85 years." The family of Alfred Randall has always thought and said that their father went on two missions to Hawaii. The writer with the aid of attendants at the Historian's office has searched the early records of the mission, the Journal History and the record of missionaries called, and there is no record of any mission to the Islands except the one in May 1865. The attendants at the office feel sure there was only the one trip, but mistakes and neglect are always possible. It would have been between 1856 and 1860. No mention of him is found between those dates. 68 After Alfred arrived in Utah he married three more wives— Mildred E. Johnson, May 30,1860; Hannah Severn, May 7, 1863; Elsie Anderson, May 13, 1865. Emeretta lived in Salt Lake until sometime in the '60's, probably until the woolen mill time. After that she lived in Ogden. Margaret lived in Salt Lake, at the saw mill in North Mill Creek, "Over Jordan," West Weber where her husband had bought some land, and in Centerville, where Alfred had bought a farm and home in 1862. That is where she lived the rest of her life. Mildred always lived in Salt Lake: Hannah lived in Salt Lake for a number of years, then a short time at Centerville with Margaret, then in Ogden and in North Ogden from about 1868 until her death. Elsie lived in Salt Lake until about 1868, then in Ogden the rest of her life. Now we will tell what we know about the woolen mills. As stated before, President Brigham Young called or asked Alfred Randall to select some men to help him and select a place and build an operate a woolen mill. The men selected were Philip Pugsley, William C. Neal and Lorin Farr. The place was at the mouth of Ogden Canyon two or three miles from Ogden. January 1, 1868, the Deseret News published an article on the necessity of taking care of sheep and producing wool for clothing; and then goes on to say that Alfred Randall, Philip Pugsley, and William Neal have imported machinery for a mill in which Lorin Farr is also interested, and for which an excellent building has been erected on Ogden River at Ogden. Again on May 5, 1868 the News says "The mill owned by the above mentioned men has the machinery geared up and running; and the mill will commence to card this week." August 19, 1868—"Ogden Woolen Mills is owned by Messers Randall, Pugsley and Company and has been erected recently. In order to give 69 President Young and company an opportunity of seeing the machinery work, Brother Randall got his hands together this morning and started the mill. The building is a substantial stone structure 90 feet long and 35 feet wide. It has two stories and an attic. *** The walls are 30 inches thick and all the woodwork is of the most solid character. Not the slightest tremor was perceptible in the building when the machinery was at work. There are 1,200 panes of glass in the factory. ****The building cost about $51,000." "There were two broad power looms for the manufacture of blankets and four narrow looms for the weaving of cloth of ordinary width." The mills manufactured fine dress goods and stocking yarn which were exhibited at the Terretorial fair in Salt Lake City in 1869. The machinery for the mills was brought across the plains from Julesburg, Kansas by Alfred's son, Alfred J. Randall, and Wid Fuller. They used 18 span of mules which were stolen by the Indians on the way home. After being stranded for some time they secured help from the Government to get the machinery into Utah. The officers of the Government promised to remunerate the men for the loss of their teams, but never did. The factory operated till about 1876. Something happened. No one living now knows just what. Alfred lost $14,000 on the enter¬prise -- his life's savings. There seems to have been dishonesty someplace. The writer well remembers seeing her father with his books spread out before him going over them for hours, then of hearing her mother (Margaret) say, "Never mind. Let it go." And he would say, "But it is mine, mine and I need it." He had a large family and did need it. We find from the Ogden Daily Herald, April 2, 1834, that the mill was owned and being run by Lorin Farr. 70 President Brigham Young told Alfred that he would see that justice was done, but a few months later President Young died and that ended the matter. The rest of his life he spent mostly in farming on the farm at North Ogden. He was a great worker, a splendid manager and good provider, always planted orchards with all kinds of fruits and had good gardens. He was a square built man, but not fleshy, had light hair and blue eyes. He was extra good-natured, never unkind, loved to tell clean stories and jokes, and never heard to profane. During the raid on polygamists he would not run or hide. One day a deputy by the name of Steele knocked at the door. Father opened the door and said, "Howdy, howdy, Mr. Steele. Come right in." He shook hands with the deputy and said jokingly, "Well, you nearly caught me naping, just having my afternoon nap." They cracked jokes and talked about the weather and crops." Finally father said, "Let's walk out and look at the peach crop." After eating all he wanted and father had given him a box of choice ones to take to his wife and children, Mr. Steele got in his buggy and drove away. Some two weeks later father met Mr. Steele on the street in Ogden. He shock hands with father telling him how his family enjoyed the peaches and said, "I want to tell you, Mr. Randall, that trip ended differently, very differently than I intended it to, for I was sent out to get you, had the papers in my pocket officially signed, and was told not to come back without you, but the fine treatment you gave me and your fearless appearance made me quite ashamed of myself. You did not look like a man who was hurting me or anyone else, and I went back and reported the outcome of the trip and said, "It's a shame to take a good old man like that and I'll not do it.' Nor will I ever come after you again." "Well," father said, "If you ever change your mind, you will find me there for I'll never fun from you." He was not molested any more. The above is taken from a paper written by sister Lucy. 71 As was stated before, father could do most anything being a carpenter and wheelwright, he made wagons, sleighs, tables, cupboards, chairs, etc. and they were well made. He was strong in his young days and could work hard all day. During his life he had every limb broken, I heard my mother say. In his latter years he had rheumatism and very sick spells with kidney trouble, but when he passed away on the 31st of March, 1891, he had been out looking over the farm telling the boys what to plant. He went in the house, sat on the sofa talking with members of the family and just laid down and went to sleep to wake no more in this life. His maker had called him home. His reward will be great among the faithful ones of the church of God. He was true to the faith, true to the Prophets Joseph Smith and Brigham Young and all the authorities as long as he lived. He was eighty years of age, the father of thirty children, sixteen of whom lived to be married. In 1937 his posterity numbered 200 families with 700 children, of course many more now in 1944, according to Brother David who relates this incedent of father's early life in Nauvoo. Father and Porter Rockwell were taking some arms to Illinois and stopped for dinner. Father was driving a four-horse team. It was soon noised around that they were Mormons and the people began to gather rocks and pile them along the sidewalk to stone them as they left. When they came out of the eating house, they were surprised to see the crowd and especially the rocks. Father said, "Well, Port, this looks pretty tough." Port said "You are the driver, aren't you?" "Yes," replied father. 72 "Well, then," said Port, "you do the driving and I will take care of the rest." While father was making ready the horses, Rockwell laid a couple of guns on the sideboard of the wagon and held one in each hand. "Ready, Alfred, drive on." At that moment Port raised his rifle to his shoulder and shouted, "The first man that throws a rock, I throw lead." Not a rock was thrown. A TRUE STORY IN FATHER'S LIFE Joseph the Prophet, our dear Father knew. Brigham and Heber, were friends of his too, With them he oft mingled, in worship and prayer, And at all times, was ready their troubles to share. Heber wanted some money, a big sum too, But where to get it he hardly knew. The boys were going out on the dreary plains, to help their poor comrades their rest obtain Too they must do something for that noble band, Who so willingly took their lives in their hands. Heber's duty it was to get their supplies "But where is the money?" was his frantic cries, He was about to give up in dispair When he caught this message as it came through the air, "There's Alfred, the trusted, the staunch, and the true. Ask him and see what his help will do." Now father at home was toasting his shins, Thinking of the financial straits he was in, All the money he could gather had been spent for dyes. What could be done for the factory's new supply. 73 A loud knock sounded, a cheery "Come In." "Good morning, Brother Alfred, so glad you are in, A favor I want and the spirit made clear, That you were the man; I could get the cash here." "I want three hundred, but two fifty will do, I must have the money, so God help you. You know it all goes for the boys' supplies. Now don't say you've spent it all for new dyes." "Now come, brother Alfred, don't look so shocked. Put on your hat and we'll walk as we talk." They talked of hard times, of money, of men. Then Heber going in for a shave siad, "I'll see you again." Then father walked back and forth in front of the store. Then turned around and walked back once more. Heber's faith in him—-in God father's trust Could he get the money? Yes, he must. As if in answer to his uttered prayer, He beheld a stranger approaching near. With smiling face, and full of grace He seemed to shed sunshine about the place. About the country and weather a few words were passed, Then father out with the question he had to ask, "Say, stranger, you don't happen to have two fifty." His hand went to his pocket and back in a jiffy. He unfolded the paper and handed to father Not two hundred and fifty—but three hundred dollars. 74 Take this if it will help you. Not five minutes ago It came through the mail, how it found me I don's know. It's money I never expected to get; Use it and some day just send me the check. Don't I want your note, you're a stranger you say; I trust you, stranger, please give me my way. Heber came out, by this time he was through. "Now let's get busy, that money, there's lots to do." Now father was happy and chuckled with glee. "Here, Heber, is the money, three hundred you see." Now it was Heber’s turn to look amazed. With shining countenance at father he gazed. "Now Alfred, I want you to understand That our Father in Heaven, had laid out this plan. When doing his duty, God's spirit guides man." Lucy Randall Koford This is a true story. David, his son, says he heard him tell it many times. By daugher Emily December 1944.