From the Stage Coach to the Pulpit; Being an Autobiographical Sketch, with Incidents and Anecdotes, of Elder H. K. Stimson, the Veteran Pioneer of Western New York, Now of Kansas (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1874. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXI. HO, FOR KANSAS RS. STIMSON had a brother residing in JV-L Kansas, who solicited us to come to this new State, where he thought there would be more advantages for our children in the way of securing positions in life, than in the older States. My physician's advice to seek some milder climate as the last hope of recovery, had already prepared us to listen favorably to the Kansas call--not church, but individual. We had a small place on which we were living, but there was an incumbrance on it that certainly we had no very bright hope of ever removing, under the circumstances of protracted illness and no income. After weighing the pros and cons, we concluded to join the army of emigrants for the far-off West, I expecting to find a grave in a short time among strangers. We left New York in April, 1864. I could not walk at the time without the aid of crutches. We stopped in Kindcrhook, Michigan, to visit a dear daughter, with whom we spent two weeks. Here I attempted to preach for the first time in nearly two years. This duty, if such it could be called, I discharged sitting in a chair. I could not stand in one position long enough to read the Scripture. We bade adieu to the dear ones in Michigan, and after a long and tedious journey through Missouri--the war at the time still raging and keeping all passengers in a state of constant fear-- we at length arrived at Leavenworth, where our youngest son was taken sick, detaining us a week at the hotel, the landlord showing us the kindest attention. Here I had my first lesson of Kansas business matters. I had found out that there was no way of going to the Neosho valley but by the round-about one of staging it to Topeka, and then across the country in a little two-horse hack, over a trackless prairie to Burli...