Life of Heber C. Kimball, an Apostle Part 49

His death was superinduced by a severe fall, sustained by him several weeks before. He had driven from Salt Lake City to Provo, alone, arriving there in the night. While nearing his residence in that city, where lived his wife Lucy and her family, the wheels of his buggy went suddenly into a ditch, throwing him over the forward wheels violently upon the ground. After lying for some time stunned and helpless, and chilled by the night air, he was finally discovered and a.s.sisted into the house by his friend, Bishop A. F. Macdonald.

This accident, though he partly recovered from its effects, was the immediate fore-runner of his fatal sickness.

The _Deseret Evening News_ of Monday, June 22nd, 1868, in an extended editorial thus announced his death:

"A prince and a great man has this day pa.s.sed from among us!

President Heber Chase Kimball, who was born June 14th, 1801, fell asleep at 20 minutes to 11 o'clock this morning, June 22nd, after a pilgrimage on the earth of sixty-seven years and eight days.

Many of the residents of this city will be prepared to hear this sad news; but upon the Saints throughout this Territory and in foreign lands, it will fall unexpectedly and heavily. Two weeks ago yesterday he preached in the new tabernacle, and those who listened to him on that occasion could not have imagined from his appearance that in so brief a period as has since elapsed we should only have his lifeless remains to gaze upon. Since he was thrown from his buggy last spring in Provo, his family and intimate a.s.sociates have noticed that his health was not so good as it had been; but a casual observer would not have perceived any change; he moved around and attended to his duties with his accustomed diligence and vigor. On the 10th instant, at the ma.s.s meeting in the new tabernacle, it was remarked that his face was very much flushed. He complained that day of dizziness, and torpidity of his right side; he attributed the feeling to rheumatism, with which he was sometimes affected. The next day, Thursday, the 11th, he went down town twice; but his family and others noticed that in walking, he did not use his right leg with his usual freedom. On Friday, the 12th, he arose in the morning and dressed himself; but was compelled to return to bed. His son Heber called upon him, and he conversed quite freely with him about his affairs. This was the last conversation of any length that he had with any person. It was soon plainly apparent that he was attacked with paralysis of the right side, and from this time until his death, he was only able to utter a sentence occasionally, though most of the time he appeared to be fully conscious of everything transpiring around him. When his particular friends called upon him, especially Presidents Young and Wells, he seemed to arouse himself to speak, and by the pressure of their hands and the beaming of his countenance, would signify his pleasure at seeing them. Until Sat.u.r.day last it was hoped that he would recover and be himself again. Every indication of a change for the better was eagerly noted. Every one was reluctant to admit that Brother Heber would not recover. If such a thought presented itself it was immediately repelled. But on Sat.u.r.day evening it was visible to all that he was changing for the worse. Yesterday he failed rapidly. From early in the morning until afternoon his body suffered, though he himself seemed unconscious of it. He was administered to by President Young and the Twelve, and he was much relieved. Towards evening he rallied, opened his eyes and for some time was conscious, and appeared to recognize those who stood around him. This was the last awakening of the faculties prior to death.[A] He relapsed into unconsciousness, and gradually pa.s.sed away without a contortion of countenance or the slightest movement of a limb. * *

* His family and many of his friends were in the room where he lay, and so peacefully did life leave his body, that some five minutes had elapsed before those who were watching his countenance were satisfied that his spirit had fled. Like a babe falling into a gentle slumber, he pa.s.sed away. It was a frequent remark of his that he should not die. Those who stood around his bedside were reminded of it by President Young--who saw his beloved and faithful friend and fellow-laborer breathe his last--quoting the remark, and adding that Brother Heber was not dead, he had gone to sleep. Gloom and death were not there. None experienced those undefinable feelings of dread which sometimes prevail on such occasions. Sadness there was; but it was not mingled with doubt; it was for the loss of the society of the loving husband, the tender father, the steadfast friend, the wise counselor and the undaunted leader. Yet this grief was not the only feeling. If there can be any pleasure in contemplating the separation of the body and spirit under any circ.u.mstances, then that chamber in which the earthly remains of Heber C. Kimball lay this morning was a place of joy. It was a scene of victory and triumph. A faithful, unflinching servant of G.o.d, one who had pa.s.sed through the most severe ordeals with unyielding integrity, had met man's great enemy, and through the atonement of the Savior and the previous promises which he had given, had come off conqueror. What a host of faithful ones have awaited his arrival in the spirit world!

Recall the names, beginning with Joseph, the head of the dispensation, and what a glorious list is presented to the mind!

With what ineffable gladness will they meet and welcome him to that happy land! Will it not be home to him when he meets those bright ones with whom he has labored so long and so familiarly, and who know his guileless simplicity, his truthfulness, his unshrinking faith, his integrity and worth?

[Footnote A: His last words, uttered distinctly the evening before his death, were: "Truth, eternal Truth."]

"As this news is flashed with lightning speed from one end of the Territory to the other, profound grief will fill every heart. The love of the Saints for Brother Heber is deep-rooted and universal.

A great people will this day mourn in learning of his departure, and how deep will be the sorrow also of his brethren and sisters in foreign lands! Yet it is not for him we should mourn. He is ransomed and free. We yet remain in thralldom. The course of those who live is not finished, the battle is not won. The supreme wish of every heart who witnessed his departure doubtless was that their end might be like his."

On the same day the Mayor of the City issued the following:

"TO THE CITIZENS OF SALT LAKE CITY.--

"As a token of respect to the memory of our esteemed friend and fellow-citizen, the late HON. HEBER C. KIMBALL, whose demise took place at his residence in this city, at 10-40 this a. m., it is hereby requested, that all unite throughout the city in closing their respective houses of business on Wednesday the 24th inst, being the day appointed for the funeral obsequies of deceased.

"DANIEL H. WELLS, Mayor.

"MAYOR'S OFFICE, SALT LAKE CITY, "June 22d, 1868."

The following telegrams, sent from different parts of the Territory, will show how universal was the respect paid to the honored dead:

"LOGAN, 22nd.

"PRESIDENT B. YOUNG:

"We feel very sorry, but not without hope, respecting President Kimball's death.

"PETER MAUGHAN."

"SPRINGTOWN, 23d.

"TO THE BISHOPS OF SANPETE CO.:

"A great and worthy man in Israel is fallen--President Heber C.

Kimball--not by transgression, but by the providence of G.o.d. The distance is too great for us to attend his funeral to-morrow.

This, therefore, is to request your congregations, to meet to-morrow at two o'clock p. m., and offer up their prayers and condolence in behalf of the bereaved family, as a tribute of respect to the memory of the ill.u.s.trious dead, thereby respecting ourselves.

"ORSON HYDE."

"ST. GEORGE, 24th.

"PRESIDENT B. YOUNG:

"The Saints of the south, a.s.sembled in the St George Bowery, mingle their tears with yours in the funeral obsequies of our lamented brother, President Heber C. Kimball. With his bereaved family we deeply sympathize; with all Israel we mourn his loss, and with him we rejoice that he has entered into his glory.

"ERASTUS SNOW."

Here is the City's tribute to his memory:

"At a regular meeting of the City Council of this city, on Tuesday evening last, the 23rd inst, his Honor the Mayor, announced the death of the Honorable Heber C. Kimball, and, on his suggestion, a committee was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the feeling of the council on the occasion.

"Councilor Burton, on behalf of the committee, presented the following preamble and resolution, which were read and unanimously adopted:

"_Whereas_, It has pleased the Almighty, in the dispensations of His Providence, to remove from our midst by the hand of death our esteemed fellow citizen and much beloved President, Heber C.

Kimball, who, with unwavering integrity and untiring zeal, has ever been a faithful laborer in the cause of truth and an earnest advocate of civil and religious liberty, and of every principle calculated to enn.o.ble and elevate humanity; therefore, be it

"_Resolved_, That while we recognize the hand of the Lord in all things, we deeply feel the loss which the community has sustained in his death, and in common with the citizens of this city and Territory, and the Latter-day Saints throughout the world, we most sincerely sympathize with his family and friends in this their sad bereavement.

"The Council adjourned without the transaction of further business.

"DANIEL H. WELLS, Mayor.

"ROBERT CAMPBELL, Recorder.

"Council Chamber, "June 23rd, 1868."

A full account of the funeral of President Kimball is reserved for the next and final chapter.

CHAPTER LXVIII.

OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT KIMBALL--TRIBUTES AND TESTIMONIES OF HIS BROTHER APOSTLES--"HE WAS A MAN OF AS MUCH INTEGRITY AS ANY MAN WHO EVER LIVED"--EARTH RETURNS TO EARTH AND THE SPIRIT UNTO G.o.d WHO GAVE IT.

The day set for the funeral of President Kimball was Wednesday, the 24th of June. The place, the large Tabernacle, Salt Lake City. His own desire, expressed many times before his death, was that it should be held at his private residence, and with as little display as possible; but out of deference to public sentiment, and to accommodate the great mult.i.tude of his friends who desired to be present, it was found necessary to hold the services in the Tabernacle.

Throughout the city on that day, all ordinary business was suspended, and draped flags, at half mast, swung to the breeze from the tops of public and private buildings. It was a general time of mourning. The very heavens seemed weeping in unison with the earth. The skies were hung with black clouds, the solemn thunders roared, the wind sighed and moaned, and the rain fell heavily.

Long before the hour for the commencement of the services, thousands were on their way to the Tabernacle to pay the last tribute of respect to the memory of the mighty dead; one whom all Israel revered and mourned as a father and a friend. Notwithstanding the pouring rain, fully eight thousand people a.s.sembled within the vast auditorium. Many of the settlements and counties throughout the Territory were represented by their leading men.

While the ma.s.ses congregated at the Tabernacle, Presidents Brigham Young and Daniel H. Wells, with the Apostles and many others, representing general and local authorities in the Priesthood, repaired to the late residence of President Kimball, where the funeral procession formed under the personal supervision of President Young.

The procession moved from the residence at 2 o'clock p. m., in the following order:

1st. Croxall's bra.s.s band, consisting of Messrs. M. Croxall, C. Evans, R. Golightly, T. McIntyre, W. D. Williams, J. Croxall, T. Croxall, T.

Griggs, J. Cartwright, J. Currie, W. Foster, C. Sansom, B. Eardley, H.