I found in Alton [Illinois] several families of the Saints and held a few meetings in that place. I did what good I could in that vicinity and then traveled out into the interior, conversing with the people as opportunity presented upon the principles of the gospel, and at the same time trying to disabuse their minds concerning the false rumors that had been put in circulation regarding Joseph Smith the Prophet and the people of Nauvoo generally. To converse with the people by the wayside and in their dwellings was about all the opportunities presenting for me to promulgate the doctrines of the gospel. After a few days travel in this way, I came across a few families of Saints by whom I was kindly entertained as often as I desired to be a participant of their hospitality. Brothers Joel Ricks, now a resident of Logan City, William Steele of the Smithfield Ward, and Levi Stewart, now residing in the southern portion of Utah, are the only names I can now remember who with their families resided there. I held some meetings in their houses. They manifested much faith and interest in the progress of the latter-day work. But aside from the Saints not much spirit of inquiry could be awakened in that section of the country.
Much faithful preaching had been done there by the elders, and all that were honest hearted enough to obey the sacred truths had already done so and a considerable number of such had removed to Nauvoo. But while there, in my wanderings, circumstances in which I was occasionally placed cause me to reflect upon the journeyings and missions performed by Christ and His Apostles, who went forth without purse or scrip, and these memorable words were frequently brought to mind: "Foxes have holes and the fowls of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head."
Elders James Butler and Thomas Edwards had done a good work through that country and I was much pleased to meet with them while there.
In process of time, Brothers Joel Ricks, William Steele, and James Olive were going on a visit to Nauvoo and by their kind permission, I returned with them. We arrived in the town of Ramus, Hancock County, about the 25th of August, where I joined my wife whom I had left there, at the residence of her uncle, Benjamin Andrews, to remain during my absence.
