William T. Jack, who had returned from the Indian Territory Mission two years before, worked as a sales representative for Auerbach Brothers205 and he encouraged Andrew to apply there for work also. Andrew wrote:
after dinner drove to town, saw F. Auerbach and he offered to have me go to work at once. . . . but could only pay part wages now while I was in the store. As he wanted me their till fall to get acquainted with the business. I did not give him an answer then but went and saw the Co-op [Z. C. M. I.] was encouraged but as they had no opening I could not be employed. Saw Bro Clark of Clark E. & Co he was anxious to put me to work but had no opening but thought of seeing Charles Hill and if he wished to retire to put me on in his place, but as I could not wait for Auerbach wanted a reply at once. he finally let the matter go for the present with expressing his feelings of disciding that in the future he would like to put me to work for him on the road, a verry kind expression indeed. called on Spencer Clawson. he was not in but his man Mr. Lund was very anxious for me to see him, thinking he would put me on the road at once.206
The next day, Andrew
saw Spencer Clawson but he did not have any employment.207
Commenced Work at F. Auerbach & Bros. expecting to travel for them in the North country. Worked all day in the floor at prepairing samples. Had a business talk with Fred Auerbach. . . . Met Sol. Kimball a few days ago, he did not like to see me go to work for outsiders, Was afraid it would injure me in my [Church] standing.208
Andrew and Ollie reclaimed their home that had been rented out for the last year and easily slipped back into the activities and associations they had enjoyed previously. Church seems always to have taken first place in their interests. Secular concerns occupied some evenings—political meetings of the People’s Party, a reading club, night-school classes, speaking at various gatherings. He was active in the Democratic Party when it organized in June 1891 and served as delegate to the party nominating convention.209
Almost immediately after he hired on at Auerbach, Andrew took his first sales trip for them.210 He went north to the towns in Cache Valley and in the Bear River area as far north as Soda Springs, Idaho. The trip lasted a month, from late May to late June 1891. He visited about twenty towns and stayed with relatives and friends. The Kimballs, Gheens, Woolleys, and Olpins provided many a bed, and it was a rare Sunday that he did not speak.
The Auerbachs praised his performance and gave him a $10 a month raise in pay. Between trips, Andrew worked at the store. A few weeks after his first trip he traveled east from Salt Lake City to Price by train and there rented a wagon and hired Abe Hatch to drive him.211 Abe was the nephew of Abram Hatch (stake president in Heber City and Ollie’s brother-in-law). They went on to Nine Mile Canyon, the Duchesne River, and the Whiterocks Indian Agency. It was suggested that Andrew lecture in Whiterocks, but the agent was Presbyterian and wary of letting a Mormon preach. Andrew assured him it would be a talk based only on the Bible, “The Human Family, its origin, present condition, and final Judgment.” The hesitant agent allowed Andrew to speak, but when the talk ended, the agent expressed anger at Andrew’s proposal that God was a “progressive being.”
Andrew spent more than a week around Whiterocks taking orders for Auerbach merchandise and had some success. In Vernal the following Wednesday, Andrew spoke but because of rain and lack of notice few came. He spoke again the next night and had a full house. On Friday he spoke in a home where some thirty people gathered to hear him again, mostly young people. On Saturday a full house awaited him, but no one thought to notify him of the planned meeting. He offered to speak the next evening (Sunday) and did so to a packed house. He felt inspired in his remarks:
After I got through and before I got into my chair Sister Pack arose and spoke in tongues. it was beautiful. her face shone like an angel. her jestures were subperb. after she got through the interpretation was called for. Jerry Hatch in the mean time was called up and spoke for a moment and thanked me for my coming and was in favor of a vote of thanks. . . . as soon as he sat down the same Sister who had spoke in tongues had the interpretation given to her. She said in substance, “Praise God for his goodness in sending his servant here to preach the Gospel to us which will do so much good for coming and feeding the sheep.” We learned that another sister had the interpretation but was afraid to get up. She felt very bad for not doing so. there was a glorious spirit present. every one had to acknowledge that inside and outside the church young and old. All sensed the difference between that of God and that of Satin when he tried to disturb us the night of Thursday. There was people came 12 miles. All received well paid and went away happy with new resolve to do better.212
Camping along the wagon trail, he and Abe returned to Price and caught the train home.213
Abe was about thirty and smoked and chewed tobacco. Andrew asked him at the outset of their trip to be careful not to get tobacco juice on Andrew’s clothes, and they talked about the Word of Wisdom. Abe had tried unsuccessfully to stop before, but he resolved to stop using tobacco at least while he drove Andrew. When Andrew commented on the change, Abe said, “I decided I would not annoy you any more.” Andrew said, “I promise you that you may have your desire to quit. Call on the Lord for assistance and I promise you in the name of Jesus Christ that you will never use it again, that you will grow to despise it and use your influence with others to give it up.” The promise was realized.214
In associating with other salesmen, most of whom smoked, Andrew would put in a little bank he carried the amount his companion paid for cigarettes or cigars. When he got home he would give the money to Ollie.215
Andrew was already well known in many of the northern Mormon communities. A September–October 1891 trip to south-central Idaho found him arriving in Oakley while stake conference was in session. He opened the chapel door and stepped in. Elder John W. Taylor, at the pulpit, saw him and said, “How do you do, Brother Kimball! Come in!”216
After Andrew returned from his December trip, Fred Auerbach gave Andrew a raise for 1892 and granted him time off to go visit his mission for the first time.217
In February, after his return from the mission tour, Andrew went north to Cache Valley and Malad. He visited the Washakie Indian Farm, established by the Church as a place where Shoshone members of the Church could gather and learn farming. Andrew’s years of connection with the Cherokees and other tribes in Indian Territory made him particularly interested in the welfare of Indians generally. He wrote a long column for the newspaper about the situation in Washakie.218
In Bear River City, Andrew noted for the first time that a shopkeeper “had made up his mind to not buy any more of an outside [non-Mormon] house.”219 About that time Andrew suffered an episode of chills and fever that may have been a remnant of malaria.
Andrew experienced some conflict at work. He recorded,
Mr. Rhode [his supervisor at Auerbach] wounded my feelings one day because I had made a little mistake. it was a great trial for me to have to submit to it, but my family was dearer to me than my own feelings. Elder Merrill was expected home [from Indian Territory] sick, having been overcome by the heat. I was obliged to get off to wait at the depot for him. They came on Sunday morning. Monday Bro. Rawlins came for me to go with him to the Presidents office. I asked Mr. Rhode the privilege of getting off. he told me I wanted off too much. I could not stand it any longer. I talked to him in the spirit of kindness until he was ashamed of himself. Since he has been very kind to me, I worked hard at the store and at home until I got quite reduced, was in poor health and felt quite depressed in spirit.220
Andrew’s name had value. A group organizing a reservoir and canal company offered him $1,000 in stock if he would help them by his influence. They had inquired of his employers about him and received good recommendations. He went to Mona and Goshen to see the project site, but chose not to become involved.221
In a six-week selling trip that ran from late August to early October 1892, Andrew went as far as Rexburg, Idaho, the farthest north he had been.222
Andrew’s journal for this trip illustrates how he sold, where he stayed, how he traveled, what he did when neither traveling nor selling, and the frequent calls on him to speak in the little and often isolated communities he visited.
Thursday Aug. 25 [1892]. At 10:20 I left home Arrived in Brigham with my 5 trunks at about 12:20. Had dinner with Bodens. after dinner visited the folks. Busy during the day and with the folks in the evening. Drove up to Mantua to see Bro. Jensen.
Friday Aug.26. Busy all day. drove out to 3 mile creek in the evening and called upon Sister Peters. Not at all well, tired and weary and some what low spirited.
Saturday, Aug. 27, 1892 Drove to Bear River City. Sold goods to A. Nelson. was detained over night there was an aful wind and dust storm.
Sunday Aug. 28. Visited with my friends after returning to Brigham. at the house all day.
Monday, Aug. 29. Had a talk with Geo. Woolley [Andrew’s brother-in-law] who was up on a visit. we were talking about our family affairs. was busy most of the day. in the afternoon went to Gidneys Grove and spent the time till 6 P.M. with the folks. took train to Mendon was busy till late.
Tuesday, Aug. 30. Busy till 5 P.M. with H. T. Richards selling goods down to Hyrum. Stayed with Sister Liljonquist.
Wednesday, Aug. 31. Sold goods to Co-op and H. H. Peterson. Had my Patriarchal Blessing under the hands of Bro. O. N. Liljonquist. A beautiful blessing. stayed over night at Hyrum.
Thursday, Sept. 1st. Left Hyrum at 6 a.m. drove to Logan, unloaded, cleaned up and went to the Temple and attended Fast meeting. President J. F. [Joseph F.] Smith occupied all the time. Busy in afternoon at sample room. Had a talk with Bro. [Marriner W.] Merrill in the Temple about my affairs.223 he gave me great comfort. Met Bro. [Ammon] Green my missionary companion. had pleasant talk.
Friday, Sept. 2. at work all day. busy till 9 with selling goods. Bro Green hunted me up and asked me to recite for his folks and others in the Hotel parlors. I did so. wrote my journal after a talk with Bro. Green. was up till 12 o.c.
Saturday Sept. 3. At Logan all day busy with merchants had a bath and did some writing late.
Sunday Sept. 4. At Smithfield. All day. spoke in afternoon and lectured at night.
Monday, Sept. 5. Stayed at Sister Littlefield’s, an old friend of Fathers and our folks. She seemed very glad to have a visit from me. at afternoon meeting yesterday. had a good house and a full house in the evening. Busy all day today at selling Y. M. Co-op. Sold a good order. up till late copying and writing.
Tuesday, 6th 34 anniversary of my birthday. I drove to Richmond. Had dinner at the home of Sister Brown. was busy in the afternoon selling Richmond Mer & P Co. called on M. W. [Marriner W.] Merrill Jr. in the evening.
Wednesday, 7. Finished selling the Co-op at about 4 p.m. Drove to Coveville and had a visit with Sister Allen and the folks. coppied orders and wrote several letters. well and prosperous. Sister Allen is wife of Henry H. Allen who is laboring in the Ind[ian] T[erritor]y mission.
Thursday, 8th 1892. Drove to the creamery. went through and witnessed the operation. after breakfast went to Franklin. Sold goods to Low & Co. Stayed with Sister Jolley.
Friday 9. Sold goods to Lowe & Co., Websters, and Chadwicks from Whitney. drove to Lewiston in the evening. stayed with Bro. Brig Pond.
Saturday 10. Busy all day selling Pond & Bros & Co. stayed with Bro. Rawlins.
Sunday 11. Bro. Rawlins and I worked some on the I.T. [Indian Territory Mission] report. We attended afternoon meeting. Apostle M. W. Merrill was there. he wanted me to speak. I ocupied some of the time. had a pleasant time with the Brethren. Wrote several letters during the afternoon. did some calling in the evening.
Monday 12. Drove to Weston. sold a bill to Preston Bros. & Co. was busy packing up till 12 o.c. Retired very fatigued.
Tuesday, Sept. 13th 1892. Drove to Malad. arived about noon. sample room being occupied could not accomplish much.
Wednesday, 14, 92. At Malad all day busy selling goods. busy at my writing in the evening.
Thursday, 15, 92. Finished at 11:30. drove to Weston. arived there at 5 P.M. wrote up orders and sold goods in the evening to the amount of a good bill to Weston Co-op. worked till about 12 o.c.
Friday 16. Drove to Oxford. was detained the remainder of the day. wrote some.
Saturday, 17. Finished and took train at 2:40. ariving in Montpelier at 8:40 P.M. Met Mary Lee Bassett on the train, one of the Tooele girls who I have not seen for about 13 years. stayed over night with Bro. Holmes. had a good talk with folks and Hyrum who is going on a mission to I.T. [Indian Territory] Busy at Oxford until train time 2:40. laid over at McCammon some time. Visited harkness large Mill.
Sunday Sept. 18th 92. As arangements were made by John Bennet my companion to go on over to St. Charles today when the wagon came I went with him. arrived at St. Charles at 2 P.M. I stayed with Ed Pugmire. I attended afternoon meeting. ocupied the time. visited Aunt Adelia’s after meeting. Returned to Pugmires. the people desiring to have another meeting called me and when I got to the house there was a large congregation assembled. I spoke to them again. Enjoyed great assistance from the Holy Spirit.
Monday, 19 Could not do any business at St. Charles. drove to Paris. visited the Democratic convention in the court house. stayed with Hyrum Woolleys folks. had a good visit.
Tuesday, 20 Drove back to Bloomington. got order. then drove to Montpelier. got there at about 1 P.M. opened up and sold Ed Burgoynes folks, not much. Checked trunks and spent the remainder of the evening talking with Bro. Holmes and family. stayed at Sister Leverns.
Wednesday, 21, 92. Took train to Soda [Springs]. got there at 2 P.M. worked the trade took train at 12:45 in the night. wrote several letters while I was waiting.
Thursday, 22, 92 Rode by train to Blackfoot, ariving at 5 a.m. went to bed. had my breakfast at 9. worked the trade. did not get an order. Spent the remainder of the day in rewriting The Report of Indian T[erritor]y Mission. received letters from Elder Woodbury stating that Bro. H. H. Allen was sick. I telegraphed him to wire W. C. Spence if Bro. Allen was no better, then to send ticket for his return home. Took train at 16:15 and rode to Market Lake. met Ted Kimball wrote a letter to dear ones and retired early.
Friday 23, 92. Hired livery wagon. drove 22 miles to Rexburg. got there at noon. opened samples and did some business. wrote Journal and letters home.
Saturday Sept. 24. 92 Busy at Rexburg until evening with business. Will Kimball my brother came with a cart and took me home to his place at Burton. Met Clista and his children, 8 in number. wrote and talked until a late hour.
Sunday 25, 92 Attended Sunday school in company with Will. took part in the Theological class. Spoke to the school. Spoke in the afternoon meeting and lectured to a full house at night on the I.T. [Indian Territory] subject.
Monday 26. 92. Busy till evening. Will came with team and took my load home. spent the evening in writing while Will and family went to a show.
Tuesday 27. Will took me to Market Lake. I took train at about 3:30 and stopped at Eagle Rock. did not accomplish much there. Met several friends. took train at 12:40 in the night.
Wednesday 28. 92 Arived at Minidoka at 4. went to bed till stage time 8 a.m. Rode to and stayed at Albion 30 miles.
Thursday Sept. 29, 92. Drove to Elba and Cassia Creek. sold goods till a late hour at Taylor & H.
Friday 30, 92 Drove to Almo. sold goods and back to Elba. stayed at Bp Taylors.
Saturday, Oct. 1. Drove to Albion, got dinner and at about 3 p.m. drove 4 horses on extra stage to Minidoka. Took train at 12:40. sld some samples to Station people.
Sunday Oct. 2. Arived home at Brigham. the folks had breakfast. attended the afternoon meeting. Bro [Lorenzo] Snow spoke. Had a pleasant visit. Got a buggy and drove to 3 mile creek and saw Bro. Peters who had returned home from the I.T. [Indian Territory Mission.]
Monday, Oct. 3. Took train at 8:30, ariving home at 11. met many friends on train. Sarah Lowe came down to work for us. came home with me. Found family all well and happy.
Soon after this trip, on November 8, 1892, Ollie bore another daughter. They named her Ruth Woolley after Ollie’s favorite sister.
There were other long trips, the last for the year ending on December 18. During the year 1892, Andrew had been on seven sales trips away from the Salt Lake City area for 176 days (48 percent of the time) away from home. In addition he was in Indian Territory for 31 days in 1892, making him absent 57 percent of the year, but Ollie was not one to complain.
Wednesday, December 20, 1892: At the store during the day while Ollie, Sister Rees, and Zina were in the store Mr. Pit handed me a letter from Mr. Auerbach stating that the trade in the north did not justify and my services would no longer be needed. I felt a cold chill creap all over me. it almost made me sick, to think after all my hard work for the house, they would turn me out in the dead of the winter, in debt with a large family on my hands.
Dec. 26, 1892: Wrote a letter to F. Auerbach & Bro. as coppied in #1 coppy book, setting fourth my position and blaming them for their unkindness.
Andrew continued working in the Auerbach store to finish out his obligation until 6 p.m. closing time on December 31, the last day of the year, despite his feeling he had been treated shabbily.
Tuesday, Jan. 3, 1893. My first day out of work for our 18 years, except by choice.224
Jan. 7, 1893 Went to H. J. Grant & Co. and decided to take the agency for insurance. . . . went home and commenced to study.
Jan. 9, 1893 Out rustling life insurance and attending other business also selling Dr. Hall’s pamphlet for health [a “water remedy” that Andrew had himself followed].
