"This Is The Place" Chapter 2

In 1861, the family of four started the journey across the plains.
Charles had very tender feet. When a child, he had

sprained one of his ankles that had never thoroughly healed.

He walked with a slight limp the rest of his life.

He walked most, if not all the way across the plains.

At night when he took off his shoes, he poured blood from

the shoe that had encased his weak foot and ankle.

.

They arrived in Salt Lake on the 23rd Sept. 1861.

Soon after his arrival, he was appointed to the

leadership of the late Captain Ballo's band.

.

At that time, the Salt Lake Theater was being built.

An experienced conductor for the orchestra was needed.

He was the person selected to fill the position.

This was challenging because musicians were few

and many had to be taught how to play an instrument. For a while

the orchestra received no financial compensation for

their services, which made it very difficult for a leader to control

the members either at rehearsals or performances.

But even with these obstacles, he had a very creditable orchestra

at the opening of the theater and it kept improving until in a short

time it became quite famous,receiving many compliments from

artists who came from the East.

.

It took four or five months to receive anything from the East,

so he composed some of the music for concerts,

musicals plays and extravaganzas at the theater.

.

For three years, from 1862 to 1865, he served

as director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.