The Third Mission of John Francis Astle, Sr. Central States Mission As recorded in his journal November 12, 1925 to May 27, 1926

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March 4 - Rained all day so we stayed in our room and I wrote a letter to Bishop Hammond of Providence, Utah. It is costing me $30.00 per month for room and board.

March 5 - We have fair success in tracting, quite a lot of rain, interfered some with our work. Received some letters from home, all well, but Francis's wife went somewhere on the fifth of February, knew nothing of her on the eighth of March. A very light winter in the west, flowers in bloom at home in front of the house on the fourth of March.
Yesterday, the 16th, I met some very nice people on E 3rd Street, that met the Elders some twenty years ago. A pleasant day, I came to my room at night rejoicing in the work of the Lord.

March 17 - It rained all night and still raining at twelve noon March 17, 1926.
It has been raining a big part of the time. The work going on about the same. Elder Linford and Talbert and Samuel Hill released, left here on the 24 of March. I was alone two days when Elder E. L. Erickson of Rexburg, Idaho, came in from the country came to labor with me.
The weather is very bad. Rain and wind from the north to cold to track. We have a very early spring at home. According to a letter from home, peach trees in bloom the 20th of March.
After meeting on street Saturday night I had a long talk with a man on the (not give). Said he enjoyed the talk and wanted a Book of Mormon, which I will take to him today, March 30.
Work went on about the same, although not received quite so well the second tracting. Some of what I thought good investigators went back, but we are picking up some new ones.
On April 10th President R. V. Beckstead came up from San Antonio, stayed with us two days. A. J. Goldstein was sustained as Superintendent of the Sunday School.

April 11, 1926 - There was lots of rain and cold up to date, not warm today, Monday 12th. From date the weather has been rainy, hindered us some in our work. We are making a second tracting, People very indifferent.

April 26 - Elder Erikson and Geo. V. Stewart went out in the country to visit some investigators and friends. Elder Reed Vance is with me in this city. We tracted today, people very cool.
On the 18th of this month someone came into our room and took from my jacket $11.00 and $9.00 from Erikson's. Think it was done while we was eating breakfast. Weather fine today, April 26th.

May 18 - During the past month the weather has been fair. I have been well. Had a pleasant time laboring with Elders Erikson, Vance and Stewart, one at a time, two of them in the country and changing off visiting Saints and investigators, making three trips, not meeting with much success.
I met a few very good people in my visits, Mr. H. Von Kalow in E 1st 1803, an engineer in the steamline, very interested in our message of the Gospel, a Mrs. Wheeler in 310 E 2nd St.. I met her March 19th, and have met her a number of times, very interested. Told me yesterday, May 17, 1926, that I had done her a world of good, and that she must talk with me again. About May 1st I met E. M. Sherrell, a street car driver, that was once a Josephite, now a Baptist. Told me some day he was going to be a Mormon.
C. H. Howard and I met on Mildred Street 93. He had been to Salt Lake City, alonging to go again. He and wife very nice, had met her before. Sold them Book of Mormon and Durant. On the 17th, yesterday, a Mrs. Jachache, on 1201 E 11 Street, said she was going to be baptized this summer. Her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Bonnie Jachache, also interested. The mother said she would not take anything for the Book of Mormon. There are others that are very interested.
Have had lots to do the past three months. The last month lots of time spent revisiting, now preparing for conference to be held May 20. Meetings has been good the past month.
Conference held 20th with ten Elders of the West Texas Conference, two Elders from Mexico and President S. O. Bennion in attendance. Priesthood meeting at 9:30 a.m., reports good. Three Elders released, Erikson, President Geo. V. Beskstead of the West Texas, and myself John F. Astle. Meeting at 7:30 p.m., a goodly number there. Testimonies born by all Elders. President Bennion spoke for some time, a very good meeting.

May 21 - Friday I visited some of the Saints, had a pleasant visit with Sister Clara Steen. At night Saints and Elders met in the hall, which is the labor temple, in a farewell party for the Elders returning home, a very nice party, bidding Saints and friends good-by.
Took train at 10:00 p.m. for the west, passing through Dallas, Fort Worth, Pueblo, Colorado, arriving in Salt Lake City at noon the 24th, staying there one and one-half days. Reporting at the office the 25th.

May 27 - This is three missions that I have filled, getting home 27th at noon, finding the folks well and the place never looked better, beets thinned, strawberries getting ripe, alfalfa almost ready to cut, much earlier than common.
Attend meeting Sunday, not may there. Worked in beets Monday, Tuesday. Bought a Chev coupe automobile car, $750.00. I got the money of the bank.

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