We start a new mission diary today, this time the diary of Rey L. Pratt (1878-1931), for the year 1926. Elder Pratt was president of the Mexican Mission, and in December 1925 – three weeks before this diary opens – he, Melvin J. Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve, and Rulon W. Wells, like Pres. Pratt one of the seven presidents of the Seventy – had arrived in Buenos Aires to open the work in South America. We’ve read a little about the opening of this mission with the story of Herta Klara Kullick, the teen who brought her Spanish-speaking friends to meetings with the missionaries; that post also gives a little setting for the weeks before this diary opens.

Friday, Enero 1, 1926

Buenos Aires – New Years day in Argentina. Weather like mid-summer at home. Bro Rulon S. Wells, who had severe attack yesterday of nausea and vomiting brought on by slight brain hemorrhages, was a little better this morning, but not well enough to go out. He ate nothing and was on the bed most of the day. In the afternoon Bro Ballard and me went to home of Bro and Sister Fredericks and had fine New Year dinner. After dinner had meeting with the German Saints and friends and also a number of Spanish speaking friends who came in. I preached in Spanish to about 10 interested listeners. There was present a Spanish Protestant lady by the name of Mrs. Jose Molares. She seemed interested and invited me to her home. We returned home quite late to find Bro Wells about the same.

Saturday, Enero 2, 1926

Buenos Aires – Bro Wells had another slight attack of dizziness just as he was finishing breakfast, but no vomiting. Does not eat much. In the pm Bro Ballard and I took him to the Drs. office and the Dr gave him an injection of iodine preparation. Dr advised it would be best for Bro Wells to go home. Advised he remain perfectly quiet while he did remain here. Not to eat meat nor eggs. After getting back to room we three consulted together and decided to wire Pres. Grant about Bro Wells’ condition, and advise his release. So Bro Ballard and I went to cable office and sent such a message. Bro Wells feels very badly about going home and is very concerned about how his people will feel. Worries a great deal. Is very weak.

Sunday, Enero 3, 1926

Benos Aires – Bro Wells was some better, but not sufficiently so to go out to meeting, So in the afternoon Bro Ballard and my self went by steam train to Lamis, 20 minutes out and held meeting with the German Saints at the home of Bro Kullick. We could only make ourselves understood through Bro Kullick’s daughter who speaks Spanish pretty well. However we held a good testimony meeting, all the Saints present bearing their testimonies. There was one investigator present and Bro Fredericks took up considerable time preaching on principles of the Gospel. We returned late to find Bro Wells about the same.

Monday, Enero 4, 1926

Buenos Aires – This morning we were delighted to receive a visit from Bro and Sister Jose Perrin. French-Swiss people who joined the Church in Switzerland twenty years ago. They have been in this country for about 12 or 13 years and have not been in touch with the Church. They seemed full of faith, however, an were glad to see us. I took Bro Wells to Dr for another injection and Bro Ballard went to cable office where he received a cable from Pres Grant approving Bro Wells’ release. Bro Ballard engage cabin for Bro Wells on S.S. “American Legion” to sail from here for New York Jan 14 1926. Bro Wells continues to worry and feet a great deal about going home. When he gets a little better he wants to stay. And does not seem to realize how serious his case has been and is.

Tuesday, Enero 5, 1926

Buenos Aires – In forenoon Bro Ballard and I looked at a lot more places, looking for something that would do for a hall. No success. In the afternoon we took Bro. Wells to see cabins on “S.S. Vauban” and “S.S. American Legion.” He liked the “American Legion” best, so it was decided he should sail on that, although it sailed a week later, and price was 10% higher. “Nothing too good” for Bro Wells. He still frets and worries a great deal about going, and even asked that we wire Pres. Grant we had changed our mind. I received a letter from Bro Kenneth Haymore ((Kenneth Haymore had been left as acting mission president of the Mexican Mission when Pres. Pratt left for Argentina.)), written from La Paz, B[aja] California. Reports work not doing much down there.

Wednesday, Enero 6, 1926

Buenos Aires – Bro Ballard and I did some more house hunting. No success. Took Bro Wells to Dr in afternoon and in evening Bro Ballard and I went out to Fredericks and held meeting with Spanish and German investigators. Few out but a good time was had. Earlier in the day I typed for Bro Ballard a long letter to First Presidency reporting Bro Wells condition and giving reason for his release. This was read to Bro Wells, but he was not pleased because not much was said by way of commendation of what he had accomplished. Facts are not much has been done by anyone. I personally think Bro Wells’ attitude is childish. He is past 71 and maybe that accounts for it.

Thursday, Enero 7, 1926

Buenos Aires – wrote to May and Children, also to Elder Haymore. Also did some more typing for Bro Ballard. Went in evening to Boca, to hoe of Bro Biebersdorf and held Book of Mormon Class meeting. Returned home at 10.30 p.m. and as I entered porters gave me a letter from May, also one from Rolfe and some new year’s cards from friends. May’s letter also had letters from Emaline and Helaman, and also one to me from Bernice Turley. These letters were of course a month old but I was glad to get them. All were pretty well at time of writing but I was sorry to learn Rolfe and Samuel had been quite sick. Bro Wells continues to improve.

Friday, Enero 8, 1926

Buenos Aires – Spent considerable time writing letters. Wrote to May, Rolfe, Emaline, Helaman and a card to Rey Jr. The day was excessively to. So hot that we could not get out much. The heat here being so humid makes it very hard to stand. There are sometimes prostrations among the people, and animals drop in the streets from overheat. This is due also to their pulling and working in such heat. There are a great many beautiful draft horses in Buenos Aires, and at the stockyards I have noticed that their cattle are high grade – Durham principally. Bro Wells went to the Dr again today, but has had no more attacks of his trouble. I think he will be able to make the trip home OK.

Saturday Enero 9, 1926

Buenos Aires – Went with Brother Ballard and called on head-quarters of Salvation Army work here in Argentina. Learned that in order to get halls it is necessary for the to rent a store room, with living quarters in the rear. Also learned open air meetings can be held by getting police permit for each meeting. Were treated very kindly by officer in charge. The day was not quite so hot as the day before, but still very warm. I took Bro. Wells to the Dr for his treatment. He has had no more attacks, but is not strong yet. I was not feeling very well and went to bed early.

Sunday, Enero 10, 1926

Buenos Aires – With Bro Ballard I attended 11 am service at the “American” Methodist Episcopal Church. It was a conference session and the Minister reporting did not report great progress in conversions. Meeting was well attended by American people, but I saw very few that looked like Argentinos. His sermon was on The fruits of the Spirit” and he advanced some very good thoughts. Bro Wells is feeling some better each day, and went in pm to home of Bro Biebersdorf where we held meeting, and he spoke to the people in German. This is likely the last meting he will attend here. Mrs. Belgrams and daughter called late in the evening.

Monday, Enero 11, 1926

Buenos Aires – Went house hunting again with Bro Ballard, without finding suitable place for meetings. Priced some chairs with a view to fitting up for a meeting place one of the rooms of our lodging place. Also visited Cemetery which is all vaults and the dead are simply put on shelves in beautiful marble and Granite vaults built at great cost. I took Bro Wells to the Dr again this pm. He continues about the same, does not gain strength very fast. It rained hard late in the afternoon, and at night greatly cooling things off. It has been unbearably hot for several days.

Tuesday, Enero 12, 1926

Buenos Aires – We three went to town, Plaza Mayo in the forenoon expecting to take sight seeing tour of the City, with Bro Wells before he went home, but found cars did not run till three pm. Returned to rooms and wrote and studied till 3 pm then took Bro Wells to Dr after which we took the contemplated ride. It pleased Bro Wells, but was over parts of City where we had all been before. Bro Wells expressed himself as feeling lightheaded all day, and I think came near having another of his attacks. Because of feeling this way, expressed himself to Bro Ballard to the effect that he felt it was right for him to return home. Most of time has maintained attitude that there was no need for him to go.

Wednesday, Enero 13, 1926

Buenos Aires – Wrote letter to May and children. Also one to Bernice Turley. Went with Bro Ballard up town to attend to purchase of medicines etc., needed by Bro Wells for his trip home. We also mailed our letters. In the afternoon I went alone to visit a Russian Jew Mr. Elias on Rivadavia $10561 bu found they were in the act of moving to La Gazaban 485 so I made an appointment to visit them on next Monday night. Bro Ballard took bro Wells to Dr. for last time and paid Dr 95.00 (pesos). Later Bro Ballard and I had meeting at Fredericks at which here were 14 Spanish speaking people present. Bro Wells continues about the same. Day was excessively hot, but cool wind came up in evening.

Thursday, Enero 14, 1926

Buenos Aires – Wrote several letters of invitation to our Spanish meeting to be held in our rooms on Sunday Jan 17. At 12.30 pm we took Bro Wells, baggage and all, in an auto to boat. Was raining as we left room. Went aboard with him and stayed till ship sailed at 3 pm. He has splendid comfortable quarters and I felt will be all right on trip home. Bro Ballard talked with Dr about him, and Dr promised to help him in every way. Certainly a great relief to get him off, as he was, and had been all the time, a great care. He was abnormally concerned about what people would say and would think about him for coming home. Bro Ballard and I went to Biebersdorfs and held Book of Mormon Class with German Saints.

Friday, Enero 15, 1926

Buenos Aires – We received 24 cane bottom chairs and paid $2.75 (pesos) each for them. Got some walnut colored stain and put in the day painting them. Bro Ballard did the painting. Put in rest of my time studying Argentine history. Find that the early conquistadores were just as cruel to the Indians here as they were in Mexico, and other places. The Indians were enslaved and have been reduced to a remnant. There was some intermarriage with the Indians so there is some Lamanite blood among the Argentinos, but not so much as in Mexico. The full blood Indians are very few and are in the back country. Many of them cannot speak the Spanish language. Recd letter from bro. Haymore.