The Brigham Young Center

Great Salt Lake City, April 18, 1863

Elder Horace S Eldredge,
Box 3957, New York City, N. Y.

Dear Brother:-

I wrote you on the 3d inst., in closing a few additional Bills which I wished filled, since which date I have no favors or telegrams from you to acknowledge the receipt of; but as I purpose starting on a visit to our Dixie on or about the 20th inst., to be absent some six weeks, I have thought a few lines from me might be of interest.

Since the 3d nothing very remarkable or unusual has occurred to materially ruffle the channel of home events, but all the customary avocations of the season are being vigorously prosecuted. The brethren have promptly responded to the call for teams to go to Florence, and one of the captains of fifties wishes and expects to roll out on or about the 20th inst., and others will continue to follow untill all are off.

Present appearances indicate that the trains will all reach Florence on or before the 1st of July. A small muletr[word cut off] different individuals on private business, began to leave on the 16th, and with them went a part of the 47 missionaries destined for Europe this season; the rest will go with the oxtrains, which are also expected to take some 100 tons of flour.

You are fully aware that a good, moral, correct dealing man, who is at the same time a thoroughly skilled dentist would here find full and profitable employment, and as Secretary Fuller informs me that Dr. Johnson, of Exeter, New Hampshire is precisely the man to fill the requirements, and thinks he would be pleased to come here, if you would call upon him at his residence, and converse with him about Utah and her people and the profitable opening here for the practice of his profession, I wish you, if you can make it reasonably convenient, to pay Dr. Johnson a visit at his residence, and, if mutually agreeable make arrangements for his coming here this season with his family, or by himself if he prefers first coming alone to see whether he would like to reside in Utah. Please refer Dr Johnson to Dr. Frank Fuller, our Secretary, for references concerning Utah and her people.

Our annual conference was numerously attended, nearly if not quite every settlement being represented, and the meetings during the 3 days appeared mutually pleasant and instructive to both speakers and hearers.

I am sending to you Eight hundred and fifty dollars $850.00/100 in Coin by br. Wm. S. Godbe, who expects to start East in the Stage in about a week from this date.

I have telegraphed br F Little to purchase One hundred and fifty wagons, as many of the teams for Florence are sent without wagons, with a view to buying there; this number includes those I have already ordered.

I also inclose bills for some additional articles, which please fill.

April 20th. I start to day on a visit to our Southern Settlements accompanied by Prest. Kimball, some of the Twelve and a few others, and expect to be absent some six weeks. Prest Wells tarries to superintend home matters.

Your family and friends are well.

Your Brother in the Gospel.

Brigham Young

P. S. April 21st. Bro Sidney A. Knowlton died about 10 P. M last
night, aged 70 years on the 23d of May next. A. C.