The Brigham Young Center

Salt Lake City. U.T.
5 July 1870

Elder W.H. Hooper
Washington D.C.

Dear Brother:

Your favor of 28th ult, with enclosures from Judge Wilson and bro Ernest Lisle reached here this morning, also copies of the "Echo and Cottonwood Railroad" bill. President Young has gone to Provo, we expect him back in the course of a day or two, the walls of the Woolen Factory in that city are now rapidly rising. We had a grand celebration yesterday, no federal officers attended, yet we had a fine time. Gov. Shaffer has removed the directors of the Penetentiary, and appointed J.M. Orr, Col Kahn and somebody from Corinne whose name I do not now recollect in their place. It is rumored that he has also removed the warden. He must do this in utter contempt of law. There is not a particle of law to authorize any such interferance of the administration. Should any thing be done about, it, and if so, what?

When holding court at Provo a few days ago, Judge Stickland announced that on the 18th July, the Supreme Court would set aside the jurisdiction of the Probate courts in criminal cases in the Territory.

He sent the inebriate Capt. Cunningham after Steward who was in prison at Manti under sentence of death for murder. But on Cunningham's arrival at Manti, the prisoner had escaped. Strickland expressed an apprehension that it was a contempt of his court, that the prisoner had escaped, or that he had been killed, and intimated that if his court could not be respected he should bring force enough to make it so.

What sensational reports he made with regard to the escape of the prisoner, I do not know. His court is adjourned until October, at Provo.

I hope you will soon be relieved from your onerous duties, and soon be permitted to breathe the free air of our mountain home. Ever praying for your blessing and prosperity and with love to yourself and bro Can(non)

I remain, Your brother in the Gospel
Geo. A. Smith