The Brigham Young Center

Salt Lake City. U.T.
5 Nov 1870.

John L. Burton Esq.
Madison, N.Y.

Dear Sir:
Your favor of 26th ult to President Young is to hand. He being absent from home I have taken the liberty to send you a few lines in reply. Mr Woodhull of whom you write was killed a short time since, in a mining camp some twenty five miles from the city. The company of which he was a leading member and another company of miners were in dispute about certain claims, which the other party accused Mr Woodhull of having jumped. They assert he endeavored to drive them off their claim by force, and one of their party in resisting the attempt shot Mr Woodhull. The trial of the person accused of the murder will shortly take place before the Unite States Court of 1st district, when the facts of the case will no doubt be brought to light.

The assertion that Mr W's religious tenets had something to do with the unfortunate occurance is one of those many slanders at present so industriously circulated regarding the people of this Territory by a ring or clique in this City, who fancy they have much to win and nothing to loose by embittering the feelings of the people of the United States against the Latter-day Saints. All men of every religious denomination are free in this Territory, to worship whom they please, how they please and when they please, so that they do not infringe upon the liberties and rights of others. I sincerely believe that not one person in one hundred in these valley's knew anything of Mr Woodhulls religious opinions, or indeed if he had any.

Very Respectfully Yours
Geo Reynolds
Clerk for Prest Young