The Brigham Young Center

Salt Lake City, U.T.
October 22. 1870.

To the Brethren of the School of the Prophets:-

Enough has already been said at this School & elsewhere to inform the brethren concerning my indebtedness to sub-contractors on the U.P.R.R. Suffice it here to say, that I am still indebted to them. to a considerable amount.

The U.P.R.R. Co. as you are aware, paid me in railroad material, and unless I can use this means to pay my indebtedness, and my property cannot be rendered available for this purpose, I see no prospect of making payment for some time to come.

I have labored by every means in my power, selling, changing & turning for such property as the brethren would take, and I have applied every dollar of money I could raise to liquidate this indebtedness, still there remains quite a large amount due.

As you are aware, a Committee was appointed and measures were entered into to lay this matter prominently before the people, and quite a large amount was subscribed to be taken in Stock or Bonds of the U.C.R.R. The <bishops in the> City alone promised about $40.00.00 but for some reason they have done <almost> nothing, and only a very small part of the amount subscribed has, as yet, been applied. The reasons for this, are best known to the brethren themselves, but I find I cannot satisfy my creditors without paying them, and, although there are some who appreciate the circumstances & are willing to wait, this is not the case with the majority, and I have to endure an excessive teaze & worry, day after day, which, while I am without the means of paying is very annoying.

Under these circumstances, something must be done, and if I cannot persuade my creditors to take my property or bonds of the U.C.R.R. where <in which> the means owing to them was actually invested I shall be compelled to try other measures. Proposals have been made to purchase the U.C.R.R. by certain parties whose interests are not identical with ours & <but> to assume the responsibility of making this transaction unless I am obliged to is something more than I wish to do, still, if the brethren who have agreed to assist me in throwing off this burden, prefer this way of doing it, and will take upon themselves the responsibility of introducing into our midst such another strong engine of Gentile influence, instead of controlling the road themselves, I would be pleased to have them say so, in order to settle this matter without <further> delay.