Salt Lake City, U. T.
April 19th 1873
Prest. A. Carrington
42, Islington, Liverpool.
Dear Bro: Having a little leisure now that the business attending Conference has subsided, we write you a few lines on such maters as we think may prove interesting.
At the Conference my counsellors were increased to seven in number viz: Prests. George A. Smith, D. H. Wells, Lorenzo Snow, Brigham Young Jr. Albert Carrington, John W. Young and George Q. Cannon.
Prest. George A. Smith was chosen Trustee in Trust with twelve assistants Trustees, viz: John Sharp, Joseph W. Young, John S. Smith, LeGrande Young, Elijah F. Sheets, Joseph F. Smith, Moses Thatcher, John Van Cott, A. M. Musser, James P. Freeze, F. A. Mitchell & Thomas Taylor.
Elder C. G. Larsen was appointed to the Scandinavia Mission, also Peter O. Hanson, Lars S. Anderson, Niels Anderson & John Frautzen: for England, Lester J. Herrick, Robert T> Burton Sr. John Clark, James T. Little, Robert J. Golding, John C. Graham Arthur B. Taylor (son of Elder John Taylor) Elijah Freeman, Henry Leigh and Robert Heyborne.
George Goddard was appointed Clerk of Conference. The Trustee & his Assistants were required to give bonds with securities to be approved by Conference. The former in $25.000. The latter in $10.000. to approve those securities, and that the First Presidency might commence their labors Conference adjourned till May 3. when a two days meeting will be held in the New Tabernacle.
We had an excellent time at Conference, the attendance was quite large, notwithstanding stringent orders were issued deterring all who had in any way risked exposure to the small pox, from meeting with the people. The disease has been quite prevalent in Sanpete, although not of a fatal character, and there has been cases in other settlements and a few in this City, but it has nearly disappeared. Prest. Well's family have been quarantined ever since the 6th inst. in consequence of one of Hannah's children having the disease. The boy has recovered now but his mother is reported sick and the quarantine continue
The missionaries for Arizona are starting out from the various settlements and gathering in Winsor Castle, where they will be organized under the direction of Elder Joseph W. Young, and sent forward to make settlements among the Moquitch Indians. We expect them in time, to make accquaintances with the Pimas, Maricopas, Navajoes & Apaches & other indians. as we hope by the blessing of our Heavenly Father to be able to induce many of those to abandon their present habits and labor as we do. We have favorable reports from many of those indians, they are anxious that we come amongst them, they wish it understood they means to provide for themselves and only ask that we instruct them how to do so. We hope to found a city on the Colorado river on the line of the projected Southern Pacific Railroad (35° parallel), <and continue on south to the 32° parallel.> and bring a large portion of our emigration that way to settle the southern country. They are pushing that road with vigour and may be through to the point we allude to within two years.
You will be gratified to learn that we are now shipping granite from the quarry to the Temple Block by rail all the way, A narrow guage road is building, mostly by our own people, running up from a junction with the Utah Southern at Sandy Station. On April 4. I witnessed the loading of the first rock shipped over this road, and we brought it on our train. A small party of brethren and sisters took a pleasant trip up to the quarry last Wednesday starting from the City at 1. and returning at 5.20. after a leisurely ride.
The Gas works are approaching completion, the mains are mostly laid. and the piping and chandeliers are being introduced into houses. If successful, as we think it will be, the business part of the City will soon be lighted with gas, & a large sum now sent east annually <to purchase oil> will thus be retained in our midst.
The U. S. R. R. has not been extended beyond Lehi, as our partners east have failed to send the iron, but the subject is reviving. and we hope to recommence and go as far at least as Payson.
My resignation of various offices of a secular character, has given rise to much speculation by the eastern press. Mr. James G. Bennett of the N. Y. Herald solicited from me and obtained a lengthy telegram on this subject, which would probably be published on the 11th inst. We have not received the paper yet, owing to a snow Blockade on the U. P. R. R.
My health continues excellent for which I feel extremely thankful. I was able to speak every day at Conference, and sometimes at considerable length, and without any injury to myself. With relief from the great labors of business that have devolved upon me, I expect to devote my energies more fully to counselling the Saints, and will be left free to travel through the settlements or remain at home as wisdom shall dictate.
H. S. Eldredge succeeds me in Z. C. M. Institution, W. H. Hooper in the Deseret National Bank, John Sharp, in U. C. R. R. Company & Wm. Jennings in the U. Southern.
The subject of emigrating the poor is being agitated, but we are not yet prepared to say what will be the result. We have received now some $4000.00
May peace be with you, and all Israel.
Your Bro. in the Gospel.
Brigham Young
P. S. C. G. Larsen is the person suggested to succeed Elder Canute Peterson