G. S. L. City, May 22, 1861.
Pres. Brigham Young,
Dear Brother:-
After your departure I felt I would write you a few particulars that would be interesting to yourself Bro. Wells and Company, such as the state of the weather, and the crops, and the general doings of the people, and forward the news with the pony dispatch
The letter for G. Q. Cannon, requesting him, to forward to the care of Bro Wm. M. Pyper, Florence, Works of the Church, many of them published in Foreign languages; consisting of Books of Mormon, Doc & Covenants, "Eliza Snow's poems," "Harp of Zion" and other publications, and also to have certain works destroyed was carefully mailed, as was also the letter to Mr. R. W. Ellsworth Telegraphic Operator, Fort Kearney containing a statement of discrepancies in their account
The weather has been windy, threatening to storm. On the night of the 16th we had a light shower, which wetted the ground 2 inches deep, stretching out the leaves, and deepening their color. The City gardens are looking well varying according to the State of the soil, and the cultivation by the owners.
When Br. H. S. Eldredge put his signature to the letter about the dispatch account he had been taking lobelia; he is under the care of Br. Hovey, his disease is in his lungs, he is now rather better.
Br. Matthew Wilkie of the Deseret News Office, still lays very sick, his appearance is very similar to that of Br. Leo Hawkins three months before his death. He expressed much gratitude for the unicorn powder the President sent him, his disease is general debility.
Br Rumell has moulded two or three thousand bricks and will be ready to burn them in a few weeks, he continues experimenting with the clay to produce a durable brick.
Br Kesler reports that the paper mill is going on well, the stack is completed. The Nail factory also is going on well.
After Br G. D. Grant, and myself administered to Br ell's child it was better in two hours, and still remains so.
Hearing that Br. P. P. Pratt <jr.> wife had received a letter from him, I send you an extract from it. "After we left you we travelled some 35 or 40 miles a day until we overtook Br. Joseph's train, we found them all well and in good spirits and making excellent time with his train which was camped on Hans Fork, we found Brs Stoddard and J. B. Kimball they were going right through with a mule team to Florence and expected to make the trip in 25 days across the plains. Brs Stoddard and J. B. Kimball they were going right through with a mule team to Florence and expected to make the trip in 25 days across the plains. Brs Stoddard and Kimball kindly invited Br. J. Grant and myself to accompany them to Florence, we accordingly placed our things in the wagon, bid the company farewell on yesterday, then traveled on to this place. We stayed here last night with Br Lewis Robinson, we were very kindly treated, we slept last night beneath his roof, and eat at his table. The weather for a few days has been very cold and stormy and I was even chilly with two heavy blankets wrapt around me, this morning the weather is much warmer the roads are very good and I expect we will have a speedy and pleasant trip across the plains. They are looking for the mail here at this station every moment." "Dated Green River Mail Station, May 1, 1861"
Every thing appears to be very peaceable and quiet, the people pursuing their general labors.
I have rheumatism in my hips so bad that I can scarcely get about.
I called at Br. Well's yesterday, and never saw Hannah more bright and pert, the child was well and hearty.
Br. Enoch Reese, reports the Jordan Dam Company will succeed in having the water out in a few days.
Dr. Dunyan was saying their is a cough epidemic attacking the children, It was so bad with Br. Doremus's scholars, that one afternoon he dismissed them earlier than usual, they are now rather better.
Br. Bryant Stringham is on the Island seeing to the cattle.
Br. Mousley's school was also dismissed in consequence of the cough epidemic Remember me kindly to Br Wells and the brethren. Peace and prosperity attend you.
Your Brother in the Gospel
Heber C. Kimball