The Brigham Young Center

Kanarra, Iron County, U. T.
Sept. 16 -- 1862.

Elders Orson Pratt & Erastus Snow.
St. George, Washington Co.

Dear Brethren:

While passing over the road between St George and this place it occurred to me that it would be well for the various settlements in Washington County to combine together and hire a number of men (say about 15) to work a good road down Ash Creek from Old Harmony by Toquerville, and so on down the Rio Virgin to Washington and St George, thus avoiding all the rocky and sandy hills over which the present road or roads pass.

As this is declined to be a route much traveled, you cannot fail to perceive the necessity for, and advantage of, a good permanent throughfare, such a one I think may be advantageously made on the route indicated. If you cannot find amongst you practical road makers that would be calculated to take the lead in such a work, I think we may be able to send you some down. This work about three months, the inhabitants in the various settlements paying them alo[?] according to such apportionment as you may make, in the products of the country and such necessaries as they can furnish, the work may be accomplished and not be felt by the people, save as a great and lasting benefit.

There has already been labor enough expended upon the various tracks to [?] made a very good road, had it been properly directed, but so long as every one undertakes to make alter and amend the road to suit his fancy or convenience [?] will never have a permanent one, but I think that one worked on the route suggested above, following the grade of the creek will undoubtedly prove such.

It will be well for you to appoint and set apart a High Council, for your City, as also Bishops to preside over the various other settlements, and otherwise complete your organization throughout the county as soon as convenient.

I would like you to take the preparatory steps for erecting a fine commodious meeting house in your City, for which purpose you will probably be assisted with the labor tithing of Washington County, and some from Iron County.

The Camp is all well. The Brethren of the Twelve are now preaching to the people in the school House while I am writing. We resume our journey in the morning. We have received news from home to day to the 7th. All was well there.

Your Brother in the Gospel.