Great Salt Lake City, June 13. 1863
Elder Brigham Young, Jr.,
42 Islington, Liverpool, England.
My Dear Son Brigham:
I wrote you at length on the 3rd inst., since when I have no favor from you to reply to; but your mother has just received a letter from your brother John W., dated in New York City, May 24, and as I am writing to him to-day I thought you would also be pleased to receive a few lines from me,
Home affairs continue peaceful, as a [gap in typescript] last advices, and the temporary sojourners upon the Bench are few and quiet.
Harding left for the East by stage on the 11th inst., and so little had he come to be regarded that none of any party were present at his departure to wish him a safe journey. Connor is anxious to get away, and I am told that he has strong hopes of soon being gratified. The back bone of the evil clique having departed, the remainder appear to have no expectation of being able to create any disturbance at present.
A few days ago, near the ford on Jordan a party of Indians killed Wood Reynolds (conductor on the western mail route), and a stage driver, cut the leather and curtains from the coach, and then made off. There were no passengers in the stage. We understand that troops have been sent from Camp Douglas to look after the matter.
Everybody seems to be very busy, and a great amount of labor, both of a public and private character, is being accomplished. Teams are daily depositing huge granite blocks around the Temple walls, and stone cutters and masons are busily occupied in preparing and placing them. The foundations for the pillars for the bents of the new Tabernacle, to be 150 by 250 feet outside measure, will soon be laid, and workmen are busily engaged in building up the pillars. I am putting a sectional floor over the parquette of the Theatre on a level with the stage, for the purpose of accomodating large parties, of which there is to be one on the 3rd, one on the 16th, (Battalion & Pioneers), and one on the 24th of next month; the first is on the 3d on account of the 4th's falling on saturday, and it was thought that many would dislike having to wind up dancing by 12 o'clock; it makes but little difference otherwise, for a party on the 3d welcomes in the 4th, and a party on the 4th welcomes it out.
Your brother Joseph A. is busily occupied in overseeing and attending to the lumbering business of my mills in Big Cottonwood and City Creek canons, and George W. is attending to affairs at the grist Mill and round about.
I have informed John W., both in my letter to him of the 4th inst. and in the one sent by this mail, that, if br. Eldredge finishes his business before you come over, he can either come home with br. Horace, or wait and return with you, just as he may choose.
As when I last wrote to you on the 3d inst., the weather continues very warm and dry, but fields and gardens are very flurishing and luxuriant.
If you start for home about the 1st of August as contemplated, we shall expect to see you about the 25th of that month. Whether John W. will tarry to accompany you, or not, I do not know.
My health , your mother's, that of my family, yours, Joseph A's and family, and of your relatives, friends and the people generally, is good.
That our Father in the Heavens may continually bless you with all needed blessings and with a prosperous and safe return to your home in due time is ever the prayer of,
Your Father,
Brigham Young