Salt Lake City,
Utah Territory,
7 March 1871.
Prest. H.S. Eldredge.
Liverpool. England.
Dear Brother:
Since my last to you of 16th ult. I have perused a letter from you to Prest. D.H. Wells, by which I am sorry to learn of the poor condition of your health. I am well aware how apt most of the elders are, when in a faithful discharge of their duties to over task themselves and labor beyond their strength, and, if sick, will rather try to screen the fact and continue in the vineyard, when it is not only not required of them, but when it is absolutely imprudent. We have repeatedly drawn the attention of the presiding elders to this matter, with regard to brethren under their direction, and wish to do so now in your own case. Our prayers are constantly for you and the laborers in the vineyard associated with you, that you may, in every way, be crowned with the blessing of the Lord.
I have addressed a letter to <Elder> W.W. Cluff informing him of his release from the presidency of the Scandinavian Mission, mission to return home, so soon as his successor, Bishop Canute Peterson of Ephriam arrives at Copenhagen Elder Peterson will probably be accompanied by Elders Christian Willardson, A.H. Lund, J.C.A. Weiby, C. Madsen and Paul Dehlin all of San Pete Co, who will labor with him in the mission.
The subject of raising donations to help to emigrate the Lord's poor from the nations of Europe, will be brought prominently before the brethren and sisters very shortly. And we earnestly hope that by combined faith and endeavors to be able to materially assist those who are worthy of our help, to escape from the thraldom and poverty of Modern Babylon. I hope to be able to speak more definitely on the subject in my next.
The evacuation of the settlements on the Muddy is now completed. It was arranged for the citizens of St Joseph to leave on 8th February, those of Overton on 16th, and those of St Thomas on 1st March. Preparations were made to send teams to help them, so that each settlement could leave in a body, and no family be left to the mercy of the Indians. The people of St Joseph left on the day appointed and on 12th teams were sent from St George to the help of Overton. In the mean time the county sheriff of Lincoln Co. Nevada, had been down and served summonses on every man in Overton, to appear at Hico, on the 15th Mar and answer to the charge of delinquant taxes for the years 1869 and 1870. Finding the people were leaving the State, the Sheriff declared his intention to return and make oath of the facts, and get attachments on personal property, and to return with sufficient posse to enforce the writ. The total amount of tax and cost for 1870 alone would have been about twelve thousand dollars in gold coin. In view of these circumstances the presiding authorities in Southern Utah determined to get the Saints from St Thomas as soon as possible. All was bustle, excitement and preparation in St George, and on the 17th some fifteen four-mule teams in charge of Col. James Andrus were on the road to the help of the Saints across the Nevada line, and they soon succeeded in bringing all the people this side of the line, leaving behind a hundred thousand dollars worth of houses and improvements to satisfy the unjust demands of the debt ridden state of Nevada. As the brethren left their homes at St Joseph there were stragglers hanging around like sharks in the wake <of> a ship -- who slipped into the houses of the saints so soon as they left them and commenced gathering up every thing of value and taking possession of the best houses &c. At Overton the Indians set fire to the houses as soon as the Saints left, and before the latter were out of sight Nothing remained of their pleasant homes but the blackened walls. This hasty and unprepared move, caused by the rapacity and hostility of the political cormorants who devour the earnings of the people of Nevada, has not altogether been without suffering to the saints, for a severe snow storm prevailed for two days during their enforced journey, the snow falling from eighteen inches to two feet deep on the divide between the Santa Clara and the Beaver Dams. Some of the Saints not well provided with clothes and bedding had to sit by the camp fires all night to escape the rigor of the storm. The region where the Saints from the Muddy will generally locate is one of great promise, exceeding most parts of Utah, in richness of soil, salubrity of climate and general fitness as a home for the saints.
In my last I alluded to our contemplated narrow guage railroad. There is very little known about this kind of road in the U.S. and as we propose to build our own rolling stock, we are extremely anxious to obtain all the information about the size, weight, style and dimensions of the Locomotives and Cars, width of the track, size and weight of the rails, and every other item pertaining to the construction and equipment of this class of road. We think you can obtain this information and desire you to do so, as fully as lays in your power, and if possible make a personal examination, and forward such information as you gain immediately.
There are Elders whose time you may consider out, or who from sickness or any other cause, ought to be released or sent home. We leave all these cases to your judgement.
Bro. Geo. Q. Cannon is anxious to procure engravings for the little paper which he is publishing -- the Juvenile Instructor. He cannot purchase the variety nor quality that he wants in the East. Cassell, Petter and Galpin, of London, and probably other publishers --the publishers of the British Workman, the Band of Hope Review, the Chatterbox, may have large stocks from which suitable selections can be made, and sent over in small lots with the emigrating saints. He will send you copies of those that he has had, many of them have been purchased in England. He would like to get about fifty; the largest to be no larger than six and a half inches wide, and between four and five inches deep, and to illustrate subjects interesting to Juveniles. In purchasing it will be necessary to procure proofs, with the titles of the subjects illustrated so that they may be treated understandingly. If your health and time will not permit probably Bro. John Jaques will be able to attend to this
business. Your early attention to this will oblige.
There is a family by the name of Linnell I wish to send this immigration, as well as others whose names I will forward with my donation to the P.E. Fund. You may notify the Linnell's however. The address is. Henry Linnell Oxford St. Far Cotton, Northampton, England. Their names are Henry, age 49, Helen E, 47, Elizabeth H, 14, Alice, 11, Minnie A., 5, Emily J. 3.
You are at liberty to return home whenever you feel so disposed and would like you to advise us in your next what you think about it. In the mean time prepare for the emigration, stir up the people in every conference by preaching and the "Millennial Star" that as many as can help themselves may do so, and a corresponding effort will be made here to assist the poor.
May peace be with you and your associates to whom remember us kindly and may you be preserved to return in safety to your home among the saints, is the prayer of
Your brother in the Gospel.
Brigham Young
P.S. You can borrow the amount for the engravings which may probably not exceed Fifty dollars, from some person emigrating, and draw a draft on bro Cannon, which he will promptly pay through this Office.
B.Y.