The Brigham Young Center

S.L. City
May 31, 1871.

Mr. John W. Young.
134 Grand St. New York,

My dear son,

Without having any of your favors to reply to, I write you a few lines pertinent to the subject of the bust you contemplate getting up. I have had several photographs taken, and will send them as soon as they are ready. There is one point I (wish) you to be very particular upon; that is, not to let the Artist retain any of the moulds, under the pretence of their being damaged, or otherwise. This thing of your paying to have a model made, and letting the artist retain a model or a set of moulds to make any number of busts for is own use, would be very improper. When the model is made, just right, have one set of moulds taken from it, and no more and be sure when you pay for them, that you take possession of model and moulds, and then you can do with them what you please. We can do the casting here; if however, you find that you can sell a sufficient number, say, at about $10.00 each, to cover expenses you can do so. You will have to be very careful in shipping, and either have one of the castings in the mould, or stuff it very carefully with cotton and pack it in sawdust; great care must also be taken with the model. The busts ought not to cost over $2. or $3. each, do not have any more made than you can get orders for. I do not know what it will cost to copyright it, but you had better do it and that may secure it from piracy.

My health continues excellent for which I feel very thankful. Bro. Geo. A. is getting quite stout again. We intend holding two days meetings at Ogden Saturday and Sunday first at Ogden. On the 26th of June we think of starting for Soda Springs.

We have just had a most excellent rain, thoroughly saturating the ground and the telegraph informs us that the rain has been quite general throughout the Territory.

Messrs. Duff, Bushnell & Sickles are here. Mr. Duff has been unwell, but he is now able to be around. They are riding out to day along the U.S. Line examining the route &c. We were pleased to hear from Mr. Sickles that one hundred cars of iron were at Omaha yesterday for the U.S. railroad. Engineering and grading is going on quite satisfactorily; the grading is completed as far as the Big Cotton Wood.

We suppose since Joseph A.s arrival you have got the bonds and the seal under weigh; and, doubtless, ere this reaches you Willard will have entered West Point. I want him to write to me very often that we may know how he is situated and getting along in his new school.

Give my love to Jos. A. -- Bro. Staines and all friends.

Your Affectionate Father
Brigham Young

P.S. Since writing the above the Photographs have been finished, I will send them with a
copy of this letter by express to-morrow.