Salt Lake City, U.T.
March 28. 1872.
Bishop John Sharp,
St. Nicholas Hotel. N.Y.
Dear Bro:
It is such a source of annoyance to be pestered as we have been and still are from the want of material for the Utah Southern Railroad, that we feel it is absolutely neccessary to insist on decided and immediate measures on the part of the U.P. people to furnish it, or we shall have to form connection with some other company. After waiting many months for material, we are at last favored with three fourths of a mile of iron but no spikes!
We would be pleased to have you remonstrate with the U.P. people, bring the matter before them, with the importance that it demands and ascertain definitely whether we can have our material without further hindrance, and if not, to please to say so, so that by withdrawing from their contract they shall give place to other parties ready and willing to engage with us.
The grading is being pushed with energy and is, so far, satisfactory and in anticipation of the early arrival of material as had been reported, a number of extra hands were engaged and held in readiness, but as no spikes came with the iron, and only three fourths of a mile of that they were again discharged. This is extremely discouraging while so much depends on pushing the road through vigorously before conflicting parties take the job as it were out of our hands. I scarcely need to urge you to this, for you are so fully aware of the facts and the situation of things, but it appears to be imperative on us to demand that the U.P. people walk right up to their
agreement or else withdraw.
We will look for a reply to this anxiously until it is received. Remember me to Bro Jennings & the brethren you may meet & all friends.
My health and spirits continue excellent for which I am thankful.
The official returns show the number of votes for the Constitution to be 25160; against it 365.
A remonstrance against admission has been forwarded to Washington purporting to have been signed by over 400 ladies of Utah! we are at the defiance of the parties interested to show even 100 genuine signatures of "ladies of Utah" on said petition.
We are getting out rock at the Hot Springs for a dump to preserve the Weber bridge from the danger of high water. D.O. Calder has been called on a mission and will probably start in May.
20 miles of iron for the U.N. has been received, and track laying was commenced last Monday.
Several prisoners' wives & other ladies and friends with refreshments and music, after receiving the permission of Marshal Patrick, gave Bro Stout & the rest a surprise party a short time ago, and the result was, a discharge of the guard for neglect of duty & the transfer of the brethren to Camp Douglas. This is undoubtedly an outrage, but it has elicited no exhibition of illfeeling on our part.
The weather continues very favorable for seeding & is being taken advantage of by our Agriculturists.
Business is generally rather dull, but I think if we have peace this summer, and the political horizon should remain clear, we will have a large increase of business.
May peace be with you and success attend your labors.
Your Bro. in the Gospel
Brigham Young
P.S. Don't misunderstand me with regard to other parties joining with us in our road building. If the U.P People do not come up to their contract, we will just leave things as they are, organize a new company and start afresh with other parties. We are driven to urge this matter being pressed on every hand by business men, in consequence of the rapid development of the mining interest & the great increase of business along the road. All this you of course understand just as we do here, but I want to speak through you to those gentlemen connected with the U.S.R.
B.Y.