The Brigham Young Center

Great Salt Lake City, Nov. 26, 1851 

To Brother Joel H. Johnson. 

Dear Sir, Your letter containing an inventory of goods and chattels belonging to the estates of bro: Allen was duly received here by the hand of your son Sextus.  The object in setting you to take hold of the business was that the property, what little there was, might be husbanded and taken care of for the benefit of the children, that they should not become a public charge.  I observe that the oxen and cows are valued at $85. which is taken from $174.88 which is the balance due would leave $89.88, which would be about $1.00 per week for each of the cows, if as you say you have kept them 44 weeks and 6 days.  Now Bro. Johnson, you must remember that you have had the management of this business, and I will appeal to your sense of justice do you think it right to take the children off your hands when the property shall have been consumed as shown forth in your letter, without a farthing ro contribute to their future support.  President Young received a letter from their brother in the east which relates to him upon the authority of G. S. Williams that the children were not well cared for, neither in regard to schooling or clothing, and asking him to see that they should not suffer until he shall arrive here the ensuing season. 

I showed the President your letter also upon which he decided for you to return the cow (the oxen we already have) the first opportunity as they stand very much in need of it. 

This would seem more like dividing the thing about equal if the aforesaid Brother shall come on as intended.  There is however another debt yet to pay to sister Tufts of nine dollars for making a coffin 

I intended writing to you by your son but rather an uncommon press of business at the time prevented 

Hoping that this will 

friend and brother in 

D. H. Wells