Passo Del Norte Chihuahua [Paso del Norte, Chihuahua, Mexico, near Ciudad Juarez, Mexico]

Feb 17^th 1886 [Wednesday 17 Feb 1886]

Dear Elisabeth [Elizabeth Rebecca Ashby Snow, b. 1831]

And friends in St. George [St. George, Utah]

S.H. Hills and myself have run the gauntlet and been shadowed by Detectives ever since Prest G.Q. Cannon [President George Q. Cannon] was arrested and taken from the car [railroad car] and Drawing room occupied by us jointly in Nevada the history of which you will get from Salt Lake City [Salt Lake City, Utah]. Suffice it to say we were much relieved by the appearance of Bro [Brother] Dan Jones this morning in El Paso [El Paso, Texas] who was watching for our arrival and had just learned that officers here or rather in El Paso [El Paso, Texas] were watching the trains by orders from Salt Lake [Salt Lake City, Utah]. We immediately took a street car across the Rio Grande [Rio Grande River] onto Mexican soil beyond their reach and sent Jones [Dan Jones] Back to the Hotel for our Bagage [baggage] and now we are ready to take the Mexican Central [Mexico Central Railroad] tonight and before this reaches you We hope to be with Bro H. Pratt [Brother Helaman Pratt]. If you see Bro. M.T. [Moses Thatcher] or Bishops Preston, Burton or Sheets or other old friends tell them God Bless them and shield them from the foes. Any who think themselves indicted better not risk themselves on the Rail Roads [railroads] just now unless well disguised. The overland route by Snowflake [Snowflake, Arizona] and Smithville [Smithville, Arizona, now Pima, Arizona] to Chihuahua [Chihuahua, Mexico] is safer though slower. People who leave before before [sic] being Indicted may Journey by rail as emigrants all right. I write these few lines to let my friends know I am safe and feeling well, but deeply regret that Bro George Q. [Brother George Q. Cannon] had not adopted my suggestion to take private conveyance across the country to the A & P Road [Atlantic and Pacific Railroad]. His capture encourages the enemy and I fear will weigh heavily on Prest. Taylor [President John Taylor]. The Friends for one [our ?] lands in Chihuahua [Chihuahua, Mexico] are safe with me.

Yours etc. Erastus Snow

I Telegraphed enquiring [inquiring] after you and about Lorenzos trip to Pheonix Park [Phoenix, Arizona] the day before leaving Salt Lake [Salt Lake City, Utah] but got no answer as the line was out of repair. E.S. [Erastus Snow, b. 1818]

For Prudential reasons

I direct this to St. George as to will [?] please deliver

E.S. [Erastus Snow, b. 1818]