G S L City, March 18, 1861 [Great Salt Lake City, Utah Monday 1861-03-18]
To my kind and affectionate companion- [Elder Erastus Snow 1818-1882]
I seat myself this evening to answer your kind letter dated Feb. 6 which I received by the last weekly mail, and also the one from my brother Alvah together with your reply which was most excellent, it seems almost like hearing from one from the spirit land. I am thankfull [thankful] to hear that they are all living I hardly expected it, my oldest brother is now I suppose about 63 years of age, the same age of my Father when he died. I can hardly realize it. I suppose it seems quite as strange to them to think that I the titman as they used to call me are [is] 42 years old, but I am thankful the ice is broken and hope your correspondence will continue, and visit them if you feel at liberty so to do, I think they will receive you kindly and when I feel as though I could sit down and write them about the right kind of a letter I will do so, but I am almost afraid to write for fear I shall say something I had not ought to, if I could step over and make them a visit of a week or two I would like to very much, but to think of leaving my children to be gone 12 or perhaps 18 months, I can hardly bring my mind to that neither will the children for a moment consent to my going. If I had some one to fr [?] all this care and to and had any way of getting out more I think it would improve my health as much as any thing I could do, but I see no chance for that Spring is coning on with all its work and I have nothing but a girl team in the house and a boy team out of doors. I can assure you I miss brother Olsen, my year is almost up you gave me. All I can do is to make my bed I never sweep my room or lift my babe upon my feet, I still have those spells of the nervous- headache it has troubled me more for the last few week then it did the first of the Winter, still when I look back six months I can see I have gained a little. Minerva has a son 10 days old she is getting along finely, says she never got along better before. I think she has decided to call it Levi. This is the only addition that has or will be made to your family while you are away. Elizabeth health has not been very good for a few weeks, the rest of the family are all well the children have been in school through the winter but are all at home now excepting Erastus W. [Erastus White Snow] I shall send all that can be spared when school commences again if there is any way opens that I can pay their schooling, if not I shall do the best I can with them at home.
Artimeisa has not been studying music though she could not very well and attend school it would take to much of her time out of school and it has been all I could do to gather enough to pay their schooling. I have paid between 50-60 dollars school bills since you left besides many other bills and I am nearly run ashore. We are now out of flour for the first time since you left. I have been trying for last few days to collect some where I had had a little owing me, but have not succeeded yet. I do not think we shall starve although it looks as though our pinching time is close at hand. I am in hopes of getting some from the mill. I received a letter from brother E. Arthur stating he could get one ton of flour transferred to me by paying another ton, and if I wished him so to be, to send sacks enough to hold the flour. I directed him to do so and also to send the meat. I requested Bryant to look out for a chance to send the sacks and also Br. A. at the Deseret News Office and many others but have not found an opportunity. I may fail in getting it. I hope not I have not received any more wheat from Sanpete. I have just received a letter from Br. Seely stating he had received a letter from you concerning the leather and says the leather was sent down last fall by a team that was hauling tithing grains. I have received two sides only I think you told me there were nine coming to you. I shall answer his letter and request him to look into the matter something seems wrong about it. I need the leather I just had to pay six dollars for Elisabeth [Elizabeth] three girls, a pair of shoes each and some of the rest need them as bad. I saw Br. Workman this morning he says he has put in 14 acres of wheat and some barley and has 5 acres more plowed ready to put in, the last news I had was the court had decided you should draw the water if you wished at least for your plowed land which was given in at 35 acres, I believe. I have let the 12 acres grass lot to Br. Haven he repairs up the fence by my furnishing a few posts, and gives me one third of the grass, he says that is the best he can afford to do by me. Father Murphy takes the other 5 s ays he will do what is right, the other two 5 I shall probably hire a man to mow them, I forgot to mention the terms on which I rented the farm he furnishes the seed and tools and gives me one third in the half, he is to all the expense of thrashing and takes all of the straw and has [says ?] he is to keep the fence in repair and what new fence he builds, I am to pay him for. Bro. Noble drew up the writing. It is now half past twelve and I quit writing for tonight for I am sure you will have hard work to read what I have already written.
Since I commenced this letter the mail has arrived and brought a letter for Julia the New York Herald tribune and Harper’s weekly. I have never received the [Millennial ?] Star. I am looking for George and Sarah to move down soon. I have not seen Sarah but once since you left home, you wish me to write what I want you to send on next runner [summer]. I could mention many things if you had plenty of money but as is it is I do not feel like sending for much you know the main articles we need and if you have any thing much to lay out. I shall expect my share with the rest yude [?] also for my girl who is getting to be almost a woman she is now considerable [considerably] taller than Mahonri for was [?] you would send each of the boys a hat if I do not get any more leather we shall want a supply of boots and shoes or leather or little red flannel for the babies, and scarf for Cortinusen [?] about 12 yards of blue flannel cotton yarn and coloring stuff. I will mention for that we shall send you [a] patch in a letter to Julia if I would send a pattern of my basket [locket] you would send your likeness I will send you a paper the size of the glass I suppose that is all that is necessary if I was able I would like to get the likeness of myself and children [and] yours and send to my folks and I would like much to have theirs if you visit then remind them of it, we have had beautiful weather for the last two or three weeks but our eqimorial [?] storm seems to be gathering I have heard Br. [Orson] Pratt is a going to return this summer I hope you will accompany him but say no sign of teeth [?] yet my sheet is filled I have no more corners to fill. I am as ever your affectionate wife.
Artimesia Snow [Artimesia Beman (Snow) 1819-1882]