ESLTRS-1886-03-03-From,SnowErastus,MexicoMexicoCity-To,AshbyElizabethRebecca(Snow),UtahStGeorge

ESLTRS-1886-03-03-From,SnowErastus,MexicoMexicoCity-To,AshbyElizabethRebecca(Snow),UtahStGeorge

1a Calle De Soto No 2 Mexico [Mexico City, Mexico]  March 3/86 [Wednesday 3 Mar 1886]

Dear Elisabeth [Elizabeth Rebecca Ashby Snow, b. 1831],  Your anxiously looked for and very welcome letter of the 21st ult [ultimate – Sunday 21 Feb 1886] reached me today and I hasten to reply, although I wrote Georgianna [Georgiana Snow, b. 1862] & Erastus B. [Erastus Beman Snow, b. 1853] only a few days ago.   But when I am far away from those I love letters are always welcome and I therefore feel happy in answering them [and] feel assured that mine are equally welcome.   I am glad your house is nearing completion and hope you may be able to get Bro [Brother] Thompson put down the Piping to convey the water from the Big house to yours so that all will be complete.   He should put the stop cock just west of the T where he is to make the connexion [connection] near your North gate at the Big house just outside the Picket fence and run pipe on the sidewalk close to fence all the way to where he will turn into your lot and inside your lot, but a little North of the corner of the House put in a tap to which your Hose can be attached for springling [sprinkling] the lower as well as upper terraces.   I much regret to learn that the piping for carrying water into the Big Cistern had not arrived.   I ordered it shipped to Milford [Milford, Utah] a week before I left the city [Salt Lake City].   You have certainly felt a great inconvenience in housing to bring water for that Big House and your baths.   I hope between Bro [Brother] Thomas & the boys with Father Cleaver Thomas in that not only the lots at the Big House as well as yours but the field on the hill will be taken care of & trees & vines preserved.   I fear as you say that the early Blooming of fruit trees forebode disaster to that fruit by late frosts.   May kind Providence avert it.


I am pleased that Arthur [Arthur Eugene Snow, b. 1870] is to have his endowments and help in your Temple work.   How I should have enjoyed the priveledge [privilege] as I had anticipated of working for my Dead at the same time with you and your brother Benjamin [Benjamin Ashby].    Give my best regards to him.  So Martie [Martha Ellen Snow, b. 1865] is likely to come home early in March [Mar 1886].  Moroni [Moroni Snow, b. 1858] [is] going to move Addie to Milford [Milford, Utah] and how soon?  Tis dark and I can’t follow the lines -


Well Mr. & Mrs. Smith (American folks) who have been visiting here this P.M. have just left and I have a light and will try to finish my letter.   I perceive you had not yet received my El Paso [El Paso, Texas] letter and had not learned who those good friends were with when I started from Utah, I deemed it unwise at that time to mention Prest. Cannon [President George Q. Cannon].   I wish Elder M. Thatcher [Elder Moses Thatcher] were now with me.   If we succeed in carrying our programe [program] into effect in Chihuahua [Chihuahua, Mexico] and add other places to the one already purched [purchases], no doubt he and many more will seek temporary refuge in Mexico.   Elder B. Young [Elder Brigham Young Jr.] is indicted six times and F.M. Lyman [Elder Frances M. Lyman] five, which means 2+ a half and 3 years imprisonment and from $1500 to $ 2000 fines & costs - should you or your children be supenaed [subpoenaed] before a Grand Jury at Beaver [Beaver, Utah], they must learn to only tell what they know that I make your house my home and know not of my living with any other wife during the last three years.  Indictments may follow a man anywhere in the United States but Commisioners [Commissioners] Warrants cant [can't] reach outside the Territory.  We can better dodge them.  I am glad Dee & Dan [Daniel Seegmiller. b. 1836] have got Pipe Spring Ranch.   It may be a help in doging [dodging] as well as keeping Stock being in Arizona.   Has Dan [Daniel Seegmiller. b. 1836] come home to stay this Summer.   I suppose St. George Municipal Election [St. George, Utah] will come off about this time.   Who is Mayor and Marshall & members of the City council?   Have the boys furnish a list to send in your next.  I am glad Tony [Anthony Woodward Ivins, b. 1852] has furnished you a good Milker for your White skim milk cow.   What Horses have my boys kept in town and where are the others?   If I attempt to come this Spring I shall try to come quickly & safely.  If not needed by brethren, the Prest [Presidency] and Apostles in Utah and any of them were coming and you would come with them till I could meet you, I might abandon the idea of my return at Present.   I want you away from St. George [St. George, Utah] during the heated term next summer and I want to be with you, if God will and in safe & pleasant places among our true friends.   Let us hope & Pray for it.   God Bless you and all your children & household.  Yours etc.  E.F. [Erastus Fairbanks = Erastus Snow, b. 1818]