Casas Grandes Canton Galeana
Chihuahua Mexico March 23rd 1886 [Tuesday 23 Mar 1886]
Dear Elisabeth [Elizabeth Rebecca Ashby Snow, b. 1831] Your esteemed favor of 28th ult [ultimate – Sunday 28 Feb 1886] reached Mexico on the 11th inst [instant – Thursday 11 Mar 1886] and as Bro Pratt [Brother Helaman Pratt] & I had left on the 8th [Monday 8 Mar 1886] it was remailed to me here [Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mesico] by Bro H. Cummings [Brother], but day to [too] late for last weeks mail and as only a weekly mail come [comes] here it was delayed till this week and only arrived during last night [Monday 22 Mar 1886]. It was none the less welcome for being a little tardy.
I was a little disappointed at your entire silence about coming to spend the summer with me. I have selected a lot on our beautifull [beautiful] town site named Juarez [Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico] on the Rio Piedras Verdes [Chihuahua, Mexico] and expect to arrange for puting [putting] up a small house during the summer. We have a nice healthy location by a clear mountain stream. Winters mild as St. George [St. George, Utah], but summers as cool as Salt Lake [Salt Lake City, Utah]. We have Bot [bought] 28,000 acres including a body of fine saw timber on the mountain 12 miles south west of town. The brethren have nearly done puting [putting] in Wheat and are beginning to put in gardens and some are seting [setting] out trees & grape vines.
We had a celebration on Sunday 21st [21 Mar 1886] of Benito Juarez Birth Day and named our town after him & all the officials of this Canton attended and the Jefe Politico [Chief Politician] raised the Flag on our Pole 55 feet long, Just cut off our land and erected on the square.
Elders G. Teasdale [Apostle George Teasdale] & H. Pratt [Helaman Pratt] accompanied me here 12 miles last night to get our mail and we are stoping [stopping] with Bro. George Lake the former Bishop of Brigham City Order Arizona. We will go on down this river to Correlleto [Correllitos, Chihuahua, Mexico] and to La Ascencion [Jiquipilas, Chiapas, Mexico] 60 miles to visit the saints there and return here Saturday [27 Mar 1886]. Had you given encouragement that you would meet me at any point in Arizona I would have started next Monday [29 Mar 1886] with Bros [Brothers] Turley and others starting for Snowflake [Snowflake, Arizona] and meet you either at Hualipai Station [Hualipai, Mohave, Arizona] on the A&P Road [Atlantic & Pacific Railroad] or between Sunset [Sunset, Graham, Arizona] & [Ranch] if you concluded to come by [Paresh] ferry. Perhaps I will start anyhow if everything works well and nothing comes by next mail to change my mind. If Bro. Segmiller or any of the boys want to come with you and take the Jerky or a light wagon and teams, & put your little spring bed in it take your camp equipage and start & write me in care of Bish Jos Richards [Bishop Joseph Richards] of St. Joseph A.T. [St. Joseph, Arizona Territory] and another in care of O. Rich, Deming, N.M. [Deming, New Mexico] and I will get one or the other or both in time to meet you. If you will go to Hualipai Station [Hualipai, Mohave, Arizona] near Hackberry when you send for Martha [Martha Ellen Snow, b. 1865] and take train thence to St. Joseph [St. Joseph, Arizona] It will suit me just as well as to come all the way with teams. I will arrange the Ballonce [balance] and bring or send you home when you want to come. My Address will be as above untill [until] further notice. Bish Arche Gardner [Bishop Archie Gardner] is here and Preston & Burton expected soon. Tell Eddie [Edward Hunter Snow, b. 1865] his letter is received. Love to all at home. Effectionately [affectionately] Yours etc. E Snow [Erastus Snow, b. 1818]