Casas Grandes, P.O. Canton Galeana Chihuahua [Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico]
Mexico April 3rd 1886 [Saturday 3 Apr 1886]
Bring with you a small matress [mattress] or a feather tick and some oil cloth or canvass [canvas] for wrapping it when we cestroy [?] and for spreading on the ground. An extra wagon sheet would also be often usefull [useful]. Your iron cricket to set things on over the fire, Two frying pans, Tea or coffee pot etc. Stew or sauce pan, yeast powders, Dried fruit, Jar pickles etc. if not convenient to get mules, come with [Green] horse and [doll] or buy other suitable mate and if a suitable vehicle can easily be had and you choose to have Tony [Anthony Woodward Ivins, b. 1852] or the boys run you down to Hackberry & take train to St. Joseph [St. Joseph, Arizona], (only ten hours ride) sending team home again and meet me at Bish Richards [Bishop Richards] St. Joseph A.T. [St. Joseph, Arizona Territory] all right so you send me word there by letter or Telegraph addressed to Joseph Richards St. Joseph Arizona via Holbrook [Holbrook, Arizona] – not later than the 20th [Tuesday 20 Apr 1886] so I need not leave there with team to meet you. If I should get a team at St. Joseph [St. Joseph, Arizona] and start to meet you, I shall have a trusty friend with me and will Telegraph Tony [Anthony Woodward Ivins, b. 1852] at St. George [St. George, Utah] or Kanab [Kanab, Utah] if you get started with team that way – and if he will telegraph Jos Richards [Bishop Joseph Richards] to tell Fairbanks [“Erastus Fairbanks” = Erastus Snow, b. 1818] that you started & which way, then we shall understand each others movements and how to connect.
If you conclude to have any of the family come of course the team and the Kanab [Kanab, Utah] route would be preferable; but if you come alone the Hackberry route and the Rail Road [Railroad] thence to St. Joseph [St. Joseph, Arizona] would be preferable both for you and me, so it would be quicker and easier for you to reach me. So I will leave you to consult with Bro A. W. Ivins [Brother Anthony Woodward Ivins, b. 1852] and Frank [Franklin Richards Snow, b. 1854] or E.B. [Erastus Beman Snow, b. 1853] and then after you make up your minds Telegraph me. If you come by rail I will either return by rail from Arrizona [Arizona] back to Deming [Deming, New Mexico] or get some one to bring us with team from St. Joseph [St. Joseph, Arizona] across the country. If you come with a team of your own, we shall need a teamster to remain with it all summer and return with it in the fall or retain it here and you return by Rail when you wish to go. With love to you all & ever Praying God to open your way & direct us right etc. E. Snow [Erastus Snow, b. 1818]