ESLTRS-1887-07-08-From,SnowErastus,MexicoColoniaJuarezChihuahua-To,AshbyElizabethRebecca(Snow),UtahStGeorge

ESLTRS-1887-07-08-From,SnowErastus,MexicoColoniaJuarezChihuahua-To,AshbyElizabethRebecca(Snow),UtahStGeorge

Juarez Mexico [Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico] July 8th 1887 [Friday 8 Jul 1887]


My ever Dear and precious wife Elisabeth [Elizabeth Rebecca Ashby Snow, b. 1831]

Your very welcome letter of the 19th ult [ultimate – Sunday 19 Jun 1887] was received here on the 1st inst [instant – Friday 1 Jul 1887] and perused with much pleasure   But as I had written lately the girls from Dies [Colonia Diaz, Chihuahua, Mexico] and We were in the midst of our harvest and What [wheat] threshing I neglected to answer you as well as other correspondents untill [until] the rush was over.  We thrashed on the glorious Fourth [Monday 4 Jul 1887] and at 2 P.M. [2:00 PM] Just as we had finished and got the Wheat in the Bin in one corner of Brs. Pratts [Helaman Pratt, b. 1846] Store House and the next [moment ?] setting down to Dinner, one of the most drenching rain began falling that I ever saw accompanied with Blinding flashes and most Terrific peals of Thunder which served as Our Cannonading and rendered Powder burning as unnecessary as it was impractible [impractical].  The dry dirt roof was a good riddle and all the possible oilcloths, slickers & umbrellers [unbrellas] were in demand to get the mud untill [until] a waggon [wagon] cover could be stretched over the roof.  Well we have had several lesser rounds within the last Ten days [10 days] and green grass is coming and gardens are freshening up and hot weather subsiding.  By the way We had some hot weather between the 10th & 25th of June [Friday 10 Jun 1887 to Saturday 25 Jun 1887], the highest range of Thermometer listing 98 degrees & that only one day, while in St. George, according to the News you had it 109 [degrees] at the same time.  I wonder you did not melt or faint away, I suppose however you were panting between the open doors of that Stone Basement, or perhaps showering yourselves with Hose in your Lucerne patch.  Well I must tell you and Clare [Clarence Snow, b. 1874] that our Wheat was by far the best in the field and it yeilded [yielded ]only an average of 9 Bushels per acre.  Our farmers are resolved to pay no more ground rent but to try our own lands up the river and in Correlens [Corraleño de Juarez (La Cruz, Chihuahua, Mexico) ?] for next crop.   I have filed out at the Sawmill a bill of Lumber for my house and lot on the New Town site) and today Erastus B. [Erastus Beman Snow, b. 1853] is gone for the first load.  Minerva [Minerva White Snow, b. 1822] and Annie [Ann Stafford Snow, b. 1867] have cleaned up our little house and tents as best they could and E.B. [Erastus Beman Snow, b. 1853] & myslf have covered them with green bows so we are quite as comfortable as you and I were here last year at this time.  Less than half the people remain here and these are mostly prepareing [preparing] to move up to the New Town soon so then we shall be left with Sister Hannah Romney, Bro. Polsner, and Therefore between our Brothers Hawkins, Louisa Judd, Taylor Whipple and Foster above us and the Paiz family & cousins neiboring [neighboring] 12 souls all that remains of our Mexican colony and on our old ditch above McClellens Tent and are plowing our old Potato field.


10th [Sunday 10 Jul 1887] Here I was stopped by the arrival of our mail carrier bringing letters from Arthur [Arthur Eugene Snow, b. 1870] of June 26th [Sunday 26 Jul 1887] and one from Eddie [Edward Hunter Snow, b. 1865] and others from Mexico [Mexico City, Mexico] and Salt Lake [Salt Lake City, Utah] & I found no time to finish this till today Sunday and Yesterday Erastus B [Erastus Beman Snow, b. 1853] & myself went up to work on my fence at the New Town and Minerva [Minerva White Snow, b. 1822] & Annie [Ann Stafford Snow, b. 1867] went along & They together with Sister Pratt [Sister Heleman Pratt] got up a Surprize [surprise] dinner at Bro. H. Eyrings [Henry Eyring, b. 1835 - http://www.turley-eyring.org/HenryEyring1835-1902.php] where we spent the afternoon very pleasantly and after Dinner, who should step in but Willie Cluff [William W. Cluff Jr.] from Mexico who has come to visit his Grandfather [David Cluff Sr., b. 1832] and the Colony [Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico] on his way home.  If I build I shall remember your request and provide conveniance [convenience] for the Housewife to do the work hopeing [hoping] that if I shall occupy it, you and others of your family may share it with me.  Thanks to Arthur [Arthur Eugene Snow, b. 1870] for his letter and his success in haying and other work.  And sorry to hear of the bad condition of the Grey horse.  Tell him I think there should be one of Nelles colts old enought [enough] to work if carefully handled and not overloaded in breaking.  Tell Arthur [Arthur Eugene Snow, b. 1870] that Willie [William Spencer Snow, b. 1867] wrote last Winter asking me for the Brown mares colt but if I provided it to him, of which I am not certain, it was with the injunction that it should remain untouched upon Upper Ranch Range untill [until] old enought [enough] to work and should be needed   And if that colt is suited for your work and needed Have Franklin [Franklin Richards Snow, b. 1854] get her in for that purpose, the Mares here are up in Corrales Baisin [Basin] doing well.  I expect soon to get them for house use.  I wish Arthur [Arthur Eugene Snow, b. 1870] had Nelle at home to aid him in handling colts for he should have one reliable animal to use in breaking colts.  Please read the enclosed letter of Bro. A. Nelson and my reply thereto on back of same and you and the Boys may determine whether to sell or not after consulting with Frank [Franklin Richards Snow, b. 1854] as to Price and kind of Pay Nelson can make.  If anybody could be get reasonably to refer all [?]  The trees & against Stock and water such as are yet alive   it will hereafter make a lovely place for gardens & homes If Frank [Franklin Richards Snow, b. 1854] with the help of your Boys cold [could] accomplish it or hire anyone to do it, I shall be glad.  Where is Arthurs [Arthur Eugene Snow, b. 1870] horse? Tell the Boys to shin [?] Diamond Vally [Valley] and the country about Jackson's Springs in Early Spring as then is the worst time for horses to get Locoed.

  

You don’t tell me whether you have a place to keep Kate and your buggy and your cows at home or whether you keep them over at the Barn.  You then feel relieved of Father Cleaver [?], but what do you & Clare [Clarence Snow, b. 1874] do when your turn to Water comes in the Night?  We have garden stuff her but would like some of your fruits.  Do you Water your front yard with hose from the pipe?  If so.  You must often replenish the Big cistern.  Tis [It is] meeting time & I must close praying God to bless & preserve you all.  Write often.  E. Snow [Erastus Snow, b. 1818]


[Written in margin]

Send the enclosed to John McFarlane.  I come from Second Marry [?] in a letter to me.