1887-04-08-From,SnowErastus,MexicoMexicoCity,To,SnowElizabethRebeccaAshby,UtahStGeorge

[Written on stationery of Office of Juarez Manufacturing Co., Canton Galiana, Chihuahua, Mexico – RUSTIC, FLOORING, CEILINGS, SHEETINGS, DOORS and FRAMES, Window Sash, BLINDS, PICKETS, LATH, SHINGLES, And Other BUILDING MATERIALS.]



1a Calle De Soto No. 2, Mexico [Mexico City, Mexico] April 8th 1887. [Friday 1887-04-08]



My Dear Elisabeth [Elizabeth Rebecca Ashby Snow, b. 1831], You perceive I am again in our old residence in Mexico [Mexico City, Mexico]. I arrived this morning in fair condition, though somewhat weary and stomach a little disordered from irregular eating and sleeping on the Journey. I took a 2nd class fare all the way from Deming [Deming, Luna, New Mexico] here and lived on one meal a day with half a pound cheese, 1 do [dozen] crackers & 1 do [dozen] nutts [nuts], Bot [bought] in Deming [Deming, Luna, New Mexico] for Lunch and at least half of each of these are still on hand and Bro Pratt [Brother Helaman Pratt] & I propose to add to them some Mexican Beer for our supper. On arrival here this morning I found sister Paiz and her little son occupying the house alone, Bro Pratt [Brother Helaman Pratt] & and the other elders being gone to the Ozumba Conference [Ozumba, State of Mexico, Mexico]. Sister P. [Paiz] got me a breakfast and an hour later, in came Bro Pratt [Brother Helaman Pratt - http://www.mocavo.com/visit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjared.pratt-family.org%2Fparley_family_histories%2Fhelaman-pratt-1887.html ], and now five P.M. [5:00 PM] Willie [William Spencer Snow, b. 1867] has come on the afternoon train leaving Horrace [Horace Cummings - http://www.mocavo.com/visit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjared.pratt-family.org%2Fparley_family_histories%2Fhelaman-pratt-1887.html ] to bring up the rear tomorrow. Hele [Helaman Pratt] & I have had a nice warm bath up town and while in my Bath I thought of you that if nothing had prevented you were today with your Sisters and other friends in Salt Lake [Salt Lake City, Utah] probably taking your bath same time I did. 12 M [12 midnight ?].



Total expense of my trip from Deming [Deming, Luna, New Mexico] to this place [Mexico City, Mexico] was less that fifty Dollers [dollars $50] Mexican silver. 100 miles further than from Deming [Deming, Luna, New Mexico] to Salt Lake [Salt Lake City, Utah] -- Well you begin to say “why did you not take a Sleeper as I advised”, & I answer I saved by not doing it about $30 and after sending you off 20 [$20] less, even at a high rate, how could I do less than take same fare. The brethren here expected Erastus B. [Erastus Beman Snow, b. 1853] & wife [Ann Stafford Snow, b. 1867] would have been with me, and I wish they had come for they might be quite comfortable here and he [?] at once before his mission. The outlook now is that we shall not get the emigrants ready Before the first of May [Sunday 1 May 1887] and that will probably be as soon as I can get my land matters finished, so if you and Frank [Franklin Richards Snow, b. 1854] or the children any of them will write me promptly on receipt of this, it will find me here. I have written from Deming [Deming, Luna, New Mexico] to have M.P. Romney [Miles Park Romney, b. 1843] forward my letters here and hope within a week to learn when E. B. [Erastus Beman Snow, b. 1853] started and how, so I may calculate when to expect him at Juarez [Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico]. Well I shall send this to St. George [St. George, Utah] whether you will doubtless wend your way by the time it reaches its destination, meantime I shall expect a few lines from you before you leave Salt Lake [Salt Lake City, Utah] telling me how you got along on your Journey and how you found Ashby [Ashby Snow, b. 1867] & Does he need any more means than I have already provided him. Doubtless he will need money to go home with when School is out or when he wishes to go home and possibly also some more summer clothing. If so I will send him orders for it, or you can borrow on my credit of St. George C.M. I. [St. George Cooperative Mercantile Institution] to meet any emergency. I am afraid I shall not be able to celebrate with you the fiftyfifth [55th] aniversary of your Birth on the 17th of May [Tuesday 17 May 1887], but if not will join in Spirit with you and your children & friends on that occasion wherever my lot may be cast. I should try hard to be with you if I could come all the way by Railway.



Have you yet heard when Bro. Tanner [Brother Tanner] is coming home. Bro. Hele Pratt [Brother Helaman Pratt] has been out this afternoon to see Sr. [Senor] Garcia about that land South of Carroltons [?] which M.T. [Elder Moses Thatcher] was feeling after, and he finds it all sold to an English Co. [Company] at 25 cts [cents] per acre. So M.T.'s [Elder Moses Thatcher's] expectation will fail. There however plenty of Land for sale west of Corraltons in Sonora [Sonora, Mexico]. We shall feel after it through Mr. Luetz & Co. [Comany] Who we hear have returned here from their explorations. Well, how do you find the folks at home and how does it seem to you to get back again. Ah, you will say, if I (i.e You) could only be with us in peace. I forgot to tell you to get W.B. Dougall to Telegraph and learn from St. George [St. George, Utah] what fosets [faucets] or other extras would be needed for your water pipes. If necessary you can Telegraph David Jones of Salt Lake [Salt Lake City, Utah] to express them to you & get St. George C.M. I. [St. George Cooperative Mercantile Institution] to send the pay after getting his bill. Try to sell through St. Geroge C.M.I. [St. George Cooperative Mercantile Institution] my shafts and new single Harness which I left in small Basement room the former for six [$6.00] and the latter for 14.00 [$14.00] (unless you need it with your buggy) and you may have the means they bring to half fit up with God bless you and all the children & Grandchildren. What has Flora got? Yours etc. Erastus Snow [Erastus Snow, b. 1818]



[In top margin] - If Ashby [Ashby Snow, b. 1867] and Arthur [Arthur Eugene Snow, b. 1870] will take care of my Mt Hope field [?] We will be save five building lots for them and fruit yard hereafter.