ESLTRS-1885-01-30-From,SnowErastus,UtahSaltLakeCity-To,AshbyElizabethRebecca(Snow),UtahStGeorge

ESLTRS-1885-01-30-From,SnowErastus,UtahSaltLakeCity-To,AshbyElizabethRebecca(Snow),UtahStGeorge

[On First Presidency stationery]


                                                                                     PRESIDENT'S OFFICE

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

OF

LATTER-DAY SAINTS


P.O. Box B                                         Salt Lake City, U.T. [Salt Lake City, Utah Territory]

                                                                       
                                                                        Jan 30th 1885 [Friday 30 Jan 1885]

My Dear Elisabeth [Elizabeth Rebecca Ashby Snow, b. 1831] your welcome and longed looked for letter of the 20th inst [instant – Tuesday 20 Jan 1885] and Josephines [Josephine Snow, b. 1859] combined reached me today having returned from San Francisco [San Francisco, California].   While stoping [stopping] at the Palace Hotel [San Francisco, California] I examined the letters received daily but none for me up the 25th [Sunday 25 Jan 1885] when our Party left there for home.   They were nevertheless interesting though a little late.  Your former one of the 13th [tuesday 13 Jan 1885] was eagerly devourd [devoured] on my arrival here on the 27th [Tuesday 27 Jan 1885]   I regretted to learn from that one that your head was still troubling you.  You need quiet and rest with good nourishing diet such as you can digest.   I look for D. H. Cannon [David H. Cannon] tomorrow and hope to return with him early next week and soon be with you again if God will.   Salt Lake City [Salt Lake City, Utah] and all northern & Southern towns as far as I hear are full of Deputy Marshalls & spies entraping whom they can and hunting up witnesses to force into court and before commissioners and Grand Juries to criminate [incriminate] the Brethren on Polygamy and inlawfull [unlawful] cohabitation.   It is producing quite a sensation among our people and although great care and vigilance is being used to avoid surprize [surprise], every day or two some trap is sprung on a poor fellow or some family is betrayed by a thoughtless friend or secret enemy.   Most of our leading men are menaced and those not actually hunted with warrents [warrants] and indictments feel insecure and are adopting precautionary measures.   Elder Moses Thatcher will soon return to Chuahua [Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico] with C. Layton bearing money to Pay for a tract of country which we have the refusal of for 30 days on which to found a town or place of refuge.   He is meanitme entirely unknown to any but trusted friends.   We left A. F. McDonald, Bishop Rodgers, Peter McBride and others putting in crops on mexican [Mexican] farms and further exploring the region which has been chosen for an immediate assylum [asylum].   I received a letter from Sadie at Pheonix [Phoenix, Arizona] but did not have time to see her or any of the family.  We spent Two days on Salt River [Salt River, Arizona], stoped [stopped] with Prest McDonalds [President A. F. McDonald] family.   Elders Lyman [Frances M. Lyman] & Layton preceded us a day at Uma [Yuma, Arizona] and visited Bros Flake and Scowson [Skousen ?] in Prison   found them cheerfull [cheerful] and well treated and moderate outdoor work.   As we passed Lower California everything from San Bernardino [San Bernardino, California] and Los Angeles [Los Angeles, California] to the mountain north Blossoming like spring.  Your Bro John [John Ashby] is here on his way home looking & feeling fine.   He had a successful try to Salem [Salem, Massachusetts] and vicinity.   John Sister P [?] — Mother and many old family friends and some who rememberd you.   Louisa moved into her new house near Harriet Ann.    Susan living in her old house [?]  Lucy [Lucy Simmons Snow, b. 1855] & children well.    I just received a letter from Frank [Franklin Richards Snow, b. 1854] 22 Jan [Thursday 22 Jan 1885].   Yours etc.   E. Snow [Erastus Snow, b. 1818]