First Presidency Letterpress: April 1887

First Presidency Letterpress Copy Books

1887—April

Arrangements for General Conference; approve John W. Young's plan but no surrender of principle; Zane to go; more leniency expected; proxy baptism of historical French women; John R. Winder replaces John Q. Cannon in Presiding Bishopric; Joseph F. Smith location ambiguous; details of Bullion Beck; John Taylor lived apart from wives since 1882.

	April 1, 1887 to Mrs. Eliza Platt, 13th Ward, City Dear sister:
Experience needed for second anointings	If you will send us a recommend for yourself, properly signed, I will endorse it for your deceased husband, yourself and his deceased wife to receive your second anointings. I hear that your son is a worthy young man, but he ought to have more experience and had more opportunities that age brings before receiving this important and sacred ordinance. You will, therefore, have to select some person who has already had his second anointings to act as proxy for your husband.
	John Taylor
	April 4, 1887 to My dear son Richard, Ogden
Richard Taylor, bishop's agent, to receive donations	[In a previous letter, President Taylor said something that Richard interpreted as meaning that "he had got through with his office as bishop's agent." President Taylor explains that that is not the case, writing] the object was merely to have our affairs in a position up to the 2nd of March, that if it should be thought proper to examine our accounts it would be found that they were all settled. [There have been many changes in the office of bishop's agent. The deadline was] only to dispose of the means at that time on hand. You will therefore go on with your labors as heretofore, only as bishop's agent you will receive the tithings in the shape of voluntary contributions. [Consult with Bishop Preston. Richard is doing a satisfactory job.]
	John Taylor
	April 5, 1887 to Elder Lorenzo Snow
Lorenzo Snow presides at April conference	[As senior apostle he is requested to take charge of the conference at Provo on April 6th since the First Presidency cannot be there. They will send an epistle to be read before the close of the conference.]
	John Taylor, George Q. Cannon
	April 6, 1887 to Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor
	Dear brethren:
Presiding Bishopric to present Church property as trustees in trust	I mentioned the subject of general trustees to President Taylor, as I promised you I would, and we agreed, in the view that Bishop William B. Preston and his two counselors, R. T. Burton and John R. Winder, will be persons most suitable to present to the conference as trustees to hold our general Church property—property belonging to the whole Church, such as the temple block in this city, the Tithing Office, the Gardo House, etc. This will be distinct from the local trustees who may be appointed in each stake.
Legrand Young distributed forms to Twelve	I trust that Brother LeGrand Young furnished you with the form in which they were to be presented to the conference, and that he has also written you concerning the names in which President Taylor should be presented as trustee for the whole Church or has advised you not to do so if it be not safe.
Vote of confidence desired for First Presidency	President Taylor would very much like to have a vote of confidence adopted by the conference in himself as the president of the Church and as its trustee, that is in reference to his past conduct in these capacities; and confidence in his discretion and fidelity in the future. Also a vote of conference to be adopted concerning myself as first, and Brother Joseph F. Smith as his second counselor, we three as the First Presidency of the Church.
President Taylor's desire	I mention this not because of any personal wish of my own, for it is a matter I had not thought of, but because he expressed a feeling in this direction. I think if it could be done in a proper way, that he would be much gratified by an expression of confidence on the part of the conference.
	George Q. Cannon
Caution conference speakers	P.S. Too great care cannot be observed by the speakers in avoiding all strong expression and sentiments which would give, at the present time, our enemies the least advantage. We have been cautioned from Washington on this point, and we are assured that it would be gratifying to a very high official to have nothing said by our papers or public speakers that could be construed by our enemies as a basis for saying he had turned things over to us. This refers particularly to prospective changes in officers, and with a view to our repressing all exultation upon the subject. I speak for President Taylor and myself in saying, that we hope this caution when mentioned privately by you will be strictly observed by all who address the congregation.
	George Q. Cannon
	April 5, 1887 to George Teasdale, Liverpool
Schoenfeldt must stay in Europe	You mention concerning the presidency of the Swiss and German mission. We have expressed ourselves on this point several times. Brother Schoenfeldt cannot come here without danger, he would either have to hide or be seized and imprisoned. [Stay there, your family is taken care of. Then almost word for word the same letter sent to Erastus Snow in March.]
	John Taylor, George Q. Cannon
	April 6, 1887 to Hon. John W. Young, Washington, D.C.
	We have received your lengthy and interesting communication commencing March 27th and ending March 30th, and been much pleased at its contents and the light which it throws upon your proceedings. We cannot answer your letter with one of any length, as time will not permit of our doing so, but will touch upon the main points and will say verbally to Brother Nibley and others words and counsel which cannot be written.
Approve Young's plan, but no surrender of principle	The plan which you have sketched concerning your line of operation in connection with the framing of the constitution, etc., meets with our approval, but we must repeat again that which we have so often said, that we cannot by any possibility consent to any plan or measure that will compromise us upon any principle of our religion, or that will have even the appearance of a surrender of any doctrine, however objectionable it may be to the world, which forms part of the plan of salvation and exaltation which has been revealed by the Lord to us. This must be kept constantly in mind. There must be no wavering or signs of vacillation or yielding upon this point. All the advantages which are likely to flow to us by obtaining a state government, if they were multiplied a million fold, ought not to have any weight with us in the face of God's commands to us.
	In speaking thus for ourselves personally, we speak for all the Saints of God, as we can neither do this ourselves nor recommend or counsel them to do it. We feel that you have been greatly blessed in obtaining influence and favor with prominent and useful men. We trust the Lord will continue to increase this favor in your behalf. If it be the Lord's will that we should become a state in the manner and by the measures now proposed He will open the way to accomplish it, and difficulties and obstacles will vanish as we continue to progress in the right direction. The object to be accomplished is worthy of our efforts, for it is most desirable that we should be relieved from the thraldom which our enemies desire to bring upon us.
Can send Gibbs as reporter, but Richards is sick	Respecting the help of which you speak as needing in Washington, we shall do the best we can about furnishing it. We are not convenient to the city, we cannot have interviews readily with our brethren, and therefore cannot speak upon such points with that certainty which we could if we were free. We see no difficulty at present in the way of Brother Gibbs going as reporter. Brother F. S. Richards very sick at present.
Will try to send more funds	As to the writer, we will do the best we can. We shall take the necessary steps to arrange so that you will have that which you need to carry on your operations we need not say that the utmost care ought to be exercised in the expenditure of these and all funds. We have received the account that you have sent of funds spent.
	John Taylor, George Q. Cannon
	April 7, 1887 to J. M. Waddel, esq.
Cove Creek and Pipe Spring ranches	In reference to the Cove Creek and Pipe Springs ranches they with be left as they are for the present.
	John Taylor, George Q. Cannon
	April 7, 1887 to Thomas E. Taylor, superintendent, Deseret News Co.
Repayment of Ogden Herald debt to Deseret News	My dear son, you inform me that the Ogden Herald owes the News Company $800.00. They have a number of cash debts which they say bear heavily upon them and ask me for help. I am willing to pay half their indebtedness to the News Co. if you can take $200.00 in cash and $200.00 on the Bishop's Storehouse.
	J. T.
	April 7, 1887 to President Marriner W. Merrill, Logan temple
Sealing certificates for previously married couples	Parties who have been married previous to going to the temple to receive their endowments and who are sealed in the temple should sign certificates and the elder performing the sealing ceremony should also sign them and have them properly filed in the probate court.
Intent was to trap us	This law is abominable in many of its features. The design of its framers was to entrap us. We must not let it serve this purpose. You ought not to be required to certify to sealing ordinances performed for persons who have been married previously; but if you do not, there is danger of the law being put in force against you. Therefore, to be safe it is better to make out the certificate. Sealings for the dead need not be certified to.
	John Taylor, George Q. Cannon
	April 12, 1887 to President Joseph F. Smith
The Twelve scattered John R. Winder replaced John Q. Cannon	So far as we know the brethren of the Twelve are all well. Brother Lorenzo Snow is free and enjoying himself. Brother Wilford Woodruff is still at St. George and in good health. Brother Erastus Snow and Moses Thatcher are in Mexico. Brother Brigham Young is in Arizona, Brother George Teasdale is in England and the other brethren are in the city. Brother John R. Winder was appointed second counselor to Bishop Preston in place of John Q. Cannon.
John W. Young's work Dickson to be removed	Elder John W. Young working very diligently at Washington and with good results, so far as we can learn. He gives us encouragement that Dickson will soon be removed, and would ere this have met with this date, but the chief executive desires to get a suitable man, before making a change.
President against West as governor Zane will go More leniency expected	We are led to infer, that he considers he made a mistake in appointing West as governor. When Dickson is removed it is expected that Zane will follow. These changes may bring a change of policy here in the manner in which the Edmunds law shall be enforced and produce a different method of treating our cases.
Cannot write all	There is much in connection with this subject, that we cannot write to you at present. We have not ceased to hope, from the beginning of this persecution that its vigor would be softened, and that you might be able to return, if not with entire safety, at least with much greater safety than you could have done at any time since you left.
You might be able to return soon	Should there be a favorable change take place, as we hope there will, you might be able to come back without much risk. And we have thought that in view of this it might be well for you not to make any move such as you propose, for a month or two, or until something more is known as to the spirit that will prevail among the officials. What do you think of this yourself?
Your decision	In writing to you as we have upon this subject, we have had no other feeling than to have you enjoy the greatest liberty and freedom from trouble that has been possible. Nothing but necessity would have reconciled us to your absence in the first place, and we do not wish this absence continued a moment longer than is necessary. If you have felt, or if you now feel, that you would take the risks of returning here, we should be delighted to see you, but this decision has been left to yourself.
Perhaps to Europe with wife	We desire your own feelings and wishes to be gratified upon this point, and wish you to be perfectly free in electing the direction you will move in. We [surely?] think it necessary for you to go to New Zealand should you decide to go to Europe. A member of your family ought to be with you, as you suggest, if you continue absent. She might join you at some point on the Northern Pacific if you were to go by way of Portland, or might proceed through with some of the elders to Europe, just as you think best.
Everyone's health is good	We sincerely hope that your health is fully re established. We have heard from your family that has returned, and understand that they are in good health. Our health is usually good.
Busy disposing of property	We have been exceedingly busy of late in trying to take care of our property and to shape our affairs with a view to the operation of the new law. There seems to be no cessation of activity of the officials in trying to get possession of us, and that we have been preserved appears marvelous in our eyes.
Eastern agents sent to catch us	The word comes pretty straight to us, that detectives have been brought from the East to assist in finding us, and we understand that pressure has been brought upon the Department of Justice to induce it to offer a larger reward for our apprehension.
You can draw on tithing	In relation to funds, whatever you need to move in any direction you may decide upon, you are hereby authorized to take from the tithing account of which you make mention as standing there, and an order will be sent to cover the same.
	John Taylor, George Q. Cannon.
	April 7, 1887 to James Jack
Check Bishop Preston's will Bernhisel property to go to church at purchase price	[See if LeGrand Young prepared a paragraph in Bishop Preston's will or document to instruct his executors to sell to President Taylor or his successor in office the Bernhisel property at the price which he paid for it.] It is important that it should not be neglected.
	John Taylor
	April 12, 1887 to James Jack
George Ticknor Curtis retainer	I am advised that Mr. George Ticknor Curtis's contract for the year, as our attorney in the East, has about expired. I understand that he asks $5,000.00 for the next year's services, remitted in equal monthly payments, and that, as before, services in court, or in matters about to come into court, there or elsewhere, he is to charge specific fees at such rates as may be agreed upon at the time the services are required. I would like you, as my agent, to write to him, and inform him that I am willing to employ him for the next year on these terms, and you can commence remitting to him at this rate, from the expiration of the year for which he was engaged.
	John Taylor
	April 13, 1887 to Thomas Taylor, Deseret News Co. My dear son:
Possible sale of old paper mill Not to outsiders Keep sugar equipment	In your letter of the 4th you speak of the old paper mill property and ask if I would advise selling it. Who wishes to purchase it, and what is the best price that can be got for it? If it should be sold, it should be to a good Latter-day Saints who will promise not to dispose of it to outsiders, and the various articles inside the building such as belong to the old sugar works, must not be included in the sale.
	John Taylor
	April 13, 1887 to President George O. Pitkin, Logan
$10,000 donation for Salt Lake temple	You ask if the appropriation of $10,000.00 by your association for the benefit of the Salt Lake temple, to be disbursed on the order of Bishop William B. Preston, meets with my approval. I think this appropriation quite right, as it will place means in a position to be drawn as needed for public uses by the bishop. John Taylor.
	April 13, 1887 to Elder Lorenzo Snow
Trouble at Washakie (wages)	The enclosed letters written by J. W. Warner, a Lamanite, on behalf of himself and of Bishop John another Lamanite, of Washakie, we desire to refer to you for your consideration and investigation. We have had correspondence with him before, but he not only appears dissatisfied himself, but may, if not checked, breed dissatisfaction among the other Indians at Washakie. Bishop Zundel has not the means at his command to pay high prices to the Indians for their labor, and it is probable from all we know about his operations that he is doing all that is in his power to do for the Lamanites.
	John Taylor, George Q. Cannon
	April 15, 1887 to Dear Brother Martineau
Proxy b aptism of prominent French women	Some years ago Sister Josephine Ursenbach was baptized for quite a long list of deceased French ladies of note, amongst them, according to my best recollection, Empress Josephine, Marie Antoinette, Ninon D. Euclos, Madame de Mauteuou, Jeane d'Arc, and Charlotte Corday. I also have the impression that she had them sealed to different brethren, but of this I am not so certain, as I am of their baptism. Of course no endowments were given them at that time, as such work was not done in the Endowment House. If the records were come[able?] I would make sure on these points for your satisfaction, but they are beyond my reach. Endeavor has lately been made to prove that Jeane d'Arc was not burned by the English, but married and lived to a good old age, receiving a pension, the entries of the payment of which are said to be still in existence.
	George Reynolds
	April 14, 1887 to President C. S. Gowans, Tooele
Temple recommends not for pending divorcees	Your letter to Elder F. M. Lyman of the 11th, concerning the case of Brother Peter Martin and his wife, he has submitted to me. It would not be wise for his wife to get a recommend and go to the temple in her present condition, if she can possibly get a divorce. This should have been obtained long ago, when the way was much easier than it is now. If it is possible to secure this now, no time should be lost; but whether it can be done, or not, you who know all the circumstances can best decide.
	John Taylor
	April 20, 1887 to James Jack
Dispatch to National Republican	In regard to the special dispatch which you sent to the National Republican at Washington, it is very proper and timely, and will be a means of enlightening a good many concerning the illegal course of the officials here.
	John Taylor
	April 20, 1887 to Elder Moses Thatcher, Logan
Bullion Beck	Your letter of the 15th inst upon the subject of your investment in the Bullion Beck and Champion Mining Company has been received, and its contents considered.
Cannot give full details	I am not in a position to give you all the particulars connected with that proposal and for reasons which can be better explained to you [subtly?], do not think it prudent to communicate in writing the particulars of the sale to which you allude as having seen in the public prints.
Beck lease until November Work suspended Gross sales $266,000 Opponents try take over	Brother John Beck held the mine under a lease, until about the 7th of November last. During the preceding twelve months though, work was suspended for nearly a month of this time the gross output of the mine, as gathered from the sales, was $266,000.00. Notwithstanding this large amount, Brother Beck became heavily involved, and our opponents pressed the fight with such fierceness that it seemed for a while they would succeed in stealing the withhold property from us.	Ambiguous: Sentence break after "suspended" or after "time"?
Appeal to Supreme Court $150,000 bond for opponents	Besides the bond for the appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, which we had to give to have our case carried up which powers and the territorial supreme court had decided against us, we had to raise a bond of $150,000.00 to indemnify our opponents for the loss they would likely be at, in stopping their work on ground, which they claimed as theirs, but which in reality is ours.
Clawson hired as manager	Before the court would grant the injunction to stop their work we had to give this indemnifying bond. Before the expiration of Brother Beck's lease the affairs of the company were in such a condition that we thought it best to employ Brother Hiram B. Clawson to look after our interest, and when Brother Beck's lease expired, Brother Clawson was employed as manager of the property, with a captain Cay as superintendent of the mine.
Declined to give Beck another lease Beck files for expenses	Brother Beck desired to obtain another lease, which we declined to grant him. He wrote us a number of letters upon the subject, and filed a bill against the company amounting to from $100,000.00 to $125,000.00, as having been expended by him for the company, in doing dead work in the mine and in paying legal expenses; and all this notwithstanding the fact, that one of the conditions of the lease to him was, that he was to pay all these expenses.
Mine doing well Have paid mine debts and Beck debts	Since Brother Clawson has had charge, the mine has done exceedingly well, though we are excluded from all the original best workings, through the operation of the lawsuits. We have had a large amount of indebtedness to clear off, which had accumulated through Beck's operations, several of them being personal debts of his, which we have deemed it prudent to take up for him, for reasons which can be explained to you more fully orally than by writing.
$10,000 Emma claim Stock set aside for investors	Among other outlays we found it necessary to buy a claim called the "Emma" which Brother Beck had secured a bond upon. For this the company paid $10,000.00. The number of shares which you and Brother Preston, Merrill and Card were entitled to under the arrangement which we made, that is you to receive two-fifths, and three-fifths to go to the fund which I was to control, being the same terms upon which myself and President Cannon received our stock—were set aside for you. They amounted to 3,809 1,182 shares, and they have been in the hands of Brother George Reynolds, as secretary and treasurer, for you.
Reynolds and Clawson can explain	If it shall be convenient for you to visit the city, Brother Reynolds and Brother Clawson can give you full explanations concerning the situation of the property.
All proceeds have gone to debts	Up to the present time, the profits of the sales of ore made by the company have gone to paying the debts of the company and of Brother John Beck.
Beck fled to Europe	I do not know what amount he is indebted to the company, but it must be very considerable. He found it necessary a month or two ago, in consequence of his family relations and his financial troubles to leave for Europe, where he is at the present time.
	John Taylor
	April 20, 1887 to President Angus M. Cannon
Houriman sheep herd GQC owns half interest	[Investigate last year's clip and interest owed to John Taylor and George Q. Cannon on wool from the Houriman sheep herd. The interest in this is considerable, George Q. Cannon deserves not quite half.]
	John Taylor
	April 20, 1887 to President A. M. Cannon
Queen Kapiolani to visit May be a believer	Queen Kapiolani of the Sandwich Islands is to visit S. L. in about a week. Will you please show her the attention due to a person of her rank. Some have said that she is a believer in our doctrines.
	John Taylor
	April 23, 1887 to Franklin S. Richards Dear sir:
March 22 Edmunds law	You requested me to furnish you, at my convenience, a full statement of the circumstances which surround the case of President John Taylor in connection with the Edmunds law, the law of March 22nd, 1882. So that you might have all the particulars in writing and in an authentic form. I shall endeavor to give them to you in as concise a form as possible without comment or embellishment, and have the facts to speak for themselves.
President Taylor occupied Gardo with several wives	When the Edmunds bill passed Congress and became law on the 22nd of March, President John Taylor was occupying, as his official residence, the house known as the Gardo House, in Salt Lake City. He had living with him in this house several wives and their unmarried children.
Offered Gardo to wives and he would leave, or they would leave and he would stay	Upon learning of the passage of the law, knowing that he would be [selected?] as a target for [arrest?], and wishing to put himself in a position of conformity to the law and its requirements, he called his family together and submitted to them a proposition that his wives should each return to her private residence (which he owned and had provided for her) and leave him to live in the Gardo House alone; or if they preferred, he told them that they could occupy the Gardo House and he would go and occupy a private residence apart from them. This proposition was made to them after he had fully explained the law and its bearings to them and the [necessity?] he was under, in view of his prominent position, to conform to its conditions and requirements.
Wives decided to leave Gardo	His wives decided to return to their own residences and leave him to occupy the Gardo House, it being, in their opinion, more appropriate for him to occupy that, as it was the official residence of the President of the Church, then that he should vacate it and leave them as it occupants.
Lived in Gardo until February 1885	From that time—about the last of March, 1882 until February 1, 1885 he constantly resided when in Salt Lake, at the Gardo House, and no wife of his occupied that building with him during that period, his widowed sister acting as his housekeeper.
Lived apart from family	If he had occasion to travel as he did frequently during the period referred to, and any one of his family was in the company, he always slept in a different building to this member of his family whatever city or town they might be stopping.
	This rule he inflexibly followed, though frequently at great inconvenience to himself and to the member of his family who might be in the company. This practice was observed by him and can be testified to, if necessary, by numbers of respectable people in this territory and elsewhere, who frequently expressed surprise at the great pains which he took to observe this, especially when he and the member of his family could have occupied separate bedrooms in the same house.
Never ate with his wives nor visited them at night from March 1882 to February 1885	During this period referred to he never, at any time partook of a meal with any of his wives at their private residences, and at no time ever spent the night there. Whatever visiting was done was by their calling at the Gardo House to see him, and it was there where he met his children and saw the other members of his family. [But no wife between March 1882 and February 1885. Never slept in the Gardo House.]
Left Gardo on February 1, 1885 Remained apart from wives	On February 1st '85 he left the Gardo House and Salt Lake City, and has at no time since met any wife in the Gardo House, or any of his private residences nor has any of his wives ever visited him or spent the night in his place of abode. His leaving was not prompted by any consciousness of having broken the law. He know that he had endeavored to comply strictly with its requirements. The design of some of the officials here, however was to arrest him. If they did so, he was thoroughly satisfied that his conviction, evidence or no evidence, with such a court as that of the third judicial district and such juries as it was [impaneling?] was a foregone conclusion to avoid this, and the excitement which would probably be created by his arrest he deemed it but ordinary prudence to keep out of the way, and the reasons which prompted him to take this step in February 1885, still exist and still operate to keep him away from his home.
	Hoping this statement will be satisfactory to you.
	George Q. Cannon
	April 26, 1887 to Elder Chester Call, Chesterfield, Bingham county, Idaho
Release bishop to go underground Go to Canada	[Release as bishop because of the danger that he is in and the necessity of keeping concealed. He has their consent to go to British America.]
	April 30, 1887 to James Jack esq.
Loan to Angus Cannon	Brother Angus M. Cannon has arranged with me to get a loan of $5,000.00 for which he proffers as security to give a deed of trust of his homestead at Bluff, Salt Lake county, and his coal claim in Summit county. The note will be for 6 months at the rate of 8% per annum in favor of L. John Nuttall.
	John Taylor
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