| First Presidency Letterpress Copy Books |
1887—August–September
$5,000 to John
W. Young for lobbying effort, request accounting and projected costs; Charles
Penrose to join Young; what commitments has Young made? Anti-polygamy constitution
approved. Dickson removed, Zane and Boreman expected to leave soon. Erastus
Snow, Brigham Young Jr. AWOL. Taylor family to vacate Gardo. General authority
salaries. Proxy temple work for descendants only. Utah Commission: McClernand
suggest use Senator McDonald to influence Carleton. Midwest allies: Broadhead,
McDonald, Woolworth.
| August 6, 1887 to John W. Young | ||||
| $5,000 sent to John W. Young | Instructions were given to Brother James Jack to forward you $5,000.00 which you asked for in your telegram some time ago <, being part of the $10,000.00 which you then requested to be sent, $5,000.00 which you then requested by telegraph. | |||
| Your
report lacks detail Next installment enclosed Keep us posted |
A statement made by
you to President George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith has been seen, and
though not given in as much detail in some respects as we should like, still
we think from that statement that you may be in need of funds and therefore,
forward you this. Keep us fully advised concerning your movements and your
expenditures … |
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| Church
funds shrinking Businessmen underground Tithing dropped substantially |
The Church funds are not as abundant as we would like them to be to carry on our campaign, in fact, we are consuming our principle, and our income has been greatly lessened thereby. Besides, so many of the leading brethren who are active in business matters have had to take the underground, and there has been such a stagnation of business through these persecutions that our income from tithing has been very much decreased, so much so that it is not sufficient to meet our current expenses. | |||
| Constitution
approved No gentile participation |
As you will see by the papers, the constitution received a very good vote. The gentiles took no part in voting for or against it. | |||
| The
Twelve No word from Brigham Young, Erastus Snow |
We have had two meetings of the Twelve since the death of President Taylor, at which there were Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, and Daniel H. Wells. [Still waiting to hear from Brother Brigham and Snow.] | |||
| Wilford Woodruff | ||||
| August 6, 1887 to Andrew Jenson | ||||
| Stop publishing names of women sealed to Joseph | The attention of the Twelve has been called to your number of the Historical Record for July 1887, in which you publish a list of the names of women who were sealed to the Prophet Joseph. [He is asked to stop.] | |||
| Wilford Woodruff | ||||
| August 16, 1887 to John W. Young, New York | ||||
| Charles
Penrose will join John W. Young Get access for him to papers Penrose informed brethren of Young's plan |
It has been arranged
to have Brother C. Williams return to the East. We hope that Brother Williams
will be able to render you valuable assist in his line. It would be well,
we think, to permit him to have as free access as you can give him to the
newspapers and to the editors … to dissipate prejudice even if he does
not succeed in getting any of his own writings into the columns of leading
journals. He has done all in his power since he has been at home to carry
out the arrangements which you have made, and has been a very great aid
in communicating to all of us a knowledge of the plan. |
C. Williams: Charles Penrose | ||
| What
do 1 and 8 expect of us? We are in total ignorance |
There are some matters,
however, about which he could not give us information, and concerning which
we feel deeply interested. We are anxious to know the nature of your arrangements
with Nos. 1 to 8 and what they expect from us for the aid which they render.
Upon this we are in total ignorance. Please let us know what is expected
of us and the extent of the obligations. |
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| What
are arrangements with the press? Press unfavorable Anxious |
We would also like
to know what your arrangements are, or what you expect them to be, with
the press. Fears have been expressed very freely that we are losing valuable
ground, because of the attitude of the press, that it is becoming too far
committed against our movement, and that it will be very difficult, if not
almost impossible for some of the papers to be changed. We are anxious upon
this point and would like to get intelligence from you as to what you have
done and what you expect to do. |
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| Must know projected cost | The question of funds,
also, is one of the utmost import, and before we get fairly launched into
this enterprise we should be able to form some idea of what its probable
cost will be. |
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| Wilford Woodruff, George
Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith Committee on behalf of the council |
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| August 16, 1887 to John W. Hess | ||||
| Zundel to take $100 to Chief Washakie | I submitted your letter, concerning the request of Washakie that Brother Zundel might visit him, to the Council of the Apostles, and they have decided that Brother Zundel should go and have appropriated $100 with which to purchase presents for Washakie. We desire that Brother Zundel should meet the old chief at some point where they can meet in safety without creating suspicion or bringing upon themselves [ammoyami?] in any form. | |||
| George Q. Cannon | ||||
| August 17, 1887 to Elder John W. Young | ||||
| Low
turnout for constitution vote Hurt chances for statehood? |
Since writing our letter
of yesterday's date, it has occurred to us that the smallness of the vote
for and against the constitution, may have a serious effect in the minds
of our friends and their efforts to work for our admission as a state. We
desire to call this to your attention at this time, because if this should
prove a very serious or unsurmountable obstacle to us, it would be well
for us to know it now, so that we might regulate our conduct accordingly.
It would not be wise for us to engage in a struggle with a certainty of
defeat before us. |
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| Test
oath kept many away Only 20,000 registered voters |
There are some features
of the vote of this territory that you should understand. According to our
population we should have over 30,000 registered voters. We have in fact,
only a little over 20,000. This is not because the Mormons alone have not
registered, but because a great many non-Mormons have felt almost insulted
by having the test oath presented to them and have refused to register because
of the requirement to take the test oath. It has affected all classes of
voters among us, Mormons and non-Mormons, and accounts for the comparatively
small number that have registered. |
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| 14,000 votes cast | Now out of these 20,000 registered voters we are more likely to have between 13,000 and 14,000 perhaps nearly 14,000 votes for and against the constitution. | |||
| Edmunds-Tucker hurt turnout | The circumstances which
surround the citizens of this territory are very peculiar and they must
be taken into consideration in acting upon this question. The Edmunds Tucker
law has had a baleful effect upon the people and has produced these results
to which we allude. |
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| What is 4's attitude? | We think it proper to call this matter to your attention this early that you may make such inquiries as you may deem necessary to satisfy your self and us respecting the point that is inviolate. If the feelings and views of No. 4 could be ascertained upon this matter and any other influential parties, it would no doubt, be a satisfaction to you and it certainly would be to us. | |||
| Only 20,000 votes in past elections | Perhaps it would not be wise for you to mention what our vote has been in the past, but there is fully as large a proportion of votes cast at this late election as there has been in past elections. It has been rarely that we have had much over 20,000 votes in general election say for delegates. We would like to hear from you on this point as early as possible. A telegram would be welcome. | |||
| Wilford Woodruff,
George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith Committee on behalf of the council |
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| August 16, 1887 to Bishop George L. Farrell | ||||
| Lord has blessed the land | It is evident that
the Lord has favored you in making your settlement and has given you a goodly
land … We have found by experience that the blessings of the Lord upon
the labors of the brethren effect wonderful changes in climate and has made
valleys that we deemed unsuitable for the raising of some kinds of grains
and fruits, very fertile and adapted for the production of tender grains
and fruits. |
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| People
didn't like [anti-polygamy] constitution at first Now getting a testimony of it |
We are making efforts, as you will see by the papers, to obtain a state government. The people feel much better in regard to the principle of the constitution than they did when the subject was first broached to them. There are some things connected with it that struck the Saints unpleasantly, but they were told to seek to the Lord and ask him for his spirit to guide them, and we have heard many instances of brethren saying that they had a testimony that it was right that this move should be made in this form. The members of the convention themselves were not in favor of the constitution as it stands, but after humbling themselves in prayer several testified that they had received a testimony that it was right. It is our duty to keep struggling against the opposition that is brought to bear upon us and to seek every means in our power to achieve victory. | |||
| Wilford Woodruff | ||||
| August 16, 1887 to Professor Karl G. Maeser, Brigham Young Academy | ||||
| Admit son of Lorenzo Dow Young to BYA with Church scholarship | Please admit to the Brigham Young Academy Harry A. Young, son of Patriarch L. D. Young, as one of the normal students whose tuition is paid for by the Church, and oblige your brother, Wilford Woodruff. [Also admit son of Bishop J. S. Rawlins, James.] | |||
| August 16, 1887 President Charles O. Card | ||||
| Dickson
gone Zane and Boreman will go |
The removal of Dickson was attended with very good effects. Zane, we understand, is in danger, and, no doubt, his and Boreman's removal would be attended with good results. | |||
| Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon | ||||
| August 18, 1887 President Lorenzo Snow | ||||
| No word from Erastus Snow, Brigham Young | Nothing new has transpired since we separated. We have heard no word from Brother Erastus or Brother Brigham and think it strange that they do not write or telegraph, or that we do not hear of their movements. | |||
| Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon | ||||
| August 18, 1887 to William King, Laie, Oahu, Sandwich Islands | ||||
| No
word from Erastus Snow, Brigham Young Twelve meet in secret |
Since the death of President Taylor all of the quorum of the apostles who are within reach have had several meetings, with the exception of Brother Erastus Snow and Brigham Young. They were written and telegraphed to, but for some reason, either our messages have miscarried or they have been detained by endeavoring to reach here by carriage so as to come in safety. Our meetings have been somewhat dangerous, because of the watchfulness of our enemies. Nevertheless, we have thus far escaped their vigilance and we have rejoiced much in the privilege of being together as we have been. | |||
| Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith | ||||
| August 20, 1887 to Mrs. Agnes T. Schwartz | ||||
| Taylor family to vacate Gardo House | Your note of today's date, in reference to what is required of you in connection with the Gardo House, has been received. I cannot speak definitely upon this subject, as I think it will be proper to submit to the Council of the Apostles the question as to what shall be done with the Gardo House, and until an expression is given by them I can only state that we see no necessity for keeping the house open after President Taylor's family shall be ready to vacate it. This being the probable course that will be taken in relation to it, I feel it proper to committee it to you, so that you may feel free and have time to arrange your affairs to suit yourself. | |||
| Wilford Woodruff | ||||
| August 23, 1887 to President F. A. Hammond, Bluff City, San Juan county | ||||
| Brigham
Young notified Went to find Barton's murderers |
Four weeks ago today the news of President Taylor's death was communicated to the country by newspaper and by telegraph. Brother Brigham Young, one of the Twelve Apostles, had been notified prior to this of the precarious condition of President Taylor's health. He expressed great anxiety to Brother Lyman and John Henry Smith to reach here and departed from them with the intention of going through the Navajo nation and doing what he could towards identifying and having punished the murderers of Brother Barton. He felt that this matter should be taken in hand at once or it might lead to serious consequences with others. | |||
| Have
not heard from him You should have seen him 4 weeks ago |
From that time until the present we have not heard a word from him nor about him. We are becoming very anxious about his safety. We have telegraphed and done all in our power to reach him but up to the present without success, that we know of. Be kind enough to inform us, as soon as you receive this, if you know anything about him. He should have been with you four weeks ago according to the information that we get. | |||
| Wilford Woodruff | ||||
| August 30, 1887 to H. C. Barrell | ||||
| Woodruff does not need Taylor's attendant | In reply I will say: Personally I have no need of any one to wait upon me, and as your time of engagement will be out on September 1st and you can be furnished employment on the temple block [I suggest you accept that position]. | |||
| Wilford Woodruff | ||||
| September 1, 1887 to James Jack, esq. | ||||
| On the 12th of August, 1887 the following resolution was adopted by the Council of the Apostles: | ||||
| Salaries |
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| You will please accept this as instructions to carry this resolution into effect by permitting the brethren above named to draw to the limit set opposite their respective names. | ||||
| Wilford Woodruff | ||||
| September 5, 1887 to Elder James Martineau, Logan | ||||
| Temple work for deceased Indian chiefs | You ask if you are right in doing temple work for some noted Indian chiefs who are deceased. I am glad that you have asked this question because in officiating for those whom you mention, you have gone too fast. | |||
| Presidency must approve temple work for non-family decedents. | A man has a right to officiate for his own dead ancestry, if he be the heir, or if it be done with a knowledge and consultation of the heir, but he has no right to go into other families and officiate for them, even though they may have no representatives in the Church without in the first place consulting the presidency of the Church. | |||
| Wilford Woodruff | ||||
| September 8, 1887 to President George Teasdale, Liverpool | ||||
| Hoping for freedom of brethren over 70 | It may be that some
few of us before long will enjoy a greater measure of liberty than is at
present granted us, as efforts are being made, with an apparent show of
success, to obtain from the government officials at Washington instructions
to the officers here not to arrest or bring to trial for "unlawful
cohabitation" any of the brethren over a certain age. If it be 70 years
at which the line is drawn, which could be objected to an account of its
too great leniency, it would release from retirement myself, Lorenzo Snow,
Daniel H. Wells, and several other brethren, whose labor when we were enjoying
full liberty would be of immense value to the people. |
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| Edmunds-Tucker suit postponed | The hearing of the suits brought by the government against the Church under the Edmunds Tucker law has been postponed to October 1, and we are not without hope of a further postponement. | |||
| Who shall be receiver | We learn by telegram from Washington that the Attorney General has appointed October 17th to consider the question of who shall be the receiver, to take possession of the Church property in these cases. | |||
| Wilford Woodruff | ||||
| September 17, 1887 to John W. Young | ||||
| Utah
commissioners sympathetic McClernand suggests how to influence Carlton |
John R. Winder happened to be in the company of three of the Utah commissioners for some time at Wasatch and had considerable conversation with them. General McClernand had a private conversation with him and was very friendly disposed to the people of Utah, and seemed very desirous that the forthcoming report of the Utah Commission should be as fair as possible. He therefore suggested to Colonel Winder that proper steps should be taken to influence Judge Carlton, the chairman of the commission, so that his influence might be in the proper direction to give the report the desired shape. | This letter and its consequences are discussed in Political Deliverance, 51– 52. | ||
| Carlton key | It would appear from
the remarks that were made that much will depend upon Judge Carlton's feelings
as to what the report will contain and the recommendations that will be
urged. |
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| Meeting on 26th | The commission meets at St. Louis on the 26th inst. for the purpose of preparing their report. | |||
| Use "healthy influence" on commission | In listening to Colonel Winder it appeared important that some healthy influence should be brought to bear upon Judge Carlton, and perhaps other members of the commission, that would induce them to make as favorable a report as they consistently can with their known attitude upon our question. | |||
| Get to Senator McDonald | As ex-Senator McDonald is from the same state as Judge Carlton, it suggests itself that perhaps he could bring the proper influence to bear upon the judge so as to have him look at these matters in a proper light, and to treat them with that fairness and freedom from hostility and prejudice that we think, the whole subject deserves. | McDonald: former Senator (R) from Arkansas, Alexander McDonald >. | ||
| We do not know how you are situated yourself and whether it would be possible for you also to see Judge Carlton or any of the other members, but if you could, as well as Senator McDonald, the result might be of sufficient importance to repay the trouble and expense. | ¶ McClernand and Carlton did, in fact, refuse to sign a document challenging the sincerity of the anti-polygamy constitution. Their minority report was reprinted and distributed by Church leaders. | |||
| Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith | ||||
| September 20, 1887 to Messrs. Booth and Brown, attorneys, Provo | ||||
| Legal work a mission? | Your favor of the 14th of September asking me some questions concerning the defence by yourselves in cases of unlawful cohabitation which have come before the courts in your district, and whether these are paid for by the Church or are to be considered as missionary labor on your part, has been received and considered. | |||
| Defense fund | A certain number of
attorneys were employed by the territorial central committee to defend cases
of this character, including polygamy and unlawful cohabitation. It was
understood that there should be a common defence made by our people who
are thus assailed under the Edmunds law and that, when indicted or arrested,
they should apply to these attorneys for assistance in defending their cases.
Under this system the great majority of these cases have been conducted
and defended. The brethren who have been accused have been to no expense
for legal services. |
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| Being reconsidered? | Since the death of
President Taylor this whole question has come up before the apostles. A
committee was appointed to examine into this, as well as other matters which
were thought to deserve notice, and some suggestions and recommendations
have been made by this committee, but they have not been acted upon by the
council, and matters of this character remain as they were previous to President
Taylor's death. Your brother, |
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| Wilford Woodruff | ||||
| September 24, 1887 to Hon. F. S. Richards | ||||
| Franklin
S. Richards leaves for the East See Woolworth in Omaha |
It is concluded that you start for the East on Monday morning next. When you have consulted Mr. Woolworth at Omaha please telegraph us in cipher as to his opinion. | |||
| Broadhead
better than McDonald? Cipher |
Also on your consultation at St. Louis. Please again inform us. If you should be convinced that Mr. Broadhead had better be employed instead of McDonald then please inform us by telegraph in cipher together with his conditions. | Broadhead: former Representative and Senator from Missouri, James O. Broadhead >. | ||
| Brother James Jack will arrange for your transportation. | ||||
| Wilford Woodruff | ||||