Letter to Ammon Meshach Tenney, 21 April 1880
Ammon M. Tenney
Dear Brother:
I have tried to get time to write to you ever since I have reached Salt
Lake City, but have never been in a situation to give you any information for
the want of time and getting certain business done before the Council. Bro.
Taylor got a letter from J. W. Y. -[John W. Young]- saying that you had more
missionaries than was necessary at the Meadows to hold the claims so you was
going to put some of them into the Missionary field. I was glad to learn this.
If you have men to spare, the sooner the better. Bro. Young telegraphed that
you, Christofferson and himself were at Albuquerque to buy goods for a Co-op
Store, and he spoke about taking contracts on the Railroad for our people. If
the brethren could unite together and take a contract so as to pay, I think it
would be a good thing, so as to get their bread.
Now, concerning St. Johns. How is that a going? Bro. Hatch wrote me that
somebody was sent as an Agent to borrow 100 cows to make the first payment of
Bro. Flake. I was in hopes that the people who went there would be able to raise
that first hundred cows. I wish you would write to me an[d] let me know how matters
are at St. Johns, and what arrangements you have made for entering the land. I
have got the privilege from Bro. Taylor and Council to use all tithing stock
in the Territory to help pay for St. Johns, unless the brethren can occupy the
land and pay for it.
This may be used as a loan and repaid when the people pay; I shall write
to Lot and Jesse N. Smith and Richards of St. Joseph to unite with the tithing
stock what they can, for we do not want that purchase to fail and I want you to
call upon Christofferson of Round Valley, Bp. Hunt and Jesse N. Smith of Snow-
flake, Bp. Richards of St. Joseph and Lot Smith of Sunset, and Bp. Lake of
Brigham City to gather the tithing stock, and you use it for the payment on
that purchase as a loan, keeping a strict account of what tithing stock you
use for the purpose. I shall write to them about it.
I wish you would write to me as soon as you get this, and tell me how
things are with you, and what you have paid on St. Johns, and what the prospect
is. Tell me where the railroad is going and what the prospect is for our
brethren to take jobs on it, and what rate. Direct from W. Woodruff, Salt Lake
City, Utah Box 321. I feel anxious to hear from you, and want to know what
missionaries you have in the field and where, and any news I will be glad to
get.
My kind regards to Sister Tenney and all the brethren with you.
Your brother in the Gospel,
W. Woodruff
