Letter from John Willard Young, 23 April 1881
Cranes Ranch
Prest. Wilford Woodruff
Salt Lake City U. T.
Dear Bro.
Your letter was handed to me by bro. M. D. Hammond
at Albuquerque. To answer it in detail, I will not attempt—
to express surprise would not convey my feelings, not to say I am
sorrowful—I feel almost crushed beneath such a blow.
The memorandum refered to was handed to me by bro. Snow
at Albuquerque, Brigham & Jesse N. being far away. If I could
have been present when the memorandum was drafted to have
offered a few suggestions, I am sure there would have been no
misunderstanding. It is imperatively necessary for me to go to
Holbrook & pay off & arrange business as best I can, in justice to
all concerned. If it were merely a personal consideration I would
have left immediately & reported to you, no matter what might have
been the business consequences. I feel too badly to write much.
I will telegraph immediately to you on my return.
The delay in writing was, if possible, to avoid going west & therefore
see you the sooner & also because of the sad death of young bro. Jones, the
burden of responsibility to prosecute the maurader, resting upon me.
