Letter from Ezra Foss Richards, 10 April 1897
Prest. Wilford Woodruff,
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dear Brother:
Your favor dated Jan. 30th and Feb.
27th came duly to hand, as also drafts to the value
of $1,000. and $500. respectively. We are applying the
money to liquidate indebtidness for past return
fares, so as to stop interest, and for the return of
Elders T. J. O'Brien, James C. Allen, Jens K. Nelson
and T. S. Browning who were released at our
Annual Conference on the 6th inst., to return home by
May boat. The three will have spent three years
and four months amongst the natives, and Elder
Browning two years and six months amongst Europeans.
Notice of the death of Elder Edward
Stevenson caused a degree of sensation and some
sober reflection, but only to conclude, in the light
of the Gospel, that our loss in his gain, and the
condition far more to be envied than mourned.
But for all that our feelings and sympathies go
out for the family and relatives. O, how much
more need we have for mourning the condition
of some others of whom we hear, when we think
of what already has and necessarily must befall
