A few days ago I sent a let-
ter to Bro. Erastus Snow sug-
gesting the importance of having
a company in Utah to ^come^ and buy
out St. John. Since that time,
in conversation with Bro. Jesse N.
Smith, I learn that the St. John
people propose selling out to us,
and afterwards occupying the
Colorado Meadows a body of grass
land extending along the Colorado
River. Now I believe that, our peo-
ple should immediately occupy
those Meadows which are ten
miles long and will average two
miles in width. By securing them
our people could control the hay
Page 2
market in this region, including Forts
Wingate and Apache, and securing
an dextensive cattle range this region
where bottom grass is so scarce.
There would be nothing but the gov-
ernment price of the land required
We have at present ^we have^ but one
man Bro. T. L. Greer, to occupy
this extensive field. He fully beleives
that grain can be raised without
irrigation, upon those bottoms where
the water is near the surface and
breaks forth in small springs in
many places. Bro Greer also
thinks that an abundance of
water can be saved in a reser-
voir, that ^can^ be built in a natural
basin. I desire this subject consid-
ered in connection with my
former letter. The settlements here
need these meadows for dairies
and milk ranches, but have no
men to pspare to take them up
I think, if a company should
be sent expressly to occupy these
places they would take hold and
be satisfied; and do good. Some
come scattering along, and com-
mence rambling around looking
for places, these cannot be depend-
ed upon to do much good.
Bro Lake is fast recovering, but
Bro. Bates is still very sick
The sooner a company can come
for settling these desirable places,
we think, the better for our people