Steele, John Toquerville Washington Co., Utah Territory, July 30, 1888. Presidaent Wilford Woodruff! Dear brother, iIn the Midst of all the ups and downs that we as a people are called upon to pass through in this lower world, I still feel it a Jjoy and Satisfaction to Celebrate the 24th of July, our old pioneer day. and iIn looking over the Deseret News Editorial ^matter^, from mondays daily ^of^ July 23 1888. I feel flattered with the Eulogy therein contained, not particularly ^on account of the^ praise ...

of the past, when it ^they^ brings pleasing Recollections of having done our duty, and as there must always be a first, I have the honor of bring the Father of the first child born in the vally. ^It was^ named for ^after^ Presidant Young. Young Elizabeth Steele, Born August 9th 1847, on Monday ^at^ 3:40 Am I also made the first Lasts, and the first gaiter- Bboots that wasere made in these vallies. and I can now say with pleasure that that same Baby Girl, then Born, is a ...

thereThere are many of my old pioneer & Soldier Breathren that I remember with pleasure, and as the Deseret news says, will be remembered with pleasure in after generations, as their valor and integrity is not at present fully appreciated, but postery will do them Jjustice. I can rejoice to learn of the increse of our people and ^the^ Spread of truth. that Whereas, on the 24th of July, 1847, there wasere 143 pioneers and 150 Battallion boys, and some 20 of our Sisters who are mothers in Isreal, also a few Missi^ssi^ppi Saints who wintered ...

[sideways text] John Steele 30 July 1888 [end sideways text] In our little Town our Superintendant of Sunday Schools gathered his little flock around him, and organized them into good shape, and ^we^ spent our 24th in singing, Speaking pieces, ^[rieting]^Dialogues, Etc. Etc. I had the pleasure of ^mak[in]g^ a ten minutes speach. all went off well with a Dance in the Evening, presided over by Bro Martin Slack. Superintendent of Sunday Schools wWe are trying to hold the fort while our Bishop Wm A. Bringhurst ...