Layton, Utah, March 16th, 1896 President Wilford Woodruff Salt Lake City, Dear Bro, Your notice of March 11th, saying that I had been selected for a mission to the Northern States received. I regret that matters are such that I cannot arrange to go as you request, but if I ever see any way clear I will endeavor to fill the mission to which I have been called. if you do not see fit to release me from same. For the last four and a half ...

My family consists of four small children ranging from six and one half years down, with the prospects of an other about the middle of May. Now that I am out of employment and will not succeed in getting anything to do until Fall I can say that I have the "blues". I am a cripple having lost my right arm, and when absent from home find some troubles in adjusting my clothing I have laid these facts before you, and if you think them sufficient for a permanent release would like to do so ...

A. B. Cook Mar. 16 [18]96.