Transcript

MORMON GROVE, K. T., July 20th, 1855.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE LUMINARY:

Dear Brother—I hasten to drop you a few lines so that you know the situation of the camps of Israel in this place. We have had an uninterrupted time of peace and good health up to the 19th inst., when the destroyer made a sudden appearance and the victim that he selected was our true hearted and well beloved father John Parry, who only survived his stroke eight hours-he now sleeps in death with the full assurance of meeting with his brethren that remain alike faithful with himself, in the morning of the first resurrection, then to be clothed upon with immortality and eternal lives.

Father Parry was on his return to Salt Lake City, from a mission that had been appointed him in the British Isles, which he had fulfiled with honor to the cause of truth and with glory to himself. I can say of a truth, that since he has been at this point of outfit, that he has been one of the most faithful and industrious servants of the Lord that we have had around us, and was just appointed captain of one of the companies to cross the plains, and although we sincerely mourn and sympathize with his bereft family who are now residing in the Valley, yet it is not without hope and assurance that he will have part in the first resurrection. We realize in this providence that his wife has lost a kind husband and his children a tender father; but we say to them, be comforted; your husband and father died standing at his post of duty; he therefore will come forth and his works shall follow him.

His remains were interred on the morning of the 20th of July, at Mormon Grove. He breathed his last in this life at quarter past nine on the evening of the 19th.

I will still say further, that there has been no new cases of sickness or death, but the blessings of the Lord are still with us.

We are preparing to start thirty wagons to-morrow. We are in hopes to clear the ground of the present encampments by the 1st day of August.-We have now on hand all the oxen and other outfits necessary for the journey, and hope soon to be released to see you and the Saints in St. Louis.

Please give my kind regards to the Saints in general, not forgetting yourself and family, and the brethren of the office.

I remain yours,
MILO ANDRUS