Transcript

Rock Creek Sept 11^th 1868

President B. Young.

Dear Brother

After being detained nearly nine weeks at Benton the last of this years emigration arrived when I organized my Co by appointing Elder James Smith President of the Saints, Elder Francis A. Brown Chaplain and Elder Samuel Southwick Secretary of Company and on the first of September I started homeward. During my stay at Benton I lost five animals, four horses and one mule, including my riding horse; supposed to be stolen by white men. There has four deaths occurred; the first Sister Mary Rollinson, aged 72 of fatigue of the journey; the second Bro John Williams 75 years of age, of old age; and two infants by premature birth. The health of the Co is generally good, I expect to camp on the Pacific Creek to night. We encounter much head wind, but our animals are in good heart and the feed is excellent. Nights are cold, but we make ourselves comfortable by keeping large fires, and <using> extra clothing. I have not seen any signs of Indians as yet and hope to escape any dangers from them. The following is a list of the names of emigrants.

Elders James Smith, Francis A. Brown and Henry Barlow, returning Missionaries.

[remainder of the letter is missing]