A few
moments ago I received your favor
of the 7th ult. I suppose that it
has been lying in the Plymouth
P. O. so you will please excuse
me for not answering sooner.
In the first place allow me to
say that your kind letter was
thankfully received and appre-
ciated and brought forcibly to my
mind the many happy days
at sunset that we associated
with Bro. Lewis Allen.
You will please reccollect that when
you was going North last fall
Page 2
to visit your sick daughter that I
had the pleasure of conversing with
you when you inquired about Willard's whereabouts and what he
was intending to do. I stated to
you his intention of fullfilling
his mission to the southern states
to which he had been called about
the time of his Fathers accident
and ^he^ had ^asked and^ received premission to ^after^
^his fathers death^ wait until spring. You replied
"I had forgotten it" and then
added Willard ought not to go
on that mission but ought to
take care of thing at home and
let you take the yonguer boys
where they can be in school.
You also said that if you could
bear it in mind until you
returned home that you would
write him to that effect.
Upon reaching home I found
Page 3
my son Willard awaiting me at
the station I told him that you
was on the train and he regretted
very much that he did not
see you. I told him our conversa-
tion and he said if I receive a
release I will stay and take
care of the farm if I do not
I will go upon my mission
in the spring. So we agreed
that I should bring the children
here and put them in school for
the winter and return home in
the spring so that in case that
he did not receive a release that
he could report to you his
readiness to depart on his mission
Pres. Woodruff this is the way
that the matter stands and his
idea of buying a small place
in Tuba City was to leave his wife with her family in his abscance
Page 4
There was some agreement made to that
effect before their marriage either with her
or her fameily as she is much attached
to her home in Arizona.
I should very much dislike to have
him return to Areizona feeling as
you do that his life would be
in danger knowing as I do his bold
fearless nature and the deep
impression that his Fathers untimely
end has made upon his mind I
very much fear that he would would
not take a wise and prudent
course and I have been told that
the Navajoes have said that they
would kill him fearing that he will
revenge his Father's death.
You will please excuse my being
so lengthy, and I should be very
thankful to have you write Willard
at Fielding Box Elder Co and
what ever your advice or counsel
it will be most gratefully received
Ever thankful to be held in
your remembrance with in connection
with my husband and family I am
[sideways text]
gratefully y[o]ur sister Alice A. Smith
[end of sideways text]