Correspondence

File — Box: 4, Folder: 2

Identifier: II

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

January 4, 1871 - Salt Lake City to (Logan); Thatcher, George, to Luna Young Thatcher
Brief letter telling her he will be detained longer in Salt Lake City than he had anticipated because the goods he wanted to purchase had not yet arrived at ZCMI from the East.
April 10, 1871 - Salt Lake City to (Logan); Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Explains to her that he has been "booked for Europe" (mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) which was very unexpected. Knew nothing of it until his name was called and thought this very strange her father (Brigham Young) had not mentioned it to him before hand, as he had seen him every day. Wonders if it was done for spite. Will soon be back to Logan with her before he leaves for England.
September 20, 1871 - New York City, New York, to Logan, Utah; Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Arrived in New York ill with dysentery. Sails that day for Europe. Brother Staines had gotten him a free pass to Liverpool. Sends his great love to her and the children and the people in Cache Valley.
October 2, 1871 - Liverpool, England, to (Logan); Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Describes his trip on the boat and tells her of instances where he was treated kindly because he is Brigham Young's son-in-law. Later tells of the verbal attack of a man who feels Brigham is a brute and should be exterminated. After discussions with this man he becomes his friend. Trip was eleven days from New York. Expresses his great love and concern for her health, fearing she will overwork with their five little children now she is alone.
October 4, 1871 - Liverpool, England, to (Logan); Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Has seen by the Liverpool papers that President Young was arrested. Expresses his great concern.
October 12, 1871 - London, England, to ?; Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Letter is from the mission field and describes the sights he has seen in London--Crystal Palace, House of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral, Hyde Park, etc. Feels he cannot redeem himself with her father unless he fills this mission with honor.
October 14, 1871 - London, England, to (Salt Lake City); Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Has heard their little girl is ill, which causes him much grief. The papers in London were full of accounts of President Young's arrest. Also read in paper of terrible fire in Chicago. Feels it is judgment of the Lord upon the nation, which has done such harm to the Mormons.
December 7, 1871 - Islington, Liverpool, England, to (Salt Lake City); Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Has been very ill with pleurisy, cough, and other ailments for most of the three months he has been in England. May be released because of his health. The damp, cold weather is bad for his condition. Happy she has moved home with her mother. Has read in the papers of the arrest of Hiram Clawson and that the soldiers have gone south in pursuit of President Young. They say that United States President Grant will put polygamy down. Sees epidemic of smallpox in England and Ireland as the judgment of the Lord. Tells her if any emergency arrives she should telegraph him which would cost $20.80.
December 17, 1871 - Birmingham, England, to (Salt Lake City); Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Has recovered and is living in a place where he is well taken care of. Turned down the offer of a release and will stay and finish his mission if possible. People here feel that Mormonism is doomed and will be gone by next spring. Told them God would take care of His own and all the sicknesses and calamities were God's judgment on the people.
December 28, 1871 - Birmingham, England, to (Salt Lake City); Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Letter of love trying to persuade her not to worry over his health, but not to think it was just homesickness, for he was more of a "man" than that.
January 13, 1872 - Birmingham, England, to (Salt Lake City ?); Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Has been ill again with rheumatism and smallpox vaccination, which was done in three places on his arm. Asks her to pray the smallpox will pass the elders by because of the epidemic here. Six hundred cases in the city--many dying. Again says it is the judgment of God on those wicked nations. Asks about his other wife Fanny. Has heard her eyes are very bad and she may go blind. In the papers he sees that President Young is a prisoner in his own home, after he had given himself up of his own free will. It is disturbing to him--wishes they could live in peace.
February 6, 1872 - Birmingham, England, to (Salt Lake City ?); Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Tells of his poor health and thoughts about getting a release from his mission, but feels it can only come from President Young or President Carrington. Is determined to try to stay. Tells Luna she will have a monthly income of $119.00 with the rent of their home. Pays his own way and buys his own clothing, which most elders do not.
February 20, 1872 - Birmingham, England, to (Salt Lake City ?); Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Because of the dampness of the weather and the heavy pollution of coal smoke, his health is very poor. Send his love.
April 11, 1872 - Birmingham, England, to (Salt Lake City ?); Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Letter of love explaining his many illnesses since leaving home. Has lost twenty-five pounds. Is thinking of being released.
April 1872 - Birmingham, England, to (Salt Lake City ?); Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Has just learned of his release from his mission and can leave as soon as he sees proper. Expresses his great joy and also includes a note for Luna to give Fanny, so Luna will know she was the first to receive the joyous news.
May 13, 1872 - Liverpool, England, to (Salt Lake City ?); Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Is on his way home and will probably sail around the twenty-third of the month. Is waiting for Brother Carrington.
May 22, 1872 - Liverpool, England, to (Salt Lake City ?); Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Sails for home on the twenty-third on the steamship
February 7, 1873 - Logan, Utah, to Salt Lake City; Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Telegram saying he will arrive home in the a.m. Road still blocked.
April 22, 1873 - Logan, Utah, to Salt Lake City; Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Note sent with Moses Thatcher asking Luna to leave the children and come back with Moses to Logan.
February 7, 1877 - (Salt Lake City) to Logan, Utah; Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
"Have arranged for house - you can move any time."
May 22, 1885 - Logan, Utah, to Salt Lake City; Thatcher, George W., to Luna (Young Thatcher)
Loving letter sent while Luna is in Salt Lake taking care of Genie who is ill.

Dates

1836-1968

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.