Young, Brigham. Letter signed to George Reynolds, St. George, Utah, 11 December 1871

YOUNG, BRIGHAM 

LETTER SIGNED ("BRIGHAM YOUNG") TO GEORGE REYNOLDS, DISCUSSING HIS VISITS TO OUTLYING MORMON SETTLEMENTS IN UTAH AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE AT ST. GEORGE

3 pages (12 x 7 1/4 in.; 305 x 183 mm) with handwritten annotations on a bifolium, St. George, Utah, 11 December 1871; guttural repairs, tear accompanied by minor loss at lower edge, a few stray spots. 

The elderly Brigham was arrested a month prior to this letter by the United States government on a charge of "lascivious cohabitation" or polygamy. Allowed because of his age and health to make his customary trip to his winter home in southern Utah, he would later be forced back to Salt Lake City in midwinter when his trial date was moved ahead. Here he discusses visits to Virgin City, Rockville, Cottonwood Wash, and Mount Carmel as well as others. During his 30 years in Utah, Young directed the founding of 350 towns in the Southwest.