1869-07-28-Minnesota
Letter from W. [William] C. Staines - July 30, 1869
Staines, W.C. [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 31:33 (August 14, 1869) pp. 536- 37.
- New York, July 30, 1869,
- Elder A. [Albert] Carrington.
Dear Brother, - We arrived here, with the company by the Minnesota, about 10 a.m. on Wednesday, the 28th, after a cool and to me a pleasant voyage. …
I found, after seven days out, that there were about 100 persons who had not means to go further than the States. This surprised me much, for I understood all were going through and had paid their fares. I found, by inquiring, that many of them had not money to last two days on land. I had the brethren go to work and find out what they had got, and, if possible, send them on, although this was not a reasonable tax, and might necessitate considerable borrowing.
If any Saints emigrate to New York without means to go to Utah, they should be competent to take care of themselves, and not rely upon us, as I have not means to further them with. Their luggage should not be mixed up on the ship with that of those who are going through to Utah, but should be kept entirely separate. This will prevent a great amount of trouble and unpleasantness and probably some difficulty.
Two sisters came to me this morning, with a Frenchman to interpret, as they cannot speak a word of English. They brought a letter from Brother Ursenbach to Brother Miles, wishing them to be sent on to Utah, but they have only sufficient to provision them a few days. I think it is unwise to send people in this way, unless it is known that funds have been deposited here to assist them - not the case in this instance.
After some unavoidable trouble, the company were got away to recommence their journey at 4 p.m. of the 29th. Brother Miles left yesterday to go to Chicago with the company. [p.536] I was afraid they would not go straight through without some one to direct them, the brethren in charge of the company having so much to do with exchanging money and distributing it back to the members.
Bishop John Sharp is here, hoping to get the money due from the Union Pacific Railroad agents for work done on the road. Elders John Taylor and J. A. Young are here, on the same business. I go to Boston, on Sunday night, on emigration business. The brethren named will accompany me.
Yours truly,
