Paris, Bear Lake Co. Idaho, May 22, 1886.President D. [Daniel] H. Wells.

Dear Brother, — As there are some readers of the STAR [Millennial Star] who will be interested in a few brief items from one who has lately returned to Zion, I take the present opportunity of penning you a few lines.

The overland journey of our company from New York to Ogden was, in the main, a pleasant one, and as good health was the portion of most of the members across the sea, so also was it the portion of nearly all across the land. One child was quite sick, but through the blessing of the Lord attending the action of the priesthood we arrived at our destinations without losing any members of the company. I am of the opinion that a more prosperous voyage and journey has not been made by any of the numerous companies of our people. We had some unpleasant things to meet even under all this prosperity — that of being held at Laramie for about 12 hours by the "strikers," (brakesmen) being the most important. On our arrival at that place one of them entered our car and told us that we would not proceed any further that night, and probably not for several days, as the brakesmen were "on strike." Our train formed what is known as the first section of the regular passenger train. Soon after our arrival the second section came in bearing the U.S. mail. This was also detained for a while, but it was finally agreed between the "strikers" and the railway officials that such trains should be unmolested, although this decision was not reached until the sheriff had made his appearance and the law bearing on the question was read. The train then moved out without further resistance. The eastern bound train of the following morning was likewise allowed to depart. I received word from one of the officials that it was the intention to try and move our train, although he did not know that we would be allowed to go. After some delay an engine was attached to our train, and without the usual warning, and while some of our company were absent (for whom another elder and myself were searching), the train moved out leaving behind the "caboose" which some of the "strikers" detached just at the moment of starting. Owing to the threatening aspect of the "strikers" the conductor of the train did not wait for our little party who were following up the track with the hope that he would do so. On our return to the station our numbers were increased to twelve by others of the company who had stepped off the train just at the wrong time. One sister's nursing babe was on the train, and another sister had three young children on the train for whom she was filled with deep concern. One of the officials told me that they would try and send us forward to overtake the train with an engine and "caboose," but when all was in readiness for us to start the "strikers" uncoupled the train, and then followed a heated conversation and dispute, during which it looked as though we would witness some shedding of blood, but fortunately such was not the case. Another coupling-pin was procured and orders given to the [p.398] engineer to start. A contrary request was made by one of the brakesmen
, and I was not very certain which the engineer would obey. He put on the steam and started the engine, but not the train, for the pin had again been withdrawn and the engine shot forward over a switch which was immediately turned so as to prevent a return, and amid the shouts and cheers of the assembled multitude the brakesmen seized the "caboose," pushed us back about 100 yards and switched us on to a side track. We alighted from the car and returned to the station, where we were told by the official that he would try and put us on the engine. We went forward and were followed by the crowd; some of the brakesmen strove to intimidate the sisters by telling them that the engine might blow up at any moment. We succeeded in getting the women into the engineer's quarters, while four of us men rode on the tender and took the smoke and cinders for about thirty-five minutes, while we made a journey of twenty-three miles, when we overtook the train. The company were equally elated with us at our deliverance, and manifested their joy at our return by filling the windows and platforms of the cars to get a view of those who had been left.

At our arrival at Rawlins our train was taken in charge by the "strikers" of that place, and we were again sidetracked; but after learning by wire that the "strikers" at Laramie had consented to the departure of our train providing the officials could procure a conductor (who would endure the stigma of being called a "scab" by the Knight of Labor), and that no brakesmen should go with the train, the chief "striker" at Rawlins gave orders for us to be allowed to depart under the same provisions. We were soon speeding away on our journey with a conductor but no brakesmen. We got along very well, and at Green River (the beginning of another division), we were supplied with the usual quota of brakesmen. We reached Ogden without further interference.

Our company went forward to their various destinations without delay, and by nine o'clock of the morning following our arrival in Salt Lake City but very few were left at the emigrant quarters in the Tithing Yard.

I am very glad to return to my mountain home and to the gathering place of the people of God. I am thankful that I was considered worthy to go forth and preach the gospel to the people among whom I labored, and value the experience I have gained as being beyond price. I have warm feelings of love and friendship for those with whom I associated and mingled, and trust that I may meet many of them, ere long, in the pleasant vales of the west.

I started on my mission April 13, 1884, having been called at the conference held just previous to that time. Brothers R. [Ricy] H. Jones, L. H. Young, Asahel Woodruff and myself were two days in advance of the company of missionaries, which time we spent in viewing the sights of Chicago. We joined the company at that place, and with them visited the famous Niagara Falls. At New York we embarked on the "S.S. Abyssinia," and arrived at Liverpool on the 3rd day of May. I was appointed to labor in the Manchester Conference, and traveled first with Elder Robert Johnson, afterwards with Elders Asahel Woodruff, George H. Fowers, William C. B. Orrock and Nephi Y. Schofield respectively, and enjoyed my labors very much with each of those brethren. I labored in the three districts of the conference, and became well acquainted with nearly all the members, for whom I cherish feelings of gratitude and esteem. I performed, if memory serves me aright, ten baptisms and blessed a number of children. I have felt the influence of the Holy Spirit in many administrations to the sick, and have been thankful to see them recover. In the main my labors were both pleasant and profitable, and may the Lord add his blessing to the fruits.

With kind love to all, and prayers for the welfare of God's people, I remain your brother in the gospel,

E. [Edwin] T. Woolley [p.399]

BIB: Woolley, E. T. [Letter] Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 48:25 (June 21, 1886) pp. 398- 99. (CHL)
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