THOMAS YATES

Written by his son - Thomas J. Yates (in 1949)

Thomas Yates was born in Bath, Somersetshire, England, 6 June 1840. He was the youngest of eight children born to William and Hannah House Yates. His father was a gardener and when Thomas was old enough, he worked with his father at gardening and was always a proficient gardener.

He was baptized 29 May 1853 by Dorr P. Curtis at Bath, England. His father and mother had been members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since Thomas was about six years old. He started to school when he was six years old, but when he had been going only a few days, he was expelled from school because he was a Mormon. He never went to school again, but was self-educated. He was an extensive reader and was one of the best informed men on history and world events generally that I have known. He wrote with a good, plain handwriting and all his life did much clerical work.

He was ordained a Deacon 8 Jun, 1856 by Elder Jesse B. Martin and was ordained an Elder 6 Oct. 1856 by Apostle Ezra T. Benson. He then was just past sixteen years old, and was called on a mission. He labored as a traveling Elder in England from the above date to 23 May 1865. That mission lasted eight years, seven and one-half months, and he traveled entirely without purse or script. One time during this mission, his shoes were worn out and he had no money to get new ones. In his travels he met a man who said: "Young man, you need some shoes. I have some new shoes too small for me. If you can use them, you are welcome to them." Thomas tried the shoes on and they fit him perfectly and lasted a very long time. This was in answer to a humble prayer.

As soon as he was released from his mission, he accepted an offer to emigrate to Utah by means of the "Perpetual Emigration Fund". This was a fund established by the Church by which Saints could get means to emigrate and when they arrived in Utah, they would repay the loan, and thus it became a revolving fund to help others.

In the same company of emigrants from England with Thomas was a young lady whom he knew in England. Her name was Elizabeth Francis. When they arrived in Florence, Nebraska, and they were about to start on the long journey across the plains, they thought it would be more convenient if they were married. So, on the 22nd of July 1863, they were united in wedlock. The story of her life will be given in another article but at this time we may say it was a true love match that was never regretted but the ties of love grew stronger to the end of their lives. They received their endowments and were sealed in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City and had their two older children sealed to them 16 Nov. 1867. (Note: While searching in the archives in Salt Lake City, I found record of these two children, Louisa and Hannah Elizabeth, being sealed to their parents in the Manti Temple on 15 Aug. 1888. It is possible their son, Thomas J. Yates, assumed the children were sealed at the time his parents received their endowments. Signed, Zelda Pitcher, daughter of Bessie Henrietta Thompson Hansen.)

The voyage was a long, tedious journey. They came steerage in a sailing vessel and were seven weeks on the ocean. From St. Louis to St. Joseph they had to ride in cattle cars. The train hands were very profain and threatened to send the d____ Mormons to Hell.

They were outfitted at Florence for the journey across the plains. There, Father saw an ox team for the first time in his life and was given a team and wagon to drive. He was very awkward at first, but before the journey was through, he knew how to yoke up oxen and drive them. They arrived in Salt Lake City late in

October, 1863.

Thomas' brother William, had preceded him to Utah and was living in Lehi, Utah. Thomas and Elizabeth stayed in Lehi during the winter of 1863-4. In Round Valley, afterwards named Scipio, in Millard County, there were six families living. Brigham Young told the people there it was not safe for so few people could not defend themselves against the Indians - they must have at least six more families. The former settlers complained - there was not enough water for the six settlers. If more came, they would all starve. Pres. Young said, "The day will come when all this valley will be owned". That has come true.

In the early spring of 1864, Thomas was told to go to Round Valley. Jesse B. Martin, an old friend in England, had two teams and wagons, so he let Thomas have one to move south. When they arrived, they were not very welcome. Thomas got ten acres of land. He had no team or implements to work it, so he would plow

and plant his neighbor's land for the use of the neighbor's outfit to plow and plant his own land. By the third year in Round Valley, he owned a team of horses, harness and wagon, a plow and harrow and twenty acres of land.

For several years, all the settlers lived in a fort. There was only one door leading into the fort and that was very strong. The back of the houses formed the outside wall of the fort. There were port holes in the outside walls for observation and to shoot if necessary. There was an Indian raid in Round Valley one Sunday morning, June 10, 1866. Hay was scarce and everyone had turned their horses and cows out to feed on the grass on the hills. A man was supposed to go to a high hill at the end of the valley early every morning. In case of approaching Indians, he should start a fire as a warning to the people in the village. This morning, the watchman was late. On his way, the Indians killed him and his son, who was with him, and so no alarm was given. The Indians drove off every horse and cow in town - five hundred head of animals. There was no means of recovering them. The nearest settlement was Holden, fifteen miles away, and the only way to get there was a man on foot. The men from Holden did all they could but the Indians were gone. Two cows returned to their calves, but that was all that was ever recovered.

The winter of 1868-9, Father worked on the railroad in Echo Canyon when the Union Pacific railroad was coming to Utah. With the money thus earned, he paid off the last of his debt to the Perpetual Emigration Fund.

In 1869, the people moved from the fort to their lots in town and Father built a one roomed log house. The family lived in that house only that winter. The next spring, Father was made superintendent of the Co-op store and ran the store. He hauled all of the goods for the store in two wash tubs in his wagon box. The store was moved into the house and the family moved into a dugout, a dirt cellar, and there I was born in November, 1870.

The next year, Father built a four roomed log house on the main road. The family lived in two rooms and the store occupied the other two. The business grew rapidly. During the years 1872 to 1882, when Pioche Nevada was booming, the freighters would stock up with grain and provisions at Scipio for the round trip and that, with other trade, often amounted to one thousand dollars per day. The Indians would come from many miles. They would bring their buckskins and trade for the things they wanted. They said: "Heap wino (good) storeman, heap no cheatum". At times there would be thirty or forty Indians camped in our yard at one time. In 1885, a large two story brick store was built on the corner of our lot. Father ran the store until 1901 - thirty-two years.

He was ordained a High Priest 22 July 1877 by Apostle Erastus Snow and set apart as second counselor to Bishop Daniel Thompson at Scipio. At this time, the Scipio Ward was first organized. Before that it had been a branch. In May, 1882, Apostle Francis M. Lyman set Father apart to preside over the Scipio Ward as Bishop, which position he held until he was on his death bed.

Scipio was on the main road that led through the state, now known as Highway No. 91. For many years, the railroad came only to York, north of Nephi, and later to Juab, about twenty miles north of Scipio. All travel into the southern part of the state was on this road and the authorities of the Church, as well as all traveling salesmen and almost everyone going over this road would stay at our house. It was a free hotel. For weeks at a time, we would have company at our house every night and sometimes three or four wagon loads of people at one time.

Father owned a farm, one hundred and sixty acres, one mile north of our home. He kept a hired man for many years to work on the farm.

He kept the books and was secretary to everything in town. He was Ward Clerk, and all that that entails. He was secretary of the irrigation company. On his books was recorded the water-rights of every person who owned water, what share of the stream was owned by each and the time each person on each ditch should take the water and when the next man's turn began. He was secretary of the Co-op Store. On his books was recorded the ownership of each share of stock in the company. During the time he operated the store, for every dollar originally invested, the stock holder received more than twenty dollars in dividends. He was secretary of the Co-op sheep herd. His books showed how many sheep each person held and the proportion of the increase in the herd went to each man and the proportion of the wool money went to each. He was also secretary of the Co-op Cattle Herd.

With his long hours in the store, and the many calls for Church duty and all the other things he had to do, including the looking after two families, he was a busy man. By his first wife, Elizabeth Francis, he had five children, three of whom lived to be adults: Hannah Elizabeth (we called her Lizzie) married Henry Thompson and had eight children. At first they (Lizzie and Henry) lived in Scipio and later all moved to Plain City, Weber County, where most of her children still reside. Sarah Louisa (we called her Louie) married Joseph Lyman Robison. They first lived in Filmore, Millard, Utah then to Provo and later to Salt Lake City. She had six children. All lived to be married. Two live in Los Angeles, two in San Francisco, one in Boston and one in Pocatello, Idaho.

She (Louie) lived a very active life and held many offices in the Church, the last and most important was President of the Relief Society of the Church.

Thomas Jarvis (called Tom) married Lydia Horne and to them were born two daughters. Both married and lived in Salt Lake City. Lydia died in 1903 and in 1904 Tom married Lily Annetta Fairbanks. They were blessed with eight children, five of whom lived to be adults. They are all married and live in and near Salt Lake City.

Elizabeth Francis Yates, the first wife of Thomas Yates, died 31 Dec. 1910.

The second wife of Thomas was Susan Isabella Mc Arthur, a daughter of Henry McArthur and Sarah Elizabeth Ivie. They were married in June, 1880. This union was blessed with five children - four girls and one boy - four of whom lived to manhood and womanhood. Eva married William R. Stone; they had one son. She lived in Scipio and died soon after her baby was born. Ella died in early childhood. Henry McArthur (called Harry) never married. Dora married Vernon Bradfield. She still (1949) lives in Scipio. They had five children. Viola married Wallace Nielson. They lived in Leamington. She had twelve children, eleven of whom are still alive and they live in Leamington.

Having married two wives in violation of the Edmunds Law, during the time of the raids, Thomas Yates was fugitive from home much of the time. In connection with David Thompson and Platt D. Lyman (who also married in polygamy) they bought a herd of cattle and with the sons of Daniel Thompson, they took their cattle into the wilds of the Henry Mountains and San Juan County, and there they lived for several years out of the range of civilization and deputy marshalls. During a visit home in 1889, he was arrested by a man whom he had set up in business who later became wealthy - left the Church - and was then joining in the persecution of the Saints. Father was tried, found guilty and served ten months in the Utah Penitentiary. Many of his fellow prisoners were Bishops, Stake Presidents and one Apostle. Like all other offenders of this law, he could have escaped punishment if he would have agreed to obey the law of the land, but preferred to suffer rather than be untrue to his conscience and the Law of the Lord.

He had suffered with a bad stomach for many years and the last year of his life, he gradually grew worse. During his last sickness, he was so low they looked any minute to be the last. He seemed to pass away and lay for sometime as if he were dead. He moved again and he seemed to revive and then he said his spirit had been to the world of spirits. He was permitted to see and understand what the people there are doing and to partake of the influence there, and to return and tell of the things he saw and heard. He bore a very fervent testimony of the truth of the Gospel and then, after a short time, went to his eternal sleep 21 Feb. 1903. He had a very wide circle of friends and was much loved by many people. If he ever had an enemy, I never knew of it.

Signed Thomas Jarvis Yates

(Note: The above sketch was written in 1949. The following was found about the author in the book "The Latter-Day Sainst - A Contemporary History of the Church of Jesus Christ" by William E. Berrett - Page #331. "In 1912 the Church adopted a proposal to establish seminaries adjacent to high schools. The first such seminary was organized in the Granite School District in Salt Lake County, where students were released for one period during the day for religious instruction. A seminary building was constructed adjacent to Granite High School, and Thomas J. Yates was employed as the first teacher."

LETTERS FROM THOMAS YATES (Born 6 June 1840)

Tolley's Camp, Weber Canyon, Nov 22, 1868

My Dearest Wife,

Your thrice welcome letter of last Sunday came safely to hand, also the note you sent in Bro. Wilson's letter. I was most happy to hear that you were well though sorry to hear that you have been so bothered by that painful pest, the tooth-ache. I hope it has entirely left you before now. I too have been bothered some with tooth-ache but not anything of any amount. I am very sorry that Bro. Williams has not furnished you that load of wood according to agreement. I fear you will suffer for want of firing and at first made up my mind to come right away home, but upon reflection I concluded it would be best not to come home just now, but to send you some money that you may hire someone to get up the team, that you may get some wood hauled with them. I would give Bro. Quarenburg's boys the chance to get them up (if they have not found them yet) and if they do not want to hunt them, you may probably get Hans to hunt them on horseback. You can offer as high as five dollars and if you cannot get them up for that or if Bro. Q. backs out of hauling with them send to me right away and I will come home forthwith. My darling Lizzie it pains me to think that you want for anything and that you have to be bothered about as you have through my being from home. I would not be from home my love if I could see any possible way of getting along without it but I cannot. I have earned means enough now to furnish us in bread but there are other things we really need, besides some few debts that it looks like I must pay besides sending for Susie which I would not omit doing on any consideration and I feel assured my dearest you will not misunderstand or misinterpret my anxiety to send for her, for I assure you, my love, I feel no interest in Susie only as your child, for your sake my love, and for her sake, as your child I am determined, if possible to send for her, and I want her to know that her passage is paid in time so that she will not be hurried in getting off, but beyond that I feel no interest in her at present, but I know you will not misunderstand me. Thanks for sending Susies portrait. I think she looks very nice, has improved very much is very pretty. See she still has her mother's dear eyes. I shall not return the portrait till next week. I wish I had brought your portrait with me my love, and would give lots for a look at you and our dear children, even upon paper.

My own love, with reference to what you have done with the cows, pigs etc., of course I am perfectly satisfied as I am sure you have done your best as you always do. You have done far more with the cows than I had any idea you could do. I hardly know what you will do for salt to salt in the pig. I hate you to have to boil enough for that. I intended to have sent some by Bro. Wilson but they left all of a hurry before pay day and I had no money nor time to get any yesterday. I saw Justin and asked him if he would take home 50 lbs. salt and a side of leather for me, and he said he would for two dollars, but I will not give the darned pup that price for such a trifle. I will send you a little factory and some lye by Bro. Wilson of Chicken Creek, who will forward to you as soon as he can but if there is any lye for sale in town, you had better get a box right away. I will send you $15.00. I would have sent you some money before but I have not received any yet, but will tomorrow. My dear get anything you want that you can get at home, a little beef when anyone kills, or anything of that kind and if you have money enough left, I think you had better pay Sister McArthur for that quilt. I wish I could get you a pair of blankets, as I fear you lack bedding enough to keep you warm, but I cannot do it at present. You need not keep out more yarn than enough to make me one pair of stockings and no mittens as I shall be obliged to get some gloves from the store, if the weather gets cold, and my stockings will last me a long time yet. I shall try to get Lindsay enough to make me one shirt and make that do me.

My dearest, I hope these lines will find you well and happy and our dear little ones well also. Oh! what I would give if I could just drop in and spend a Sunday with you. It does seem a long time that I have been away from you. I am happy to say I am well. My cold has almost entirely left.

Scipio, Utah - Aug. 15, 1884

My Beloved Lizzie,

I was very much pleased at receiving two letters from you yesterday, one evidently was intended to be here the day before. Thanks darling, it is quite a treat to get your dear kind letters. I look for them anxiously as I did in the long ago. It seems a little curious darling that since then we have had a little family grow up around us and that now you are stopping at the home of one of our children. The changes come and go so fast we are almost at the end of the journey before we fully get settled down to traveling so to speak, still we have very little cause for regrets and much to be thankful for, for our Father has dealt very kindly with us, though of course, we have found some thorns as well as many roses along the great highway.

I received the enclosed letter from Susie yesterday. If I had known what it contained I should not have opened it, however nobody but myself and Lizzie knows anything about it and Lizzie will keep quiet. I feel very sorry for Susie but am not in the least surprised, in fact I have wondered many times why it has not happened years ago. I enclose an order for a SK sugar that you may send her when you write.

Of course you have heard the sad news of our missionaries being massacred in Tennessee, four are reported killed but no particulars. How long I wonder will the Lord require his servants to expose their lives preaching the gospel to those who are utterly unworthy? But we must submit to the will of the Lord in all these things for He brings to pass His purposes in His own way. Of course, BRO. THOMPSON'S and the Robinson's folks feel very anxious and very uneasy till we get more full particulars but I think this affair has occurred too far north and east for our boys to be there. Though, of course, it will be just as hard on some other families.

How do you get along for news? Would you like the papers sent over?

Dearest, don't bother yourself so much about the sewing you took from home with you, I suppose there is nothing you need so very bad. Do try and get a little rest while you are away from home (you know there is no chance to get any at home) and try and visit among the folks all you can. I hope you will not be troubled any more with rhumatic pains. You have here-to-fore been very free from them.

We had no compnay last night. It almost seemed strange. We are all well this morning and trust you all are. Tommy is let out of getting his dialogue as George Robison has been away from home and has not prepared his part. I hope your store venture will prove a success which I have no doubt of if it is managed wisely. Who are the officers and managers?

Sis. Freeses little boy was a little better yesterday, have not heard today. Tom Memmott has been quite sick with Rhumatic for several days, but we have general good health here.

Was it not sad about poor Bro. Christianson dropping off so suddenly?

Goodbye Darling, God bless you. The folks all join me in best love to you. Remember us all to Louie and Lyman.

Affectionately yours,

Thos. Yates

Scipio Aug 16 (84 (1884)

My Darling Wife

You must please excuse my writing with pencil this morning. The Robins and I have been having our long talked of talk. Any way you know we are both rather long winded when we get started and it is now getting rather near mail time. Bro. R. is not very rabid and has not near so much cause for complaint as he thought he had.

Your very kind and welcome letter came safely to hand yesterday afternoon. I hope Louie has got over her nervousness somewhat though I suppose she will not get to feel first rate till after she has been worse than she now is. I shall be very glad to hear that she is over her trouble.

We have had quite a pall of gloom cast over our settlement at learning that Bro. Henry Thompson was with or near our bretheren who were murdered in Tennessee last Sunday. For fear you may not be informed I will explain as far as I know. It appears that 5 of our missionaries were holding or preparing to hold a meeting on the farm of a man named Condor who is not a member of the church though some of his family are members and he very friendly. A mob of about 14 masked men started out for Condors to kill the brethren. Bro. Henry's traveling companion, a young man from (?) was at the meeting but it appears Henry had not yet got there but the mob called at the house of another friendly man named Garratt and there found Henry (at least this is according to our best information but may prove to be wrong) the mob left 2 of their number masked with the prisoner while they went on to Condors. Soon after they left, firing was heard at Condors and the Elder (supposed to be Henry) has not been seen or heard from since. Garrett is a staunch friend and has been sherrif of the county. We think he would be smart enough to get Henry away in some manner and hope that he escaped his murderers and will yet turn up all right though really the thing looks pretty dark for him.

The other 12 murderers went on to Condors and killed three of the Elders there, the other making his escape and finally arriving at Shady Grove. One of Condors sons was killed and Condors wife very dangerously if not fatally wounded. I cannot understand what you say about young Dohrity of Corn Creek being killed as we have all the names of the parties at Condors but no Dohrity. Is it possible that other murders have been committed in other parts of the state at the same time? You will understand why we (?) here and that Sister Thompson and family are almost disconsolate.

How long our Brethren must travel amongst and offer the Gospel to those who are so utterly unworthy of them, of course, we must leave for the Lord to indicate but it appears to me they are fast filling up their cup and preparing for the wrath to come.

We had quite a nice time at the Primary yesterday though the program had to be changed on a/c of Bro. Thompsons girls not being able to take part. Bro. Memmott has just come in with Friday mornings Herald sent by Sister Whitebeck from Juab and (?) read to me "Elder Thompson who was at Garrats has landed at Shady Grove safely after being in the woods 36 hours without food"! He has gone on to Bro. Thompson's with the news. Thank God Henry is saved after passing a very severe ordeal. We are all well. Hope you all are too. We all join in best love to you and Louie and Lyman. Late Darling. from

Yours affectionately,

T. Yates

Utah Penitentiary

Saturday Evening

September 28th 1889

My Beloved Wife,

It is just about one week ago since I left you to take up my abode here for a season. It has been a week of strange experiences to me. All togather strange and new. Still I have got along with it exceeding well, far better than I could possibly have expected. I have had the best of health and have not felt downcast - or had the blues one moment since I have been here. Your kind letters of the 23 and 26 reached me in safety. Also the things you sent in, sugar, butter, cheese, overshoes, candlestick, fruit, candles, tin cup and bucket, stool and mattrass also Bro. Paxtons tins, thanks darling for your kindness. The mattrass is especially splendid, and ensure me an excellent bed this winter. I did very well, however, before the mattrass came and could have got along without it all winter, but much better with it. but most of all Dearest I thank you for your kind words. I am very sorry to know that you cannot rest better of nights and trust that you will soon overcome this sleeplessness that has now troubled you so long. I was certainly in hopes that when the anxiety attendant upon my trial and sentence was over you would be able to rest better. Dearest if you can possibly help it do not worry about me one moment. I assure you I am all right. I have not lost one hours sleep. I go to bed at 9 and fall off to sleep as quickly as I used to do at home, perhaps awake once in the night and lay awake about half an hour then sleep soundly till some of the folks stir around in the morning. I do not think I have laid awake one hour (am sure I have not two) at one time since I have been in here, so you will know that my mind has not been troubled very much, for you understand me pretty well in this regard. Rube McBride was our teamster from the R.R. Depot up here, of course he wanted to know many things about Millard County, but I was in no talking mood, everything was so very strange and new, the idea of being a prisoner and on my way to the Penitentiary and then the life and experience of a prisoner - what would it be? and how should I stand the confinement? what kind of treatment should I receive from the officers? and how should I stand the restraint? all these and many other things passed through my mind and kept my thoughts pretty busy. Fianlly we reached the Penn. we dismounted outside the gate, and were ordered in a tone of voice entirely new to me - to follow an officer into a small office a little south of the gate where we were asked our name, place of residence, age, the charge against us and the penalty assessed against us; all of which was duly recorded. Then we were commanded to empty all our pockets of their contents, most of which were taken from us. This through with, we were taken back to where our baggage had been dumped from the wagon and ordered to open our bedding. it was laying by the side of the road in the dirt and I commenced untieing mine these, not noticing that close by was a plank floor connecting two offices. A gentleman standing by and evidently one of the officers said in a kindly tone of voice "bring your bedding over on to this plank floor that it may not get dirty" and stepped over and took one side helping me to pack it over. twas a very little act of kindness and I suppose the gentleman never noticed that he did it, but I did and shall long remember it. That man has a soul in him. I wish I knew his name.

Our bedding all passed muster and we were instructed to gather it up but our valices must be left to be examined in the morning. We were then, with our bedding, passed through the gate into the yard and from there into the prison propper, taken into an office and asked more questions answers to which were duly recorded, and we were taken to separate cells, given a lighted candle, and locked in. We had, and still have cells to ourselves which is a great advantage on acct of room. After fixing my bed and preparing for the night I knelt down to pray and found it as easy to pray in this cell as in any place I have ever been in. I felt the calm answering spirit and that spirit has been with me from then till now. I went to bed and slept soundly and had a really good nights rest. Next morning as soon as I left my cell I met Bro. Arthur of Cedar, Franklin Young of Teasdale (John Rs Brother) and some others that I was more or less acquainted with and by them was introduced to a great many of the brethren here, and since have had a most excellent time with them. I find almost averything here much better than I had expected. The food is as good as could be expected in such a place. The bread is very good and all you want. The beef too is quite good and sweet and pretty well cooked. We have either corn or oatmeal mush for supper every evening and with sugar and milk (which latter is brought into the Penn every afternoon and sold at 15 quarts for one dollar) it makes the best meal of the day for me. There is plenty of it, have all you want - also bread and tea is served for supper, so we can have bread and milk if we prefer it to mush.

Good night Darling, pleasant dreams and sweet sleep be yours.

(Note at top of page 3 of this letter "(Black & Martin not here yet)"

Sunday Morning

Alls well again this morning, love, with me. Hope it is so with you and all the folks. should very much like to be out to meeting with you all today. My best love to Aunt Louie and all the old friends when you meet them also to the girls and Tom at home also to Susan if you have an oportunity of corresponding with her. I cannot mention all by name for lack of room but mean all. The brethren here are all well and feeling first rate. Bro. Quarenburg wants you to tell his folks (when you write to the girls) that he is well and feeling splendid. his term is 6 months. He and several others failed to get their bedding and other things with them from Provo and only got it last night. His charge is adultry, Co hab dismissed. H.C. Nielsen 6 months, Bro. Anderson 17 months. Satan posted Varian in his care and Varian, the Judge. Bro A feels a little blue but is doing well. A Dr. Sharp, a Dentist, I believe is in here for working the ruin of two women, proved, (how many more this deponent sayeth not) he gets 30 days! Proof positive that this excessively moral government of ours is run in the interest of outraged virtue, is it not? Some very peculiar history is being made nowaday in Utah, interesting reading 30 years hence when the mists of bigotry have passed away and people can see the naked truth as it is. Since writing the above I have attended Sabbath school. We have very good times in our school. It is quite a priviledge extended to us. I very much need a Bible, also a pair of spectacles for reading evenings. Reading by candle light is very trying to my eyes. I would also like a tumbler to carry a little butter in, one with a tin lid (a jelly glass would be the best) also a quart jar, glazed for keeping butter in would be very useful. The rules here are not hard to observe and all are very necessary to our welfare and protection. There are many very tough customers in here who know very little of the law of kindness and of cource could not be special rules for special characters. All rules must be general. If I should find fault with anything here it would be that we do not get time enough at meals. That is, with my very poor teeth I have not, though many hav, but I get along pretty well. Well Darling I must close though there is much more I would like to write, but fear this will be considered quite lengthy to the Warden. Write as often as you can and tell the folks to do likewise. I believe there are no limits to the number of letters we may receive. News came allright, what did my stool cost? I sold it and bought a nice chair, sorry I did not see you on the wall, though would be hard to see you and not make any sign of recognition, believe me darling.

as ever your affectionate husband

Thomas Yates

Utah Penitentiary

Oct. 13, 1889

My beloved Lizzie, and loved ones at home and elsewhere,

I trust these few lines will find you all in good health, as I am thankful to say I am. Thank the younger Lizzie for the affectionate and cheering letter she sent me. Bro. Quarenbury happened to drop into my little pen while I was reading it, which prevented an utter break down, yet a handkerchief was very useful. How thankful I am to God our Father for such a family as he has blessed me with, and what ought I not be willing to endure in this life if only I can be found worthy to enjoy the society of my loved ones through all eternity? I have plenty of time for reflection here and I often think over my past life, my boy-hood, the temptations that surrounded me, the opportunities, inducements to go wrong, then my own natural weakness. When I think of all these things my heart oveflows with gratitude to God that the Gospel came to me in my youth, for its influence alone has saved me and made me what I am, poor as that may be, and when I think of all the blessings that have come to me in the Gospel, how thankful I am, and how trifling the trials that come to us. What are the punishments man can inflict? Taking from us our political rights, or means, our liberty or even our life, how paltry and trifling it all looks. Our bretheren confined in this "Pen" are as happy a lot of men as you will find anywhere. I have hardly heard a regret expressed except it has been for wives or children (fearing they may not be properly provided for) yet no defiant bumbast, but a calm willingness to endure, realizing the reward that lies ahead.

We have had quite an increase to our numbers the past few days. I understand you, Lizzie, met the bretheren from our Stake at the Depot, so you know who they are. Have you heard, by any means, why S. Linton of Nephi is not here? Poor Josiah Gibbs backed water, I understand. Bumbast and Wind doesn't help a person much when it comes to the pinch, if a person hasn't the root of the matter in them, they must fall sooner or later. Poor Josiah! Now he must labor hard to make himself and others believe that he has not gone back. I fear he will have poor satisfaction in it though.

I expected time would drag very heavily on my hands here, but I have not found it so yet. I hardly get time to do what I want to do - - cannot read as much as I want to nor see so many of the bretheren as I want to. So far, the time has passed away quite pleasantly. It will be a little more dull from now on than it has been as I shall not now be expecting any of you here to visit for a very long time, but the last time you were here, after we came out from dinner, while you were waiting for the train, to be within a few feet of you so long, to have so much I wanted to say to you and not be able to speak one word to you, was the hardest trial I have experienced in a very long time, but such is life (in the Pen).

I trust you Lizzie and Susie reached home safely. How did you get home from Juab? Hope you found all well at home. The bretheren here are all well except some little cold. The weather is quite blustery and windy today but we have the boiler completed now, and are heated up with steam so we will not suffer from the cold no matter how cold it may get.

You must all of you write to me as often as you can. We may receive ever so many letters but can only send one each week, so I will have to send one general letter to you all, this will be quite unsatisfactory to you all and to me but is about the best we can do. But I cannot write to any of you as I could under other circumstances. You must imagine, and take for granted, a great deal and wherein my letters differ from those you have here-to-fore received from me, you will know the reason of the change and must supply the deficiency. Be assured of my constant love and affection for you all. Bars and bolts cannot change that.

May God bless and comfort you all and preserve you all in health and peace till we meet again.

As ever your affectionate Husband and Father

Thos. Yates

Note: We find the following in the DUP Books, "Our Pioneer Heritage"

Vol.10 - from the Journal of Joseph Smith Black discussing those who had been sent to the Penitentiary.

Page 304 -"Bishop Yates of Scipio and Paxton of Kanosh got ten months and costs each."

"A man by the name of J. F. Gibbs had accompanied me from Deseret and was to have been sentenced the same afternoon. I kept watch to see him coming, but after a while was informed that he had unconditionally agreed to obey the law and abandon one of his families" This, no doubt, is the "poor Josiah Gibbs" referred to in Thos. Yates above letter.

Page 306 - "We arrived at the depot of Salt Lake at 6:30 p.m. It was beginning to get dark. I met on the platform SISTER YATES, who had been to the penitentiary to see her husband. She greeted us kindly and bid us be of good cheer."