Letter from James Ephraim Steele, 6 January 1898 [LE-40839]

Jan 6^" 8 Pres. Wilford Woodruff - Salt Lake City. Dear Brs.

We are in rec't of a letter this date from Elder Ben. E Rich of your city, Setting forth your ideas as to the discussion we wrote you this date Nov 29 " 1897. On acc't of your reply Dec. 5 " We wrote Bro Fielstat and Allred of the Riverside Ward, stating if it was possible to evade the discussion with the Josephite Elders, to do so. And we enclosed your letter that they could acertain your opinion in regard to same. On Rec't of their letter sent Dec 20 " we wrote Elder - Ben E' Rich of Rexburg to come over and help in this discussion. And he wrote Elder Emuel Bauchanan to assist. We herewith enclose your

W. W. con'td #2

of Dec 5 " 97 " Elders, Fjelsted's and Allreds of Dec 20 " Also Ben E Rich's of Jan 4" 1898 " This for the reason of the letter of Ben E Rich stating that your mind was positur against the discussion taking place We trust that this correspondence will place us in the proper light before you brethren as we do not care to assume any responsibility, only that which is right and proper for us to assume. We will be very pleased to have a final decision from you. And if possible for same to be mailed Friday that we may receive same Saturday morning as the discussion was to start Sunday 10 a.m. If your opinion is under the circumstances that the discussion take place, We will be very pleased to have Elder Rich there to assist them, or any other Brother

W. W. Cont'd #3 Jany 8

that you may suggest. We are located 35 miles from where the discussion is to take place. And your reply should be mailed to come North by [illegible] mail that we may [illegible]same in time. We Are Recy tively Your Brethren James E. Steele R. L.[ Bylin]

P. S. Kindly return with your reply the three Enclosures