GHBH Letter to his Father – Vol 3
Transcribed and prepared by Scott Hinckley, August 2020 (original Spelling)
George Henry Burraston Harris
Vol 3
Salem /ur Rexburg, B. Co. Idaho Jan 26th /86
Dear Father: I take pleasure in talking to U with the pen, by the way we receivd Ur last in due season & was glad U was wel. We hope this may find U stil enjoying good health. We ar al wel. Geo U was 6 mo. old on the 23rd inst & weighd 20 lb in his night gown. He is as purty as a picture & sweeter than sugar U kno & 2 ft 2 from his top to his toe. The old Grandmother brought Cyrus & Mary a bouncing baby boy today 8 ½ lbs & al doing wel, so said Cy. The weather here is lovely for the time of year. Boss, the 2 yr old steer & crop ar running at large yet. Rolla & Jim ar expecting to start S. in a few days so I am feeding Dol a little grain that she may stand it thro & after too. I hav been helping Cy with his house building & store pay comes in quite handy. We kild a nice little shoat this New Years. Ar keeping the femail over & expect an increase in April & the old cow in March, so beter times a coming this way if al is wel, but weve no room to grumble so far, but rather a cause to rejoice & feel glad for the blessings weve enjoyd for present circumstances &c. The Salem Gender ar graduly increasing in no. during the past 2 mo we hav receivd by recommend as members about a dozen with others not of age to be babtized. On the 16tyh of Nov last I was cald to rebabtise 10 & babtize 2 al of the same family, Wards by name. We hav fine slaying here now. I hav 4 nice crooks to make me a pair of bobs. We hav a blacksmith in Salem. The only man on the townsite & he is getting customers from other towns so we feel proud of our B.S. Cyrus sais U ar scarce of coal. Father I wish U had wood as handy as we hav it. Then U woud not need coal. Jim, Rolla, Sarah, Janey & Albert were here yesterday visiting & out for a sla-ride. Wel I think il cast the anchor by saying that Bally & Curly ar both wel. Luv, by the pen from al. Ur Afect Son Geo H. B. Harris.
Salem Mar 11 /86 Dear Father: In answer to Ur last, Am glad to learn of Ur welfare. We ar al enjoying good health. Hav just recovered from bad colds. Was glad James ar safe, hope he is making true luv to some fair dark eyed Susan, Mary or Annie or some other name that I’ve forgotten, since we left P.G. No doubt U hav put most of Ur small grain in. About a week ago we expected to start plowing, but their came a blustering snow storm & we find we hav snow enough to last us perhaps 2 weeks yet. It has been blowing a steady gale al day & piling the snow on the north sides of any thang that woud shelter it. The Pres’d of our Hy Priest Quorum requests that the H.P. of this “The Banc’k Stake” hand in their Genealogies that they may be recorded in a Stake capacity. If U wil send mine as soon as convenient I’l be pleasd. Once for the information & once for having it recorded in proper shape. I expect to go off this sum’er if I can raise some money to send Victoria & GV down to P.G. at conference time. Money, I must hav some & I believe I hav a little of the old grit left yet. I went to the Pres’d of the Stake & he thot he woud hav to go off some where too. So I wil try & keep my credit good, if I hav good luck this sumer. Shal try & put in some grain before I go. So that next winter may not catch us without bread stuf. If U or James should se any one wishing to take a trip up in this country I think Victoria can save them ½ fare at least, as return tickets ar generally some less, than gen fare, so keep Ur eyes open. Am sory to say we hav 4 cases of dipthera in our Ward, 2 litle girls in each of 2 families. One family lives right between Cyrus’s & me, & the other is 3 m north. The oldest cases ar recovering. 1 death occurd of that dreadful malady in one of our adjoining settlements last week. Hav been tending baby today, while Mamy irons &c. O! I must tel U we hav a new post master, Jim knows him Mr. Dye. Cy & I went to get some mail he lookd it over & said “No Sir” so we went off. We wont be 2 hard on the fellow as it was his 1st day & the boys made a raid on him, al at once. They woud come out & say there is leters for a large emigration today, for his way of reading the names were not familiar to any of us, so as some talk was going on out comes a boy & said “Thers a leter in there for Bishop Hanson”, so I thought I must be that Danishman, so I walk in & askd for the Danish Bishop & by wel watching & knowing Ur plan hand writing I got the “Chicago Times” . Please excuse this page of folly & good night with luv by al to al. Ur affect Son G.H.B. Harris.
Salem Bingham Co. Apr 14th /86 Dear Father. Hav had a subpoena servd on me by the constable of this county to appear forthwith before the 3rd Jud. Court of the Ter of Utah (at Provo). I don’t know what for, but I may see U any time. I think they must be scarce of witnesses. Luv to al Geo H B Harris. (He made the trip and he and his wife had Patriarchal Blessings on Apr 21st 1886. His father was a scribe for them and they will be added at the end of the letters.)
Smoky Alturas Co Idaho June 5 /86 Dear Father, I hav been think to write U for some time past. With pleasure I can say I am wel & hope U ar wel. Times ar dul here just now. But U know Mining camps ar generally up & down as the wind raises & fals. Shorland & I ar burning a pit of charcoal of from 3 to 500 Bushels at 15 cents pr bu. Provisions ar very high here in price as wel as altitude. But’er 1$ a rol, flour 5$ a sk & slim chances for laborers to get a job. We hav been here about 3 wks & hav just about cleard expenses & that is beter than some has done. The roads here ar very wet yet, considerable snow lays in the gulches. If times don’t get beter for us soon, I think we wil pul out for some other part. I am quite lonsom without the news paper. We only get mail here by sending some one to Haily after it. The weather is & has been fine from the time we left home. The gras is fine here my horses ar in a herd at the rate of $150 pr month pr head. Wel father news is scarce as times ar dul. I hope Ur crops ar good. I should like to see U al. wil close with luv. From Ur Afectionate Son GHB Harris. P.S. please adres’ GHB. H Haily Idaho. (Hailey, Idaho is a town south of Sun Valley and was the location of several Gold Mines)
Silver Bel Mine Smokey Alturas Co. I-o July 29th /86 Dear Father. Urs of the 11th inst is at hand & pleasd was I to learn of Ur welfare &c. I am wel & hamering away as a roustabout Jak of all trades & master them al in my way, make me 30 days for July & 4 ½ for the horse at 1$ pr day. That looks beter to me than to be where I cant make any money & being continually getting dun’d on debts for machinery. I hav been unable to get steady work for my team so they ar taking a rest. I woud lik to ern enough this sumer, to get 2 again. Times may liven up that I may be able to get team work soon. It’s at 6 B.N (before noon) were al cald up. At 7 weve finished our tea. Then up to the shaft & down we go for to hamer the dril U se. then at 5m to 12 the Chinaman rings to cal us to mids so plain. Then at 6 oclock sharp were al cald in to quesl smot or super & sta in. we work every day, labor hard for our pay. Yes weve al we can possibly do. And when Wilcox comes round & looks on the ground he asks “how does go Asa Qu.” Wil enclose U a 5$ bil. The paper comes quite regular now. Thanks from Ur son George. With love write soon.
(No date or location) Dear Father, Ur ever welcome leter also the paper came safe to hand. I was pleasd to learn U was wel, & hope the brethren may be able to stand the preasure of the burden that may be placd upon them by their, ought to be friends instead of, foes. I am wel & hope U ar enjoying good health. Times hav been rather dul so far, but hav stil good hopes for the beter. I am getting good wages now single handed & plenty of hard work for it too. We ar in altitude 8000 ft. the gras & flowers ar beautiful al around, stock looks wel. I am gasing the Chinaman. He says Bisnes is dul in Utah he talks pretty good English. Shorland was working here but he quit & has gone to Haily with the team. Hav sold the crop eard horse for 50$ but hav not got the pay yet. Oh about Ward I think U ar about right, tho I wish him no harm I only feel sory for those that has to step to one side instead of facing the music. Hoping to hear from U again soon I am as ever, Ur affect. Son Geo. HB Harris.. P.S. please adres Silver Star Mine, Smoky Altura County Idaho. (His father’s last letter to him told of the round up of several polygamist friends by the constable)
Smokey Alturas Co. Sept 28th /86 Idaho. Dear Father. Ur leter of so long since came to hand & pleasd was I to learn of Ur welfare. I should hav answerd before, but hav been busy, either hunting Ur stock, or doing a little at it. I am working at the Carry Lenard mine for a few days. Shorland is also here. We ar both wel & hearty, Shorland is very fat. I hav been hauling hay of late, but my team is idle at present. Father I think U spoke of sending me some honey or fruit. If I wishd Thanks for the ofer, but I woud hav some to take home this wintr, if I can make ends meet, so as to get there. I am in debt, so that I hate to give up to go home, til I can setle up al round, tho if I am compeld, I shal go feeling that I hav done al I coud under the circumstances. I’l tel U father its getting so that a Mormon when known as such, has no busines hinting work around the mining camps. I had a letr or two forwarded to me from Rexburg adresd to Bishop Geo Harris & il tel U it spread & ive been refused work on act of it. But I thank my Heavenly Father I can pity them in their ignorance rather than feel revengeful toward them. I hapend to step in a store 1 day & heard a man of pretty high rank in their kind of society, make the remark U bet U don’t catch me befrending any religious character, or words to that effect. So to return the complement I voted for him as a candidate to county convention. By experiencing such it makes me feel more thankful to God for the blesings I enjoy. Wel father I hope to se U al before long & enjoy Ur society. I wil close with luv to al from Ur afectionate son Geo H B Harris.
Salem nr Rexburg B. C. I-o Nov 28th /86 Dear Father: Urs of the Farmers life came safe to hand just before I left John Shorland & Smokey. He was wel when I left, the letr found me wel & I am stilhearty & wel. Cyrus & family ar al wel. Him & I got here last night. We had quite a hard lug thro the sno. Jim had a good job thought he woud stop for another month. He was going to run a pair of bobs & I coud not run a wagon so Cy & I puld for home. I was pleasd to find a stack of hay, some wheat oats & potatoes at home. But there was some body missing so I came over to Cyes & shal stay til I send for my darling to come by rail, as there is 2 much snow & freez weather for to move in a wagon. If U can without stinting Ur self U may send us a little honey & some fruit 3 or 4 days ahead of Victoria, so that 1 trip to Market Lake wil do for both. Now fathr I don’t want U to go in debt, nor stint Ur self at al. I woud send U some money to buy us some fruit but money is so scarce with me & I am anxious to pay a little on my debt to Frank Odel & Co. if U can get us some, U may see Victoria & se if she has any choice. If it is al the same to U shal go to work fixing up the house right away, please excuse more as it is ½ past 12 PM & my feet ar wet & cold, so good night sleep tight this winter from, Ur affect Son Geo. H. Harris. P. S. I will pay the freight charges. (His father sent him 1 can of honey 63 lbs, dried peaches 69 lbs, Nectarines 52 lbs and 20$– 10 for him and 10 for Cyrus.)
Salem B. Co. I-o Dec 19th 1886. Dear Father, I am siting under the sound of our new $650 alarm & striking time piece, which just warned us 555 P M . Am also siting in front of our new French made transparent self seer price $250. Urs of the 6-7-8 inst came safe to hand in due time, so I made it convenient to be at Market Lake at 5 P M on the 14th where I found the fruit &c al awaiting my application, freight charges $480 for 310 lb of nearly $133 pr 100 lb. And many thanks for sending the same. U had beter just charge the same to me & oblidge til I can settle with U. After I had loaded the freight I awaited the Pas. Train which brought my darlings at 10:20 P M which causd my heart to swell with joy & gladnes took the place of egar hope & since weve reachd our long deserted home. The actions of our darling boy has tied the knot of love & affection, if possible, 10 fold more between his loving Pa & Ma, & tho the distance of 365 m stil intervenes between P. G. & our humble cabin & the cold breezes hav ful sway, yet an overflowing gratefulness bubles up, for the kind & generous actions of our parents. We ar al wel & hope this may find U enjoying the same blesings of health & prosperity. Shal devide the Honey and the fruit with Cy & Mary. A mery Xmas & a happy new year. From Ur af. Son & Daughter & g. Son pr Geo. H B Harris. P. S. Dec 21st, yesterday at 3:20 came to our house a grand surprise 8 team loads of Saints drove up to our West front, al armd with lots of picnic, to help to embellish the fervent greetings, of a welcome home. After feasting on the jokes, pies, cakes, pudens, rare for people in so wild a land, an invitation to a social ball was kindly accepted by Ur Son & Daughter, with our darling little boy. We joind in meryment by dancing & in song til midnight, then Bro Jos H Wilson arose & said Bro & Sister Harris We the members of Salem, got up this surprise with a feeling of kindness toward U & we hope U wil accept it as such. After which Vic & I arose & oferd our sinceer thanks to the saints for giving us such a happy surprise. We ar al wel with love to al. George.
Salem April 3rd 87 Dear Father: Urs of the 18th ult. Caling for a long leter, in answer to 2 of Urs &c was thankfully receivd in due time. I am glad U ar wel, also that the Sandgreens ar wel. We ar al wel in health & cheerful in spirits. Spring has come at last. I hav been in the sno for the last 6 months. Seed grain is scarce with the people here generally. The people hav fed out considerable here to hornd stock as wel as horses owing to the severe & long winter, and scarcity of hay, owing to the dry season last sumer. My lucern hav been very backward about coming forward. 3 loads is the total for last year, of which I fed the last this morning. The gras is getting good now, so with a little hay from Cy we can put in our crop. Shal put grain in on Cy’s place, to save his looking after 2 places. I e xpect to go off agin this sumer, to se if I can square off a few of my obligations. I think times may be pretty good for laborers this season. Rolla is a boarder here now, expects to stay with us al sumer. He has contracted to fence Jim’s land, for a share in the same, also in the land. He has been diging post holes the last 2 weeks & is doing very wel. He is also fencing Homan’s land for a team harnes & wagon. Jim has made the bargain & Rolla does the work. Jim buys the wire & pays Rollas board, 2$ pr wk. so Rolla does the work & has to take the team & get posts & poles for the top & slap her up. I get ¼ of my land fencd in the bargain, so I shal furnish 160 posts & 160 poles & help put that much fence up. Water ditching &c hav begun with the people of Salem. On the 28th Ult I was cald upon to perform a marriage ceremony between one John R. Barber & Mis Emily Anderson. The bus. Was new to me, but I put my thinking cap on & went to work & fild 1 side of a sheet of foolscap with original questions & pronounciations for the occasion & at 7 PM in presence of many invited guests & 2 witnesses at the resident of Bro Hogan Anderson of Salem I pronounced the weld of matrimony upon the Bride & the Groom until death doeth them depart after which ceremony we sat up to a long string of tables & pertook freely of a nice variety of edibles & home made beer. Then we dancd away the hours of 9 to 11 & part of 12 til we thot it wisdom to comply as near as practable with the general instruction as published in an issue of the D. New Feb 22-87 by dismissing the assembly. Oh I forgot to say I took the fee that the Law alowd me which was 5$ so of course I was High Muk e muk. And after the ceremony I read paragraphs from the Doctrine & Covenants wherein it say “Al contracts, vows &c that ar not seald by the Holy Spirit of God & that 2 by the 1 apointed to that office hav an end when men ar dead. (See image of marriage certificate below)
Wel father no doubt U woud be pleasd to kno I got a leter from J. W. S. a short time ago. He was wel, he was at Smokey yet & in good health. I was very sory to learn by Cyrus that Rhoda had lost their little Boy. James has been home on a visit & has returnd & took Bernice with him. Cyrus was saying that U woud sel out & move up here. I should be very pleasd to se U wel located here, in 1 sence of the word, but U know these new countries ar pretty tuf for the 1 few years. I kno U coud be a big help to me, as wel as the rest of the boys, but I should not like to se U on a worse place than U hav got now, tho I should be pleasd to se U here with us before long. Cy ar on the 13 & I think U done wel for him. I am glad to se him hav a good team once more & I think he wil do wel from now on. They ar al wel Cyrus & I expect to start putting in grain tomorrow or the next day. The popular shrubs that I brought up last spring, grew spontaneously last sumer, but the hares ate them off in the winter. Cy kild 1 nice large one & 5 litle ones, with one shot from his new gun. We ar tormented here just now with the blased wood ticks. G. V. is just learning to talk & he says many words very plain. We had a heavy wind here yesterday & blu some shingles off several houses in Rexburg. Please excuse bad writing, poor speling & indifferent composition &c. Closd with love to U & al by us al. Ur affect Son G.H.B. Harris.
Era Alturas Co. Idaho June 5th 87 Dear Father: Sunday affords an opportunity to write U a few lines, that I hav been owing U so long. We ar al wel at Era. Times ar very dul, just now for the most of us. Rumer has it that the Co. has bonded their property to a Philadelphia company & it seems that the times is past on the 1st inst that their should hav been a settlement between the 2 companies regarding the bonds. I understand that the 2 companies ar at it now, so I think it may be another month before times wil be much beter for anything except Ore hauling. We hav been here 1 month & I hav done but little, hardly enough to defray expenses. The mil has shut down for a few days to clean up. A large rain fel here yesterday & I got a soaking. Bernice brok down on the 1st & so I took him up at his offer to let me haul ore til James & Frau returns, he gives me 1$ pr ton. I hauld 5 tons in 2 loads yesterday. If times liven up as I think most likely they wil, I think Jim wil need some help to keep them in Ore. I put in some crop before we left home. Cy has got it on shares, he says it looks wel. We expect Jim bak on or before the 15th with his dear Mary Ann. Victoria wil turn the contract of cooking over to her when she arrives. We brought our stove & dishes with us so we ar at home wherever we go. I shal try to get out of debt before I return to Salem. Wel Father news is scarce as dul times prevail. So I wil close with luv to al. from Ur son George.
Era Alturas Co. Idaho 17 July 87 Dear Father: it seems that I am most always owing U a leter. Ur last to us was thankful receivd & carefully perused while the simplicity of Ur original expressions, causes the human mind to come down in deep meditation & thanksgiving to Natur’s God for the intellectual powers thro inspiration granted unto us. In speaking of productions, we expect to raise as fine a crop this season as can be raisd in any Ter. Some seed sown in Mid-winter from al outward apearances is doing wel. Cy says our wheat looks wel. Our cow does wel, we get lots of milk & eggs by the dozen, when we find a new nest. I am hauling slabs at the present time at 3$ a cord 1 ½ cords to the trip. 1 ½ trips to the day pay $3.25 pr cut for oak. Blk smithing very high. If U se James B any more at Provo, please console him the best U can & just as soon as circumstances wil permit I wil remit to him the value of the best horse I hav ap present. We ar al wel & hope U ar the same. Al join in the lov to U from Ur affect Son George Harris.
Salem B. Co. I-o 2 Oct 87 Dear Father: As a few spare momets of this Sund. Eve brings forth the fact to mind that U ar ahead 1 leter to us at Era, so I wil say we were glad to hear from U & hope that this may reach U as it leaves us, in good spirit & in good health. A week this morning there came to light at our house a fine daughter weight 9 ½ lb & just the picture of its pa, so U may kno she is pretty. Her name we hav not selected, nor has any one suggested. But suppose U try us 1. We hav been home nearly a month, good crops ar being realized here this season. Salem & Parker wards hav raisd Sugar cane & made 300 gals of molasses of the best quality. Lucern crops 1st rate this reason. Our private interest seems to be prosperous in Salem. Public interest slak. Our semi weekly informd us that the Harris Bonds in the Sandgreen case were declard forfeited, how has it turned out? We also learnd Sandgreen gets sentence on the 13th inst. I fancy it must hav been a mistake about those bonds having to be forfeited as we had no notification regarding the case but perhaps that wil open their eyes a little. We the Banok Stake ar sending our 2 missionaries this fal so it makes us rusle for cash to give them a send off. But we hav consolation in doing as we kno its for a righteous cause. Wel father with love to al the Sandgreens & Urself. From ur affect son & family George.
