Joseph F. Smith Letterpress Copy Book: May 1890
    May 5, 1890    
  My Dear Friend Tobias   Tobias: code name of Isaac Trumbo
Bullion Beck arbitration

Alonzo Hyde settlement proposal		   [Regarding the arbitration of the Bullion Beck case. Alonzo Hyde] was going to write Mr. B. offering to surrender the 3,000 shares of stock to him, without arbitration, provided he (Mr. B.) would allow the trustees to offer the same for sale, by order of the probate court, and Mr. B. would not cause the same to be bid upon to run up the price. I am suspicious of some kind of sharp practice in this maneuvor but you and Mr. B. must be the judges …   For Bullion Beck background, see "Alienation," 68-74,

Alonzo Hyde (1848–1910), manager of the Bullion, Beck, and Mining Company, was the sixth child of apostle Orson Hyde and Marinda Johnson.
Meeting with Moses Thatcher

California company option		   … Moses [Thatcher] and I met. He was very careful to explain to me the conditions of the agreement, and laid much stress on "taking into consideration all the circumstances" &c. &c. which he interpreted to mean that inasmuch as the California company had held an option on the stock for a long time at $4 a share, and did not even take it at that figure, therefore it was fair to conclude that the California company did not think the stock was worth so much, or at least no more, and that should be the value of the stock in escrow.  
  I held that they (California company) had not taken the option out of consideration for the B. B. & C. company and not because the stock was undervalued. That the mine had become more valuable, that it was paying 25% on a mill, and even more, and therefore the stock had risen in value and was now worth at least $15. Here we stuck and had a good deal of talk.    
Moses: hopeless   Moses concluded that to come to an agreement was hopeless and said he would not act in the matter.    
Cannot agree on arbitrator   [They talk again the next day with no results.] We discussed the third party, he suggesting H. S. Young, Bishop W. B. Preston, Lu Hills, or LeGrand Young, neither of whom exactly suited me. I named John R. Winder, Francis Armstrong, or F. S. Richards, neither of whom seemed to strike him favorably and here we parted.    
John W. Taylor enlisted   Two days later I received a note from him saying he would not act any further in the matter. I sent for John W. Taylor and urged him to immediately turn over the stock to Mr. B. After a thorough discussion of the matter he was convinced that it was the best and only thing for the trustees to do, and assured me his brother George J. would view it in the same light. He waited upon George J. and won him to the same conclusion and called again.    
Opposition from Hyde   I then urged him to see Hyde and fix the matter up at once, but Hyde "kicked," and they could not manage him.

Then Hyde and Taylor called on me and I had a long, hard tussel with the former, the latter feebly seconding my conclusions and counsels, but to no purpose. In this interview it appeared that Hyde expected to get the stock at a nominal figure "taking into consideration all the circumstances" &c. 		   
Hyde: arbitrator determines—everything considered   He denied that it was the business of the arbitration to determine the value of the stock, and asserted that their business was solely to ascertain what the trustees or heirs "ought to be required to pay for it under ‘all' the circumstances" &c. &c.    
Joseph F.: arbitrator determines market value   Well, there was a long tale to this cat and Hyde kept rubbing the fur the wrong way. I simply took the ground that the sole object of the arbitrator was to determine the value of the stock—nothing more nor less—and that to reach a just conclusion I should insist that the stock in question, or or a like amount, should be thrown on the market to be sold to the highest bidder. Then we would know what the trustees would have to pay for it.    
Hyde, Taylor don't trust partners   They jumped to the conclusion that some of you would feel interested in running it up to the highest figure, and they concluded they were bound to "get left."    
Hyde's choice of arbitrators   On the strength of this idea I sent you my first telegram, asking if you would give $10 and if so for how many shares? Hyde deprecated the selection of myself as an arbitrator—said he wanted Tom Marshall, and asked if I would act with him. I replied Yes, provided he would meet me in California.    
Hyde: Joseph F. should resign

Bishop Preston refuses to arbitrate 		  Hyde thought the proper thing for me to do was to resign, since Moses had done so, but I had no intention of doing so. He proposed Bp. W. B. Preston to act in Moses' place. I accepted so far as I was concerned, but the bishop would not act.    
  Now comes the proposition from Hyde to Mr. B to surrender the stock provided he will allow the trustees to sell the same at private sale and he (B) not bid on it. If there is no gentleman of color in this woodpile I miss my guess.    
  Conrad left here yesterday morning. Willard is at Logan.    
  Yours truly,

Solomon 		   
  May 5, 1890    
  L. John Nuttall, Washington    
Republican anti-Mormon measures

Fight to the last ditch		   It looks very much like the Republicans intend to put the screws to all "Mormons" alike. Still it is our destiny to fight for liberty and for the rights of men, and I am in favor of fighting to last ditch and then leave the results with the Almighty.    
Organizing petitions   We are taking steps to get signatures of legal voters to a remonstrance to the passage of the Struble, Cullom and Stewart measures, which will be forwarded to our delegate as soon as possible. [Writing businessmen to oppose the bills.] …    
Arthur Brown now opposes Republican bills

Agencies among the Democrats		   We have Arthur Brown at work among his friends, he having become of the wrongfulness of those measures. We have agencies at work among the Democrats and we are doing all we can. …  
New bank subscribers   I think you will not regret investing in the New Bank. A list of the stockholders or subscribers to stock was published this evening.  

Jennings, Sharp block ZCMI from issuing more stock

ZCMI needs capital

   ZMCI did not increase her capital stock because the Jennings, Sharps, and a few others combined against it. Our proposition was to value the present stock at its really worth, and issue 250,000 additional stock to be sold at the same figures, thus furnishing some ready money to carry on the business. The money is needed to meet the increasing demands of the business but the heavy stock holders, some of them, having their means invested otherwise, could not invest in more stock, and so they opposed it. A little new capital or "new blood," I think would help the institution.  
John W. Young's payments on $130,000 loan

Forest Farm sale		   We (the bank) have sold the Forest Farm and realized some $50,000 on John W. Young's account. He has also paid $20,000 within a few days and will pay us $10,000 more on his railway bonds and he will also give us security on real estate for $15,000 more. This will bring down his indebtedness to the bank to $55,000. Only a month ago he was owing us $130,000 with interest.  
John W. Young's land in Mexico tied to Church land

John W. en route to Europe		   The church advanced to John W. $15,830 to make his last payment on his Mexican land purchase, so that he could secure his title. So far as we know the question of title is practically settled. We were in a measure compelled to make this last loan to insure the safety of the land we had already purchased and paid for of John W. through Willie Johnson. John is now on his way to England and Paris to negotiate his railroad bonds.  
Train running to Park City   The train is running to Park City and will soon begin to earn something.  
Savings Bank capitalization   As you know we have concluded to increase the capital stock of the Savings Bank to $200,000 with a reserve or surplus of $200,000. That is, the new subscribers will have to pay $2 for $1 represented by stock certificates. That will make the bank strong.  
  May 10, 1890  
  H. S. Palmer, Freemont, Piute county  
"God hateth putting away"a family

None counseled to forsake a family		   Your letter of the 4th inst. is duly received asking counsel upon putting away your first family in order to live within the law. In answer we will say that "God hateth putting away," and never at any time has the president of this church advised, counseled or consented to any such thing. If anyone has done so, we are not aware of it.  
    All men should be true to their families and to God, unto death, and seek to be good citizens, obeying the law so far as it is in their power, consistent with their natural rights and duties before God and man. Be true to yourself, to your family, to your God, and do the best you can rather than put away your wife.  
Live alone and support both families   Live alone and look after your children and family as God may give you ability, wisdom and strength. The law will not interfere with you in that event, nor if you live with your first family and look after and take care of the welfare of the other. Yet it would seem more just to live apart from both than to abandon either or be separated by divorce.  
Preserve family ties   This is a confidential matter and our counsel should be kept to yourself and family and be held sacred. We desire to shield our people from the afflictions of the law, and also from the more dreadful consequences of disrupting family ties and kindred friendships and unity.  
  Praying God to bless you, we are your brethren,

Wilford Woodruff
Joseph F. Smith 		 
  May 19, 1890    
  Albert W. Davis   Albert W. Davis (1841–1928) was Joseph F. Smith's son-in-law
Hawaiian visitors arriving   We have just received a telegram from William King saying he and 27 natives "would arrive by Denver and Rio Grande railway tomorrow 10 a.m."  
  Jason Mack [Joseph F. Smith]  
  May 19, 1890  
Courts determined to rob the Saints   The decision of the Supreme Court rendered today, confirming the action of the lower court in confiscating our property, is another proof of the corruption, ignorance and vindictiveness of the Judicial arm of the government, and that they are all bent on robbing and dispoiling the Saints.   The Supreme Court upheld sections of the Edmunds-Tucker act escheating church property.

On the same day,, the Cullom bill providing for the disfranchisement of monogamous, as well as polygamous Mormons passed the Senate Committee on Territories.
Preparing their own destruction But they are pronouncing judgment upon their own heads are sapping the foundations of the government, preparatory to their own destruction. They little know what a rod they are preparing for their own backs or how swiftly a righteous judgment is approaching to overtake them.
Be patient But "judgment is mine," saith God, "and I will repay," and we have only to hold fast to the "rod" and await the outcome.
God at the helm, I am bright and cheerful I have no more fear of the future than I had in my youth. I am more and more confirmed in my convictions of the truth. My testimony is unfaltering, my spirit is buoyant and my hopes bright and cheerful. God is at the helm. It is his work, he will perfect it, and those who endure will see …
    May 21, 1890    
    Susa Y. Gates    
Don't use Brigham speech about political kingdom   [President Woodruff and I think] that it would be impolitic to publish, under existing circumstances, that portion of the remarks in reference to "a political kingdom" &c. [of a Brigham Young address]. It was from such expressions that Judge Anderson based his decision, in the Moor naturalization case upon, against the naturalization of "Mormons," and upon that decision the Supreme Court of the U.S., it is believed, based their decision confirming the action of the lower court in confiscating our property.    
Don't pluck the eagle's feathers   While we are under the claws of the "Great American Eagle" there is no use of teasing it by plucking its feathers. Even the truth should not be told at all times; and especially when silence is all that is required. …    
Don't kick the lion   The policy now is, and it is a reasonable one, to pass by the sleeping lion, if we can, without kicking him.    
Hawaiian visitors   [Lists 27 Hawaiians who arrived yesterday with William King.] I had a short visit with most of them last evening … Bro H. H. Cluff is expected to arrive here this evening and will send the new comers over to the colony.

"Jason"		   "Jason Mack" was a name Joseph F. assumed for the underground.
  May 26, 1890  
Seal couple to Joseph Smith   [Authorizes James and Elizabeth Busso of Summit county, to be "sealed" (adopted) to Joseph Smith.]  
  May 26, 1890  
  Susa Y. Gates  
  President W. has just retired and the doctor, and I are here alone. He is enjoying puck, while I drop you a few lines in answer to yours. …   Wilford Woodruff's Journal 9:93 indicates they spent the night in the Logan temple.
Visiting Hawaiians

Iosepa

George Q. Cannon out of town		   [The Hawaiians spent Sunday here, went to the colony today and will return in about a week.] To visit to the [Iosepa] colony [of Hawaiian Saints in Skull Valley] is in contemplation. When it will come off I cannot say now, as President Cannon is absent and President Woodruff don't want to spare anybody else just now. I will let you know in time, provided I get timely knowledge myself of the proposed visit.   Susa and her husband had been on the underground with Joseph F. in Oahu during the 1880s and would have wanted to join the party.
Tribute to Mary Fielding Smith   My own mother is the standard, in my mind, of the purest womanly metal. She was the refined, pure gold of womanhood and motherhood—wise, intelligent, faithful, and indomitable. I have never met her equal in some respects. Her faith in God and the holy gospel was implicit, boundless, sublime. Her patience in trials, her unwavering fidelity to her husband's family through all the persecutions and drivings, her endurance in poverty and hardships, and her perfect integrity to every good word and work were beyond anything I have ever seen in womankind.  

¶ The Trials of Young Joseph F. Smith (2)

Susa Young Gates: Mary Fielding Smith
Aunts, wives of Joseph Smith

Their children		   For her sake alone I love her sex, and all the more those of them in whom I see many of her precious traits of character. Among these I could name many. I have seen not least of them were my beloved aunts, the wives of Joseph Smith, and some of their children.   Is the omission of his own wives significant?

Whose children?
  God bless forever the mothers and the daughters of Zion.

Yours truly,

J. F. Smith		  
  May 28, 1890  
  Charles W. Nibley  
  My dear brother Charlie:  
Unworthy   I am sure I am not deserving of all the love and kindness you express, and yet I wish I was, and, my beloved brother, I assure you, I will try to merit more of it than I do. … [Continues in the same vein.]  
Loves and trusts Nibley most   I will confess that I know no man on earth today who possesses more completely and fully my love and confidence than you do.  
Love of Nibley   I love you because I feel that you love the truth, because you seek to honor God and keep his law, because I believe you are firm and steadfast, because you love your family and are true to them in your heart, because you are intelligent, and valiant for the cause of human redemption, because you are my brother in Christ, and in holy bonds, because you are sympathetic and naturally kind.  
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