Ashley Uintah Co Mar 7, 1882

Dear Par Bros & Sisters:

I will write a few lines in answer to yours of Feb 25^th was glad to hear that all was as well as they are. I was glad to get a letter from John I was rather surprised when I seen his writing to see how he had improved in both writing & spelling & also in the way that he composed it if he could keep on going to school until Mifs Larson quits it would be a good thing for him for he has got a good start. All are well here & I hope when this reaches you that the children will be better of their cough’s. Mrs Merkleys children are getting better. Petersons are … well. Willie Oaks is sick but I think he will soon be better. Clara Campbell has had another bad spell she is bothered with a tape worm & it makes her have fits they took her to the Post to the doctor & he gave her medicine she took one dose & because it made her sick she wont take any more they have 25 ft that has come from her & lots of small pieces. I expect you have heard of the soldiers going to have their quarters here. Some of the officers was up the other day & surveyed the ground for the post the nearest corner is just 2 miles from here they are going to build their buildings of rock (so I have heard) for they are to be permanent buildings, for my part I would rather they would stay where they are but I don’t think they will bother us their quarters are to be above the grist mill.

John you wanted to know how large the boys are I can not tell you their height but Chris is very near as tall as George his weight is 148 lbs. & Charley weight 102 lbs my weight is 135 lbs. You may tell the little girls that Bess is well we have sport with her over Lorenzo there was a boy by the name of Ben Darling came there Friday night & he set there then he got up (in about an our) & went out with out saying anything Mr. Merk sent Charley out to see what he wanted he said he had come for a partner but would not have any only that little one he brought a horse to take her on he is 14 years old but he is simple he has a brother about like as tall Charley Glines & he goes with a girl the same size of Kate Peterson only she is 2 years younger. Dave Bingham & Harriett Perry got married about 3 weeks ago they live up Dry Fork Mart & Abby was to the wedding they had a good time. George Glines took Ella home Sunday horse back when they left Oaks Charley G. was here & he hollowed good. Ella goes with Will McCarl Rhoda with Bob Reynolds. We have had a March wind here for 2 or 3 days right from the North & froze the ground hard but it is still this morning & the sun shinning bright there was a little plowing done in the valley last week but they cant plow now for it is froz to hard. Tell Grandma if she keeps getting younger that she might take wings & come & visit us. The boys killed the pig last week her weight was 367 lbs. Mr. Merkley has quit the store Kirg is tending it they sell lots of stuff in this valley Mr. Merkley says he has been in lots of good places for making money but he never seen one to compare with this (for a store) the coop store has sold over a ton of candy alone since it started & it hasent been started over 3 months & I expect the others have sold just as much that is candy alone I would like to see all kiss Caroline for me I long to see her but will have to be content until after high water & it will be late when it goes down. George says I may go the first chance there is for me to go. we have good meetings here. Mr. Clark told the people here two years ago that the soldiers would be up here & named the place of their quarters he said he had a vision George says he never seen anything like it he heard Clark tell it & he says he told it as near their location as he could now I have seen more of the Lords doings since I came here than I ever did you have to stand up for your rights or no body will do it for you Mother have the boys read good books & also the girls for when they have time for it wont do them any harm but good, I will have to quit give my love to all my friends if I have any I think about home a great deal I would like to run in once & a while it is dinner time does Grandma stay alone yet good by I remain your son daughter Bro & sister.

George & Phebe Merkley

P.S. Harriett if you can get a nice tidy patern & send to me I would like it for I cannot get any here that is fit for a chair back but if you cant get any I will do the best I can maby Becky has some

George is digging seller today the other boys are after wood.