The people would go over there with whisky and trade it to the soldiers for clothes, pistols, and one thing and another and get them for nothing almost. They would get a good overcoat for about two dollars worth of whisky and they would get a revolver for about the same, and then the soldiers would tell the officers that they had lost them, so they would get another, and their clothes the same. There was a great many deserted and they would send an officer and about a dozen men after them, and perhaps about four or five would return out of the thirteen, and so it went on till their army was not near so strong as it had been.

They had a great sale over at Camp Floyd; they advertised the sale of mules and wagons, harness, saddles and they were to be sold at auction and were to be knocked down to the highest bidder, and some got splendid mules for sixty dollars a span; the wagons were priced at thirty dollars each and any one could get one for that amount. The wagons cost in the States eighty five dollars each at wholesale price, so they did not make much on that speculation. The mules would cost at least one hundred dollars a head and their harness was almost given away for you could get them for three dollars a set. They were good harness, but had but one line, and if any one would purchase a whole team they would throw in the harness, stretchers, double trees, fifth chains and give them in for nothing, so that you could get a wagon, three span of mules, harness and everything for two hundred and ten dollars, about the worth of one span of mules, but they were short of money and had to have it for to pay the soldiers.

They made quite a fine place over there, but it was like going into hell at once for the whoredom and murder and profane language was fearful. I never troubled them myself, but there were several went from this ward, which I was very sorry to see, for when they were here they seemed to be pretty good Saints but when they went over there they drank in the spirit that was there and they soon went by the board.

Now there was a call from the United States for some of the army to go this way and some of them to go that way, and one part went to Mexico and they came up Spanish Fork Canyon and go up the Spanish trail. Now, they had to make a road all the way after they got up to the forks of the Canyon. They made a road so as they could pass over, but no road to stand. Now, by making a road about seven or eight miles it would take you to Sanpete in half the time that it would take the other way. There is a creek that runs down into the right hand fork and by making a road up there it will save the folks one day's drive from Sanpete. I think that the road will be put through some time or other, there was only enough soldiers left to take care of the barracks and to be on hand if the Indians went to making any fuss. During this time John W. Berry was sent to England on a mission and he had returned after he had been gone two years.

I have had the palpitation of the heart very bad lately and I do not have the health that I used to have. I feel myself gradually wasting away. I have to lay up some times I am so sick and my mind is so full that I cannot attend to my duties, and I have to put my councilors to work and do what I cannot do myself.

My daughter, Charity, obtained a bill of divorcement from her husband, Mr Wallas. He had taken her to California and had not used her altogether right so she would not live with him any longer for instead of his coming back as he represented to me, he stayed there and did not sell out or make any preparation to come at all. She is living with my daughter, Phebe. She has let her have one of her rooms.

My daughter, Elizabeth, also obtained a divorce from George Wilkins. She and the first wife could not agree at all with one another and she thought that they were better apart.

Brother George A Smith and Ezra T Benson came down to Spanish Fork City and they put John w. Berry in president over the branch and that relieved me of the labor that I had to do before. I went down to the city and the first day I was taken sick and spit blood and I have not been well since and have been confined to my bed off and on since that time. Now, I am getting worse all the time. I fear that I have seen my best days, but I can say that I have done my best to help to roll forth the Kingdom of God. I have seen and been through many trials and close places, and my family have suffered from want, and I have always felt to give God praise for all things which came unto us for our good.

And I can bear my testimony to this work. I know that it is the Kingdom of God for the Lord has blessed me with the knowledge there of. I have seen the sick healed under the power of the Priesthood, and I have seen the power of God displayed in many places. And I have always felt to do my best in all things that I have had to do. And my prayer is that all of us who are in the Kingdom of God may be led to do what is right in the sight of God at all times, is the prayer of your humble servant. Amen.

John Lowe Butler
[John Lowe Butler died 10 April 1861 at Spanish Fork, Utah.]