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m. 2 Jan 1856
Facts and Events
John Wilson Redd, written by Lura Redd John Wilson Redd went first to Arizona in about 1878, and his brother William A. went with him. They frieghted there sometimes together for about two years. During this time they often stayed at the home of their sister, Jane Spilsbury, in Mesa. There they also became acquainted with Brigham S. Young, grandson of the church leader, a brother Richards and others. Then they came home for Christmas. John went back in 1880 and William A. went for a time but didn't stay. John's work seems to have taken him into Mexico this time. He may have come home a second time because Aunt Alice remembered him and she wasn't born until 1879. It may be that Wm. stayed home when they came the second time. John L. Sevy told me he wanted to marry a Spanish Lady there but grandfather said 'No:' Grandfather said if he did he would disown him. John L. said he left Panguitch on horseback to go back to Mexico. Aunt Susie said he wrote his folks about this lovely senorita. John W. spent a winter at the B.Y.A. and taught a winter in New Harmony, probably before he and father went to Arizona. James W. Tanner, a classmate of John's at the B.Y.A. told me that John was the brainiest man he ever knew, not just smart but brainy. He asked me if the Raymond Redds were as smart as the Redds he used to know. I said, "Well, we think we are." Then he told Aunt Vilo that I said I was as smart as John Redd. They used to say that when they received notice of his death they all mourned him as dead, but they received a second announcement. One time he was killed on the railroad and the other time he was drowned (or vice versa). When the second word came, grandfather said, "John's not dead at all but wants us to think so. He's maybe afraid that the first notice didn't get to us so he sent a second one to make sure we knew." He may have identified others as himself his father thought. There have been a great many stories, reasons, and suppositions expressed about him, but no one is sure of it. The enclosed letter of William A. would indicate that they had gone back together, and William came home and left John down there. The following letters were taken from originals furnished by Alta Redd Winzenreid from her father's effects. They were copied with great difficulty, as some of the writing had faded with age.
I arrived in this place last evening, and as it is quite stormy thought I would lay over today. Happened to meet some of your friends (Horace Russell and family) who wished me to stop with them, and by whom I am treated very kindly; last night came ten miles in the rain & caught a slight cold, but of no consequence. Well I have had quite a lonesome trip, came all the way alone, averaged about 30 miles per day on the trip, I have enjoyed my trip (after reaching the settlements) for the greater part of the country is so interesting, especially after one has first come off such barren portion, as from Kanab to Sunset. Stopped with Mr. Thales Haskill at Sunset. Brigham, Sunset, St. Joseph and Woodruff (settlements on the little Colorado) seem to have about the same facilities as Kanarra, Cedar etc., for farming, stock raising etc. The people at which places all live in the order & seem contented with their lot. Up farther I visited Snowflake and Walker, which places together contain about eighty families, are situated about 8 miles apart (so far). Walker just suits one for a home & in time I think it will be one of the most thrifty little places in the country, situated about 7000 feet above the sea level and is surrounded by low rolling hills covered by scrub pine and cedar, the nature of the soil is very firtile & I saw some wheat (in the shock) & corn as nice as any I ever saw in Utah, (in any part). First frost this year (very light) on Sept. 22nd. The Black Forest lays west, about ten miles, at the edge of which is a saw mill, though of not much account. There are very paying inducements, for both a saw and grist mill, as the country sadly needs both. About three miles above Walker there is a nice place of about 100 acres for sale, it is at present owned by a Gentile (the only one left in the valley) he has his water rights secured & asks $1500.00 in stock for his quarter section. Concho has about the same facilities as W., only it is much smaller. The peoples' claims of land are not so expensive as I expected, ranging from 15 to 25 acres to the family. In time I think, this country will be far ahead of Southern Utah. To-morrow I start for St. John, about 18 miles distant, from there will either go to New Mexico or the Gila River to get employment & stay all winter. Will let you know as soon as I have decided. Well Mother I have had (so far) good health & felt well though rather thiner. Will come back home in the spring if possible. Can get $2.00 board per day on the R.R. out near N.M. will go there if nothing better turns up. Well if there is anything to be done in this country I am going to try & do something this winter. I will write you in a few days again I am not in a writing mood just now. I have seen and ate some of the finest watermelons since my arrival that I ever saw. Well give my love & regards to a11, As ever your loving son J.
Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico Aug. 12-1884 Dear Parents Though I have not had a letter from home since my arrival here, thought a line would not be amiss at all events to let you know I am still alive though not in the best of health the weather being so warm and wet now, although the worst is over with. I am now starting for the upper part of the River so I can be looking at the country while other business can not be carried on. Nothing can be done here during wet season until 1st of Oct. There is a general uneasiness in the country at present all the principal business houses here and all over Mexico are closed on account of a stamp tax imposed by the general Government. Every article is ordered to be stamped before sold. Still I think the trouble will blow over without serious results. Had a letter from whilst I was in Alamos. Am very sorry to hear of him being so badly disappointed. Sorry to break up his home & with such a big family be compelled to seek another one in a country where he cannot find conditions to suit him self. I hope this will find you all well & prospering. It is perfectly for one to want to do the best one can is why I am here. I don't want you to think I intend to always remain from home. I expect to come home and be one with you as soon as convenience may require it. Also one is safe life and property here if the right course is followed and one carries himself as I am trying to do. Knw Regards to all, your affct son & brother J. W. Redd
Alamos, June 18th 1885 Dear Father & Mother Your kind letters received. I arrived in town this evening from the coast where I have been replenishing as I have had poor health for some time resulting from chills and fever, but now have the good fortune to say ma in excellent condition & feel as well as I have ever been. Have had considerable disappointment on several occasions, but cannot complain as I am now in good health. Your earnest desires for my welfare & good will entreating me to come home is sincerely appreciated & cannot see why you seem to have been in suspense & anxiety on my account. I assure my dear parents I am all right and not exposed to as much danger as one would be in any part of U. S. that I know. It is a well governed country and scarcely any out lawry is carried on at all, also very healthy. As for my morals I don't know how to live a better life than I am doing. You know I am naturely susceptable. You know I do not drink or smoke. I have hardly been inside of a saloon or did any gambling since I have been in the country and am gaining some experience that will benefit me in after life. If you still insist for me to come home I will work to that end as soon as convenience will permit. You have naturely the right with your experience to advise but a wish for my own good so I obey if I can accomplish a possibility. Think I can do well eventually in Mexico for I know the language now so that I can talk in all matters concerning my line. Hope this will find you all well and in better spirits. I get letters occasionaly from Lem. Well will write to Dell & Ellen since their kind letters with yours tell Wayne to write also. Wishing you all a good time I remain with love to all all all.
John W. Redd P.S. Adress as usual J.
El Fuerte Sinaloa Mex. 14 de Auyosta /86 Dear Parents Although I have not yet rec'd your letters have heard of several that were forwarded to me at this place. Have been stopping 50 miles above here in the mountains after expecting them to be forwarded to me for 2 weeks. I came here expresly for them only to learn that they have been sent me the day before my arrival here. However I hope to hear you are all well and other encouraging word from dear old home. We are now having our wet season and having some beautiful rains, everything looks green and pretty. Now is the time if ever, that one would fall in love with the country if nothing else. Am not doing anything at present on ac of weather terrible warm. Though I am in excellent health my weight is 153 less than when north. Have been through some of the mountain districts and saw a great many old mines that were worked by the Spaniards years gone by. People are farming all through them and raise nice fields of corn all over the steepest hills where they have to plant with crowbars. The people are poor as a rule but the most hospitable I ever knew, honest but credulous. The Catholic church is the sovereighn power of Mexico. The priests exercising their power in an amusing manner for one to be a proffessor or religion commonly being the proprietors of billiard saloons & all such will probably not interest you but I have nothing else to write about. I don't know what I'll hear from you but hope you are not anxious that anything will happen to me. I am all right and so far I have had a very pleasant time. I know I ought to go home and account to the ones who raised me and would take such an interest in my welfare here after etc., and if all things are overruled by an unseen providence perhaps when I serve out the time decreed for me to wander then I will be content to settle and devote attention to something higher that will come in vogue in older years but I am young yet plenty of time. When you get this be assured that if not following precisely in the footsteps you would have me I am striving to do as I would be done by. Remember John to all with kind regards &c &c Your affctnt son J. W. Redd P.S. Write me at Alamos, Sonora, Mex.
CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA at Guaymas, Mexico June 19th 1888 L. H. Redd Esq. Bluff City San Juan Co. Utah Dear Sir: I am in receipt of your favor of the 5th. John W. Redd who was drowned as I wrote Mr. Ray in February last no doubt was your son as the description which you give me corresponds as to age complexion and stature. He was two years in Sinaloa at Topolo-Campo & El Fuerte engaged in freighting expecting that when the Topolo-Campo R.R. was started he could get a contract- He came here to Guaymas about a year ago and told me that his venture in Sinaloa had been a failure and that he had sold his teams. He left here and went to the mining camps at Las Puitas and thence to San Antoniodela Huerta and was prospecting for mines but with no success. In January last he arranged with me to work a copper mine at San Antonio (120 miles from Guaymas) for two thirds of the ore- He brought some 14 tons of ore to Guaymas, which left him a nett profit of $300. With this he paid as he told me, some debts, and returned to the mine and from there I understand he went to Onavas some 15 leagues distant to examine a gold placer mine and in crossing the river was drowned, his body was recovered some days after and was buried on the banks of the river. The authorities at my request took charge of the few effects left, and by the account sent me, there is only about $15 clear, which I instructed the judge to expend in placing a stone monument over his remains. A silver watch and ring will be sent me, belonging to him, which I will remit to you when received, if you instruct me how to send it. Your son from what I learn had no real estate or property in this part of Mexico. Yours very truly T Willard (?)
CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA At Guaymas, Mexico
March 12th 1889
Mrs. Mary Jane Spilsbury Feno or Heno P.O. Maricopa Co. A.T. My dear madam: I am in receipt of your favor of the 5th inst, regarding the death of your brother John W. Redd I have nothing especially to inform you more than that which I communicated to your father when I wrote at the time informing you and him of his death in February of last year. The questions which you asked me I will endeavor to reply to -- 1st The distance from Guaymas to the place in the Taqui river where he was drowned is about 180 miles, and to get there mules or horses must be hired as no stage or public convenance goes there, the R.R. station is 150 miles from the place. 2nd The name of the mine on which he was working is called "San Antonio" (a copper mine) and I made a contract with him to work it at his own solicitation, he to have 2/3 of the ore which he might bring to Guaymas. He made two small shipments of 4 tons each which left him a small profit of $250. With this money he paid off some debts he was owing and arranged to work a placer gold claim, and at the time of his death was on his way to look at it, and in crossing the river he was drowned, his body was found some days afterwards a distance below the place where he attempted to cross but was much decomposed and it was burried on the banks of the river after taking from the clothes the watch, and off his body the ring and pistol. 3rd- The persons who knew him at that place was Mr. F. A. Hactmann Supt of the Dura mine, who first gave me notice of his death and Federico Cons of San Antonio who at my request, with the Judge took charge of his few effects, which amounted to but little, the same as I wrote to your father, no letters were found of value. Before coming to Sonora he had been at Topolo Campo at that time he had a team & when he came here he called on me and said he had lost everything at Topolo Campo and El Fuerte and he went there in the expectation of getting a contract- He said everything had resulted badly. Who was his partner at that time I do not know as he was very reticent- He said he expected to return there again if work on the R.R. at that place commenced. His grave is near the town of Onavas on the banks of Taqui river and is marked by a mound of stones, at least I requested the same to be made, and I am told it was done- That point is 130 miles from the R.R. and to get there you must go partly through an unsettled part of the country. Regarding the removal of his body according to the Mexican law, no bodies once burried can be removed until five years elapses after burial- The name of the local Judge at Onavas who took charge of the effects of your brother (and who sent me an inventory) is named Felipe Navarro. Yours very truly T. W. Ward (?)
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