Plain City Weber County September 4, 1860
President young one of my sons was arrested in cache county on the 30th of June last and on the night of the 2nd of July was murdered while a prisoner they say he was trying to make his escape which is evident wasn’t the case the charge with which he was taking on by acknowledge could not be sustained I have reason to believe that they calculate to kill him when they took him he was a smart young man and was on hand at every call to Defend this cause but has bin in bad company and no doubt has done things that was not right I have tried to keep him at home but could not he was of a rambling Disposition i do not want to Justify in any evil deed but am very sorry for the thing has taking place if he had of died of natoril Death it would of bin of comfort to me they took his horse saddle bridle and laso the saddle and laso was mine i have sent time after time for them and offered to pay any lawful expenses if the would send me the horse and rigeon and they gave me no satisfaction whatever i want the horse for his little brother he talks about him all the time and wants him very bad I will pay any legal expenses if they will send them to me I do think very poor of them they have not treated me as I would of treated them all i ask is a fair chance with my brethren And believe that i ought to have it as well as any one else i thought i would lay it before you and see what you thought of it if it is not rite for me to have his property as i have to pay some Debts of his just you say the word and i will be still the horse and rigon is at logen cache valley Please send me word so i may know what to depend on
yours with respect
Joseph Skeen