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Under date of September 14, 1867, we learn from the Journal History that President Young and companions traveled to Paris, Bloomington, and St. Charles, Idaho, to learn of the needs and problems of the Saints living there. Elders Lorin Farr, Shipp, Crosby, Eldredge, Layton, Stenhouse, Noble, Call, Stevenson, Folsom, and George D. Watt addressed the congregation.
The unexpected events which caused Folsom to request a release from his duties as Church Architect left him battered, but not completely disheartened. Still, it took time for him to gain his poise and perspective. He made an attempt to work harder with his hands in order to take part of the load from his heart, and he responded enthusiastically to his calling as Assistant Architect. Folsom and Romney signed a contract with N. S. Ransohoff to erect a building on South Main Street. Due to lack of understanding concerning part of the contract, they found themselves entangled in a lawsuit. Paying the court cost for this suit caused financial distress, but pay it they did, according to receipts signed by E. W. East, Clerk of the Court (extant). It took quite a little time for him to turn the key on the past and try to gain wisdom by these experiences.
In a small shop which he and his sons had built at the home place, they experimented with the construction of various types of vehicles. The Deseret News of June 18, 1868, reported that the Carriage, Wagon, and Sleigh Makers held a meeting, with William H. Folsom, Esq., as secretary. Smual Bringhurst, Burr Frost, and Henry E. Bowring were appointed as committee to draw up resolutions for a cooperation. They reported that a stock company should be formed and it was voted that 50,000 shares would be offered at $50.00 per share, to be payable as soon as the company was organized. Research may determine what happened to this organization. At present it is not known.
In early days the main highway to the southern part of the Territory ran from the center of Great Salt Lake City in southeasterly direction to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, then on to the south. A number of Saints had settled in “Little Cottonwood” because of the fertility of the soil and abundance of water. A ward had been created as early as 1849. On Sunday, August 2, 1868, Daniel H. Wells, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith, George Q. Cannon, A. M. Musser, John T. Caine, William H. Folsom, Rogert Campbell, Thomas Williams, and others accompanied President Brigham Young to hold a meeting at Brother Andrew Cahoon’s Ward in Little Cottonwood. There were speeches and special music, and all were served a substantial repast by the Relief Society in the School House. A bowery had been erected to accommodate the large crowd assembled. Banners and mottos expressing a welcome to the visitors were hug in conspicuous places and a Sunday School chorus, directed by Chauncey G. Webb, furnished delightful selections for the occasion. (Journal History)