| 419 Iowa to meet friends, President Smith sent by his hand letters to Elders Hugh Lytle and Spencer Smith (the latter a son-in-law of Lyman Wight), requesting them to accompany Mr. Hoffman to Texas as representatives of the Reorganization. They complied, and after a few weeks of hurried preparation, were on their way, and ere the summer was ended had opened a successful campaign in Texas. Elder Lytle wrote from Bandera, Texas, on September 11,1865, as follows:-
"Believing that it would be interesting to the readers of the Herald to hear of the success of the latter-day work in this land, I now proceed to give you a short account of our labors here. Brn. A. Hoffman, of Texas, Spencer Smith of Galland's Grove, Iowa, and myself, arrived at this place on the 14th of August. We found all well, and very anxious to hear preaching. Brn. Hoffman and Smith have both been prostrate with the fever since we arrived, but are now recovering. I commenced preaching on Sunday, the 20th ult., and have continued twice on Sundays, and also on Wednesday evenings since. Sunday, the 27th, I baptized seventeen, and on the following Sunday fifteen more; since then we have baptized three more, and received one upon his old baptism, and two added who were baptized yesterday. We have organized a branch of thirty-eight members; twenty-two were members of the old organization, and sixteen are new members. It is believed by those here that fifteen or twenty more will come in this fall. We shall start soon to Austin and Montgomery counties, where we expect to labor for the winter. I am told there is a good prospect in that part of the State. May the good Lord grant success to his laborers in the vineyard, is the prayer of your Brother in Christ."-True Latter Day Saint' Herald, vol. 8, p. 127.
The Semiannual Conference met near Council Bluffs, Iowa, October 6, 1865; Joseph Smith presiding, George M. Rush and Dexter P. Hartwell clerks.
The following branches were reported: Plum Greek, Nephi, Glenwood, Fremont, Florence, Columbus, Mason's Grove, Boyer, Little River, Camp Creek, Weeping Water,
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