Autographs
BRIGHAM YOUNG Signed Check as Mormon Leader President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
BRIGHAM YOUNG (1801-1877). Mormon Leader, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
March 15, 1872-Dated, Partly-Printed Document Signed, “Brigham Young”, 1 page, measuring 8” x 3.25”, Salt Lake City, Utah, Choice Very Fine. Being a Bank Check drawn on the “Utah Southern Railroad Company” for $100, made out to “John Sharp or Bearer.” Sharp was a Mormon Leader and the Treasurer of the Utah Southern Railroad Company at that time. The bold crisp brown ink “Brigham Young” signature measures about 2.25” long. Likely filled out portions are in the hand of the railroad’s secretary, George Swan, who has also Countersigned this Check. A wonderful period locomotive is shown illustrated on left edge with vertical running image of a train vignette and has affixed its original 2 cent United States revenue stamp which is also stamp dated in blue “MAR 15 1872”. An excellent example for display for any Western Railroad, Mormon and/or “Brigham Young” collection.
Brigham Young appointed John Sharp to represent the Church in negotiations for the First Transcontinental Railroad, constructed between 1863 and 1869, and Sharp was present at the Promontory Point completion ceremony.

Sharp later served as the Vice President and General Superintendent of the Utah Southern Railroad, constructed by Mormons in 1871 to link to the Union Pacific Railroad, which it acquired it four years later. In 1881, it merged with the Utah Central Railway and in 1889 it was acquired by the Oregon Short Line and Utah Northern Railway. Although various spurs were eventually abandoned, it still serves as the corridor for much of Salt Lake City’s light rail system and the Salt Lake City Southern Railroad.