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West. My friend's name is Samuel C. Major is one of the wealthy and most prominent men of Missouri.

     This evening Mr Major and Myself were called upon by the ladies, who had held a meeting and voted to invite the Captain and Clerk to visit them in the ladies Cabin, with a deposition from said ladies to transmit the vote to the Captain, which we did, feeling flattered by the compliment, and reported favorable. This involved the necessity of an introduction which could only be done in general terms as we were not acquainted with but few of the ladies on board, by Name. The evening passed pleasantly, with another thunder shower to close the day. At nine o'clock a dive was made for the mattress, claims taken, and in the general melee, in which some got kick and and scratches we went to bed. Our friend was obliged to stretch his six feet six on the Cabin floor. Something he was not used to.

     Tuesday 24 -- But little progress made during the night  My friend Major pointed out the burial place of Daniel Boon and told me that his niece on the boat was a Great Grand Daughter of Daniel Boon, as yet I had not spoken with her I asked an introduction, which was given with an apology that it had not been done before. I concidered it a great treat to be in conversation with a direct decendent of the "old Hunter of Kentucky." Miss Boon is a woman of intelligence and education of a high order, born and brought up in Missouri. She seems to inherit a large share of that love for the wildness of nature that charactiresed her Grandsire She had learned from her Uncle that I was from the state of New York. She asked me many questions about the scenery of N. Y. particularly that of Niagara, St Lawrence, Lake George the Hudson and the scenery described by Cooper. She had only visited the part of Kentucky where her Great Grandfather lived, and a small portion of Tenessee. She would talk of wild scenery different from any one I ever conversed with. And I regret I did not make her acquantonce earlier. She and her Uncle left the boat this Morning at Eleven. On leaving the boat they bade me a friendly good bye wishing me a pleasant journy and asking to be remembered to my wife and children whose likeness they saw.

     The water in the river has been rising slowly to day and our progress is rapid for Missouri traveling. Wild geese are in great Abundance the shores and sand-bars are covered by the thousands. The air is becoming more chilly.

     Wednesday 25 -- The watter continues to rise in the river  We passed the Col. Crossman about one o'clock this morning and are fast making up for our delay in repairing the boat about 8 o'clock we came upon a deer that was on a sand-bar. he made quick steps in the direction of the nearest timber land taking to the water part of the way

     After dinner we passed the "Star of the West" that passed us while on the bar Monday Morning  She left St Louis three days in advance of us. We are the fastest craft on the river and pass everything afloat. About this time the Porter came around ordering those stoping at Kansas City to Select their baggage. This was the first intimation we had of our coming to the vicinity of our seperation. We had been jamed into our cabin like stage coach pas-

sengers and most of us had become acquainted and I presume our seperation was much as it is on ship board after a long and perrilous voyage. Our passengers were from all parts of the Union but mostly from Western New York, among our passengers was an officer of the Steam Ship Baltic who had been on her every trip since she was built. He is so taken up with our Western country he has almost determined to locate here. He had no idea such people went to Kansas. Mr. Brown hired two printers and one young lady to go and work for him at Lawrence He made Me liberal offers. I told him I must first try Omaha. He would pay me my price if I would go with him he is coining money has 7000 subscribers  The greater part of our passengers were bound for Kansas and mostly for Lawrence and vicinity  All of the Kansas Emigrants they charged extra on their baggage weighing every piece the Nebraska passengers were allowed to go on with all they had a mind to. I must say I think the best persons on the boat were among the Nebraska passengers We reached Kansas City Mo. about Eleven at night when we parted with some 40 or 50 of our passengers a few miles further on is Wyandot where Mrs Leavett family and others got off. By this time the favored ones got rooms for the balance of the night.

     A blackleg traveling on the boat was a nuesence he swindled some two hundred dollars out of different persons that played with him. One young man lost thirty dollars all he had and then offered to pawn his watch  This was told to me I did not see it feeling more at home in the ladies cabin I spent most of the time there. During the evening this blackleg insulted a man who was about getting off. He called him to an account and challenged him to shoot with him on the hurrycain deck  arrangements were being made and I had made up my mind to see the thing done. I could have seen the blackleg shot down with as good grace as I would shoot a chicken if I was hungry. It would have been doing a blessed cervice for the county. The friends of the rascal settled the difficulty.

     I have become acquainted with J. Johnson of the Johnson House N. Y. City he is going to Omaha with a view of erecting a fine hotel if every thing suits him  he is a fine man none of your swelling bragadasius but a true gentleman  He will be a worthy and useful acqui- to Omaha should he take up his residence there.

     Thursday 26  The watter still rising is three feet higher than when we left Jefferson City Sunday Night  Wild Turkeys were seen running along the banks on the Missouri side this morning

     A short time after breakfast We reached Leavenworth City the levee was completely Swarmid with people before we landed so much so that the two hundred passengers we landed did not seem to enlarge the crowd in the least  Here I met my friend Kellum from Auban who went west when I was last at Auburn his company were waiting for a through boat to continue on as far as Omaha I learned there were no accommodations at Leavenworth or Lawrence so I decided to work my way along and get to Omaha the best way possible

     The clerk of our boat says that since the river has opened there has 12,000 people passed up in boats for Kansas and Nebraska and as many more by land.

every ferry we came to was crowded from Morning to Night. Such a tide of emigration was never before known. They are pouring in one continual stream to every town and ferry on the east bank of the river and stand in large groops of men, women, children, waggons, horses and oxen awaiting their turn to cross into the promise land. They tell us they are only pioneers and have but to write home favorable to bring parties of from ten to twenty for every individual now entering the Territories. They are covering the territories like a swarm of locusts. The border-ruffian population of Missouri shak their heads and heep curses upon the Yankies "Their curses like little chickens will come to roost" Missourie must and will ere long become a free state

     Our stop at Leavenworth was but a few Moments. We reached Weston the terminus of the "Lightning Lind" at ten o'clock Stoped at the "St George Hotel" The stage to St. Josephs had gone, three extras were hired, and filled while some twenty-five, myself among the number agreed to wait for a boat. The day spent in writing and prospecting about the town. It is a mistery to me why a town was ever built on the site of Weston  There is not a dozen houses in the place on a level with each other So uneven is the ground that houses on the same street 300 feet apart of equal size will vary fifty feet in height. During rain storms the ground washes very bad so that the ravines can not be bridged and deep gulphs are cut out by the rain to the level of the river. No watter runs in these gullies except during the rainstorm, still they are impossible. The city reminds me of pictures I have seen of towns in Switzerland.

     Among the guests at the St. George was a gentleman and his wife from York state their respective ages were about 35 and 45 years. They belong to the better classes they left their friends in the east with buoyant hopes and a light hearts for a "Home in the West" Their only child was a spritely little girl twenty two months old, a perfect little fairy, in this little being was centered the affection and soul of its parents. She was their idol. No one but a parent can tell how she was loved!  On the boat she took sick, had a cold on her lungs, got no relief. Took her from the boat to the hotel where the little innocence lingered a few days and died. The day previous to her death she put her arms around her mothers neck clasping with her whole strength her "dear Mama" Then smoothing her cheek with her little feverish hand  Kissed her mother a number of times and bade her goodbye! two days after this they burried her among strangers in a strange land. Oh! was not that heartrending? I took the case home, I could but mingle my sympathising tears with theirs. Had it been one or both of my children what would have been my feelings May I ever be spared such afflictions, but if Come they must I pray for strength and fortitude for such a trial.

     Previous to the burial the corps was dressed and placed in a natural position as though alive in the fathers arms, and an ambrotype taken. It is the finest thing I ever saw one not knowing the facts would think the child was pretending to be asleep and could with difficulty keep from laughing.

     Friday 27 -- Got up this Morning as soon as it was light. Went up on the highest bluff.  could see a steamer coming up nine miles down the river. The boat proved to be the "Star of the West" which we had passed two days previous by the time we had breakfast she had reached the landing  We took passage for St Joseph the boat going no farther up than that point. The family who burried their child is on board the Mother seems allmost heart broken  She says her greatest trial came when she left the hotel without her child on board the "Star of the West" we have much better fare than on the Railroad line and I would advise all persons coming west to avoid said line. it is a humbug. The indipendent boats set a first rate table have enough and are accommodating and gentlemanly. Among the places we touched at was Atchison the strong hold of proslavery in Kansas. This is the residence of Stringfellow and is one of the places we stoped at last fall during the Kansas excitement. I bought a copy of the "Squatter Sovereign" Edited and published by Stringfellow. The number I bought contained the validictory of Stringfellow in which he stated he had published at his own expense, the "Squatter Sovereign" for two years "for the purpose of arousing the South to the importance of Kansas as a Territory piculiarly adapted to Slave labor." . . . "did not embark in the embark in the enterprise with a view of profit, but solely to prevent Kansas from being Abolitionised" He resigns his labors to other hands who will make the paper purely Democratic sustaining the law and order party and advocating the doctrines of the National democracy. The same paper contains an invitation to setlers from all parts of the Union North as well as South to come and make homes among them. The entire tone of the paper is changed. The only hope the proslavery party now have is to force through a convention without submitting it to the people this they do not believe they can do.

     The River is almost out of its banks and the current very rappid which makes our progress very slow. The scenery increases in beauty as we ascend nearer to the Nebraska line. Many persons who are on their first trip up the "Big Muddy" are in extacis about the Country

     We reached St. Joseph about nine o'clock in the Evening  found the Hotels filled and accommodations poor. The persons that came up on the Extras the day previous were in time to take the Steamer Admiral bound for Omaha, which left this Morning at ten o'clock. We felt disappointed and very much regreted we had not followed their example in taking an extra. Our only chance now is to take the stage. We hurried to the office, three of us but only two could get seats these were taken by a man from the Bluff and Myself. our Cleveland friend decided to run his chances. Paid our fare and to bed dreading our Stage ride the Next day. Time by stage we were told was 36 hours

     Saturday 28 -- During last night the Steamer Col. Crossman arrived bringing another supply of passengers for the Upper Missouri there was at least 100 passengers for the Bluffs and Omaha and only a Nine passenger

Coach to take them, running every other day The Stage would take no baggage except a satchel a valise to each passenger. We were obliged to leave our trunks in the storehouse to be sent up on the first boat

     A little after eight we started at a snail pace up one bluff and down another tiping and pitching in all directions. One of our passengers was a Mr Jackson of the firm of Footte & Jackson of the Bluffs and Omaha  he did not reach St. Josephs until this morning when all Seats were taken he bought off one of the passengers giving him ten dollars bonus for his seat. The fare was ten dollars, so that Mr Jackson paid twenty dollars

     We found the roads much better than we had anticipated, being dry except in the hollows between blufs. The day was as pleasant as could be. Nothing of special interest transpired until about two o'clock P. M. when the stage got set in a mud hole and the horses down. We all had business now unfastening the horses while the driver held them on his coach, and one Man at each horses head until they were seperately detatched and got out of the mud. Next we took down the fence got a chain and attached it to the tongue of the coach hitched the horses to the chain.  the horses in the lot where they had good foothold. With rails pryed up the coach so that horses drew it out safe on dry land. After an hours delay we were again on the move  At four o'clock We Stoped to change horses at a place called Oregon where we ordered dinner. At this place I saw for the first time handbills posted up advertising a sale of negroes they were the property of heirs and must be sold to settle up an estate. There are but few slaves in this part of Missouri, and a better country I never saw. It Can not be beat in the world. They raise fruit in great abundance, we have all the apples we want two for a penny.

     Ham, Eggs and Corn Cake constituted our bill of fare. this being disposed of we started on, footing down and up hills which were very steep, in one of these pedestrian excursions we came to a large Cornfield where the old stalks were standing. It was about Sundown, the cornfield was alive with Wild Geese and ducks that were coming in to feed on young wheat which was just starting up and to roost  The ground was covered with them and the air filled with others hovering over. The noise made by their wings and their constant squaking was almost deafning and shook the ground like distant thunder. Their number could not be estimated. With suitable firearms or snares we could have filled the coach. They did not seam at all timid. What a place for sporting

     Soon after dark our driver stoped to water his horses. When he started again, by some carelessness he brought the leaders around so sudden as to break the tongue of the coach. Here was a "pretty Kittle of fish." We were fortunate in being opposite a farm house, where a lumber waggon was procured with a view of continuing our journey. this proved to be to small and we were obliged to allow the driver to return with the two forward wheels to Oregon and have a new tongue made. This the driver assured us would be done so he could return by two o'clock next Morning. We accordingly took possession of the farm house which 'was built in regular Missouri style, of

hewed loggs and double. Two houses about fifteen feet square and twelve to fifteen feet apart, with a roof extending from one to the other.  one part was used for Cooking and Eating  the chamber for the boys (Negroes) to sleep in. The other apartment was the family room containing two beds, the room had a large fireplace and was the only sitting room. I could not stand up in this room with my hat on. The chamber was still lower Into this living room we all huddle Eleven in number  Our host a clever bulletheaded Kentuckyan said he would make us as comfortable as he could under the circumstances. Prelirninaries being arranged we all went up stairs where four beds were arranged along the side of the house on the floor lengthwise this gave us room enough for the six footers to lay their bodies on the bed while their feet extended out on the floor. When all were ensconsed we were Covered with all sorts of bedding. We packed in soldier or prison style, forming a hollow square and in twenty minutes most of the number were sound asleep snoaring in so many different keys as to resemble the squakin of the Wild geese.

     Sunday 29 -- Slept Soundly all last night got an early breakfast of Bacon, Eggs and Corn Cake served up by a couple of ebony gentlemen. Our driver did not return until 9 o'clock when we again started being delayed twelve hours.

     At twelve Noon stoped at Jackson's Point, named after our passenger Jackson who once lived there. Here we got a first rate dinner of roast turky  Our next station was 27 miles distance and great fears were entertained of how we should cross the big Tarkeo River some sixteen miles distant  The Snow in northern Iowa was melting and the river was out of its banks covering the entire bottoms. Reaching the regular crossing our driver swam it with one of the horses and learned by the agent who was on the opposite side and came over with the driver that we must go back two miles take another route and cross lower down. We accordingly did so crossing the Main stream on a bridge then came four Miles of river bottoms where the water was from three feet to six inches in depth all the way. Some of the time the horses could with difficulty draw the coach. It was long after dark when we reached the bridge where we should have crossed but for the watter, our route to cross the river had taken us fifteen miles out of our way. I shall always remember Crossing the Big Tarkeo

     It was now four miles to our station being 36 our team had to go, one of the horses will probably never go it again as we believe he is used up. These last four miles was hilly and we walked much of the way, which was delightfull  The prairie was on fire in all dirictions, and presented a most Magnificent sight. The grass was dry and tall and a gentle wind blowing which kept the fire steadily marching on like an army of Soldiers. Sometimes a gust of wind would strike a section of the line of fire increasing the flame and hasting it along ahead of the main line then Continue along the line in wavey motions like the undulations of the sea. In many places our road crossed the fire when we could see to read in the coach. We Could see fires in all directions and as far as the eye could extend. I took a Match and set a fresh fire where the grass was long and dry, before we were out of sight it covered acres. It is a splendid sight

in a cloudy night to stand on a high bluff and see the prarie on fire in all directions redening the clouds and rendering every limb, tree, and moving thing planely visable. I ran on ahead of the coach near half a mile to a high bluff where I counted twenty different fires. the one nearest to me was where the coach and horses were moving at a very slow pace up the bluff the passengers were on foot and moved along behind and ahead of the coach in a direct line of fire. The glare from the burning prarie gave them an unearthly look which was wild and romantic in the extreme. I enjoyed it as but few can.

     Monday 30 -- Daylight found us at a station awaiting breakfast.  passed as pleasant a night as I ever did in a Coach diversified with walks up and down the steepest hills. The wind changed this morning and seemed to threaten snow. I could easily discover we were getting farther North as the wind came down cold and raw from the North, where, within three hundred miles the snow lies three feet deep. About 8 o'clock we crossed the Nashnabotina* river in a Scow. The river had risen one foot during the night and was just ready to go out of its banks which will be worse than the Tarkeo and stop traviel. Here Commenced a slow driszeling cold rain which continued all day. The rain had the effect to hasten on our drivers so that our prospects were favorable of reaching Council Bluffs as early as eight o'clock.

     At Sidney forty-five miles from Council Bluff we were relieved of six of our passengers, leaving but five in the Coach making the balance of our ride more comfortable. The first station we stoped at after leaving Sidney was at a farm house on the open prarie. Mr. Jackson, a Cincinnati man and Myself went in to warm. The lady of the house, a woman about fifty years of age, questioned us closely about affairs in Kansas  She knew something was going to be done as some of them abolitionests had been to the neighborhood and taken away the guns they left there last fall. I told her there would be no more trouble, all was quiet  She could not believe it eyed me very suspiciously, then asked how that hole came in my hat. My traveling companions took the hint at once and told the lady I was one of the Kansas prisoners who had escaped. I found it was useless for me to try to make a fair statement of affairs, and was obliged to own up and tell all about how we had been treated. I made every thing fare implicating no one. When we left our hostess seemed to be satisfied as she had seen the elephant

     The hole in the hat was on the brim. While on the upper deck of the steamer a spark droped on my hat and had burned a hole as round and about the size of a rifle ball this was what attracted the attention of the inquisitive lady

     At St Mary's our last change of horses and twelve miles from Council Bluffs we learned the Steamer Admiral which had left St. Josephs the day before we did, had not yet passed up. We were 24 hours behind time still ahead of the boat. At six o'clock we left St Marys expecting to be at the Bluffs as early as half past eight. The road ran along the bottoms and was in a bad state owing to the continued rain of the last twelve hours. Night had set in by the time we had made six miles. At this point was a sluce some twenty feet

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     *Nisbnabotna.

wide and about as deep. the watter was out of the banks and overflowed a large space of the bottoms both sides of the bridge. In the midst of the water before reaching the bridge the horses got set and could not move the coach. We were all obliged to get out and into the water three feet deep and wade to dry land. The water was cold as ice.  our boots were full and more was pattering down on our heads while a cold north wind sent its chilling blasts almost through us. We stood a few minutes in this condition while the driver tryed to make his horses draw out the empty coach, but without success. What was to be done!  No house was near, and to stand still was not deemed safe, in our wet and chilling condition. The driver wished us to wade in and unfasten his horses, while he remained on the Coach, thus enabling him to get on one of the horses and get away without his getting in the watter We declined however as we think he might have went around another road and thus prevented this Catastrophe. Each Man waded back to the coach and got his carpet sack and flounced along throug the water to the bridge. here we rested a few minutes and plunged in on the other side, and for near one hundred rods we waded knee deep and some of the way up to the seat of our pants. It was a trying time but the only alternative. The excitement kept the watter from chilling us through. Reaching the dry ground a ground as dry as could be during a rain we paddled on the best we could with our heavy Carpet Sacks boots filled with water, clothes wet and stif, and at every step our feet sticking like tar to the muddy prarie soil. We looked in vain for a farm house by the way. After a short walk we discovered a light across the prarie, glimmering faintly through the darkness of the night and the falling rain. One of our party said he thought it was at Council Bluffs, and if so it must be four miles. This information was rather discouraging. We consoled ourselves however with the belief that the light could not be over one and a half miles at the extent  We draged ourselves along for one whole hour until it seemed we could go no farther. Still that deceptive light receeded from us as fast as we traveled, and we could not discover that it was any nearer than when we started I could easily imagine how one benight on the prarie in a snow storm would become disheartened and lay down and take his last sleep while the winter wind covered him with pure white sheet of snow. Another half hour and instead of one light we could discover some dozen or more. this animated us afresh at the same time we had another hundred yards to wade in mud and water above our knees. Our last half mile we paid no attention to the best part of the road so we made headway. At ten o'clock we reach the Paciffic House Council Bluffs. My head was dizzy and I could barely see while my arms seemed pulled down to the ground by my heavy satchel. We had walked six miles.

     Two of our number on reaching Council Bluffs were by their own firesides surrounded by their own families. What a blessing there homes must have been that night. Three of us stoped at the hotel, ordered a room with a fire and two buckets of water. By assisting each other we succeeded in getting off our boots, which was a difficult job with what streangth we had left. As soon as I could arrange my clothes around the stove and wash the mud from my feet and legs, I tumbled into bed, not "careing whether School Kept or not"

     Tuesday 31 -- Got up feeling much better than I could have expected, put on my pants which were about half dry, a clean pair of Sock and a pair of new boots which I bought at St. Louis, Stowing My muddy boots into My satchel. It had Seased raining but was cold and foggy, very much such a morning as the one I first saw here last fall. After breakfast took the omnibus and reached Omaha about 10 o'clock. To my great regret found Mr. Tuttle had gone east he left a letter for me however which was some consolation After spending half hour at the Bank where I met a number of the Saratoga men I went down to Mr. Rogers to see Br. Cook. I will not say we were glad to see each other. We were overjoyed. Cook felt bad when he learned I had Not caled to Flint  he had rather have paid My extra expences than not to have me have gone there. Took dinner where Cook boards and decided to stop there until Sunday night. We must then both seek a new place. The cheapest board I can hear of is five dollars for day boarders and eight dollars where one lodges. The Family where Mr Cook boards consists of the man and wife with nine children the oldest is a Son Married whose wife also lives in the same family, they also have five day boarders and they only occupy one room, without a closet pantry or any out house and live up stairs. A curtain divides the room in the center one side is the dining room the other has a bed cook stove and all kitchen furniture. At night the beds are spread over the floor for the family and in the morning piled up in a corner. Such is Cook's boarding house without the least exageration.

     After dinner called on my old acquaintance. At the Bank Met Dr. Kellum Brother of the young man I saw at Auban and later at Leavenworth as I came up. Dr Kellem's is the place I called one evening with Mr & Mrs Tuttle last fall they were then building a brick house over their heads  I accepted an invitation to tea very gladly. Was much pleased with Mrs Kellum and her daughter one year younger than Sophia. They live in eastern style and comfortable. They had invited another one of the dignitary to supper who had lately arrived. It was Gov. Richardson of Mich. We had a pleasant time and a good supper after which I returned to the store where I occupied the bunk of one of the workmen who was out on the prarie proveing up his claim. Slept good all Night

     Wednesday, April 1. -- Feel the worse for wear, the excitement Kept me up yesterday, today I am lame and sore, and feel the effects of my journey, particularly the last Six Miles, spent most of the day dozing over the stove in Cooks workshop trying to get rested. Met Mr. Warner to day

     Thursday 2. -- Not fully rested. Walked about the town and up on the bluffs with Mr. Warner. business has not yet fully commenced here for the want of lumber from up the river which is daily expected

     This afternoon spent a season with Secretary Brown and others of the Saratoga Co. was posted up on their future proceedings. A hotel to be called the Trinity House and commenced last fall is to be completed by the first of June. This belongs to the Saratoga Company and is paid for. A Hotel Company has been organised to put up a Most Magnificent hotel comprising an

entire block and to cost $100,000  The plans were got up in Philadelphia. The contract for the stone work and foundation is let and will be commenced in a few days. the hotel is to be Completed in one year There is to be 200 buildings put up in Saratoga this summer Most of them are under Contract and only wafting for lumber to commence. I reported Myself ready to take hold Next Monday. I am to make out a scedule for the drawing of the lots. There is to be 15 lots to each Share drawn on the 17'  I have become Somewhat animated today which has driven away the blues

     Friday 3d. -- A pleasant and warm day. Walked up to the "Trinity House" and over part of the Saratoga Town plot. The more I see of it the better I like it. It is delightful! charming!! and by far a pleasanter location than Omaha. The Company donate 256 lots to churches schools and individuals who will build before July first  I am in for one. Have completely recovered from my fatigue of the journey.

     Saturday Evening 4^th. -- I have been to tea and am seated in Cooks work shop where I have spent every evening since I arrived in this place. This is the night of all others when my mind flies back to my own fireside. In immagination I see you all seated around a warm fire in a comfortable room. Irwin and Sophia wondring where father is tonight. They may sing with truth, "My father's on the wild prarie," for it is a wild night, not cold but the wind blows a hurricane and shakes this frail cottonwood building, creeping in to every crevice rattling my paper as I write. How I wish I could form one of the groop this evening that cannot be so I will banish the Thought

     The day has been a windy one. have Kept in doors most of the time talked a good deal about Saratoga projects it is the theme now. What I shall make out of it is yet to be ascertained. I am not sorry yet that I have come out here. What another week will bring forth we cannot tell except we will have one the less to live

     One thing I forgot to Mention in its proper place  When I left home I had between ninety and one hundred dollars. I arrived here the 31^st ult with but nine dollars, and my trunk to be paid for bringing from St. Josephs to this point. I believe I can travel as economicus as any one but this trip has taken the money off fast I hope it will come back as rapidly and more easy

     We learn by Mail to day of the appointment of a Robert J. Walker of Mississipi Governor of Kansas. I fear it will cause more trouble. My 40^th page is full I will bid you good night.

E. F. Beadle

Omaha City April 5, 1857

     Dear Wife and Children

     It is Sunday and a very cold one. the wind has been blowing from the north since yesterday morning, and today we can only Keep Comfortable by getting close to the hot Stove. I shall not venture out to church today.

     Tomorrow morning will be four weeks since I left home. Fifteen hundred miles over mountains, praries, rivers and Lakes intervenes between us, seperating as as widely as would the ocean The weeks will undoubtedly be  

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