Polk County Oregon Teretory January 6, 1855
Dear Son and family
I have been thinking for a long time that I would receive a letter from you,
and then I would know what to write to you, but I have then waited in vein,
so I thought I would just write a few things to you as it is raining today to
let
you know that we are in usual health through the mercey of our heavenly
father and I do most cincearly hope that when these lines reaches you that
you and all your family may be enjoying the like blefsings we have had a
very pleasent winter untill last wednesday it commenced snowing and
snowed some four or five inches deep but it has been tolerable warm since
considering thare was snow on the ground and the snow has melted off in
places so that stock has not suffered for grafs any worth naming for we have
plenty of green grafs in this country all winter except the snow falls so deep
that the stock can't get it, but if we should have such a snow this winter we
have hay, oats, and fodder plenty to keep our little stock from suffering for
some time, but if the grafs don't get covered up, we shant need it. I
have
sold all my mules except the old mule that I got from Edly Paul and one that
I got from Alfred Brown. I have also sold the young horse which I bought
from Elijah I sold him for $175 the little mule that I bought from P Haley I
sold for $100 the mules that I bought of William & J Means, the little
waggon and one set of harnefs went in part pay for the claim at $400, and
a span of mules that I bought at Council Bluff and a set of harness and a little
waggon that I bought of Ed Ground I gave for 160 acres of deeded land
adjoining which thare is 96 acres of vacant land which is of exelent quality
that has been kept rather smugled but I got a hint of it and sought it out
which will make me a tolerable good little claim it lies in about two miles
of Elijahs on the main stage road leading through the valey, if I stay here
I
shall improve it and may perhaps live on it some time or other or I may sell
it and live on the money, I have the big mare that I bought of Carns of green
Bush she brought me a colt last spring but she has some complaint which
renders her of no use to me at preasent though I have some hope that she
will get well yet, the young mare that I got of Wm & Means had a fine mare
colt last spring from Ira's horse which is almost lage enough to ride the
mare and colt can neither be beat easy the little mare that had weak eyes is
as fine as fiddle and her eyes are as well as any horses eyes I have another
mare which I bought in Iowa that is one of the finest mares in Oregon thare
is a young man in the neighborhood who says that if he had my mare and
one that matches her that he would not take five hundred dollars for the two.
I have but three cows & three sheep and about twenty head of hogs we
have plenty to live on but we need clothing and every thing almost about
the house such as furniture etc I have paid all for Isaac's claim except one
hundred and seventy dollars which I am paying ten per cent per annum
now John if you can get that much from old Griswould and sent it to me I
should be glad but you have been put to so much trouble on my account
that I hate to ask you to do any thing more for me but I have no one to
depend upon but you & James in Illinois I hope that Louis Bradley will
send me this years rent for I have nothing to help myself with except I got
something from home and I am not able to work like I was in days past
and gone John I want your opinion and advice in relation to one particular
thing and that is whether we had best try to get back home (if we ever get
able to come) or not, we have no means at present to come on and whether
we ever shall have or not I cant tell and when I think of the dangers of the
trip and the short time which we by a course of nature have to live if we
should get back I must confess that I am at a greate loss to know what to
do I plainly see that our happiness on this Earth is done for if we go back
we must leave all our children which are here forever and if we stay we
shall be deprived of our living and the society of our dear children in the
states, and they are so scattered now that we would not be very likely to
ever see them all again, I want you to write to us about Wm tell us all
about him as far as you know John if you can get any kind of property
from old Griswould that will do you any good take it for if I cant get the
money you had as well have it as him and you must be paid for your
trouble though I dont want you to think that I want to put you off with a
bad debt that will do you no good for I wish you to pay your self out of
the money which you collect I want you to write to me and let me know
how much you could get for my farm and Also what you could get for the
land that I deeded to Isaac that is the farm & the 25 acres in the timber
if
you cant sell that place I want you to rent it and expect to take it of Isaac
but if you can sell it you have the power from Isaac to made the deed
Thos Hutchinson has declined selling his part & if I take Isaac's part if
I
can sell it I will I cant tell what price to ask as I cant tell what land is
selling for in that country if the price of land has come down any write to
me and let me knew what you can get but if it has raised sell for the best
price that you can get have at least one third in hand then suit the purchefs
so that I get ten per cent interest. I must close this letter as my sheet is
full
One thing more deny me not that is write soon write often ,and I will do
the same. All our friends are as well as usual I remain
Your affectionate father
Peter Butler
John tell Edley Paul that old Kit is as fat as he ever saw him
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