Bloomington August the 10th 1855

Deer Brother and Sister

I imbrace the present oportunity of writing you a few lines this morning
to let you no that we are all well at presant and the friends and Connexion
are well at this time and hope these few lines may come safe to hand and
find you all enjoying the saim blessing we should be thankful to the giver of
all good for his merceys and render implicit obedience to all his mandates
for the signs of the times indicate a speady desolution of all things thare fore
it behoves us to watch for in sutch an hour as we think not the Son of man
Cometh.

I have nothing of importance to write to you at this time times is tollerable
dull heare at time produce is low and mony scarse ower wheat and oats
crop is tolerable good but wheat is only one dollar per bushel at this time
but thare is a probability of its being better soon it depends on the extent
of the late discovered gold mines on the Columby river near fort Colvill
there great excitement at this time about the mines a great many are going
but I have not got the fever yet I had about 14 acres in wheat which I think
will make about 300 bushels I had 7 acres in oats, tha ware good I have
about 3 acres of corn that will make from 35 to 40 bushels per acre one
fourth acre potatoes and kyne squashes and 12 killing hogs so you see
I dont intend to starve I have 5 head of american horses and 17 cows
and calvs, all togeather and plenty of grass for them to eat yet I have not
fed any stock since I have bin in oregon except work horses and fatening
hogs I will not say anything about the country now for you will get a cargo
soon George Dueese [Deweese] &  marshal and A.W. Lucas will start for Ills. in
october and then you will get at least all the news I must draw my letter
to a close for want of time I feare the mail will go out before I get to the
office I will write again soon and you all the news tho I am geting almost
discouraged I have not had a letter in six months tell all the old neighbors
and friends to write tell old uncle porter to write I want to heare from him
or Jameson Leeper tell him I want to heare from him and to no what I
shal have to pay for my old place when I come back tell Sigh I had
expected to heare from him but have been sadly disapointed But if none
of them think anough of me to write to me tha can let it alone.

John I want you to send me by mail two or thre boxes of Slone's
ointment out of money coming to your father and I will pay it to him
heare as it will be beter than risking money by mail I want it for Luther
his legs are brakeing out again I want you to get it from C.K. Smith if
he still keeps it for sail his is jenuine send it as quick as posable as it is
the only thing that I can get to do them any good and I cant obtain it
heare send the price of the ointment and postag and I will have the old
man receipt you for it with the price of the atlass which I forgot in the
other receipt write soon Eliza and the children all send thar love to you
and family except William he is not at home he left home the 15th May
last and wont home till the first of november he went with a surveying
company at $50 per month I must close so none at prsant but remain
yours in affection till death

For Mr. Butler and family

Edward Ground