Bloomington July the 12th 1857

Dear brother and sister

It is with pleasure that I seat myself this evening to inform you that we
are all well at preasent and the the Connxion as far as I noe Mother
was with us last week she was in good helth the helth of the country is
good at this time as far as I noe we are in the midst of ower wheat
harvest at this time oats harvest is principly ovr thare is some late oats
yet to but owr oat crop is principly volunteer and consequently
forwarder than usual. ower crop janerly is light this year owing to the
drouth in the four part of the seson and produce will be high for th next
yeare wheat is now worth $1.50 per bushel oats 50 cts Beef 6 cts on
foot Bacon 15 cts per pound cattle and horses are full as high as comon
and the tendency is upwards I have nothing of importance to write at
this time politics dont run very high all tho we are about form a state
constitution thare is a good deal said on the subject of slavery but thare
is not much excitement yet we will take the voat on the of slavery this fall
I dont think the pro slavry men will stand any shoe heare at least I hope
not religious matters is at a stand heare prety mutch your sister Margaret
and one other made a confesion last Sundy and was Immersed the
univercity building at Monmouth is to be erected this Summer and fall the
size and dimentions I cant give for I have not learnd them I had the
pleasure of reading a letter written by you to Ira which was a gratify cation
to mee to hear that you was all enjoying good health and prosperity in
relation to your question about that timber land I bought of the old man I
believe I shall not answer at present but if the person requesting the
information has confidence anough in mee to believe that I can tell the
trouth and will address mee in his one name he shall have full satisfaction if
I am able to givit I am not afraid nor a shamed to giv an acount for that
transaction but I would like to know who I had given caus to suspect my
honesty and on which side of the Rocky Mountains tha live if sutch person
will make themselves knone I will use evry posable means to satisfy them I
must now con clud as I have no more news to write write as often as you
can and tell all the rest to write as often as the can find time

yours in affection till death

E. Ground