Monmouth O T Aug 21st 1858
Dear brother
I have just received yours of the 2 June last, in which you give the
particulars of the death of your wife, we had learned before of her
death but was in doubt whether it was her or John C. Butler wife,
we were sorry to hear of so much sickness in your family Our family
are all well as usual and all the connection so far as I know
we have another daughter, she was born on the sixth day of the
present month it is a fine large healthy child, but we have not named
it yet, Mary Ann says she will send you some of her babys hair I have
no doubt that you have learned of the Frazier River gold minds long
before this Frazier River is some 500 miles north of Oregon still
California has got up all the excitement Oregon has kept cool waiting
to see how it will turn out it has raised the price of every thing in
Oregon times are good in Oregon and no banks to brake summer
apples are ripe and are worth in the market 4 to 5$ pr bu winter apples
will be worth about $10 there are more apples taken to Monmouth O T
to market at this time than there was taken to Monmouth Ills to market
when I left that country I have but few for market yet but if I have luck
with my trees I expect to sell six or seven hundred dollars worth next
season I must give you the size of Monmouth O T it has 21 families 3 dry
good stores one grocery store one drug store one sadler & harness shop
2 blacksmith shops 2 wagon maker shops, one tavern one cooper shop
Isaac M. Butler has gone in Co with a Mr Boon in the goods business,
Isaac is our assissor this year but expects to build and make to Monmouth
this fall as soon as he is done sessing
In relation to the land in that country I am at a loss to hear what to say to
you
though I am of opinion that if there is any chance to sell, the best way would
be to get a decree to divide or to set off to Elijah heirs their part Elijah
made a
will and willed that his part of the land there should be sold and the money
put
at interest for the use of his children but I fear the will is so lame that
it cannot
be done, he made his will whil I was at Salem last winter, if I had been there
when it was writen, I think it would have been more particular in relation to
the land I will send you a copy of the will soon and you can judge better about
it I wish the land sold as soon as possible and I believe all the heirs here
are
ancious to have it sold that is as soon as it can be done without to much
sacrifice do the best you can and I will be satisfied you can tell better when
to
sell than I can Judge William of our Supreme court says he thinks that Elijah
will if properly proven there would stand as to the sale of the land if his
part
can be sold I would be glad as it was his wish
Verry Respectfully
Ira F M Butler
*Addendum*
Monmouth August 23
Dear Son
I am well at present and enjoying good health for an old person I was
70 last April I have just come from Isaac Smiths thay wer all well as
common but the children but they wer complaining with the chicken
pox I have herd of your affliction and I know how to simpathise with
you I started a letter to you the first of last febuary I have never heard
whether you received it or not when you write again I want you to
write how old aunt Nancy Butler gets along I would like to know
whether you intend to stay there or not if you ever broke up and move
I would like for you to come out her tell lavinsy that I have bin peicing
a nice quilt for imployment it is the rose in the wilderness I want you to
write to me as often as you can when you write write about old mrs fall
give my respects to Matilda and tell her to write to me as often as she can
Rachel Butler
*Addendum*
Dear Cousin
as Father and grand mother has bin writing some and have not quite
finished the sheet I will write a few lines thare is so much noise I cannot
write to do much good I am not going to school at present the school will
comence the first of next month I do not expect to go to school this winter
I will stay at home and quilt this winter I have got seven quilts ready to quilt
the basket of flowers the flower pot the prickly pare the lily in the basket
and the running rose an some others that is not quite finished give my love
to Uncle Williams girls and tell them I would be so glad to get a letter from
them you must write to me as soon as yo can
Paradine Butler
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