Independence Sept. 5th 1858 Brother William

I suppose you think that I have given up writing to you entirely. Not so. I have been waiting to see how things would turn up, but I find I cannot write anything very encouraging. I suppose I could write to you an encouraging letter if I felt so disposed. But I do not want to deceive you and as I promised you before that I would write just as things are, and then leave you to judge for your self, wether it would be best for you to come here this fall or not. I have had plenty of work since I have been here, but ( I have not received a cent of money yet) for what I have done, and to tell you the truth there is no money in circulation at all. I never saw harder times to get money in my life than it is here. The reason of it is, is this, the U.S. government has taken about all the money in the county away to buy mules and cattle to send to Salt Lake. But the government have issued about 2 million of dollars in specie to be circulated throughout this State to pay those that they loaned from, and to pay the Salt Lake teamsters, so when that once gets circulated again money will be plenty.

There is more building going on this summer and fall than have ever been known here before in spite of the dullness of money matters. I have commenced my house I have got the foundation dug and most of the stone hauled, but have thrown it up, as I cannot go on any father until I get some money. I did intend to go right on with it but my boss has disappointed me in getting some money, and I have been expecting money from Charly which would have helped me along a good deal. But I am also disappointed. I don’t know what the reason is that he don’t send it, I have been expecting to hear from him every day for the last month but no answer. I do not even know whether he received that note, or not. I should think he would have wrote and told me that much[.] It has been a great disappointment to me. If I had known that he did not mean to send it, I should not have commenced my house, and I have either got to go on with my house, or leave this place as there is not a house, room, or even a shed to get to live in this winter. Every house is full, and hundreds have had to leave here on account of not getting a house to live in. If I had my house built I could rent the upper story for 10 dollars per month just lik a book, but it is impossible to try to build a house without money. And I wish you would write and let me know what Charly is doing or what he intends to do, as I am almost discouraged of ever hearing from Charly. I wish Bill you would ask him just to write and let me know something about what he intends to do, so that I can know what to do myself. Winter is coming on, and I have got to do something very soon.

Father is quite sick to day[.] I am afraid he is going to have the fever. he intends to go out in the Territory this fall or next spring as he is tired of working so hard, he has almost [worked?] himself to death since he has been here to try to get along, and to get him a place of his own, but it seems as though everything works against him[.] what he does do, he is cheated out of by a set of darned rouges, and he is almost discouraged of trying to do any thing. He is going out in the Territory among some free state men, (mostly all of them are from Mass. and State of Maine) purchase a quarter section of land with what money he has got, and try it once more, and I think he will do better, than by staying here in this place.

most of the head men of this town, and the wealthiest[,] are slave holders who care for nothing but there niggers and what money they can get out of a free state man. in their hearts they hate a free state man worse than they do the Devil, and do not scruple a bit in taking the last cent from a white man. I have now given you Bill a pretty good description of this place and how we are situated, but I do not want you to think that [ ] all of the inhabitants are so. it is only amongst the wealthiest. there are quite a number of free state men here who are very nice men and good neighbors. But I must close hoping to hear from you without delay.

Yours Calvin

P.S. If father gets any worse I will let you know immediately.

[ ]
Dear Sister Gus

As Cal has left a little space I will try to fill it. I was glad to hear from Gus once more and should like to peep in and see you. I am sure that you and your domisil would look quite natural and pleasing[.] I suppose that you have all you can do to keep the kitchen and Heat and July and Charley in submishun, especially Sunday nights. dont you tell them that I think they are so unruly. I get along very well at housekeeping[.] I make the kitchen stand around some times[.] I think that I shall have nice times when I get to keeping house alone[.] I enjoy myself very well now and have very good times. I wish that I could see Gus once in a while and the rest of the good folks at home[.] Has Mariette King been to your house this summer, does she live in Chicopee now. Mr[.] and Mrs[.] [Loger?] do not quarrel very bad[.] when he hits her in the head with a brick she only hits him a dig with the shovel, is that the way to do it.

there is not any huckleberries here[.] I suppose that you are in your hucklebery glory now. How does [ ] your little girl, and the boy that came there get along. my children are all well but [[ ] ] James Obed he has got a severe pain in the upper [[MS. illegible]][.] I will send you a piece of my new dress, it was 12½ cts per yd[.] they call 12½ cts a bit here[,] 25 cts 2 bits &c. Now Gus I must bid you good bye untill you write to me again which I hope will not be very long[.] give my love to all and tell Jule to be patient.

From your affectionate sister [Keys?]

[ ] To Neaks