Jerico May the 22 1856

 

Dear wif I will adress you wons more as such and if I do not hear from you soon I shall begin to think that I have no such companion this is the fourth letter I have ritten and have received but won that was five week ago I have wached the post ofice daley for three weeks and have to go away feeling as it war as won alone in the world. I have bin hear all most two weks uncle has got thou planting to day I have engaged to work for aman at Aurory he has taken Job to bild a brick hous for aman about two mildes from hear I shal make this my home while we ar on this job their is no price set what I shal have he sas he will give me what I earn. I like hear better than I did in Indiana but I cannot say that this is near heaven altho it is a fine farming cuntry but land is as high hear as their wages ar about the same produse is rather low now Wheat is worth won dollar per bushel Corn 28 cents per bus Oats 22 cts Pork 6 cts per pound groserys about the same as in Vt but wood and water ar scars I presume if I had agood farm hear or in god busines that would pay well and my famaley hear I should be contented but the western fever is more excitement than reality if you should see as meny of the eastern folks that has mooved west as I have and heard them talk you would find as meny that wished them selves back as you do that wish themselvs west altho I am not homsick yeat if I am well I shall see som of wisconsen yeat before I com east or settle down Allen thinks of setling down hear he thinks considerable of having a home of his own I think it would be a good / plan and then I shall have a place to go aveseting and when mother comes she will have a place to go to I have nothing of importence to rite and shall have nothing if I have it all to do it is like talking and answering wons self Mary have you begun your school if so how do you like I want you should geat your degaretipe taken and send to me school teachers ar in good demand hear if tha ar good looking and behave well the teacher hear geats two and a half a week school small and teacher young their is som schools that ar not surplied for the want of teachers I have bin informed I hope to hear from you soon

Ira I supos that you ar at your uncles Parkers yeat and ar well rite me as soon as you can geat time.

 

William have you and Mr Ladd got your springs work don if so I supose you will go afishing. Wal Ben how goes the times with you do you and Parke get along do you fite any or do you have to work so hard that you cannot time

 

Now Sis what can Farther say to you I supose you and Cate ar a going to school and having a good time you must learn fast so that when you come out west you can keep school. I will not wery you pations any longer this time give my respect to all friends if their ar any such receive my you and all the children this from your husband

O Harvey

 

rite as soon as geat this and every week you nead not waite for an answer for a great meny get mis cared have you received that won with the five dollars in it if so I should like to now it

            Orange Harvey to Martha Harvey and Children

SOURCES