Letter dated 3 December 1865, from Silas Doolittle, to his brother, C. W. Doolittle

 

                                                            Dowagiac, Mich.

                                                            Dec 3d, 1865

 

Dear Brother,

            To day is sunday & I have just returned from church & having nothing else to do, thought I would write you a letter. Alice & I are well as usual, but I guess Alice is rather sleepy at present, for she has been keeping rather late hours with Mr. Jordan. he went back to St. Joseph yesterday. She sent him up to bed with me about 4. o’clock yesterday morning.

 

            I went down to the Shop yesterday & went to turning & worked about 2 hours, when I cut the end of my left thumb nearly off. so I expect to be laid up a few days at least. I have been at work a little over a month & have earned $7.00 besides my board (“lucrative biz”), but I shall make up for all that next spring, for I think I can earn from 2.00 to 3.00 per day.

 

            Constant Rouse wants me to go into partnership with him in the chair trade after I finish turning, & I think some of doing it. It wont require much capital & will yield good profits.

 

            I have found a lot here that can be bought for 175.00, & perhaps for 150. The locality is good, only there is a hollow running through it, but it could be easily filled up. A lot can be bought & a house put up cheaper than a house & lot can be bought for, & then a person can build to suit himself.

 

            I wrote to you a week or two ago about sending that $100 if Mother did not want to use it, but in Phebe’s letter she spoke as though Mother would need part of it, so you need not send but 50. What I intended to do if you sent the whole was to make a payment of 75 on a lot & keep 25 to use until I got to making wages, which will be in the course of 2 or 3 months. I am making Just about enough now to keep me in tobacco & stamps.

 

            I like it out here first rate & would not come back to Wolcott any way, & I believe you had better come out here in the spring.

 

            I go over to see Aunt Huldah every 2 weeks. She wants our folks to come out any way & move in with her until they can do better. I like Aunt Huldah first rate.

 

            I havent heard from you in 2 or 3 weeks but am looking for a letter this week. Now write as often as possible & I will do the same.

 

                                                                        Yours Truly

                                                                        Silas Doolittle

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