Hamersly Library

May the 26th 1858

Dear Brother and Sister

it has been sometime since I wrote to you, and while it is raining
I will try to write some to you. I recieved your kind letter on the
23rd which contained the lastpayment on that land. I have not
cashed it yet but will in a few days we are about as well as common
and that is nothing to brag on I have concluded to quit farmming for
the present and try something else I am not stout enough to carry on
a farm as it should be, and it is nearly impossible to hire hands, and if
I could I dont think I could make anything at it. I have sold a part of
my property and will sell the most of the balance. What I shall go at,
I cannot tell at present, but will write to you as soon as I determine you
commplain of us not writing to you oftener I will cofess I do not write as
often as I should being unable to work hard I have to stick to it the closer,
but from the way you write you do not get more than one half the we
write if that. i think I have recieved about one letter every 10 months. I
think I could complain on those grounds it is strange that so many letters
get mislayed. we have had a very drye spring untill lately it has been raining
for several days and the ground is thorowly wet. I think we have the
promise of good crops this season. wheat is very high here at this time I
sold 30 bushels at $1.75 per bushel taken at the door of my Granery. Oats
1.00 Cattle are not so high as they have been Cows and Calves 35 to 40.
2 year olds steers 220. 2 year old heifers 25 horses are about the same as
they have been for the last year or two. Mother is at my house at this time
spinning yarn She is as well as commn and quite stout for one of her age
Iras folks were well a few days ago Edward Ground folks have nearly all
been sick with the feaver but was mending the last I heard from them. Isaac
Smiths are well except Peggy she complains of side most all the time. Elijahs
wife and children are in usuall health She lives with Thomas Lucas the most
of the time. She intends liveing in Monmouth as soon as she can get a house
put up our little town of Monmouth is improveing very fast considering the
scarsity of lumber you may think strange of lumber being scarse but where
everyboddy is building it takes a great quantity of lumber. James Murphy
lost his wife about 2 weeks ago She left a little boy about 2 week old She
had 32 fits I believe. John E. Murph has just got over a hard spell of the
feaver nearly all of his family have had a spell of feaver Old uncle Elijah
Davidson and Aunt Peggy are getting old and feble I think it is not likely
that they will stand it many years Alexander is still liveing with them and is
not married yet. There is a great many fruit trees killed this spring and we
donot know the cause and I am told that out in Umpka Valley there is
large groves of oak trees that are killed it is not likely that such a thing has
ever accured since the formation of these trees 75 or 100 years ago. we
are very anxious about whether we are to be admitted into the union or not.
I suppose we shall hear soon. Politicks run pretty high in Oregon at present.
the opposition to Democracy have organized a party and takes the name
of National Democrats. there is now 3 parties in oregon the Old hard
the Soft or (National) and the black Republic. Ira is acting as probate judge
Isaac Smith was nominated for Representative of this County. T. H.
Hutchinson for clerk of the Court and myself for Assessor for this County.
Our Election comes off the 1st Monday in next month we will know pretty
soon whether will have to take a trip up Salt River or not I will now tell
about my little girl Mary Elen she is 13 months old and can run about all
over the house and yard. Climb up into chairs and down and can almost
get up in my lap without help She minds the chickens out of the house and
does all the mischief she can, and to make a long story short she is hard to
beat we think she is very smart when she gets old enough we will get her
likeness taken and send back to the states you must wirte to me as soon
as you get this and tell James to write and William also it has been a long
time since I got a letter from either of them I have writen this letter in a
hurry and you must escuse all mistakes and bad writing for the lack of
time I must come to a close we remain your loveing brother and sister

J.M. Butler
Sa.A. Butler
M.E. Butler

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