Cg057b02f18
JMU
To Mary; From Elkanah

Yarmouth July 25 1867 (1871)
My Dear Wife
	I did not intend to write you again so soon. But I have just read a letter from Sam to Elkanah dated the 12 of July. As I shall remail it to E, I will copy it that you may know how they are getting on at home. It is strang that he says nothing about John & Levi or that they do not write us. I am some what inclined to think that Levi may be off somewhere survaying.
				Copy of letter
	Forest Grove Oregon July 12 1871
Dear Brother
	Yours is at hand. We are in the midst of haying_ have got about one half in. We got us a horse fork it saves us a good deal of work. We are running it 40 feet back in the barn. I could sell 100 tons of hay if I had it for &8.00 in the field. We have sold considerable already. I want to sell enough to pay for cutting. I have not heard from Weston since Susan's death--shall go up if I have time. Tell father that I am thinking of only putting the frame to the wood shed up & covering it. I think I shall have to cover the shop shed with shingles for the roof is getting very leaky & we are putting the best hay in it. They hay crop is light this year. Fall wheat look well all but the 13 acres which headed out wild oats. Oats look first rate & I think will make a fine crop. The spring wheat has not got far enough along so we can judge. Our garden is a total failure all but potatoes & a few Cabages. I think Capt Crockett is in Portland. But I must go to breakfast 
		Yours in hast 
			Sam
You will see by Sam's letter that we have not much to hope but much to fear. I fear that he will incur more expenses than the income of the farm will pay. I spent yesterday with broth Snow calle don one of my cousins. He made me promise to bring you with me to make him a visit. So did Mrs Snow. Every one expresses a wish to see you. I think I should be far more welcomed if you were with me. They want to see the woman that travelled acrost the plains on horse back. I made one poor lonely widow's heart to sing for joy. She was an old acquaintance but she is now very old & desolate she was so thankful for my visit I would not have failed for a good deed. But I think the call did me about as much good as it did her. It did me good in as much as it shows me. I am not living a wholly-useless life. It cheered me for the time but I am about as lonely now as ever. I shall wait here till morning & if I hear nothing from you I shall go to Bangor I think. I must travel let the consequences be what they will. If I remained still I should be down sick. If you write within a week you had better direct Bangor to the care of E F Duren. Tamsten's sick daughter came home yesterday. Her health is not much improved & I fear she is really worse. I am anxious for the time to come when we can return home. I am tired of being a pentioner on other   still I think all my friends are glad to have the opportunity to keep me
			Your loving Husband 
				Elkanah