| Summary: | 36. privations they have undergone,- camped out in snow; six days and nights,- going nearly 150 miles to mill,- been without anything to eat in the house and heavy snow storm prevailing. The land here is splendid - very rich. Squatters dot it all over. They tell us that there are probably 150 familes right north-west, within a few miles. All are enthusiastic about the country,- pleasant winters, though cold. Mrs. Sherman makes me think of Ma Tenney. I know she is good,- works hard. My 29th birthday. I have thought much of you today, and wished I could be with you. I hope to be better to you in future than in the past, and a much better man in every way. God keep me and bless my dear wife and babies. We stopped here today, because Mr. Hubbard's horse has a sore back, and we could only get to the center of prairie for Sunday. Weather has been delightful,- a little too warm for comfort. We have been washing our clothes and mending up. I am very anxious to get letters. I have wished and wished I had your picture. Much love my precious wife. Sunday morning.-I want to see you very much. I must have you with me just as soon as I can. May God bless you and keep you my child. I know I have not been reading the same in the Testament that you have. I commenced the Epistles of John, while I presume you meant the Gospel. Next Thursday I shall commence the Acts. May God help me to improve by what I read and become a good man. I want to see Bernard and Theodore. I hope the house is building satisfactorily. I am enjoying the trip and already think myself well paid in knowledge gained, and good air breathed. Such beautiful lakes,- such delightful weather, -Reach Georgetown Tuesday evening unless Hubbard's horse keeps us back, and back here anyway by Saturday, and St. Paul, I think, another Saturday. Georgetown, Minn., Oct. 6, 1870. Here we are at our point of destination, to which we have been looking forward all the way. Find Mr. Veits, wife, and four year old girl just ahead of us from Ashtabula, Ohio., and a hotel opened by them. We knew they were coming, but did not expect to find them here. Do you not think we were happy when we discovered our good fortune? They are in a large log house belonging to the Hudson Bay Co., as do all the buildings here, 6 in number,- 3 storehouses and 3 dwelling houses,- and this is the city of Georgetown. The location is one of three desirable ones along the river. Should, the R. R. come here, there may be quite a city here some time. One other point talked of is 2 1/2 miles south and the other 25 miles north. Three of us have taken several hundred acres in various sections a few miles from Georgetown. The land is very rich and the country delightful, stretching away in level plains to north-west and south far as the eye can reach. The land will be worth considerably more than the cost, wherever the R. R. may run, but I do not expect to hold mine, as I cannot afford to. I do not think I will have any trouble in finding purchaser or somebody to carry it. The whole section between here and the Mississippi is very rich and undoubtedly will be settled rapidly as the R R. progresses. We reached here Tuesday eve. Camped. Monday night with Government surveying party on the prairie. Overtook the man in charge in the field. He invited us to camp, and of course we were delighted to go with him and partake of his duck supper and be protected from the frost at night. Spent yesterday and today in looking around. How would you like the frontier as Mrs. Veits is having it? It is rough, but after all I like it first rate. I enjoy the knowledge of country and people. We are on the frontier, but 250 miles north is a settlement of 25000 white people nearly 2000 miles beyond are settlements of white men. Hard to realize!
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