Letter 51 — January 9, 1876

I seat myself to let you know how we are. Ellie has been sick for over a week, the doctor says her heart is diseased, she can not get her breath hardly by spells. Elva and my self are well. It is raining here all day today. We have not had much winter here yet. Cal and her man has not made up yet, she has moved to Yeazeltown, she has a boy in eight months after she was married, so she has few friends left, they call him Henry Ward Beecher, Chester he is still around he says he will never give her any peace if she doesn't live with him. He says if she goes to Kansas he will follow her and if she goes to the grave he will follow her there. I guess you think you will never get that money I will try and get it before long. I have to pay my corn huskers now $21. My corn was spoiling so I had to get it right out, I hired 210 shocks husked at 10 cents a shock. Our girl is too big for that ring, we will have to send it back and let you get it exchanged for a larger one. She can not get it on only on her little finger and hardly on it. We want to butcher this week again, we have butchered two and have six yet to butcher, I will make two butcherings yet of them. Nan and Pierce is still progressing, she is still waiting for that law suit to go off. Well I must bring my letter to a close for this time. Ellie sends her love. So good bye, write soon.