During
the week of December 3, 1854, James attempted to establish his claim near the
Wakarusa River southeast of Lawrence. The
following letter to Augusta explains:
Wakarusa [Kansas Territory]
December 11, 1854
My
Dear Augusta,
I
am now, not in "Uncle Tom's Cabin" exactly, but in that of my kind
friend and neighbor, Thomas Still [1] (son of Dr. [Abraham] Still) with whose father I often find a home. His father has long been a minister and Physician
among the Indians and resides about six miles from here. Thomas is a young man
studying for a Physician, has erected a cabin almost joining my claim, and I
have taken up quarters with him until I get my cabin built. So with him and his
brother John, [2] we are keeping bachelor's
hall. They have been absent to the State of Missouri the past week and I have
been alone most of the time. It has seemed quite lonely, especially nights, as
his cabin is in the woods, and there are so many wolves around that I felt at
times a little startled when I heard footsteps around among the dry leaves as I
had nothing but a thin blanket hung up for a door and the cracks in the cabin --
as it has not yet been chinked -- are nearly big enough to let the [wolves] in.
([I'm sure this sounds like] a big story for near the middle of December, but it
is true.) Yet morning has come and always found me here without a single print
of wolf's teeth about my person and, what was better, my sleep has generally
been quite sweet and refreshing.
[Tom
and John Still] have both come home today and have brought a good long letter
from yourself, the one containing the death of [your] Uncle Alanson [Goodrich]. [3]
Your letter, with [your brother]
Ralph's enclosed, came some time ago which I answered. Oh was I glad to hear
such good news about my mother's health. And thank you a thousand times for
going to see her and letting her know something about me. Whilst at
Indianapolis, I tried to write to some of [my brothers or sisters] so that she
would hear from me as often as once a month. But since I left there, it has
never seemed convenient to write a single line to anyone owing to almost
constant employment in some form. And now there are so many things demanding my
constant attention that I only scribble -- and hardly that.
I
wrote to [my brother] Henry a few days ago. I hardly know when to advise him to
come here. I am sure he would like
it. It would be better could he be
here now as he could choose among the claims better than hereafter. The
squatters are not enough united to have Squatters laws as yet and the only way a
person can hold a claim is to erect his cabin upon it and go to living there to
prevent another from taking it. And then when the land is surveyed, he is
entitled to 160 acres wherever his cabin is. I changed my claim from the place I
chose first as that was thought to be on "state reserve land" and have
located myself on some most beautiful prairie land on the banks of the Wakarusa,
a stream about the size of Owego Creek [back home]. The bank of the creek is
well skirted with timber and there will be all I shall want if the state survey
happens to come where the line of my present claim is. The country around for
many miles is being taken up very fast and I do not wonder at it, for I do think
it one of the most delightful places in the world. The soil is so rich. The
prairies, unlike Illinois, are rolling and consequently healthy.
Upon the claim joining mine is one of the highest mounds [4]
within many miles,
from the summit of which -- in
my opinion -- is a prospect as grand and pretty as from the rotunda [of the
Capitol building] at
Washington [D.C.], which I thought equal to any I had ever seen. This allows the
eye a broader sweep in every direction. There is sufficient room on its summit
to build a house 30 by 40.
Tell
[your brother] James I hope that at least he will come and see the country here
before he makes his choice for locating. There are many reasons why I think I
should prefer it to Minnesota for agricultural purposes. In the first place, the
soil is rich as land can well be. The climate is a great deal milder, having
very cool pleasant breezes in summer owing to the abundant prairie, and not so
cool in winter but that cattle will take care of themselves the winter through
without being fed scarcely any without it may be the working cattle. Dr. Still
says that his young cattle grazed on the prairies all last winter without once
feeding -- as did also his colts -- and were in very good order in the Spring.
So you see that his cattle do not in the winter eat up the earnings of summer.
Besides, there is a great demand for cattle here as a good pair are worth 90
dollars. There is a first rate home market for everything that can be raised,
and must be for the next ten years as the demand will be so great whilst the
vast tracts of country south and west of this are filling up. I do believe that
100 bushels of corn can be raised easier here than 20 in Tioga County [New
York], and now here that article is worth $1.50 per bushel -- a demand made by
the many settlers and I think will not be reduced less than $.50 for many years.
Should [your brother James] conclude to come here, I think the sooner he can
come, the better. People plant their corn here in April and, if he can only get
ten acres fenced, ploughed, and planted to corn this coming spring and summer,
he can raise enough plenty to pay for his land. There is, at present, a claim
joining mine not taken -- the only claim that I know of just about here upon
which there is timber. It is the very richest bottom land and watered by the
Wakarusa. I do wish he was only
here to take it as it would be so convenient.
In one cabin near[by], seven young men from about there are keeping
house, each watching his claim. There is a fine coal bank about 3/4 of a mile
from my claim -- none nearer.
I am at present -- and
probably what time I get next week -- assisting John Still in building his
cabin. And then he will assist me in building mine. It is quite fortunate for me
that I am with these [Still] boys as we get our provisions at their father's.
Provisions of all kinds are very scarce. John is quite a good natured
steady boy -- intends to go through with a college course of study -- and
intends to study and recite to me as soon as we get ready for it. You said you
would like to happen along about our meal time. Upon my word, I do wish you
could have only breakfasted with me this morning whilst by myself. I have just
about enough cooked for two. And then it was so good. But as there was no one to
share it, of course I must eat it all so that none would be wasted (Economy
Chapter IX, Sec. 1st) It consisted of cold water (ice water), fried pudding and
sugar, boiled steak and gravy, with short cake -- accompanied with a first rate
appetite. And had you only been here, how pleasantly we should have spent the
day.
In the first place, we
should have gone upon the big mound hard by where we could look far away into
the states in one direction, and then away up to the waters of the Big Blue
[River] in another. Lawrence, or "Yankeetown", you would see down
below you on the banks of the Kansas river -- distance about six miles -- and
far away beyond you could almost discern the rolling naked lands of Nebraska. In
another direction, your eyes would reach away down into the Sunny South. If I
could entice you away from the spot, we would go down to its base to the house
of Mr. James Still, [5] brother to Thomas and
John, a local preacher.
Tread lightly as you
enter and speak none but comforting words, as yesterday I went to perform the
funeral ceremony of his youngest child, his darling "Susa". As the
brothers were away [to Missouri], I assisted in digging the grave. I was the
only one about to try and comfort the deeply afflicted parents and attend to the
little errands necessary on such a mournful occasion. Some of the Bostonians
[from Lawrence] came to assist and were present at the funeral. Its grave -- I
presume -- is among the first of white persons along the Wakarusa. We buried it
in a beautiful cluster of hickory and oak upon a small bunch of level land as
you descend from the mount to the southwest. "Sleep on, little Suza,"
sweetly sleep on. God in His own good time will raise thy dust for the very
wisest and best reasons He has taken thee thus early. [6]
Last Sabbath -- for
the first time -- I preached to the [Shawnee] Indians through an interpreter
[named Charles Fish]. They seemed quite attentive. You ask if they are friendly
-- quite so. They are much more so than the Missourians. And I would much rather
live among them than the Missourians so far as safety is concerned as the
Missourians burn with the most inveterate hatred towards any person they think
is a Yankee. I.E., a great many of them, [that is]. They are all so desirous
that Kansas should become a slave state and the Yankees are bound that it shall
not be thus cursed if any possible way it can be avoided. That is one [reason]
why I hope a great many more will come here from the East -- so that their votes
will be sure and make it a free state. The best time to come here from the East
is in the months of April, May, and June as then [emigrants] can come to St.
Louis by railroad and take a boat up the Missouri and Kansas [rivers] to
Lawrence. Now a person is obliged to stage it across Missouri.
Should
[your brother] James desire to obtain a first rate farm where farming is easy
and where the probability is that he can obtain a farm which in a few years will
very greatly increase in value, I don't think there is any place he can do
better than here. And if there is anything that he would like to know about the
country, the society, the routes here, or anything of value to anyone thinking
about coming, I will take the greatest pleasure in imparting information. They
are, at present, constructing a railroad across Missouri and, without doubt, one
will go up the valley of the Kansas [river] in less than three years. It would
probably cost about the same to come here as to go to Minnesota, and then how
very much I should like him for a neighbor. And if I can only have [my brothers]
Henry and Ossy both here, and make arrangement so that mother can have a home
for the present with brother John [in Union Springs, N.Y.], it does seem as if
it would be a fine arrangement. And the only reason why I don't coax and urge
them all harder is that if any of them should get by chance sick, you know the
fault would be thrown upon me for inducing them to come here, which would make
me feel bad. But I believe with care, it is quite as healthy here as there.
But
I must close. I have tried to write on an old box. The ink tipped over and my
papers have blown in it. Please excuse. I was glad to hear you say you would
write often. Please do so whether you get my scrawls or not. Give my kind regard
to any inquiring and ever believe me your unflinching friend James. As for the
manner of direction, it makes no difference only so they come. Remember, the
place is Westport, Jackson County, for Lawrence, Kansas Territory. There is no
regular mail yet to Lawrence and cannot be until Congress takes some action upon
it. But if thus directed, all letters are brought up by some kind hand. I have
been to Lawrence -- found no acquaintance but good society. They offered to give
me a village lot if I would only build upon it; but I had no time to attend to
it. They have a steam saw mill now in operation and intend soon to erect a
plaining machine. My opinion is that in less than five years, [Lawrence] will
number ten thousand [inhabitants], but I may be extravagant in my views. You
must make all due allowance for this. Good night, -- James.
Three weeks
later while presumably still working on his claim and cabin, James received the
following invitation from Rev. Goode.
Wyandott
[Kansas Territory]
December 27, 1854
Dear
Brother Griffing
I
have only time to say that I have just returned from Nebraska and find all well.
We are looking for Brother Griffing to visit us. A protracted meeting in this
place is to commence in a few days. Quarterly
meeting at Delaware in two weeks. John [Wilson] is here and contemplates
starting to Fort Riley next week. Possibly you may see him.
I
am anxious to hear from you and your work. Come and visit us if you can.
Bring your clothing -- have it fitted up. But if you cannot come, please
write soon.
All join in love to you. The Lord be with you.
Affectionately,
-- Wm H. Goode
Shortly after
the first of the new year, 1855, James saddled up Jacob and rode back to the
States on the Santa Fe trail. From
Westport, he rode north to Wyandotte where he accepted Rev. Goode's invitation
to visit. While there, he wrote another letter to Augusta:
Wyandotte [Kansas Territory]
January 10, 1855
I have just come down to make a
visit at my Kansas home, Brother Goode's. Was happy indeed to find all well
enjoying much good health and in such fine spirits. It does really seem as if
they would become very lonesome living as they do in the woods and surrounded
entirely by Indians -- [Especially] when in Indiana they were permitted from the
circumstances in which they were placed to enjoy the first of society. But they
seem very cheerful and happy, singing away all gloom and managing a great many
ways to introduce happiness and joy in their Indian home.
In
passing through Westport on my way here, I was glad to take from the [Post]
office a letter from yourself. If you only knew how welcome they come, I am sure
you would love to write. Cause why? Because I believe you like to make people
happy. But to your questions as I have but a moment to write. Are
you not afraid there from the course pursued at the late election? No more
than I would be in Owego. What will the
people do? Assert their rights and strive to maintain them. It is pretty
clear ascertained that 2/3rds of the Territory are for freedom. What
do you do for windows? Get them at the stores at Lawrence. I.E., sash glass
&c. How large is the cabin? Fifteen feet square commenced, but not yet
completed. Hope to get time to finish it 'ere long. How do you cook steak and shortcakes? Well that's a poser. For
shortcakes, we use one teaspoonful of yeast powder to a teacupful of flour mix
with our neat hands and season with shortening and other fixings to our liking.
Our steaks we fry in the spider. Where
does Jacob stay when not in use? I turn him out in Uncle Sam's big pasture.
He takes very good care of himself. Nobody has been obliged to fodder any here
yet. We have no snow, but very nice weather. When do the rivers open and when is the best time for James [Goodrich]
to come? Sometimes in February. But probably it would be better not to start
from there before the first of March. He may want drawers and wrappers three
months of the year, but the weather is much milder and the temperature much more
even than there. Sweet potatoes do first rate here, better perhaps than the
Irish potatoes.
As to the daguerreotype, I have
paid Sykes [7] for retaking it and shall probably have him do it when I come home
this summer. You seemed to speak as if there might be danger in living here. I
am sure you would very greatly change your opinions after stopping here awhile.
We never think of locking our cabins. We never have anything disturbed. Our
society is mostly all from the East and you feel just as much composed as when
in New England. It truly seems lonesome here at Brother Goode's after being up in
the territory for awhile. Our nearest neighbor is Mr. [John] Pirott, from Tennessee,
then Mr. [Jackson] Sellers [from Illinois], then Dr. [James] Still, then Thomas Still, then Rev. Mr.
[John E.] Stewart (Methodist minister from New Hampshire), then Bro. James Still, then a
dozen Yankees all in one cabin; all these, and more too, within a half hours
walk [from our cabin]. Out on the prairie on an adjacent claim, Mr. Ogden is
erecting quite a nice frame house. By next fall, I presume that although my
cabin will be surrounded on three sides by woods, yet we may count twenty cabins
from our doors. It may be many more. I think we shall have an excellent
neighborhood and valuable neighbors. I like Kansas more and more every day I
stay here. To be sure, there is something pleasant in the idea of sleighing.
January
12 [Friday] -- I must soon start for my appointment and must finish what I have
to say now. You seemed to think the Missourians dangerous because I pronounced
them more so than the Indians. But there is no more reason for a person who
attends to his own business to be afraid here than anywhere under the broad
canopy of the universe. It is the case that when in Missouri if the people find
out that you are from the Northern States, they will spare no pains to
discourage your settling in Kansas and will say many unreliable things. All due
allowance must be made as they are selfish.
It will seem like a great while
until September, yet I think probably your choice [for our marriage] is a good
one. I think it will be a pleasant month to travel. I should like much to go to
commencement at Middletown and will be entitled to the degree of A.M. if I go,
but for two reasons I hardly think I can -- the want of time and means. I should
not want to go without your company but for one or two years, I think I shall be
obliged to deny myself this so great favor. With the blessing of Heaven, I hope
before many years that I may make such a journey without any difficulty or
embarrassment. Traveling is quite expensive and my trip to Owego in September
will cost not far from $150 which, in connection with some outlays that I may
wish to make this summer in fencing and tilling my claim, will require the most
rigid economy on my part. I could sell my farm in [Woodstock] Illinois but I
would rather not until the land comes in market there.
If my life and health are spared, then -- Providence favoring -- I shall
be happy to be in Owego in September. A further journey East I cannot with
certainty promise myself. At any rate, I should not consent to go alone and it
is very doubtful whether I could get away from here on time to reach there for
commencement.
Your
household goods that you mentioned are just what we shall want. Send all kinds
of seeds you can think of by [your brother] James if he comes. I have written to
him and shall be looking for a letter soon -- and one also from [my brother]
Henry. I hope Ossy and Henry (with his family) will all come in company and, if
they should fall in with some association coming west to Kansas, they could come
through at quite a reduced passage. Otherwise, I think it will cost them near
fifty dollars each to come. At any rate, I would not pay fare only from Owego to
Buffalo and then try for this there. There are now three papers published at
Lawrence. When I go there again, I will try and send you one. Excuse blunders
and ever believe you have the best wishes of your,
-- James.
The day after James completed his letter to Augusta, Henry Griffing penned the
following letter to his brother.
Owego,
Tioga [County, New York]
January 13, 1855
Dear
Brother James,
Your letter of 25 December I received in which you said you had written me from
the Big Blue [river]. This I received and wrote a sort of an answer. Thinking it
best for me not to undertake so long a journey at present = but after all --
Looking at it all over on all sides in my own mind, I have about concluded to go
ahead strait for Kansas = and so Brother James, I wish you to get me as good and
pleasant a claim of 160 acres as you can and, if my Life and health of myself
and Family is Favorable, I do not see anything in the way to hinder me from
trying my good luck going west = unless by some cause I am disappointed in my
Money Matters = But I think there will be no mistake for it is in the hands of
men such as D. Taylor, A. Taylor, A. Saunders, J. Phelps &c., all
responsible men = Due the first of Feb = 1855. Nancy is ready and willing to go
anywhere I think it will be most to our advantage = she is quite a notion since
we received your last letter = for to go right on hit or miss = please give some
account of the game and also the Fish &c. as many are anxious to know how
the people Fare in these in that region. I received a letter from Br. Charles
Giddings. He says we had better go on to Kansas = says it is only a step or two
down to Texas. Then we may be Neighbors some Future day &c.
Your statement of the country and climate = the water, the timber,
richness of the soil is good enough.
Ossy is at home with mother and
will stay with her until Spring. I think when you come home if you should
encourage him and explain to him all the advantages there is for young men in
that country over this stony, stumpy rough side-Hill Barren soil, I should think
if he calculates to have anything or be anybody at all he will pull ahead with
you &c. = Mother, I think, will be easily persuaded to go with you = But I
should rather imagine it would not be for the best under 3 or 4 years yet = if
at all in her old age to go into a new country.
There
is two young men that would like to go with me if they could get work soon as
they arrive there or shortly after. I should try to help them along = please
give us some information as to their few ideas = for they are fine steady boys
as you will come across in these Times -- one a farmer, the other a Mechanic --
Nancy's brothers [Thomas and Jacob Orcutt] = = Osee Hall thinks you ought to say
something about the Darkies. You know he is a Terrible man on that slavery
question. He would not go there for nothing. He is afraid it will be a slave
state. This is the least of my concerns as I am well satisfied if there is
anything like Law or Order of any kind to protect men and property. I am not in
the least concerned but what Southern Men and Darkies will please Keep on their
side of the Fence = soon just give us some few thoughts on this point if you
please.
You
had best select say 4 or 6 lots for some that will come on this Spring = all
well, all in good health. Just write Almarin S. Warring for he is in a Fix to go
somewhere he can just work at his trade &c. Augusta Goodrich all right &c. To
J. S. Griffing in haste. Write me as soon as you get me a claim.
-- Henry Griffing
Wakarusa,
[Kansas Territory]
January 18, 1855
My
Dear Augusta,
After so long a time, your kind favor sent to St. Joseph's has reached me
containing an account of your visit at my friend and your kind good cousin
Hancies with the flow of spirits that must pervade one's mind when in the
presence of one like her. And could I fly on the wings of the telegraph, it does
seem as if I today would seek the presence of some congenial spirit rather than
while away the hours of the livelong day in my lonely cabin. However, I have
endeavored to make companions of my scanty library and have, I think, caused the
hours to pass quite as pleasantly as could be expected. It has indeed been a
fine day. The sky as pure and bright as you ever beheld it, the breeze stirring
gently to prevent the heat of the sun bringing you into midsummer rather than a
fine April day, the air pure and invigorating, and everything contributing to
its beauty and loveliness. Six different persons have made calls and one quite a
visit. I prepared a dinner for him and myself that a king (if half-starved)
would be proud of.
We
held a meeting yesterday at neighbor Stewart's cabin for the purpose of taking
into consideration the erection of a bridgeacross
the Wakarusa. A committee was appointed to examine and find a
suitable place, solicit aid, ascertain the probable cost and report at an
adjourned meeting. It is contemplated building it a short distance above my
claim. If so, it will bring me in the vicinity of three considerably traveled roads. First, the great California Road west; 2nd, the Hickory Point and Big
Timber Road; 3rd, the Big Mound Road. It will also, I think, change the travel
from Lawrence to the States and cause them to pass near the big mound whereas
now they cross as a ford some three miles below. It will also give us a good
road to Lawrence.
Wed. [January] 24th -- Since I
commenced this [letter], winter has set in upon us in good earnest. Last
Saturday night [January 20, 1855], it commenced snowing and continued all night.
The next morning, the wind blew very hard from the north lifting the snow in
every direction making Sabbath one of the most disagreeable days this winter
thus far. I had started for my appointment Saturday but became weather bound and
was unable to go on -- Jacob being unable to take me through the snow banks --
and then it was so bitter cold. I thought there would be no one but the family
at the floorless cabin where I was to preach. I managed to get back to my cabin
again on Monday where I have been since.
My
Quarterly Meeting takes place the 11th and 12th of February and I would be glad
to make the round of the circuit again before it comes on, but can not, as I
expect my Presiding Elder [Rev. Goode] to dine with me about the middle of next
week and then he wants me to accompany him down in the south part of the
Territory on the waters of the Osage to attend quarterly meeting the week before
mine. I was in hopes to be able to report 50 members on the Wakarusa circuit
before the Quarterly Meeting, but shall hardly reach that number. But by the
blessing of Heaven, before the conference year is up, we hope to have a hundred
all aiming to reach that better home.
Lawrence is improving
finely. Sod houses, tents, and shanties are giving way to much more commodious
buildings. The steam saw mill hardly meets the demand for lumber. Several others
have been purchased but can not be brought on until navigation opens. Quite a
large hotel [9] is in the process of
erection. Three newspapers are now
published in the city. I sent you a copy of the "Herald of Freedom"
last week -- also one to [my brother] Henry.
But
you wished to know more about my cabin. My own is yet unfinished. I am wintering
with my friend John Still. Thomas Still and his sister have gone on a five day's
journey down in the State of Missouri on horseback -- about 170 miles -- and
John is obliged to be at home at his fathers. Consequently, I am obliged to live
nearly alone with no one to watch me but faithful Jacob. He thinks it pretty
tough to be obliged to browse about in the bushes for a living but thinks he can
endure it if I will only give him an occasional chance to smell of the contents
of my meal bag. This I agree to do if he won't come too often. And so we live
together quite uncomplainingly, sympathizing with each other in our hardships.
I ought to have
excepted the birds which flock about my cabin in great numbers since the snow.
They seem very glad to get a few crumbs of cold Johnny cake which I scatter out
to them. The chickadees and snowbirds are most numerous. There are a few birds
here [that are] the most beautiful and which have staid about most of the
winter. The principal one is the paracheet, of most beautiful green with a
yellow head -- nearly as large as a dove. Quite a flock of them came the other
day and stopped near where I was. Two of their number remained as sentinels in a
tree whilst the remainder flew down to the shore of a stream and sought food.
But my favorite bird here is about the size of a robin with a little horn on his
head nearly an inch in length. He is of a beautiful light red color and is a
prince in song. The thrush can't begin to sing with him. Such is his variety [of
songs] that you would almost think he had a dozen music pipes at his command. If I only
had about a dozen of them about in my cabin, others might go to Trinity to hear
music but let me remain among my birds and hear it from nature's perfect voice
-- where I may listen to loftier and smoother cadences and sweeter and gentler
tones. [10] But alas, I am afraid the poor things would not sing in my cabin now. It
looks too bare and desolate. Its only ornaments are a bag of meal, part of a
sack of flour, a molasses cask, a sugar box, a lard jar, a looking glass (of
course), a frying pan, a bake oven, a trunk, some clothing, a scanty bed, a
string over the fireplace on which hang 6 pair of just washed socks, a wrapper
towel, &c. But Alas. Look at
the heels [of my socks]! They complain awfully. Jacob's saddle and portmanteaus
hang in one corner to complete the furniture. A big nail holds a portion of
beef. But where are the chairs, the tables, the bureau, &c.? Echo only
answers where. One year from now --
Providence sparing my life -- I hope to see something of a change.
The other day while in
Lawrence, I called upon one of the proprietors of the city who told me that he
would make me a present of a city lot if I would go ahead and make improvements
on it. I hope to be able to do so
in the Spring. At any rate, [I will try to] put up a small building if only to
rent. Did [your brother] James receive the letter I sent him? No answer has come
yet. One came from [my brother] Henry in answer to mine from the Big Blue. After
this, please direct to Lawrence, Kansas Territory, not putting on Westport at
all. Please write soon. Any news from Newfield, Candor, Connecticut, or home
will all be gladly received. Are
Henry and Ossy [Griffing and your brother] James a coming here? If so, please
write me the day they start. I shall look for them about the 12th of March if
they start the 1st. Do you know of any that's talked of coming besides them?
Please send me an Owego newspaper. Adieu for the present. The Lord bless and
keep you is the prayer of your,
-- James.
Wakarusa [Kansas
Territory]
January 24, 1855
My friend Ralph,
As I am writing to
Augusta, I thought of enclosing an apology to you for so long a delay in answering your
very kind letter. I am glad you received those books and hope you may find some
of them serviceable. You will notice many of them are second hand books and as a
consequence have been used hard. I am very glad to hear that you are bending
every effort to ascend the hill of science just as far as circumstances will
allow. A choice I am sure you will never regret. You are already finding no
doubt that obstacles distant and apparently insurmountable are inclined to
present themselves all along your pathway. But toil on. Be not discouraged as
you approach them their size will diminish and you will be enabled to proceed
with great ease and boldness. New and brighter objects will continually unfold
themselves to your intellectual gaze and beckon you to wander to new heights
never before reached, and every advancing step will only tend to make the future
path much more enticing.
I only wish my past was
mine again. How I should like then, with s more close application and a more
systematic disposal of my time apply my energies in intellectual improvement.
Yes, Ralph, push right on. And if there are obstacles, even drawbacks, let the
only course [be] redoubled energy.
You asked my opinion as
to college. If I were to choose one for myself, I think it would be the
Genesee
College
at Lima, New York
State... I think in Livingston
County. Everyone that I have conversed with speak of the institution in the highest
terms in all the Departments. I think they have near six hundred students. It is
quite convenient to your home there. If you write a line to the President [of
the college], he will furnish you with a catalogue. Brother [George] Blakely
will give you his name and address if you have it not already. This will tell
you all about the rules and regulations of the institution, its requirements in
order to enter the several classes, its expenses, &c. Next to it, my
preference if my pocket was deep enough would be Yale, Brown, Cambridge
or Harvard, or old Wesleyan at Middletown.
The college is not a
matter of near the importance as the improvement of the precious hours whilst
there. By close application and a determination to improve the powers of the
mind, a student will show himself almost anywhere. I can only say be sure you
are about right and then “Go ahead.” Freely speak with me and if in any
possible way I can assist you in your very laudable course, nothing will afford
me greater pleasure. I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you next summer.
Shall you ever come to this centre of the county – this Eden of the states?
How I would like to greet you and how much you would be pleased with the
country.
Please write me soon.
Adieu – yours – J. S. Griffing
[1] Thomas
Chalmers Still, b. 6 July 1833 (21 years old at the time of this letter).
[2] John
Wesley Still, b. 17 February 1836 (18
years old at the time of this letter).
[3] Alanson
Goodrich was Augusta's uncle (b. 4 Sept 1790, d.
6 Nov 1854). He married Mary
Piney.
[4] This
"mound" is still readily identifiable today.
It is located about six miles southeast of Lawrence, Kansas and
"rises from the prairie like an island in the ocean" as one pioneer
described it. The mound lies just south
of the Wakarusa river [or the "Walky", as locals refer to it].
[5] James
Moore Still, b. 5 February 1826 (age 28 at the time of this letter).
[6] "Little
Susa" was Susan Sarepta Still, the one-year old infant of James M. Still
and Rahab Mercy Saunders.
[7] The
daguerreian was James Bennett Sykes who opened a studio in Owego, New York in
1851. A newspaper advertisement in the Owego Gazette of December 1854 noted that Mr. Sykes was
back
in his daguerreian rooms after suffering for a few weeks from an inflammation in
a "couple of his eyes."
[8] The
neighbor James is referring to is Rev. John E. Stewart, who came to Kansas
Territory from New Hampshire. In his book, War to the Knife, Tom Goodrich says
that "while James Montgomery remained the most notorious Jayhawker in
southern Kansas, other outlaws, acting largely under his direction, also raked
the land. With his gang of horse thieves, the Reverend John R. Stewart swept
livestock clean from the Marmaton and Drywood Creek areas. Called by friends the
'Fighting Parson' -- unlucky victims dubbed him the 'thieving parson' -- Stewart
cut the manes and tails of stolen horses to prevent identification, then painted
spots on their hide with 'Bachelor's Hair Dye' to disguise them further.
Stewart's band also made brutal raids on isolated homesteads. At one farm near
Fort Scott, the gang gutted a man's house of everything, 'even bedclothes from
over and under the sick, and the children's shoes and stockings.' A little
further on the raiders plucked an absent farmer's cabin, then passed their time
'choking and abusing his wife.'" (page 220)
[9]
The Free State Hotel; 3 stories high, eighty feet wide.
[10]
When asked to identify the birds mentioned in this letter, Dr. William Busby, a
noted author and Ornithologist living in Kansas offered the following:
