John McConihe, Correspondence MS 308 Box: 1 Folder: 2 Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries
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John
The hard times still continue and it is impossible to get any money fit to send off. Each mail brings the news of new fail—ures and as money tightens East so it does in the West. Yesterday the St Marys took back some freight as the parties were unable to change their serip into any kind of satisfactory money. All we live on now is hope, and as I seem to have considerable, I do not feel as bad as some. To add to the distressing times there is a great deal of sickness about us, in the way of fever as well as ague. It is said there is hardly a healthy man West of us, along the Platte River, and every—body here is more or less under the weather. I am still in doubt whether I shall re—turn East this winter, and shall not de—cide until Mr Finch returns. It may be I can make a little something & as it will cost as much, if not more, to go East and return in the Spring I hardly know what is the best policy. A.
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R. Smith went down the River yesterday very much disgusted with the turn things have taken. Rents also in town have taken a fall and many houses are tenantless, nevertheless stores and houses are being built just as if it wasnt hard times. The Capitol buil—ding is roofed in and the brick hotel will be ready for the roof this week. Improve—ments are seen in all directions and that is what inspires me with hope. Florence has improved very little this year and is my opinion stone dead. Bellevue has improved some but not much. Omaha is far, far, ahead of any of its former rivals and they will never be called such again. I have to keep my eyes open as there is a tendency to jump a part of the town site, but it will not amount to much, and I will get duds for our outside lots anyway. I received a cheer—ing letter from John Newt yesterday and it does me good to read them, excepting the tendency he has to despair. I have worried and stewed about our affairs as little as possible, still they have caused me a great deal of trouble. The business was
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entirely new to me and much more extended than anything I had before undertaken, besides bearing a double responsibility in its naure to you and Father. But I trust on other seasons will straighten everything out. Let us hope so.
Wm came here as you know to act as Cashier of the N.S. & BK.C. but the unfort—unate failures at the East threw the Bank on its beams end and he has returned to Ra—cine. The Bank has not failed and may work thro [sic]. It is located in our building and as the Prest. Finch has been absent some three weeks, I have been redeeming its bills as they come in for the bank. About eighty dollars has been presented. I shall get no pay for my services, except that I expect they will more willingly pay rent, and ful—fill their contract for leasing same. Will write you my determination about remain—ing as soon as I can see what my interests are. Hoping you are in good health and that the Contract is in good circumstances.
I remain Your friend John McConihe
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