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Friend John

I have just returned from a trip to Beatrice, having had an opportunity to ride down with the Attorney, who sold the saw mill of our Association under the hammer at $2500, the amount re—maining unpaid upon the same, he having bid it in for the amount of the indebtedness. The mill, put up cost us some $4200#. We looked upon it as a good thing to have them cancel the note and take back the mill.

The Country and crops look well and are uninjured by the heavy rains. But there is no money in the Territory. Beatrice has improved and there are nine houses on the town side. The boys trade the shares at $400= each. Its location in a rich and well timbered country make me think that our investments will pay a good interests in a few years. The settlers in & about Beatrice

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are all at work getting out timber to bridge the Big Blue at Beatrice. The Government trains for Utah cross the Blue 20 miles below the town by fording. The will all come by Beatrice when the bridge is built, and they hope to reap some benfit from them. The Directors have made an asses—ment of $25 a share to enter the town cite [sic] and clear off indebtedness of currency & e, and intend to give us deeds of our lots before the Land Sales. If so we will be all right.

Rents have fallen more than one half since last year, and if the times continue to grow as bad as they have been getting since my arrival, there will soon be two houses to every tenant. I have rented the front Office a $10 per month & the third room at $75 per annum. Pre—emptions at the Land Office have almost ceased. The team—boats are nearly all tied up at St. Louis, and the turn in the business affairs of the Mis—souri (and for ought I know everywhere else) Valley has been up side down, a complete turnover. We sit in the office daily talking the times, saying little of the prospects a—

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head, and making "nary red." I have not lost hope or courage, and shall try my best to live through these years of tribulation. "O for a thousand tongues to sing this great country praise." The dead and dying lie strewn all about, and their monuments built with their own hands show how they died. there are little chances now and then of making something, buying & selling gold & e & e, if one only had the money. But none of us have it.

I wish you would send me the ab—stract of our affairs, as written out by me and left with you, when we settled. I wish to see it and balance some Lot accounts as rendered to you. You have it. — The day is very warm.

Yesterday was celebrated as Independence day and there was a large pro—cession, a dinner, speeches, dancing, & e.

When is Martin L coming out. Tell him to be here at the Land Sales.