American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1921-07-22
a Letter Written In
49--Mornons Find
Gold At Salt Lake


Mrs. +. ]. Kohlhepp has several LETT
ters written during the early forties.
With her permission We publish the
following one which gives some idea of
the habits of living of the time and the
great difference that existed at that
time regarding communication and
travel.
The letter follows:
ITO William A. Hickman.
Potawatamie County,
"Thanesville, Iowa, BY Way of st.
Joseph.
Randolph County. Mo.
MAY the 9th. iS49.
Dear children / avail myself of
the present opportunity of informing
you that we are all in good health at
present and sincerely hope that you
are enjoying the same blessing. We
received yours of the 18th OF February
and one of a later date. They gave us
great satisfaction to hear of your
health and prosperity.
"You complain OF my not writing to
you before this time, the reason was
when you wrote to me FROM Sandhil
expected you would make your pro-
mise good inc ] would once more have
the satisfaction OF seeing you in this
: life. and | waited In hope of seeing
YOU until Il got too late for a letter to
n pass from me to you, and when the
l. winter broke, | expected ere long be-
o fore a letter could pass TO you that
n you would be searching for gold, but
! not IN California.
Reports of Gold.
d Reports say there Is plenty at the
y Salt Lake, II so you folks (the Nor
ID mons) amt smart or they would have
kept Il dark. Reports say that two OF
them brought In forty five thousand or
the gold found at the Salt Lake to
barter for the goods etc. | would like
to know II gold was plenty at the
N Lake. | have had no notion OF being
a Mormon, but II | could see a good
IN prospect for gold II would be a great
inducement at least for awhile. Your
brother, d. S. Easom, has Injured
themselves by taking the gold fever.
NJ "They have made the necessary
10 prparation, wagon, oxen, ETC. to go 10
"a California, but one that agreed to 20
n with them and bear his part OF the ex,
he pense OF the outfit, backed out and
they had strained every nerve to make
,is their part of the outfit and when ht
~ backed out II disappointed them ana =
-, great loss. they gave a high price foi
Ia In MHEOH anu NiAA9 ~ "
,ts cattle they had three yoke). The!
,ar had him bound In bond and the las
nd | heard from them they was going L
NV the law, etc.
ri About Widow Nobs.
yes "You stated in your last letter tina
for BernittR had written 10 her fhtheF'
doubt whether he got the letter. II
has married HIS aunt the widow Non
YER and has moved to Howard County an
err Ia living In or adjoining New FRANKLIN
Right here | must give you n good or
Who think, but you can Judge for yoursel
ted You know the old man n me WI
very thick and confidential by time
m 40 lust before he was married he can
nen 10 me and told me all about IL flor
fter couldn't talk about anything eisel IN
His the widow had four negroes, that o.
lat was a fine smith and that he Intend.
ties TO put him In a shop at Milton etc, y
hen But behold, between the time they ~
4 of agreed TO marry ana the wsuulns w
ON abe had slipped them out OF her nan
ita privately and II want known I
for months. Then old George made
Ilev sham sale Of all HIS negroes To the
ttng II In believed TO be q sham hnle'
,ntV any rate Friedrich has got them .
When the old man married ne Nc
ION word TO your mother that ne was
perfect happy man, nothing lacki
- How he is now cannot say, | v
leave II with you to Judge, otc.
katherine Birkharte and SOU
BENJAMIN Haley married "A few wee
past. More big kin folks. There !
been a great many deaths and IN
rlages since you was here. The wid
Witenburg Is living az old Georp
place at Milton. Health has been "
good In this section for the last TIVE
months. Your brother Geroge Y
well the first OF last month and sta
in his letter that he intended com
home In July If he didn't marry.
is In fine health complains OF moth
but being too fleshy.
ooh how my children IL seattle
and still going. 10 starts for Hin
In a few days. My family fs gelt
small. Home ls lonesome looking pl
nothing flourishing In the way OF
%proyementB but ! have plenty brI
and meat. / have bacon for sale
could spare 100 barrels OF corn.
Write on reception and write ~
opportunity, / would Of been very 4
OF seeing you once more but IL
doubtful whether | ever see you ag
in this life. Kiss the little child
for me and tell them ] want TO
them.
nc. r. HICKMA