Charles Francis Himes to Helen Himes, May 10, 1857

May 10th, 1857

Dear Sister,

I delayed sending you my letter for want of opportunity since—have been in an entirely different region of the State among a different—of people where I lived on corn head and venison and we slept altogether in the single roomed cabin. But the people are very hospitable. I have since reading your letter of April 28th I am glad Geo. Himes has finished if I thought he could like and answer this meridian I’d like him to come west. I have no doubt Uncle Thos. would make more money by moving to Oxfina and investing his money at 10 pct. interest or 15 is he wishes it in the West. Why don’t the county guarantee the R.R. bonus and finish that wood. Why old-fogy, slavery-blighted, anti-progressive Missouri is doing far better. There appears to be a breaking up in Oxford and vicinity and a moving westward, I do wish I could meet, see and converse with them. I am sorry to hear of Mr. Hershes failure. I would like to satisfy you an ma and come straight along east but I will stay here at least till fall if I succeed as well as I think I can. Now is the time. Too late is the response to all my inquiries. I am just beginning to see into the character of the west. As to Mr. Ege, now confidently don’t receive him too cordially or you will have an opportunity to become tired of him. I know all about his son Peter since he left College, hard study never hurt him but I don’t suppose his father knows to the contrary. I would like to know if my letter from Carlisle was read if so what was the opinion at home. I think it would be $12 pleasantly spent and it would spread 1700 of my lithographs and give me a hundred and all my old friends and best at college.

Prof. Lucker has bought a quarter of land at $5 per acre with out timber or any improvement-$200 down and rest in three years at 10 pct. I start tomorrow for Jackson;s Point, Glenwood—but will write you soon again. Love to all.