Charles Francis Himes to Helen Himes

Brick School House Wythe Tnshp
Hancock Co. Ill. Dec. 7th 1856.

Dear Sister,
If I thought that you had neglected to answer many of my lengthy epistles, through an unexcusable indisposition to write I would not again be at my wonted weekly work of writing home. There is however one circumstance which partially accounts for the delay viz: the length of the letters perhaps you have not yet finished them. You will perceive that I am still without the pale of civilization, I have weathered the storm of three weeks in this inhospitable clime. I have had a realizing taste of common-school teaching in this post of Suckerdom and I must say I don’t “roll” this situation “as a sweet morsel under my tongue” my love for it will never be my besetting Sin, in fact I feel willing to give up and as soon as any one in authority intimates anything about a different course or management in my dominions I will throw up my commission. I have gotten along finely during the time I have spent here and everything “is calm as a summer’s morning” but I fear it is a calm precedes a storm. I have had for the past three days 35 in actual attendance and the probability is that it will reach 40 on Monday and some very mischevious. It’s excruciating in the extreme to sit in that din and confusion for six hours a day and be forced to see the English language murdered and the finest passages culled from Pope and Milton read over by persons arrived at the years

of accountability without appreciation. And then the vacant, silly laugh; the staring into open space and lack of studiousness on the part of those whome age should have taught sufficient wisdom. And then such a supreme ignorance of the genius and form of our government but one of them knowing what the legislature and congress were for and what composed of [illegible] and some of them I presume nearly voters, I am almost constrained to cry out against universal suffrage when I see that such men must be influenced by passion for they can not be reached by reason. I have not yet obtained a certificate from the county Superintendant and don’t know when I can, but as my wages will amount to something soon I don’t want to risk another Bethany affair. as I can not receive any money untill I have a certificate, I think I’ll walk 12 miles and be examined next Saturday as I have no other conveyance for going. I begin to fear that I can only draw pay from the date of the certificate in which case I would lose a whole month, but the directors told me any time before the end of the quarter would do. I clear $20.00 per month at the present rate. If I leave this situation I am again on the ocean without a chart to tell my steerage. I had formerly intended starting immediately over land for Missouri and Kansas but I had a letter from Prof. Lucker saying it was very cold worse than last winter already, they had two snows before the 20th of Nov. one a foot deep. I would not therefore like to risk it there as I am not entirely well yet. It is a very bad time

of the year to procure situations here and hard to get away as the navigation has about closed, besides I don’t want to get into any permanent business untill I coould consult at home. I am cut off from Keakuk by the running ice. I intended going to K. yesterday but could not, but perhaps if it gets a little colder I can in week on the ice. If so perhaps I can do something in Keakuk or Iowa. If I don’t get a situation soon I shall in all probability come home as I can spend the winter very profitably heading law and surveying and be prepared to go into business in the spring of some kind or other. Perhaps we could start out a [illegible] of Kansas emigrants from old Adams but I think it doubtfull. Nothing equals the lumber business for making money. But if I come home I can say all; if not I can write more anon. Only I would add that in Kansas they get $12.00 and 15 per thousand for sawing and they complain it don’t pay expenses of running I don’t know how to account for it. How are Old Mr. Lynch and Oscar satisfied with the east this trip, I do hope Oscar is getting or has gotten entirely well. Tell the old Judge that they are making a very forcible application of the gas bellows to blow up “Oakwood” – alias – “Spunky-point” about a half mile on the prarie from Hamilton, they say it is intended to be a place of retirement for the wealthy of K. and as an inducement they are getting up some fine boarding schools and are going to start a

paper. I have seen some pretty sensible men make investments there and it is said most of the lots were bought by Keakukians. Already there are seven M. D.’s there. I fear its greatness is placed on too airy a foundation, for money will procure enjoyment anywhere. I have not seen Wm. Lynch for nearly four weeks and don’t know when I will see him. We have had no eastern mail since last Wednesday when I recd. a Ledger of Nov. 19 for which I am very thankful but sorry there was no letter. as Oct. 26th are my last dates yet from home, fast approaching two months. That is the first paper I have recd. from home, the failure of the Lancaster bank is surprising, thank fortune it don’t affect me, how is York, County Bank I have $40.00 on it yet. The man I am with wants me to sell 100 acres of woodland at $30.00 half cash, half in year at 10 percent. he was offered $2400 cash without looking at it by two speculators but I think they’ll take it at his price its a decided speculation, will cut about 20 cords to the acre and it is worth from $500 to $600 per cord in Warsaw can be cut at $1.00 to $1.30 per cord and is 2 ½ miles from town and land worth from $500 to $1000 with timber off, if I had had a Partner I’d like to have got if it will clear about $2000 easily. Land is increasing at a slow but I think sure rate about here, the unimproved prarie is getting to be brought under cultivation, if it were not for the uncertainty of titles it would be a fine investment, for a man can’t fail but feel independent with a quarter of rich Illinois prarie. Several men in town have told me to keep an eye on the town schools and I could get one in spring or a few months but I don’t know that they are very desirable where board is $5.00 per week I could were I so disposed get one in the spring I presume as I have the Democratic Editor on my side. I say now as every Hurrah for old Buck, I

I think he’ll give Republicanism its death blow by making Kansas a free state, its raising a terrible hub bub in the South to think that a President should not suffer himself to be dictated to by them, they are so accustomed to it. Gov. Geary too it must now be admitted possesses a little of the spirit of Old Hickory, as he sets aside laws established by custom and legislative enactment in order to execute the demands of justice in Kansas. He’ll be sustained by Pierce or else ought to be made U.S. Senator from Penna. Prof Tucker has turned Free Soil since he has been in Border – Missouri, he says that the Pro-Slavery party is too proscriptive there, but still he is for Buchannon. I am glad to see the large Republican majorities rolled up as an evidence of the vox populi in regard to slavery extension. Did Annie Fahnestock get the letter I sent for Mr. Lynch. Now I want you to write every week once I’ll get the letters occasionally then. I must now prepare for church and will finish tomorrow. The indications of the weather are that it will snow. I hope you are all better than I am physically and mentally. I had a chill and fever last week but none since and although not entirely well I am improving I do hope poor Maggie is getting better.
Your afft. Bro
Cha. F. Himes

Dec. 8th 1856, As Mr. Reed is going to town tomorrow, I’ll finish and send this. My fears are triumphant over my hopes this evening regarding a very prolonged sojourn among these people. It’s out of my line of business to manage unaccountable beings almost. I will at least stay this week, I have not as yet heard or heard of the whisper of a complaint and am as well liked I think as could be expected, but I threatened to whip a large boy today and it must be done if the occasion demands it again and I know he’ll give battle I see its my only hope of preserving the good order of the school. Lots of chances here for speculation. Corn has just gone up to .47 in Warsaw, one of the distilleries has not more than enough to last 24 hours and this cold weather prevents gathering. There is a nice little farm of 80 acres could be bought near at I am told $30.00 per acre by taking 50 acres of timber at same price – I think it a speculation but many more equally as good. I fear I can’t get to Keakuk on Saturday as the weather appears to be moderating and the River will not freeze. The typhoid fever is prevalent here just now and I’d be blamed if I did not feel well but my sickness has almost disappeared and I am hearty unless the loathsomeness of my task should effect the finer portions of the brain but I am exceedinly regular in my habits being up and through breakfast before sun-rise every morning and go to bed when the clock strikes nine every night. In come Sally with the booties on the boots, well I think its sensible any law being conducive to health and convenient only I think they ought to wear finer articles that the boys. Yours in uncertainty C. F. Himes don’t forget to write on receipt of this send papers and so forth.