Charles Francis Himes to Helen Himes

St. Joseph Oct 14th. 1857.

Dear Sister, -
Yours and Pa’s of Sept 25th are recd containing the announcement of Grand Ma’s death, she has at last been freed from her sufferings, but the breach made is a wide one, and the change will be sensibly seen and felt. – As to the Library you know I always fancied those “Spectators,” “Plutarchs Lives”, “Rollins History” “Junius Letters” and the poets of uniform binding with “Junius Letters”, the latter (“J.”L) I desire very much. All the books in my trunks are my own so you need not ransack them. several there were given me by Grandma during my senior year in college and some while I was preparing for college. – I am still trudging along here among these Ruffians, but from my experience I would scarcely advise any young man from the free-states to go to a slave state to teach a District school. I have nothing to complain of my treatment here thus far not even by Judge Leonard as he has always acted very courteously toward me; but he has spit his foul mouthed slang about me where I was not to reply to him. he shall hear of it

more than he expects before I leave N. Missouri. I mean to comply to the letter of my contract and get my money first. – I know his character thoroughly. he’s harmless as a lamb. – The Panic has at last reached St. Joe. and there have been many long faces for the past few weeks but recent accounts say they are becoming more cheerfull. Prices of property have not declined much if any although of course there are no sales. There have been no failures as yet, the banker has closed for 30 days by consent of his depositors he is now out of danger and is receiving deposits. Most of the merchants expect to stand heavy protests. I think one happy result of the state of affairs will be the explosion of the paper towns in Kansas its worse than a charge of powder beneath, to them. Bank bills are hard to be gotten rid of I assure you but I think confidence will soon be restored and the atmosphere be a little clearer in the commercial world. Our sick here are no better, and comprise a beautiful complication of

diseases, typhoid fever, lung fever, cholera infantum and erysipelas. I have been among the sick so much lately that I feel like making a Doctor of myself although it is disheartening to think of entering any profession when you see the super-abundance in this part of the world. I have ceased appointing any time for coming home it may be soon and perhaps not. – We have had some frost here. the first accident occured on the R.R. last Friday by which two men lost their lives a mile or two of the track are laid. I suppose you are enjoying the luxury of a R.R. ride at Oxford now. By [illegible] yesterday the election came off has Backer [illegible] Black Davy been elected do give me full county news, I don’t belong to any party myself. – Old Ransom is defeated in Kansas the Republican thunder is gone. There will be a proslavery legislature. No Missourians went over from here not even those who were legally entitled to a vote. Shooting and cutting scrapes are getting quite common. – A day or two ago a man had his elbow cut off his [illlegible] and his shoulder

split, etc. The Missourians bear their defeat in Kansas like philosophers. it may not be as bad as reported I have not heard since Sunday. It is said the constitution will be proslavery and not be submitted to the people. Kansas is not fit to be a state. – I am in receipt of papers which are very gratefully recd. and give me much satisfaction. Give my best respects to all inquiring friends and love to all the family. I hope Mary’s finger will soon be well. What has become of Lan? What is he doing? – Write soon. Your afft Bro.
Chas. F. Himes