Independence October 3 1858 Brother William

I received your letter on the 27th inst. and it gave me much satisfaction to hear from you again. I was pleased to hear that you were all well. Father has got well again and is at it once more[.] he is building a two story house in town and expects to finish it this week—

I thank you, and Brother Charley for the offer you made me, and also for the interest you have in my welfare. But I hardly know what to say as to coming back there to live. I like the country very well and should like very much to live near you because it would seem like old times again to be among friends, and I dont think I could find any one that would be as good a friend, one that I could confide in and take as much interest in me as you Bill, and were it not for one or two objections I would not hesitate a moment in coming back because I know I could enjoy myself very much there. I suppose you would like to know what my objections are. I will tell you Bill, because I am not afraid to tell you my secrets[,] there are certain people there that I do not fancy and where their tongue of slander has been more than once let loose, and ones that take a little too much interest in me and my business. Now you know Bill it is not very pleasant for a person to live in a place, where there is an endless stream of gossip running about you. (You can easily guess who I mean)

I intend to go up in the Territory in the course of a week or so, and take a look around, and see if I can better myself, there is some very nice places there by all accounts, and is filling up very fast by Eastern people. I do not like this place at all[.] I think there is some of the meanest people here that ever trod this earth. A person is counted just nobody at all here, unless he owns a lot of niggers[,] and a poor man, and mechanic is looked upon as no better than a slave. So much for a Slave State.

I am completely disgusted with the name of Slavery, and any man East that upholds Slavery, he should be made to live in a slave state all his life time, and if he dont alter his tune before one year is over his head, than I am no judge that’s all, the men here are all cowards. Every man and boy, have a pistol or a Bowie knife stuck in their breeches. But I intend to get out of this place as soon as possible. And if I can find a place that suits me, and where I can get plenty of work, I will settle down, and make the west my home. And if I cannot, then I shall come back east[.] Fannie dont like this place and wants to get out of it as soon as possible[,] and I don’t blame her[,] and as soon as I can get some money I intend to stope[.] Father is sick enough too of this place and he intends to stope as soon as he gets settled up—he intends to write soon to you—

if this place was settled with free state men I should want no prettier place to live in. I want to know Bill if you can see the Comet, there is a very large one to be seen here[.] it makes its appearance every night from [[MS. torn]] oclock until about 10oclock[.] it is the largest one that has ever been seen, and there is considerable excitement about it. Some suppose it indicates something awful, either war, famine, or pestilence of some kind, as they say it is an ill omen.

But I shall have to close this letter[.] I will write to you again soon and will let you know what I intend to do. You must write soon, and let me know if I could get a chance with some good carpenter to finish my trade if I should come back home. Tell Charly he must write as soon as he can. Fannie is going to write to Guss today-- give my respects to all.

Yours truly J.C. Iserman