From A.J. Huntoon to My Dear Wife
Another week has past, but I got no letter from you. The last I recd was dated May 21st. Came from Topeka this morning. No eastern mail in last night. Fears are entertained & not without reason, that our mail will be irregular, owning to interruptions in Missouri. Mo. rebels fired upon U.S. troops & drove them off, from Independence this week. A messenger arrived in Lawrence Thursday morning calling for assistance to sustain the supremacy of the U.S.T. It was readily granted, what our boys have been aching for. One regiment left Lawrence immediately for Kansas City, where they will be joined by five hundred from Ft. Leavenworth. Five hund. also left Ft. L. for St. Joseph. If our boys are left to their inclinations there will be some fighting right soon.
Have had a shooting affair in Leavenworth City between Anthony & Satterlee, ending in the death of the latter, a good man. I am acquainted with both parties. Satterlee leaves a wife & two children. Also a murderous affair near Atchison. I will send the papers containing the accounts.
We may look for these as common occurences in Kansas, for a while at least. All carry arms now, who are so fortunate as to have them, Colts, revolvers are in good demand. Men are paying out their last cent for them. I hope they may be disappointed in having an opportunity to use them especially at home.
I have not heard who got the appointment I asked for, or whether it was made. I have earned $20.00 this week. Delivered a load of coal up in the Pottowatomie Nation. Have not got my money yet but it will be good. John Hamilton has left home for good, some difficulty between him & the old man, do not know exactly what. He will enter the army if he can raise a horse.
I know of nothing to write you, of interest in our neighborhood. Crops look fine. For supper to night we had new potatoes, radishes, lettuce, biscuit & butter[,] with coffee of course. Yesterday I took dinner with Ellen, had green pease. Weather is very warm, & plenty of rain. All are in hopes it will be dry from this until the wheat harvest is over. It looks beautiful & we will get a big crop unless it rusts. Corn was never growing faster than now, nor wilder either. Grass is knee high, everything is fat. It just does me good, after being away to get back to the farm & see the stock. My horses & colts look fine. Blooms colt we call Eva, is just as pretty as it can be but is rather small.
May & Liz have just gone traipsing by as usual hot enough to melt. Going to see Mrs. Mills on the Thorp place I suppose. John went along. Brave you know is fond of going, & John lets him go every where with him.
Do you hear anything from Langdon since you were there? Have Samuels folks been up yet? I am well as any body need to wish to be. I will leave this for the present, in hopes I may have something to write before an opportunity presents for sending this to the office. I got linen for two pair pants. Ellen will cut & make them, also got a linen coat. Don’t you think I am getting dressy? With much love and a kiss for yourself & my Prentiss (how I would like to give them myself.)
I will close for today— A.J. Huntoon
[ ] To my Lizzie; Have I got one any more.
Wednesday 19th 1861 A.M.
Rec’d yours of the 6th inst. Mrs. Elliot brought it from Topeka yesterday. Was glad to hear and you and Prentiss were well. Glad to know you are enjoying all the products of Yankee Land. First time you ever mentioned whether you got any of those things you so much desired or not. I believe I read all your kind letters times enough to be sure. I attempted something last night, for the first time; to make a rhubarb pie, and had very good success indeed; think it will not be the last time I shall try it. My pie plant is doing very well, this year. Am going to have pease for supper to night. John is going to put in 4 acres of Hungarian grass on the Todd place, will finish plowing today & sow tomorrow. He has every prospect of a good crop. I do the cooking when I am here. Tomorrow I intend to get another load of coal to take up in the nation.
[ ] Topeka, Saturday, P.M.
Joel just arrived from Mo. Brought a span of mules, a side saddle & a mans saddle & 2 Bridles, Is well, [[MS. illegible]] did not know him—
A.J.H.
[ P.S.] Paper is getting scarce.
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