Jefferson County AlArchives Photo Document.....Lewis William Herring's Letter To Isaac Mitchell Pool (1833-1867)  -  Dated: Oct 27, 1860  (3  Pages - 1 Of 3) October 27, 1860
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Shirley Mellon Dewberry dewberry@cableone.net April 22, 2010, 8:53 pm

Source:             Personal Document
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Full Letter - 3 pages

Springville (Alabama) 27 Oct 1860
I M Pool Esgn (Isaac Mitchell Pool 1833-1867)

Dear Cousin

     As I have some desire to hear how you are getting on.  I have concluded 
to drop you a line in hopes of getting an answer.  I have nothing that could 
interest you much more than we are all well.  I find that trade is very dull, 
although we recd on last week our fall stock about $1500.00 worth consisting 
of dry goods, clothing, ___  & shoes.  I ordered nothing else.  I find goods 
about as they were last spring and fall.

     Money is more scarce than usual, I likely to remain ___.  I think you 
would do well to buy all the seed cotton that you can get in discount at 2 1/2 
cts ___. Sell all the goods you can at a very low percent for cash or on time 
to undoubted customers.  I think you had better jew a little.  At any rate 
never refuse money if you can save cost and charges.

     I respect (expect) to come down about the 15th Nov. and remain until the 
entire stock, is disposed of in some way.  So you must have it all planned out 
before I come in order that no time may spent in preliminaries.  Consult Uncle 
Mitch (Mitchell Pool 1801-1862) and ascertain what disposition would suite him 
best.  If he is contended, I think it best for you and Bro. William to 
merchandise these together, as he and I are getting old.  My health is now as 
good as ___.  Though I had one bad spell since I was down at your place.  Gus 
has gone to Blount to a Methidis (Methodist) Camp meeting and on a collecting 
loan.

     There is a great deal of corn to sell in this neighborhood, most of the 
farmers are asking $1 per bu. Though some few are now offering it at 75 cts.  
As yet not one seems willing to sell pork at any price.  Some say they will 
not fatten for less than 10 cts.  Though I do not think that pork will command 
more than 8 cts.  Neither do I think that it can be had for less.  We have a 
good prospect for a school at our Academy next year.  We have nearly raised 
the salary, desired, for the Rev. Willoughby and his 2 daughters say 
$1500.00.  This salary we think will secure his services with two and three 
assistants.

     POLITICS HERE SEEM TO FAVOR MR. BRECKENRIDGE, BUT AFTER ALL, I BELIEVE 
THAT IF ANY ONE IS ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE, IT WILL BE LINCOLN.  IF BY THEN 
HOUSE BRECKENRIDGE WILL STAND THE BEST CHANCE.  I AM CONFIDENT THAT DOUGLAS 
WILL NEVER GET TO THE HOUSE. (NOTE: JOHN CABELL BRECKINRIDGE WAS A 
REPRESENTATIVE AND A SENATOR FROM KENTUCKY AND THE FOURTEEN VICE PRESIDENT OF 
THE UNITED STATES.) (LINCOLN - ABRAHAM LINCOLN)

     N.B. hard times is all the better for a merchandiser if he be only able 
to weather through this liability safely.  It is always considered the best 
time to commence business when times are hard from the fact the customers are 
not apt to run in to speculation, but on the contrary they will use all their 
available means in paying debts.

     I paid in Selma 17 cts. for coffee in Sept, in this month 18 ctS. in 
Montevallo.  I am selling at 20 cts. cash.  Sell more than ever did in the  
length of time, I sell at $3 per sack.  We have no sugar on hand.  I expect to 
send my wagon down for a load of groceries as soon as I sow wheat.

     I must close this yarn, as I have already intended it far beyond what I 
first intended.

     Have on hand about $30.00

     Respect Fully,
     L.W. Herring (Lewis William Herring)













Additional Comments:
Lewis Willam Herring
Born: February 6, 1813 South Carolina
Died: March 3, 1873 St. Clair County, Alabama
Father: James Herring
Mother: Susannah Pool (Brother: Mitchell Pool (1801-1862)
Spouse: Hepsiabeth "Epsey" Worthington

Isaac Mitchell Pool
Born: January 18, 1833 Alabama
Died: March 24, 1867 Leeds (Cahaba Valley), Jefferson Co., Alabama
Father: Mitchell Pool (1801-1862)
Mother: Mary Elizabeth Gilbert (1796-1862)
Spouse: Martha Strickland Pool (1843-1920)



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