OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Letters of Dr. William Lindsey (1868)
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Ithaca, O., Thursday P.M. June 11/(18)68

Dr. W. H. Matchett
     Dear Sir,

     Continued quite unwell. My desease Pleuras Pneumonia, altho convalescing,
as I hope, pain in left lung got troublesome, expectoration painful, appetite
better than my strength.

     It so happened that a couple months rent had accumulated at West Alexa.
which enabled me to enclose $10. thro Hattie's letter with intructions how to
be appropriated which trust has been recd.

     My friend Groover of Arcammun some 2 weeks ago had the kindness to call &
pay me $10. on my bill, promising to pay balance soon as he could. I feel
rather anxious to learn if I am indebted to you for this unexpected call from
Mr. G. Conjectured you had called on him & had endorsed me in my charge in
the case. Had it not been for this unexpected exception of a little money,
could not have made the remittances to you which I was enabled to do. My
rents from West Alexa. as you must know afford us but scanty means of
subsistence, & prospects for practice exceedingly gloomy,

     It costs so much keep a horse. Especially as in my case am not making
enough by my practice to feed a horse. What shall I do? What can I do? You 
must not be offended with me. Am greatly oppressed of course.

Yours truly

W. Lindsay
_________________________________________________________________ __

West Alexa. O. June 7" (18)70

J. B. Stephens Esq.            )
Sec. Pioneer organization-)

Dear Sir

     Permit me to give you an incident in reference to Pioneer Hospitality. We
frequently, at least occasionally hear it said by the first pioneers that
during the early settlement of the country the people manifested towards each
other greater friendship and neighborly kindness than at the present day, and
that in proportion to the acquisition of wealth people have become more
selfish; now manifesting independence & a less degree of liberdaty (sic) &
natural neighborly kindness by far than was common among the hard working
laboring class who braved great hardships & privations in an early period in
breaking the forest to some extent, previous & during the time of the War of
"twelves" amidst Indian & savage inhospitality & danger incident to that
period of the country.

     The incident we have referred to we heard from an Athentic Source was of
an Early Setler (sic) by the name of John Philips who then lived on "Twin" a 
few miles below West Alexa. where he was opening a farm.

     It seems that new comers, especially those coming into the county wishing
to purchase & become setlers (sic), were generally hailed with a hearty welcome.
On this occasion, we now have reference to, two men from Va. in prospecting
the country here, in reference to a home in the west, call on Philips whom,
it would seem, failed to receive with the kindness & attentions anticipated,
indeed his conduct was such that these newcomers were induced to regard
Philips as a hard case, and greatly deficient in the hospitality anticipated,
& which had been so liberally & universally extended towards them by the
setlers where they had been since thier arrival in the neighborhoods. Philips
was one of our bluff kind of men, rough in his manners, though at heart not
at all wanting or deficient in the usual kindness & social good qualities of
the country so generally characteristic among the early setlers of the west.

     It so happened at the particular time these gentlemen called, Philips was
greatly out of humor, something had gone wrong with him, and squirrels were
eating up the mash & nuts from the hogs & the (sic) much more of the same
sort, was quite boisterous, cursing & swearing, giving vent to his feelings
quite in an unbecoming manner; for this time being, paying but little
attention to his visitors, not at all the usual civilities common & due on
the occasion. In consequences of the cool reception, where kindness had been
anticipated they were on the point of leaving; Philips taking down his gun
following them to where they had hitched their horses, & preparing to mount.
Philips had exploded his passion, now accosting them in the most friendly
manner if they intended to leave? Inviting them in the most cordial manner to
come back & accept the best, as welcome guests. his house & circumstances was
able to give them adding, that if they should refuse the hospitality &
attempted to leave, he would shoot them...Of course they returned, and such
was the friendship & kindness now manifested by Philips they were induced to
remain some days. And in harmony with the hospitality of the times, Philips
sent & obtained a keg of whiskey, Philips having learned that his guests from
Va. were from near his native place. And consequently great congeniality of
good feeling between guests & host in comparing notes & incidents -- men &
things -- of buy (sic) gone days.

     We hope to be with you on the 18th. The foregoing in substance rec.
through Mr. John D. Miller of our town.

Yours truly
W. Lindsay


Helen, Sacramento