64-01-02 Binton County Oregon  Jan 2th 1864 to A & E Damrell, Henry & wife 
from L. F. Canterbury
                          
Dear Father & Mother, Nephew and Niece.  After so Long a time I seat myself to 
answer your letter which came to and about the 20th Oct.  Well it has been so 
long since I reced it that would not call this an answer.  Was it not for some 
things I want to say Henry and also to make my apology for waiting so long.  
now Grandma you know it is not for want of Respect to you, any any of you, 
that I have not written to you, but now hear my excuse.  I Left home in 
September, and started to meet Brother Miltons Family on the Plains, I went 
about 200 miles before I met them.  Was gone 21 days got home in Oct in about 
ten days after I got home I was taken down sick with Tphoid feber where lay 
for five weeks.  After I got up again I was quite feeble for some time, and 
after I got able to work, my business needed my atention, now add to this 
"LOTS" of neglect, and you have my whole excuse for not writing, is it 
sufficient?  And now Henry as you was kind enough to write to me, even though 
it was your first letter you took occasion therein to give me a short Lecture 
or your ultimatum on Politics.  Now Henry permit me to whisper a few things in 
your Ear.  You say you "always loved your neighbours, the war made no 
difference".  So said Joab, to Abner, while he thrust him through with his 
sword, again you say, you think the "union cause" is right because it 
succeeded a vary conclusive argument aint it?  well if I take ten men and go 
out, and kill & rob five it is right. and why, because I succeed now this is 
just as good logic as yours. how ridiculous, you say that you are "not much of 
a Polititian" well Henry you had no need to tell me that, your arguments is 
sufficient proof an that head.  You seem to emphasise the word "Union" now 
Henry it has so Long been the fool's home, the Knaves hiding place & murders 
and robbers cloak that it has become a vary stinch in my nostriels, don't name 
it to me, for of all the black catalogue of crimes of which the human heart 
can concieve, has been committed with the crocadile smack of "union". you say 
come back to Mo., I an Sevis(?), "Nasy Time" again you say, the Southern 
Methodist still exists in Munroe, yes and they will still exist not only in 
Munroe but every where else, but not by the good grace of your would be 
(?Mniouers?) no sir they would grind us to powder if they could.  you think we 
will all see alike in this matter after awhile, let me say, Never, no Never 
unless your wicked party will abandon their wickedness and turn and do right 
and then and not till then will "see alike" with this I am done.   Well we are 
still in Oregon doing the best we can.  we have Rented a Farm within 4 miles 
of Corvallis.  we have a splendid house 8 rooms down stairs, 2 fire places etc 
etc a fine spring conducted by pipes into the porch and the finest ochard you 
ever saw.  about 4 hundred baring Pare trees and about 3 hundred Apples trees 
besides Plums, Quinces, Goosberrys, Currents, Blackberrys etc etc.  8 hundred 
Acres of Land in the Tract, nearly all fenced.  I have been on a Trade for the 
Farm for some time and still think I will get it.  I offer five thousand 
Dollars for it, probably you would ask where is all that money to come from?  
Never mind.  Oregon aint Mo.  we are keeping between 4 & 5 hundred Sheep on 
the shares this year.   we don't feed them any.
we have some two hundred young lambs now.  we have had a harder winter then 
common so far.  several little snows and Lots of Rain but still stock mostly 
does without feed, we have about ten Acres of wheat sown.  We commenced 
plowing Last week but it set in raining again and now the ground is too wet.  
wheat is worth 1.00 per bushel and oats ?15 cts, flower six dollars per 
barrel, butter 37 1/2  cts per lb eggs 35 cts per doz.  Well Grand Ma Amor has 
Partially got her health again.  She kept her bed upstairs 5 months.  She is 
now able to be up all the time knit and sow and superintend things about the 
house.  She has been staying with Eliza for the Last 2 weeks.  Eliza is 
expecting to be sick evry day, they live in Corvallis,  I have had no letter 
from you since the one in October that I spoke of.  we are vary anxious to 
hear from you all. this Leaves us all well as common and doing the best we 
can.  we have had quite a Revival of Religion in Corvallis, in our Church, we 
have a fine College then in full operation.  We calculate to send Julia there 
to school soon.  My paper is out and this must suffice.  Our Respects to all 
the friends there. no more, Farewell  L. F. Canterbury