80-06-27  June the 27th 1880 to E Damrell from Cynthia Henderson & letter to 
cousin Mary.  (2 pages typed)

Darling Grand Ma         
Your welcome letter came Safe to hand and found us all well.  The contents 
were perured carefully.  It is so nice to receive a letter from Grand Ma, but 
sorrow to hear your health is not good.  All of them that hold out Faithful 
shall have their reward in Heaven.  Oh what a joy there will be in Heaven.  If 
we can only meet there; If we never meet on Earth, there is my hope to meet 
you were sorrows never come.
Grand Ma I wish I could See you and talk face to face  but I will talk to you 
the best I can on Paper.  (We have just come home from Church and Reorganizing 
our Sabbath School.)
I believe they said there was over a Hundred People there.  we have up a new 
School House, our day school is half out.  there is close unto 30 Pupils.  We 
have a lady teacher.  She has been stopping here in the last week.  Laura, Ben 
eldest daughter, stops here and goes to school.  She has gone home, will be 
back this Evening.  She has a very severe cold.  coughs considerable they live 
14 miles from here.  they came up once in a while and go to Church.  they 
don't have no School or Church down their,  I lived that way to long myself.  
My children are all trying to do write although we are proned to do Evil as 
the Sparkes is to go upwards, they have all taken a part in Church and Sabbath 
School.  Grand Ma Pray for us all that we may all enter in at the strait Gate. 
 Dark cloudes arise sometime and almost leaves us in the Dark.  You wanted to 
know how we are situated and what we think of doing in the future.  We have a 
nice little home here.  if I ever get a Deed for it, we Paid 200 Dollars for 
the Improvements.  They are just common.  I want to take a home stead soon as 
I can.  I went twice last Summer and went to Colfax a few days ago but could 
not get a homestead on the account of a man had taken a home stead on 80 acres 
of my claim.  They think I can get the papers he owns and it will be allright. 
 I will hope to go again.  it is 30 miles to Colfax.
I have been here over a year and they wont let me count back only 3 months.  I 
Paid the last of the money Robert left for this place.  I havent anything 
left.  Since that one so Dear to me is gone from this world I am waited heavy 
with care.  Early has hearded sheep for his Uncle Willie and Bought him a nice 
cow and some clothes.  Emmet has worked and managed and got a half of a small 
team and a good wagon.  he also has 3 cows.  I make a little butter.  all I 
have to sell I get 25 cts lb.  It has been a cold backward spring.  grain 
looks pretty well but gardens are not so good.  Emmet rented a small place 
nearby this year.  We havent much under fense so I cannot tell you whether we 
will farm much or not.  This is a Hilly country.
 page 5

There is some nice level land, but mostly hills.  Grand Ma I would love to go 
and See you all but I expect it would be harder for us to make a living there 
then here.                
I am washing for two men now. our Doctor, and a man putting up a Mill nearby. 
 I hope times will grow better.  Time must have changed Sullivan So much.  
Grand Ma would it be asking to much of you to send me yours and Grand Pas 
picture Enlarged.  I would prize them so highly.  I wish we had all of our 
Relatives picture Aunt Thena Uncle Nings and all the Family.  It seems so 
strange when I think so many cousins have grown up since we left.  also my 
Brothers and sisters are strangers to me. 
It seems as Pa had a hard time in the latter part of his days.  I trust his 
spirit is resting from the Sorrows and affictions.  You spoke about the 
tombstones for his grave.  I wish they was put up.  I sent and got tombstones 
for Roberts grave soon after he Died.  Brother Willie thought he would get the 
vaults make them himself and they aint put up yet.  I am sorrow to think of 
it.  This is July the 3d.  
Dear Grand Ma I will write a few more lines then, close and write to Mary.  It 
is very warm today.  One of our Neighbors was going to Brother Bens today and 
I was going also but the man's wife was sick and we was sure disappointed.  I 
have nothing of much interest to write.  we are getting along like all Poor 
folks do I guess or rather some of them.  It is pritty hard times here.  there 
is so many Poor People come in to get homes, this country settles very fast.  
we just can make a living.  I hope hard times will soon be easy times. I could 
more but excuse me, if there is anything you wish to know, let me know I will 
tell you in my next.  Except our many good wishes and hope this may find you 
well and Regards to all our Friends from your affictionate Niece (why did she 
write niece, is this also to Thenia & Ninian?)
write soon   Cynthia Henderson   

July the 7th                   
                                    
Dear Cousin Mary I am along time gitting a round to answer your letter.  I am 
so busy and so much ?case.  It makes me nervious.  I am real glad to hear from 
you once more in life but sorrow to hear of your affliction hope you may get 
well and god will bless you to raise your little family.  I am alone.  the 
children are to school   that is Sarah & Early.  Emmet is to work nearby 
shingling our millers House.  It is cold and cloudy today.  we are needing 
rain very much on our gardens.  I have new Potatoes we had a backward Spring. 
 There is several sick one man not expect to live. has the Brain Fever.  one 
of our near Neighbors.  I went over and staid alnight and day, If he dies he 
will leave a helpless wife and 5 little children.  Laosa just got back from 
the camp meeting. they had a nice time.  much love for you and Family write 
soon Cynthia