Monroe County WV Archives History - Letters .....Letter From Lewis To Henry Caperton March 12, 1853
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/wv/wvfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Elizabeth Burns burns@asu.edu October 18, 2010, 3:29 pm

 

Union, Monroe County Virginia, 

March 12, 1853 

Dear Henry: 

Last fall just before I left home for Texas I wrote to you and requested you 
to write to me at New Orleans. But I have not heard from you yet. I have been 
at home just two weeks and thought I would sit down and try (by writing you a 
few lines) to extract a short letter from you. I have not heard a word of you 
or concerning you (except through John Echols as I came through Richmond) 
since I left home. 

I left here on the 16th day of November last, went to Lewisburg, thence to 
Charleston, Kanawha, thence to Cincinnati, whence I staid one day, thence to 
Louisville where I staid almost two days, thence to St. Louis Missouri, where 
I staid ten days, thence to New Orleans where I staid ten days and thence to 
Texas. I crossed the Gulf of Mexico going to returning and it was the most 
disagreeable part of my journey. I was sea sick all the way and nearly all the 
time. 

I was at Uncle Michael Erskines about a week and spent the time very agreeably 
indeed. Uncle Michael begins to look pretty old, he is turning grey rapidly. 
The family were exceedingly kind and of course the time passed rapidly. John 
Paulee Erskine travelled through a good deal of Texas with me. We travelled on 
horseback which is the only good way to see the country and judge the lands. 

Western Texas is the prettiest country and the most delightful climate I have 
ever been in. I would rather go into it to make a fortune than any country I 
know. On my return from Texas I stayed in New Orleans ten days, two days in 
Mobile, and two days in Charleston, South Carolina, plus 5 days in 
Richmond. 

Allen was in the city of Washington two weeks ago. He went there for the 
purpose of seeing Jack Hays. He spent two days with Hays and had an 
opportunity of hearing from John, and learning all about him, his business and 
his prospects. John will possibly pay a visit next fall. He has made a good 
deal of money and has a fine prospect for making a great deal more very soon. 
Hays thinks there is not such a man living as John. He believes John to be the 
greatest business man in that country. 

I suppose you have heard all the news of this neighborhood through John 
Echols. You of course heard of the death of Mrs. Byrnside and Alexander 
Dunlap. You will see John E. Alexander in Philadelphia. He has gone there to 
have something done with one of his hands. He has had a rising of some kind on 
it and he can’t get it cured. He is afraid he will have to lose it. He can 
give you more news than I can about this place. 

When you see Samuel Williams and Col. Lewis present my respects to them. And 
tell them I am at home, safe, sound and hearty and delighted with my trip to 
Texas. When you go around to Sister,?Price to say to them that their letter of 
last December came safely to hand, containing a small draft. I read it 
only two or three days ago but it was because I was absent. 



Write to me and let me know how you are getting along, how you like 
Philadelphia and all about everything. I have very little to do now. I have 
sold out my store to James M. Byrnside, John Echols and A. Caperton. I don’t 
know whether I will remain long in this country or not. I will determine 
before a great while whether or not I will remain here. I have no trade, and 
no profession. I have my family to support and I must go at something better 
than merchandizing in Union. 

Fanny’s health is not good. The children are well except bad colds. The people 
here are generally well. 

Thomas Edgar says you told him before you left here, you would send a box of 
books from Lexington to him to take care of them for you. He says he has never 
heard a word of the books, or from you since you left. 

Your affectionate Brother, 

 
Lewis E. Caperton


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wv/monroe/history/letters/letterfr8nms.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/wvfiles/

File size: 4.4 Kb