Marysville, Kans., June 18, 1865. Dear Sister – After long and anxious waiting I re-received yours of the 1st yesterday, which was the 17th, and read its contents with pleasure. Ma and Helen both have written since I have and I suppose you have received theirs ere this. Ma wrote in her letter for you to meet John at Atchison, but it seems that you and her agree on that point so I will not say any more on that subject at present, but hoping to soon see you where I can tell you all. Pa received a letter from Ann yesterday, Bob had to take his place back so their visit of course is postponed. Ann wrote to Fayette and said if he and one of us girls would come to see her she would come home with us. Sallie, Pa thinks John and you could do well out here. Pa has written to John on the subject, as there is business of all kinds out here and for goodness sake do not persuade him to go across the plains, for I think there is a great many more already gone than will ever get back. Well, Sallie, I am not so lonesome as when I last wrote, I have been over to the Blue river twice since I wrote. On the first there were services by Brother Gaines at Mr. Stout’s, Mr. L---, Fayette, Helen and I all went. Miss Mag Stout came home with us and stayed until Saturday evening, also last week Ma and I went up to the city of Maryville. Mr. Bollinger has been out to see us twice, one evening Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison and Mr. Bollinger and Miss Edith Lovell gave us a call, the people seem very sociable out here. I do not believe it would take much persuading to get Pa to stay out here. We are all very well pleased and more so since it has rained, the creek was nearly up to the house. We have a splendid garden, will have peas, beans, young potatoes and corn in a very short time, we have cucumbers in bloom. Well, I will quit about the garden. I also received a letter from Mollie Chestnut last week, she says her father wishes he had come to Kansas with us. Tell Bettie I have written to her and shall think very hard if I do not get an answer, but perhaps she does not think of me now she has gone to town. I had almost begun to think that you too had forgotten us, but I will not think so any more. Sallie, we have instituted a Sabbath School at home, I am teacher, we will invite the children from the neighborhood in and procure another teacher and if they will we can have an interesting class. I must now close as I want to write another letter or two this evening. May the God of heaven watch over and protect you is the prayer of your unworthy sister, Jane Duncan. Please write soon; kiss Willie for me. I hope it will not be long before I can kiss him myself. My love to Mr. and Mrs. Utz and the rest of the family.
Community and Conflict - the Impact of the Civil War in the Ozarks
