Written by Elizabeth J. "Eliza" Addison to Esther and Emma. The
letter mentions Miller Henderson. I only have a copy and cannot state
that this is a copy of the original.
Esther, Emma, and Miller were the children of Mary Addison Henderson, Dess's aunt.
Eliza and Mary were the daughters of George H., Dess's grandfather.
Dear nieces Esther and Emma,
Here I am sitting in the wagon on the shore of the Missouri River
waiting to cross. We came here to the river early this morning, but
there were so many ahead of us that it will be night before we get
across. I went over this morning and bought me a revolver belt, so now I
have my revolver on my side and look quite war like. I have seen so
much since I started which is new to me that I haven't time to get
lonesome. We see all kinds of people, tough ragged and dirty. You
would think it quite a sight to see from 80 to 100 covered wagons all in
a string would you not. Some wagons have 4 horses, some the same
number of mules, some four yoke of oxen, some 6 and some 5 or 6 yoke of
cows_____ when they get strung out one ahead of the other for two or
three miles it is as good as a show. Last night we camped in timber two
miles east of where we now are and after dark we could look in no
direction without seeing camp fires and the white tents and covered
wagons. I expected to get some letters from home at the mouth of the
Platt River but was disappointed and in fact I have received only one
letter since I left Pennsylvania. Now write me a letter as long as your
arm and direct it to Salt Lake City, Utah Territory and I hope I may be
lucky enough to get it. I presume that folks at home have written to us
for we have written lots of letters home. About two weeks ago the mail
stage was robbed when passing through Iowa the letters were taken and
horses and everything except the stage and the passengers. Perhaps the
letters for us were on the stage. The prairie and woods blossoms are
just beginning to bloom. Yesterday as I was passing through the timber I
found trees quite large just hanging full with red flowers. At a
distance of a few rods they looked almond shrubs, not a green leaf could
be seen and the flowers were so thick that the limbs could hardly be
seen. I will send you a cluster then you will know what they look like.
And when I get out of the territory i will send you some handsome ones.
I have written to Mother ever so many times and yesterday I wrote her
another. Give my love to her and all the rest of the folks. I would
write more if I had time, but will write again soon. Be sure and write
me soon all of the news and more too. Give my love to Miller and I will
write to him next time.
Eliza J. Addison
Eliza was on her way to California, where she married William Foster. William and Eliza had 2 children, twins. Eliza died in childbirth.
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