RK-321

[printed letterhead] [upper left] L. W. ASHLEY, } BEN. L. WILEY, } D. L. PHILLIPS, }

[upper right] LAND OFFICE OF ASHLEY, WILEY & CO., POST OFFICE AT JONESBORO STATION, UNION CO., ILL. [handwritten] Anna Ill May 21 [printed] 1857.

[handwritten] B G Roots Esqr

My Dear Sir, your kind letter came while I was away in the Bottoms - I was very glad you feel

Anna May 21

Dear Father

I am half sorry I wrote you as I did yesterday – but you may give me some advice that will be of use – This is no nonsense of mine – I have really felt this causeless lo melancholy for a long time – and I called it homesickness – now for real suffering I would rather have the ague – You know your own feelings when in low spirits – I think you understand my case somewhat – you laugh at me when I have spoken of feeling “blue” – tis the same thing now only worse from

my being away from home and some trouble about this collection – tho’ if at home it would be the same perhaps –

I write to you now to say I hope you will not be borrowing trouble lest I am in any serious trouble – ‘tis only to get your advice I wrote or I would not have mentioned it before –

I have been thinking to-day that I have permitted this fear of not getting a good collection to worry me and have determined not to let it do so any more – In fact I suppose I am doing pretty well and considering the bad weather very well

2

I sent up my reptiles & fishes to-day to Baird at his desire. Had a big lot – I have spent two thirds of my time thus far on birds but and here is where Ive failed – The next month will probably bring good results and I think I shall enjoy collecting more – at any rate Ill pitch in hard – I shall travel a good deal – Ive given up the idea of going up the Tennesee river as it costs too much –

I wrote to Rev. P. Judson for money and he delayed a little I wrote again saying I had been forced to borrow – and asked for more - $75 in all – he sent me $100. and said “it might not come amiss” He moreover said “if the RR folk wouldnt pass me to pay my fare whenever I wanted to travel (had he not be been profane he would have added “the d-l to them) Ive no doubt) – I fancy they will not be at all stingy – I am just going to get up a big collection at some rate anyway – I wrot Judson

that my expenses would be more than my first estimate but told him also that I hoped to collect enough in proportion.

I shall not try to get many more birds – I am not a good bird skinner and cant afford to spend much time at it now – a week on other things steadily will bring big results I fancy – Maybe folk will write to you offering to send specimens – if so I may urge them to “go it” and we want all the plants and minerals we can get –

I am not spending much if any money for private use – So console myself a good deal with the idea that I am earning a good deal –

Tell Bruno to get me lots of bugs & reptiles – wade in the Prairie sloughs for salamanders and tree frogs – Buy jugs and jars as needed – Ill have but little tim to collect myself at home – Love to all – Tell Fanny William Ill write to her – son Bob

[page turned written on left side] Did George (Hiram) get Uncle Hirams George) get a letter from me with $ enclosed?