Box 4, Folder 4: Typewritten Letters 1871-1875

[Handwritten inscription in pencil, u.r.: 1280; illegible handwritten inscription in pencil, u.l.]

-1440- / 1871.

condition. I will ["will" inserted inscription in black ink] bring some of the cabbage for dinner some day!

I am at the St. Augustine hotel, room 19, overlooking much of the city, and ["and" inserted inscription in black ink] the sea ["sea" inscription in black ink; "sea, &c." is crossed out]. Have rambled through the quaint old crooked streets (alleys we would call them) usually only about twenty feet wide! one of them not over ten feet!

The old Fort, the Governor(s [Governor's] house, the city gate and other places of interest I will show ["sh" inscription in black ink] you in stereoscope on my return. ["n" inscription in black ink]

Met Gen. ["G" inscription in black ink] Hammond at the tea table, whom I met as general superintendent Pacific Railroad [Railroad] at Omaha. All well with us so far. [align right] Love for all, yours truly, [align left] Mary J. Lapham. / I. A. Lapham

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Jan. 30/ Went into the old Fort built in 1565 by the Spaniards;, gathered shells on the beach &c., &c. [crossed out], Left for Jacksonville and home at 10 A ["10 A" crossed out] 10 1/2 P. M ["P. M" inscription in black ink] Jan. 31. Savannah 11 A. M. Charleston 6.30 P. M. Feb. L ["L" crossed out]1. [inscription in black ink]. Wednesday. Wilmington 6.15 A. M. 1P. M. heavy rain, light rain all morning.

Rain at St. Augustine Saturday night and Sunday forenoon. No rain at Jacksonville. Regret being obliged to go through Richmond and other places of interest without stopping to "see the sights." Feb. 2. At Washington. Met. Gen. Meyer, Col. Windgae. Professor ["essor" inscription in black ink] Henry, Professor ["essor" inscription in black ink] Baird, Messrs. Bannister, Meek, Hayden, McChesney, Gen. Paine and others.

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[Handwritten inscription in pencil, u.r.: 1281; illegible handwritten inscription in pencil, u.l.]

-1441- / 1871. [align right] Washington, D. C. ["?" crossed out] Feb.2, 1871. [align left] My dear Son--

I have just now arrived (at 7 P. M.) at this Capital City and at room 174 of the "Metropolitan Hotel," on Pennsylvania Avenue near the corner of 6th street. The last 55 miles from Acquia Creek on a steamboat, the rest of the way from Jacksonville over ab out [about] half a dozen railroads. I got Julia's letter of the 19t[h] just as I left Jacksonville and was glad to hear that all was well with you up to that time. * * * Have had a very nice, pleasant and agreeable [agreeable] journey so far and hope to reach home in safety. Tell mother that up to this time her prayers have been heard. [align right] Yours truly, [align left] Henry Lapham. / I.A.Lapham. [align center] --------

[align right] Washington D.C.Feb 3rd, 1871. [align left] Dear Julia, --

I dined last evening with Gen'l Meyer at his home on I street. Have arranged matters satisfactorily--am not to be ordered to Chicago any more. Have seen the wonders and some of the wonderful people of this place--visited ["ed" inscription in black ink] the Smithsonian, the capitol, the agricultural Dept. museum, the Patent Office and other places ["and other places" inscription in black ink; "&c., &c" crossed out]. and all this (i["I" inscription in pencil] say it for Mary's informay["t" inscription in pencil]ion), with my old coat ! Reason, baggage delayed by the railroad companies somewhere between here and Jacksonville. How long I may have to wait here for my trunks I can not say. I am now ready to go home but cannot, before Monday. * * * The Agricultural Museum was shown me by Miss Carolie [Caro-] line Moulton, who was a teacher in Mrs. Parson's school on Oneida street in Milwaukee. * * * [align center] Love to all, yours truly, [align left] Julia A.Lapham. / I.A.Lapham.

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[Handwritten inscription in pencil, u.r.: 1282; illegible handwritten inscription in pencil, u.l.]

-1442- / 1871 Feb. 4. Left Washington 8 p.m. for home. Feb. 5. At Columbus 11 p.m.--was detained at Pittsburgh 6 hours by a train off the track. No train for Urbana to night. Feb. 6 At Columbus--called on Col.John Noble, Joseph Sullivant and brother W S.Sullivant, L.Lesquereau and others. Mrs.Caroline E .Medberry with whom I boarded in 1833 was buried at 2 P.M. today.

Left Columbus for Urbana at 5.45 P.M. on accommodation [accommodation] train. Feb. 7. Left Urbana at 8.45 for Chicago and reached home on the 8th at 1 P.M.

[align center] ----------------- Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence [align right] April 7, 1871. [align left] Hon.Increase A.Lapham.

Milwaukee,

Dear Sir,-

One of the pleasant duties connected with my office is that of correspondence with gentlemen interested in historical pursuits.

Permit me therefore to enclose a certificate of your election as corresponding member of your ["y" crossed out] society and while asking your acceptance of the same, tender to you any and all the hospitalities and courtesies the society can offer.

If during your investigations you should meet with anything on interest your information will be highly appreciated, and if at any time you need any information in the possession of the society it will be gladly furnished you . * * * * [align right] Yours truly,

G.E.Paine,Sec'y

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[Handwritten inscription in pencil, u.r.: 1283; illegible handwritten inscription in pencil, u.l.]

-1443- / 1871. May Bought a farm on Oconomowoc Lake, Waukesha county, which will be occupied by my son Henry and daughter Julia. May 15 Left Chicago [erased] Milwaukee for St. Louis [crossed out] Atlanta [inscription in black ink] at 6 1/2 A.M. Left Chicago 9 P.M. by "Lightning Express". Saw Sr.Geo.Engelmann, Dr. A.Wislizenus and Rev.J.P.T.Ingraham in St.Louis. [Fred] Meyer is Storm [inscription in black ink] Signal [inscription in black ink] observer at St. Louis.

May 17 Left for Atlanta at 7.20 a.m. * * * [line crossed out] May 19 Arrived at Atlanta at 2 p.m. * * * May 21 Clouds from the S.W. came up and spread over the horizon during the night. May 22 Hail and rain ["and rain" inserted inscription in black ink] at 11 A M. heavy at first, afterwards drizzly. May 24 Left for home.

[align center] ---------- [align right] Columbia College New York May 22, 1871. [align left] I.A. Lapham,Esq.

My Dear Sir,--

You were kind enough to send me a long time ago some s sketches of fossil plants from Green River station U.P.R.R. and since that time you have heard nothing from me. Therein I have been culpable I confess but perhaps not as much so as appearances would seem to indicate. * * * I have had the usual experience of State Geologists and almost every thing but Ohio Geology and Ohio politics have been driven out of my head. * * * Of the plants you have No 2 may be a salix ["salix" underlined] as you suggest, but such plants, as I have from these beds indicate a tropical or sub-tropical flora, and so must have the fruits before we can be certain if [of] the genera. * * * [align center] Yours very truly,

J.S.Newberry.

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[Handwritten inscription in pencil, u.r.: 1284; illegible handwritten inscription in pencil, u.l.]

-14[crossed out]1444- / 1871. [align right] Milwaukee June 17,1871. [align left] I.A.Lapham,Esq.

Dear Sir,-

Will you be kind enough to inform me how much higher the water was July 1838 than it is today? I have just been cutting hay on ground that then was two feet under water. What I want to know is whether the ground had made that much in thirty years, or whether I am mistaken in supposing that the water in the lake is about as high as it was in 1838. [align right] Respectfully yours,

Enoch Chase.

[align left] ANSWERED. "Highest water July 1838 above city datum for grades

4 feet, which is 1 1/2 or 2 feet above present level of river and lake." [align center] -----------

[align right] Milwaukee June 20,1871. [align left] Dear Brother,-

Please say to Mr. Burroughs that I feel highly honored by his offer of a professorship in his grand University, but having had no experience in teaching do not think I could fill such a place as it should be filled.

Say to him that I part with my land more willingly since I have learned that it is to be appropriated to educational purposes. * * * Henry and Julia are getting along nicely on their Oconomowoc farm.

Yours Truly, Col. Sam'l Stone. / I.A.Lapham. Chicago [inscription in black ink] [align center] ------------