Manuscripts

John B. Wilson letter to Emma Moore Wilson

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Description: Letter from John Bordeaux Wilson to his mother Emma Moore Wilson, written shortly after Wilson had joined the engineering corps of the Union Pacific Railroad in 1868. In the letter, written at Fort Sanders, Dakota Territory, Wilson writes of his dissatisfaction with being removed from Colonel Joseph Opdyke Hudnutt's company and placed instead with a Mr. Lawrence's party, which he writes will "operate much further west" than the other and work east for 250 or 300 miles from the Green River until they meet the other parties. He notes that Colonel Hudnutt's party was headed for the North Platte while John O'Neill's party would work at Medicine Bow, and gives a description of the various supplies carried by each party. The remainder of the letter describes Wilson's attempts to stay warm in his tent and the meals that he has been given. With envelope, marked "Union Pacific Railway Company, Engineer's Office, Fort Sanders - Dakota."
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1868 March 12.
Call number: mssHM 74318
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John A. Scott letter to Wilson Scott

Manuscripts

In this letter to his brother, John A. Scott writes of his journey to California. He reports the roads through Wyoming are in poor condition, and rainy weather made crossing rivers dangerous and difficult. At Fort Laramie, he saw many teams planning their routes West. Sicknesses such as cholera are rampant, and he has seen many graves along the roads. Includes fragment of envelope.

mssHM 15244

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Oliver Frank Wilson letters to Ursula L. Wilson

Manuscripts

HM 80954: Letter from Oliver Frank Wilson to Ursula L. Wilson from Willapa, Washington Territory on March 16, 1887. Wilson begins the letter with common pleasantries concerning the family's health and news. Concerning the weather he writes, "This is Wednesday and it has rained since Sunday morning that is the only falt with this country, when it is bad it is to bad and when it is good it is good all over" (p. 2). Ursula reports that their mother is currently in debt and owes approximately $400. Wilson offers suggestions and states that the cow "should be the last thing to part with..." (p. 3). He closes the letter "Give my respects to all the young folks that I used to know and excuse bad writing & so" (p. 4).

mssHM 80954-80958

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Fulton Reynolds letter

Manuscripts

An extensive letter from a young Pennsylvanian who joined the United States Army and had been assigned to the 13th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Meade, South Dakota. The letter, written to his sister Laverne, describes conditions at his army post and the wider Black Hills region; he writes about the farmers in the area, the weather and landscape, and his fellow soldiers.

mssHM 83851

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Letter describing American Indians and Chief Iron Whip

Manuscripts

A graphic, racist letter describing American Indians in the Dakota Territory, including the Ponca people and their leader, Chief Iron Whip. This letter was written by a United States Army Officer, "Will," from "Mouth Niobrara River, DT" (Dakota Territory). It was written to "Jack." Will was charged with protecting forts and settlements in Dakota Territory from returning prisoners. The prisoners were, he mentions, 300 American Indians who were either murderers or participators in the Minnesota Massacre of 1862. While traveling, Will described to his friend about prairies dogs, the landscape, and the people in the region. Near the conclusion of the letter he writes of a possible return to Fort Randall, where he will take command of his company.

mssHM 83421

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Jervis Joslin letter to D.A. Smally

Manuscripts

Letter from Jervis Joslin in Denver to his brother-in-law D.A. Smally. Joslin writes that business has been "dull," but that work is about to begin on a railroad connected to the Union Pacific at Cheyenne, Dakota Territory (Wyoming), which might lead to the creation of more jobs. He also writes that Colorado is "producing more gold than ever before" and of the opening of new mines on the Cimarron River in New Mexico. He concludes that his expenses have been reasonable and that he is optimistic about the future, writing "I believe the chances are better for a young man here than in any place I know."

mssHM 75899

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John Greenwood Meadows letter to Eleanor M. Hand

Manuscripts

An autograph letter, with envelope, written to "Dear Nellie" who lived in Wisconsin. The letter, written from Fort Lyon in Colorado Territory at the height of the Civil War, describes the tumultuous circumstances of the 9th Wisconsin Light Artillery, then serving as part of the post's garrison after the Union Army had withdrawn all regular troops to conduct the campaigns against the Confederate insurrection. Meadows apologizes to Eleanor Hand, who would later become his wife, for his lack of letters, but goes on to express his feelings for her, and discusses whether he should re-enlist. Meadows also outlines his episodes of detached duty to posts such as Fort Larned, Kansas, and protecting the settlers and overlanders from the perceived threat of hostile Native Americans.

mssHM 84109

John B. Wilson letter to Emma Moore Wilson

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John A. Scott letter to Wilson Scott

Oliver Frank Wilson letters to Ursula L. Wilson

Fulton Reynolds letter

Letter describing American Indians and Chief Iron Whip

Jervis Joslin letter to D.A. Smally

John Greenwood Meadows letter to Eleanor M. Hand