  
 Cedar
Rapids July 4, 1854
Dear Mary,
What are you about on this great day of our country? I presume to
say you did not go to Middleport. Have you any kind of doings about
there? I'll tell you what we are about. Father is sitting in the front
door enjoying the pleasant breeze. Mary is on the lounge. Catherine
is in the large Rocking chair. James is sitting on the side of the
bed. I am at the stand before the bedroom window, etc.
We concluded on the whole we would roast our pig and eat it here.
So we had our dinner of roast pig, green peas, new potatoes and other
chicken fixing. James invited a poor old gentleman residing in the
next house to dine with us. We enjoyed our dinner very much.
The Methodist S. Society has a fair this evening. I presume some
of us will go down. The avails of the dinner and fair go towards erecting
the Church. They have the foundation and other preparations. The location
is a very pleasant one. I am sorry Elder Fillmore's time is out. Sorry
for the people for I think but few men can fill the station as Elder
Fillmore can.
I have not attended a Quarterly Meeting since I came here. They have
all been at a distance except one that was in town. The weather was
then very inclement. We did not go. I have heard Elder Bowman preach
once. Liked him very much. Oh! How I would have liked to hear Elder
Fillmore's sermon to the children. Yes I can see how he looked when
he told them how very "honest" they must be.
 The
lace came very safely. I put it on my bonnet and wore it last Sunday.Idid
not mention the quantity for I did not know myself. There was enough
and I thank you very much till you are better satisfied. You did not
tell me how much the expense was.
I guess you thought rather strange to find some letters for the girls
in my last. It was some of my economizing. I wrote to all of the girls
at the same time and when we came to put them up the budget was too
heavy so I tucked a part in yours.
I have thought of another thing. When you have an opportunity, send
my rolling pin that was in the back room, the foot cushion, there
is a little book in the kitchen book cupboard that I used to claim,
and I have wished for several times as a book of reference, The Mother's
Catechism I think.
Father talks of going east this summer but it is so warm at present
we do not like to have him start. I saw in the Buffalo Advocate
notice of the death of Mr. Curtis Graham of Black Rock, aged 67. I
suppose that must be Hannah's father.
But I must close. If I go to the fair James says, "tell them
I am well and will write to them some time." The crops are very
promising. The winter wheat is nearly ready to cut. Spring wheat is
ripening. Oats look beautiful. Some of the corn is higher than James
can reach and it is in tassel.
How does Charley get on with his farm or do you not hear anything
of him? Has he got that housekeeper yet, he was talking about one
evening? I wish Jane Ann much joy with her "Gal boy."
Best wishes for all the friends and neighbors, Sunday school Class,
Superintendent, Teachers, Minister, etc.
And now a Good bye till some other time. I have been thinking if
Orendo could only leave at this season of the year. Now is the most
pleasant time to see the country.
Yours etc.
H. J. K.
* This letter
has been edited slightly to make it more readable for 21st century
readers. The challenges of transcribing a 19th century handwritten
letter include changes in spelling, punctuation and usage.
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