Osawatomie, K. T., June 23, 1855.
Dear Father, Mother,
Brothers, And Sisters, — We received a few days since a letter from
mother, since then one from father, which we were all very glad to get. I
should have written you before, but since we laid little Austin in the grave I
have not felt as if I could write. I shall not attempt to say much now. We
fully believe that Austin is happy with his Maker in another existence; and if
there is to be a separation of friends after death, we pray God to keep us in
the way of truth, and that we may so run our short course as to be able to
enjoy his company again. Ellen feels so lonely and discontented here without
Austin, that we shall go back to Akron next fall if she does not enjoy herself
better. I am well pleased with the country, and can be as well content here as
anywhere else if it proves to be healthy. It is a very rich and beautiful
country. I should think it would be altogether best for father to come by land
from St. Louis. Salmon has a very good claim (as well as the rest of us), and
seems to be very much pleased with it. We are all living together in tents and
in the wagon, and have no houses yet. I used all the money I had for freight
and passage before I got here, and had to borrow of John. We have no stoves; I
wish now that we had brought ours along. We would all like to hear from you often.
All well.
Your affectionate son
and brother,
J. L. Brown.
P. S. If you should come by Akron on your way here, and
could buy and box up a middle-sized stove and furniture, with about four
lengths of pipe, and send or bring it to me at Kansas City, I will contrive
some way to pay you for it. I think they can be got there and shipped here
cheaper than they can be bought here. I would like to have you inquire, if you
will.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of
John Brown, p. 197
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