Transcription:
Buffalo Wis Nov 5th 1863 Friend John We received your letter and was glad to hear of your welfare, we are all well or about
the same as usual Maggie Keeps? on about her illegible way although the last 4 or 5 days past she has not been quite so well,
Anne is beginning to run about now growing finaly. Eward Cripps if going down to Madison to day I gave him 10 to give you.
the other fifty Dollars I think I can give you unless I should be drafted and then I think that you can get it, still things
may turn round to be different than I expect. I had to let David have fifty Dollars, I think John that I can let you have
it anyway. I have got 260 busel of Wheat that I can sell. David Sarah was over they are well David says that he is going to
advertise his farm for sale. Arch McDougal has sold out forty acres for 800, also his brother has sold to, we are ploughing
and has been for the last 3 week and have about 2 weeks more to do if weather permits, we had that illegible chap David our
clerk up here last Monday he looks fine quite Smart he has him out for illegible months more to forbes five month for 18 Dollar