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653 Oxford, Kan. July 7th '04. Long missed friend,- Your letter contents were surprisingly, joyfully thankfully rec'd.
I accidentally saw in some periodical your wood cut a little large than the one you sent with leaflets, and placed it in Hacketon
Acts - so I could see your shadow at least - I've had it about three or 4 yrs. Well, I could write a little volume on the
past 40 years, but I will only make a few statements in this illegible e, thinking it may be the last I may write - that you
may be off again to the earth's and were I to write my biography, I would begin by saying D F Abbott was born in Locke, C
illegible nga Co. N.Y. Aug. 5th 1838 Worked on a farm attended district school till 19 yrs old- then taught school, short
term at 13 00/100 illegible mo. the next winter at 16 00/100 then coming to Northern Ill. working on farm - sending part of
wages to Father. here I stop till some time in the future. Give my love to David - dear boy. He gave me good advice but I
never followed it; consequently am not worth anything to-day,- but, perhaps- a good illegible 03399