Transcription:
502 Oct 21st 1860 Dear John We have received three letters from you two from Madison and one from Prairie du Chien,
we were glad to know your health was pretty good, in the midst of so much excitement and praise - I hope you find yourself
comfortable in you new home, and likely to learn some of those things you want to know. I am glad you found so many friends
at Madison and hope you will find friends wherever you go - We were rather surprised to know that you had set your face westward,
and so is every one that hears of it. however I hope that will turn out for your good - I always under- -stood that Prairie
du Chin was and unhealthy place but perhaps it is healthy in Winter - your Father went down to Portage on Friday the 19th
and bought a trunk for you and a suit of clothes and a hat and three pair of socks and a pair of drawers - and I sent three
fine shirts and two common ones and you flannel shirt and your papers and letters and small books. your Father put them all
in the trunk together at Portage and then put the key in a paper and took it to the Post Office I have been particular in
telling you -