Transcription:
4 will go back to Lo illegible tomorrow ready to commence work again next week. they are both pretty well and that is a
comfort. You ask me to tell you something of my affairs in Kansas, but I fear I can gave you very little satisfaction. I know
that John's affairs are in a very bad condition but do not know exactly how he settled with his partners only that they have
no claims on anything in Kansas. There are papers made out making over the undivided half of the lands to John, but as soon
as the business troubles commenced in Neb. he sent them to me for safe-keeping and as they are not recorded the land is still
all in my name. and so cannot be in margin: I often pray that our heavenly Father may send you the blessings you need the
most. Sarah 1 Portage, Wis. April 5th/89 Dear Brother John Your last long good brotherly letter is before me and am
sorry to think that it has not been answered long ago. I am glad you are so pleased with your appearance in specks as they
got to be such a necessity as the years pass over our heads and you speak of your gray head too, it must be that your soft
brown curly hair has not much of white in it yet, but each year leaves its mark and we are a family of illegible illegible
now. Mother was quite sick some weeks since but we are 5 touched by creditors. I do not know the amount already paid on
the land, the time given to pay the balance, or how much there is still to pay, but I have not been troubling myself about
these things as I am sure that John is doing his best, and iwll continue to do so, if he can only sell his horses to good
advantage he will be relieve-ed in a measure at least and if this prove to be a good year he will be able to go on with new
courage. You will know that Maggie is still in Kansas doing her best to help along poor girl, how hard all this must have
been for here. my heart has ached for them