Transcription:
1 Hickory Dale. Oct. 14th 1860 Dear Brother John Having received your third letter last night , and knowing now where
to direct your letters, I gladly embrace this first opportunity of letting you know that we are all enjoying our usual health
and are glad to learn that you are so well, and have prospered with your machinery. We were very anxious to know where you
was going, and are surprised to think that you have gone further west, when from the bottom of our hearts we thought you certainly
would have inclined toward civilization. I hear that they have some yarns in in the newspapers about you but I have not seen
any of them yet. Henry Cripps told me more about the fair and yourself than you have yet. For a while after you left home
the house looked rather empty, especially on Sundays but now we began to get used to it. The neighbors wherever we go, ask
about you. I wish I had been at the fair, and I would have helped you to tell the folks about the things, etc Things about
home begin to look like winter, we are busy making corn, and Jamie Sanderson is digging out stumps. I suppose you begin to
feel as though you was a man now,(standing on your own bottom): when you have produced the greatest curiosity. and invention
of the whole State. Please to hear the advice of a little boy. Don't let the State fair prove to be 'Vanity Fair', neither
let the flattery and praise of men lead you to think that you are more than a man, but remember where you came from, and where
you are going Dust thou art and to dust thou shall return. Prayer meetings have commenced here again. We had the first last
Sunday over at Midland. do pray God to send down the Holy Spirit to convince and convert our neighbors