Numbered pages 123 –129.

 

Nicholas Harris  Counsellor-at-Law  etc.                  Belvidere  N.J.                     Nov. 7th  1898

Dear Cousin Henry J:

Your kind letter of the 15th ult., was duly received, and read with pleasure.  I got back from Pittsburg all safe and sound on the morning of Saturday the 15th.—

That city is a smoky, dirty place; but a great business place.  I came as far as Harrisburg in the day time. I had never been around the Horse-Shoe Curve as it is called in the day time before.

The pamphlet you sent to Mrs. Wolleaver, as you stated to Delaware, was returned to

the sender as the PostMaster at Delaware stated. Mrs. Anna Wolleaver lives in Belvidere.

I told her about it, and she said she would send by some one to bring it down, but before she did that it seems the Postmaster as I said, says he returned it to the writer.

About the matter of the investment in the five story business building in Illinois, I really don’t know what to say about the subject.

I spoke to two men of large means about the matter, they hardly knew what to say.  You see the report has been going around for two or three years that so many

eastern capitalists have been bitten by western investments, that a good many have been a little slow about taking hold of western enterprises.  I will see what some other good financeers think about the scheme.

We have been having very fine weather the past autumn.  The foliage was just superb.  I wish you could have seen our hills and mountains while clothed with their beautiful autumnal foliage.

I send to you a clipping containing a report by some learned ?

professor as to the origin of the Delaware Water Gap.  I have been up there once   the day you and I were there, it was not so warm the last day I was there, as it was the day we were there.

The Grand Lodge I.O.of O.F. of New Jersey convenes at Trenton on the 16th inst.. I will go down as I have been elected D.D.G.M. for the—13th Dist., composed of the County of Warren.

I have recently received a letter from Miss May Albertson of Fremont, Mahaska County Iowa, asking me what kind of meeting the Albertson and Aten family reunion is.  She had heard about it through a relative in Ohio. I answered her letter

and sent to her one of the pamphlets.  She says she writes that she is a grand daughter of Edward and Abigail (Aten) Albertson his wife.  Abigail was a daughter of Hendrick Aten and was one of the three Aten women who married an Albertson.

The Election takes place tomorrow, the result is to be seen.  In New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania both sides are working hard.  I really think the Republican candidates for Governor will win in all three states.—You see the Silver question will bob up again

in spite of the great defeat it received in these three states in 1896.  It really looks to me now that the “free coinage of silver” “bugaboo,”  will have to be wrestled with again in 1900, before it is finally buried.  I have often thought,--suppose Wm J.Bryan had been elected in 1896, and that the war with Spain had taken place as it did,--would the people have subscribed for $200,000,000. of Government bonds, as was done, and nearly six times over?

Mr. and Mrs. Hay are usually well.  Geo Hay Jr is located now at a place called Wilbertha, a short distance above Trenton.  I think he mentioned to you that he might be sent there.  I see Henry Aten of Hope occasionally.

He always speaks of you when I see him.

I would be pleased to see T.M. Beer of Ashland Ohio, come out here to the reunion next year.  I will send you a paper after the election so that you may see the result.  We are all well at my home at this time, and I hope that you are all enjoying good health at your home in the west.  I will be pleased to hear from you at any time that you may find time to write.    Yours very fraternally,   Nicholas Harris