Three letters written to West sons and family living in Oregon.


The State of Missouri		December the
Dade County		        23th day 1860

Dear Son,  
I once more take my pen in hand to inform you we are all well as could be 
expected at present hoping when these lines comes to hand you may be enjoying 
the best of health.  I will inform you we received your letter dated October the 
22 which was gladly received and read with joy to know your love and respects 
remain the same towards your parents, though we was in hopes you would have come 
home this winter.  For we long for your return I myself in particular for I am 
still afflicted with the new ralg (?) and the dropsy and the liver complaint and 
I feel that I shant stand it much longer and I long to see you once more (the 
next four or five words are illegible). You said you have not received no letter 
from me since June the reason I can't tell for I have written every other month 
since I received your first letter.  And Kinchen and Richard Cantrell have 
written and we intend to continue writing and can't you to do the same.  I will 
inform you that John Y. West landed home yesterday safe and around (two words 
illegible) surprise which (three or four words illegible) sorrow.  Glad to see 
him and sorry you was not with him and glad you was well and doing well and was 
coming home this spring or fall.  So when you receive these lines write and let 
me know if you can come this spring or not.  I will inform you times is harder 
then they have been for ten years money scarce, property low, corn scarce, it is 
worth one dollar per bushel, wheat two dollars, pork five dollars, crop was all 
most a failure.  So I will write more in the next.  I wish inform Wm. N. West 
and H.H. Gaunt I would like to receive a letter from them for they have 
forgotten there poor afflicted father and mother. We shall never forget them 
while time and memory last.  Isham L. West there is six of you gone and there is 
three we don't know where they are for none of them writes but yourself though 
it causes me and your mother to mourn and weep in sorrow for them.  Your mother 
sends her love and respects to you relying on your promise to come as soon as 
you can.  S.M. West sends her love and respects to you.  She received your 
letter with joy and gladness of heart and says her and the pretty girl North 
West will write in the course of next week. All the children sends their love 
Jeptha wants you to make hast and come home for he wants to see brother (word 
illegible) have some fun for he can read some love songs and sing the cuckoo 
song.  When you receive theses lines write out Fall Samonen but remains your 
loving father and mother till death.

Wm. Y. & Willey West


Now a few lines to Dennis & Dolley 
We received a few lines from you and was proud to know you have the respect for 
your ? uncle and aunt for we are proud to hear you are all well and doing well 
and that Liberty was living with you and you have the respect and love for me 
and your aunt. Your aunt sends her love to you and Dolley you must excuse me for 
not writing more at this time for I am hardly able to sit up at this time.  I 
write you a letter not long since and we hope you have received it.  And we 
shall look for an answer so no more.  Only remains your affection uncle and aunt 
till death Wm Y & Willey West

William Y West & Willey West

December the 23, 1860

A few lines to J.L. West.  You wrote a few lines to me and I was glad to see it 
when it come to hand and I answered it forthwith and I want you to write again 
when this come to hand.  I have nothing much to write to you at present but we 
are all well at present hoping when these few lines come to hand that will find 
enjoying the same blessing of health.   I will tell you times is hard and stock 
is low.  I live where Jef settled and expect to stay there and I want you to 
come back soon as you can.  The girls is waiting with patience to see you come 
and I would be glad to see you myself I have quit rambling myself but Jef and 
Maclz(?) and Griffis is all gone and we don't know where.  Tilda sends her best 
respect to you she had two girls that are the pirtyest and smartest you ever saw 
and my boy has not forgot you yet.  My head is a wool gathering you must excuse 
my bad writing and spelling I must come to a close by subscribing my name.

Richard E M Cantrell


These letters were passed down by Hazel (Hale) Cowan, Hazel was the great 
granddaughter of Emeline (West) Gaunt who married Haines Harden Gaunt in Dade 
County, Missouri.  It was thought that the letters were written to Emeline.

I have edited the letters for spelling and have added only the minimum of  
puntuation for ease of reading.  

Joye Benck
GGGgreat granddaughter of William N & Willey West