(From) Pleasant Prairie, Missouri

April 27, 1849

to

Solomon Allred

Robertsville Post Office

Anderson County, TN

Missouri, Greene County

April 26, 1849

Dear father and mother

I now take and opportunity to write you once more to inform you that we are in tolerable health at present and we trust you are all enjoying the same. I am, myself, not very well today, but I trust I am not dangerous. We have had the worst winter we have ever known. The ice came before Christmas and never melted off the ground until the middle of February, but is very pleasant at this time. Grass is up and sufficient for our stock. There was considerable sickness all the winter but very healthy now. Our crops were tolerable good but it was remarkable dry last summer. Corn is worth 75 cents per barrel, wheat 37 1/2 cents per bushel, bacon 4 cents per pound. Good cows and calves are worth 85 dollars per head. Good steers are worth from 35 to 40 dollars per yoke. Horses about the same with a yoke of steers. Nimrod Sever is out here. He came here last winter and lives but a little piece above me. He came here from Illinois. His daughter, Mary, married in March to one Thomas Allred. I like here well enough to stay and I can make corn and stock are plenty. This is a healthy country as any where. Good water and good land in the hollows. Rocks on the ridges in a great many places and good ridge land in these places. Game tolerable plenty. I live 25 miles east of Springfield, our county seat. This town is more a large prairie and good land and but little timber. I wish to know where brother Thomas is living. I hear he is coming on and also I wish to let John Key know that I am still in existance yet and that I have not forgot him. His son, John M. Key lives in Hartsville, Wright County in the state. We judged it to be him from what we heard we have not seen him. We send our respects to James W. Key and family and tell him we are all yet living for all he thought we would die here. I suffered much worse for water and going to Saint Louis last August that we did when coming to this country.

We wish to let Isaac Key know that we have not forgot him and that we wish him to come and see us. Tell Peter and Nancy Johnson that we wish to be remembered to them also and all the rest of their relations. I heard from Benjamin and William Johnson in Illinois last winter and they survived all winter. William and Polly Ann wishes to be remembered to their grandfather and grandmother and all their cousins, aunts and uncles.

Jesse L. Allred is now at my house, he is the youngest son of Elias Allred Sen, from Randolph County, North Carolina, he came here last February from Indiana. He is repairing clocks and watches. His grandfather’s name was Thomas Allred, your uncle.

I heard from Stephen Julian a few days ago and the family was well. They live about 12 miles from me. I have never been there yet.

There were a company started to California from Hazzel Wood P. O. Wright County the 15th this month. 10 waggons, 4 men to each waggon, well armed. It is thought that there will be 100,000 persons start from Independence to go through the plains. All for Gold!

Tell Mrs. Killbreath, William and Robert that we have not forgotten them and wish them all the happiness this world can afford them. We wish you to write me as soon as you get this letter and let me know you all are and not fail in so doing. Direct your letter to Pleasant Prairie P. O. Greene Cty, Mo.

So no more at present, but remains your son and grandchildren till death -

Isaac Allred