over it; no person lives over twenty-four hours. I have got in twelve acres of corn this year. Dear brother, I would be very glad and thankful if you would send me ten dollars in a letter. I don't think there would be any difficulty in sending it in a letter. I would not have called on you for any assistance, but I have nothing to buy meat and bread with; it can't be got for nothing but the money. I wrote to Brother James to sent me ten dollars. I met with the great loss in March. I send my best respects to your family and my father and Aunt Fulton. Write to me as soon as you get this letter.
John McClure."
Dear Brother,
I sit down this evening to let you now that we are all well at the preasent time and hoping that these few lines may find you all enjoying good health. I received your letter this morning and fifteen dollars in it. I am very glad and thankful to you for it, for I stood in great need of it. I have in twelve acres of corn this year; corn and wheat crops are very good here this season. Corn and meat is very scarse here. My neighbors were good and kind enough to help me to fence in twelve acres. I got the money you sent by Mr. Stuart, that, and what Brother James sent me saved my land. I have seven children living, four sons and three daughters. My oldest daughter is dead. My neighbors say they will help me to fence in my farm. I have three head of horses and three milk cows. I think after I get my land fenced in I can make a support. My oldest boy is fifteen years old. My boys allways made me a support until last year; the crops failed here last year.
I like to live in Missouri very well, but there is a great deal of sickness here; nearly every person has the chills and fever here in the fall. I live about ten miles from Uncle Bily Mateer; his children are all married but two. I would be glad to see you in this country. Brother James was out here about three years ago. Tobacco is six dollars a hun-
