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Franklin County: John B. McPherson to Edward McPherson, November 9, 1860

Summary:
John B. McPherson writes to his uncle, Edward McPherson, about politics and local events in Sidney, Ohio, including hunting and school.


November 9, 1860

Sidney

Dear Uncle,

I have often reproached myself for not writing before, but I put it off from day to day until now. Indeed, I have had plenty of time, but had fallen into the habit of Procrastination, and therefore it has remained until to day. Politics appears to be the engrossing topic out here nowadays even after the election. The Republicans however are confident of success and with good reason. The county here has been for years overwhelmingly Democratic, always electing the full unscratched Democratic ticket until this year, when the Republicans elected their candidates for Clerk of the Court and Mayor. This is not much but speaks well for the success of the party here. It is not known yet how the county has voted, too much attention being paid to the returns from the State and Union. One thing is certain, the Republican gain is great, being at least

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80 or 100. I congratulate you on your election again. I did not know that you were a candidate until lately, when Mr. Hale, a leading lawyer and Republican, asked me if I was [deleted: your] a relative of yours. I told him, I was. He then informed me of your election. The Wide Awakes come out on Thursday night provided the more certain election returns prove favorable. The Never Sleeps (Douglas Democrat) have "fizzled". They attempted to have a grand parade last Saturday night, with their paper torches, but "their game was played out". The best joke that has been known here lately (it isn't much of a joke, either) is the attempt of the Democratic editor, Mr [unclear: Ragan], to vote at the October elections, whilst he was under the requisite age. And then, "although under the full belief and conviction that he was of age, yet he considered it best to write to his father to ask him how old he was". He an editor, and didn't know his own age! But I have often heard that politics is a very dangerous subject for a "Young America" to meddle with. If that be true, I am afraid I am pretty far gone. But lest it might lead to evil, I will close this subject by saying "Hurrah for Lincoln". The foundry here was burnt down about three or four weeks ago. Nothing was saved and no insurance. The fire was first observed by the passengers of the eastern train. The cars were stopped and the alarm given, but before enough people had arrived to check the flames, they had acquired considerable headway and all that could be done was to save the adjacent shops and buildings. A few more such fires and I think that the need of a fire engine will be felt &

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one procured. The weather now is very inclement. It has snowed a little twice. It is raining now with every prospect of continuing. Game of all kinds is very plenty. Squirrels, pheasants, quails, wild ducks and geese, wild turkeys, and even deer at a distance of two or three miles, can easily be procured. For see, the distance is not more than 10 or 15 miles up north. I [deleted: am] was out hunting last Saturday, and killed in a short time at a stream, not far from Sidney a duck and about a dozen other edible birds called here yellow hammers. I have never seen any elsewhere. We have a new teacher in our department, Mr. McFarlan, this term. He is a splendid teacher and knows his business well. Some other time I will write more about him. I am almost ashamed, after my long silence to request you to answer my letter soon, but I will.

Your affectionate nephew

John B McPherson.

P. S. Whenever you leave Gettysburg for any length of time, please notify me, that I may know where to direct my letters.
John.



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