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.
Nov 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 isnt
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 eatable 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.
