1870 Aurora, Texas Letter J. M. Crofford Indians " Killing Some Of The Cow Boys ", .
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:24707391 | Modified Item: No |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: United States |
1870 Hand-carried letter even though cover has imprinted 3 cent stamp. Addressed to "Miss Millie Lemon" "At Home" "By the kindness of Mr. Wallace" The author is James M. Crofford (1847-1915) who raised livestock, drove cattle and owned stores in Aurora and Bowie, Texas and later lived in Ryan, Oklahoma Territory. He married a Sue Lemon in 1872 which may be the recipient or a sister. The inside address has her living in Dangerfield which is probably Daingerfield, Texas 187 miles east. C...rofford writes " We have been out West for over a week got home yesterday we found very Squally time out there the Indians have run the cowherders & [Surveighors?] in to Jacksborough [50 miles west of Aurora] killing some of the cow Boys taking some of the [Surveighou?] I went through Jacks & Montague Counties looking for the Indian every moment but found them not. I was real glad to get home with my scalp." He also talks about the "hardness of the times", "scarcity of money" and "the grasshoppers have come again" " eat up all the wheat" He has been "looking for Joe Parr at his Sugar farm" "Jimmie says he has forgot that he has any work to do since he got married" He is "going to Fort Worth tomorrow" "I expect a gay time as I feel dull and Stupid" There are also a number of comments about being a bachelor and he is "too low spirits" to go see "any of the Ladies" He than references Cousin Lizzie who he has been told is sick. "I thought mayby she was grieving about Bud if so tell her there is an old batch for her yet hoping she is as gay as ever" A fabulous item from frontier Texas, Cowboys, Indians, grasshoppers, no money and feeling "dull and Stupid"
