Gold Rush Era Letters

of the Mo river [Missouri River] surmounted by a cross that marks the resting place of some old french [French] voyageur who perchance had selected that place for its great beauty and grandeur it Commands one of the most magnificent prospects that this country can produce. Our music sounded rich from that point and raised all the dogs and some of the natives but before they could reach us we had vamosed [vamoosed].

This closed the week. Now my dear I must talk of what I expect to do tomorrow we will move out of the United States of America into the Indian Territory on the west side of the Mo river [Missouri River] where we shall encamp for four or five days before we take up our line of march for the shores of the pacific, now dont [don't] cry dear for I can see the tears starting in those dear eyes at the mention of it. Dear when I looked at your picture this morning I thought it did not look so sad as usual. I hope the dear original will cheer up for the sake of him who so dearly loves her. Tell Walter that I am very glad that he has got his office and that I received his letter and will try to answer it before I leave the country.

Tell John to write to me. Tell Father that I received his letter by the hands of Mr. Anderson but he forgot to call and get the letters from Riggs & Lebering. I was at their House every day whilst I was in St Louis but did not buy anything from them I suppose they were mad because I did not and would not give me the letters. My paper is getting very scarce Deary I am delighted with your letters. They breathe such a proud love for me that they fall like balm upon a wounded heart.

farewell my dear sweet wife.

Yours til death B. A. Watson