John R. Proctor letter, dated 16 February 1881

[printed letterhead] [KENTUCKY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION JOHN R. PROCTER, DIRECTOR

FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY.]

Feb. 16, 1881

Dear Sir:

Yours of the 15th recd. I do not know the present condition of the German Colony in Western Kentucky nor do I know whether any of them have yet arrived. The Parties organizing this are in New York City. The lands secured are near Crofton in Christian Co. I will in a few days be furnished with particulars. If the young man you write of has ample means he would do better to purchase lands not in a colony, but make a good selection, & if he desires form a colony himself. If he desires to go to Western Kentucky I think a position on Green River in Edmonson or Butler County would be desirable. Lands well timbered with white oak poplar and hickory can be purchased at from $2.50 to 4.00 per acre, and the soil is excellent for coal measure rocks, and Green River is always navigable. He would also find a good location on the extension of the Knoxville road - beyond the Swiss Colony. I have learned of 5000 acres south of London

[Left Margin text Your friend can leave particulars about Western Colony from Capt Emile Lindburg 19 Broadway N.Y.] end of left margin text.

not over 3 miles from the Railway to be had for $ 2.00 per acre. This land will advance rapidly in value after the completion of that railway next summer.

The crossing of the Big Sand Railway over Licking river would also be an excellent place for the location of such an establishment. I have also advised [Brunner?] & Co to sell their sawmill - for the following reason. I wish the company to do nothing but sell lands, and let the stores, mills, boarding houses etc be owned and managed by the Colonists. I will also have a charter passed by this legislature permitting the colonists to conduct their affairs as a municipal corporation, electing their own officers, police, road master etc. etc. This will do away with all cause of friction and jealousy of management, and the colonists will have no causes for complaint of a government which they have established.

The sawmill in the Colony is doing a good business & can command not only a ready sale of lumber to the immigrants but can ship lumber to Louisville. The mill is a new one & I think I can persuade [Brunner?] & Co to sell the same at cost. Should your friend desire to visit western Kentucky I will give him letters.

Yours Truly Jno R Procter