RK-230

[letterhead] Ashley, Wiley & Co's Exchange Bank AND REAL ESTATE AGENCY, Anna, ( Jonesboro Station Ill. C. R. R. ) Union Co., Ill.

[handwritten] Jan 8^th [printed] 185 [written] 7

Friend Kennicott In reply to yours of the 4^th which has just come to hand

If possible you shall have specimens of our squirrels tomorrow but the weather is now so cold that I scarcely expect to be able to get one

I intend to offer $1. for every different kind bro^t in which will tempt our hunters to try but - it is too cold for them to be out.

Some weeks since we found four flying squirrels in an old tree in my yard with whose

habits till then I was not acquainted

My Mary had them in our room loose and they directly became quite tame

They were made for sleeping in the day & rambling in the night only which I remarked as soon as I saw their eyes which were large & projecting

They were certainly & fully night birds But you probably know all about them

We have now seen them for weeks and they are probably in the house walls.

I have not seen any short tailed meadow mice or their [traces?] - or any resemblance of them nor do I believe they are known here - not certain of course

We have plenty of moles in the ground but they are hard to catch.

I observed their fresh thrown up roads as long as the frost would admit - Even after it was very cold and the ground crusted by frost - a few weeks since

You may well say what I tell you is reliable when I say I know next to nothing about them.

I shall try for the squirrels but do not rely fo upon them for it so cold there is but small chance

truly your friend L.W. Ashley

Best Regards to yr Esteemed Father from All of us!