Letters from Rachael Austin to Horace J. Austin

Sunday Evening Well we have got home to Woodbury. Luther stayed in Sioux City. Old Mr. Woodford is a fine jovial old gentleman. very easy to get acquained with his wife is an overworked complaining old lady yet I like her. there are two young men still at home very pleasant young people. they are in the parlor just now singing while Josie is playing and I am in the dinning room stealing a few minutes to talk to my dearest friend. This has been a bright day to me. I hae heard so many good things.

This is a quaint old fashioned house, and reminds me of my grandfathers on the first floor is a hall and four large square rooms with kitchen and woodhouse in the rear. on the second

floor are a hall closets and four large rooms. A celler under the whole side of the house. They keep the most stock I have seen for a long time. Luther has got an appointment out near Fort Dodge Gertie don't like it, says she expects to starve, she says she would like to see you.

Monday morning.

Josie says tell you, she is all right and drumming away on the melodian and would like to see you all coming home, you as much as any - Gertie has a melodian, just such as one as I want and only cost 100.00 is much nicer than Josie's, but my dear one I would rather never have one than have you gone again so long. I am so afraid you are to have trouble with you leg - so sorry for you, you will be more homesick than if you were all right. I would like to send this to the office now so you would get it sooner but the boy has gone so it will not go out till tomorrow.

Sioux City Sunday

My own Dear Hor

Of course you think I am at home, perhaps in bed, but such is not the case. Friday afternoon I felt so much better that we started and went as far as Elk Point. stayed over night and got here saturday noon. did some trading and found Mr Woodford who piloted us out to Woodburn. I was very tired, but I feel better today than when I left home. This morning father Woodford brought us here to church. It is surprising to see

the vast array of preachers on every side. Luther has to be here to attend Conference. I have seen Stuart Crane, Gore, Harris, Damon, Mitchel and Brian and hundreds of others whose names I know not. After services Luther took us to the hotel to dinner. The meetings are held in the Academy of Music. This afternoon there is a meeting of sunday schools and as I sit waiting in this great hall (where we were once) waiting for the speaking to commence. I begged a slip of some ones book to write to you. Your Doll

Friday morn

My dear Hor

You dont know where I am just, and I shant tell you but Mrs Jones sends her respects and says she would like to have her house banked up. I went to the nite society last night up to Mr Bedee's, had a pleasant time, but coming home was not so nice, as we were coming down the hill the tongue dropped and the horses kicked and Mr. McKercher said get out girls, but but before we could