Box 3, Folder 3: Typewritten Letters 1840-1844

434 [416] 1840.

Milwaukee, Jan. 17, 1840.

Dear Father--

I have received a few days since a letter from Darius and also one from William in which they speak of your attack of sickness, they both speak also of your partial recovery. I hope ere this time, you have entirely recovered your usual good health.

William's account of the Tipula was very interesting, but I judge that some of it is not from his own observation; what I want is original observation, made by himself, as to the habits and economy of the insect. ***

We had a great Whig celebration on the 1st of Jan'y and the Locos are to have another on 22nd of February. The Whigs roasted an ox whole; what the Locos will do we know not. Party lines are now drawn in the Territory as in the State.

We have a Lyceum hero that meets every Friday evening for debates and discourses. We have a great many very good speakers, who are perhaps destined hereinafter to fill large spaces in the council of the nation. I am one of the committee on meteorological observations and one of the Executive committee to arrange the affairs of the concern. I write down very day which way the wind blows and how the rain falls. ***

Your affectionate son,

Increase.

Seneca Lapham.

Milwaukee, Feb. 2, 1840.

Dear Brother--Darius

*** 'Tis Sunday and having nothing better to do,

435 [417] 1840.

I propose to write you a letter. ***

I feel very much obliged for your invitation to come over to your house and enjoy once more the pleasures of a good dinner. Now, not to disparage you goodly city, I think that you would rather profit by making me a visit in this respect. Our white fish is a delicacy you never dreamed of; we have several other species almost equally delicious for the table. Our prairie hens, the "Pinnated Grouse" of ornithologists, are beyond comparison with their domestic namesakes for tenderness and delicacy. Besides we have an abundance of venison, partridges, squirrels, &c., which can be had at almost any time. Wild turkeys are often brought to our market. The country is now so much improved and settled that we have an abundance of all the ordinary products of agriculture, except such as require a greater number of years than our settlement can boast of, such as apples, peaches, and other fruits. Our woods and commons however afford any quantity of crab apples, gooseberries, plums, blackberries, raspberries, currants (red and black), and a person may, at the proper season, satisfy the most voracious appetite with fine large strawberries without moving from his tracks, within reach of his arms, such is their abundance. Do come out here and enjoy some of our fine things!

I have been engaged for some time in writing one book and compiling another; so that I am about to turn author in earnest.

My lecture before the Lyceum was very interesting! At least my wife says so, and she knows!

The book I am writing is a Gazetteer [Gazetteer] of Wisconsin and the

436 [418] 1840.

book I am compiling is a "Documentary History of the Milwaukee and Rock River Canal," compiled with explanatory remarks by order of the Board of Directors of the Canal Co. You shall have a copy of each. I have about one hundred pages of the Gazetteer [Gazetteer] written and notes sufficient to write fifty or sixty more.

Hans Crocker Esq., is to write a history of Wisconsin of some twenty or thirty pages to be included in the work. The book is to embrace some account of the natural productions and a catalogue of the animals, plants and minerals.

Good by. Long life, health and happiness to you all.

Increase.

Milwaukee, Wis., March 15, 1840.

My dear Brother--

We have just received your good old-fashioned letter of the 20th of February in answer to my Sunday letter. It is the best filled sheet you have sent me for many a day, and it afforded us much real pleasure and satisfaction in its perusal.*** I am going to give you a description of a discovery made about a month since in the county, about thirty miles or so from any place; and such has been the rapidity with which the news has spread and such the general belief in its transcendental utility that you can scarcely enter a house without bursting into a laugh, at seeing one of these invaluable machines in successful operations. As you Buckeyes may wish to profit by our Wisconsin inventions, I will give you a detailed description of the apparatus or machine without any hesitation, for we of Wisconsin despise the Yankee notions about patent rights. Our inventions are made for the good of mankind in general, and we are actuated always by the purest and highest principles of universal benevolence.

437 [419] 1840.

This invention however is intended for the good of all baby kind! We know not the name of the particular individual who first conceived the happy idea which led to the invention, the consciousness of having conferred a great and lasting benefit on all future generations is a sufficient reward for him; and we are only anxious to secure to our infant Territory the credit of having invented--a "spring pole!"

[illustration]

It consists of a post set-up in one corner of the room, turning on a pivot, at each end and from near the tip extends out horizontally a stick of elastic wood (as ash or hickory) with a knob on the end. From the extremity of this pole hangs a cord, kept apart below by a stick having holes through each end for the cord to pass through and fasten with knots. By means of a bend around the body and a fundamental strap, the baby is suspended to these cords in such a manner that his feet just touch the floor. In this predicament he is left to his own free action, and the way he can jump and spring and dance about from one side of the room to the other would undoubtedly excite the risability [risibility] of the gravest old bachelor in the country!

***Where is Mr. T. Williams? We have heard nothing since his return from Europe.

Hope you will not turn politician? It is said to be a poor business and I believe it.

Yours affectionately,

Increase.

Darius Lapham.

438 [420] 1840. [not 1837[.

Milwaukee, March 31, 1840.

Dear Sir--

I have received your very interesting pamphlet on the plants of Franklin county and it would afford me much pleasure to exchange with you any plants found here for those of your neighborhood which I have not already in my herbarium. *** I send a catalogue of our plants, which please return with some mark opposite those you want. I send also your pamphlet with a mark (o) opposite those for which I would be willing to send Milwaukee plans in exchange. This I wish you would also return to me.

Please remember me to your brother and all other friends,

Very truly yours,

I.A. Lapham.

Em. S. Sullivant, Esq.,

Columbus, O.

Milwaukee April 5, 1840.

Dear Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters--

In looking over your last letters I find none of a later date than Nov. 10, 1839, almost half a year back. *** I do wish some of you would write oftener. *** We have living with us now a little Dutch boy who does all the chores and helps very much around the house. *** He is a Prussian and one of those who left his country on account of religious persecution.

The lots bought for William and Hannah have not been redeemed and the time for redemption has expired, they are therefore entitled to the lots; but the owners have procured an injunction from the court against issuing the deeds, so that there must be a