Letter written from West Creek by Abraham Ritter to his son John F. Ritter, who had recently moved to Kansas. Aunt Salley is Abraham's sister Sally Ritter Baughman (widow of Jacob Baughman sr.). Louisey is Louisa Ritter Livingston (Abraham's youngest daugher). Hermans must refer to the Harmon Waldrum family. Harmon's wife was Abraham's daughter Sarah Ann Ritter. Abraham wife survived her illness and lived until 1889. Unfortunately, Aunt Salley died the next year (1870) and Abraham himself passed away in 1879. The original of this letter is in the possession of Glen Ritter of northern Oklahoma. Several of John F.'s children moved slightly south into Oklahoma from Kansas and some descendants still remain there. The letter is faded and in poor handwriting. Illegible words are indicated by [?]. The spelling, which is quite erratic, is maintained.
Lowell Lake County
January the eight 1869
We received your letter the fourth
Dear children and grand children,
I take my pen in hand this morning to let yo know how we're. My helth is about as when yo left here last fall . Yor mother was taken [down?] the last week in october, has been very sick. We had the doctor three or fore weeks since [?]that she can sit up most of the day now is getting beter. [?] Louisey and the children are well and Hermans and family are well and we have had some hard winter wether. We have had snow about eight inches deep and very severe cold weather. It has moderated a little this morning.
Ant Salley has been living with us ever since your mother has been sick. The neibors have been very good. They came in and helpt us all they could and if nothing more befalls and helth continues with the help of God we will get through the winter once more. We have had the best [?] that has been for many years past. Our marketing is very low and grain low and we haint making any thing this fall. There was every thing run into market that [? ? ? ?] at their price. Chickens are low. We had bad luck with our large spotted cow. She had come in about three weeks and she was all writte. I milk her in the evening and the next morning she was dead. She died with out a struggle apparently laying upon her legs and laying her head over to one side. We hope that yo may find a pleasant home and like the county. Hoping yo [?] and helth and luck and happiness. So good by for this time yo will half to [?] over my poor writing. My hand trimeels so like that I cant write. Write soon and let us know how yo are getting on.
Abraham Ritter to John F. Writter