Nantucket
Feb. 17, 1867
Dr. Benjamin
Dear Friend,
Hours, days and months have passed away since we parted at Hutchinson,
and we have had bitter sorrow at the loss of our darling little Kelly, and the
anxious care we have had through her gradual decline, and the breaking up of
all our ambitions at her decent is my only apology for not writing you
before. I can hardly bring my mind to
any plan of action, yet we are looking toward Minnesota as our home till we
drop this mental case for life in the new sphere.
James Chesley wrote me that you were getting out some logs
from our woods; probably you have something that will be of service to both of
us all right. We hardly know when we
will start but we are packing our goods for Minnesota and will probably be up
to build and make some improvements this coming summer. The loss of our little daughter has somewhat
unsettled us and we shall not be in condition to do as we would if we could
have brought all our children with us in health to open up the prairie country.
Friend Benjamin, I hope this letter will find you enjoying health
with all your family happily around you.
Wife & I have often spoken of the comfort your service to all is
taking. The last time we saw you at your house with
the cellar full of provisions and large stacks of hay and stacks of wheat about
the premises.
We leave for Lynn tomorrow where we stay for a week or two
packing and filling our house to let, while we again journey to Minnesota. The snow is all gone and the air spring-like.
The last storm of rain carried off all the snow and raised the rivers of New
England causing floods in many sections and carrying off dams and bridges and
caused great damage to the country at large.
Is the school house done and who is teaching? Mr. Chesley writes me that there is to be a
large quantity of logs gathered to the mill this winter. Perhaps I can get all I want of lumber when I
come. If not, I must have it drawn from
Minneapolis. What news you can give me
of what is going on will be very acceptable. Do write as earliest convenience
and tell us of the changes we will anticipate when we get to you.
Regards to your wife and family and believe me,
Yours truly,
Asa B Hutchinson 
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