East Abington, Mass
Jan 7th, 1872
Dear Dr. Benjamin,
Your favor of 21st ult was duly received and gave
us all much pleasure to learn that everything was going on so favorably in
Hassan Valley, that your children, most of them, are enjoying the school, that
the school is well conducted and so good, a number are receiving its benefits.
You must have had quite an excitement by RR surveyors and
directors through town and their desire to hear the voice of the people in H in
regard to the right of way, etc. Of
course, I shall do my part towards the project and if there is need of my
personal presence in town or at the legislature to aid in the good cause,
command me at once. I wish to know fully
whether the project is likely to go through or cave in – who has hold of it and
what shape it is being presented to the people.
We would all come and do what we could in musical fraternity and friendship
with the members of both houses, spending a week or two at St. Paul, if there
is any need of work such as we can render in any way to secure to our part of
the country or outlet to the world by rail.
We are lingering here still in Mass partly & chiefly
from the feebleness of Mrs. Hutchinson’s father and partly from several
engagements made to sing for several organizations here, whereby we are
liquidating several little bills contracted here since our arrival.
I wish one of the RR directors could be secured from
Hutchinson. There are several there that
are competent. Let the thing be agitated
and all pull together to get the man that will do the most & sacrifice
the most to bring about the great accomplishment of that live RR through Hassan
Valley. I have all the business I can
well manage & must cut off some farm cares if I continue concerting, but I
will do all I can outside to help the grand project of RR through our village. Should there be any place for me to work, I should
for the time abandon our plan to visit the Pacific coast till the RR project
should be pushed on to a successful end.
I hope to hear fully from you before I start home west, whether there is
a disposition to move earnestly in the matter or whether it is not a spasm &
a fizzle!!
See David Adams and get fully posted and let me know
particulars. So Mr. Day & Bonnewell are
tracking, we’ll give no objections to his coming down to be a nearer neighbor
& put up a good horse on his farm.
Glad Frank is logging; tell him to patch up the old sled. Keep it together best he can and not buy a new
one if he possibly get along till we can turn some farm product to market at
remunerative prices. I hope the premises are not left exposed day
or night, that some faithful body is constantly there. I hope to hear that Rash has paid his note &
that you have settled several bills and made the new year open with few if any
demands against the “Tribe of Asa”. I
think you have done well to let our shanty up by Bonnewell’s mills. Look out for the timber thieves.
I have been trying to get a loan from the banks of Lynn, where
I am acquainted, to accommodate you, but thus far have not succeeded. They have offered it to me before but now it
is a tight time with them and I can’t get the amount you desire. There
may be a change before we start west, if shall be another look out and try
again. You may look for us any day after
the 25th and we’ll come earlier if positively needed.
The “Tribe of Asa” unites in thanks to the “Tribe of
Benjamin” for compliments of the season & wish them all many happy New
Years and long and prosperous lives.
Regards to all from all.
Truly yours,
Asa B. Hutchinson
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