Letter from William Bower to his sister Martha (Bower) Jackson

Date: 1911 to 1911
Location: Iowa
Surname/tag: Bower Bowers Jackson

Letter from William J. Bower (1828-1901) to his sister Martha, passed down through Martha's descendants to L. Carter

Eddyville, IowaApr the 26th 1911(?)

Dear sister it is with pleasure that I write a few lines to let you know of my health is not very good at present I have more or less misery in my breast and head. I dont ever expect to be well and sound again. Johns family is all well as far as I know They still live here Allen lives in Faulk County, S. Dacota, Sarah lives in Des Moines Iowa Jim in the neighborhood somewhere Rose is married to Charles Hait and lives at given Mahaska Co. Iowa, May jessee and Roy are still at home, and in regard our half Brothers and sisters, I Cant tell exactly where they are Julia and husband lived in Charles Mix Co., S. Dacota Fanny lives in Gunnison Col. or did the last I heard from her. Ella lives there to somewhere Close by, Elias lives in S. D. Charles Mix Co., or did when Fanny wrote her last letter to me, Sam lives in Topeka Kansas I think, Julia is Dead ever since Mary Ann has. and I don't know but Fanny is I cant hear from her any more. Well Martha we have had a as fine a winter as Iowas has ever had. the spring is a little late but it is getting to be nice weather now and the farmers is getting their Crops in in good shape the great trouble has bee too much rain but we have had no high waters except when the Ice went out. then every body got a little scared afraid the lower would be washed away it was pretty scarry for a while. but it finily gave way with out doing any harm. Well all I can say about Philip Starkey is I have not spoke to him but once since his mothers death. I have not see either him or dick for a year or more Philip lives in Oskaloosa, Kan Dick lives in Keokuk. They have both asked me to come and see them, but I cannot forget the treatment they gave their mother, since her death. I have been lonesome. John being from home all the time. I feel sometimes like I was left all alone. I bought a nice Ceader, or Ever Gree Tree for a dollar and had it set out at the head of her grave. I expect that will be all the monument she will get I guess the boys will never do any thing. Just like Jack done by his children No one can tell where they are burried. Well Change hoping these few lines will find you and all the folks well and doing well tell Steve I would like an answer to my last letter. I would like see all your family, but I cannot I will Close Good night your brother W J Bower To M. E. Jackson his sister