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Written by Franklin Stark to his sister, Sarah Marshall. This describes the conditions in 1846. The L.D.S . as the original copy of his letter. Letter is in Franklin's words, there are misspelled words. ________________________________________

Dear Sister:

I take this opportunity of sending you a few lines to let you know that we are all well at this time and I hope these few lines will find you and yours all well. I am now living upon John Bird's plantation. my people is all well but Jabz and mother is not very well.

Dick started this morning in a company to fight bush wackers. It is said they are getting quite numerous through the country this summer. Old man Marshall's is all well. Time is hard in this country at this time. Everything is high and money scarce. Crops do not look well at this time by reason of a long dry spell. Oats is cut off most entirely. Corn is small for the time but might make tolerable fair crops yet, if we get rain in time.

Me and Watson belong to the militia and may be called out yet to fight bushwackers as they are getting numerous in Missouri.

John's wife has a fine son and call his name William Jones. Watson's wife has a fine son, which they call Lewis Franklin. If you will send me your likeness, I will send you my uglyness, if you think that a fair swap and won't ask me any boot.

I want you to write as soon as you get this letter and tell me about the country and the prospects of the people and if the copperheads is numerous.

Nothing more at present but I remain your brother and friend and so on.

Franklin and Lucinda Stark
to Sarah Marshall.

We have three children: Elisha, David Nelson and William Jabz.

Franklin was my G Grandfather and marched with General Sherman through Georgia in the Civil War. Franklin wrote this letter from his farm home in Gentry County, Missouri to his sister in Clayton, Illinois.