fourteen years ago Then we were gay and happy with sister Julia and family in Wilmington Ill now sister and brother both gone and I am here in the far west with father and five dear little ones suffering all the privations of a frontier life beside in a land that that has been suffering a terrible drought for two years All asleep but me and I must soon go as I am very tired. July 4 Today is the anniversary of our glorious National independence Warm and pleasant. I received a package of temperance papers also Collie brought two letters for me one from bro Dr the other from sister Laura and my niece Jennie we are glad to hear from our friends it makes our hearts lighter and I feel thankful for all the blessings we have. July 5th Father and I wrote to the Dr and I to Mrs. Andress on business. We went to the ranch intending to go to Vernon but the Pawnee Creek had risen so high on account of the hard rain that we could not cross. Water stands in all the draws. Queen pulled her picket last night- and went off. I found her feeding and left - her face is considerably swollen now we have no butter or meat or sugar I am thankful to God for all the blessings he has bestowed upon me but- oh how I wish he would cause me to get my pension that I might make father and the children comfortable. [PAGE BREAK] July 6th Father and I broke a little on fathers claim with Bird (?) and Minnie. July 7 Went to the ranche And the creek was so high we could not go across retuned went to Marena they had no flour or meal or meat I bought 2 lbs of sugar and 2 of mackerel I got supper- partly cut fathers pants out and it was too dark we mailed one letter to H and Lone to Aunt Seymour(?) one to Mrs. Clark one to the Dr one card to Mrs Andress at Marena July 8th Father and I broke on his timber claim with Cleo she was hard to drive and broke the plow but I am thankful it is no worse & when we came home had supper all ready gotten by the little girls with a nice cake in honor of my sweet little boys birthday One is 9 and one is 6. 9th We have been plowing all day. The stock are having nice feed since the rain and plenty of water in the draws. I am thankful for the blessings I have that God remembered us and all our wants although so very small 10th plowed all day and felt much worn out 11th Sunday Collie went to the Office no mail 12 plowed all day& Collie (unreadable) finished fathers timber claim I was never glacier to finish any piece we had broken the handle to our plow several days before and now we must break a (unreadable) 13th Went to Vernon nothing to eat for several days but bread and milk and fresh eggs once in a while. a very little sugar but everything used up this morning and I had only $1.61 to get anything with and pay a debt of .20 I got one sack of flour $1.50 then lacked .09 of paying him but he was very kind and trusted me for 6 lbs butter box matches little