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  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, September 4, 1858

    In this letter from September 4, 1858, John McConihe writes to his business partner, John Kellogg, about potential legal problems with their land and the threat of claim theft in Omaha, Nebraska. He also informs him of the fledgling construction of a railroad near Council Bluffs, Iowa, and expresses his desire to leave Nebraska.

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, September 21, 1860

    In this September 21, 1860 letter, John McConihe writes to friend and business partner, John Kellogg, about his beginning freighting business and his hopes for future prosperity in that area. He mentions the upswing in the optimism of Nebraskans about their future prosperity since the completion of a telegraph to Omaha.

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, October 8, 1858

    This October 8, 1858 letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg reveals that he has become the governor's personal secretary. He mentions the difficulty of holding unoccupied land claims and also tells Kellogg of rumors of gold strikes further west. McConihe also describes a "great Indian Wardance" performed by members of the Omaha tribe that recently took place in town and the reaction of the white population.

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, October 18, 1860

    John McConihe's October 18, 1860 letter to John Kellogg reports his frustration over the death of one of his mules on the supply wagon he has sent to the West and reports the close results of the election for a Congressional delegate. The telegraph line has been extended from Omaha to Kearney, and this, coupled with a stagecoach route from Omaha to Denver, indicates to him that Nebraskans "are getting to be of some account."

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, November 6, 1858

    John McConihe's November 6, 1858 letter to John Kellogg contains information about their plans for additional land transactions and McConihe's efforts to pass bills through the territorial legislature on behalf of their town, Beatrice. He also reports that construction on a railroad in Council Bluffs, Iowa has begun and his hopes that it will "in three years connect us with N.Y." McConihe is not excited about another Nebraska winter and requests that Kellogg renew his subscription to a New York newspaper.

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, November 25, 1858

    This November 25, 1858 letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg discusses both land purchases and building rental prospects. McConihe predicts a gold rush in the spring, as strikes are confirmed in western Nebraska. He also notes the appearance of the sun for the first time in a month.

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, May 6, 1861

    In this May 6, 1861 letter from John McConihe to his friend and business partner, John Kellogg, McConihe tells of his lack of success in freighting goods to Denver (a failure he blames on the Civil War curtailing westward migration) and his decision to quit the venture. He also expresses his disappointment in the territorial government and about the handling of the Civil War. He closes the letter on a happier note, congratulating Kellogg on his impending marriage and graduation from the "Bachelor circle".

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, May 26, 1858

    On May 26, 1858, John McConihe wrote to his business partner, John Kellogg, about the breaking of the Bank of Tekama and the subsequent ruin of those holding Tekama currency. He also mentions the discovery of gold near Des Moines and some neighborhood violence he attributes to a lack of law enforcement in the area.

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, May 1, 1858

    On May 1, 1858, John McConihe writes to John Kellogg about meeting with John Newton in Cincinnati, the behavior of the Indians in town, and the quality of the whiskey available in his town. Most of the letter focuses on the Panic of 1857 and its effects on land speculations and new construction.

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, March 15, 1861

    In this March 15, 1861 letter from John McConihe to friend and business partner John Kellogg, McConihe mentions a few general business transactions and tells of organizing another freight load to send to Denver.

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, June 21, 1857

    On June 21, 1857, John McConihe writes to John Kellogg about their investments in southeast Nebraska, particularly in the town of Beatrice. McConihe tells Kellogg that he does not know why it takes mail longer to arrive from the East than it does to be sent to it, though he blames road and weather conditions in Iowa for much of the delay. He rounds out the letter with news of the first circus in Nebraska, their friend Newton's regrettable foray into bookkeeping, and statements of optimism about the West.

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, June 15, 1857

    John McConihe writes to John Kellogg on June 15, 1857 about his efforts to incorporate the town of Beatrice, Nebraska and organize the political structure of the county. He praises the town's location next to the Big Blue River, and predicts rapid settlement, since "the emigrants are following in our tracks daily". He expresses the wish that Kellogg could arrive soon with "lots of money" because of all the potential for investment and development.

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, July 17, 1859

    This brief July 17, 1859 letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg notes the slower-than-expected sales of land warrants and his participation in a clash with Pawnee Indians.

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, July 12, 1861

    In his July 12, 1861 letter, John McConihe writes to his business partner, John Kellogg, lamenting his financial losses in his Denver speculation scheme and from the government's failure to pay him what he is owed. McConihe asks for Kellogg's patience in awaiting repayment and reports that he has joined the army as a captain to support himself.

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, January 1, 1860

    John McConihe's January 1, 1860 letter to his business partner, John Kellogg, includes a business statement of their interests for the year 1859 and proposes a plan for splitting their property so that McConihe can sell more easily during economically lean times. McConihe also assures Kellogg that his return to New York is not occasioned by a "lovely Angel", but only business concerns.

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, December 7, 1858

    This December 7, 1858 letter from John McConihe to his business partner, John Kellogg, requests money for cattle speculation. McConihe hopes to make a large profit selling the cattle to gold miners in the spring. He also mentions his appointment as one of five Notary Publics in Omaha.

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, December 27, 1858

    John McConihe's December 27, 1858 letter to John Kellogg discusses several business transactions and mentions his re-appointment as personal secretary to the new governor. McConihe also expresses his opposition to a plan to annex part of Nebraska to Kansas, fearing it will set Nebraska back "full ten years."

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, December 23, 1860

    In this December 23, 1860 letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, McConihe recounts the fate of the freight he sent to Denver and his plans to send another supply train west in February. McConihe also informs Kellogg of his plans to return to New York and expresses his confidence that the Union will "be patched up" in time for him to turn a profit the next year.

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, August 2, 1857

    On August 2, 1857, John McConihe writes to John Kellogg about their shared business interests in Nebraska. McConihe rejoices in the rapid progress Beatrice is making as a town, but regrets their investments in Council Bluffs, IA, as he feels Omaha, Nebraska is becoming the more prosperous city. He writes of the difficulties of speculation, resting in the certainty that "in the long run money will be made."

  • | Letter

    Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, August 15, 1857

    On August 15, 1857, John McConihe writes to John Kellogg about their shared land transactions in Nebraska and news of others who have fallen on hard times. Though the real estate market is not as hearty as he had hoped (which he attributes to "Kansas Shriekers," "Emigrants", and "the tight money market at the East"), he is still confident that the market will improve. McConihe envies Kellogg for enjoying "cool sea breezes" on the coast, while he has just endured a 70-hour dust storm, and predicts that Omaha will become "the town" in Nebraska.