June 21, 1857 | Letter
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.
August 2, 1857 | Letter
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."
August 15, 1857 | Letter
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.
September 23, 1857 | Letter
John McConihe writes to John Kellogg on September 23, 1857 about the loan he has made to John Newton to enable him to leave town and provides an account of their business expenses in settling Beatrice, Nebraska.
May 1, 1858 | Letter
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.
May 26, 1858 | Letter
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.
July 15, 1858 | Letter
In this July 15, 1858 letter to her mother, Sarah Sim writes of the new Sabbath School library (containing 100 volumes), her triumphs and failures in gardening, and the developments in Otoe, Nebraska, which include a school, regular preaching, and a printing press. She inquires after the activities of various female relatives who are teaching, attending school, and, in one case, enjoying a somewhat unconventional lifestyle selling sewing machines in Cincinnati.
August 15, 1858 | Letter
Francis Sim's August 15, 1858 letter to his brother, John C. Clark describes the results of "the Election" and his great satisfaction in the triumph of "the People" over the Democrats-a marked contrast, he observes, to the political events in Kansas. He also reports on the development of Otoe, Nebraska, and the corruption that marks land sales in the area. Though times are hard, he thinks that his family has enough, and he gives a full listing of his crops and livestock.
September 4, 1858 | Letter
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.
October 8, 1858 | Letter
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.
November 6, 1858 | Letter
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.
November 25, 1858 | Letter
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.
December 7, 1858 | Letter
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.
December 27, 1858 | Letter
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."
April 22, 1859 | Letter
In this April 22, 1859 letter from John McConihe to his business partner, John Kellogg, McCohihe predicts the positive effect the Pike's Peak Gold Rush will have on the land he and Kellogg are selling come summer.
July 11, 1859 | Letter
In this July 11, 1858 letter from Sarah Sim to her mother and sister, Sarah describes the summer heat, her children's participation in school and church, and the behavior and appearance of her new daughter. She also mentions the continuing settlement of their part of Nebraska, the lack of a railroad, and the relatively small number of her neighbors leaving for Pikes Peak. Part of this letter is damaged.
July 17, 1859 | Letter
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.
January 1, 1860 | Letter
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.
January 1, 1860 | Letter
This January 1, 1860 letter from Sarah Sim to her parents describes her loneliness, the cold winter weather, and the current lack of a school for area children. She closes the letter with news of a railroad being built that will pass within three or four miles of their home, and she expresses hope that it will enable her to more easily return home for a visit.
February 5, 1860 | Letter
In this February 5, 1860 letter from Francis and Sarah Sim to Sarah's parents, Francis tells of the abundance of food produced on their farm and of the migration patterns of settlers in the region. He invites them to visit them, pointing out that they can make most of the journey by railroad and the remainder by steamboat.