Letter from D. F. Vanniss to George P. Cather, December 23, 1878

On December 23, 1878 D.F. Vanniss informs George P. Cather of a death in his family delaying his trip to Nebraska. Vanniss wants to purchase a productive 160 acres of railroad land and asks Cather if he can buy it before he arrives to ensure that it is not sold to someone else. He tells Cather that he plans to make Webster County his new home, and wonders about the possibility of growing fruit in Nebraska-requesting that Cather send him a report of the temperature on New Year's Day.

Jeromeville O

Dec 23 1878

Mr. G. P Cather

Dear Sir yours of recent date recd thanks for your kindness i had intended to Start to your State in a few Days but Last Saturday i got a Letter from my Brother in Sandusky County this State Stating that my Brother there is not Expected to Live & his wife has had a stroke of Palsie So i must go there and See to his affairs for him. Now Mr Cather i want the Best 160 acres of R R Land in your County and i want it Before Somebody Else gets it Can i Buy it through you for it

very uncertain when i can come there perhaps not till Spring it i am going to make Nebraska my home & from what i can learn of Webster County i want it to be there and i take you to be an honest man & i Rely upon you to fasten 160 acres for me if you will & can Send me all the perticulars [sic] & if you can fix it So that i can make the payment So that i can hold the Land respect i would like to know how fruit prospers there if you have a thermometer Please Send me the temperature on New years Day & oblige

yours

D. F. Vanniss
Jeromeville
Ashland Co Ohio