ENPages
page_0001
Rochester Feb. 24th 67
Dear Father
Your last letter was duly received. I wrote to you a long letter directing it to Olivet Mich. as I saw by your list of appointments that you would lecture there on the evening of the 14th inst. I mailed the letter two days in advance. We are all as well as usual. we have had a great deal of snow this winter banking up the roads as it used to eight or nine years ago. we had a flood here also but not as bad as it was two years ago. We hear from the boys very seldom, the last letter was from Lewis. I have not been able to accomplish much this winter owing mostly to the state of the roads, every body complains of the dullness of the times. The horse and cow are well provided for but neither of them are making anything. We cannot even drive out to Nathans without being in danger of breaking the sleigh. Nathan has had to walk in for the last two weeks. the farmer turned out and cleaned off the roads about a week ago but the same night it snowed and blew so that the roads
page_0002
were impassible. You have been taxed $45 and some cts. for graveling South Avenue Mrs. McVicar tax for the same purpose is over $50. We have all signed a petition to the Common Council asking more time and allowing us to gravel in front of our own premises I signed for you, and the authorities have given us to the first of May to do our own graveling and relieve us of the tax those who gravel themselves wont be taxed. Now I can have the road in front f your place graveled for just about one half the amount that you are taxed. shall I do it or not? Mr. Denny is taxed $105. Nearly every one on the street are doing their own graveling owing to the heaviness of the tax. I saw by the papers your reception at Lansing Michigan also of your visit to St. Louis. Mother, Rosetta, Libbie and all send their love, and hope you will return home safely when you shall have finished your engagements. I hope to hear from you soon in regard to the road.
Aff. Yr. Son
Chas R. Douglass