Cannon City, June 27, 1875

Respected Cousin

I will write you a few lines to let you know that we are all well as I have now no parents to write to me. I hope you will write occasionally and let me know how you all are getting along for I assure you it would be interesting to me. We had a cold, backward spring and for a time crops looks discouraging, but now things are growing finely. Grain looks well. Corn is small but is growing good now, so if the weather is favorable from now out we will have an abundant harvest. The great trouble then will be in low prices, which will suit you, I suppose, but not us. [end of page]

[page 2] I don’t see how kind providence can suit us all both, east and west. Let us all be thankful for what we have got and not be too greedy after more. I was so well used by the good people in Greenfield last winter that I almost want to come and dwell amongst them. Perhaps some day I may. I left my place with Mr. Lewis to sell. If it is not sold soon and I should get a good chance to sell here, I may come down. Mr. Lewis is to cut wood enough where it is decaying to pay the taxes. Do you hear of anyone wanting to buy it? Have you got your trees from there yet? I told Mr. Lewis to let you have them as was the talk with you and Father. I hope things will go on there all right. If they do not inform me. [end of page]

[page 3] What do you think about Mr. Wheelock writing to Mr. Lewis that he had received a letter from me informing him that I had left money with Mr. Lewis for his services when I had not written to him any such thing. I want your opinion about whether I ought to pay him my thing when he takes the course he has, as not he told a story about writing to Mr. West. Concerning the will now he tells another to get his pay for services that most ministers don’t take pay for, now he is dunning up Mr. Lewis for his pay and taking such a mean course to get it, I wish his church could know the soul of a man he is. If I knew anyone then I would write to them. [end of page]

[page 4] I have never got my goods nor never expect to. They have layed so long not washed they are probably mildewed and spoiled a long time. After I got home I received a letter. I took it to the freight ?acent at Faribault and we would not make out ?whose they goods were and said I must send money to prepay the freight and they charged so much that I thought it was about as much as the goods were worth so I have not taken any trouble to write. I wish Lay Greens folks had them. I wrote to Mr. Comstalk to inquire some time when he was in Saratoga, but I don’t know as he ever did. Give my best respects to Lay’s folks please write soon and oblige your friend and cousin,

S.V.R. Greene to Mr. and Mrs. Claydon.