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Contributed by: Chris Thiessen This letter was written shortly before the War began. It is written to my gt grandmother Lucy Long-Fisher's UNCLE Gabriel Long. He was the grandson of Laurence Long, who was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, and son of James Long, who was a veteran of the War of 1812. This family moved from Virginia in 1796 to present day Chesterfield, St. Louis County. They owned about 1000 acres where the city of Chesterfield is today and the Missouri Bottom lands. Evidently Cousin Edgar was asking Gabriel Long for money. February 4th, 1861 Cass County, Mo Dear Gabe, Your last two (letters) came safely to hand and found us all in good health, cold weather & hard times. The winter is very severe and a little of hardest times I ever saw. There was a wagon, harness, and two horses up for cash sale the other day. There was not one dollar bid for them. Property cannot be sold now. One of the horses was purchased two years ago at one hundred & eighty dollars. It is impossible for me to get money to pay my taxes with and I know it is not worthwhile for me to go to Fisher (My gt grandfather Samuel M. Fisher) as he has borrowed money from Elvira Orr and was after more since Christmas. Nearly every person is buying fodder from St. Louis. There is no corn to be had, there is not fodder and hay enough to last this month for feeding. A great many will be out in a week, some have been buying since Christmas. It will be a tite for me but think I will get through the winter. Uncle Lewis is trying to collect (debt owed him I think) but does not get anything. If the merchants sue-nine tenths of the farmers will be entirely broke up. As for my part I am owing some but no old accounts or notes. All contracted since winter and I will confess that I have not a single dollar to my name. I have some notes but cannot collect them and their property would not pay my debt. You will see from this situation and hope you will do the best you can. I have written to Mr. Clark about that matter and put it in his hands. Your friend and Cousin Edgar |