I recived received yours of fourth to day and was agreeable surprised to here hear of your improved Health. I had almost come to the conclugen conclusion that you had given me up for the lost child [no handwritten text supplied here] many a time [no handwritten text supplied here] I have wondered what kind of a fellow you thought I was. I dont don't suppose there Has a day past over my Head without me thinking of you.
I am also very glad to learn of Mrs. Siters. I suppose she Has a Hard time of it. I recived received one letter from her and Johnnys Johnny's Wife they wrote me rather a lamentable letter. Poor Jo Adams Im I'm sorry he is a fine fellow tell him I send him my pies pious regards and hope he will get well soon. Johnny Cahall I cant altogether place him did he visit to live in Camden [no handwritten text supplied here] I guss guess so.
So they have got the dummies running on Market St. [(] I here hear they reduced the wages to two dollars) The perment permanent Exhibition I suppose will create almost as big a time this summer as last. Im I'm sorry times is so Hard in Philadelphia and so many famlys families are in distress. I am glad Mrs. Siter is going to Have a small famley family and perhaps John Pickens will assist her. I suppose Goorge George is pretty smart I cant help but think about poor old Granmother Grandmother Gouth.
Well Walt my dear old friend you say you feel wicked enough at times wich which you consider a good sign [(]I hope it is) you say you have been traveling a good [de]al. I hope you will be home to get this any way I will direct to your old Headquarters.
Well Walt I will endevor endeavor to give you a rugh rough scetch sketch of my wanderings since I seen you. You know I could not content my self in Phila.—I was in Hot water all the time [no handwritten text supplied here] to come and see you before I left I Had not the corage courage to do that [no handwritten text supplied here] so I drawed drew my money from the Centennial went down to my sister's [no handwritten text supplied here] she was not at home but Annie, Johnny's Wife was thir there [no handwritten text supplied here] I tould told her my intentions [no handwritten text supplied here] I was very sorry I did not see Mrs Siter [no handwritten text supplied here] Went direct from thir there to the Depo Depot and in less than half an Hour I was behind the iron Horse stearing steering twards towards Sunsit Sunset came strate straight through to St. Louis. Had a little row with some Pickpockets on the Road—staid stayed in St. Louis three Weeks then came out to Pleasant Rige Ridge whare where I wrote you a letter but got no answer [no handwritten text supplied here] staided stayed thir there about one month then moved East about seven miles to Grays and I think I wrote you a letter from thir there but never received an answer (began to think you had gone back on me) staid stayed thir there until the twentyfourth twenty-fourth March when I Emegrated emigrated here to Effingham Co. Ill. And am farming on my own Hack) Thir There is two Hundred and sixty acres in the farm and the way I spraind sprained my Rist Wrist was Plowing a stumppy stumpy pece piece of Ground [(]I Have got about ten acres of corn planted about thirty acres plowed) this is a very Backward Spring Hear Here as you say it is thir there . The times Here is pretty Hard asposuly especially with me as I Have got all my captal capital invested in starting Farming [no handwritten text supplied here] But if my crops prospers and the European War continues I will com come out all right and I guess make a big thing.
Walt I have got a big lot of work to do about three mens men's work; But I think Compent Competent to the Emergence if I keep my Helth health [no handwritten text supplied here] You asked me about the women kinder a sticken sticking it at me oh well I can get all the woman I want out Hear Here But I havent haven't topt topped any of them yet. I got to be afraid of them they are treachers treacherous dont don't you think so [no handwritten text supplied here] right around within a gun shot thir there is a dozen Widows this is not a very healthy part of the world. Walt I still retain the ring you gave me and of course when I look at that I must think of you. You sent me a peaper paper which is very exceptable acceptable indeed as news Hear Here is very scarce [no handwritten text supplied here] I would like very much to have a Phila. Philadelphia peaper paper .
Walt I would like you to go up to no 722 north 36 st. to see my sisters they are thir there keeping a Boarding House do go to see them and give them some advice thir there is so many dambd damned sharpers now a days im I'm a little fraid afraid to trust them all by them selves Please go and see them tell them I sent you to see how they ware were gitting getting along I am alarmed about them some.
Well Walt I have write written a good bit but havent haven't said much you know my capabilities is limited
do write soon and tell me all the Public and Privit private news tell Mrs Siter to write to me [no handwritten text supplied here] And Emmie Pickens and Sallie [no handwritten text supplied here] Be carfull careful and dont let my adress address be known or less I will be trubled troubled to death.
Walt I hope you will get well and be all right when I come home that wont be for some time if I prosper Here But not more than two or three years.
you tould told me to write you a long and carful careful letter. I cant I havent haven't got the potations But I will write again soon as I Hear from you,
yours until death Jos: C. Baldwin[P.S.] you did not say any thing about Sam Hadford. please tell about him