GLOVER, John B

Reporting from the early years of Iowa statehood, life on the prairie, the lingering death of a child, explorations in Indian country of Kansas, and other matters, in two autograph letters, signed 16 September 1846, from Jasper County, Iowa, and 10 July 1

      Folio and 4to. Seven pages total, approximately 1500 words, in part (from the 1853 letter): "[We] went to the Indian country [i.e., northeastern Kansas], we went up the country on the South side of the Kaw or Kanzas river about forty miles, intending to cross it there and explore the country on the north side, but the ferry was not kept up there, so we returned by another route to the Missouri. We were well pleased with the country as far as we saw it, the land appeared to be very rich but lay too rolling, is well wattered, and near breaks of the creeks and river there is abundance of limestone for building fencing or any other purpose. There is no stone or rock of any kind on the high prairie to be in the way of the plow, there is a scarcity of timber in the country. We were near four days traveling in the territory and saw but two white men. The Indians appeared very friendly and gave us any information we asked for in respect to the roads, the best places to cross creeks &c. There are no white settlements yet in the territory. There will be a treaty held with the Indians this season and it is thought some of the tribes will sell their lands and there are other portions of the country that has never been given to any of the tribes which it is thought Government will soon permit the whites to settle." Entering Mills County, Glover notes "This part of Iowa is a fine rich country, it is generally more rolling than I should like. There are a great many never failing springs of excellent water, timber is scarce generally ... the Mormons first settle this country about six years ago, and have most of them since sold their claims to other settlers. There are but few here now that have lived here more than two years. I have bought a claim on one quarter section for $400 ... the claim I have bought is in one mile of Glenwood, the county seat and one mile of a tolerably good saw and grist mill." Glover's first letter includes a detailed two-page account of the death of a son, to chills and fever. Folded for mailing, with address on verso of integral leaf. Several small corner fold and seal breaks, but all very legible. (1524)