Viewing page 16 of 326

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

10

Some are offered for next year subsistence and clothing and a share of the crop ranging from 1/8 to 1/2!! This man said that his old master gives him 25 acres, rent free.

Land about here too, is abundant and cheap and labor, as usual, scarce.

Sunday evening we lectured to a crowded house. Much interest was expressed, and if much, instruction was not given, it was not for any abbreviation in the length of our speeches. Chap'n Coltrin of the 33rd Illinois Infantry assisting me, spoke and manifested much interest in the subject. The people are taking up, in apparent earnest, the subject of building school-houses and churches and providing for other public wants.

We found that in some way the notion had obtained a wide and unfortunate currency,