DATES: July 4th – 5th, 1868
CREATOR: Unknown, signed “Will”
EXTENT: One file folder
SCOPE: This collection contains correspondence from July of 1868. The sender of the correspondence is identified only by his signature halfway through the letter (it being broken up into two days, July 4th and 5th), simply signed “Will.” The addressee of the letter is only identified as “Friend Annie,” so the surnames of both parties remain unknown.
The correspondence is written from a Benton City Steamer named the “Urilda,” which is a stern wheel steamboat. The writer gives an account of his movements with the boat starting from June 28th, when they arrived in Benton. Although the location of Benton is not stated, it can be inferred that the writer refers to Benton City, Missouri, which is on the Mississippi River. Will writes about a variety of topics, including the shortage of timber along the river and the 4th of July festivities in Benton with the crew and the indigenous peoples who lived in Benton.
ACCESS: This is collection M-709. This collection is available for on-site use only in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the collection may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, depending on condition. Researchers are advised to call ahead concerning changes in hours due to University intersessions and holidays. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building. More information about conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page.
RESTRICTIONS: None
Preferred Citation note: The preferred citation for this collection is “From the Special Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.”
INVENTORY: One sheet of paper, folded in half
