Letter from George and Sarah Souders to Biram Souders, among letters formerly in the possession of Jesse J. Souders (1889-1957).  Jesse was the grandson of Charles Souders (1815-1895) of Thompson Twp., Fulton Co., PA.

Dighton Kansas Feb 16th 1892

Brother Biram1,

As George2 is sick and not able to write I (will) write some for him      he has been complaining all -------- but has still kept around      but if he don’t give up & take care of himself I fear he will have a long sick spell

about land there is land here that you can get for 25 or 50 dollars & put your Homestead papers on it      do work on it for five years & prove it up & get a deed     cost 14 dollars for Homestead papers & about --   ---  to prove up 160 acres       decent can be bought for from three to seven hundred dollars (160 acres) according to improvements      can pay two hundred down & the rest pay in five years at 7 per ct interest or in payments of one hundred dollars a year

land will raise    we raised a fair crop last year & they say the prospect is good for this year     some raised last year three thousand bushels of wheat    Barley 50 bushels per acre Oats 35 bushel per acre    Some of the wheat went 25 to 35 bushels per acre     we had 1670 bushels of wheat last year 315 bus of rye & 150 bus of Barley but we have more ground in this year & with a good season will do better I hope

we want to move nearer to town this summer      have to build & there is but little broke & want to get all that I can brake this summer & help is very scarce for every one is for himself

If you think of coming out it should be best to come this spring if you want to put in a fall crop      Some have been sowing Barley & spring wheat already     Geo says he will not urge you to come but if you thought of coming leave your land in care of some one to sell & come right-off     An emigrant ticket should be the cheapest cost from 25 to 50 dollars     the straitest route would be cincinnatti St Louis Kansas City to Dighton     there is a man out now from Penn that thinks he will stay      there is a number here from penn & very good class of people

but I will close     give our best wishes to all from

	Geo & Sarah3 Souders

there is lots of Jack Rabbets & grey wolves coyotes & some antelope     Geo says if you come & have a good rifle bring it along with you

1.	Biram Souders (1851-1903), son of Charles Souders
2.	George B. Souders (1846-1894), son of Charles Souders
3.	Sarah (Bishop) Souders (1851-      )