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William H. Francis, Cascade, Dubuque Co., Iowa, to his nephew, William?, Lurgan, Co. Armagh, 10 October 1879
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Collection William H. Francis Letters
Collection William H. Francis Letters
Title William H. Francis, Cascade, Dubuque Co., Iowa, to his nephew, William?, Lurgan, Co. Armagh, 10 October 1879
Description Thanked his nephew for sending him his nephew's mother's likeness; Francis was endeavoring to collect photographs of all of his sisters whom he had left behind in Ireland. '' I am sorry to hear and to see by our daily papers the destitution that is likely to prevail in Ireland on account of the wet season, America has surplus enough to feed Great Britain, at reasonable rates if the people only have the means to purchase The landlords reduction of rent will be small relief compared to the loss of crops, I trust it will not be worse with the farmer than it is. I see by our papers that the 'Home Rulers' are about to advocate the the right of the tenant to own the lands of Ireland and purchase the title from the Landlord and send him adrift, I would advocate a scheme of that sort, let the people own the lands as the Americans do every man is his own landlord in this Country 'Jack is as good as his Master''' Francis acknowledged the news that old friends, the McCunes, were in Texas, but he seemed confused on his geography: ''James M'Cune may do well in Texas, it is a great stock raising country, the market for their stock is principally the United States,'' Francis acknowledged the death of another old friend, Thomas J. McDonald, who had emigrated to New Zealand, and the death of his own brother in Brooklyn (Robert). Another brother, Thomas, still lived in Jersey Oity, and worked - with his young son - in the factory of "Colgate & Co.... (fancy Soaps &c)'' ''Our Railway will be complete to Cascade before this winter sets in, it is nearly all graded and the iron rails are laid on nearly the half of the road, we shall have a grand celebration on the day the 'Iron Horse' reaches Oascade, I spent nearly two years in working for its construction and completion, all on my own expense, Two Thousand dollars would not pay me for what I have done to secure this great public accomodation for the people of this locality, those who will reap the benefit will be our farmers,'' Reported that he had resumed ''the practice of medicine,'' Inquired as to whether old school mates and old friends and family members were still alive. [Context provided by Professor Kerby A. Miller] According to information from Schrier, Francis was a member of the Church of Ireland, and a medical doctor, who emigrated to the United States in the early 18501. By 1879, he had been in Cascade, Iowa, over twenty years practicing medicine.
Date 10/10/1879
Date Issued 27/03/2023
Resource Type Text
Archival Record Id p155/65/22, p155/114/2
Publisher University of Galway
Extent 8pp
Topic William H. Francis Letters
Geographic Cascade (city),Dubuque (county),Iowa,United States,Lurgan (town),Armagh (county),Ireland
Temporal Nineteenth century,Eighteen seventies
Genre Transcript,Reproduction,Manuscript
Note Transcript, title and description by Professor Kerby Miller. Manuscript given to Professor Kerby Miller by Professor Arnold Schrier from a private collection.
Creator / Author Name William H. Francis