LETTERS OF JOHN D. MOLER, Letter to his sister Hannah (Moler) Anderson, dated 5 May 1865 Transcribed and submitted by Marysue Eulitz, (c) 1999 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- KSGENWEB INTERNET GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY COPYRIGHT NOTICE: In keeping with the KSGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Cresco, Anderson Co. Kansas, May 5, 1865 Sister Hannah, With a sorrowful heart I have to inform you of the death of our beloved brother Dan. He departed this life about three Oclock on the fourth day of May, surrounded by weeping friends. It is the hardest stroke I ever experienced. We were the oldest of the family, went to school together and together we underwent the hardships of the Frontier life. When we were only 7 & 8 years old we would take our dinner and with our old white dog Cap wend our way two miles right through an unbroken forest to our nearest school house to school at Fort Ball, and when we could not get our task, to get clear of punishment we would start home before reciting time, and some few times we would not get to school but stay in hollow trees in the woods all day. And when we grew older we went to school at Tiffin. It makes me feel glad to think of those old times. After a while we moved to near Columbus and there we all had hard times again for Father went in debt for the old mill and had a hard time to work out. I well recollect how Father would take his axe and go and chop saw logs after night and how uneasy Dan and me were for fear we would be turned out of home. And how we all got up early, I think on the 13th of November 1833 to see the great wonder of the world, the Shooting Stars. And how when we had but one horse Dan and me would ride to school to the schoolhouse down in the Waggonseller hill. I guess you dont recollect the old house. And later when we grew up how we used to talk together and say we would not always remain poor, and how we would urge father to let us do something. After a while I moved down into Jackson but I was not contented untill Dan moved there too, and then I saw I must do something to induce Grif, Efaw and Henry to do something for themselves, so I move West being well satisfied they would follow in time. And now after accomplishing my desires and having my dear relatives around me to follow my dearest brother to the silent tomb. I cannot but feel sad. You dont know how attached to each other we were. I never asked him for a favor I did not get. I am mutch in his debt but will do what I can for Jane and George for George is a noble boy almost the picture of his good father, modest, mannerly and good. I saw Dan but a few times while in this state as I was very busy this spring. I did intend to have a long talk with him in regard to his late visit to Marland and Virginia. During his illness he was quite stupid and talked but little on account of his brain being effected. He could be roused with difficulty and then would fall back unconscious after answering your questions. I think he was conscious the day he died the most of the time but could not speak on account of sore tongue and mouth, but he let us ___ that he understood us. He appeared to be willing to die, for he knew it was but going home. And has preceded the balance of us But a short time. Excuse me for I can write no more now. I feel sorrowful. Your brother John Moler.