Exceptional and highly detailed Wisconsin Territory manuscript letter written from Plover Portage, Wisconsin Territory, February 16, 1846, by A. G. Weston to his brother Levi W. Weston of Bloomfield, Maine. A superb early frontier business and settlement letter describing lumbering, sawmill technology, wages, transportation, investment, and pioneer life in territorial Wisconsin before statehood. Weston explains that he and companions are employed by “Show Keith & Co.” operating a large sawmill enterprise on the Wisconsin River, “500 miles from Galena & 1000 miles from St Louis.” The letter contains an unusually technical discussion of sawmill construction and operation, including the use of a “Mulley saw,” cast-iron slides, guides, and astonishing production figures. Weston boasts that the mill can produce “at the rate of 25 M pr month,” approximately double the output of other western mills. The writer recounts difficult travel to Milwaukee through heavy storms on Lake Michigan and describes frontier investment opportunities, lumber rafting from the Wisconsin River to Galena and St. Louis, land speculation, high wages, and the booming western economy. He comments extensively on prices, labor, local machinery, weather, communication difficulties, and the isolation of frontier settlements. Particularly valuable are references to Milwaukee real estate, local financial arrangements, and plans for rafting lumber downriver in spring. An outstanding and content-rich Wisconsin Territory letter documenting the economic development of the Upper Midwest during the lumber boom era. Condition: Good overall with fold wear, minor staining, scattered ink offsetting, and age toning. Postal folds and docketing present. Manuscript remains clear and highly legible.
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Plover Portage W. Wisconsin Febt 16th 1846 Dear Brother Ten Thousand appologies are due for not writing before. But this I know you would excuse if you knew the situation in which we are placed — We are at work for Messrs Show Keith & Co — at fair Wages — On the Wisconsin river 500 miles from Galena & 1000 miles from St Louis — I arrived in Milwaukie June 27th & sailed for Bay Denoyeu July 1st Where we commenced Work soon after our arrival Sawing for 50 cents pr M with a Mulley saw — I think this kind of a mill is not used in Maine & therefore a short description may not be out of the Way. The saw runs without a frame or sash but is made with a Crosshead at the top and bottom of the Saw these run in Cast Iron Slides there are also Guides two at the bottom one at the front & one at the back part of the saw These come up close under the log at an angle of 45 degree and are stationary Another set come down in the same manner these are so arranged as to rise and fall according to the size of the log. The object of this is to obtain the greatest number of motions with the same water used with a Sash saw — In a 24 inch cut with an inch feed We could put on 300 revolutions in one minute — This is the only good mill I have seen since I have been in the Territory in proof of Which it is only Necessary so to state that we sawed at the rate of 25- M pr month Which is about double the amount Sawed by any mill West of the Lakes — We sailed for Milwaukie Novr 15th Where we arrived on the 20th being out five days tossed to & fro by heavy Winds from any direction but the right one We remained in Milwaukie 10 days to get rested and then started for the Wisconsin River in pursuit of Work. At Oak Grove 16 miles north of Watertown and 65 miles W.N.W. of Milwaukie We had the pleasure of seeing Frederick Weston, Mr Spaulding and Mr Lander & Leady (all Well of course) without further delay we travelled here on foot a distance of 200 miles from Milwaukie. Where we commenced Work the next day after our arrival Our object in moving here is 1st to get away from the Lakes & Lake wind Which are unhealthy being very much inclined to consumption — and 2nd to be connected with the St Louis market Which is much better than any market on the Lakes — We have let our money to D. Wells Jr at 12 pr cent & secured on the “City Hotel” & two House Lots — We might as well have had 25 pr cent of other individuals with land security but we want our money in such hands as are able & willing to pay at any time. Lumber is rafted and run to Galena & St Louis — there are but three times in our Year that can run big in the spring in June and The fall one of us probably myself will go to St Louis in the Spring & at the same time drop down to Chester then return via Milwaukie to collect our Money of Wells when due June 1st & buy a stock of Clothing for the summer — The Company We Work for have a Store here & they salt all their hands is really sinful for instance socks sell for 75 cents & other things in proportion — Henry has an account against D.C. Weston of a little over 25 Dollars Which you are authorized to settle. The proceeds to go to S. W. Aoevereld— The note due him (which is is hoped is nearly settled- we have strange names here Viz a carriage Nigger is called a gig Wheel, a Log Nigger a Bull Wheel — a Sweep is a pitman a slip is a log ludder & other things Equally bad — Why do you not write Some of you ought to take interest enough in our welfare to write at least once a year We have not heard from home since I left excepts verbally by way of Messrs Kirby & Heywood — You may say you have a good excuse as we have but there is not the case. You have all the conveniences for writing. We have none & it is very seldom we get paper & Ink & then We go six miles to the Post Office — Where the mail arrives once in two weeks & irregularly at that — We are in hopes to so arrange our business that we shall not have to work so hard as at present — This has been the most pleasant Winter I ever spent in The weather through January & thus far into the present month has been similar to the Warm days We used to have “down East” in March — Direct to Milwaukie Care of A. Kirby Best respects to See to friends & acquaintances L. W. Weston Bloomfield Maine While I remain in haste Yours Brother A. G. Weston Sidney is as rugged as a bear he has grown So that he fills that coat tight full he performed the labor last summer much better than I expected he is just as good a boy as there is out — if nothing happens to us more than common we will make 500 this year say to Samuel that if he has got that lumber business settled he may send me a barrel of socks or feeting to Milwaukie that is if there is any thing coming to me I think now that one of us will go down on a raft in the spring to St Louis & get down and see uncle Sumner and be in Milwaukie in May or by the first of June Please write immediately we dont want forget you entirely, my health has been pretty good generally since here been unwell a few days this winter I am not so strong as I wish I was My Love to Mary & all the rest you need not show this to every body Yours in haste Henry Weston
