SHEFFIELD SCIENTIFIC SCHOOL 159 



war taxes have not been hard. How heavily they will come 

 upon us, we do not yet know — but they will be heavy there is 

 no doubt. In addition to all other taxes, this town voted at a 

 special town meeting to borrow $4000 for bounties for volun- 

 teers, which amt. has been loaned and the tax must be levied. 

 We have heard nothing very recently from Jason or Sarah. 

 The Indian troubles are rather subsided, as the papers say. 

 Love to all. Your affectionate father, A. A. Johnson. 



In October, an epidemic of typhoid fever had started 

 in the village of Lo^vvi^e. At the beginning its nature 

 was not recognized, and Esther Johnson, ^vife of Giles 

 C. Easton, was one of the early victims. Her death, 

 the first among eight brothers and sisters, was pecu- 

 liarly sad, as it left two little children motherless. 



(S.W.J. TO A. A. J.) 



Nov. 22—1862. 



Dear Father, — I expected to see Giles and did not write. 

 Why he has not been here, and why we have not heard a word 

 from home, is a thing we don't understand. . . . 



How is Giles, — and the pestilence at Lowville? How are 

 the little motherless Hatty and Abner? Poor children, how 

 my heart ached for them. Above all, how is Mother since the 

 Winter began? 



We all send love — 



(A. A. J. TO S. W. J. AND E. E. J.) 



Deer River, Deer. 25th, 1862. 



Dear Samuel and Lizzie, — I wish you and your little daugh- 

 ter a Merry Christmas. . . . Esther's children are with us, 

 and tho' it adds much to the care and labor of your mother 

 and sisters it is done cheerfully. I trust they will receive 

 their reward. 



