Newberry Library - Letters Chicago, Ill., 1855 Nov. 5-Dec. 26

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Title Letters Chicago, Ill., 1855 Nov. 5-Dec. 26

Creator Johnson, Benjamin F., 1818-1905

Date 1855-1855

Place Illinois--Bourbonnais

Subjects Illinois Central Railroad Company, Railroads

Description Typed transcripts.
Formerly known as Ayer MS 449a.

Summary Typed transcripts of two letters from Benjamin F. Johnson at the Illinois Central Railroad offices at 48 Michigan Ave. in Chicago, to railroad officials W. H. Osborn, and J. Newton Perkins, concerning railroad matters in Bourbonnais and Kankakee. Johnson's letter to Newton, treasurer of the IC Railroad, is dated Nov. 5, 1855, and contains some interesting details on the history and development of Bourbonnais, with references to some of the early French settlers and landowners in the area, Vasser and Bellegarde. Johnson also notes that the Pottawottamie chief Shabbonnee and members of his tribe had left for their hunting grounds near the sources of the St. Joseph and Kankakee Rivers. Johnson's letter to J. Newton Perkins is dated Dec. 26, 1855, and contains news about railroad operations. Due to the extremely cold weather, the rivers are frozen, and there is a huge demand for rail tickets to St. Louis. He also discusses the use of train cars to transport corn, sugar, coffee, and molasses from Cairo to Chicago. He concludes with a description of Chief Shabonnay, his "picturesque" dress, and his request for a pass to Kankakee. In both letters, Johnson refers to a guest, "Dr. [J.G.] Kohl", with whom he is sightseeing in Bourbonnais and Kankakee.

Extent 2 items ([6] leaves) ; 28 cm

Format Correspondence, Records

Archival Collection Title Edward E. Ayer Collection

Citation Please refer to the catalog record or finding aid for citations. Though it is not required when repurposing Newberry content, please use the credit "From the Newberry Library," and provide a link back to the item in our digital collections website. This helps us track how our collections are used, and provides justification for adding more digitized content in the future

Link to Catalog View record

Call Number Ayer MS 3055

BibID 202082

Rights Status No Copyright - United States

Contributing Institution Newberry Library

Newberry Open Access Policy The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to these terms and conditions.

IIIF Resource Type Manifest

Filename 992020828805867_Ayer_MS_3055

Unique Identifier NL11IH4Y

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