MUSEUM QUALITY
AMERICANA
COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CIVIL WAR WITH
THE FINEST ORIGINAL SOLDIER'S LETTERS AND ARTIFACTS
1863 Letter from Austin, Texas - Half the Population are Gamblers - "In 24 hours, 4 men
were shot in gambling houses" - "There is someone killed almost every day"
This is a civilian letter dated “6th/1863”. The writer Derastus W. McKey writes a very interesting letter about the colorful city of Austin in which he has just arrived:
“This is a great city, as they call it. In the spring there was not a hundred souls here.
Now there are 5 or 6 thousand composed of all classes – over one half being gamblers.
You may judge something of the character of the people when I tell you that in
24 hours 4 men were shot in gambling houses and one man committed
suicide. There is someone killed every day almost.”
Derastus goes on to state that he is keeping a, “lodging house here. I am doing pretty well for the country”. He is writing his Aunt Ruth Salsig in Three Rivers, Michigan. A cover is included but there is no stamp. Condition of the letter is very good and a great piece for the collector living in Austin!
#HB80 - Price $65 Transcription: 6th/63 Dear Aunt Ruth, If you will please excuse my neglect in not writing ere this, I will try and You have most likely ere this heard of the death of my brother. Well, W. McKey
Austin, Texas
be more punctual in the future, although it is rather discouraging to write as
many letters as I do and not receive any in return. I am well at present and
hope these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. I rec’d a letter
from your husband today – he says he is well as usual. Lee is over in Cal. now
stopping at Uncle Sams.
when I heard of his death I came over to Vir. City where he died, fixed up his
business as well as I could, and then came here about 300 miles from anybody.
I get a little lonesome once in a while but I soon get over it. This is a great city,
as they call it. In the spring there was not a hundred souls here. Now there
are 5 or 6 thousand composed of all classes – over one half being gamblers.
You may judge something of the character of the people when I tell you that in
24 hours 4 men were shot in gambling houses and one man committed suicide.
There is someone killed every day almost. Well, I guess this does not interest
you very much. I am now keeping a lodging house here. I am doing pretty
well for this country. We have been having some very nice weather but it looks
some like snow tonight. I guess we will have some sleighing for Christmas. I
wish I was home between Christmas and New Year to have a little fun and have
a sleigh ride. I have not had a letter in 2 months only from Uncle Jeff and I
guess I have wrote over 20. Aunt Ruth, I wish you would tell all of the folks to
write to me and I will answer sure for it is all the comfort I have. When you
write, write me all the news if you please. Give my respects to all enquiring
friends and oblige. This from your loving nephew.
To my Dear Aunt,
