Clyde, Sept. 4, 1871
Eds. Dem. -- Let me give you a bright sketch of my first
experiences in Illinois. I came to Macoupin County in the fall of 1831 -- and
have been a citizen of the count just 40 years. With the exception of three
families that came with me, my nearest neighbor was from 6 to 8 miles distant. I
had money to buy a quarter section, and get a little meat and bread. I got up a
small house, daubed it with mud in and out, laid floors with puncheon, and made
chairs and table of same material. The chimney was bat and clay, so called. My
bedstead was two holes in the logs and front posts. Honey and deer meat were
abundant. In the spring of 1832, T. Kinder, A snook, and myself, started for a
place called Alton. There were no roads then. -- Our first stopping place was at
Richard Chapman's near Staunton, thense to Alton, which was about as large as
Clyde. It had the penitentiary, one stone building containing three prisoners,
also, 2 stores, one grocery and a saw mill. Snook got a job of butting saw logs,
Kinder, one of cutting cord wood. We got a skillet each of meat, bread, coffee,
and a pot, and went to work. Laid by the side of a log, covered with leaves,
made $10 each, bought our sugar and coffee, and returned home warmly welcomed.
Now, M. D., if the young men who are looking out for the other rib can't
stand this sort of fare to make their wives happy, my advice to them is to stay
with their mammas and let the old lady's daughter alone.
Yours,
P. B.
Karnes
Source: 1871 Sep 07, Carlinville Democrat, page 2
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