Written by Oliver Anshutz
Letter from Oliver R. ANSHUTZ to Mr. James Simpson, Huntingdon
Summit, Cambria Cy, At. 20, 1835
Uncle
I now take up my pen to write you these few lines. I am happy to say that we are all well at present. I am about to leave the mountains and go and follow the river. I don’t expect to be here more than 3 weeks. I have notion of coming down to see you for 3 or 4 days.
I rec’s a letter yesterday from Capt. Linford. He stated that they are well and that George is still in N. York yet but they expect him daily. Buisinefs here on the Rail Road is not very brisk at present. There has been in use on the road what is called a Safety Car for 1 month. They answer a very good purpose if the cars break loose they run upon the Safety Car and stop directly. If you have leisure write a few lines in the course of a week or two. No more at present.
Yours
Oliver R Anshutz
Letter from Oliver R. ANSHUTZ to John Simpson, Huntingdon
Pittsburgh, March 22nd 1852
Dear Uncle
Sir
I came up from Cincinnati a few days ago. I am happy to say that my family are all well. I am about to engage in a new buisinefs in this place. It is a patent furnace for saving fuel. I expect to have my arrangements all made in a few days when I will start down for my family. I send you a power of attorney to act in full. Please write me to this place and send anything you have for me as soon as you can conveniently. I would like to leave here for Cincinnati by the last of this week. I am happy to say that we are all well at present. Chas. Linford is still improving. Ed. Rahm is improving. George wishes you will send him the balance, if not write when he may expect it. I will write you more fully before long.
No more at present.
Yours
Oliver R Anshutz
Letter from Oliver R. ANSHUTZ to John Simpson, Huntingdon
Pittsburgh, March 31st 1852
Dear Uncle
Sir
I have been up here for the last 10 days. After I came up George told me that if I would write you and send the Power of Attorney you would remit to me some money. I accordingly done so and stated that I would leave here in a week or 8 days and I have not heard from you. I have taken the liberty of writing to you again. Please answer this immediately as I wish to leave here for Cincinnati within a week from this time. Ihave taken Carpenters Patent Furnace (for saving fuel) for 4 states Missouri Tennefsee Arkansas and Louisiana and I think I will get the right for Pittsburgh to day and if I do so I will move my Family to this place immediately. E. Rahm is much better also Charley Linford. The rest are all well at present. Please answer soon direct to Pittg.
Yours Truly
Oliver R Anshutz
Letter from Oliver R. ANSHUTZ to John Simpson, Huntingdon
Cincinnati, Aprl 13th 1852
Dear Uncle
Sir
I rec’d your letter in Pitth before I left containing One Hundred and Sixteen Dollars. We are going to move up to Pittsburgh again. I have taken Carpenters Patent Furnace (for saving fuel). Owing to the delay of your letter I was very near throwing it up. We Rent here by the month so I am in for another months rent here from the 9th of Apl to 9th of May but I hope I will make it all up by the saving of fuel in the Patent furnace. I think it will pay well in Pittsburgh – it saves 25 to 30 Percent of coal. When I left Pitt they were all well. I was happy to find my Family all well. I was very sorry to hear of the indisposition of yourself and Murray. Spring is setting in here very fine. The fruit trees are in full bloom. After we get up to Smoky City I will write you more particularly. No more at present
Yours Truly
Oliver R Anshutz
Letter from Oliver R. ANSHUTZ to John Simpson, Huntingdon
Pittsburgh, May 19th 1852
Dear Uncle
We have moved up here and I have engaged in two patents. One is a patent furnace for saving fuel. I think they will be generally adopted here. There is five in operation here. They all give satisfaction. The other patent is for turning the present Steam Engines into low pressures. The furnace saves from 25 to 40 percent of fuel. The Condenser saves 12 to 15 and by using low steam everything will be so much safer. I think that I will make considerable money out of it afterwhile. The people here are slow to take hold of anything new. I put a furnace in a Grist mill here. They formerly made 400 barrells of flour per day and burnt 300 bushels of coal. They now make 600 barrels of flour and only burn 250 bushels of coal per day. George is engaged as an assessor here. He will not receive any pay for his services until he finishes assessing which will be in July. He wishes me to enquire of you when you will remit the balance to him. He is very much in need and unfortunately I am not able to assist him to any great extent. Please answer this soon.
Yours Resply
Oliver R Anshutz
We are all well at present. O. R. A.
Letter from Oliver R. ANSHUTZ to John Simpson, Huntingdon
Pittsburgh, Feby 5th 1854
Dear Uncle
I have just returned here from Louisville and hasten to reply to yours. On Christmas eve I came home but was taken with the Cramp Colic on my way from the cars to my house. It lasted 36 hours before I got relief. I had two doctors who staid with me two nights all night. I was confined to my bed for 10 days. I am now quite well and have been to Louisville since. Mrs. G. Berry gave birth to a fine Young Daughter a few days ago and an hour after lost an interesting one by Scarlet fever (Virginia Rahm Berry). I am sorry to say that Charly Linford is now very sick. I do not think that Margaretta will ever raise Charly.
I leave here on the 7th for Cincinnati but will return by the 17th. Martha has been at Cincinnati for the last six weeks. I will bring her up this trip with me if she has had her visit out. I have some notion of moving back to Cincinnati. You mention in yours of the 16th that the administrative account has been confirmed by the Court and that there is some money ready to be paid over. Margaretta read your letter. She says with me to please send it on. You had better send it so as to be here by the 17th on my return so that I can attend to it. Please pay out of my portion for one years subscription to the Standing Stone Banner. We all like the paper. I would be pleased to pay you a visit but I am now getting 125 Dollars per month. Perhaps when the river gets low and the Boats lay up some of us will be to see you all. I have a great desire Old Huntingdon again. I am happy to say the rest of the folks are all well. I must Close as I promised to go for my wife who is now at Mrs Linfords. We would be pleased to hear often from you.
7 OClock PM No more at present
Oliver R Anshutz
Our best respects to all.