ters any clearer with reference to her connection with the sanitary commission, she claimed that the report she made was copied from original papers in her possession.  They organized what they call The Iowa State Sanitary Com which cooperates with the Western, and United States San Com.  Br Shaw was there, and made a speech, to which I could not see or hear the "pint".  Hon. James Harlan presided as Chairman of the Convention; Col Stone made himself very conspicuous in speechifying; you will see an elaborate account of it in the Register.  Mr. Ankeny's have lost both of their children, the went to Cass county to visit her Brother while there they both were taken very sick and died in a short time.  Frank Grimmel died last Saturday night; there has been several deaths in Desmoines in the last week.  Old Lorenzo Taylor has just come to get Bert he looks better than when you left; Kit looks miserably poor her colt is not weaned yet, the men are so busy they don't get time to build a stable for the colt; Wickham is going on in the same old style; they have a boy baby now, so I think it is doubtful whether he gets out to work at all or not.  
Wednesday, 25th, Dear Lyle, I have not finished this for the reason that we were disappointed in coming up to town.  I finished writing on Monday evening and expected to come up the next morning, but when we got up on Tuesday Morning we found a young winter had made its appearance while we slept in the form of 7 inches of snow; so we women folks were completely penned in, this morning I came up with Stuart in the wagon, on a grist of wheat.  It has cleared off today and we hope the snow will soon disappear;  There is one thing I want to ask you about, and I wish I had your answer now; Mrs Bansman has a very nice guitar, it is said to be the best one in town, since I have been here, she has been giving me lessons and she says that I learn the fastest of any one she ever saw; she wants to sell it as they need the money very much, she will take 10.00 doll for it, which is very cheap for any instrument of that kind, especially for so good a one; I think you would be pleased to have me play well, and if I had the money I
