1861 04

Submitted By Roy Pfeiffer

Study notations:

[] indicate word or punctuation modification of translated text

() are frequently used in conjunction with [], but may be additions to the text, as originally translated.

(()) are used to raise questions or comment, in context,  on the text.

Letter from Johann Deinhard, Maria's brother in Texas to her husband, Anton Pfeiffer.

HOUSTON APRIL 6, 1861

DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW,

I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED TO ME LAST SPRING.  MY HORSE SURVIVED THE TRIP WELL TO SAN ANTONIO, WHERE I TRIED TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET TO THE RANCH.  I WAITED FOR MANY WEEKS BUT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY INFORMATION, SO I SOLD MY HORSE FOR $25.  I TOOK A STEAMSHIP AND WENT TO HOUSTON, WHERE I FOUND WORK IMMEDIATELY.  I WROTE A LETTER TO GERMANY ON MARCH 15, TO MY FATHER.  ON MAY 15, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MY FATHER WITH THE NEWS THAT MARIE SAGRIN HAD LOST HER HUSBAND, LEAVING 6 CHILDREN BEHIND.  ((A READABLE, BUT AS YET UNTRANSLATED LINE SHOULD BE INSERTED HERE.))  ROMILAR AND HIS WIFE SEND THEIR REGARDS AND ALSO GREETINGS FROM THE BELAU'S AND FROM JOHANN MEIER.  I AM FINISHING MY LETTER WITH MANY GREETINGS TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND WRITE SOON.

JOHANN DEINHARDT

((THERE IS ANOTHER LETTER WRITTEN ON THE BACK OF THIS ONE WHICH STARTS "DEAR MOTHER".  IT IS CONCEIVABLE THAT THE ORIGINAL MAY BE EASIER TO READ AND THEREFORE TRANSLATABLE.))