Scope and Contents Have been in city 5 days, very different from Austin; many sick town supporting 10-12 Doctors and many drug stores; has met a gay widow with whom he keeps company.

Scope and Contents Enquires of a Claiborne Herbert in Columbus, Colorado County; has opened a school but is doing poorly, would appreciate any help Scurlock could give; gives update on doctors from Austin Lunatic Asylum; will be leaving Austin soon.

Scope and Contents Has been in poor health; crops have been very poor; war has destroyed the South and the "Southern devils have a hard hand of it after we get through a war in which we lose everything"; will continue in business if can.

Scope and Contents Jobs hard to get in Austin; Doctors from Lunatic Asylum did not do well in private practice, have gone to Georgetown; negro notary has been appointed in Austin, other town news.

Scope and Contents Did not make as much in business here as in Bastrop; encourages Sky to join him and "Dock"in Austin; Dock will pay his passage to Austin; 2 deaths from yellow fever; enjoying company of "The widow".

Scope and Contents Austin dull place; Gen. Joseph Jones Reynolds has arrived to take over department; Boon has located office, not doing well; City covered with grasshoppers; describes as "damb poor country"; "Better be in Hell without claws".