Letter signed Flora Byrne, Byrnham Wood, to My dear Frank [Mr. Frank B. Mayer, Franklin Street, Baltimore, Maryland]. Dr. Byrne has not been to St. Louis yet and so cannot give you any satisfactory account of companies going to the Rocky Mountains in the spring. He does not believe the trip would be hardly desirable for you. We know of a young man who joined Fremont’s expedition but who returned after 200 miles because the labor and hardships were so severe. If you desire to see Indians in their native state, come and visit us and ride up Raccoon forks, 200 miles on horseback. A friend of ours, Col. Markele says he may join you. “I shall live all winter on the hopes of seeing you in the spring. Individuals mentioned include Aunt Flora, Dr. Byrne, Col. Markele, Wade Monday, Edward, and Col. Fremont. Places mentioned include St. Louis, Rocky Mountains, Independence, Raccoon forks, and St. Peters. (4 pages), 1845 Nov 2

Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The Mayer Family Papers consist of the correspondence of Flora Byrne to Mrs. Charles F. Mayer. Describes her life and family at Byrnham Wood in Clark County near Winchester, Missouri. Includes correspondence from various members of the family in Baltimore, Maryland. The letters contain many sidelights on the state of development in that day, mention well-known characters, and show the facilities for transportation between the Atlantic seaboard and St. Louis. The latest letters, dated in 1861, document Civil War movements in St. Louis and Baltimore. The collection also includes miscellaneous correspondence regarding the donation and the drawings of Francis [Frank] Blackwell Mayer.