Unsigned letter of [James P. Groot], St. Louis, to his sister and Jessee. Mentions that Barney and Rachel moved back to Illinois. Mentions prices for corn and hogs. Mentions a Civil War incident in St. Louis that led to deaths. ". . . . God only knows when this disturbance will have an end. I believe it operates harder or has greater affect[?] on the border slave states than it has on the free states. All kinds of Business is completely prostrated the Blockade affects this city wors[e] than any other in the west. . . ." Mentions that he plans to go into the hog trade in Illinois. Mentions Jim Pearse, Jim Watkins, and his brother Dick. (Letter is written on pro- Union illustrated stationery.), 1860[1861?] June 25

Item — Box: 1, Folder: 7

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The collection consists primarily of Groot family correspondence. Most of the letters were written by James P. Groot. Notable content includes three letters signed Rachel Mull to her sister Maria—dated September 2, 1855, April 5, 1856, and February 25, no year—that describe the abusive relationship with her husband, Barney Mull. The collection also includes 12 Civil War–era letters signed James P. Groot describing affairs in St. Louis and his military service in the 6th Iowa Infantry.