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Hard times in Iowa, "the dam contry has got so hard on the times here that a man cannot chisel out one dollars gold peace." Prices for corn, wheat, and pork; prices of horses and cattle down. Lumbering and grist mill operations. Gold exchange rates. Selling 160 acres of land on the Keokuk prairie, where he built a "prairie house." Hopes to borrow money to pay off his debts. Desires to travel further west to California in search of gold. "I want to sell out & go to Cal[ifornia] whare I can dig gold out of the bowels of the Earth..." "hell & dam nation I feel wild very often you must not sho this to the girls tha migt think I was tolerable rough one for I ma mary in that contry yit."

Anticipation of a visit; will wait for his arrival, "if you do not come I can not take a set of tools I wold like to take them a long for I hear that mining tools is hard to git out thare I can git oxan her eny time or horsis it wont be mutch trouble to fit out here with a little money." I his recipient arrives, they "can go the trip like a lark." Financial and court matters. Cold weather and snow. "...this is monday morning it is frezing cold. I see a large number of peaple pasing threw here to Pikes Peak."

Returned home on the eighth of October to find his land sold to a local bidder who will give him a chance to raise $1,000 in three months to buy back his property. If he cannot, he will leave for California. Local banks don't have money to lend. Prices of corn, wheat, and potatoes. Desires that "Mr. James Stafford" loan him the money necessary to reacquire his property. "...if you can git one thousand dollars in a short time it will save me from loosing my property I will pay you ten per[cent] or some more rather than miss & make you safe in the money if you will fetch me the money & want to see it made safe here I will pay your exspene here & back. I wold rather do that than to loose all".

Jennings is "hard up" and could not pay postage on his letter; his neighbor put them in the office and his brother is paying for them. Plans to travel west; estimates cost of travel. Plans to write Stafford when he arrives, perhaps in California. Sold his corn for 12 1/2cents per bushel; no rain this spring, the grass and wheat is very dry. "I wold like to have you here to go to the peak with me I exspect to start in two weeks I am going with two yoke of cattle & one horse to ride I do not no how meny tha will be with me yit you wanted to no how mutch it wold not cost to go if you was here to go with me it wold not cost you 25 dollars Some pays $50 to be taken threw I can not say what it wold cost by stage but not over 75 or $100".

Traveled to Denver and bought a blacksmith shop, which he then sold. Prices of horses, cattle, and flour; wages $1.50 to $3.00 per day. Is going out tomorrow to hunt. Plans to move again once spring arrives; not sure where he will be going, heard good and bad news from Salmon River and prospects for mining in Arizona. "Some times I think I will tak tramp threw the States a gain." Pleasant weather with some snow.

Discusses his and his brother's arrival to Kansas City, and their purchase of part of a livery and feed stable. "My Brother says if he could hear you play the old Caledonian March to night he would give #5.00." Wishes Stafford were there to shoe horses and keep their buggies in repair. Blacksmiths are lacking in Kansas City. "And if you will leave that cold wooden froze up country and come out here where we have September weather in December you will live at least ten years long and enjoy yourself better while you do live." Missouri River and the railroad. Kansas City and Leavenworth are lively. Death of sister Sarah Jane. Mentions Essex family.

Discusses mining and weather in the area--principally quartz mining and smelting work. Had 1/6 interest in a load and sold out for $2,000 two years previous. Around two years ago, he traveled to Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas, but has spent most of the last 12 years in Deer Lodge. His brother and sister are in Kansas. Updates on family members and his homestead. "well Stafford you no how I am like a little sport I work a little play poker & horse race a little hold my one with the Boys". Feels that the area is getting too congested with people, "one neighbor in 6 miles of me then 25 miles to the next now tha have got in 4 miles of me on both sides giting pretty thick thicker than I wont." Is living with his 14 year old nephew. He is "still a batching I am giting affel tierd of it I am look out for a house keeper now if you can pick me out one than I will be very mutch oblige to you I am not Jokeing."