James Maxwell
Company D, 127th Illinois Infantry
” I was harrowing a small piece of ground for potatoes and cabbage when the harrow caught in a small soddy place and turned it over on the horses. As quick as a flash they commenced to kick and run and dragged me all around the piece. Jenny got in between the pieces and a tooth cum [sic] up between her legs and she bled to death in less than ten minutes….” James Maxwell,May 29, 1871
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Morton—May 29, 1871
Dear Brother & Sister—
I will try and write a few lines to you to night. I have had bad luck today.
I was harrowing a small piece of ground for potatoes and cabbage when the harrow caught in a small soddy place and turned it over on the horses. As quick as a flash they commenced to kick and run and dragged me all around the piece. Jenny got in between the pieces and a tooth cum
up between her legs and she bled to death in less than ten minutes. It made a hole you could run your hand in. Dolly is cut so bad that if I do anything with her in a month, I will think I’m lucky.
It leaves me in a bad fix. Two three-year old colts—one not broke and one as poor as a crow. I have about 25 acres broke. I don’t know what I shall do. I can’t hire any broken unless I can trade a cow for it. I am so discouraged tonight. I don’t know what to do with myself. There is only about 16 acres of old land for the place and that is half sod, so that I can’t cultivate it. I hope you are getting along well.
Write soon.
From your Affectionate Brother, J. R. Maxwell
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Start your Ancestry free trialRead more letters in the Maxwell Collection: Biography | undated | 5 June 1863 | February 15, 1863 | 24 March 1863 | 29 May 1871 | 30 Sept. 1873