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Isaac DuQuoin

         July 2, 1854
                                                                                                      Ducoign, Perry Co. Ill.                                                                 
                                                                                                      Sabbath, July 2, 1854
                                                                                                       Ill. Central R.R. Unfinished Freight House.

Dearest Ettie

 I believe this is fairly established as the coolest spot in Perry County. Yes probably within a hundred miles, or any where in the country except it be some cave in the rocks

The building is 60' X 40' with a wide projecting roof high above, boarded and shingled, but the doors & windows all open; floor all open and six feet from the ground, highest part of the prairie: and of there is a breath of air any where it is felt her. But the Thermometer shows 92 F here now at 9 A.M. I tell you it is warm. One feels it the more after the hot nights. The languid heat of the day. I think since the 25th June the Thermometer has not been below 80 F (if as low, at any time day or night. I was very wet and cold here till near the Middle 10th of June; since that there has been hardly a shower, hot weather all the tie. The ground is baked as dry & hard & burns the feet like a hot brick. One can hardly walk without thick soles. The dust in the roads - well I won't try. I moved up here last Tuesday. I have got the Office in corner of Freight House, 10 ' high 12' sq. finished off, lathed & plastered, window & doors. There I have established my safe, desk, tables and a big new book case. Over head I have set up my little camp cot bed, with every necessary convenience; For my meals I go over to our boarding house kept very tolerably by E.N. Smith, and inhabited by various Smiths, Skinners, and Carpenters, of whom Charles W.R. being Chief has the best, a very comfortable room which however he shares with S. Conant, who having an old fashioned prejudice against Water isn't a good companion this weather.