Potosi Washington Co. Mo.
Aug. 2nd 1884
Dear Cousin
Your breaing date of July 12 came to hand yesterday and contents noticed.
I am happy to hear from you and glad to hear that you enjoy yourself so well I think that of all lonely poor barren hilly godforsaken country that I ever saw. This is rather ahead it looks to me like the folks would starve. Hundreds of acres of corn that won't yield one bushel to the acre. It may be that the land may be better out from town. I trust it is I have been here 2 weeks and I think I have been here about long enougn. My business has been very dull here and my health has not been very good. I have been very unwell for several days but am some better now. The inhabitants of this place are principally Catholics, foreigners at that, which you know is not very desirable company.
Probably if my health was as good as it has been this place would not be so bad, but I can't see anything very enticing about here. By planning at the enclosed you will see what I am doing. My partner Mr. Howard is a singing teacher & we have united the two professions and made it go pretty well and I am something of a singer we have no school at this place though for several reasons. In the first place its to[o] hot thermometer stands at 106 & 107F in the shade another reason is that Mrs. H. is not in good health. Mr. H. left her at Farmington when we came to this place. Mr. H. is at that place now.
The health of this county tolerable good at present. Some cholera symptoms. Cholera tolerable bad in some sections of this state. I have had one letter from Louise since I came to this state. The friends were all well except sister Lizzie and she was recovering. You will direct your letters to Farmington Missouri as I will be within 30 miles of that place until cold weather. I don't know where we will go then. I would like to go to some town of consierable size and locate if I can find such a place.
I would like to be in reach of you to take your "Phip" [Phiz? not sure what this word is] for you. I expect you have it though.
Excuse bad bad writing and worse composition & write soon - my love to all the family and a double portion for yourself.
Nothing more at present but remain
Your cousin
TN Biggs
