This letter was written by Missouri Lyon shortly after she moved from Cincinnati Ohio to Paintsville, Kentucky in February, 1861. She wrote to her sister Margaret in Newport KY. Her father, Hamilton Lyon, recently moved from Cincinnati OH to drill for oil. As Missouri writes, she has just left a difficult situation–presumably her marriage to Jonathan Blackburn whom she divorced in Johnson Co. Kentucky, 1862.
One of the interesting features of this letter is her description of her new home and its people. Recently arrived from urban Cincinnati, she is moved by the charming romantic beauty of her new home in the country, yet her appraisal of new neighbors is not as flattering. Impressed by their quaint ways and hospitality she nevertheless finds them “the most ignorant beings you ever heard of.” She goes on to invoke many modern negative stereotypes of rural southern people. Considering her homesickness for her Cincinnati family, the lingering distress of her travels and the “last nine years” of her life, one hopes that given time she would have more of an appreciation of the her new neighbors.
Cliff Springs
The name Cliff Springs is probably an informal one used by the family only. From descriptions by Peter Lesley the location is likely now underwater near the cliffs on the eastern end of Paintsville Lake. I've found reference to it as a mining or oil company. In February, 1865 Hamilton and others formed the Cliff Springs Mining Co. of Kentucky. In December, 1865 Hamilton makes reference to Cliff Spring Oil Co in a report to the American Philosophical Society.
The Letter
The words are hers–only the spellings and punctuation have been somewhat modernized.
Cliff Springs, Feb 6th, 1861
Dear Sister,
I received your welcome letter, and would have answered it before but have not really had time. We arrived at the Springs last Wednesday just one week today. We met with no accident on the way, although the road was one of the roughest and most dangerous that I have ever seen. The jolting gave me one of the most severe headaches that I can remember of having, but quite recovered from the affects of it after a few hours rest.
We have a very comfortable house although it is not finished yet. They have only given it one coat of plastering and have not yet painted it. Father says he will have it all done this spring.
The country around is really beautiful. Our house is situated in a valley being surrounded on all sides by stupendous cliffs from three to five hundred feet high, almost perpendicular, covered with dark green ivy and ferns. As I write to you there is one directly opposite to me not more than 150 feet from my window. The cliffs are covered with foliage as bright a green in winter as summer. Then around our house are adorned with beautiful pines, and holly trees. I wish you could see the holly, they have a bright dark green leaf and bunches of brilliant red berries. They are green all the year. The ivy is also beautiful.
Truly this is a most charming romantic country, where I would be contented to remain, if surrounded by my friends and those I love. Even as it is, I am comparatively happy compared to the last nine years of my life. Father is very kind and indulgent and the children are quite obedient, but after all it is not very pleasant as have not a friend nor neighbor near.
And the people in this county will never suit me. They are very kind hearted but the most ignorant beings you have heard of. A person who knows how to read and write in this county is quite a curiosity. I wish you and Sallie could be here and see the ladies I have to call on me. I do not believe in the most distant part of Oregon there are any more irregular dressed creatures than what are here. The women put on their very best to visit me which consists of a thin lawn dress and sun bonnet of the same material. They make the skirt come as far as the knees, and then a deep ruffle or flounce to the top of their cowhide shoes, they dismiss hoops entirely. They bring offerings of eggs, gourds, and sweet smelling herbs. They all smoke and never visit without taking their pipes and a calico bag full of tobacco. They all seem very much astonished that I forgo such a luxury.
Father has not commenced boring yet but will in a few days, with every prospect of abundance of oil. We received Hamp's letter in reference to that bill at Shillito's. I spoke to Father myself. He says that when the work was done for Longworth, he was to take it out in city property, consequently it will be impossible to get it, but he says that to take Shillito to court until spring and the first money he gets from his oil he will pay the bill.
I have a lot of little Willie's clothes for Willie Taylor. I found that new white dress and several articles. I will send them down the first chance. He has had a severe fever but is better. The children are all well. Fannie never was better. We have most excellent living. The men keep us in squirrels, rabbits, pheasants and all kinds of game.
I am in excellent health and spirits never better and only regret I did not have the courage to take this step long long ago. The more I think of him the more disgust and contempt I feel. I never want to see him again. Write soon and send me all of the news and the Enquirer. Give my love to Sallie, Hamp, John, Will and all the Harpers.
Your affectionate sister, Missouri.
People in the letter:
- Sister: Margaret Lyon married to John Taylor, with a son William. They lived in Cincinnati OH and Newport KY.
- Father: Hamilton Lyon, b. 1805 PA, moved from Cincinnati 1860/61, d. after 1885
- Hamp: Hamilton Shaw Lyon, her brother, b. 1832. He may have been active in petroleum production.
- Shillito & Longworth: John Shillito & Nicholas Longworth, prominent businessmen in Cincinnati. John Shillito was the founder of a major department store.
- Little Willie: William Lyon, Missouri's half-brother b. 1860
- Willie Taylor: son of Margaret Lyon (Missouri's sister) & Jonathan Taylor
- Fannie: Fannie Blackburn, her daughter b. 1857
- Sallie: Sarah Dunn Harper, wife of Missouri's brother, Hamilton Shaw Lyon
- Will: uncertain, he might be Willie Taylor, or William Divine who appears in Hamilton's family in Cincinnati 1850 census.
- Harpers: In laws, family of Sarah (Sallie) Harper with family in Lewis Co. KY
