E. H. Owen Letter, Aug. 31, 1865 | Illinois History and Lincoln Collections

Scope and Contents:

This collection contains a letter written from Nashville, Tennessee, on August 31, 1865. This letter was signed "Papa," but the author is presumed to be E.H. Owen, based off the name impressed on each page. Owen described the geography of the train journey across the Tennessee and Kentucky border and the people he came across, including a group of emigrating African Americans. Other observations include the speculation that there was no oil along the Ohio River, "according to my geology," and noting lasting destruction from the Civil War and recent drought. Owen closed the letter by saying he is next off to Knoxville and then possibly to Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Biographical/Historical Context:

The author of the letter, "Papa," was possibly E.H. Owen, based off the stationery. Owen started his journey on the Newport Ferry Boat that left from Cincinnati, Ohio. At some point, he began traveling by train and continued his journey through Kentucky and Tennessee.

Acquisition Source: This collection was transferred from the Rare Book Room to the Illinois Historical Survey, predecessor to Illinois History and Lincoln Collections, in April 1975.