John Jay Johns

“ The North and South are arrayed against each other in bitter hostility on the slavery question. South Carolina has seceded. Other Southern states are preparing to do so soon. Disunion and civil war threaten us. Men's hearts fail them from fear of terrible calamities. Human wisdom it utterly at fault to settle the difficulty. God alone can deliver us. ”

“ Great pecuniary distress in the country owing to the political discussions which have arisen out of the election of Lincoln for President. Several of the Southern States threaten secession, and will in all probability go. It is a dark time for our country. The North has agitated the subject of slavery until the South is maddened to desperation and unless she retraces her steps, the Union can not stand. The Lord is our only help. ”

“ The oldest inhabitant doesn't remember such warm weather as we are having now. We are sitting in the house tonight with doors and windows open and without fire. We had a good rain a few days ago and the wheat looks fine. ”