Arvine Wales letter to Arvine C. Wales, December 22, 1845

Arvine Wales tells his son that cold weather continues in Massillon and the railroad is "froze up" He mentions that "Brother Smith gave an anti-war sermon and an anti-slavery sermon, that there is fever in the area, that water in most of the area wells and streams is very low and hard frozen." He comments on a lecture on temperance that "runs from the sublime to the ridiculous", also the fine qualities of the Spanish people and their language that have been degraded by a "bigoted priesthood, a laxity of morals and luxury growing out of the American mines and spice islands." He encloses $30, but warns his son that money is scarce because of crop failure and he cautions his son that he should "make it go as far as possible." 7.6" x 12.25" (19.5 by 31 cm