Chelsea
                                   Butler Co Kansas Aug 15. 1861

Benjamin L. Hoyt Esqr
                                Dr Sir
                                        Your letter of July 20th is
received in answer to your inquiries respecting
Jeffrey Champlin I have obtained all the
information possible. He went on the 14th of
January to a Mr McMillans about Eight miles
west of Emporia. Mr McMillan is the mail
carrier from Emporia to Chelsea it had then
commenced to Snow Mr McMillan informed him
he would not Start to Chelsea with a waggon
if he ventured to Start the next day which
would be his regular day he would take a
horse and go on horseback

                                                               Champlin said
he must goe to Chelsea and left McMillans
and went a few miles to a Mr Detricks
he remained there until the 16th the Storm
had abated he borrowed a blanket from
Detrick and left three Dollars in pledge and
Started for Chelsea it commenced Snowing
and blowing that evening and was intensley cold
the road was a Short distance from Detrick
and his track was seen to cross the road
and goe due west the road led South west
and the first Hous on the road was ten miles
but a west course would lead to no settlement