Father ran a tannery, a grist mill, farmed, and anything else he could find to do to keep his family. He soon became interested in mining. February 2, 1874, Sullie went over to father in Dragon Hollow. I was in Springville and sent him the following letter:

Springville, Utah
Feb. 2, 1874

Dear Father:

Sullie thinks he will come over as he has got tired to school. Evans begins another quarter today and I do not now whether to start to school or come over there. You must write and tell me what to do, and what chance there is to get work over there. I paid the taxes out of that money you sent me over and got Sullie some boots. The goods have not come yet, and some think they will never come. But I guess they will get here some day. My shirt got so ragged that I had to get some cloth and Emma made it for me. There is not much news to write. Kindred died the other day and was buried. Erastus Jabez and Susan Kendall got married the other day and are now happy. I guess Sullie can tell you the rest.

From your loving son,  
Charles E. Richardson

Dear Son:

I don't want you to be a teacher in school; if you go to Mr. Evans, attend to your own studies unless he pays you for it. My foot is lame yet. I want a pair of sox. Please send with that thirty-five and get me that pistol I wanted.

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

Pa says he will take a pair of boots No. eights, some flannel for shirts, 11 yards; hickory shirts 6 yards; Kentucky jeans 10 yards; coat lining for S.C.R., 1 pair galluses for S.C. R.; 1 hat for S.C.R. I sent measure. If there is any left, get it in tea and tobacco.

E. Richardson

Pa sends five dollars to help out.

Lynette:

I want you should copy this off so John shall understand it. Edmund can send for his. Dear children and grandchildren I send my love and respects to all of you, and wishing you health and prosperity.

E. Richardson.

(Editor's Note: An Eastern company offered orders of goods for 25 [cents] with the order and one dollar when the goods arrived, so these were sent as orders to Emma as agent. The twenty-five cents went, but the order never came back. Evidently this letter was dictated by Edmund to his son, Charles Edmund. The S.C.R. is Sullie, Lynette is their older sister, Emma Lynette, and John is her husband, John Conover. —Lola Harms, editor.)

Father worked in a tunnel of his own two or three days and about the 20th of March caught a cold. I walked over to Diamond City for some pain killer for him, and then at the instance of Dr. Wing over to Eureka. Sullie was with us then. When I saw that he was very sick, I walked down to Silver City and telegraphed to Springville for John and Emma.

Deseret Telegraph Co. Silver City, 24-1874

During his sickness of one week, Sullie and I were his only nurses. And as Sullie was too young he could not stay awake. I passed a part of the week when he was the worst with only a few hours sleep. John came over in the night in a wagon, and was there a short time before my father's death, which occurred while Sullie and I and a stranger were with him.

Dragon, 25 March 1874.

Dear Sister:

We are all here. John got here alright but pretty tired. Pa is pretty bad yet, but I think he will come out alright again. He does not eat much. Dr. Wing is doctoring him. John is going over to Eureka to get some medicine. Pa wishes all the time he was over there and says he is going over there as soon as he can get well enough. I cannot write much this time, but I will write again pretty soon. John says he will not be over till Pa gets better and he can fetch him over so you must get along the best you can.

Well good by for the present.

Your affectionate brother,
C. E. Richardson.

John took our dead father back in the wagon. We wrapped the body in bed clothes and started. But as the strain and anxiety had ended, I laid down in the wagon beside my dead and slept most of the way, not in his arms as I had been accustomed, but along side his beloved body, completely overcome with exhaustion.