Harriet Herod to Richard Yates

Shawneetown July 4th 1865 Gov Richard Yates,

Dear friend while many of our Citizens are enjoying a Pick Nick in the Shady grove I am lonely at home. My Dear Husband your old friend in Albany Prison Who would have thought when in days past and gone you visited our house and you and the Dr were such great friends that on the 4th of July 1865 he would be incarcerated within the walls of a prison, But so it is. This cruel slaveholders rebellion has made many changes in our Circumstances. Some are more happy others more unhappy and desolate. I am one of that number. I regret [illegible] [illegible] as it is. I must on this [illegible] Call your attention to the fact that while you surely enjoy all the privileges of an Hon American Citizen the Dr is in a felon's Cell and I his wife morn without consolation in his absence with But little hope of a better future. Here I am lonely and disconsolate But frew friends that I can call friends. I have found on lately one of the Dr's old friends that seems to take some interest for me and I get him to write this letter for me. I am in a lonely destitute condition and how to do, and what to do, is more than I know at this time. In a Conversation with my friend this morning being the anniversary of American Independence and American Liberty, He asked me if I could not think of some old friend of his that would have Some influence with the Presdent in his behalf. I named you and he Concluded he would write you a few lines, for me and try to get you to take a little interest in his behalf. I visited Washington City and Pres Lincoln (God Bless his soul) told me he must be sentenced for ten years according to Law, But that

as soon as the war was over he would be released. Now the war is over and prisoners are being release and I can see no reason why he can not be as well as many others, Now I do hope for former acquaintance sake if nothing more you will try to have him released, his punishment can't ameliorate the condition. Col Loomis' family and Dr Herod was never in a difficulty with any man a peaceable quiet Citizen, always attending to his own Business. You can do a great deal for him with Pres Johnson. Being a Senator, His Business is such that it requires his immediate attending. I can't attend to it for I don't know how. My Education is limited to almost none, my taxes must be paid and little family must be supported. [Illegible] it is not large. I do hope you will interest yourself for my sake and if you have the least Shadow of a prospect do inform me by the earliest opportunity, and if nothing can be done do the same for I want to know the best and the worst of his Case. I know I can't do anything but my friends, Master Masons & R.A. Masons can do something for distressed Mason's wife. If he can't be released or I can't get assistance from some source, I shall Certainly see hard times. My friend the writer of this is well acquainted with all the Circumstances when the Dr. after being duly Elected was suppersceded by E.W. Jones because he was sick and had to return home. The Dr has lost all his pay and been imprisoned for a long time. Still Col Loomis's life is not yet restored now. Can it ever be by all the Dr May suffer, For God's sake For humanity's sake, for my sake do something for me if you can. I remain as ever your friend Mrs Harriet Herod