Elisabeth Wallick to Richard Yates

Orange Ills Sep 27 1861

Hon. Rich Yates

Govener of the state of Illinois

Most excelent sir

Pardon me if I adress your honor and not word right as I am no much of a schollar. The reason why I write to you if of considerable interest to me yet you may not consider it so. But I will preceed to inform you of the circumstance which is as follows - Last spring I hired one Martin L. Wallick to work for me on the farm. he was to work eight months for one hundred dollars. I was to pay him ten dollars during the summer the ballence when his time was out or during the coming winter up to the time of Capt Woolsey going off with his company I paid him some thirty five or six dollars. he worked four months and eight days. the ballance he told (Martin) me to pay to his sister. I told him I would which I can prove. When Woolsey went off the day before (Sunday) Martin Wallick came out to my house it being very rainy and wet

he asked me for my horse to ride into camp at Knoxville 3 1/2 miles - and he said that I should send in to camp on Monday and get my horse. he said come early for we will start off by eight oclock. The next morning I sent my son in for the horse, he went in camp but could not find the horse, he went to Capt Woolsey and told him that he wanted his horse. he (Woolsey) told him that he was not a going to let the horse go out of camp until Martin rode him out, and that Martin should ride him to war My son told him that the horse did not belong to Martin. Woolsey said he did not care the horse should go to war with him my son demanded the horse the second time Woolsey then ordered some of his men to take my son out of the camp which they did and immediately ordered Martin to mount the horse which they had hid in a board tent. he mounted and went off with the company on my horse. my son

then got a replevy and officer and followed and overtook them at Maquon, the officer Dept sheriff took hold of the horse to bring him off Capt Woolsey ordered his company to come to his help to keep or take the horse from the sheriff Woolsey [Martiny?] Wallick and a number of others laid hold of the horse, and took him from the officer, and told my son that he would give him up the horse if he (my son) would pay [Martiny?] thirty five dollars or get him another horse. my son told him that he would or could not do it as I did not owe Martin any thing, Well said Woolsey, he would be back in a week and then he would settle my son said that he wanted the horse, but if he could not get him then it would have to go so, Woolsey said that he would give him $110.00 for the horse then take off $33.00 I was then to have $77.00. so when Woolsey came up, I sent my son in to town and told him to demand my horse Woolsey would not talk with him. he said that he had bonds for $77.00 that I might have and went off never offered

Bonds horse money nor nothing what ever

Now your Honor I was left a widow one year ago with almost nothing all that I have is my horses, and Woolsey knew it I am now 50 years of age and not healthy, five children to make a living for that are at home and one of these a cripple that goes around with crutches now sir I cannot even get up my wood. I want my horse I do not want the money. I never offered the horse for sale to no person I am poor I have not the second dress for my Back neither have my children a change of clothes. yet for all that Woolsey and Martin Wallick I mean Capt Wright Woolsey & Martin L. Wallick stole my horse off. all this I can prove to you ask the number of witness and you can have them from one to hundreds I will now close hoping that your Honor will do something for the distressed as I am and send me back my horse not another one, for he was a good trusty horse that my children could work with I do not mean as the saying is make a poor mouth But I ask sympathy and demand justice futher when I come to see futher I have several bills to settle for M. L. Wallick that he had contracted in Knoxville so that it is still harder & worse I love to see soldiers go out to fight the Battles of the country but I love to see them go off honorable and take not from those that cannot afford such work my Father was a soldier and [illegible] fore this glorious union Yours Elisabeth Wallick

If you should take an intrest in this and wish proof, that you can have, or information adress Elisabeth Wallick in care of L. J. Wallick Knoxville Knox County Ills

N B I have not got the horse paid for I bought him for $110.00 on a [credit?]

Elizabeth Wallich

Orange

About horse

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