A STREET SCENE LOOKING EAST AROUND THE FIRST OF 1900

    FROM JUSTICE GALL TO HIS WIFE AND  CHILDREN (TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN)

                                                                                                                                Hohenwald,Tennessee                                                                                                                                 March 29, 1896

Dear Wife and Children,

After traveling for a whole year and spending even months outside of America, I have returned.  As soon as I heard about the Pioneer Colony, I went there right away.  I know  the founders from Wisconsin.  I traveled over 6,000 miles for them, but all the lands I saw were too far north or west to suit them.  Now they have chosen a nice healthy highland in Tennessee.  A rich soil with might, white oaks on it, which stand far enough apart so  one can till and plant between the trees.  Many times there is no underbrush to be cleared away.  There are already 53 families present and many are coming so that of the 12,000 acres there are only 2,000 left and those will be spoken for soon.  If mother could make up her mind to sell out there and come here, naturally with children, she would be better taken care of.  She wouldn't have to live with me.  If Robert sends $8, he can  become a member of the colony and can buy land.  The acreage is $5 to $8,  $2.50 dollars down and after the fourth year, 7 cents per acre till everything is paid for.  It's not only  the land, that's so good, but the place is near the railway.  Three hundred lots are laid out and  many distributed and a nice depot is ready.  A hotel will soon be constructed and a court house will be built here, it's in construction.  There is no better place in all Lewis county, only a grocery store with yard goods is missing.  Mainly   sawmill, hotel and other trades would be busy.  I hope to start with a sawmill and think I could, with Robert's help do something for you at last.  Think about it.  So many  buildings and so far away from    big cities.  This place must do good and so will the first one to operate that mill.  I hope  you will answer  me soon and not let me wait, for I can't be sure that no one will beat me to it.      I hope that you all are well.  I haven't heard from you for 8 months.

I send greetings to J. A. Albert. He has realized that he did me wrong.  He is a man of honor.  Greetings to Mr. Kobel.  Jordan and Herbst are probably the only ones who  would throw no stone at me and all the trouble comes from Stokin.

Greetings to Coriel and Barol

Greetings from your father

J. T. Gall

This was written to his family who lived in Reese, Michigan.  J. T. Gall was born in St. Gallens, Switzerland