3-1/2 pg. letter, approx. 5" x 8", dated at Terre Haute, Indiana, Feb. 27 (1870 - year date confirmed by recipient's docketing on the envelope), from Harry S. Whipple to Miss Lena E. Miller, at Smithland, Shelby Co., Indiana.

Includes the original envelope with black TERRE HAUTE/IND. cds postmark tying #114 3c Locomotive.

The writer of this letter, Harry S. Whipple, (1842-1891), came to Indiana from New England in 1867, and was a travelling book peddler, where he met Lena E. Miller when stopping at her family's house in Smithland to try to sell books. Immediately smitten with her, he began a correspondence with her soon after, which lasted for many years, until Lena's marriage in 1875 to Dr. Isaac W. Trees in Smithland, Indiana. He was a clerk at the Dry Goods establishment of Edsall & Co., at Terre Haute, and became quite successful in the Dry Goods business, and in the late 1870's, moved to Rutland, Illinois. 

Good content. Of special interest is the business card of his employer, which he has enclosed - Warren, Hoberg & Co., successors to Edsall & Co., Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Dry Goods & Notions, Corner Fourth and Main Streets, Terre Haute, Indiana, and on which he has stenciled his name, "Whipple", and on the back he has drawn the building, and the location of the room where he lives on the third floor. He also encloses a card of his own creation - for "Bachelor's Hall", bearing his name and the name of his roommate, "Towslee". In the letter he notes that they have christened their room "Bachelor's Hall", and that he is enclosing a card. 

The letter includes:

"It has been snowing & storming all day & is very unpleasant, but up here in my room the fire burns bright & I sometimes feel thankful that I am as well situated when I can look out & see some poor ragged person most any time that would be happy to enjoy half the privileges that I do....

You will find a card with penciling on the back showing you where my room is. Now just imagine me looking out at the 3 window front & seeing you instead of sitting here writing so many miles away....

It won't do any good for me to learn to make up beds before I get married, for when I do, I am afraid all I will do will be to tumble it. The mattress gets mighty hard, but turn it over once a week or so. There is nothing like getting used to anything. Suppose I could get so I could sleep on the ground again, as I used to down South by practice, but don't care to learn again...

We have christened our room Bachelors Hall. I send you a card."

Very Fine.

COMBINED SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS.