It comes as no surprise that a young man would have a strong desire to Go West to a New Frontier. I cannot imagine a more interesting time to live in America, when the Plains were open, shortly after the Iron Horse traveled from East to West. Shortly afterwards came the Talking Wires. Our Original Americans would see their very world change before their eyes. Battles followed when rivers were damned and their food supply was diminishing. We wonder how the world changes so fast in our lifetimes, but it is no comparison to what the Native Americans experienced during the Westward Expansion.
                 William Roberts who lived on Saco Street, Westbrook, was an adventurous young man. He, like many other Roberts’ men, never traveled too far from the responsibilities of the family farm. He served at the age of 19 in the Civil War alongside his brother John who was 24. Both men had enlisted voluntarily to serve a nine month enlistment. They were home maybe 3 months when the towns started drafting men to go to war.  John was married with a small family, living in another home on Saco Street. William worked very hard for his Father. A younger brother, Charlie. also worked alongside William on the farm. William’s best friend Sylvanus S. Hatch left for the West in 1869. Sylvanus lived in the brick home which was known as the Libby House in later years. It was almost a week later when William headed out West. Sylvanus went to Ohio. I am certain as he later married a woman from Ohio named Nancy, and brought her back to Saco Street. William adventured to Waterloo, IA. He writes in his diary of loafing for two days, a novel experience.
                  He wrote many of his letters in the evening. The first time William traveled West was 1869 for six months. He went again for one year in 1871. This letter is from that journey. The following was written by his Mother from Saco Street.

Westbrook, March 5th, 1871

Dear William,

             We did not receive a letter from you last week as we expected. I have not written to you lately on account of having my mind & time taken up other ways but excuse me. I did not forget or feel any less interest in you far from it. We are all well except Mary, she has had the Doctor the last week & has been pretty sick most of the time. She has had quite a bad cough and is feverish. I am in hopes she is a little better now. You have asked me a number of times how Geo. H. [his sister Annie’s husband] got along. I have been in there & I asked him , he said he did not know just how they stood but was in hopes they would come out decent. John & Charley have been picking eggs to carry to Boston.  John has been there twice. Geo. Browne staid there to Randall’s until they had to tell him they did not want him there any longer. Nattie [or Hattie] expects Sylvanus home the 1st of April. His school keeps 3 weeks longer. I think you had better pick up what you can and come right home and at the same time perhaps you may meet with him on the way. Mr. Hunt [Geo. Hunt, her son in law] thinks as I do & many others. I want you to bid farewell to Iowa and come home. There has been an engineer from Augusta to give his opinion of the bridge, he pronounced it worthless, it might stand some time but was liable to drop any time. 
            Apples are worth 1.25 per bushel here now. Your father sold the most of his for 75 cents per bushel. B.F.Woodman lost his buildings & stock by fire insurance for $1,000. Colekill meetinghouse is ready for clapboards. [Usually written Coalkiln-present location intersection of Saco Street and County Road-rte 22]  Potatoes are worth $1 dollar here, corn $1.05. Dr. Martin said the robins were out bright and singing this morning. The weather here is like April and has been for some time. If there is a little snow it goes away quick. Your father and many other oldish men say they never saw a winter like this.
There was a girl by the name of Pich [?] drowned out to the village Thursday, 12 [or could be 18] years old. Your Father told me to write if you ain’t in good business, you had better come home, and if you ain’t doing anything, the same. 

            Yours with much love, Eleanor Roberts

Westbrook, March 19th, 1871

Dear William, 
             I received my letter last Friday & Mary hers sooner a few days. John put it in his pocket and forgot to give it to us. We were very thankful for them. Did you get your cold by getting your hair cut of? Now you had better take care and not get another. You know that is the way to bring on a fever. We are well except Mary. [Marietta Roberts-1937-1871: William’s sister] I don’t know that she is better. She is pretty feverish and has quite a bad cough. Annie’s boy was born the 20th of February, missed it little not much. [Annie is also William’s sister]  The bridge proved worthless but is not yet removed. Town meeting tomorrow all over the state. Had a caucus in Warren’s Hall yesterday. “Where is Mr. Beebe, Mary has wanted to know. (William worked for Mr. Beebe in Waterloo) We have not had a letter from Charles since Christmas but have heard from him by way of Sylvanus. He is fat and jolly. Do not hear anything about his coming this way at present. He has had a letter and papers from home this month. [Charles is the cousin who came from Australia to get his share of his father’s inheritance-250 dollars. With this money he went West with Sylvanus Hatch] 
                Frank Roberts spent a night at Randall’s last week. [Frank is a cousin and Randall is married to Frances, another sister of William’s, who is living in East Boston] He said they were well and Randall appeared to be doing well. You say your affairs are not in the condition you would like to have them to leave now. Why would it not be as well for you to take what you can get now? If you do lose something as it would be to stay longer and be spending a lot for your board. If you have lost something or even all, you have done no worse than thousands of others have done. Let it go and not be discouraged. Your father says he will hire you all summer. You may work as you feel able to and he will pay you whatever you think is right. He says you may have an acre for wood to cut or hire, cut & turn the best you can. I advise you to come as soon as you can conveniently. We won’t talk too much about money. It ain’t everything.
             Mary says she would like to have you write to her but she ain’t able to write now so you must excuse her now. Aunt Catherine can wear her shoes now and is quite small. They have nominated James Babb, John Cloudman and H.B. Walker for selectmen. You have not sent Mary that calico yet. She has got over 600 squares. It takes 900899.
 
From your Mother, E. Roberts


So that is it for a little local news from Westbrook in 1871. I find it interesting that our role as parents has not changed too much. We must let them spread their wings, but we are always there to advise and be supportive. The author of both letters is my gr gr gr grandmother, buried at Saccarappa 1810-1896. Her daughter Mary [Marietta] died two months after these letters were written. Marietta’s picture can be seen on the article about preserving your photographs.