Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Irwin, Benjamin F. 'Benjamin F. Irwin and Ira Emerson to William H. Herndon' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln' . Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1998. [format: book], [genre: letter]. Permission: University of Illinois Press
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=herndon414.html

filled with Mud and Straw Mixed, some floored with Puncheons or slabs and others floored with Mother earth the chimblies was made of Lath or Split Strips Laid in Common mud and Plastered with the hand in side to protect them from the Sparks or fire and the Back and Jams was generally Laid with Rock. this Stile of Chimblies Never fails to carry off the Smoke admirably

Amen

NB Sutch is my recollection of the Early history of Ills
Ira Emerson
Preacher in charge
Pleasant Plain Ills

Billy I could write a volume But I think this is enough Ben Irwin ^[6]

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 2775 — 84