Early letter to Friend Stout in Denver City, K.T. - 1859

A 1 sheet (7.75 x 12.25 inches) 1859 letter to one of Denver's earliest settlers. Duffey, W.R. Single sheet two page ALS datelined "Cherry Fork, Ohio May 9, 1859. Addressed to Friend Stout in Denver City, K.T. and signed W.R. Duffy who was responding to a letter received from his acquaintance in the mountains of Colorado. A very early in-coming letter to Denver City, which at the time was still in Kansas Territory, less than a year after gold was discovered in the Pikes Peak region. W.R. Duffy was a farmer in Adams County, Ohio where from 1864-1866 he served a term as the Adams County Treasurer. His letter to "Friend Stout" in Denver City, K.T. (later Colorado) was undoubtedly addressed to Elisha Pinckney ("Pinky") Stout, an early pioneer of the Cherry Creek / Denver area who had arrived within a few months after gold was discovered nearby in July 1858. Stout’s cabin was one of the earliest built in what is now the city of Denver and the first to have a shingled roof. He became a stockholder and president of the Denver City Town company which sold city lots. Stout was a delegate in June, 1859 from Denver City to the first Constitutional Convention. By 1901 he had moved back to Ohio and was living in Cincinnati. Following his dismay over hearing that most of his letters had not been received by his friend, W. R. Duffey writes, “I was pleased to hear that your prospects were flattering. There are several left here this Spring for the mines. Many will be disappointed as is the case in all the circles of life. We hear many hard reports in regard to the deceptions there, but I think that a man situated there can do well for the time whether the reports are so or not.” Following several lines describing his farming in Ohio, Duffey continues, "We heard a few days ago that you intend coming to O. this fall at which time I hope...to see you and get a full acct of the mountain life... I wish you to write to me and give me a full history of your prospects.” Several small fold splits, very readable and overall in vg cond.