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Ann Arbor Mich. Dec. 31, '85, [?]2362.
Prof. Bessey;
Dear Sir:– Suppose you received a letter from Sec. of [?] Clubs Prof. Arthur, and so no explanation is necessary as to what my purpose is in writing you.
Prof. Spalding thinks it best for me to write the Congressman of our [?]. in Iowa who is the Hon. J. B. Shearer, formerly the Greenback candidate for Pres.
I think him an excellent man if he is a Greenbacker, andw ill surely give his hearty support to the cause.
I write to you for [?] concerning plant disease in Neb.
I am looking especially for [?] of the damage done the crops in the
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Western State.
Please give me any information you can, which may be of service to me in [pressing?] my [find?/fine?].
The potato disease, I am informed has destroyed about 30% of the potatoes crop of Mich.
Respectfully, A. J. B[?]
1 million of corn [from?] [?] = $200,000 loss
1/2 a [?] [?] Oath by [?]
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Rockford Dec. 9 /85
Prof. C. E. Bessey Dear Sir
Mr. B[ebb?] has been sick for five weeks. Even now, though gaining slowly, he is still unable to write a letter.
He wishes me to say to you that however much he might enjoy the preparation of such an article as you suggest, he deems it only the part of [providence?/prudence?] in view of all the work that has [?] up against him the last month – botanical
