Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 16.djvu/105

Rh late. I commenced my labours immediately on our arrival, and preach part of the time in this place and Rock Island, Illinois, and the remainder of the time in the surrounding country, where we hope there will be a church constituted before long. The church at Rock Island appear solicitous to obtain my services the ensuing year, provided we do not cross the Rocky Mountains, and it may be my duty to comply with their request, yet the irritable state of my lungs admonishes me of the importance of finding a milder climate, and, as we are now broken up, we feel inclined to get as far south as we can, and be useful in a free state, if we shall find the way to Oregon closed. I shall write you immediately on learning the result of Lieut. Fremont's expedition. I subscribe myself your brother in Christ, EZRA FISHER.

Davenport, Iowa Territory, March 15, 1844.

Rev. Benjamin M. Hill,

Dear Br.:

The time has arrived when it becomes my duty to make my first quarter's report under the appointment made Nov. 1st, 1843. I have preached about one-fourth of my time in this place, part of the time at the mouth of Pine creek, Muscatine County, one Sabbath in Bloomington, a part of my time in Hickory Grove and Attens Grove, Lott County, one Sabbath at Cordova, Rock Island County, Ill., and the remainder of the time at Rock Island, directly across the river from this place.

Br. Seley organized the church at Cordova last winter; the church in this place Br. Brown supported half the time; the church at Bloomington I formerly supplied; the church at Rock Island has formerly had the fruit of Father Gillett's labors. All belong to Davenport Association. ... I have labored the whole time in the field, have preached 34 sermons, delivered one temperance address, attended 24 other sermons in