This letter to Lizzie Johnson references the onset of the Civil War (1861-65). The writer expresses surprise that "so dark a cloud would bespread the political horizon of our beloved country. Several companies from near here have left for war."
This letter to Lizzie Johnson features an embossed envelope, discusses several recent marriages, and urges Johnson to visit: "Lizzie come and we'll go around fall in love, flirt and I'll talk for you and you do the same for me and we'll get married before any body knows it but ourselves."
In this letter, which features an embossed seal in the upper-righthand corner, Powers declares his affection for Johnson: "I presume you must have long been aware though I have never before dared to put the thought into words, that I love you. I have sometimes ventured to hope that your own heart has... a kindred feeling."
This letter from a female cousin of Lizzie Johnson's features enclosures including a striped swatch of woven fabric and a scrap of paper that reads, "Dont you think I am smart."
In this letter posted from a "Camp near Richmond," a soldier beseeches Johnson to reply to him. "My letter which I wrote you from York Town about the 1st of May is yet unanswered... at least you will do me the honor to answer this at the earliest opportunity."
This invitation, issued by the "American Party" of Austin, is elaborately embossed with a floral motif. It reads in part, "The invitations are not confined to the members of any Party, but most liberally extended to all. We repudiate party proscription in our social relations." The invitation is accompanied by the bright purple envelope in which it arrived.
This elaborately embossed envelope addressed to Lizzie Johnson features fruits, flowers, and birds on the front. A tiny dog appears on the back of the envelope, just above the seal.
