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2-page handwritten letter contains a dual layer of incredible historical content:
The John Sharpless Murder (Delaware County, PA): Written just days after the infamous November 1885 murder of prominent Quaker farmer John Sharpless, the author gives an immediate, chilling eyewitness account. He details visiting the active crime scene that afternoon, viewing the horse stable where Sharpless was killed, and personally seeing the victim's body. The case became a national sensation involving a controversial trial.
Early American Autograph Collecting History: The first half of the letter provides a rare, detailed glimpse into the late 19th-century hobby of historical manuscript trading. The author discusses exchanging high-profile Revolutionary War and Colonial documents, explicitly mentioning General Horatio Gates (and a letter referencing Governor Lee and the Yellow Fever outbreak in Philadelphia), General Thomas Mifflin, the Marquis de Lafayette, and King George III.
### Full Letter Transcript
GLEN RIDDLE, PA.
Nov 25 / 1885
My Dear friend:
yours with enclosures has been received and from your duplicate list I have checked off the ones I want in addition to the ones just received for the ALS Autograph letter of General Horatio Gates, the letter I herewith enclose for you, you will see that it is a fine one, he speaks of Governor Lee also of the dreadful fever in Phila., I have two of his yet in my collection or I would not have parted with this one, one of mine cost me eight dollars each and it is no better than this, only it speaks of his campaigns
[Page 2]
I know you will be highly pleased with it. I have quite a number of "DS" [Document Signed] of Genl Mifflin and shall reserve one for you for a future exchange. Have you a Lafayette I have a LS fine signature for exchange. also a George III DS.
What a terrible murder we had near here on Sunday night - John Sharpless one of our best citizens and a member of the Society of Friends, called out of his house and murdered I was down at his place this afternoon, saw where he was killed in his horse stable, also got to see his body. I fear his aged wife will not long survive him. The murderer I fear will not be arrested.
With sincere regards,
James Howarth
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