[Autograph Letter, Signed, by J.H. Kent of Richmond, Arkansas to Dr. John Jobe of Ringold, Arkansas Concerning Local Reconstruction Politics and Widespread Lawlessness in the State]

Richmond, Arkansas: July 18, 1866. Very good.. [4]pp., closely written on a single folded quarto sheet of blue-lined paper, totaling approximately 1,800 words. Old folds, minor wear and light soiling. An informative correspondence from an Arkansas citizen to another in the year after the Civil War ended. The writer, J.H. Kent of Richmond, Arkansas writes to Dr. John Jobe in Ringold, detailing the candidates in a political race and reporting on recent lawless activities by local criminals. Regarding the political candidates, Kent writes: "I have not heard from you since i left you at Ringold -- nothing very new nor strange. The candidates for representatives addressed the citizens of this place on the 16 inst. (to wit) A. D. Hawkins, H. W. Bizzell, Dr. Sicell and Wm. Holeman. Bizzell is in favor of having a law passed to 'wipe' out all debts contracted prior and during the war -- as a matter of course such a law he advocates is unconstitutional and would not pass any body of sensible men. I dislike very much to support a man entertaining such views but as he is advocating a division of the Co[unty]. I think it my duty to vote for him. I have some fears that Holeman's coming out will defeat them both. He was brought out for that purpose by W. R. Brown and Wm. McKean as a tool for that avowed purpose, though Holeman is acting in good faith, and i have no idea he has ever anticipated their motives."

Kent also comments on the recent lawlessness in the area: "There is a perfect band of thieves in this country carrying it on to perfection. Murdering, robbing and stealing, Goldburg was murdered near Coulter's in this Co for his money not long since. He was selling goods at Paraclifta. He was killed between Clifton & Washington. The assassins have never been caught, there was two of them. Roshell was robbed the other night of eight hundred dollars & three horses. Horse stealing is very common. Morgan Williams has been arrested and lodged in jail for the Guld murder. I could tell you a great deal if i could see you. It is really dangerous for a man to travel if it is known he has money. I think there are a plenty of men in the country that would take a man's life for fifty dollars...."

Kent also reports to Jobe about various "claims" upon a number of local citizens, as well as the state of local cotton production and the market for the crop: "The prospect for a cotton crop in the hills is better than I ever seen it at this season of the year, however it is raining too much. Cotton is looking fine and growing very rapidly, [but] it is raining too much for the bottom lands. The merchants are selling in time to parties who give them a lien on their cotton. Parties will do that readily to buy goods, but would not think of doing such a thing with a creditor." Over the last page, Kent reports to Jobe on the status and/or activities of numerous friends and associates in Arkansas, and details about a joint business venture the two are planning together.