John Bayless wrote from Kirkwood, Broome County, New York to his daughter, Mrs. C. J. Minion [?] , in Kansas Territory. Bayless encouraged her, assuring her that she would have no regrets about moving to the Territory, despite hardships she might find there. He affirmed that courage and perseverance would "overcome all obstacles", and hoped that she was being regular in her attendance to religious services at the Mission. Bayless also told her he planned to join her in the Territory the coming Spring.