Mr J S Fullmer

I rec[eive]d yours of the 10 Feb on the 14th and have binn So Busy that I could not answer it until now & now I will as nere as I Can at this time[.] you will know this a Perplexing time for business men & My mind is fully Engaged in my business on ac[coun]t of the great derangement of the Currency[.] I will give you a Short history of what I know about Joseph Smith jr I have binn Intemetely acquainted with him about 2 years[.] he then was about 20 years old or there about[.] I also went to schoal with him one winter[.] he was a fine likely young man & at that time did not Profess religion[.] he was not a Profain man although I did once in a while hear him sware[.] he never gambled to my knowledge[.] I Do not believe he Ever did[.] I well know he was no Hoars Jocky for he was no Jude of Horses I Sold him one[.] that is all I ever knewd he dealt in the kind I never new him to git drunk I believe he would now and then take a glass[.] he never Pretend=ed to Play the Slight of hand nor Black leg, it was fashionable at that time to drink Liquor[/] I do not Believe in any religion & there for am friendly to all I Believe that there is a heaven & hell & those that do not right here though there lives will be damn=ed but still I believe I do right myself[.] I State this for facts that any thing from waht I have Said about Joseph Smith that is wors[e] than I Say is fals & untrue

I am fraid you Cannot read what I have Wrote my penn is Poor I am in a glassy & tired after doing a hard Days work

I am yours truly

Josiah Stowell Jr.

NB

I now write you for my father he Says what I have wrote you is true & he has binn acquainted with him 6 years & he never knew any thing of him but what was right also[o] knew him to be a Seer & a Prophet & Believe the Book of Mormon to be strue true[,] all tho these Stories is fals & untrue that is told about Joseph Smith

I am yours truly & Reply

you[r] Brother in the Church of Latter day Saints

Josiah Stowell

By J Stowell Jr