Mitchell Oregon, Nov. 28, 1898 (To William Palmer from Sophia Palmer)

Dear Son

Monday at home as usual. Haven’t been out as far as the barn for a month till yesterday. It was warm and rained a little. I walked out with the help of my cane. We got your letter Sat. night and I was expecting that Judd would write immediately, but yesterday he made $5.00 he tied up for life Allie Keys (not sure of spelling) and Mr. Fullston he wanted the preacher, but he was gone, and wouldn’t take no for an answer after SS ? He hitched up the team, put on his new suit and went up to Keys. Well I was going to tell you about writing. I wrote to both of you in Sep. and week before last to Ollie and directed to Baker City, the other to Granite and Judd wrote soon after you wrote the last one. So you see we are not so dilatory as you thought. I thought you must be very busy or you would think of us a little. But he is so busy, yet he don’t (grind ?) any for want of water. People say the creek hasn’t been so low for 20 year. He makes enough in the town to keep us from going hungry. He is justice and recorder and Notary Public and expects to be Land commissioner. He would not have so much to do if Almond was here. Don’t you take the paper? AC is running it, Hattie is setting type. You ask about Charley & Cora. Charley has been out here about two months. She has not come yet. Almond sent the money for him to come to Edit the paper and he can’t do it so he gives him half of the profits. Earl is working for himself in the Bowling Alley. They will send for Cora in the Spring. I think Mabel will be married in Jan. We want [to] see her. The man is a Dentist, industrious and a good Christian. That makes me think, are you a good Christian? You did not say a word about it. I don’t expect to stay long here. I have asked so many times to be healed and if I’m not, I think my stay will be short. My lungs are filling up, my breath is so much shorter. It does not make any difference. I’ll see Benny and the. My palace will be clean, that’s more than I can say of this home. I can’t work but very little. Judd and the hired man does what I can’t do. Ok Willie, My precious boy, are you ready, are you bringing those dear ones for he is good. Oh, be careful about them, now it is the time. I am so glad you can get work where you have worked before. It looks like you were worth something. I was anxious about you after Ollie wrote where you was. maybe is he dead [confusing]. I spoke about you to Mary Chepmas ?, that you would pay for the horse sometime. She said that horse would not cost you much. You had so much terrible (or trouble) fire. They will have revival meeting over there soon. They would not support their ??. Their Preacher here resigned, where else could do. He tries to take the Douglas. ???