My dear Apperson:
I suppose by now you have given me up for a bad job and thought that all of my promises were like pie crust. Well it is not so: The only reason you have not heard from me is that I have been pretty near on the move all the time since I left. The first place I struck was Silverton. There I went to work in the mines and got $90 for a month. I had to leave on account of the altitude. I was 12,600 feet above the level of the sea. Then I went to Durango and worked in a sawmill for a month, but the pay was too small. I am now in Boulder and have been promised a job in the Street Car Railway. They intend making some repairs and putting in new lines… and West is the best place for a fellow like you. Of course a man with no experience in juice like this plug, has a poor chance.
They use the old style WP50 for motors. Do you think you could send me any of those cuts you get from the office (they have cuts of all the machines made) of connections. etc.
Try and see what you can do in the line of W. P. 50’s for me. I know how they are wound but not sure of the connections. 13 turns to each coil, a little silk tape some shellac and a good baking etc., etc. I wish you could get me a cut of the motor in place. At any rate try and do what you can and as soon is convenient.
Well, all I can say of this country is, it is a God forsaken hole. Gambling seems to be the only thing that a man can excel in. If you are a machinist, electrician, blacksmith, carpenter and such professions, you can make all the money you want. If not don’t come out here. The higher you go, the higher wages you get. Some 2nd class Juicers make $6 -$7 dollars per day. $1 for board per day all around. I wish you were here. I don’t know where Logan is, We were both up at the mines. I left before him. The altitude affected so bad that I guess if I had stayed two weeks more I would have kicked.
How are you getting along in the test? I suppose you must be A1 now. I can’t tell you how much I miss you fellows. Life is pretty rough and ready out here. No darn fooling. One has to be up and doing to get along.
Is your friend still with you? I forget his name. I mean your “Old Woman.” Give him my best regards and tell him that I am still kicking.
Now Apperson, don’t be mad at me for not writing before. You know what it is to be dunning around the country. Give us all the news. Has Mr. Jackson got his transfer as yet? Damn the politics. Long live Bryan and hell take McKinley. That is their motto. How is old (drawing of two feet, looking bashful)? Apperson, Apperson, you must stop.
You will see I am still crazy, only a little sharper than when I left Schenectady. You have to be out here to get along. I suppose you did not believe me when I told you I was going out to Colorado. When I make up my mind I will do what I say at any cost. I don’t regret it, even though I am having a hell of a time. There is a good time coming boys. I wonder when that will be.
Well, write me as soon as you feel like it. Remember me to all the boys. Hoping you are well and wishing you all that’s good, I remain,
Sincerely yours,
C. E. C. Harty