cams_JohnSLamb_b16_F004_001_003

they thought that they could make more than to go
away to the dry digings and it has proved so thus far
there has been so little weat [wet] that they could not wash
in the Raviens [Ravines] very much yet it is healthy
here now there has only been 3 deaths here scince [since] I came
here last July from disease there was one man shot
on the Barr By the name of Beck from Kentucky the
Man that shot him was by the name of Walker
from Illinois they got into a dispute about their
lead one claiming half of the River while the others
claimed all the way across the River Beck Chalenged [challenged]
Walker to settle it with powder and ball Becks pistol
missed fire and Walker shot him and was tried
and acquited its being looked on as a dewell [duel] I was
on the Barr at the time but was down in the
hole at the time diging [digging] and did note [not] see them till
after Beck fell dead. I see by your letter that I did
not invite you to write to me again I hope that
you will forgive me for that as I was in a hurry
and it was an oversight in me it allways [always] will
be a great pleasure to get a letter from you while I am
here or at any other time please answer this as soon
as you get this line please let Mrs Lamb know that
you got this letter and tell her that I never was
as well in my life. or any better I weigh 170
lbs and work hard every day that it does not rain
I will not write to her before Mr Bradley goes home