Bates_B2278_F1_054

Imprinted Paper:
ALASKA ARIZONA CALIFORNIA IDAHO MONTANA NEVADA OREGON UTAH WASHINGTON

H. L. A. BATES
SECRETARY-MANAGER

STANDARD FORMS BUREAU
277 PINE STREET
TELEPHONE SUTTER 4560

TRADE MARK
STANDARD

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., [handwritten:] Sept 17th 1918

My dear old Snedward:

We received yesterday your letter written
about 3 hours before landing, also two Kodacs [Kodaks]
all of which we were very glad to get, as well
as the picture post cards of Winchester, with the
picture (hand drawn) of your ancestor Edw III
at the top. I have had the car thoroughly
overhauled, and a week ago I drove it with
Mother to Nelson to see Jos. We were gone three
days and I drove 439 miles, so you see I
am getting to be some chauffeur. Jos was fine
and seems to enjoy the work. He gets $100.00 a month
and board. Since we returned, a rain storm
came up which lasted two days and nights. They
say 4" of rain fell in Alameda. It was a very
good thing for Alameda, as the lawns & gardens
have taken on a new lease of life, since we are
curtailed in the use of water and cannot sprinkle,
but it did a lot of damage in the fruit & hay
sections. I have written Jos to know how the
rice stood it, as it was reported here that it
had been beaten down by the rain, but I have
not heard from him yet. We took Kink along
with us for two reasons, 1st no one to leave him
with, 2nd to show Jos. He was a regular nuisance
and wanted to climb all over us in the front seat.
At night we left him hid in the back seat, in
the garage, and drew the curtains. At Chico, Mother