World War I Collection

[Imprint] illustration of Native American Chief: TECUMSEH CHIEF OF THE SHAWNEES

PACIFIC COAST DEPARTMENT H. L. A. BATES, GENERAL AGENT 240 SANSOME STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. The Shawnee Fire Insurance Co. Of Topeka, Kansas

Walnut Grove, Cal June 20, 1909.

Dear Edward:

I received your kind letter the other day and have just made time to answer it. I am very glad to see that you are having such a good time, but be careful of yourself.

Yesterday I went to the + & it was full of bees & I only got stung four times. Ow!

There is not much news, but there was a swell fight today, & a man got the biggest & worst black-eye, I ever saw. I bet his jaw was broken, his whole left side of the face was black & yellow. He went & got a revolver to kill the fellow, but we took it away from him & he was mad as the dickens. He was drunk.

I went fishing today & caught one 2-lb black-bass. They didn't bite very well, so I went swimming & had a swell time.

I saw "bull" Lion & Tom Pickersgill & Capt. Mansfield, in Capt's scow. They anchored here overnight so I went on board & had a swell time til 11 P.M. They are going to Sacramento & are on a cruise; they were out three weeks, already, & were going to be out three weeks more.

Helen invited me to go down to their place at Carmel, & stay during July, & I think I will. Nifty, eh?

There is no more to say, so hoping that you are well, happy, & enjoying yourself, I am

your loving brother

Norman C. Bates