Letter 2020.102.149

Humboldt, Arizona Sept 12, 1916

Dear Friends and neighbors: I got a letter from Marcus Sears last night and he said you wanted to know how things are here & what the chances are for work. I have only been here since last Wednesday and have not had time to find out very much as regards to work for the future, but made some inquiries today and, from what I was told and of the opinion there will be quite a lot of carpenter work, I understand the company is going to build about six new houses, but did not learn the size and some private parties have about the same number to build beside a garage. This is quite a nice little burg & has a voting population of about 275. The pay for carpenters, at present, is $ 5.25 for 8 hours, board is $1.00 per day and first class rooms, $2.00 per week and you can work Sunday, same as Monday, giving you $36.75 per week less $9.00 for board & room $27.75. I tried to get on the carpenter shift myself

but they were full handed, so i took a job on what they call the bull gang & intend staying there until the 20th, which is payday. They pay twice a month, 5th and 20th. If you decide to come, try and get here not later than the 20th, as there will very likely be some quitting. I do not know, for sure, what the fare is, but think about $20.00. Anyhow, you can easily find that out from the Santa Fe agent. You will get off at Ash Fork for Present & from there to Humboldt. You will have to lay overnight at Prescot & get the 8 AM for Humboldt You can get a room just opposite Depot. A fellow by the name of Gilmore keeps it & also restaurant. It is not a very pretentious looking place but I stayed 3 nights & there and was very nicely treated. If your engine in automobile is in good shape, would say for you to make the trip by auto. There are a couple of boys here from Los & they made the trip by auto, a 1913 Ford, but if your engine is not in first-class condition, would leave it at home.

If you decide to come, I have some things would like to have you bring, if possible. In fact, I would like to get my trunk, but you would have your tool box and there would likely be too much excess baggage, but I have an overcoat & a duck coat would like to get. I told Marcus to send them by parcel post, but if you can bring them for me, it would be better still and, in case, you can bring trunk, am trying to send you key and have Marcus get a box of caps that I had for blasting granite at Sierra Madre where I was on the street. They are highly explosive & might accidently explode in handling the trunk. He can give them to Bill Bush or bury them just as he likes and, in case, you can bring trunk, I have 2 quills on bed & two pillows & felt hot hanging on wall. Would like to have if thing will, [?]. Kind regards to all & let me hear from you. Sincerely yours, SEC