This transcription was created by the Harvard-Diggins Library
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Ganado, Arizona
November 30, 1897

My own true loving little wife,

I received three letters from you today and glad to hear from you.

All the houses don’t smell here. It is only the houses the Pueblo Indians live in and it is something they cook. The Pueblo’s grind their own flour. They have a long trough in the house. There are four apartments in it and in each apartment is stones and they will put the wheat or corn whatever they want to grind in the stone and rub it with another stone with their hands.

You are very welcome for the seal skin cloak, my dear. Glad it will keep you nice and warm. I had $25.00 sent to you from Uncle Ed, my dear. Have you received it? Have you received the magazines I (2) subscribed for you? I will be with the Moqui Indians on Xmas. All the rugs I have are clean. McClure's hasn’t paid me as yet, nor has Harper’s Weekly, expect they will soon.

Mr. Hubbell gave me another fine Navajo blanket and 12 fine Navajo Indian arrows, also 2 beautiful woven baskets with figures woven on them like Uncle Ed has.

I finished one $200.00 picture of the Chief here and started another today of him in profile. But he finally worked in his old plug hat. He took it and made a war bonnet of it. He stuck eagle feathers all around it so you could hardly see the hat. He came with it on, he was scared for the fear I wouldn’t paint it. But it looked all right, so am painting him with it on.

The Indians out here are (3) Awfully good natured fellows. Mr. Hubbell’s kitties have a nice time. They have a great big house to roam and can go from one room to another through little holes cut in the doors. He has got a lot of soft blankets piled on top of a high shelf next to the ceiling and this morning two of them were up there washing themselves.

You had better address your letters now to Keams Canon, Arizona via Holbrook, Arizona. This letter won’t leave here until Dec 6 and the following Sunday I leave for Keams Canon, where the Moqui are.

I will close now and go to bed. Good night darling. Your own true loving husband.

Lots of love hugs & kisses,

Elbridge