This transcription was created by the Harvard-Diggins Library
from original document held by MHS (#SC 1274)

( ) Original page numbers
Edited for readability

Saturday
Ganado, Arizona
Dec 11, 1897

My own true loving little wife,

I have finished now 13 pictures 5 Pueblos & 8 Navajos. The Navajos are very saleable on account of the blankets.

I expected to leave here tomorrow, Sunday, for Moqui but the teams did not get here until this eve from Gallup and the horses will have to rest a day before going out. I will start Monday, an Indian is to take me. Mr. Hubbell has 14 horses hauling freight from Gallup xx xxxxx xxxx xx and the roads were bad so they were late in getting here. At Moqui the mail comes 3 times a week, for which I am glad.

White Swan
Crow
1897
Crow Agency, MT
Courtesy: The Newberry Library, Chicago

I received a letter from Harper’s Weekly xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxx (2) White Swan story & pictures. Did you receive the $25.00 from Uncle Ed yet, my dear, your allowance for Dec? I wrote for him to send it two or three weeks ago. If they haven’t sent it I will write them again and will write it in such a way they won’t forget or delay it again.

I don’t know what to send you for Xmas, my dear, as there isn’t much to buy here except things for Indians. When you go to the bookstore look out the first of every month for St. Nicholas, The Century, McClure’s & Art Amateur, & every week for the Harper’s Weekly.

Mr. Hubbell gave me today a pair of turquoise stones in the rough & Indians wore them for ear rings.

I am anxious to get to Moqui and paint some of the Indian girls with their hair done up so funny. (3)

I wish you would write a nice letter to Mr. Hubbell, my dear. Address it to Mr. & Mrs. Hubbell, Ganado, Arizona, Apache County and thank them for their kindness to me. Also, for the lot of things they gave me, you can say that the things are yours, etc.

I never saw anywhere nicer people than they. They have done everything to make my stay here just as pleasant for me as possible. Such good xxxxxx people, and I wish you would send Mrs. Hubbell a nice Xmas present of some kind. Send her a half dozen fine linen handkerchiefs and put a card in the package a happy Xmas from you & I. And I wish you would get their little boy something. (4) He is six years old and is just full of the devil but a good boy, nice manners but he is so healthy that he is on the jump all the time. If you could find a little nice box of wooden or tin soldiers I wish you would and send by mail addressed to Mr. Roman Hubbell, Ganado, Arizona, from you & I. Let me know what your Xmas presents cost and I will send the money.

I am writing on my Indians story evenings. I have over 70 pages written, both sides of the page. Large sheets like these a which xxxx up to the Navajo Indians am remiting it now and xxxx xxxx which is a job. I will write just as soon as I arrive in Moqui. I will be there Monday eve, December 13th.

Give my love to your folks. Good night darling. Your own true loving husband.

Lots of love, hugs & kisses,

Elbridge