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

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Keams Canon, Arizona
Feb 20, 1898

My own true loving little wife,

Received two letters from you and glad to hear from you.

Tomorrow I commence my 33rd picture. I have painted 19 Moqui. I wish you could see the girl I just finished, dressed in the costume I have written you about. It is the most beautiful costume I ever saw on an Indian. I am going to paint another of her. Tomorrow I commence on an old women who is the only woman in the Snake Dance.

You probably have received the $25.00 before this. They wrote me it had been sent February 8th. I subscribed for another Indian magazine sent to you. (2) Does the Los Angeles Magazine come regular and do you like it?

Mr. Hubbell writes me he has 4 more nice Navajo blankets for me, and he says the large partiers I had made to order are finished. I had them made after an old blanket. He says they are beautiful. They are more than 12 feet. long, each of them. He is so anxious for me to come, and I will have a hard time to get away from his place. There was a Navajo squaw I saw there, very pretty, but she wouldn’t sit when I was there, as she was going to have a baby. I wrote Mr. Hubbell that if she would sit, or another one as pretty as she is, I would stop a few days and paint (3) her.

Every night an old Indian comes to see me and smokes. He stays an hour or so, then goes away. I have lots of fun with him. I call him "Kal-lone-lo-my", which means, "no good".

When I leave here I will have to travel 110 miles by wagon to get to the railroad, but will probably be here another month.

I went up on the mesa this afternoon (Sunday). There was to be another ceremony to last all day, but an Indian woman died and the dance is put off until tomorrow. It is a queer dance and commences at sun rise and lasts till sunset. I will go up and see it after work tomorrow. They are the queerest people I ever saw, (4) they all address me as friend now, which in Moqui is "E-quetch-ee". It is fun to show a Moqui funny pictures. I got hold of a xxxxxx magazine and in the back were five pictures of some cannibals, all naked, with rings in their noses and cupps(?) on their legs, etc., and how I had to laugh to see the Moqui look at them. I called them Moqui and how they would laugh. I take the Daily Record, and you know on the front page there is always a funny picture which I have fun with showing to them.

Well I must close. Give my love to your folks. Goodnight darling. Your own true loving husband.

Lots of love, hugs & kisses,

Elbridge