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

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(Sunday)
Ganado, Arizona
(Apache county)
November 21, 1897

My own true loving little wife,

I arrived here last night and am nicely fixed. This is the smallest place I have been to yet. Just two houses here. One big stone house where the Indian store is and living rooms. And another house where they cook & eat and a bedroom which (2) is where I sleep. I have a nice old room to myself with an old fashioned fire place in it. The Navajo Indians are here. This place is 60 miles from railroad and the mail comes once a week on horseback.

Mr. Hubbell who is a ranchman here is very kind to me. He is half Mexican and has a Mexican wife who speaks no English. He won’t take a cent from me for board. He said he invited me here through my Uncle Ed and he said he had been here more than 30 years (3) and had never yet taken a cent from anyone for board and didn’t intend to commence with me. He also gave me, made me a present of, two elegant genuine old Navajo rugs, big ones. And Mr. Cotton, at Gallup, gave me a fine silver ring made by the Navajo Indians with a turquoise stone in it. I have now 9 Navajo rugs and they cost me $18.00 and I could sell them xxxx for $100.00 but will keep them. Mr. Cotton also gave me a fine Navajo jar.

This morning I got (4) the gun out and went to a Lake three miles from here but saw nothing. On my way I ran across some Navajo Hogans and went inside and there was a squaw weaving a blanket. There was a pretty little young squaw there and the father promised he would sit for me and the little squaw also.

This is a very a peculiar country rather barren and the dirt is a reddish blue color and funny little stumpy trees never saw any like them before. This is the country where old (5) Geronimo murdered people. The fort where he & Naiche were brought is not far from here. I don’t know how long I will be here, probably a month, depending on the Indians. From here I go 61 miles to Keams Canon by wagon. That is the place where the Moqui (Hopi) Indians are who do the Snake Dance. They will be about the most interesting tribe for me.

Mr. Hubbell has an Indian man for a cook and he (Hubbell) is a good cook also. I don’t need my overcoat here, the Indians go around (6) barefooted and the white people in their shirt sleeves. It is just like June & July, a beautiful climate. I am going to send some Indian pictures to the Pennsylvania Art Club in Philadelphia. They wrote me to. I will send them 10 and will probably sell some.

Well darling I will close now. Goodbye my dear.

Your own true loving husband,

Elbridge
Lots of love, hugs & kisses.
P.S. I will write today to Uncle Ed's office to send you a check for $25.00.