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823 [circled] 37

St. Cloud – 70 miles north of St Pauls' – on the Miss Riv - July August 5th / 1857

My Dear Mother

Hurrah! for hunting and hunters fare Ive had a jolly time since leaving St Pauls –

I found the cheapest way to go to Pembina – where I have now determined to go – was to buy horse & cart & outfit – so Iv got Mr Kittson to help me and he let me have a good tough horse that has been over the road six times! and goes at it like an old stager – no need of much guiding, only have to whip hard – I bought a real Pembina cart – two two wheels six or 7 feet in diameter – made rather clumsily – and not one scrap nor bit of iron in the whole blessed concern!

My horse cart and harness costs me a trifle over $200. Mr Kittson agrees to take the horse and harness when I return at $135. and the cart is worth another v –

I bought a pair 3 pt M blankets cost me $10 and a smaller blkt & a buffalo robe these with

Last edit 6 days ago by The Grove National Historic Landmark
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musquetoes netting etc form my bedding – On the way from St Pauls we (my companion & I) have made a good cover of duck for my cart –

Mr Cavalier the owner of the train is going to let me mess with him. He offered to charge me nothing for feed but I told him I preferred to pay – He would only take $10. – I am to give his cook $5. for taking care of my horse etc – that I may use all my time and have not bother.

I am going out to a settlement (or two) on Red River where Ill wait till the train comes up which will be within a week or so of my getting there.

George Lynch a young fellow (regular “brick” – good hunter etc) who lives at Breckenridge – the settlement I’m going to – wished to go up and from St Pauls and I got him to wait and go with me –

We left St Pauls three days ago carrying our own provisions – we have camped out and shall continue to do so. We get game in abundance – Such fun! Majors gun is invaluable – I made some splended shots – we can shoot plenty of Prairie hens from the cart – till we get to Buffaloes!

I enjoy it hugely – health good – no fear of any more low spirits – got a new snake a lizard and lots of insects already – Tell Alice I’ve skinned a dozen

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[circled] 39] 2

or so striped spermophiles so she need make no extraordinary exertions to get ‘em – but still skin some if conveniant – and every grey one she can lay hands on –

Getting no larger game last night I shot some yellow headed blk black birds for supper – ate prime.

Mr Hammond of Basset & Hammond Chicago will have a pair of moccassins for Charlie – I wrote of them in my last - to him.

Any letters sent to me at St Pauls should be addressed care of Forbe's & Kittson Mr Norman Kittson has given me much assistance –

I shall try to keep a journal and write something worth while of my trip.

I may and probably shall, write from Breckenridge – though possibly the letter will not get sent to St Pauls for weeks & even months –

I go to Pembina by the long road west of Red River – but I am to return by Crow wing farther east – a much shorter route – and I’ll make it in two thirds the time

I bargained for a horse in St Pauls which I didnt buy and the Irish jocky owner tried to bully me into taking him – threatened to sue me etc – But that was all gas – I mention

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it that you may no tis of no account in case Hammond should mention it – apropos of Hammond please send him a good boquet –

If I had time I would like to tell of my funny adventures etc but will keep ‘em till I get home – I am in a hurry to move on and twill not do to loose time when travelling thus –

Tell Alice to make a note of this – that my expenses since July 13th have been about $350. - I take with me nearly $50 in gold –

I deposited $20. to fathers credit at Barches,

If father writes to Hoy, Lapham, Frank Reilly or any one besides Baird & Judson (to these two I write to day) I would like he would mention my safte safe start for Pembina –

I may be home as early as Oct 10th perhaps not till the last of the month.

If any one writes about collecting wish father would tell ‘em to send by Express to Judsons care as per circular –

wish father would write to Urial Mills for me if possible – fear Mills will be [illegible] at Charlie Bragdon as to visit lay it some to me

I am confident of having good times

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[circled] 41 3

and good success and I trust mother that youll borrow no trouble about me – I am not going to any insafe place at all nor into any danger – This region is noted for its healthfulness – I will come back fat – I never had such an outrageously big appetite in my life before -

Give my love to all – and dont fret about my safety

Affectionately Bob.

Please tell Henry Updyke for me that Andrews says he thinks perhaps the Mich. University will suit him – He had best write for a catalogue - address Michigan University Ann Arbor Mich.

Dont be [illegible] surprised if you hear no more of me till my return Breye Breckenridge mails are unsafe – I hope Cavalier Cavalier will bring me letters to Point Graham -

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