Butte, Montana April 1, 1908 Dear Bertie, I got here today about noon, and spent the afternoon in getting my bearings. This is a city of 80,000 people, and is one of the greatest mining centers in the country. I do not know yet what to expect in a business way from here, owing to the fact that this is one of the particular places in the country that the panic had great effect upon, and if I am not mistaken this was the starting point of the whole trouble, as some of the New York speculators had large interests here that were the first to be affected by the panic. So I don’t know just what I will get here, at this writing. I have an agency deal on the string already, and if I can make it go, it will mean quite a nice order. We have an agent here, but he sold last year only $1,330 worth of goods. So I do not expect anything from them. I got your card and letter of Sunday and Monday, which you addressed to me here, and was so glad to hear you were doing so nicely. I noticed by the postmarks on the letter that it was stamped Spokane, March 30, 1 p.m., and at Butte March 31, 3 p.m., which puts me a day’s mail from you here. It is quite likely I will be here the rest of the week, and will hope to get more news from you during my stay. I am very sorry to learn you are so lonely, and hope you will find so many things to keep you busy that you will not notice the lonesomeness so much. It seems so queer that you should write of Hanson being so quiet. Poor little fellow, I hope he will soon begin talking so he can be more company to you. I am so pleased to hear Carol is better, and I am sure you did the right thing in taking the jumping rope from her for a while. I am rather surprised to hear that you have no news from home, as they are due you a letter. I wrote a postal from Helena and also Great Falls to the home folks, and from Helena sent a card to Mrs. Kearner and Maj. Mrs. Knowles, also one to Rockwell at Rochester. Nice in him to send me the card from Rochester. I know how pleased Carol must have been with her nice new shoes, and you must tell her to keep them nice until I can see how nice she looks with them on. I am so glad you write me of these little happenings at home, and enjoy every line you write me, oh, so much. So don’t be skimpy in telling me of your daily doings, for it will help keep you from being so lonely, and me from getting homesick to see you all. It now seems months since I have seen your dear face, and the little ones. I am about 500 miles from you now, but as I write these lines I can almost feel your presence near me, and I forget how far I am away from all that’s dearest to me on earth. So don’t forget, though we are hundreds of miles apart, that I have you in my thoughts every waking hour. Now my dear wife, with a dear sweet good night, and my best love to you, and lots of hugs and kisses for you and the little ones, I am, Lovingly your husband, Geo. A. D. P.S. Tell Carol I am sorry I could not have been home today so she could have played some April 1st pranks on me. I missed my “flannel cakes” today.