Dawson, N.W.G.
Ap. 14th. ’98

Dear folks at home: It has suddenly turned cold and notice has just been given that mail leaves at 4 P.M today. It is 7 A.M. and I have to go up to Grand Forks to-day – and ought to be on the way now; so hasten to write a few lines

Well the baby is all well will leave for Seattle on the first boat up the river, “The Bonanza King.” I may not be able to come out also and it is a great disappointment to me. The reason that I cannot come out is as follows:

I have not all my debts payed [sic] yet and the law in this country is very strict about leaving with unpaid debts. However probably I could do no good as the baby will be put in the best of hands. It will be brought out to Judge Davies and his wife. Now we cannot tell just when the boat will leave for the States and cannot tell when you shall meet the baby in Seattle. The Judge will telegraph from Port Townsend the first port reached after striking the coast of the U.S. to Madison informing you of their arrival and to meet them at Seattle or Portland. So all of you wishing to come to Seattle must be all ready to start upon the receiving of the telegram. Of course things may be so changed that I may be able to come also. I may be rich to-morrow, before to-night. If I do not come out when the baby does I will not come until the last boat out in the fall. All of this is a very sad disappointment to me. I am very sorry indeed that I cannot send money out for to meet your expenses coming to Seattle and the like. Keep track of all of this; and I will send you the money at the first opportunity.

Things do not look so bad here as they might. I have very much confidence in the country. It is the best place to-day that I know off (sic) for a young man to make his stake. I have played in exceedingly hard luck, probably more so than any one in the country. I am broken up in heart, my sack is low. However, I still expect to come home with a little pile.

Bingham and I no long speak. He went back on me in my time of trouble. Hamburg has gone out

Baby is well. O, she is so cute. You will love her so much. She has had such kind care. Words, the language of men are to [sic] inadequate to tell of my appreciation to Dr. Mesher for the loving care which she has given the baby.

I eat well. That is one thing that must be. Mae and I worked on that theory all the time. For breakfast for instance I had, Potatoes, meat, Figs, tomatoes and bread and blackberry jam and cream. Notice the word cream. It is almost unpurchasable. If was sure I could raise a $1,000 on the outside I could bring in some supplies on which I could make $10,000. However I have not the 1,000.

It was unfortunate that I had to sell the dogs.

Just think if everything had gone well if we had not struck any mine we would have had about $3,000 saved up this Spring, when Mae would have gone home and I would have come in the fall. Freighting was very good the last half of the season.

Well I ought to have started up the creek an hour ago. So goodbye-.

Baby sends a sweet little kiss.

Please answer at once as the baby will not start out until we hear from you folks.

Jesse.