Box 1

Dear Son...Just got back from the west side a few days ago and felt kind of dispirited and out of sorts....I was shocked on learning how near I had been lead into a trap by Mr. Lamberton in his request for a change in the gas article of agreement permission to drill more gas wells....

My Dear Sir and Son....Timers out here are pretty close but now lots of idle men in the oilfields. The signs look bad for this winter around here at least....I was out to the works this morning but failed to get on. There were a good many men turned away....

Dear Marion: This beautiful afternoon will endeavor to answer your letter...Charley is the only one that got any rabbits this last week he got 4. Peter got one pheasant....

My Dear Son...This is no country for an Easterner who is in any way broken in health. There is a cold damp fog comes in here that gets you throu and throu and when you get a good supply it stays with you until the hot sun boils it out....

My Dear Son...The oil business here is slow yet have no idea when it may be better. The Standard is going to do considerable new work this spring and summer in the fields of [Calu] which will help to stimulate all kinds of business and give employment to lots of men that are idle just now....

Dear Marion this evening will write you a few lines in ans [sic] to your letter I think the best thing to do in that matter would be to let it drop until papa comes home we wont starve I will sell one of my cows if I cant get along any other way....

My Dear Son....have a good place to board here. Quite a lot of men employed here but the muckstickers and the roughneckers don't work on Sunday unless a rush is on...yes I saw the eclipse it was an ideal night for one here but I did not watch it when it was at its total...Bakersfield is a dirty rotten place....

My Dear Marion...I am still at the same place but don't know how long it will last. The Co. has been laying off men right along every week a bunch went today and in a few days more will go...The ranch men here have the first crop of alfalfa off and to market and are stacking thier wheat hay....

My Dear Son...am farily well myself but not working now. Thw war has its evil effect here as well as in the east. Stagnation high, food prices and idle men and lots of them and an over production of oil also....

My Dear Son...for myself am not feeling very well just now have had the gripp for a week ..Now in regard to that lease I think just like you all do for my part--I would not want Mr. [Lanberton] to think that we are trying to squeeze him in the matter of rental on the gas wells...