Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 24, 1903

Faulkhead, N. D.

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

January 27, 1903

Previously unpublished.

Dear Brother Faulkhead,—

I thank the Lord for the mercies and blessings that He bestows on me. I thank Him for the health that He gives me. I am very active for one of my age. I am seventy-five years old, but I can go up and down stairs as quickly as anyone in the house. Often in the early morning, before anyone else is awake, I go downstairs, lamp in hand, and bring up some wood. I build my fire every morning. Clarence Crisler, my faithful helper, sees that my woodbox is kept well supplied with wood, but sometimes I go down to the kitchen for a little light wood. 18LtMs, Lt 24, 1903, par. 1

Since I came to this country, I have not been without trials. The first year we had no fruit. The buds were killed by a late frost. Last year the prune trees yielded abundantly, and we sold the whole crop, about forty tons, to a young man, a neighbor of ours, who bought them for drying. The prunes ripened late, and the rains came early, and many of the prunes spread out on trays in the field were destroyed. The young man failed in business, and my loss, as well as the loss of the others from whom he bought prunes, will be severe. 18LtMs, Lt 24, 1903, par. 2

For the past year I have been closely pressed financially. Very little has come in to me from the sale of my books, and ten pounds a month is all that I have received from the General Conference. I have been obliged to borrow money to meet my running expenses. I hope that soon some money will come to me from Australia. I am in great need of means. 18LtMs, Lt 24, 1903, par. 3