Transcription
…are too large to send in a letter, and then at present I don’t know where I could find some of them as it is out of the season and no Indian camp near here.
In a previous letter you ask me about Mr. Hutner. Well, he arrived back from Virginia some months ago, [and] is now well. Today I assayed samples of ore that I bought from his mine, on [account?] of the works I am Superintending. I believe I told you that he went home intending to get married. It is possible that the lady [illegible, appeared?] to be more affectionate by letter than he found her. At all event, he did not bring anyone with him, and appears to be well satisfied.
About poor old Billy horse. When I was at White Pine I had rode him a long distance, and when I was taken sick my partner laced him on a ranch. The feed was very poor, and when I was able to ride my best mule was stolen. The horse was too poor to stand the trip to this place, so traded him for a good mule that was in good condition. I was so much reduced that my partner would not risk to start with any but good animals. I ought not to have parted with him. I had rode him so long and would give more than he is worth to have him again, but don’t know where he is.
You ask me how I like to live here. I have heard that state prison is rather a rough place to go to, and if it is any worse than this place I pity those that go there. The only thing that keeps me here so long is that long tunnel I wrote you about. I am afraid that it will detain me some time longer as we are going to commence work on it next week.
Please give my regards to Mr. and Madam Smith, and all my friends, and accept the same from,
Your friend in haste,
Jno. L. Porter