Gamble Letter #13

Alexander Gamble land patent (1885)

On your left is an image of the actual land claim for Alexander Gamble, recently found at the BLM Archives. 

Ellen Gamble alludes in her letter below, to "dreadful fires"; they were because of the effects of the horrific forest fires in Ontario, Canada, in September 1881.

Also mentioned in the letter below is a Confirmation service at Christ Church that happened in August 1881; note the image of the Confirmation card found in the 200 year old Gamble family Bible from that very service...

St. Vincent Minn Sep 14, 1881

My dear Maggie We received your letter and was glad to hear that yous Were all Well as this leaves us at present I would have rote before but I was waiting to the show would come of it was Monday the 5, We had a good time I saw a boy in the show Weighing over 540 lbs and a Wild bush girl she was found running Wild on the sandy Plains of Austrilia, and a horse with 8 feet There was a hotel burnt down in Emerson and a man burnt to death We had confirmation every Tuesday Lizzie and Jane and I got confirmed the bishop was from St. Paul his name is Bishop Whipple.

Confirmation Card, found in 200 year old Gamble family Bible.

There is no sunday school for a few sundays. We have not been to school for a Week or two. I was put in history I like it very well. Alice is getting on Pretty Well and so is Willie Alick thinks himself quite a man he bought a mare and two colts. he bought a Pair of duck. the book mark was very nice we see by the newspapers there is dreadful fires in Canada it was Very cold this morning. Pa got a paper from Dundee - Sammy is drawing an old pair of shoes across the floor Willie is hurding the cattle Alick is Pumping We have three Pigs Lizzie is going to St. Vincent this morning. I will send you some flour seeds I dont know the name of them I will Write a longer letter the next time so good by for the present Ellen Gamble Write soon dont forget