Camp Carnegie, May 27, 1900



My Dear Dr. Holland.



You will remember you told me that you were my friend, and if ever I had any reason to think I was unjustly treated, to come to you for advice, and you would deal justly with me. Well, now the injustice has come, and like a thunderbolt.

This Sunday morning at 10 o'clock Mr. Peterson rode into camp with a letter from Mr. Hatcher, directing me to turn over all accounts, material, and fossils to Mr. Peterson, and to put myself under his orders at once, and discharge one or both of my men. In this I cannot fully obey him and retain my self-respect. It is in direct violation of the verbal agreement entered into between yourself, Dr. Hatcher, and me, as you will remember.

Last year I allowed myself to be crowded back and did it without protest, as I desired to learn the improved methods of taking out and packing the fossils, but now I have served my apprenticeship and am confident I can do exactly as good work as Mr. Peterson.

Mr. Hatcher was our guest in Laramie for ten days, and a more pleasant gentleman I never met. He repeatedly told me while in Laramie that he would give me full charge of the Jurassic work while with him, and with his sanction I hired a man who gave up the work he was doing to work for me. At the same time I took my own son out of the University to do the photographing and work in the quarry. We rented our home in Laramie for six months and my wife volunteered to come out and do the cooking, to make it pleasanter for our party. She is allowed no remuneration.

And this is my reward!