Jensen, Utah, Feb. 12 1910



My dear Dr. Holland,

I recd your letter of Jan 26 and notice of $600 deposited to my acct. One of my men is going to the post office and I hasten to write a few words to you. As I recd notice of deposit late I cannot send receipts bills &c. so I will not send my regular report at this time but only a statement to show you approximately where we stand financially. The expenditures so far amount to $681.62 (about) which is $13.01 in excess of funds on hand. I paid the Ashley Coop 165.00 but was obliged to get another bill of goods to about the same amount. We are still in debt about 283.00. It will take about $240 to pay for labor in Feb. so it would take about $283 + 240 = $523 to make us square with the world. If it is difficult to send this all at once I probably can advance some if I am not called home to see my sister who we fear has not very long to live. This is the one bitter thing in my cup now.

Could you send as near the amount as possible as soon as you get this as I would like to straighten up things as soon as possible. I had estimated the expenses about right when I asked for $500 in Jan. but you see getting $300 made us fall short. The people have been very kind and patient and our credit seems still to be pretty good so we have been able to push things.

There is one thing which is consoling. We now have a good supply of nearly everything we need to work with and for awhile at least expenses ought to be much less.

There is one thing which I hoped we might hold in abeyance until you come. I fear we shall have to buy a team, wagon and harness. We have no wagon that we dare to hitch to now, and hiring teams is very unsatisfactory. If we had the money to buy our own they would probably not cost us much except feed as one can sell good horses here at almost any time though I think about now is the time to buy.

We are getting along splendidly with our work (this is the testimony of others) and we are going to get along more splendidly. We [are] changing from the horse to the car system and by Monday or Tues. will be moving dirt by the more advanced and economical method. All say we will accomplish two or three times as much as with horses and we have been making them do pretty well.

Well I must close. Wish I had time to tell you more, and write of more cheerful things for prospects are bright and our work has been singularly free from unfortunate circumstance. As I said it is a tremendous undertaking but we dont have time to get discouraged.

The weather is still b----al. I think though that I will be able to resume moving bones next week and I judge that the boys will be able to complete the big cut in 4 to 6 weeks.

We hear every day continuous noises like the firing of distant artillery but did not know it was the thunder of applause and fame directed toward us.



Best wishes to all

E. Douglass