April 26th

In a day or two I expect to have another chance of sending in letters. Several of the people round here are going to go in freighting robes – and will take letters. It is blowing up pretty cold, I should not be surprised at a big snow storm. We will have quite a settlement up here next winter. Mr. Power is talking of setting up a store here – in opposition to Conrad, and Mr. Kerler too intends doing the same. Kanonse [?] has bought Foley out and Foley intends building again. We also have a farmer who intends starting a ranch in the immediate vicinity of the Fort and Father Scullen [?] intends building a Church and Parsonage, as well as inducing a large number of halfbreeds to settle down here. So next winter we will have a gay young city. Cpt. Winder too is talking of bringing up his wife and children. Perhaps Col. McLeod will get married and who knows how many more. The more the merrier and also the greater chance for me to make something outside of my salary.

I suppose that Saida has left you ere this. Has she gone directly home? Or does she intend staying a while longer in the North? I wish that you could go home with her. Do try.

I want you to ask Mannie to find out for me the Properties Botanical & Physiological & Therapeutical indications of Oxo Crocia and Dragon’s Blood.

For the present I must say good night. I open the ball again to tell you to direct my letters to :

Fort McLeod, via Ft. Shaw, Montana Territory.

I find that by sending them to I.G.B. & Co. [I.G. Baker & Co.] they are delayed sometimes a week. Col. McLeod told me the direction I have just given you is the better one. All mail matter for us is at Windsor consigned in bags for Ft. McLeod – which I believe do not break bulk until they reach Fort Shaw and are then sent on to us. Whereas if they are directed to Baker – they go first to Ft. Shaw, thence to Benton and then back again to Shaw.

I also want you to send me or have Jack send me the “Daily Mail” in place of the weekly. Will you ask him? This mail starts out tomorrow morning early. So I will have to send you away with a very short letter. Give my love to all and to Saida if she still be there. Good night again.

With much love believe me

Yours forever

Barrie.

Mar. 8th

It is a lovely morning. The sun shines bright and warm + the wind blows fresh from the mountains. I have gotten up early this morning to finish this letter to you. The Mail closes to day at 9 o’clock Glen expects to be in Benton in ten days, he goes by the upper road so [?] to [?][?] every night. The fresh [?] this morning was the advert[?] of half a dozen Indians with [?][?]. One a woman with a terrible hand her constitution[?] all broken[?] down, and suffering dreadfully. I washed the hand + examined it but am still in doubt. I may yet have to amputate it, the others were [?] ailments and easily dealt with. So you see I am becoming a successful practitioner amongst the [?] savages. And I think too they all like me for I am gentle + thoughtful of their feelings[?] just as tho’ they were white civilized people. And they, I think, appreciate kindness as much as any one. When I go to their[?] [?] today[?] they gave me a smoke always and talk and laugh away in the happiness [?]. And any[?] little thing[?] they want[?] done they come to me to get it[?] done for these. I have the same old story. No Mail. No one knows what is the reason[?] but [?][?] conjectures are afloat which becomes more and more varied[?] as each day passes without [?] its arrival. I must now say Good bye Give my love to all at home. Remember me kindly to Mr. Allison[?] + [?]. Tell Mannie I wrote to him by the last Mail but one. When[?] does your birthday come, some day this month. I wish you many many happy returns of[?] it[?]. [?]. With much love, I am

Your own

Barrie