Nanton, Alta.
11 Sep 1916
Dear Mother:
I sure have been
working the last four days. Stopping about twelve acres of grain a day and some
of it wet. Thought I knew what work was but I found out differently, but it has
made me hard, feel like I could tackle a wild cat now.
This is the second
big crop in as many years which is an exception in this country. The farmers
are all planning what they are going to do with the money. They insure the
grain against hail. I guess you know what stooping is and also what effect it
has on the back. Don't notice it much
now.
I was lucky and caught a ride into town
last night in an Overland, which one of the farmers just purchased on the
strength of his good crop, but expect to walk back tonight.
The place reminds me of our old place near
Oakdale not the house, but the surrounding country. Everywhere you look there
is grain waving in the breeze or stacked up in shocks.
Expect the cold weather soon and sure will
make use of my wool for I don't like the sound of forty below.
I suppose most everyone has left the beach
for home. Well, have not seen a paper for a week and when I got one from one of
the boys who drop into Nanton from Spokane this morning sure made the most of
it. Read all the ads.
Love to you and papa. I will have to say
good night.
Yours with
love,
Errol
Nanton, Alta.
22 Sep 1916
My dear mother,
I completed work on two jobs and have had
several offers this morning but will wait until Monday to take a rest. I
remember your birthday on the fourteenth, the day after it had passed.
The last people I worked for three days ago
were Americans formerly of Everett, and I surely enjoyed working for them. Had
chicken or wild duck every day and we took our lunch out in the morning and
afternoon to eat between meals. Stayed in the house in a fine big room. She was
a lovely woman and I am going out for Sunday dinner as it is near to town. She said she would send me some fruit cake
for Christmas if I would write and let her know my whereabouts. They have three
hundred and twenty acres well stocked with horses, cows, chickens, pigs, and
turkeys.
Common horses in this country are worth two
hundred dollars.
I am used to the work and don't mind it now. Have had fine
weather but heavy frost some mornings. Will have my photo taken when I return
to Calgary.
Well I find it is my bed time so will close
with love.
Errol
P.S. Don't put B.C. on the letters it is the Province of
Alberta. This country is divided in provinces.
Calgary, Alberta.
Nanton, Alta.
1 Oct 1916
Dear Mother:
I have been working on a threshing outfit
for over a week although have not put in much work account of the weather. We
move from one place to the other. Looks something like a circus coming to town.
Have twelve bundle teams, cook house, straw wagon, two tank wagons, traction
engine and the separator. About eighteen men and a woman cook. Have tent to
sleep in but on the last job found vacant hut and have taken possession. It has
been snowing for two days so no work.
I am driving a bundle wagon. Loading up in
the field and help unloading at the machine. Have two horses that understand
the business which makes it all right.
I rode on over on horse back about three
miles in some snow storm to write you but did not notice the cold. All I wear
is a sweater but have heavy wool shirt and underwear. This is some life. Don't mind the work much. We
put out about 2700 bushel of wheat the last day. Get eleven cents per bushel. That
is the man that owns the outfit. Fine man met him while playing ball. The
people in this locality are all from Missouri. Money in wheat if you get the
crop.
Expect to return to camp about the tenth.
Love
to you all, Errol
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