Santa Barbara

                                                                                                                        Jan 18 – 18

 

To the Whole family-

                                    Fred^s letter came duly to had and we were all mighty glad to hear from you and learn you were all well and prospering these hard times, and had plenty to eat and no complaint as to fuel &c. you surely have had a cold and hard winter and we have wonderd how you were all getting on. the papers here are full of accounts of suffering among the poor for want of fuel and the nesessaries of / of life—while here we are basking in sunshine and warm weather. we have no frost, with murcury from 47 to 75^o every day—have had no rain for nine months and forage for stock on the Ranches played out. Hay $40⁰⁰ per ton and hard to get but that will not last long for rain is due soon. we have g good winter garden—onions and radishes &c. the country had an enormous crop of all kinds last year—Fruits of all Kinds grain, vegetables, Beans some of the ranchers made fortunes / from their bean crop, all the way from $25000⁰⁰ to $150000⁰⁰ what do you think of that. I loaned a man in Carpenteria a small Town near here $1500⁰⁰ on fifteen acres of practically unimproved land, he sold his crop of Limar Beans for over $3000⁰⁰ and so it goes—

 

            If I was a young man or 20 years younger I would pitch into Ranching up to my limit, but a fellow 79 years old has to let up and go slow. was glad to learn that Guernsey was making good and was safe sound & well we did not know that / Harold had been poorly, hope he is all right now.

 

            We are all well here. Myrna is a student in the University of Redlands and is making good she is devoting herself principally to music and is becoming quite celebrated in that line and has manny calls to sing at public functions, has a wonderful vice—Howard is in junior College here and is making good as a public speaker. they are two good kids and we are proud of them. Fannie has ben / away for a couple of weeks visiting in Redlands, Los Angles and Glendale expect her home again next week

 

            We have been planing to go East next summer but at this time am unable to say just what we will do, rather risky times to spend much money. my funds are in R Est Mortgages and at 7% but have saved out enough if we conclude to go. Proff Sylvester our Church Organist is very low and not expected to live Santa B— is growing to beat the Band. many fine residences are being built by Eastern men of Millions on the foot hills. /

 

C K Billings an Eastern capitalist is building a mansion which with the grounds will cost him over 1200000⁰⁰ dollars has a small army of men at work. there is to be a Botanicle Garden the largest and most complete in the world established here backed by all the Millionares of S B & Monticeto & to contain all the known plants & Trees of the world—so you see we are on the map. the next joy trip you make, come out here and we will show you the whole circus—the Elephant & all, and you / bring Edna too.

 

            We recd word last eve of the death of Prof Sylvester.

 

            This is the longest letter I have written in five years I do not write much as my hand is so lame that it is hard work. so now will say good by, with love to all, from us all—

 

                                                            Yours &c

                                                                        Frank M. G.

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