“I have Chosen this point because it was the furtherest one yet reached by Rail.  Back of this, clean to the Missouri River, new Towns have grown up in most wonderful fashion.  I have been advised that it is highly desirable to be in at the beginning in this Country if one is to stay in the Hunt, therefore I have come to a Town which has just Begun.  Believe me, dear Ned, it is the beginning of a World.  Such chances are here, I am Sure as do not exist in any other Land, for behind this land is all the Richer and older Parts, which are but waiting to pour money and men hither so soon as the Ry. shall be Fully completed.  I have heard of many men who have made Fortunes since the War.  It is truly a rapid Land.

“I am persuaded, my dear boy, that this is the place for you to come.  There are an Hundred ways in which one may earn a Respectable living, and I find here no Class Distinction.  It is an extraordinary fact that no man and no profession ranks another here.  One man is quite good as another.

“Of society I regret to say we can not as yet offer you much.  There is yet but four women in the place and for the men a Part seem mostly busy consuming Whisky at the Cottage, at which I wonder, for I have found the Whisky very bad.  Let this not dishearten you, for many things will change when the Ry. is completed.  We are to have Shops here, and I understand this is to be the seat of the county.  A year from now, as I am told, we shall have 2,000 Persons living here, and in five years this will be a City.  Conceive the opportunity meantime.  The Cattle business is bound to grow, and I am advised that all this land will Ultimately be farmed and prove rich as that through which I Past in coming out.  You are welcome, my dear Ned, as I am sure you know, to half my blankets and rations during your stay here, however long same may be, and I most cordially invite you to come out and look over this Country, nor do I have the smallest doubt that it will seem to you quite as it does to me, and I shall hope that we make a Citizen of you.

“Above all is this a man’s country.  For sport it has no equal I have ever seen, and as you know I have visited some Parts of the World.  The Buffaloes is to be found by Millions within a few miles of this point, and certain of the savidge Tribes still live but a short journey from this point, though now the Army has pretty much Reduced them.  Antelopes there is all around in thousands, and many Wolves.  It is, indeed, my boy, as I have told you, a country entirely new.  I have travelled much, as you know, and am not so Young as yourself, but I must say to you that your friend Batty feels like a boy again.  There is something Strange in this air.  The sky is mostly clear, and the Air very sweet.  The wind is steady but pleasant, and a man may live in comfort the year round as I am told.  I am but new here as yet myself, but am fully disposed, as they say in the strange language here, to drive my Stake.  I want you, my dear boy, also to drive Yours beside me, and to that Effect I beg to extend you whatever Aid may lie in my Power.