Swaggart letter to Parents November 1902 

Lewistown, Montana

November 1, 1902, from Lewistown, FergusCounty, MT
Board by Week or Month Open at all hours
PURITAN CAFÉ
Skinner & Van, Proprietors, Union Restaurant, Fine liquors & Cigars
Lewistown, Mont. Nov 1, 1902
Dear Pa and Ma, Came back from Great Falls, Mont yesterday. While up there I got yourletter, also one from Josie. I know I am more than guilty for not writing to you moreoften than I do but it is not because my love for my dear parents has diminished any. Onthe contrary, the older I grow, the more I think of "Ma & Pa" and want to bewith them once again. You cant imagine how much. My stay in this part of Montana wont lastmore than 30 or 40 days. I represent the Alder Gulch Gold Mining co. of Des Moines Iowa toa certain extent. I got instructions from them to do assessment work for them on 16claims. That is all I got to do is to see that it is done.  I done lots of work forsome outfit in Wyoming to their entire satisfaction.  Pa, I got some very goodclaims. I have realized several good amounts from the sale of "holes in theground" but have to pay it out keeping up the rest. I want to make one good sweep andI am gone from mining camps and ficticious booms.  Jim West is here, out on a cowranch. I met him 2 years ago in Wyoming. I had not seen him since I was ten or twelveyears old but I knew him soon as I see him. Charlie Lambert is also here - runs dray line.I knew him also he was very much surprised to find out who I was.  I may have to goup to Helena & Great Falls again in a few days but wont be away more than 10 days soyou can address me here. Am glad to know you have a nice home again. I very often in mydreams see our old Caldwell home and recall my kid days when I would stand on porch,hungry as a wolf ( & as Ma would say watch for Pa). "Can't sit down until Pacomes." It is very pleasant for me to think of them things now.  My best love toPa & Ma   Charlie
So Nell has a little girl. I am going to write a letter to little LaVeta. She will allways be my favorite. Her Mother was.

Betty More bilmore@cwp.net.pa