Letter 19290208
Portland, Oreg Feb 8th 29
My Dear Niece and all
I recieved your most kind and welcome letter yesterday and also one from our Uncle Isac B. Everson of Walford at the Beach. Well Dear I was sure surprised to leave Old Iowa with 10 inch of snow and to land in 16 inch in the Rose City of the World with 16 to 18 inches of Ice and Snow. Proud Portland can’t boast no more it is still in in the grip of the cold freezing. Every Night they have lost in fruit alone 300 thousand dollars worth of fruit vegetables. Washington and California is almost ruined with cold and snow sure do believe it dear it is the hand of God to show his power over a proud and wicked people. The stores and grocery have robed the poor people until luck or fate took a hand. The street car service of 25 hundred miles was blocked 5 days with all business at stand still 25000 outside. Employees could not get in to there work the women lots of them shoveled snow on streets and car lines at 4.00 Dollars per day men got 5. Dollars per day and 7 Dollars per 8 hours night.
You asked about my friends I have not been out to see any of them but one I telephoned to he was surprised but said he told his wife I could not live in that cold country. I got here at 9.45 am instead of 630 am. 3 hours late was the hardest trip I ever took in my life. Got here on Saturday and got a little cheap room to rest in, was glad to rest. Haven’t seen no one as yet cant get out till the weather changes hope it will be soon. Tell Elmer the Old Columbia River is froze up from way above Arlington to 8 miles of the mouth. No vessils can land at Portland millions of tons if ice blocked in her.
Well Dear the first 3 days after getting back I sure thought it was all off for me but the but the last 2 nights I have slept better and have ate a little more but am awful weak but can breath lots better it hard cross Wyoming. Well I have been 4 hours writing this I am so shakey I hope your all well and to hear from good by all many thanks for Past kindness Love to all.
J.T. Delk Glen. Cullen Oreg address