( Authors note: the logging camp Nagram was named for the Morgan lumber company and was the Morgan name spelled backwards. It’s location is now within the Green River Watershed for Tacoma, WA)

Nagram Wash.
Aug. 28, 1913

Dear Friend:

Hello Mae: How are you this fine evening? I am feeling pretty good except that I am so lonesome I got your letter last evening and kneedless to say I was glad to get it. It came just when I was feeling a little more lonesome than usual and I tell you it made the world look brighter.

I am so sorry you are having such a time with your teeth and hope you are better now. I know the toothach isn’t much fun, though I have never had any of it so far.

Well I am back in the woods again. Have been here a week ago last Sunday.  Am working at the same old job and like the place fine except that I am all alone here among strangers not a man in camp that I ever saw before. It sure is a nice place here at this time of the year. It is so high up in the mountains that it never gets very warm.

Since been here the weather has been lovely neither to warm nor to cool just like it is other places later in the fall. Quite different from the weather you are having in Wyoming isn’t it? My I wish you could be here to get a fine breath of this pure mountain air and a few drinks of ice-cold mountain water. I know you would enjoy it so much and there is so much of both going to waste.

The scenery here is fine too. The camp is located in the upper end of the Green River Canyon shut in on all sides by high ridges and higher peaks. Last Sunday I hadn’t much to do so I put in the time climbing to the top of one of the highest peaks around this part. It took two hours of hard climbing to reach the top but the view from there was worth it’s cost. I haven’t the language to describe to you the beauty of the view that spread out before me. I could see for miles in all directions but could see nothing but high mountains and deep canyons.  Three snow peaks were in sight. Mount Rainer and Adams and Mt. Baker to the north. On the highest point of the peak I was on I found a little bunch of blue flowers. They were growing right out of the bare rocks and in a place where it was dangerous to go. But I wanted to get them to send to you so I took the chance and it came near being the last thing I ever did on this earth for I stepped on a loose rock and came darn near going over a high cliff but I got the flowers and here they are.

On the return trip I found a patch of huckleberries and stopped and ate all I could hold of them. My but they were good, wish you could have had some of them.
If the weather is fine next Sunday I am going to climb to the top of another peak farther up the canyon, which is quite a lot higher than one I climbed last Sunday. It is the one that shows in the picture card I sent you.  Next time I write I will tell you about my trip up there.
Roy

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September 5, 1913

Dear Diary,

I am taking a few minutes to write as I don’t want to get out of the habit. I am in Aladdin helping Bert take care of Mrs. Marchant and Sadie. Oh My, they have both been so sick. It’s the La Grippe I guess.  Both were helpless for a couple of days.  I am happy to say they are both on the mend now.  Sadie is bouncing back faster than Mrs. Marchant but I guess that is to be expected when you are her age. I surely hope she doesn’t over do it now that she is some better. I got a letter from Roy this week.  The mail arrives in Aladdin first, so I got it a day early.  He is in a logging camp up in the mountains. He sent me the sweetest little blue flowers. I am going to keep them right here on this page along with the letter.  But I hope he doesn’t go climbing anymore mountain peaks. Logging is dangerous enough; I don’t need to fret about him falling over a cliff along with a tree falling on him.

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Sept 6, 1913

Dear Diary,

I’ve just a few minutes to. Last night I got word that Daniel is sick now and Mama could use my help. Sadie seems well enough to manage now so Bert is going to take me back home as soon as the morning chores are done. I made sure to to leave a hearty breakfast for everyone and I got all the fixings together for Sadie to make a pot of stew later and did a quick clean-up.

——————————————————————————————————————————-September 10, 1913

Dear Diary,

Oh, my has Daniel ever been sick. He had a high fever for three days straight. His lungs were so congested he could barely breathe. Mama and I took turns sponging him down trying to get his fever down. Along about the third night I thought we might lose him but come morning he rallied and the fever broke. Poor little chap is still weak but feeling much better.  Mama and I have been spooning him sips of rich broth to get his resistance back up.  I’ll sure be happy when I can see him out riding his pony again.

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September 17th, 1913

Dear Diary,

Goodness the last time I wrote I thought I was just about done with my nurse maid duties but no sooner did I think that than Mama and Hazel took sick with the same thing Daniel had. Only they weren’t quite so sick. Still they took to bed for several days which meant I was doing all the cooking, cleaning and tending to things. I sure hope Papa and I escape it.

I still haven’t heard if Roy is going to accept our invitation to visit this winter.  The waiting is driving me crazy.

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September 20th, 1913

Dear Diary,

It’s the first day of fall but it looks more like the first day of winter. I am sitting near the window watching big fluffy snowflakes fall.  Can you believe that? Summer has barely ended, and we have two or three inches of snow already.

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Sept. 26th,

Dear Diary

Unlike the last time I wrote I am sitting out in the yard feeling the warmth of the sun on my shoulders. It feels so warm and wonderful. I’m happy to report all the snow melted fast and we are back to normal fall weather.

Mama and I decided it was a sign we needed to get busy and finish with harvesting the rest of the tomatoes. We have spent the last 2 days picking what is left in the garden and getting it stored in the cellar or canned for this winter. I have to say our pantry shelves look so nice lined with all those colorful canned goods. We should have plenty to eat this winter.

I got a letter from Roy yesterday. I was so glad to hear from again especially since he accepted my invitation to visit. He said he wasn’t just sure when the logging would end for the season, it all depends on the weather, but he expects to be here by Christmas. And he also sent me a likeness of himself. He said he had it taken the last time he was in Puyallup but just got them in the mail from his Mother. It was so nice to see his face again. I’ve tucked it safely under my pillow so it can be the first thing and last thing I see each day. I’ll write more later. Vera has just galloped up here on her horse. I’ve got so much to share with her now.

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Sept. 27, 1913
Mona Wyo
Dear Friend,
Well Roy just got your letter yesterday, but it has been here for a few days.  I was down to Aunt Sadies for over a week and just got home yesterday.
Aunt Sadie was sick and so of course I have go. I can’t stand unless I do so went down and then after I was there a few days Daniel got sick and I nearly worried my self to death over him and then Hazel got sick so I just came. Aunt Sadie is lots better tho. Hazel is better to now.  I sure hope I don’t get down but am afraid I will.

I got your picture and can’t tell how pleased I was and think it is pretty good of you only I don’t think you are so fleshy as you were when I last saw you are you?
You must be working to hard. You must be careful. I am glad you like that place it must be nice there.  It is always so nice and green while it is so dry and brown here.
You must have had a nice on that trip to the mountain.

We sure had a cold spell. I almost froze it snowed to quite a bit sure looked like winter. Mama is shelling beans today and Daniel want me to help too. Vera was here yesterday when I got home was sure glad to see her. I can’t stand it long with out seeing her. I sure think lots of her.

I think it would be better for you to move than to try to move the states for we would have quite a time.
I am glad you like your partner. And hope you always get along good.  But I would like to see you but don’t hurt your arm find some other way. I never forget the time we picked berries or never will I don’t think.  I would like to hear from Lida and Blanche.  We got a letter from Aunt Kit the other day she is pretty good to write.  I wrote to Aunt Ann if she don’t write I never shall write again if it a hundred years yet so see how I am.

Sunday 28
Well Roy I will finish today. I suppose you will look for this a few days before it gets there as I wasn’t home a have done the best I knew how. Well I cannot stop hoping to hear from you soon.

Mae Phillips