Dear Daughter,
(Florence Cole James - before she lost her first husband, Lon - you could probably date the letter by the time of his death. Florence was a half sister to Sarah Hall - her next husband, was Henry Hall, the brother of Lee Hall). I will try to write you a few lines to let you know I am yet living. Well as can man (be). Hope you are the same. Yes, I wish I was closer to you. I might be of some benefit to you and Lon (Lon James died young - Florence was pregnant with LaRoy, his son, before he died, and gave birth after he died. Afterwards, she married Henry Hall, but LaRoy kept the James name. Lon was a cousin to Frank and Jesse James). I am sorry to know of his ailment. But what is to be will be, and we can't help it. So, write often and let me know how things are getting along and if I can, I will help along. Oh, say it is hot now! About 112 in the shade. Awful dry. Creek is drying up. We are getting along as could be expected. I was over to Sarah's (Sarah Jane Cole Hall, one of his daughters - they were living in Tulare County at the time, and at this time, John Sigel Cole had his own place up the mountain road to Camp Coffee and Camp Nelson - little town called Springfield, I think?) Sunday. They were all well, feeling fine. Ellen Hall and Will's were there too. (This would be Ellen and Will Hall, Will was Lee Hall's brother, and Ellen was Sarah's cousin - Ellen Burris was her maiden name). Lee had talked Will into bringing his family to California from Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to work on the Zumwalt Ranch - so, I guess Grandpa Lee and Grandma Sarah had moved by then, because they gave their place at the Zumwalt ranch to Will. Grandpa Lee may have been working for the Edison Light Co. by then, as one of their carpenters?) They are all well. Ellen said tell you to write to her.