Transcription:
Martinez, Dec. 19, 1901 Dear Mrs Bidwell, It is delightful to see your handwriting once more read your messages. Our Heavenly
Father be praised my dear friend that you have been led through so great manifold trials with strength renewed, fresh in heart
with sympathies as quick farreaching as when first we met long years ago with your noble husband sister, Sir Joseph blessed
Asa Gray his wife. Ive wandered far since then through forests moutains on both sides of the Continent but to none of my excursions
do I look back with dearer happier remembrances than