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2 ago some lumber men stopped here and in the course of conversation told me that very little of the timber land in the
Park belonged to the government and that within the next few months saw mills would be erected and the slaughter of the trees
begun. I do not know their names, they were evidently men of wealth and had travelled extensively, Walter Dudley who lives
above Coulterville was the one who gave me the first information about the two lots of timber land being sold and he sold
his land in the lot. These other men were evidently concerned in the deal as they were going up to go through the forest and
mark trees etc. I know that you love these trees and forests and hoped that you might be able through the Sierra Club to do
something to 3 2. save this beautiful forest to the country. I told Lyman Abbott, editor of the Outlook about the purchase
of the 26,000 acres when I met him in Yosemite but have been puzzling over what to do about the later information, until I
thought of you. Will you pardon mistakes and erasures? I am suffering from a severe headache and do not feel equal to copying
my letter, but wish it to reach you as soon as possible. The thought of writing to you just came to me. I have enjoyed your
books very much and feel that you will do something to stop this outrage if any one can. Very sincerely (Miss) Mary Helen
McLean Coulterville Calif. Bower Cave. May 31, 1904. (over) 03362