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illegible Oct. 18, 1907. Mr. John Muir, Martinez, Cal. Dear Sir:- I wish to impose on your good nature to the extent
of settling a little dispute. To begin with, I want to any that I feel as though I were acquainted with you through reading
some of your works on California and its forests, more particularly our National Parks , and through the medium of an acquaintance
with Miss Ellie Mosgrove who is a friend of my family's and who has often told me of her trip with you. Also Mr. C. F. Some,
our former bookkeeper and quite a student of botany, has often illegible to no about you. The matter in dispute came about
in this manner. I recently made a trip over the Hcoloud River Limber Company's property with come of their illegible owners
and while going through the timber they and their Manager continually referred to the Red Fir. I remarked that I thought the
trees in question were Douglas Spruce and their Manager Disputed me quite vigorously. Later on we drove down Soda Creek, which
you may recall ompties into the Sacramento River at soda Springs, and while driving along there were comments on the amount
of Red Fir in this particular tract, which was then under offer to some eastern parties. In passing one large tree in particular
I said I am quite sure this is not Red Fir but is a genuine Douglas Spruce, a close relative, if not identical with, the Douglas
spruce or Oregon Pine of Oregon and Washington. It had a heavy, black corrugated bark and very fine needles and was entirely
similar in