Title:
Letter from John Muir to Louie [Strentzel Muir], [1885 Aug 12].
Creator:
John Muir
Publisher:
University of the Pacific Library Holt-Atherton Special Collections. Please contact this institution directly to obtain copies
of the images or permission to publish or use them beyond educational purposes.
Contributor:
Louie [Strentzel Muir]
Date:
[1885 Aug 12]
2008
Type:
Text
Format:
Image/jpeg2000
Identifier:
muir05_0349-md-1
Source:
Original letter dimensions: 33 x 21.5 cm.
Language:
eng
Coverage:
Sissons Station, [Calif]
Rights:
Copyrighted
The unpublished works of John Muir are copyrighted by the Muir-Hanna Trust. To purchase copies of images and/or obtain permission
to publish or exhibit them, see
http://library.pacific.edu/ha/forms
Muir-Hanna Trust
1984
Transcription:
Sissons Station, Wednesday. Aug.12, 1885 3 P.M. Dear Louie, Here is snowy Shasta once more and how fresh and inspiring
and immortal it seems. Not even my first view impressed me so much. I saw its icy sculptured summit looming above the sugarpine
woods this morning at half past four, just before reaching Sissons. We reached Delta at 7:40, and took the stage at 8 o'clock
and bumped and rumbled all night. Yet I stood the trip well and had but little pain of any kind. I went to bed and get a half
hour's sleep; could not sleep longer on account of strange noises. I mean to sleep tonight, get up at half past three tomorrow
morning to take the stage for Oregon. The one day's rest and sleep seemed absolutely necessary, as I was used up by sheer
fatigue. The house is full of guests. Sissons were all glad to see me, and quite a number of the guests knew and welcomed
me. How green are the meadows and cool and deep the streams, and how boundless the wealth of woods; and the vast icy cone,
how impressively it charms and draws. Never while I live will this mountain love die. I suppose it will only bring reproach
to confess that though on the way to see my aged mother and father and sisters and brothers and old friends and neighbors,
I still feel a strong draw ing to the wilderness impelling me to leave all and linger here. But I will not -- putting away
the temptation as a drunkard would whiskey, and I shall make all the haste I can, both away and back. If I should seem to
move slowly you may be sure that I cannot help it, as this excitement of travel makes me weaker than I seemed at home, though
I am much better today than I expected. Take particular care of yourself and the baby, and that will be so much off my mind.
Several people asked me if I had a photograph of Wanda and seemed very curious to see what manner of girl she was. I hope
grandma is getting better and that the Doctor will not allow the affairs of the ranch that I have left to worry or fatigue
him. I left the city with about 225. and I am afraid this may be too little. So Sisson will let me have 50, more, and I want
you to send him fifty by Wells Fargo, charges paid. His address is: J. H. Sisson, Sisson's Station, Berryvale, Siskiyou
Co. You of course understand this fifty dollars is to be sent to Mr. Sisson, not to me, as I will be away. I saw Fitch
and all the Bulletin folks before I left. They want some letters, but I'm too sleepy today for anything. Mr. Gregory's brother
is here for his health. He enquired kindly for grandma and the Doctor. No particular hurry about that money for Sisson, but
send it within a day or two of your receipt of this, and if you want more out of the bank send me a few blank checks. Ever
yours truly, JOHN MUIR