Transcription:
Original letter in possession of David Gilrye Muir Yosemite, Apr. 19th, 1871 . Dear Dave: I don't know anything concerning
my future course farther than that I will not return very soon, and if at any time you are near Indianapolis I wish you would
pack my things left in my room at Wm. Sutherlands on McCartney St. He works In the Hub factory. I told Dan to do this for
me, if he could make it convenient. There are (is)a lot of framed pictures. You can have one if you wish it. I am still sawing,
and will likely be here all summer. The violets are coming on the sunny places, and the oaks and Balm of Gileads are having
out their catkins, but we have occasional snow storms nevertheless, burying flowers and butterflies. I don't know from present
appearances how much money I will be able to send you this fall, or whether I shall leave California at that time. I mean
to spend a month or two on the summit peaks this summer, botanizing, sketching, and making observations on the old glaciers
which, filled all the higher basins some short time ago. I will try to obtain company, but will likely have to go alone. My
love to all. John Muir Date 1871 supplied, as Muir refers to operations in sawmill, commenced in spring of 1870, as still
continuing, and the record of his Autobiography states that he was employed by Mr. Hutchings about two years .