The following letter was sent to Mr. and Mrs. William Dulaney Eggers (Callie L. Shoun Eggers). Linda Viel has the origional letter. [info added] La Crosse, Wash.
Oct. 10, 1899

Dear Cousins,

No doubt you are wondering why I do not write to you, and I could give you lots of excuses, but will not take time and space for very many. My husband got hurt very badly two week ago, and I have not done very much since except wait on him. he was hauling lumber and was thrown from his wagon and the hind wheel ran over his leg, and mashed it so badly I was afraid he would haft to have it taken off, but the Dr. dressed it and it is doing very well. I think fall of the year is the worst time for a family to come west you would be on expence till spring. wood will cost from 4 to 5 dollars a cord. It is eleven miles to our nearest store and PO. one-half mile to the nearest R.R. Station, the R.road runs through our place. Wheat is selling for 48 cents a bushel now. Prices vary from 30 thirty to seventy five cents. flour is worth $1.75 & 200 per hundred, bacon is high just now from 12 1/2 to 18 cents dried fruit from five to fifteen cents a pound. Wool is from 8 to 12 cents per pound. I never bought any yarn for less than seventy five cents a pound coffee is from 12 to 25 cents Sugar 5 to 7 1/2 Rice seven to ten soda 10 cents. dry goods are about the same as there probly a fraction higher, it is impossibl for me to write you a correct idea of this Country, the land is not level in this state, but most of it is rich. There is no timber in this part of the state. the best land has been taken up, though there is some good land here yet, but no water on it, wells go from 20 to 100 feet deep. Wages on farm are one dollar a day and board. JOHNIE & RALPH have taken land about three miles from us. they are well and like this country so much. It would pay you to bring all the flat cloth with you that you want for there is no such thing as a loom or spining wheel in this country. The name of our nearest R. road station is Hay. Give my love and best wishes to COUSIN MAKE [?? Macon L. Shoun son of Samuel E. Shoun] How is dear little DICK I felt so much sympathy for him when I was there. I would not advise any one there with a good home to break up and come here, but this Co. is far ahead of that one for poor working people to take a start in. (I do not say it to brag, but just to give you some idea of the country) When we got here we only had 40 dollars and now we would not take less than three thousand for our place and stock we have sixty five head of cattle only four horses. I will close and get supper.

As ever your cousin
AMANDA

Submitted by and used with permission of Linda Viel

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