Spelling and grammatical errors are retained, and illegible sections are indicated by _____. Clarifications are added in parentheses.
Friday A.M. Rosita May 13th 1882
My Dear Matty
Yours of the 4th was Recd yesterday I was so Glad to hear from you but verry sorry to hear you were Suffering with Bronchitis The big Snow Storm is over weather Clear and Bright, heavy frosts & Ground frozen this morning I am feeling much Better only I am verry week yet, and wont gain any strength until I get lower down I hope _____ this your health has Improved I had Expected to _____ home last Wednesday, but I am doomed to disappointment I have not sold out yet and see but Little Chance to sell there no money hear now, to invest in mines. verry Many of the Best Buisnefs houses have discharged all their clerks & closed doors as there is nothing for them to doo, times are So hard I will I will return home Just asoon as I can I want to Leave hear so verry Badly my Lungs are Teribly Shatered up I have taken so much cold since being sick verry many are Dying from fever & measles, in the mountains a Horrible place for one to spend their Last moments I dont see why you do not get my Letters I write you two or three per week I hope we will soon meet I feel so discouraged I can hardly write to you Jack is going South Soon in to a better climate _____ ______ ______ him up a ranch I hear and is planting potatoes wont do much as he is too Lazy to attend to the calls of nature (several lines of writing become smaller, more hastily rendered, and are illegible, letter resumes on back with legible script) All the Horses in this country are down with pink Eye & Lung feverI hope to bee with you soon Respects to Enquiring friends I have had a fearfull time of trying to hold on to Life I doo wish I could love these mountains I doo hate to see the coaches Leave Every day for the East, and not be able to go with them, write me often
Ever yours
H McKay
P.S. yours of the 13th was Recd Containing ten dollar Bill thank you Matty
The Rosita Museum 