| Dear Brother; We hear you are pointing our way, with a notion to visit us, please don't delay. For we are so restless and roving, I fear, the place we are may not know us next year. Don't think we're dissatisfied, that's not the case, but there's always somewhere "a much better place". That's the old song - delusion - refrain I've heard it before and may listen again. But come right along and visit the clan, and we'll make it as pleasant and nice as we can. We'll show you the wonders and sights to be seen, such fruits and such flowers and medows so green. Such whoopping tall trees, believe it or not, two looks and a squint scarely reach to the top. Such boating and fishing on fair Puget Sound, such a web-footed climate all year round. And we'll talk about Hudson, the old happy days, ere the boom and the railroad corrupted her ways. Not a sinner in town, so to give us a start, we hired JerryWhaley to act the part. And I'll tell you my plans: no longer I'll roam, but settle right down in a snug little home. A home for a young chap, I need one, 'tis true; yet I'd see the world first: I am sweet sixty-two. Our winters are mild - don't stay there and freeze, but come to the Sound and grow up with the trees. The climate alone ought to keep a man fat, such a rich juicy climate, what's better than that? Such a place to start out from to hunt for the new scenes, there's Cape Nome and Klondyke, the far Philipines; New Zealand and China and Borneo's Isle, You can reach them from here if you think it worth while. And now let me give you a bit of direction, so that when you come you can make a connection. You will land in Seattle, most everyone does it's the crank of the world that makes the wheels buzz. Take the "Sentinel" boat at the foot of Spring street, the dock is Galbraith's, the vessel is neat; The view you will have when out on the Sound, is worth a year's trip this wide world round. If it's mountains you like, there's Rainier in sight, the grandest of peaks all robed in pure white, and there's heaps of grand mountains all round the horizon, the finest old hummocks you ever set eyes on. And the Sound in itself is a spectacle rare, when the wind is just right and the sun shining fair. No lovelier waves ever frolicked in glee since Jesus went swimming in deep Galilee. And you might see a whale, for we have' em out here, and seals are quite plenty, certain times in the year. Now Colby's in sight and your journwy is o'er, don't forget to turn south when you land on the shore; just a mile from the wharf near the shore of the bay, we live by a church where they teach us to pray. And here we abide in this far distant west, in a snug little cottage that's known as "Glen Rest". Now when Amos comes out, be sure to come too, we are anxious to see you, dear brother, adieu. Your affectionate brother, Horace S. Crosby |
| Letter dated Colby, Washington, July 8, 1903, written in verse by Horace Sidney Crosby (from Puget Sound), to his half-brother Henry Willard Crosby of Hudson, Wisconsin: |