(A letter from Great-Grandfather Jenkins to our Grandmother Rue advising her on how to make the trip west.)

Spokan Falls, Wn Territory Nov. 1, 1881

My Dear Daughter,

I wrote you yesterday in reply to your dispatch-- and, upon further consideration, I am satisfied to say come-- .

First, set a day for starting from Logansport to Chicago and the Train you propose to go on, and then write to George to know if he will meet you at the Depot and say to him that if his answer is he will-- for him to be on hand, for you are coming. Then let him get your tickets and secure a berth in a sleeping car and see you safely off to Frisco.

Once under way, do not be too free or talkative, but reserved. Remember that the very ones whose acquaintance is objectionable are the very ones most forward to form your acquaintance. It is easy to form acquaintance, but not so easy to get clear of objectionable characters after once admitting them on terms of social equality.

In course of a day or so, I think you will have no trouble in forming the acquaintance of persons unobjectionable, and if you can find such acquaintance among the passengers coming to Portland, Oregon, so much the better.

Before arriving at Frisco, you can find out some Hotel where some of your traveling acquaintances are going to stop, and you can go with them-- and at the Hotel they can inform you when the next passenger steamer leaves for Portland-- and I think you can get the clerk at the Hotel to send to the steamboat office and get you a ticket-- securing passage and a berth. Said clerk will also order a Hack to take you to the Portland steamer, and, once aboard, the officers will show you your room. You will probably be sick and if so, better give the stewardess $2 to $5 for extra attention.

When or before arriving at Portland, if you have not formed the acquaintance of any passengers going to a Hotel, ask anyone for the Hack to the Esmond Hotel or Clarendon. On getting there, go to the Lady's Parlor and send for the clerk and tell him you want to come to Spokan Falls, Washington Territory, and request him to send out and get your tickets.

Now that is all except to have said clerk send you to the proper Boat in a Hack. The Boat leaves early in the morning and you will have boats and cars all the way here-- and by following the instructions here given as near as you can, I think you will have no trouble and will get here the latter part of this month.

Love to your Uncle and Aunt.

Affectionately yours

D. P. Jenkins