Letter from John Muir to [Florence M] Bailey, 1906 Feb 15.

(Original in possession of Mrs. Florence Merriam Bailey) Adamana, Ariz., Feb. 15, 1906. Dear Mrs. Bailey: We all thank you for your kind friendly encouraging letter. Helen is getting better but will probably be here or hereabouts another year or more. Both Wanda and I are with her most of the time the old California home is closed, though I have to go. back occasionally on business affairs. I have many pleasant memories of your father\u27s visit to Yosemite. He wanted me to go to Washington with him to take a place on some of the Geological surveys which he was sure he could get for me, but I was then only beginning my studies and was too shy and diffident to show myself in any public place. Mr. King I also remember. He gave me a small painting of a group of Yosemite oaks in their fine autumn colors. It is now in my study. As for writing I\u27ve done scarce a line since last summer\u27s sorrow-laden days, though many of the publishers keep on asking for books or magazine articles. I hope to be able to do something soon. In the meantime I am making some headway in studying the fossil forests hereabouts. They are fairly enchanting -- pine, Araucaria, Calamites, Sigillaria, tree ferns, etc. which flourished gloriously millions of years ago in the bogs and woods of the Carboniferous period. Are any of you coming this way next year? We would be delighted to show you our stony treasures. With kindest regards, Ever faithfully yours, (Signed)JOHN MUI