Fort Saskatchewan - June 14, 1904
(Business letter to father)

Well Mr. Bowsfield has a homestead about 2 miles down the river. I was asking him about the land round here. Well, he says that he has to pass through 80 acres on his way down there that belongs to the Hudson Bay or C.P.R., he does not know which. He says it is splendid land. It is beside the river and is or will be beside him when he goes down. He says it may be going for about $5 per acre. I think it would be a very wise investment. It is worth far more to me there beside him than if I got a free grant some distance away. He has told me I am to consider his house as my home and he will give me a thorough knowledge of Canadian farming. He is a very nice man. He says that 80 acres of good land well worked are better than 160 free because there is generally some swampy and bad land in the free grants. I would like you to let me know what you would think of this and how far you would go. Of course I could pay in yearly installments with interest but Mr. B says I might get it cheaper if I paid down. He has a cousin in power he says that may ba able to do something. 

We will be going out in his boat to get some fish he says some evening soon. I went into the Fort and got a straw hat and a pair of top boots so as I would not get  wet walking through the wet grass. I do not want to get wet and have rheumatism.  I so miss all the family in good old Ireland. 

Harold