77-04-08  Winters Cal  April 8th 1877  from E.E. Norton  to E Damrell
Dear Grand Ma          
It has been so long since I heard from you I thought I would write to you.  
hopeing you are well. but have had many fears that you was not well enough to 
write.  but still trust that you are the land and the living.  for my great 
desire is to see you once more.  I have nothing of great importance to write. 
 We was at Pa's yesterday.  they are all well.  Sam & Alice was there two they 
was well.  Andrew & Milton is in Collusa County.  they are going to Humbolt 
this summer but will Come back this fall.  Bud is here today is well as usual.
We have had but little rain this last winter. His places and crops will be 
short.  Summer followe will make wheat.  but winter sowing will be a failier 
unless we have rain soon.  the most of John's wheat is summer follow and looks 
well.  we exspect to have short crops for two years and then we may exspect 
good ones, that is the way the seasons run here.  every 7th year is almost and 
entire failier in parts of this state.
Southern California is suffering from the drouth now.  those that have stock. 
 We do not keep much stock.  two cows and some hogs.  they are prophetable and 
8 work horses, it does not pay for a small farmer to keep surples stock.  I 
thought I would have had our Picture for to send you before this time but have 
not bin where to get them.  15 miles is the nearest photograph Gallery to us. 
 I entend to send them as soon as I can.
I am sorry that I have waited so long to write to you for I know you are old 
feble, to write much but I am allways so glad to get a letter from you.
I allways have so much work to do I can hardly find time to write.  I have not 
had any help since last summer except one of Uncle Bile Norton's little girl 
she has ben here every since last August.  we will send her home soon.
My baby is walking and gets in every thing he can.  he is 13 months old.  He 
has blue eyes.  the rest of the Children all have black eyes.  Sammie & 
Charlie is going to school.  we live one mile from the school house.
the rail road goes clost by the school on our land.  I will all ways have a 
fear about the cars and the children.  It looks nice to see the cars running 
along, but there is great danger of fire in the summer when every thing is so 
dry.  the road just being built now it runs north from where we live and the 
next town is cald Madison.  I wish I was ready to go back and make all of my 
friends a visit in MO I exspect to if I live and health permits.  I will close 
this time hopeing to hear from you soon.  my love to all enquireing friends 
and a thousand good wishes for your self.  This leaves us well and hope the 
same with you.  Eliza E. Norton