78-05-19 Winters  Yolo Co  Cal May 19, 1878  from EE Norton to E Damrell
Dear Grand Ma         
It has bin so long since I had a letter from you.  I thought I would write to 
you.  We are all well and hope the same with you.  I have bin thinking so much 
about you all this last week.  I am geting ready to come to see you this 
summer and think what a happy meeting it will be but I do not know what time 
will bring about.  I hope to meet you far beyond this vale of tears if I never 
meet you on earth again.  I have many near & dear friends that I some times 
hope to see.   Remember me though far away.  I want to start the 5 of August 
if I can.  I will bring Sammie with me.  he is 12 years old.  We had a hail 
and thunder storm today more thunder than I have hard at one time in Cal I 
have bin to see Alice today they are only tolerable well.  we have a good crop 
this year of wheat.  John has his hay all cut but not hauled in.  the rain 
will nearly spoile it, what will soon do to cut eary barley is ripe now.  I 
have over a hundred Turkeys and 200 Chickens this year.
One reason I have not writen to you before now was because I had so much to 
do.  I have a Chinaman now to cook wash and iron.  Pa's folks are tolerable 
well.  Ma has bin sick most of the winter but is better now.  Augustus is here 
with us. Milton is working not far away.  Andrew has gone to Humbolt but will 
be back before I start to MO so he said.  You must excuse this short letter 
for I will write again atime or two before I start.  I would like to hear from 
you before long.  if you are not able to write get Aunt Theny to write.  no 
more this time.  my love to all and a large share for yourself.  good by.
Eliza E. Norton