Shoal Lake, N.W.T. 27 Sep 1880 Marcus Smith 2 pg letter to his wife
Lot 21 in our auction Saturday 16th October 2021
#canadarailwaysurvey #shoallake #marcussmith #nwtsurveyor
Shoal Lake N.W. Territories
Sept. 27th, 1880
My dear Wife
The last letter I had from you is dated Aug. 19th. You then expected to leave in a fortnight- The mail came in here from the east yesterday but brought no letter from you. I had however a letter from Mr. Chamberlain stating that you were expected in Ottawa that day- We have had wretched weather for six weeks past especially the last month. High winds and cold with rain overhead and swamps the men are constantly soaked to the waist almost- Our tents are always dripping and everything is damp some of us are suffering from rheumatism, and my joints are stiff. But I am otherwise well- But my long journeys are over and my work for the rest of the season lies between this and Fort Ellice (only 32 miles apart) It will however be the end of October before we finish.- There are lots of rumours about the railway syndicate and it is said Tupper and some of the delegates from England will be in Winnipeg next week- I have no other news so conclude with love to all
Yours ever
M. Smith
P.S. The weather was fine yesterday (Sunday) and to-day it is clear with a brisk breeze and keen air and we are all hoping for a dry October even if it is a little cold
M.S.
