9. Gust. S. Klaetsch to Mr. John E. Fritsche, November 30, 1898 Canova, S.D. Nov 30 98 To J.E. Fritsche Lomira, Wis. Dear Friend John, 5 Your kind letter came to hand yesterday and was glad to hear from you again. Well now I must tell you about the big Wolf chase they had 10 out here last Saturday. there was two big grey wolves came along the Creek and so one of our neighbors boys took after them Horse back and 15 run after them for about 2 miles and then they took after them with a Horse and Buggy and they got within about 20 Rods of them when one of the 20 Boys shot at one and broke [Pg. 2] his leg and then they run them about 6 miles more when they got close enough to shoot at them with the Shot-Gun 25 when they gave him two charges more before they finished him off but it was a bouncer it weighed 50 lbs and measured 5ft from tip of nose to the end of tail. 30 Well I have changed places again I am working for Uncle Sam now. I am carrying Mail now six days out of a week, and I make a 35 round trip of 39 miles every day and I have 6 Horses to drive and I get into three different Post Offices twice every day I tell you what it is they are 40 pretty strict in that business a fellow that hauls the mail [line missing due to smudged scan] [Pg. 3] Road for anything only Mail matter, nor turn off from the 45 road. and there is nothing excuses a fellow from going except high water. Well now don't you start into fits if I tell you that I am go- 50 ing to get married next Friday evening, but so it is I am go- ing to marry a Poetess. So_ you better come and see the performance. I shall look for you 55 We reorganized our Litrary Society and will have our first-regular meeting Friday evening, we are go to have a high old time. I can promis you, we will carry out 60 a splendid Program, and then wind up with a Basket Socill so you an me are not going to let our Stomach’s suffer, I just tell you what it is! folks, out [Pg. 4] 65 here are a good deal more for getting up a little excitement then they are out in Wisconsin now we will have Litrary every two weeks and of course we have to 70 get together two or three times in between time to practice and then we have a high old time, I only wish you could be out here this winter and if 75 you would not enjoy yourself it would not be my fault, now I just promise you that. Tonight there is a Raffle in Canova, one of the boys from 80 here went but as I did not buy a number I thought it would be best for me to stay at home it is a three year old colt that is to be Raffled off. 85 I got two numbers on a Fiddle that is to be Raffled off prelly [Pg. 5] soon of course I expect to get it and then I will start to play for dances Ha. Ha. Ha. 90 Well I wish I had your Banjo out here for I know that I could sell it for you for there is a couple of Yankie out here they are both Banjo players and 95 good dancers I tell you. If I get a chance to see them I will talk them up to buying it. I am going to start to take Music lessons pretty soon 100 for I am right in the house with one of the best music teacher in the state, and the best of all is that it is a young lady into the bargain. I tell you 105 we have lots of fun some days I would get a good jacking up if she knew that I was writing about her but paper is [Pg. 6] silent. 110 Well as to that song I can not sent it for I have not got it here for my Trunk is at my old place yet but you shall have it some time or other. 115 Well you will have to excuse my poor writing for I got it right on my lap. Do as you please about the Banjo if you want to send it out here I 120 will agree to sell it for you for $6.50 for I know that I can get that for it Well now I must close for this time. give my love to 125 all the folks and don’t for- get to write to your old chum Gust. S. Klaetsch Canova S.D. 130 Canova Dec. 1st- 1898 Well I am going to let you know how the Raffle last-night the Horse went for 6 do. one fellow had 17 numbers and then 135 did not get the Horse. The violin was Raffled off too that went for 8 do but I did not get it so you see I will not be able to play for 140 dances. Well now I must go and get my team ready to go with the Mail, I am on the Road from 9 a. m. till 5.30 P. M. so you see I’m not at home 145 very much. Well so long to you for this time your Friend Gust.