Burtis House. Corner Perry and Fourth Streets. J. J. Burtis, Propietor.
Davenport, Iowa, Sep. 2nd 187_ [1] My. Dear. Sam.I am very sorry old fellow that you should act as you have. but I am glad that it happened as it did. for as I was about to place you in a very responsable position. but I would have made a fearful mistake. as I see you are like most of the prail prairie boys. tangle foot gets away with you—And I will have no one with me thats liable to let whisky get away with
Burtis House. Corner Perry and Fourth Streets. J. J. Burtis, Propietor. Davenport, Iowa _________ 187_
him. in this business a man must be perfectly reliable and sober. You had better stick to writeing old fellow. then if you want to have a little tare you will infuse no one but your self. I beleive the trip this season would have done you good. but then if you had of come with me I fear we could not have agreed long. for the first time you got off it would have settled it with me. Now. good luck to you. I hope you may do well
and make lots of money[?] with the Pen.
Still your friend.
Cody
- Des Moines. Iowa Sep. 9
- Peoria, Ills 13
- Quincey, Ills 20
- St Louis, Mo. 22 to 28th
Bill [2]
Note 1: Cody did not include the year in this letter's dateline, but the listing of dates and places on page 3 matches known performances of the Buffalo Bill Combination during the 1879 season. [back]
Note 2: The list of show dates for the Buffalo Bill Combination and the second signature were written in pencil, while the rest of the letter is in ink. [back]
