Scranton June 18 /71

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Dear Brother

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I received a letter from you the last of Aug. dated in April. I have written to you since but have heard nothing from you since then. I assure you that was a most welcome letter. I wish you would open out a little oftener.

Since I last wrote to you we have had a hard time here. The first of last Dec. the miners all struck on a reduction of wages and stood out till the last week in May, although they could make more than any other class of workman at the wages offered, and finally resumed work at a slightly advanced but at a less rate than they might have had, had they resumed in Jan. This being almost exclusively a mining region it almost ruined many interests by causing a stagnation of trade and business transactions. I am at least $500 the poorer than I should have been, but for this strike.

I have taken in a partner in the Photographic business, and fitted up one of the finest galleries in the State. Before this strike our business was clearing over $2500 a year and increasing. It has now greatly fallen off but I hope will soon improve again.

This is a rapidly growing city and will continue to grow unless these confounded strikes are kept up to the ruin of the place. 

If I had been smart I might have been rich now. Lots that could have been bought ten years ago for $1500 are now worth $15000, that is on the main St. Four years ago I gave $1500 for a building lot. I could have had more at the same rate and by paying a little down and keeping up the interest held them. Now those lots are selling for $3000. Last summer two lots were sold for $25000, that the owner paid $1000 for fifteen years ago, put a small house on them and lived in till now, so he had the use of them all these years and the increased value for his profit clear gain.

I wish you would write oftener whether you get letters from me or not. How far are you from the projected Dominion Pacific Rail Road? We are all well.

 

Truly your Brother

George