Dear American Family: After a silence since November 22 [sic; 27], I will now tell of our whereabouts and how we are getting along. Since my last letter, my wife has had much trouble with her heart, and a severe cold, which caused her loss of speech for three days and much inconvenience, when taken with the heart trouble. She has had to remain very quiet for some time, but is improving now. On December 18 I was permitted to attend the banquet of the Federated Brotherhood at the Presbyterian church, which was very instructive and entertaining. Dinner was at 6:30 and after that we were addressed by Dr. W.J. Wanless, a missionary from India for 35 years. Then Judge Robert H. Scott of Los Angeles, a Baptist minister spoke, the theme was “How to Help the Young and Rising Generation.” Plans and means of reaching the hearts of the young were discussed by many others, speakers from the floor, among whom was the Rev. Mr. Edmonds, pastor of the Presbyterian church at this place. The services were opened and closed with prayer. Each person present felt the wave of enthusiasm to go forth and do more and greater missionary work. Also as we listen to the good sermons which are broadcasted by means of the radio, we feel the thrill to more earnest service for the Master. Here in Southern California, there seems to be many earnest workers.

This county is growing so rapidly that some day it seems as if it will be the largest city in America. I never saw so many towns in so short a distance. Within a radius of 30 miles of Los Angeles are found Glendale, Pasadena, Sierra Madsen [sic; Madre], Monrovia, Duarte, Azusa, Glendora, Lavern [sic; La Verne], Covina, Campton [sic; Compton], Downing, Bell, Huntington Park, May Wood [sic; Maywood], Hynes, Assihime [sic; Anaheim], Orange, Norwalk, Fullerton, Sherman, Sawtelle*, Culver City, Lankershim*, Vanuys [sic; Van Nuys], and many others that I do not recall at this time.

In their building they seem to be building toward each other. If things continue as they now seem to be going a large part of southern California will be one large city. This sunny clime [sic] has drawn the attention of people from all over the world, for one can find here representatives of every nation, kindred, and tongue. As we sit here and read of the snow storms, blizzards, or the zero and far below zero weather, we do not wonder at people seeking a home where the storms do not come.

I was over to Glendora today and saw Aunt Mary Anderson, formerly of Oregon. All the older sisters will remember her well. She is getting quite old but gets around real well. I also visited S.E. Decker, who was a resident of Myrtle Point from his childhood until a few years ago. He has been sorely afflicted the past year and has not had his clothes on for seven months. Confined to his bed all these months, his heart has given away and he can not sit up; but in spite of all he seems very cheerful. I have met several others of long acquaintance. It seems every place that I go I meet some one from home and they say, “Uncle Tom, how are you?” or “Uncle Tom, are you here?” So, you see, it stands one in hand to be a good boy when away from home, as well as when at home, for he will be sure to be caught if he does not. A happy New Year to you all.

Thomas and Ada Barklow