Dear American: In my last letter I told you something about our hazardous trip to California, and now we are settled at the home of our brother-in-law, Mr. [C.E.] Boss, but as yet we have not visited many places of interest in this wonderful city of Los Angeles. I have found something to employ myself with for a little time and then we will visit some of the places of interest.

Sunday morning I went with Mr. Boss to the Presbyterian church where Reverend Mr. Edmunds spoke to a well-filled house, I think there must have been 1,000 listeners. He made use of the text Romans 1-16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,” which he handled in a very able manner. After noon we drove to Long Beach for a short visit with mother’s sister. We left Long Beach about dark, and I tell you there were many autos on the road. There were continual streams of light on these long straight roads or streets, just as far as the eye could see, on both sides of the street. There was, however, no serious trouble, Mr. Boss drove his sedan and he is quite expert in driving in the traffic. I am not at all likely to try driving in such a jam. Not only in Los Angeles, but also in Long Beach and Glendale, have built up in a wonderful manner. We hardly know where we are. Prices have raised to an enormous amount. Property that my wife could have obtained for $800 before she came to Oregon was sold not long ago for $50,000. It is hard to get a naked lot for less than $4,000 or $5,000 today.

I have been over to Los Angeles to visit with our old Coos county friends, the Dixon family. I visited with them all with the exception of Mrs. F.G. Dixon*, who is in the Big Bear valley, and has been all summer on account of poor health.

The weather here is just lovely, a little cool at night. The people want rain badly, and they sure need it, having had only a very light rainfall this winter or fall.

My wife’s health is much improved already, but we hope for still greater improvement after she has been here for a little longer time. The Boss family have a fine radio in the home, and a loud speaker, so we enjoy the music, speeches, and sermons every night from different parts of the world. It is wonderful beyond description. What shall we have next?

Will close now until next week.

Thomas Barklow