Micheal's Letter to Grandfather

Michigan City, N.D.

Dec. 3, 1893

Dear Grandfather,

Because you would like to see my handwriting, I will try to send you a few lines, but I am a poor man to write because I don’t have much time for that because I have to be with my father both summer and winter. Now we have much to do outside but it has not been cold this winter. Just a little snow and no storms up to this time. We use the wagon when we go to town.

Tomorrow papa and I are going to town to sell wheat, which we hauled in earlier, but it is so little price for wheat. This fall under 50¢ a bushel. This fall we bought a new binder. It should cost $130 but they got four oxen. We sold them according to weight so we got $106. We also sold two cows and got $26 each.

Because you can’t see me, I have to tell you I have become big but not as fat as when you saw me. I am well grown and strong and I am never sick, which is good. It is soon Christmas and Mama has promised me something nice if I learn my lesson, and that makes me glad. Live well, then, dear grandfather. I hope you live long and happily.

Dearest greeting from your Micheal T. L.

Low Prices, High Costs

Land might have been less expensive than in Norway, but the cost of living was high on the plains.

"I guess I’ll send a few more lines hoping that you have received a letter with pictures that I sent to you this summer. . . News is so scarce there is nothing to write about except all is well.

Micheal is now through plowing and he has plowed 40 acres almost alone with two oxen. Now it is to haul wheat to town but it is so sorrowfully cheap. Think, only 50¢ and less for each bushel. This fall we got 900 bushels wheat and 300 bushels barley and oats. We had a threshing machine one day for $60, so it is expensive work here in Dakota. There was a time this fall they paid $2 a day with the machines so the farmer has to pay a lot again.

We bought a self-binder this fall and paid $130. From us they got four oxen, for which they gave $106, and the rest he paid with cash. You might know, grandfather, that Micheal was a big man when he got to sit on the new binder and drive it.

Father and Anna shocked so we do not have to hire anyone for work because the children are so big and strong that they work like grown people. So we have it good with that too lately."