We are living in the town it is ten minutes walk to the mine I like this place better than ever I liked England. The Apple trees is growing all round the house. There is a coal bank that we were to start in when we come but it came out on strike the morning we were to start so we started where Pat is. Patent picks or copper gear is no use here the needle is 6ft long and the feeler in on the end of the jumper so it is all flat eyed picks, the best picks ever I seen.
Clean coal the[y] make the jude from 5 to 6 feet. Pat and me is working together, he met us at the station and had a house waiting furnished he had a letter from Ned McChristle Tom McChristle's brother and he was asking of any of us [had] seen Tom he is at a place called Oscole, Jimmy McHugh is here, both him and the wife send their best respects to you and the wife and family, she says you ought to [have] been her brother-in-law. The pit is idle the day, the[y] call it decoration. Doug Pat and me was in the wood this morning and we killed a young snake. Give my best respects to John and Catherine and Phillip Tole and Pat and wife and family, also Charley Doran and not forgetting the McVays, give my best respects [to] Paddy and Agnes and Larry and tell him that I will [w]rite him a letter. We had a great time when we landed here we had half a barrel of beer and plenty of spirits there is a lot of .... .... .... .... were Pat is .... so I must conclude so no ..... .... at present Pat Charley .... .... .... joins me in sending their .... love [to] yous all in the warmest manner I send my best respects to you, Tommy, Susan and John. So no more at present but I remain your affectionate brother,
John Gartland.