6 Yenangyaung, Burma, India

Feb 4, 1912
Yenangyaung Burma, India

My dear sister,
     I will now try to answer your Dec. 17th letter which I received some time ago. I am sorry you are still feeling so bad. Now Hattie, I will say this regarding the cost of treatment and service you will get of Hamilton at the hospital. While it seems a lot to lay down all at once still that is all of it. Now I fooled around with the different doctors before I went to him with Alice. And I know that I gave them all four times as much as it cost with him and then the trouble was all over with.
     I am sorry so many of the old Lancaster men are out of work right in the winter no doubt it makes times pretty hard. There certainly are a lot of the old timers dropping off. I don’t suppose it will be long before my time comes. I am not so old in years but I think this business adds ages to a man a great deal quicker than any other. You would not believe how gray my hair has become and how thin it is on top of my head. It will not be long until they will be calling me “old baldy”
     I was sick in bed all last week and just got up last evening. I had an attack of that awful dysentery that a person gets in this country. Believe me it sure takes a fellow down the pike. I did not eat a thing from Monday noon until Sat noon and I am still pretty weak today, but I am all right now.
     The weather here is just the same every day. No rain, no clouds, nothing but the sun beating down good and hot. We will have no rain until the last of next May and everything gets very dry.  There was a big fire up in the field yesterday. Six derricks burned down and about 10,000 barrels of oil went up in smoke.  No people were burnt though.
     Santy did not bring me anything. I guess he don’t know of this God forsaken country. Well “Sis” good luck and good health to you and yours with regards to inquiring friends. I will close and remain as ever.
      Bro John