Creator

Luther B. Yaple

Creator

Luther B. Yaple

Recipient

John Muir

Transcription

LUTHER B. YAPLE,
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW,
ROOMS 7 AND 8, HOWSON BLOCK.

Chillicothe, Ohio, Nov. 15, 1895.[/89?]

Mr. John Muir, Esq.,
Martinez, Cal.

Dear Sir;-

Upon my desk lies your book, "The Mountains of California", which I have just read and re-read with the greatest possible interest. Your book is so delightful, and I am so much pleased and in-instructed by it, that I felt I should express to it's author my gratitude and add my voice and word to the many who have doubtless ere this, expressed to you personally and by letter, their high appreciation of the book. Upon my application to them therefor, your publishers, The Century Co., kindly furnished me with your address, ad and I find that you are in the glorious land you have so beautifully described. Your descriptions of your trip to and ascent of Mt. Ritter, of the sunrise and sunset - the Alpenglow - in the mountains - the wind-storm in the forests - the water ouzel, the paragraph beginning near the bottom of page 78 and ending near bottom of page 79, are excellent, and the whole book "each and every part thereof", as we lawyers say, is, to me, one of the best and most helpful I have ever read. I love the mountains, and best of all, not the traveled tourists routes and places, but the untrodden, unexplored part, back and away from civilization and the haunts of men. The summer of 1893, I spent in Yellowstone National Park, last summer in Jackson's Hole at the foot of the Grand Teton. I did not get away this summer, but must next. I had intended penetrating, on my next trip, into the heart of the Big Horn and Bitter-Root Mountains, in north-western Wyoming. Your book almost inclines me to change my plan and visit the Yosemite region next. I have had the Yosemite trip in mind, but, before reading your book, had not contemplated visiting it in the near future. From the glorious enthusiasm they aroused in you, a true and passionate lover of mountains and nature, I imagine I would River, more inspiring and beautiful than the Big Horn and the Bitter-Root ranges.
While appreciating the fact that I have no right to expect an answer from you, yet, if you could find time to write at least a short letter, advising me as to which, in your opinion, are the better, the Sierra or the Bitter Root and Big Horn ranges, I would greatly appreciate it, and a letter from you. This question, of course, is predicted on the assumption that you have some acquaintance with the Rocky fit. ranges. I, a total stranger to you, make bold to write you, because you are one of us who love mountains for themselves alone, who love nature and everything she has made, and because you have a heart and mind attuned to every sight and sound

02049

LUTHER B. YAPLE,
AJTTORNEY AND COUN8ELOR AT LAW,
ROOMS 7 AND 8, HOWSON BLOCK
.[illegible]189

Mr, J M.2.

she presents. You have revealed yourself in your book and, loving intensely the same things you do, I have for you, that kindly interest and brotherly feeling, which we naturally have and feel for a brother lover of nature.
With apologies to you for the length of this letter, and again thanking you for your noble book, I remain ( I will not say awaiting a reply, for I have no right to expect it, out certainly hoping for one),

Yours very respectfully & sincere

[illegible]

02049

Location

Chillicothe, Ohio

Date Original

1895 Nov 15

Source

Original letter dimensions: 27 x 20.5 cm.

Resource Identifier

muir08_1283-let.tif

File Identifier

Reel 08, Image 1283

Collection Identifier

Online finding aid for the microform version of the John Muir Correspondence http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt0w1031nc

Copyright Statement

Some letters written to John Muir may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Owning Institution

Holt-Atherton Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library. Please contact this institution directly to obtain copies of the images or permission to publish or use them beyond educational purposes.

Pages

2 pages

Keywords

Environmentalist, naturalist, travel, conservation, national parks, John Muir, Yosemite, California, history, correspondence, letters

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