January 5 Tuesday – Colonel Andrew S. Burt wrote to Sam (four half pages, typed) from Ft. Missoula, Mont., having rec’d his two-page letter and inscribed copy of LM . Burt sent family sentiments, told of opening the wrapped book at Christmas and asked when Sam might return to Ft. Missoula.

What are you “hard at work” at now? What a steam engine you are! Mrs. Clements [sic], don’t you let a day go by but that you make him walk out in the open air. If you have to drag him from his desk, you on one side and Clara on the other. Oh yes, Mark, I’m a martyr to the blamed Drs. Telling me I must exercise, mustn’t smoke, nor eat batter cakes and syrup! The old frauds you call them in. They worm out of you your various pleasures in life. Then its you mustn’t practice any of those things for sure. Drs. are saintly villains [MTP].