Letters

Correspondence Letters

The letters archived here represent approximately eleven years of correspondence between Felch and Marsh. Writing almost weekly during the duration of the dig, Felch used the letters to update Marsh on the latest fossil discoveries, discuss business matters, and relate any current events in his life affecting his progress at the Quarry. Marsh wrote less often, usually offering advice to Felch on how he might improve his progress at the Quarry.

By reading these letters, one gains an immediate respect for Felch and his dedication to Marsh despite setbacks such as lack of funding, extreme weather conditions, absence of proper training, and other personal hardships.

These letters depict events in Felch's life, both professional and personal, between 1881 and 1892. Not only do they provide a framework of insight into who Felch was but also offer a glimpse of what life was like during the nineteenth century on the western frontier.

These letters are summarized by year and have been further summarized by one person out of only a handful of people who has read the letters. The synopses may be biased at times, but as this is as much a story as it is a fact, it is hard not to judge the situations that surfaced those long ago years with "outside" eyes. The reader will quickly find people living in these letters and will probably find their own interpretation of the events which transpired throughout them. We want you to enjoy this story most as it is written by those who lived it.