Showing minor signs of age, wear and handling - mostly light toning. Expected fold creases from posting. Has a fold crease separation tear on the left edge, center (not fragile - but may detach entirely if roughly handled) Elsewhere, no major issues to note. Eye-catching legible writing. Overall, in good condition. Will display well in your collection. You will receive the exact sheet shown in the photos. It measures approx. 5 1/2" x 9"

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1910 Cameron, Montana – Handwritten Letter to S. R. Buford & Co., Virginia City – Bain Wagon Order – Patrick McDonnell An original handwritten business letter dated February 8, 1910, from Cameron, Montana, addressed to S. R. Buford & Co. of Virginia City, Montana. Written in ink on a single sheet of lined paper, the letter concerns the proposed purchase of a Bain wagon and provides an interesting firsthand account of rural Montana commerce, wagon transportation, and the cost of agricultural equipment during the early twentieth century. The letter was written by Pat McDonnell, apparently a local farmer or rancher, who requests a wagon on approval and expresses concern over the high prices being charged for such equipment. Transcription The handwritten text appears to read: Cameron Montana Feb 8. 1910 S. R. Buford & Co Virginia City Montana Gents Men Pleas Can you Send Me one wagon Tong 3¼ Bain wagon and Send your Bill and I will try and Send you the money If you Send it Please Leave it at Greens Barn and I will get it My Self as The Charges By Express is very high and oblige yours Truly Pat McDonnell The expression "wagon Tong 3¼ Bain wagon" is somewhat ambiguous. The writer may be requesting a wagon tongue for a 3¼-size Bain wagon, rather than an entire wagon. The reference to a wagon tongue is particularly significant because it would identify the requested merchandise as a replacement component rather than a complete vehicle. Historical Background – S. R. Buford & Co. S. R. Buford & Co. was a prominent mercantile establishment in Virginia City, Montana, serving the surrounding agricultural, ranching, and mining communities of Madison County. S. R. Buford was an important figure in Virginia City's commercial history, operating a substantial general merchandise and hardware business that supplied a wide variety of goods to customers throughout southwestern Montana. The firm's merchandise included agricultural implements, wagons, hardware, household supplies, and other necessities required by the region's farmers, ranchers, and merchants. Virginia City had developed rapidly following the discovery of gold in nearby Alder Gulch in 1863. Although the town's importance as a mining center diminished during the later nineteenth century, established merchants such as Buford continued serving the surrounding rural population. By 1910, businesses like S. R. Buford & Co. remained important suppliers of agricultural machinery, wagon parts, and general merchandise to customers in outlying communities. The Bain Wagon Company The Bain Wagon Company, based in Kenosha, Wisconsin, was one of America's prominent manufacturers of farm and freight wagons during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The business traced its origins to the wagon-making operations established by Edward Bain in the mid-nineteenth century. Bain wagons became widely known for their durable construction and were distributed through agricultural implement dealers throughout the United States. These wagons were especially important in western agricultural regions, where farmers and ranchers depended upon horse-drawn transportation for hauling grain, hay, livestock supplies, and other commodities. The reference to a 3¼ Bain wagon likely relates to the wagon's size or capacity classification, terminology commonly used in the wagon trade. Replacement tongues, wheels, axles, and other components were routinely supplied by local dealers to keep wagons in service. Cameron, Montana, and Local Transportation Cameron is a small community in Madison County, situated in the Madison Valley south of Ennis. During the early twentieth century, the surrounding area was devoted primarily to ranching, agriculture, and related rural activities. The letter illustrates the practical difficulties faced by residents of relatively isolated Montana communities when purchasing equipment and replacement parts. McDonnell's request that the merchandise be left at Green's Barn is particularly interesting. Rather than having the item delivered directly, he intended to retrieve it personally, apparently to avoid the expense of express transportation. His complaint that "the charges by express is very high" provides a revealing contemporary observation about transportation costs and the economics of rural commerce in 1910. The reference to Green's Barn also suggests the use of a local business or stable as an informal delivery and collection point, a common arrangement in communities where direct freight service was limited. Physical Description The letter is handwritten in dark ink on a single sheet of lightly lined paper, with the message occupying most of the upper portion of the front. The reverse is blank. The sheet retains its original horizontal folds, scattered age toning, minor handling wear, and two small punctures near the upper edge, likely resulting from an earlier filing or fastening method. Dated February 8, 1910, this correspondence provides a direct connection between the historic Virginia City mercantile firm of S. R. Buford & Co., the Bain Wagon Company, and the agricultural community of Cameron, Montana. Particularly noteworthy are the specific reference to a 3¼-size Bain wagon, the requested delivery to Green's Barn, and the writer's complaint about expensive express charges—details that illustrate the everyday practicalities of rural Montana commerce before motor vehicles had largely replaced horse-drawn wagons.

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