Dick family letters

I wanted to share these two letters that were sent to me by Dan Dyer.  They were written to Morris Dick -- one from his sister in law, Mary Eleanor Pratt Dick, and the other by his half brother, Ballard Dick:

Transcript of letter from Ballard Dick to Morris Dick 18 July 1899. Scanned copy of letter e-mailed to Stephanie Chidester Bradshaw from Dan Dyer on 22 February 2011.
"Winchester Ky
July 18 1899
My Dear Brother
I will write you a few times this evening to let you know that I am not well but hope you are all well. My health has been failing me for some time and my means are about exhausted and I am advised to go to the mountains for my health and thought I would ask you to send me some money to help pay my way while gone out there if you will send me som oney I will try and collect money and send it back to you as soon as I get back Just send me what ever amount you are amind to
Write me at
Winchester Kentucky
Clark County
from your Bro
Ballard Dick"

______________________________

Transcript of letter from Mary Eleanor Pratt Dick to Morris Dick 21 Feb 1890. Scanned copy of letter e-mailed to Stephanie Chidester Bradshaw from Dan Dyer on 22 February 2011.
"Grub Gulch Feb 21st 1890
Mr Morris Dick
Dear brother, I have thought so often of writing to you since I left there nearly 14 years ago but kept putting it off until now; I feel it a duty to write you a few lines to inform you of poor Joe's death. He died last sunday morning. 16th he had not been well for sometime when he took Lagrippe and it went into Pneumonia and he did not take proper care of himself. never gave up as long as he could go. I am left with four children to support as best I can
Poor fellow he has acted very impudent [?] for some years and consequently had nothing to leave to me
Our little girl that was born over there on your ranch just 14 years ago today died at sixteen months of age. My eldest girl is nearly twelve years old; we have but one boy the baby he was six in Jan. he is very much like your little Bob was every one thinks he looks so much like his papa.
I have been very poorly myself with this terrible complaint scarcely able to get about, I could not attend Joe's funeral on acct of it; for it was such stormy weather. He leaves lots of friends every body liked him
Where is Lewis? If I knew his where abouts I would write to him
Now you must write to me and tell me how you are getting along and about the children
I will address to Coleville
Hoping this may reach you and to hear from you soon
Yours truly
Mary E. Dick
Grub Gulch
Fresno Co Cal"

Envelope:
"Grub Gulch, Cal
Feb 21 1890
Morris Dick, Esq.
Coleville, Mono Co., Cal [this line of address crossed out]
Willow Ranch Modock Co C
Willow Ranch
Mar . . . 1890 Rec'd"

______________________________

I was also excited when I came across this photo that is assumed to be of Morris Dick on Dan Dyer's family tree on ancestry.com.  I've never seen a photo of my 3rd grandfahter, Lafayette Dick, so it's cool to be able to see one of his brother.