I got your letter, which I appreciate.

If the monument on Mitchell's Peak be built, the railroad companies that are interested in the development of this country must contribute substantially. I have thought that the Southern Railway, the C. C. & O., the Black Mountain Railway, and that your railroad would all make good contributions. I appreciate the offer made by you that Pearley and Crockett would haul material to the top of the mountain free of charge, but there will be very little material to haul. The monument should be erected of the granite on the mountain. It should be a structure that will stay there for ages. It ought to be so built that people can ascend to the top and thereby command to better advantage the magnificent view. It ought greatly to add to the attractiveness of the mountain, to be large enough and high enough to enable people to see it from a distance, and thereby identify this mountain from others. What do you think that your company can contribute? You have a fortune in this thing if properly managed, and I think that you realize it.

I hope that you are enjoying the holidays.