A LETTER FROM D.H. HEYWOOD, A PROMINENT COLORADO SURVEYOR

A letter from D.H. Heywood, prominent Colorado surveyor, to his brother, informing him what dry goods sell in Colorado. "I think all kinds of cheap heavy clothing will sell here - all wool and cotton and wool mixed. ALS, 2 gs, 8 x 10 inches. The letter in full is: 1. Denver Colorad0 - March 10th, 1868 (written vertically) Tuesday Evening. Six 6 oclock. I am usually well. Cool weather and Some Snow. Alonzo P. Haywoode Shreaveport, LA. Dear Brother A. __. I will drop you a few lines this P.M. and will say that I think all kinds of Cheap heavy Clothing will sell here. All wool and Cotton and Wool mixed. Sattenets Union Goods low priced goods usually pay as good a profit as high Cost goods. Fur and wool hats Some good ones will Sell Black and dark colors are the best for this market. Medium and wide brims will Sell and all kinds of heavy Shirts wool and cotton and wool Ribbed Mixes good color heavy Pants sell well all kinds and com. heavy coats are what the people want in the mountains all kinds of Cotton and Wool Socks Sell wel here and retail all the way from two bits to a dollar per pr. I counsel you not to go in much on price goods and what comes under the head of dry goods you will be very liable not to hit the market right here. Some Boots & Shoes would Sell, but I fear your goods in that market in this line of Merchandise will not suit this trade. Some nice plain ____ Com. Boots Womens will sell and also ___ ones plan and Some Tiped Glove Tip and Patent Tip. also Women's good glove kid will sell, good Style S. Sole Each kind a general assortment of Mens Nos and Childrens Boats & Shoes will Sell proving Suited and the market. We have a fair Stock of Goods on hand though not large and can make room for more at anytime. Can See money in them Mens Boots Sell at retail here for from 4 to 10 $ per pair and __ Shoes from 2 to 6$ per pr and Childs from four bits to one dollar. prints are Selling at retail from 15-20 cts per yd. I think Sheeting will Sell well here a good common article. I don't know the price but it will Sell at a profit I think above Eastern prices N.Y. and the "Hub". I disremember whither I gave your the address of a young man in Cheyenne which is A.W. Hutchinson. I think he is City Engineer of Cheyenne and in Case you Come that way look him up and tell him who you are and that I requested you to call on him. he Can tell you all about Cheyenne from its Infancy & up to date of your arrival. I toke him to be a good relible fellow. I have known him for two or three years in the mountains. Yours Truly - D.H.Heywood. D.H. Heywood was a surveyor hired by the United States government to survey the area around present-day Chafee County, Colorado bewteen 1860 and 1865. As compensation for his services, Haywood claimed 820 acres around a hot spring, and with his wife subsequently opened the Heywood Hot Sprints House, a hotel and eating establishment. Rates at the hotel were $10.00 a week and bath tickets were $3.00 per dozen. Heywood sold the property in 1882 and after cycling through various owners, the hotel was torn down by 1951. The pool and part of the bath houses survive to this day. The letter is very legible and in vg cond.