Quarto (ca. x cm or x in). 2 pp. Brown ink on yellow lined wove paper with the printed letterhead of the “Oneida Live Stock Company, Bingham County, Idaho Territory.” Fold marks, light damp stain in the lower left corner, but otherwise a very good letter, written in a legible hand.

Historically interesting autograph manuscript letter urging a top Montana businessman to invest in land property in Port Townsend, Washington State.

Port Townsend, once dubbed the "City of Dreams," was expected to become the largest West Coast harbor with its promising early seaport and planned railroad extensions. However, the depression and the Northern Pacific Railroad's failure to reach Tacoma halted its growth, leading to a rapid economic decline by the late 1890s.

The author, Butte pioneer Louis Lienemann (1852-1935), wrote this letter during a time of optimistic prospects for Port Townsend and addressed it to his friend Theodor H. Kleinschmidt (1839-1913) in Helena, Montana. Originally from Prussia, Theodor moved to Helena in 1864 and quickly became the town’s leading financier. He co-founded the First National Bank of Helena, served three terms as mayor, and had his hand in utilities, merchandising, mining, and livestock ranching.

In the letter to Kleinschmidt, the author introduces “Mr. McIntyre” (apparently of McIntyre & Plum), a real estate agent from Port Townsend and promotes lucrative investment opportunities in the area. Louis vouches for McIntyre's reliability and the potential of his proposals, claiming he made “a good big profit” from their recent land deal. He also asserts the Port Townsend’s strategic value as the future terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad, guaranteeing “big and safe profits” for investors. Overall, historically interesting letter from the early promising days of Port Townsend.

The text of the letter: “Dear Sir! Bearer of this, Mr. Mcintyre, wishes to have an introduction to you for business purposes only, and as I have no other way of introducing him to you, I take this method in taking the liberty of addressing you with a few lines. Mr. Mcintyre is a Real Estate man from Port Townsend, Washington, of the firm of Mcintyre and Plum am personally acquainted with him, in fact wee have transacted business with the firm and found them strict and upright in their dealing whatever his purpose may be to get acquainted in Helena is strictly in his business, to dispose of some Real Estate, which he and others own and hold in Port Townsend. We have bought a tract of Land from them about 2 ½ months ago, and sold since again making a good big profit off of them people. Mr. Mcintyre and his associates hold very valuable property and my candid opinion is that investors will make big and safe returns out of all moneys put into Port Townsend Real Estate as th Union Pacific R.R. will make its northwestern terminus there. It is also the main Port of Entry on the Sound, where all ships sailing and steam vessels have to call and get the clearings going and commencing. I have been in Port Townsend meself and can vouch for what Mr. Mcintyre will lay before you. Wishing you and your Esteemed family a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, I remain with kindest wishes and best regards as ever your friend, Louis Lienemann / California Brewery, Butte City, Mont.”