I've had this piece of paper for quite awhile. I had been avoiding doing alcohol and tobacco related art, simply because I felt that neither were subjects that were popular with my patrons. I finally looked at it for more than the second time, and because of the nature of the letter, the age of the paper, (Shelby Junction predated Shelby), and the fact that establishment was created near the Great Northern boxcar which served as the station, I decided it was worth enhancing. The Shelby Junction Station was the connecting link for the Great Northern Railway and the Great Falls & Canada Railway. Peter P. Shelby was a general manager for the Montana Central Railroad before becoming an employee of the Great Northern.
And - that's how my hometown got its name!
The text of the letter:
Sirs,
Please hurry up the cigars ordered
from you over a month ago. If you cannot
send me the entire order, please
forward 50 on the next train
and oblige.
Truly,
Dan Sullivan
This is so wonderful! Dave, it's stunning. Really stunning.
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