San Jose, Costa Rica,
Mch. 1st, 1902.
Dear Marcia:-
We, Mr. Cary and I, have returned from a trip in the country where we were collecting specimens and seeing the sights. We were away just a week and during that time did quite a little in the way of securing material. At first we went by railroad to the town of Cartago, and then hired pack animals to carry our luggage up the slopes of Mt. Irazu to an estancia belonging to Señor Don Ricardo Jiminez where we were to remain as a headquarters from which to do our work and sight seeing. The elevation above the sea of Cartago is about 5,000 ft. while the headquarters was 9,000 and the summit of the mountain nearly 12,000 feet. Irazu is one of the highest peaks in Central America and still shows a few signs of activity. Only about 60 years in an eruption accompanied by an earthquake the old town and then capital of Cartago was destroyed. On this mountain we found quite cold weather, so cold in fact that two double blankets were hardly warm enough even with all our clothes on. On the top of the mountain quite a little ice formed during the night, and was visible even as late as 9 o'clock in

the morning at the time when we began the descent. At this great elevation even here in Costa Rica things are quite like our Nebraska forms of life, but very soon they take on the tropical aspect as the mountain is descended so that when half way down are to be seen sugar cane, corn, coffee and bananas all growing together or in adjoining fields. Some of the best potatoes that I ever ate were grown on this mountain at about 9,000 feet elevation.

During the week spent in the country we fed on huevos, oriz, tortillas, papas, and frijoles and had caffe negro with leche to drink. Our beds were the blankets we carried spread on the soft side of a board made from extra hard wood. On the mountain the water is extra fine, being quite as cool and delicious as in the mountains of Colorado. Here in the valley, however, things are quite different and all water must be either boiled or filtered — preferably both — before drank.
Today we have been trying to find mail from home, visiting the museum and arranging for the remaining days of our sojourn in the country. So far no success has been had in the home mail business, but this is quite natural since there has

been scarcely time as yet for mail to reach us it should have followed by the very next boat from New Orleans.
Tonight or early tomorrow morning (about 3 o'clock) we expect to go into the country again for a 3 day's trip to the southeast of this place. On returning we are figuring on going down into the hot country to remain the ballance [sic] of the time. Matters look very much as if it is going to crowd us closely to make expenses during the short stay in the country. The "Tomorrow" habit among the people is so very confirmed that it seems almost impossible to get anywhere or to do anything in even a semblance of a hurry. To find a man to do even a little job require one, two or even three days, and then he will want an equal time to get ready before anything can be done. All these things are provoking in the extreme, especially when one knows that every minute is precious.

Mr. Cary is intending to return with me, but I believe that Mr. Carricker is thinking some of remaining some time longer. Of course this supposition is not a settled matters regarding either of the boys. But they intend to arrange matters so as to at least make their

expenses before returning to the United States.

We have had but little chance so far to see much of the natives and their wares, so cannot tell you much concerning them. Hope this afternoon to visit the market and if anything is found there will secure it so as to add to the curios from foreign countries. I have already secured a very few things of this kind, but most of my efforts have been to get to work so as to accomplish what we came to Costa Rica for.

I have not yet written to Mr. Crawford, but you can tell him that I hope to find the time to do so pasada mañana. Nothing has occurred to me as of special importance in connection with the department work at the University so have not taken the time. If anything should come to mind I will write.

You can write to the folks at West Point and the claims and tell them that we are well and extremely busy if not accomplishing a great deal.

Will now mail this since I believe a boat is scheduled to sail tomorrow or next day at the latest.

Good-bye to all, from
Yours truly
Lawrence Bruner

Port Limon, Costa Rica
Mch. 27th 1902.
Dear Marcia:
If everything had gone as we planned I would be taking the steamer for New Orleans this evening myself instead of sending this letter; but now that a few cases of fever have occurred in this vicinity within the past two weeks New Orleans has established quarantine against this port. This makes it necessary for us to return by way of New York. Leaving here on Monday, the 31st we should reach New York on the following Monday and should reach home about the 10th of April.

Since we had bought round trip tickets from New Orleans to Limon, the United Fruit Co. is obliged to carry us to New York; and as our railway tickets were also round trip tickets the steamer company have to send us home from New York or else to New Orleans so that we can use the transportation. Mr. Cary and I are coming home now, but Mr. Carricker expects to stay in the country several months longer to collect specimens.

We are all quite well and enjoying ourselves. On account of the shortness of our stay in the country

I will not write much of a letter, but will tell you all about things when I reach home.

Tell Psyche that I couldn't get her monkey or the parrot since we have kept out of the hot country purposely to avoid the possibility of contracting the fever. 

We nearly decided to come home by way of Jamaica but have decided that it will be best to remain here go direct to New York. The United Fruit company will have to pay our hotel bill at this place for 3 days because that is the time we will have to wait for the New York steamer. On our homeward journey we will pass the islands of Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, Inagua and others of the West Indies.

Will you tell Mr. Crawford about the change in our plans, and perhaps also Mr. Westermann [?] Dales, although, perhaps, it will make no difference to them since my leave will not expire till the 15th of April.

I have not written to Father, mother or the boys, for I could hardly spare the time to do so, having been occupied nearly every minute of the time with other matters, as traveling about the country, collecting specimens, looking after the boys etc.

Good bye till about the 10th of April. Yours,
Lawrence Bruner.