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Detroit, Mich.
January 17th, 1900.

Mr. Robert [[Barr?]], 
Hillhead, Wollingham,
Surrey, Eng. 

My dear [[Barry?]]:- 
Your kind letter of last Christmas day, filled with its greetings and interesting news, was delayed somewhat in reaching me because of my absence from Detroit. 
I am glad to know that you are coming to America this winter, but I am not at all pleased with the uncertainty with which you speak of visiting Detroit. You must not fail to come here and see your old friends and acquaintances, many of whom speak of you very often, and are anxious to see you again. 
From what I have heard lately concerning Florida, I am afraid your trip there will not prove altogether satisfactory. I am told that, since the great "freeze", a general blight seems to have almost deadened the state. Business of every kind has been interrupted seriously. The Northern people have become discouraged, and the Southerners more indolent than ever. Our mutual friend, Wilbert Hart, of this city, whom you know was largely interested in Florida matters, told me recently that he had completely changed