Silver Creek Nebr April 7th 1886

Dear Friend Willis

Rockwood Wayne Co Mich

I received your letter long long ago. Pending a Patent I waited to answer. After the issue of my Patent I began to look up some one to manufacture after this had been accomplished I had to go East with Patents and specifications and arrange for Mechanical Engineers and Pattern makers to do work that was beyond my power All of this had to be done before I could answer your letter and tell you just what I had done and was going to do- When I was there my mill under my Patent 306219 was in course of errection at Chicago But on November the 11th the Factory burned and did not resume work again until my Patent 336784 was issued and as all Patterns were burned they would not replace them with my new mill in sight as it is considered ahead of anything and was an improvement over my own which had previously been working on. Now this new mill is not in my hands yet and when it does come I will not even be ready to go forward with my work for I am too short of means- but as fast as I can I will get them along. I shall have the mill made at Toledo too and if necessary in Detroit and as soon as this is done I will give you any territoy you want and pay you the highest Commission ever paid to an agent- because between you and me there can come no middle man. This is all I can say now I was on the point of Going to Rockwood but the strike turned me even after I got into the Depot in chicago. The station work holds me very close. This is owing to a degree of poverty incalculable. But providence may aid me and carry mr safely as the old horse did- (ie) the same old horse

Hoping to see your again before I die I remain a wisher for a continuance of that friendship founded in the past

Ever Your Friend

Joshua G. Benster

Love to all