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SOUTH DAKOTA
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AND EXPERIMENT STATION.

DEPARTMENT OF
FORESTRY, HORTICULTURE AND BOTANY.

CHAS A. KEFFER, PROFESSOR IN CHARGE.
TOM A. WILLIAMS, INSTRUCTOR IN BOTANY.

Brookings, S. D., Sept. 27 1891

Dear Dr. Bessey
In my last letter to you I mentioned that Kellerman had written me that he was going to Ohio. In the same letter he suggested that if I wanted a better place there was a chance. I wrote Pres. Fairchild concerning it and enclose you his answer.
I am in doubt whether to make an application or not. Keffer advises it. My chances for a rise here are about the same as they have been when the funds tc. admit they promise an advancement. As they are at present extremely hard up nothing is certain.
I am somewhat doubtful as to whether I ought to even think of trying for such a place or not with my present experience & knowledge. Of course Ihave had all the work in botany here under my charge but that in all probability could hardly compare with what would be required there. I wish you would tell me what you think you know what I can do and also know the character of the work that would be required. I do not want to try for the place unless there is some chance for success. What would you do? Of course there would be but one chance in many of my getting the place even if I do make application. I stated briefly to Pres. Fairchild my capabilities, age tc. from my own point of view and told him upon whom I could rely for recommendations. Will you state just what you think about it. Theres just one feature of things here that I do not like - Politics - and though it is not probable it will bother me, as Iam on the right side (at present at least) still I don't think that the thing ought to enter into such matters. If you think I had best not try the thing tell me so If you think there is a chance for me to