Sioux City Ia Sep 7th 1888

Smithsonian Inst

Washington D. C.

Gentleman Sirs

I have possession of a bear bone supposed to be the left femur of a mastodon it is four feet & seven inches in length measures 13 inches across the joints 8 inches across the centre of the bone & weigh 80 pounds when it was taken out of the ground. It is in a good state of preservation. It has some blemishes by plow & spade when it was discovered a piece was broken off from one corner of the joint which is wiered on If you wish to purchase this bone please let me know what you can give for it or if you know of any one else who would be likely to be desirous of obtaining it. Please let me know the probable worth of it and oblige

Yours Respectfully
(Sgd) J M Davis
911 Pierce St
P.S. Can you tell me the probable size of the Animal

J M D