Writer thanks Virgil for the letter in regards to the failing health of his father, Edwin Markham. Bender tells Virgil that he has been in the hospital and expects to be out within a few days.

Henderson writes that he has counted himself a great admirer and friend to Virgil's father, Edwin. Henderson says that Edwin once gave him a handwritten copy of "The man with a hoe" and "Lincoln" for framing and display. Henderson is writing to request an autographed photo of Edwin to go with the poems when they are displayed.

Markham writes Virgil telling him, that if he(Edwin) should "drop to Death" before completion of his collected poems, then Virgil should go on and complete this. He asks for specific poems such as Man with a Hoe and the Lincoln Ode to be the opening poems. The poem on Poe should also be included.