KENNEDY, John F., Jr. (1960-1999). Autograph letter signed ("John"), to a group of counselors from the West Thumb Youth Conservation Corps. Bar Cross Ranch, Cora, Wyoming, 6 July 1978.

3 pages, 8vo, with original envelope addressed in Kennedy's hand, creased, a few marginal pinholes, some staining to envelope.

Kennedy writes to his former counselors and fellow campers at the West Thumb Youth Conservation Corps, a high school work camp that he attended briefly in Yellowstone National Park before his mother, Jacqueline Kennedy, transferred him to Bar Cross Ranch in Cora, Wyoming.

He writes, "I've been here 3 days and all I can claim for myself is an extremely sore ass. I was on a horse for 13 consecutive hours, no shit, we left at 5:00 in the morning, got back at 7:30 until about an hour or two out for lunch, whoever said you get sore is right, try sitting on the sharp end of a polaski for 10 hours you might get an idea of how I feel. It's not bad here though."

Recalling his time with the YCC, he comments, "I prefer the work there better, I shoveled shit and mowed a huge lawn for about 11 hours today." He describes Wyoming and Bar Cross Ranch: "It's pretty up here, there are a lot of plains in the mountains in the distance...right up from the house is the highest peak in Wyoming, me and this English kid here hope to hike up there someday... The food here is really good, eggs and regular pancakes, oh but Katy I miss my brewers yeast in the mornings, the mosquitos are killing me."

Kennedy's humor toward his friends is evident as he closes the letter: "I have to go to bed now cause we have to get up at 5:00 AM to herd cattle all day again. Ow! I'll keep in touch, you all write too. Hope you guys have a good time, I miss the morning canoe rides and alarmingly frequent whole-wheat bowel movements. See y'all later. Keep the boys in line George, don't fuck around. Later." Then, in postscript, he remarks: "PS Please, if I got any mail could you please send it I'm desperate... PSS Kelley I'm almost finished, I'll send you the book when I'm done you intellectual you. PSSS Rusty you fucker!"

[With:] Two vintage black-and-white glossy 4 1/4 x 3 1/2 photographs of JFK Jr. with West Thumb campers. [Also with:] A letter of provenance from one of the original recipients, William Turner.