(George Corrie) Biographical Note

Dear Friends:

Perhaps some of my old friends now living in other parts of the country might appreciate an echo from their old "stamping ground."

Many of you remember the old log house, pictured above, in which we spent many pleasant hours together around the open fireplace. Was there the grown-ups gathered, told stories and talk of the more serious things of life. Was there the young folks gathered and chatted freely of things which concerned them. And there, too, the children gathered and played the games which all children enjoy, while all help themselves to the basket of apples nearby.

In this house all of my brothers and sisters, as well as myself, were born.

On this farm, five miles south and one half mile west of Sumner, I have always lived, for feeling no other place was quite so good. I brought my bride, formerly Miss Catherine Gaddey here.

Our children were all born in this same house. 10 children, all of whom are living, the youngest, a son, 36 years of age. All but one-John, of Pesotum, Illinois, live in Lukin.

Although the old house has been replaced by another, the memories that are connected with the other endear our hearts to the former.

My wife and I were permitted to enjoy life together for 56 years. One New Year's Eve was her coronation day, for she was called home.


House remembered by

Many wanderer of Lawrence County
January 3, 1917, being my 80th birthday, a number of my children gathered to help celebrate it.

I have always been hale and hearty, a doctor having never been called to see me but once-that time I was hurt, and one trip was all that was needed to repair a "hearty" man.

In 1860 I cast my first vote for president. Since then I have never missed a county, state or national election, always voting the straight Democratic ticket, and I assure you that I was glad to cast another vote for Woodrow Wilson and M. D. Foster.

Those of you who have gone west seeking health may wish to come back after reading this record. Very well, the same "boy" will greet you and as he bids you welcome will bid you to be young again.

George R. Corrie

We greet our readers with the third annual non-resident historical edition of the Pink Press, but with the color changed. We offer no apology to the Press family except the color of the paper, the pink being changed to “sky blue”, so we have called this years issue the “sky-blue-pink” Press. The demoralized condition of the paper market is responsible for the failure to obtain pink this year. As early as December we began trying to get enough pink paper to print the edition, After vainly bombarding paper houses in St. Louis, Indianapolis and Springfield we discovered that pink paper is practically off the market. We then had to choose between blue and green and we chose blue, which looks greenish after night.

However the reading matter of the “wanderers” section needs no apology for we doubt the loyal army of letter writers ever did a better job. There are 35 columns of these letters from those away from this community and they are surely interesting reading.

The Press Staff

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Monan Indiana

January 18, 1917

Dear Readers of Pink Press:

Last March I visited Sumner soon after the Pink Edition. Many were the callings I received for not having a letter in that paper. I then promised myself and friends I would appear this year, so here I am.

I hope the reading of this issue gives to every one the pleasure it gives me, for through its columns we hear from friends who otherwise we never would hear from again. This certainly is a pleasure to read how well they are doing and all about their children whom we knew when small.

We are now located at Monan, Indiana, 97 miles southeast from Chicago. There are various reasons why we like it here, lots of work all the year and money always ready when work is done.

Change was coming to Lawrence County and the world in 1917. The inability of getting pink paper was one indication in the things about to occur.

In February Germany sinks the US Housatonic and diplomatic relations severed.

The Russian revolution begins.

On April 6, 1917 US declares war on Germany, enters World War I.

On April 27, 1917 Federal soldiers guarding the wagon bridge at Vincennes, Indiana into Lawrence County shot and killed Henry Oexman for refusing to halt.

In German Township, Richland County, soldiers patrolled the community looking for German sympathizers but none were found.

The National Media reported on May 16, 1917 that Katrina Couch, a former Lawrence County resident, had been shot as a spy by the German government while she was visiting her parents. This report was later proved to be false and she returned to the US.

Nitroglycerin was stolen from an oil company in Lawrence County and soldiers were placed at the railroad bridges about the county for fear of sabotage.

Food shortages and food prices rose.

The deadly influenza out break was about to begin.

Many of these letters chronicle the lives affected by these events.

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(Lizzie Anderson)

Biographical Note:

Lizzie E Anderson, (nee Berry) was born August 1868 and married Jacob Anderson in 1895. He was a school teacher but died before 1910. At the time this letter was written Dana was 21, Herbert 18, and Nina was 16.