From Former Sons and Daughters of

February 2, 1917

Mr. Editor and Readers:

As I am still away from home, I would like to take part in the homecoming list, hoping my letter will not be too late, as I had intended to write on time, but as you will remember from my letter I wrote you some time ago, I am taking treatment for cancer in this place and at times the treatment is so severe we don't feel like writing for a time after, but as our motto is “keep smiling," as we survive, we go back about the regular routine of affairs. So if I am a little late I beg pardon.

I left Bridgeport December 15, 1916, and as any mother knows, I have had a great battle with nature to keep from being homesick, or having the blues, as we call it.

I am still improving and still have great hopes of coming home in the near future. Anyway I think I will not have to stay as long as I have already been here, which was seven weeks yesterday (Thursday).

Have had the pleasure of meeting several of Dr. Johnson's patients that have been cured and came back to visit the Institute. They are still recommending his treatment and praising Doctor Johnson. My daughter being always with me, hinders me from getting to take a good old-fashioned cry, as I had indulged in many times before she came.

There are about 75 or 80 patients at this place now and the list is still growing. I have privileged to see at least 25 persons go home cured since I came and some that are going soon so I think if I continue to improve I will be among the list someday, that will go home well. I have not been able to find the church of my choice in this town, therefore the Sunday seems the longest day for us, as we stay home most of the day.

Last Saturday was a great day for the small children at the convention hall. I thought it would be a great treat to see so many little folk, so we went, and as we watched the pictures come and go, it was made plain to me why the young people of the large cities or in such spiritual darkness. So void of the grace of God as they see these awful lies pictured out. No wonder our so-called Christian nation is in such a state of superstition and hedonism, and to think that parents will take their children to watch these things and bring them up under such influences is astonishing. We only have to read the last chapter in the Bible to find out where to class the people that maketh and loveth a lie. There is one thing for which I have always been thankful, a relish for the truth of God and confidence I have in God's eternal shall, for, except we become as little children we can nowise enter the kingdom. Can we comprehend the innocence of a child under the age of accountability? The simplicity of their manner the obedience of faith they exercise toward us as parents. Why not strive to follow the example rather than turn to our own ways.

Well, perhaps I am taking too much space, but when the shadows are gathering and deathbeds are coming, no one will be heard to say I have lived too careful and too holy in this life for if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the sinner and ungodly appear.

Well I have been trying to get to a stopping place and maybe you will have not room for this much, but I think it perfectly in order to hold religious service at a homecoming. Someone else about on this our annual homecoming is in October. All who wish to come and enjoy the day are cordially invited.

By admonishing all who will to search the Scriptures for in them we think we have eternal life, I will close.

Yours truly

Mrs. H. D. Rigall

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The Aviation Field

San Antonio, Texas

January 29, 1917

Editor Sumner Press:

I am a little late, but will try to get in a few lines. I am seated in a tent four miles northeast of San Antonio, Texas, and am writing this letter by the light of a tallow candle, so please excuse mistakes.

I am glad to have a chance to put a few lines in the Pink Press and will be very much pleased to read the many letters from people who have wandered from our dear old neighborhood to different parts of the United States. In all of my wanderings I have never seen a place that I like yet quite as well as old Illinois.

Very respectfully,

F. M. Roberts

Corpl. Co. C. 19th Inf.

Fort Sam Houston, Texas

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(continued)

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Ellis Owen Shick was born in April 1872 to Peter W. and Jennie C. (nee Whitmer) Shick. On December 25, 1901 he was united in marriage to Irene Eshelman daughter of Martin and Elizabeth (nee Myers) Eshelman. Census records show the following children born to this union: Eloise W. (b. abt. 1903); Fredrick E. (b. abt. 1906), Ellis died in 1930 and Irene died in 1949. They were laid to rest in the Lawrenceville Cemetery.

Editor’s Note:

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January 17, 1917

Sumner Press:

One year gone again and still find us in, "The Pittsburgh of the West, "doing service for the greatest and best Corporation in America, “The International Harvester Company of America" and with the finest and most exacting cases of American citizenship, "The American Farmer".

We are getting along very nicely in our work and enjoying good health. Just at this season of the year causes quite a degree of sadness to come over us, as we revert back over the past year, that just a year ago last week and this during January, we were anxiously watching at the bedside of our father and sister and all our attention and care availed nothing, but we take some consolation in the fact that we did all we could.

Eloise graduates from the grade school this week. Frank is plodding along in sixth grade, boy style, thoroughly proficient in dodging all chores and badly needed at some boyfriend’s home instead.

Irene still does a good job keeping house and we look to her to keep us posted on bargain sales and good shows. Thoroughly up-to-date on all the bookings of the show performers.

Grandma Eshelman is with us this winter and in fair health-soon-to-be 82 years old.

If any Lawrence County people, native or foreign, come to Terre Haute, the latch string of our door is on the outside at 2001 North Ninth Street.

Yours truly,

E. O. Shick

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Irene Eshelman Shick

Wife of E. O. Shick

January 11, 1917

Editor Sumner Press:

I have been asked by several people from back home if it were true that they sprinkled the streets of Phoenix with booze, as it came out in the eastern papers. It is true. I was in the crowd when they filled the big 500 gallons sprinkler with the "precious dope”. I am enclosing copy of the Arizona Republican, showing the picture and telling the facts. So tell the people there that is the way we use booze in Arizona now

Yours truly,

Charles Shoup

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A pro-prohibition horse-drawn wagon in a parade in Phoenix

Sprinkled Streets of Phoenix with Liquor Five hundred gallons of wines, beer and whiskey were poured into a city water wagon here today and the streets of the business section were sprinkled with the liquor. Two hundred automobiles and several floats formed a parade that followed the water wagon. A brass band played a dirge. The sprinkler with its cargo valued at $20,000 was driven by "dry advocates". The liquor was confiscated in raids by the sheriff under the new Arizona prohibition law and its unique destruction was ordered by Superior Judge Stanford.

Charles Jacob Shoup was born April 12, 1887 in Sumner, Lawrence County Illinois to Barnett Fredrick and Olive (nee Edmondson) Shoup. He was united in marriage to Margaret Jane Forman, daughter of Theodore and Loula S. Forman. Margaret was born May 9, 1897. Records indicate the following children were born to this union: Charles J. (b. abt. 1928). Charles died in June of 1975 and Margaret died in November 1989.