(John F. Peters)
Biographical Note:
John Franklin Peters was born in Indiana on September 24, 1857 to William R. and Elizabeth (nee Cooper) Peters. In 1878 he was united in marriage to Martha Izadora Shick. Four children were born to this union: Clemma, Effie, Nathan (Nattie) and Mary.
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(Zetta Petty)
Biographical Note:
Rosetta E. Jones was born in February 1894 in Lawrence County, daughter of Lincoln and Effie (nee Harrell) Jones.
Annotation: On a cable-tool drilling rig the two-man crew consisted of a "driller," who was in charge, and his helper, called a "tool dresser" or "toolie. ---------
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Decatur, Illinois
R.F.D. No. 3
1919
Editor Press:
I like the country here, but have worked hard every day since I came.
We had a big wheat crop and best in quality ever known. Oats were medium and corn a fair crop, not as large as usual. Pasture was good all year. We have a large wheat acreage and it is looking fine. We never had such an open winter here as this one has been so far.
Respectfully yours,
John F. Peters
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Ranger, Texas
January 27, 1919
Editor Press:
As I read the news from home I wonder how many, if any, of you would be interested in a short letter from Ranger, Texas.
I have been here since June, but never dreamed so many people would be here in six months. This is a little town, but full of people; so many from Oklahoma, Illinois and other eastern states. I am so lucky as to have one brother and one sister for neighbors. Both live real close to me. My brother, Guy Jones, dresses tools for my husband, and my sister's husband, Sam Berry, dresses tools on the same well with his brother, Glen.
We find this a beautiful country in the winter, not speaking of mud and roads. We have some rain, of course, but must say we have some beautiful days. My sister-in-law, sister and I go uptown without our coats, or wraps of any kind and are plenty warm. Keep our doors open most of the time in the day.
I cannot imagine the weather being so nice in January back in Sumner, as I lived close there for 20 years and never did see it like this. We have had just a little snow but never stays on only a little while. The leaves have only been dead about two months on what these Texas people call trees. You would call it brushwood and I find there are buds on lilacs even now.
Am sure you have heard of the big oil wells, making from 75 to 80,000 barrels per day. This is one of the most prosperous towns in the southwest. Lots of business, best of wages, tool dresser's and drillers getting from $10-$12 per day. Board $10 per week, room from 7 to 10, but we are keeping house now and I like it much better. We figure we will be ready to go on a farm we bought near Anderson, Missouri, by March or April. That means we will escape the hot summer here in Texas.
Trusting I shall read a lot of good news in the Press, I am seriously awaiting each Saturday.
Zetta Jones Petty
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Spokane, Washington
January 29, 1919
Editor Press:
Your repeated notice "hurry, hurry" appeals to me. I have yet 16 days to get in among the bunch.
While there are many former Lawrence County folks in this great state of Washington, it seems few respond to this generous offer of the press to let the home folks and others know who they are, where they are and what they are doing.
I know that 30 years ago I sold many tickets to Lawrence County people to all parts of the west, and especially to Washington. Many of them I have forgotten, but I am now in a position to ticket them the other way should the occasion present itself.
I know my friend W. C. Fyffe, of Texas, will say I am infringing on my rights by forcing in an ad. Not so, Uncle Sam runs the roads and we don't have to "rustle". I mention this fact for the reason that should any of my old friends hit the trail for Spokane they will find me just as young as I used to be, and as anxious to see them, either going or coming.
We have just enjoyed a most happy visit with Rev. and Mrs. L. J. Hawkins, formerly of Bridgeport, now of Conrad, Montana. We lived over again the old oil boom in that part of the country and as we had been back recently had a store of news for them.
We are no worse off than one year ago. It is a well known fact that a setting hen won't grow fat, but if fed regularly doesn't lose much flesh. That is the position of the average railroad man.
Yes, we had the flu, and am happy to say, survive, for which we are thankful, and extremely sorry for those of our friends in Lawrence County who were not so fortunate.
I would like to spread out and tell you something about this great Northwest, as we have found it, but the editor has the bars up. Hence I will confine myself to Come and see.
C. M. Piper
2317 West Liberty
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(C. M. Piper)
Biographical Note:
Clark Matson Piper was born June 11, 1858 to James Alexander and Anna Marie (nee Horner) Piper. He was united in marriage on January 5, 1881 to Minnie Allen Cowen daughter of Norredden and Melvina Jane (nee Murphy) Cowen. To this union the following children were born: Helen C. (b. Aug. 1882); Ernest Matson (b. Oct. 1883); Frazer Horner (b. Sept. 1885). Clark died May 5, 1919. Minnie died in 1934.
Editor’s Note:
Clark Piper died four months after writing this letter.
The following appeared in the May 8, 1919 Edition of the Sumner Press:
H. H. Piper on Monday received Italian from Spokane, Washington and gave the sad intelligence that his brother, Clark M. Piper, had died suddenly at 1:00 that morning. No particulars as to the cause of death had been received, but it is believed that it might have been due to apoplexy. The interment will probably be at Spokane, Washington, Mr. Piper as well known here and at Bridgeport, having served as B. & O. agent for the latter place for quite a number of years.
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