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A few words to the home folks. Of course you are all coming to California this year. Under ordinary conditions it is the sightseers delight. This year they offer two world attractions. The Panama, California exposition, open the entire year at San Diego, California. The World's Fair of San Francisco, California opens February 1 and will run the balance of the year. The choice of many routes will be available. The Santa Fe offers the most attractions. Visit the Grand Canyon at Arizona sure, and that petrified forests if possible. Stop over at Los Angeles, if you can by force, get away a few weeks later, taken daily boat to San Diego. After five hours on Miss Pacific, you will know if you care to go by water to San Francisco. Don't believe all that they tell you about the sea sickness, it's worse than they say. We are now at the exposition. When you tire of sight- seeing of the best the world affords in the line of finished products, take one of the many auto buses and go to the Tijuana, Old Mexico. There they will take what you have left in your purse, including the purse. No law, no protection, gamling in all its many faces. Boys, you have read about faro, keno, blackjack, monte and bullfights, here's one of the few places in the world they can now be found running wide open. Take a tip and leave all but $.15 and bus fare with the hotel clerk before starting. Your destination will be the Worlds Fair at San Francisco, we will meet you there and assist you in seeing the world, as well as buying a few dollars you have earned skinning (unreadable), chasing mothe’s chickens and driving the fat stock to Mr Brian’s stockyards, which occupation we spent our youthful days in doing. Taking this opportunity of wishing all my old friends and neighbors a belated happy and successful new year. J. L. Sheraden ------------- Malta, Montana January 14, 1915 Dear Editor and Friends: It has been almost one year since I left Sumner, for the cold and desolate north or that is the description a great many people give this country, who have never been here, but I had failed to find it that way. I had been intending to write a long letter to the Press, describing this country and climate to the best of my ability. But as this is to be a personal letter I will write the descriptive one sometime in the future. I live my 320 acre homestead 17 1/2 miles north of Malta, but on account of the hill and between my place and town the distance is somewhat greater. My brother, W. E. has an adjoining claim, also the Stine boys, of Sumner. Through February and March I dug a basement and built a house. W. E. Arrived with our immigrant car April 1. We had a long tiresome task moving out here since then we have worked together. My neighbors and I have 920 acres all in one field and expect to add another 320 acres next summer making 1260 acres surrounded by one fence. This is where we range our horses and cattle during the winter. The improvements in my claim consists of a house, barn, hen house, claim all fenced and forty acres broke. Identification and location: Virgil J. Simms, former schoolteacher of Lawrence County, son of William Simms, living 5 1/2 miles southeast of Sumner.
------------- Noble, Illinois January 22, 1915 To the Sumner Press: As I was a resident of Lawrence County at one time, I will write a few lines. I moved there 21 years ago this month in the southwest part of Lukin township, on my brother, Jacob Slichenmeyer’s farm, and lived four years on that place, in as good a neighborhood as one would wish to live in. Since that time there has been quite a change. Some have gone to their reward, and others moved away, till it don't seem like the same place. At that time Sumner was our main trading place. When we left Lawrence County we moved to our farm four miles southwest of Olney. Three years later my wife died in after six long lonesome years, as it was not intended that man should live alone I found a better half and am enjoying life fairly well for a man of 66 years. I now live on, half mile west of Noble on the Lincoln Trail, where I milk Jersey cows and patronize the creamery and raise white hogs. Wishing all a prosperous year. Respectfully, Isaac Slichenmeyer ------------- Danville, Illinois January 9, 1915
Dear Sir: I came to Danville 13 years ago, or that three different positions before I got on the Danville Street Railway, as a conductor, worked for seven years, or until December 16, 1910, but I accepted a position as a brakeman for the Illinois Traction System, worked as brakeman for 4 1/2 months and promoted to conductor, which position I still hold. I run over four different divisions the longest run is from Danville to Springfield, a distance of 125 miles. The round-trip been made in 10 hours and 20 minutes. I was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Brewer, September 18, 1907, and to us on that February 7th 1913, was born a little daughter. We named her Doris May; she departed this life October 11, 1913, cause of death, pneumonia. I would like a copy of your paper, for which I am writing, sent to me at my expense. Thanking you in advance for the favor and wishing my old friends and acquaintances a prosperous and happy year, I am, and old Sumner boy. Glenn P. Smalley 10 Columbus Street ------------- Danville, Illinois January 8, 1915
Dear Sir: I am located at Danville, Illinois, and married, have one boy eight years old. We have lived here 13 years, and have been very lucky in always having a good position. Eleven years ago the 20th of last October I entered the service of the Danville Street Railroad Company as motorman, worked as same until March 15, 1905. I then entered the service of the Illinois Traction System as conductor, work at that till September 20, 1908. I then entered the office of the ITS as train dispatcher, having worked continuously as same to present day Effective the 16th of this month I will be superintendent of the Danville Street Railway. Through the columns of your newspaper, I desire to wish all my old friends and acquaintances a prosperous and happy year. I would be glad to receive at my expense the copy of your paper that contains the news of all of the ex- Sumner people for which occasion I have here written. Thanking you in advance for the favor, I am, Jesse F. Smalley ------------- Chicago, Illinois January 14, 1915
My name is Albert E. Stout son of Chester and Nettie, born two miles west of Chauncey. My mother’s name is now Nettie Sechrest residing in St. Francisville. In 1902 I went to Ohio and worked in the oil field until the fall and then came to Chicago and worked for a car manufacturing company until April 1908 when I went home and stayed one month. The last of May I went to the northern part of Michigan and took charge of 1524 acres of land (timbered) until November 1910. I came back to Chicago and went to work for the same company which is the Western Street Car and Foundry Co., manufacturers of freight equipment, capacity 84 cars a day of which I am now general labor foreman. I would be glad to hear from any of the readers of your Press. Yours respectfully, A. E. Stout ------------- New York City 408 East 54th Street January 17, 1915 To: L. M. Wood Editor Sumner Press Dear Sir:
Marion Strouse ------------- Pembina, North Dakota January 15, 1915
I worked last summer in an automobile garage. During the month of December helped my brother-in-law Loran Dunn, who is running a meat market here, do some butchering. We kill between 30 and 35 head of hogs and the thermometer stood around 30 below zero most of the time. I was unlucky enough to get one of my feet badly frosted and have been laid up with it since. I think I have said enough about myself, but wish to add that I am always glad to get the Sumner Press and hear the news from my old home where I was born and raised one miles southeast of Sumner, but what is known as the Sammy Sumner Homestead. Hope all the wanderers will write as I will certainly know most of them. Wishing you the best of success for the New Year, I am, Yours truly French Sumner Son of Dock Sumner ------------- East St. Louis, Illinois January 17, 1915 Dear Sir: I am a native of that good old Sumner town. I spent many a happy day there. I would like to see my friends and good old neighbors and chat with them a while. I left there in 1903 and came to East St. Louis, where I have made a good living ever since. I haven’t been back there but twice. I will pay the old hometown of visit someday. I am an old reader of the Press and won't do without it. Yours very truly, James A. Thompson ------------- Beebe, Arkansas January 17, 1915
We have two children, John Wiley, age 8 and Charles Paul, age 6, both born in Lawrence County. They are both in good health and take a great interest in their school work. They are also good cotton pickers. Have picked as high as 100 pounds apiece a day when from 150 to 200 pounds is a grown person's average. We have had very good health the three years we have been here. Have had no fever or chills, but are troubled some at times with cold or la grippe. Hoping to hear from old friends by the Pink Press, I remain, Yours respectfully, Charles Vandament ------------- Shelbyville, Michigan January 11, 1915
Dear Readers, In reply to the non resident issue, will say I was born and raised in Lawrence County, Christy Township and spent about forty years in Sumner. I have moved around quite a bit and have landed on a farm near Shelbyville Michigan, Allegan County. I have three children all of whom are married. Mrs. Bertha Knowlton of Shelbyville Michigan, L. R Vanscyoc of Shelbyville Michigan, and F. O.. Vanscyoc of Bridgeport Illinois. I am in good health and well satisfied and expect to spend my remaining days in Michigan, but will be glad to hear from any of the readers.
D. B. Vanscyoc ------------- Mountain Grove, Missouri January 11, 1915
Moved away from the latter in 1901 and since then have resided at Hammond, Indiana and Hartford and Dowagiac, Michigan. I came to Kansas City, Missouri in 1911 and finally settled here in 1912. In introducing my poultry remedies I find it more economical to go among the poultry breeders flocks and demonstrate the value of my goods. Of course you have heard of "Wayne's Poultry Tool" l came here September 1912 to do some experimental demonstrating with my goods at the great Missouri State poultry experiment station, the only institution of its kind in existence. I did the first work of that kind ever done at the station and succeeded beyond my expectations. The disease specimens I collected are exhibited all over the state on demonstration on a train run by the Frisco railroad. A car was fitted out by the poultry and fruit excremental stations, which are both located here. I also carried out a remedy contest at the poultry station, which I used 37 different remedies for the cure and prevention of roup. During the time I was engaged in that contest obtain possession of a small tract of land, the highest on the Frisco Ridge between Kansas City, Missouri and Memphis, Tennessee. Before the contest close they offered me a permanent position at that experimental station, I refused it and moved to the land and am still located there. However I think of other things besides poultry I have an inexhaustible supply of limestone on land and knowing almost all soils need limestone fertilizer. I met about collecting samples and sending away for analysis. It being rather low in carbonate of lime, I looked for other samples also, but had never found any that as rich in lime as on my place. This is the first time in my life I have ever looked for something and was praying all the time I would not find it. I have not began to get any fertilizer out yet, but hope to begin soon I have over 100 tons now engaged to one man and others are asking for prices and want to use it. Yours truly, Elmer E Wagner ------------- Marshfield, Indiana January 12, 1915
My father Jacob Waggoner was a land agent. He entered 200 acres for himself and made many trips to the land office at Palestine and forded the river to get there to enter for different ones. By the year 1858 I married Alfred Wurtsbaugh who has preceded me to a better land by six years. To our union eleven children were born of whom eight survive. We lived most of our time in Lawrence County. Petty Township until the year of 1884, then we moved to Warren County Indiana at which place we lived at the time of his death. One year later I left the farm and moved to West Lebanon where I now reside as I am living alone. I often look back at the beautiful days of long ago but my spirit yearns for the home which Jesus has gone to prepare for me. Mahala Wurtsbaugh P. S. In the year of 1856 they had a grand revival meeting in the old log schoolhouse. At that time Alfred Wurtsbaugh and I were converted and united with the M. P. Church. After coming to Indiana we reunited with the Free Methodist for which we have ever prayed and gave thanks till this day. ------------- Danville, Illinois January 13th 1915 Sumner Press: I will write a few lines to my old home paper and home friends and relatives. My maiden name was Mary Smalley daughter of Frank Smalley was born in 1872, six miles southwest of Sumner near the U. B. Church known now as the John Roach place. Moved with my parents at the age of seven years to my old home, sweet home, five miles north of Sumner. At the age of 25 years was married to John J. Webb, of Sumner, Illinois by Rev. Jackson. We now have a cozy little home at 825 Johnson Street, Danville, Illinois. We have had born to us seven children, five boys and two girls, Byron age 19; Della, age 18; Lamont, age 16; Luella and Trella twins, age 14; Eugene, aged 10, Evan and Trella, died at the age of one year. Evan was the baby of our family, would have been eight years old last November. We are all members of the Bethany Presbyterian Church. If we never meet again on this earth may we all meet in heaven is my wish.
------------- January 17, 1915 Cassville, Missouri Editor Press: Will try and write for the special non-resident addition to be dressed in pink. I am stopping in southwest Missouri. Have been in Berry County for 12 years. Left old Lawrence County 1886. Have been back several times, but not to live. This is the banner county of the state. It is a good fruit and dairy country and is the most healthy country I ever lived in. We are on the dividing ridge of the Ozark Mountains, 200 miles southwest of St. Louis. We are making good. I am an engineer at an electric plant and flour mill. At one of the largest stone queries and cutting sheds west of the Mississippi River. I have been reading the Press for the last 35 years.
C. A. Webber ------------- Aurora, Missouri January 13, 1915
I have visited in Sumner several times during the times of which I speak and have enjoyed many happy hours with relatives and friends while there. Wishing all a prosperous year, I am yours truly,
------------- 1916 Guthrie, Oklahoma January 15, 1916 Editor Press: It has been more than 45 years since I left old Lawrence County. My father moved to Bridgeport in 1858. However he had lived in Lawrence County 20 years before, near where old Mt. Zion now stands. In that neighborhood he married my mother Jane Turner. He taught one term of school at a place called Spring Hill, not far from where old Shiloh now stands. He taught school through the week and preached and reasoned with the people, who assembled at the school house, on Sundays. He moved out of that neighborhood, but for several years he visited and preached at that point occasionally. Then he went to another state for a number of years and returned on a visit in 1858 and held a very successful meeting in an old schoolhouse there were Mt. Zion now stands and also at the White House. Those two churches then prevailed on him to come back to old Lawrence County. With the aid of good citizens of the community they built a home in Bridgeport, where he lived for about 10 years. The Christian church at Bridgeport was first started under his care. For some time, however, the organization at the White House included the Bridgeport folks, and they held their meetings alternately at the White House and at Bridgeport in an upper room over a business house. But as soon as the meeting house was erected they met there. I remember my father held a meeting in the house before there was any floor in the building. The piles of lumber lying on the ground served the congregation for seats. This was just before the Civil War, when people were crazy on politics. Even church members were not always sane. In 1869 I purchased some land on Oblong Prairie in Crawford County, and in 1871 I married Mary Fyffe, whose parents, Wilson and Lucy Fyffe lived on the state road near the White House. In my letter last year your printer made me say I was married in 1877, probably mistaking one of my ones for a seven. Also you made me say that we had here now 100 acres of land when I wrote 160. But the worst wreck of your devil played on me was leaving out the words”son of", in describing that boyish trip to the Lawrenceville depot, I said I asked William Lanterman, son of the proprietor to go with me, (a boy about my own age) but the printer makes me say that I made that trip with a dignified proprietor of the town. Now I know this must have dealt a staggering blow to my reputation for truth and veracity with my old friends, whom I remember something of those times. So now I demand satisfaction or you must suffer the consequences. I am peaceable.
------------- Danville, Indiana January 26, 1916 The Sumner Press: While I never made my home and Lawrence County, we always call Sumner our home town. I was born and raised in Crawford County, Southwest Township, and Landes having been our post office. I left there in the spring of 1906 and came to Hendricks County, Indiana and located in Danville, the County seat which is 20 miles west of Indianapolis, and engaged in the medicine business. In the spring of 1908 I was married to Shirley Rodrickdaughter of Rev. Samuel Rodrick. We have a daughter six years old and a son four. We own our little home and are getting along nicely. I have been here now 10 years and am still in the medicine business.
Charles E. Baker ------------- Princeton, Indiana January 21, 1916
I look forward with pleasure to the arrival of your publication, “non-resident Pink Press”, as I have always had an interest in knowing just how about girls and boys of my early association were fighting life battles and I know of no better way of asserting the same than through your publication. Directory: ~illchgs -> letters -> old files old files -> From Former Sons and Daughters of old files -> L. M. Wood and Sons: In response to the general invitation extended to former residents of Lawrence County, I proceed to write briefly, if possible concerning the few "wanderers," in this section Download 1.59 Mb. Share with your friends:
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