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I will now close, hoping to hear from you all soon,
1117 Rock Street ------------- Casey, Illinois January 14, 1916
My wife's only brother lives in Longmont, Colorado and his only sister Mrs. Fannie H. Davis (better known as Fannie Page), lives at Fort Myers, Florida. Her half-sister, Mrs. Edith Olmstead, whose maiden name was Edith Hammaker, now live at Wichita, Kansas. She has one girl, Ruth and one boy, Paul. L. C. and Ed Hammaker when last we heard from them were in Wyoming. I have lived here for over 31 years and if any of my old friends are near here at any time I would be more than glad to have you come see us. Wishing all a Happy New year, I am,
11 East Monroe Street Casey, Illinois ------------- Claremont, Illinois January 29, 1916 Editor Sumner Press: I see in the Press your request for letters from former residents of Sumner and Lawrence County. I thought I might write a few lines, as I was born in Sumner May 30, 1863, but left there when quite young, as both my parents died when I was but a small child. Brother George and I went to Penna. to live with an uncle, Jones Elder, went in 1872. Was there nearly 12 years, then came back to Illinois and made my home in Illinois ever since in Richland County since 1889. Have traveled a good deal in all these years, in several states, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Brother George died in Indiana nearly 2 years ago and our half-brother Lewis lives in southeast Missouri, our half-sister, Rosa Ridgely lives in Bridgeport, Illinois. I expect I could write a pretty long letter, but as I don't know just what would be interesting to my many friends in good old Lawrence County most. I will not try to write so very much, and this is a pretty late date for the letter anyway, but I have been sick with la grippe and wasn't able to write sooner, so if it is too late for your February 3rd print throw it in the wastebasket. But one thing I must say yet, that I have not forgotten my many friends and all the good people I used to know in old Lawrence County. I do not get to visit them very often of late years, I think of them often and wish them all well. Will now close, hoping to hear from many through the Pink Press in February. Best wishes for the editor and all,
------------- Chicago, Illinois January 29, 1916 Editor Press: Just a line for the Pink Press. Am always glad to hear from my old friends of dear old Sumner. I am enjoying good health and getting along all right. With best wishes for all, I am, yours J. M. Freese 807 East 63rd Street ------------- Chicago Illinois January 25, 1916
------------- Dexter, Missouri January 11, 1916 Editor Press: I moved from Petty Township, Lawrence County near Sumner, Illinois, the fall of 1900. My wife was formerly Elizabeth Perkins, the daughter of William Perkins. We bid adieu to friends and relatives October 13 and set out with wagon and team for Stoddard County, Missouri landing here the 21st of October, nine miles south of Dexter and three miles northwest of Bernie, found the country comparatively new, only 5 to 20 acres in cultivation per 40, and needing draining badly. I had the pleasure of aiding the establishment of the first dredge ditch in Stoddard County. We now have a well-trained and beautiful farming country, with plenty of the best of drinking water, good roads, free rural delivery and phone lines netting the country. Our health has been excellent during the 15 years we have lived here. Our family consists of one boy and two girls. As I write these few lines my mind is carried back to the country in and around old Sumner, where I was born, and am pleased to have the opportunity to speak to them through the columns of the Press, which I have been a constant reader of for eight years.
------------- Norris City, Illinois January 23, 1916 Editor Press: As I did not take up any space in the Pink Press last year I will let the people and friends of Lawrence County know I am still among the living which they will remember me as being Francis E. Haines, daughter of Mr. Mrs. John W. Haines. I was born southeast of Chauncey, Lawrence County where I lived until the spring of 1909 when I was married to Mr. Frank Gray Boonville, Indiana and with him moved to Norris City, White County, Illinois. We have been blessed with two dear little children being born in our home, Beulah May age six and James Benjamin who will be five in the commencing spring. Since leaving here we have worked and planed and got us a nice little home paid for. We like our home and neighbors very much. As we have been readers of the Sumner Press ever since leaving here and enjoyed the Pink Press last year, we will try and fill a space this year. Respectfully yours, Mrs. Frank Gray ------------- Elkville, Illinois January 26, 1916
We have had varied experiences since my family and I left Sumner and the “old homestead" (my birthplace) 10 years ago. Many changes have taken place in Sumner and the sacred old home church Beulah, and in our own home since our departure to take up the work of our calling and of our Lord and Master as a Methodist minister being permitted to share in the conquest and joys in helping many people to a religious life. Our eldest son, Jasper, at present is in high school at Carbondale; our second son, Wilbur, is in Chicago in a cafe. Elkville is a small town with a population of 900 in Jackson County on the Illinois Central Railroad, between De Quoin and Carbondale. We have two new churches. Both are lighted with acetylene lights and heated with furnaces. The church ins Elkville has a basement under the entire building. This is a $950, two point charge. We have held our successful revival this year. We are our own evangelists. We are contemplating holding the other when conditions are more favorable. This is our second year at Elkville. The Jackson Company Coal Mine Company is just outside the Corporation, employing 350 men, with a monthly payroll of $25,000. Elkville has four Protestant churches, the Methodist Episcopal Church being the strongest. With best wishes for the Sumner Press and its readers, Your Brother in Christ, W. C. Harms ------------- Kearney, Nebraska January 24, 1916
I used to think Henry Brian was the best fellow there. I would play with Henry Brian, and taking my axes, one on each shoulder I started out to cut trees down. Papa says now don't get your taxes too hot, when one gets hot lay it down and use the other. So I did. When I came to dinner he said you didn't cut any trees in the hog lot did you? (I think he heard the sound). Course we can all be as good as George Washington, and I said,” yes sir, I did. I cut down three." And I had a fine dad, he only said "you must not cut down anymore." I go to school everyday, have not missed or been tardy so far. We have nine-month school. We are a hearty bunch of youngsters (three of us). Pearl goes to high school, Irene to Hawthorne building, and I go to Emerson building. Mamma is recovering from an attack of la grippe. I hope to be in high school in another year, so in a few years if you hear of Professor Haynes out west it will likely be me.
124-30 B. Kearney, Nebraska ------------- Butlerville, Lonoke County, Arkansas January 18, 1916 Editor Press: I too am a non-resident of Lawrence County. I was born in Lawrence County, Christy Township, one mile north and one mile west on the state road, on the Davenport place, east of Lafayette school house. I lived in and near Sumner 47 years. One year ago last December 14, 1914 we loaded our goods in a boxcar and bid Sumner and old friends goodbye and started for the sunny south. Three days later we landed in Bebee, Arkansas. My wife, Minnie (Gudgel) Heath and I, are located on a nice little home of our own of 47 acres, 6 1/2 miles southeast of Bebee, Arkansas. We have had very good health here. If we keep well and prosper, we expect to make old Arkansas our future home. We have taken the Press for a long time and enjoy reading its columns and could not get along with out it, as it is like a long letter from home. If we both live, we expect to visit Sumner in the near future again, as we both have lots of relatives and warm friends near Sumner. There are lots of people here from Illinois, and all other states and I wish many more would come, as I see a man with small means that wants to farm can live here as well as anywhere.
John E. Heath and wife ------------- Jacksonville, Arkansas January 17, 1916
Before me seems to be a duty that we justly owe our home country. I was raised southwest of Sumner eight miles. Bethlehem church sounds good to me. I have been wondering if, after 15 years of absence, I would feel like a stranger at Bethlehem church. Thirteen years ago I took a position with a medical company as a traveling salesman. I moved from Lukin Township to O’Fallon, Illinois. I worked there three years. I found no objection to either the people or the country there, but I decided on changing climates, so I moved to Arkansas. I have now been here for ten years. It is great consolation to me to review my boyhood days, which brings me a remembrance of many old acquaintances and relatives. I am sending my best wishes to all and am extending an invitation to any or all of my friends to come and see me or write to me. I live near Jacksonville, Arkansas. I am on a farm and am very well satisfied with all conditions. My wife will join in this letter, my maiden name was Hattie Burget, but now is Hattie Hill I was raised south of Sumner four miles. Wesley Chapel church I will never forget. We have four children, two are married and two at home and we have two little granddaughters and we are all prospering and having fine health. Have a good church and school close. I would be pleased to meet you all in around Sumner. Best regards to all, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Hill ------------- Marquette, Kansas January 26, 1916
We are always glad to get the Press as it is about like getting a letter from home. This is a great country yet our mind often runs back to old Lawrence County, the scenes of our childhood. By reading the Press we notice a great number have passed over the great borderland since we left our old home, and a number have moved away also. Business has changed so in Sumner that it hardly seems like the same town. I notice that you are having bad roads in Illinois. So far there has not been a day this winner that we could not run our auto. Thank you the editor for this opportunity of writing to friends through the Press, and sending greetings to all, I am,
C. W. Ivie ------------- Portland, Oregon January 21, 1916
On December 15 I started for Portland, Oregon. Arrived here on the 17th. I changed at Pueblo, Colorado, Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah, also at Pocatello, Idaho, and arrived at Portland in the evening and went to my son's, W. R. Ivie, 7244 5th Avenue. We had a family Christmas dinner at son, Everett Ivie’s, at 1185 50th Avenue, and the children were all present. I would like to tell of my trip up the Royal Gorge and a lot of other things, but we are to leave the scenery out, so I will just say that I am well, and I don't think anyone ever traveled that enjoyed it hardly so much as I do. This is five times that I have come to Portland, and I am perfectly at home. Portland is beautiful at the holiday time and already they are beginning to plan for the race carnival in June. Best wishes for all of the home folks and a happy new year.
------------- Bellevue, New Jersey January 28, 1916 Hello, Home Folks: Am afraid I won't get my letter in that "Pink Press". I have been so busy reading the special edition of the Olney Times. Well, it was not near so homey or interesting to me as the Pink Press was, and is going to be a (not readable) Earl has that chicken farm here in the suburbs, get sixty cents a dozen for eggs, Ruby is one of the four who has made over 98 for an average in the New Jersey state examinations. She is now taking the four year course in high school in three years and is standing at the head of the class of 96 freshmen. Mr. Jensen is still a government M. I. in Newark. I expect to make a visit to my old hometown and you let neighbors this summer. (Mrs. C. R.) Clem C. Jensen ------------- Champaign, Illinois January 12, 1916 Sumner Press: In response to our second non-resident issue, I will contribute a few lines to my old home paper, home friends and relatives. My maiden name was Cleora Westall, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Westall. I was born and spent my childhood days on a farm in Petty Township near Hazel Dell school house until six years ago this 12th day of January when I was married to Dan Jervis of Champaign County, Conduit Township, where I have resided since on a farm of 280 acres which keeps us pretty busy but am always glad to get the Press which I have always taken. We have two children, one daughter, Helen, age 3 years and one son Merwin, age 21 months. I always try to make a visit to my old home at least once a year. Hoping to hear from many more friends,
Mrs. Cleora Westall Jervis ------------- Delaware, Oklahoma January 15, 1916
I came west to Indian territory, that is what it was called at that time, in 1898, and there was but few people here to what there are now is and they had no roads here then. When one got bad they would make a new one. There were no fences only where there was a small farm, and it is mostly prairie where I am. You could look as far as your eyes would let you. There were large cattle ranches here then, but they are small now since it came to be a state. They are fencing it up and getting good roads. I farmed when I came to Oklahoma, what it is called now. They raise corn, oats, wheat and cotton here and now they raise sweet clover and alfalfa. It makes lots of hay. We have good schools here and we have churches. We used to have church in the old log schoolhouse. How things do change. Goodbye to you all,
J. H. S. ------------- Parker's Landing, Pennsylvania January 26, 1916
Today I read a special notice, with "please let us hear from you," but no stamped envelope. Since coming home my thoughts have often wandered to Pleasant Hill. Some of my kind friends at that place shipped me a barrel of fine apples for a Christmas gift, and after boarding in a town where we had but few apples, I was in a position to doubly appreciate the gift which I was going to say "Uncle" Dave Stoltz sent, but he might not care to have his name in the Pink Press. Last spring after a lingering illness, I was taken to a hospital and prepared for an operation, but not operated on. On October 27, 1915 I was admitted to the Butler County General Hospital and the following morning was operated on for appendicitis and adhesions. My recovery was rapid and I am enjoying better health than for a number of years. On December 13 I took up a position of Carpenter in a car works. We built cabs to be placed on gondola cars. They are for the French government. The cabs are all shipped knocked down, and placed on the cars in France. We completed the first order of 400. The company sent men to France to put up the cabs. I called mother on the phone and told her I thought of going to France. She replied "I think you will not go." I came home but expect to return soon. We will have an order of 1500 cabs to work on which will hold us for some time. Sincerely yours, Webster Kapp ------------- Chauncey, Illinois January 23, 1916
I came with my parents from Butler County, Ohio to Petty Township, Lawrence County, Illinois in the spring of 1850. My old home is about 10 miles north of Sumner and about a mile and a quarter east of Chauncey. My father's name was Richard Greer, my mothers name was Kate Greer11. There was no Bridgeport, Sumner, or Claremont then, no B. & O. S. W. Railroad. My father came by steamboat from Cincinnati to Vincennes and finished the journey in a covered wagon. The country was new. There was not much to see except log cabins and wild grass almost as high as the cabins. I was four years old we came to Illinois but I remember how our cabin looked. It was roofed with clapboards. The ceiling was boards laid on top of the joists. The floor was fastened down with wooden pins instead of nails. The chimney was made of sticks and mud and the cracks between the logs were filled with mud. The stairs to go up to the loft were large wooden pegs driven into auger holes in the logs in the corner of the room at the right and left hand alternately. We did not live in that cabin very long, perhaps a year, and then father built a new hewed log house with a long wide porch on each side. It was nicely finished and a very comfortable home it was. Our school house in those days was a log building which answered the purpose of church and school house in one. We sat on benches made of slabs. The legs were wooden pegs driven into auger holes in each end of the seat. There were two desks, one on the boy’s side of the house in one of the girl’s side. These were wide boards laid on large pegs that had been driven into auger holes in the wall. The door was a homemade one and so was the latch. The latch was a leather string tied to it that was put through a hole in the door and hung outside. All we had to do to open the door was to pull down the string latch and the door could be pushed open. Aunt Fanny Greer taught the first school I ever went to. It was a subscription school. Every man paid according to the number of children he sent. After school closed, the teacher collected her wages as best she could. The first letters that came to us were addressed to the Petty Post Office that was five miles from us. In the spring of 1858 my father, Uncle William Nunns and Uncle W. H. Brown and a few others laid out the town of Chauncey. The new frame school house was built there. There an M. E. Church soon followed by an M. P. Luther Watts kept the first store. Sometime in the sixties we got a post office at Chauncey. That was a very important event. Many changes have taken place since I was young. Perhaps the most important was the coming of the railroad. My father took us out to see the first train that passed over us. In early 60s came coal oil lamps instead of tallow candles. Now we have telephones and rural routes. For old-time social gatherings there was the peach cutting, apple cutting, the singing school and the spelling school. We had some good spellers too. I believe I would be safe in saying that Charles Goodman and George Daniels could spell any word in the book. If Charles was chosen for one side George would be chosen for the other, so they always had to spell against each other. I remember one night after all the rest were "spelled down” George and Charles spelled against each other until the teacher was tired of pronouncing. He gave us a short recess and set them to try it again, but neither could spell the other down so he declared a tie, and dismissed us. Now Mr. Editor, I believe you said we should write something about ourselves. In 1873 I was married to Francis Adam Keplinger, since then my home is in Crawford County, Illinois. We had seven children. My husband died in 1888, the second son died the same year and the second daughter ten years after. The other five are still living and are all doing well for themselves. How am I prospering? Well, suffice to say, I have a neat little home and the necessary things of life but with none of the luxuries. What have I been doing? I am a housekeeper and well it would take too long to tell what I have done. Now sisters you all know housekeeping brings plenty of work, but it doesn't pay, at least not in dollars and cents. Had my husband lived we might have been more prosperous. He left me with six children, the oldest 14 years of age and the youngest one year. I did the best I could to take care of gether until they could take care of themselves. My two daughters are married, and one son in North Dakota, one at home and one at the University of Valparaiso. If I live till the 16th of August I will be threescore and ten.
Chauncey RR#1 Illinois ------------- Princeton, Indiana January 26, 1916 Editor Sumner Press: Your notice received, asking me for a letter for your Pink Press Edition, which is to appear in the near future. While neither myself or wife are natives of Illinois, yet there were four years of our life (and very happy was indeed) spent in Lawrence County. In the year 1908 I began teaching school there, taking for my first experience in that profession a rural school southeast of your progressive little city, known and designated Clark. There I spent two consecutive school years. At that time, some sixty-five pupils were enrolled, and most of the time the teacher was real busy teaching and keeping school. I shall never forget the many days spent in that vicinity, also the many kindly acts and favors of the pupils and patrons. We had feasts on numerous occasions which my vocabulary will not permit me to describe. We lived in your city almost two years and during that time and since, I have observed the keen interest and enthusiasm which your good citizens have manifested in making your city alive, prosperous and progressive. After leaving Sumner we moved near Bridgeport, and for two consecutive school years I had charge of Pleasant Grove, another rural school and permit me to say that I had never known a school board, in cooperation with patrons, to be so alert and enthusiastic, consistent with good business principles, in the promotion of educational facilities in comforts, as this board was, which was composed of Messrs, Crook, Eshelman and Cooper. The many good people of that progressive school district and the many good children, whom I learned to know and to love, always have my highest regards and best wishes. Later we moved to Bridgeport, where I was assistant postmaster for a short time. After leaving that city, I again entered law school at Danville, Indiana, and resumed the study of law, finishing my work in April, 1913. The following May we located at the above city for the practice of my profession. I am enjoying a good business and we content ourselves in believing this city the best city of its size in the state. We are located at 827 North Hart Street, where any of our Lawrence County friends are welcome to call by Mrs. Kirk, our little daughters Juanita Lea, Wilma Louisa and myself. With our best wishes for the editors of the Press, and friends of Lawrence County for health, happiness and prosperity, we are, Respectfully yours, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Kirk ------------- West Salem, Illinois January 26, 1916
------------- Sullivan, Indiana January 25, 1916 To the Readers of the Sumner Press: As we are very much interested in Lawrence County's progress I will write just a few words for the makeup of the non-resident issue. My mother with six children moved to Lawrence County in the year of 1872. We located three miles southeast of Sumner, in Christy Township, where I lived for about 40 years. But, alas, times have changed. We realize we are older and many of our schoolmates as well as our own dear kindred, are sleeping in Mt. Zion and other cemeteries. But since our leaving of about a year ago and over, changes have been made there, and oh ! So many deaths. We are located about 1 1/2 miles from town due north on the Sullivan and Terre Haute road. This is a fine country and we find the people sociable and friendly. We live in three or four hundred yards of J. L. Nesbit, whom the people in your town know. He deals in buying and selling horses. We are nicely located here and will briefly say we are dealing in the poultry lines. We have gotten from 2 to 5 dozen eggs per day ever since the 1st of December Eggs have been selling at thirty cents per dozen. If any of our old friends need anything in the poultry line we can accommodate them to the utmost. Our breeds are the Rhode Island and White Leghorns. A Bible reading began here in Sullivan, conducted by brother Daniel Sommer. The progress has been great and we find him to be an able instructor. In conclusion of our paper, will say our health is as well as we could expect and our little grandson Joseph Richard Mathis, is well and growing fast and can talk a few words. With best wishes, I remain Very truly yours, J. A. Marley ------------- McLeansboro, Illinois January 29, 1916
It is raining today, has been for three days now. Thundered and lightening this morning. Have not seen Jackson Martin, my brother, since last fall. Very sorry to hear of P. W. Shicks death, as we were boys together down in old Lukin. G. W. Martin ------------- Jackson, Mississippi January 26, 1916 Editor Press: My maiden name was Barnes. I was raised on a farm about half a mile east of White House church, in Lawrence County, Bridgeport Township. Came to Jackson Mississippi about seven years ago for my health, and I am still in the land of beautiful flowers. I am living with my niece and her two sons, Mrs. Susan Miller. There are a number of people here from the north and the greater number like this country for mild winters. We have quite a lot of flowers in bloom in our yard at this time. I would like to see all my relatives, old friends and neighbors, but it's a long way up to the old home, and as I have a pleasant home and quite a number of friends here, I am perfectly satisfied. We all appreciate the Sumner Press, which through the kindness of my nephew and niece, J. L. and Dell Barnes, find its way to Jackson once each week.
Lou Mayo
RFD 5 ------------- Dulin, Missouri January 24, 1916 Dear Sirs: I will write a few lines to the non-resident issue. Old Lawrence County used to be our home. I was the second daughter at Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Miles, living ten miles northwest of Lawrenceville. I married Charles McNece, son of Mr. and Mrs. George McNece, of Petty. We moved from the J. R. King farm, three miles north and one mile west, to southeast Missouri, near Bernie, Stoddard County, ten years ago, afterwards moving to Butler County, fifteen miles south of Popular Bluff, on the Black River. There are six of us in the family. We have four children, all boys. We are readers of the Press and greatly appreciate our old home paper.
Mrs. Charles McNece ------------- Olney, Illinois January 10, 1916
I attended school at Old Center School house and Beulah school in the old log house. The only teachers now living are James Hull and Thomas Stevens, of Sumner. Yours, Joseph Miller ------------- Tuscola, Illinois January 30, 1916
We have taken the Press ever since we moved north. It is like getting a letter from home. We left Lawrence County in 1897 came to Douglas County and located in Tuscola. It is the county seat of one of the best counties in the state-the garden spot of Illinois-black, rich soil and level country. There isn't any waste land in the County. This is a good place for a man that has energy and push to get a start. I would say to my friends, I am in the livery business, have a good trade and have no reason to regret leaving Lawrence County, tho I have many friends there and enjoy very much a trip back once a year for a few days visit. Boost the Press and give us all the news, and oblige.
------------- New Cornerstown, Ohio January 18, 1916 Press Editor and Friends: Will write a few lines for the special edition of the Sumner Press, hoping some old-time friends may want to hear from me. I was born two miles west of Landes, Crawford County, March 8, 1885. My parents moved to West Liberty in 1890, where we lived until 1896. We then moved back to Landes, staying one year. On November 11, 1897, we left Landes for Coshocton County, Ohio, in a covered wagon, arriving in 13 days. I am at present employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as assistant foreman, having worked for this company for 13 years, in several branches of the service. My parents are both well and enjoying good health. With the best wishes for the Press and all of my old-time friends, I remain Yours truly, Elmer W. Neighbor ------------- New Cornerstown, Ohio January 18, 1916
I formally lived in Crawford County, near Landes, also in West Liberty, Jasper County, where most of my school days were spent. My maiden name was Lizzie Neighbor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abe Neighbor, my mother's father was Benjamin Howell, deceased. We moved from Illinois when I was 17 years of age, and here, in 1908 I was married to Morris Parks, and have one son, Vernon, five years of age. My parents are both living and enjoying good health. Would be pleased to hear from any old friends who may read these few lines. Will certainly answer them. With best wishes for the Sumner Press and all of its readers for a pleasant 1916. I close,
Mrs. Morris Parks ------------- Carlock, Illinois January 15, 1916
I, John W. Peters, son of Mr. Isaac Peters and Mrs. Fannie Peters, and also brother of Mrs. Alvira J. Corrie who departed this life April 16, 1912, also father departing December 2, 1900. Mother resides in Lukin Township up to this present time, which used to be my happy home. I have three children, two being by the First Union, Mary E. Moore who departed this life June, 1900, born and raised in Lawrence County, and one child by the second union, Olive A. McClintock, of Woodford County Illinois, the oldest child a girl, 14 years old, second a boy 7 years old and third a boy 2 years 10 months, and is three feet four inches in height. I now live within five miles of Woodford County, farming an 80 acre farm, but March the first I'll be 2 1/2 miles from Woodford County on 160 acres. Crops were fine here last year, with plenty of rain but cool. The winter weather gives us 14 and 16 below zero part of the time with rain, ice and snow. I reside just two miles from the Methodist Church, which I attend. I am assistant superintendent, also assistant teacher of young people's class. But there is no place like home sweet home. When it comes to religion, give me old Bethlehem for the spirit. Perhaps it's just a fancy of mine, but my wife agrees with me that they lack energy and haven’t spirit enough at times. We feel like shouting hallelujah right loud, but if we should Rev. Tracy, Rev. Burnell, Rev. Reich, brothers Foss, Holsen, Wright, Prout and Moore wouldn't be here to join in on the chorus. But there are three families from Lawrence County, Lukin Township that will be close here this year and will attend the same church. I think my next report will be better. We will soon have our revival and then brother L. M. Wood, listen, for I think you might hear me sing that far. Wishing friends and readers of this paper, a happy and prosperous year is my prayer, Your friends, J. W. Peters ------------- Marshfield, Wisconsin January 26, 1916
------------- Spokane, Washington January 17, 1916 2317 West Liberty
We especially thank the Press for the 52 splendid letters during the past year, not one of which failed to reach us on time. We have enjoyed every day of 1915 many of which were red letter days because of new friends made and happy associations with the old ones. On Christmas Day we celebrated homecoming, when son, daughter and daughter-in-law were with us for that and several following days. This, with living remembrances from friends in Illinois and elsewhere made a happy climax for the ending of 1915 in a most encouraging beginning for 1916. We certainly have everything to be thankful for, with a united family, so many friends here and in Illinois, good health and plenty of employment. Frazer and wife live at Greenacres, Washington, a suburb, employed in the city, and are happy and prosperous. Helen is devoted to her music in Montana Deaconess School, Helena, Montana, where she informs us it is now 40 below zero. She comes home twice each year. At these periods Frazier and Clara come also and do you know there is never a time nor scarcely a day that we do not discuss Illinois happenings as we call out from memories or from the papers. Well, to be brief, we are all doing nicely and decidedly happy in our new home. I wish that I could tell you about New Year's Eve and Spokane when the lights went out of 152 saloons, and the doors closed (we hope) forever and ten days later when officers, with search and seizure papers, took possession of home stored booze. Also of the terrible accident a few days before Christmas, when two street cars, carrying men to work, went down with the Division Street Bridge into Spokane River, five lives lost and many injured, the city now facing nearly half a million dollar damage suit but an editorial censor is on the job. I will say, however, that Spokane and all other cities and towns in the state are clean of rum and rebellion. Crime for the first half of January shows a most wonderful decrease, as it always does under such circumstances. With kind regards to all, we are respectfully, Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Piper ------------- Chatham, Illinois January 17, 1916 Editor the Sumner Press,
We left Sumner 5 1/2 years ago, after a sojourn of four years, the memories of which are chiefly agreeable and the good people of Sumner have a warm place in our hearts. The Three and a half years immediately succeeding, we enjoyed the quiet of a country charge, leaving it for our present field something more than two years ago. We are very pleasantly located ten miles southwest of Springfield, on the I.T.S. and C. & A. which give us convenient access to the outside world. We are very comfortably housed in a nine room manse near the public square and have a bunch of good neighbors about us. I have pastoral care of two congregations, one in the village and the other five miles out. The work has been somewhat strenuous, but the results quite satisfactory. I have recently been enjoying (?) an enforced vacation, beginning with a sojourn in the hospital, but am slowly recovering and hope to resume full work in a few weeks. My people have been most generous and kindly sympathetic through it all, and we have been remembered in this substantial way, our Christmas gifts including a purse of yellow coin from the Chatham congregation. We desire, through this medium, to convey all our Sumner friends the assurance of our friendship and best wishes for their material and spiritual welfare
------------- Calhoun, Illinois January 15, 1916 Mr. Editor: I will try to write a few lines for the Pink Press. William W. Provines was born in Ashland County, Ohio, August 4, 1844. He came to Lawrence County with my parents John S and the Louisa Provines, in the fall of 1855. We came in wagons camping at nights and having a good time. My father was assessor several times and collector three or four times. He took the census over the County once. He first settled on the place my brother J. A. Provines now owns. Afterwards bought Richard Ridgely's place, where he lived until his death, in 1865. I lived at home with my mother and little children, tended farm and helped to raise them. In 1866 I was married to Miss Caroline M. Higgins, daughter of Barney and Lucetta Higgins. To this union were born nine children-five girls in four boys-Mrs. Minnie Payne, Laura M. Henry-she is dead, Inez Bunn-she is also dead; T. H. Provines, in Newell, South Dakota, Eli F. Provines, Mary Heckler; Austin L. Provines, Willie F. Provines, Catherine Lee Harrison, all of whom are living in Richland County. We are now living alone as we started, I and my wife, through life 50 years next Friday, 21st of January. We live in the country until 1882, when we moved to Sumner. I work for Bradenthrall and Brian’s the first year and then bought a dray and ran it for ten years, then sold out and rented a farm one year and lived on it a while, then sold out and went on a wild goose chase and moved to southeast Missouri. We did not like it out there, so we came back to Illinois and bought our home back. I saw the first cars or train that went through Sumner on the fourth day of July and had been a reader of the Press ever since it started, and I could hardly do without it, as it always tells about the old people of Sumner, but they have nearly all passed over the river, only a few that I know are left. Well, I will close, or my letter will be too long. William W. Provines ------------- Topeka, Kansas January 25, 1916 Dear Sir: I was born in 1884 in Chauncey, Illinois, Lawrence County, and lived there until I was nineteen years old. At that time I came to Kansas, landed at Silver Lake, the spring of 1903. That Sumner we had an awful flood and I thought I had all I wanted of Kansas, but I am still here. I worked on a farm when I first came to Kansas and ten years ago I went to work for the Beatrice Creamery Company which is located at Topeka. It is one of the largest creameries in the United States of its kind. I have made several trips to my old home town, of which I am proud. I have relatives in and around Chauncey. I enjoyed my trip home a little over year ago the best of any I have made. Hoping to see the Pink Issue soon, goodbye to all,
J. B. Reynolds 14311 Polk Street ------------- Salem, Illinois January 30, 1916 Dear Sumner Press: As a member of the Press family, I welcome another Pink Edition. Early in 1915, I was asked to serve the church at Salem, Illinois, and I gladly responded. This is my third "Sentence" with this church and I'm enjoying it very much. My family still lives in Eureka where Mary is in college. We have not succeeded in marrying off any of our family except Gus. He lives in Chicago and has three fine children (grandchildren, mind you), in his home. Mefford is an embalmer and funeral director and buries the dead. I am at Eureka a small part of my time and Mrs. R. takes splendid care of the home. I think I have the bravest and best wife in Illinois. J. F. Rosborough ------------- Hillemann, Arkansas January 10, 1916 Dear Editor: I thought I would write you a few lines in answer to your request for a letter from non-residents. I am a subscriber to the Sumner Press. We receive the paper on Saturdays and we are always glad to hear from the home folks. I left Landes, Illinois, Southwest Township, the 14th day of September 1914 and moved to Hunter, Arkansas, Woodruff County and lived there until January 7, 1915, when moved to Hillemann, Arkansas, where I now live. I taught school in Hunter last winter. Am now teaching in Hillemann, Arkansas, I taught 20 days for a month. The scholars, as a rule are well behaved and good workers although I notice more sickness here than in schools in Illinois mostly malaria and chills. The people of Southwest Township that remember how sick I was when I was up there last fall, on a visit, will be surprised when I say I have not been sick a day since I came back. I don't mean to say that it is healthier down here than up there, but the change in the climate seems to affect anyone going from the south to the north. Well, I must say that I can hear the frogs croaking tonight. This has meant a very open winter, so far, and we had a fine crop of corn and cotton, with a good price this year. We are the only Sumner people here, but six miles south, at Hunter, Arkansas, Mark Mushrush of Sumner, and Robert Lieb of Landes, live. We farmed last Sumner, but this fall we sold our horses, cattle and hogs and moved to town, next to the school house, so I am real handy to school. We still have two milk cows, nine sheep and one little lamb. My wife, whose maiden name was Florence Cotterell, is enjoying good health, only sometimes when she reads in the Sumner Press about parties and oyster suppers in Southwest Township she has what I call the Arkansas blues- that is, wanting to go back to Illinois. She says to tell you she got a deer hide rug, a pair of ladies rubber boots (for they are sure the go here) one half stock of bananas and all the oranges, candy, apples and peanuts she could eat for Christmas. There is lots of la grippe and pneumonia in this part of Arkansas. Well, I must close, by wishing you success and happiness in old Illinois. From your happy Arkansas pilgrims, Mr. and Mrs. Emery E. Shaw ------------- Vincennes, Indiana January 22, 1916 Editor Press: Being born and raised in Christy Township, Lawrence County, Illinois and now residing in Vincennes, Indiana, allow space for just a few words for the Pink Press as I enjoyed reading the many good letters of non-residents last year. I think those letters were great. As we get the address and hear from our old-time friends, it brings before us our childhood days and longing for dear friends that have assisted in times gone by. My first school was just west of Sumner, in an old log cabin without any floor. This was a subscription school. My father lived on the Dr. Burget farm, which is, I believe now owned by William Piper. My next school was at Center. T. M. Stevens, of your city, was teacher, Benjamin Umfleet, then came the old time honored C. B. Carter as instructor and ask Burget Brian, Edward Shick, A. C. Shick, Dolph Fiscus and many others, with myself, about marching around that old box stove for three days to pay for eating popcorn in time of school. My next school was old Buckhorn, managed by H. Curry, and ask A. J. Provines, Bob Martin, Joe Snider and others if we did not pull some hickory roots that winter. I finished up my schooling at Franklin, with Perry Watson, Henry Perkins, William Malone were teachers. I helped build the little church just across the field-Mt. Zion and in the yard their lies father, mother, sister and many friends and among our old friends that are still in the neighborhood of Mt. Zion are William Simms, Christopher and Elisha Day and Eber Putman. I served apprenticeship for three years under the instructions of the Lukinite man, P. W. Sutherland, to learn a trade and thanks to P.W. for the trade and many good times we had together. I then married one of Sumner's good-looking girls and moved to Sumner, the best little city in the world and where, if you are right, the good people are always ready to lend a hand. We raised a family of six children, three of them here, one in Lawrenceville, one in Chicago, and one little girl lies in the Sumner city cemetery and some day we will come back there to rest. The Sumner Press has been a constant visitor every week for thirty three years and we still think it's a great paper and with my childhood memories going back to Lawrence County, why should I not think it the best place on earth. I will eagerly await your Pink Press.
Vincennes, Indiana 1225 North 10th Street ------------- De Lassus, Missouri November 25, 1916 Publishers Press: Sumner having been our home town for many years, and being interested in anything and everything that Sumner does, we are naturally interested in seeing that the Pink Press is as great if not greater success than it was last year. It certainly was fine to hear from so many friends and neighbors that we knew nothing of their whereabouts until seeing their names in the Pink Press. We are all enjoying the best of health, and the past year was fairly prosperous for us. We have a small country place 91 miles south of St. Louis on the Iron Mountain Railroad. I find raising vegetables and chickens very pleasant work, and enjoy much better health than when I lived in East St. Louis, where we resided for 12 years before coming down here. Our three youngest children are still in school. The two oldest in the eighth grade, and the youngest one in the fifth. Trusting that nothing will delay the publishing of the Pink Press on the appointed date, and that by it we may hear from many old friends, I am
Mrs. A. C. Shick ------------- Lebanon, Illinois January 28, 1916
We are still milking a few cows and dealing in Buff Rock chickens. We are very much pleased with the Press. Always glad when Thursday comes as it most always brings the Press, which is like getting a letter from home and makes our minds wander back to old Lawrence County where we spend our young days. We are very much pleased and appreciate very much the articles written from one of your epistles way down in the state of Galilee (no not Galilee, excuse me) I mean in the state of Lukin, where Jack Provines used to come in on us at campaign time and furnish the largest broom I ever saw. Those are great days. Write often and we will like it all the better. Now in conclusion we send our best wishes and regards to all our Lawrence County friends where ever they may have drifted. D. L. Shick ------------- Alvin, Texas January 18, 1916 Editor Sumner Press: I have been water bound in Texas forty-two years. I have seen it in it's many phases, from the days of reconstruction to date. To write personal experience in these years of progression would require several sections of an article. The death of my brother Peter, on the 13th has a very depressing effect on my reminiscent mood. For this reason I beg the editor, my relatives and friends in good old Lukin Township to remember I still hold you all in memory and the place of my birth in reverence.
F. M. Shick ------------- Bloomington, Illinois January 14, 1916
Although I have been away from home of my boyhood only a short time I feel that I can send a message of greeting through the columns of the non-resident issue that I cannot send personally. As I write I am sitting in what I shall have to call my present home-in the front room of a private boarding house-I cannot see happenings of the street for the frozen scenery on the windows is about 15 degrees below zero, but with that it is beautiful weather. I am employed in the General Roadmaster's office of the Chicago and Alton Railroad Company. Bloomington is an ideal city and I do not hesitate to recommend it to any of my friends. It is a clean, beautiful, and I thank God a saloonless city. The saloons were voted out two years ago, and to the man who argues that a town is "dead" after the exit of the saloons I would like to show the recent yearly report of the City of Bloomington, as it is in spite of the D. W. P. in the midst of prosperity. I am looking forward to the non-resident issue, and am expecting to see messages from many friends in the distant parts of our fair land from whom I have not heard from for some time. I extend to all my friends a cordial invitation to visit 811 West Washington if the opportunity should be in yours,
George H Shafer 811 West Washington ------------- Phoenix, Arizona January 18, 1916 Sumner Press: Many readers of the Sumner Press, my old home paper, will no doubt be surprised to read of me, as it has been over fifteen years since they have seen or heard of me. On the Press records you will see that I have been about a regular subscriber until a year ago, my father came west and brought the paper with him. Since I lived in Sumner, I have been in southern states a great deal, but have been in the west for seven years. While I'll admit I haven't read the Press so regular of late or as I used to, is because my whole time in interests are here now and I am a believer at making the town live where you make your living. I noticed some of your lines in regard to advertising which please me, as truthful advertising is about the best investment a merchant can make. I started a small lumber yard here less than three years ago on a very small capital-$1000-and by advertising facts into good clean daily, I have over $80,000 worth of business today, and expect to do $50,000 this year by the same process. I contract $100 a year at $.30 per column inch into dailies, use a great deal more than that, besides advertising in several weekly and monthly editions. I find it a good policy to be friends with and have newspaper people for friends. It is useless for me to say I like this country. I came here seeking health and wealth. I found the former and am very pleased with what I am getting of the latter. There is only one more person a bachelor could ask for. Yours with pleasure, H. H. Shoup ------------- Kankakee, Illinois January 31, 1916
We live on the East Court Street Road, about one half mile from the city limits on a market garden of twenty acres, about four acres of which is under grass. Last year they installed the sprinkling system, which is quite an improvement. There are two very deep wells and water tower which, with the aid of gasoline engines, furnished plenty of water. Gardening last year was about like farming-a failure. We have three children-Thelma, 14 years old, in eighth grade; Alfred, eight years old, in fifth grade; Marjorie, 21 months old, keeps us company at home. She doesn't talk much yet, but has a way of making us understand her every wish. Mr. Siebert parents, Mr. and Mrs. Siebert, live in Kankakee. They like it here even better than we do. His brother, Purl, is married, has two children and lives in Gilt Edge Montana. My mother and stepfather, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Kronmiller live in Sumner. We have our dear little boy buried there, who would have been 12 years old tomorrow, February 1. He died on his seventh birthday. In conclusion, I will say we would miss the Press very much in our home and Friday is a very long day if it fails to arrive then.
Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Siebert Rural Route 3 ------------- 1611 E. El Dorado Street Decatur, Illinois January 12, 1916
Warren is a freight conductor on the Wabash Railroad running between Decatur and Peru, Indiana for which he has been working for the past 12 years. We have five healthy rosy-cheeked children, four boys and one girl Estol, age 8, Leonard, aged 7, Irving 5, Maurice, 4 and Geneveive 2 1/2. Will close hoping to see many other non-resident letters in print. Mrs. Stella Westall Smith ------------- Champaign, Illinois January 10, 1916 Editor Sumner Press: And all our friends and relatives who may be interested in the Pink Sheet. I am the second daughter of Joseph and Eliza J. Westall of Lawrence County, Petty Township, born in Perry County, Ohio, in the fall of 1854 in that same fall in company with Uncle Dave Hutchinson and family drove through in covered wagons to the farm now own by my youngest brother, A. J. Westall. I was raised and lived there until my marriage to Irving Smith, son of Samuel and Barbara Smith, Clark County, Ohio, where he was born in the fall of 1854. He came to Illinois in the fall of 1871 living on the farm of Uncle Peter Smith, one half mile from my father's farm. We were married February 3, 1876, 40 years ago, February 3, 1916. We have four boys, Frank, a machinist of Chicago, Ross a teamster of Champagne, Warren a conductor on the Wabash Railroad Decatur, and Harry, formally with the Wells Fargo Express Company, Detroit Michigan, and now clerk in a grocery store at Champaign. My husband is in the transfer business. We have a comfortable home and five houses which bring us a nice little income which we appreciate in our old days. My first school days were spent in a log school house where Pleasant Hill church now stands with puncheon seats and a long writing desk along one side of which we would take so long each day for writing in our copybooks made of foolscap writing paper. One of my teachers was William Linsy or Bill Linsy he was called in that community and another Miss Liza Ryan of Lawrenceville. Well I presume I had better bring my letter to a close as it may be too lengthy to keep the editor in the right humor. So in close wishing success to the Press and all of its readers. Mr. and Mrs. W. I. Smith 211 West Tremont Street Champaign, Illinois ------------- Carlock, Illinois January 20, 1916 Mr. L. M. Wood: I am glad to know you are going to print the Pink Press again. It is quite interesting to read and hear from old folks far and near. My maiden name was Clem Jones and I was born near the County line at Richland and Lawrence County's but have made Lawrence County my home. My parents are Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Jones, which are still living on the old farm near U. B. Church. We are now located on a farm of 185 acres in the northern part of Illinois, four miles from Carlock, McLean County, and had been here for over a year. This country around here is very broken. We have saw some large hills in southern Illinois but no such hills as we have here. I called them young mountains, close to the Mackinaw River. But we will soon move about seven miles across the river, then we will be six miles northwest of El Paso, Illinois on the prairie land we will work on a farm and it will be a lovely country. Well, about my family, five is our family, three daughters-Mabel, the oldest, 13; Opal, the second, 11: Lillie, the third, 8, they are all going to school. They have about two miles to go. Well, I believe this is all for this time.
Mrs. Clem Starkman Carlock, Illinois ------------- Monte Vista, Colorado January 11, 1916 Editor Sumner Press: Seeing your announcement of the coming edition of the Pink Press and having formerly been a resident of Lawrence County and vicinity of Sumner, I thought it might be of some interest to those of the readers of the Press who may not have forgotten me, to give a "write up" of myself. I have not seen Sumner for more than twenty-seven years, nor have I been a resident of Lawrence County for nearly thirty-five years. I am a younger brother of P. W. Sutherland, "Ye Lukin Scribe” and a son of Asa Sutherland, who passed over the great beyond with the great majority many years ago. He was a resident of Bonpas, south of Sumner for a good many years. During my early life I taught school at various points in Lawrence County for upwards of fourteen years. Probably most of the places have now changed names. Among them were Beulah, Buckhorn, Tarpley, Lukin and Chauncey. I still have the records of those schools and doubtless many of those pupils who attended my schools will still remember me. In the latter part of my teaching days I entered the ministry and in the spring of 1883 I was called to Ellsworth, Illinois, going to that place from Chauncey. I have never resided in Lawrence County since that time and to the best of my memory have not even visited it for twenty-seven or eight years. I remember several of my teachers when I attended school in Lawrence County. Among them were B. L. Cunningham and J. B. Wright. I graduated from Eureka College, Eureka, Illinois, in 1880, and after I quit teaching spent about nine years preaching at different points in central Illinois. Among those places were Ellsworth, Lovington, Bement, Clinton, Cerro Gordo and others. I think that a great number of people of central Illinois still remember me and my preaching. In the fall of 1892 I decided to seek the "wild and woolly west" and from that time to the present I have been and am yet, a staunch Westerner. I settled in San Luis Valley, southern Colorado, where I have spent the last near 24 years of my life, with the exception of about 2 1/2 years spent in parts of Oregon and Washington part of the time at Portland, Oregon, Vancouver, Washington, and several months in western Oregon. The barracks of the military department of the District of Columbia are situated at Vancouver, on the banks of the Columbia River and I cannot refrain from saying to your readers that I doubt very much if there is anywhere on earth more beautiful scenery than and down the Columbia River from the Cascades to the sea. But, by some inexplicable providence, the greater part of my western life has been east in San Luis Valley, a full description of which, with its peoples and surroundings, would more than fill the entire issue of the Pink Press. The eternal mountains, high, hugs, cloud piercing and snow capped in the winter, that surround the Valley on all sides like a mighty rock barrier, shutting off the Valley from all the rest of the world, fill you with all an unbounded admiration and astonishment when you are roaming among them. So over powering in their rugged grandeur, so inspiring and fascinating in their majestic greatness are they that some how they enter into and seemed to become a part of your being. Taken away from them and without them you feel lost and at unrest. It is asserted by very many that after you have spent a few years among the Rockies you will never be satisfied anywhere else very long. You can't feel right out of sight of your mountains. I found a fascination for me every where I have been in the great west, such as I never knew in any of my experiences in the "down east". Taking into account, too, the fact that during all this time I have lived in the Valley, I have been preaching for and associating with its best people, having preached to nearly every church and school house in it and endured, and hardships and trials with its people, all these years, you will not at all wonder when I tell you that I have lost almost all feeling of attachment or interest in the east. The fascination and the vim of western life robs you of all well nigh all those memories and attachments of the former life. It is like the Greeks of Xenophon’s Anabasis, so wonderful and desirable a country that through its fascinations they forgot their home and kindred and country. It may be, however, that it is more or less attributable to the "wanderer lust" that has always seemed to be in my blood and fairly it may be true that it is in the blood, for since coming west my children have grown up and, unlike most families, have separated and scattered until some of them are fifteen and eighteen hundred miles from home and three thousand miles from each other. Be that as it may, I am quite certain that Lawrence County and its people and its memories had well nigh slipped away from me until about six months ago a couple of young man, Claude and Roy Travis of Sumner, to whom I am related as a great uncle, came out to spend some time in our country and in talking of old Sumner and home and the people of Lawrence County, why, withal, it revived the old-time memories and led me to give you a "write up" of my humble self and my wanderings. So here we be, with a glad word and salutation for all our former acquaintances, friends and associates who may still remember us, and sure, "why should auld acquaintances be forgotten and days of auld lang syne?" Those, “days of auld lang syne, my dear", they do bring to us very pleasant and inspiring memories if we will only take just a little time to think them over again. So long to you.
------------- Dreamright, Oklahoma January 10, 1916 Mr. Wood: As I saw in our dear old home paper the call for non-resident letters, I will try to write a few lines that may instruct some of your readers. I was born and reared on a farm in Petty Township, near Pleasant Hill church, where I have spent my life till of late. We are now located at Dreamright, Oklahoma, a town of 15,000 population, built since the year 1912, when the first well was drilled for oil which proved to be a good one, and is now a large field. They are erecting a fine home for the First National Bank of the city, which will be completed by January 20 and also a new building for the drugstore. They have good schools, three churches and two good hospitals in the town. I notice the editor has told us to state our maiden name in our letter. My name was Waggoner, but have changed it to a German name as many of our readers know. My husband is now at work for the Cortiz Oil Company at a nice little income of $139 per month. Our children are both robust and in good health, although the climate is so different from that of Illinois. The wind is so strong today one can hardly walk alone. Well, as this is my first attempt to write a letter to publish, I will close, wishing all our readers success in the coming year. Yours truly, Mr. and Mrs. Stroshine ------------- Lawton, Oklahoma January 4, 1916
My name is Henry C. Turner; my father's name was Tom Turner. I was born December 28, 1844, three miles south of where Sumner now stands. The first school I ever went to was an old log school house on the old Jim French farm. I was in Sumner the day the rails were laid on the railroad through the town, and there wasn't but three houses in the town.
H. C. Turner ------------- Clearwater, Florida January 24, 1916
After having a pleasant trip to Clearwater, we had no trouble in finding pleasant rooms in the best residential part of the city, about three blocks from the shore of the Bay, with fine walks to the water and a nice boardwalk leading out over the water a quarter of a mile, with a large pavilion from which there is fine fishing. We find people hear from all the different parts of the north, in order to keep warm without the use of wood, coal or gas and partly succeeding only, as we have had to build fires in open fireplaces more than once. A day or two after coming here it was colder than at home. We find that Florida has hard times as well as Illinois and other parts of the country. Property is held at lower prices than a year or two ago and very little being sold, no demand for labor. The old residents however say that this state of affairs is only temporary, but still I offer the same advice that I gave a year ago from California. That the people of Sumner, Illinois should not be in a hurry to dispose of their property, thinking to do better elsewhere. I will say that Florida is rightly named as it is a land of flowers and a beautiful country where it is improved and cultivated properly, and another thing in its favor is the fine fishing, of which it would be needless to mention if you could have seen the five foot string of trout that we caught in the Bay a few days ago, within a few hundred yards of our rooms. We have a good many people from Illinois here. Among them the Berryhills, John and wife and Lee, living in good health and feeling fine. They are helping to keep up the reputation of Clearwater as a tourist town by keeping a boarding house and rooms. Our party is composed of the writer and John J. Wagner and wife and James I. Wagner and wife and Paul, their son, six years old, who is chaperone of the whole party, and right well does he discharge his duties and to whom the pleasure of the trip is justly attributed.
H. M. Wagner ------------- Marshfield, Indiana January 27, 1916
The hunters would always burn it off in the fall, and then the pasture would be nice in the spring. How beautiful it was on a bright morning to see the deer grazing. The Sumner Press is a welcome visitor in my home, as I am always glad to hear from the old friends and hope some of them would be to hear from me.
My maiden name was Waggoner ------------- Indianapolis ,Indiana January 30, 1916
After finding that I could better myself financially, as well as learn a good trade, I decided to accept a position with Lilly's Pharmacy, the largest wholesale drug house here. I secured the position through the influence of friends and consider myself lucky in obtaining it. I am enjoying my work here very much. I send greetings to all my friends in Lawrence. Edna Webb ------------- Silcot, Washington January 9, 1916 To my friends and relatives, both known and unknown, who were raised in the county of Lawrence, that was named for the man who shouted the patriotic appeal "Don't Give up the ship." I was born in Hadley, Illinois, June 4th, 1861. My parents were Lafayette and Marie (nee Dunn). Was third of a family of five, all living and pretty well scattered, from the Lone Star State, to the 49th Parallel of North Latitude. Would like to hear from all, will try and give you a description of the country in which I am located. I was fourteen years old before I ever wore shoes. My first was homemade, made by Mr. Warren of Hadley. I wonder if Bridget Counour recalls the time I hit her over the head with a stick of molasses candy. I remember the total eclipse of the sun in 1867. A pussy man named Gaines was pointing at the sun and said the world is coming to the end. My playmates and I were playing train on some empty cars on a side track. I looked at the sun which was about half obscured, and decided if I had to die I'd rather die in the house, and beat it home about 80 rods across the meadow. Grants campaign is the first I remember. They had the boys in blue. The slogan was "Hurrah for Grant and “Cold Coffee Grounds", "Hurrah for See and Blairmour" Father ran an old sash saw mill in Hadley, was post master agent, and also sold dry goods and groceries. We were living in Sumner when I learned my letters. Mrs. John Beatty taught me my alphabet both forwards and backwards. I attended my first school here, upstairs taught by Miss Whittenger, I used to help a crippled Ruby boy upstairs. His father ran a cooper shop. The King boys lived next to us, they were great scrappers. The Burns boys and the Laws were about my age. I saw my first fight on the Old Wellagan mill steps. Sterling Laws was the aggressor. Caleb Hoopes was post master, C.C. Judy was R.R. Agent. I stood on the steps for hours and watched the horse, on inclined tread power, pumping water for the O. & M. R.R. I attended school taught by Peter Shick. Father and Sam Landis graded the first road south of Muddy. We lived on the old Mason place opposite the Landis place. I attended school at Center, sat on a bench made of half a log, with legs put into it, no back, and my feet lacked a foot of touching the floor, pouring over Webster’s Blue Back speller. Father ran a grist mill in St. Francisville where I attended school taught by Mr. Prout and Mr. Stubbs. Father traded his mill for a section of land in Jefferson County, Arkansas. We moved to Butler County, Missouri in fall of 1870, stayed there until the fall of 1872. Moved to Conway County, Arkansas, stayed there until December 1, 1873. Moved to Clayton, (now Clay), Here we raised cotton a number of years. Moved to Corning, same county, in 1879. Here father ran a saw mill, a cotton gin, and also a store. Moved to Moark (abbrivation of both states). We farmed there two years. I attended school in Indianapolis, Indiana. I was examined for West Point Military Academy, Stood 3rd, 43 examined. My folks moved back to Corning where my father was murdered by John Mansico, I being away at the time. I was getting old enough to sow my wild oats. I caught the Texas fever and landed in Grainsville, Lone Star State in 1884. Went to Carpenting. Taught my first term of School at Burden’s Gin, in the Cross Ttimbers, Cook County, Texas. Was paralyzed on my right side the day Cleveland was elected. This laid me up the balance of the winter. Went to work with the house gang for the Santa Fe R.R. April 1, 1885. Built all the dDepots and section houses north of Purcell, Indiana. Got a job running a hoisting engine at Dallas, Texas, which lasted until June 1, 1888. I was desirous of seeing more of the wild and woolly west. I came to Trinidad and Denver Colorado, Cheyenne Wyoming, Pocatello, Montana, Silver Bow, Montana and Butte. Took a job braking from Butte to Anaconda, Montana. My next job was Braking from Helena to Missoula for the N.P.R.R. on the Rocky Mountain Division. Job lasted until December 31, 1899. Was at Pittsburgh saw the total eclipse of the sun January 1, 1890. I continued my western course, arrived at Lewiston, Idaho January 9th 1890. Went across Snake River to Asotin County where I had a brother. Stayed with him until May 1, and then took myself a preemption in Latah County, Idaho. I improved the claim in the summer months, taught school in the winter. I managed to take a few terms at the U.of I. in Moscow, Idaho. Finished up at Lewiston Normal proved up my homestead and sold the Potlatch lumber company for a $1000. In 1904 I made a complete tour of the United States, went clear around staying on the outside all the time. I saw sights and smelled wonders. May 22, I went to selling goods at Silcot, Washington,. July 14 of the same year I was commissioned postmaster. Am still handling mail for the U.S. I was given a civil service status in 1913. I was advised from Washington D.C. my office was rated A1. The inspector, in checking up my office said he found everything in excellent shape. After running on the range 43 years, Miss M. Woody, of North Carolina took pity on me. Was married at Kendrick, Idaho Easter Sunday, 1907. I always admired a large woman, but my wife suits me a little too well, tips the beam at 252 pounds. A fine baby boy was born to us in 1909, only lived one month. We have $5000 stock 20 acres of improved land, own our store, $1500 in the bank. I think we have prospered, also think we will be resurrected from the corner of 1st and Whitman streets Silcott, Washington
------------- St. Louis, Missouri January 14, 1916 Mr. Editor, Home Friends and Relatives: We have been invited to write a letter to the paper of our old hometown in Lawrence County. Having received so many requests I will send a few lines as to our welfore. I will begin with the family. We have three children, Virgil is a man. He was born in Lawrence County, we left when he was aboutt 5 years old. He became rather a restless boy but now is a settled boy of 20, steady and hard-working and can be depended upon. He is saving his money and not wasting it as so many others of his age here are doing. Viola has graduated from school and expects to go to high school or Business College; she has not yet decided which. Johnny is a small lad full of fun and frolic, going to school. We have a beautiful home in the southwest side of St. Louis, Missouri. William and Virgil built it. I could not do it justice in describing it better than to say it is a typical California bungalow. Then you have to see it to realize its beauty and it is artistic, of William's own design, not another anywhere like it, as he is an architect and builder of his own original designs. He has built a number of houses here, large dwellings, flats, bungalows and small houses for different parties. Also a number for ourselves. Five large bricks on Arlington, six flats on Terry, two frames on Edward and our home here on Blow. I am a daughter of John Perrott’s and I married William Worstell, also of your city. My father has taken the Sumner paper for a number of years, as long as I can remember. I will close now, wishing you a prosperous New Year for the home paper, also wishing all my friends and relatives a happy and prosperous New Year. I remain as ever, Alfa Worstell -------------
1917 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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