(G. W. Cooper)
(G. W. Cooper)
Biographical Note:
(continued)
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Well, we have made a trip here every year but once since that first one, until the last days of November 1913, after having decided to locate here, and having disposed of our business in Sumner and the greater part of our holdings there, we packed the remainder of our household goods, loaded them in a car and headed for this city, and we arrived here on the first day of December, 1913, and have identified ourselves with the people here, built us a home last year, and spent the entire year of 1914 here, so we have tried out the long hot summers here as well as the winters, and are still well pleased with Florida, and can recommend it to all who may be seeking a home in a pleasant and healthful climate, one that has many advantages as well as many opportunities for making a living and some money besides.
This city is made up largely of northern people, who on visiting here have been so impressed with the delightfully pleasant climate, as well as the natural beauty of a tropical scene, are so well pleased with it, they are caught as we were and have decided to make this their home.
Florida is coming to the front rapidly as a winter resort for tourists and during the winter months great numbers of our northern friends are coming here to get away from the severe cold of the north and since they are finding out that it only takes 40 or 50 hours run on railways together to this land of sunshine and flowers, much of the travel from the cold region is in the direction of Florida, and promises to be more and more as the people become acquainted with the conditions that prevail here, so convenient to them that the southern peninsula will in the near future be a veritable garden spot in the winter season.
However, we do not forget our old home town and county in which we were born and lived the greater part of our lives. Our thoughts often wonder about through old Lawrence among the familiar faces that are very dear to us, because of the many familiar names and faces that have grown dear to us in other years through associations not soon to be forgotten, and my own immediate family, most of whom are still living, live in Lawrence County within a few miles of the city of Sumner, in the city of Bridgeport and immediate vicinity, so we are always glad to receive the Press as it brings to us news from our old acquaintances and loved ones, our old hometown and county, the many changes that are taking place from week to week, of the young people that are coming to the front and are taking the places of the older ones who are passing on because of the continual wearing out of all things in this world and the inexorable law that all creation must pass on through one way, death but which brings man away but from which brings man into that great mansion prepared for us from the foundation of the world if we have been serving the Master faithfully in this life.
We shall be looking forward to the issue of the “Pink Special" with keen anticipation for the many good letters it will contain, as we have many good friends and loved ones scattered in every direction in this country, especially over the west, so if they all send in their letters for this "special" it will be a great big treat to sit down and read them all over, so we trust the many former residents of old Lawrence that are now living in other counties, states and cities, and some in other countries, will join in with their messages to make the "Pink Special" a great feast to us all and thus renew our old-time friendships.
Very truly,
G. W. Cooper
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Saturday May 15 ,1915
Sumner May Day
Bone Gap, Illinois
January 30, 1915
Editor Press:
A few words for your February 11 edition, if it is not too late. In the first place I better tell you who I am.
I am the youngest son of Andrew and Elizabeth Corrie, who were among the early settlers of Lawrence County. I was born in Lukin Township on the farm now owned by James Kelsey. I married one of Christy Township's girls, Miss Clara Huston, of southwest Sumner, and we lived in Lukin about 35 years and before going any further will say there is some of the best people in Lukin of any place in the world. About 22 years ago we took a foolish notion to leave the farm and drifted down to Edwards County and settled in Bone Gap, the garden spot of the world, and started in the furniture and undertaking business. We have only one child, (a girl), and she plays the part of embalmer, and to show you how close we have stuck to business I have not had a clerk a day for 22 years.
Lawrence County and especially Lukin township's people will always have a warm spot in my heart.
Thomas E. Corrie
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(Thomas E. Corrie)
Biographical Note:
Thomas Edwin Corrie was born in October 1854. Thomas’s father, Andrew was born in Scotland and his mother Elizabeth (nee Schrader) was born in Tennessee. He was united in marriage to Clara L. Houston in Lawrence County on November 30, 1879. Clara was born in March of 1858.The daughter he refers to in this letter was Nellie M. was born in July 1884. Thomas, age 74, still owned the furniture store in 1930.
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