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

Victor Clide Ivie was born to William Curtis and Phoebe Lucretia (nee Goslin) Ivie on April 23, 1889 in Lawrence County. Victor married Nora Elm Spicer, born in August 11, 1888, daughter of Robert and Matilda Jane (nee Vallors) Spicer, in November 1907. The 1920 census lists four children: Earl S. (b. abt. 1910); Elma T. (b. abt. 1918); Helen L. (b. 1919); Ellen M. (b. abt. 1919). The Oregon death index shows Nora died October 29, 1979. Victor died in California on September 14, 1972.

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January 17, 1918

To My Old Friends Back Home:

I was born in Lukin Township, Lawrence County, Illinois. My father's name was William C. Ivie . We lived on the farm until I was 14, when we moved to Sumner. Lived there until I was 18, when I went to Centralia, to attend Business College. While there I met Miss Nora Spicer and we were married the 16th day of November, 1907. My wife graduated shortly after we were married and I when I finish my course there we moved to Portland, Oregon. We lived there until 1913, when we moved to Junction City, Oregon, and went to farming.

I am now farming a 300 acre farm for a Mr. Bailey in the Williamette Valley. This is one of the finest farming sections Oregon. The Valley here between the mountains is about 10 miles wide. We can see the ridges of the high foothills on each side of us.

We have two children, a boy, 8 years old, and a baby girl, 1year old. We like the country fine. The people out here are some of the finest in the United States.

I would like to go back to Illinois on a visit to go down to Bethel and Frogeye and spend a long time visiting my old boyhood chums. Some of the happiest years of my boyhood were spent there.

I would also like to visit Sumner and spend some time of the old days over again there.

I will never forget the times George Emerick, Frank Baker, Hugh Sivert, Ned Huston and my many other boyfriend spent together. I wish you were so everyone of my old friends could visit me in Oregon. I like the climate and seasons much better than an Illinois.

I would be glad to receive an answer any personal letters from any and all of my old friends there.

Wishing all the very best of success,

I remain.

Your friend,

Victor C. Ivie

R. F. D. No. 3

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Judyville, Indiana

February 4, 1918

Editor Press:

Just "Fin" Judy to those who know me best. Arrived from Ohio in Sumner, 1858. Had my family with me, Skillman and Sarah (Sally) Judy. Lived eight years two miles northwest of Sumner, since called the Clemmens place across the old state road from Davenports. Dear Sally Davenport, the youngest, now of Oregon, who writes me occasionally. The prettiest and the most lively girl brought up in "those parts." A useful woman and a strong good character.

I, with pleasure, remember long and long substantial Wallis Vangilder, the acme of local common sense. Tom Hoopes, the poletic and quiet, who visited me at my Indiana home. The Club Brothers, the sturdy sure, safe and strong; "Ella" Club the practical posted and kind, who writes me the news about once a year. The Lewises N. E. and the active businessman of Sumner for 50 years.

My own Judy kin: cousin Charlie Judy, who is yet looking after that B. & O. Southwest Main line and the beyond-if it needs it, so faithful to a trust is he. All the Judys are relatives, good or bad, drunk or sober, no matter where they are. I thus boasted and I had for reply "but the Judy I know is a Negro." He had taken the name of his Judy master in Kentucky during slavery times.

I remember a little old "swimming hole," north part of town, in 1865, with a log across it. I was pushed off the wrong side of the log and a man with citizens clothes yet on, saved my life. Many days I do not know whether I was in the "hole" ‘steen times a day or all day, but I learned to swim and have kept my life longer on two occasions because of that "hole" education. Some Sumner girls stole and hid our clothes. It would be news to some, but if I tell you who did it, some old ladies of Sumner my feel a blush of shame at their "wild oats" boldness.

Up the cut grade west of Sumner the shortest weed obtained by lying close to the track of the O. & M. told what boy got the game after the downgrade fast lines went. Daredevil practice, needed later on in business with the trains of men and things.

I was transplanted from all those childhood things to a country (Warren County, Indiana) of high productiveness, among rich and arrogant people. The boys tried to lord it over me; some bloody noses they had for it, but I gasp in awe of the great cattleman and land owners. I long thought I was inferior. My father and invalid. I the eldest had a big family to look after. A neighbor girl, the first graduate in Warren County, loaned me books. I dug up $21.25, which was my school cost just 60 days. I got the best certificate given in Indiana later. Taught five years country school, worked on a farm in summer. The wealthiest man in the County, who I did not think knew me, asked me to his home. He just pushed and shoved into my hand $1600 and said, "go by cattle with this I will buy of you at a profit, if you buy right." I bought the first cattle of Club Brothers near Sumner, made $500 did not sleep for a week. Success is harder to bear than failure besides it entails so much responsibility. I sold him thousands of cattle in five years of his life. Later, a man worth half 1 million, signed notes to banks in blank, and trust me to use the notes for as much or as little money as I wanted. I used for little only. A banker invited me to over check. I did for 25 years, until by change of law the bank examiners frown. All had more confidence in me then I had.

John Finley Judy was born in Ohio March 18, 1856 to John Skillman and Sarah Jane (nee Hunter) Judy. On December 16, 1877 he was united in marriage to Matilda Hunter, daughter of John Park and Elizabeth Ann (nee Anderson) Hunter. To this union the following children were born: Valerie (b. abt. 1879); Ole R. (b. Nov. 1880); Elsa s. (b. Sept. 1886); Esta E. (b. Sept. 1886).John died October 12, 1931 and Matilda died January, 22, 1943.

They are buried at Riverside Cemetery, Fountain County, Indiana.

Editor Note:

John Judy’s obituary describe him as:

“A remarkable man in many respects. There was and never will be but one John F. Judy. Scrupulously honest, full of business and a friend of the man who tried to be honest and square, but likewise the terror of the crook when in his hands. John F. Judy may have made many mistakes, like all of us in life, but he had a big heart for all mankind."