The Second Volume of Letters

In August of 2015 we made our first trip to Missouri!

Because of this letter collection a lot of Tayloe relatives had reconnected and a family reunion was organized (the first one in over 50 years!). As soon as we started planning our trip to Owensville, we knew we also needed to arrange to go to Kansas City and meet Norma, and also visit the University of Missouri and see the letter collection in person. Norma had told us all along "I'm sure I missed some letters, there were so many!"

We thought there might be a few here and there that got missed, but we mostly expected to see the boxes, take some pictures, make a couple of copies and soak up this amazing collection of family history.

Albert and I ended up spending eight frantic hours at Mizzou just writing down copy requests for the letters we didn't already have- which ended up being 1,611 pages!
We left the library in a daze, not having been able to take the time to read anything, just checking for dates and filling out forms. They told us the copies might be done by October.

We made our way to Owensville and it was everything we could have hoped for. Peggy was so wonderful! She welcomed us into her home and showed us all of the sites we had hoped to see.
The response to the Tayloe reunion was amazing! More than 130 people attended. Some came from as far away as North Carolina, Iowa, Texas, Utah, Washington and California.

The second volume of letters are all typed, and we are now working on assembling the book. 

If you would like to read the entire collection, you can find it here.

Jim (Claire in front of him), Peggy, Niki, Marge, Richard and Connor. Photo taken near John & Lizzie Tayloe's land- August 2015.

Preface

In August of 2012 I discovered that the State Historical Society of Missouri had a collection of letters from a John R. Tayloe. Up to that point I hadn't had any luck finding Tayloe information or Tayloe relatives. I looked through my family tree to see if I had a John R. Tayloe and I realized it was my Great Grandma, Sarah Tayloe Pfeiffer's brother! The description of this collection wasn't very in depth, but it did say it had correspondence from relatives in Idaho. That was enough to convince me that I had to find a way to read these letters.

I wrote the Historical Society and asked them for a quote on having all the letters copied. They promptly responded with this:

Dear Ms. Pittman,

Thank you for your e-mail.

The Tayloe Family Papers (C2510) consists of four liner feet of manuscript material. This would be equivalent to four “banker” boxes. There are 72 folders in the collection. As a general rule of thumb, each folder contains 30 to 35 pages. Each copy costs .25 cents. It would cost somewhere around $600 to copy the entire collection and that does not including shipping and handling. Staff members would first need to determine whether or not the papers are too fragile to photocopy. The collection has not been microfilmed or digitized.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

This news should have been devastating, but all I could think about was how many letters there must be! I asked my friend Norma in Kansas City if she would be willing to go make copies “of the Pfeiffer letters”. She agreed and when she began going through all the banker boxes she called and said “I think you are going to want more of these than you thought”. That was the beginning of this whole crazy project.

Norma spent weeks at the museum- for which I will be forever grateful. After all the copies were made and mailed to me I saw just how much work it was going to be to read and type all these letters. I spent over 40 hours straining to read and then typing up the letters. I struggled with how I should do it- whether or not to leave all the spelling exactly as it was, or to make it easier to read by correcting spelling and grammatical errors. I decided on something in the middle- fixing spelling (like if “certainly” was spelled “sertanly” I would type the word as it was intended, but leave any grammar in its original colloquial form.

After typing the letters I wanted to know more about who these people were and how they were all connected. Besides just wanting to know their story, I felt an obligation to share the letters with their descendants. This was the first step in another amazing part of this project. I met 5 wonderful families. Their willingness to share pictures, stories and even make trips to search for obituaries or copy pages from history books for me was humbling.

This project has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever worked on. While I wish I could have known all this information years ago, I don't feel like it was supposed to happen before it did. As soon as I found out about the Tayloe collection and wrote the museum, I went to visit Cousin Maxine. When I walked into her house, I saw a picture of the Tayloe siblings sitting on her counter (I only knew it was them because someone, not Maxine, had labeled it). Maxine had never shown it to me before and said she didn't really know anything about it- she had just found it while sorting through papers. There were so many odd, encouraging things like that which happened along the way.

I am beyond ecstatic to have shared these letters with so many people- some have told me that it has inspired them to type up old letters and diaries from their own ancestors so that they can also be preserved and enjoyed for many more years.

I still find new things in the letters to marvel at each time I read them. It is amazing how ordinary people can make the most interesting story I've ever read. I will always treasure this opportunity to learn more about my family and to keep their story alive. 

 

I also need to give a big thank you to my husband for his help, including creating the lexicon for me. He has been incredibly supportive of this whole process and even offered for me to fly to Missouri if that was what needed to be done.

In an age like ours, which is not given to letter-writing, we forget what an important part it used to play in people's lives. I hope these letters bring you even a fraction of the enjoyment it has brought me in putting them together.

The Tayloe Letter Collection

From Lizzie Miller to Fred
August, 1879
Oregon
Fred tell Mrs.{?} that I will not come back to her any more, for her to look for another girl. If anyone goes out to Salem to call for letters by the name Lizzie N. Miller or Lizzie Miller both ways. For I wrote to Mother to put the N. to my name. The reason I done that was there is another girl by my name. From your sister, Lizzie N. Miller

From A.W. Miller to Lizzie Miller
September 30, 1882
Rolla, Missouri
Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy
{?} Bill told her that if she wanted a picture she should have wrote to you oftener and I think so too. Well Lizzie you say for me to send you my picture, I will as soon as I have it taken. I want you to send me yours as soon as you can. Lizzie you know I had to leave her{?} when I started to school but I can do as you are doing and that is writing to her. I have to pay $12 per month for board. I will have to close for this time. I wrote for Mother ink {?}. I am well. Will soon be home. Your Bro, AW Miller
To Ida: When thought art on the rolling ocean remember one with fond emotion. Fall off a burning deck, fall off a tree and break your neck. Fall off the Blue Keyes, but never fall in love.

From Scharlotie Miller to her daughter Lizzie Miller
October 8, 1882
Oak Hill, Missouri
My Daughter Lizzie Miller, I thought I would write you a few lines. We are all well and I hope you are the same. I got your picture and it pleased me well and everybody says that you must be {fleshery?} than when you left here. When you write to me again I want you to let me know whether you saw anyone that had the ague out there. There is lots of it around here. I am worried. Is so many sick. Louis Miller got your picture the other day and Elm Morris too. I want you to let me know how you got your trunk there whether your trunk was busted up much or not. I was picking grapes when Henry was writing this for me. I canned up all kinds of fruit this year. I will have to close for this time. Write soon, your Mother Scharlotie Miller

From Louis Miller to his sister Lizzie Miller
October 15, 188(2?)
Dear Sister Miss Lizzie Miller, I thought that I would write you a letter to let you know that we are all well, I hope you are the same. I received your letter the other day and I got your picture. Mother got your picture and that collar you sent her and Mike got your picture Lizzie and Eme Mars got your picture. Kate and Bill got your picture. Well Lizzie you said I ought to bring my girl in here. I have no girl to bring in here. You said that you got her letter. I do not know who you mean, If I did I would tell her. Well Lizzie Alice {Garner?} and her Mother got your letter and they sent you one in return. Well Lizzie mother was awful proud of that collar that you sent to her. She said that she would wear it to Oregon next fall. Me and Mother and Bill Mars went to the fair in Saint Louis, I tell you we saw a heap down there. Well I must close, it is getting late. I must get up soon. I want to go to Cuba tomorrow with a load of wheat. I'm going to send Fred some money this week. Your brother Louis Miller

From Louis Miller to his sister Lizzie Tayloe
Oak Hill
October 28, 1882
Dear Sister, I received that little piece of paper that you sent in Fred's letter and you want to know whether Mother got her collar or not. She got it all right and so did we all get pictures but Henry he did not get any picture yet. Well Lizzie I am sitting up at Mars'. Em is sick and Willey. They have a hot fever. The Belyeas Remittent Fever the doctor says. Gain {Vogel?} died this week. George Carners wife and two of the children is sick and Ike Souders wife is sick and 3 of the children. George Ringeisen is sick. Well Lizzie you can be glad that you are out there out of this sickly country this winter. Well Lizzie I am going to send you some money the same day I mail this. Well Lizzie I saw John Tayloe last Sunday. He was at our house, Bill and Kate was there and they had the album and they was looking at the pictures and then they gave the album to him and when he got to your picture he kept looking at it and he wanted to know whether you sent them since you was out there or not. I told him you did.
Your Brother, Louis Miller

From Louis Miller to Lizzie Miller
July 2, 1883
I would write you a few lines. We are all well except myself and Andy. We are sick but not bad. I was purdy sick but now I am better If I don't take a back set but I will try my best to get well. I can eat pretty well now. Andy he has the {Belus?} fever but he will be all right in three or four weeks. When you come back you can stay with me and Bartha as long as you want to with us. I had luck when I got married. I got sick. Write soon.
Your brother Louis Miller
Well I {?} your letter a good many reasons why you don't want to stay. Well if it is so I don't blame you for coming back. If I had money I would sent it to you but I have not got any money and lots of debt. You know I can't. {unreadable} and that takes all I can make up till next Spring then I will have to make up everything I can. Let me know when you are going to come then I can look for you. Well I must close for this time. Write soon, Louis Miller

To Lizzie from Unknown
Red Hills, Oregon
Oct 3, 1883
Sunday
Dear Lizzie, I received you "short but sweet" postal Friday night {Unreadable} you were here so near home and I supposed by the time that you receive this you will have begun to feel quite "at home" again. I went to a dance Friday night (received your postal just as I was getting in the carriage) and had a boss time too. It was down on the prairie 3 miles below Salem at Mr. Frank Haulesses, a cousin of Jennie H's. Jennie and May and I all went. Charlie Leighow took us (the widower!) We went in style I can tell you! He brought the finest team and two scarlet carriages out after us that Salem possessed. We were stylish for once I can tell you. There were nice girls at the dance and 17 numbers sold and we had the finest time that ever we had in our lives and to use Mr. Leighows words "We made quite an impression, the boys were forever bothering him for introductions". There were lots of pretty boys. I made a mash {match?}. Ain't it strange, on Johnnie Estes, Arnie Davidsons brother in law, he is too sweet. We were not acquainted with anyone down there but that made no difference. There were two dances in the hills the same night, one at Uncle Mauly's, I have not heard from Jack Dureers since Johnny Thomas came after me to go to Dureers, but I was engaged for the dance on the prairie and I am glad I was for that was more fun than I would have had there. I expect we will all get "left" at the next dance in the hills for going off where we could have stayed at home and danced just as well. I hope Charlie will remember us with another invitation is he can afford such a fine {missing}

From F.K. Miller to his sister Lizzie Tayloe
October 30, 1883
Salem Oregon
Lizzie, Dear Sister, I received your letter today and that you are all well which was glad to hear. Well Lizzie I saw in your letter that you had some good folks with you on your trip cross the plains. That was good. You ask me how much money I let you have. I don't know, I paid $7.50 for your trunk over freight and $1.45 in Salem and $2.25 from Salem to Portland. Then I bought your trunk you know what that was. Well Lizzie I was in Salem yesterday and got your letter. Well I have neighbors here close. They are Germans and they bought the Con place. They have these girls one of them is the prettiest in the Red Hills. You know where the Red Hills are don't you? I guess you do. I have not saw Ada but once. That was when I came back from Portland the same day. I guess Ada and I will be strangers again. I don't think that she is the girl for me, do you? What do you think of it? Write and let me know. I guess you can come to my {?} {Ere?} {Lory?} don't you think so? I think N.J.T. is the boy for you, don't you? You had better bring him out here then we will get married on the same day, don't you think so? My you will be pretty you know. Just as pretty as a mud fence you bet. Ain't that pretty. I think so. That is all that is {?}
Goodbye. Your Brother F.K. Miller

From F.K. Miller to Lizzie
December 10, 1884
Salem, Oregon
Dear Sister, I received your letter the other day and saw that you was sick which we did not like to hear. But such is life you know. You are better than that is good. You say the others are all well. That is good they are gentlemen and ladies in regard to sickness then. Well you say that Bill & Kate there wrote us a letter, we did not get it. You know Bill Clark owed us some money. I could not get it, I sued him and got it. We are no friends no more. You tell Bill and Kate that I will write to them as soon as I can. You want to know who goes to see Ada Jory. Charley whats his name, that ball headed widower Charley Ponitz. Oh no I don't know. {Guess?} at him will you Johnny. They got married and {Casmaire?} and {Barbie?} Demyer they got married and ugly Ada can't get married, nobody will have her. That is all. F.K. & M.H. Miller

The John R. Tayloe home in Owensville Missouri

From Michael Miller to Lizzie Tayloe
{1888?}
Well Lizzie I will drop you a few lines to let you know that we are well at present time but we had a bad time two weeks ago. Fred's baby died and the next least one was awful sick and Fred was sick and I was sick and I am going to get away from here just as soon as I can. I have not been well for a year. I will close for this time. Write soon. Your Bro Michael Miller  

Oak Hill Missouri
June 9, 188{8?}
Lizzie N. Miller
Dear Friend, I take the pleasure to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and I hope when these few lines come to hand they will find you the same. I am going to Church tomorrow. It is Sunday. {?} Boolington died last Wednesday night and was buried yesterday. I went to the {buryin'?}. I wish you was here. {Unreadable} these here some boys is going to have. It rained today a big rain. We have some neighbors I think if {unreadable}. I wish I could see you for I could tell you more in a half hour than I could write in a week. It is six o clock in the evening. Will have to close for this time. Write soon and often. I will send you a picture of my new dress. Your trusty writer
{Calarise?} Souders to Lizzie Miller

To Ms. Lizzie Morris from a niece {Alice?}
Humansville, Missouri
June 21, 1888
Miss Lizzy Morris, Dear aunt, I received your letter the other day. I was glad to hear from you that you are all well. We are all well and I hope when these few lines come to hand they will find you all well and getting along all right. We have some hot weather here now. It is terrible dry here now. Corn looks well, oats looks terrible. Well there is some chich bugs here too and we had a nice rain last night. My garden looks well. I have lots of beans. Well I will you you what we have got lots of cherries and apples is getting ripe now. We have a regular picnic here gathering cherries in the grove. It is right before our door they is as high as, 15 or so in there gatherin' cherries. They have gathered about 60 gallons this week. Uncle Jim's folks was up here today gettin cherries. They gathered 12 gallons. I wish that you would come up here and fill your cans. I have plenty to spare. They are going to have a big time on the 4th at Humansville. I guess we will go if we are all well. I began to feel like I was at home now I have got acquainted with several people. They is somebody here everyday nearly. This is a good place for lazy woman they don't do anything hardly. The most of them don't milk but I do all the same and go bare footed just the same when I was there. They are not proud here. I like it just splendid here. The corn is from knee high to waist high, oats look well and everything else. Harry can talk a little. He can say Mama and Pappy {?} He can call the turkey {?}. I know that you would not know him. He has got his hair {shinkled?}. his hair is as white as a sheep. Well how is Jane and Jeff getting along by this time? She won't write nothing about him. I was sorry to hear that you lost your colt so you have not got any horses. You tell Emma to stir her {storys?} or I might come with a switch. I would like to see you all, it seems like a year since I seen you. You must be sure and come and see us this fall for I don't think I will ever get back there very soon if we don't make lots of money, it takes money to move. Goodbye

From A.W. & Alice Miller to Aunt Lizzie Morris
Humansville, Missouri
June 24, 1888
Miss Lizzie Morris,
Dear Aunt, I will try and write you a few words to tell you how we are getting along. I guess Alice has told you everything that is worth writing. Alice has the best garden that she ever had. We have ripe apples and I guess will have till spring. We have the best orchard that I ever saw. Alice is awful well satisfied out here. We had a hard time at first, but now we have plenty potatoes, beans, kohlrabi lettuce, crook necked squashes, corn, and oats looks well. Cherries by the barrel. Well I will have to close. Write soon. I remain as ever your nephew A.W. Miller and also your niece, A. Miller 

From Louis Miller to Lizzie Miller
To Salem, Oregon
July 31, 1888
Lizzie Miller, Oak Hill, Crawford County Missouri
Dear Sis I take a pen in hand to write you a few lines that we are all well and I hope you are the same. You wrote Henry a letter which I read and I saw that you went to a new place to work. How do you like it your new place? Well Lizzie I am teaching hands by myself. This day all the balance went to the picnic on the dryfork. I am mowing crazy. Well Lizzie I wrote Fred a letter. Did he get it? They was 14 letters went from this neighborhood. Did you get any of them? I believe we git all your letters. All right Lizzie- Spencer is mournin' for you. I believe he will go out there next spring if he doesn't believe that they will be a wadin out there. Well Lizzie {rest of the letter is unreadable}
Your brother Louis Miller

To Kate from F.K. Miller
Kelso, W.T. (Washington Territory)
October 10, 1888
Katie I received your or my present, it is very nice. I like it splendid. I shall put it on my parasol but it is not quite enough. I would can't find anything like it here for I thought I would call on you for some more like it. One yard and a half, that will be enough and let me know the price of it then I will send you the money. I will send you our pictures with this letter. Fish sell at 24 cents pound, that is one way to make money in this country. I will close for this time. Yours truly F.K. Miller

From Mary A. Miller to {Bill?}
Kelso, W.T. (Washington Territory)
October 10, 1888
Dear Brother and Sister, We got your letter and saw you are all well which we are glad to hear. Well Bill I think you could bring your dishwasher out here then I could see him and would be glad to see him. Well Bill it is raining now and they are catching fish here now. One man caught 202 last night. Their weight is 10 pounds to the fish and there many fisherman. Let me know if get it or not. We are all well and I hope this will find you all the same. Your sister Mary A. Miller

From William Williams
April 19, 1889
Well daughter, something has possessed me write you this. I have offered you a home here but not another son and I want you to quit your corresponding in such a way. I want it stopped right off, I don't want to see any more such letters that is attempting against the law of God the Bible tells you, so it is a shame. People will talk of such actions, you are to behave better than that. If someone else would see such a letter, shame. Your parent, Wm. Williams. Answer this letter.

From Benjamin Pfeiffer to John & Lizzie Tayloe
Toledo, W.T. (Washington Territory)
May 27, 1889
Dear Brother and Sister, we will answer your kind letter which we got some time ago. Was glad to hear from you. We are all well now, hope this may find you the same. I sorry to hear of your little boy being sick. I hope you will not think hard of us for not writing sooner for we were fixing to move when we got your letter. The people say it had been a mighty backward spring here and a heap of rain, but the ground don't get hard and pack together. They can go to plowing directly after raining and it is loose and nice to work. Well I haven't put out nothing, only a little garden track and am planting 5 bushels of potatoes. I have been clearing on my land and aim to go to building soon. Well in regards of my Father getting his freight he got it all but one box and the agent said that he would get it for him, but it will take some time to have it ship through from Saint Paul Minnesota. Mother stood the trip very well considering the distance it is. Well I guess Andy has got back safe again and is telling everybody that the old man give me a tongue lashing when he got here and if he did it is more that I heard yet the old man was mad when he heard that news come back. Well John in regard to that money you owe me, I haven't a needing it yet but if I go in to business this fall I will need it this fall. I will close for this time. Hoping you will excuse me for not writing sooner. I will do better the next time. Hoping to hear from you soon. Yours truly, B. Pfeiffer
A few lines to Lizzie, I feel almost ashamed to think that we haven't wrote sooner but we were packing up to move when we got your letter and we are going to move next week again. We are going on our ranch this time. I wish you was here to help me pick berries- strawberries. Salmon berries has been ripe 2 weeks. Gooseberries is getting ripe, they tell me that berries will last till frost. Well I must tell you about the buryings, there has been a burying ever week, been 5 buried, 1 man, 1 baby, 3 women. The man got killed, there was a tree felled on him. 1 old lady took something like flu. 1 consumption, the others died in case of confinedment, they haven't got no good doctors here and they come {the rest of the letter is missing}


From Bertha Miller to Lizzie Tayloe
July 2, 1889
Dear Sister, I received your letter the other day. I saw that you was well which I was glad to hear. I am well and married to your brother Louis. You say that you are coming back. I will be glad to see you. I guess me and Will get along together. You say that you would like to see me. You say you would like to know what {July?} calls her little baby. She calls him {H?} {Ernest?} You want to know about our garden, our garden is good but it does me no good but my garden I come too late to make garden. I came here too late. I come on the 15 of June. You know I cannot do much about the garden but I have a good deal of work here. You know where they is {mowing?} for summertime? You know they is a good deal of work. If you was here we would both work. Have to work by myself. I will do what I can. Louis is sick with the {winter?} fever now. We have very warm weather now. We are cutting wheat now. Andy is sick too and the wheat needs to be cut. Well I must close for the time. Your sister, Bertha Miller

From Benjamin Pfeiffer to John Tayloe
January 8, 1890
Edonia, Washington
Dear Brother & Sister, I drop you a few lines to let you know that we are all well at present, hoping when these few lines are received they will find you all well and enjoyed the Christmas. We have got 8 inches of snow now but the weather is not cold. They all think that the snow will be gone this week. I have been hauling lumber this week to build a schoolhouse. Well John I would like for you to send me that money for I am needing it now. Send it to Edonia, Lewis County Washington. Well what is Andy is doing for a living now? I guess he is happy now as the place is a sold. Well the train is coming and I want to send this. I will close for this time. Hoping to hear from you soon. Yours truly, B. Pfeiffer
Send me some tobacco

March 4, 1890
Edonia, W.T. (Washington Territory)
From Ben Pfeiffer to John & Lizzie Tayloe, Bem Missouri
Dear Brother and Sister, yours of the 31 is to hand and was glad to hear from you. It found us all well at present hoping when those few lines come to hand that they may find you all well and leaves the rest of us well. We have nice weather now. The weather is nice and warm. The grass is growing. I am very busy now. I want to go to town tomorrow and get me a plow and a harrow so I can sow my wheat and oats and plus I have sold $1 worth of hay this week for $12 a ton. Well John in regards what you have wrote to me about the {Dudley Bug?}, I won't say anything to anybody but I would advise you to keep your eyes open and be on your lookout as he is mad at you and he might do you some harm. But you know him well enough but if he wanted to throw me off the train he had the chance when he was out here. Me and him rode on the train together but he made no effort. Be safe and keep your eyes open when he moves away for he will do you some {derdment?} for it is his {grite?}. Well John you need not haul your wheat while it is so {unreadable} the money as I have not got it that bad, I aim to use it after a while. I guess that I have said {unreadable} hear from you soon. Truly B. Pfeiffer

From Catherine Souders to Lizzie Tayloe
April 15, 1890
Humansville, Missouri
Mrs. Liza Tayloe
Dear Friend I will try and write you a few lines to let you know that I have not forgotten you. We are all well at present hoping you are all the same. We had had beautiful weather nearly ever since we have been here. We had one sleet but no snow. More wind than anything else. I never was more use to so much wind, can't wash in a bit of peace, the clothes pop like whips. We have made our garden and planted potatoes. They are plowing for corn. Some people has planted corn. Pop has about 60 acres to put in corn he sowed 80 acres of oats. I like to live out here very well. We have lots of neighbors, we live about one mile and a half from Andy. They are all well. Harry is a great big boy, I bet you would not know him. I never would have knew him if he had not been with Alice. They met us at the depot. You must come out and see {unreadable} and help us eat apples. We will have apples by the wholesale if they don't get killed. The early ones is in full bloom now. We have got a nice yard, lots of roses and flowers. Pop bought him 85 head of calves. People don't have to feed much here now, the pastures is nice. One of our colts died the other one is getting nearly well. I wanted to come to see you before we left but you see I never. It was such bad weather all the time. We looked for you all the time. If I ever come back I will go to see you. I wish you and John would come out here. How big is your boys? I would like to see them, if you got any pictures you must send me one of each. I am going to get some and I will send you one. O yes, Willie Souders was at Nevada. He saw your Brother Henry. He is working in a furniture store, he said he was getting $2 a day. He asked about all of you. I will tell Alice to bury you a honeysuckle and get it to grow and send it to you. You must write me a big letter and tell all the news. Write soon. Your Friend Catherine Souders 

From A.W. Miller to John Tayloe
July 15, 1890
Humansville, Missouri
John Tayloe
Bem, Missouri
Dear Bro, I will try and write you that I have not forgotten yet. I will send you that money I ought to have sent it sooner but I did not have it. Hard times are trying on but I will try and meet it all if I will just get time. How are you getting along? We had a soaking rain here yesterday and this morning. It was getting awful dry out here but corn did not fire much yet the prospect for corn is good now. Oats and grass were not very good but better than last year. That is oats but grass about half crop. My fruit is good this year. There is apples, and a few peaches and cherries. I sold 15 hogs for $3.12 1/2, 7 months old and they weighed 165 lbs and some weighed over 200 lbs. How is that for pigs? I cut 100 acres of oats and wheat 50 acres at $1.00 per acre and the other for me and Dad. The twine did not cost me much but I need all the money that I can get. I have got 45 acres in corn this year and 7 or 8 acres in wheat & 30 acres in oats. I done the work by myself. 20 acres in grass. I always rent some land for wheat & oats. Now you can tell if I was busy or not. Too busy to write. All the Gasconade folks are well satisfied as far as I know. Abe has a fine prospect for corn. Andy Souders also. Tell Mike and the rest of the folks that I will write soon. I am not done with my grass yet, about another day yet. I have my oat & wheat to stack yet. I have 13 head of horses and mules. I have 3 fine little mules, come out and let me sell them to you. I bred 5 mares to the Jack this year, Alice caught a swarm of bees. Come and eat honey. Harvey and Alice are well. How are all of you? I would like to see you and Lizzie and the children. Give my love to all. Write soon. I remain as ever, your Bro, AW Miller
PS, Let me know how crops are right away. I do not know how much money to send, let me know how much I will be held. 

From Robert B. Walker to John R. Tayloe
September 7, 1890
Pulaski County Missouri
Dear Cousin, it is with pleasure I seat myself to drop you a few lines to let you know that we are all well at the present time. Hoping when these few lines comes to hand they will find you enjoying the same blessing. Well John times is hard in this section of country. Wheat and corn is not very good this year. Well John I want to know why in the devil you quit writing to me. By the Holy Moses you must write a few lines now and then or you will get out of the practices as well as myself. Well then it is coming up a shower now. I think I can sow wheat. The dust won't bother me. Well John since we have quit writing to one another I have married. My wife was a Groves. Her and I was married on Christmas day in the year 1888. It rained all day and the next it froze as hard as blazes. Well John I heard that your Mother went to Washington Territory. Please when you write tell me how she likes the country there where she is now. Also tell me all about the folks that lives around you. Well no more for this time. Please write soon and often. Robert B. Walker. Pulaski Co. Missouri 

From Anna Williams to John & Lizzie Tayloe
Edonia, Lewis County Washington
October 19, 1890
My Dear Brother & Sister, I will write you a few lines to let you know that we are all well and hope when those few lines may be received and find you all enjoying the same. We got here the 9th and already well satisfied. So far it has rained nearly every day since we have been here. It hailed here this morning like everything for a little while. It is mighty damp and cold here so close to the river. We are living in the edge of town. Andy is digging potatoes for Ben for $1 a day. he has got nice potatoes this year. Everything grows might nice here and the finest timber that I ever saw. It stands so thick on the ground a person can't see through it. Ben wants to take up some more land. He says that he is offered $20 per acre for his land but he won't take that for it. He is getting along much better than he did in Missouri and he says a person don't have to work half as hard here as they do there. Some things is pretty high and then some things is cheaper here than they are in Missouri, but it ain't many. Mother says she is perfectly satisfied but I don't know how long that is going to last. Well all of our things come through all right. My trunk got here as good as it was when it started. It cost me $44 we had to pay for our bed every night. That was $2.50  above our tickets. Well how is little Willie? Is he well again? I hope so. I wish I could see him and Johnny and how is Catharine Ridenhour getting by this time? I hope she is well for I know she can have some fun now. You bet I have my fun out of Janey now with her letters. She writes two or three then maybe sends one, she says she ain't going to stay here. We have mighty good neighbors here. Everybody is just as friendly and as good as a person could wish. There is church every Sunday here in town but we haven't went yet. Well Lizzie you ought to see Sisses babies, the little boy is nearly as big as Willie is, the girl is a little thing. They don't favor one bit but I tell you she has got lots to do with her wee little chaps but she looks better and fleshery than she did when they left Missouri. She hasn't named her babies yet. Well I tell you about the big fish and then quit. We have them fish anytime that we want but paying 25 or 30 cents for them. They are fine ones but I don't think they taste as well as the Missouri fish does. Do write me a long letter as soon as you get this and tell me all the news. I hope to hear that you are all well and all of the friends. Much love to each of the dear ones at home. Your affectionate sister, Anna Williams

Taken around 1878. Front row left to right: Sarah Tayloe Pfeiffer, Catherine Holt Tayloe McWilliams, Andrew McWilliams holding Wilson McWilliams, John R. Tayloe
Back row: Hiram Tayloe, Nancy Ann, Emily Jane, and William (Bud) Tayloe

From Annie to her Brothers
November 13, 1890
Edonia Washington
My Dear Brothers, I will write you a few lines to tell you the sad news. I am so sorry to have to write those sorrowful words to you of our poor Mother's death. It is nearly more than we can bear, but it was the Lord's Will and no one on Earth could have helped it. She died the 11th and was buried the 12th of November. Dear Brothers we done everything that was in our power. We had three doctors, one of them was the best doctor that was knowing. I think he is far ahead of any of the Missouri doctors that I know of, but none could save her. It was the Lord's will that she should leave us. The doctor said she has an eating ulcer in her stomach and it had run so far that it couldn't be cured. If it hadn't been for that the fever could have been broke up but the way it was there was no chance. She was complaining with her stomach for a long time, you know that yourselves. Brothers do not weary yourselves thinking that she was not put away very nice because we had her put away just as nice as we could. We had her funeral preached at the house and singing at the graveyard. Buried her out in the country graveyard. The rest of us are all well at present and hope this may find you all enjoying the best of health. Well Hiram we received your letter last night that you wrote to our Dear Mother, but she never lived to see it. I can't write much this time but we will all write in a few days. Dear Brothers do bear your troubles the best you can, we have to take the gift He freely gives us and let his work our pleasure be. So no more this time. From your sisters. Best love to you all
Annie Williams

From Benjamin Pfeiffer to John & Lizzie Tayloe
Edonia Washington
December 17, 1890
Dear Brother and Sister. Yours of the December 10 to hand and was glad to hear from you. This leaves us all well and hearty. Well John the girls want you to take the business in hand and tend to it. Of course we are all willing for the monument to be got. Well we will see about getting one. We want to get a nice one if it can be got at all. Well John I will state the business to you while Mother was sick to the worst he had my team and he commenced moving the furniture up to my place and when she drop off he wanted Ann to go up and keep house for him. But she said that she wouldn't go, then he went to keeping back on my place. He was going to work for me this winter and Wilson was down one Wednesday to get some meat and he said that he did not had no money so I gave him some so he went back home and on Saturday he had everything to winlock and him and Wilson took the train and skipped out and when he got to Portland he wrote me a few lines for me to go up and tend to my things and is the last we heard from him. We think that he has gone back to Missouri, and if he ain't back yet he may come any day. You must tend to that business at once. Your Mother said that she did not want him to have anything that she had. Well fix the business up in a hurry, don't delay. We have nice weather this fall. The weather is nice and warm. I will close for this time. Hoping to hear from you soon. Yours truly, Beny Pfeiffer
If Andy is back, don't let Andy Mack rule you.

From Annie C. Williams to Brother John Tayloe & Lizzie Tayloe
December 30, 1890
Edonia, Lewis County Washington
Dear Brother & Sister, I will now take the pleasure of answering your kind and ever welcome letter which I received several days ago but I was up at Hesses then and I didn't have much time there to write and so I thought I would wait to answer your letter when I got back to Ben's. I got here last Saturday. I didn't stay up there very long but long enough to find out it was no place for me nor no one else that cares for themselves. These few lines leaves me well and hope they may find you all enjoying the best of health. Well John it was a surprise to me when I heard that Andy was back there for I don't know how he got the money to go on. The last time that I saw him he said he didn't have but 50 cents. Ben was owing him for about four days work and he was down here at Ben's on Wednesday before they left on Friday and he asked Ben to loan him a little money and then Ben payed him what he owed him for his work. He never told them that he had any notion of leaving. Well John you wanted to know how we divided the beds with him and Wilson. I will tell you just how we did. We gave Andy one bed and two pillows, two calico quilts, and two lincy quilts and one cover lid and two count pins and two sheets, two sets of pillow slips and two blankets and Wilson gave him one bed, two pillows, two sheets, two sets of pillow slips, one lincy quilt, two count pin, one cover lid, one blanket and one calico quilt and there is one calico quilt back there that belongs to Wilson. That is how we divided the beds with them and that left two beds and he was willing for Sis to have one bed for Mother laid on another bed through her sickness and this bed was very badly injured but Sis said she was willing to pay something for the bed then there is one bed left to divide between Hiram & Janey because their beds wasn't as good beds as the rest of us got. You wanted to know if Mother homesteaded any land. She did not. She never bought real estate nor anything after she came out here, only a bureau she payed 8 dollars and a half for it. That is all she bought & Andy payed for the rest of the things that they had bought. He bought two nice bed sides and a table and several dishes but I don't know what he done with them. He wanted some of her clothes and so we gave him one of the dresses and Wilson one and some of the handkerchiefs. There wasn't money enough here to pay the doctor bill and the other expenses and so Sis took the bureau and payed seven dollars and a half for it and Janey payed two dollars for the trunk and I payed twelve dollars for the watch and that way we got money enough to settle expenses here. That was the best we knowed to do and I want to know if you are satisfied with us doing that way. Wilson wanted the watch very bad but we couldn't afford to let him have it and not knowing what you boys would say about it. I want you to minister on the estate yourself. I think that is what he has meant back there for to get everything in his own hands but I want you to see how things goes. I think we will order a monument now in a few days. Well John me and Janey has bought three lots apiece here in town. That is if I can ever get my money from {?}. I wrote two letters for him to send it but I haven't got it yet. I can't hardly tell you what I will do whether I will stay here or not. I like this place pretty well. Better than Missouri, although I may come back there in a year or two. This is a nice climate here, everything green yet some kinds of flowers growing and blooming here yet. There was a bouquet there Christmas morning that contained 16 different kinds of flowers. We have right smart of rain this winter. Well John you wanted to know if I wanted my money. If you don't need it and have that much to spare, you may send it, but it you need it I can get along pretty well without it now if I get what is coming to me from {?}. John if there is anything else you would like to know just say so in your next letter and I will tell you. Oh I wish I could see Johnnie & Willie. Tell them so and kiss them for me. So I will close for this time. Hoping to hear from you soon. Remain your loving sister, Annie C. Williams. So Good Bye Bye

From Jennie Tayloe- Edonia, Washington
To Mr. Hiram Tayloe- Bem, MO
January the 19, 1891

Mr. H D Tayloe
Dear Brother,
I will write you a few lines in order to answer your most kind and welcome letter which I
reviewed a few days ago and was glad to hear from you once more -------- this leaves us all
well except the children they have had the measles. They are just able to be up. Now Ben also
has got the measles and is very sick with them now. He has a Doctor from Jehalas to day, we
are a sitting up tonight for the first night with him. They have all had the meezles except the
babes. Jimmy and Minnie, they haven't had the measles yet. I hope these few lines may find you
enjoying the best of health, that is the greatest on earth is good helth. The measles has went pretty
hard with some of the folks around here. One of our nearest neighbors died with the measles last Saturday. She was sick only one week to a day. Well Christmas has come and has past and new
years has slipped in. I did not enjoy this Christmas very well. The people here seemed to enjoy it very
well but I did not try to have any sport. I can go to church four times a week here and to a literary society once a week but I don't go very after I went to a donation party one time since I have been
out here.

Dear Brother it was quite a surprise to hear that old uncle Dave had got married. I never thought
that. I got a letter from James Tayloe a few days before I got your letter. He said that his Pap was
a going off the next morning to be gone a week and was some talk of him taking Sara Roller for
coock(?) I wonder how Jim likes his new Mom. I thought that Jim would a been more likely to
a got married than old uncle. Well you must excuse my bad writing tonight, I have been setting
up with the sick some and saturday night I was up all night and last night I was up till ten
O'clock, so I am sleepy tonight and I have three letters to answer yet, but they will have to wait till tomorrow night----- Well Hiram what have become of little Mary? You did not say anything about her but I heard that she slighted you. I heard that Mary had quit going with any of the boys just
for the sake of Ed and now he wont go with her nor any one the worst go with her. Well have
the boys moved the sawmill over yet and do you come to take any part in it? You ought to know
what you are a doing before you go in such as that. I must close for I guess you will get tired of
reading such writing I have try to write tonight for I dont feel very much like writing. Excuse bad
writing and ?crreet? all mistakes. I hope to hear from you soon
From your sister Jennie Tayloe so good night bye bye


From: A C Williams- Eadonia, Washington
To: Mr. Hiram D Taylor- Bem, MO
Febuary 9th, 1891
Mr. Hiram D Tayloe
My Dear Brother I will write you a few lines to let you know that we are all well and I
hope this may be received in a short time and find you all well and enjoying life. Dear Brother I
received the nice present that you sent me and I do think it is so nice and I appreciate it so
much. and many thanks to you. but I havent got no letter from you for quite a while but I had left
Martain befor it was time for me to get a letter from you. and when Mr L Hest come down he
brought that package down to me and he said that he started with a letter & post card for me.
but he lost them on the way but I have been thinking about writing to you ever since I come
back but I just never got at it until now and so I am with Will and Carries letter. I got their letter
about two weeks ago and haven't answered it yet. You tell them that I am going to write to them
right away and maybe tomorrow night. We are having a little winter now. There was snow on the
ground this morning when we woke up. About half an inch deep. But it was all gone by twelve
O'clock. That is the first snow that we have had here this winter. And Mr. Hughey thought he
would take a sleigh ride and go to Win Lack so he went and came home in the mud with his
sleigh.

I was at church yesterday and last night. We can go to church twice every day sunday and to
prayer meeating everyThursday night. I haven't joined the church yet. I tell you when I do. Well
Hiram, Janie & I have payed the last payment on our Town Lots and have got the Deeds to
them, we could sell them for as much as a little more than we give for them now. I heard the
sad news this evening of W H Tayloe’s youngest child’s death. I deeply sympathise with them.Tell me what was the cause of his death. Are they living at Burbon yet. Hiram tell John that I
have got his picture it is as natural as life almost. I tell you how I came to get it. There was an
agent came around geting pictures that John & Bud & Will was all together and I wanted Wills
picture enlarged and so they made a mistake and enlarged Johns picture in the place of the
other one but I wouldnt take anything for the picture of Johns and I will get the other one in about
3 weeks. Have you had any pictures taken yet. If you haven't I want you to get some taken and
send me one if I can’t see you I want your picture to look at. Dear Brother I will send you a
Birthday present this will be your first Birthday that we was so far apart. It isn't a very nice
present but I hardly know what to get. it will do to wear for everday. I think it is large enough for
you. Well Hiram how many Valentines do you get this year. Janie has already sent one off. she
got a letter from her Barney this evening. Hiram I know that you are tired of reading and so I will
quit the pleas are that you are so bad and Janie is setting here waiting for me to go to bed with
her. so I close for this time hoping to hear from you in a short time. May God bless and protect
you is the wishes of your loving Sister A C Williams
best love & regards to all good bye
There is a light upon the shore Brother it flashes from the sand.
The night is almost oer Brother
the heavens just at hand

From Sarah Pfeiffer to her Brother John Tayloe
About 1891
Dear brother, the monument is ordered. Ben sent the order in I think about three or four weeks ago, but I can't tell you what it will cost. I was not there when he ordered it and when I seen them I never thought to ask him anything about it only they told me the order was sent in. We will let you know about sending the money. Andy put a fence around the grave, but I can't tell you what kind it is. I haven't been to the graveyard since. When you talk about plowing for corn that sounds like {?}. The longer I stay here the more I think about Missouri. If I live and keep my health at the end of five years from now you will see me back in Missouri if my mind don't change from what it is now. That is if we all live and nothing happens, but that is something that none of us knows. You have just as early a spring there as there is here. Men that has got barns here they don't depend on their farms for a living, they have to go off to some mill or logging camp or some kind of work to make living. Except them that has got farms on the prairies, they can raise their own bread. Times are pretty hard here now everybody says. There is so many people coming here all the time. Everybody says that times will be as hard here in a few years as anywhere. Anybody that has got a home I would advise them to stay with it. But there can be plenty of money made here now. Well Lizzie I am glad to hear that you are having such good luck with your geese and chickens. This year is the rats as bad as they was last summer?






From Sarah Pfeiffer to Brother John R. Tayloe
February 18, 1891
Edonia, Lewis County Washington
Dear Brother & Sister, We received your good and kind letter some time ago and was glad to hear from you but was sorry to know that you folks wasn't well. But hoping you are all enjoying good health now. This leaves us all well. We had quite a time of it with the measles. They wasn't all well yet when I got your letter and ought to have answered sooner, but have had so much to see to. I kept putting it off from time to time until now. We have had very nice weather here so far. We have had a little snow the other day, but it was soon gone. It is raining here now and I hope it will keep on until it does raise the river for it is very low and hard to run the ferry. But Ben has been working on his farm ever since he got over the measles for everything has went to rack so that he had to go before he was hardly able. We have been thinking of moving back to our farm this Spring but they are talking of commencing the bridge soon and if they do it will pay us better to stay here. Wheat cooks well here but there isn't much what sown in the fall here. They sow in the Spring. Potatoes is worth 40 cents per bushel. Eggs is 25 cents a dozen. Butter is 30 cents a pound and on. Well John I do wonder if Mack has quit his lying yet I suppose not nor never will. I was really vexed when I hear how he had talked, but it was no more than I expected. We did accommodate him every way we could and then to them he would tell such horrible lies as he did, it is too bad. I guess since he had found out he was outdone in being administrator he don't feel quite so big and his law he knowed didn't profit him so very much. I am truly glad he was outdone.
Well John we want you to send Mothers date the year she was born and if you brothers has any choice verse you want put on the monument write it down and send it right away for we want to send the date to the man as soon as we can get it here. Well Lizzie I would like to see you all so well and be with you a while. I could talk better than I can write. My babies is growing very fast. They have been very cross the last week. They are cutting teeth and a little cold makes them cross. I call my babies Minnie and Jimmy. Our dear Mother named them a few days before she took down sick and the last words she said to me was to take care of them babies. It makes my heart ache when I think over the last days she spent with me. So I will close for this time by asking you to write soon and fail not. I remain yours truly, Sarah M. Pfeiffer


From Annie Williams to her brother John R. Tayloe
March 11, 1891
Edonia, Washington
Dear Brother & Sister, with pleasure I endeavor to answer your kind and welcome letter that I received a few days ago. Those few lines leaves us well but Sis and the children are complaining. They think it is the La Grippe that people have got again this spring. I hope you are all enjoying the blessings of good health. It seems to me that there must be a right smart of sickness and several deaths back there this Spring, but there is some sickness here but there is more dies by some accident happening to them than die with sickness. Our butcher here in town met with a curious accident. He was helping to weigh a steer that he was aiming to kill for beef and all at once the steer made for him and gored him very deeply- carried the man about one hundred and fifty yards on his horn. The man lived five days before he died. Averages here two or three deaths every month but that is a mistake about Ben & Mr. Pfeiffer being dead. Mr. Pfeiffer is moving down to his new home now. I am truly glad to hear about Caroline Lockert meeting with the luck to get married. I know that will be a burden off other people. She will be better off than most other folks. She will have {?} everyday. We had a big meeting here in town last Saturday and Sunday night but they didn't get but one joiner. I meant more to {?} than I ever did before. It is such a beautiful weather now people are sowing oats and making gardens. Well John I will tell you what I have done. I don't know where you will think it is a wise trick of me or not but people here tells me it is. I have homesteaded me 160 acres of land. It cost me $25 to file on the land now and I have six months before I have to go on the land and I just have to be on the land at the end of every 6 months and the end of the five years I will get a good deed to it. I got a letter from Henry Souders the other day. He wants me to come back there to work for them. He said he would pay me as good wages as the girls can get there. But I think I will not come. I had rather stay here and work. I can get $20 or $25 a month and won't have to work any harder than I would there. I am fixing to go off to work. Now I want to make enough to build me a small house against the six months is out. Ben is helping me all he can. It is a sad thing to me to hear how Wilson is turning out but it isn't any more than I thought. I hope that people don't believe everything he tells for he don't hear from Washington that I know of.
PS Dear Brother and Sister, me and Sis will send you and Bud and Carie a present. They was cheap and I thought they was sure nice to send to you. The one I sent is the family record, and Sis sends the Lord's Prayer. I will send the four together and you can give one of each to Buds. I will start the letter and the picture together, but I will mail the picture to Cuba, Missouri for you. I thought in order they could get here without getting damaged. I thought perhaps you will be going to Cuba or you can send by someone that is going. Tell John & Willie that I would dearly love to see them. Can Willie talk yet? I guess him and John has a fine time playing now. With kind remembrance I will close as ever your loving sister, Annie C. Williams
Good night
Well Lizzie I will send you all kinds of flower seeds now in a few days and I will mail some that is growing outdoors now. They say there is beautiful flowers that grows here and I will send you as many different kinds of seeds as I can and I want to send you some sprouts of different kinds of the timber that grows here to see if it will grow back there. What kind of fashions do they have there now? There is very plain fashions here now. Most is plain skirts of velvet or plush in front and two side pleats on each side over the velvet pleated or gathered put behind and right short back and trimming on the back. And for the children I don't hardly know what is the fashion. Well Lizzie I know if you was out here with your gang of chickens you could make lots of money out of eggs. Eggs is selling now for 20 cents per dozen and butter 35 cents per pound. Potatoes 60 cents per bushel. Apples 50 cents per bushel. Well this is about all that I can think of now and I have to write another letter yet tonight. So I will close for this time. Excuse bad spelling and write to me as soon as you get your picture from Cuba. I would like to hear if you get them alright.


From Annie Williams to Lizzie Tayloe
March 17, 1891
Edonia Washington
Dear Sister, I will send you a few flower seeds and a few beans, but I don't know the name of any of these hardly, but they are all very nice flowers and they say the beans are splendid, but I don't know. If you don't like them you can throw them away. I guess you will laugh when you see so many little packages. Maybe I will send you some more soon. The river is pretty big, the boat is coming this morning. The band boys played a few tunes on the bank of the river this morning and then they got in their skifts and went down the river. I tell you they went a flying. They went to play for a big dance at Cassel Back tonight. Well Lizzie I am fixing one of my dresses over now. I have been very busy sewing for the last two markets. Sis got your letter last night and they told me that John said that Lottie had six pigs. I think that does pretty well for her I guess. They are fine ones. Ben is making a fence around our town lots. We want to plant most of them in onions. Tell John I sent him some seed oats too. I guess he will laugh when he sees such a few, but if he wants more for seed let us know and we will send him some more. We are all well at present, hoping you are all the same. I want to write Hiram a letter tonight. So I will close. Hoping to hear from you soon. Best love & wishes to all. Annie Williams
Goodbye


To Mr. Hiram Tayloe from his sister Jennie
Postmarked Edonia, Wash
Apr 11, 1891
Edonia Wash April the 10 = 1891
Mr. Hirm Tayloe
Bem, MO

Dear Brother it is with great pleasure I try to answer your most kind and welcome letter which I
received some days ago and was glad to hear from you This leaves us all well as usual we
have bin having the legrip (?) but now we are about done with it the legrip has bin going pretty
hard with some. Anna is now staying with Mr. McCluers (?) they have had the legryk and most
every person around here has had it. I hope these few lines may be received soon and find you
all enjoy best of health well you must ecuse my bad writting as I hav bin to a picnic to day and
you may no that I dont feel mutch like writting we had quite a nice time. Considering this time
a year the picnic was for the school chrildren they had dinner at the school house. and singing
and three different kinds of music and then they all marched to the grove and treated the Band
with a nice cake. I thing that every person enjoyed it I think that our protracted meeting will
begin next week. I want to atend most of the time during the meeting I only went to sunday
school once and too church three differnt times last sunday. I have bin the sunday school and
church mor since I hav bin out here than I ever was back there but a person has to get ust to
the mass of people out here before they can enjoy there selves very mutch. I think if you was
out here. you and Jim you would bothe soon get to liking here. for there is lots of pretty girls
out here i know that you could get a head of most any of the boys here I tell you that there
is some daisys (?) boy here as well as girls, but I hant set my cap for any of them yet I got a
letter from one fellow that stays here in town. he wanted to entertain me to church or spend a
few hours with me though he said he would wate for answer and i gess he is yet wating and will
still wate for I dont ame to answer I hav seen him seaverls times since tis just all the same I
dont hardly look at him so it was not worth his while of writing. I could have told him so without
him writing. Well Dear Brother I know that you and Jim must have lots of good music when you
both gets to playing. I wis I could hear you play a while I hant herd but one fiddle since I have
bin out here and no cordial (?) the main music her is the oregon and cornet Brass Band and
banger and music Box. Dear Brother what has be come of pretty Mary I wrote a letter to her
four week ago to knight and I hant herd from her yet or is she mad at me if she is I cant help
it, but I beg pardon of her if I insulted her or maby she just dont want to write to me. I know that
I don’t fix up a letter in as good a stile as I aught to but I do best I can and so I think that she
could aford to write one letter to me. anyway well I close for this time soo write soon and often
from your sister Jennie
(excuse me for not writing sooner)
Note: Well Brother I dont hardly expect that you can rad this if you cant read it just guess at it.
and think of a sister of yours that is way out west and would like to see you and hope that I will
see you and several mor out her before this time next year

From Benjamin Pfeiffer to John Tayloe
April 22, 1891
Edonia Washington
Dear Brother and Sister in law, I will try to write you a few lines to answer to your letter which I got some time ago and was glad to hear from you. Hoping that you will excuse me for not writing sooner. I first had the measles and when I got shut of them then I took the La Grippe and I am just able to get around. I went up to the ranch Monday last to see how things was getting along. I am having 8 hundred boards of shingle bolts but they is worth $3 a board on the bank. I will stay here in town this summer then I want to go on my ranch this fall, if I don't sell it. I have been offered $2500 so I won't sell for that money. I think we will get a railroad through Toledo this summer. They have been surveying the route last week. If we get a road, land and town property will go up in good shape. Well John what is Mack a doing for a living? I guess he has to put his shoulder to the wheel now. Well in regards to that monument, we have ordered it but I can't just tell when it will come. But I think it will be put up in June the first and maybe sooner. It will be between 5 or 6 feet high. It will cost between $60 and $70. I will go to the county seat the 12 day of May and I will go to the factory and then I will let you know the price and when he will put it up. He wrote to me that he was behind with his work as he got a big surround country to supply. I seen some of his work, he does good work. Well John I wish you was here tonight to go to the meeting. We have a nice time. It will last about two weeks. Annie she went on the mourners bench Sunday last. I have scribbled away. I will close for this time. This leaves us all well at present. Hoping those few lines will find you all well. Hoping to hear from you soon. Yours truly, Benjamin Pfeiffer

To Mr. Hiram Tayloe from his sister Annie
Postmarked
Lttle Falls, Wash
Sept. 28, 1891
Little Falls, Wash
Sept the 27th 1891
Dear Brother Hiram
It with the greatest of pleasure that I take in answering you kind & most welcome letter of July
24. it has bin quite awhile since I got our kind letter but I keep puting of writing. wich a person
should not do I have five unanswered letters wich I have had for some time. and I think I will
answer some of them today. I am all alone today. and are quite lonesome so I will put the time
in in writeing Dear Brother these few lines leaves me quite well wich I hope they may find you
the same. I am now staying at Little Falls eight miles from Toledo. It is a small Town on the
Railroad I am working for a privet family I am geting four dollars a weeak thare is only three
in family but they are very Rich people and have a nice large house and tharefore I have a right
smart of work to do. but I am well satisfide. they are so kind and good to me. I have bein
her almost 6 weeaks I could get $5.00 a weeak if I would work at a Hotell. but I rather work for
privet familys. Janie came to see me two weeaks ago today. She had bin to Toledo on a vsit
and she came to Little Falls to get on the Train to go back to Freeport so I wasent with her very
long. Janie has bin stayng at Freeport. about two months she is working for privet family that
has a milk dery. she is geting $15 amonth and she says she is well satisfide and thinks she will
stay thare for awhile. Hiram I beleave Janie is about to go back on Barney. but dear don’t tell
him so. I wil send you the last letter I got from Janie. Dea Brother you spoke in your letter as
if you have some notion of comeing out hear this fall. but fear don’t come with the entention of
geting rich. for I don’t think thare would be much show for that. unless you can keep money
better than I can. I would liked to bin at yourn & Jims picknic ever so much. but as it is it was
imposible. when you write I want you to tell me that pretty Girls name that you are swinging. I
would like to see hir. I am geting tired waiting for one of your pictures I would like to have one
of yours & that pretty Girls picture together well, as it seams thare hant much more to say I will
close with much love to you. Write to me
Yours Truly from your sister Annie
Good bye dear Brother Good bye
address your letters to Little Falls
Washington

 Jennie’s letter to Miss Anna Williams included with Annie’s letter of Sept 28. 1891 to Hiram

Freeport
September 20
Miss Anna Williams
Dear sister
I will try to write you a few lines. this leaves me well & hope this may find you the same.
I tell you we had quite a moody (muddy) trip last sunday from Kelso it commensed raining
just after we g started forom kelso and rained untill after we got home. we got home be fore
the folks got dinner ready. then after we got the dishes washed me and Anna Knowles took a
horse back rid and went out too uncle Chanders about fore miles from here we dident get back
untill after dark you bet I felt good the next day. it was quite a ride from toled down to Little
Falls besides going to uncle Chanders.
Well Anna I dont no mutch to write you no just how I am about writing so excuse me
You spoke about your deed to your town lot I have got yours I did not no I had it untill since
we was talking about them if you want it I will send it too you if you say so
Well have you herd from bens since I was up there I dont’ here, from any one but you no more
and it tis my own falt too for I dont answer any of the letters that I get anymore. I got a letter
from Frank Benefiel two week ago and hant answere it tis a shame too and poor little Barney
tis over a month since I got his letter and I hant answered nor hant wrote too Mike nor any
of the rest of the folks do you hear from any of the Missouri folks any more I dont I dont
think I will write to Barney any more I dont no I no I dont like all his way and so I guess I had
better quit riting to him I expect he is mad by this time I no he is very easy miffed I don’t care
eather but one thing shure I must write to Frank but dont you let Addie no that for I told her that I
was not writing to him and he wrote to me and sadid that he wrote to Addie as if I would answer
his lettrs so she dont needs to no every thing
I and Henry went a boat riding to day we went to yonder side of the river and got out of the
boat and went up to the rail rode track we went down the track a little ways and some one
came and took our boat so we was left on the rong side of the river so we alked up the river
oposit the house & Henry called Bub to tell Eal skin to bring the other boat over So I well close
my mon sence I no you well be glad too I could write better if I would try but you no me any
way so no
from your
sister Jennie
I hope to hear from you soon
excuse all mistake
good by by
we have got too mold butter to morrow me and Mary
we have got over fifty pounds to mold
we mold about 40 or 50 pounds last friday







From Sarah Pfeiffer to John Tayloe
December 11, 1891
Edonia, Washington
Dear Brother and Sister, this evening I will try to answer your good and kind letter which we received some time ago and was glad to hear from you. I am nearly ashamed to write as it had been so long. I have commenced 2 or 3 times to write to you but there was something to hinder. This leaves us all in good health hoping it may find you all enjoying the same good blessing. We have been having a great deal of rain but there hasn't been no cold weather here yet. People isn't done digging potatoes yet. Old man Pfeiffer has raised more potatoes this season than he ever did before. We had over three hundred bushels. Well John about that money, you can send the $3 and Ben will settle the rest of it. I guess Mack can make good of them things that he got for I don't think he will ever get any more as easy as he did then. Did he go and get that flannel and blankets that was left? I wonder if he will be ready to pay his note. No I guess he thinks he has got that much and he will keep it too. Well Lizzie I wish I was where I could come to see you so I could help you to eat some of that canned fruit. I think I will have to come to see you so I will get fried chicken. Chickens is scarce here and high so we don't eat many. I wish I could spend Christmas with you. I wish you all a happy Christmas if I can't be with you. Well John do you get letters from Sister Annie or has she come back? She left here three weeks ago. She wrote a few lines the 31st of November and said she had got to Portland and she never said write or she would write or whether she aimed to stay there. When she started she said she thought she would get her a place and work . I will tell you but I don't want you folks to let it get out. I know it will be hard for you to believe. The people here thinks she and Hughey has run away together. He is a man with a family and had a living wife. When we first mistrusted that they carried on their conversations too far was when Ben was so bad sick. He is one of our closest neighbors so he was here day and night nearly all the time. There was nobody could be any better than he was, but I got to seeing myself and so did others that they got to thinking too much of each other so the people commenced talking. So they didn't try to break down the talk, he just took her down to Little Falls and he just kept going down there. Though before she left I commenced. I think we will find out in a few days and I will write Bud and let you know. I wish I could see you, I could give some satisfaction. So I will close for tonight.
Sarah Pfeiffer


From Annie To Sarah Pfeiffer
December 22, 1891
Jacksonville, Florida
Dear Sister, I want to tell you that I don't want you folks to blame Mr. Hughey with what we's have done for I know that he is not any more to blame for it than I am. The reason we did is because we loved each other so dearly. You could not blame me for wanting to be together. I know that the people looks at different & thinks it is very wrong for us to do the way we have but I can't say that I feel that we haven't done anything so very much against God's will and that is all we have to fear. So now I want you to think over things and I know if you just knew the true love I had for him you wouldn't say much. I can't tell you why it was that I loved him so dearly, but I loved him ever since we got acquainted and he says he was the same. I think it was higher power than ours. I know it was God that joined our hearts so completely together. I want you to tell Ben that I don't want him to be so hard against Mr. Hughey for he is not any more to blame than I am, so make us equal in that. I am satisfied that he will take care of me as long as he lives, so don't be uneasy about me- it may be that I will see you all someday. This is the finest country that I ever seen. We have been tending the best meetings that ever anybody was at. They have 750 members. So I must close for this time with love to you all from your sister. Goodbye. Jacksonville, Florida
We intended to go to South America and can't tell you just where our home will be. We talk of going there.

Nov 5, 1891
Little Falls Nov 2nd, 1891
Dear Brother Hiram
I will try to answer your kind & welcome letter of Oct. the 13 your letter was kindly received.
I was glad to hear from you. these few lines leaves me well & geting along nicely. & I hope
they may find you in good health. I am still staying at Little Falls but I thiink if nothing hapens I
will to Portland Organ now in a few days. next wednesday will be eleven weeaks that I stayed
hear & that $44 I have worked out over $75 this summer. & now I think I will go to Portland this
winter I can get from $20 to $25 per month. thare. Dear Brother you talked like you have a half
notion of comeing out hear next spring. if you will come & stay till next fall I will go back home
with you. I am awful glad to know that you went to the Farir this fall. I think it is a great help to a
person to travle some I know its bin a help to me what little I have travled. I have spent several
dollars going on the train since I have ben out hear. I got a letter from Janie last Monday. she
is still staying at Freeport. She says she dont rite to no bidy only her two best fellows, she
said she thought that I aught to rite to hir if she answered my letters or not. I have bought me
another trunk its about as large agin as the one I had. I payed $7.00 for it. Well I know if you
was hear you would say this is the raniest country that you ever saw & I am shure it would be.
its bin raneing nearly every day for the last two weeaks. no Hiram I hant aquainted with mifs
Dovie. I never saw hir that I know of but have heard Janie speak of hir. well Dear Brother I am
shure I would like to see you. & hope we will meet again the the future. so I will close for this
time. & say I will rite to you again when I get setled. & then I want you to rite to me. Love to
you from your true Sister
Annie
Good night dear brother

From Sarah & Ben Pfeiffer to Brother & Sister John & Lizzie Tayloe
Edonia, Washington
January 18, 1892
Dear Brother and Sister
I'm glad to hear from you all. This leaves us all well, hoping this will find you the same. {?} was up to see us at Christmas, she went back after New Year. The weathers nice and warm the people is planning forecasts. I went up to the ranch last week and set out 40 fruit trees. Hesse has bought another ranch. He paid $7000 for it. Well I got $3 and I paid it today and I will send the receipt. Well John we got a letter from Annie and she is in Florida and we will send you a copy of her letter- we have to keep her letter here as a witness. I want to have them arrested in a few days or want to go to the county seat tomorrow and I want to send the sheriff after them. They both lied till the last when we would ask them. I will get them if they don't go to South America. You mustn't send no money to Ann as the Redhead will soon run through with it. Well I think it would be the best to loan her money out for she will see the time yet that she will need it worser than now, for when it comes to hard work, he isn't there. He is a kind of a trader and like to spend money pretty free and be a big man. Well John if you got the money by you and want to send it you may send it to me so as you like it will suit us just as well to wait until you make a settlement. I will close for this time. Hoping to hear from you soon. Yours respectfully, Sarah M & Beny Pfeiffer

From Jennie Tayloe
Freeport Washington
January 26, 1892
Dear Lizzie & Family, I will at last start you a few lines to tell you now that I am in the lands of living. It has been so long since I heard anything from you folks. I expect you won't hardly know who this is try to write to you. I supposed you will find out again if you get this.  How is times in Missouri?  How is everybody getting along?  Times is kind dull this time of year, or at least they are here.  It soon will not be so as there will be plenty of work for everybody.  We haven't had any rain since new years to say any last fall.  They kept scared of the rainy weather and it rained 26 days out of 30 and it was that way for three months.  Has Anna wrote to you folks since she left Washington?  I wrote her a letter last week so as to keep on track of her if she will answer I don't know.  I haven't heard whether Mrs. Hughey has done anything or not.  She went to see a lawyer at Chehallis.  I hope she can.  They think they was so smart to get away in such a manner as they did.  Where is Hirum staying this winter?  Tell him I think hard of him for not writing.  I wrote the last letter to him and he surely has forgot that he has got sisters way out west. Tell him to think of us once in a while anyway and I will write him a letter some of these days. More than he can believe in a week. I am going to have my picture taken before a great while and send you so you can see how much I have improved. Considerable though I don't weigh but 175 pounds now.  I guess I will soon be the biggest one in the family.  How is little Willie and Johnny?  I suppose they are almost as big as their Papa.  I would like awful well to see all the folks again.  How is Catherine now?  Has she been troubled with her stomach yet?  She ought to come to Washington.  This is such a healthy country.  What has become of {ole or Gale} Jim it's been a long time since I heard anything from her. I must write sister Cate a letter some of these days.  I don't suppose she has forgot me.  I hope not.  Has Mike left the country or has he got married?  He used to write, but he has quit.  I haven't heard from him since way last summer.  Tell Mike he had better come out to Washington and see his old friends.  I am now staying in two miles of where he used to stay.  Kelso is a pretty fine town now.  I know he would not know himself if he was to come back here.  I was in Kelso three weeks ago today.  I came down from Toledo.  I went up to take Christmas (Oh yes, where is your Charlie or my Charlie, or someone else's Charlie or whose Charlie is he?)  I wish I had his picture.  The rats is pretty bad around Mr. Huntingtons and I think just to have it in the house, it would scare them all away.  Oh poor Barney I guess my care is done there he has forsaken me altogether.  Where is he now?  He is looking some other way I suppose.  (I can't help it)  I am kind sorry but too late now.  I must tell you something about my other fellows.  I would not give one of them for half a dozen of the boys in Missouri.  If you only could see him, you would say so too.  You will see me coming in some of these days with him.  With the red headed fellow but {text cut off}
he is good looking and good natured and that is the best of all.  You just ask Sis about both of my fellows and she will tell you she never saw one of but once.  I don't know what she thinks of him, but I know what she thinks of the other one and I know what I think.  I think he is a fine fellow.  Well I will close it is getting late and I have to be on time in the morning.  I will close by saying write soon.  Best love to all yous.  Signed Sister Jennie  Direct to Jennie Tayloe Freeport, Cowlitz Co Wash.  Hope to hear from you soon, bye bye.

Freeport, Wash
March 2 = 92
Mr. Hiram Tayloe
Bem, MO
Dearest Brother
Yours of the 30 received and red with bondlless overflowing of gladness this leaves me well
and hope you all the same I guess you will think I hant going to answer your letter. I have had
a letter started over a week now and to night I will start another it seames as if I dont have any
time for writing in the day time and I dont get through with my work till 9 o clock and some times
later they hant but seven and eight now to cook for But I have lots of house work they hier
the washing done extry. I have 14 rooms to keep in order besides the other things to see after
I like this place pretty well though. I have bin here ever snce the last of July it seames like home
allmost
I suppose you have begin work by this time how does Uncle Dave & Aunt Sarah get along, is
Jim at home yet. how mutch do you get far this summer work
I guess I will finish my letter this time before I quit
I am glad you are getting it be a good boy. You aught to begin to do better. any one that is
struck on such a loving little Dove as you are of corse she is pretty I expect she has forgoten
all about me. what did you do with pretty Mary where is she at now. Who is Jim going with
and Mike whoe is he swinging are you and Ringeison as good friends as ever
But my fellow I woudent gived him for any of the others. me and him was getting along fairly
well all the time. untill
Oh yes where is Barney now the last I herd of him he was going to leave ther it to bad the
way I treated him no more for to night hope to hear from you soon
your Sister
Jennie
by by


From Jenny Tayloe
Freeport, Cowlitz County Washington
March 21, 1892
Dear Lizzie & Family, I will try and answer your kind and welcome letter I received some time ago. And I was so glad to hear from you. It was the first letter from you since way last summer. Those few lines leaves me well and trust that you all have the same blessing. We are having beautiful weather just like summer. All the gardens planted and some of kinds has come up. Everything growing all winter almost. We had roses in bloom all the time till the last few weeks. They have been pruning them. They are budded to bloom now. I will send you a bouquet in the next letter, by that time we will have different kinds. We have some of the prettiest roses you ever looked at. I seen more sine I come to Washington that I seen all my life in Missouri. They can say what they want about Washington, it don't change my mind one bit. I am perfectly satisfied. If I wasn't I would mighty quick leave here. I guess I will stay here at Huntington all summer. I am getting $20 a month now. I {?} afraid but what I can keep money ahead if I keep my health. The folks here don't think about getting a dress and get it made less than $20. The way everything is anyone can afford that too. How did Mike like Mr. Huntington? Was he ever down here to the house? I am thinking of going to the {?} next Friday night at Kelso. Tell Hiram I received his letter this evening and will answer soon. Well excuse all mistakes and blots. Write soon as you can. As ever, your sister Jennie Tayloe. Mrs. Pfeiffer and family is all well. Goodnight.

From Unknown {Maybe Catherine Souder?} to Lizzie Tayloe
April 8, 1892
Humansville, Missouri
Mrs. Elizabeth Tayloe
Dear Friend, I will answer your most kind and welcome letter I received the other day and was glad to hear from you. I wrote you a letter a long time ago and never got any answer. I guess it got misplaced. We are all well at present and I hope this will reach you all in good health. We are having nice weather now, we had a little snow this morning but it is nice this evening. We have had bad weather all spring, now all the people is sowing oats this week. We have not made any garden yet. We have been cleaning our yard off. I was at Andy's the other day. They are all well. Alice's little girl is awful little and quick. George can talk anything he wants to. Gracie is awful cute. Ed has grown so you would not know him for he has growed so he is taller than pop and he weighs 140 pounds. Frank is as big as Ed was when they left there. Cora is the fattest thing. She has got legs like jars. How is Sarah and Dave getting along? I have not got any fellow or I don't think they are any around. I would like to see you all. How big is Willie and Johnnie? They has not been much sickness here only a few cases of new pneumonia. Mr. Ben Leach died last Saturday with pneumonia and Mr. Masons little girl died with the same. I will close. Write soon. Be sure and come out this fall all of you, we are going to have lots of apples and some peaches. Oh yes, Em is living in town now. She has got her two houses she rents one. I don't see her hardly ever. I have not seen her about twice since Christmas. She is well. She has got her some bangs. {remainder of letter missing}


Freeport
Cowlitz Co. wash
To Hiram Tayloe from his sister Jennie
Postmarked
June 7, 1892

Dear Hiram
I will at last answer your most kind and ever welcome letter its bin so long since I received a
letter from you I have forgoten what you wrote and dont no where your letter is.
So here goes any way first of all. I beg pardon of all my folks for being so neglectful as I am
about writing.
This leaves me well and trust you the same blessing. I am still (laboring) working away getting
along fairly well. I have bin down here 11 months and bin up to Toledo twice. I may go up hom
the fourth I dont no yet
I want to go to Portlan and get me a new hat so I can go on the Excursen the 18 of June the
folks from here are all intending to go I want a new hat an new dress new shoes and a summer
Jacket then I will go. I hant had but four new hats since I came to Washington.
I went last eve to church at Kelso my fellow and I went and Mr. Huntington and mifs Thayer
also. They have quite a nice time decoration day that is the 30 of May I dident goe though.
I have bin to more since I have bin in Washington that I ever seen or ever herd of in Missouri.
I cant see what any one wants to live back there for. I dont say I wont go back but I dont think I
will ever live there. When I get married I will pay my Brothers and friends visit
What are you doing for a living how is John & Will getting along with there place tell Lizzie I
think she is doing like I have bin about writing But dont you wate six months before you write
tell Carrie I hant forgoten her if I have neglected her But Hirm I tell you I want you to send me
one of your pictures so as the folks can see my youngest Brother I am intending to have photo.
I sure you shall have one. want John and Will to have there childre picture and there own also
you dont no how I would love to have them and do you no any thing about Andy and Wilson I
would like to know how they are geting along and I dont supose you boys has ever herd from
Ann Oh Dear it to bad the way she has done she has bin gon ever since last November
Mrs Hughy has sued for a divorce cort was to set the first of June I hant herd how they are
making out they wanted me an the witness but I dident goe. for I dident no nothing about it I
was just out of the mess it all taken place since I came down here she came down here and
stayed several day she denied it all to me. she was sick in bed all the time she stayed with
me. I often wonder what he greatest pleasures is just roaming the world over. Oh Dear I should
think she would be troubled to death (I could not live I am shure if it was me)
I think I had better quit for this one I no you cant posiable make out all my mistakes
I beg of you to excuse this miserable letter
I am as ever your Sister
Jennie
I hope to hear from you soon good night Dear Brother
But love to all



From Jennie Tayloe to John & Lizzie Tayloe
Dec 26th 1892
Edonia Washington
Dear Brother and Sister,
I will take pleasure of writing a few lines to you.  This leaves us all well and hope this may find you all enjoying the same blessing.  We got a letter from Anna tonight and she wrote that she would be at home tomorrow evening.  She has been gone one month.  It seems to me that it has been two months since she was here.  We are having nice weather now.  We haven't had very much rain this winter and no snow yet.  Everything are growing almost the same as in the summer time.  Mrs. Badger went to her garden yesterday and gathered a bouquet.  It contained 14 different kinds of flowers on Christmas day.  I don't expect you have any flowers in your own garden on Christmas.  Well Lizzie, how did you all enjoy Christmas?  Hope you had a good time.  I did not enjoy Christmas very much this year.  We had a Christmas tree and a Christmas March.  I went to both.  One was Christmas Day, and the other Christmas night.  The brass band played both nights.  Whenever I hear the band playing I think of the Bem band.  I would like to see all of the band boys and all of their friends on Dry Fork.  I like this country very well.  It seems like that I have been here on a visit and is about time for me to go home again but I don't know what I will do yet.  I may come back again and then I may never come.  I can't say what I will do yet.  Well Lizzie I was glad when we heard that little Willie had got well again.  I guess he can run everywhere by this time.  Can he talk any yet?  Well Johnny has Ma made you any pants?  She must make some for you.  I am going to send you a watch and Willie a whistle and Ida a handkerchief for a new years gift.  I wish you all a Happy New Year. Well I must close for this time.  Excuse my bad writing and correct my mistake.  So good night

Tell Will and Carrie that I send my best respects to them and intend to write them in a short time.  Write soon and tell me all the news for I like to hear from all my friends both old and young.  So no more for this time.  From your sister Jennie Tayloe.  So good bye bye.

From J.K. Miller to John & Lizzie Tayloe
Portland Oregon
March 12th 1893
Dear Brother and Sister,
I received your letter long ago. Was not hardly able to answer it.  I have been sick all winter. You will see by this letter that we have moved back to Oregon again. We had to, the alkali was killing us in California.  That's the alkali in the water.  So we came here.  Mary and I are both sick but are getting better.  Was working and now we're done very well in Cal but had to get out of there.  I had kidney trouble all winter and am doctoring yet but getting better now I guess.  I will get along all right now.  Don't write until you hear from me again.  I guess that will be soon.  I remain your brother
J.K. Miller
My best regards to all


To Hiram Tayloe from his future wife Mary
Postmarked
Oak Hill Mo
Dec the 5 1893

Mr. Hiram Tayloe
Dear Sir
I will try and ans your most kind and welcome letter which I recieve some time ago I guess
that you had a good time at the Sinning Sunday night. I went to church last wensday the
preacher diden come I went home with Mary Simpson for Dinner I diden go to the sinning
that night at Mr. Powel it was to bad I thought James Simpson and John Bullington came
afrer___________and J. Isaac Souders and Dollie Ridenhour was her last night and stayed
untell bed time.
I went to the Debate last winesday they had a very good time. I am going to uncle John to day
to take mother over there She is going to stay tell Saturday
So I will close
You must excuse bad writing and spelling
from
Mary V Souders
ans

From James S. Gardner to John Tayloe
May 12, 1894
Tea, Missouri
Mr. John Tayloe
Bem, Missouri
Friend John, This young man wants your school. He belongs to a good family. He has gone to school. To me, and I can assure you that he is all right every way. John, I ask you to favor him and I will remember you for it. You friend, James S. Gardner

From James A. Bemmer
November 29, 1894
Cleavesville, Missouri
Mr. John R. Tayloe
Bem, Missouri
Friend John, I heard a few days ago that you wanted two mare colts- if so, I have them I think that will suit you. They are both the same color and size, good matches all around and first class colts in every respect. And $50 will buy them if you want them come up and I know we can trade. One is the colt I got from Harris, the other I raised. Hoping you are all enjoying good health as we are at present. Bring the frow and come up and see how we suffer. I am as ever yours, very respectfully James A. Bemmer  

From Benjamin Pfeiffer to John & Lizzie Tayloe
Toledo, Washington
December 9^th, 1894
Dear Brother and Sister-in-law,
Answering your favor of the 8th to hand and was glad to hear from you all but sorrow to hear of your sickness.  I pray to our Creator that you are all well and are enjoying God's blessing. Those few lines leaves us all well as usual except the children has got bad cold.  The rest of the folks is all well as far as I know. Uncle Jake Ridenhour is about blind. I took him to Portland Oregon last month for him to get his eyes doctored. He stayed there near a month but failed to receive any benefit. The doctor charged him sixty dollars. I took the boat and went near 100 miles in Oregon but times is very hard in Oregon. They is shaking the apples off for the hogs.  They is worth nothing. I wanted to buy some fine stock but could not find any handy. I enjoyed my trip very much. Oregon City is a business place and fine scenery. October the last, we had church at our house over a week by a Christian minister. Me and Sis was both a {merst?} Sina Garrimore was too, he will be back in January. We will rig up a church house for him on my place. Well Willie I think that end of time ain't very far off according to the book, read Matthew 24 ch 9. Read the first and it will show you that its at our door. We have a family aulter every morning with our children and it teaches them good from evil. I am very busy a putting a addition on my house.  I want to get it done against Christmas as we are to have a Christmas tree in the church house and I want to kill hogs next week. I have six more to killed, hasn't buried my potatoes yet. I have {unreadable} over 200 bushels I thrash 165 bushels. I have let a {unreadable} of five acres to clear for this {faded section}
Sis said she wished you was here.  We would have a turkey for Christmas.  Sis said excuse her for not writing as she is so busy cooking for the hands.  Write soon.  Yours truly B.F. Pfeiffer


From A.W. Miller to John R. Tayloe
June 1898
Humansville, Missouri
Mr. John R. Tayloe
Bem, Missouri
Dear Bro and Sister, I will try and write, I should have wrote sooner but I tell you I had all I could do after I come home. It rained here all the time while I was down there, just like it did there. That trip down there done me lots of good. I feel better now than I have for a long time. I hope you and Lizzie are stout. You and Lizzie will have to come on a trip out here. I think it would help Lizzie a good deal. Well John that sheep or lamb is all OK. It will cost you $10. The sheep is Cotswold. Short legs and long wool. The Daddy of him weighs 250 lbs. They are fine. My proctor said it would weigh between 75 and a 100 by the 4th of July. He wants you to take it about that time. If you want one I will send it. He is glad to send one out there for an advertisement. It is raining here today. It was getting dry. The chinge bugs are hurting the wheat and oats. There are lots of them. Tell Johnny, Willie and Jimmie to come out here and help Harvey and Willie eat blackberries and bayberries. We will have lots of them.We have 5 acres or 6 acres of early blackberries and raspberries are getting red now. The strawberries are mostly gone. I will close. I will do better the next time. Write soon. We are well. Hoping this will find you well. Your bro, A.W. Miller

From A.W. Miller to J.R. Tayloe & Wm. Morris
July 25, 1898
Humansville, Missouri
Mr. J.R. Tayloe & Wm. Morris
Bem, Missouri
Dear Bros, as I have not heard from you for some time. That sheep will be ready in 10 or 15 days. I have been holding the man off telling him that you could not take him now on account of high water. Guess you don't need to send the money till the sheep gets there. Write and give date when you will go to Cuba and I will have him there. You had better tell someone to take care of him in Cuba for fear he will have to stay too long. Express is $2.10 per hundred. I will not say express. If something should happen then you will have that much. The Express Co. stands good for him but sometimes it will be trouble to get in. Write and let me know what to do, I will do just as you say. It is getting dry out here. We are all well. I hope this will find you all the same. From your Bro, A.W. Miller

From Isaac W. Sauders to John Tayloe
July 28, 1898
Oak Hill, Missouri
Mr. John Tayloe
Dear Sir, if you are in need of some flour yet you may come and get all you want now as we have new wheat coming in. We will have plenty of flour on hand now. The reason for not letting you have it when you ask me we did not have much wheat on hand and I was afraid we would run short so we would not have enough to exchange on. But you can get what you want now. I do not want you to think hard of me for we did not have it to share for at that time. Yours truly, Isaac W. Sauders

To Hiram Tayloe from Ben Pfeiffer
Postmarked
Caldwell Idaho
Jan 2, 1899

H.D. Tayloe
Tea, Mo
Dear Sir and Bro
We got a letter from Will some few days ago stating that Death has visited you it was a sad
occasion to indure with the weather is quiet cold we have near 3 inches of snow it has
been quiet a nice time to put up icas as it is near 10 inches thick I helped my nieghbor to put
up twelve loads of ice Saturday last the children had a vacation this week in school
We got a letter fron Jennie a few dayes ago she was well and will come to see us in a short
time she said we had a quiet a number with us a Christmas day it has been a little over 10
years since we left Missouri Willie was snall at that time but now he is near as larlge as I am
Annie is larger than Sis time expires very fast it seames Thoe that it was onley a few years
since we left that section of county it is aufel bad to have the family circle broken a seat is
vacant which never can be never fild again. My God in his mercy bless you help you to realize
that she is not dead but sleepeth let us perpaire our selves to meet the love ones that has gon
before to meet our God it seams that we are here but a few dayes and full of trouble life
unsertain but death is Shure we have meeting at my house evey Sunday
We got a letter from the old folks Some time back and they was all well and may come here in
the Spring.
do you have church near you and what kind what has become of Marten Tayloe is he in the
Merchdile business yet how is Wilson getting a long is he a farming to his self has he got a
farm of his one if not tell him that if he can fine some one that has a good farm that wouldlike
to trad for one out here as I have two farms and if he can fine such a terad I will let him have it
this farm is near Caldwell the county seat if he had a farm. he mite get a long all rite
This leaves us all well as usel hoping you will excuse my bad writing as the children is
bothering me so much I will close for this time Kindley let us hear from you at your
Convenience
from yours Bro and Sister


From J.K. Miller to his sister Lizzie Tayloe
Kingsley, Oregon
March 8, 1903
Lizzie Tayloe
Bem, Missouri
Dear Sister & Bro John Tayloe, I try and write you a few lines for the first time I think since you are married. I don't know how it happened that you folks did not write to us, but if Bill and Kate had not wrote it to us I would have not known it till Elroy came to us. Well how are you all getting along by this time? Did you get strong Lizzie or not? I don't know about John. If I remember right he all ways was a pretty strong boy. I can remember him pretty well. When we used to thresh there he used to take the horses to water. You don't live on the old place do you? I would be very gad to see you all, but it is too far from here to visit you at present I don't think so anyway. Well how is Berthy getting along by this time? I heard that Bill & Kate are going to live in town- that is in Owensville. Emry told me. Emry turned out a very hard case. Does he ever write to you? You tell him that I said he was a hard case. If you ask him why I said that tell Bill & Kate's folks that they should ask him why I said that. He was a hard case. He is bad. That is hard for to say for me but I have to say it is so. I am sorry that I have to say it. Well John & Lizzie I am sure sorry that I must ask you to help me for Emry caused me to have to do that. I am in need of $200 in money. I want to borrow it for about 2 years. I can make it in two months, but not yet. But when this new sawmill is built then I can sell logs to them but that not built yet. They are building on it so it will not be long but they will not saw this year. By that time the mill is built the water will be gone so he won't saw till next winter then it will take a other year till you get your money you see. Have to take lumber for your logs first because it is a homestead so they don't buy the logs so you see it will take 2 years before you get the money but I will have two steers next fall to sell so I can pay interest on that money and am very glad to do that too. I am not very able to do hard work anymore but I can make it out of the timber very easy. But the first 2 years bothers that is why I have to have it for 2 years. I am in such bad fix now so I must have it. Well I must close for this time. Write soon. Best regards to all. I remain your Bro, J.K. Miller

From Alex Ander McCune
April 6, 1903
Argo, Crawford County Missouri
Mr. Tayloe, Dear sir, I thought I would have been over there before now but I have been in the store here for some time. Will you please let me know whether they have been working in our diggins lately or not. If so, let me know how much I am behind besides the $3 I left with you and if any one has done good work. Excepted by the company. And I am behind, I'll register the money to you to pay some if I can't come soon. Sam Jent has not been very well and could not tend the store by his self. Henry Naugle has been on the sick list for some time but he is up now. I hope these lines to find you all well. Truly yours, Alex Ander McCune

From Willie Miller to cousin Willie Tayloe
Humansville, Missouri
September 18, 1905
Dear Cousin Willie, I am a going to school now. I have a good time. We played ball today. We played even endings and we had 7 talleys and they had 7. They were all bigger than we was. Our teachers name is Miss Ida Knight. She is not very strict. The other day I had a pencil that did not have any rubber and I chewed a piece of paper and put it in the pencil and flipped it and hit her. Grandma went over to John Acres today. Alice Acre is a going to go to Kansas City tomorrow. We was going to go over there yesterday. It rained, it is a raining now. We are in a black cloud. We got a piece of beef Saturday. We have got two phones in our house. It is lightning now, it rings the bells. I wish you was out here to help me drink cider. We have made about 1000 gallons this year. We will make some cider in the morning. Mama was a going to write to Aunt Lizzy. I will close for this time. Come out soon. From you cousin Willie Miller

From Newton Holt to Mr. John R. Tayloe
March 12, 1906
Tea, Missouri
Mr. John Tayloe
Bem, Missouri
Dear Friend, I will write you a few lines in regards to your house. I have been wanting to come up but when I could come the waters is up and now I will have to work next week for H. Gipson in Tea. And if it is possible for you to come to Tea one day next week I will be there and my partner and we will give you our figures on the complete bill from start to finish and will be able to do the work soon. Come next week if possible so your job will be next. Yours truly, Newton Holt- Tea, Missouri

From Lizzie Tayloe to her Son John L. Tayloe
April 20, 1906
Bem, Missouri
Dear Johnny, we received your letter. All OK. We will send your fountain pen dropper today. Willie will take it to Owensville. We went to Uncle Mike's on Sunday and Willie rode Prince. He is all right. Well Willie got a school all right. I guess he told you all about it. I don't think Andy got a school yet. I heard once that he was going to get our school, I don't know if it is so or not. I will close for this time. Willie is in a hurry. We are all well. I hope you are the same. Write soon. Your Mother, Mrs. John R. Tayloe. Bye Bye

From John H. Frolker to John L. Tayloe
April 22, 1906
Tea, Missouri
Mr. Jno. L. Tayloe
Warrensburg, MO
Kind sir, We met today and I talked in your favor and we were willing for you to teach our school. But Mr. Havens & Mr. Steffen requested me to ask you whether you could teach it for $38 a month, build a fire half an hour before school and also sweep. Let me know by return mail what you will do. Hoping to hear from you soon. I remain yours truly, Jno. H. Frolker
Tea, Missouri

From William L. Tayloe to his brother John L. Tayloe
April 23, 1906
Warrensburg, Missouri
Dear Bro, I will write to you this morning concerning Tea school. I saw Wommel yesterday (Sunday) in Tea and he said that you stood a pretty good show of getting the school. He said he heard them talking Saturday night at the dance in Tea about you and they did not know your address and you had better write to them about the school at least let them know where you are at. We were down at Uncle Hiram's Sunday. We are all crawling around yet and hope you are the same. I must close. As ever, Wm. L. Tayloe


From Lizzie Tayloe to her son John L. Tayloe
April 24, 1906
Bem, Missouri
Dear Johnny, we received your letter a little while ago. We were glad to hear from you and all so glad to hear that you are well. Well in regard to your school at Tea, Fred Wommel told us to tell you to write the directors. He said he overheard the directors talk about you, they said they did not know where to write to. They did not know your address. So you better write to them. Willie sent off a letter to you yesterday to your old address. You better go and call for it. Willie told you all about your school in that letter. Well I got them flowers, they are badly wilted. I will keep them till you come back. I guess Bob Hibbler will get our school, I don't know for sure yet. Willie and I were down at Uncle Hiram's last Sunday. They are all well. We were at Uncle Mike's yesterday at a log rolling. They are all well. Well I will send you that money in your desk but it is a $10 bill. Maybe I will go to Owensville tomorrow and visit a little. Well I will have to close for this time. We are all well. I hope you are the same. Write soon. As ever, your Mother Mrs. John R. Tayloe.
P.S. you had better write to them directors and let them know where you are at. Write soon. Bye Bye

From Carrie to his friend John L. Tayloe
April 28, 1906
High Gate, Missouri
Mr. John L. Tayloe, Dear friend, your letter of Monday received and will say I appreciated it very much. I suppose you are getting along alright at school now. I am glad you made the acquaintance of my chum for she is a fine little girl. Her brother came home Wednesday and I got to see him Friday and have quite a little chat with him. He and I are always pretty good friends and beside that he was my first fellow. I haven't got me any school yet for this winter. They did not get another room to our schoolhouse so I get knocked here. They only lacked three votes getting it and I guess they will call another meeting and if they don't get it then they will either divide the district or send for the State Supt. to decide for them. Papa is going tomorrow to see about getting me a school, but if they do get another room I will go to teach at home. You ought see how green I can act teaching school. I began last Monday and have twenty-six pupils but I know of two more that are going to start tomorrow. Robert {Kiley?} and your cousin Mr. Miller were here three nights and last night and we sure had some fun. I think they both succeeded in getting them a school up here. Friday night Robert went to see his girl and we had a can of water fixed over the door for him when he came back. He wasn't expecting anything and when he opened the door it just poured right down on him and then we had some fun out of him about it. I have had enough fun today to last me a month I think. One of my cousins and Edna {Spirgeon?}  and Ethel Southard came home with me from church this evening. Andrew Skouby and Jesse {Bennetren?} came  over and we played every funny game we could think of. Mamie wasn't much expecting an answer from her "kiss card" therefore she didn't have much to say. I didn't know what to think when you sent me so many kisses for that was more than I have ever had. Ha! Ha!
I can't think of anything more to write so will close for this time. Answer soon and a long letter. I am as ever, a true friend, Carrie
P.S. I am sorry they miss you and I so much down at Owensville. If you can't read my writing let me know and I will come and help you. Ha! Ha!

From W. Paul Mobley- Attorney at Law- St. Louis, Missouri to John L. Tayloe
July 30,1907
Dear Sir, Yours of the 27th regarding the study of law by correspondence was received yesterday and in reply I will state the following:
I took a course in the Chicago Correspondence School of Law and found it to be an excellent course. I believe that a correspondence course, while probably it does not fully take the place of a course in a good resident school, is the next best thing to it. I would advise any young man who desires to study law and is not so situated that he can enter a resident law school, to take up the work by correspondence. There is no reason why one who knows how to study is willing to devote considerable time to it, cannot master the principles of law just about as well by a good correspondence course as he can in any other way. After taking my course in the above named school, I studied one year in the Benton College of Law of this City and found no difficulty in keeping pace with those who had studied in various resident schools, some for two and some for three years. I might say too that I passed the bar examination after having studied two years by correspondence. I would say that if you take a two years course by correspondence and then spend one year in a busy lawyers office, you ought to be well prepared to enter upon the practice of law, indeed, it is my opinion that three years thus spent is a better preparation that an equal amount of time spent in a resident school. I shall send your name to the Chicago school and doubtless you will receive its catalog and literature. If you decide to take a course by correspondence, I think you could not find a better school than this one. It has done even more for me than it promised to do. Sometime when you are in the city I should be more than pleased to have you call at my office and to discuss this matter more fully with you. Wishing you success in case you decide to take up the work, I am, Yours Truly, W. Paul Mobley

Chicago Correspondence School of Law
July 31, 1907
Dear Sir, at the request of Mr. W. Paul Mobley of St. Louis, your state, we take pleasure in mailing you under separate cover our catalog and other literature descriptive of our courses of study. The Catalog, we believe, gives full information regarding the method of study, time required, tuition and text books, but if there is any subject not made clear or if you desire any additional information we will consider it a favor if you will write us. Trusting we may have the pleasure of receiving your application for enrollment in our August class which begins on the 5th of that month, we are, yours very truly, Chas. F. Westwood

From Edna Grace to friend Lizzie Tayloe
St. Louis, Missouri
February 15, 1908
Mrs. John Tayloe, Dear friend, I will try and answer your letter I received some time ago. I was glad to hear you are well, am well and happy. You will have to forgive me for not writing sooner. I just kept putting it off and not writing. I wrote home yesterday but I can't hear from home very often for I cant get the letters. Thank you very much for that postal card. I think it is pretty. Well we have a snow down here. It is about 3 inches thick but it is melting today. The pavement is all dried off now. How is Cora Tayloe getting along now? If you see her give her my best regards. I guess our school will be out next Saturday. It is out early this year. I wish all the months would be short like this one. I am crazy to get home again. I think I will come about the 22nd of June. Anyway I will be there for the 4th of July. I and Tommy Ferris was out Valentine's eve night, we sure had a fine time. Thursday I was at Morie Mittendrof. Tomorrow isn't my day out. I will stay in and take care of one kid but Sunday night Dora White and I are going to see my Aunt. I am going to a grand ball the 22nd of this month. The railroad company are giving it. It is in South St. Louis at the Lextalles Hall. Tell Willie I am going to see Lydie and tell John that Manda Shelton thinks he is awful cute she says. Well I will have to bring this letter to a close for news is scarce with nowday. I will write more next time. Answer soon. I am as ever, your friend Edna Grace


From Margaret Mangold to her Cousin Lizzie Tayloe
Glenshaw, PA
March 14, 1908
Dear Cousin, I am going to write a few lines to you asking if you are all well. We are all well at present. Mother gave us your letter to read and I thought I would write and tell you Father is dead and Mother still lives in the old home. Uncle Philip is only one living except cousins. Uncle had the mumps but is getting along fine now. We hope we can come to see you sometime and we hope that you'ns will come to visit us. And if you get this letter please answer as soon as you can for we are all anxious to hear of the people down there. I don't know if this will reach you for your letter was written four years ago. The weather of March is fine here. We can go out in the garden and sow seed. Well I supposed I will have to remain ever your loving cousin, Margaret Mangold, Glenshaw, Pennsylvania

From Mother Ringeisen to Lizzie Tayloe
March 27, 1908
Pennsylvania, McCandless TWP
Mrs. Jno. Tayloe

Dear cousins, Mother Ringeisen would like to know how you all are out there so she asked me to write. I suppose you know that Kate Ringeisen is dead. She died 9 years ago. Father Ringeisen died the 17th July, 1907. Although all her children have offered her a home, still Mother Ringeisen is staying all alone in the old homestead. It is lonesome, still there {the rest of the letter is missing}

From Margaret Mangold to her cousins
Glenshaw, PA
March 29, 1908
Dear Cousins, I received your letter as I was very glad to hear from you. We are all well at present writing and hope you are all the same. Mother is well and stays alone. You asked in your letter how all the people up here were. They are all well as far as I know. I live on a farm of 46 acres three miles from our nearest town of {Etuas?}, fifteen minute walk from the P.B. car line. I have only one child which will be fifteen in July. I have four sisters, three brothers, Cathern, Carolina, Louisa, Elizabeth, Christina, Margaret, Andrew, Sophia, John and William. Cathern died nine years February. Elizabeth died about 33 years. Father was taken sick in March 1907 of pneumonia, got better till June and took drops and lived till July 16, died age 73, 5th of July 1907. As we all fell sorry for him. Uncle Phillip is the only one living father's side. Uncle was 80 years old and Pena is dead 2 years, they have six children, 3 of which are living, Carolina married is also leaving 7 children. John married, his is dead, one girl 18 years stays with Uncle. I would like to know of Father's side if are all living. I would like to come but I am not strong enough to stand the riding for it is long on the train and steamboat. The weather is fine here but have {?} no garden yet. We had zero weather quite frequently this winter. We farm and do no gardening and sisters and brothers all live on farms except two. they live in Pittsburgh. They all have children but one she is married 19 years. I am married 18 years. My birthday is 4th of April will be 39 years. We will send out pictures gladly as soon as we get them taken. I will see Mother if she has hers and Fathers to send with ours. Mother is living all alone. All the children are married, and I am thinking she is coming to stay with me. I read that you were going to come up and I would be so glad to have you come and stay with us for a while and your sons also. When you come let me know so I will tell you where to go from Pittsburgh. My dear cousin as I am glad to hear that I have a cousin in Missouri to write a letter to. I am so glad to hear from you when I wrote this my heart is heavy now. I close this time dear cousin. Good bye good bye cousin. Till we meet again. Margaret Mangold
Glenshaw, Alleghany County PA 

From John L. Tayloe to Lizzie Tayloe
Rosebud, Missouri
April 24, 1908
In Regard to that money will say that you can give Willie $30 and deposit the other $100 in the bank at Owensville for me and send me the deposit certificate. I suppose it would be best to do that any way of course. I am owing Willie and Papa but a fellow will naturally save his money better if he cant get to it. Ha Ha.
Very Truly, John L. Tayloe

From John L. Tayloe- Rosebud, Missouri to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, Missouri
June 5, 1908
Dear Mother, I will try to answer your card which I received yesterday evening. I was glad to know that you are all well as usual. This leaves me in good health.
Yes I saw Ed Murphy Tuesday. He was down here electioneering. You spoke about Nellie. she is improving some I think. But Ed is sick now. He has been having the chills. Well our baseball club goes to Gerald Sunday evening to play against the Gerald team. Enclosed you will find $21. So that it will leave just even $50 that I am behind with you. Well I must close for this time. Hoping to hear from you in a few days, I am as ever, Very truly John L. Tayloe

From John L. Tayloe- Rosebud, Missouri to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, Missouri
July 29, 1908
Dear Mother, your letter received and in reply will say that by the 5 or 6 of August I will be able to furnish you at least $10 or a little more. I could have probably furnished more but have laid in a good supply of hay for the coming winter and spring and so I am just a bit short. Will send the money to you as soon as I get it. Must close for this time. Ans soon. Yours as ever, John L. Tayloe

From John L. Tayloe- Rosebud, Missouri to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe Owensville, Missouri
August 5, 1908
Dear Mother, enclosed find $10 which I hope you will receive OK. Well poor Ed lost out on the election. We heard from most of the polling places by 11:30 last night. Well I hope this will find you all well. This leaves me in the best of health. Answer soon. Ever, J. L. Tayloe

August 14, 1908
From Bertha Miller to Lizzie Tayloe
Hello Lizzie, we are all well hoping this will find you all the same. I will send you this card for the 24th of August on your birthday that I have not forgotten yet. Yours as ever, Mrs. Bertha Miller

From John L. Tayloe- Rosebud, Missouri to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, Missouri
August 21, 1908
Dear Mother, I will write you a few lines in ans to yours of Tuesday. I am well and hope you are the same. They must be getting good up there so much church as they are having. They had Mission Feast here last Sunday and Monday. Sunday evening it was preaching in English, that I could understand. The service were at the Lutheran Church. Well I may come up Saturday night (tomorrow) or Sunday. I don't know for sure that I will come out to the Tea picnic or not, but if I come up Saturday night you can leave the key out of the door and I think my key will unlock it. Will come if I can. Ans. soon. J. L. Tayloe

From John L. Tayloe to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe
September 9, 1908
Mrs. John R. Tayloe, Owensville, Missouri
I will come up next Sunday if nothing presents and the horse keeps improving. There were a few days that he could barely walk. Mr. Baur is a poor hand to attend to horses. And as warm as the weather was it would not do to let the flies get a start in the sore. The horses leg was cut clear to the bone between the knee and hoof. and it was and still is swelled pretty bad. Must close. Ans. soon. John L. Tayloe
P.S. I have my first grade in law for the first year, I averaged 97 5/16

September 21, 1908
Mrs. John R. Tayloe- Owensville, Missouri
{The right side of this letter was cut off}
Dear Mother, will write you a few lines today. I hope you are all well. Well {missing}
feeling much better the {missing}
couple of days though I {missing}
a few days last {missing}
I came very near getting {missing}
up with the chills and {missing}
fever I suppose. But what {missing}
worse now is that I {missing}
an attack of the rheumatism
in both ankles yesterday
evening (Sunday) and last
night I couldn't walk a {missing}
But this morning I can hobble around by myself a {missing}
feel very well if I was {missing}
those painful stiff ankles.
But I suppose I will be OK in a few days. Well how is everything up there by now? Did they have that log doing over at {Gruner's?} Sat night? Well I must close for this time. Ans soon, John L.
P.S. I don't know just when I can come up next time.

From William Tayloe to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe
September 28, 1908
Rosebud, Missouri
Dear Mother, I will write you a few lines to let you know the reason that I did not come home. I would have come Sunday but you know that it rained all day and I will not be at home until next Sunday for I have to carry the mail this week yet. John is not able yet to be out yet but he is feeling pretty well. He could be up but the doctor said that he had better stay in bed yet for a while. The doctor also said that he was not very sick but he had better stay in bed to prevent getting bad sick. I must close. Answer soon.  As ever, Wm L. Tayloe

                                           October 6, 1908

 

From J.W. Charles Williams to the Tayloe Family
Palco, Kansas
October 15, 1908
Mr. and Mrs. John Tayloe and Son,
Bem, Missouri
Dear Friends, word has just reached me of the great bereavement which has come to you in the loss of your son and brother, John. This seems too sad to be true and I wish it were not. I cannot find words to express the deep feeling of sorrow that comes over me when I think of this loss of one so dear to us and if any words of mine can be of comfort to you allow me to say that I entrust to you my most tender and heartfelt sympathy. Our loss is beyond comparison with any Earthly possession and it grieves us to think that one so full of usefulness and devotions should be taken away from us so young. But somehow I cannot help but feel that our loss is his gain, for it seems to me that he still lives not with us, but where our all wise God has seen best to have him, either to keep him safe from future harm or to bring us into closer relationship with our Divine Ruler. We know not the reason but may we realize that our Heavenly Father knows best, that his way is better for us and when this call comes to us as it surely will, let us be prepared to meet again where sorrow and death are unknown and love and life abide forever. Trusting that you may be able to look to him from whence cometh all help, and say "His will, not ours, be done", is the wish of your sincere friend, J.W. Charles Williams

                                       October 16, 1908

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Miller
Request your presence
At the marriage of their Daughter
Clara C.
To
Mr. Edward Sassmann
On November 15, 1908

From The Chicago Correspondence School of Law
November 27, 1908
Chicago, Illinois
Mr. John R. Tayloe
Owensville, Missouri
Dear Sir, we are in receipt of your favor of the 16th inst. and we regret very much to learn of the death of your son. He was one of our students, doing excellent work, and had he lived we have no doubt he would have made a good success in the practice of law if he desired to follow that profession. Your son took our first year's work and on September 4, 1908, enrolled for the first term of the second year paying $3 and giving us his three notes for $4.25 each, in payment of the tuition for the term. We are enclosing herewith a copy of the notes, none of which have been paid. Again, expressing to you our regret for the loss of your son, we are yours truly Chas {?}

From Wayne Maupin to John Tayloe
December 4, 1908
Rosebud, Missouri
Mr. John Tayloe, Dear sir, well how are you all? I hope enjoying health. I am well and Mr. Baur's folks are also. Well Friana is up again. Mr. Tayloe I want ask you in regard to that buggy. Our bargain was made that I would pay you the first of December and I am as good as my word too, but as I had to buy my feed, hay, and corn, horse and harness. I am certainly in a little pinch just now and I thought I would write you a letter and ask you if you needed the money right away. If you do, let me know and I will leave it at Tea with the PM and if you don't and am willing to wait till January 1st I am willing to pay you interest on the sum because it will take my whole month payment to pay my board and feed. And if you are satisfied and willing to wait until January 1st you certainly will do me a favor and as I say I will pay you interest on the $20, but if you need the money let me know and of course I will fulfill my bargain. I remain as ever, Truly yours, Wayne Maupin, Rosebud Missouri

From Mrs. William H. Ringeisen to Lizzie Tayloe
Pennsylvania
February 2, 1909
Mrs. John Tayloe, well I will try and write you a few lines as I have no news to tell. I was so sorry to hear that you lost your son and you have my deepest sympathy. As soon as you can bring yourself to write about him, let me know what he died of and how old he was. I have not seen their pictures yet, but Maggie tells me they are such nice boys. Our boys all had the cold and the cough. My second boys got the croup and if you know of anything good for it oblige me greatly by letting me know- it comes on him so suddenly he goes to bed apparently well but gets up about 12 o clock nearly choked and the attacks generally last 1 hour. The baby is walking and is very {comic?}. He is cutting his double teeth now. Wm. is working about the place and I am trying to do some summer sewing for I do not get much time in the summer and the children are always outgrowing their clothes. We have no pork this year, our pigs died of the cholera about 1 week before butchering time and it seems awful to do without pork, Well this is about all I know for this time. So I will close with love to all.  Mrs. Wm. H. Ringeisen
De Haven, PA

From A.W. Miller to his sister Lizzie Tayloe and brother-in-law John
June 4, 1909
Humansville, Missouri
Mr. J. R. Tayloe
Owensville, R.R. #4
Dear Bro & Sister, please find enclosed my check for $21.90 to pay for the fence around grave yard. I am glad you ordered the fence as it has been needed for some time. Well John it is too wet here to plow corn- just right to fish. But fishing for a rusty, wet a-- hook and a {hungrin?} s-t is not any fun for me so I will let the boys do that. So far we have had a nice spring only a little cool for corn. I am glad the {Meedle?} is going to change his name, as Mr. is shorter more like he is. I got a letter from Fred, they are all well. Well John find $1 more added to the check for the Owensville paper, 1 year. Will close for this time. Yours respectfully, A.W. Miller

From Alice Miller to Lizzie Tayloe
October 19, 1909
Dear Sister and Brother,
I will try and answer your letter which I received some time ago. We are all well but myself. I have the rheumatism in my hips. I can't hardly walk sometimes. I hope that you are well. Nora got a letter from Willie today. He was well. We had a big rain last night. We needed rain, it is not quite so dusty as it was when you was here. I got a letter from Clara and she said them folks come that you was looking for. Why did they come to see us? They did not stay long. You must write and tell us all about them. We gathered our apples. We had 100 bushels. I made 26 gallons of apple butter. We had 83 bushels of potatoes and three bushels of sweet potatoes. Mama got home from her trip. She had a nice time. Aunt Bets Walker came home with them. I guess that she will stay all winter. Frank has got his house done. They have moved in it. Millie's baby can sit alone. Well how is everybody? I guess that you seen Clara since you went back. Lyman can talk now. He can say anything. You and Uncle John get ready and come with Clara and Ed. You did not get to stay long enough. I don't get many eggs now.
Well I will close for this time. Write soon. From Alice Miller to Lizzie Tayloe. Write soon. Goodbye.

From William Tayloe to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe
October 23, 1909
Springfield, MO
Mrs. John R. Tayloe
Owensville, MO
Dear Mother,
I received your letter yesterday and also one the first of the week. I will now endeavor to answer you. I am well and hope you are all the same. I received the mountain tea the first of the week, it is curious looking. Does people make tea out of it or not? It is something new to all up here. I showed it to these folks I am boarding with it was new to them. I also showed it to Miss Steward, she is a girl that stays here and goes to the Normal, she did not know what it was. Well about the girl proposition- ha ha, it seems that the people knows more about it than I do. You can wait awhile before the question is settled. Why my goodness I don't write very many letters only one every other day. Oh! I mean week. You said you had more back, just let it come, I can stand it so long as it don't get any harder that at least when there is no more truth to it. You said that the horse run away with you and might have turned pretty bad and did not tell how it happened or nothing about it, how did it all happen?
You say Papa wants $4 for his calves, cattle must be up. Cattle are high in here, cows about $2 to $5. You said that {F. Plumm?} was round to look at them and would not pay that. Well we have a four day layoff at Thanksgiving. I guess I must close so answer real soon. From Wm.
P.S. Oh yes, I think you owe me about 1 or 2 postcards. Love you? Ha Ha


From William Tayloe to Lizzie Tayloe
Springfield, Missouri
October 30, 1909
Dear Mother, I received your letter yesterday (Thursday) and will now try and answer you. Hoping this will find you folks all well. I am well and getting along first rate. There seems to be all kinds of news going on down in that part, I can't see why somebody could not had a runaway or somebody went buggy riding or somebody bought a telephone co., so their whats have been some news for the paper. Is there any correspondent to the paper now? Well about the girl proposition, not to be getting cross at all, but if you are going to tell anything about what they should have said I wish you would do it. I am pretty certain that people knows more about the affair than I do. So then let her go. I think it is very narrow of anybody to say that it is a good thing that I went off to school so I wont get to see somebody else. I think it is costing me a great deal to see somebody {?} has run to $52.98 that is since September 6 into about $20 before that. Oh! that rose was certainly beautiful. It made your letter so fragrant from it. Say, what would you say if I would not come home Xmas? Oh say, now remember that white headed girl was here? Do you remember how she looks? You are so fond of hair I will jest send you a sample of hers in this letter and also her picture. The school work is getting harder every week. I guess I must close for now. I remain, answer soon. From W.m. With love to all.
P.S. I went to the theater last night (to the lecture course)

From Alice Miller to her Sister in law Lizzie
February 21, 1910
Weaubleu, MO
Mrs. Lizzie Tayloe
Dear Sister, I will try and write you a few lines to let you know that we are still alive yet. We are all well and I hope that you are all well. We have snow and cold weather. The snow was 7 in. deep. It snowed some today. How do you get along with Willie? I guess that he is getting along all right. Are you going to stay on the farm this summer? Well how is everybody? Have you seen {Celard?}since she went back? Nora got a letter from Willie yesterday, he was well. Have you got that little boy yet? Lolas said that you had. And we had plenty of winter but I don't think the fruit is hurt yet. I have been getting 5 and 6 doz. eggs a day. Eggs 18 cents a dozen. How is your health? Is it any better this winter? Well I will close for this time. Write soon and tell me all of the news. From your Sister Alice Miller to Lizzie Tayloe and Uncle John Tayloe. So goodbye.

From Ella Tharp to Mr. & Mrs. Tayloe
April 11, 1910
Weaubleu, MO
Dear Friend, I was very glad to hear that Mr. Tayloe is getting along well. I hope he is much better now. I was so sorry that he took the measles. Too bad. I had a letter from home today. Chriss has had {?} and is well again. Tell Mr. Tayloe to be careful or he may take relapse. I am OK, still keeping house for my brother Will and help him in the store. I would rather teach music than work in the store. I'll send Mr. Tayloe a {souvenir?} from the place we was a working.
-Ella Tharp

From Dollie E. {Hanelka?} to Lizzie Tayloe
April 14, 1910
Owensville, MO
Hello: How are you? I guess Willie is better. Little Lizzie Tayloe's birthday is the 20th of April so answer real soon. I am as ever your friend Dollie E. {Henelka?}

From Cousin Bessie to Lizzie Tayloe   
April 21, 1910
Owensville, MO
Hello, how are you? We are all well. Tell Willie to come over before he leaves again. Your ever loving cousin, Bessie

From William Tayloe to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe
May 14, 1910
Springfield, MO
Dear Mother, I received your letter yesterday and will now try and answer you. How are all you folks getting along? I hope you are all well and getting along fine. I am well and am getting along OK in school, I am taking four subjects this term and two of them are easy ones too. Say about that check book that I wrote to you about- I found it. But you can send me that postcard whenever you find it, that one that the department of agriculture sent to us. Have you folks saw the comet yet? We all got up last night and saw it. On the 18th (the day that it comes the closest to the earth) I am going out to the government building and take a look at it from the top of the building through some kind of glass. The physical geography class that I am in has an invitation to go. I am glad that the post cards please you. Has Catherine Ridenhour come over yet? If she has, how is she pleased? I have not looked around any for the fish. Are you folks done planting corn yet? The Normal is fine. the enrollment is about one thousand. And seven Gasconade County. Two from Gasconade graduates this summer. Well I guess that I had better close. You will say that this is a short letter but you must remember this machine (typewriter) puts them down closer than I can with a pencil. I close. From Wm.

To Lizzie from her Sister Catherine Morris
June 22, 1910
Owensville, Missouri
Hello Lizzie, how are you? I am well. Me and Mrs. Egbert is coming out tomorrow. Be sure and have some green beans cooked if you get this. - From your sister

From William L. Tayloe to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe
September 18, 1910
Springfield, Missouri
Hello, how are you folks? I am well. I have been working in photo film Saturday. This is not good. But you can see the house. This is the house where I stay. Please do not show this. I am going to try my luck next Saturday.

From Alice Miller to her sister-in-law Lizzie Tayloe
September 20, 1910
Humansville, Missouri
Dear Sister and Brother, I will try and write you a few lines. We are all well and I hope that you are well. We are having warm weather now. I forgot Willie's picture. I never missed it till I got home. I was sorry that Willie did not come by. What was the reason he did not? What are you doing now? I don't do anything but cook. We have a crew gathering apples for the last two weeks. We have shipped 2 car loads of Jonathan. I cook for 10 or 13 hands and I board the teacher besides and you know about what I have to do and Nora goes to school. I have been canning tomatoes. I have canned 35 quarts. Jane and John is going to move out here next month, but they haven't sold yet but they are coming anyway. Everybody is well. I guess that you have not took another trip yet like you did when I was down there. I think that you might come out here for a change. Tell John that Lyman said that he would like to come back and Mildred said why didn't Willie come out here. I got a letter from Clara about a week ago. She said that she was well and the baby was well and good and she was going to the fair. We got along fine coming home. Andy met us at Clinton and the kids did not know him. He has his mustache blackened. Did Jim Tayloe's wife ever find her handbag? The most of my flowers growed. How is George Bullington's wife yet? Did she get well or not? Nora got a letter from Willie yesterday, he said that he was lonesome up there. Well I will close for this time. Write soon and tell me news. So Goodbye from Alice Miller

From William L. Tayloe to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe
October 15, 1910
Springfield, Missouri
Mrs. John R. Tayloe
Owensville, Missouri
Dear Mother, I received your letter this week OK. Well how are you folks getting along? I hope you are all well. I am OK, only I am tired tonight (Saturday). I have been working hard all day. I finished some over four dozen post cards today. I finished several for myself of the house (here). I took in $2.15 today. You said that I would have the fun of making them, well if you can see the funny part of it you can see more than I can. I do not like the work very well. But you see I am making a little at it, so I stay with it. I can just about make my expenses that is besides board and tuition. Well what are you folks all doing now? How are your chickens (white) getting along? Have you folks gathered any corn yet? How is the corn crop this time? You stated in one of your letters that the creek was up, did it do any damage? I guess you were all a little bit scared about the corn in the low ground. Say, have you folks got any money that is beginning to rust? If so, you can put it in the bank for me. Ha Ha. Now to business, I have only got $15 more in the bank, and Monday I am to write a check for board so I thought I would mention it and if you folks were not just ready now I can wait a couple of weeks yet. I have two dollars even up in my pocket and that is the most I have had there for over three weeks. I have been trying to make the picture business run, but so far it has been running me. Ha Ha. So when ever it is convenient for you folks to, I wish you would make a deposit for me. Well the school is getting along fine. I guess for us I know. They have gained until we now have some over three hundred. I know there is three hundred for I saw a boy who enrolled one day this week and his enrollment number was 312. I am working pretty hard. Only on Saturday the picture business mocks me out of a great deal of time. Well I guess I had better close. This is Saturday night. I am going to Sunday School in the morning. I must close. Answer soon. From Wm. 917 Kings Highway 

From Eura Shipley to Aunt Lizzie Tayloe
October 22, 1910
Dear Aunt Lizzie, how are you this wintry weather? We are going to Oak Hill today. You must stop and see me the next time you come in. We are going to move in a week or two. Your friend, Eura Shipley
Oscar said tell Uncle John Hello

From William L. Tayloe to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe
{Bottom parts of letter were cut off in the copy}
November 18, 1910
Springfield, Missouri
Dear Mother, I received your letter and was glad to hear that you are getting along well. I am OK, only I have a bad cold. I guess you have got a telephone in good working order by this time. That is a pretty good line if they do not take anymore on. Twelve is enough on any line. Did Clara ever
{missing}
one like it to Aunt Catherine. I don't expect to ever hear from her. I think I wrote her before and she never answered. I am glad you folks are feeding a beef again. I have a reason why, or atleast I think I have. I will eat enough Xmas to kill myself. Ha. Oh no, I guess I get plenty to eat, but I am glad that you folks will have something to eat. Ha Ha!
Well in a week from today I shall be in Weaubleau. Nora has just been scouring me.
{missing}
which I sent her. How is Clara Morris & Jim? Tell both Clara and Edward and Jim hello for me. I have wrote to both of them but they never answered. I don't think it is for me to write any more before they answer. I heard from Nellie a couple of weeks ago. She said they were going to visit you folks before long. Did you get the last postcard which I sent you? I mean the one of the house where I am boarding. Do you
{missing}
go down. She has always been asking me but I have never told her, I would always write everything in the world I could think of to write her in a long letter and never mention about me coming down. I am going to write to her and let her know, for it is getting near enough the time. Well I have not done very much with my pictures here lately. I guess I had better close. The books was $24. Answer soon.

From Bessie to Lizzie Tayloe
January 30, 1911
Bem, Missouri
Hello Lizzie, how are you all? We are all sick but are getting some better. Grandma is getting better now. Will ring or come over. Yours as ever, Bessie

From Wayne Maupin to John R. Tayloe
March 8, 1911
Rosebud, Missouri
Mr. John R. Tayloe
Owensville, Missouri
Honorable friend, I am today sending you the interest on that note. I think it is $3 isn't it? I forgot what the rate was on the note. If it is not right let me know and I will make it right. I was intending to send it yesterday but didn't get time. How are you all by today? I am fairly and feeling fine. I guess you got home all right Sunday. I was in town Saturday night but didn't have time to come down. Well its time to get dinner now so I will close for today. I am as ever your trusting friend. My best regard to all. From your friend, Wayne Maupin. Rosebud, Missouri

From Wayne Maupin to John R. Tayloe
March 13, 1911
Rosebud, Missouri
Mr. John R. Tayloe, kind friend, well I will today send you the other I should of sent last week. Ha Ha. What did you think about me? Well I never thought anything about it being for two years when I sent the other. I ought to have knowed better but it was my mistake. Well we are have some fine weather aren't we? I only hope it will remain like this. I am well and feeling fine. I hope these few remarks will greet you the same. So I will close. Find enclosed $3.20. Now I think its all OK this time. Ha Ha.
With my best regards to all, I am your trusting friend, Wayne Maupin

From William L. Tayloe
April 1, 1911
Springfield, Missouri
Mrs. John R. Tayloe
Owensville, Missouri
Dear Mother, I received your letter yesterday. I was glad to hear that you folks were getting along well. Hope you folks are all well. I am OK. I forgot last week to tell you one thing about that baby's picture. Its name is Virginia Lemons. You can judge from it's name its parents name must be Lemons. They are boarding here, at Mrs. Whitakers. I did not know for sure if you would get my card last week or not on Saturday because I did not get it started in time. I think you done pretty good with your chickens for the first time. I guess Clara is going into the white chicken business. That is I mean under certain conditions. I guess Clara & Edward are getting along all right. Elmer {Fremmer?} is like a great many people. He enjoys the goodness when it is going his way. You folks ought to offer him the horse and leave of the one, and five too. Then probably he would want more yet. I bet John {Wobpka} wish somebody would school him. He could make more out of it. We are having awful cool weather up here now. But lots of sunshine. I must close. Answer soon. -Wm.

 

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

June 29, 1911

Hello, how are you folks getting along? I am fine. Well tonight is when the Coburn plays begin at the Normal. I have a job out there tonight. I am an usher. It's time for me to go. I will mail this card tonight so will not forget it tomorrow. Wm.

The Coburn Plays gives 3 plays.

From Cousin Minnie- Bem, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

July, 1911

Received your card, am glad to hear you are well. Mama isn't very well. Yes we have moved. You must come to see us now. It is Sunday & hot. As ever, I am Your True Cousin, Minnie

 

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

July 15, 1911

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday and was glad to hear from you and know you folks are getting along OK. I am fine. I guess you received my card all right this week. Well we have a little cooler weather this morning (Sunday). I generally write Saturday. It rained a little last night, not enough to amount to anything. We had a little rain three times this week but all of them just together was not near enough for one rain. The best rain we had was on Monday. Have you folks been having any rain down there? We have been having pretty hot weather up here, some of the thermometers around in town went to 106 degrees, but the government report went to 98.2 degrees. Government report is supposed to be the true one. You ask what I done the 4^th of July, I stayed at home until about 5:00 pm, then I went out to {?} Park. While out there we had some (we made) postcards. I will send you one this week. I just finished them up yesterday. It seems as if they were trying to make a change in people down there from the number that is dying, drowning, and trying to go crazy. It does seem like there is more of that here lately than ever before. Well school closes on the 9^th of August or at least that is when I get off. The graduation exercises come on the 10^th but I am not ready for them yet. Though they want everybody to stay, but I don't see the profit so there is only four more weeks of school. I must close. Answer soon. From Wm

 

From Andrew Ringeisen- Pennsylvania

To Lizzie & John Tayloe- Owensville, Missouri

July 24, 1911

Dear Cousin Lizzie & John, just a few lines to let you know we are getting along pretty well again. My wife was sick for nearly two months, but she is getting along pretty good now. We had two doctors, we had one from the hospital. Perhaps I can see you and tell you all about it Dear Cousin. How is Willie and all the rest of the family? When you write let me know how Aunt Pena is and if you see her tell her that we all sent our best regards to her. My Dear Mother is anxious to hear from you all. She is well and enjoys the summer. We are not done harvesting yet. I supposed you are all done by this time. I am doing teaming all summer. It is very dry up here, we are almost out of water. The crops up here are almost burned out. Potatoes are selling 65 cents a peck. People are all paying $1 a day for board and have hard work to get places for that. When I team I get 50 cents an hour. That is more than I can make on the farm. Uncle Phillip was not so well the last time I heard from him. The hot weather is hard on him. I suppose Willie is home now. Cousin Tenie is well. She stayed at my house for a while. Harry is getting big. Dear Cousin I never hear from any except you and Cousin Michael. Mother was to see me yesterday and she asks how you all are getting along and when you are coming up. I wish you would come up to see us. If I ever get back to see you I will stay for a month. I never forget the good time I had. I wish you would all come. I suppose I will close. Hoping to hear from you all. Good night. Love and best regards. Mother sends love to all. So does {Tenie?}. Answer soon. From your Cousin, Andrew C. Ringeisen

 

From Emma {Blornbery?}- Owensville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

August 26, 1911

Dear Friend, I wish you many more Happy Birthdays. I think I am late with my card, but it is better late than not at all. I had forgotten the date. From your friend, Emma {Blornbery?}

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

September 24, 1911

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday evening and will now endeavor to answer you. I was glad to hear that you folks were about all O.K. again. Hope Papa will soon be all right again. I am O.K. Well after so much delay I will send you that {Passe Partant?} binding. I never could think of it when I was downtown, so yesterday I made a special trip down there after it. I am sending you two rolls under a separate cover. Each roll contains twelve yards so I guess that will do you a while- atleast until you can write to me again, Ha Ha! The binding has {muceledge?} on one side of it ready to stick (only you have to lick it). You spoke of how to use it well you get your glass clean then lay your picture on then put a fast board on the back of the card then take a strip of the binding and bind it around the edge. That is about the only way I know how to explain it. Probably I will send you a model, that is if I have time to make it. Yes, Fred Stukenbroeker is up here going to school. I was surprised to see him. I have not talked with him very much yet but I found out one thing that he is going to stay on the safe side in scheduling. I mean he is not going to work hard to keep his good health. Has George went anywhere yet? I thought that the longer those post cards would last the better. I was not intending to send any in letters. Did I send you one of those little pictures I had made last winter? If not I will send you. And they are in this letter. I must close. Answer soon. From Wm.

 

From Andrew C. Ringeisen & Lena- Pennsylvania

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 9, 1911

Dear Cousins, just a few lines to let you know that we are all pretty well at present time and hope those few lines will find you all the same. How is your son Willie? I just wish you would come up to see us. I am sure you would like our country up here for I liked it down your way and if I live long enough I will come down again to see you all. How is John? Have you got your corn husked yet? I did not husk much, I am pretty busy yet. We have so much rain up here and a lot of heavy floods that washed the bridges away. My Mother is well. She always asks about you and all the Dear Cousins. Why does Kate never write? I never heard from her. How is Aunt Pena? Is she well? Are the {?} ripe? I just wish I was down for a few days. Apples are so plentiful up here. You can buy them for 10 cents a bushel. Wheat is $1.10 a bushel. There was more fruit this year than we had for many a year. Potatoes are not so plentiful this year. They are 75 cents a bushel. How are the acorns this summer? Are they large as they were when I was down? I suppose I will close for this time. Hoping to hear from you all soon. Love and best regards to all. Come up soon as I am getting tired of waiting. Your Truly Cousins, Andrew C. Ringeisen & Lena

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 30, 1911

Dear Mother, well how are you folks getting along by this time? I hope you are all well. I hope you folks are getting over your colds. Well I am getting along all right. Well Fred Stukenbroeker has been down here this evening, he has just left. Fred talked with more sense this evening than he generally does. I received a letter from Nora Miller and she said that Frank Souders was sick again and was here in the hospital to have another operation. Uncle Andy come down with him. She also said that Edgar was going to Columbia to the agricultural college. She said he got a free scholarship on the county corn contest. A scholarship for fourteen weeks. I got that developing tank last week sometime, I tried it once but I made a failure of it. I don't think I will like it so well as I might for developing, but I think it is the very thing to fix a negative in and also to wash them in. Well we are having nice weather but is a little cool but not disagreeable. Well I am getting along fine with my work- with my work as instructor of games at the school that I was telling you about here a week or two ago. It is a good deal of work but it is a change from the regular school work. I am getting fat by it. I get out and run and play with the children. Well I guess I had better close for this time. Answer soon, as ever, from Wm. L. Tayloe

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

November 4, 1911

Dear Mother, I received your letter yesterday and was glad to hear that you folks were getting along all right. I hope this will find you folks as you were when I heard from you. Well I am getting along all right in school and am OK in other ways. The first of the week I had a pretty bad cold, but it is all right again. I think that you ask me in the letter before the last one how the Flood boy was getting along. I forgot to say anything about it. He is getting along all right, he is sitting up a good little bit and he looks a great deal better than he did. Yes you said something about that they were going to take a hunt the Monday before Thanksgiving to get rabbits for a oyster supper. I guess that they learned that from Uncle Andrew's folks, I think that is the way they they do in Hickory County. Where is it to be? I mean at the schoolhouse or not. Is it for the benefit of the school or not? How is your thumb by this time? Fred Stukenbroeker has been to see me twice since school began. The girls of the Normal give a social on Halloween night. It was pretty good. It was about like all the other socials that are given there. Was there anything going on down there that night? Well we have had some pretty cool weather up here. I think Tuesday night was the coldest this year. The ground froze a good deal. The ice did not melt all day that froze during the night. It has been pretty cold ever since but not as cold as it was that night. I was not intending to go down to Uncle Andrews Thanksgiving. I think I have a pretty good reason for not going. I have told Nora enough in a round about way that she does not hardly expect me to go. I told her in a kind of joke, but I think she took the fool meaning of all that I said. Well I must close for this time. Answer soon, From Wm. L. Tayloe

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

November 12, 1911

Dear Mother, I guess you are a little bit surprised in hearing from me at this time of the week. How are you folks? I am OK and I hope you folks are the same. The reason I am writing you this letter now is that if you want to loan your money which you have in the bank, I have a chance for you. Miss Ella Tharp is wanting to borrow some. Her brother who she has her money borrowed for on her land in New Mexico is needing it so she wants to borrow five hundred and fifty dollars. She said she would give a first mortgage on her land (160 acres of land). She wants to know how much interest you want. I forgot she said she has some fencing and 25 acres in cultivation. If you folks want to loan it she would like to know. I think if you want to loan your money and you don't like the land it is a good chance. You don't get your money until the 1^st of January. I told her I thought you folks could loan it to her. I guess her land is worth $550 so you folks would be safe. You folks let me know by next mail (or her either) what rate interest you want. She wants to know right away so her brother can make his arrangements. Boo didn't it turn awful cold all at once Saturday evening. I must close. Answer soon. From Wm. L. Tayloe

P.S. The reason that Miss Ella Tharp's brother is wanting his money is that he is on a trade for a house and two lots in Marionville, MO and wants to know if Ella can make the {rase?}

 

From Andrew Ringeisen- PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

November 28, 1911

Dear Cousins John & Lizzie, we're all well and hope this card will find you all the same. How is Aunt Pena? My Mother sends her best love to all. Love and best Regards to all. Answer soon.

A.C. Ringeisen

 

From Emma T.

To Lizzie Tayloe

December, 1911

A Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to you all from Emma T.

From Benjamin F. Pfeiffer
To John Tayloe
December 28, 1911
Boise City, Idaho
Well John I take this opportunity to let you all know how I enjoyed my visit to our old home in Missouri this fall after an absence of nearly eight years. Leaving Kansas City December 15 at 10:00 p.m. over the Union Pacific arriving at Boise the 18th at 5:30 a.m. then calling them up over telephone met me at the park. They took 'lectric car line which put me in 1/2 mile of home arriving there at 6:15 a.m. finding my son-in-law there with a rig getting home in time for breakfast, which I enjoyed very much. I found everybody well but quite lonesome and quite a lot of business a waiting for my attention. The farm that I went to see near Sedalia, Missouri- I will close up the deal January 1st. Then I was thinking of going to see a farm in Michigan, 240 acres all in cultivation 40 miles from Grand Rapids. The parties that owns the farm is here in Boise City and wants to dispose of it very bad. I want to find out a little more about it before starting. Say John, do you know of a good tract of timber land for sale cheap? I would like to get a good tract of timber. This leaves us all well at present. Hoping those few lines will find you all the same. Yours respectfully, BF Pfeiffer

 

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

May 26, 1912

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday and was glad to hear from you. I am glad to know that you folks are getting along all right. I hope you are still the same. I am OK. It is pretty warm weather now. It tried to rain Friday night up here a little bit, but not enough to do much good. I guess it is getting pretty dry and a rain would be all right. I guess you folks are about through planting corn. Isn't it a little bit late for corn planting? The people plant corn earlier here than they do down there. They try to get the most done by the last of April. Fred Stukenbroeker did not talk like he was going to stop school. He let on like he was going to stay during the summer. He was talking about things which he was not going to take. I guess he is not going to take anything. The term closes Friday. The examinations were Friday. The summer term begins Tuesday. The next term is a shorter one. It is only ten weeks. Are Uncle Ben Pfeiffers going to move back to Missouri or not? I guess Charley Tayloe and that Kramme girl will be the next outfit that gets married. I must close. Answer soon. Wm.

 

From Andrew Ringeisen- Pennsylvania

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

May 29, 1912

Dear Cousins Lizzie & John, I take the greatest pleasure to write you this letter to let you know that we are pretty well just now but my wife had been sick for 6 weeks. She still has a bad cough, but is able to be up and around. She had Pleurisy and Bronchitis. We still have the doctor coming to our house. But I just hope those few lines will find you all well. On account of her being sick I could not write. I have no corn planted yet. I intend to plant tomorrow if it don't rain. Her being sick I am a way back with my work. My Mother is well, she is fine. I was in Church with her on Sunday. She moved in with my Sister Teanie so she don't stay alone anymore. How is Aunt Pena? And how is Willie? Is he soon through school so you can come up soon? Tell him I said for him to cut it short and all come up here at once. I am sure you would like it. Uncle Phillip is well and so are the rest of them. Mother sends love to all. Love and best regards to all. I will close for this time. I will write more next time. Answer soon. From your Cousin, Andrew C. Ringeisen & Lena R.

  

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

June 2, 1912

Dear Mother, I received your letter last Wednesday. I was glad to hear from you. I was glad to hear that you folks are getting along all right. I hope you folks are still the same. I am getting along all right. Also I am getting along all right in school. We are having some nice cool weather now. It has been cool almost all this week. I hope it will not get as hot this summer as it did last summer. This term began Tuesday (last). Monday was no school that day- was kept for registration. This year is the largest summer school there has been up here. I guess there is nearly one thousand, if not a few more. There is too many for any of them to get much out of school. The next time you folks get to Owensville I wish you would get me a check book. Fred Stukenbroeker did not say anything about leaving school to me. The last time I saw him he did not mention a thing about leaving. The new part of the Normal, which they began to build last summer, they have not completed yet. They have not yet the wall complete yet. It will not be ready for use at all this summer but it will be ready for the fall term (I guess). Has Uncle Ben Pfeiffer got back yet? Are they going to move to Missouri? How long is he going to stay in Missouri before he goes back to Idaho? I heard yesterday that George Tayloe, at Mt. Grove, died last February. Is that any of our relation? Or is it a different George Tayloe? The fellow who was telling me suspected him being some relation of mine. He said my voice was similar to his (George Tayloe's). I guess I had better close for this time. Answer soon. From Wm.

 

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

June 9, 1912

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday as usual and I was glad to hear that you folks were getting along all right. I hope you folks are still all right. I am getting along all right. We are having pretty cool weather up here now. A person almost needs to wear a coat. It is cloudy almost all of the time but it does not rain. It rained a little one night last week, but not enough to amount to anything very much. You said for me to write you when I needed money. I have enough to run me about a month yet. I guess I will have to get me another pair of shoes, {slow cuts?} this summer. I will be needing that check book in another week. Was Fred Stukenbroeker an agent or not? I would guess he was some map or book agent. Has George got home yet? Fred is not coming back to Normal next year or at least that was what he told me. He said he would not go to Normal next year, he would go to college (some place) then come to Normal during the summer term and complete the course in that way next year. You spoke of those two boys drowning- that is not quite as many as when the Titanic sunk and that was not very much in comparison to the number that dies each day. So in comparison those two boys was not much out of the ordinary. Well I must close for this time. Answer soon. From Wm.

From Benjamin F. Pfeiffer
To Lizzie Tayloe
August 10, 1912
Boise, Idaho
Mrs. John R. Tayloe- Owensville, Missouri
Well I just came home today and found everybody well and looking for me for some time. Lots of ripe fruit awaiting my attention. Hoping this may find you all well. Yours, B.F. Pfeiffer  

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 6, 1912

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday as usually. I was glad to hear from you. I am glad that you folks are getting along all right. I am OK. I guess I had better answer what you said & forgot in my last letter about Typhoid Fever. I have not heard of any in town yet this year since I have come back. It is getting pretty late for it or will soon be at least. We are having fine weather now, it has turned a little bit warmer. How is it down there? Yes I heard T. Roosevelt speak here. He looks a great deal older now than he did when I saw him at the fair in St. Louis. W. Wilson is going to speak here Wednesday, October 9. I guess I will hear him. The school had a picnic last Friday. We had a good time. I played a game of baseball that day. We went about four miles out in the country to a cave. We got back about 8:30 p.m. There is, I heard, about 750 students in school. I did not think that they was that many here. In fact, I don't see where all of them are. I must close. Answer Soon, Wm.

 

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

December 1, 1912

Dear Mother, I received your card and letter last Wednesday and was glad to hear that you folks were getting along as well as common. I hope you are still the same. I am getting along all right. Well I did not go down to Weaubleau. I decided not to go. I had a good deal of extra work to do so I thought I had better stay at home and do it. I varnished my desk and did some other extra work on it and finished the pedestal which I am making for Miss Davis (one of the Normal teachers). Then I did a good deal of school work which was not required but I wanted to get done. Last Monday the express company brought a package out here to me. It was from Sears Roebuck. It contained two suits of clothes, two padlocks, a razor, a pocket book and six cakes of shaving soap. I found on one of the bills that it was intended to be sent on R.R.1. But on the outside it was 614 E. Harrison St., so I wrote a letter to W.L. TayloR on R.R.1 so he came in and got his package. It was a mistake in the address on the box. We are having a little bit warmer weather now, but it is cloudy and I think it will rain. It rained yesterday morning a little. I look for it to turn cold soon. School closed last Wednesday and we will not have any more school until Tuesday. Next Tuesday the new term begins. I guess I shall teach some next term. I will teach manual training (bench work). I shall only teach two days out of each week. I must close. Answer soon. From Wm

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

January 12, 1913

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday and I was glad to hear that you all are getting along all right. I am all right. I also hope you folks are still all right. I said I was all right but I have not yet got over driving those cattle to Owensville. The leader in my heel is still sore. It almost got well. Friday and yesterday (Saturday) I walked a good deal so it got hurting again. But I guess it will be all right again in a day or two. We have been having all kinds of weather the last week. It has rained, sleeted, snowed, and rained. Also been cold, warm, windy and cold again. This morning it rained and snowed yesterday. I bought me a suit of clothes yesterday. I got it on a sale so I got it much cheaper than the regular price. How long are those folks from Penn going to stay here? They ought to have come a week or two sooner. I would have been home then. There was about twenty five new students came in since New Years. Almost everybody was back for school. It seemed that most of them were glad to get back. Everybody seems to be working harder since the vacation than they did before. I don't guess there will be any very good break in school until the term closes. It don't seem like the onion calendar is working very well for January this month. Is Uncle Ben and his folks going to visit you folks soon or not? I have finished those pictures. I will send some of them to you soon. Some are good and some are not. I must close for this time. Answer soon. From Wm

From Benjamin F. Pfeiffer
To John Tayloe
January 15, 1913
Green Ridge, Missouri
Well John I will try to answer your letter which we got from you while yet living in Idaho. We was just hauling our stuff to the car when we received your letter and have been quite busy ever since. I was 10 days on the road while Sis and the children was only 4 days coming. We rented a house here in town for a short time until my renter finds a place to move to. The weather has been fine and was until today. It is sleeting and may turn to snow. The people was plowing and some is near done. They plow with engines here and have 12 plows to it. Well John if Lizzie won't let you have any of those prunes get ready and come up and I will see that you will get a fill of them prunes and prune wine also as we fetch some of both with us. Has Bud got all right? Have you seen Harm {probably Hiram}lately. I suppose they are all well. Is Nate {?} still drinking as bad as ever? I believe that he can't last long the way he was when I was there. I will close by saying this leaves us all well as usual. Hoping these few lines may find you all well and enjoying good health. Yours very truly, B.F. Pfeiffer Hoping to see you all soon.

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

February 9, 1913

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday and was glad to hear from you. I also was glad to hear that you folks are getting along all right. I am OK again and hope you folks are the same. We are having a little warmer weather here the last day or two. The snow was about the same here as it was down there. It snowed here Monday and also Sunday. I don't think it snowed any here after Monday. I don't know how cold it was. I never heard what the government report was. The groundhog did not see his shadow up here Sunday morning. I think Missouri will be a little bit spotted with bad weather this year (according to the groundhog). I don't know what was wrong with my watch. But it had been giving me trouble for the last two or three weeks. I heard from {Grunstrut?} and he said he sent it into the company. But did not say what was wrong with it. He said he would return it to me as soon as he got it. And about the diagram which I was intending to send you. The plan is something like this:

In Fig 1. A & B can be carved into ½ inch, then in sawing if quartered effect does not show plainly, only one plank need be sawed and that {unreadable} 4 center. In beginning sawing (as 2) begin with a two inch face.

I must close. Answer soon. From Wm

 

From Benjamin Pfeiffer- Green Ridge, MO

To John & Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

Dear Bro & Sister, Your letter of the 30 reached us yesterday but not wishing to answer it hastily I have delayed writing until today. We just got home in time just before the storm commenced. We had one inch of snow in connection with the rain. So last Wednesday we started in sowing oats but that night and the next day it rained very hard, so we will commence Monday or Tuesday if the weather will stay fine. We have only 12 acres sowed as yet. I see that you had a quite a rainstorm in your location. Did Bud lose his sycamore logs on his new ground? Well I hired a young man after I came home for $20 per month and he wants me to let him have $14 in advance to get him a saddle, so I did and he proved to be shaky and as soon as he will work out what he owes me I will let him go. We want to run three teams next week. We are quite anxious to get in my crop as I have some running around to do then I will be gone near two weeks. I see that you had high water, did it do you any damage on your farm? Some time the crick does quite a lot of damage to the farmers. I see that you got a letter from Mr. H. E. Strack of Herman Missouri. I will write a letter to Mr. Rogers today in regards to that 40 acres and see if it is for sale and his lower price. Well John I haven't sent that corn to you yet as the roads have been awful bad. But will send it this coming week. I will take it to the {Iowa?} that is on the {rockilent?} it is seven miles from my farm, then it will come straight through. I will send you a few potatoes that was raised in Idaho. I want to plant near two acres of such potatoes. I will close by saying this leaves us all well as well hoping this will find you all well and enjoying good health. Yours Truly, B.F. Pfeiffer

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

April 20, 1913

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday and was very glad to hear from you and to hear that you folks are getting along all right. I hope you will continue so. I am all right. We have been having some real warm weather the last few days. It has been real hot for this time of the year. Everything is growing fast. Yesterday I saw a little garden spot which had several things up. The lettuce looked as if it had been up for a few days already. Is Papa going to go in prospecting with Uncle Ben? I think if it would be me I would be good to him and let him have the fortune all to his self and not try to get part of it. Your first hatching of chickens did not turn out the best of all, that is according to the number of eggs you put in the beginning. How many little chickens have you now? Has that saw mill got there yet? It looks to me that it is a little bit late. I guess it will get there sometime next winter. That is if he has good luck. Did you have your teeth pulled? If not, are you going to this spring? Well I am needing some more money so the next time you get to town I wish you would send me some. I am out and then some, but have not got quite all checked out yet. I am treasurer of the society and have spent more of society money that I have in the bank, so you see I have spent all and then some. It is going to take a little over $100. The reason is that I have to buy a pair of shoes, light underwear, a suit of clothes, because the one I bought last winter is so heavy, and probably a hat. So if it does not make any difference to you folks put $125, but do as you please about it all the difference is that I will save rechecking again this year. I must close for this time. Answer soon. From Wm

From Benjamin F. Pfeiffer to John Tayloe
April 20, 1913
Greenridge, Missouri
Mr. John R. Tayloe Owensville, Missouri Well we will send you some of the Show Page corn. We got done sowing oats and will commence plowing for corn this week. We have quite a lot of plowing to do. We have our garden out and our potatoes planted. Yours truly, B.F. Pfeiffer  

From Wayne Maupin- Rosebud, MO

To John R. Tayloe- Owensville, MO

May 13, 1913

Dear Friend, well how are you all by now? I am well at present but have a sore arm. Well at last I will send you your interest for the two previous years. I should of sent it long ago, but did not have it just then. I have been pretty busy lately. Hope you won't be disappointed. I must do better next time. Looks like I don't want to pay you at all, but Mr. Tayloe I am not going to beat no body. I will pay you that $50 just as soon as I can- if I can't make it soon I will borrow it and pay you off anyways. You sure have been patient with me and I will not forget it. But I have more to look for than myself, otherwise I could have payed you long ago but you will not lose one penny. I am trying to do everybody justice, so find enclosed in check $6.20 for the previous interest. Hoping this will find you all enjoying the best of health. I remain as ever, your friend Wayne Maupin

 

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, Mo

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

June 1, 1913

Dear Mother, I received your letter Saturday because the mail is not delivered on Friday for that was Decoration Day. Well how are you folks by this time? I am all right. I was glad you folks are getting along all right amidst all so narrow escapes. I guess you folks went to the graveyard Friday. There was school so I went to school. School is pretty full now. There are more here this summer than there has been here any year (summer) before this. Last summer we had 1256, so this summer we have more. It is too bad that the jug got broke in the run away, you see the jug can't grow the lost goats back while the horse can. Ha! Ha! I bet it was a pretty funny sight that big long legged thing trying to run back and jumping the fence all the same time. That girl Lizzie Reed who fell off the street car is getting along all right. I knew her when I saw her, I knew her brother a great deal better. When she fell off she gained consciousness in a few minutes and went home. Then about 12 o'clock she again became unconscious and remained so until Monday morning following when they operated on her. Last Sunday the doctor met and decided that an operation was necessary, so Monday morning the work was done. They removed about a pint of clotted blood from her brain and sewed up a leaking blood vessel. They said her brain was mashed flat. I suppose from the blood crowding in. The doctor when they operated on her thought she would not be able to talk, but on Tuesday morning when her brother (Bennie, the one I know) went in the room she recognized him. During Tuesday also when she wanted a drink or anything she could call for it. I have not heard here of late but she is getting along all right or I would have heard something. I guess that the saw mill is about ready to leave by this time. Did they make any quarter sawed lumber? Have you folks had any of that mineral rock tested? I can tell you what the teacher here will say about it without taking it to them. It is a quartz, which means nothing more than a rock. The teachers here have has no way of analyzing minerals. All they know is just the looks of the substance though by the outside looks. A person can tell in a great many cases what anything is. Well I must close for this time. Answer soon. As ever, From Wm

 

From Christopher Ziegler- Glenshaw, PA

To John & Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

June 2, 1913

Dear Cousins, I wrote you a letter some time ago, and not having heard from you, I write you again. We arrived home from our trip the latter part of March and found our home OK and we saw quite a bit of the country. We traveled about 7000 miles with all our side trips and it does a person good to see this world. How are all the people in Missouri? I also write Mr. & Mrs. Morris and have not heard from them either. Give our best wishes to all and we hope to see some of you people to come to Pittsburgh and we will show you the old town. Hoping to hear from you. We remain your Cousins, Mr. & Mrs. Ziegler

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

June 8, 1913

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday and was glad to hear that you folks are all well. I hope you folks are still that way. I am getting along all right. I guess you are glad that the saw mill is gone. I know that it made a great deal more work for you. Especially the two extra meals each day. I guess Adam Ringeison learned something by sawing that set of lumber. A person is able to see the quarter sawed effect on the rough plank but it shows a great deal better on it after it is dressed. I don't doubt what W.E. Murphy said about that quartz not having any {?} in it because if it did it would be a great accident. No I have not written to A.C. Ringeisen yet. I seemed not to get the time when I thought of it, but I shall write him right away. I went to school on Decoration Day. I took a visit Sunday. I went down to Republic, about fifteen miles west of here. I had a fine time. We had all the strawberries and cherries we could eat. I went down about ten in the morning and got back about ten that night. Did you folks send that ten dollar bill in your letter two weeks ago? I thought I had better ask because you said you were but I failed to get it. If you started it, it got lost some way or other. I must close for this time. Answer soon. From Wm

 

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

June 15, 1913

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday as usual. I was glad to hear from you and know that you folks were getting along all right. I hope you are still that way. I am getting along all right. I am sorry that box got damaged, but if that is all that is wrong with it, it can be fixed. What did you think it was and who it was from before you opened it? Did the mail carrier bring it to the house? It just took me three months to make it. That inlaying is slow work. That walnut is some of the plank that papa was ashamed to haul to Cuba last summer. Parry seemed to think more of the picture than he did of the silverware box. I think the picture is crazy looking. Didn't have very many of them made, only a half dozen. I am sorry that you got your finger mashed. How did you do it? I hope it is getting all right by this time. It is not so dry up here now as it was two or three weeks ago. We had a good rain or two last week. The senior class (graduates) do not pay anybodys expenses here. Most of them have enough to do to pay their own expense. There is over a hundred graduates this year. I guess that is cause they get their board paid, the reason why R. Stukenbroeker and all his relation went to Warrenton, they wanted to get their share of the free board. As Fred and George had to help pay it. You folks are going to have apples almost the year round this year. There is about fourteen hundred in Normal this summer. I guess you saw in the St. Louis paper that there was a fire here last Monday. It burned almost one fourth of the square. There were two five story buildings in it. On the fourth of the square which burned, one little drug store is left and it is badly damaged. There was burned one clothing store, paper and paint store, and a shoe store. The fire started about 6:30 in the morning. It took about two hours to get it under control. It took about the best part of the square out. Have you folks thought any more about coming up July 31^st? I must close. Answer soon. From Wm

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

June 22, 1913

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday and was glad to hear from you. I was sorry to hear that Papa was sick but glad to hear he was getting all right again. I hope you folks are all right by now. I am all right. The trip you folks have planned for August suits me all right only I have so much baggage to drag around. I guess I shall freight it and not have so much to drag around. It is hot and dry up here. I guess it is about the same everywhere. It tried to rain a little last night and yesterday afternoon. But not enough to do any good. You said the nights were cool down there. It don't seem to me like some of them were very cold up here. There is going to be given at the normal two of Shakespeare's plays Monday, “The Comedy of Errors” and “Henry 8” are the two plays. They are going to be given by the Coburn Player. They have been here for two years before. One of the Normal girls and one belonging to the senior class got hurt last Wednesday evening. She was knocked down by a horse and buggy. She got her collar bone broken and her head hurt severely. It was thought for a while she would not get well. Her name is Stephens, she is from Windsor. I must close for this time. Answer soon. From Wm

From Benjamin Pfeiffer- Green Ridge, MO

To John & Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

June 26, 1913

My Dear Bro and Sister, I will try to answer your letter which we got a few days ago. Was glad to hear from you all. Sorrow to hear of Newton Souders death, but we all have to travel that same road sooner or later. We had a nice rain last Saturday and Sunday. We had just got through stacking what hay we had cut so we have been riding the cultivator ever since Monday. We sure was needing rain before it came. And going over our corn the third time some of our corn looks fine while some don't look so well. It seems though that I can do more work here than I could do out west. I could not begin to keep up with the rake shockin hay out west, but here I could keep up all day and then had some time to stand around and wait. We have near 20 acres of meadow out and have near three stacks of hay. So you see the hay don't amount to much. Well John I wished you was here to go with us a fishing this evenon. I sent for me a new seine and we are going to try it this evenon. Say, try to come up in a short time and we will try to have some fish to eat. We went several days ago and caught a few with hooks. Well I have been inquiring around in regards to a calf but haven't been able to locate one as yet. I will write to some parties tomorrow. I guess you had some rain before this. How is wheat? Those wheats is fine here but we haven't got any to cut. Oats is very short this year but well filled. I will quit this time. Hoping those few lines will find you all well and doing well. Yours, B F Pfeiffer

From Sarah Pfeiffer

Dear Sister, I will scribble you a few lines. I have been aiming to write before now and kept putting it off, so there is no use of that. I don't know much but will write a little. Well it is pretty warm today. We had a nice rain but the ground was so dry it could rain two days before we would get too much. Well I took off 115 little chicks yesterday. They are doing pretty well. I have had pretty good luck with my chicks. Nothing to speak of, only the rats. They have got lots of them. I wish there was no rats. That is one thing we did not have in Idaho. Them eggs you gave me, I got to set one then right away she hatched 18 chicks and I was so careful of them. I put them in the wood shed so they was all right for two weeks then they commenced going two at a time. I did not think about rats, I thought it was skunks. So they got all but 2. They are fine and the others setting. I did not get to set them for 2 weeks and they did not hatch. From Sarah

 

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

July 6, 1913

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday morning as usual, I was glad to hear from you and also glad to hear that you folks were well. I shall now endeavor to answer your letter. How are you folks by this time? I hope all right. I am all right. You said that Clara Sassmann was wanting to come with you folks up here, I hope she does not because I don't want her around here when you folks are here. If it is only to help her change trains I don't mind to do it, but I don't want her around here. If I want to take you folks anywhere she will be along and more than that, that “kid” is to stick along. I got a letter from Nora and she said that you folks were coming up when school was out. No, there was no school Friday. I went to the park. I had a pretty good time. I received your letter, card, and five dollar bill Wednesday. Many thanks to you for it. What do you think of the letter which I sent to you Tuesday (you received Thursday)? I signed the contract for the position and sent it off last Thursday (July 3). I think I have a pretty good place. The town is larger than this. It has about 65,000 people. I have the assistants place in Manual Training. I received a telegram yesterday that I was elected to a position in Texas at $100 per month. But I think I shall stay at Little Rock. I am going to have to do some mechanical drawing this summer in order to be able to hold the position. Please save that letter or send it back to me. It is hot and dry up here. How is it down there? I must close for this time. Answer soon, From Wm

 

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe, Owensville, MO

July 13, 1913

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday as usually. I was glad to hear from you, and was also glad to hear that you folks are getting along all right. I hope you are the same now and will continue the same. I am getting along all right and school work is fine. I am glad to know you folks are getting plenty of rain. Friday night it came a pretty good rain here. Before that it was pretty dry and hot. It is not so hot since it rained. Everybody was glad to see it come. I think I did pretty good in my position taking everything into consideration. If I had known it I could have made more money. I received a notice (by wire) of my election to a position in Texas at $100 per month July 5^th, but I had already accepted the Arkansas position July 1^st so I thought I had better not resign. In some ways I count the position at Little Rock the best position if it was $10 per month cheaper. About you folks coming up, school is out one day sooner than the catalog has it scheduled. The examinations are on Tuesday and commencement exercises on Wednesday. I should be glad If you folks could come up Monday evening or Tuesday, but if you can not come early Wednesday, for the commencement exercises are at ten o'clock. If you start from Cuba at one o'clock Tuesday night you can make it all right. I can meet you any time between 4:30 in the afternoon until 6:30 the next morning. The reason I can not meet you during the day I have class work from seven in the morning until 4 o'clock in the afternoon. With only 45 minutes off for noon. If you came in the afternoon on the fast train from Cuba about 10:31 am you get here at 4:15. I can leave the Normal at 4:10 and get to the depot at 4:30. So if you come there go in the rear depot room and wait until I come. If Clara comes with you, one of you can get her ticket and she will leave at 4:20 on the Motor to Weaubleau. But if she visits until 5 or 5:30 she can go to Humansville on a regular train. If she waits until then I can help her get her ticket and on the train. You tell her this. Let me know as soon as you can when you folks are coming- I mean the day and at what time. I must close. Answer. From Wm

From Andrew Ringeisen- Pennsylvania

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

July 17, 1913

Dear Cousin Lizzie & John, Just a few lines to let you know we are pretty well at present time and hope those few lines will find you all the same. Dear Cousin I received a dear letter from your son Willie. I was indeed glad to hear that he is well and is doing so well for himself. But I have some sad news for you. Last Sunday, July 13, I was at Uncle Phillips place to see him. Lena and I went to see him, he was very glad to see us. It is a good ways to his place so we generally went once a year to see him. He was happy and while I was talking to him he stopped talking for a minute. I saw him get blue in the face and he was going to drop on the chair. I grabbed him and told Lena to run for his son. He was all alone at home. He and Andy the bachelor keep house together. His other son lives just a minutes walk beside him and they said he was all right in the morning so me and his son carried him to his sons house. I got a letter this morning, they say that he is very weak and sleeps most of the time. The Dr. said it was a stroke, but he could speak and he knew all of us. He is 86 years old so the Dr. said we can not expect very much. Dear Cousin it came as a shock for me for on the 6^th of July it was 6 years that my father died. He is older than my Father. Poor Uncle Phillip. I said when I saw him get sick may his end be peaceful for he was a good man to all. So Dear Cousin I will write and let you know, but I don't think he will get better again. I want to go to Uncle Phillip's some of these days. You know how hard it is to get away on a farm, we are harvesting just now. I remain your cousin, Andrew C. Ringeisen and Lena

Love to all. Answer soon. Give our love to Willie

 

From Benjamin Pfeiffer- Green Ridge, MO

To John & Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

July 20, 1913

My Dear Bro & Sister, Your favor of the 11^th {instant?} advising me of your visit to Springfield. Hoping that I will have the pleasure of meeting you and Lizzy at Green Ridge for a week visit. We got a card from Ida Kramme the other day stating that for us to meet them at Green Ridge July 20^th. Hoping they will be there as so we can have a good visit with them. The weather has been awful warm and dry until last Monday. We had a nice rain but we did not get quite enough. We need rain now as the corn is twisting up again. We want to plow our corn some more yet and we haven't done cutting our meadow yet. And we are nearly done covering our new barn. We have been awful busy here of late. We thrashed our little crop of oats yesterday. They made 8 bushel to the acre- and last year my oats made 60 bushel per acre and I thought that I had a poor crop. The corn crop don't look any favorable neither. So we have to take it as it comes and be thankful. I see that you had a lot of sickness. We have been very fortunate so far. We have been having our health very well. There have been very much sickness around in this location and some deaths. This leaves us all well as usual. Hoping this will find you all the same. Hoping that we may see you in a short time. Yours Truly, B F Pfeiffer

William L. Tayloe

To John R. Tayloe
From Benjamin Pfeiffer
August 23, 1913
Greenridge, Missouri
Mr. John Tayloe- Owensville, Missouri

Well I got home all OK. Found the family well. Sis' hand is getting along nicely but will leave a scar, We haven't had no rain as yet. Everybody seems to be satisfied over the dry weather. Ben and Effie started out to get a job for the winter. They are disheartened over the dry weather. Yours, B.F. Pfeiffer  

From Nora Miller- Humansville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

September 11, 1913

Dear Aunt, We got home OK. Everyone well. It is awful dry and hot here. Your niece, Nora

 

From William L. Tayloe- Little Rock, Arkansas

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 11, 1913

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday. I was glad to hear from you and to hear that you folks were all well. I hope you folks are all right now. I am getting along all right. I also received the $2 also in your letter. I don't think you paid me for any of those things before I left home. But for that 50 cents you need not bother about. I don't know how far Harrisonville is from here. I shall look it up on the state maps. The first which you spoke of at Hot Springs was considerable fire. It almost burned the town up, especially the resident part of it. We are getting along OK at school. The enrollment is now 716 or at least that is what it was (last) Friday morning. I received a post card from Mae Pfeiffer one day last week and she said they intended to move to Owensville next week, that would make it this week. I have been pretty busy in school since I have got started. Yesterday I worked all day. You know I have mechanical drawing two days in the week to teach or every other day and the rest of the time woodwork. Yesterday, and after school almost all the last week, Mr. Hossack, the fellow who had the time of his life last summer, and the head of the manual training department and I made stools for the pupils to sit on in mechanical drawing. We made twenty-two. By so doing this extra work I learned how to run the machinery- we have about the same machinery as there is in the furniture factories. Later on I am going to do some work for myself. Well we are having cooler weather than we had. It turned cool last night, but a long ways from frost yet. Did Bauer get your folks money from Maupin?

When I read your ans. I thought probably that was what you folks were going down for. I must close for this time. Answer soon. From Wm

From William L. Tayloe- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 13, 1913

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday. I was glad to hear from you and know that you folks are getting along all right. I am OK. We are having cold weather again up here. It turned cold yesterday. How is it down there? It frosted a little here last night- that is the second frost up here this year. Have they turned Rev. Gouff out of the Baptist Church? You said that Burton Holt preached there Sunday. I thought that you would have clover hulled a long time ago. I guess you are waiting for cool weather to come so it won't be so hot. What is the matter with everybody down there? They are all dying. We had a game of football here Friday after school between two of the societies- The Bentonian's and the N.D.C.'s (the N.D.C is the one to which I belong). The score was 6 to 6, so they will play again. One of the boys got hurt pretty bad, he got his shoulder sprained. Did you gather any hazelnuts this year? I guess the hickory nuts are just in a good way falling. There is lots of nuts up here. But of those in town nobody buys any because everybody picks them as they pass along the street. Like it is in the country. Around here there is a lot of all kind. Hard nuts are the more scarce. Apples are pretty cheap here now. They are 40 cents a bushel. Pears were $1 a bushel. You asked about that walnut lumber, it is all right. I took one of those post and one of the best plank to the mill and had them dressed. It cost me 25 cents and I am making a pedestal out of it and am going to charge at least $3 for it. You see that is not half of the lumber yet, so I am going to make something out of it. It is pretty good walnut lumber. I made a magazine rack out of gum which cost me about $2.28 and sold it for $3.50, so I made a little on it. It was not very good wages but I got credit for the work in school besides. I must close. Answer soon. From Wm

From Ella Tharp- Springfield, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 16, 1913

Dear Friend I received your card yesterday also Mama received those bulbs which you sent. She certainly appreciates your kindness in sending them. She wants you to write me if we should put them in the ground outdoors or should they be in the house? Please tell me. She has forgotten the name of them. Say I wish you could come and spend a week with us. You must both be sure and visit us when ever you can. We should be glad to have you anytime. We have two boys boarding with us. It seems odd for them to have Mr. Tayloe's room. And they don't keep it as nice as he did either. It is raining this P.M. I have to go to the Normal to take my music lesson and go to take my piano lesson tomorrow A.M. Your Friend, Ella Tharp

From William Tayloe- Little Rock, Arkansas

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October, 1913

Hello, how are you folks? I am OK. It is a little bit cool down here last night. Was the first frost we had, then it was not much. I must stop. Answer soon. Wm.

From Mary- St. Louis, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 16, 1913

Dear Friend, I was very glad indeed to hear from you. I am well and hope that you are enjoying good health. I hope that you hear good news from Willie and that he likes his work. Write soon. With love, Mary

From William L. Tayloe- Little Rock, Arkansas

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 18, 1913

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday as usual and was very glad to hear from you. I was glad to learn that you folks are all right. I am OK, only a bad cold, which is not very bad. The mosquitoes are sure plentiful. Mr. Eaton, the person with whom I take my meals, said he saw one downtown the other day six inches long. They are not so bad out here as they are downtown. I am a mile from the river. They are the worst from sun down up to about 8:30 p.m. What is the mans name that was in Owensville from here? Probably I have heard of him. You ask how many rooms were in the building in what I am teaching. I don't know exactly, something like thirty-five or forty. There is thirty-nine teachers in the high school. Of all the teachers in town there is about 178 or 200 that is of the white teachers and probably 100 or more Negro teachers. The Negroes have a high school and eight grade schools. The white have a high school and twelve grade schools. I went to hear Booker T. Washington speak Wednesday night. He gave a good address. It was a peculiar audience. It was made up of 75 or 100 white people and about 2000 or 2500 Negroes. I was surprised to see so many well dressed Negroes I expected the majority would be Negroes. I looked for all kinds as to dress but was fooled. Yesterday (Saturday) was the coldest day we have had. It was cloudy and damp. The thermometer registered something about 65 degrees yet it was cool. It began to rain about 5:00 p.m. We have three more weeks before pay day. I had rather if they would pay us every four weeks. I received a post card from A.C. Ringeisen yesterday. They were all OK he said. I must close for this time. Answer soon. From Wm.

From Lena & Andy Ringeisen- Perrysville, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

November 8, 1913

My Dear Cousins Lizzie & John, We are pretty well at present time & hope those few lines will find you all in the best of health. Well Dear Cousin Lizzie I was very sorry to hear of the sad death of your niece but as we must say, it is God's will, not ours. It is hard for the remaining ones but God cares for the ones he calls to himself. How is cousin Catherine? I sent her a postal the same time I sent yours but got no answer. Was there an earthquake in Missouri that swallowed you all up? Grandma is fine. She was to see us. Andy & Frank was to see her the other day. She looks well. She said she is going to remain in the old home this winter. I hope it will not be such a cold winter for her. Where did you spend Halloween? We spent ours at home. We had company- we had a real nice time. George is still working on the road. Andy works on the road a few days a week. He was covering up the strawberries for the winter. Frank is going to school. I am home most of the time myself. I am kept busy with the work. I am through house cleaning now. How is Aunt Pena & the rest? Are you folks done shucking corn? We just commenced right. Cousin Lizzie I get 50 cents a dozen for fresh eggs, 35 and 40 for butter, potatoes are $1.25 a bushel, apples 70 cents a bushel, I wish you was here with your eggs now. I get 18 cents a pound for live chickens & ducks & geese, 25 a pound for dressed ones. Little pigs 6 weeks old are $7 a pair. Walnuts were $3 a bushel up here for Halloween. Well I suppose I'll close. Hoping to hear from you soon. Love & best regards to all. A kiss for Lizzie. From Lena & Family

From William L. Tayloe- Little Rock, Arkansas

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

November 9, 1913

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday and I was glad to hear from you and to hear that you folks are getting along all right. I hope that your cold is entirely all right by this time. I am OK. We have fine weather down here now. Yesterday and today was the first Autumn days we have had. These last two days seemed just like the days down there about the middle of September. The leaves are falling now. I and one of the other High School teachers took a little walk yesterday (Saturday). We walked out in the country about two miles. We did not find any pecans and only a few hickory nuts. Yes, Mr. Hassock is the teacher that I wrote to in Kansas. He is a good person to work with. There are three of us doing manual training work in the High School. Mr. Hanley is the other. Mr. Hassock is the head of the department. I am sending you a check in this letter for $30. Yes, you folks can put that $20 gold piece in the bank for me. I just as well have it to the bank as not. I am thinking about making myself a bookcase of some sort. That is if I get time. I don't know yet when I shall get my room at school fixed up. I have not worked any for some days, but expect to get it again in a day or two. If we only have a week off Christmas I don't know if it will pay me to come home or not. I mean the time so short and the expense so great. I am liking my boarding place all right now. I am getting plenty to eat. I am not liking it as well down here as well as I did at Springfield. I received a card from Mae Pfeiffer yesterday. She said they were in Owensville and she was liking it there all right. I guess the silver mine will soon be on the boom. I wish I was there now. I think we could have ice cream without buying to ice. Grace Youngblood said give you her best regards. She said she saw in the paper they had 24 inches of snow back at Bland. I must close for this time. Answer soon. From Wm.

I run out of paper is the reason am writing on the back of the page. I don't know what to get Papa for Christmas. I was intending to ask you that question. It is 60 miles from here to Hot Springs, but those people did not walk all the way, they walked about 30 miles.

 

From Lyman Miller- Humansville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

December 19, 1913

Dear Aunt, I have got well and am going to school. Do you think old Santa will visit you? I think he will. Lyman

From Mildred & Esther
December 21, 1913 

From William L. Tayloe- Pittsburg, KS

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

May 13, 1914

Dear Mother, I received your letter this morning and was very glad to hear from you, and know you folks are OK. I guess you have received my letter before this time. It snowed hard last Saturday though not very much. It has been real warm most all week. Last night we had a real hard rain, so it is somewhat cooler today. They had a holiday last Monday and are to have another one Friday. I don't like so many holidays. Has Uncle Ben moved yet? I mean do they live out in the country yet? Have they got back with Cleveland Bershard yet? What are they going to do with him? I did not do any thing Easter. I stayed at home all day. I received the letter and card which you sent to me the first of the month. Did you find that tracing cloth? I heard of a job but it did not come right to me. The people here who help get jobs said I ought to be able to hold a better position than that. I guess you will soon be setting out cabbage plants. How are chickens? Going to hatch? How many eggs did you put in the incubator? I must close for this time. Answer soon. From W.L.T.

From William L. Tayloe- Pittsburg, KS

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

May 16, 1914

Dear Mother, I received your letter this morning and was glad to hear from you and to know that you are getting along all right. I hope you are still well. I am getting along all right. The only thing wrong with me is that I am getting fat. It is pretty cool here. Also it is getting dry. Monday night we had a little rain. I am getting along pretty well with my bookcase. It is a slow job. Much slower than the making of a desk. I have the base almost completed. The top is ready to glue together and I have one section almost ready to put together. I am going to build three sections. It will cost me about $4 finished ready to ship. It has already cost me $3.80. I have bought everything except the material to ship it with. I want to get it done this week, but I don't know whether I can or not. I want to ship it home next Wednesday. That is if it is done. I do not need it down here, I have no books to put in it here. Is Uncle Ben doing any farming this spring? Is he getting his team from Green Ridge to haul that silver away with. Has Letha stopped school or has school closed? Is Perry going to teach next year? I have to write on Saturday so you can get my letter on Tuesday. I must close for this time. Answer soon. As ever, from W.L. Tayloe

 

From William L. Tayloe- Pittsburg, KS

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

May 24, 1914

Dear Mother, I received your letter yesterday and was glad to hear from you and to know you are getting along all right. I hope you folks are the same still. I am all right. We are having nice weather, only it is pretty hot. We had a fine rain last Thursday night. Before that is had been pretty dry. I have my bookcase just about done except finishing. I think I shall get it ready to finish Monday, if so I can ship it Friday or Saturday. It certainly has been a job. My teacher said it was about the same as making three or four library tables. What would you say if I should tell you that I was going home pretty soon? I think I shall stop at the close of this term. I was intending to weigh downtown yesterday (but didn't) and tell you how fat I was getting. Some of the boys played a trick in assembly last Wednesday morning. I heard they expelled some of them, but I don't hardly think so. I shall tell you later. There is nothing new going on that I know of, so I shall close. Answer soon. From W.L.T

From Ella Tharp- Humansville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO
June 24, 1914
Dear Friend, how are you? I am fine. I am sorry I have neglected answering your card so long. It Is awful dry and hot here. I am getting along fine with my music class, or I think I am. Well I would enjoy visiting you but guess I can't leave my class. I wish you would visit us after I go home. Can't you? Friend, Ella Tharp

From William L. Tayloe- Columbia, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 4, 1914

Dear Mother, I guess you are in Pennsylvania or almost by this time. I am writing in care of A.C. Ringeisen at least. Well how are you? Did you folks get along in St. Louis? I got here all right, only about two hours later. I have got entered but not classified. I did not get entered until Thursday afternoon. I have classes every day in the week except Sunday. I only have one class on Saturday. Monday is my heaviest day. On that day I have six hours, Thursday five hours. There are several people here who I knew at Springfield. There are 3 or 4 who graduated in my class ('13). I have not met Otto Lockhart yet. A person seldom sees any one they know unless they are in class with them. Is Pittsburgh or the surrounding county as it used to be? Could you find your old home? Was A.C. At the station to meet you? Aunt Catherine I guess wrote to {?}, were they there? I had better close for this time. Answer soon. From W.L.T

From Lizzie Tayloe- No postmark

To John R. Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 9, 1914

Well we are all right. I hope you are the same. Having fine weather, warm and nice. We are at Aunts home. We were at {Phillips?} Monday. We have not seen all of them yet. We will go back to Andy's tonight. Phone to W.H. Morris, tell them that we are all right. I have not heard from Willie but I guess you have heard from him. I will write you again. I hope to hear from you soon. As ever, Lizzie

 

To Lizzie Tayloe- Perrysville, PA

From John R. Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 11, 1914

Well I got your card Thursday. I am OK. How are you? Well I guess Willie wrote to me and I got it the same day that I got yours. Had no mail Saturday but had two big rain storms and winds and the creek was out in the corn some. The apples is about all blowed off. Everything is all and by when they take a notion. The old cows made raid on Mike {Hans?} corn and I had to fix fence one day. That is nothing. You stay as long as you want to. I may go to Owensville tomorrow. J.R. Tayloe

This picture was attached to the letter from John

 

To John R. Tayloe

October 12, 1914

How are you? Well I hope you are all right and having a fine time. I wish you was here with us. We are at {Rigler?} now. We will go to {Tea?} tomorrow. Today we went to go to Maggie Mangold, and in the morning we are going out to the old home place. Mr. Ziegler is going to take us out there. We will, I think, start for home about Friday. Lizzie

 

From William L. Tayloe- Columbia, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 18, 1914

Dear Mother, How are you folks? I am OK. By the time you get this letter you will be at home. Well how do you like Pennsylvania? Do things look now as they did when you was out there before? We have been having pretty bad weather this last week, It rained every day except Saturday (yesterday). It was pretty cool all week. There are several of the people here that went to school at Springfield that I know. I have saw Otto Lockhart only three or four times. I have only saw the Fitzgerald's only once. Edna Maupin from Owensville I have not saw her yet. Things are all right. I like it pretty well and guess better after I get more used to it. I shall from time to time send you the various pictures of the buildings which are at here. I have not found pictures of all the buildings. I thought you were going to write so often when you were in Pennsylvania. Don't you find it a little bit harder to find time and opportunity to write than when you are at home? I am thinking of moving my rooming place this coming week. You can still address me here at 2018 6^th St. I must close, answer. From W.L.T

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

From William L. Tayloe- Columbia, MO

November 8, 1914

Dear Mother, I received your letter and pleased to hear that you folks are getting along all right. I hope you are the same yet. I am all right. I also received the first card, it sure is good. I think it looks exactly like you. Do you intend for me to keep it or do you want it back? Have you anymore? I just told Mr. Cantly that I was going to leave and I wished he would get somebody else to do the mounting of his owl. He said it was all right. He said he would send him to Washington and have the work done or try and get Lony Mathews to do it. Why did you ask? Did you hear what he did with it? We are having the most delightful weather now. It is nice and warm and sun is shining bright. The students that are from Springfield Normal met and organized a club last night. There is about 22 or 30 of us here. There were only 14 out last night. We are supposed to meet every 1^st and 3^rd Friday night in each month. How did Box Supper come out at the schoolhouse? Have they moved in the new house yet? Speaking about being quiet to study here at the hall, for this part it is as quiet as at the private places. But I don't like being in a public place all the time. Once in a while I enjoy much better to be in a private place and live a solitary life. Probably you know I enjoy being alone considerable when I am at home. Here it is private as long as a person stays in their room, but as soon as you leave the door you are in the public. I must close for this time. As ever, Wm. L. Tayloe

Answer real soon.

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

From Mrs. Edward P. Tush- Carrick, PA

November 8, 1914

Dear Cousin, I will now answer your letter which I received last week, it found us all well and hope you are the same. Grandpa is well and was all tickled up when I read your letter to him. He sends his best regards to all. He is well at present time. The baby and the rest are well. The baby is big and fat. We were at Pine Creek to visit Lena & Andy for a few days last week. My husband was out hunting rabbits. I think Lena & Andy are the grandest folks a person could stay with. I am glad you both enjoyed your trip and would of liked to have you longer. It is snowing tonight here. Today it is our first snow and makes Sabbath day seem so long. Well I must close. Looking to hear from you and to see you both again. How is Catherine? Your loving Cousin, Mrs. Edward P. Tush.

P.S. Please excuse bad writing as I am always in a hurry when writing.

From Andrew, Lena & Kiddies- Perrysville, PA

To Lizzie & John Tayloe- Owensville, MO

November 10, 1914

My Dear Cousins Lizzie & John, I received your kind & welcome letter. It found us all well & hope those few lines will find you all the same. Mehri & her family, and a cousin of her husband were out with us for three days. They stayed with us alone. Her husband and his cousin were hunting with George. They got a good many rabbits but no other game. Dear Cousin Lizzie, Andy helped Johnnie to dig out his potatoes. I am glad he got them out so the children can go to school. Frank went every day since you left up here on Sunday afternoon. November 8^th we had a little snow but on Monday the sun came out & melted it all. It is not cold up here just now. We had several frosts up here since you left. How is Willie? I had a card from Carrick- Uncle Phillip and the folks are all well. How is Catherine? I did not hear from her yet- not a single word. She must be dead or perhaps she got lost on the train going down to St. Louis. Dear Cousin Lizzie, I am alone today, George and Andy are working. Frank is in school. I was to see Grandma Sunday a week ago. Andy was to see her last Thursday. She was well. Well Lizzie I suppose you are busy answering letters. Did you get your catsup made and green tomatoes put up? Next month George is going to start school again. They will finish husking corn in a half day. They have a little sweet corn fodder to haul in the barn. I am always glad when they get done here. I will send you a picture of my family. I don't think they are very good. I suppose I'll close. Hoping to hear from you soon. Love & best regards to you all. A kiss for you Dear Cousin Lizzie. From your Cousins, Andrew, Lena & Kiddies

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

From Margaret- {Glenshaw, PA?}

November 30, 1914

Dear Cousin, I send you a card to let you know we are all well, hoping to find youns the same. We have fine weather here. And was your house still there yet when you came back? I guess it was and the men busy at work. When are they coming up? I enjoyed your stay. Lena is {?}. So Good by bye. Write soon. Margaret

 

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

From Eva Elizabeth Ringeisen- Pittsburgh, PA

December 1, 1914

Dear Cousin, we received your card and was glad to hear that you got home all right. Is that your picture on the card you sent? It looks like you. When and where was it taken? Who are the two girls on the picture? We all have a cold. The baby is a little sick just now- is cutting her first teeth. Hope you are all well.

Mrs. John Ringeisen

 

From Lena & Andy Ringeisen- Perrysville, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

December 14, 1914

My Dear Cousin Lizzie & John, I will write you a few lines to let you know that we are all well and hope those few lines will find you all the same. I suppose you got my letter already that Uncle Phillip is dead and buried. He was only sick 3 days. He had a stroke on the right side. He did not suffer very much. He died very easy but we had a very rough day for the funeral in place of 2 o'clock it was 4 o'clock- the minister has 3 funerals that day. It snowed from about 12 o'clock at noon. The snow was about 6 inches deep and some places it had drifted deeper. It was about the roughest time I ever experienced. We could hardly find home from Ingomar Station. It was dark and cold wind blew the snow in our faces. We all walked to the funeral to the graveyard a mile. They just took a hearse and one carriage. They had a beautiful casket for the poor old Uncle. The room was decorated with lovely green ferns. I wish you could of seen it, he was buried very nice. A large funeral in spite of the rough day. He was laid out in Williams front room where you and Catherine and us was sitting that evening we were there. Williams house was full and so was Uncle Phillips house full and lot standing outside. He was well liked for his kindness. The minister had a very nice sermon too. Dear Cousin Lizzie, can you call Mike up on the phone & Catherine and the rest. Please tell all of them for he thought so much of each one. They told me he wore the suspenders all the time and for each meal drank out of his cup and showed everyone his Missouri presents & smoked the new pipe that Andy got for him. He was always glad to see Andy come for he always got him a new pipe & some tobacco. He thought it was better than the pipe and tobacco his boys got for him. Melvie's baby is getting sweeter every day. Lizzie if you go to Catherine, take this letter along and read it for her for I am kept busy and have a few letters to answer too. Love and best regards to all. I supposed Willie will be home for Xmas. I wish you all a Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year. From Lena & Andrew & kiddies. Answer soon

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

From Lena & Andrew- Pittsburgh, PA

December 20, 1914

My Dear Cousins Lizzie & John, we're all well and hope those few lines will find you all well & also Willie at home, in the best of health. Cousin Lizzie, watch your mail. I am going to send you a box one of those days. Love & best regards to all. Ans. soon. Lena & Andrew

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

From Lena & Andy- Pittsburgh, PA

December 21, 1914

My Dear Cousins Lizzie & John, we're well at present time & hope those few lines will find you the same. Dear Cousin Lizzie, I received the box in fine shape. I wish to thank you many times. I will write a letter in a few days. It is getting cold up here and lots of ice just now. Goodnight. Love to all, from your cousin Lena & Andy

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

From Mr. & Mrs. Wm. Ringeisen- Allison Park, PA

December 22, 1914

Greetings from Mr. & Mrs. Wm. Ringeisen

 

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

From Ella Tharp- Springfield, MO

December 22, 1914

Dear Friend, I am writing you this to tell you that I mailed you a package from {?}. Hope you get it. It is not much, only a little remembrance of my own make, not for the value of it that I sent it, only a remembrance. I wish you all a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year. Your friend, Ella Tharp

 

From Nellie- Tea, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

December 24, 1914

Best X-mas wishes and a Happy New Year, from your niece Nellie

 

From Lena & Andy Ringeisen- Perrysville, PA

To Lizzie & John Tayloe- Owensville, MO

May 5, 1915

My Dear Cousins Lizzie & John, I received your letter. It found us pretty well at present time & hope those few lines will find you all well & hearty. I sympathize with you to get your teeth extracted. It is no fun. I hope that you will get along all right. We are busy making garden. The weather is a little cool, last week it was hot up here, not so now. It is the next thing to freezing- if it does it will do a lot of harm. The fruit is blooming fine just now. Well Cousin Lizzie I got 65 chicks out of my incubator. It was the first time I ever set an incubator. I only put in 110 eggs. I did not fill it. I was uneasy of spoiling it. We got a Brooder. I did not set any hens with chicken eggs, only ducks & geese. I set the incubator a few days ago. I like it better than the hens. I did not lose any so far as the Brooder is all right. I got the Progressive. We paid $9.85 for both the incubator & the Brooder & they paid the freight on it. I think you done fine. I wish I'd got as many as you did. Our incubator came from Wisconsin. How is Willie? Is he still at school? I suppose he will soon be home. Frank's school lasted till May 4^th. He can help a good many things at home. He has a garden of his own. I just wish you could see it. It is all right. He has a little of everything in it. He had some sweet corn in flower pots & also cucumbers & last week he planted them out. He is covering them up tonight as it looks as though we are going to get a frost. George is busy plowing. We got about a peck of sweet corn planted and some late field corn. We got more ground rented to ours. More than we had last year. Our wheat looks fine. The quinces are blooming so full now. How is Catherine? I suppose she is busy. We did not hear from her for a long time. Call her on the phone tell her I want to know how she is. I got a letter from Maggie Mangold, she said her husband is sick. His arms and hands are swollen so he can't work at all. My Mother is a little better. Grandma Ringeisen is well. We want to go to see her on Sunday. I will tell her you send love to her Cousin Lizzie (a fellow gets cold feet these days). Love and best regard to all. Ans. soon. A Kiss for Lizzie. George & Frank said as soon as they get new postals they will write to you. Yours Truly, Cousin Andy & Lena

We get the paper from Missouri. It is just fine. Andy reads it before he reads our paper. There are some good things in it all right. Do you ever hear from Andy Ringeisen? Uncle Phillips people are all well so far. George is going to take a picture of the church you and Catherine was in up here after he gets some new supplies for his camera. Will send you some pictures. Love to all. Good night. Ans. soon

 

From Lena & Andy Ringeisen- Perrysville, PA

To Lizzie & John Tayloe- Owensville, MO

May 31, 1915

Well Dear Lizzie I received your letter. It found us all well & hope this letter will find you all the same. We had a very hard frost on the 27^th . It froze all our garden vegetables. It froze 1000 tomato plants for us, all of our beans, potatoes, grapes, nearly all of our peaches. It also hurt the rye. It froze ice up here. We are having rain over 10 days. Nearly all our corn froze. It is cool and damp. It is the worst I ever saw for this time of the year. Our fruit trees were just loaded, but now I suppose we will have a slim crop. George is working on the same road that when you & Catherine were up to see us. He has hard work but yet he likes it to help his Father for we have a very large loss now. You see nearly all our stuff froze for us. William Ringeisen, at Fair Haven, his children have the whooping cough now. {Teanie?} and Harry were out to see us. They stayed a few days. Melvie & her family and some of Will Ringeisen are coming out in June to spend a few days with me. I'll be glad to have them come out. Well Cousin Lizzie, we were certainly sorry to hear that poor Andy Ringeisen is nearly blind for I think that is terrible for the poor man would go blind. May the good Lord help him so he can see the balance of his days on this Earth. I certainly feel so sorry for I had an Aunt that was blind for a number of years. Grandma Ringeisen is well. Andy & I was to see her last Sunday. She was to come to see us Decoration Day but it rained all day. Johnnie was to bring her over. They were all going to come in the big covered wagon. The sun did not shine for a few days up here. I think it must be fall of the year. The world must of turned. I am glad that I have the gas to keep my feet warm. Ha ha. George is going to write to you soon, he has no time for the girls, he is too busy now. I tell him he is too lazy to write. My chickens are doing fine for the kind of weather we are having. I have 28 ducks and 9 geese, 175 chicks. I reset the incubator. I just put 90 eggs in it this time. I like to see them come out. I think it is great to see them come out of the incubator. Eggs are up to 35 cents a dozen now. They got to 40 cents this summer for good fresh eggs, butter 38 cents-fresh country butter, Cherries are 25 cents a box, not a quart in a box, and nice ones 35 cents a box. I got those honeysuckles, they were just fine. I will press them and keep them to remember Lizzie. They look as natural as can be. I wish I was where they grew. I'd be just all right. Andy still keeps telling me how he liked it. You see we all like farm life- woods and hills. We are no city people. I love woods, the mountain tea is just fine now. I wish you & Catherine were here to eat some, it is young & tender now. It is fine. I suppose I'll close. Hoping to hear from you soon. Love & best wishes to all. A kiss for Lizzie. Tell Willie to come up this summer for his vacation. You come with him to show him the way. I wish all of you could come. Good bye. From Andy, Lena & Kiddies

 

From Lena & Andy Ringeisen- Perrysville, PA

To Lizzie & John Tayloe- Owensville, MO

August 17, 1915

My Dear Cousin Lizzie & Family, we are pretty well at present time and hope those few lines will find you all the same. Andy & I were to see Grandma Ringeisen on Sunday. She is well but got a good deal older. She has a great deal of trouble. Mrs. Zeigler & Mr. don't go home yet. Last winter she was there a few days and got sick. He made her pay her board $1 a day. I don't think they speak. She told me how they treated her. It is a shame. Dear Cousin Lizzie I wish I just could talk to you & Catherine for one single hour to tell you all the remarks of Mr. & Mrs. Zeigler. I know you would be more than surprised, but what can you expect of people to do like they did with their own old Mother. Lizzie she cried to me like a little child & said no one will ever learn them two. I promised her that I'd write to you & Catherine to let you know how true they were. They are certainly the limit. The worst I ever heard of. Poor old soul. I feel sorry for her for no one knows what a Mother can do for the children but I believe they have no heart to act like they do, the one besides is just the same to her. Dear Cousin Lizzie, if Mr. & Mrs. Zeigler gets down to see you this fall they will very likely tell you all about Uncle Phillip's people. They are certainly doing wrong. Grandma did not get to the funeral. It was too cold. They told her they did not get anything to eat so did the one beside us. It is not true. There was enough to eat for a funeral. It was not a wedding. If you hear don't believe it. I will later tell you & Catherine all about it. She certainly asked Grandma to pay her expenses she had with you & Catherine. Now Lizzie Grandma said so. I am just glad that Andy & I met you two at the depot. She is the limit as I said before, so don't give me away as I am doing this to satisfy the old lady. She wanted me to write it long before. You know how I'd feel about it- be sure and post Catherine about it. I did not get the chance to speak to Mr. & Mrs. Z about the affair or I'd of told her a few words. That is not right to talk if people are not here to protect themselves. Dear Cousin Lizzie, I am busy canning and preserving peaches. We just finished our oats today. Harvest was slow but here our wheat was fine. {Teanie?} was out a few days with Harry. They are well. Johnnie was to see us. They are all well. George is working yet. Frank will soon have to go to school. He has got well. George wants to take some pictures during the week. He works on Sunday, it generally rains or else company. Dear Cousin Lizzie, my few sweet potatoes looks fine, they have vines about 4 yards long. Maybe the vines will be all I'll get of them. I got a letter from Cousin Michael Ringeisen from Missouri, a sample of wheat, and a picture of Mary. The wheat was nice, the picture was lovely. It is a {?} of her is it not? Nice big girl. He wrote that they are all well. I was glad to hear- that is all we can ask is our health. Dear Cousin Lizzie, they just finished that road to Ingomar Station. Remember they were working on it when you & Catherine were up. I tell you it is a dandy road. Level as a floor- no dust or mud. I had a letter from Melvie. They said they are coming out to our house for a few days then we will have George to take some pictures. I just wish you could be here too. Andy and I are the same always. We don't turn so often. Melvie is coming to our house, she never hears any remarks of us & no one else will tell Catherine all what I wrote. Love to all, tell Willie come to see us. Ans. soon. Cousin Lena & Andy & Family

 

From Loretta- Pennsylvania

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

September 3, 1915

Dear Cousins, we are all well, hoping you are all the same. I just came home from Pine Creek. Well bye bye. Love to all. Cousin Loretta

 

From Lena & Andy Ringeisen- Perrysville, PA

To Lizzie & John Tayloe- Owensville, MO

September 13, 1915

My Dear Cousins Lizzie & John, I received your kind and welcome letter. It found us pretty well at present time. I hope those few lines will find you all the same. We had very hot and dry weather up here now. We threshed on Thursday. I suppose you all are done threshing down you way. George is going with the machine. The road work got a slack on account of dry weather. Frank is going to school. Andy is pretty busy working at home & marketing. We have got a cousin visiting us from Louisville, Kentucky. She is going to stay with us & going to see all the rest. I told Andy she is nice but not as full of fun as you & Catherine. I wish you and Catherine were up again to see us. Grandma was to see us for a week. You can imagine the rest. Dear Cousin Lizzie How is Catherine? I suppose Willie is busy at school. Melvie & her family was to see me. She stayed 5 days. Loretta stayed two weeks-that is Phillips Granddaughter. How is Aunt Pena? That Mrs. M that died was a very good friend of Uncle Phillip, also to Aunt Pena when she lived in Pennsylvania. Do you ever hear from any of the Pennsylvania people? I am busy helping Andy, also canning for the winter. I suppose you and Catherine are the same. I had a letter from Cousin Michael from Missouri. Also a picture of Mary and a sample of his wheat. Tell Willie not to forget to visit us and tell him that you must come along to show him the road. Ha ha. Well I must close. Hoping to hear from you all soon. Love and best regards to all. A kiss for Lizzie. Ans. soon.

From Andy & Lena
To Cousins Lizzie & John Tayloe- Owensville, MO

February 19, 1916

My Dear Cousin Lizzie & John, I received your kind & welcome letter. It found us a great deal better. I had been sick since my Dear Mother died. I was sick just at the time she died. I went to her funeral and got worse again then I only did suffer great pain but I hope this letter will find you all well. How is Willie? This certainly is an unhealthy winter. I read in your Owensville MO paper that you got so much slick ice. So far we did not have any yet we got cold weather, a little snow, but no ice all winter to amount to anything. People up here are cutting ice for the ice houses. The ice on the ponds up here are about 8 inches. Eggs are 40 for fresh country shipped 35 per dozen. Country butter 40. Potatoes in market are $1.25 a bushel and $1.50. Apples 75 to a dollar a bushel now. Cabbage 50 to 60 cents a bushel ready sale. It will soon be time to get the incubator ready to set it. I want to set mine soon. How is Catherine? I supposed she is busy cooking. Tell her I said hello to her. Ask her if she forgot about us poor{ds?} up here. Dear cousin Lizzie Grandma Ringeisen is just fine. She did not have the grip, not even a cold. Andy is to have her a load of coal from Alleghey this week coming. She is in her old home alone. More courage then I'd have I tell you. Louisa comes up once a while but Chris don't yet. We take our butter & eggs & apples in to market with our auto. We can go in an hour. We can make better time in the car and a whole lot cheaper. All four can ride on the auto to Pittsburgh for .30. Which on the street car it would cost us $1.40. We got a large Ford car, we like it fine. I just wish we would of got it sooner when you & Catherine was up. Frank goes to school. I think George can finish next year. He could go steady but we need him home so much. We all had la grippe except George. He might get it yet. He is stouter than when you saw him. George he runs our auto so far. Do your chickens lay? Ours are not doing so extra good. Johnny was to see us. They are all well. They had a little girl since you was up here. He has 5 boys living & 3 girls now. Everybody of the relatives are well up here so far as I know. Dear Cousin Lizzie do you get a little farm paper by the name of Successful Farming? If you do let me know your next writing. Be sure ans. soon. Love to all. Kiss for Lizzie

From Mrs. E. Tush- Pennsylvania

To John & Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

February 28, 1916

Dear Cousins, I will take the pleasure to write you a few lines to let you know that we all are well at present time and hope you all are the same. I received a letter from Lena Saturday and she says they all are well. How is Katie? Is she well? Tell her when you write again that I often think of her and would write her. I do not know her address. We are having some awful snow storms up here and it is very cold, zero most of last week. Then the first thing is will be so warm and muddy again. This is some winter. I wish it would get warm and stay warm. Ed quit his job on the car line. He was on seven years. It seemed impossible for him to leave that job as I was so used to it as it was all he had since we are married. He is now working for the Ford Motor Co. in Pittsburgh. He has better hours- from 8 till 4:30, so you see he never came home before 8 in the evening in the other job and started at 5:10 in the morning. He is making the same money and has shorter hours and no Sabbath work at all. It all seems so strange to me to have him with us on Sunday. His health seems better too. I think his work was too easy, not enough exercise in riding all the time. Elmer still goes to school and is doing fine. I will send you a little copy of his. For only 6 years old in November. I think he reads and writes fine. Well I must close, hoping to hear from you soon. I remain your Loving Cousin

P.S. We still live at the same place but don't get any mail at the {barns?}

Mrs. E. Tush

Fair Haven R.F.D

Allegheny Co, PA

 

From Cousins Andy & Lena- Perrysville, PA

To Lizzie & John Tayloe- Owensville, MO

February 28, 1916

My Dear Cousins Lizzie & John, I received your photo & also the colander and we sure thank you. It is actually a good picture. You all three look so nice and pleasant on it. You sure got a nice husband and son also. At this writing we are pretty well & hope this will find you all well. How is Willie? We have got sleighing now. We have more snow than we had all winter. Andy hauled Grandma a load of coal. She is fine. She stood the winter better than we did. I am so glad that she is well for it is quite a charge for Andy to go over when she is sick to look after her. Cousin Lizzie my house plants are just fine this winter, the gas comes in handy all right. How is Catherine getting along and how is Aunt Pena? Grandma always asks. Is George Ringeisen from Bem got well again? And Adam? I suppose they have a time of their own. Did Cousin John get all his corn husked yet? We are all through with ours. Cousin Lizzie it looks pretty wintry just now up here. I wish you was here to set beside our cozy gas stove. I bet we would have a fine time of it. I am piecing a quilt for pass time & crocheting. Grandma passes the time reading. Let me know who all writes to you from Pennsylvania. Cousin Lizzie tell Catherine I said this kind of weather a fellow will get cold feet. Ha ha. It would also be a cold long trip up Streets Run don't you think so. Cousin Lizzie what kind of an auto have you folks got in view? I suppose they are like the ones up here too. We were in church on Sunday with ours, the seat did not fall like it did in the wagon when you and Catherine was along. We can ride to the same church in ten minutes- that makes quite a difference for us and easier riding too. I just wish we would have had it when you and Catherine was up to see us. I wish you would come up soon to see us but bring Cousin John & Willie along too. Love to all. Kiss for Lizzie

From Cousin Andy & Lena

 

From William L. Tayloe- Otterville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

April 2, 1916

Dear Mother, received your letter day before yesterday (Friday). I was glad to hear from you and glad to hear that you folks are getting along all right. I hope are still all right. I am getting along all right. We are having some bad weather the last few days. It is looking now as if we were going to have some real winter weather. It is getting cold and looks as if it is going to snow. About the car, I never rode in the overland that I remember, but I know it will ride easier than a Ford because it is a larger car. About a car pulling a hill- if everything works right and the driver knows how to drive, most any of them will pull a hill of any kind if it is not muddy. To get an electric starter and storage battery, lights on a Ford it will cost over $500. I think $520 and you say that the Overland is only about $600 and later on $500 so the Overland would be the cheaper. The Buick and the Page are two good cars. Do you know when you are going to decide as to what kind you want? About the check, I have things all right, you can fill it out for $100 just whenever you want to now. Are you going to come up this spring? I must close. Answer soon.

From William L. Tayloe

 

From Ella Tharp- Springfield, Missouri

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, Missouri

April 24, 1916

Dear Friend, I received your letter so long ago that I really am ashamed to answer at all now. Tho I will anyway. I was very glad to hear from you but sorry that you had been sick. I hope you are enjoying the best of health now. I am feeling fine and am busy as usual. I practice my music, some of the time teach and help Mama. She went away on a visit and was gone two weeks. I was the housekeeper, cook and all while she was gone. She went to Fairplay to visit Myrtle, Humansville to visit Bro Charley, Osceola and near Lowry City and Weaubleu to visit bros R{ewan?}, Amos and Willie. I think I told you that Myrtle was married. She lives on a farm and likes it fine. She sure had a good man and that means a lot for all men are not good. She comes home pretty often. May is at home now. They came last fair. Ray's school is out. He will teach at the same place again at $125 a month. That will be the third year for him there. They like it there too. He is in Omaha Nebraska now in the interest of the Ozark Fruit Association. We are glad for May to be at home. Chris will be out of school in one more month. He will visit his Papa and Grandma Rabluine and sister this summer. Mama and I are thinking a little of making a visit out in N Mex later in the summer. I am crazy to go. I may teach music in St. Clair county while again this summer I would rather teach there than any place I ever taught. Well I had a better time. Oh I mean I enjoyed myself better than I ever did in my life anywhere. I have a friend who plays the violin and we played together so much. My he can sure play, of course I liked to play with him for I like music better than anything on Earth. We are having a fine Sunday School at Grace Church. Last Sunday we had 544 enrolled. Say, can't you visit us this summer? I would like to see you. Oh! Yes my flower which you sent me is real pretty. Am I supposed to always keep a glass over it? What is the name of it? I wish you would please send me the address of the co. that I sent to you when I ordered the raffia. I have lost it. Please pardon me for having waited so long to answer and write when convenient. I shall be glad to hear from you. Your Friend, Ella Tharp

From Melvina Tush- Fair Haven, PA

To John & Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

May 19, 1916

Dear Cousins, It has been some time since I received your letter and will now answer it at once. We have moved to another place and have been so busy trying to get straightened up. We have a nice place not far from where we lived before. We have 5 rooms and bath, hot & cold water & furnace and it is all to ourselves. That is the best way to live if a person has children. We can have chickens and don't need to pen them up. We have had so much trouble over at the other place. We lost 10 nice hens. Someone gave them {letter torn} green. Some weighed 7 pounds. Ed felt so bad he said he did not think there were such neighbors until you find them out. That was in March and there was no gardens made yet it is mostly spite work. Believe me we were glad to get away from such a place. How is Catherine? I must write her a letter. I often think of her and you. Garden is so slow around here it stays so cold nothing can grow. We sowed salad 3 times and it is so slow we get tired of waiting on it. I haven't had our pictures taken yet but as soon as I do I will not forget you and Catherine. How are you all getting along? We all are well and Ed still works for the Ford Motor Co. I will send you a card of the building he works in. Well I must close. Hoping this letter finds you all well as we are the same at present time. Answer soon and do no wait as long as I did. My love to all. I remain your loving cousin Melvina.

Mrs. Edward P. Tush

Fair Haven R.F.F No. 1

Willett Road

Alleg Co., PA

 

From Lena & Family- Perrysville, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

May 22, 1916

My Dear Cousin Lizzie & Family, I received your letter. It found us all well & hope this letter will find you all the same but I was very sorry to hear that Cousin George is so poorly. I hope he has improved some & gets along all right. And how is Aunt Pena? I was glad to hear that you have purchased an auto. Next time you write tell me who is running it. Cousin Lizzie did you try to run it yet? Well the weather is very cool and also wet. It has rained for two days straight & looks like the weather is not settled yet. We had two pretty hard frosts one on the 16^th and one on the 17^th of this month. It froze some things for us, all the peaches so far, otherwise our crops look pretty good. I think if everything goes all right Andy & I will come to visit you all next fall. Last year we had to save for our auto. This spring we lost a horse, but I will try and save up good and hard for next fall. Dear Cousin you know if you got to work hard it don't save up so quick. If Andy would of got as much as the rest it would have been all right. Andy is not so well. He is very thin. We are hard at work. Yes Dear Cousin I got a fine lot of chicks. I also have duck & geese. I have some spring chickens almost ready for market. Cousin Lizzie the spring chickens are 45 cents per pound up here now at that ready sale. I finished house cleaning, I am certainly glad. I did a lot of papering this spring. Grandma is just fine. She is just the same as when you saw her. She has not got a gray hair yet. We see her quite often since we got the auto. All of the rest are well as far as I know of. I had a letter from Melvie. She wrote they are all well. We want to get out to see them soon if it gets a little warmer. We got two fresh cows, it keeps me hustling. I get 8 cents a quart for milk at home 35 for butter at home, 30 for eggs at home too. $5.50 for a days work on the road. George still works on the same road as he did when you & Catherine were up. He said the other day he traveled that old road so often he can find it with his eyes tied shut. I had to laugh at him. We told him if he made the road good it would be all right for the auto to run smooth on it. We have got a lot of corn planted. 14 acres sweet & field corn but we intend to plant some late sweet corn, yet a lot of farmers have none planted yet. It is certainly a late spring. Well I will close. Hoping to hear from you all soon. If Willie comes home tell him I said hello, for I like to see boys at home with their Ma & Papa for I got two- when one is gone a day or two I am glad to see them return home. Willie- no place like home. Love and best regards to all. A kiss for Lizzie. From Lena & Family

 

From Alice Strain- West Eminence, Missouri

To Lizzie Tayloe, Owensville, Missouri

June 6, 1916

Dear Old Friend, I was glad to hear from you but I am ashamed of not answering sooner. As you see I can't write well. I am ashamed for anyone to see my poor writing. Well Lizzie I often think of you and would like to see you awful well. I think if nothing happens we will be out in the country in July. I didn't get your letter for a month after you wrote, it came to {letter torn} offices before the right one. My office is West Eminence Missouri- Alice Strain. Lizzie how old are you? I was fifty last February. Well Lizzie how is Kate and her family? I would like to see her awful {letter torn}. What has become of {letter torn} the boys? I heard that Luis was dead. Did Bertha marry any more. What has become of Fred? Is he alive yet? How many children have you? I have had four but have only one now. Three are all dead. The two oldest was girls the next a boy. The last a girl. The oldests name was Laura Ellen. The other Nora May. The boy {Lewis Arthur}. The baby {just had?} the baby died when was eight months old. Two girls married but didn't live long. Laura didn't have any children. Nora had one sweet little boy, I kept him about three years after she died. His Papa married and took him away, I couldn't hardly stand it but he only lives a mile from us. I can see him any time. His Papa married my children's cousin the last time, John Strain's girl. Well it has been raining here ever since yesterday and the river is up. My garden looks fine. {?} and beets too and beans in {?}. I didn't plant beans early, it was so cold. Lizzie do you know anything about my old home place? How the grave yard is. I guess it needs fixing up. Is Fred {Tush?} there yet? Tell him I don't want him to cut all the apple {?} down for I want some of all kinds this fall. We have new potatoes, big enough to eat. Our corn looks very well. It is awful cold today and windy. I think they was hail somewhere last night. Grandma Strains baby {Mathew?} is alive yet but he can't go around very much any more. I ain't got many young chickens. I have got six old geese in {?} ones. Do you ever have church out there? We have the Holyness people out here and a little of ever thing. The Holyness preaches the whole Bible just as it reads they don't leave out anything. They are sure the true church of God. I wish you could be at their meetings. Well I will close for this time. I want you to write when you can an tell me about everybody. I am ashamed of this letter. If you can't read it I will try again. From your old friend, Alice Strain.

 

From Lena & Andy- Perrysville, PA

To Lizzie & John Tayloe- Owensville, Missouri

June 15, 1916

My Dear Cousins Lizzie & John, I received your letter bearing the sad news of poor cousin George's death. Well his suffering is all ended, the Good Lord took him. It is certainly hard to bear but God knows what is best. Poor old Aunt Pena has a lot to bear. My dead Mother did so too. Brother Nick died when he was 45 years old. It was a hard shock on Mother so it kept on till at last the good Lord called her too. Dear Cousin it is hard on me, I certainly miss my Dear Mother. I often think my heart will just break. I often think of her at night, yet it seems to me she had lots and plenty to keep her, why did she have to go so soon? Some old people have no money and no home and no one to care for them live so long, even go to the poor house and would be glad to die. Why is it? Cousin Lizzie give my sympathy to his Dear wife and to poor old Aunt. Has he any small children yet? Teanie & Harry are well. Harry was {cumformet} this spring. Does Harry or Teanie ever write to you cousin Lizzie? Well we have rain nearly every day, the ground is certainly wet, not too wet to work in it. We had a very hard rain today. We did not get no horse yet. $300 for a 6 year old, $250 for a 12 & 15 year old horses are very high just now. We get 15 cents a qt for strawberries in market, 35 for eggs, 35 for a pound of butter. Potatoes $1.60 a bushel for old ones, new ones are 60 cents a peck. So if nothing happens to keep us back, Andy & I will be down to see you all this fall, so I hope everything will come out all right. Andy is not so well all spring. He is always talking of going to see you all. He still speaks of his nice trip & good times he had. Well I will close. Hoping to hear from you soon. How is Willie? George is working, he comes home every night. I can tell you more next time I write. Love to all. A kiss to Cousin Lizzie. Dear Cousin Lizzie try to cheer the sorrowing ones, every comforting word heals the wound for them. From Cousin Lena & Andy

From Mae Orr- Delmont, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

June 26, 1916

Dear Aunt, I guess my getting married was somewhat of a surprise to you all. I would of liked to seen you before I left but I was so busy. I like PA just fine. Had a nice trip. I like Pittsburgh what I saw of it. Write and tell me the news. How is Willie? Tell him hello for me. With love and best wishes from Mrs. George Orr, Delmont, PA

 

From William L. Tayloe- Columbia, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

July 16, 1916

Dear Mother, Your letter received Friday and was very glad to hear from you and to hear that you folks are getting along all right. I hope you folks are still the same. I am getting along all right. Don't say anything about hot weather. I believe it is 20 degrees hotter here than it is anywhere else in Missouri. It is getting dry here. It has not rained since before the fourth of July. Sometime last Thursday the {cornmeraine?} club took all the University students riding (auto riding) then took them all over town. Then they had a reception for them. They have over 125 cars to take them. The reception was on Stephen College Campus. I have my hardest work about over for this summer. I will have it finished in two or three days more. I heard that the old Mrs. Tayloe at Mt. Grove died this spring. I know a few from Mt. Grove here this summer. Some of the same people that I knew at Springfield. I must close. Answer soon. From Wm L. Tayloe

 

From Melvina & Edward Tush- Allegheny Co, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

September 8, 1916

Dear Cousin, It has been some time since I received your letter and will now endeavor to answer it. We all are well at present time and hope this letter finds you all the same. We are having some very hot weather here. It has gotten the best of me several times. It is somewhat airy today as it has been raining off and on. Fruit is very scarce up here. Peaches are out of style for us this year. They are 80 cents a peck and potatoes are 60 cents a peck. Everything is so dear that it keeps one going to get along. I suppose crops are poor out there too. Have you heard from Lena lately? Well I must close as it is near noon and I have another letter to write. I will close hoping to hear from you soon. Your loving cousins, Melvina & Edward Tush

Love to all, regards & love to Katherine

 

From Lena- Perrysville, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

September 14, 1916

My Dear Cousin Lizzie & Family, just a few lines to let you know we are pretty well at present time & hope those few lines will find you all in the best of health. Dear Cousin Lizzie I wrote you a letter & a card & did not get no answer. Please when you write again give me the address and name of your niece which is in PA. I tried to locate her so if you write again do so. Everyone is well of the relatives up here as far as I know. We went to see Grandma last night, she is just fine and sent love to all. I will write more next time. So I will send love & best regards to all. A kiss for Dear Cousin Lizzie. Dear Cousin, when you write let me know who all writes from PA to you. Next time I will write a long letter. How is Willie & all the rest? Love to all. Ans soon. Hoping to see you all before 1917. From Cousin Lena & Family

From William L. Tayloe- Columbia, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

September 24, 1916

Dear Mother, how are you folks by this time? I hope getting along all right. I am all right. School has barely started yet the classes met Thursday and Friday but there was very little done more than to organize classes. The enrollment during this semester is not as high as it was last year. As a result, room rent in town is coming down. There is not as many in Benton Hall this year as there was when I was here before. There are more Jews and Chinamen though. We do not have very many on third floor. No Chinamen, but some Jews. When I was here before we did not have any. The hall is not as popular as it was then. There are several rooms for sale besides those not rented in the first place. There are some good apples on the orchard and I have been helping myself, also some pears and grapes. My laboratory fees are $20 this semester and incidental and hospital fee is $12, which makes $32 (a free school). Board (at cafeteria) is about the same price as it was when I was here before. No change in quality or price. How is school getting along there? I must close for this time. Hoping I hear from you soon. I am, as ever. From W.L. Tayloe

 

From Nellie Shelton- Tea, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 21, 1916

My Dear Aunt, how are you all? We are all well. We are having some cold weather now. Makes a fellow think of winter. Well Aunt I am sending you a copy for you to have a chance to get you a silk petticoat for ten cents. So please copy this. I am sure you will be interested in the extraordinary gift offer now being made by the National Mail Order Company- Minneapolis Minnesota- to Universally Advertise and introduce the ready to wear goods they will give to everyone complying with conditions here in stated: One 1916 silk petticoat retailing for $4.75- give size and color desired making five copies of this letter and send it to five of your friends. Send 10 cents in silver to National Mail Orders Company Beckerage 522 Globe Building Minneapolis Minnesota, with the names and addresses of the people to whom you send copy and you will receive one of these silk petticoats without more expense. The offer is extended to all who receives a copy of this letter. Act without delay and receive the benefit of this remarkable advertising offer. Write names and addresses plainly to avoid errors. Every skirt has their guarantee. Lovingly Nellie Shelton

 

From William L. Tayloe- Columbia, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 29, 1916

Dear Mother, I received your letter Friday as usual and was glad to hear from you, and am glad to know that you folks are getting all right. I am all right. And am getting along all right in school. We are having fine weather now, it is the best of October weather. The young people and their various churches had a joint party last night at the Y.M.C.A. Everybody seemed to have a good time. I guess you folks are getting ready to go home with Florence by this time. How is she getting along with school? Have you folks lots of apples this year? Apples are $1 per bushel here now and have been all fall. I have only bought ½ peck. For the first month I would go out to the orchard and could get all I wanted. Was there any of the large hickory nuts? Even walnuts are scarce around here. Have you folks tried any of the grape juice yet? I have not tried any of what I have, but have been thinking of it. Yesterday we (M.U.) played Oklahoma University football. We beat them 23-14 in our favor. It was played in Oklahoma. Next Saturday we play Texas University here. The short course in agriculture opens tomorrow, that is the students will begin to come in but their work does not begin until Wednesday. I must close for this time. Answer. From W.L. Tayloe

 

From Lena- Perrysville, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 30, 1916

My Dear Cousins Lizzie & John, We are pretty well at present time & hope you are all well. I received your letter some time ago, also the lovely postal. Dear Cousin I had a sore hand- the right one. I had no way to write. We are shucking corn just now. George is working in Pittsburgh in the city. He goes in the car, he boards at home. Frank goes to school every day so you see Andy & I are all alone to do the work, it keeps us busy from the early morn till late at night. I go to market once a week. Everything is high in price up here. Potatoes are $2 per bushel. Turnips the same. Fresh eggs 75 cents a dozen. Butter 47 cents a pound. Apples $1.25 a bushel. Lard 17 cents a pound. Never before I heard such a prices and the work is slowing up at that all the fuel is going up too. Grandma was to see us. She stayed two days. She is well. Andy hauled her two loads of coal from Pittsburgh about three weeks ago. He got {?} them for 9 cents a bushel, now they are 14 cents for a bushel. Maggie Mangold was to see us on Sunday. Cousin Lizzie they struck a pretty good oil field at Ingomar about two minutes walk from the station we got on to ride to Pittsburgh. All that ground is leased around the station. We did not lease yet from our place. I can count 9 rigs standing up. I had a letter from Cousin Michael also one from his daughter Mary from the deaf school from Hilton, Missouri. She can write fine. She sent her picture on a postal. She is a fine looking girl. We are going away on Halloween night with our auto about 15 miles. I suppose you can get around pretty fast with your auto too. How is Willie? Have you got a lot of corn this fall? We got a good bit of it this fall. How is Aunt Pena & how is Cousin George's family getting along? And by the way how is Cousin Catherine getting along? Well I still think we can get down to see you all soon. George has a good job and does not want to quit it, perhaps it will be near the holidays. We got about 600 shocks of corn out yet & help is very scarce to get. Well I'll close hoping to hear from you all soon. Excuse me for not visiting any sooner. Love and best regards to all. A kiss for Lizzie. From Lena. Ans. soon

 

From Melvina Tush- Fair Haven, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

December 1, 1916

Dear Cousins, It has been a long time since I received your letter but I really did not get time to answer. I know you will be surprised when you hear that we have an increase in our family. I have a fine big boy that will be two months old of the 6^th of December. He is a nice bright boy and we named him Arthur Edward. Did you know Uncle Willie's daughter Loretta was married on the 29^th of November. It was her birthday and she was married on it. We all are as well as can be expected. I was not so strong all summer. I had a girl for thirteen weeks and still get my washing done. I feel much better but do not want to start in at once. Edward still is at the Ford Factory and is doing nicely. Father and all the folks are well at this writing. Edward was at Lena's in Pine Creek on a hunt for a day and said they all were well. I must close as it is getting near bedtime. The children are in bed so it gives me a good chance to write. Hoping you all are well. I will close. Sending our love to all. I remain your loving cousin Melvie.

Mrs. Edward P. Tush

Fair Haven R.F.D. No. 1

Alleg Co. Penna

P.S. Please do not wait as long as I did to write. Ha ha. I am a poor writer.

From Cousin Lena- Perrysville, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

December 20, 1916

My Dear Cousins Lizzie & John, just a few lines. I received your kind & welcome letter. I was not so well but I feel a little better but I hope this letter will find you all well. I troubled {?} with the headache. I get dizzy spells so much this fall. Well Cousin Lizzie we had intended to visit you all before 1917. Time is coming close. Now if we could of got someone to stay at our house tend to the stock and keep house we sure would have been down for Xmas now. I will write later to let you know if we can get some like that. You know how it is to depend on strangers to do the work right. George is working and he is afraid if he stays at home he will lose his job. He has a good position now. He has got a good deal stouter than he was. So if we {sourced?} we will be to visit you soon. And if we can not get a party to stay at the house I'll have to give it up but I am very anxious to see you all. A Merry Xmas to you all & a Happy New Year. Love to all. Cousin Lena

From Iva Tayloe- Rosebud, MO

To Lizzie & John Tayloe- Owensville, MO

February 1, 1917

Dear Uncle and Aunt, I will drop you a few lines today. What are you all doing up there? The men are cutting brush here today. How is Henry and Ida and the children by this time? I have not been going to school for about a week. Bertha has missed only one day. Charley and Harvey has missed several days but they are going now. I guess you are getting lots of eggs now aren't you? We don't get so very many. We got about two dozen last night. What is Willie doing now? Tell him to come down sometime. Well I guess you heard I made another trip to St. Louis last Friday, January 26. I went there to have my tonsils taken out. The other time I went the doctor was too busy so I had to go back. I got them taken out this last time. Papa and I was the only one went from here. Doctor Owens at Gerald went with us both times. We left Gerald Friday morning at four o'clock and came back Saturday morning. My tonsils was so large that I had to be operated on twice. They gave me laughing gas. Friday night I could not talk and hardly swallow. My throat is getting lots better now. I went to Gerald to see the doctor Tuesday and I will have to go back again Saturday if the weather is not too bad. If you and Uncle John come down I could tell you more about it. I guess you all are well? We all are all well down here. When are you all coming down? We would like to see you all. Tell Henry and Ida and Charley they must come down before long, don't know when we will get up there. Iva Tayloe

  

From Lena & Andy- Perrysville, PA

To Cousins Lizzie & John Tayloe- Owensville, MO

February 5, 1917

My Dear Cousins Lizzie & John, We are pretty well at this writing & hope those few lines will find you all well. Well Lizzie it is real cold up here now. It just got so cold in February. January was not so cold. Well we were sure sorry to hear of cousin Levi Ringeisens death. Well that is the way we all have to go one by cross the shore till we all land on the other side. How is Willie & how is Catherine? I sent her a letter & some potatoes but I never hear from her anymore at all. Please tell her I said Hello to her. I just wished we could of went down to visit you all. The reason my box came late for Xmas you see I got so many things to take down which I could not send by mail then I got different to send. I certainly was disappointed the man that was to stay at our house got sick. He died in the 18th of January. Now since the weather is so cold I think we'd better wait till next fall. Grandma Ringeisen is well, she just looks fine. How are your chickens doing? Are they laying? Eggs are 60 cents a dozen up here. Ours layed all winter but not so many- I get 12 and 14 a day. I got 65 hens now. I got Barred Rocks, white underneath and White Leghorns and one coop full mixed. I find the White Leghorns are doing the best of all. We got them divided in four parts to keep them separate for hatching. I want to try and raise a good many this spring. I got ducks, geese and two Guineas too. Well George is still working in Pittsburgh. He comes home every evening. Frank goes to school- he is nearly as tall as I am. Andy is working at home. He got some teeth filled and they {tealed?} there this winter for him as soon as he catches cold and they are the front teeth and one eye tooth. He has a time of his own. I suppose it will be all right if the warm weather comes. Well Lizzie Johnnie Ringeisen is expecting another increase in his family soon. Will only make him 9 of a family. The rest are all well as far as I know. Well I'll close. Hoping to hear from you all soon. Love & best wishes to all. A kiss for Lizzie. From Lena & Andy

How is Aunt Pena?

From William L. Tayloe- Columbia, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

February 18, 1917

Dear mother, I was glad to hear from you and to hear that you folks are getting along all right. I hope you will continue so. I am all right. I think the picture of Rex is pretty good, but it could be plainer. I sure think it is a pretty high score if he scored perfect (100). They must be more perfect dogs than any other kind of animals because I never heard of a perfect animal before (ha!) We have been having fine weather the past week, it is a little cooler this morning but nice. We have been having pretty nice weather all winter except it has been pretty cold part of the time. Is Iva at home or was she still in St. Louis? The students here now get operations fine. A great many of them are taking advantage of it too. I know several who have been operated on for appendicitis. They soon get out after the operation. I know two especially, one was in the hospital 9 days from the time of the operation until he left. The other was there ten days. Did you go to town? I must close. Answer. from W.L. Tayloe

 

From William L. Tayloe- Columbia, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

February 25, 1917

Dear Mother, your letter received Friday as usual and was glad to hear from you. Hope you are feeling all right again by this time. I am getting along all right. I have moved back to the third floor. I moved up last night. I am rooming with a fellow by the name of Keller. He is from Arkansas. He is a nice fellow. I got acquainted with him when I went to school here two years ago. At that time he roomed in the hall too, but was out last year. We are having nice weather now, it is not so very cold and is clear all the time. The Jew that moved into my old room seems to be a real nice Jew, but I didn't care about rooming with him. I like the old room some better than the one I am in now. But like the roommate I have now than to room with a Jew. I did not know what you were meaning when you spoke of running on high in your letter. I must close. Answer soon. From W.L. Tayloe

From Lena & Andy- Perrysville, PA

To Lizzie & John Tayloe- Owensville, MO

March 6, 1917

My Dear Cousins Lizzie & John, well Lizzie I received your kind & welcome letter on the first of the month. It is dated on it February. It must of layed over some place. Well it found us pretty well & hope those few lines will find you all fine as silk. Dear Cousin Lizzie we are having real winter weather up here now. We got 12 inches of snow up here- the deepest we had for years. It also drifted so terrible, 6 & 7 feet high. They got the snow plow out on the road all day yesterday & today. One of the worst we have had for years. It is not as cold as it was in February but we are expecting a blizzard to arrive in a day or so, I hope not. I am tired of the long winter. If you write, let me know if you folks had such a terrible deep snow down your way. If so, Catherine must be snowed in, I'm sure of it. How is Willie? George is still working. He could not get home on account of the deep snow, the cars did not run. Frank is still going to school and will have school until June this year. I had a letter from Melvie last week. I did not see her baby, but she certainly has nice cute babies (all are good too). How is Cousin George's wife and family getting along? Cousin Lizzie how is Aunt Pena? Cousin Lizzie how old is Aunt Pena now? She must be pretty old by this time. Cousin Lizzie where was Cousin Louis Ringeisen buried at? How is Mike getting along? I did not hear from them since last fall. Did he built a new house? He spoke of building. All of the folks are well up here as far as I know. Grandma Ringeisen is fine. She can stand the winter just all right. She was 80 in January last. She stands it fine for being so thin. They tell me that is what the people says keeps her up on her feet is because she is not so fleshy. I want to set my incubator about the 12 or 15 of March. Did you set yours yet? The eggs are pretty high yet up here but I can't wait too long. Everything is high up here. I suppose it is the same down Missouri. My house plants are doing just fine. Dear Cousin Lizzie two years ago I planted a lemon, I just wish you could see it. The leaves are of a bright glossy green. It is about 10 inches high. It makes a nice ornament all right. Well I will close. Hoping to hear from you all soon. A kiss for Dear Lizzie. Ans. soon. From Andy & Lena Ringeisen & Kiddies

 

From Mildred- Humansville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

April 6, 1917

Dear Aunt, I received your card a few days ago and was glad to hear from you. We are all well now and hope you all are the same. It has been awful dry here, but we had a good rain last Thursday. It rained all day. We have all our corn planted and now lettuce and radishes nearly large enough to eat. We get 7 to 8 dozen eggs a day. Mama has 95 little chickens and has 17 more hens to hatch. Eggs are 31 cents a dozen here. How many chickens have you got? Where is Willie at these days? What is he doing? I have not seen him for a long time. Aunt Betsy Walker died yesterday morning. She is at her daughters in Oklahoma. She stayed with Grandma Souders all winter, but Mary Jane came out here this winter and stayed awhile and Aunt Betsy went back with her. I got a letter the other day from Frieda Miller, Uncle Fred's girl. And they were all well but Uncle Fred, he had a cancer on his lip, but he is getting along all right now. We are going to have lots of apples and pears, the trees are covered with blooms and are going to have a few peaches. Well I guess I will close for this time. Answer soon. From Mildred

From William L. Tayloe- Columbia, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

April 29, 1917

Dear Mother, your letter received Friday and was glad to hear from you and glad to know that you folks are getting along all right. Also I received the two dollars in your letter. Many thanks to you for them. Most everybody is gone that are going to leave. After May 1^st they will not excuse anybody to go to the farm to work. Did they have a meeting at the schoolhouse last Tuesday night? They were supposed to for the purpose of sending a delegate to a county meeting to organize the county agriculturally. This week all these county meeting are to be held, at those meeting a man from here will meet with them for the purpose of organizing them. From the reports the various counties are not doing very much. This organization flaw is the thing taking the interest of most people around here just now. Have you heard Frank Murphy say anything about a hand, which I guess he has now? I sent a Jew down there to him. I don't know how the boy will suit him, but he was very anxious to go, and he is a pretty good worker in school. The other day I just ruined my clothes (the suit I wore home Easter). I poured hot sulphuric acid, it just cut holes right through them. Did Clara (Morris) visit you folks? Is A.C. Ringeisen's going to come out this summer? I must close for this time. Answer soon. From W.L. Tayloe

 

From William L. Tayloe- Columbia, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

May 29, 1917

Dear Mother, your letter received Friday and was glad to hear from you. Hope you are still getting better and will soon be all right again. I am getting along all right. Edd Sassmann did not write to me and tell how he was pleased with the cream that which I sent to him. He said when he sent it he thought he was not getting all that was coming to him. About the farming proposition, I just will take up the offer. I will be at home before many more days. Then we can make some definite arrangement. I think at present farming is about the best thing I can get into that is best financially. So you folks can count on it. I shall be a farmer, if arrangements can be made. You ask what I thought best to do- I think to be on the safe side is to be a farmer. I don't think there is very much danger of me being conscripted. If I am I will most likely be put at agriculture work of some sort. Also I have another reason if conscripted I don't think I will have to be in regular military service. Of course if I pass to France will make best out of it. But don't think much danger, at least not worrying about it a great deal. When I say I will be a farmer I mean a farmer for all that is in it as far as possible- and not just half way doing the job. Have you finished planting corn yet? Probably will get to help finish up yet. This week is examination week. Next week all is over. I have finished half of my final examinations all ready. Guess I shall see you soon, From Wm L. Tayloe

 

From Lena & Andy- Perrysville, PA

To Lizzie & John Tayloe- Owensville, MO

May 31, 1917

My Dear Cousin Lizzie & John, I hope those few lines will find you all well. Well we had a very hard time again. Franks eyes got so weak we had to have the Dr. on account of losing so much blood it effected his eyes. The sore arm had some proud flesh on it but most is getting a little better. The poor boy had a very hard time of it. We had no Decoration like usual. Oh Dear Cousin Lizzie I just wish I could talk with you, my heart is surely broken. I still break down every day. All I can do is pray to the good Lord to help me so I can send him to school to give him a good education so he does not need to work so hard. It is certainly sad to see it. Well how is Catherine? She has forgotten me. How is Willie? Tell him I said for all of you to come to visit us. How about it? How is Aunt Pena and cousin George's family getting along? I had a letter from Cousin Mikes. Mary she said her father is building a new house. Is it done? She said it will be finished till June. All the folks are well up here. William Ringeisen, Andy's brother's two oldest boys were confirmed on Sunday and also Johnnies two oldest boys. Johnnie calls his baby Lucy Myrtle, he has 4 girls and 5 boys living. George said he is going to send you one of his pictures of him & his wife as soon as he gets them. We are having very wet weather up here nearly all of May. We have not all our corn planted, it is too wet. Isn't the war news a horror to hear. Well I'll close. Hoping to hear from you soon. Good night. Love to all. A kiss for Lizzie.

From Lena & Andy Ringeisen

 

From Lena & Andy- Perrysville, PA

To Lizzie & John Tayloe- Owensville, MO

June, 1917

My Dear Cousin Lizzie & Family, I hope those few lines will find you all well. Frank is getting better, he had a sick spell we thought he was going to take pneumonia. The Dr. said he is very weak from the loss of blood. George has been home nearly two weeks. He was sick, he still takes medicine yet, he is beginning to eat more now. How is Willie? I am sure glad when I hear from you all. It is very wet up here. Everything is so wet. The corn is too wet to work. A lot of weeds up here. How is Aunt Pena? And how is Catherine getting along & her family? Tell Catherine Johnnie calls his baby girl Lucy Myrtle. He has 5 boys and 4 girls living. Grandma is fine. We were over last evening to see her, she is just the same as when you saw her. She did not change in any way. Chris & Louisa got an auto- him nor her can learn to run it so they got a colored man to run it for them- some class. Teanie & Harry are well. We will soon send some pictures, sceneries of up here. I wish you all could come up here this fall. I wish Willie could come along too. Is Cousin John through working corn? I suppose it is wet down your way. We got an awful lot of thunder storms up here this summer. Next time you write me let me know who all write of PA to you. We all send love to all. Tell Catherine I am anxious to hear from her. A kiss for Lizzie. Ans soon. From your Cousins Andy & Lena Ringeisen & Kiddies

 

From Mildred- Humansville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

June 26, 1917

Dear Aunt, how are you all? Well I received your letter several weeks ago. I have been busy picking strawberries & cherries. We had about 100 gallons of cherries, but did not have many strawberries. What have you been doing these hot days? We need rain awful bad here. I have quite a lot of flowers in the garden blooming now- such as poppies, marigolds, candytufts, bachelor buttons, petunias, & other kinds and I guess you have lots too. I am trying to start me some house flowers, but I haven't got very many kinds. I am going to take music lessons. I like music awful well. Harvey has got the asthma awful bad. He can't hardly breathe. Papa took him over to the doctor Sunday. He gave him some medicine, but it hasn't helped him very much yet. He did not lay down a night last week. We have set out three rows of sweet potatoes slips. They were awful scarce around here this year. Mama said for you and Uncle John to come up here and she would let you have all the new potatoes, peas, cabbage and green beans you could eat. I will close for this time.

Mildred. P.S. Papa said for you & Uncle John to come up and he'd give you all the fish you could eat

From Cleo- Republic, MO

To Lizzie & John Tayloe- Owensville, MO

June 27, 1917

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Tayloe, I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed my visit with you folks. Mother thinks you took good care of me because I looked better when I came back that I did when I left. I sure did have a good time and appreciate your kindness and hope you can visit us some time. I stayed a week in Dixon and my Mother was nearly crazy to see me when I got home. Grace being gone made her so lonesome. Mother has a real nice garden. Mrs. Tayloe I wish you could see our poppy bed. It certainly is beautiful. Of course they don't last long. I am going out to see my Grandmother this evening. Thanking you again for my good time. I remain as ever, your friend, Cleo

 

From Florence- Owensville, MO

To Mr. & Mrs. Tayloe & Willie- Owensville, MO

Hello, how are you all? I hope as well as can be. We are all OK. We are having nice weather now aren't we? It does a person good to see things grow like they are. I am sending some of the pictures that we took the Sunday you folks were here. Some of them weren't a bit good. Some were dim, some blurry, one had two pictures on. Willie, I guess you remember that one, (at second creek) the one of me in the tree is fine excepting my face which is so dim anybody wouldn't know who it was by looking at the picture. I am going to print some more of the group picture and will send some more then. The picture of Miss Cleo is fine I think. Will you send her some of the pictures? Remember all of us to her. I would love to see you all. Jennie is still here. She came home the next week after you folks were here. She said she wished she would have been at home. Clarence & {Forrest?} are in Kansas. They are getting along alright. What are you all doing these days? Working hard I suppose. They are talking of beginning to thresh this week up this way. Over east of us they are going to start today. We just finished ironing a while ago. Come up when you can. With our best regards to all.

Florence

 

From Melvina Tush- Pittsburgh, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

July 27, 1917

Dear Cousin, It has been some time since I wrote to you and sent the childrens pictures and haven't got no reply. I am wondering if you got them or not, as I had my name at the top of the envelope, I should of got the letter back, so I wondered if you got it or not. I hope you all are well. At this writing we all are well and working hard. Ed still works for Henry Ford and doesn't get any time for himself, he works over time almost every night. My Step Mother is not so well. She has consumption and the doctor said she may last till fall. I just finished writing a letter to Lena & Andy and when I write much I get all nervous and can hardly write. You will have to excuse this writing as I get all twisted at times. The children are well and baby is almost ten months old. He is big and fat- weighs 26 pounds. I will have two going to school this fall. Elmer and Viola. Elmer won't be 8 till November and will be in the 3^rd grade. He is doing nicely. I hope Viola does as well. Elmer has one fault, he reads and writes too fast like myself and I don't think he ever will be any different as I have tried to break myself but could not. We are having some hot weather, it is 90 in the shade. I wish you folks would come to visit us. I would be so glad to see you all again. How is Katherine? Well I must close. Hoping to hear from you soon. Your loving Cousin

Melvina Tush

Love to all.

Mrs. Edward P. Tush

Mt. Oliver Station

Route No. 7 Box 531

Pennsylvania

 

From Mildred- Humansville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

August 16, 1917

Dear Aunt, I received your letter a long time ago but have not had much time to write. We are all well and hope you all are the same. The weather is cool here. It has been trying to rain but has not rained very much yet. Corn sure is nice up here. Have lots of roastin' ears. Mama has been canning some sweet corn. I went to an ice cream party last night over to one of our neighbors and had a fine time. I am still taking music lessons but it gets awful disgusting. We haven't thrashed yet but I think they will be here about Saturday. I don't know where we will get to come down there this fall or not. I would sure like to come. I got a letter from Uncle Fred's girl about a month ago. They were all well. She is working on a ranch and goes home once in two weeks. Well I guess that is all for this time. Ans. soon

Mildred

Uncle Fred's address is Friend, Oregon

 

From Mildred- Humansville, MO

To Lizzie, John, & Willie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

December 21, 1917

Dear Aunt, Uncle & Cousin, how are you all? We are all well. I guess it is awful cold there. It has been here but it has cleared off & just as warm as spring. I am sending you a little present for Xmas & I did not have very much time to get anything. Edgar is as'st cashier in the bank of Weaubleu. I guess you are going to celebrate Xmas. I guess I will close for this time & will write a longer letter some other time. By by

Mildred

P.S. Mama said to tell you & Uncle John & Willie to come up Xmas

 

From Lena & Andy- Bellevue, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe & Family- Owensville, MO

December 27, 1917

My Dear Cousin Lizzie & Family, we are pretty well at this writing. I had been sick. But I hope those few lines will find you all hearty. Well Dear Cousin Lizzie I received the beautiful Xmas gifts- they were fine. I thank you many times for them. So does Andy & Frank, also George & Kate (his wife). I started a little box down your way, it was delayed a few days. Our mail man is not very careful about his affairs. I suppose you have got it by this time. Frank has his vacation for ten days. The teacher went home. She is from State Indiana. I hope you all had a Merry Xmas & I wish you all a Happy New Year. We had a severe cold spell. The snow was pretty deep up here. Some of our house plants froze in the room & the gas was burning at that. We got about 6 inches of snow at present time & a lot of large drifts of the other deep snow fall. Cousin Lizzie Grandma is fine, she looks just the same, no gray hair yet. She will be 81 on her next birthday. Aunt Pena has the beat on the age line. Grandma can see without glasses. She can hear just elegant. She is certainly spry for her age. All the rest are well as far as I know of. Do you hear from any up here in PA? Harry Mayer is working now. I mean {Jeannys?} boy. Everything is high up here. Butter is 50 cents a lb at home. Potatoes $2.50 a bushel, eggs 75 cents a dozen, nice apples are $3 a bushel. It is certainly hard on poor people. Coal is so scarce up here, 20 cents a bushel in Pittsburgh. I never heard of such prices before. We used to pay 8 cents and thought it high to burn up. {slock?} was 3 cents a bushel now it is 18 cents. I am glad that we got the gas, it is a lot cheaper than coal now days. Well how are all the rest of the folks? I will close for this time. Love to all. A kiss for Lizzie

From Mildred- Humansville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

January 15, 1918

Dear Aunt, how are you folks this cold weather? We are all well. It sure has been cold up here. It has been 20 below zero. The snow is about 15 inches deep on the level, but in some places it is drifted as high as 8 feet. I received your letter a few days ago and was sorry to hear you was not very well. Hope you are feeling better now. I sent Frieda Miller, Uncle Fred's girl, a handkerchief for Xmas too, and she also sent me one. She said that they were all well. Her address is Friend, Oregon. Is Willie still at home? I guess he did not haft to go to war did he? Harvey was put in the 4^th class. Edgar just got his papers last week, We do not know what class he will be put in. Edgar & Essie moved to Weaubleu about two weeks ago. He is assistant cashier of one of the banks. Eggs are 48 cents a dozen here. Mama gets from 12 to 20 eggs a day. How many do you get? Lyman and I have been going to school. The last time we took examinations I averaged 97%. Did any of your house flowers freeze this winter? Mine froze a little bit. We have literary down at the school house every Friday night. I speak lots of pieces. What did you get for Xmas? I got 2 hair ribbons, 3 handkerchiefs, one hand bag, 2 rings & a doll something like a kewpie. Well I guess I will close for this time. Write soon and love to all. Mildred

P.S. You all had better come out & spend the winter with us

 

From Melvina Tush- Pennsylvania

To Lizzie Tayloe, Owensville, MO

January 23, 1918

Dear Cousins, it is a long time since I have heard from you and will endeavor to answer all my mail. I have been neglecting all my correspondence of late. I hope you all are well. We all are well at this writing. This is some cold winter. We have had six weeks zero weather. All we could do was to fire up the furnace to keep warm and have as high as 8 dollars for a months gas bill to keep warm beside a coal furnace. It just was impossible to keep warm. The children are home most of the time from school as they have an hour walk to school. They would be froze till they got there, so I sent them this week as it is not so cold. I have two at school and two at home. Baby is 16 months old and runs all around nicely.

Ed was off five days last week. All factories were shut down to save for fuel stores and all and they will be shut down every Monday for 9 Mondays. Well I suppose times are just the same in Missouri as they are here. It is certainly awful. We can't buy any sugar here- a pound now and then and I have to buy all my cakes for lunches and there us nothing to them. We are use to home made cakes and pies. Everything is so high. Have you heard from Lena lately? It is a long time since I heard from her. I will write to her too in the future. Well I must close as we all are well. Pap is well, we were down on Sunday. The old homestead is sold and will be settled in a few weeks. All are well down there. Write real soon and let me know how you all are. Write about Katie too. Your loving cousin, Mrs. Edward Tush

 

From Lena Ringeisen & Family- Bellevue, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

March 6, 1918

My Dear Cousin Lizzie & Family, just a few lines to let you know that we are getting along pretty well again. Well cousin Lizzie we all had the Lagripp. I am still very weak. I had such an awful cough with it. Frankie came home from school on the 28 of February. He went to water the cows, he tried to leave the one out on a strap, she got contrary- throwed him against the chicken coop and with his sore arm. We called the Dr. right away, he said his arm was badly sprained but not broke. He can not move it at all. The shoulder seems to be stiff and painful. He suffered a great deal of pain all along. Dear Cousin I am nearly wearied to death with him. He seems to take it good natured, they all tell me it might come out all right at the other end on account this war, but I can not see it. Dear Cousin Lizzie, George has a little boy. He is a fine big fellow. He weighed 11 pounds when he was born. You would hardly know that a baby is in the house, he hardly ever cries. He is as fat as butter- a heavy head of dark brown hair. Frank just dearly loves him. He is a good pass time for Frank now. I just wish you could see him. I was glad to hear Catherine's daughter in law was better. Aunt Pena certainly has a time of her own. I pitty the poor old soul. Tell Willie teachers are so scarce up here, nearly all are married women and they raised their salary a great deal. I wish he would come up next fall to take the large room at Ingomar. He could stay with me. I sure would be glad to have him come up then you & John could come see him too. The weather is pretty nice today. Andy is pruning our grapes. He has pruned some of our apple trees. George is working in town but if it gets dry and warm he wants to help his father this summer. We are going to make our hot beds soon for tomatoes & early cabbage & lettuce. Tell Catherine we all sent love to her. About Frank & our little new comer. Andy's mother is pretty well. All of the folks are as far as I know. Andy sees Grandma every week. Well I'll close. Hoping to hear from you all soon. Love to all. Ans. soon. A kiss for Lizzie from Lena and Family

From Mildred- Humansville, Mo

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

March 28, 1918

Dear Aunt, I wrote you a letter quite a while ago and being you didn't answer I thought I would write again for I thought maybe you didn't have time. We are all well now but haven't been. I was sick in bed about two weeks with the Catarrh Pneumonia. But am all right now. The rest of the folks are all well. I hope you all are well. Have you got any garden made? We have all of our early garden made & have been planting some flower seeds. Lyman & I have been going to school all-time. I have only missed 9 days of school this term. I would not have missed them if I had not of been sick. Our school will be out after four more weeks. I will be glad so I can help here at home. I got a letter from Frieda Miller, Uncle Fred's girl, the other day. They are all well and she is working away from home about 3 miles. Is Willie still at home? Have you see any of Uncle Mike's or Aunt Bertha's? How are they all? We are having nice spring weather now. Mama has 13 hens setting and 5 little chickens. We get from 6 to 8 eggs a day. Eggs are 30 cents a dozen here. Nora & Lorenzo live about 1 ½ miles from here now. Nora's little girl is sure cute. She can talk awful plain. She has light hair & it is curly. Well I will close for this time. Answer soon. Mildred Miller

P.S. You had better come up for Easter & we will color eggs & hide them & see who can find the most

 

From Lena Ringeisen- Pittsburgh, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

April 5, 1918

My Dear Cousin Lizzie, we are pretty well at present time & hope those few lines will find you all well & hearty. I made my garden & we got some oats sowed- not all. We got some corn ground plowed. I have not got no little chicks. I suppose you have some by this time. How is Willie? George is coming home to work soon. He still lives in with us. Grandma is all alone in her old home where you and Catherine visited her. She still looks the same, not a gray hair. We go to see her quite often. She is on the outs with a couple of them up here again. She has quite a time of her own. George's boy is fine. I just wish you could see him. They call him Elmer Andrew. How is Catherine & family? It is warm at day time but it gets so awful cold at nights. It freezes hard. Frankie goes to school every day. He is nearly as tall as George. He is a fine big boy. He likes to go to school. We did not plant any potatoes yet. We are a little later in planting up here. Also I think you got a longer season. The folks are all well up here as far as I know. Well I'll close for this time. Hoping to hear from you all soon. Love to all. A kiss for Cousin Lizzie

Yours Truly, Cousin Lena & Family

 

From William L. Tayloe- Alton, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

May 1918

Dear Mother, well I have been held up here on account of rain. I intended getting back toward Poplar Bluff today, but as it is I am 78 miles from there. This I hope will find you folks are well. I have not heard from you since last Monday while in Poplar Buff. I am getting along all right. This town sure is some town. It is the worst town I ever got in. There is no hotels, no sidewalks, and no anything else. In spite of this the people seem to be real nice. They have furnished me office room but have not done as well as the people in Ripley county. I have found one good worker that is the county superintendent of schools. He is going to give me considerable help. About May 20^th I am going to start a series of lectures in this county. I am to give twelve talks in four days. Also there are 15 farmers clubs in the county. Then I am going to get in connection with these clubs and try to get several meetings with them. The Ripley county I do not have as good a helper so I am just about {at sea?} with the proposition. I only have one good strong club in the county. I am going to try to get over there by Tuesday evening for a meeting. I am wanting to give them a talk. I was out with them last Tuesday night, and they sure had a good meeting. The road between here and {Demiphan?} is the worst road in the state. A car can hardly get over it at all. In fact a wagon can hardly get over it. About 10 to 15 miles of it is more than Uncle Benj Pfeiffers road is down to the county road, in fact that is better than about 25 miles of the road. The road down through the woods is about like it. That is if there were about {?} times more rocks in it and the hill as steep all the way as when you start up it at the creek. It is about as full of ditches as it is there. I guess you received my last letter in which I said I was going to need some money soon. I guess you folks managed with the bank about that other. I received the pictures and some of them are pretty good I think. I shall send them back to you in a few days. I shall write to you again when I get back to Poplar Bluff. I am, as ever W.L.T

 

May 22, 1918

Mr. and Mrs. Edward E. Graves request your presence at the marriage of their daughter Florence Alice to Mr. George Oscar Tayloe Wednesday afternoon, May the 22 1918 at 4 o'clock.

Owensville Missouri

May 23, 1918

Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Tayloe requests your presence at the reception given at their home in honor of the marriage of their son George Oscar Tayloe to Miss Florence Graves

Thursday evening, May 23 at 4 o'clock

   

From Mildred Miller- Humansville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

June 13, 1918

Dear Aunt,

How are you all? We are all well. It is awful hot here these days. Everything looks dry. We picked all of our cherries last week. We sure had lots of them. Mama canned 23 quarts. Our strawberries are all gone. Did you have any? How many little chickens have you got? I have 21. Papa, Gilbert & Lyman are cutting oats today. Our garden looks awful dry. I am sending you one of our pictures we had taken the other day. We all had on our old everyday clothes. Look on the back of picture for names. I am also sending you a picture of Nora and her baby. Did Willie or any of the other boys have to go to war? There was only one boy had to go from here. Gilbert's wife took these pictures. What is Uncle John doing these hot days? I wish I was down there to visit with you for a while. Aren't you folks coming up this summer? I don't know where we will get to come down there or not. Did any of Aunt Bertha's boys haft to go to war? I will close for this time. Ans. soon. From Mildred

From Cleo Youngblood to William L. Tayloe
Republic, Missouri
June 16, 1918
Dear Wm. Tayloe, this is Sunday evening and I am going to write you before I go back to Springfield. I go up on Monday mornings and come back on Friday evenings. So you were surprised at my going to business college? I like it very well there, not as well as I did the Normal, though I think I am getting along very well. I don't know but just a few there. I haven't been out to the Normal this term. {Abiene?} gets her sixty hour diploma this summer. We have been out to Grandma's today. There were only about twenty of us there. I miss Grace when ever we are all there but her. Ellwyns came home last night. He works at Nevada now for Swift and Co. This was the longest he had ever been away. I think Grace gets homesick sometimes from the way she writes. I hope you like and enjoy your work down there, even if you do have to swim to shore and leave your Ford in the middle of the stream. I know I should have enjoyed a visit at your home this summer but I guess my vacation will be somewhat limited this time too. I am planning to teach again next fall. Is your cousin in S.B. college? I have never seen her at Draughon's. Mr. and Mrs. Speaker are in school at Columbia this summer. It is getting late so good night. Your friend, Cleo. I am staying at Aunt Nora's in S, but write me at Republic  

From Mildred Miller- Humansville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

July 26, 1918

Dear Aunt, received your letter a few days ago, was glad to hear from you. We are all well. Have had lots of work to do. We have our wheat stacked but have not thrashed yet. Wheat & oats are good this year. Have you had any ripe tomatoes yet? We have had a few. Clara & the children came yesterday. Lyman & Harold are sure having a good time. I wish you and Uncle John could have come with her. Harvie was down at the depot when she come and he brought her on out here. She sure did surprise us. I sure thought some of you folks down there would come with her. I sure would like to go back with her. When is Willie coming home again? When have you seen anything of Aunt Bertha's or Uncle Mike's? It sure was too bad that Adoulpha has to go to the training camps. I guess we will go to the picnic tomorrow. Harvies, Nora and Edgars are all well. We went fishing last Saturday. I guess I will close for this time. Ans. soon. With love from Mildred to all

 

From Cousin Lena Ringeisen & Family- Bellevue, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

August 18, 1918

My Dear Cousin Lizzie & Family, I received your kind & welcome letter. It found us all pretty well & hope to find you all the same. I was sorry to hear that your nephew had to leave for camp, but up here nearly all the boys are going to camps. I hope we will soon have peace. For all. George calls his baby boy Elmer Andrew. He is six months old. He can sit alone on the floor. He had his hair cut twice at the barber. It is bobbed. He certainly has a fine crop of hair. The weather had been so hot up here, no rain for weeks, no sign yet but now it is a whole lot cooler than it has been. I never knew of it to be so dry as it is now. Potatoes are very small up here. I never knew them to be so small. We are digging ours out, the stalks are all dried up. We are afraid they will take second growth. Ever thing is very high up here. Eggs are 60 cents a dozen now. Butter 38 cents a pound now. Green beans are $3.25 a bushel at the market now, ready sale too. I never saw such high prices. That shows everything is scarce on account of the dry weather. Grandma is well. She is fine. How is Aunt Pena? How is Willie getting along? And write and let us know how Cousin John is getting along. How was your threshing? We will not thresh for a while as we are waiting on our buck wheat. It is just in bloom. We will have a lot of it if nothing happens to it. We have it in the bottom land below the house. I'll say no cold feet this summer (ha ha). Everybody is well up here as far as I know. Lizzie is not so well. I wrote to you before, I certainly feel sorry for her. Can you not come up this fall? I certainly wish you could come up. Love and best regards to all. A kiss for Lizzie. Tell Willie hello for me. Also Catherine. Tell her I will write her a letter soon. I did not get an answer on the last one. Yours truly, Cousin Lena & Family

   

From William L. Tayloe- University of Missouri- Columbia, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 22, 1918

Dear Mother, well how are you folks by this time? I hope all right. I am getting along first rate. Last Thursday I was on my way to Alton in my car. I have been around Thayer and Koch most of the time. Tonight I am in Hoxie, Arkansas. I am on my way back to the Bluff. I left my car at Koch. It is raining a little bit and the roads were already a little bit muddy so I decided to go in on the train. While I was at Koch I stayed with Sullivan (May Tharp & Ray Sullivan). Sullivan is principal of the Koch school. I am expecting to have to go back to Oregon County in a day or two again to work on the farm labor as I did in Ripley County. I hope I will have as good back in Oregon as I had in Ripley. I must close for this time. Answer soon.
 From W.L. Tayloe

From W.L. Tayloe- Owensville, Missouri
To Willie (Miller?) -Poplar Bluff, Missouri
December 5, 1918
Dear Willie, I received your letter Tuesday and was glad to hear from you and hear that you are well and getting along all right. We are all well and getting along as well as could be expected. Papa has all the work to do and part of the work I done before I got sick. I am getting along pretty well only I am weak and cannot do very much yet although I work all day some days when I feel pretty well. Well did you get that candy I sent or not? Well I am sure glad that you will come home Christmas that I will have a Christmas all right and will try and have a good time as we can. Maybe they will have a Xmas tree at schoolhouse and there will be a tree up at the church house (German). Well Papa bought a cream separator today. This morning Herman Hengenberg and John Mittendorf was out here with a separator and Papa bought it. It is {sharpless?}. He payed $75 for it. Do you think it is a good one or not? Which kind of separator is the best? Well Henry Kramme got done baling hay today. He had them two days. Bill Mittendorf baled it for him a month ago. They would not speak to one another (ha ha). I guess everything is all right now. Well I will send the money to you or I will wait till you come home Xmas. Will close for this time. Answer soon (Mothers)- Mrs. John R. Tayloe by Willie

From Lena Ringeisen- Bellevue, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

December 9, 1918

My Dear Cousin Lizzie & Family, I now will answer your letter. I suppose you thought that I had forgotten you, but such is not the case. I just hope this letter finds you all well. Well Dear Cousin Lizzie sadness has hit me again. Frank got his knee hurt. We had 4 doctors, also had 4 extra pictures taken. He is pretty well again, he can walk all right now. This has hardly passed till George got hurt in the machine shop. He was making shells for the armies, he got his hand bruised and one finger cut off. He was at the hospital a few days. It is not healed yet. It happened on the 15^th of November. We had some time of it. He had blood poison, it is the middle finger of the left hand taken off at the first joint. So far it is not yet out of all danger. Dear Cousin you can imagine how I feel about it, you know just about. You can tell Cousin Catherine. Poor George, how hard he always worked, like a slave. The baby is 9 months old. He can say “papa”, “daddy”, “mama”, “bye” & “baby”. Grandma is just fine. All the rest are fine as far as I know of. How is Willie getting along? Andy has not got all his corn husked. He has it all hauled in the barn. I will write more next time. How is the flu down your way? It is pretty bad up here. A lot of people are dying up here. We all had it, even the baby had it. Ans. soon.

Love to all. A kiss for Lizzie.

How I wish that I could talk to you & Catherine for just a couple of days. It seems as if the doctors get all my money so I can't visit you people at all, so do come up to see me. With all this bad luck you can imagine how hard it is for me.

Yours truly, Cousin Lena & Family

Night to all

 

From Margaret Mangold- Glenshaw, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

December 22, 1918

Dear Cousin I am writing a few lines to you. We are well at present hoping to find you'ns the same. Dear Cousin I haven't heard of you'ns for a long time so I will write a few lines now to hear from you'ns as there was some sad times. Uncle Phillips grandchild was buried here a week ago. Your Cousin, Margaret Mangold. Write soon

From William L. Tayloe- Council Grove, KS

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

January 10, 1919

Dear Mother, your telegram reached me Friday morning just as I was starting to Emporia to the County Agent Conference. I was sorry to hear the bad news, but rather thought that was what it was as soon as the boy handed me the message. I thought seriously of going home, but finally decided not to. You know when you wired about other deaths I did not go and that was partly (one reason) why I did not go. The other reason- we are having extra nice weather now. We have not had any snow to amount to anything since I have been back. Thursday night it snowed a little, got an inch or so deep, but it is all gone now. Well I got a foot-warmer and a finger-warmer on my car. They work all right, if a person would drive pretty fast it would burn a persons shoe soles off, and gloves. The whole rig cost me $12.50. I think it is worth it against a person bought a whole rig to keep warm is {?} gloves and all would almost be that, then that may last as long as a person wants to use it. Last night I went to Dunlap, I had a committee meeting down there. How are you? I hope all right. I know it was hard on you while Aunt Catherine was there and during her death. I am all right. I must close. Hope to hear from you. I am as ever W.L. Tayloe

 

From Mildred- Humansville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

January 10, 1919

Dear Aunt, will drop you a few lines this evening as I have time to write. Received your letter and was very much pleased with that nice handkerchief you sent me. Many thanks for it. I'm sorry that I did not get to get you anything, but it was such bad weather that I did not get to go to town. It was 10 degrees below zero here when it was coldest. One day it was zero all day. The snow has about all melted off now except on the North side of the buildings. I have been to school today. We have literary at our schoolhouse every Friday evening. I did not have to help today in anything but the paper and help sing a song. I am in the 8^th grade, but am not learning very much this year because our teacher is a woman and she can't make them behave very good. We all like to play in time of books too well. Lyman isn't going to school now as he has got the whooping cough. He is helping Papa haul wood while he is at home. Mama has been frying down sausage and putting it in cans as she has not got quite done with the butchering as we just butchered yesterday. I had a letter from Uncle Fred's girl the other day and she said that they was going to try to sell their place this winter and were going to California to make their future home as it was too cold there for her father. I sent her your address and told her to try and write to you because I knew you would be glad to hear from them. I was asking Papa when your birthday was and he didn't know, so will you please tell me next time you write. I was surprised to know that Willie was at home. Does he intend to stay at home or go back where he was? Tell him that I supposed he would get married Xmas (ha! ha!). Grandma Souders has been sick. She had a touch of the flu (is what the doctor said she had). How many eggs do you get now? We get from 12 to 16 eggs a day. Have you folks still got that old gander you had when I was there? I guess Uncle Mike's folks are all well. I wrote a letter to {Erwin?} and Henry, but they have never answered. I did not know if they got the letter or not. Well I guess that is about all I will write this time. Love to all. Mildred

P.S. Nora and Lorenzo are well. They did not have the flu. Millie is well too. Did Willie have the flu?

 

From Frieda Miller- Friend, OR

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

January 27, 1919

My Dear Auntie, Mildred sent me your address and so thought I would write a little to you today. Auntie I have often wondered why you never write to us. I have wished many times you would write to us and also Aunt Kate. Never as far back as I can remember I have never known of you writing to us. How is everyone there? Daddy isn't feeling so very well now. But the rest of us are all fine. As yet none of us have had the flu, but its quite bad here. Daddy went to Portland yesterday and we don't expect him back before the 6^th of February. Fred and I are the only ones at home now. Madie, my Sister, lives in Portland. She has three children, Lawrence, four years old the 2^nd of February, Jerald, three the 13^th of October, and the baby Evelyn Doris, 1 year the 1^st of August. Madie will be 23 the 13^th of May. I'll be 21 September 18^th and Fred will be 19 October 13^th. It seems but such a little while ago that we were all just such young children, time seems to fly so very fast. We are just having lovely weather here now. We haven't a bit of snow and not frost at all. Generally we have quite a snow and zero weather. But this year and also last year we had a nice open winter. Well Auntie, will close for this time and will wait till I hear from you. And I'll be waiting very anxiously too Auntie. So Bye Bye to all. Lovingly, your Niece Freda Miller

 

From William L. Tayloe- Daniel Boone Tavern- Columbia, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

January 29, 1919

Dear Mother, your letter just received and shall say I was real glad to hear from you and to hear that you folks are getting along all right. I am all right. We have been having rather a strenuous time here. The propane lasts all day and half of the night. I am taking a part of the night off tonight. I will be glad when the week is over. I shall leave for Poplar Bluff Saturday morning. So you need not {remainder of letter missing}

   

From Lena Ringeisen- Bellevue, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

February 17, 1919

My Dear Cousin Lizzie, & John, we are pretty well at present time & hope those few lines will find you all fine and dandy. How is Willie getting along? It is snowing a little up here today. We did not have much snow up here this winter but we might get it yet. I wish spring was here as I am anxiously waiting for it. Grandma is well. The same as when you saw her but God only knows how things will be done. Johnnie Ringeisen, the entire family, is down in bed with flu except her, so it is hard to say how long she will stay on her feet. The flu has broke out new in PA. How is it down your way? We all had a hard time of it. George nearly lost his baby but thank the good Lord it is well again. It had the flu. It is not cold up here, but very damp. A lot of death too. Nearly every house has sorrow. How is Catherine & all of her family getting along? I wrote a letter right after Xmas but got no answer. I just wish I could see you to get a real good talk again. Do come up to see us Dear Cousin Lizzie. Tell Cousin John to make up his mind & both come. Tell him all about the mountains in PA. How is Aunt Pena getting along? You know Mrs. {Rabston?} beside us? Her daughters oldest son, 19 years old, worked in town. He got his right hand cut off at the wrist. I almost collapsed, the shock of my Dear Frankie renewed again to me. I was nervous for a week. I could not sleep. But as I always pray for God to help me then it gradually wears off again a little. All we can do is to trust in God to help us all. It seems so hard for me. If only I had my angel Mother I would feel easier. So try to come, if I could only talk to you I'd feel better, I know I would. There is hardly a day passes over my head that I don't think of you. Love to all. Ans. soon. A kiss for Lizzie. From Lena & Family

  

From Mildred Miller- Humansville, Mo

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

February 19, 1919
Dear Aunt, will answer your letter I received a few weeks ago. We are all well at present. And I hope you and Uncle John is well. I have been going to school all the time. What have you been doing? Eggs are 30 cents here now. Mama gets about 50 eggs a day. How many do you get? Grandma and Grandpa are well now but Grandma has been sick. She was in bed about one week. The doctor said she had a touch of the flu. I got a letter from Henry Miller the other day and he also sent me a picture of himself and Earwin. I wish I was down there to visit with you this winter. I guess you have heard from Willie since he went back. How is he? I got a letter from Uncle Fred's girl a few weeks ago. She said they were all well but Uncle Fred. He had been sick for about a week but was up and around now. Well I will close for this time. Ans. soon. Mildred

From Margaret Mangold- Sharpsburg, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

March 2, 1919

Dear Cousin, I wrote a few lines to let you know we are well, hoping to find you'ns the same. Mother has been poorly. Well this has been a winter for sick peoples and dying. Freds sister went to bed one evening and had done all of her work that day and about 3 o'clock she was a corpse when they heard her cough and a niece of his lost two boys in 8 days apart, Mrs. Mare at Mount Royal, you know the cemetery by our place, they were twins {unreadable} and died February 13^th. Well I have to thank you for my Xmas present, it was fine. We are going to spring again. I am glad. You'ns come up now you'ns have got a automobile. Come up this spring. We are glad to have you'ns with us. From Cousin Margret Mangold. My bests to all. Write soon. Good by by

 

From Mildred Miller- Humansville, Mo

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

March 26, 1919

Dear Aunt, I will write you a few lines tonight as I have been wanting to do for quite awhile but just kept putting it off. I was sorry to hear you was sick but hope you are better now. Mama has been sick the last week, She has had a cold. The doctor said she had the flu. I have been going to school but did not go Tuesday. Papa, Gilbert and Lyman have been digging trees today. They have lots of orders to fill. We have got 3 turkey eggs. Eggs are 34 cents here now. We get from 90 to 100 eggs a day. How many little chickens have you got? We have two now but will have some to hatch in a few days. We have some garden made. Have lettuce, radishes and onions planted and some other things. The peach trees are in bloom here, and the plums are about to bloom. Grandpa and Grandma are well. They were over here last Sunday. Well I guess I will close for this time as it is getting bedtime. Mildred

P.S. When have you heard from Willie and how is he? Nora and Lorenzo are going to build soon. They are well

 

From Freda- Friend, OR

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

April 3, 1919

My Dear Auntie, received your most welcome letter so very long ago and am so very much ashamed of myself for not answering sooner. Well Auntie I am married now. I was married the 21^st of February. We are just having lovely weather here, and spring work is well advanced. Say Auntie, I lost your letter and so If I don't answer it quickly you may ask me again. Daddy was over to see me yesterday. He had some more bad luck the other day. He was pruning the orchard and some way he broke several ribs. It seems as though he has the worst luck. He said he was going to write to you. Say Auntie, what is Aunt Katie's address? What is she doing and how are they? My husband is away at work. But I expect him home almost any time. Then we expect to go to Yakima Washington. I am rather anxious to get started. I hate to be getting ready to move and then just be waiting along. We are going to ship our stuff and we will go in the car. He wants to go to Seattle later on. I have lots of sewing to do before we start for I don't know when I can do any more sewing. My husband has been gone a month and its real lonesome. I crochet most all the time. I have made four big yolks, two for night gowns and two for corset covers. Well Auntie how are you folks? I certainly do hope that you are all well. I am pretty much on the {blink?}, it seems as though everyone has been having such awful bad colds. I have such a cold and headache everyday. But I think its just the spring weather. Daddy is feeling fine now, only his ribs is so very sore. My brother has all the work to do since I left home. Well Auntie I will close as I can't think of anything to say, so please do write soon so I can get your letter before I leave. Lovingly, your niece Freda- Mrs. J.M. Gray

I just found your letter. Well auntie I will send you a picture, but I certainly do want one of yours. Yes Auntie Dear, I sure will write to you all the time, and I'll write often. I won't never wait as long as I did this time. I am coming to see you if possible sometime and Daddy is so very lonesome. He would sure love to see you. You say Daddy would not know you, you perhaps wouldn't know Daddy any more as he has aged so very much. Well Auntie, do please write to my Daddy as he gets so very lonesome and it would please him so very much to hear from you. Well bye bye Auntie. Write real soon. Your loving niece, Freda

 

From Mildred Miller- Humansville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

April 15, 1919

Dear Aunt, will write you a few lines today. We are all well now, but Mama has been sick. I guess she had the flu. I hope you and Uncle John are well. We have been having nice weather here, but is a little cooler today. Eggs are 38 cents here now. I guess they will be a lower price after Easter though. Mama has about 150 little chickens and will soon have more. All the fruit trees are in bloom now and if the trees have as much fruit as they have blooms I think we will have lots of fruit. We have had lettuce large enough to eat for a week. The influenza has been around here again. There was a family that had three children and two of which was married and the one that was at home yet died and also her Father and Mother died too. They all three died in one week and there is only two left in the family. Grandma and Grandpa are well. Mama and Papa were over there last Sunday. I am not going to school now as I had to stay at home to help do the work when Mama was sick and then when she got well I didn't want to go. I had a letter from Freda Miller the other day and she is married. She was married the 21^st of February. Well I guess I will close for this time. So by by. From Mildred

 

From Melvina Tush- Mt. Oliver Station, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

August 22, 1919

Dear Cousin, It is a long time since I have heard from you, so have decided to write you and find out how everybody down south is. I hope you all are well. I saw Andy Ringeisen about a week ago. He said they all are well. I wish you could come and stay a while with all of us, we surely would be glad to see you again. How is Katie getting along? We all are well at this writing. I have four children- two boys and two girls. Elmer is 10 years old, Viola is 8, Dolores will be 5 next month, and Arthur, the baby, will be 3 in October. So you see I have a nice little family, about all we can manage to keep since these hard times. Husband still works in the Henry Ford plant in Pittsburgh. He is there now almost four years. We are having street car strikes here in Pittsburgh, it is going into the second week today. This mornings paper states that the {reserves?} are to operate cars. I am afraid we are going to have a riot. Ed goes to work by machine. A friend (works with him and lives next door) has a Buick so they go together. Dad is well and hasn't {?} many more family. Uncle Willie is well, two of his children are married. Willie, the oldest, is still unmarried and Loretta, the second child, is married and has a little girl. And the third {?} is married, is expecting one this winter. Uncle Andy was here on the 4^th of July . He is batching and is looking fine since Pittsburgh went dry. The old homestead is still rented. Well I must close. Hoping to hear from you soon. I remain your loving Cousin, Mrs. Edward Tush

P.S. Best regards to all

 

From Mildred Miller- Humansville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

August 23, 1919

Dear Aunt, we are all well. Clara, Aunt Kate and Willie Miller are here now. Wish you folks could come out to see us. I hope you have a Happy Birthday. I hope you folks are all well. -Mildred

From Willie L. Tayloe- Council Grove, KS

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

September 7, 1919

Dear Mother, your letter came in Saturday and was glad to hear from you and to know that you folks were getting along right. I am getting along all right. I am glad the $5 was enough to get your {waist?}. I think it is pretty. I thought you would get black when I sent it to you. Tuesday (about the day you get this letter) I will go to Topeka to the fair. I will come back to Council Grove Wednesday. Tomorrow I go to White City which is an every Monday's trip. How did Charley Kramme like army life? Is he the same old Charley as he was? What is he going to do? Is he going to help Henry farm? It sure is dry and hot out here now. I sure wish we would have a good rain. Hope to hear from you soon. I am as ever, from W.L.T.

 

From Mildred Miller- Humansville, Mo

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

September 27, 1919

Dear Aunt, I received your letter a few days ago. I am glad you are well. We are all well at present. Mama, Papa and I have been picking pears. We have a good many but they are not very large. We haven't got any apples at all hardly. We will have about enough apples to do us. Lyman has been fixing the wheat ground to sow wheat. Nora & Lorenzo started to Owensville Thursday (September 25). I guess they are down there by now. We have been having nice cool weather. Lyman and I are going to school. We are going to have a new schoolhouse before long. The carpenters are working on it all the time. Everybody is well as far as I know. Grandpa & Grandma are well. I will close for this time. Ans. soon. From Mildred

 

From Dollie- Pueblo, CO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 12, 1919

 

From Lena Ringeisen- Bellevue, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

October 23, 1919

My Dear Cousin Lizzie & Family, we are all well at this writing & hope you are all fine & dandy. Well Cousin Lizzie, Grandma is fine, she is going to stay with me for the winter. She has got our front room for herself. Well I got the letter that Catherine & her daughter Nellie Shelton is coming up. Do come with them as I am so anxious to see you Dear Lizzie. Be sure to tell Catherine we want to meet you all at the station. I hardly ever get a letter from Catherine. I don't know why she don't write to me. I sure would like to see you all. You know we had a lot of bad luck or we would have been down to see you all by this time already. But I hope the good Lord will let us all meet again in the near future. I do wish Catherine would of told me to meet her, I'd do it with the greatest of pleasure and joy. Can you & John & Willie not come too? Oh do come. I will close. I did not hear anything of Catherine just what you wrote to me. If she is not started do tell her to write to me and let me know when she will arrive at Pittsburgh PA. How is Aunt Pena & all the rest? Tell her Grandma is with Andy & Lena now. We have better roads also better convenience to get around than the other time. Ans. soon. Love to all. A kiss for Lizzie. From Lena & Family

 

From William L. Tayloe

To Lizzie Tayloe

November 9, 1919

Dear Mother, we sure are having rain the last day or two. It began last night or yesterday afternoon and has been raining off and on ever since, sometimes real hard. Oh yes, you asked some time ago if I ever got the rest of my birthday things with the $10 you sent me. The other thing besides the fountain pen I said was a hat, I got that but it run up some, clothing are sure high. Yesterday I bought me an overcoat which cost me $50 then I turned around and got me another one to use for everyday for $25. I am getting me a suit which is costing me $60. Now when I spend about $50 for clothing I shall be about ready for winter. I am going to write Charley Tappmyer for a pair of shoes & look for them to be about $10. I just got the new car yesterday. It sure is new. It never run at all after it was put together except about a block. It is a great deal better than the old one. It is so stiff I can hardly crank it or run it. I am going to Emporia in the morning but if it keeps up the rain I will go on the train. If everything goes right I am going to be busy from now until Christmas. We are getting ready for another years work. We begin Wednesday to round up things. I hope you folks are getting along all right. I am OK. I must close. Hoping to hear from you again real soon. I am as ever, from W.L. Tayloe

 

From Lena & Andy Ringeisen

To Lizzie Tayloe

December 2, 1919

My Dear Cousins Lizzie & Family, I received your kind & welcome letter & was glad to hear from you. We are all well & hope those few lines will find you all the same. It is pretty cold up here just now. The water did not get so high up our way but we had a great deal of rain this fall. Grandma is just fine, she sends love to all. We have not got all of our corn in yet. Andy hauls it in the barn then husks it. My gas fire feels fine- those cold days we all enjoy it too. I want to get some mountain tea if I can, to send you all some. It is snowing up here today. George's wife had Pleurisy since Catherine & Nellie were up. Little Elmer's just fine, he can talk a lot now. I just wish you could see him. We want to get his pictures taken, then I'll send you all one. Cousin Lizzie eggs are $1 a dozen now in Pittsburgh market. Apples 2 for 5. Everything is high up here. Lard 40 cents a pound. We have very nice corn this fall. How is Catherine? I heard from Nellie but not Catherine since she went home. I suppose I'll close. Hoping to hear from you soon. Love to all, from Lena & Andy

From Mildred Miller- Humansville, Mo

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

December 22, 1919

Dear Aunt, will try and answer your letter I received a few days ago. We are all well at present. We have been having real nice weather here. Lyman and I are going to school everyday. We are having school now in our new schoolhouse. Mama got a letter from Nora, she said they were all well. I am sending you a handkerchief. It is not very pretty but it will show you that I remembered you at Xmas time. Well I will close for this time. Wishing you all a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. I am lovingly your Niece, Mildred M.

P.S. I intended to crochet an edge on this handkerchief but my eyes hurt me so bad when I crochet, I thought I would not this time.

 

From W.H. Morris- Owensville, MO

To John & Lizzie Tayloe

January 14, 1920

Mr. & Mrs. J.R. Tayloe, Dear Bro & Sister, I will try to write you a few lines to let you know that I got out here all right & found everybody well. Hope this will find you all the same. The weather is fine out here. Snow all gone. The roads are bad. Gilbert & wife met us at the station. Will close for this time. From your Bro W.H. Morris

From William L. Tayloe- Council Grove, KS

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

January 16, 1920

Dear Mother, your letter received a few days ago and I intended to write so you would get a letter Saturday, but somehow did not get after it. I was glad to know you all was getting better. I am all right again. I was never as very bad, I was in bed four days I believe was all. Dr. Snow treated me. I have sick insurance, I just wonder if I will get any thing on it. I have made applications for it. I was pretty lucky in taking it, it is the first insurance I have taken like it and it is the first time I have been sick in 10 years. I am looking around for another job, I am not going to stay here another year. I am going home before I start on another job. You can look for me most any time after a few days or last part of the week. We had a light snow but it is about all gone now. About me getting home, that will depend on how I get some mail, but I will be home before I begin on another job. I shall write you again before I get home. I must close. Answer soon. As ever, from W.L. Tayloe

 

From A.W. Miller- Humansville, Mo

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

January 17, 1920

Dear Bro & Sister, I got home all OK. Bill seems to be getting about all right. I hope you are all well by this time. The snow is all gone but the mud is knee deep. Sun is bright today. Bill & I are going over to Abe's today, will go to see {?} tomorrow or Monday. Write and let us know how you are getting along. Your Bro A.W. Miller

 

From Clara M- Owensville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

January 18, 1920

Dear Aunt Lizzie, How are you? I hope you are feeling better than you were when we were out there. I wish I could come out and stay several days but I can't get away. I have tried to call but central won't connect us. I called Uncle Mike and found out how you were feeling. We had a letter from Mr. Morris today. He went home with Uncle Andrew. He said they were all well out there and said he was going over to Abe Souders yesterday (Saturday). This has been a very lonesome Sunday. I walked up to Sister Lydia's a few minutes. Mary is up there, she has been sick since the 8^th. She was up most of the time today. She wanted me to ask you if your incubator is for sale. Papa wants to buy one for her and if yours is for sale sometime when Uncle John comes to town he can let me know. It has been a beautiful day, but I could get no pleasure out if it. I went to church this morning. Nellie went home yesterday. I stopped at {Marrie?} Murphy's today as I went up town to see the big boy, they are getting along better. Mrs. Bud Tayloe & Leetha were there. Will have to close. I don't know any news to write. So hoping this to find you feeling better. I remain as ever, Clara M.

 

From Lena & Andy Ringeisen- Bellevue, PA

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

January 19, 1920

My Dear Cousin Lizzie & Family, just a few lines to your sad letter. We are not so well but I hope you are well again. It sure is hard for you to give up Dear Sister Catherine. When I read your letter I was just shocked for a while, I could not do anything. It is sure sad, she was strong and hearty when her & Nellie was up. Well just as you say it was God's will, not ours, but it is sure hard for the remaining ones to part with the loved ones. It was 4 years on the 1^st of January that I lost my Dear Mother. It seems like one year to me. Still I can find a little comfort she is at her resting place the way we will all have to go someday sooner or later. Dear Cousin Lizzie just to think how many of our soldier boys did not come back where the Dear Mother's can not even go to the grave. It must sure be hard. You still got the consolation she did not want for anything. She was nursed to the last minute. You can go to her grave to see her resting place. I heard a soldier boys mother say she would give in if only she saw how he died and could plant a flower on his grave. So may God's blessing ever & ever be with you Dear Cousin Lizzie & Family. George & wife sends love. Frank said for me to tell Cousin Lizzie hello. Cousin Lizzie I suppose Catherine told you in what shape poor Frank is, but I have to make the best of it. I am surely heart broken to hear of the sad news. God be with you all. Ans. soon. Lena & Andy Ringeisen

 

From Nellie- Tea, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

January 23, 1920

Dear Aunt, I will drop you a few lines this morning. I have been wanting to talk to you but it seems like I can't get through, so thought I would drop you a few lines. How are you feeling? Hope you are better than when I saw you last and how is Uncle John? Is his neck well again? I have been having the {?} in my teeth and my face is all swollen but doesn't ache so much today. {?} has a cold, but not so very bad. The rest are well. I talked to Clara today and they are as usual. I had a card from Papa yesterday . He is all right and said the people were all well there. How is Willie? Have you heard from him lately? When you write to him tell him hello for me. How are Uncle Mike's folks? {Edw?} and I will try and come up as soon as the roads are a little better. You and Uncle John come down when you can. Do take good care of yourself. Ans. soon. Lots of love, Nellie

 

From A.W. Miller- Humansville, Mo

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, Mo

January 27, 1920

Dear Bro and Sister, received your card and was glad to know that you were getting along better. This leaves us well. Bill went over to Abe Souders yesterday, he has not killed any Jack yet he saw 2 but they had legs and got away. Grandpa Souders said he would take him today where he might kill one. The roads are awful bad out here. One day from next day mud hub deep. John, I am enclosing a letter I want you to send to Willie Tayloe. I want to hear from him at once. There have been some men after me to lease my orchard for 3 to 5 years at so much per tree. I do not know what to charge them. I want to lease the orchard to get out of the work. And I want all I can get. Perhaps Willie knows what they are paying. We got up this morning thinking we were going to have a nice day but it got foggy by 8 o'clock and getting colder. Tom Mason's oldest girl, Cora, living in Colorado has a cancer and is about to die and one of the boys went out there to see her and he took the flu and Pneumonia out there, so Tom & Mrs. Mason went out to Colorado but have not heard how the boy Charlie is. Write soon. Your Bro A.W. Miller

 

From William L. Tayloe- Council Grove, KS

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

February 4, 1920

Dear Mother, I bet this will be a surprise to you. I have always tried to write you a letter at this time of the week but just seems that I can't get to it. Well how are you folks? Hope all right. I am O.K. I got your letter with Uncle Andy's letter. In answering his letter it is a pretty hard one because I know nothing about his orchard. Of course it is a typical question farmers ask a county agent. In answering his question I think I shall tell him that fact then give him a general way so he can come to his own conclusion. We are having cloudy, damp weather, but still it does not rain. Farm and Home week is called off at Manhatten on account of influenza. There is considerable influenza in Kansas. Council Grove has some and some scattered all around but it is not as bad here as it is in some parts of the state. Did you receive the quinine tablets? I sent them to you last week. Could you send me a notebook that you can find on the bookcase in my room. The notebook is about plant propagation. I don't know if it is in a corner or not. It will have drawings of flowers, that is cutting of flowers, grafts of fruit trees, also cutting of potatoes. Hope this finds you folks all well. I am as ever, W.L. Tayloe

 

From Mildred Miller- Humansville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

February 10, 1920

Dear Aunt, I will write you a few lines tonight. I received your letter a few days ago. We were all glad to hear you were feeling better. We are all well except myself. I have got quite a cold. Mama isn't at home. She is down to Edgars. Him an his wife are both sick. They have got the influenza. They just got sick Sunday. There are sure lots of cases of the flu around here. There are also some cases of measles and mumps. Millie and the children are well and also Grandpa and Grandma. The directors closed our school on account of the flu. People are afraid of the flu around here. How many eggs are you getting now? We get from 3 dozen to 3 ½ dozen a day. The weather here is not very cold but it is sure damp. The sun hasn't shone since last Monday. Well I will close for this time. Ans. soon. Mildred

 

From Gertrude- Owensville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

March 31^st, 1920

My Dear Mrs. Tayloe, I am at home now and having made Grandpa some soup for dinner I shall write you a few lines. Poor Grandpa he was very much in need of soup or at least he acted as if he liked it. I came home yesterday and found the house in just the condition any man has it. Poor creatures, what would they do without us women? Yet they think how could the women get along without the men. Of course we women just close our mouths and say nothing, for what is the use of arguing with a man? He would only have the last word anyways. I told Grandpa he wasn't a very good housekeeper and he said he knew that without me telling him so. I am going to stay with him this week and will go to St. Louis Sunday eve then back Monday night to Bland, then on to Hermann, Jefferson City, and last of all Warrensburg. Grandpa says my plans are all right if they only will work out just right. I almost hope they do anyway. I had a real nice time last Saturday night in spite of accidents. Has {Rex?} came back? Must close and write to Irvine. If you happen to answer this letter within two weeks just address it to Owensville. Will write later when I get to school. Best wishes to both. Gertrude

Tell Uncle John I met the Easter Rabbit yesterday and he wanted to know if Uncle John was a good boy. Of course I said yes.

 

From Mildred Miller- Humansville, Mo

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

April 5, 1920

Dear Aunt, will write you a letter tonight. We are all well and I am glad to hear you are better. We sure are having awful weather here for this time of year. It snowed all day yesterday. It looked so funny to see Easter Day so cold and snowy. Mama has sixty-four little chickens. It is sure bad weather for them now. How many little chickens have you? Mama has lettuce and radishes up. I am sure afraid it killed the peaches and pears while it was so cold. What is Uncle John doing? Tell him I bet he is down on the creek fishing. Have you got any flower seeds planted? I have, but they haven't come up yet. Is Neoma Pfeiffer staying at your house? When have you heard from Willie? We got a letter from Nora yesterday. They are all well. She said they were all getting as fat as could be. She said Helen was getting as fat as a pig. When are you folks coming out to see us? I sure would like to be down there a while. Aunt Cora Vanderford is coming out here this spring and is going to stay about a month. Grandpa and Grandma are going back with her. She lives in Idaho. Ed Souders are still in Colorado. They are not coming back here this summer. Well I guess I will close for this time. From Mildred

From Mildred Miller- Humansville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

April 19, 1920

Dear Aunt, I got those flowers alright. They were not wilted at all. Many thanks for them. I have planted all my flower seeds, but it keeps raining and packing the ground. I am afraid they won't come up. Nearly all the fruit trees are in bloom here. The apple trees are sure full of blooms. Did the freeze hurt any of your garden? It hurt some of ours, especially the radishes & onion tops. How many little chickens have you? We have 90. Papa and Lyman have been awful busy this spring getting up trees. We have not quite all of our oats sowed. I went to Sunday School yesterday. There were 51 present. We are having a real nice Sunday School. My Birthday was yesterday, some of the girls nearby pounded me to death (ha ha). I was 15 years old. Tell Uncle John he had better come out here and go fishing. I believe he would catch more fish here in our branch than he could in all of Gasconade County rivers. Well I will close for this time. Hoping this will find you all well.

Mildred Miller

 

From Sarah Pfeiffer Holland- Boise, ID

To John & Lizzie Tayloe

June 6, 1920

Dear Uncle & Aunt, well I will try to scratch you a few lines. Well how are you anyway? I thought sure I would write before this, but just kept putting it off. I think of you so many times & wish I was there to be with you. I hope you have better health since it is better weather. Although it has been cold & awful late spring. The frost got my beans twice & watermelons, tomato plants. I guess we will start to cutting our alfalfa next week. We have peaches, not so many for the frost got most of them. Loads of cherries, apples, prunes and pear juice. I will send you a box of prunes this fall. Does the folks say anything to you about coming out here in September? Neoma told me that they was, but I just thought she was just talking. I guess Uncle John is awful busy just now. I guess we all are. I have 300 little chickens, 87 little geese. I am not raising any turkeys this year as our neighbors is close so I was afraid they would bother them. Well my garden looks sick after the frost & the geese got through with it. I guess you have a nice garden. Neoma said you did last year. Have you folks seen Mr. West? He went back or he said he was. He was not satisfied until he found out if there was any thing there. How is Willie getting along? I guess he is working hard as ever. The folks wrote that Uncle George Pfeiffer was to start the 29^th of May. We have been looking for him a week but he has not showed up yet. I wish you folks was here, we sure would talk some. I feel pretty good at times & but if I hoe in the garden my back hurts me or when I go to Boise I always come home sick with the headache. For a while I thought I felt better then I neglected taking my medicine- I guess that has a whole lot to do with it. Well I must quit & get supper. Hope to hear from you soon & a long letter. Tell Uncle John not to work too hard. With love to you all, I am as ever, Sara Pfeiffer Holland

 

From Lena Ringeisen- Bellevue, PA

To Lizzie & John Tayloe- Owensville, MO

June 7, 1920

My Dear Cousin Lizzie & John Tayloe, I received your letter & was very glad to hear from you. It found us all well & hope those few lines will find you all well. How is Willie? Frank is going to high school in Pittsburgh. He comes home. He travels on the car you rode in & out to our place when you were up. His school will last till the first of July or the last of this month. George calls his little girl Helen Irene. It is raining today, dark & cool. It looks as if we are going to have another frost. Most of our fruit is frozen already. We are having an awful late spring up here. Rain every day of late. We had no rain in May but we are making up for it in June. I got the mountain tea box back, the one I sent to your brother on Friday the 4^th, but I started another in place of it. I also sent you a little one, you see the next growth has commenced to grow. I think this will catch roots. I hope your Brother will get this box. The box had been in about five different states- all but the right one. My garden looks fine for the kind of weather we had. Either no rain or else rain for weeks. I wrote Nellie a letter some time ago but did not get no ans. I suppose she is busy these days. I just wish you would come up this fall. I surely wish I could get a good long talk with you Dear Cousin Lizzie. You see Frank keeps me stuck at home. I am trying to get him through school. Well I'll close. Hoping to hear from you soon. Love & best regards to all. Ans. soon. From Cousin Lena

 

From Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

To John R. Tayloe- Owensville, MO

June 30, 1920

Well how are you getting along? O.K. I hope. I am getting along pretty well. Say John, when you come out after me, go and look under the couch in the setting room for Edgar's shoes- he left them out there last Sunday. He said they were under the couch in the setting room. Come anytime it suits you the best, but no later than Saturday noon- they would like to have the shoes by then.

Lizzie

P.S. I got a letter from Willie, he is O.K.

To John R. Tayloe
From his wife Lizzie
July 14, 1920
Council Grove, KS
Dear John, how are you? O.K. I hope. I am feeling good so far. I got here to Council Grove all right. Willie met me at Manhattan all right. We got here a little after dark. We went through Camp Funston and Fort Riley. That is sure something to see all right. Well how did you get off the train? How far did they take you? I was worried about you. Well hope you will get along all right. I guess you will be working with your hay next week. I got along fine in Kansas City. I got one of those red caps to take me to the ticket office and then he took me to the train or in the car and got me a seat. They sure are all right. Council Grove is all right. A nice place. I am writing this letter in the Court House- in Willie's office. There is a man here talking about bugs. What was good to kill them. Theres someone here all the time about something like that. Answer soon. Lizzie- Mrs. John R. Tayloe Bye  

From John R. Tayloe- Owensville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Council Grove, KS

July 19, 1920

Dear One, I got your letter this morning (Monday). I write you tonight. I am glad you are feeling good. You wanted to know how far they took me- just to the water tank in Owensville. I got home at 2 A.M. The machine got to Landowers Saturday evening and so Henry and I are after the hay. Well so the red caps is all right. They put you through to Manhattan and Willie took charge of you then and took you to Funston. So you are a trained soldier now? So you can tell me some war tales when you get home. We have had no rain yet. The corn is beginning to need a shower. We might get done with the hay this week. Well it is after 9 o'clock so I have nothing much to write. So I will close with good by by.

So you will write when you will be in Owensville?

By by to you.

John R. Tayloe

From Lizzie Tayloe to her husband John Tayloe
July 24, 1920
Council Grove, KS
Dear John, I read your letter and was glad that you are getting along all right. I am feeling good since I came out here. I can eat all the time and feel good over it. I am out with Willie near every day. Yesterday we went to Emporia, KS, It is 32 miles, and did get tired. We did not get back here last night until 12 o'clock. It seemed to do me good. Willie said I got {flesher?} since I come. I know I am feeling a lot better. I don't know just when I will start home but sometime this coming week I will write again try and let you know when. Have heard Willie is going to Manhattan Monday. Will be gone nearly all week. I might go with him and stay at Manhattan a few days and then leave for home. I don't know yet. I will not stay more that two weeks I don't think. Well Kansas is about like Missouri last days and nights. It was a hot night last night. We had a little rain last Sunday, not much. Did you have any rain since I left there? I hope you did. I think I will go to the court house to Willie's office and mail this letter. I guess you got done with the hay by this time and I guess the threshing machine is out of the neighborhood by this time. I hope so. I guess I will close for this time. Hope to hear from you soon. Lizzie- Mrs. John R. Tayloe Bye Bye John Bye  

From {?}- Owensville, MO

To Lizzie Tayloe- Owensville, MO

September, 1920

Dear Aunt, just a few lines. We are getting company tomorrow and can't come out there. I suppose you have heard of Aunt Em Morris' death. She died last Sunday night. I wanted to tell Uncle John when he was here but didn't get to see him any to talk with him. My Morris went out Monday night. Your yeast is certainly fine. I baked bread, it was so good it didn't last long- I had to bake more. I suppose you have heard that Owensville is to have a shoe factory. They will begin putting in machinery next week. Mrs. {Wysor?} will be back next week. We will bring her out sometime. She wants to come out to see you again. Bro Frank has sold out at Lebanon. Clara & Edw won't move to Lebanon. I suppose they will stay at Owensville. I have been canning peaches. They say people on the Stukenbroeker farm have peaches to sell. I thought maybe you didn't know it. They are coming in very plentiful now, sell from 75 cents to $3 a bushel. Will close. {?}

From William L. Tayloe to his mother Lizzie Tayloe
October 31, 1920
Council Grove, KS
Mrs. John R. Tayloe- Owensville, MO
Dear Mother, your letter received Friday on the last mail and was glad to hear from you and to know that you are getting over your cold and you are feeling some better. I am getting along all right. I hope you will continue to improve. We sure are having some weather today. It has been raining all day. I look for it to turn cold tonight. Last week it rained on Monday and was cooler all week up to yesterday. Last Monday while it was raining I decided it was going to rain most of the week, so put the car in the garage to get it overhauled, but it cleared up, so I was tied up in the office all week. I have not got it yet, but I have got to go this week. If there is any possible snow during November I want to put on a campaign against chinch bugs, and want to do some reorganization work before December 10th. So you can see that the time is pretty now filled up for the rest of the year. Probably that will be all the work I will do here because my contract is out December 30, so if we don't make a new contract I will be out. I must close. Let me hear from you. As ever, from W.L.T.

From Clara to Aunt Lizzie Tayloe
November 5, 1920
Owensville, MO
Dear Aunt, just a few lines. Andrew Ringeisen & wife arrived at noon yesterday. They left Pittsburgh the 3rd at 5 o'clock P.M. Don't you think that was going some. I thought I would let you know first so I did not phone to Uncle Mike's, so I wrote you first. So bye till I see you. From Clara

From William Tayloe to his mother Lizzie Tayloe
November 14, 1920
Council Grove, KS
Mrs. John R. Tayloe- Owensville, MO

Dear Mother, your letter received a day or so ago and was glad to hear from you and to know that you folks are getting along all right, I am all right. About the method of tanning a skin with the hair on it, I forgot to answer- I thought of it later on in the week and intended to answer at this time. Enclosed you will find a recipe which was given to me when I was in school at Springfield. We have been having some pretty cold weather this week. The coldest weather was 12 degrees above zero. One day wind blew hard and cold. I drove the coldest three days last week. I must close for this time and will be home in a little over a month. I am, as ever, W.L. Tayloe

From Lena & Andy to cousin Lizzie Tayloe
November 18, 1920
Pittsburgh, PA
My Dear cousin Lizzie and John, we are pretty well at this writing and hope you are all well. We did not get home till Thursday night 8:15 it was 11:30 till we reached home. George's little boy was sick, they got the Dr., he said it is Scarlet Fever. He was sick five days. He is up and around fine. I think the Dr. was too hasty to call it Scarlet Fever, it might of been Scarlet Rash. He had no rash on him. The Dr. had the folks scared so bad they were afraid to write for fear you would not like it on account of so many people being afraid of the Scarlet Fever. We all go out but it sure was too bad of the Dr. to be so hasty to promise Mae it was that. Well cousin Lizzie, I'll tell you we will all get down to see you all before we die if nothing happens soon, but you do try to come up to see us as soon as you can. We sure had a time while we were with you. I sure liked it fine and wish to thank you for the good time and also the nice presents. Tell Clarie and James we thank them very much for the {?}. Tell her I will write her a long letter later. Tell Nellie hello from us. How is Mary? Tell her hello for us. You be sure and tell Willie hello for us and tell him to visit us, you and John come up too. We had cold weather up here a week ago, but now it is fine. The sun shines bright now. Cousin Lizzie, Frank and the boys had nearly all the corn hauled in the barn and a lot of it husked when we got back. I think my plants will all grow by the way they look. Elmer was more homesick than anything else. How is Aunt Pena getting along? I am always glad to hear from you Cousin Lizzie. Is Cousin John still husking corn? I wish Andy and I were down to help him. I will close. Hoping to hear from you all soon. Love and best wish to all, a kiss for Lizzie. -Lena & Andy

From William L. Tayloe to his mother Lizzie Tayloe
November 28, 1920
Council Grove, KS
Mrs. John R. Tayloe- Owensville, MO
Dear Mother, your letter received Friday and was glad to hear from you and then that you are getting along all right. I am all right again. This sure is a rainy old day. It has been sprinkling all day, but does not rain hard. The roads are in a nice shape. Tuesday we have a special meeting of the Farm Bureau members. It is for the purpose of raising the membership dues from $2.50 to at least $6.00 or probably $10 per year. I think the raise will go to $10. What would you suggest to get Papa for Christmas? I don't have the least idea what to get. Let me know right away. My contract will soon be out here, then I mean to sign up for another year or move. I must close, answer. As ever, from W.L.T.

From Benjamin F. Pfeiffer- Boise, ID
To John R. Tayloe- Owensville, Missouri
January 20, 1921
Well John I will try to write you a few lines to let you know that we all got here all right and found everybody well as usual. The weather has been bad ever since we got here. It rains a little, snows a little more or less ever since we got here, but not so cold. Some is plowing. I could be plowing if was ready for it but I'm nearly done pruning my orchard. I found my orchard in bad shape. It hasn't been trimmed much since we left. I will now have plenty of wood to do me some time. Well I haven't bought me a team yet, but I think I will in a short time as Hart have his team here yet and I have been using them. We have bought five cows and five yearling heifers. I paid $444 for the 10 head and $3 throwed in. There are fine dairy cows. They sell for $75 and $100. There are three fresh and two stripers. We sold last week 29 pounds of butter for 42 cents a pound. I bought near 11 tons of alfalfa hay at $17 per ton. I tell you that is the stuff for cows. It sure make the flow of milk. Those cows is fatenns for {?} only except one. Well I was offered the other day a span of Sarl's mares for $325. One was 5 and the others 6 years old. They said $14 a piece. They sure was a fine team but I don't want such a large team as that as I haven't so much work for a team to do. The boys have been buying some sheep. I think they have a head and I have one niger lam which was my partner on the road. I sure made good time over the road. I was only 6 days. I got here on Tuesday and the folks got here on Wednesday. I got two wagons and one unloaded the car in one day and a half. We had only four miles and a paved road nearly all the way. Well how is the weather back there? Are there as much sickness there as when we was there? I hope not anyway. Bill Dauhl writes to me that he let Wilson move in my house. He wants to rent the place. I think he would be a poor renter, but Bill Dauhl thinks he is all right to rent to. Of course he never did do much on his own place. It looks like that he did not like Nebraska. I will close. Hoping this may find you all well as usual. A good new year to you all. - B.F. Pfeiffer

From Lena & Andy
To Cousin Lizzie Tayloe
February 4, 1921
Bellevue, PA
Dear Cousin Lizzie & John, well cousin Lizzie I had been sick but I hope you are fine and dandy. I had Pleurisy. I received your Xmas box. I thank you very much. I will return it long past Xmas but I was sick and Andy did not get to town for a long time. I just hope you will excuse me for not writing sooner but I was not able. I just hope you are all well. How is Clarie? She sure is a darling. I am going to write her a letter soon. Did Willie get home for Xmas? How is Aunt Pena? I did not hear from her since you wrote to me last. We are anxious to hear from her. You answer soon. Is Cousin John got his corn all husk yet? We still got a few shocks to husk. Andy worked for the sawmill men for a while. George is still with us but they intend to move soon. The kiddies are fine. Frank still goes to school. George works at the same place- county engineers. Love to all. I will start a little box for you Dear Cousin Lizzie & John. Love to all. Tell Willie hello. A kiss for cousin Lizzie. From Lena & Andy. Answer soon.

From William L. Tayloe to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe
March 2, 1921
Council Grove, KS
Mrs. John R. Tayloe- Owensville, MO

Dear Mother, I was glad to get your letter this morning (or about noon) when I got back here. Mrs. Snow also said you called here this morning. I was surprised that you have not heard from me. I can not say absolutely, but it seems to me that I wrote you last Sunday, a week ago. Not Sunday, but Monday. I hope you are feeling better than you were when you wrote. I am alright. I shall be home Saturday on the afternoon train at Owensville. I have located for another year or at least I think I have, at least everything indicates that. I think I will be at Ames, Iowa. That is, the agri college of Iowa. It will be agri work. I will get an increase over what I got here last year. I think its a better job. I shall tell you about it when I get home Saturday. I am packing up today and leaving Friday. Hope to see you in a few days. As ever, W.L. Tayloe

From Cleo Youngblood- 833 South Grant St. Springfield, Missouri
To Willie Tayloe
March 3, 1921
Dear Tayloe, I am going to write just a few words before bedtime. 8 o'clock has been my bed time this week and its now after seven. I have been getting along fine this week. Didn't go to sleep Monday at all. I was sleepier Tuesday than Monday. I came by Miss Marshall this afternoon after school and had a visit with her, stayed about two hours. Monday evening we had teachers meeting then again Wednesday another meeting over at High, so you see I have been quite busy this week. We haven't played a game this week, everybody seems to be too sleepy. I can't understand why I should be sleepy, I haven't been up late. I have about caught up now. Did you dare take a nap on the train? Mother took the proofs for my pictures Wednesday afternoon. It seems that she enlarged my order and changed the folders and fixed them up to suit herself. Don't know when I'll get them. Grace got a telephone message from Ernest Wednesday morning. Tuesday afternoon he got his left hand caught in some machinery and mashed the first two fingers up pretty badly. We didn't know whether they could be saved or not. The doctor won't let him come home for fear of blood poison or lock jaw. He might let him come the last of next week if he is getting along alright. He said for Grace not to worry about him, he would come out alright. He said it was a wonder he wasn't pulled in too. I guess you got to see your Mr. {Mace?} Tuesday. Hope you found things as you wanted them to be and that you people could agree. I am anxious to hear how you {text cut off} all to be taken in. I haven't been to Chapter for so long I don't know whether I'll know how to get in or not. If you are still at home about Easter you had better come down and spend Easter with us. I shall be glad to have you come. Answer soon. Your friend, Cleo

I am so sleepy I don't know if you can read this, if you can't, send it back and I'll translate it for you

From Chester & Neoma Rowland
To Neoma's Aunt Lizzie Tayloe
March 13, 1921
Boise, ID
My Dearest Aunt Lizzie, as Papa is writing, thought I would write you a few lines tonight. How are you and Uncle John by now? I hope you are both well as this leaves hubby and I well and happy, enjoying life first rate. How is the weather out there? We had fine weather the last few weeks but today we had an awful hail storm but it didn't last very long. Well have you made any garden yet? We set out about six hundred ever bearing strawberry plants and a sack of potato onions. I guess you have quite a few little chicks by now, have you not? Mama hasn't any but has three hens sitting on goose eggs. Well Aunt Lizzie, I wish you could of been with us on our trip coming out here- we sure had a lovely trip and fine roads. Only in Wyoming the roads and dust was a frights, it was a foot higher than the fender some places. We couldn't hardly see our way for the dust. We saw some awful large corn fields and wheat fields in Kansas. We didn't have any trouble at all, only about five punctures then we run nails in the tires coming through the small towns. We have two tires on the car now that still has the Missouri air in the tubes and hasn't been any put in since. Chester let the air out of one tube and took the tire off just the other day. I think our tires done pretty well- it is 1800 miles out here is what our car registered. We had it pretty hard one night. We tried to travel after night and got 16 miles off of our road and we came to a little town and there wasn't any hotels and we couldn't get any of the people up so we stayed in the car and we nearly froze. Oh it was sure cold that night. Well maybe that don't interest you any. How is Willie? Has he been home lately? Say aunt Lizzie, have you the Needle Craft of October 1918? If so would you kindly send it to me for a while and if you want it back I will send it. I would like very much to get it. If you haven't it, maybe Ida has it. Thanking you many times for your trouble. I will close hoping to hear from you very soon. Sending our love and best wishes to our Dear Uncle and Aunt. From Chester and Neoma

From Ben Pfeiffer to sister-in-law Lizzie Tayloe
March 13, 1921
Boise, ID
Dear Sister, I will try to scribble a few lines. Well how have you stood the winter? I hope much better than the last two winters. As for myself, I have been bothered with rheumatism in my arms and shoulders. Otherwise have had good health. And has John had the rheumatism as he did last time? How is Willie getting along and did he come home for Xmas and went back I guess. Well did your chickens do well this winter? Mine has done fairly well to be moved so far as they was. We never lost one, but Mae has lost two of hers. They was so big and then they sure got some bumps, it was a wonder half wasn't killed. Well it was too bad Aunt Peggy had to be taken, did you folks go to her funeral? Was she as old as her mother or older? 79 is pretty old, I don't expect to reach that age. And poor Grandma Kramie was taken too. What has become of them poor children? I hope they get good homes. I will close. Hope to hear from you soon. Best wishes to all. -Benjamin F. Pfeiffer

From Benjamin F. Pfeiffer to his brother-in-law John R. Tayloe
March 13, 1921
Boise, ID
Well John I will try to answer your letter which we got some time ago, but being so busy and tired every night I did neglect it. We haved nice weather for some time. Some is done sowing wheat while others only commence. I want to sow some oats this week. I had to pay $2.40 per hundred. I bought 15 hundred pounds of potatoes at 75 cents per hundred. I want to plant two acres in potatoes. I have a span of mules, a 3 and a 4 year old. They cost me $150 as I struck a man was hard up for money. George Orr bought him a team and two cows and has gone to farming. I haven't seen him for some time. They live 12 miles from us but the road is paved part of the distance. Well I miss my car awful bad. I want to go over to Washington and get my car as I hear that the road will be open on the mountain- as the Blue Mountain has had lots of snow on this winter. Well John if you have a chance to sell the car you might do so as we will come back in this Dodge this fall. Well Wilson sure have had bad luck losing his building, of course he has some enemies that no doubt did the art and those parties better be on the lookout. Well I guess you have all your farming done as you have had so nice weather back there. I see in the Owensville paper that you have had several deaths since we left. What is Charley Kramer is doing since he left Oak Hill? I guess they made good while there. Well I will close for this time. This leaves us all well as usual. Hoping this will find you all the same. We send our best wishes to you all. B.F. Pfeiffer

From Cleo Youngblood- 133 South Grant St. Springfield, Missouri
To William L. Tayloe
March 17, 1921
Dear Tayloe, I received your letter Monday evening when I came home. Have been expecting to hear most every day that you have received your appointment. I know you are getting anxious to hear. There isn't much telling when you will be placed since you were not sent to Ames. We surely are having some fine spring weather. Almost as hot as summertime. We are planning a May Day festival out at school. It surely means a lot of work on our part. We have ten more weeks of school. I think it will be given about the first of May. Ernest came home Sunday night. He slipped in on us. His hand is some better and all danger of poison is passed he thinks. He doesn't think he'll lose any of his fingers. He still has eight stitches in one finger so he was pretty much mashed up. He was surely glad to get here. I am glad you got your package. I don't know what on Earth you can do with the pictures. Mother and I are going down home on the jitney tomorrow afternoon so that we will be there on time for the "Star" invitation. Aunt Laura, Ella, and Laurel are {remainder of letter missing}


From Lena & Andy to cousin Lizzie Tayloe
March 18, 1921
Bellevue, PA
My Dear Cousin Lizzie & John, we are all just {middin?} well and hope these few lines will find you all well. Cousin Lizzie, I received the box of pumpkin seed, thank you many times. I just hope I'll get some as large as you had some. I will get a premium for them. Our seed dealers give us a nice premium and set the pumpkin in the show window and our name on them. I never seen such large ones before. How is Aunt Pena and all the rest of them? I wrote to Clarie and James but never got no answer so far. Cousin Lizzie we had an {open?} winter up here. It is very warm but the side roads are almost impossible to go on. Andy is on jury this week and next. He does not like it now for we had too much work. Now our hot beds are all up nice so far. Eggs has dropped in price, we just get 50 cents now. All the folks are well up here as far as I know of. My plants I bought from you are all growing fine. I will close. Hoping to hear from you soon. Love and best wishes. A kiss for Lizzie. -Lena & Andy

From Lena & Andy to Cousin Lizzie Tayloe
June 13, 1921
Bellevue, PA

My Dear Cousin Lizzie & John, your kind and welcome letter found us pretty well and hope these few lines will find you all well and hearty. We are hard at work up here. We go to market once a week. Pretty soon we will go oftener. It is very hot and dry up here now. Frank is getting fine at school. His school will close on the 30th of this month. He gets two months vacation. Yes, I still got the four boys, they come very handy now. George is still working at his same work. He is doing fine. And's mother is well in her old home as when you saw her. William Ringeisens wife was sick, she was in the hospital. She is home now. She was operated for gall stones about two weeks ago. Eggs are 45 cents now, good country butter is 50 cents now. Strawberries are 40 cents a quart in the market. Cherries are 50 cents a quart. We have no cherries, ours froze. Nearly all our fruit froze this spring. How is Willie and how's Aunt Pena? I want to answer Willie's letter soon. Try to be sure to come up this fall Cousin Lizzie. You and Cousin John tell Willie hello for us. Answer soon. You are always front to answer. Love and best regards to all. Answer soon. A kiss for Lizzie. From Andy, Lena & Kiddies.
From Lena & Andy to Cousin Lizzie Tayloe

June 27, 1921
Postcard is postmarked Pittsburgh, PA
Dear Cousin Lizzie & John, It is so hot up here we nearly roast. We had a cloud burst, the valley was all under water. Our corn stood in water- you could not see a stock. -Cousin Lena & family

From A.W. Miller to his Sister Lizzie and Brother-in-law John Tayloe
July 7, 1921
Humansville, MO
John & Lizzie Tayloe
Bem, MO
Dear Bro and Sister, I will try and write you a few lines. This leaves us well. I hope will find you well. We are having lots of rain, most too wet to plow corn. But we are having warm weather, can't hardly work for the heat. Wheat and oats are not good. Hay is good. Potatoes 1/2 crop, no fruit except blackberries and dewberries. We have not stacked oats and wheat yet. Some is most all layed by, getting too large to plow with cultivator. We have not cut our grass yet, will start cutting next week. It has been so wet here. The chinge bugs are most all dead but there are a few left yet. Have you heard from Willie Tayloe lately? How is he? I would have wrote him but I lost his address. When are you going to start up here? We are looking for you. How is everybody down there? I see Willie Miller is running the Farmer's Exchange at Owensville. Write soon. From your Bro A.W. Miller

From A.W. Miller to his Sister Lizzie and Brother-in-law John Tayloe
July 18, 1921
Humansville, MO
John & Lizzie Tayloe- Bem, MO
Dear Bro and Sister, received your letter. Was glad to hear from you and to know you were well. There is no train from Joplin to Humansville or Weaubleau. You will have to go to Springfield or Clinton. Willie can tell you how to go. You can get out of Springfield in the morning at 8 to 9 o'clock or in the evening about 5 o'clock or out of Clinton 7 o'clock in the morning and at 12 o'clock noon and there are other trains you can come on either from Springfield or Clinton. You can come to Humansville or Weaubleau . Edgar is in Weaubleau at the Bank Grand, Pa Souders lives in Humansville 2 blocks due North of main part of town. So call us over the phone from depot and we will come if you can not write us before you come. A.W. Miller

From William Tayloe to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe
July 18, 1921
Letterhead: Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics State of Kansas
Mrs. John R. Tayloe- Owensville, MO
Dear Mother, your letter received and glad to hear from you. I was glad to hear that you are coming out. Really I have been looking up trains and think it best for you to come by Kansas City. If you come from Cuba, you leave Cuba at 11:42 and get to Springfield at 4:28 p.m., leave Springfield at 9:00 p.m. get to Joplin at 1:15 at night get out of Joplin at 1:50 at night get to Pittsburgh at 2:45 a.m. If you would not stay at Springfield till 9:00 p.m. you would have to layover at Monett till the same train. You see you will be changing all night. If you go in to Kansas City on the 12:15 at night from Owensville you get to Kansas City at 7:40 a.m., leave Kansas City at 9:00 a.m. get to Girard at 1:37 p.m. That way you will not have so much changing to do. I think by Kansas City would be much the best for you. Write me what day and which way you are coming if you come by Joplin. I will meet you at Joplin. I am one such W.L. Tayloe

From Mildred Miller to her Aunt Lizzie Tayloe
August 10, 1921
Humansville MO
Dear Aunt, we received your letter a few days ago. Was sure sorry you didn't come to see us. We were looking for you most any day when we received your letter. Nora and Lorenzo are still here, they intend to stay about 2 or 3 more weeks. Nora said she wished Willie could have come up while she was here. We thought all the time Willie would come and bring you in his car and I sure do wish he could have come. It is raining here this morning. We have been needing a rain for quite awhile. We went over to see Aunt Jane Bullington yesterday. They intend to start to Gasconade County the last of this week. They are going to make their home with Rachel Bullington. Well we all hope you can come and see us before long. I remain you niece, Mildred Miller

From Lena & Andy & Kiddies to Cousin Lizzie & John Tayloe
September 3, 1921
Pittsburgh, PA
My Dear Cousin Lizzie & John, I received your letter. I was sorry to hear poor Aunt Pena died. She sure reached a good age. Well it is a road we must all take sooner or later. We are pretty well at this writing and hope you are all fine. Dear Cousins, this is our busiest time now. We go to market 3 times a week, sometimes 7 loads. We walk mostly 2 loads at night. Corn and tomatoes. I just wish you was here to see the amount of vegetables lands at the Allegheny Market. Eggs are 65 cents now. Nice apples $3.50 a bushel. Pears $4 a bushel. We don't have no fruit this season. The folks are all well. Harry Mayers got married. He was 19 years old on September 2. I did not see his wife. I was told he is married. 3 months he was in Mexico, he did not stay at home. How is Willie and John? I will write more next time. Love to all, a kiss for Lizzie. -Ringeisen

William L. Tayloe married Cleo Youngblood on September 19, 1921

From Cousin Lena & Andy and Kiddies
September 20, 1921
Bellevue, PA
My Dear Cousins Lizzie and John, I received your letter some time ago. I answered it, I did not get an answer so I come to conclusion you did not get it. We are pretty well at this writing and hope you are all well. I sure was sorry to hear that your Aunt Pena died. She sure had a fine old age. The folks up here are all well as far as I know of. We did not have no frost yet, it is a little cooler than it had been. Our corn is dead ripe, it is hard to cut. The shipped fruit is plentiful up here. Peaches extra large yellow $4.25 a bushel. Large blue plums are $3.50 a bushel. It is high but fruit is scarce. That is the home grown. I never seen so much shipped fruit before. Pears, apples of all kinds at $2.00 a bushel. We have not got the chinge bugs up here. We want to start to dig out potatoes next week. We did not sow my wheat yet, it is time. We are still busy going to market every week two times. Our sweet corn will soon be done. I wish you and Cousin John would come up to visit us this fall. How is Willie? Can't he come to visit us? How is Clarie? I never hear from her. Hows James and the children? Well Cousin Lizzie I was to vote today. I suppose you went too. I would like to see you. How are all the folks out there? I just hate to think fall is here, winter coming. I wish it will be no severe cold winter. I still have the orphan boys. They are going to school. So is Frank, he goes to Pittsburgh on the large car we used to go in when you was out to visit us. Well I will close. Hoping to hear from you soon. Love and best regards to all. A kiss for Lizzie. From cousin Lena & Andy & Kiddies. Answer soon.


From Mildred Miller to her Aunt Lizzie Tayloe
September 22, 1921
Humansville, MO
Dear Aunt, I received your letter the first of the week. Was glad to hear you got home without having any trouble. Papa sure thought you folks would make it in one day, but I guess Uncle John saw too much of that circus you passed along the road. Lyman and Harold are going to school. Clara intends to start home tomorrow if nothing happens. She is going to leave Harvey here if he will stay. He is taking treatment from Dr. Jones, the chiropractor. It seems to help him some. Clara wants to go home and do some of her work and also take Harold and start him in to school. I guess you and Uncle John found lots of work to do when you got home, as there is always something that needs to be done when one gets home. Millie and children are all well. The three oldest children are going to school. We haven't got our threshing done yet. As the machine is stuck in the mud and it is raining so much that it can't get out. Clara wants me to go home with her and stay as long as she does, but I don't expect Mama will let me as we have so much to do. Well I will close. Hoping you folks are well. Your niece, Mildred Miller


From William L. Tayloe to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe
November 20, 1921
Girard, KS
Mrs. John R. Tayloe
Owensville, MO
Dear Mother, your letter received and glad to hear from you. I was sorry to hear that you folks had colds. I hope you will soon be getting over it. We have been having some pretty cold weather the past week. Friday it rained all day then Friday night it snowed. It was enough to cover the ground, good enough to make rabbit tracking good. We are working on forming a dairy company to get in purebred cattle. We are planning about 100 head of holstein friesian cows. If the company is formed it means the cattle will be bought in Wisconsin, Ohio or Minnesota. Someone will have to go from here to do the buying. It will take four to five weeks to do the buying. I still am keeping busy. I am working in the limestone crusher yet, and the dairy work it keeps me busy going from one to the other. I could get one or two days on the limestone crusher and could finish that I believe. What are you going to do Thanksgiving? We will be at home, probably Cleo's Mother will come, we do not know for sure. We have planned on a duck for dinner. Cleo says I have to pick it, I claim not. I hope you will have a good Thanksgiving. I am as ever your W.L.T.
P.S. Cleo has something to write:
Dear Mrs. Tayloe, I hope you are feeling better by this time. We are getting along fine. I am sticking in some pictures, thought maybe you might want to see them. The one of Tayloe and me isn't very good. It was made so late in the afternoon on the evening we left for Girard. The house is Ms. Jones' home. Guess you can guess who the ones all on the porch are. I hope you have a nice time Thanksgiving.


From William L. Tayloe to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe
March 11, 1923
Girard, KS
Mrs. John R. Tayloe
Owensville, MO
Dear Mother, received your letter Friday afternoon and was glad to hear from you. Hope you are getting over your cold. It is getting spring so probably you will not take cold so much now. We are all right. This is a rainy old day. It began raining last night some time. It was raining before 5 this morning. It is almost 2 p.m. and still raining. It has rained hard part of the time. The street is full of water yet. It has been thundering all day just like spring. Tomorrow I was to go up to Hepler, 3 miles west, for a meeting at 2 p.m., but I imagine I won't go, the road sure will be muddy. Also I am to go Tuesday morning up east of Hepler. I might be able to get up there by Tuesday. About you coming up next Christmas, if you could not get home for a few weeks that would be all right, wouldn't it? If we get off in the summer we could not at Christmas. It would be too expensive. If you don't want to come Xmas then you had better come in the summer. Why can't you folks drive up? What did Kock ever find out about the bed? I must close. Answer. Yours as ever, W.L.T.

From Cleo Tayloe to her Mother-in-law Lizzie Tayloe
March 11, 1923
Girard, KS
Dear Mrs. Tayloe,
We were glad to get your letter. I hope you are feeling well. We are getting along fine. I helped Will in the office four days this last week, guess I will help him some next week. They are getting out a Farm Bureau newspaper. It is sent free to all members of FB. That took quite a bit of work. Guess the first one will be published next week. We live at 214 North Carbon St. I got to read your letter this time before I wrote. I found the violets before I read the letter. They are certainly growing nice. Mrs. Hardin {?} is going to have some tulips soon. I got a letter from Mother yesterday and Grace was at the hospital to have something done on the inside of her nose. It began to bother her when she had the flu. Leota is going to teach for her. It just happened that there is no school at the Normal for a few days. The end of the term so Leota has a few days off. Grace was glad to get her. I found these handkerchiefs at Pittsburgh the other day, so thought I'd put one in for you. We had our ham smoked the other day. You will have to come and help us eat it. Our yard is sure muddy snow. It has rained all day. We enjoy your letters. Yours, Cleo

From Grace to John & Lizzie Tayloe
August 10, 1923
Owensville, MO
Mr. & Mrs. John Tayloe

Everybodys all right. How are you both? Let us know if you are going to the fair. We intend to go. Come out soon. -Grace

From William L. Tayloe to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe
August 11, 1924
Girard, KS
To Mr. & Mrs. John R. Tayloe
Owensville, MO
Well Mama I thought I would write you tonight. It is Monday. We had no mail today. We had awful rain Friday night last and it rained all morning for about one hour just about as hard as we ever seen it. The water was all over the meadows and pastures. I sure looked for the creek to get the corn but it did not get so very high. Mr & Mrs. Rauter came up Sunday evening just as I sat at supper. They stayed about 3/4 of an hour. I fixed the plant myself so Mr. Rauter had nothing to do and he said he was glad that I did, that I would understand it much better and that I told him something that he did not know, so I guess I will soon be an expert. If I get no mail in the morning I will go to Owensville if I can. Well they found Mr. Ideal in the park where he was last seen. He has no knowledge as to where he was or anything about it, was found Friday. I am O.K., hope you are the same. P.S. We got done with hay all but one load. Hello John R. Tayloe.
-Wm & Cleo


From William L. Tayloe to his Mother Lizzie Tayloe
August 13, 1924
Girard, KS
Well Mama I got your card and letter the same time. Glad you made the connection alright. I guess you have got my letter by now. It is pretty cool last night- I had two quilts and was none too hot. John Olten got his arm broken. Did not learn how it was done. George Havella is getting along fine. I went to Owensville yesterday and I had a very singular occurrence. When I got old Henry out of the shed he would not pull itself. I stalled three times before I got up to the gate. I did not know what was wrong, when come to look there was a snake about three feet long. It struck and hit one of the wires right at the spark plug and made short circuit. He was dead at the same. Then I started and the car pulled all O.K. Well you said you wanted a check. Are you getting homesick? I will send one in this letter. I guess $20 will be enough. So I will close. Hope to hear soon.
P.S. Mark Tayloe buried his third wife the other day.

                                                              July 18, 1930

From William L. Tayloe to Mr. John R. Tayloe
November 22, 1931
Columbia, Missouri
Dear Father, received your letter Friday and was glad to hear from you and to know that you are getting along all right. We are O.K. Of course my foot still is not in the best shape yet. It still hurts some. We had a long rain last night and this morning. I think things are getting pretty well soaked up. It has been raining considerable this week. We are invited to the Ragsdale's for Thanksgiving dinner, and so are you. They said if you came out be sure to come for dinner. There is no school Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but most everybody will be on the job. Though a great many of the students will go home for the three or four days. Harvey was over one night this week. He talked like William may have to go back on the road in his old territory. The man who took his place did not make good. We have not seen Ray but about once since September. I must close for this time. Answer soon. I am as ever, W.L.T. 


From Neoma Pfeiffer Rowland to John Tayloe
January 25, 1932
Boise, Idaho
My Dear Uncle, will try to answer your welcome letter. I am ashamed for not answering sooner but I have been awful busy during the holidays and oh so much company. How is everybody out there by now? Chester feels fine but Cleo and I have a cold. We have been awful lucky this winter, this is the first colds we have has since last fall. I am glad to hear that Willie's foot is so much better and hope it is all right by now. Well did you have a nice Christmas? I hope you did. We did have a real nice Christmas this year. I had a nice dinner and had Mother and Dad here for dinner. Then we all and Mother and Dad took New Year dinner with Jim and wife. My she sure had a lovely dinner. Mother had a birthday last Monday the 18th. She was 71 years old. Jim's wife and I cooked a nice supper and we all went down to mothers and put it on the table and ate with them. They both sure seemed to enjoy us coming so much. Saturday a week ago Mother and Dad went down to Sara's so it snowed after they went down there and the cars traveling on the highway made it slick as could be. I didn't think Papa would think of coming home that evening but he did and got within a mile of town and his car skidded and a big truck was going the other way and he run into Dad. Broke the glass out of the door, mashed the door in, mashed the back fender down on the wheel, tore it loose from the running board, broke the floor boards and the seat loose that Papa was setting on. One of the standards from the truck must of hit Papa in the chest because he is so sore inside. He had several scratches on his arm and legs. Mama didn't get hurt at all. Gee I was sure thankful it wasn't any worse. Dad is awful sore and has pains, yet he wouldn't let us call a Dr. to see if he had any ribs broke. No, Effie and Ben couldn't make a go of it, he saw another woman he liked better than Effie so she gave him a divorce and they both married again. Effie married a man from Washington. Phil Martin is his name. They are up in the hills with Will this winter. She called her baby girl Phyllis Loraine, she is sure proud of her girl. Ben didn't do so well in his second choice. He told us all he sees where he made his mistake and if he only had it to do over again. He said he was sure getting paid for all the meanness and heartaches he caused Effie and I guess he is too, for his wife is sure a drunkard and gets in jail and he pays her out and she gets in another jackpot (as he says). She is sure nice looking but that is all. They are in Nevada now. I got a letter from him just before Christmas. Did Willie and Cleo get to come home for Christmas? I hope they did. That is sure too bad about the cemetery fence. That was a good fence when we were there. I think someone helps to tear it down. I read your letter to Mother and Dad and they said sure they would help on it and they both said they were going to write to you and I ask them every time I see them and they know, but we are. Mae gets so mad because she don't get letters from them. How is your renters making it this winter? How is their boy? Well we had quite an excitement just now. My neighbors house just next door was on fire and burning and there were 3 great big fire trucks here and a big crowd of people. It had only got a good start until it was put out, or our home would of been in danger as there is just room enough for a walk between them. I just got a nice letter from Ethel, Chester's sister. They have taken their cripple boy to St. Louis giving him treatments. Chester's mother stays down there with him. My I hope it will do him good. Poor boy was sure pitiful to be so large and couldn't get around. Well I must stop and get my son and hubbie some dinner. Hoping you are well. Love to you. Answer soon. From us all, Mrs. C. Rowland

From William L. Tayloe to his father John Tayloe
July 24, 1932
St. Louis, Missouri
Dear Father, received your letter Saturday and was glad to hear from you and to know that you are getting along all right. We are OK. Cleo has gotten back from Springfield. She went to Girard Kansas while she was there. We have been having real hot weather, for 11 days it was above 94 degrees and from that to 100 degrees. Everything was getting dry. It was three weeks without rain. Friday afternoon and night we had a good rain which helped things out. Haven't seen anybody this week. Adolph Miller has never come around yet. Do you know his address? We might look him up if I know where it is. I must close for this time. Answer soon. I am as ever, W.L. Tayloe
P.S. From Cleo: Hello, I'll write a little later and will tell how I fixed beets. They may be canned by now, just got home.


From August F. Shmidt to John Tayloe
September 14, 1932
Rosebud, Missouri
Mr John Tayloe
Owensville, Missouri
Kind friend, I would rather be with you and have a personal talk as to do this writing as I certainly enjoyed the time I spent with you that afternoon. It reminded me of the times where I sat by the side of my old Grandfather who reached the age of 104 years and speak of a life experience. It does me so much good that seems to be the rotation of life, well so far. Now Mr. Tayloe the memorial work I am representing made a special allowance of a 15% discount on all monuments up till October 4. The regular price with this we furnish a nice footstone free. This allowance is made as its the rush closing season for the monuments work although we sell and erect stones the year through. But its not so pleasant in cold weather. If you saw fit and your condition suitable, I could make you a very favorable price on any monument of the different granites as well as marble. I will be glad to do anything at your wish and will. Just let me know. Trusting you are well. Kindest regards, your friend August F. Shmidt


From William L. Tayloe to his Father John Tayloe
March 2, 1933
St. Louis, Missouri
Mr. John R. Tayloe
Owensville, Missouri
Dear Father, received your letter last Saturday and was glad to hear from you and glad to hear that you are getting along all right. We are O.K. We moved Tuesday morning and have been busy besides, so have not written you this week yet. I guess Roy Tayloe has got moved in by this time. Probably Henry will be moving again soon if his place is being sold. Our new address is 3453 Oakdale Ave. Pine Lawns {?}, St. Louis Missouri. Answer soon. I am as ever W.L. Tayloe


From Neoma Pfeiffer Rowland to Uncle John Tayloe
May 15, 1933
Boise, Idaho
My Dear Uncle, I am sure ashamed of myself for not writing to you sooner but you don't know Uncle John how hard we have had it this winter after the bank closed. I didn't have stamps or envelopes to write to anyone, but I think times are better now or will be better soon. Gee I hope so anyway. We received your last letter of November 10th and also your nice Christmas card. It sure was nice Uncle John and we were so glad you hadn't forgotten us. We didn't forget you but couldn't even get cards to send. How have you been feeling this last winter and spring? I hope you are well. We are all well at present but Cleo did have an awful sick spell about two weeks ago. The Dr. said he would have to have his tonsils and adenoids out just as soon as school is out so I have something to think about. What kind of weather are you having back there? We did have lovely spring weather until about two weeks ago it began to rain and turned cold and has rained nearly every day. Yesterday was the first nice day we had for over two weeks. It was sure nice and warm but today it is cloudy and raining again and is cold too. I guess you are busy with your spring work aren't you? Have you a renter on the farm now? Had he got his crop all in yet? And how is he doing? Has he got his crop all in yet? Papa is back on his place this summer trying to farm it himself. It is sure too bad how him and Mama does work, but he has the crop all in now. They have an old man staying with them working for his board. He sure does a lot of work too. Papa went over to Yakima last Sunday and got his sister, Aunt Rosie, and brought her home with him. They got back yesterday. She sure looks bad. She sure had a lot of worry. Her stepdaughter was trying to send her to the poor farm or the asylum so she could have Aunt Rosie's home. Oh its awful when one gets old and people to do them that way. We sure had a surprise of our lives this winter. Brother Will came down the first of October and of course he came to our place and stayed. Well he was worried over his divorce case and his business till he nearly lost his mind and he drank. Was drunk most of the time. I thought so much of Will. I put up with it all and before when he came down we took him every place we went, so this time we had some very dear friends, they are older people past 50 and they knew our situation and felt sorrow for us and helped us out an awful lot so they would come and get us and take us to see their friends and to their lodge doings and of course we couldn't ask Will to go along, so he got mad and we couldn't pay our rent and we ask Dad if we could move down at their place in the upstairs as they wasn't using it, only one bedroom, so they told us we could. So Will was mad at us and he got real drunk the day we was moving as Chester got another friend of ours to help him move and Will was gone three days just before we moved and no telling what he did, but he took cold and oh boy was he sick. He was in bed three weeks and couldn't talk above a whisper. So he told the folks stuff on us. Talked about these people we were going around with and they are well thought of by everyone. He is an editor of the advertising department of the daily Capital Newspaper and she was Grand Chief at the Pythia Sisters Lodge for three years, well anyway we knew Will was sick and thought he would come out of it but he got worse and these friends of ours filled our car with gasoline and would beg us to come up every night to see them and Will was so cranky and grouchy. We did come up town every other evening. Chester done all the milking and Cleo would go down and ask Mama for some skim milk. Will would tell Mama not to give it to us, we was getting our own groceries what we got. But anyway we was going to get away from there if we had to go in a tent, so one evening Chester went to milk and papa proceeded to tell him what he thought of him and that he could find another roosting place. We moved down there December 19th and moved back up town January 18th on Mama's birthday. Mama sure hated it and cried and cried. I told Mama we didn't defend ourselves at all and let Will talk and run us down all he wanted to and Papa listened to him and turned us out in a time of need. Absolutely down and out, but we still have our friends. If it hadn't been for them I don't know what we would of done. Papa should of come and talked to us and found out before he turned us down. I go down to see them for they are getting old and I love them so much I just couldn't stay away, but Chester won't go down, he said Mama was as welcome as the flowers in May in our house. As long as we have a piece of bread he would divide with Mama, but he don't feel the same toward Dad. Will proceeded to stay down here until the middle of April before he went home. He lets his ranch and stock take care of themselves if the neighbors don't tend to them. Papa got mad at Will before he went home for he took his car and run around and Dad had to walk when he wanted to go. I think Papa is sorrow the way he did us. Well this is Wednesday the 17th and its still showering and cloudy and cold. Mr. and Mrs. Annett took us 30 miles up in the hills Sunday. We had a nice lunch and we sure enjoyed it. Well I must stop, my brother Jim & wife and I are going down to Mama's and stay all day today. Wish you could go with us. So write soon Uncle John and tell me how Willie & wife and Krammes and Uncle Hirams all are. With love from Neoma, Chester & Cleo





From Effie to Uncle John Tayloe
May 22, 1933
Rosebud, Missouri
Dear Uncle John, how are you? We all are fine. Uncle John I had intended to come up before we made that “Big Deal” but time is drawing near and don't think I can. Ted and I will get married Wednesday afternoon the 24th. We will have the supper here Wednesday at 4 o'clock. You are invited for supper and hope you can come. The dance will be at Tea Hall Wednesday night. Will you please tell Krammes about the dance and any one else you think would like to come. Bye Bye, Effie





From A.W. Miller to his Brother-in-law John Tayloe
July 10, 1933
Humansville, Missouri
Dear Bro, I have not heard from you for some time. I sure would like to know if you are all dryed up down there. We sure have been dry her. But we got a good rain the other day, that will help out for a few days but we will have to get more rain soon or we will not make much corn as the early corn is beginning tassel now and the dry hot weather will not be long fixing it. Of course corn is hurt some but with plenty good rain we would make lots of corn. As most corn is late. Oats was good and lots was sowed here. Oats is mostly all threshed now and it is of fair quality. Wheat is making only from 10 to 15 bushel per acre what is threaded but most people have stacked their wheat and will not thresh now. We had 22 acres of nice new timothy meadow, second year. It sure looked nice in the spring but the dry weather cut it so it did not make much over 1/2 ton per acre. We had a little fun the other evening. Alice and I were setting on the porch just getting dusk, our young chickens were making a fuss and we run down and found a black skunk in the hen house and he had 4 chickens killed already and it had not been over 10 or 15 minutes since Alice was down and shut the door. But a few nights before Alice had some in a coop, he killed 6 of them. All he killed weighed about 2 lbs. One of our neighbors has 40 killed and another neighbor 20 killed. He was a she and had kittens. We have killed 2 of her kittens already. We got a letter from Nora. They seem to be getting along fine but it has been very cool out there. She said that there will be a poor crop of oranges and hardly any apricots as the cold spring killed most of the apricots and oranges. Grandpa Souders went to Idaho 18 of June. He wrote crops were late out there and it was very cool. May Aker, his niece, went with him. He is too old to make the trip by himself, he is 88 years old. We were up to see Mildred 400 or 450 north of the Missouri River at Hamilton, Missouri about 5 or 6 weeks ago. Their crop looked good there. Clara wrote us. It was awful dry around Owensville, but I guess they had rain before now. We have had a few roasting ears of sweet corn. Potatoes are about 1/2 crop. Apples & pears look good yet. Have lots of plums. Your Bro A.W. Miller


From Neoma Pfeiffer Rowland to her Uncle John Tayloe
August 1, 1933
Boise, Idaho
My Dear Uncle, was so glad to hear from you and know you were well. We are all well out here in spite of the warm weather we are having. Well Uncle John I am very sorrow that you thought I exaggerated our circumstances out here. All I can say is I'm sorrow and wish it hadn't been so hard for us last winter and this spring. But I am very happy to say Chester has a job now but don't make very much. He is working at the service station work again. He could of got on at a grocery store the same day he got this job, but there was more money in the station job. He has only worked a week and that $15 didn't go no where, but any way it sure seemed nice to get it after being without money for a year now. We are not living in our house because they turned the lights and water off for us, but thank God we have some real friends that we are staying with. Have been here since the last of May. But I think we can go home next week. And poor Mother, if you could see how she works and what all she has to do, you wouldn't feel so bad toward her. She does care for you Uncle John for she loves to hear from you when I get your letters. Papa went over to Yakima Washington the first of May and got Aunt Rosie and she is a cripple, has one leg off and she had to be waited on like a little child. With all of Mama's other work and she thinks the world of Dad. When Dad comes in from the fields he grunts with his back and feet hurting him and makes no difference what Mama is doing, Aunt Rosie will say “Now Sis you go get some warm water and put some salts in it and let Brother Ben soak his feet, then you rub them with linament. That will help them”. And Dad will slip off to bed if he can, then Aunt Rosie will keep at Mama until she takes the water upstairs to him and long after Aunt Rosie and Dad are in bed, Mama feeds rabbits, gathers eggs, washes dishes and milks things until 10 or 11 o'clock, then she is so tired she is glad to get in bed and next morning she is the first one up. My its awful the way they both do work and Mama has a lot of peas and cherries canned up. Papa wanted me to go and help him hoe corn, but our friends say I am crazy if I do go...the way he did us last winter just to please Will. I do feel sorrow for him. I still do their washing and ironing and also Aunt Rosie's. None of the rest will help them at all. Well how is the crops out there? Everything is fine here. Lots of water to irrigate with. The potatoes especially are good. Have you got your farm and house in town rented? I hope you have a good renter. So poor Aunt Mary is left alone to do her work. I hadn't heard about Effie being married until you wrote it. How is Aunt Mary and all the rest? I don't hear from any of them anymore. Or Krammes either. Is Esther and Elma still at home? How is Aunt Caroline by now? Did she go to St. Louis and could they help her any? I hope so. How is Willie and Cleo? And where do they live? You said Effie was the best looking one of our family, I wish you could see her cute little girl. She is sure darling. She had light curly hair and she will be 2 years this October and she is sure a smart little thing. Her husband just got a job about two weeks ago. He didn't have work all winter. Also brother Jim, he hasn't worked for 16 months and he got a job- so you see we are all happy again. How is work back there? Is it picking up any at all? And what do you think of our new president? Don't you think he is doing wonders? I sure do. He will straighten things out again if someone don't murder him, but he sure has done his part already. Is the shoe factory running there in Owensville? Well there don't seem to be anything to write about and I guess you are tired of this anyway. So I will stop. Hoping this finds you well and happy. Answer soon. With love to you, from us all, Mrs. J.C. Rowland


From Cleo to her Father-in-law John Tayloe
August 4, 1933
St. Louis, Missouri
Dear Mr. Tayloe, we are thinking of driving out there Sunday morn. I won't say positively that we will come. Mother is here and then we would take her to Cuba Sunday afternoon to go to Springfield. Then we would drive back to St. Louis Sunday eve. Don't suppose Will would be off early Sat eve. He's busy canning now. Just thought I'd drop you a line. Don't be disappointed If we don't come or don't be surprised if we do. We will come early if we come. Got your letter today. I'm afraid you won't make much on your hogs. Your truly, Cleo


From Will Tayloe to his father John Tayloe
February 21, 1937
Kirksville, Missouri
Dear Father, received your letter Friday and was glad to hear from you and to know that you are getting over your fall all right. Cleo had been having a bad sore throat. It is better now, but she is weak. She went to the doctor four times with it. I don't think she will have to go back. Last night we had a snow and a hard wind. The snow is drifted, but was not enough of it to make it bad. It did not get so very cold. North in Iowa it was worse. Up there the roads were all blacked early in the night. We had a week of good weather, but the ground did not get thawed out, it was frozen about 18 inches deep during the cold spell. The Rices (the Ferris girl) left for Joplin this morning. They are moving down there. I must close for this time. Answer soon, I am as ever, W.L. Tayloe

February 12, 1941

 

September 19, 1957