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.
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
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
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
{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
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
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
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 BrothersBack row: Hiram Tayloe, Nancy Ann, Emily Jane, and William (Bud) Tayloe
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
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 9th, 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
Toledo, Washington
December 9th, 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
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
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
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 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
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.
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
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
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
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)
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?}
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.
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.
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 4th 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 9th
of August or at least that is when I get off. The graduation
exercises come on the 10th 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 1st
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
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
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
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 31st?
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
5th,
but I had already accepted the Arkansas position July 1st
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 6th
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 11th
{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 20th.
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
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
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 6th
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 1st
and 3rd
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 8th
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 4th.
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 27th .
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
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 16th and one on the 17th 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 6th 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 29th 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 1st 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 3rd 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 4th 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 20th 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
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 15th 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 8th
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 6th 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 2nd of February,
Jerald, three the 13th of October, and the baby Evelyn
Doris, 1 year the 1st of August. Madie will be 23 the 13th
of May. I'll be 21 September 18th and Fred will be 19
October 13th. 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
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 13th. 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 21st 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 21st
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 4th 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 8th.
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 1st 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 31st, 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 29th 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 4th,
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 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 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.
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
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
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
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
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| 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.
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.
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.
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
Niki - thank you so much for all of this amazing work, this is just so awesome. These letters, their stories,,, the photos and the postcards... all just wonderful. Makes you feel a bit more closer to them, somewhat able to touch how they lived and felt, their experiences. Yet, leaves you wanting more :) LOL, whatever happened to that Annie, did she ever go to South America? ;) I would imagine that these letters must be to them be simple correspondence of their normal everyday life, however to us all these years later, these letters provide some glimpse into their lives that show another world. Again, thank you (and all who assisted in this vast undertaking) so much! Sincerely, Rob Tayloe (son of Robert E. Tayloe I, of the George Oscar Tayloe & Florence Graves union)
ReplyDeleteDear Rob,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words! I am happy that you enjoyed the letters.
Yes, it is amazing how reading them makes you feel a connection to everyone who wrote them.
Annie is still the biggest mystery of all. She apparently never came back, and her siblings had to declare her dead to split up her inheritance. I found newspaper articles where public notices were given that she was being declared dead because no one had heard from her in seven years. Also, a cousin sent me a copy of a letter from John Tayloe to Sarah Pfeiffer saying her share of Annie's inheritance was enclosed.
I'm still holding out hope that someday we will find out where she went and how she lived the remainder of her life.
Thanks again.
-Niki
Thank you for sharing all of these letters and photos, Niki! I have loved reading them! I agree with Rob, reading these letters gives me a sense of knowing them, which is a wonderful gift. Andrew W. Miller and Alice Elizabeth Souders-Miller are my great great grandparents. Thanks again! Sincerely, Lauren Miller-Wade
ReplyDelete