Minnie Reeder to Mable Matheson Wineland - March 11, 1962

Sunday 11th

Dear Mable

Guess I better write a few lines I don’t know if I answered your last letter or not. I diddent mark it if I did. I received the package you sent. Yesterday. Thanks a million for the shoes they are lovely. I got them on OK. So think I can wear them OK> they are pretty, it’s sure snowing out now, real hard it snows hard a while then clears & the sun will shine & the sky looks real blue reguar March weather, the hankies are real nice. As usal. Did you want the threads you sent put o these hankies? Juniour eat supper here Friday as He went to work at 1.45 PM & it was the twins Birthday, so Della & the Boys came in to. Soon as school was out. So He could eat with the family on the Boys Birthday next Sunday will be Stephens Birthday. The twins, & Janice stayed all night then went home with Him last night as He went home, it was His afternoon to go to Pendleton then, He had to work at midnight last night to I am glad Archie had a Pysical to & that He is doing so well. Forgetting seems to be general any more. Wheather you are young or old. I don’t think Jay does to much forgetting, Hes just plain onry at times till I could scalp Him. But He just plain ignors what I say like He diddent hear, but He hears more than He lets on I know, & I am iom gaining lbs again. Which I don’t want to do. I don’t know if taking that medicine or not. Dorthy don’t think so as He told me it was to build up the blood & got more blood to the heart ill ask Him when I go back the 19^th the Dr I did have, & was Morthers Dr. He had returned on account of poor health kidney infection, died Friday. Dorthy & I went to his funeral Saturday. My it was a large funeral. The larest I I ever seen. The Dr must of all been there men from the collage, teachers & of oh so many. We had to stand up not much room left to stand in. the frount was full of flowers & flowers all around the room above the windows when we went to the cemetery they had 2 pickup trucks loads of flowers, they were sure lovely. Archie is always painting some where. Isn’t he? I wish I could but so far I haven’t had the money to buy the paint. Jays insurance this mounth, we kneed a new toilet to, Dorthy had the flu She was so sick, was in bed to or 3 days. She wouldn’t let me do much. As Robert was home that week. Yes I love the pillow cases to work the tatting on, iom sure glad you liked the pillow cases, no you never mentioned the picture Shirley ent. I know it must be pretty our peonies were coming up. Don’t know what the cold will do to them, guess I have written all I know. So will close I must get lunch to , that’s all it will be this evening we burned up 3 loads of wood & we had to get some coal Saturday, we had put in a stove in the front room, wont do that again I don’t think, by now love Mother thanks again for the shoes me walking around in red shoes I had a paid pin once before I liked them.

 Monday morning its some cloudy today, but warm I had a big tub of clothes & the wind is blowing enough to dry the clothes, it was sure good to talk to you seamed so nice & thanks again for the shoes they are lovely. Tell Elsie & Jim I send our best regards & thank Her mother for me. I talked to Mrs. MOrgain this morning. She has 4 hankies done, will have 2 more She thought by the end so next week. I thought if she had some out there. She could be working on them & she had a chance, as some times she is real buisy & she dosen’t feel to well since she had th flue twice this winter I must finish lunch now. By by mother. 

Minnie Reeder to Mable Matheson Wineland - post marked Jun 19 1967

Monday

Dear Mable,

How are you by your last letter, I thought you weren’t feeling very well. I haven’t felt to well eother lately we went yesterday to get the polo shots they talked about. But they weren’t shots lather quite a number got them. Mrs. Morgain brought 3 more of your hankies in 2 pink & one blue & 2 white ones for Elsie. None of these are paid for, she has 4 yet for you, & I believe 4 for Elsie yet, to make. Dorthy is out of town this week. So ill get them ready for Her to mail when she gets back. Probably not get them ailed till next week. But I’m not sure. We are having Sunschine now & we would water the lawn if I can find the sprinklers I have some new shrubs out Della gave. I don’t know yet if they will live or not. They were so dry when she gave them to me. Boy this paper sure has a smell. Mrs Daniels brung it to me when she came home I got 2 more Birthday gifts yesterday. 2 hot pads & 2 small towl. did I tell you. Maurice & Francis sent me $10.00 awful sweet of them, Della is feeling better now goes to to Dr twice a week for shots yet they have some garden out we haven’t been out for some time. I don’t want to make Her any more work. I told Jr. to bring in one of the twins each week, to keep the lawn mowed, & help some in the yard. I hope He does. I must close write soon love always Mother

Ada is in a nursing home in Hermistor.

(NOTE: GREAT GRANDMOTHER MINNIE TRUE MATHESON REEDER’S WRITING IS ONE SENTENCE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER. SHE HAD NO STOPPING AND STARTING POINTS AT TIMES. SINCE SHE WROTE THIS IN HER 80’S IT’S UNDERSTANDABLE. I MADE NO CHANGES FROM WHAT SHE WROTE.)

Wilda Matheson Simpson - July 21, 1967

Plainville, Kansas

July 21, 1967

Dearest Mable,

I enjoyed so much having you here those few days. We had such a nice visit. I had been thinking about you & wondering if you had gotten home yet.

A lot has happened since you left We’re still getting some rain. It was terribly hot & humid on July 8, 9, 10. Then it cooled off again.

Ray & Lyle practiced for the pageant the night after you left. The performances all went off jyst perfect & such big crowds & people really liked it. Tuesday, July 4, it rained all day so they didn’t have it that night. Debra & I went to it Wednesday & it was beautiful. That was the last night Ray was in it. His leg gave out on him & he finally had to go to the hospital on Sat the 8^th. He came home the 19^th but may have to go back again. He feels pretty good in the day time but suffers so at night. I slept about 3 hours last night. It is the sciatic nerve.

Centennial week went off real well. We went to town about every day to see the parades, etc. Ray & Lyle won the beard  contest – Ray (wooliest) & Lyle (longest). They will get a plaque with their picture on it. Ray shaved Wednesday in the hospital. Lyle still has his beard. I don’t know when Ray will be able to go back to work.

Jim went to Illinois this week to take 10 weeks of shooli. He will then go back to Colorado Springs for a month & a half & then they will be stationed in Maine. That is so far away but much better than overseas – so I won’t grumble too much.

Dana are getting settled in their new home & his new job in Virginia. We haven’t heard from Bills lately.

We got a letter from Bob the other day. He said Lowell Wayne Dawe had been to see him in Vietnam. He is just 4 miles from Bob. Zepha had asked me for Bob’s address.

We were in Natoma today & Aunt Jean said Uncle Art is depressed & hasn’t a good appetite. We didn’t get to see him. He was uptown.

Lyle is still here with us until Ray gets to feeling better. His puppies are really growing.

I haven’t heard a word from Bonnie since the night we called her. I hope she is OK.

Yes, we heard about all the big hail storms. We were lucky. We just got some small hail early & no more.

I expect you’re about ready to be going to Shirleys. Please tell her & her family hello for us. I’d like to see all of them sometimes. I bet your dog was happy to see you. Ginger was so tickled when Ray ame home from the hospital.

Just 5 more weeks until school starts. That time will go pretty fast. I don’t know if we’re going to get to go to Denver & Colo Springs in August or not.

I must stop for now. Hope you have a nice time in Alaska. Write when you can,

Love,

Wilda

PS Lyle said that Glenn Kaster said that both he & Uncle Carl are in the picture of the Central Kansas Power Co. men working on K18 west of Natoma on the inside cover of the “Indiana to Industry” book you bought in Hays. 

March 25, 1960 - Saratoga, CA - Forest Matheson

Saratoga, Calif.

March 25, 1960

Dear Mable & Archie:

This is probably quite a shock to you but sometimes that is the way it has to be. Segrid never had a thing to offer me by the time I had sold out.

Feb 9^th. We waited some time but still they didn’t “ante.”

Loenne’s brother “in Hermeston” came down on a Friday nite to see us and brought us a letter From “Kenneth & Oma,” Leonnes borther that had been living in Las Angeles saying they had moved to Livermore, Calif to go to work for “University of California” at their atomic Laboratory there. He was working as an “experimental Machinist” in research.

We were painting the upstairs next day and Leonne said, “Lets go to Calif.” We left on Sunday about 5 pm and came down here for 2 weeks (had to be back on March 6 on account of Dallas”) lecture liked it here and prospects looked good.

I could have gone to work for some place but they had a “no relative” rule. But I decided since there was so much work here for “Machinist,” especially Journey man Machinist that we went back home March 5 and sold most of equipment, horses, etc. paid what bills we could. Painted house outside and we were back down here a week ago today (Friday). All we had was 300.00 and a lot of self confidence in how we left home.

I loaded all my mechanic & machinist took in “Dodge” and towed it behind Dallas’ Ford. Brought dishes, & bedding was about all besides our clothes.

Fried 3 days to Fend what I wanted and then run across a newspaper and for Journeyman Machinist at “Varion” which is one of the Largest electronic corp. in this area. I went for an appointment yesterday talked to “Top Man” about 2 hours. I told him he would have to hire me on what he could see in me without references. “He did”

Went back today for my physical. I am in above average condition; no problem anywhere.

I report for work Monday at 3 pm to go to work on swing shift. I will be in “Science & Research” as an experimental machinest $2.89 per hr plus 10% for night shipt. They have been working 6 days a week but will take a 2 week breather starting April 9. Then if work is still as heavy they will go back on 6 days a week for about another 3 mo.

Now what I need is information I want all birth dates & places of all our family including Shirley & Myron (everything you have) and send this application on to wherever it goes so I can get a birth certificate.

I must close as I have several more to write.

Love, Jim

PO Box 488

Saratago Calif

I will be working in Palo Alto

Post Mark dated Aug 31, 1960 - Forrest Matheson

Home Tuesday am

Dear Archie & Mable

Here it is another day. Nothing to do, but do nothing until tonite, then I can rest all night again. Some life, huh! Was to see my Dr. yesterday and was pretty discouraging. He told me I was a long, long way from being over this. He said it would be a long time before I could even start to get any exercise. This is sure hard to swallow.  It could be worse though. I could be on hospital. The other Dr there told me I should have been confined to bed all this time. I talked real fast to get out of that one.

I’m wandering about Uncle Jim Matheson, is he still alive? Do you have his address, and do you have any pictures of him. I am going to try to write a story about him and his rattle snake killing. Also maybe do one about Him & Archie & I hunting coyote pups.

Archie, write me a letter and tell me all you remember about where we hunted, also about the names of the pastures etc. What pasture was it in that you got into rattle snake Den & left your shovel. Jim went back and killed 6 or 8 & almost walked out & touched the one up in the crack in rocks, only you stopped him twice.

Do you have any pictures that I could have to refresh my memory.

I wish I had a lot of money, we would fly back there sometimes & get another look at all of the country, plus take a few pictures.

I would like to try to write a short story on the time you, Hanh Barth, & I went over south of Bartts to some big pasture & ahead that 35# coom Do you remember that. I can remember all the details but what pasture it was in.

How about the time we went coon hunting at Fairpont & got 2 coons out of one tree. Bill finally climbed up & shot them with pistol. Pulled them out of hollow limb.

Then the time the dogs got the coon in the river at Packers & climbed onto Queeni head & what a time we had killing it.

How about the time we went down to Nick Daws cornfield when they were ruining his corn. We waited until we could hear them breaking the ears down, then turned dogs loose & ran out into middle of field. One of them hit Nick on leg, run right up his leg. (wow)

Then there was the night you & I were on ouch(?) by Daws & we heard the coon scream (scribble – my hair). Could almost get goose pimples yet about hearing that one.

Remember the night we caught 4 or 6 possums in the add dead cow carcase. (we never ate anymre possium). That was the night you dropped your flashlight in river.

How about old “Slew fort” the big coon we always chased, up in parlor comfull (where the sand plimp were), but we never did catch him.

Think of all the catfish we used to catch over on the old Saline River. In between swatting flies we caught some pretty good channel cats. Took them home & put them in water tank & kept them quite a while.

I don’t suppose I will ever forget the fall we caught all the skinks & put them in Hogan’s barn left. Then when we had the skinning party & skinned all of them. Dean & I was out one night in Pats pasture just N. East of barn when I looked up & saw a skunk against skyline on top of hill. Dean & I run up & caught it & put it in sack. Old Queen sure looked silly when she came bawly upp on its trail & we had it already in sack. The next one I picked up got me “right in the eye.” Man that sure was potent.

Do you remember the time old “Gunboat” balked when we tried to make him pull the model T, after you weckauld it, and you poured hylips over his tail & I rode him all over pasture with the harness on and every time he slowed down I paused a little more on. I don’t recall he ever balked again.

Another thing I will never forget was the time we were cleaning out the feedway in barn & mouse ran up my overall leg. Man I sure (?) & was dance for a while. He didn’t bite me but every time he crossed over from one leg to the other one it “tickled,” we didn’t wear shorts in those days, you know.

Then I recall another time we picked turkey at Phijen & stuffed them full of bolts & nuts, got rid of a whole box of them.

I guess I could ramble on & on for days about those things, seems like just yesterday. Archie you know we used to spend a lot of time together in those days. I could set & visit with you now by the hour about old times & all the things we used to enjoy together (you were my dad), but when you cont hear so good I know it takes the joy out of it. But we could write and then it wouldn’t matter whether you heard or not. We could enjoy many hours of happy memories together this way.

Nothing would give Leorne & I greater pleasure than to take a trip back to Kansas some time with you two. You have kept in touch with things there while I haven’t. I really never cared too much about going back, before, but now I would like to see the old places once more.

If I could lean to write I would like to see a few places & do a few things yet. I believe I could lean to write. I have a very good memory of places & things, since I have been older.

Well I will close, but please answer soon. It sure is lonesome. I don’t see why I wasn’t rich then I could visit all of you while I can’t work.

Dr. says I couldn’t give it to anyone unless they drank after me or eat of by me, or close contact. Cant kiss anybody goodbye, that’s terrible.

Love,

Forrest & Family 

Bible Information

Today I went looking back on the bible I have that was my great Aunt Margie's. She gave it to my great grandmother and 2nd husband, Jay Reeder. I hadn't noticed all the pages in the back of the bible. It has a lot of information in it, including my birth.

This is of the Mason True family.

I took a photo of the family that is still living, so I can't show those. I have a couple other pages of other family history that I will try and post later.

Jan 19, 1962 - Jim (Forest) Matheson

Postmark: Jan 19, 1962

19191 Dagmar Dr

Saratoga Calif

Dear Mable & Archie,

Now don’t faint but at long last I will answer your letter. I don’t know how long it has been since I have written you, but it really doesn’t matter I guess. I have been so upset and everything for so long It seems almost like a nightmare.

The worst of it is, I am still in the middle of it. I was laid off on Dec 18 and put on disability because I seemingly can’t work with any metals and oils. At least that is what the allergy tests show so far. I have had Dermatitas for over a year now and it seems t get no better. I have been off work for a month now and am still broken out and still itch from it. It takes about 3 mo to get over it after I really break out with it.

My Dr. doesn’t want me to work with metals and or oil, or a combination of metals & oils, also no paints, solvents, and related materials.

I appealed to the Stat for help in trying to locate some kind of work. They are investigating the feasibility of rehabilitating me in another field. What it will be yet I don’t know. I have another appointment with them Friday (To-morrow). Perhaps I will know more about it by then.

I am supposed t draw $65.00 a week disability starting 26 of Dec but so far I have received nothing at all, and cant seem to find out what is holding it up.

Dallas & Don are keeping us in grocieries, etc. Don is working after school. D is still working at varian. He still isn’t making much, but is learning the trade slow but surely. He has to go for his army physical. The 26 of this mo. So don’t know how long he will be with us. Hard to tell yet.

Archie, how I your good health by now? You know that I miss your annual letter. I haven’t had one for some time (3 years, I believe). I hope you ae not too busy but what you might drop me a line. I would certainly appreciate it. I get pretty lonesome, and kinda hellish down inside. You know that for years – I lived where I could go & come as I please when it came to visiting friends & relatives.  But it is quite a little different down here. There are lots of people here in this area, but when you have to sit home week in & week out it gets pretty monotonous.

My back nerves are bothering me real bad again, down in the smallof my back. It is getting so I cant sleep or do much of anything. I simply must come up with an answer of some kind. I just am not cut out to lay around the house.

If it will warm up a little I can work in the yard. But the last few day has been pretty cold, so haven’t done much but lay around.

I sure was sorry to hear about Uncle Jim. I so wanted to go back and see him and the rest of the people but seems like I just couldn’t make it in time. I will always think of the many days you & I & Uncle Jim spent hunting to-gether.

You know Archie, we are not as young as we used to be anymore. Just stop and think of the ones that have gone on already. Who knows how long it will be before our time will come. I catch myself wandering what my answer will be when I have to stand before the Great white thrown and give accounts of my deeds. I could have done so much more with my life if I had really tried.

I see so many, many, people here that come and ask about what I believe and ask for help that it touches me very deeply to think I wasted so many years. Of my life when perhaps I could have been a minister or Evangelist and helped thoe that really wanted help.

I have talked with big he men at work that would came to me and talk with tears streaming down their checks, wanting help. I have had opportunity to talk to many men & women at work that really wanted to live a good Christian life and wanted help & advice. It touches my heat to see grown men & women cry when I talk with them, to have them tell me that once they had the peace & Joy & God in their hearts but it has slepped away from them. I tell them never to be ashamed of a tear or a smile.

I had one of the ladies in the insurance office weep & talk for 25 minutes one day. I told her I had learned not to question the way God worked in my life, nor what before me. It was my duty to try and see if I could learn a lesson from my troubles so that I in turn might help others. She cried and said she once had the Peace & God in her heart but had lost it somewhere along the way.

I shall never forget the day I knelt before God and tol him to take my heart, my life, my family, my finances, all that I had and use it as he saw fit. All I asked in return was that He go with me & keep me saved and filled with His Joy & Peace.

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, bt this much I do know. I have committed my way unto God and will endeavor to walk in His way. I know that this is the only way I can be sure about tomorrow

I try to look around me when I would be discouraged & blue, and I can always see some one that is worse off then I am. I find that in helping others I can forget my own troubles and at the same time spread a little happeness & cheer among others.

Now this is not a sermon to you. I am merely trying to write what I feel down in my heart.

The past must remain a closed book If I am to succeed. I want you both to know that I love you very much, and that I know that you have done much for me. Please forgive me for past mistakes, and do write.

Love, Jim & family

NOTE: I have had a hard time reading these letters from Forest. He borrowed money from Archie and Mable that was listed in the BANKRUPTCY they filed in 1960's. It was money my grandparents couldn't afford to give away. Over the years, my grandmother gave him money - when she herself couldn't afford to give him money. I have found several thousands of dollars went to Forest that was NEVER paid back. I remember a day when grandmother had $50 left in her checkbook to last for the month, and she wrote a $25 check to Forest, and another $10 to her mother. She loved her brother. Then one day after her mother's funeral, she had a fight with Forest and he left with a lot of gr-grandmothers stuff. Mable came over and said, "Forest is not welcome here, and will never return." That actually became true. He didn't even show up for her funeral. 

Aug 1960 - Jim (Forest) Matheson

Home – wed.

Dear Mable & Archie,

Thought you might like to hear from us. So will ablige.

I wrote mother & Jay last Sat. but didn’t know if they were home yet or at your place. But in case you get this before you see them or they get my letter (or something) I have wound up on sick list again.

Dr. tells me I have Hepatitas, a virus liver ailment. I was very sick when I came home a Tues. night (week ago), but thought I only had int. Flu. I had been very sick at my stomach for some time, possibly 2 or 3 weeks and seemed to get a little worse each day. Finally on Tuesday nite I got so sick I wasn’t sure I was even going to make it home. However, I managed to stick it out till shift was over.

I just barely made it in house and got my shoes yanked off and made a mad dash for 1^st bathroom I could get to and really heored.  Along with it I made about 10 trips to bathroom, sometimes I would just get back to bed and wouldn’t even get laid down and would have to dash back to “pot” again.

Then after that let up by next night I had horrible gas pains in pit of my stomach. I had been trying to eat what I thought” was real cagey, just beef broth, hot chocolate, toasted chees sand. Good old milk to drink, crackers & soup, etc. But gas got so bad I laid in floor & managed my stomach trying to get gas started moving. I stood on my head, (well wished I could), but I did lay on dor en pant and hung head in floor, both on my back & stomach, until I finally got it rolling then I went to bed.

But on Friday Morn, I just decided there must be something else wrong so went to a Dr. He took one look at me and said what is the matter with you. I said “supposed to be Flu, but must be something else, as I am so sikat my stomach all time.” He asked 3 or 4 questions and then asked me if I had looked at myself lately. I thought he was “touched.” I said no, So he told me to look at my skin, at the color. Then he told me he was positive I had Hepetitas. Kind shook me up a little. I was afraid I was getting Elophantitia mixed up with Hepatitas. (Confounded Brie a Brach) (A Funny looking faces was drawn here) cant even spell, let alone write. I guess I haven’t last all my sense of humor.

Sosaid he would take a blood test and send right in to find out before he could do anything, as there were about 4 different kinds.

By then I had swallowed a few times and got the old ticker back down where it belonged (bout more than half scared me). So I asked him what that meant in my language. He told me it was a virus infection. (dirty cotton picken “bugs”).  Just imagine a handful of dirty old “bugs” crawlin’ round on “my” liver, let ‘em tickle their own “gizzards.” If this seems sorta “silly” don’t scold me cause I am just tryin to keep from cryin’.  (Time out didn’t make it)

Well, back again, well continue if I can figure out where I was. Oh! Yes! I was getting “bug tickles” on my liver (arf).

Anyway Dr said it was virus inf. And we would have to await the lab report. We got report back Sat. morning and he called meat home and told me it was positive, but that there wasn’t a thing we could do for it with medicine or durgs. Onlly with proper diet and rest. Told me what not to eat, which was what I had been eating & lot of no whole milk, eggs, butter, cream, ice cream, no Fried foods, salad dressing etc. but eat lots of potatoes, lean meats, bread, angel cake, hard candy, jams & jellies lots of sugars & starches, and all the calories I can cram down.

I was to do no work for 60 days. Only read & watch TV sleep this every PM was not even to piddle around in yard. That kinda shook me up again. I sure didn’t need that, in my way of thinking.

Well I mulled that over the rest of the day & night wondering what it would be like not to go “anywhere.” As I was not to go out in “crowds,” shopping, church, etc. But as I thought back over th last year I remembered that last fall I had given myself and all that I had over to the Lord to use as He saw fit. All I had asked in return was that He Bless me in my heart & soul so that I knew I was in his will and walking down the right path. I knew that there the past years I had made many mistakes and no doubt I will make many more yet, but Mable & Archie I want you to know this all those years that I didn’t go to church it wasn’t because I didn’t want to go.

I was miserable down inside all those year, but Leorne refused to go to church (doesn’t matter why – to you – that is).

When we were married I as determined to make a home that would weather the years and this is why I did many things that I otherwise would not have. I made a vow before Man & God to Love, honor, & cherish. This I meant to do. I walked this way until I saw what it was doing for my boys. Then I realize I must make a choice. This I did and I find no reason to live otherwise now.

I have a peace down in my heart that words cannot express. I have felt the Glory of God rol in my soul and found that it has done something for me that no other power could ever do.

Now this has come to my mind to tell you at this time, so I will, as I have no lease on life as to time and I surely want you to know this and fee I better not wait Longer.

For years I harbored hard feeling down deep in my heart against both of you. Things that happened years ago. Things I told myself I must forget, but couldn’t. I fought with myself for years over this but could never feel any different. Finally I asked God to take these things out of my heart & mind as I didn’t see how I could serve God and feel this way. He was very good and did and put in its place a very deep love & concern for both of you and especially for Archie. That was some time ago (year 2 or 3) but I never felt like I could find the right time & place for to say what I felt. But I must get those things out of the way now.

When I was so sick 10 years ago the only thing that kept me alive was my faith in God that he would let me live to see my boys grown up and taken care of and I knew Leonne couldn’t do it by herself. So I believed God that he would let me take care of the things that they needed.

These things have been taken care of as far as security is concerned. I have$11,000 insurance with Aetna, thru Varian and I was so much better & didn’t take a blood test then. Said wait till Sat. Said I could go for rides in car if I didn’t ride, as long as I get my rest & wasn’t tired.

So, now I wish I had a good car so I could so some of the places I would like to see. But I expect all of these things will work out too. God said he would supply our “needs, “not our “wants.”

I would like to write Margie or call her but have lost both her address & telephon number. Do you have theirs. If you do please send them to me.

Oh yes, I guess I will draw $65.00 a week disability in a week or 2 and am working trying to get Dallas a machinist apprenticeship thru State of Calf. And there are plenty of schooling possibilities here so I feel that I have the answer on that angle.

Well Leonne & Dan just got up from “napping” and telephone rang so lost my train of thought, so will drop it right there.  My said on that.

My Pastor came up Sunday PM & prayed for me and I felt a nice cool, clean, real pleasant feeling in my right side. I knew I had had a touch from God.

Went back to Dr. yesterday and he was very much surprised to see the improvement said my liver had been about 2” oversize and had gone down to about ½ “ oversize.

Mother was wanting Gene’s address.

2119 E Evergreen

Vancouver WA

Would you call Maurice and talk to him then I wont have to write so much. And tell mother to call Harold and tell him. Would appreciate it if you would send Margie’s add & Tel # by return mail.

Hope this don’t make you love me any less

Love,

Jim & family

Tell mom to write Gene for dates she wanted.

NOTE: spelling mistakes are in the letter. Some things I was no sure what he was writing so did the best I could. 

Ray Simpson - April 22 1984

April 22, 1985

Dear Mable,

Got your letter to day & will fill you in on Wilda’s condition she candress herself but can’t get into the bath tub.

She cooks her own breakfast but she can’t remember where things are at &I have to show her.

She walks 6 to 10 blocks each day weather permitting is able to make own bed.

I have to cook noon & evening meal she can’t give her self her insulin shots I have to also she has to take other pills but doesn’t know how many & when to take them.

She carrys on a simple conversation pretty good but some times it takes 10 to 20 minutes to tell what she wants.

She knows but can’t get the right wards to come out she calls each of the boys bob she can write only a few words & some sentences make sense & some don’t

She can not read only a few words & if she reads aloud she makes mistakes

I have to weigh & measure all her food

When company comes if they stay an hour she gets awfuly tired

I do all the washing & cleaning she will not be able to go to the Matheson reunion

We have a RN comes twice a month & a speech therapist each week.

She said she would love to see you but is not able to have company

I am 75 & ot very good shape don’t know how long I will last or how long the money will last so far it has cost $50,000 & is still osting.

She was in the hospital 62 days & onconcious 6 days & didn’t know very much for 3 months

It affected her eye sight & they can’t do anything until she is able to read the yey chart

The doctors had to cut a hole in her head just above & behind her left ear as large as a coffee cup & remove a large blood clot it caused some brain damage she may never make a complete recovery.

She has been to Natoma also to the bank & 3 or 4 times to the Grocery store  but doesnot know anything about buying grocerys

She has good use of hands & legs

Has trouble with blader infection every 2 or 3 months blood pressure is normall blood sugar up a little taken 30 units of v100 pills a day to prevent convulsions

I had two skin cancers removed from back of my left hand last week. Get one on my right hand to remove in a few weeks when the left one heals

Well I guess I better close as ever

Ray & Wilda

Wild said tell you maby next year you could come & stay a few weeks

Hope you can read my writing

Dec '84 - Dan & Nora

(Grandmother’s handwriting – Dec ’84)

DEAR Mable,

Mom sure enjoyed hearing from you. She really looks forward to the mail each day and has quie a stack of cards and letters to answer.

Mom is getting along pretty good down here but she misses Dad & her own home. She is getting a lot stronger now & when the weather permits we try to walk a mile or two every day. She enjoys her therapy and likes to practice at home. Her eyes still bother her a lot but the doctor thinks ta bigger glasses might help so we going to try that. Her speech is getting better but it is a long slow process.

I have told both her and Dad that when mom is able to go back home they will probably have to hire someone to live there with them to help cook and clean. Dad doesn’t like that but sometimes you have accept things that you can’t change. I told him that at least they would get to be together and in their own home.

Better stop now & get this mailed.

Love,

Dan & Nora

A B Cochrun
Russell, KS 67665

Dec 17th - Unknown Year - Unknown Author

Irvin Wineland - unknown date - last page of letter.

If they should happen to write you asking for my address – just say the last you heard from me that I was in Chicago or Boston. Thanks for writing on a separate sheet Archie as Pear always wants to read your letter – and don’t forget any special thing you want to write to me personally about do the same as you did.

I know that if I don’t get something by March that I’ll probably be up there to find something – I’d like to lease some good prospect to mine as good a price as gold is one could make a few dollars a day and possibly could clean up a nice sum as one is apt to hit some streaks of good pay dirt.

You wrote about drilling for oil – say it costs 50 to a hundred thousand to put up a good oil well – it’s very expensive the bits are diamond bitted and the tools all are expensive. No, I’d rather Trap in winter and mine in the summer or something.

Then one should get locate tere in late summer or early fall to get the most out of trapping you think?

Now don’t wait so long in answering

Love to all, Your Brother Irvin and all. 

I TRUST YOU’LL TREAT HER WELL

I TRUST YOU’LL TREAT HER WELL

WORLD: I bequeath to you today one little girl in a crispy dress…with two blue eyes….

And a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs.

I trust you’ll treat her well.

She’s slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning and skipping off down the street to her first day at school.

And never again will h be completely mine….

Prim and proud, she’ll wave a young and independent hand this morning, and say goodby and walk with little-lady steps to the nearby schoolhouse….

Gone will be the chattering little hoyden who lived onl for play, and gone will be the delightful little gamin who roamed the yard like a proud princess with nary a care in her little world.

Now she will learn to stand in lines..and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called…

She will learn to tune her little-girl ears for the sound of school bells, and for dead-lines…      She will learn to giggle and gossip…. And to look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy across the aisle sticks out his tongue.

Now she will to be jealous…and now she will learn how it is to feel hurt inside..and now she will learn how not to cry….   No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch steps on a summer day and watch while an ant scurries across a creek in the sidewalk…Or will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn to kiss lilac blossoms in the morning dew.

Now she will worry about important things…like grades…and what dresses to wear…and whose best friend is whose…Now she will worry about the little boy who pulls her hair at recess time…and staying after school..and which little girls like which little boys….And the magic of books and knowledge will soon take the place of the magic of her blocks and dolls.   And she will find new heroes……

For five full years I’ve been her sage and Santa Claus…her pla and playmate…her father and friend…Now, alsas, she’ll learn to share her worship and adoration with her teachers (which is only right)… And no longer will I be the smartest, greatest man in the world….   Today when the first school bell rings, she’ll learn how it is to be a member of the group….with all its privileges, and, of course, its disadvantages, too. 

(No author to this note. I believe it was written by my father - Myron Taylor)

Letter From Bonnie & Del - March 8, 1974

March 8, 1974

My dear Mable,

So glad as always to hear from you & all the news. You mentioned you didn’t recognize people names in the Waldo news of the paper, well Martin Winder is our next door neighbor & his wife died last night. Her name is Gwen & she had a lump in her breast & had it removed 7 months ago but it spread all thru her rapidly. He (Martin Winder) says he is a relative of Archie’s & Albert’s. Seems like everyone around here are relatives of some kind or another. Del, I believe is getting a little better  since the doctor took him off of some much medication.  We got over income tax figured & are waiting for results & also waiting for prescriptions to come back with pharmacist signature so we ca send them in for refund.

March 9

We have our horse boarded out for a month to give our pasture a chancet come back & to give us a chance to get the fence rebuilt where she had it all crippled up & broken down this winter trying to get to the alfalfa. We are building it like this out of one of fours & then yesterday Del & Lyle painted it white. Sure looks nice.

(Drawing of fence was drawn here in the letter)

I just can’t wait until you come down to see our place & spend some time with us. Del has to lose some more weight so he has me on a diet too. I’ve enjoyed the country cream so much since I’ve been here but have given it up to please him because if its here he wants it, too. There are over 100 relatives expected at the funeral for Gwen Monday so already they have called everyone in Waldo 7 told them what food to bring. They called me last night & told me to bring a pie & Mrs. Hubbard to bring a potato salad – Well Mrs. Hubbard was visiting here with us & she would rather make a pie so we switched. I can make a delicious pie sometimes but once in a while they aren’t if I especially want it to be good but my potato salads are always good. I fixed hot bread yesterday & cinnamon rolls & took them over & today I’m fixing a lemon pie but won’t take it over unless the meringue stands up. Sometimes they sand 2” high & other times they just go flat & I don’t know what I do wrong.  I sure learned a lot about cooking down in Arkansas and helped cook for 600 screaming kids at the school house.

Last year when we first moved Gwen Winder told me she had just discovered a lump in her breat & it was extremely sore. Of course I immediately asked her if she could move it around and she felt & said “No.” I had several but I could move them & they just cut them out but the doctor said when you can’t move them they are more dangerous. Anyway, I insisted she go in & see about it. So she did the next day & had breast removed & then they started cobolt every day for 6 weeks & told her she was O.K. but she kept going down hill & I feel so badly because I told her to havei taken care of. It seems to me that once a cancer is cut on it goes twice as fast. Maybe if she would of just let it go she’ be alive today. Anyway I feel badly about it & can’t help it. How is Shirley & family. She was always so cute & I used to tease her so & am so sorry now but it was such fun to do at h time. Wilda’s Bahs wife is going back to Viet Nam for a couple of months to visit er people while he is in some kind of training. Well I better get that lemon pie made & see if it is going to be pretty & see if it is going to be pretty & if not I’ll have to think of something else to take over today. Love & write when you feel like it.

Bonnie & Del

My Son - DEAR WORLD

DEAR WORLD

My Young Son starts to school today…It’s all going to be sort of strange and new to him for awhile, and I wish you would sort of treat him gently.

You see, up to now he’s been king of the roost..He’s been boss of the back-yard.. His mother has always been near to soothe his wounds and repair his feelings.

But now things are going to be different.

This morning, he’s going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand, and start out on the great adventure…It is an adventure ta might take him across continents, across oceans, ..It’s an adventure that will probably include wars and tragedy and sorrow…To live his life in the world he will have to live in will require faith and love and courage.

So, World, I wish you would wort of look after him….Take him by the hand and teach him things he will have to know.

But do it gently, if you can.

He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just, that all men are not true.

But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero…that for every crooked politician there is a great and dedicated leader…Teach him that for every enemy, there is a friend.

It will take him, World, I know. But teach him, if you can, that a nickel earned is of far more value that a dollar found….Teach him to learn to lose so he’ll enjoy winning that much more.

Steer him away from envy if you can…and teach him the secret of quiet laughter.

Let him learn early that bullies are the easiest people to ship in the schoolyard…Teach him, if you can, the wonders of books. But also let him ponder the eternal mystery of birds on the wind, and bees in the sun, and flowers on the green hill.

In school, World, teach him it is far more honorable to fail then to cheat. Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone says they are wrong…Teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with tough people.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the bandwagon…Teach him to listen to all men-but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and take just the good that siphons through.

Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he’s sad…Teach him there is no shame in tears..Teach him there can be glory in failure and despair in success.

Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness…Teach him to sell his brains and brawn to the highest bidder but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul.

Teach him how to close his ears to a howling mob…But to stand and fight if he thinks he’s right.

Teach him there are times when a man must gamble…And there are times when a man must pass the dice.

Treat him gently, World, if you can. But don’t coddle him…Because only the test of fire makes fine steel…Let him have the courage to be impatient…Let him have the patience to be brave.

Let him be no man’s man…Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself.

Because the, he will always have sublime faith in mankind.

This is quite an order, World, but see what you can do…He’s such a nice little follow, my son!

(Author unknown by believe it could be my father – Myron Taylor)

Photo Corrections for ANCESTRY

Over the last couple months, I've found others who have copied my photos and mislabeled them. I have original photos of most of what I'm posting. When I find other's copying them and then posting them as their own or mislabeling them, I'm a little ticked. GAVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DO AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE BEFORE YOU POST THEM.

This photo has been posted as "Alvin H. Wineland, Roxie Ham Wineland and Cary W. Wineland Kirk. INCORRECT! This is my great grandmother, Lizzie White Wineland, Cary W. Wineland, and my grandfather, Archie Wineland. My great grandmother, Lizzie was Cary's first wife and dead at an early age of lock jaw. So, for those who want to have the true name attached to this photo, this is it.

I have tried to correct this photo but the person who took it off "Find-a-grave" has it labeled as, "Proud parent with baby Archie." INCORRECT - That is Archie Wineland holding my mother, Shirley Wineland. I know who my grandfather is and I know who my mother is. So, if you see this photo, please correct it to the proper title. I do not appreciate those who copy a photo off my "find a grave" site and mark it as their own, let alone mislabel it.

This photo is also mislabeled. I can't remember who took it off my "find a grave" site and then posted it as their own. This photo is of my great grandparents, Joseph Carl Matheson, Minnie True Matheson, and my grandmother, Mabel Cleo Matheson. If you see this, please correct it as well.

I have put 35 years into my family history and I don't appreciate those who take my information and publish it as their own. At least give me credit for all the work I have done on these families. As for photos, I'm going to start marking them private to keep them out of the hands of people who can't or won't be considerate of others.

This blog is copywritten and should also be respected as such. I have the original letters and if I find abuse with the letters, I will quit showing them on this blog. These letters are to be shared with family, but not to be published without my permission. I ask the same respect for my photos. I have given permission to those I know are family members. It would be nice if they stated such when the post them on her public ancestry accounts.

Thank you for your respect and consideration. I ask everyone to please correct the photos with the right information, since I am unable to reach those who have published the wrong information.

Happy Genealogy!