Maurice Matheson 1934

La Grande Ore

1714 Z Ave

June 9, 1934

Dear Sis,

Hope this letter finds you all ok & feeling fine. Sorry I didn’t write sooner but guest seemed like I couldn’t write to no body.

We’ve sure been having some wet weather my but how it did rain for about 8 or 9 days not steady but was sure a lot of water fall. The sum has shown yesterday & to day will proably start laying again next week. I sure hope so.

How is the corps if ask there this year any way. Things look fair out here. We had so much rain it split. Lots of cherries upon I don’t know how they will be. They may not before they ripen If it would of waited a week it would probably been better but I guess we have to take it as it come rain or shine.

Folks are all feeling pretty good. I got me a new $32.50 bango sure a keen one “Tenor Bango.”

Marvin said tell you he has been going to write to you but has been so busy that he didn’t get around to it yet.

I’m sure a puzzle when it comes to writing. I don’t like to write well enough to write to any body.

Listen Sis I got a picture of me. That I’m going to send you. I want you to send it back because by rights it ain’t mine. But, my Girl friend over next to the line has got the negatives to it and some other pictures she lives at Jamieson Ore. She went to normal here She went home the other day. We had some taken a few days before. She left but she had to go home quicker than she expected & I never got to see the last but she said she would send them to me. When she got home.

So if you will send this one back, I will get one like it & some of the other & send you. I will write her & get the negatives to it. Well sis I guess I will close tonight so will write more next time.

Please don’t wait so long to write as I did.

As Ever,

With Love,

Maurice

PS Tell Archie I said Hello.

Please send Picture back for long as it really isn’t mine. I will send a picture of my girl friend.

Albert Hackerott Jr. Dec 5, 1954

Dec 5 ’54

Dear Archie & Mable –

About every time I thought about writing there was a good show in TV. That takes up most of our time in the evening. Don’t even have time to read the paper anymore. Great Bend came on the air the last of Nov. and they are close enough that we have good T.V. every night. We had our first rain last night since I got home from our trip. 60 hundreds so it was really getting dry and dusty. So far we have had a very mild winter just a couple day that it was down to about 10 above but other than that around freezing was the coldest we have had. They had rain while I was gone so the wheat came right up but doesn’t look as good now as it did maybe in a few day if it stays warm it will green up again. I just got my pictures back the other day sure got some nice ones of our trip. Makes me wish I could take it again next year. If you ever have a chance to take 101 along the coast it is well worth your time. The road is one curves (shows curves in the letter) right after another and a slow road but lots to see & the Red Woods are beautiful. I was really glad when we got thru Saw F. crossed the Golden Gate bridge at 1 o’clock & they were playing football with Ill. So really got in a traffic jam. Had thought some of going on to Los A. then along the Southern way but I said I had enough city driving I was going straight across country for home. Now I wish we had gone on South I have never been down there.

No water in the ponds so we won’t get any ducks this year the pheasants are few & far between don’t know what has happened to them. Our steer calves brought 21 (cents) not as much money in a cow herd as big steers now. We are getting our road graveled down from the Co. road so now if it is muddy when you come see us you can come right on thru. Oh yes I wanted to tell you the president was trout fishing in Pine Colo. When we went thru there if I had just known it ahead of time I just as well of gone fishing with him. I’ll bet the game comm. Stocked the stream for him so it would have been good fishing. I want to write a few lines to Shirley & Myron so they will know I haven’t’ forgotten all about them. Yes I thought maybe as soon as Shirley left you would be leaving Seattle. I don’t blame you one bit there are hundreds of small towns that would be so much better. I supposed most of the coast towns the living costs would be high. About every Friday or Sat night Bill & Jim come up to  spend the night so they can see T.V. Billy doesn’t get to come up during the week now that he is in school Aunt Laura got a bunch of colored pictures of the trip she just got them back I haven’t seen them yet. I don’t know why it takes so long to get the pictures developed. Well it won’t be long till Xmas it sure seems like time flys any more. We have been busy putting a new foundation under the south chicken house & converting it to a calf shed. Eggs are 18 (cents) so it doesn’t pay to raise chickens any more $5.55 a hundred for pullet atoms. I suppose you saw in the paper where some one blessed Mary Wineland’s money & got away with around $80. Well by the time I get a short note written to Shirley it will be bed time so will close for now.

Love, Albert Jr.

Joe & Stella Seaman - Dec 14, 1960

Tarkio, MO

Dec 14 – 1960

Dear Archie & Mable: -

I take my pen in hand to write you a “scap” to-nite. Got your good letter last Saturday and was mighty glad for it –

You are right this has been some year in a lot of different ways, The republicans carried all the offices in the state and every congressional Dist except the 5^th which is southwest Kansas. Was disappointed in the National as I wanted Nixon – I don’t like this Chester Bowles that Kennedy has in his cabinet and a Mail Carrier in Topeka told me yesterday that our Next Post Master General would be a Nigro.

My old Friend Walter Peery of Topeka was elected State treasurer, Guess you remember him and his wife Florence. They were at Nettie’s Funeral in Natoma – Had a one page letter from Bob but he didn’t say much, He is O.K.

I went to the hospital on Oct 29^th and after getting out I didn’t go to work until about Dec 5. Had prostate trouble. I’m going to retire Jan 1^st and see if I can live on O.A.B.

We may go to the Gulf some place. Near Brownsville along about the Middle of January and get away from the cold for a few weeks.  Geo. & Ida were down to see us one day late in Nov. after I got out of the Hospital.

We are planning on going to Colo Springs for Xmas if the weather is good.

Yes I think the Huskies should beat Minnesota in the Rose Bow, but don’t know about MO, against Navy in the Orange Bowl.

I agree with you 100% on Politics and think we have taken care of Western Europe long enough and that they should help carry the load now.

I’ll bet you will be glad when Shirley, Myron and the kids can come home from Germany – Perhaps Myron will return to civilian life, if the Air Force isn’t going to take care of the Service Men’s families –

I didn’t get to go Deer hunting this year – But did have 2 week ends of duck hunting and got the limit both times.  Was sick during pheasant season – Drove by Squaw Creek Game reserve today and there were about 10,000 Geese there – Mostly snow Geese & Blue Geese.

Haven’t seen Bowlby in a number of years as I never get out that way – Saw Alan Palmer 2 weeks ago. He lives in Salina. He told me Geo. Musgrove was in Bad shape with heart trouble. His wife is your cousin, isn’t she?

I got pretty tired working and think a rest will do me good – Don’t know how long I can remain idle without losing my mind –

Will write again after the Holdiays as will have more time –

Hope this finds both of you feeling fine and that you have a wonderful Xmas. –

Love, Joe & Stella

Uncle Jim & Aunt Bee (Matheson?) Dec 13 - 1960

Natoma Kans

Dec 13 – 1960

Dear Mabel & Archie

Got your card & letter a few days ago & was glad to hear from you again I dident even know where you & Archie were. We got a long letter from Forest this last summer. It is winter here we have a bout 3 or 4 in of snow on the ground here Now it is a nice snow the wind never blew so it dident drift Jim says it is sure good for the wheat Christmas is soon coming fast enough for me to. We are having our revival here at our church now. It started Dec 5 & will close the 18^th. My children are all fine Bonnie & Lyle live in Denver. Ted in Liberal Kans he only has the 1 boy & he is married & has 1 baby boy. Bonnie lives in Denver & works at Gatis Rubber Co & has for 20 years. She sure makes good money. Ted has a good Job at Liberal Wilda lives South of Plainville. She teaches school at Codell this is her 5^th year for it. Lyle lives in Denver & Paints & makes good money. Lyle has 1 boy & 3 girls & he has 2 little grandauthers. Wilda has 4 boys & she has 5 grand children & 1 more on the way. And Lyle have 1 more grandbaby on the way to. Babies sure come fast but they are aufil sweet to me. I love all babies. We Jim & I have 8 great grand babies and 2 more on the way. So no wonder I am feeling old. I was 70 Oct the 17^th & Jim will be 75 April the 4^th. Poor Uncle John is over here in a rest home Bonnie was out for T.G. & we went to see him he can’t hardly see or hear either just him Jim & Art are all the boys left & just Laura & Mattie is all the girls left of grandma’s children. So glad you have a nice home & wish we could come & see you but I know we can’t we both are bothered with Arthritis. Your Uncle Jim says tell them helo for me Well dinner is over & dishes washed & Jim has gone to saw down a big tree for some one here in town he has a chain saw & it really does the work. He has sawed down over 300 trees I think he said he gets paid for sawing them down & gets the wood to  & we sure have a big pile of wood here in our yard all sawed in to fire wood & we burn 2 heaters. I don’t think I could keep warm with a gas heater. I have a gas cookstove but I have diabetis & on a street diet & can’t eat the food that keeps you warm wish I could see you & all your family I had to read your letter again to see what Shirley’s name was couldn’t think of it that is another sign of old age. You wait & you will find out I know their faces but forget their names. & I find out I am not the only one that does forget & if you live to be old you will find out to. I went to Maggies funeral they brought her back here of coarse & she looked natural. Lyle paints with Sam Boyer part of the time in Denver Well I expect I have better bring this to a close so if I get a chance I can send it to the P.O. to mail it. I hope the best for you & yours & God Bless you all write again from Aunt Bee & Uncle Jim

Mr & Mrs Melvin Chrisler Dec 19 1960

Hope you can read this letter

Dec 18, 1960

Dear Mable and Archie,

We got your letter and Christmas card and sure was glad to hear from you.

How are you folks any way.

Well I hope.

Melvin isn’t so well to night again. We had a snow storm last week and it is/been very cold ever since. Melvins brother John died last night at eight oclock of a heart attack he lived in Russell.

He has been sick for a long time he had sugar diabetis to. Leona came down a little while ago to stay rest of the night with us. Don had a cold cause Melvin is sick. It is half past four now and Melvin hasn’t slept a wink all night. He is in so much pain. I have an idea he will have to go to the hospital again.

It sure is cold and we still have snow. How is the weather out there.

Eldon said Johney Lock came out Sunday with his dogs and he got five or six coyotes.

Mable yes Warrena can walk with her crutches but that is the only way she still has arthritis awfully bad and she is dizzy lots of time. When she is feeling well she drives the car lots and she sure does enjoy driving the car so much.

Mable Mrs. Berger at Natoma she keeps sick patients and my brother John stays there since Aunt Rose died.

Well Mable here is Rosas address:

Mrs Rosa Moss

Box – Hines Oregan

Amy isen’t there lots of plane recks lately 186 got killed within the last week. They collided

Dec 19.-60

Well Mabel Melvin is lots better tonight than he was last night. He just couldn’t stay in bed and he couldn’t stay out and he just rolled and tumbled in bed all night with pain. He has muscular arthritis ulsurs of the stomach and heart truble

They say it is to be colder tomorrow and pobissibly some snow.

I am glad that Shirley and her husband likes it over in Germany. For it would be awful to have to stay over there if they didn’t like it there. Well I guess I had better ring off and write some more letters .

Answer soon,

Love to both of you

Melvin and Martha

Mable one of them planes came down in New York city and killed 125 people and then the other one near some bay.  

Laura Wineland and Nellie LaRush - Dec 10, 1960

Dec 10^th 1960

Dear Mable and Archie –

I was so glad to receive your letter.

I was interested in Archie’s finding a hearing aid he could get some good out of. He will be a long while getting use to it. Probly like mother. He will always hear more than he wants to.

We are both real well this winter mother for some reason worrys about such unneccary things. She makes herself more or less unhappy

We had extra good crops this year. And althou cattle were lower our calves sold for $20.50 to $26.50 so we were very well satisfied. We had 38 head.

Mr. lowery on the place wants to retire. So we are trying to sell the place. Of course he will have an interest in this crop of calver.

Albert Senior is real well again. I don’t know if you heard he had appendicitis. Since that surgery he has felt good.

He is taking the responsibility of the selling of the ranch. I’m very thankful he is willing to do it.

I was glad to hear of Shirley and her family. I expect they have their lovely times but they are having a wonderful time and enjoying it.

I think it wonderful Chris is learning to speak German.

It sounds as though those little boys would have a wonderful place to play when they get home.

Lucille and family are well. Her baby Daniel is in second grade.

Roberts mother has been with them this last summer. The sister and her family and Mrs. Leach drove out from Ill in two cars. (in July) Then with Lucilles family they all went to Colo spent ten day had a grand time. Mrs Leach stayed and Bob drove her car home for her and he is coming home today by Buss. He has spent ten days in his old home town.

Do you receive the farmer?

It would be grand if we could come to your 62 worlds fair.

By for now, Love Laura

(Also in the letter-)

Dear folks: I just had to write a little thank you note, as I remember the lovely time we spent in your home and our trips out. I will not be going that way again and wishing you a heart satisfying Christmas in spite of “wars & rumers of wars.” For a brighter day is downing for this old world –

You have earned your loviely new home and I hope you have time to enjoy it – means so much to be in same neighborhood: we have lived here in same house forty six years – but how the neighborhood has changed. Nelli LaRosh