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

Ken Hodge - Portland July 25, 1984

Portland

July 25, 1984

Dear Lynn & Pat:

Sorry for the long delay in answering your lovely letter, but I had a bit of tough luck, & drank too much and got jack rolled, couldn’t even pay my rent, now I have to pay double next month, of course I could’t get any stamps, I usually have some on hand but.

I won’t say much about myself, but I was in the Army, also a long time in the Merchant Marine, been to all countries but England and Scandinavia lived for ten years in Australia but had to come back to the US in 1964.

I hope you can decipher my damned writing, after all I’m 64 years old but I can still perform whatever.

I’m now living in a hell of a dump, its run down and most of the roomers are exlunatics or corrects sure is a nut house along wit the roaches and noise I manage to survive.

Just where is this town that you are living? I’ve never heard of it before. My home town is Anacortes wish I could see it again.

Well Dear ones this is all the BS I can think of for now. Hope to have better news next time, I’ll be moving to an apt. in Sept. I hope.

Love to you both

As ever, Ken

This won’t be posted till the 1^st anyway.

Woodburn OR - Dec 7 1984 - From Iris & Milton Taylor

Rainier Rd

Woodburn, OR 97071

Dec 7, 1984

Dear Lynn and Pat:

It was so good to hear from you and receive your Christmas Greetings. That is one of the blessing of Christmas I believe, as it does bring friends and relatives closer together May the good Lord watch over you and keep you in good health Take time too, to have good times together and enjoy life to its fullest. This is a fine time now with your plans for a family. May God bless you.

We are both fine and expecting to have a good trip to Mexico Jan 21-Feb 3. It will soon be here so we are already looking forward to it. Yes, I wish you were going too. Maybe someday that will be a thing for which to make plans. Anyway, since we are both getting old, we don’t have much time any more so have to make hay while the sun shines!!!!!!

Milton is losing eye sight but will have a cataract operation in the near future that will hopefully bring back his vision. In the mean time, I do all the car driving and reading for him I try to help him keep up his courage and not get dispondant.  He will be 88 in Jan I just had my 78^th birthday. We are blessed, believe me, as our health is good for being this old.

Well, dear ones, we appreciate your invitation to come your way some time and stay over with you. Yes, I think we can make it but not right away. We will wait for some better weather, perhaps in the spring. But will let you know. Do take care now and remember, take GOOD CARE OF THAT LITTLE ONE IN YOUR TUMMY. HE-SHE IS IN YOUR CARE and needs the best you can give. Our love as always.

Iris and Milton

Dec 19 - 1956 From Mabel - Cousin to Minnie

Gary, Okla

Dec 19-56

Dear Cousin,

Am sorry I am so late getting your letter answered. I was glad to hear from you. We are all well and busy as usual – seems like there is more to get done every year, maybe its ‘because we slow down more as we grow older. I am 66 now, how old are you.

Our dag. Ruby & family still live in Richland Wash, my brother Georges daughter Lahoma lives there too she has 2 girls. George passed away in 1932. My Dad died in 1938 he was the last one of his brothers and sisters to go.

I don’t know just what you wanted to know about your fathers family all I know is that his parents Mason True and Esther Baker (Campbell) True were born in Ohio. Our grandma Esther True was 1 of 16 children and I can’t remember all her brothers & sisters names some were 2 brothers Sylvanus & Bushnell and 2 sisters Rebecca & Sally Amy. I have forgotten the others and the only one of Granpa Trues family I remember was a Dr Austin True who lived in Ohio – Oh yes grandma had a sister named Lydia her married name was Porter, Rebecca’s was Maxwell and Sally Amy’s was Tinkham.

Your father had sisters, Lydia, Rebecca, Sally Amy, brothers William, Lawrence, Sylvanus. I just can’t remember any more and I think that is all. I don’t know where any of Aunt Rebecca’s children are. There is 1 girl & 2 boys left as far as I know. The only one that ever wrote to me just quit writing and I could never get an answer she was old and sickly so I suppose she passed away and no one bothered to tell me. Their family were not very close together and fussed all the time.

Uncle Sylvanus was Mittie & Linnie Trues Dad they are both alive and I hear from Mittie at Christmas she is past 80.

Aunt Sally’s family were raised here in Oklahoma and there is Albert, Finley & George & Lucy left. Mytle passed away last spring.

This is about all I can tell you of course if we could chat together I might be able too tell you some details. I wish I had written down a lot that has been told me. Didn’t your Dad ever talk about his family and as long as your mother lived with you she should have been able to tell you some.

Do you have a picture of your old home near Natoma the one with the family on if you want one I will send you some that I have. Say didn’t you have a daughter named Mabel (your oldest) you never mention her. I just wondered. My step sister lives at Okarke but she never visist me. I also have a step brother in the church home for old folks at Independence MO. I have a half brother, Leslie who lives in San Diego alif. Don’t hardly ever hear from him either. He has 4 children I have 2 boys & 1 girl who live near us. We still live on our farm and don’t do much farm work but chickeys & garden our son farms the land. Hope you have a nice Xmas.

Love from Mabel & Herman

(above the letter – am sending a clipping I found in some paper. )