Rosa Moorhead Dec 16, 1870

I'm not sure if this will show up, but at least you can see what I'm going through when it comes to reading handwriting. I will say grandfather, Ebon, had good handwriting. The address marked on the envelope is "Wife Rosa Moorhead." She married Ebon White (middle name). He is Silas in my genealogy. They raised my grandfather, after their daughter, Lizzie Little White, passed away of lock jaw. She was only 22 years old at the time. Even being lucky enough to have these letters, is heart felt.

I will try and get more letters posted in the coming days, but wanted to post a letter that you could see first hand.

Enjoy and will try to do more like this in the future.

Oak BBC - 1870 Club meeting minutes

July 18^th, 1870

The meeting was called to order by Mr. White who nominated U. S. Ellsworth for chairman of the meeting. He was elected and took the chair. The House then proceeded to elect officers and in the short characteristic way with which the Oak BBC alls things generally the following named gentlemen were elected to office, M. A. Brown President J. D. Beach Vice President. F. W. Bullock Co. Sec. U. S. Ellisworth Ret. Sec & Tres, and Meissrs. Avid, W. Ellsworth and Perret Directors. A motion was made that “all members of the Oak B.B.C. quilt of swearing either at the club meeting or on the B.B. ground should be fined a sum not less than 5 or exceeding 10 cents.” Carried. A motion was then made that “the President should see that this rule was enforced.” Carried. A motion was then made that “the chairman elect 3 gentleman for “the old,” et nine who were to choose 6 players to complete the nine.” Carried. They elected Messrs. Alvord, Bullock & Beach who at over retired age of the other players. After a few moments the afford said gentlemean are tired and announced their choice of players to fill out the nine (?) Messrs, Gray, Brown, White, Curtis Ellsworth, & Paul.

Some one suggested that a uniform be decided upon. Accordingly several of the members decided upon a suitable uniform as allows. A white knit shirt gray pants gray caps and cloth clad. Motion was made that an imitation of 50 cent be paid by each (unreadable) Carried. The subject of monthly dues was brought up. After some discussion it was moved that we (unreadable)sessed 10 cents per month. Carried. It was Respe---veaded to pace the 1^st nine by ballet. This crealed some fun & excitement. The postions of the first nine are as follows. Brouson C., Curtis P.. Point 1^st B. Gray 2^nd B. Bech 3^rd B. Bullock S.S. Ellsworth C. F. Alvord C.F. White R.F. The 1^st  line then decided to play a ? of B.B. on their own grounds July 30^th. After talking & joking & we time longer. A motion was made to everyone.

Lizzie White - Oct 25, 1894

Vermillionville

Oct 25^th 94.

Dear Mother,

I wrote you a postal this morning and then I missed the mail man so I didn’t get to send it. I’m going to stay with Grandma this week as Aunt Nell is gne to Clarksville to see about Church matters. Aunt Add and I have had lots of sewing to do we have got the box pretty near ready to send. but we didn’t know where to send it or whether to send it by express or freight. I guess it will take such a hug time to go by freight don’t it? So I want you to answer right away and tell us what to do. Lucia is back here now they have been having a terrible time up there Uncle Charlie turned John Frane off, there was so much talk about John & Mandi we wouldn’t be surprised any day to hear of Uncle Charlie & Frantis Gregory getting married & Mandi hate her son she was down here this afternoon and she & I had a big romp she & I got along splendid now. It took us quite awhile to get acquainted. Aunt Rose wanted Uncle Charlie to have me go there and stay all nite with her but he hasn’t decided. Agnes is teaching School I harldy ever see her any more Uncle Jule told me the other day that he guessed Lizie was mad at them because I never came down there & that’s the way they all talk. I got a letter from George and you this evening yes I got your bundles you sent me all right. Thank you what in the dickens does Fred want to keep Mike for? Tell Rafe that I weigh 140 lbs now and see what she willsayy to that I’m afraid you wouldent know me now that’s what I weighed yesterday. Yes I owe Grandma a letter & must answer it sum what a dear little woman she is anyway. Grandma is pearing apples & Uncle Will is reading and its raining. Wish you would step in Grandma got a letter from Father this evening well I will close for this time hoping to hear from you soon I remain your daughter Lizzie.

Notes on the letter – Why don’t Fred & Louise ever write any more to me? Tell George I will write soon good night.

Uncle Geo 1950

Luray, Kan.

Feb. 25-1950.

Dear Archie:

Got your letter a few days ago. Was just thinking that I owed you a letter. Wm and I were down to Topeka last week to see Nettie. She is getting weaker all the time, so poor and just suffers terrible. Think its just a question of time.

Joe didn’t work that week and don’t think he worked this week either. I haven’t had a card from him since we were there. Will call tonight and find out her condition.

Well we have had an open winter here, got plenty cold several times but only one snow of about five inches. Had a nice inch rain about two weeks ago and looks like the wheat is OK. It is starting to green up a little now. It has been wonderful winter on stock, several fellows just run their cattle on grass and cake. Gee the cattle market is sure high. Cows from two hundred to two fifty and little steer calves as high as thirty cents per pound. Don’t think I will have the nerve to buy any. If  we should have a dry season they will get cheaper next fall.

 They say Ralph is buying cattle again. Heard he had a couple more wells but don’t know where they are. Teds Smiths well was dry and the one on Lawrence Hauser was dry.

Emil Hackerott had a sale the other day. He had to get off the Jim Hogan place, Emil is moving on to a big ranch near Woodston Bet he holds the job about a week Ha. Tommy Hogan is moving on Jims old place, so Arnold told me.

Sure glad to hear that Shirley is doing so well in school The only thing that I can figure out where she gets all this smartness is from her great Uncle Geo. Of course she may get a little of it from her Mom and Dad. Tell her I got her nice letter and will answer it some of these days.

March the 9^th is Lucilles birthday and she is coming home for a few days. Think she gets kind of homesick some times. She wants us to come out and get her but I don’t want to leave o account of Nettie. I hate to answer the phone as I expect to here of her death anytime.

Got a letter from Cliffs wife the other day and she said it got 18 below there at Portland and has been the worst winter they ever saw. Think Natoma is going to start the grade school next month. Think the way my land taxes raised that I will pay for one room anyway. Yes Harry down there is sure a smart boy, I think he has the mentality of a ten year old. But I suppose as long as he keeps dishing it out he will be elected. Well I hope I will be seeing you soon.

As ever Uncle Geo.

Rosa Moorhead White Dec 12, 1875

At home. Dec 12^th/75

Dear Husband.

Yours came last night but I had not got any papers for two weeks now, don’t you get them or were you going to wait to bring them when you come. Should think they were quite busy from the way you speak of their wanting the work so you cannot come until Sat morn, do they want you to go back as you spoke of a while ago? Your Father says when you come home he is going to have you go up there to work in his place while he gets his mood up. I told him I could’nt spare you a day if you are going back to D- soon, he says you could’nt get board at Dearths they have others since you come away but you could board yourself & I told you would not do that but we would all move up there.

Frank Bullock came home Friday night do not know how long he will stay – Ella has not gone yet but expects to go Tuesday. Ann has gone up to Chitilies to stay until Wednesday & then she is going over on the prairies with Mike to pick corn. Guess she will get sick of that if we do not have pleasanter weather than for the last few days, the sun did not shine for more than a week until today it has been warmer but tonight the wind flows cold & it is freezing. I think it has been very fortunate for one that the weather has not been very cold all the time, only 13 days more & I guess I will have some one to help me – I don’t know who will go to meet you but I guess there will be some one to go, if they were half as glad to have you come there will be enough to go. Julius has not finished picking corn yet. Will has gone to help this week, Billie Paul & Warnen & Uncle Charlies have all gone up there too.

I can’t think of any thing to write this eve but maybe l will write some more tomorrow. I sent one letter to Grand Ridge by your Father & maybe I will end this. I dreamed of you being so sick last night hope you are well, write me a long letter jet I am so lonesome. Good night pleasant dreams, from Rosa.

Uncle Geo Dec 22 1946

Luray, Kan.

Dec. 22-1946.

Dear Archie and All;

Violet says That I owe you a letter, Maybe I do. I know I am not very good about answering letters.

Well we have had a grand fall, lots of rain n September and October, then just fine weather ever since. Wheat looks fine and lots of pasture for the cattle. Havent had any snow yet, wich is OK with me. I sold out the last of my cattle a year ago and haven’t bought any since, thought they would be cheaper last spring Well they were higher, then they were higher this fall again and I didn’t have any feed, now I am sure going to buy some next spring and then I suppose they will drop in price.

I took Lucille and a bunch of girls to Alton Friday night to a basket ball game and heard over there that Marshall Wineland had died, they didn’t know when the funeral was to be, I should have found out and gone to it. That leaves only Art that is alive. You know Clint died just a few weeks after Fred did and George died in July. So many of the old timers are passing away. There is only one of the Pfortmillers boys left and that is George.

We went out to Calif. the first of Aug. and stayed until Sept first with Helen and Dale. Dale and Doyl McGuire (Violets) Cousin have a body and fender shop that operate together. Calif. is a great place for climate but ther to many people for me.

I went out to Utah in October during hunting season. Had a nice time, got a buck and had a nice visit with Geo. And Clifford. Clifford was married again, you know and he sure has a fine wife. He is forman on a big ranch and his boy is foreman of a big out fit over Clifford. That’s young George, he married a Niece of a BIG SHOT in Utah and young George is settling pretty. He has three kids and expecting more, that’s the Morman way.

The other Geo. S three boys, the oldest one in high school My how they grow up. Bob White at Studley has ten kids, and two or three grandchildren. Now he is keeping up the family name.

Bess was at Cliffords most of the summer and liked it fine but went back this winter to Silverton where Harold is. She seems to feel better than she has for years.

If we would have had another month or so to spare when we were in Calif. we would have gone p the coast. Uncle Philos family live in northern part, then there were you folks and Cliffs and a lot of Violets relation and some old friends and I think we might have made it through the winter pretty cheap, but Lucille had to get back to school..

Cliffs kids are all married and got kids I guess, they live right close to Portland I think Cottage Grove is the town, I haven’t seen him for about seventeen years, his wife was here to see her mother a few years ago.

My grandson will be twelve years old on Xmas day, he is a big husky kid and of course we think he is  dandy.

Wm has me beat though, he has five grandsons and expecting two more right away. Don’t know if Howard is ever going to do any good or not. His wife divorced him while he was over seas. He says he is married again but I cant always believe him. He lives in C now. He works for the Sante Fe bus and truck lines.

How is that young lady Shirley? And how is Mable? Bet you folks will soon be having prospective soninlaws hanging around.

Natoma is growing right along, not fast but gradually, lots of houses have been moved in. I have been thinking that I would move in Fathers big house and have it fixed up to rent as it is impossible to find anything to live in there and rent is pretty high. No one has lived in the house since Ruth moved out and the farm land is all rented, I keep the grass.

Kittle bought her a house in town, Bernice is in the central at Covert, Eunice in the central at Woodston and Ruth works at the Central at Osborne and Wm and Katie at Natoma, so it looks like the White family have a monopoly on the Telephone business.

I sure miss Fred, he was always my older brother and my best friend and he was always so good to write, just cant seem to realize that he is gone. Bess said that you wold have come if you had known it in time, don’t know why some of us didnt call you but I was so dazed that I couldnt think of anything. Fred certainly has a nice bunch of kids they all thought so much of him and they were all good to him and they are all so good to Bess too, she bosses them around just the same as she always did. Harold did so much for Fred, of course he was in a better position to help than any of the rest. He got Fred the job in the mine, it paid good and he didnt have to do anything to speak of, no hard work and Fred was just as regular s a clock and never missed a shift, think he was the happiest he had been for years felt so independent and putting money in the bank every month.

Thought you wrote about two years ago that you were coming back to Kan for a visit. Well what are you waiting on? You are not getting any younger. I expect it is school just like us.

Well must lose, wishing you folks a merry Xmas.

Lots of love to all.

Uncle Geo.

PS Violet says Cliff lives at Garden Grove.  

Warrena Bowlby 1/14/79

Warrena Bowlby,

Rooks Co. Home,

Plainville,

Kansas 67663

Dear Mable and Family:                                                         1/13/79

Thanks for the pretty handkerchief. Didn’t your mother used to make all that tatting for various things? Grandma Shuey used to tat a lot, mother never made very much of it. Also thanks for the card. The girls who work here had a little party for me, cake and coffee.

We are in the clutches of an old Kansas blizzard, zero, with high winds, Bus loads of basketball teams stranded all over the state, regardless they must play ball.

Storms like this always reminds me of the time we got stranded at Parkers, I won’t say anything about the storm that was in the book, but I will say that was the first winter Archie worked for us. He held the fort at home there was no way to communicate, the phone lines were all down. Another storm hit the middle of Mar. not nearly as severe as the other, but the cows were beginning to calve, so there were quite a lost. I guess Archie thought he had just about had it. That was in 1919.

Ralph was 89 in Nov., Angie is still with him, takes good care of him, he has failed a lot of last 2 or 3 years, but does well for his age.

I feel about as usual, some days not so good, other days a let up on the worst of the hurt. My liver still gives me a lot of trouble.

I don’t really have too much news, we are getting so many here from in and around Natoma, Mrs. Tichenor, Renee Snapp Ekey, their minds are about gone, come up with some weird stories, there are 12 others here from Natoma. A Mr. Anold came in yesterday, I suppose he is the one who used to have a shoe shop there.

Xmas wasn’t much, didn’t even have a good dinner which was unusual.

Of course before Xmas people brought in junk to eat or look at, I ate the last of the candy yesterday.

Guess that’s it, thanks again for the card and hankie, Love to all,  Warrena (signed)