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Letter 99
Faitt Ill(1) Oct 8th 1891
Dear Brother and Sister (2)
I received your letter, was glad to hear from you. The money was all wright,
I suppose you have herd from that before this time. I received a letter from
Jim after I wrote to you, he sent me ten dolars so that leaves you and I fifteen
apeace. I got one for fourty dolars, it is very nice and a very pretty one for
the money, it is called the George G Granate, every one that sees it thinks it
nice and a pretty shape. It is not so very large but will mark the grave just
as well as a large one. I think you would be well pleased with it if you could
see it. We could of done better if Mary hadent gon back on her word. She thought
we would not do anything to it is the reason she promiced to give as much as
any one of us. Lizzie said that her Ma ought to give as much as any one of us
for she had all of her Pa property in her hands, all will to Mary her lifetime
an she wont speak to Lizzies Husband when he speaks to her, they fell out about
some land that he had rented, Mary has lots of temper. I expect she will be married
before long if old Mr Mouser keeps coming two or three times a week much longer,
if I could see you I could tell you so many little things that I cant wright
but I had a nice visit with her and Lezzie both, they was just as kind an as
good as they could be to me. I saw Jim Hope the week before I came home. He looks
well an harty, he said that he had wrote you three letters and never got any
answer. He said that he directed to Hanford, he new well enough that you didant
get your mail thare, that was one of his yarns. I am satisfied that he never
gave Mary nor Lizzie any money for if he had they would of told me. He wanted
to know whare I sent my letters. I told him, look out for a letter. I got home
the last day of Sept, found the folks all well. We think our baby (3) is very
nice. I will send you one of her pictures as soon as the man finishes them an
sends them to us. Crops are good here of all kinds, corn splendid. Fruit plenty.
Peaches whare they had trees, churyes, black beries. Potatoes good, if we had
some of your nice grapes, I often of them. Whare dos Utz live, in that house
whare he did when we went one time an he was so long coming out. I would like
to see you all and all of the relations, the best kind. I had rather come to
California now than when I did for I feel like I was aquainted with so many thare.
I expect the little children have grown so much that I would not know them. I
expect Claud (4) is almost a yong man. I will send you the five dolars that I
didand use. I would like to have you all to come to see us, love to you both
and Claud an all the relation ever your Sister
Lizzie Twining (5)
Letter 100
(undated)(June 1895)
find it beneficial would move but I believe the oil & lemmon (6) will
Cure
you if you give it a fair trial to Clara (7) and
John (8)
. Lizzy and Wilford
freckletons (9) boath got Married at the
Same time last Sunday at the Mormon Church Lizzie got a fellow by the name of
Hans Hasell and Wilford a German Girl
named Emily Kropf. We have a Cozan here and She wants to go to California this
fall She was one of the Garshwiler (10) girls
her name now is Herald the Lawson family is living in the City Anna is Married
to Bootwick and is Canada Hattie
is Married and taken the Stage She is in the City. The old man died May Tompkins
is married to a doctor and gone to Missouri on a wedding tour I cant think of
any more to write to night I am alone and its 1' O Clock. I will say good night
and Close for this time my Best Love to All
J S Watts
Letter 101
Faitt Ill Nov 12,1901
Dear Brother and Sister (11)
I expect you think that I have forgoten you all but I often think about you
and vender what you and all the rest are doing. I have been away from home
for about six weeks, just got home yesterday. I was at Lewistown, Mr Twining (12) brother
that lived with Stewart folks was very sick, it was wors than sick, he was
scratch on the back of his hand, he didnt pay much atention
to it and in a few days it commenced paining him and blood poisen set in.
He lived just too weeks, took him to Burlington, Iowa to be burried. When
Stewart got back from Iowa he wanted me to stay with his Mother while he
went to Kansas City to tend the great Stock show. He said it was splendead
when he came home from thare, he wanted me to stay untill he went to Indiana
to marrie him a wife so I stid till he brought her home on thursday and I
left on Saturday. I was nat agoing to stay any longer. What are you all doing
to put in the time. I expect you have plenty to do. We are haveing a very
nice fall but dry, we havent had but very little rain, water is geting scarce
in places, it was very dry all summer. It hurt the corn not a half crop that
isant a good crop of any thing, thare is a few winter apples, what kind of
crop did you have this year. I hope you have had a good one, it makes things
so bad for people that rents for crops to be poor. How is Bettys (13) health
now, I hope she well by this time, how is Utzes (14) folks
geting along, did her brothers wife come back to Cal, how Joes (15) folks.
How does John
(16) and the school teachers get along
by this time. I havent heard from Mo (17) yet,
I guess they have give us up intirely. It has been some time since I heard
from Lizzie for some time I am looking for one every day that
is a letter. Are the boys with now the girls are in schol all the time, I
supose they would be. Was Fleda (18) to see you this summer. Did you have
a good fruit crop this year. I would like a bunch of your grapes. We are
all
well
at presant, give my love to all the relations and friends, you must forgive
me for not writing sooner I will try to do better next time. I will close
hoping to hear from you soon, much love to you both
Letter 102
(Note written on the letter: A letter
from “Cousin” Lizzie
Twining to M. J. Hays Overstreet. Most likely tho the first of letter may
have been lost. )
Mrs. M. M. Macpherson, 428 E. Pine St., Lodi, Calif
and I was at Mothers Grave it was all wright I was at Mitchels Burg (19) one Sunday they have a church thare now the place hasant improved very much
after I came home I went to the crystal Springs and tented the Chautauqua
it is a company that oues the grounds it is a beautiful place for the people
to go to spen two weeks they have a large Tabnickel that can seat five Thousand
people thirteen nice cottages and the ground then they have tent to rent
and any one that wants to come and stay all the time there was one hundred
and fifty tents on the ground. Grace (20) and I rented a tent staid all the
time they had the best of music and speeches the most of the spakers was
from other states the Govener of Tennasee and one from Georga one from Brooking
NY I will quit for I can’t tell all of them I wish you both could have
been here to of tented with us. both of the boys (21) have rentead their
farms and gone to Canton (22) to live I am on mine yet and think I will stay
thare the man that rents it lives in part of the house I never hear from
Mo how is all of your childen tell me all about them when you wright is Claud
(23) with now give my love to all the folks and to you both wright soon for
I want to hear from you all we are all well
Lizzie Twining (24)
Letter 103
Canyon City, Colo., May 8th 1902
Mrs M. J. Overstreet
Armona, Kings County, Calif
My Dear Cousin Peggie (25) ,
Your letter of April llth came to me in due time. I was so glad to get it. You
wrote me more news of my relatives than I had heard for a long time and we have
enjoyed rereading your letter so much and I hope we will keep this correspondenced
going now. I do feel so very lonely here, all by muself as to my Blood relations.
I have my old man (26) and his hair is white. He is the biggest baby about me
you ever saw. He says he intends to hand on to my apron strings always. He used
to be afraid I would marry again if he died – but he says he is not afraid
now of that - I am so old – no fellow would nave me. He is the same old
Will - to talk & tease. But he has a great many friends every where. He could
not bear for me to go on a trip and leave him here for two months so I gave it
up and we will come together some time. He would enjoy being there with you and
talking over old times so much - you know Will _ always loved to talk to my mother.
Your letter found me sick with a spell of erysipelas (27) in my face and eyes.
My eyes are very weak yet from it. Just the last few days I can go without the
bandages. Weather here very warm, needing rain.
When you write about your family - four children and grandchildren it makes me
heartsick to see all of you & them. We had a nice letter from Yada (28) last
week. he was well when he wrote and is not coming home this year. He says he
is saving his money. I hope he will, he never could save any here. Uncle Neely
(29) thought Yada was very much like Connie Brown when Uncle visited us in Pueblo,
the last time he was in Missouri, Uncle was on his way home & stayed over
a couple of days. I am so sorry to hear of Connie's (30) death. I had heard so
much of him and I was so anxious to see him and know him. I met Eugene once when
he was young (31) . I wish I could come soon, I would love to see cousin Sarah (32) and I fear I wont.
Their is a Mr Chelsea Price Arnold (33) employed here at the Penitentiary. He
is a son of Robert Arnold & Elvira Allen (34) of Callaway Co (35)
, A nephew
of William & Ped Arnold's, both of the last married sisters of Aunt Gen Scholl
Berry. This C. P. Arnold is an own cousin of Peirrie Buchannan (36) , Cousin
Bettie's husband. She was a Miss Bettie Noel (37) of Audrain County. I like them
both very much, we have some good talks about the folks in Callaway. Price Arnold
calls me his "Pa's old girl" because I used to dance with Robert Arnold
when I was a kidd in Callaway (38) . Price hears from home every week and tells
me of any news of any folks there. He and his wife are both very delicate.
Mother Hamilton (39) is still living and holds her strength very well. She is
now eighty years old. She came out the first of April from Council Grove, Kansas
to Pueblo (40) . Ella (41) lived there then. They are all at La Veta now. She
told me of the folks around Westport and kansas City. She said Henry Harper (42)is getting quite feeble, he is about the age of Cousin Will 0 (43) isnt he? She
did not know anything about Jimmie and Mollie Lobb (44) . Mollie Yager Tritte
(45) live in Westport, had a good daughter & son (46)
, only two children.
Tell Pauline & Alice (47) to practice good on that new organ, when we come
out to see them they can play for us. Cousin Will would be for bringing one of
them home with us, we have never had a girl, had four boys, was a great disappointment
to Will, our youngest would be 16 years old if living.
As soon as I get well I will have some photographs taken and send some to you.
you cant imagine what a change there is in my looks. I wear glasses and am almost
toothless and am as tall lying down as I am standing up. Write soon.
Ever your loving Cousin
Louisa Y. Hamilton (48)
Letter
104
(Note at top of letter: From, Sarah E. Caldwell, daughter of “Uncle” Nealy
Yeager a beloved minister of early California)
Alcalde
Mrs Overstreet(49) Sept the 12 1902
Dear Cousin (50)
I received your most welcome letter found all well but babe. She has chicken
pox but is around all the time Dick (51) had it first Mr and Mrs Keen is as well
as usual but Mrs K. is feble all ways but we get along well. I am getting well
am better all the time. Annie got the bunch (?) all wright. Mr and Mrs Kean are
tring to get a place to rais Chickens and keep house too them selfs so I will
not be over. This winter the black cow gives us all the milk and butter I am
sorry we hardly milk the heifers at all. She has got over the swelling under
her neck. Will try and sell her calf soon so they will have to milk her. You
do not know how glad to have your letter for it does me so much good to know
that you think of me. Annie is just as kind as she can be so we get along well.
So do not worry about me. Had a letter from May they are all well. Do hope all
is will be better soon do take good care of your self. I am glad that you still
take the milk the creamry (52), it saves you so much work. We do not get any
fruit but I get along very well. Of course I miss it very much but can do without
it and a great many things that I thought I could not. Mr and Mrs K sends kind
regards to you all, do hope you will keep well this and that we may meet again
next summer do not worry about me the good Lord will take care of me and you
and all that trust in him it may be better that I do not have things as I want
them it teaches me to be humble and acept things as I find them. I think I have
all read been beneficial by have to say things will be done and my faith is stronger
than ever
Visit As often you can for it is such a comfort to me, the one green spot in
my life. Had a letter from John (53)his
letters are not very comforting if he could only look at things differently it
would be for him hope we may have a
good wet winter this year so we will be benefited but the good Lord no best.
Glad to hear that Clara and John (54)could
go off for a while it may do them good did you get your tasl hay cut before John
went. Try and your milk as long
as you can for it is too hard on you to take care of it. Cows (nows?) is scarce
in this cannion. Remember me to Mrs Overstreet and the girls Claud C. (55) did
want to come over to the meeting of the Synod (56)but will then to ----- my self
the pleasure it meets the 7th of next October at 8 oclock at Selma (57)PM
Do hope you will get to go for you wanted to see Dr Farr but it will be so nice
for you to go. I am glad that you have got your carpet do put it down this winter
save up rags for me if I get a home I will covet them Annie Will and children
send their love to you I remain your loving cousin
S. E. Caldwell (58)
Letter 105
Alcalde
Sept the 15 1902
Dear Cousin
I write to day having found a notis of your Father (59)death in our old family
Bible. And not knowing that weather you had one or not so I will send it to you
we never know what may happen to us as we are quinitine (60) for small pox (61)Dick
had it first. We thought is Chicken pox (62)but the health offer came and _(illeg)____
it small pox that Baby has. She is wining around all the time and is never(?)
playing the harmonie (63)in the yard and never been in bed at all. But we have
to abide by his discision. So I will furniget this be sundie (?) it we are all
well. They may stop the mail from here for awhile but write all the same. We
are not uneasy about the sickness but don’t like to be shut up. I thought
I would send this notis of your Fathers found it in our old familys bible to
day Write first as often as you can love to all your loving
Sarah E. Caldwell
Letter 106
Matson (64) December the 28 1906
Mrs Wm Overstreet or any of the family
Dear Cousins (65)
Many years have passed Since I Saw any of Cousins Uptons (66) family or even
heard of them Some way through Fanny Howell (67)Cousin Amazon daughter that was
you was living at Lemore Cal I am trying to collect the names of all the Hays
Families So that they may appear on the Confederate Roll in locating a monument
to the pro-Confederates at Higginsville (68) Mo hope you will give me all the
information you can there is 2 of Uncle Wm Hays (69) heirs at Oakland Cal so
I am told but I don’t know which of them is there if you can find out will
be obliged to you as one of the boys I think it was Wade was connected with the
Confederate army some way.
Now Cousin Margaret this may not meet your way of bringing business but we are
all growing old and It will be a great pleasure to our children to know that
their parents were listed among the best People on Earth to know where they served
during the war and in which army. Now please tell me how many children and their
names you have and where they are. The Hays family are Scattered all over the
US would be a very hard matter to find them all now Cousin write me and tell
your husband (70) to write me too will be glad to hear from any and all of you
any time.
Your Cousin
John B. Hays (71)
Box 31 Matson MO
Letter 107
Undated [page 3] (72)
If she wanted to write to Mrs. Lizzie McMurtry (73), Bachelor,
Calloway Co. Mo she culd get a list of the McM. Family and just how they
ever married
into the Hays. Family. Cousin Lizzies Daughter had it. I saw Cousin Ag give
it to her. I was to copy the Hays Family and send to her and she hers in
return. I have not as yet. Cousin Lizzies younges son name is Joe McMurtry
(74), the wife’s fathers half brother Amizon Collins (75) lives
at Sham Rock, Calloway Co. I send the letter do as you like about written.
Mrs.
Stanley told me that her sister Alice (76) has
all of Uncle Neely Yagers (77) Papers and the
Family tree. Sed she hurd her say she would hold on to
them in hopes that some day she mite get some of the big Fortune that was
to come to the Family but thought she would let us have it to see and return.
Would you write to her or shal I write. Her adres. Is Mrs G. S. Smith, Alamo,
Contra Costa Co., Calif maby I don’t spel the County rite it is near
Walnut Creek. Mrs. Stanley is staying in Le Grand, tell me what to do when
you rite. I wish she would give it to you her husband was Frank Yager (78). He
is ded.
Well Fled (79) is getin fater ever day says she
is so glad when it comes time to eat. Papa (80)is
real well and keeps very buisy our alfalfa is coming
up nicely
you wont hardly know the field when you come. We have 39 fruit trees out and
lots of your Logen & Mamoth Berries out. We will soon have as much work as
was on the other place. Beth (81)keep well and talks
about Lew (82)is ever day. She brings him to me many
times in the day sometimes
to love & sometimes
to spank for he makes so mutch noise. Well I am so sorry about Annie I know your
feeling for you trusted her and I did not think she would go so far. But I thought
she would drift back after she was married. Well look at the white girl that
goes astray it always has been so and seem it cant be stoped and wont as long
as the man is allowed to go free. You are tire of this so goodbye with lots of
love and Kisses to my baby boy from Mother. You ar tired now I know. A card from
Mother to you. Sure maby it was for A. (83) if you
have one you
may bring this
one back. I have one and F. one other is yours
Letter 108
(Undated: Fall 1923)
Dear Cousin Bettie (84),
Your letter rec this morn so will ans. Right away and send the clipping.
Yes I am Nancys (85)oldest girl Laura should have said so in the other letter
but did not knw whether you all were still there or not since Maggies (86) husband died so thought if I wrote to Oneals (87)I could find out and Aunt
Bettie was so anxious for you to have the piece. Will send you a piece of
Aunt Bettie’s letter also. Father (88)is
with me and he has read the piece a time or two he take the Confederate Veteran
(89)off the time and
it is about all he reads. Will look over the paper a little then gets one
a them and read until his eyes give out. He was 85 the 8 of Aug. so you see
he is not very young either. Well this will do for this time and if you ever
come near the Academy (90) come and see me.
Loving Laura (Craghead) Hainline (91)
Letter 109
Sept. (1923)(Aunt Bettie's Letter)
Laura I am going back to the Civil War I have a clipping I cut from a paper
last week writing up the Lone Jack battle (92) which
Bro Dick and Ike (93)was
in Cousin Up’s Division (94)is
certainly a true story I want you to give it to Bettie or any of Cousin Up’s
children some day it may be useful to them so I am sending the piece for
you to give to one of them.
I have read it three times wish I had of gotten at in Cousin Mag’s (95) lifetime She would have been like me it would have brought the past
to memory tho Laura why cant we forget that horid past. Had a letter from
Pearle
and Claude both today. Claude invested in an oil well he wrote today they
had just struck oil the day before prospect looked encouragingly tho he said
you could not tell nothing about oil prospect today you would think you was
rich tomorrow the bottom would fall out.
Now if Davis pulls through we are all right he is a second Woodrow Wilson
(96) the Repub are sick they wanted Mcado they know would have easy sailing
with him we all liked Mcado tho know if he was nominated he could never make
the race and he killed him self he said he was for the man that most competent
to fill the place. Said he had never voted a straight Democratic ticket we
don’t want any half breeds especially at the head of us. See what Davis
says I am a thourgh Democrat first last and always Now you get busy and don’t
let the grass grow under your feet we all think we see victory if the Democrats
all pull together. I feel that this my last Presidential Election do hope
they give Republicans a genteel thrashing. So put on your thinking cap.
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Franklin - Email: Watts Hays Letters