1917
1
Index
2
J. M. GADDEY’S REMINISCENCES
Biographical Note:
Sumner, Illinois
January 18, 1917
Editor Press:
I wish to write a few lines for your noble paper, the Press. The title of my
subject is "Recollections of my Boyhood Days."I came to this country in the month of
May, in the year of our Lord, 1849, and when I landed I believe it was the fourth day of
May-anyway it was oat sowing time, and I like oats to this day. I hadn't so much as a
suit of clothes to my back and was barefooted, besides, could not speak the English
language, and was at quite a loss to know just what was best for me to do, but I soon
learned to notice things, and hear others talking until I was not very long in learning to
jabber and I was not long in making my wants known.
Recollections soon came into use, and I was sent to school; and I never shall
forget the little log schoolhouse on the hillside of the woods, not an acre of ground
cleared around the schoolhouse.
The schoolhouse was made of logs, trees cut down and scored and scalp on
either side and build in a pen probably 16X16 or 18 feet square. The floor was made of
puncheons, split out of logs, and smooth down on one side and laid or notched down
with an ax. The seats we sat on were black oak saplings cut down with an ax and cut off
8, 10 or 12 feet long and split open with maul and wedge and surfaced on one side with
and an ax and each had two holes bored in for pins or legs. The fireplace was cut in one
end of the house and probably was six or eight feet wide. The chimney was built of split
lath, laid upon each other and danbed with mud and straw. Our writing desk consisted of
a white slab of lumber, split out and surfaced down, and two, two-inch holes bored in
the wall on one side of the house. We took our dinner to school in a piggon or a
handmade split basket and often consisted of cornbread, fried or boiled eggs, milk,
butter, and great slices of fat meat. Often five or six boys and girls ate from the same
basket.
Our clothes were mostly or all homespun and our mothers cut and made our
garments, knit our socks and mittens, made our caps. Our shoes were coarse and home
made.
In a community or a school district you could not see from one house to
another. Our roads were mostly crooked, over hills and up hollows. Very often our
parents would blaze saplings through the woods to the schoolhouse, to guide us along
our way. The country was new. Our teachers were mostly men who had obtained an
education farther east. Some of the books we used in school were Ray’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd
part arithmetic. We use Webster's Blue Back elementary speller and McGuffey’s
readers. Later on we used Goodrich High School sixth readers and McNally's
Geography.
On our way to school, we often saw droves of wild turkeys and sometimes a
deer, coons, otters, mink and opossums were plentiful along the Creeks. Now and then
could be seen a prairie wolf. Sometimes they would infest our hogs and carry off the
young.
Thanks to our Creator, we lived through it all and are here today and you all
who read this sketch may live to see better days and finally meet in a fairer and better
clime than this where parting will be no more and we will need no sun to give us light
by day, nor moon by night, for God will be our light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Yours truly,
J. M. Gaddey
3
Biographical Note:
Sumner, Illinois
Dear Friends:
Perhaps some of my old friends now living in other parts of the country might
appreciate an echo from their old "stamping ground."
Many of you remember the old log house, pictured above, in which we spent
many pleasant hours together around the open fireplace. Was there the grown-ups
gathered, told stories and talk of the more serious things of life. Was there the young
folks gathered and chatted freely of things which concerned them. And there, too, the
children gathered and played the games which all children enjoy, while all help
themselves to the basket of apples nearby.
In this house all of my
brothers and sisters, as well as
myself, were born.
On this farm, five miles
south and one half mile west of
Sumner, I have always lived, for
feeling no other place was quite so
good. I brought my bride, formerly
Miss Catherine Gaddey here.
Our children were all born
in this same house. 10 children, all
of whom are living, the youngest, a
son, 36 years of age. All but oneJohn, of Pesotum, Illinois, live in
Lukin.
Although the old house has been replaced by another, the memories that are
connected with the other endear our hearts to the former.
My wife and I were permitted to enjoy life together for 56 years. One New
Year's Eve was her coronation day, for she was called home.
January 3, 1917, being my 80th birthday, a number of my children gathered to
help celebrate it.
I have always been hale and hearty, a doctor having never been called to see
me but once-that time I was hurt, and one trip was all that was needed to repair a
"hearty" man.
In 1860 I cast my first vote for president. Since then I have never missed a
county, state or national election, always voting the straight Democratic ticket, and I
assure you that I was glad to cast another vote for Woodrow Wilson and M. D. Foster.
Those of you who have gone west seeking health may wish to come back after
reading this record. Very well, the same "boy" will greet you and as he bids you
welcome will bid you to be young again.
George R. Corrie
4
The Non-resident Letters
------------Monan Indiana
January 18, 1917
Dear Readers of Pink Press:
Last March I visited Sumner soon after the Pink Edition. Many were the
callings I received for not having a letter in that paper. I then promised myself and
friends I would appear this year, so here I am.
Biographical Note:
Lizzie E Anderson, (nee Berry) was
born August 1868 and married
Jacob Anderson in 1895. He was a
school teacher but died before
1910. At the time this letter was
written Dana was 21, Herbert 18,
and Nina was 16.
---------
I hope the reading of this issue gives to every one the pleasure it gives me, for
through its columns we hear from friends who otherwise we never would hear from
again. This certainly is a pleasure to read how well they are doing and all about their
children whom we knew when small.
We are now located at Monan, Indiana, 97 miles southeast from Chicago.
There are various reasons why we like it here, lots of work all the year and money
always ready when work is done.
Dana is working at round house, will in time be promoted to bring on road. He
gets good money and gets paid for every hour he works overtime. Herbert is a drug
clerk in a large store, with soda fountain- a good business. Gets good salary. Nina is in
the second year high school and is doing well. We have a good school and building.
They teach domestic sciences in connection with all the other studies. During vacation
she clerks in the leading grocery. Last but not least is what I am doing. I have a twostory house and am keeping borders and roomers. We have one family light
housekeeping. I am very busy, with my various affairs to look after. There is only one
drawback and that is the high cost of living, for there is plenty of work here for all W.
W. (Willing workers).
My name was Lizzie E. Berry. My father was John Berry I was raised 11 miles
southwest of Sumner at Berryville. Have lived in Sumner twice. Once when my
husband was in school at that place. Last time I moved to Sumner to school my
children. It will be remembered by some that Herbert graduated from there in 1915.
We trust to know we have many friends who read this issue. I shall be anxious
until it reaches us. I would be glad to get individual letters from old friends and will
gladly answer same. I do not think it possible for me to forget Sumner friends if I live to
be very old.
--------(Mary Baird)
Biographical Note:
Mary Adaline Fyffe was born in
February 25, 1853 to John Wilson
and Lucy Ann (nee Lathrop) Fyffe.
She was united in marriage to Silas
W. Baird; Silas was born
September 30, 1841. To this union
were born the following children:
Charles (b. Oct. 1880); Ira (b. Jan.
1885); Kate (b. Apr. 1887); Harry
(b., Mar. 1890); Everett W. (b.
Dec. 1896). Mary died December
1, 1932 and Silas died October 23,
1934. They are buried in the
Gracelawn Cemetery Edmond,
Oklahoma
Respectfully yours,
Mrs. Lizzie E. Anderson
------------Guthrie Oklahoma
January 15, 1917
Mr. Editor:
I received your notice that you wanted a letter for the Pink Press and as you do
not want us to write about the crops, I will just give some reminiscences of the past.
Forty-six years ago I was Miss Mary Fyffe but on February 26, 1871 I was
married to S. W. Baird and we moved from Lawrence to Crawford County, Illinois. We
had then just two forty acres of land, about four miles apart, with some goods, a few
farming implements and about $1200. Bought a farm and of course, went in debt again,
lived there for seven years, then sold out again and bought this place of 160 acres, with
two good houses on it about nine years ago, and I am happy to say we have it all paid
for and are out of debt again.
5
Lucy Ann Lathrop
--------.
Biographical Note:
Now about the children: our eldest, a daughter, Mrs. F. G. Retherford, is living
in Meridian, about three miles from here, and they now have six boys and two girls. One
of the girls was teaching school, one of the boys has a good position with a farmer near
town and the rest are still at home. Our first son is here, running the farm for us, because
we were not able to make the work go like we used to and then he has four boys and
three girls to help him and ours all gone but one, and he is going to school. Our second
son is in Katy, Texas, working for another lumber company and two of our boys are
gone from the earth, along with the perishing flowers. Our other daughter lives near
Guthrie and her husband, J. A. Baty, is also in the mail service. We had 25
grandchildren, but some of them are so far away that we cannot see them very often, so
most of them are nearer. One of Charlie's little boys was here from Thanksgiving until
about two weeks ago, when his mother took him home and left the other one to stay till
next spring, if they don't send for him to come home sooner. I think it is very nice to
haves some of them here most of the time, for they are so much company for me.
My brother, C. H. Fyffe, and wife were out to visit us about Christmas and I
was truly glad to see them.
Yours respectfully,
Mary Baird
R. R. No. 8
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6
Danville, Indiana
January 25, 1917
Editor Press:
As I am a reader of the Press will try to write a short letter for your February
issue.
My home was at Landes southwest township of Crawford County. I now live at
Danville, Indiana have a small farm at the south side of town. Have a erected a nine
room home all modern like having in town and country both. We have a flowing well
also and everlasting spring which is piped through the house have a two-story garage
building.
We used to think that Crawford County Illinois was the only place but find that
Indiana is far ahead on account of the good roads as the autos can run the year-round.
(Clarence A. Baker)
Biographical Note:
Clarence A Baker was the son of
John A. and Mary E. Baker. In
1910 he was single and living with
his parents in Crawford Co. His
grandfather, Edgar Baker came to
the county in the 1840’s, and
married Sarah M. Paddick. They
were both charter members of the
Methodist Protestant church in
Landes.
---------
I am engaged in the auto business doing fine.
We are always glad to get the Sumner Press. Will close with best wishes to all,
Clarence A. Baker
------------Jonesboro, Arkansas
Rural Route 5 Box 53
January 21, 1917
Editor Press:
We are looking forward with much pleasure to the non-resident issue and
congratulate you on your success in the past with the non-resident issue.
As I have not written in the past, but not let this opportunity pass without
writing a few lines this time.
I am the daughter of Stephen and Alice Angle of Petty Township where I have
spent most of my life with the exception of three years in Cole's County, Illinois, and
the last four years here in Arkansas, which we think is a fine country and like it fine
here. School and two churches within half-mile of us. We are five miles west of
Jonesboro, living on a farm which we own. We have four as good-looking and healthy
children as you see anywhere, two boys and two girls-Raymond Francis, John William,
Mary Alice and Georgia Kathleen.
I'm expecting to visit Lawrence County next fall if I am spared until then.
I extend to all my friends a cordial invitation to visit here in our Arkansas
home.
Respectfully,
Mrs. M. A. Banter
Formerly Miss Jennie Angle
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7
--------(Mrs. M. A. Banter)
Biographical Note:
Anna Jane “Jennie” Angle was
born September 9, 1879 to
Stephen and Matilda Alice (nee
Westall) Angle. She was united in
marriage to Martin Albert Banter,
son of Joseph and Elmira Margaret
(nee Jeffiers) Banter. Martin was
born May, 7, 1872. To this union
were born the following children:
John W. (b. abt. 1915); Georgia J.
(b. abt. 1916). Martin died August
14, 1942 and Jennie died
December 1, 1971. They are
buried in the Herman Cemetery
Jonesboro, Craighead County,
Arkansas.
Editor Note:
Jennie wrote a letter to the Press
on January 9, 1918:
“I was born and raised in Petty
Township and attended school at
the old Petty schoolhouse, which
has long since been replaced by a
new one, and went to church and
Sunday School at Pleasant Hill (or
Petty church), as it was generally
called, and hope I will be
permitted to attend services there
are a few more times before I am
called to pass from this world to
the one from which no traveler
ever returns.”
---------
Biographical Note:
Mt. Carmel, Illinois
January 22, 1917
While in a reminiscent mood I will give a short biography of myself for the
benefit of the many readers of the Pink Edition.
My father, Isaac Newton Barekman, and mother, Martha
married September 4, 1870.
Gaddey, were
To this unit were born five children, three of whom are living, two dying in
infancy. Of the living, Mary Ellen is the eldest, now living at Bone Gap, Illinois;
Charles Newton living at Flagstaff, Arizona, was next, then came myself; however not
until my father had passed to the great beyond, his death preceding my birth by 26 days
which occurred on February 16, 1879, I been born on March 14, 1879. Hence a pitiful
family was left in Lukin Township, near White Oak school house.
July 3, 1882, mother died, thus leaving three more orphans to the mercy of the
people.
Charles was taken in by Uncle J. A. Barekman and giving a good and
permanent home, being cared for as a son, also given good schooling. Ellen was not so
fortunate. However she was cared for a long time by Uncle William Osborne with a
good home, but not quite so much educational advantages. However both feel very
grateful for their beneficiaries. Yet the writer of this article was less fortunate, at least in
the beginning. I suppose I must have been a very very bad boy, as I was taken on trial
by several families, and pronounced bad and returned each time to one of my uncles,
who seem to be very lucky in his efforts to induce someone else to give me a trial. At
last, at the tender age of five, I was accepted by Uncle Julius Storckman, with his family
I remained until I had attained the age of 17, where I had a good home, (considering my
being so mean), but very little schooling had fallen to my lot.
Here I started out for myself, going to Indiana, where I worked on a farm and
made the acquaintances of my bride-to-be, with whom I afterwards corresponded for
some time.
In April 1898, I joined I company 4th Illinois National Guard at Olney Illinois
for service in the Spanish-American war, with which I served more than a year, during
which time I saw three months "camp service" in Cuba.
8
On July 17, 1899, I enlisted at Evansville Indiana in the regulars and was at
once sent to the Presido, California. Embarked there August 10, 1899 for the Philippine
Islands on the transport Morgan City, which the Vessel went on a rock and was totally
lost September 2, 1899, in the inland Sea of Japan. No lives were lost, but the entire
cargo of Army supplies and about 800 bags of mail were lost.
We were compelled to lay on the beach in Inoshima island six days and nights
with little food and no shelter, our food being partially donated by Russian battleships
and the Japanese cruiser. Some was obtained by bartering whatever possessions we had
to the natives. I traded my underclothes,"well soiled," for cookies.
On September 8, we were taken aboard the Tata Gama Marn, a Japanese collier
and carried to Nagasaki, Japan, where we were given seven days use of a large Japanese
barracks. Our American consul leased a large bathhouse where we were given the
much-needed free baths, after which I began seeing my first sites at close range of the
old world.
We were again taken on board this time the USS transport "Ohio" and again
our journey started. Arriving in Manila Bay about September 20. The Ohio drop anchor
within three miles of Cavite, where my brother, Charles, was in station, but we did not
get to see each other.
I served three years in the islands mostly on the Sulu group. With the Moros,
who were Mohammedans.
Returning to the states 1902, I labored at various occupations until February
1904 when I was married to a girl at West Salem, who later proved to be a harlot, with
the result that I obtained a divorce 1908. Going into Memphis, Tennessee, for a few
years and on returning just one day to be loafing in Grayville, waiting for a train in there
met my long time friend from Indiana, whereupon courtship began at once, on
December 20, 1909 there was recorded in Belleville papers the results.
My wife, who was Rosa Williams, and I are now living at 1218 Chestnut Street
Mt. Carmel, Illinois.
I could mention interesting experiences of my life, but owing to the wars
causing paper to be a very costly commodity, I will not ask too much of the famous
Pink Edition.
In conclusion, I want to most heartily thank all who in any capacity, however
small aided me along in this world, of which I have been but very little, but am glad to
be here and see and read about what others have.
W. A. Barekman,
Lukin Township
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9
Biographical Note:
(W. P. Beesley)
Biographical Note:
William Penn Beesley was born
September 16, 1863 in Lawrence
County to James Beesley and
Sarah (nee Milburn) Beesley.
James Beesley was born in
Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.
William married Mary C. (nee
Brausa) daughter of Diedrich F.
and Dora (nee Brockmeier)
Brausa. Both Diedrich and Dora
were born in Stolzenau, Hanover,
Germany. The union of William
and Mary brought the following
children: Erwin Grant (b. Apr.
1887); Everett Ivan (b. Dec. 1888);
Oscar Vernon (b. Feb. 1892).
William died September 20, 1937
Mary died December 30, 1960 and
they are buried in the Greenlawn
cemetery in Vincennes, Indiana.
---------
Vincennes, Indiana
June 15, 1917
Almost ever since I can remember I have read the Sumner Press and have
especially enjoyed the annual non-resident historical edition. I have decided this year to
contribute my story.
On the 16th day of September 1863 in a little log cabin in the wilds of Lukin
Township, I first saw the light of day. That was the year of the big frost in August. My
parents were "Uncle Jim" and "Aunt Sally" Beesley, pioneers of that part of Lawrence
County.
My early life was spent on the farm. I attended school in a little log school
house in the edge of Wabash County. The school was known by the name of Shanghai.
It was afterwards replaced by a frame building and now called White Pine.
Among my early teachers I recall the names of James and John Corrie George
Prout, George French, and David Siebert. After finishing my education that Shanghai, I
attended McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois for several terms and then taught in
Wabash and Lawrence County for six years. I then moved to Vincennes and took a
commercial course at Vincennes University under Robert Aley, now president of the
University of Maine. After completing my course here, I went to Dixon Business
College, where I graduated in 1891 and the next fall I obtained a position as principal of
the business department of Vincennes University, which position I held for four years. I
resigned my position with the University in June 1895 and in September of the same
year; I embarked in the retail grocery business. I have added to my business until I now
have a general store and meat market combined.
Now I word about my family. I was married on the first day of November 1885
to Mary C. Brosa, the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. F. (Squire) Brosa of Lukin
Township. “Uncle Aaron” Schrader officiated in the presence of about seventy-five
invited guests.
We have three boys, two of whom are also "Lukinites,” the youngest is a
Hoosier. The oldest is a bookkeeper for the Vincennes lumberyard. And by the way,
they have one child, our only grandchild and grandpa Brosa’s only great-grandchild, so
of course we think she is about it. Our second son, Everett I. Beesley, is a civil engineer
is married and lives in Muskegon Heights, Michigan. He is now employed by the Shan
Electric Crane company as estimator. The youngest Oscar V. Beesley still enjoy single
blessedness and is with me in the store.
Religiously we are all Presbyterians. I was Commissioner to the General
assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, which med at Fresno California, and
by our vote consummated the union of Cumberland Presbyterian and the Presbyterian
Church USA.
I have many pleasant memories of my childhood and early manhood in old
Lawrence County.
With best wishes to all of all my old friends and associates and with the hopes
that the Sumner Press may long live to bring the news of "home”, I remain
Very respectfully
W. P. Beesley
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10
Cates, Indiana
January 11, 1917
Sumner Press:
Your Pink Sheet has found its way into my home several times, which was
very interesting to us, so I will write you a small article for your Pink Sheet.
I was born and raised about six miles northwest of Sumner, near Mulberry
school house, where I attended school most of my boyhood days. Later I purchased 80
acres of land about five miles southwest of there, where I lived for several years. Having
failing health there, I moved up to McLean County, afterwards I moved to Veedersburg,
Fountain County, Indiana, where I ran a market garden for several years and worked at
various kinds of employment. Having accumulated some means I purchased a farm of
40 acres near Cates, Indiana, where I now live. This is well improved with buildings and
silo, which makes us a comfortable home. We raised five children of whom four are
living one girl and three boys, Flora, the oldest girl passed away about 13 years ago.
Going back to our old homestead brings back sweet memories of our childhood, though
after a lapse of about 35 years, alas and where are those we once knew? Death has
claimed most of the older ones while the plump and rosy cheek boys and girls we once
knew are scattered many miles away and strange faces have filled their places. What
few are left present are aged, wrinkled and careworn brow. The roads have been
changed the old buildings have been torn away and new ones erected, the woodlands
have been cleared and are now cultivated fields and thus it seems to us a strange land,
though through your Pink Sheet we are made to reunite. Hoping to hear from all and
wishing them all and the Press a happy and prosperous new year, I remain,
Yours eternally
John Jacob Berlin
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11
(John Jacob Berlin)
Biographical Note:
John Jacob Berlin was born
November 1857 to Andrew and
Hannah (nee Landis) Berlin. He
was united in marriage about
1884 to Ellen A. Oberlin, daughter
of Jacob and Susanna May (nee
Hertz) Obrecht. Jacob Obrecht was
born in Alsace, Colmer Germany.
To this union the following
children were born: Flora E. (b.
Oct. 1884); George M. (b. Sept.
1886); John M. (b. May 1892);
Freddie E. (b. Feb. 1899); Myrtle
M. (b. ab. 1901). John died in 1924
and Ellen died in 1936 and they
are buried in the Harveysburg
Cemetery Kingman, Fountain
County, Indiana.
---------
(D. Brian)
Biographical Note:
David Burget Brian was born
December 12, 1860. He was united
in marriage to Frances Lydia Fisher
daughter of Madison Columbus and
Juliann E. (nee Nease) Fisher. To this
union the following children were
listed n U. S. census records: Calla
(b. May 1885); Orie (b. Feb. 1887);
Elmer (b. Apr. 1888); Flora (b. Apr.
1892); Ina (b. July 1894); Cyrena (b.
Apr. 1897). David died April 7, 1942
and Francis died April 15, 1947.
---------
Los Angeles, California
January 23, 1917
731 Clanton Street
Editor Press:
I am very glad we are again to have the opportunity of hearing from old
residents of Lawrence County.
We all enjoy reading the Pink Issue and am sure it will be read with much
pleasure again.
I am the son of John M. Brian and Leigh (Landis) Brian and was born the
December 14, 1854, 3 1/2 miles south of Sumner, where I spent my boyhood days.
Brother J. M. Brian, still living at Sumner and Elizabeth Quinby of Wellington, Kansas
are the only ones left of the family.
My wife (whose maiden name was Frances L. Fisher) and family and I left
Sumner May 11, 1891, came direct to Los Angeles and have lived here ever since. I
am still with the Hotel Clark, being employed as chief engineer. We are all enjoying
pretty good health and trust these few lines will find old friends and acquaintances
well and prospering. With best regards,
Yours respectfully,
D. Brian
-------------
--------(Lena Burrell)
Biographical Note:
Lena L. Freese was born in March
1869 to Robert and Mary Freese.
Mary was born in Ireland. Lena was
united in marriage to Stoddard D.
Burrell and he was born in
Massachusetts about 1870. The
following children were listed n the
census records; Mary Frances (b.
abt. 1906); Kenneth E. (b. abt.
1909). Lena died in 1925 and is
buried in the Sumner cemetery.
Stoddard was living with Mary in
1930.
---------
Nelson, Missouri
January 5, 1917
Editor Sumner Press:
I see by the Press you have call for letters again from former residents of
Lawrence County.
I am one. I was born and raised in Sumner and although my old home was
broken up, as my dear mother was taken from us. I will always call Sumner my home.
I have a brother there and one in Chicago.
I have been away from Sumner 12 years, but the Press comes to my home
every week and I do enjoy reading it.
We were living at El Dorado Springs for 10 years, until about four weeks ago
we moved to Nelson, Missouri, which is a nice little country town. We are all pleased
with our new home. We have two children, a little girl, 11 years old, and a boy, 8.
They are both out of school at the present time on account of their health.
I will close now and not take up much too much space. My maiden name was
Lena Freese, but now
Mrs. Lena Burrell
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12
St. Paul, Arkansas
January 16, 1917
Editor Press:
As we have always read with pleasure the letters in the Pink Press, we
thought someone might be pleased to hear from us.
We are now living in northwestern Arkansas. By finding Fayetteville on the
map and looking for a little town of St. Paul, which is 35 miles south, you will find our
nearest town.
We are living on a small mountain farm which is six miles from St. Paul.
Perhaps those that know me at all remember that I am the second daughter of
J. N. and Alice Carlisle. Was born in Lawrence County near Chauncey, Township five
, range 13 W., and spent most of my life there until my marriage to Evert Burt in 1894.
My husband was the third son of John and Nancy Burt, who came to
Chauncey in 1882, and made their home there for a number of years. His father died in
1908 and his sister, Irene in July of the same year. Three brothers are still living-W. C.
Burt, a newspaperman of Asheville, North Carolina, Elzie D., who is a mail clerk at
Robinson, Illinois and Ray G. Who is who is a telegraph operator at Bertha,
Minnesota.
Their mother is living with Elzie at Robinson.
We have four children one son and three daughters Lizzie M. is 20 years old
and Nina Doris 18, Winnifred 15 and William 11. One little daughter Pearl died in
infancy.
All of our children are home with us at present excepting Doris, who is in St.
Louis.
We came here almost 4 years ago from Nebraska, where we spent 13 years
and where three of our children were born.
This is not a farming country and is very rough and the people very unprogressive especially here in the mountains.
I will close, as perhaps this is more than will be of any interest to your
readers.
Mrs. P. E. Burt
-------------
13
(Mrs. P. E. Burt)
Biographical Note:
Bertha Carlisle was born about
October 26, 1871 to John Nelson
and Alice Mary (nee Goodman)
Carlisle. She was united in marriage
to Parish Everett Burt. Parish died
in April 25, 1942 and Bertha died
December 13, 1949, they are buried
in the Chauncey Cemetery.
---------
(Ralph Buzzard)
Biographical Note:
Ralph Buzzard was born in
December 1891 to Joseph and Mary
Ellen (nee Ridgley) Buzzard.
---------
USS Wainwright
Port-au-Prince Haiti
January 26, 1917
Editor Sumner Press:
Having been a constant reader of the Press for the past several years, I will try
and show my appreciation of the best home paper I have yet seen by contributing a
few lines for the Pink Edition.
I was born and raised in Christy Township, 2 1/2 miles southwest of Sumner,
present home in Sumner, my father, Joseph Buzzard, having moved to the city about
three years ago.
In February 1911, I listed in the U.S. Navy at Indianapolis, Indiana did my
apprentice training at Norfolk, Virginia. After six months of learning the first
qualifications of Man- O- Wars- Man, I was sent to San Francisco, to serve aboard the
USS South Dakota. During my time aboard the ship I cruise over 80,000 miles,
visiting many foreign countries, among the most interesting were Japan, China and
Australia. I was discharged February, 1915, at Seattle, Washington and straightway set
sail for home, and I honestly believe of all the places that I have seen Sumner looked
the best of all, “just then."
After a stay of four months with home folks, I reenlisted as St. Louis,
Missouri, and went to the electrical school at Brooklyn, New York. After a course of
instructions lasting eight months, graduated electrician (radio), and was detailed to the
USS Wainwright on which I am at present doing duty.
We sailed from Hampton Roads, Virginia January 10 in a company with the
Atlantic Fleet. After a trip of six days arrived in Culebra, leaving the 18th for
Guantánamo, Cuba, where we refueled and sailed for Santiago, Cuba, where all hands
were given an opportunity to see the places of historic interest.
After a stay of three days we took aboard the assistant secretary of the Navy,
Franklin D. Roosevelt, and set sail for Port-Au-Prince Haiti where we arrived this
morning, amidst the booming of saluting Canon.
Lying in the beautiful harbor are 56 war craft, with a score or more aeroplane
circling above, making one of the most impressive scenes that I have ever witnessed,
and the best part of it all, is the Stars & Stripes float from them all.
Will close with pleasant memories of the many happy years spent in
Lawrence County, and I take this opportunity instating my appreciation to the Sumner
Press publishers for the best home paper of them all.
Respectfully,
Ralph Buzzard
-------------
14
The Last Letter from Rev. N. A. Cavens
The editor of the Press knowing the peculiar genius of Rev. N. A. Cavens,
formerly of this city, later of Salem, Mo., but now in that innumerable company who
have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb, to write most
interestingly, we had asked for a letter for the Pink Press.
Brother Cravens although confined to his bed with his fatal illness, responded
by the hand of another as follows:
Salem, Missouri
January 18, 1917
Mr. L.M. Wood Sumner Illinois
My Dear Friend,
I am very sick and it is impossible for me to write the letter so kindly asked
for by you, have been engaged in Union revival meetings for some days; there has
been great interest and large crowds. Spirit fine. Presume I overworked. Will write
more when I am able.
My people here are splendid; they have employed a trained nurse to care for
me and she will be out this afternoon from St. Louis. Please tell Mr. Wood a friend is
writing this for me.
With very kindest regards,
Rev. N. A. Cavens
Although very disappointed in not being able to get a letter from Brother
Cavens for the Pink Press yet we obtained, through Rev. Sam Roper, of Steeleville,
Mo., Who preached Rev. Cavens funeral, at Salem, the following "Eleven Rules of My
Life" taken from Brother Cavens Ledger, by Mr. Roper.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Saved to serve
I want to be right in the right.
I make many mistakes-I am sorry for the fellow who don’t.
Do right, do your best and look for good results.
I have never been sorry for standing out for the right.
Right won't hurt anyone; you may be killed for being right, but
to die is gain
7. No one is ashamed tells the truth. I would rather die with the
truth on my lips than a lie in my heart.
8. Love for everyone is my desire.
9. I think much of the Golden rule.
10. To say “he died shouting" is nothing, but to say he lived a useful
life counts for much.
11. I may be a poor stick, but I need to be a good sticker.
Rev. Roper, in his letter, says that Mrs. Cavens and Madeline returned
Saturday, February 3, to Norris City
-------------
15
Biographical Note:
(Lena Chrisman)
Biographical Note:
Rebecca Evalena Angle was born
July 20, 1879 to Jacob P. and Sarah
E. Angle. She was united in marriage
to John Franklin Chrisman, son of
Benjamin and Laura Chrisman. John
was born November 9, 1867. To this
union the following children were
born: Winnie Opal (b. abt. 1905);
Gilvie Monroe (b. abt. 1908; Lena
died on July 27, 1955 and John died
on December 13, 1925.
Ingraham, Illinois
January 16, 1917
Press Editor and Friends:
I thought I would write a few lines for the Pink Press this time.
I am one of the “Angle" girls and passed most all my childhood days in the
muddy bottoms, where we used to have lots of fun when we were children.
I spent my school days in Petty School House and always went to Sunday
school at Pleasant Hill.
In December 1903, I was married to John Chrisman, of Ingraham, Illinois, at
which place we've always made our home, with the exception of one year in Douglas
County.
We have two children, Winnie, age 12 and a Gilvie, age 8 years. They both
go to school everyday, as we live right by the school house.
I always enjoy reading the letters from those I used to know and also those
that I've never knew.
And I know that I will enjoy this issue, for I am hoping more of the wanderers
from Pleasant Hill neighborhood will write this year.
I've taken the Press for about 16 years and would be sure lonesome without it.
I will close, wishing you, one and all, a prosperous and happy new year.
Lena (Angle) Chrisman
-------------
Jacob Angle
---------
16
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
January 14, 1917
Editor Press:
In accepting your kind invitation to write for the Pink Press, I will endeavor
to tell you something of our wonderful city, believing that it will be of interest to some
of our old friends who still reside in and near Sumner also to those, like ourselves,
have removed to other states.
We, myself, wife and daughter (old home near Beulah Church, in November
1898, for Tupelo, Mississippi, where we lived for two years, having going south for
our daughter's health. We left Tupelo in January 1901, arrived in the city January 9,
1901, which place has since been our home. We bought near our present home in the
spring of 1905 and were lucky in getting located close to the business center, as at that
time the population was only 10,000, and our census taken a short time ago gives us
something over 92,000, a wonderful development.
Our city is a beautiful little city has the buildings are comparatively new,
since it will only be 28 years April since this country was open to settlement. Most of
the business houses are fireproof, being made of brick, stone and reinforced concrete
ranging in height from 3 to 10, 12 and 14 story buildings-quite a number of the higher
ones. Our streets are paved with asphalt and swept and washed day and night. We have
one of the best terminal stations for street railways in the west, into which every car,
both city and interurban runs. Our interurban lines extend some 30 miles north south
and west. The auto is in great use here, both as private and public conveyances. Horses
are an exception as means of travel.
This being Sunday, I was just looking in our church directory and if you were
here you could worship at any one of 42 different places of worship. Some of our
churches are very grand costing more than $100,000 with pipe organs as much as
$10,000. Our school facilities are also fine. Looking in the telephone directory, I see
38 different schools and colleges listed. A public high school building, erected a few
years ago, at a cost of half million dollars is inadequate as there is something like two
thousands enrolled at the present, our school board has just decided to call an election
to vote for $650,000 to build for junior highs, to relieve the overflow.
About 14 banks, I noticed the oldest established one had on deposit at the
close of the year 1916 over $8 million.
You asked for something about our families. My wife, who was miss Mary
Lackey, daughter of Andrew Lackey (deceased), is traveling life highway by my side.
She was raised three miles southeast of Sumner on her father's farm, now the Mortz
place. My only living child, daughter, Vinnie, is married and has one child, Mary
Wilfred, 3 1/2 years of age. Her husband J. S. Armstrong, is vice president and
manager of the Armstrong wholesale music house. And just to give you some idea of
the business done by the firm, which is composed of the three Armstrong brothers, will
tell you that their writing expenses for the year 1916 exceeded $60,000, so you see we
are music loving people in the west, as there are two other large stores, besides a
number of smaller dealers in the city.
We five live together and have many happy times and any time our old
friends come this way we would be pleased to have him call on us.
Respectfully yours,
Mort W. Coffman
403 West Noble Street
-------------
17
(Mort W. Coffman)
Biographical Note:
Mortimore Wilford Coffman was
born in August 1854 to Leander and
Catherine (nee Baker) Coffman. He
was united in marriage to Mary
Lackey daughter of Andrew and
Emaline Lackey. Mary was born
December 1888. To this union the
following children were born:
Vinnie L. (b, abt. 1889).
---------
(Everett Corrie)
Biographical Note:
James Everett Corrie was born
September 15, 1891 to William
Friend and Elva (nee McGuire)
Corrie. He was united in marriage
on April 17, 1917 to Maud Anna
Franklin, daughter of William John
and Alice
Franklin.
(nee
---------
Echelman)
Madison, Illinois
January 23, 1917
Editor Press:
Having lived in your unity when I was a boy. I am deeply interested in its
people and the Pink Sheet.
I am the youngest son of William F. Corrie, who lives about six miles
northwest of Sumner on what is known as the old Staats farm.
I was born in 1891, in Lawrence County, about 12 miles southeast of Sumner
on the old Moffett farm near the old Moffett graveyard and Bethel church. My parents
were members of this church and I attended the Frogeye School.
My mother's maiden name was Elva Maguire. She passed away when I was
two years old, leaving four children, three boys-Elmer, Glenn and myself and one girl
Alma,.
Elmer is married and living in Madison and Glenn is also married and
recently moved to Messix, Colorado, Alma is now Mrs. Curtis Lathrop of Claremont.
Almost 3 years after my mother's death my father married Mrs. Charles
Bailey, her maiden name was Emma Fisher. She had one son six months older than
myself. It kept our stepmother busy watching us. The creek, which ran below the
house, was our delight and if we were caught with our hair wet it was a sure sign of a
hard whipping. One day we decided that we would play a trick, so we went down to
the creek and wet our hair. When we came back to the house our stepmother met us
and told us to line up against the wall and went for the whip, but will we explain the
joke she let us go. We thought we had things except right and we could go swimming
whenever we wanted and always tell her the same thing, but she soon got wise to this
end the trick didn't work any longer.
I think of the old home many times and wish I could see it. The last time I
visited it was in December 1905, when Roy, Glenn and I spent Christmas with Mr. and
Mrs. Sam Thompson near Bethel. We attended a Christmas entertainment at Bethel,
that being the only time I had been in the church since we left there in 1900.
Some of my schoolmates were Charlie, John, Victor, Evert and Earl Joy,
Austin Hebber, Agnes and Victor Bryan, Herman, Ethel and Orville Wright, Mary,
Dell, Joe, Jim and Guy Schrader. Among my first school teachers were Mr. McCann,
Miss Mary Wright., and Charlie Moore.
In 1898 my father ran a small country store and at the same time had charge
of the Ruark Post office. In 1899 we moved from the Moffett place to the Moore farm,
northwest of Frogeye School, and lived there until 1900. Finley moved to Richland
County, about five miles west of Sumner. We lived in this County until about two
years ago, when the folks bought the farm they are now living on.
In the spring of 1909, I left home and went to Tuscola, Illinois, and went to
work on a farm. I had a cousin living there at that time but on account of sickness I
was compelled to return home again, where I stayed about three weeks and then left
again for Madison, and have been here ever since.
18
The first three years I was here I was employed by the American Car and
Foundry Company here. It helped build freight cars. I quit this company in accepted a
position with the Kettle River company. I begin as treating engineer helper. After six
months I was transferred to the night run, where I had charge of the treating
department. I have been with this company for about five years, but have resigned my
position with this company to take effect February 1 and have accepted another
position with another company at Granite City, Illinois. The plant is now being
constructed. I will have charged at the treating department.
Madison has a population of about 10,000 and has 48 or 50 solutions, which
Friday at night, 365 days in the year, but I am very glad to say that none of them
bothered me.
Just after we moved to Richland County in 1900, I was given the nickname of
“Happy Jack," and I was no by many people around home only as "Happy Jack."
Christmas, to me, is one of the happiest days of the year in I always planned
to attend it with my folks. I had a fine time at home this Christmas. Those who have
had experience in being away from their folks know what a pleasure it is to spend at
least one day of the year there.
I hope to hear from many of my friends who the Pink Press.
Yours very truly,
Everett Corrie
-------------
19
Biographical Note:
(Ruella Fry)
Biographical Note:
Ruella Fry was born in
Millersburg, Indiana on January
22, 1891 to Melvin and Cordelia
(nee Reeder) Fry. Melvin was an
oil field worker. Ruella was
united in marriage to Raymond
Costello May 22, 1915 in
Wellsburg, West Virginia. She
was Later married to Adrian
Joseph Demeester who was
born in Jumet, Belgium. Adrian
died in 1983. Ruella died in
Clarksburg,
West
Virginia
August 18, 1963.
---------
Jeanette, Pennsylvania
January 17, 1917
Dear Editor:
In response to your invitation for non-residents to make themselves known, and
also their locations through your Pink Press edition on February 8, I will endeavor to help
just a little by adding one more letter from Pennsylvania, although I have no bets upon it
as a winner.
I received the Sumner Press on Friday of every week, receiving my last copy on
Christmas Day as a Christmas present from my parents. Now located in Augusta, Kansas
I enjoy the contents immensely and don't mind the advertisements and notice many
changes in the business district.
While residing in Sumner I was employed mostly in the racket store formerly
owned by C. H. Gordon. I see by his ad in the Press he is interested in real estate. He is a
most lively one. (This is for Mr. Gordon's special benefit).
Many of my former acquaintances have left your little town but I will probably
learn their whereabouts in your February 8 edition.
Wishing you every success in your letter riding contest and extending best
regards to my former friends I remain,
Sincerely,
Mrs. Raymond Costello,
(Formerly Miss Ruella Fry)
-------------
20
Corona, California
January 16, 1917
Editor Press:
At your urgent request for all the Subscribers to the Press, and especially
old settlers, to write you a letter for the Pink Press, I will send you a few lines, for
I can only send you a faint outline of what I know of the earlier days of Lawrence
County and of Lukin Township and the old settlers thereof. It would take all the
space in your Pink Sheet unless it was as large as our California secret ballot.
I was born on a farm in Clark Township, Brown County, Ohio, on
December 10, 1836. My father's name was Silas. My mother’s maiden name was
Martha Ann Wrestler. I have five brothers, of whom two are still living- B. L. and
J. C. of your town.
In 1852 we moved to Lukin Township, Lawrence County, Illinois, from
our old home in Ohio and settled on what was then called the old Snyder farm,
one half mile from the Richland County line, adjoining the George Moore tanyard
place, later bought and run for several years by Caleb Hoopes, and still later the
farm was sold to Fred Brian, but the tanyard discontinued years before.
In 1857 I was married to Mary T. Lovell. We moved to an 80 acre place
of land adjoining my father's farm. There we built a house and chopped and
grubbed a little farm of 40 acres, a part of which belongs to my brother J. C., The
other 40 I sold to Fred Brian. Here are born seven of our children and here one,
the eldest died and was buried in the Bell or Wright cemetery. Here our children
attended school at old Buckhorn school house which stood on the northeast of my
father's farm.
In 1864 my wife and I were converted enjoying the M. E. Church at
Wesley Chapel. On the same night November 4, 1864 the following named
persons were converted and joined the church with us, I. E. Hill and wife, Eli
Dunn and wife, and James Webber and wife. Of the eight who started at that time
only four remain. Eli Dunn and wife, I. E. Hill and myself. All the others have
gone on to heaven where I expect to meet them soon, to part no more forever. Oh
it was the best thing I ever did in my life when I gave my heart to God. Praise his
holy name for keeping me all these years.
In the fall of 1873 we moved to Neosho County, Kansas, driving through
in a wagon. We settled on a quarter section of land six miles northwest of Walnut,
in Grant Township. We had our church letter with us and put it in the first
opportunity we had. We were always careful about our obligations to God and the
church. We lived on this farm for 25 years, through grasshoppers, droughts and
cyclones, but out of it all, the good Lord brought us safely.
In 1898 we moved to Riverside California settling in Corona, our present
location. Here my dear wife died on October 21, 1902. Here seven of our children
are living. Three are living in Kansas and one in Colorado and one in Arizona.
So this brings me down to date in my eighty first year still pretty strong
for one of my age. I can walk up with anyone I start with. Can't run so fast or
jump so high as I could when I was younger, but still I can climb mountains—
little ones, if they're not too steep. My general health is good. My eyesight is
good; that is with the aid of my glasses I can read fine print. Now my hearing is
rather poor just now but I think when summer comes I will be all right again.
21
(Henry Cunningham)
Biographical Note:
Henry Cunningham was born on
December 10, 1836 to Silas Henry and
Martha Ann (nee Wrestler) Cunningham.
He was united in marriage to Mary T.
Lovell and to this union the following
children were born: Martha (b. abt.
1861); Mary E. (b. abt. 1863); Rebecca
(b. abt. 1865); William (b. abt. 1867);
James E. (b. abt. 1869); Ida (b. abt. 1871;
John (b. abt. 1871); Margaret J. (b. Dec.
1874); Rose M. (b. Jan. 1877); Emma L.
(b. Feb. 1879); Cora L. (b. June 1881);
Fred H. (b. July 1883). Henry died may
14, 1933 and Mary died October 21,
1903. They
Sunnyslope
California.
are buried in
Cemetery
---------
Corona
Corona
I was well acquainted with all the old settlers in Lukin and vicinity. Can
remember when there was no Sumner nor Bridgeport nor Hadley for there was no
railroad nearer than Vincennes. It used to be our nearest mill where we can get wheat
ground was Lawrenceville. Sometimes my father would go to Rochester, at the rapids
on the Wabash near Mt. Carmel to mill. On such occasions we always had to stay
overnight, and sometimes two nights. We had a little corn down on Bonpas and saw a
mill run by Henry King, later bought and run by August Starkman, could run but part
of a year, as it was a wet weather mill, but it sure helped us out many times.
I would be glad if I could speak of all the old settlers by names and tell you
the good things I know about them, but I cannot at this time. Perhaps we tell you about
them later.
I know this letter is already too long for your Pink Sheet but I will tell you
how to manage it. You know everyone knows how to run a newspaper better than the
editor does so I will tell you how to do. Divide it up and run it as a serial story
alongside of some of the Lukinite man's chicken dinner stories.
May God bless Prior Sutherland. I always did like him I remember him as a
nice soldier boy. I see by his picture in last year's Pink Sheet he is still a noble looking
old man.
Oh yes I know after seeing this little squib of mine you will want my picture
also so I send you one taken two years ago on decoration day. It is not a good picture,
but my friends tell me that it is just as ugly as I am.
I must say that if any of my old friends would like to hear something about
the finest country in the world (California) write me at 1112 Sheridan Street Corona
California.
So goodbye to all and good luck to the Press and the Pink Sheet in particular.
Henry Cunningham
-------------
22
Hunter, Arkansas
January 18, 1917
More 1918
Sumner Press:
I thought I would write a few lines to help you with your Pink Press and to let
my friends know where I had wondered to.
My maiden name was Emma Heath. I was born and raised near Westport,
Illinois and when I was 18 years old, I was married to Robert Diebold. We lived near
Sumner, Illinois until last July 1916, when we decide to make a change and we moved
to Arkansas where my husband is in charge of one of the Arkansas Mills belonging to
the Mushrush Lumber Company.
We have three children. The two older ones are both in school and Floyd is a
sweet little boy, three years old and is plenty of company for me while the rest are
away. We are all satisfied here and have had good health since we have been down
here. Hunter is mostly made up of people of Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio, and I think
we shall make our future home here, for we are now building a new bungalow, which
will be ready to move into in a short time.
There are several people here from Lawrence County, but I will not take up
time to name them. Also some from other parts of the state, but I will not name them.
I will close, by hoping to see many letters in the Press from my wandering
friends and relatives.
When you start Arkansas, come all the way. Lots of people come down into
the northern part of the state, where the railroad sometimes run through the roughest
and poorest country, being disappointed at the looks of the country and turned back.
When you start, make up your mind to come all the way and we promise you a
genuine surprise for you and will find a beautiful country, a fertile country, plenty of
rainfall and pleasant climate
Yours truly
Mrs. R. A. Diebold
------------Hunter, Arkansas
January 18, 1917
Editor Press:
As you are calling for non-resident letters, I will try and write you a few lines
as Sumner is my old hometown and it is just like getting a letter from home every
week when I read the Press.
I was born in Petty Township and raised in the vicinity of Sumner and I lived
near Chauncey, Illinois. Last July, I moved to Arkansas accompanied by my wife and
three children. Came to Hunter, Arkansas, where I am now in charge of one of the
Mills belonging to the Mushrush Lumber Company.
I can truthfully say that we all like the new country and I can also say we are
having good health down here, so you can tell all of them that Arkansas is all right and
that they ought to quit knocking on it.
Sawmilling has been good for the last six or eight months. We are doing nice
business and we expect a much nicer business this coming year, which I feel assured
we will get.
Yours truly,
Robert Diebold
-------------
23
(Emily B. French)
Biographical Note:
Emily B. Bell was born about 1850
to Philo and Mary Emaline (nee
Spencer) Bell. On October 1, 1867
she was united in marriage to
Almond Woolfred French, Son of
Chauncey Adam and Jane N. (nee
Travis) French. To this union the
following children were born:
Breese French (b. Aug. 1868);
Chauncey Philo (b. Nov. 1871);
Daisy D. (b. Mar. 1875); Molly (b.
Apr 1878); Carrie (b. Jul.
1885).Almond was a Cilvil War
Veteran served in the Co. A 11th
Missouri. Almond is buried at
Popular Grove Cemetery, Beaver
County, Oklahoma..
---------
Saint Joe, Arkansas
January 23, 1917
L. M. Wood and Sons:
I did not intend to write for the Pink Press but I received a letter from my
mother and she said I had better write as she did not test her writing this year.
My mother is Mrs. Philo Bell, and my father lived many years in Sumner in
on a farm one mile west of town. I have lived away from old Lawrence County many
years. My husband, Almond W. French has been dead five years, and I live with Mrs.
Daisy French Peterson in the winter months and then to go to my daughters, near
Nevada, Missouri. I visited in said Sadalia last summer with my mother and sister,
Effie, who married Dr. E. Staats, of Lawrence County.
I always read the Pink Press and will enclose 10 cents of a copy of the next
one.
I have many old friends in Sumner and many who have moved away, so I
hear about them by reading the Pink Press.
I like this part of Arkansas and the H. C. of L. don't bother us much down
here.
Emily B. French
-------------
24
Denton, Texas
January 26, 1917
Editor Sumner Press:
Through the kindness of someone, I have received a copy of your paper under
date of January 4, and have read your appeal for former residents to make some report
as to their whereabouts, conduct and so on, and you say you will "corral" all these
"spiels” in what is to be called the "Pink Issue". I have delayed writing, because I
experienced considerable trouble in finding a pink ribbon for my typewriter.
I like the general "get up" of your request very much, and while I am not
personally acquainted with you boys, I am now convinced that you are real live wires
and bound to make the Sumner Press a great factor in building up your town and
community.
I carelessly grew up in old Lawrence County, on the state road, about 2 1/2
miles northeast of Sumner at the foot of the old Perkins Hill. I am sure that was the
name of the hill, for I left home for Texas one morning just after breakfast, when I was
18 years old, and as soon as I reached a good resting place in Arkansas, I wrote back to
a friend of mine, giving a description of my trip all in rhyme and as one or two verses
are still a matter of record, but had never appeared in pink before, I will now submit
them:
When the traveler reach the Perkins Hill,
He felt that his bosom with something would fill,
He turned and gave the old place one more look,
And thought of the long long journey he undertook.
And quickening his steeds slow, lagging pace,
He raised his head, to look Jack Couchman square in the face,
"Hello Billy, are you running away?"
Texas or bust was all he could say
Those verses may throw on the screen of a romance which the uninitiated will
never grasp, but if any of the boys who attended Will Maratta’s last term of school at
old Springhill happen to read this, they will feel that they have at least one more of
those old-time smiles coming.
And just think of it, Mr. Editor, I had taken so much pains to serve that poem
up in several big chunks of the purest English which I thought was in use at that time,
and labeled it "strictly confidential."Certainly so, the sample I have exhibited above is
a prime prima facia evidence of that, but what did that "confidential correspondent"
back at your end of the line do for me? Not a thing but turn the whole shooting match,
without any reservations whatever, over to Will Carlton, who was then publisher of the
Sumner Press. I don't think Mr. Carlson held any grudge against me at all, but he felt it
his duty to run the article in the interest of modern literature and because of its
grammatical efficiency and symmetrical construction. Talk to me about "leaks."
President Wilson has nothing to worry him now as compared to my own mental
embarrassment over my poetical leak in that day.
I am not positive in what Township I live, but think it was Petty at any rat, I
remember that one time I was mighty sweet or young lady living in the same
Township by the name of Petty, and I now recall the fact that I took her home from a
party one night when the roads are so muddy that we found it advisable instead of my
leading the horse, for us both to get on and ride.
25
Editor Note:
Perkins Hill is now Red Hills State
Park.
That was during a period when one
was bubbling over with poetical
effusion, so he wrote up the affair in rhyme and handed it to the SumnerPress. About
that same time the writer was contributing items to the Sumner Press, headed
"Danville dips." That was because our jurisdiction extended far east as Uncle Dan
Barnes home, just west of the old White House church. In those days one Henry
Couchman was much of a "joker" and he had often made life miserable for us and as
he knew very much of some of Henry’s Sunday night ramblings, we saw a chance to
even up, so we gathered some facts and some near facts and put them together in verse
and passed the censorship of the Sumner Press by taking the editor an extra big load of
dry stove wood. I will quote but one of the verses, for I am sure Henry can supply
what is lacking:
“Laura keeps company yet,
This I have a right to state,
But the calf is out of the yard, he bet
And prop against the gate."
But, Mr. Editor you will pardon me for the above overflow of boyish
reminiscences, I will agree to get down to business and conclude my story as briefly as
possible.
I note that your "rules for writers" who asked for us to write more about
ourselves and other Lawrence County friends than about the country or the
surroundings where we reside. Nevertheless I must tell you, with my family, I am
living in Denton County, County seat of Denton County in the northern part of Texas.
That Denton is the home of the Texas State normal the college of industrial arts a
school exclusively for girls. These are two great state institutions and no town west of
the Mississippi River has better public schools than Denton. This town also has a
broad and deserving reputation for being a count of churches and churchgoing people.
As our citizens appear to be growing more intelligent each year. I believe I can write
for your next "homecoming" issue, and tell you that this County has voted bonds for
building a perfect system of good roads all over the county. A few non-progressive
calamity howlers caused such a proposition to be defeated last December.
My oldest daughter has a very comfortable home in Topeka, Kansas, and our
baby girl is here also, attending Washburn college and right at this particular time my
wife happens to be up there on a visit and it behooves me to hurry and get this letter
off to you before she returns and sees it, for then it would never be mailed. True
enough, Mrs. F. Is just the best old girl that ever lived, and she is full of mischief also
but she gets after me often for being short on what she calls dignity. I have another
daughter married and living in Waco, Texas, and my cute little sawed-off girl, who
resembles her father lives with us here in Denton, and will graduate from the college
of industrial arts in May. I have a bright little grand son of a gun in Waco, and my
second married daughter, who lives here in Denton, has the sweetest and smartest little
two-year-old girl that ever was. She also loves her granddad and called him "fogy".
I have but one boy, and he is now employed by the Studebaker Company at
Dallas. He has a special demonstrator of cars. My boy is the only one of my children
that I really wanted to see get married, but it seems the little rascal is never going to
get in the notion. I am going to insist on his going to Lawrence County, Illinois to
spend his vacation this summer and see what that will do for him
26
My sister, Mrs. Ella Fyffe, also from Lawrence County, makes her home with
us and fills a position with the college of industrial arts.
I know of very few Lawrence County people living in Texas. Until within the
next two years, I would often happen the pleasure of meeting up with my former friend
and schoolmate Aaron Pepple, who was in business in Dallas, but Aaron is now dead
and I had not heard whether his widow and daughters continue to reside in Dallas or
not.
Mrs. Will Maratta nee Couchman, who is the widow of my former school
teacher, resides in Denton. She has three daughters at home with her. I have met them
all and find them to be most estimable young ladies. I understand that Mrs. Maratta’s
father, Marion Couchman, died recently at Sulfur, Oklahoma.
It occurs to me that I have now written entirely too much, but I blame the
generosity of your invitation for it, if I have.
I interpreted the last two paragraphs of your request to mean that formally
would be eliminated and that a lot of old-time "suckers" would be expected to get busy
and enjoy a pen reunion and a dream of a home-coming that was worthwhile. I will be
so glad to learn that all our former Lawrence County "boys and girls" who have
wandered away have written good long letters for your Pink Press, and if I find that
they are all happy and having as much fun as the Fyffe bunch is having out here in the
Lone Star State I will be satisfied.
Goodbye until the
Homecoming time rolls around.
W. C. Fyffe
Later
Denton, Texas
February 1, 1917
Editors Press:
Today, as I received your return register card, I just took time to think over
what I had written you and I should not have been so hasty, but thinking over the
matter a little, I could have done much better, I am sure.
I did not state the year I left home at first, and I remember now that it was in
the spring of 1878, and that might have been too early for Will Carlton to have been
the editor of the Sumner Press.
I remember that when I was writing my first neighborhood news item, Mock
Brothers were the editors then after I left home I think A. C. Clippinger, and perhaps
Dr. Z. D.French, took hold of the paper, so you see my letter might sound just a little
confused to anyone who remembers those times exactly, but I hardly think there is
anything very material in that. And again, I recall now that I did not write and send
back that "poetical history" of my trip until I had been away almost one-year. I had
made the trip on horseback, had stopped in Van Buren County, Arkansas, taught a
term of school, and later went to Springfield, Missouri to locate so it was from there,
almost one year after leaving home, that I wrote verses back describing my ramblings,
but did not reach Texas until my 1901, then spent my first two years in San Antonio
from which place one might be able to write a very interesting descriptive letter.
27
I am only writing you this personal information, so if you saw a place where
my letter needed some changing or correcting you would have data with which to
patch up with.
If I am allowed to live through another year, I shall write you the letter one
day, and not mail it out until I think it over during the night, then correct and try hard
to write you a real good one.
However, I assure you my great pleasure is going to be in reading the very
interesting letters which will appear coming from long-lost friends whom I might have
forgotten and I shall enjoy knowing just where they have wandered and to know how
they are prospering.
I trust you will pardon this unexpected (unreadable) of your valuable time.
Sincerely and respectfully,
W. C. Fyffe
------------Butler, Missouri
January 27, 1917
Sumner Press:
--------(Nellie Hamilton)
Biographical Note:
Nellie Waggoner was born January
10, 1873 to Philip and Melissa (nee
Harris) Waggoner in Chauncey.
Nellie was united in marriage to
William M. Hamilton. William being
born in Kansas. To this Union James
E. Hamilton was born (b. abt. 1909)
William died in 1910 shortly after
his son was born. Nellie died
January 19, 1954 in Butler, Missouri.
They are buried in the Waggoner
cemetery near Chauncey.
---------
I have recently subscribed for your paper. I find it a source of great pleasure
to me as each week it brings me a message from home. As I read of my friends and
relatives in and around Sumner it brings back many happy memories of former days.
In 1907 we moved from Pleasant Hill, Petty Township to Corning, Arkansas.
Having lived in Arkansas for four years, we moved to a farm near Butler,
Missouri. It is here that my son James and I will live with my brother Ammon
Waggoner. Ammon is married and has two little sons. My boy is growing so fast you
would scarcely recognize him. He has eight years of age and in the third grade.
Wishing success to the Sumner Press, and sending greetings to all its readers,
I am
Nellie Waggoner Hamilton
------------Lathrop Missouri
February 1, 1917
L. M. Wood Sons:
Complying to your request, I submit a brief letter to your nonresident issue.
We are located at Lathrop Missouri, Clinton County, 40 miles from Kansas
City and 300 miles from St. Louis. We have three railroads Burlington, Rock Island,
and Santa Fe.
Lathrop is a thriving little town, population 1600, has splendid high school,
five churches, including a colored Methodist.
We are a charge of the First Methodist Episcopal Church. The work moves on
very encouragingly.
There are quite a number of Illinois people in this section and thus we do not
feel we are low in Missouri.
28
The land here sells them $125-$165 per acre and his black soil, very
productive, level, rolling land, high altitude.
Lathrop as one of the largest horse and mule markets in the world. There is
constantly here from 25,000 to 40,000 head, which is a great site to witness. They ship
in and out every week. The English have their headquarters established here and buy
horses and mules for war purposes, shipping them to Newport News, Virginia, then to
Europe. The report is the average life of these horses in the war is eight days.
Our oldest son, Jasper, has been in DeKalb County, Illinois, the past year. He
is taking a course in civil service as a mail clerk. Our second son, Wilbur, has been in
Chicago for three years, and is now manager of a large cafe.
We have had splendid winter weather, so far, no rain to speak of no sleet or
snow storm.
We have a splendid class of people here, and so far, we are well pleased with
our western location.
We get the Press weekly, thus hearing from our many friends in Illinois.
Sincerely yours,
in the service of the master,
W. C. Harms
------------The War
Woodrow Wilson called for war on Germany, which the US Congress declared on
April 6, 1917. During World War I, the United States made a great effort to conserve
food and other vital materials to help supply the troops and our allies abroad. People
were encouraged to follow "Meatless Mondays" and "Wheatless Wednesdays". Victory
gardens, also called war gardens or food gardens for defense, were vegetable, fruit
and herb gardens planted at private residences and public parks in United States to
reduce the pressure on the public food supply brought on by the war effort. The
Department of Agriculture distributed booklets on basic information about gardening
and recipes so average Americans could do their part for the War effort.
-------------
29
(W. C. Harms)
Biographical Note:
William C. Harms was born in
Lawrence County the son of Lutie
and Dorathea (nee Markman)
Harms on January 22, 1872. Lutie
was born in Breddorf Hanover, and
Dorthea was born in Madgeburg, in
Germany. William was first married
to Clara Malinda Vanatta, daughter
of George Washington and Matilda
(nee Middagh) Vanatta, on March
12, 1893. Clara was born in 1868.
The following children were born to
this union: Jasper W. (b. June 1894);
Wilbur F. (b. Feb. 1896); Benjamin F.
(b. abt. 1901); Russell I (b. abt.
1904). Clara died on January 12,
1913/ William then married Mary
Gould, daughter of Jerome and
Lydia (nee Zimmerman) Gould on
December 30, 1914. Mary died in
August, 1958. William died February
23, 1953.
Editors Note:
William added in a letter to the
1916 Press from Elkville, Illinois:
“I left Sumner and the “old
homestead" (my birthplace) 10
years ago. Many changes have
taken place in Sumner and the
sacred old home church Beulah, and
in our own home since our
departure to take up the work of
our calling and of our Lord and
Master as a Methodist minister.”
“Our eldest son, Jasper, at present
is in high school at Carbondale; our
second son, Wilbur, is in Chicago in
a cafe. “
In 1918 William wrote the Press
from St. Joseph, Missouri: “Wilbur
F. our second son is in a critical
condition at Camp Grant, Rockford,
Illinois, having been recently
vaccinated, and blood poisoning
developing. We would pray to God
the war would close tomorrow. “
Editor Note: Wilbur recovered lived
to the age of 82.
---------
(Mary Hester)
Biographic Note:
Mary was a seamstress in 1880.
---------
Mobile, Alabama
January 27, 1917
Dear Friends of the Press:
I am spending this year in Mobile, Alabama. I have been here five months
and have been sick most of the time. The wind off the Gulf is hard on me. It is cold
and very damp. Was in Jackson, Alabama last year and was well all of the time.
My maiden name was Mary Magdalene Doyle. Born in Clark County, Ohio
January 30, 1840. Moved to Lawrence County, Petty Township, October 1845. My
stepfather bought the Conway farm, almost do north of Sumner on the Shelbyville
Road Mr. Conway lived there 10 years and we lived there 10 years, then myself and
father sold it to his son, David Smith, and we went to Indiana, near Logansport.
Ten years of my childhood days respected Illinois. It was called a new place
and that it certainly was. Very few people had over 40 acres of land financed mostly a
cabin and a small patch. People did not have to raise much to live on in those days.
Deer and turkey were plenty and hogs fattened on mast. There was no market and
farmers had easy times. All of farmer had to do was fence in 10 or 20 acres of prairie,
break it with oxen or horses, take an axe every four feet sink the axe to head, dropped
three of four grains of corn put your foot on it and your work was done until gathering.
Corn was cribbed in rail pens and you had from 7 to 20 pens. According to the size of
your field, and your hay you just went to the prairie and cut it. Put it in doodles and
hauled it home. This was a glorious country. We children lived a charmed life for six
or seven years. The prairie was gorgeous some three seasons of the year with flowers,
a perfect paradise. There were disadvantages to contend with. Also, we raised sheep,
had to for clothing in the winner. The wolves were so destructive on the sheep they
had to be penned every night to save them. At dusk you can see droves of wolves
leaving the prairie for the woods. Hunters made trouble by setting the prairie on fire.
We had to fight fires for days to save our homes and then our beautiful prairie grass,
that waived its plumes in the wind like a sea of glory was menaced by another foe, by
immigration from Coshoctes and Perry counties in Ohio. Many homes went up, farm
for improved and civilization soon stamped out the virgin paradise, golden grains at
the place of grass and today Lawrence County ranks among the best in southern
Illinois.
I will never forget the visions of childhood. To me it was a garden of
paradise, rich with beauty and delight there were songs of sweet birds, the fragrance of
flowers, the warmth of the sunlight and the glory of color makes me feel like
ascending the supernatural heights where the shadow of evil never falls and where the
secrets of life are centered in the spirit of love.
I moved to Sumner over 22 years ago, leaving Christy Township until now. In
the last 50 years the continents have been covered with a network of railroads,
telegraph wires and telephones, writing in every direction. It seems to bring distant
parts of the earth near together.
History tells us that at the beginning of the 19th century the great
manufacturers of the world were in their infancy. It seems to me that they have jumped
to perfection at a bound.
The motor cars and improved machinery have increased at a wonderful rate in
this age and Lawrence County has availed itself to the opportunity at hand that it is one
of the best counties in southern Illinois. We sure would be proud of it and Sumner
also. We should pray for the future success and prosperity.
30
I expect to come back to Sumner I want to be buried there. I want to rest
where I have lived the longest.
This will be my last letter that I expect to write to my many friends
of the Press. I will bid your farewell, hope to meet in heaven.
Yours,
Mary M. Hester
------------Columbus, New Mexico
January 22, 1917
Editor Press:
Just a few lines for the Pink Edition, to let all my old friends know but I still
remember them. Although it has been a long time since I called Illinois my home, yet I
always think of my boyhood days, which was spent about nine miles southwest of
Sumner, in eastern Richland County. In my roving around the country, my mind often
goes back to the good old school days at Mulberry, and I often think of the boys and
girls who were schoolmates of mine. Some have passed over to the other shore, and
some are still living in the same neighborhood that we was their birthplace.
I often wonder if Simon's Stadge, Gustav Voigt, Ed and Will Yelch, John
Leathers, and George, Lee, Alf, Charlie and Rolla Jones ever think of the times we
used to have, and the trouble we used to cause our teachers. I have to laugh when I
think of the time the shotgun was fired under the teacher's desk, also when someone
cut the whips, and the time that John Leathers had to read his love letter before the
whole school, and the time that “Squire” Stadge and I put the cockle bar in a certain
girls hair. I wonder if Ed and Will Yelch remembers the night we went rabbit hunting
and salty "ghost" and if Gustav Voigt remembers the night we invited Bill leathers to
help us eat “chicken”, of course we paid for the chicken.
Those were good old days, but they are past and gone, never to return and we
are getting old that was about 25 years ago, and times have changed since then. I
intend to come back there next fall, in October, has my time will be out in the Army, if
no new trouble starts.
This is an awful lot to live down here on the border. No one knows what it is
unless they are here a while. I suppose Columbus will be a busy place for the next
month, as the troops are to be brought out of Mexico, and most of them will pass
through here.
Well, for fear my letter will take up too much space, I guess I will close. Just
one more thing I want to say, and that is, I would be glad to hear from any of my old
friends, and I will answer all letters I receive.
Just a few words to your Mulberry-Mount Olive correspondent, I always read
that part of the Press first. Keep up the good work.
With regards and best wishes to the editor and readers of the Press, I remain,
Yours truly,
Rolla W. Houser
Medical Department
12th U.S. Calvary
Columbus New Mexico
-------------
31
Biographic Note:
(O. J. Huchel)
Biographic Note:
Otto John Huchel was born on
September 28, 1876 in Illinois the
son of German Immigrants. He was
united in marriage to Mary (nee
Tucker) born February 7, 1879 in
Illinois. To this union the following
children were born: Edith (b. abt.
1900); Ralph (b. abt. 1903); Lloyd (b.
abt. 1906); Robert J. (b. abt. 1908);
Otto (b. abt. 1910); Bert (b. abt.
1913); Charley (b. abt. 1916). Mary
died November 24, 1964 and Otto
died January 16, 1950.
---------
Logansport, Louisiana
January 20, 1917
Editor Press:
Your appeal to the wanderers for letters just came today and as I did not write
last year, I will try to let you know where I am, as I once lived in old Lukin and will
always have a warm spot in my heart for grand old Lawrence County, especially
Lukin, as some of the best people on earth live there, or at least I think so, for I have
been around a little since I left there five years ago.
I have been in several states, including Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas
and Kansas. We had visited quite a few of the leading cities of the west and south.
I am at present about 150 miles south of Shreveport, Louisiana. I am putting
up a sawmill and planner for a lumber company. I am the carpenter foreman. Have
been here since October 4, 1916.
My family is living in Arkansas at present, where we have been for the past
five years. We own a farm of 120 acres there, nicely located in a graded road, rural
route, telephone line, only 1 1/2 miles from a graded school and four miles from
Winthrop, Arkansas, located in the extreme southwest part of the state.
Well, this leaves me well at present. And about the same old stick in the mud,
haven't got rich very fast so far. Have six hardy boys, all well the last I heard from
them. Four of them are going to school and making good grades. My daughter is
married and lives near as.
We expect to move down here in Louisiana soon, as I expect to stay here for a
few years and if any of my old friends in Lawrence or Richland counties what a little
hot mix from the sweet sunny south, just drop me a line and we'll try to oblige them.
I will close for this time, as this may be too late for the Pink Edition but I
wish all my old friends and associates in and around Sumner and Lukin all that is good
in life.
Yours truly,
O. J. Huchel
-------------
32
Cairo, Illinois
January 20, 1917
LM wood and Sons:
Twenty seven years ago, February 20, 1890 we moved from West Salem,
Illinois to Lawrence County, first locating on a farm near Hadley. The farm life did not
appeal to us so in September same year, we moved to Sumner where we had better
educational advantages, as there were four of us of school age. I attended school for
two years graduating in the class of 1892. I sure thought Sumner was the best place on
earth.
Our crowd, the "Upper Tens”, consisted of about a dozen girls in our teens
and many were the good times we had. Only a few of them live there now.
When we first moved to Sumner and were strangers, my oldest brother died,
but when several years later mother was called home that was the greatest grief I know
anything about.
I lived in Sumner nineteen years when I went to Dawson Springs, Kentucky,
where I was bookkeeper for three years for my brother, who is in the hardware
business. About five years ago, I married and moved to Cairo where I now reside.
Now some think of Cairo as the worst place on earth, it is not. Of all the
places I ever lived I prefer Cairo for it is good enough for me. When we get "booze"
voted out Cairo will be hard to beat.
My husband came here in 1874 and has seen Cairo grow up. He is a gunsmith
and has a good business. I have been a non-resident of Lawrence County for eight
years, but I still call Sumner home and try to visit there at least once a year.
I have always taken the Press. I could not do without it and always am
anxious for its arrival. Many times I see sad news and my heart goes out to others who
have lost loved ones, for I know what it means.
My maiden name was Kate Staninger
Mrs. H. E. Ince
417 Eighth Street
-------------
33
(Mrs. H. E. Ince)
Biographic Note:
Maria Catherine “Kate” Staninger
was born in Illinois on December 23,
1872 to Charles and Mary (nee
Kaericher) Staninger. She was
united in Marriage on March 10,
1912 to Horace Edgar Ince, son of
Horace Luther and Lorenda (nee
Duncan) Ince. Horace was born on
September 28, 1854. Horace died
April 29, 1936 and Kate died on July
31, 1937 and they are buried in the
Sumner Cemetery.
---------
See 1918,1915
Trenton, North Dakota
January 3, 1917
To the Editor and readers of the Press:
This opportunity affords me great pleasure, not only in writing but knowing
I'll get to hear from so many of my all-time friends.
---------
The woman and kidlets are living in Trenton, in order that the children can be
close to school. We have two weeks vacation. The wife and children spent their
vacation with me, assisting with butchering. I'm spending the winter on the ranch
feeding and milking, save the time I'm on the trail to and from Trenton. I'm truly glad
the editor didn't forbid us writing about fishing. You know in the"sucker” state when
we finished planting it was customary to go fishing. For four or five years, when we
first came out here we didn't plant corn, consequently we didn't get to go fishing. Last
year some of us suckers planted corn so we could have a massive fish. William
Dishong, from Buford with a party, came down and J. W. and Henry Bowen arrived on
the scene nevertheless we succeeded in landing 29 spoonbill cats or boneless fish,
ranging from 15 to 50 pounds while totaling 840 pounds. We gave away all save one
apiece. After they were gone we decided to have another bait. This time we met with
greater success, in spite of the fact that we thought we had reached the climax the first
time. Having fished until noon we decided to gather up the pieces, thinking we had
enough to go around. One drag we succeeded in landing 51 of those large spoonbill.
Believe me it was all a man could drag and we were all good pullers.
We had to wagon loads totaling 2870 pounds. Now this is a true fish story,
but after we gave away all we could, we salted two barrels.
Now, Mr. Editor, if I have drifted from the text, please pardon me.
Will close for this time, hoping I shall receive as many or more letters from
my boyhood friends.
Wishing all a happy and prosperous new year, I remain respectfully yours,
Earl Irwin
-------------
34
Pollard, Arkansas
January 15, 1917
Dear Editor and Readers of the Press:
After a vacation of 30 or more years, I will chronicle a few more lines for the
Press. This takes me back to my boyhood days in Lukin Township, when I used to
scrap around for news for the press.
Many changes have taken place since then. One of the most important events
in my life occurred on the 24th day of July, 1892, and I took them to myself as wife
one of the best Little women from the country afforded-Mary E. Milligan, daughter of
David G. Milligan. We were blessed with two children. First a boy, his father's joy
came to stay for only a season after which God called him home to a place already
prepared.
My baby girl, Hazel, who is now with us.
I am the son of William C. and Phoebe L. Ivie; was raised in Lukin
Ttownship, Lawrence County Illinois; and am the oldest (and Mary says the best
looking one) of a large family of three girls and seven boys, of whom only mother and
two sisters reside Lawrence County, father having died eight years ago.
My father being a farmer, I naturally pickup that occupation but when my
health failed, I sold our farm and chattels, except a team, wagon, and a few belongings,
with which, on September 27, 1897, I and my family started southwest.
After having stopped the first night with Joseph Shearer in Wabash County
we took camp life as it came. The weather being fine, we certainly enjoyed the trip
overland. We crossed the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau and on October 8, 1897
we crossed the St. Francis River at St. Francis, Arkansas. After staying for a time in
finding that my health was wonderfully improving, we decided to locate in St. Francis.
We have all had splendid health since we came to northeast Arkansas.
We went into the mercantile business, in which we have continued during the
greater part of the time we have been in Arkansas, down nearly 20 years. Recently we
sold our business and purchased Highland Farms, which contains 210 acres. There are
about 100 acres of fine pastureland, with plenty of spring water, while the remainder is
good bottomland, which will grow anything. The farm is located three miles west of
Pollard, a thriving railroad town. That we may be near the farm, we have moved to
Pollard, where we will operate the Highland Theatre and do a little real estate business.
Although some 20 years have come and gone, we often talk of times Illinois,
speak of friends not seen for years and then, by letter or newspaper, we note the death
of others who have gone to meet their reward. And then we think again that the boys
and girls of 20 years ago are men and women of today and that returning to Illinois
would be like going into a strange land.
I wish you, editors and readers, a happy and prosperous year of 1917
Respectfully,
L. A. Ivie
-------------
35
(L. A. Ivie)
Biographic Note:
Lorenzo Asher Ivie was born
December 19, 1868 in Illinois to
William Curtis and Phoebe (nee
Goslin) Ivie. He was united in
marriage on July 24, 1892 to Mary
Eliza Milligan, daughter of David G.
and Elvira (nee Grout) Milligan.
Census records show a daughter
born to this union Hazel Maud (b.
Oct. 1894) tombstone shows a son
Burl R. born and died in 1893.
Lorenzo died June 30, 1927 and
Mary died December 29, 1949.
Lorenzo, Mary, Burl and Hazel are
buried in the Bethel Cemetery in
Lawrence County.
---------
(Mrs. B. M. Longenecker)
Biographic Note:
Vernice Effie Waggoner was born
April 27, 1896 to Joseph Jackson
and Elizabeth Ellen (nee Angle)
Wagner. On February 7, 1914 she
was united in marriage to Benjamin
Melvin Longenecker, son of
Rolandus O. and Mary Jane (nee
Tedford) Longenecker.
To this
Union the following children were
born: Vecea Cloye (b. Aug. 1916);
Ivalee (b. Aug. 1919); Gwendolyn (b.
abt. 1922); Robert Donald (b. May
1928). Benjamin died January 5,
1968 and Vernice died on July 15,
1973. Benjamin is buried in Hillcrest
Memorial
Park,
Bakersfield,
California.
---------
---------
El Dorado, Kansas
January 22, 1917
Dear Editor:
Will respond to your invitation to write a letter for the Pink Press.
We are nicely situated in El Dorado and enjoying the best of health. My
husband is employed by the Empire Gas and Fuel Company.
There is quite a number of scissorbills here from our hometown including Joe
Pargin, Cap Stein, Guy Wagner and others.
Our five-month-old daughter, whom the parents are very fond of, provides
most of the entertainment for the home.
I was born and reared in Petty Township, my parents are Joseph and Eliza
Wagner, who still reside on the old home place. My husband's home was in Petty
Township also until two years ago, when we moved to Flat Rock, Illinois and from
there to El Dorado about two months ago.
Our old hometown, (Sumner and neighborhood which is six miles northeast
of Sumner will always be a dear place to us. It is always the greatest a pleasure to meet
old friends and chat with them.
I will not take up more space so will close wishing all a prosperous year.
Finish Bio
Yours respectfully,
Mrs. B. M. Longenecker
------------Lodi, California
January 20, 1917
Editor Press:
I wrote a letter last year to the press. We look forward to the time for it to
come but there are not many we know in it now. Mr. Berkshire, Mr. Whiteside, and
some others. My father's name was George Lee. They are almost all gone. I look so
longingly for some of their names. My husband's father was William Lytle. "Uncle
Billy," they called him. How times have changed thanks.
William Lytle
My home was south of the slough, and Sam’s father north near Union. The
reader will remember this.
We are having a cold spell here in California.
Mr. and Mrs. John Berkshire and Will James and Samuel Rodrick and
ourselves came to California in 1873. That is a long time. Only Samuel Rodrick has
crossed over to the beyond. If this misses the wastebasket I will be pleased.
Mrs. Samuel Lytle
335 East Lodi
Elanor (nee Sunter) Lytle
---------
Samuel Lytle
36
Storm Lake, Iowa
January 3, 1917
Dear Editor:
Although I am not an old timer, I wish to write a line or two, if only to wish
you the best of success with the Pink Edition, which I consider a highly commendable
effort.
I was born on what is known as the Malone farm, in Christy Township, 3 1/2
mile southeast of Sumner at that time belong to my father, William Malone.
One time when I was a little boy, “dad ”said to me,” shut the door," I said,
"that's no door, that's a gate, ain’t you got no gumption?” I guess he laughed. But in a
few years I started to school at Clark and a new school house with my father as
teacher. I had a dog named Gip. He pulled me in a little wagon. My oldest brother
Clem, now of Chicago, would lead him, and I was happy and safe as Bud Piper in his
big car.
It was in the year of 1909 I bade my old school days and classmates goodbye
and went to Bellflower, Illinois, to work on a large farm.
How time does fly. Two leap years have passed and now I am located in the
northwest part of Iowa and I look forward to the Press as a letter from home, bringing
me the news. I have seen many home papers but I haven't seen any that issued a nonresident Pink Press, so I am glad to take off my hat for our editor.
Since I came to Storm Lake, Iowa I have been employed on the Storm Lake
Dairy Farm. I had an invitation to a dinner in the city and the farmboy found that Mrs.
Miller and daughter, Miss Emma, could get up some meal in the city, Harley ate
almost as much as he does after the Lukinite scribe gets through at a birthday dinner in
old Christy. But I say the Mt. Zion women are some cooks as well, as Mr. Sutherland
says.
My heart always has a warm spot for Lawrence County and friends and
companions there.
Wishing the Sumner Press continuing success.
I am,
Harley O. Malone
-------------
37
(Harley O. Malone)
Biographical Note:
Harley Oris Malone was born in
Lawrence County July 21, 1892 to
William and Florence (nee Shaw)
Malone. He was united in marriage
to Stella Mae Richey, daughter of
Stephen Joseph and Dora Mae (nee
Sanders) Richey. Stella was born
March 10, 1891. To this union the
following children were born:
Charlotte (b. abt. 1919); Mervin (b.
abt.1921);
Stephen
W.
(b.
abt.1927). Harley was a Private in
the U S Army during World War I.
Stella died August 29, 1969 Harley
died January 29, 1974. They are
buried in the Sumner cemetery.
---------
McLeansboro, Illinois
January 18, 1917
I thought someone younger than I ought to writing this time. This is the third
time that I have written.
I was born in Brown County, Ohio January 29, 1843 so you see I am 75 years
old.
My parents moved to Illinois in 1853, and settled five miles south of Sumner,
and one mile west, in old Lukin Township. We came to Lawrenceville. It was not
much of a town then, although an old place. Came to Bridgeport, there was one store
in it. Uncle Sam Thorne kept it. That was before the trains run on the Ohio and
Mississippi Railroad. They ran in 1854. Wiley Edmondson kept a store where P. W.
Sutherland now lives, also kept post office.
I was married to Ursula Flite? In 1876. Left there in 1881. There were me and
my wife and my brother Jackson, his wife and two children. We went out to Missouri,
and went through some fine country, the land was higher there than back in Illinois.
Came back to Hamilton, County, Illinois. There were some folks living down there
formerly from Sumner Jackson lost his wife in 1910. We live about 10 miles apart. My
wife took down in the spring of 1913 with heart and kidney troubles. She was under
doctors care about 30 months. On September 2, 1916, her spirit took flight to God who
gave it. She was a good woman and the best to me there was in the world. I feel very
sad and lonesome. No place feels like home to me. I have a family living with me.
They are very good to me, still they don't make it feel like home.
I had the rheumatism all last summer. Feel stiff and sore yet, still can't get
around very well.
George W. Martin
RFD No. 8
------------Carlock, Illinois
January 10, 1917
Editor Press:
Through the kindness of someone, I received your Pink Paper last year. Was
really surprised to see the letters from so many people I used to know that are now
scattered all over the United States.
I went to school at the Beulah log school house when it was first built in the
woods where the M. E. Church now stands and I still remember many who went to
school there. I could write a long letter about those times.
I have lived here in Carlock, McLean County, Illinois for 30 years. I have
been employed by the New York Central Railroad all these years.
Please send me the Pink Sheet as soon as is published and I will surely read
through before I lay it away. Find enclosed $.10 for the same.
Yours truly,
George McCann
-------------
38
Parkersburg, Illinois
January 26, 1917
Editor Press:
I lived in Lawrence County, Lukin Township, until I was married. My name
was Emma Shick. I was married to G. G. McGuire June 2, 1872. To this unit were
born seven children four died in infancy, and three living, as follows: , lives at Clifton,
Illinois and is section foreman; Stella Osborne lives in Lawrenceville, and Tine
Maguire lives on a farm.
Very truly,
Mrs. G. G. McGuire
Hunter, Arkansas
February 5, 1917
To Our Old Home Friends:
We are glad of this opportunity of talking to all of you at one time through
this most interesting addition of the home paper. It is certainly interesting to us to read
the letters from our old acquaintances, scattered all over this big country of ours, the
more so in that this yearly letter is the only word we hear of many of them.
This leaves us all well as usual with Bessie teaching school three miles out in
the country, Ola and Buster going to school in Hunter, and Carl helping his mother
keep house for the rest of us. We are gradually building up a good lumber and
warehouse business year and at Wiener.
There are many Illinois people settled in this state. Among them are Bliss
Waggoner and family, located at Stuttgart, from which point Bliss travels for a large
machinery company. The Petty brothers are keeping bachelor house on their nice farm
near Hunter. R. E. Lieb and William Hockman are also keeping bachelor's house in
their new home recently built on Bob's land, north of town. Old Bill Earnst and sons,
George and James, who will be remembered by the people around Chauncey, are
located in this vicinity. Bill don't look any older to me now than as I remember him 20
years ago. Frank Walters owns and lives on a good rice farm just at the edge of town.
Sam Walters also lives near town.
Albert Leach and family are located on a fine rice farm just north of Wiener.
Albert and his wife, together with Mrs. Mushrush and myself drove through to the
Jonesboro fair, one day last fall, where we kept a close watch out, hoping to meet up
with Morris Ritchey and wife, but did not get to see them.
We only recently and accidentally learned that John Mathias is located about
15 miles north of us. We have been passed this place, but did not know it was owned
by an old acquaintance, at the time.
Link Mushrush has been here all winter, and we understand that his family is
coming down in the spring. There is a great development of this country under way
now; more building and improvement being done this winter, than in the four years
previous. This is due to the prices been received by the farmer for cotton, corn and
livestock. For the first time in years, they have made a surplus, and they are pretty
generally putting a goodly portion of it into betterments, both for comfort and better
equipment for farming.
39
See 1915-1918
We have great need of the energetic farmer from the north, to settle and
develop this big state of ours. The same opportunities are open here today that were
taken advantage of by the pioneer men and women who settled Lawrence and
adjoining counties, to found the substantial family fortunes now existing in your
community. Our state name has been a subject for joking and ridicule; it sometimes
makes his grit our teeth to have to listen to the stale jokes on Arkansas, but we just
“grin and bear it ”consoling ourselves with the thought that the day is not far off when
there will be a different story to tell in which the laugh will be the other way around.
With best wishes to all, we will close, await with interest the letters from the
other “Suckers" that have wandered away from their native state, we remain,
Respectfully yours,
M. Mushrush and family
------------Texarkana, Texas
January 18, 1917
Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Osborn, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Jones and family, and Mr. and
Mrs. A. L. Siebert and family, all former residents of Sumner, Illinois, now residing at
Texarkana, Texas all satisfied and doing well but every Saturday we are looking for
the mailman to bring the Sumner Press, to get the news from Sumner and surrounding
country
Respectfully yours,
J. A. Osborn
-------------
40
Hamburg, Arkansas
February 2, 1917
Dear Editor:
Through the columns of the Pink Press we take the pleasure of letting our
many friends in and around old Sumner hear from us again. We so often think of our
many friends and loved ones, and how often that old familiar song rebounds to our
memory, and so true, “how dear to our hearts are the scenes of our childhood.” Then
we think what a pleasure it would be to be there again. But there have been so many
sad changes; it would hardly be home again.
Before going farther for the benefit of some who may not know will give
ourselves a brief introduction.
I, being the son of N. .J. Pence was born and raised in Christy Township four
and one half miles southeast of Sumner. My wife was the third daughter of P. W.
Shick born and raised in Lukin Township five miles south of Sumner.
We have one black-eyed girl, five years old, Helen Clarice. I am sorry to say
she is getting the Arkansas brogue to perfection.
We moved from Fort Worth, Texas, to Hamburg, February 1915, and think
this is a good place to live. Hamburg is a County seat of Ashley County located in the
southeast part of the state. Population about 2000, with good schools, churches, water
and light plant, several sawmills, one stave mill. 1
We have a little farm adjoining the town on the east on which we raise a
goodly supply of our living. I, being engaged the last 18 months in a general
merchandise store, my wife, with the help of the darkey, there's a greater part of the
farming, and can say she has made good, especially on sweet and irish potatoes. The
latter especially, as we still have plenty in the patch to dig potatoes as we need them.
We have mild winters and a long growing season, which makes this a fine
stock country in a very desirable place to live. We would be glad to have more people
here from the north. Not only my wife and I, but the people here hold the latch stringg
on the outside with the same hospitality.
Thanking the editor for giving the wanderers this pleasure of writing all our
friends and giving us the privilege of hearing from so many at the same time.
Wishing you all a prosperous new year, we are,
Very respectfully yours,
L. J. Pence and family
-------------
1
Stave mills produce the narrow strips of wood that compose the sides of barrels
41
See 1915-1916
Hayti, Missouri
January 17, 1917
Sumner Press:
Enclosed find check for $1.25 per subscription to the Sumner Press. Will say
in regard to your Pink Sheet issue. I certainly enjoy reading the many letters from my
old home folks.
As to myself, my home is still in southeast Missouri, Pemiscot County, the
corner County, Hayti my town. Am still in the hardware and implement business
enjoying a very nice trade.
I feel well, my family is well, have plenty to eat and where.
I go home to your town once or twice a year to visit my father and mother,
northeast of Sumner I love to come back where I was a boy.
I have two children married. I am also grandpa. When I think of all this, it
makes it feel a little old.
Wishing you and all friends and relatives in Lawrence County, a happy and
prosperous New Year.
Yours,
Frank Perkins
-------------
42
Bonesteel, South Dakota
January 15, 1917
Dear Editor and Friends:
I am still in town farming some of the summer. I am getting used to western
prairie and some Indians now. I was not used to the Redskins when I first came here. I
was sent to haul wood (for a man who has a part Indian woman) from a gulch about
five miles west of the nearest white man's house. Mr. Patton went along with the first
load and then sent me alone. As I was loading I saw three large Indians slipping down
the bluff hiding behind trees coming closer, keeping their guns pointed at me.
Although I had been warned not to fear Indians if they tried to get me to pay for the
wood, I was not looking for them in that style. I was told not to give them money.
They came up, talked Indian, grunted, pointed at the wood, then at me, shook their
heads, talked among themselves. I made out to tell them the wood was for Frank
Patton. Finally they left me, about 100 yards away they turned and laughed and said in
good English, “did you say that wood was for Patton.", "I said yes." They only laughed
and left. Afterwards when I became their mail carrier they told me that they had me
well scared if I didn't give them money. I afterward heard that some have been held up
by two and sometimes three sets of Indians on a single trip for wood. They call it an
Indian trick, and sure they enjoy it better than I did. This country is better settled now
and such tricks cannot be played here anymore.
My old home, as most of you know was on the Lawrence and Richland
County line, southwest of Sumner where father and brother still live. I was an old
Beulah schoolboy when C. D. Carter taught there. I am glad to see so many of our
homeboys coming to the front. It makes me feel proud of home. I think the Christian
influence of that locality is the cause of the advancement. I am still glad to get the
Press here regularly. As my subscription is out in February I will send my renewal
now.
Your old friend,
Samuel W. Perrott
-------------
43
Urbana, Illinois
January 29, 1917
L. M. Woods & Sons:
I find it a most difficult task to attempt an autobiography at such an early
period in life, but since your request has some such meaning, I shall, at least, give the
place of my birth.
I am the eldest son of W. W. Petty, and was born in Christy Township.
I taught in Lawrence County schools six years but since that time I have lived
in Champaign and McLean County. While McLean Counties. I was principal of
Carlock school one year, but upon completing my four year course at Illinois State
Normal University, I came to Urbana, where I am now serving my third term as
principal of Weber school.
My wife (formerly Miss Harriet Holsen, of Lukin) and I like Urbana very
much. This is a very desirable place to live. In fact there is no better for a teacher to
live than here. The open doors of our great state University afford untold opportunities
for professional and educational and cultural growth. Mrs. Petty and myself spend
many evenings attending lectures and various courses, and the programs at the
University.
We will look forward with pleasure, for the Pink Press issue shall bring us
glad tidings from many friends.
Very truly yours,
Alvin French Petty and Wife
-------------
44
Pomona, California
January 15, 1917
Editor Press:
With pleasure I write the Press as one of the stragglers from the old
home of Lawrence County Illinois.
I left there in September 1886. Stopped one year in Missouri, Then
came to Pomona, California. Have been here ever since.
I was born in Petty Township, Lawrence County Illinois. Live there
49 years. Saw the country grow from a very thinly settled country to it thickly
settled country.
I was 11 years old when the first school house was built in that
section. I went to school the long-term of three months each year. My parents
paid for our schooling at that time there was no free school system then.
When I came to Los Angeles County, California, there were about
100,000 people in the County, now there are something like 2 million here, it
has become a great County, especially to elect presidents.
We are all well here and doing well and glad we are living to enjoy
this beautiful climate.
I want to say that I enjoy reading the letters from the folks I knew
years ago in the old state of Illinois.
Yours truly,
Moses Petty
-------------
45
Bellflower, Illinois
January 22, 1917
Dear Friends:
Although I have not long been a “wanderer from Lawrence County" someone
from somewhere might be wondering “whither I had wondered."
I lived in Lukin Township, Lawrence County, until four years ago when I
came to McLean County to work on a farm. After spending some time year I decided
that this was the place for me. A little more than a year ago I married one of our
northern girls, Miss Lulu Innis, on a farm where we are now living the free life that
only the farm affords.
On January 19, 1917, a little girl weighing nine pounds came to enjoy life
with us and also to increase our joy.
Though not so far from former friends we miss you and very heartily invite
you to our happy home.
Bring with you a breath of the "Hills" a freeze softer than that which often
sweeps our "prairie" and the latest news from "home".
Sincerely,
Ira Provines
Bellflower, Illinois
-------------
46
Wellington, Kansas
January 19, 1917
As the editor of the Press has invited its non-resident readers to contribute to
the Pink Press, I will try and comply with that request by sending in a short letter.
Sumner was my post office address and trading point the most of the time for
about 33 years, consequently I enjoy reading the Press very much, and often see the
names of relatives, friends and old neighbors, and I see that Sumner has for her
Marshall one of my old and nearest neighbors Frank Melrose. I forgot to mention that I
lived next to the county line, on the old State Road, and east Claremont Township,
Richland County, and am now a resident of, Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas.
Since retiring from the farm about six years ago, and living in the city of
Wellington. Have I three meals a day and to help keep down the high cost of living,
wife and I keep the cow, some chickens and do a little garden farming.
Now as to the family: Dave, the oldest, is in Wyoming, handling sheep (no
family). William has two children and is a railroad engineer in Sacramento, California.
Charles six children, real estate, insurance and loans, Granada, Colorado. Emma
Denny, three children, husband, tool inspector in shops of A.T. & S.F.R.R. Company,
and lives in Wellington. Rachel McClelland, two children, lives in Seattle,
Washington, husband was lost in an avalanche near Thane, Alaska, December 14,
1916, (body not found). Was employed at the time by the Alaska Gas Line and Mining
Company to superintend some electric wiring when the avalanche broke loose and
swept him to his death. Chester had his skull fractured by the kick of a horse when
quite young. After he had gone to manhood in operation was necessary to remove a
growth on the brain, which was injuring his mind, which was not a success, and after
expending over $1000, it was found necessary to send him to the insane hospital at
Osawatomie, Kansas, with mind gone and no hope of recovery. Clara Bender, two
children, husband teacher of manual training, Blackwell, Oklahoma, Molly, youngest
daughter, clerk in store, Wellington, Kansas. Albert, the youngest, working in a
grocery store, Wellington.
In conclusion, I will say to all relatives, friends, old neighbors and all old
soldiers, should you ever come to Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas, don't fail to
call around at 222 South Park Street, where you will find the latch string hanging
outside and a hearty welcome awaiting you inside the door.
D. W. Quinby and wife, Lizzie
-------------
47
Salida, Colorado
January 12, 1917
To my Old Friends of Sumner:
I send greetings for the year 1917 and wish you happiness and prosperity.
Also many thanks to the editor of the Sumner Press for the privilege of again getting
together in this way.
We came to Salida from Grand Junction, Colorado, last spring. The boys
came over first got jobs on cattle ranches. Mildred and I came later to live in Salida. It
is a lovely little city. We have made many good friends, but are here to stay only for a
short time.
Some of you will remember John Rawlings at Richland County. He is located
here, is a well-known conductor on the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad he wished us
to come here and try our luck in Salida we have done well and are not sorry we came
here.
In July we all went over in San Luis Valley to work on a hay ranch, the boys
in hay, Mildred and I do the cooking for 14 to 17 men. All had a nice time, if we did
work pretty hard. You can imagine what hayfields they are in that Valley when it takes
two months to harvest it.
I made many friends while there and did not like the idea of leaving them, but
intend to see more of them in the future as we all felt so much at home among them.
Mildred and I came back here and the boy stayed over in that country for
some time.
You may hear from us at any old place, as we are trying to better ourselves
and will go until we do so, and in that meantime see all the country we can, then
settled down on a home of our own, where we like it best, and where we do best.
I often hear from Grand Junction and friends there, among them Charles
Shafer. He is the same Charlie and is doing well he has a fine wife and two nice boys,
has always been a good true friend of my family and of course, I love all of his family
too.
My thoughts often wondered to dear old Illinois to a certain little town called
Sumner, two old friends, mother, sister and my dear brother there. I hear from all as
mother is a good correspondent and keeps me in form of most all that happens in that
old hometown. She sends me a press once in a while, so I feel as though I am with you
all the time.
48
I could call to mind any amount of incidents of my girl life in Sumner that
had not been told before in the Pink Press, but it would be just awful to make some of
you old girls blush (at our age). We did some ridiculous things and had lots of fun at
our parties and club parties alone (with no boys), at Father Hawkins, Mrs. Morgan's,
Sam Turners, Lide Jones and Mrs. Lewis. I often think of Belle Lewis, who was the
life of our set, and dear friend she will always be with us in thought of those other days
and I for one, will always missed her, as I think of my girl hood days in Sumner.
Where is one of my favorites-Tiny Mckenish? She was a sweet little brown eyed girl
to me. Molly Hoopes, do you ever feel ashamed of the capers we kept at Mrs. Lewis
with Molly David, Belle and I? Say, if our girls would do as we did then, there would
be something doing at our house, don't you think? Allee Morgan, you were in the
bunch at times also. Lide Jones, you, too. and Tilla Turner, it was not your fault (as
well as Lide Lent) that you were not with us more than you were. You wish to be, but
you were married, and your good husband did not know the half of it either. No, I will
not tell now. Where ignorance is bliss, you know. I could mention the names of more
of you girls, but I just tell of the worst ones so the rest of you be thankful I do not.
The boys, oh, they were all nice good boys (as far as I knew) in those days. I
had no stories to tell about them. Reese Jones used to come to our house quite often.
He would play the harp (he was good too with the harp). I would second on the organ.
John Bartram could play the violin to perfection (so I thought). I loved music and do
yet. I still love an organ if they are out of style now. Love to play one as much as in
those old times.
I hope to see letters from all old friends who, like me, have wandered far from
old home. I love to read them so all write, and let us keep this Pink Press coming to us
each and every year. It will do someone else good as well as ourselves. Good wishes
and do not forget your friend in the west is the best wish of
Emma Ruark Rawlings
Formerly of Sumner, Illinois
And Daughter of Mrs. M. F. Klingler
-------------
49
Kansas City, Missouri
February 2, 1917
Mr. Editor and Readers:
As I am still away from home, I would like to take part in the homecoming list,
hoping my letter will not be too late, as I had intended to write on time, but as you will
remember from my letter I wrote you some time ago, I am taking treatment for cancer in
this place and at times the treatment is so severe we don't feel like writing for a time
after, but as our motto is “keep smiling," as we survive, we go back about the regular
routine of affairs. So if I am a little late I beg pardon.
I left Bridgeport December 15, 1916, and as any mother knows, I have had a
great battle with nature to keep from being homesick, or having the blues, as we call it.
I am still improving and still have great hopes of coming home in the near
future. Anyway I think I will not have to stay as long as I have already been here, which
was seven weeks yesterday (Thursday).
Have had the pleasure of meeting several of Dr. Johnson's patients that have
been cured and came back to visit the Institute. They are still recommending his
treatment and praising Doctor Johnson. My daughter being always with me, hinders me
from getting to take a good old-fashioned cry, as I had indulged in many times before
she came.
There are about 75 or 80 patients at this place now and the list is still growing.
I have privileged to see at least 25 persons go home cured since I came and some that
are going soon so I think if I continue to improve I will be among the list someday, that
will go home well. I have not been able to find the church of my choice in this town,
therefore the Sunday seems the longest day for us, as we stay home most of the day.
Last Saturday was a great day for the small children at the convention hall. I
thought it would be a great treat to see so many little folk, so we went, and as we
watched the pictures come and go, it was made plain to me why the young people of the
large cities or in such spiritual darkness. So void of the grace of God as they see these
awful lies pictured out. No wonder our so-called Christian nation is in such a state of
superstition and hedonism, and to think that parents will take their children to watch
these things and bring them up under such influences is astonishing. We only have to
read the last chapter in the Bible to find out where to class the people that maketh and
loveth a lie. There is one thing for which I have always been thankful, a relish for the
truth of God and confidence I have in God's eternal shall, for, except we become as little
children we can nowise enter the kingdom. Can we comprehend the innocence of a child
under the age of accountability. The simplicity of their manner the obedience of faith
they exercise toward us as parents. Why not strive to follow the example rather than turn
to our own ways.
Well, perhaps I am taking too much space, but when the shadows are gathering
and deathbeds are coming, no one will be heard to say I have lived too careful and too
holy in this life for if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the sinner and ungodly
appear.
Well I have been trying to get to a stopping place and maybe you will have not
room for this much, but I think it perfectly in order to hold religious service at a
homecoming. Someone else about on this our annual homecoming is in October. All
who wish to come and enjoy the day are cordially invited.
50
Biographical Note:
I still feel that the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want any good thing. Eye
hath not seen or ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man what God hath in
store for those that love him, Corinthians 2:9.
By admonishing all who will to search the Scriptures for in them we think we
have eternal life, I will close.
Yours truly
Mrs. H. D. Rigall
------------The Aviation Field
San Antonio, Texas
January 29, 1917
Editor Sumner Press:
I am a little late, but will try to get in a few lines. I am seated in a tent four
miles northeast of San Antonio Texas, and am writing this letter by the light of a tallow
candle, so please excuse mistakes.
I am glad to have a chance to put a few lines in the Pink Press and will be very
much pleased to read the many letters from people who have wandered from our dear
old neighborhood to different parts of the United States. In all of my wanderings I have
never seen a place that I like quite as well as old Illinois.
Very respectfully,
F. M. Roberts
Corpl. Co. C. 19th Inf.
Fort Sam Houston, Texas
-------------
51
Biographical Note:
Terre Haute, Indiana
January 17, 1917
Sumner Press:
One year gone again and still find us in, "The Pittsburgh of the West, "doing
service for the greatest and best Corporation in America, “The International Harvester
Company of America" and with the finest and most exacting cases of American
citizenship, "The American Farmer".
We are getting along very nicely in our work and enjoying good health. Just at
this season of the year causes quite a degree of sadness to come over us, as we revert
back over the past, that just a year ago last week and this, 3 January, we were anxiously
watching at the bedside of our father and sister and all our attention and care availed
nothing, but we take some consolation in the fact that we did all we could.
Eloise graduates from the grade school this week. Frank is plodding along in
sixth grade, boy style, thoroughly proficient in dodging all chores and badly needed at
some boyfriend’s home instead.
Irene still does a good job keeping house and we look to her to keep us posted
on bargain sales and good shows. Thoroughly up-to-date on all the bookings of the
show performers.
Grandma Eshelman is with us this winter and in fair health-soon-to-be 82 years
old.
If any Lawrence County people, native of foreign, come to Terre Haute, the
latch string of our door is on the outside at 2001 North Ninth Street.
Yours truly,
E. O. Shick2
------------Phoenix, Arizona
January 11, 1917
Editor Sumner Press:
I have been asked by several people from back home if it were true that they
sprinkled the streets of Phoenix with booze, as it came out in the eastern papers. It is
true. I was in the crowd when they filled the big 500 gallons sprinkler with the "precious
dope" . I am enclosing copy of the Arizona Republican, showing the picture and telling
the facts. So tell the people there that is the way we use booze in Arizona now
Yours truly,
Charles Shoup
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2
E O (aka Ellis O ) Shick was the son of Peter W and Jane Whitmer
52
Biographical Note:
Freewater, Montana
January 18, 1917
Dear Friends:
Here we are invited to another homecoming with war prices on paper, what a
good editor we must have.
We call Sumner home and always will, having personal friends and relatives
who will reside there and we feel very much interested in its welfare.
The weekly visits of the Press keep us posted in all your doings and is always a
welcome caller.
Three years ago next May we began residents on our 320 acre homestead. We
have hopes of obtaining that much more under new homestead bill recently passed.
Our lot has been that of the common homesteaders. There are days in this life
worth life and worth death, worth the pangs of homesickness their memories bring. We
are all the better for the remembering and the longing for the "place where we don't be."
Hubert sends greetings to his little schoolmates at Franklin. He rides three
miles to school and is as much at home on these windswept plains as the coyote or
jackrabbit.
Since I left him a dandy new saddle and in it he will spend most of his time.
We have a new U. B. Church at Lovejoy about seven miles from us, with
services every Sunday. It's one important factor in the Ladies Aid Society, who have
cleared more than $200 with bazaars and lunch stands since they organized eight
months ago. What would you a ladies think of riding horseback 11 miles to attend a
meeting?
We are proud of our adopted state, but don't expect to carry off the honors for
we are few. It already bears the name of treasure state and who knows but what we may
make it the honor treasure state when your citizens who visited us last fall, get here to
lend a hand.
With best wishes to all,
Mrs. W. E. Simms
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53
Biographical Note:
Champaign, Illinois
January 16, 1917
Editor Press and old Illinois Friends and Relatives Who May Be Concerned:
I was Sarah C. Westall, born in Perry County, Ohio. My parents, Mr. and Mrs.
P. F. Westall, moved by wagon from there to Lawrence County, Illinois, when I was but
six weeks old, buying the farm where my youngest brother, A. T. Westall, now owns
and lives, in Petty Township, where I was reared and married February 3, 1876, seven
miles northeast of your city, to Washington Irving Smith, of Clark County, Ohio, and
later of Lawrence County, Illinois. He was raised in Clark County, Ohio, on a farm, six
miles west of Springfield. We were born in the fall of 1854.
We have been living here 21 years last October. He has been back to see his
old home once since leaving here and we visit our relatives and old friends of Lawrence
County pretty often and enjoy seeing their smiling faces. The old soldiers reunion is the
time we go. We see almost all we ever knew for miles around.
We are doing well under these prosperous times, have good health for our age
and are able to eat buckwheat cakes, with honey and butter in the middle.
We have four boys-all have work. Frank, of Chicago, a bridge tender, turning
the bridge for boats to pass; Ross, of this place, a Teamster; Warren, of Decatur, a
Wabash Railroad conductor; Harry, of this place, a clerk in a grocery store, three blocks
of home. All have homes of their own but Harry. He is with us, I am happy to say.
W. I., or Cap, as he is called here, still is in the transferred business and I think
I keep my part up as a good wife and housekeeper, but I presume some will say "better
let someone else say that," ha! Ha!, But you although we all think we are as good as
anyone, if we are nothing in the eyes of others.
We have eight grandchildren, six boys and two girls.
I see some verses of 40 years ago. Well do I remember when my oldest sister,
Mary Tobin, and I used to spin yarn for our flannel dresses, which mother used to color
and we helped weave for school and meeting and knit our hose and the shoes our father
used to get Mr. Houts to make us for Sunday and every day and we were better
contented then than the girls and some old women are today with their silk dresses and
five dollar and seven dollars shoes or more, and want to go to theaters every night, and
not have enough in the house for breakfast. Oh! I am glad I was raised different. I often
think how much happier people were in their log cabins, with a few acres to farm. My
father and mother used to hitch to their big sled of evening after supper and go to old
friends and spend the time and have supper till a late bedtime and take whole sled loads
of us children and they do us likewise and sometimes I would get so sleepy I would fall
across mother's bed in the living room and go to sleep and how hard it was to get up and
go to bed right.
Mary and I wove my first rag carpet, which we thought fine. Well, Reese is
picking his geese, we children used to say, the ground is getting white this Wednesday
the 17th.
We moved to Kansas in September 1879; stayed three years but the hot wind
came and killed our crops in 1881 and we returned in 1882, as well off as we went, but
our next move was here, where we prospered exceedingly well and we feel it is best to
have plenty in our old age when we don't feel able to work like when young. We visit
Frank once a year and Warren once and sometimes twice. It is so far to brother Will's.
We motored over last fall. Will close for this time, wishing everyone a happy year.
Mr. and Mrs. W. I. Smith
211 West Fremont Street
Champaign, Illinois
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54
Cando, Sask Canada
January 17, 1917
Dear Editor:
I wonder how many are writing tonight, and if there are any farther from the
old home and I. In reply to your call to the wanderers, I will jot down some of my
history.
I was the daughter of James Moore, who lived and died one mile west of Flora
Illinois. My two sisters, Caroline and Evaline and myself were taken after father's death
to make our home with Thomas Corrie and family, his wife being father sister.
A jolly good home it was all will remember whose memory can travel that far
back. I attended school at the old schoolhouse “Warren's Glory.” I grew up and was
married from back home to W. R. Strader of Coles County in 1870. We spent our lives
in old Illinois until coming to Canada from Toledo Illinois in 1910.
I am lived alone with my only child, who is a trained nurse. She makes good
money here and has had the best of success in her work. They have tried since the first
year of the war to get her to go to the front to nurse.
My husband was snatched up by an accident October 5, 1916. After this blow
it seemed we most hasten back to old Illinois, but leading people said, “no, stay here and
you shall want for nothing.”We are on 160 acres in the Prairie, but are cozily situated as
to ourselves in stock. Our nearest neighbor is less than a quarter-mile away. Talk of
good neighbors, well you can't find any better anywhere that I have here.
We had expected to sell out and return to Illinois in 1917, but now I sometimes
think we will only go back to visit and make Saskatchewan our home.
Life has yielded to me much happiness. I am in good health for one of my age.
Would enjoy hearing from any of the old-time friends.
Mrs. Martha J. Strader
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Augusta, Kansas
January 19, 1917
Sumner Press:
I received a reminder today in regard to the letter from the non-residents of
Lawrence County.
This is my first letter to the Pink Press, although I enjoyed the issues 1915 in
1916 very much. The editor would have known how we appreciate our paper had he
seen all the trouble I put the mailman to this week in looking mine up when it had been
misplaced. We usually receive it on Saturday evening and every thing else is put aside
until it is thoroughly digested, not as much as an advertisement escapes notice.
I was formally Jesse Perkins, daughter of S. W. and Mary Perkins. My father
was one of the oldest pioneer settlers of Lawrence County and a resident of Sumner for
nearly 80 years. He died in 1914. My mother is still living in Sumner. Lawrence County
will always be home to me. I try to make an annual visit there. I always notice changes
even after one years absence yet it is still to me “the garden spot of the world".
I was married 1913 to James Stroup, Bradford, Pennsylvania where we made
our home until 1916, moving from there to Kansas. We are located seven miles south of
Augusta, that thriving oil town in the midwest. There are a number of Lawrence County
people here. We see someone from home almost every day.
We like Kansas very much, and this field looks good for a number of years yet
as it is only in its infancy. Wishing the press much prosperity throughout the year. I
remain,
Respectfully,
Mrs. James Stroup,
Augusta, Kansas
R. R. 3
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56
Check 1916-1918
Monte Vista, Colorado
January 1917
The Pink Press:
I find the Pink Press very interesting reading. It permits each one to write his
own story of himself and consequently we get the best account possible of the “other
fellow", as well as having the glorious privilege of giving the most favorable account
possible of ourselves. It is good however not to take oneself to seriously lest we assume
ourselves a debt from the old world so large that we meet with grief and
disappointment, for the world is very slow to pay even what it justly owes us. But
beside the blessed privilege of writing ourselves up, the Pink Press informs us in a most
pleasant and agreeable way of so many of not only former residents of Sumner and
vicinity but friends and acquaintances and it is like getting a letter almost direct from
each one of them.
It is surprising how many of those correspondents one remembers after so
many years of separation.
In the sunny, sandy San Luis Valley we find it necessary to provide some way
and means to while away the long winter evenings as profitability and pleasantly as we
can just the same as you do in the old Lawrence County and the Pink Press helps its
share.
I and my family read much, which, as brother P. W. “Ye Lukinite Scribe" in
his recent kind letter to me wisely said, enables us to keep company with the wisest and
best minds of all time.
Additionally to this way of profitability winter evening pastime we have in our
home in Colorado several first class musical instruments which we bring into lively use
many evenings. Music is one of God's most pleasing gifts to mortals; It spiritually
disposes to the better things and invariably forms a common sympathetic bond between
all such as play up on the harp, the piano for the violin and such like instruments. I often
take my violin of a quiet winter evening. Soon it's melodies recall former days and
associations. All my old time “fiddler pals” of long ago not only those of Lawrence
County but elsewhere I have roamed and have met them. My violin is a more efficient
reminder to me of them than the Pink Press for they do not all get into the Press, but the
memory of them comes to me in the splendid soul stirring harmonies of my violin. In
the old times we have played together. I have always endeavored to learn several pieces
from good violinist as mementos of our friendship. When I play these mementos I tell
my family and friends of whom I learned them, and as proficiency and peculiarities of
the one who taught it to me.
And so, in the most delightful way possible I am reminded of Jim Harlan,
Steve Perkins, Neil Taylor, Hen Allan, little Jim French and Billy Culter formerly of
Sumner and vicinity, and besides these the Cottrell Boys and Higgines of Wabash
County, all champion fiddlers of “ye olden days.” I am calling them by their pal names
so we never knew each other by any other names. “Should Auld Acquaintance be forgot
and days of Auld Lang Syne?” Not so long as we can draw the long bow, my fiddler
pals, come out, old pals, who of you who may still be among the living come out to our
Colorado home and we will hold a concert that will make the very sands of the desert
sing, and all the hills rejoice. So long to you my fiddler friends and now let us bow
ourselves in heart and reverently bless the good God, who stringed our souls with the
harp strings of melody
57
(Carl Thorn)
Biographical Note:
Carl David Thorn was born in Illinois on
December 4, 1873 to Clinton Amos and
Susan E. (nee Haines) Thorn. On
September 13, 1898 he was united in
marriage to Ella Maude Dobbins,
daughter of Vincent J. and Catherine
(nee Leech) Dobbins. To this union the
following children were born: Marjory
(b. abt. 1902); Marvin (b. abt. 1908). Carl
died in Colorado on September 17, 1926
and Maude died in 1948 and they are
buried in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Rocky
Ford, Otero County, Colorado.
Could he have given us a more beautiful or consoling talent and ought we not
to bless and reverence Him for the gift? True some people make a distinction of
secular and sacred music, but to me all music is truly sacred
Once more to his kindly providence we send 1917 New Year's greetings to
you and to the Pink Press and its readers.
J. R. Sutherland
------------Maxwell, New Mexico
January 18, 1917
Editor Press:
Seven years ago this March, we left Sumner for the west.
We stopped at Canon City, Colorado and there spent 14 months.
Once leaving Canon, we journeyed southward to Raton, New Mexico which
is a thriving city surrounded by coal camps. We spent one winter there.
From Raton we moved to Maxwell Just 27 Miles south.
Maxwell is surrounded by cattle grazing country on the east and irrigated land
on the west.
---------
We live in town but spend most of my time with cattle and irrigated ranch
which I bought on coming to Maxwell.
Our family consists of two children, Marjorie who is taking the first year of
high school and Marvin eight years old, in the fourth grade.
In Maxwell we have a modern brick school, in which all the grades including
first and second year of high school are taught. We employ a principal at a salary of
$100 per month also four other teachers at $75 and $65 per month, respectively.
There are several families from central Illinois living here, but none from
Sumner.
We are enjoying good health and our share of prosperity according to the way
we work.
--------(John Umfleet)
Biographical Note:
John Henry Umfleet was born in
Sumner August 8, 1876 to Jarvis
Jackson and Emeline (nee Eckiss)
Umfleet. John was united in
marriage on September 6, 1906 to
Lucy Mae Berry, daughter of J. J.
and Mary Ellen (nee Carsnor) Berry.
To this union the following children
were born: Opal (b. abt. 1908);
Clifford David (b. abt. 1915); Sylvia
D. (b. abt. 1917); Alice E. (b. abt.
1925). John died June 21, 1936 in
Stoddard County Missouri and is
buried in the Rock Hill cemetery.
Lucy died ion March 29, 1966.
---------
Yours truly,
Carl Thorn and family
------------Fisk, Missouri
January 14, 1917
Editor Press:
I was born in Lukin township moved to the town of Sumner with my parents
when I was about 10 years old and lived there until I was 19 years old, when I came to
Fisk, Missouri and have been right here ever since and think it is just a fine place to
live. And 40 now, so you see it has been a good while since I lived in Illinois.
I have two brothers in Missouri, one in Dexter, and one up close to Chronic. I
have two sisters and a mother living in Sumner and one sister about four miles from
Sumner.
When I left there I weighed about 140 pounds and now I weigh about 230
pounds.
58
I have been married about 11 years. My wife weighs about 200 pounds. We
have one girl named Opal, nine years old, is in the fourth grade at school; one boy, two
years old, named Clifford. They are both big, stout, rosy cheeked children. Anybody
that didn't know them would think they were raised in the swamps.
Biographical Note:
I worked at the sawmills for about 10 years after I came here and have farm
the last 10 years. I don't know any Lawrence County people around Fisk, but there are
lots of them living at Dexter and Popular Bluff, on the San Francis River.
The most of people here are from Illinois and a few more from Kentucky.
I made a trip to California about 12 years ago, but two or three weeks done
me, as no places me like old Missouri.
Will close hoping to hear from my old friends and schoolmates through the
Pink Press.
Mary Ellen (nee Carsnor) Berry
Yours,
John Umfleet
------------Augusta, Kansas
January 15, 1917
Editor of Sumner Press:
In answer to your request for all non-residents to write a letter for the Pink
Press, I will try to drop you and friend readers a few lines. We are all well at this time,
in joining Kansas’s best health and some of the high winds which visit some of this
state. We are in Augusta oilfields, which I suppose is the busiest place on the map. We
have a fine winter here. So far about all the bad luck we have had was had by my wife.
She was just hanging the last piece of her washing on the line when along came the
wind and down went all the clothes in the dirt so I did not look at her much that
evening but she is beginning to forget it now.
Living is awful high here but we live in hope when Woodrow makes his visit
in the west he will stop at Augusta for a few meals so he can work on the high price of
living here. We are always glad to receive the press each week and hope this year will
bring health and happiness to the editor and family and all the readers of the grand old
paper. With best regards to friends and relatives we will close for this time and
hopefully Pink Press Will be a success.
Respectfully yours,
Charles C. Waggoner and family
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59
--------Charles C. Waggoner)
Biographical Note:
Charles Clinton Waggoner was born
April 22, 1883 to Joseph Jackson
and Elizabeth Ellen (nee Angle)
Waggoner.
Notes Obit Lookup
---------
(Mrs. Anderson Whites)
Biographical Note:
Emma Evelyn Wolgamott was born
September 17, 1862 to George
Washington and Nancy Jane (nee
Rogers) Wolgamott. On November
16, 1882 she was united in marriage
to Robert Anderson Whites, son of
William Thomas and Rachel Ann
(nee Sheeley) Whites. Robert was
born May 17, 1861 in Ohio. To this
union were born the following
children: Fredrick Anderson (b. Oct.
1883); George Lemmon (b. Nov.
1885); Warren Elsworth (b. Apr.
1888); Albert Edwin (b. Apr. 1890);
Elsie Mae (b. Mar. 1893); Louise Bell
(b. May 1897). Robert died on April
9, 1928. Emma died on November
4, 1933. They are buried in the Oak
Hill Cemetery Lewistown, Fulton
County.
Editor Note:
Sumner Press May 22, 1919
…The bull had been raised as a pet,
but had become so cross that they
had sold the creature to Henry
Bordner, who was going to ship into
the Chicago market. Mr. Whites and
his brother-in-law, Samuel Wilson,
went to the shed in a large feedlot
where he was to get him to bring
him to town. They fed him: and got
a halter on him alright and for
safety thought best to put a ring in
his nose. This angered him and Mr.
Whites thought he could quietly
back away until he could make his
escape. The brute saw he was afraid
and immediately charged on him,
knocking him down and then
tossing him against the manger,
crushing his ribs and lungs. Young
Wilson risk his life in pulling Mr.
Whites back under the manger and
then fighting his way with only a
rope with a buckle on the end of it
across the yard to the fence so that
he could get help as he found that
his companion was seriously
injured. The animal was shot three
times before they could get him
down and go for the injured man.
Lewistown, Illinois
January 26, 1917
Sumner Press:
I thought I would write a few lines to the Pink Press.
I was born and raised in Richland County, German Township, 2 1/2 miles
west of Chauncey.
We came to Fulton County in 1894, and bought 128 acres of land on the
brakes from Illinois River, one mile from the Great Lakes, 50 miles northwest of
Peoria. Lewistown is the county seat, a fine little town to railroads, streetcar line 20
miles southwest of Canton.
We have six children, four boys and two girls, all married but the youngest
boy. He is at home and is 26 years old. All the children lived on farms close to us. We
have six grandchildren-three girls and three boys.
We live three miles southeast of Lewistown, Illinois, RFD 5, Box 12. My
maiden name was Emma Wolgamott, daughter of George Wolgamott.
Mrs. Anderson Whites
P. S.-The Sumner Press is a welcome Saturday visitor. I have taken it for
several years and think I can't do without it.
Photo said to have been taken during family gathering for funeral of son Albert
Whites. He was killed by a raging bull on May 4, 1919.
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60
Glendale, California
January 10, 1917
331 South Louise Street
Editor Press:
Some friend and sent us a copy of the Press announcing a non-resident edition
of the Press. Having taken many drinks from both your public wells, stub my toe's on
the old boardwalks, as well as safely glided over your stone ones. I receive mail at the
hands of Caleb Hoopes, Culberson and H. B. Couchman, many times watched Henry
Perkins, Forest David and John Black race down the street to meet the incoming loads
of wool and poultry, having ate, slept and did business there from the spring of 1889 to
the spring of 1904.
I am what you call a non-resident of Sumner my mother Laura M., my sister,
Miss Lily D. left there for California in April 1904 settling at Glendale. Mother
departed this life in summer of 1914. Sister and I are still here, as given at the head of
this letter, and in better health than when we came. We think of the many friends we
left out there and hope sometime to see what are left of them. My sister is doing fine
dressmaking and ladies tailoring on weekdays and teaches the sisterhood class of 23 to
25 in number and first M.E.S.S. on Sunday.
I help people out of their troubles with their lawns, gardens, flowers, trees,
leaky roofs, hydrants, caring for their places when they are away and some odd jobs of
carpentry, besides our own out of door work. Am kept close in Glendale and so see
little of eastern people as one would who gets around more than I. However on
Christmas Day we chance to see Mrs. John Judy, on the Glendale car, going to spend
the day with her son at Burbank. That is the most recent site we have had of a Sumner
face but we are glad that the mail brings us more visions of friends even though
expressed in ink instead of living flesh. We wish all the Sumnerites a happy
prosperous year.
Yours truly,
William L. Wood
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61
(William L. Wood)
Biographical Note:
William Lebins Wood was born in
Ohio April 17, 1865. His mother was
born In March of 1840 and her
name is Laura Mahaffe (nee Green)
Wood. William lived with his
mother and sister, Lilly Dale Wood,
and after his mothers death he
continued to live with Lilly until her
death on January 8, 1946. The
family is buried side by side in the
Forest Lawn Memorial Park,
Glendale, California.
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