1919Forward

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Index Della AbernathyLizzie AndersonMary BairdGeorge A. BaltzellH. H. BaltzellLeo H. CaudleMrs. Jane ChambersMary R. CooperClarence FishW. C. FyffeT. S. GerhartCharlie J. HeathImogene MoffettVira A. McQuistonMoffit MillsD .S. MooreJohn F. PetersZetta Jones PettyThomas H. SeedMrs. A. C. ShickIra W. ShickGeorge W. ShirleyBessie SmithMrs. O. O. StamatsMyrtle WagnerGrant WilliamsMrs. William Worstell

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Biographic Note:

Editor Note:Della Abernathy wrote a letter to the Press in 1918.

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Bernie, MissouriJanuary 15, 1919

L M Wood and Sons:

We were monished to do our Christmas shopping and our New Year's Hopping early, likewise to respond to the call of the Press for its annual non-resident issue. It is to be hoped that no contributor is so late as to cause our editor inconvenience, for he is surely kind to favor his patrons with the home coming number each year.

I can apprehend many sad reports among the letters this season. Hardly a home or heart in the world which has remained intact from the ravages of war, influenza or other form of trouble during 1918. It will go down in history as representing two extremes: one of absolute anguish and one of glorious exultation to the fulfillment of a great dream; monumental in its greatness in comparison with other years, but furnishing full draughts from the cups of sorrow for most of us.

Last June 8, about the time the sun was in eclipse, the death Angel summoned my best earthly friend and mother lay at rest. She sleeps beside father there in the Sumner cemetery, which is as beautiful and well kept as any you will ever find claimed by the city its size.

Not many days after mother's death, received an announcement of the birth of a second grandchild, a little girl, born to Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Frymire, of Salt Lake City and named Kathryn Lee. Mrs. Frymire, our daughter, Kate, and the babies have remained in the home while Lieutenant Frymire, her husband, has been in an army camp in the east. Just now he is with them, having obtained a three-month furlough.

Mary, our second daughter, is employed in the home school and, like the others, has taught only intermittently. The flu ban has been in effect so much of the time that our term is not half finished, though school opened in July.

George, our third and youngest, is not far from the largest of the family now. He attends high school, a member of the sophomore class.

Mr. A. is home with us now having had employment near Brookland, Arkansas, during this summer and autumn.

Uncle A. M. Fyffe’s family are well and employed same as at this time last year, except Arthur, the youngest, who is yet in Camp Funston.

Mrs. W. F. Guess, of whom we spoke at another time, died very suddenly of heart failure last September. Her husband was shocked to awake and find her dead in bed. He is still in Dexter and was well as usual when we heard from there not long since.

Other former Illinois residents near here are prosperous and in good health, save a few who are convalescing from influenza.

With best wishes to the Press and all its readers, I remain,

Yours very truly,Della Daniels Abernathy

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Monan, IndianaFebruary 1, 1919

Dear Readers of the Pink Press:

Another year has gone and here we are again. Although there are great members who have passed into the great beyond, some of us have been spared.

We have all gone through something that one year ago we did not realize as we do today, that is in giving up our boys for the great war. Dana, has been in camp since June 15, 1918 until January 27, 1919. Never left the states, has not arrived home yet, as he and wife are visiting relatives at Olney.

Herbert was in the last draft, but did not have to go. Ere this is printed Herbert will be married. He is breaking on railroad making good money.

Nina graduates from four years high school in one week on February 7.

Sorry to see so many passing away at old Sumner especially the passing of Mrs. J. M. Brian, a good friend of mine. I loved her so much. It grieves me when I get the Press to see my good friends had gone.

We had flu but got through all right, for which we are thankful, whole families have died here with it.

I hope in March to visit Sumner again and I am anxious for the time to come.

Last year I sent a letter for this issue and received four letters and cards from friends of other days, of whom I had not heard for so long. Was so glad to hear from them. Hope I shall have as good success this time. I will close and wait anxiously for the letters.

Yours respectfully, Mrs. Lizzie Anderson

---------Guthrie, OklahomaJanuary 31, 1919

Editor Press:

I have been thinking I would just let the soldiers and the rest of the non-residents fill up the Pink Edition this year, but husband says he thinks I ought to write for others will expect me to and it has been the means of my finding a very good friend and a cousin's daughter living close enough that I can visit occasionally. She reminds me so much of Uncle Levi's girls that I feel quite at home when I go there.

We didn't have any boys in the first registration, but the second one got the youngest and the last one got all of our sons and three of our grandsons and some of them were anxious to go, but I am thankful that the war was over before they were called to go, for surely it had lasted long enough to leave plenty of suffering and expense for years to come. I, like all others, have tried to do my little bit in food saving and had helped some with Red Cross work, though I never did join the society, consequently have no Red Cross flag to display in my window, but as I belong to the Church of Christ. I need no other society for his teaching will thoroughly furnish us unto all good work, and if all nations were humble, obedient Christians, nothing more and nothing less, it would do away with so much crime and sinfulness and also the necessity for wars of any kind.

Biographic Note:

Editor Note:Lizzie Anderson wrote a letter to the Press in 1917.

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---------Editor Note:Mary Baird wrote a letter to the Press in 1917.

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(George Alvin Baltzell)Biographic Note:Born November 9, 1882S son of Henry and Catherine Baltzell. Sister Minnie and brother RobertThe 1920 census his wife is Elsie Kelsey Palmer Children Lorena and Charles P. BaltzellGeorge died August 28, 1956

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This country has been afflicted with the flu and there has been some deaths from it, but the weather is very nice now and those who have it seemed to be getting better. Our immediate family has escaped it so far, thanks be to God, the great giver of all good gifts, to man.

Mary Baird

---------El Dorado, KansasJanuary 14, 1919

L.M. Wood and Sons:

I will try to write a few lines to the Press this year, as I happened to be temporarily away from Sumner, but we still consider it our home and are only here because of the exceptionally good opportunities offered.

At present we are all in the best of health and have been except for a very bad spell of the flu and pneumonia, which Elsie had during November. It looked for a time as though she would not get well, but by skillful doctoring and good nursing, she is regaining her strength.

We are located about 6 1/2 miles north of El Dorado, on the Stone lease. I am at present and have been for the past eight months employed by the Carter Oil Company as gauger. We have a nice little bungalow, built for us, furnished by the company without any charge; also free coal (we have no gas here) and electric lights. Our house is on the old Hocking Trail, running from Texas to Montana, and directly back of it runs the beautiful Walnut River with the Santa Fe Railroad about halfway between the house and the river. We are about one half mile from school and Charley Baltzell, goes to school everyday. Lorena is with her grandparents and going to school at Hadley. This is a description of our surroundings here.

The Kansas oilfield is certainly a great field and I believe the Carter Oil Company the best in the mid-continent field.

This is quite a change for me from one year ago and I often think of my many good friends on Rural Route No. 3 whom I was serving at this time last year.

Should any of our friends happen out in this "neck of the woods" while we are here we would be much pleasured to have them call on us.

We certainly appreciate the Press each week, for it is like getting a long letter from home, for some time we expect to return to our home there.

Work here has been very plentiful until recently, things are a little dull. The wells on this lease produce from 100 to 600 barrels every 24 hours. We have a railroad station just a half mile from us, where we have two stores and a butcher shop and can go to El Dorado twice each day and return.

We have with us here Vernon Diebold, of Sumner, who is certainly making good in the oilfield.

Ed and Nell Perkins live in El Dorado and come out to see us occasionally. Ed looks 20 years younger than he did when he left Sumner and they are both doing fine. Fisher and Sergeant, who used to drill in the oilfield there, and who lived at Klondike, are both drilling on this lease.

I will close, with best wishes to all.

Very respectfully, George A. Baltzell

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Clearwater, FloridaJanuary 30, 1919

Editor Press:

As I have never written to the Pink Edition of the Press, I thought I would write a few lines to let my old friends know where I am and what I have been doing.

Five years ago I lost my wife and broke up housekeeping and had been making my home at Princeton, Indiana, with my son, Charlie, doing nothing but run around and visiting old friends and relatives in Kansas, Iowa, Ohio and Michigan, and two years ago I came down here for a short time and liked it so well I thought I would come down and stay a little longer. So I and French, one of Oliver Baltzell’s boys left Princeton, Indiana, January 6, came down to Evansville, stayed all night, took the Dixie Flyer at 6 o'clock the next morning and arrived in Jacksonville the next day at 3 p.m. stayed all night, took the train the next day at 11 a.m. arrived here at 9 p.m. and John Berryhill met us at the train and we are boarding with him. He is doing a thriving business. He has 24 regular borders by the week and lots of transients.

This is a fine city of 4000 population, situated on Clearwater Bay 20 miles north of St. Petersburg. Dr. Murphy lives there; I got a letter from him yesterday. He says their G.A.R. post is to celebrate Lincoln's birthday on the 12th of next month and wants me to come up. I think I shall go. He says there are several hundred visiting comrades there and I expect they will have a nice time. Dr. Murphy is quite poorly.

There are about 600 tourists at this place. I expect to stay here till after April 1.

H. H. Baltzell---------

Augusta, KansasJanuary 25, 1919

Sumner Press:

This is my first letter to the Pink Press. We enjoyed the issue of 1917-1918 very much.

I have taken the Sumner Press for several years and still enjoy it, I, or we, as I am married now, try to visit old Lawrence County once a year.

I was married in the year 1916, and now have a daughter to bless and cheer our little home. We are in the oilfield of Kansas, located in the little oil town called Brownstown and enjoying the best of health.

My parents are Clint and Lillie Caudle, five miles northeast of Sumner.

We like this state fine, but still call Lawrence County home. If we keep our health, will try and make Lawrence County a visit this fall.

Leo H. Caudleand wife and daughter

Henry H. Baltzell)Biographical Note:Henry was born In 1839 in Ohio and was a Civil War Veteran having been part of Sherman’s March to the sea. His wife died January 2, 1914 and he died in June 1929.

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(Leo Hardin Caudle)Biographical Note:Born March 20, 1892 to Clinton and Lilly F. (nee Culbertson) Caudle. In 1930 his brother Emil was living with him and his wife, Myrl, and their two children, Nathylee and Helen. Leo died in June 1982 in Oklahoma. Odessie Myrl Beard was born August 24, 1894 and died in Oklahoma April 1981.

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(Mary R. Cooper)Biographical Note:

Editor Note: Husband David wrote a letter in 1915---------

Waynetown, IndianaFebruary 8, 1919

Sumner Press:

I will send in a few lines for the Pink Press, as I have made but one attempt here-to-fore on this line of corresponding but at your earnest solicitation, I will make a second attempt.

We moved from Lukin Prairie, Lukin Township, Lawrence County 10 years ago this spring, and located on an 80 acre farm 3 1/2 miles southeast of Waynetown, where we have lived ever since, and as age is creeping on us, we have retired some quiet from the hum and buzz of active life, but still moving around enough to keep up circulation.

There are only two of us in the family now and our ages combined only lack about two months of rounding up to 155 years. Were married at the ages of 27 and 28 and will pass our golden landmark in this present month.

Have four children-Cora L. Price, of south of Sumner, Route No. 2; Sherman Ellsworth Cooper, formerly a missionary in Japan 14 years and now in the Y. M. C. A. work at Camp Grant and has been there about ever since the U.S. declared war against Germany; Clara May our third child, married Charles E. Bell, of south Sumner, has been living in Wenatchee, Washington, and in the west for 18 years. The youngest of the family, Albert Ivan, is located four miles south of Bridgeport. We had 10 grandchildren living and one dead and one great-grandchild.

My father's family consisted of 12 boys and 4 girls, 16 in all. Two sisters and seven brothers have passed over to that country from which no traveler ever returns. Two sisters, one in her 82nd year, and five brothers, still on the probationary side of the river.

A few more Pink Press Papers and my father's family will be forgotten.

We are thankful to the Lord that the armistice has been signed and hostilities ceased to a great extent, but the world is restless, strikes and anarchy are brewing on every hand. Don't know what kind of a volcanic eruption will come next. The war has made us more boastful than humble. Next comes this pestilence that is on us now, taking human lives by the millions. Famines and earthquakes in divers places and yet amid all this the dance must go on and let joy and pleasure be unconfined. Sunday picture shows, ballgames, excursions, joyriding is the way to many of us are keeping the Sabbath at this age of the world.

The Lord bless the Peace Congress with divine wisdom, so that they may bring peace out of chaos and that the kingdoms of this world may soon become the kingdom of the Lord and his Christ. Then all this ungodliness will cease. The fountain never gets above its source, so this reformation will need to begin in the so-called churches, yes, right in the pulpits, for if I understand the word of God, no preacher or professed follower of the meek and lowly Nazarene can join himself to any of these worldly orders or organizations. The theaters and eating, drinking, reveling and abominable idolatries, as Peter has it in First Peter 1:4. read 1st Corinthians chapter 6 verse 14-18; Ephesians 5th chapter verses 6-19. After we have read let us strive to obey, for judgment is going to begin at the house of God, and we may be surprise when the sifting is over.

I will not worry you any longer, will close by stating that we are very sorry to hear of so many of our neighbors dropping off.

Mary R. Cooper-------------

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Detroit, MichiganFebruary 3, 1919

Dear Editor:

At your request I will try to write a few lines for your non-resident edition of the Press.

We have always been residents of Lawrence County, the greater part of the time in the vicinity of Sumner.

We have been a subscriber of the Press for several years and think it a fine paper, as it tells us all the news around home.

We have lived in the city of Detroit for almost 2 years, or I am employed by the American Railway Express Company.

We find this a large and beautiful city of almost one million population.

The people here are industrious, being engaged in all kinds of industry. The principal industries are the manufacture of automobiles and aeroplanes.

Also the discovery of thick beds of pure salt in the down river district led to the establishment of another of Detroit greatest industries.

The Burroughs Adding Machine Company, which employs 3000 hands, makes 90 percent of the adding machines in the country and sends them all over the world.

The manufacture of overalls is a great industry here, making 60 percent of all the overalls made in the country. Also the manufacture of aluminum castings and brass in various forms.

The city has three hundred and eight churches of various denominations. One hundred and thirty-six public schools, about twenty colleges and universities and one hundred nine banks.

Having written, I believe, as much as space will permit in your paper, I will close, wishing you success.

Yours respectfully,Clarence Fish-------------

(Clarence Fish)Biographical Note:Clarence John Fish was born August 27, 1884. To William H. and Elizabeth (nee Umfleet) Fish. He married Mary E. Fish and had a daughter Helen I. in the 1920 census living in Detroit MichiganEditor Note:Detroit has a long history of being associated with the production of automobiles. But few think of it as a City of Salt. Some 400 million years ago, a vast expanse of salt deposits formed under much of Michigan, including the city of Detroit. The existence of rock salt in the Detroit area was discovered in 1895. The Detroit Salt Company completed a 1,060-foot mine shaft in 1910. By 1914, the Detroit mine was producing 8,000 tons of rock salt each month, mainly for the leather and food processing industries. Now the company mainly produces road deicing salt.

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Biographical Note:Denton, TexasFebruary 2, 1919

Dear Press and Old-Time Chums:

I was about to miss meeting with you this year for want of time to write a letter, but have at this, the 11th hour, changed my mind, so here goes for a hurry up letter; not knowing if it will be called a short or a long letter.

I have enjoyed all of the past homecomings. Your letters have all been interesting to me. It seems a splendid opportunity to renew old acquaintance and share our mutual joys. But speaking of "joys" seriously reminds me of one feature of this reunion, which I fear will show a tinge of sadness. The past year has brought sorrow to so many homes that it is evident that many of our dear wanderers have been affected. The great world war has been so frightful, so many of our brave boys have been cut down, and their loved ones on this side will not be permitted to again look into their true loyal faces. Many are coming home maimed beyond recovery; this awful pestilence called the "flu" is abroad in all lands, and I fear that the homes of many who contributed inspiring letters a year ago, have been brought to grief and will now tell us of their sorrows, and some way feel too gloomy to even send in their letters. Truly, our hearts will go out to those with love and tender sympathy.

But for we who have been blessed and spared all the heartache alluded to above, it is our duty to write the most cheerful letter possible. If we have any knack at all of scattering myrth and sunshine, and let's get busy.

We have a letter today from our boy, who is now in Germany, with the occupation troops, under date of December 4. He writes that he is well and happy. Brags of having a sweetheart in France, who has taught him to speak her language almost perfectly. He tells us that all the fighting he was in was so strenuous that he had neither time nor inclination to get homesick, but now he is really growing very homesick. Certainly we are thankful that our boy, so far, has escaped all harm and that we have hope that we will soon have him in our home again.

Our entire family is well, happy and prospering. I may be different from others regarding that word "prospering". Three meals a day, all paid for, is prospering, as I understand the term, especially if it is good home cooking, as I am getting. Still I don't think that is perfect prosperity unless one is retaining all of his old friends, and continually picking up new ones as the days go by.

I picked up my Sumner Press today and where the announcement appeared referring to the "Fifth Annual Homecoming", I noticed a heavy blue pencil mark. Now if this had simply been a checkmark, or a mark straight across, I would have not worried over it, but it was a long stroke, kinder on the bias and that has led me to believe that I am expected to furnish more poetry of the reminiscence type. Excuse me folks, I retired from my poetry business last February. I still enjoy the other fellows versus, but I shan't attempt to reel off any more until you folks feel like coming back close to nature and show that you appreciate the good old style "Hog and Hominy" brand of poetry. Now if one of the good old Lawrence County wanderers has a vision of those good boyhood days way back in the 70’s and comes across with a bunch of verses, bubbling over with pathos, taking into account us common people, I'm going to write him my congratulations, even if he does use the expression: "a long persimin pole", to make a rhyme with "our dear old swimming hole", or that "Uncle Dan was mad as all Sam patch because we stopped to view his melon patch".

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I realize there has been much drifting away from the old beaten path and that the higher critics are now crazy about the fellow who pulls through "Yale", then finishes up at "Oxford" and comes back with a diploma, bearing a gold seal in the left lower corner, some purple ribbon woven through the other corner and some old English script in the center, meaning: "young fellow you are now IT." That guy will get our goat every time, for he will write very little about things material, but he will soon be climbing up on things etheral and soon he'll be up where he can get a straddle of the Milky Way, and while kicking Jupiter in the short ribs, he will be writing a lot of junk, insinuating that he caught Venus making goo-goo eyes at Saturn, and so on along that line.

I had a lady friend, that is, she was my friend, who went to Chicago to finish up at the University there and came home quite a talented writer of poems. I would still speak to her on some occasions, but later she went to Columbia University for higher degrees. On one occasion soon after her return home, she overheard her small brother in the act of memorizing that good old sensible poem about "Mary and Her Lamb. Its fleece was white as snow, and everywhere that Mary went, that lamb was sure to go." Well, here's what that big sis of Columbia postgraduate fame, did for him. She said: "here child, give me that old book and I'll revise that lamb so it will be in keeping with modern times." And here is what brother had to re-memorize, called "The 20th Century Lamb": "Mary was the proprietress of a diminutive incipient sheep, who’s outer covering was as devoid of color as the congealed atmospheric vapor and to all localities to which Mary perambulated the young Southdown was morally sure to follow."

I won't punish you with any more of it now, but she simply paralyzed the whole thing. If I write you next year, I may give you another verse of it, but I don't think it right to ask anyone to hear it all at once.

I have felt much interested in the Pink Press issue since the very beginning. So much interesting news from old-time friends with whom I shall always want to keep in touch. Soon after your homecoming was published last year, receiving more than 40 cards and letters from wanderers in different sections of the country and I want everyone of them to know that I thank them very much for their happy, jolly greetings.

And now in closing, let me admonish you who are poetically inclined to not be at all peeved, if the awarding committee cannot possibly name you all as winners. When the Pink Press came out last year my wife expressed her astonishment that my verses even received favorable mention, "Y!, Will,” she said, “Your efforts remind me more of a collection of "Mother Goose rhymes." I told her that was all right, but some of those good old scout boys from the region of Spring Hill School whose memories remain acute, knew I wasn't trying to work off a lot of "Aesop's fables" on anyone. One sport of ancient days, who has not lost his sense of humor, wrote me after last homecoming, and pointed out where I had missed the opportunity of my life to have run in an extra verse. Thanks Noah, for the inspiration you gave me. If you think the Press won't have to suspend publication, let us both write next year, and tell it all.

To you who love excitement or would play the oil game, I would invite you to come see me, and in a few hours time we can drive to the greatest oil fields in the world, were great gushers are being brought in and astounding fortunes are being made overnight, or in a few minutes time.

But I just must close now: my wife is calling, saying it is time I was getting back to my wood sawing.

Biographical Note:

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Biographical Note: However, remember we love you all, and wish you the greatest possible happiness and don't neglect to keep those good heart-throbbing, cheerful, bubbly letters coming every time the good old reliable Sumner Press extends the opportunity.

W. C. FyffeBetter known as "Fogy".

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Bloomington, IndianaJanuary 13, 1919

Dear Mr. Wood:

Practically one year has passed since bidding farewell to Sumner and Lawrence County as our home. This brief time has seen many changes: the war has been fought to victory; peace is an assured fact; national personages have passed from Earth to the "Great Beyond"; legislatures have convened for the doing and undoing of laws: churches leave a new vision of world betterment; schools have become more and more the bulwark of American independence; and social order is lifted onto a higher and nobler planet.

Yet memories review of great events cannot be complete in full without mention of friends. The world would have been a sadder world today without staunch and loyal friends

among nations. Life would be a void without friendship. And it is of the many friends of Lawrence County that we are now thinking. What would our brief home of nine years in Sumner have been without true and loyal friends? It would have been most miserable! The wife and I were just counting the number of friends who have passed over the River of life in Sumner and we didn't have fingers and thumbs sufficient in number to tabulate them. We will miss them when we return to visit Lawrence County. It was death which led to the quick change of our residence. So death makes and unmakes thrones, positions and powers, and sojourns.

Our new home is not entirely new, for it was the former home of the wife and her parents. Many old friends are passed away and new ones must take their places. Adjustment to new

conditions is the order of the day. We found a former Lawrence County boy, city clerk, by name of Cooper. It is but natural that a close fellowship has arisen between him and me. Then we find others who have been married by Squire Kellar, at Lawrenceville. A more metropolitan citizenship is around us than was at Sumner. The student body of about 2000, come from all over the United States and some from across the seas. Many of the young men are still wearing the uniforms. The "flu" has closed and kept closed the public schools. Much criticism is heard by some, but we do not find fault with the school authorities for careful attention for "safety first." Church and social life are in keeping with metropolitan ways and ideas. But we missed the church bell. Had all churches been Bell-less, we would not have had the "Little Brown Church in the Vail." So after all it is not the metropolitan town which always produces the lasting sweets of life.

At present we are in the recorder's office as deputy. We find this work fine and congenial, and a good place to form an extended acquaintance. Should Lawrence County record and index all instruments filed for record as we do in Indiana, a separate office would be required. It is an easy matter to run the records over here, compared with there.

The Sumner Press is met at the door as a welcome friend before the mailman gets it into the mailbox on the porch. The latch string is always out for its entrance. We think it better every week. We all wish it extended prosperity and happiness. May the fruits of well-earned newspaperdom always rest as sweet laurel upon L. M. Wood and his true and faithful family, is the least we can wish through the columns of your paper.

Fraternally your,T. S. Gerhart and family---------

Biographical Note:Thomas Sherman Gerhartwas born April 20, 1868 to Jacob and Margaret Ann (nee Norris) GerhartHe died May 13, 1922 in Bloomington Indiana. He was Married to Caroline Clark and had 3 sons, Francis, Charles Thomas and Emmerson

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Biographical Note:

Editor Note: Westport was located on the Embarras River between Birds and Chauncey.

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Hunter, ArkansasJanuary 1, 1919

L.M. Wood:

Mr. to Mrs. Charlie J. Heath were both born in Crawford County, Illinois, but while children, their parents moved to Lawrence County, where they were married in 1888. For 20 years they lived and toiled in Lawrence County, near Westport and Sumner until February 1918, when they moved to Hunter, Arkansas, where they worked for M. Mushrush and Robert Diebold for five months, then got a job on a farm three miles from Hunter, where Elmer Amerman gave Mr. Heath half the crop and all the corn he could use and work by the day out of the crop.

When Mr. and Mrs. Heath went to Hunter they took all their savings for 30 years as baggage on this farm and in 11 months they have accumulated one registered sow with eight fine pigs, worth about $80: three fine gilts, one fine registered male, total value of $180 in hogs. They milk three good cows, which makes from 4 to 6 pounds of butter week end; have 50 laying hens, six fine ducks.

I want to say to friends and neighbors of Illinois that this is the place for poor farmers who try to raise their living.

I have 20 acres fine oats. Expect to put about 20 acres of corn on another place. This is a good place for stock, as they can run out all winter. The grass is as green as in springtime. Not much fruit around here.

Mr. and Mrs. Charlie J. Heath---------

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Hampton, VirginiaJanuary 26, 1919

Dear Home Friends:

Thought I would write a few lines for the Pink Press, As I am a non-resident of old Lawrence County this year.

The editor asked us to write of ourselves. I am afraid if I should do that my letter would be no more eloquent than interesting.

However, I will jot down a few personal remarks, so that you may identify me, for even if I am the same, my name has changed since leaving Lawrence County.

I was born in the southwest corner as Christy Township, oh, a long time ago, and am the daughter at P. W. Brian.

For five years I made teaching my profession, but gave it up last spring for a better one-that is demonstrating practical (?) domestic science in a little kitchen of my own.

We live in Hampton, a town of about 25 or 30,000 inhabitants about seven miles from Newport News, Virginia, where my husband is an architect and daughtsman of the emergency fleet.

There are many interesting places here. Camp Stuart and Hill and Fort Monroe are near and we live about half a mile from Hampton Roads, an old historic waterway. It is a nice place for boating and bathing in the summertime, and we can see all kinds of vessels from a rowboat to a battleship.

There is a small ship yard here. They launched their first government ship last week. It was just a freighter, but cost something like $1 million and took about a year and a half for its completion. Imagine then what time and money a merchant or battleship must require.

We are about 200 miles from Washington D.C. and spent a couple days there while on our wedding trip. It is a beautiful city, with some of the most beautiful architecture in the United States.

We came down to our new home by way of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay, landing at Old Point Comfort or Fort Monroe, which is about four miles east of here.

The people here are very proud of the fact that Hampton is the oldest permanent English settlement in the United States. Most of the houses are old-fashioned. The town was partly destroyed during both the Revolutionary and Civil wars.

I see my letter is drifting into a descriptive, rather than a personal one, so I will bring it to a close.

I often think of the people back home and would love to see you all.

Yours very trulyMrs. Imogene Moffett523 Ivy Street

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(Imogene Moffett)Biographical Note:Imogene Brian was born in October 1895 to Peter William and Tillie A. (nee Baily) Brian. She was married to Lloyd Moffett and they had three children Marian, Pete and Billy Charles.

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Vira McQuiston)Biographical Note:Elvira Agnes Legg was born September 4, 1891 to Henry and Sarah (nee Mills) Legg. She married John B McQuiston, son of William and Sarah (nee Gailey) McQuiston, on February 23, 1909. They had eleven children.

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(EMAIL SENT)

Hadley, PennsylvaniaJanuary 28, 1919

Editor Press:

As I have never written to my friends through the Pink Press, I will now try and write a few lines.

I am the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Legg, living six miles northeast of Sumner, where I was raised. I was married to John B. McQuiston in the year 1909. We have five children-William, age 9; Mina, 7; Mary, 5; Arthur, 3, and little Amon Legg, 10 months, William and Mina go to school. William is in the fifth grade and Mina in the second grade.

We have lived in two states since leaving Illinois. They are Oklahoma and Pennsylvania, where we now reside. We have a farm of 110 acres here. It is a very nice place to live and we all like it here, but my husband prefers oil work to farming, so we have rented the farm and will make a sale sometime soon and go back to the oilfield.

It is hard to go through Illinois without stopping at Sumner, so we will visit our friends and relatives. It has been two years since we were there.

We have had very nice weather this winter, scarcely any snow, not enough for sleighing, which is a rare occurrence in this country. At this time last winter the snow was about four feet deep.

We are all enjoying good health.

With best wishes for all, I will close, hoping to find many letters from my friends in the Pink Press.

Respectfully yours,Vira A. McQuiston

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Cedar Rapids, IowaJanuary 22, 1919

L.M. Wood and Sons, Editors of what I think is Lawrence counties best paper. I will try and write a letter to all my old friends at one time, as I am too busy to write many personal letters.

I left Sumner in August, 1918, with very deep regret, starting out to start life anew somewhere. Very naturally, I drifted to Cedar Rapids the home of my loving daughter, Mrs. W. K. Lytle, where I have all the comforts that a loving daughter can provide for me. After visiting with the family for two days, I realize that I must hustle out and get a position of some kind to occupy my mind, time, draw a salary, etc. So I put the recommendations of F. H. Correll, Dr. A. G. Mountz, O. A. Fyffe and George W. Hill in my pocket and started out.

I decided, however, to try for a position on a streetcar, so went straightaway to the superintendent of transportation of the Cedar Rapids and Marion city street Railway Company and told him I was looking for work and he told me he was just at that time looking for men past the draft age, who wanted to work, so after looking at my recommendations, handed me a plum I was looking for, so thanks be to Providence. I have a good position, that of streetcar conductor. Later, at on spells, I have broke in as motor man also, so I am at home at either end of the car and drawing monthly salary of more than $100. So it can be fully realized by the reader that I am somewhat independent. I like my work and have a bunch of friends among the car men.

Cedar Rapids is a beautiful city of 45,000 inhabitants. Has more large manufacturing plants than any city of its size in the United States. The largest cereal mill in the world is here-that of Quaker Oats, the National Oats Company have a mill here too, but it is an infant by the side of the Quaker.

People who travel any never should complete their journey without coming to Cedar Rapids and allow me to say right here, if you do come, look me up and I will see that you are entertained fully, so without further ceremony, friends call on me.

Now, I have told you about myself and the city, but allow me to say right here that when I decide to quit street carring I am coming back to old Illinois and when I get relocated within her borders I will roam no more, so in short, if I live a few short years I will be back among you to stay the remainder of my life in Illinois.

So, friends, my advice to you is this: if you have a farm in Illinois, keep it; if you haven't, get one, get one as soon as possible, for where I long to be you should be also.

But as a world hates a crape hanger, I must change the subject and to the friends of the family allow me to say Selma is upstairs entertaining a new daughter, born the 9th, inst. All doing well.

Will be glad to receive a letter or a call from any of my friends.

With a fond memory of Sumner and Chauncey and all my friends, I close by wishing the Press, the editors and my many friends a very happy, prosperous year.

Respectfully, Moffit Mills---------

(Allen Moffit Mills)Biographical Note:Moffit Mills was born in Ohio, September 1866 to Henry and Cassandra Della (nee Tilton) Mills. On April 4, he was united in marriage to 1888 Anna Della Mushrush. To this union Seven children were born. Moffit died on December 1, 1942 and Anna on February 19, 1943 and are buried in the Chauncey cemetery.

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(David Snyder Moore)Biographical Note:D. S. Moore was born September 18, 1845 to John and Elizabeth (nee Snyder) Moore. March 14, 1870 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Jane Provines. To this union four children were born: Franklin, Oscar, Maude and Blanche. David was a preacher and was the pastor of the Lawrenceville Free Methodist church in 1901-1902. Hugh Franklin Newell Great grandson of David and Elizabeth (David Moore, Franklin Moore, Edna Moore Newell, and Hugh Newell) was a decorated pilot and war hero killed in Korea December 7, 1950. Hugh was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Gold Stars, the Air Medal with 4 Gold Stars, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal

David’s Grand daughter Dr. Marian Moore was a distinguished teacher having taught over 45 years in high schools and Universities around the United States

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Winter Haven, FloridaJanuary 17, 1919

Mr. Wood:

I again take up my pencil to write a few lines for your home coming issue of the press.

All who know me know I am a Lukinite. Born there in 1845. Though in the land of oranges and all kinds of fruit there is no place quite like home.

Wife and I left home last October, meandered to Kansas City, from there to Pleasanton, Kansas, also to Prescott, visiting relatives, and thence to Miami, Oklahoma, where we visited other cousins. From there to Billings, Oklahoma, where we visited our daughter, Maude and family, for a month; from there to Newellton, Louisiana, by the way of Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas, to Shreveport, Louisiana, and on to the Tallulah,

Louisiana where we visited Mrs. Robb, who is an own cousin to father. She is in her 80th year. Had a splendid visit with our nephews, Alva and Arthur, and their families. They were in fine health and moving things on their large cotton plantation much after northern style. The first afternoon we were there we went to the field where they were sowing oats. They were running on tractor, which was doing the work of 16 or 20 horses, and also had five or six tour mule teams plowing and harrowing and two drills seeding. Twenty Negro families live on the plantation and they were still picking cotton.

Left Tallulah Tuesday, December 10 arriving at Winter Haven, Florida, Thursday, December 12 by way of Jackson and Meridian,

Mississippi, Birmingham, Alabama to Jacksonville, Florida.

Since coming here we have had some disagreeable weather, but at present the weather is ideal.

This seems to be the center of the citrus fruit enterprise. Two packing houses in town send out about 10 carloads daily, with another a mile up the track and one 3 1/2 miles the other way.

We are figuring on going to the East Coast in a week or so and feel our way back north with the spring birds by April.

This leaves us well, will be glad to hear from all of us suckers scattered on the face of this great U. S. A.

Yours truly,D .S. MooreHome address: Lawrenceville, Illinois---------

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Decatur, Illinois R.F.D. No. 31919

Editor Press:

I like the country here, but have worked hard every day since I came.

We had a big wheat crop and best in quality ever known. Oats were medium and corn a fair crop, not as large as usual. Pasture was good all year. We have large wheat acreage and it is working fine. We never had such an open winter here as this one has been so far.

Respectfully yours,John F. Peters

Ranger, TexasJanuary 27, 1919

Editor Press:

As I read the news from home I wonder how many, if any, of you would be interested in a short letter from Ranger, Texas.

I have been here since June, but never dreamed so many people would be here in six months. This is a little town, but full of people; so many from Oklahoma, Illinois and other eastern states. I am so lucky as to have one brother and one sister for neighbors. Both live real close to me. My brother, Guy Jones, dresses tools for my husband, and my sister's husband, Sam Berry, dresses tools on the same well with his brother, Glen.

We find this a beautiful country in the winter, not speaking of mud and roads. We have some rain, of course, but must say we have some beautiful days. My sister-in-law, sister and I go uptown without our coats, or wraps of any kind and are plenty warm. Keep our doors open most of the time in the day.

I cannot imagine the weather being so nice in January back in Sumner, as I lived close there for 20 years and never did see it like this. We have had just a little snow that never stays on only a little while. The leaves have only been dead about two months on what these Texas people call trees. You would call it brushwood and I find there are buds on lilacs even now.

Am sure you have heard of the big oil wells, making from 75 to 80,000 barrels per day. This is one of the most prosperous towns in the southwest. Lots of business, best of wages, tool dresser's and drillers getting from $10-$12 per day. Board $10 per week, room from 7 to 10, but we are keeping house now and I like it much better. We figure we will be ready to go on a farm we bought near Anderson, Missouri, by March or April. That means we will escape the hot summer here in Texas.

Trusting I shall read a lot of good news in the press, I am seriously awaiting each Saturday.

Zetta Jones Petty---------

(John Franklin Peters )Biographical Note:John F. Peters was born in Indiana on September 24, 1857 to William R. and Elizabeth (nee Cooper) Peters. In 1878 he was united in marriage to Martha Izadora Shick. Four children were born to this union: Clemma, Effie, Nathan (Nattie) and Mary.

---------(Zetta Petty)Biographical Note:Rosetta E. Jones was born in February 1894 in Lawrence County, daughter of Lincoln and Effie (nee Harrell) Jones.

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(Thomas Henry Seed)Biographical Note:Thomas Seed was born June 12, 1843 died April 3, 1925 to Hugh and Sabilla (nee Ryan)Hugh Seed was the son of Hugh Seed and Elizabeth Jane Seed.Hugh and Elizabeth along with along with most of their children and some extended family sailed on the ship Margaret on April 5, 1837 likely from Belfast which is 12 miles their home of Downpatrick farm. They were ship wrecked and another ship landed them at St. John's, New Brunswick where they continued their journey on the Ship Arcadian to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, landing on June 20, 1837. From there they traveled by canal to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and to Evansville, Indiana by river and then by wagon to Lawrence County, Illinois where two older sons, John & Hugh had purchased land. The extended journey was hard as Hugh died 5 weeks later on August`, 22 1837.Thomas Henry Seed married Emma Pope March 31, 1871. To this union two children were born Maurice and Rhoda.

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Mount Vernon, IllinoisJanuary 17, 1919

Little did I think 16 years ago when I removed from Sumner to this place I would be alive today. I was then in very poor health. This, with the fact that both my parents had died when they were 62 years of age, caused me to feel that, I was at that time about 60 years of age, the time was near at hand for my passing over the great divide, but I am still here and in the enjoyment of better general health than for many years, though not so strong as I find I tire easily.

My son is still publisher of Daily and Weekly Register. I go to the office every day and attend to the mailing to out-of-town subscribers of both the daily and weekly issues. This, with the tableting, keeps me quite busy. Then I being quite handy with tools, am called on to fix anything out of order, so there is plenty to keep me busy, but I find

I cannot be on my feet and do the amount of work I formally could, but have to sit down, not to rest, but to work at something or other and there is always something to do about a newspaper office. My son has two lively daughters, who visit wife and I enough to keep us from being lonesome.

Our daughter, Rhoda, is happily married to J. R. Barclay, and is living at 39 North Emily Street, Crafton, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Wife and I visited them for seven weeks last July and August and no preventing providence, would like to do so again next July and

August.

Once in a while someone from Lawrence County, passing through, stops and says howdy to us, which we greatly appreciate, for as we grow old the old time friends seem nearer to us.

That there have been great changes in Sumner I realized when I look at a picture taken at 1902 reunion on the wall before me, containing twenty five old soldiers and one son of a veteran, T. F. Hoopes. Of the twenty five, thirteen that I know to have crossed the river and are resting under the trees on the other side, as follows: comrades Carey , Bunn, Lett, Fyffe, Burnside, Smith, Webb, Westall, Petty, Umfleet, Clark, Travis, and McElfresh.

It is now 57 years since I a boy of 18, enlisted in the Union Army for three years. I fully expected we would whip the Johnny's in a year at farthest, but after two years the end seemed farther off than ever. The government made a special appeal to the soldiers of 61 to reenlist for three years more and whereby show the South we were in earnest and offered, if we would do so, to give us 30 days furlough at home. That fetched us, or at least three fourths of us, who January 1864 reenlisted for three years more. Well, we did get them at last, though we who were in Sherman's army had to nearly wear ourselves out running after them, but suppose we had refused to re-enlist and come home and the south had gained their independence? We would be singing a different tune now, for Germany would also have triumphed and we would now be bowing to our German masters. But God did not manage it that way, for which let us give thanks.

Thomas H. Seed---------

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De Lassus, MissouriJanuary 19, 1919

Editor Press:

I will endeavor to write a few lines for the Pink Press, to let my old friends and neighbors know that we are still in the land of the living.

We left Sumner 17 years ago, going from there to East St. Louis where we resided 12 years. In the spring of 1914 we came to this place, a little town 91 mile south of St. Louis, on the Iron Mountain Railroad. We have a nice little home here, all enjoying the best of health since coming here. I enjoy the outdoor life and exercise of the country and think it much better than living in the city.

Mr. Shick has been working for the railroad company for several years.

Our two oldest daughters, Pearl and Ruth, are married. Pearl lives in St. Louis, where her husband C. L. Napper, is a buyer in the Carlton D. G. Company. Ruth married Lawrence Hunt and lived near Farmington. Our other three children are still in school. Hazel and Carrol are in high school and Nellie in the sixth grade.

As nearly all our relatives live in Lawrence and Richland counties, we are always glad to get the press and hear of them and how they are getting along, as well as old friends and neighbors, whose letters in the Pink Press we are always glad to read.

Hoping that this issue of the press will be a greater success than any before.

Sincerely yours,Mrs. A. C. ShickFarmington, MissouriR.R. # 6, Box 80---------

Princeton, IndianaJanuary 26, 1919

L.M. Wood and Sons:

Resident readers at hand and note what you say.

I am still at Princeton as automobile salesman and look forward to a big business this year.

We are all up and going again after a fight with the flu, as practically everybody has had. Ruth and Paul, soon seven and nine, both in school, just got their midwinter promotions and getting along fine, while Margaret, our little Hoosier, soon two years old, and her mother, managed to get all the eats on the table, three times a day that we get of this high-priced war food. The guess we have got no kick, as we are all here after the war and flu both have reaped their harvest.

Wishing one and all the readers a happy and prosperous year and anyone coming our way to find us at 710 West State Street, begged to remain,

Very truly,Ira W. Shick and Family---------

(Emma Louise Shick)Biographical Note:Emma Louise Gubelman was born November 30, 1866 to Charles Edward and Sophia (nee Seitz) Gubelman. Edward Gubelman was born in Switzerland. On February 21, 1894 Emma was united in marriage Albert Clinton Shick. Albert was born April 28, 1859 the son of Daniel and Caroline (nee Jones) Shick. To this union eight children were born: Inez Pearl, Lillian Ruth, Eula Mae, Fern, Infant Girl, Hazel Pauline, Albert Carroll, Nellie Louise. Emma died on December 26, 1947 in St. Louis Missouri. Albert died July 7, 1933. They are buried in the Sumner Cemetery.

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---------(Ira Whitmer Shick)Biographical Note:Ira Whitmer Shick was born on July 2, 1881 to Peter W. and Jennie C. (nee Whitmer) Shick. Ira was married to Bertha Mae Judy. Bertha was born on March 8, 1885. Ira died July 25, 1953 and Bertha died March 27, 1975. They are buried in the Sumner Cemetery.

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(George Shirley)Biographical Note:George Shirley was born about 1854 in Illinois to Garret and Mary Shirley. On June 2, 1878 in Lawrence County, George married Sarah L. Landis, daughter of John and Hannah E. (nee Herrin) Landis. The 1880 census shows them living in Bonpas Township, Richland County with a four month old daughter Sarah E. Sarah died on May 5. 1905

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Chicago, IllinoisJanuary 10, 1919

In December issue I told of some of those school days, which I will take up again.

After leaving the log schoolhouse, east of town to a frame school house the first to be built in Sumner, with one big room and the seats were up to date, you may be sure it was a couple of half hamman jumps from the sidewalk where we went to school on weekdays and to Sunday school on Sundays and to church. They didn't move any of the furniture from the log house to the new one but the piano-that was the switches. These were the strings to play the piano with.

There we learned everything from A. B. C. to algebra, if we were capable. There were no grades, as now, it simply meant, learn all you can or the teacher would strike a tune on the piano.

Then that school has got too small and out of date, then the brick schoolhouse was built. I suppose it stands to this day, it's four rooms, two upstairs, two down, and oh my the improvement in the furniture. It was something to be proud of, but we still kept the piano. Seemed to need it, although the girls didn't seem to take to it as did the boys, but I stayed there long enough to see the piano thrown out. The teacher that said he had no use for it was L. Pugh. Well do I remember that time, for I thought that my clothes didn't need dusting anymore for when I got them dusted at school I got the same or little more when I got home, so you see we got it going and coming.

Now about the cemetery east of town. There was a family by the name of Goodman that lived in Sumner and gave the land for the repose for the dead and one of those Goodman’s plowed the ground, leveled it and laid it out and then waited to see you would be the first and it was the same one that had prepared it and that was my first to see that act and the disease that took him took the whole family, if my memory is right.

Since the other letter I wrote I have received letters from schoolmates and friends and see by the issue of January 2 there are others that I would like to get a word from. You will still find me the same old pal.

Just tell me that you are still hitting the high spots and where I can reach you by mail or a flying machine with a Happy New Year and many of them.

George W. Shirley6228 South Marshfield Avenue

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Thomasboro, IllinoisJanuary 26, 1919

Editor Press:

I am writing a few lines, as I am a non-resident of Lawrence County.

Am a daughter of G. W. Westall. My home is now Champaign County. Have lived here 13 years this February. We live seven miles north of Champaign, although our mail route comes from a small town northeast of us. We live on my husbands fathers farm of 80 acres and rent 120 adjoining it.

We have been married 13 years the 21st day of February and have had seven children to bless our home. The two oldest having gone to the great beyond, leaving five, their names are Raymond, Dorothy, Mabel, Pauline and Willie Woodrow. Our baby was named just before Wilson was elected president.

We are all well at present. All had the flu this fall and it left a very sad event, which we will never forget. Our oldest daughter, Ann Louise, 10 years of age, dying with pneumonia and she was laid to rest beside her little brother, who died seven years ago, at the age of four years, interred in the beautiful cemetery at Roselawn. It is a perpetual care cemetery just south of Champaign.

I was down to Sumner in July to attend my mother's funeral, which took place at Pleasant Hill and we met so many of our aunts, uncles, cousins and friends that we hadn't seen for years. We passed the old home place, but things had changed so much it didn't look like home anymore.

Yours respectfully,Mrs. Bessie Smith---------

Covington, OklahomaJanuary 15, 1919

Editor Press and Dear Friends:

As this is our first opportunity of writing a letter for the Pink Press Edition and Sumner has always been my hometown, Mr. Stamats spending the last 10 years of his life in and around there, we need no introduction.

On leaving their last April we located in Augusta, Kansas, lived there until August, coming to Covington, Oklahoma, a thriving little town of 1500 inhabitants. They were building a beautiful school building, 12 rooms, with gymnasium and all other modern improvements, when we came. Have two churches, the Baptist and M. E., Where we have a good Sunday school with an enrollment of 90. The boys, Robert and Maxwell, are enjoying good health in the west, but think there is no place like Sumner and their little friends there. Although we have met lots of new people and find them to be true blue, we have a longing to get back to old Illinois and expect to make a visit there as soon as Robert is out of school.

We are getting along nicely and shall be glad to hear from any of our old friends and neighbors of Sumner and Petty vicinity.

Wishing all prosperity throughout the year nineteen and nineteen.

Sincerely yours,Mrs. O. O. Stamats---------

(Bessie Smith)Biographical Note:Bessie Westall daughter of George Washington and Hannah (nee Petty) Westall was born January 18, 1886. She was united in marriage to William H., son of Samuel and Elizabeth Jane (nee DeArsuit (sp)) Smith was born in July 1880. Samuel Smith was born in England.

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(Margaret Stamats)Biographical Note:Margaret P. Stamats was born December 14, 1888. She Married Oscar Stamats Born May 1880 in Ohio and he died in 1926. Margaret died May 29, 1985 .Buried in the Sumner cemetery.

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(Emma Myrtle Wagner)Biographical Note:Emma Myrtle Mushrush was born May 30, 1875 to Lewis and Grace (nee Greer) Mushrush. On April 15, 1897 she married David Emerson Wagner, son of Jacob and Mary (nee Haines) Wagner. To this union four children were born: Virgil, Mabel, Ralph and Grace. David died February 4, 1969 and Myrtle on July 30, 1962. They are buried in the Omak Memorial Cemetery in Washington.

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Omak, WashingtonFebruary 3, 1919

Dear Editor and Friends:

I see in the press that you have called for letters again from former residents of Lawrence County.

I am a wanderer from old Lawrence County and from the southwest side of Crawford County.

I was born in Crawford and I am the second daughter of Lewis and Grace Mushrush. My childhood days were spent in Crawford County, where I attended school and also taught for a couple of years. My mind often goes back to those good old days. The first days of school I attended were in an old log schoolhouse with long benches were seats, which were all carved up by the boys pocketknives. Later a new frame building replaced the old one and here was where I spent the rest of my school days. I wonder where the rest of those boys and girls are who attended back country school. They are all scattered here, there, and yonder. I hope to see some letters in the non-resident issue from them.

In my 22nd year, April 15, 1897, I was married to D. E. Wagner, Lawrence County. We moved to our little home in Petty Township, near the town hall. Here we were surrounded by many kind and loving neighbors, such as William Westall and Albert Hutchinson and a number of others.

In September, 1909, my husband and brother-in-law, E. S. Petty made a trip to Okanogan, Washington, where he had two brothers living. He was pretty much taken up with the country (not so with E. S.) and when he came back we talked it over and decided to move to Washington. We sold our personal property and in March, 1910, we bid our old friends and relatives goodbye and started on our journey, accompanied by Otto Irvin and family.

We were just six days on the way, first on the railroad train, then on the boat, and lastly on the stagecoach but the old stage route has been abandoned and the train takes the place of it now.

Very soon after our arrival we bought us a lot and pitched our tent, where we live that summer. We also bought an orchard track 4 1/2 miles from Okanogan and a mile and one half from Omak, Washington. This we set to trees at once. During this summer we built a nice little bungalow on our lot in Okanogan, where we lived for five years.

In June, 1915, we decided to move on our ranch near Omak, a nice little country town, with a high school and a nice Presbyterian Church, where we attend church and Sunday school most of the time.

After our removal we decided before settling down to real ranch work we would make a visit to our old home. We found many changes and many of the faces we knew and loved were gone. Among them my dear brother, who had bidden goodbye to this earthly sanctuary and gone to heaven, where we all hope to meet some day. We sent to pleasant months with our friends and relatives, but the time came when we must say goodbye again. We arrived home safe and sound and settled down to real ranch life, where we have been ever since.

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We have a family of four children, two boys and two girls-Virgil, Mabel and Ralph, born in the sucker state, while Grace Pauline is a little evergreen girl. Virgil will be 21 in March. He works on the ranch during the summer months and during the autumn he works at the Omak fruit growers packing and storage plant, where the big red Apple is handled. The wintertime he spends in doing various jobs. Mabel is 15 and a sophomore this year. Along with her schoolwork, she is taking music lessons. She also worked at the packing house this fall, where she made a neat, little sum of money. Ralph is 10 years old and in the fifth grade at school. In the summertime he and his pony heard the cows, take care of the rabbits and do various chores. Grace Pauline is four now and she helps me keep house for the rest of the family.

While we are barred from saying much about our country, I must say this is a fine climate in which to live. We have had a very pleasant winter so far, but quite a good deal of snow now and some rain, but the Fords ran the year around.

Well, how thankful we are that this great war is ended and victory one for the allies, while every true American has done their bit by buying liberty bonds, supporting the Red Cross, the Y.M. C.A. and a number of other organizations which were for the care and protection of our boys, we feel that we haven't done very much, when we see the boys coming home maimed and crippled for life. And then we think of some who will never come back, but have given their lives that we might live. We also think of suffering and sorrow that has come from that awful

epidemic, the influenza.

We feel we have been a great deal more fortunate here in the Western states that they have been in the east. While we have had a number of deaths here from it, it has not been so bad here as elsewhere.

I must leave room in this issue for more letters, so I will close. This leaves us all well. My family and myself send our best wishes to all our friends and Press readers.

Sincerely yours,Mrs. Myrtle Wagner---------

Biographical Note:

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(Ulysus Grant Williams)Biographical Note:Grant Williams was born July 16, 1870 to William and Martha (nee Kidwell) Williams. On March 20, 1895 he married Anna Pearl Hart daughter of Christian and Emaline Hart. Six children were listed in the 1910 census: Nina, Jessie, Charlie, Arthur, Harry, Ronald. Earl was listed in the 1920 census. Grant died January 26, 1931 and Anna in 1962. They are buried in the Sumner City Cemetery.Editor Note:Epworth League: Methodist young adult association for individuals ages 18-35.

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(Alfa Tina Worstell)Biographical Note:Alfa Tina Perrott was born September 25, 1872 to John Bateman and Anne (nee Atkins) Perrott, both parents being born in Ireland.

John Bateman Perrott

Alfa married William W. Worstell October 13, 1874. To this union three children were born: Virgil (b. Aug 1895), Anna Viola (b. April 1898), and John (b. Feb 1901).William was born August 26, 1872 and died in August 1962.Alfa died August 20, 1948 Both are buried in St. John Cemetery in St. Louis.

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Deniphan, MissouriJanuary 17, 1919

L. M. Wood and Sons:

As you requested all former resident of Lawrence County to write a letter for the Pink Press, thought I would comply with your request.

I was born in Knox County, Indiana near Vincennes. Moved to Lawrence County about 26 years ago, where I met and married Anna Hart. We moved to Sumner and lived there for 16 years.

We left Sumner last March, so you see we still speak of that place as home.

We are situated in Ripley County, northeast of Doniphan, on a farm of 1043 acres and like the country fine.

The family is well and always looks forward to Friday, when we receive the Press. We live within a half-mile of church. It is a live little country church. All the children attend Sunday School and Epworth League. The three younger boys, Harry, Ronald and Earl, go to school every day, Charlie, Arthur and I run the farm. Charlie is in St. Louis now, but will be home for the spring work. Mrs. Williams is kept busy with her poultry and housework. The girls both have government positions, so are not with us very much.

Will close, hoping to see lots of letters in the Pink Press.

Yours truly,Grant Williams

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St. Louis, MissouriJanuary 7, 1919

Editors and Old Friends:

Although I have not wondered as far from the old home has some, I hate being gone a long time and thought perhaps some of the old friends would like to hear from me. I feel very thankful to the editor for this privilege of writing to be fifth edition of the "Pink Press" and hope to see many letters from other wanderers.

I enjoyed reading the interesting letters and the other additions and hope enough will write to make this the best Pink Press ever published.

Now, to tell you a little about myself and family: I was born on the Richland and Lawrence County line, just 4 1/2 miles Southwest of Sumner, where my father, John Perrott and brother Asa, still reside. I was out to visit father during the holidays and found him in the best of health, although nearly a century young. Your mother left us some nine years ago this month that we have sweet memories of her and hope to meet her in the great beyond.

I called old Lawrence County my home until the year 1901, when, with my husband (William Worstell) and children moved to St. Louis Missouri. We have lived in this city the most of the time since. At present we are located in the southwest part of St. Louis, living in a pretty little five room bungalow which we own. Husband is a contractor and carpenter here.

Our oldest child has been in Uncle Sam service for the past five months. First taking training at Camp Funston, Kansas and then being transferred to Camp Mills, New York, where he is now stationed as one of the world war engineers.

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Our second child, a daughter, is now at College View, Nebraska, a small town in the suburbs of Lincoln, preparing herself for a missionary.

Johnny, our youngest, is still at home with us.

As I do not wish to take up space that would be filled with letters more interesting than this, I will close now, wishing all a happy and prosperous new year.

Mrs. William Worstell4951 Blow Street---------

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