Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - April 10, 1926

Old Mission, Mich. April 10th 1926.

My Dear Miss. Taft:-

Have intended to write before this but have been quite busy.

Roger has been home for the past week with the mumps. He is on the gain now and hope he continues to improve. Most men and boys are having them very hard so I have been more than careful with son. Expect Hazel will begin to get fat in a few days. This is a poor time to miss school. As they have only about five more weeks of school and then have to take state tests.

There is quite a boom here on shore property. Some of it was bought cheap but most of it has been going for a big price. Of course people are valueing their farms double but none are selling. A great deal of this property is being held up on an option so the Real Estate fellows sell their options on to another fellow. It is hard to get in on these things because these fellows arn't telling their business to every one We hear so many things that it is hard to tell what is correct. I think you wise to hold your farm for a while maybe the right fellow will come along so you could get all cash for it. It is a nice place and would make a good home. I wouldn't ask for anything nicer for myself to live. Am afraid it is way beyond our reach. At least for a few years.

We have decided not to buy a pig and keep a few chickens closed up. Maybe they will lay a few eggs for us during the Summer. We don't want to have any-thing that you don't approve of all together. Of course it is a great saving to have your own meat.

The ice is still solid in the bay and will stay all Summer if this weather continues. There is lots of snow in the woods and quite a little in the fiel[?] yet and the roads wo[?] be fairly good if it wasn't for the cars trying to travel on them. Joseph went up the next day after your letter came and hauled 29 bu of hay down but couldn't go after any more. As there are so many bare spots now. So will he have the remainder brought down by truck later on?

We have heard that Mr. Ashmore isn't going to be on the farm this summer he has two hired men to take care of the place. I wonder why he would trust so much to stranger's. It won't be but a few yrs. and all that poor Miss Morris and Kent worked so hard for will be ruined. It is such a pity to see that nice place go down the way it has.

That Kauer cow is still waiting I wonder why? That is the way when you have to buy stock you don't know of course she was a cheap cow but oughto have been all right I should think. Maybe she will come along all right yet but it is so late in the season hope she hurries up.

I just read your letter over to be sure not to leave any thing out. Mr. Carl Pratt and some fellow from Chicago came here in the Fall and bought some property along bay shore and then Marshall Pratt & Roy Holmes did a lot more buying don't know who all is in it.

Joseph bought the horses hay in town as long as you were buying it any way.

Cherries are budded very heavy. And fine weather for them so far. It has been thawing some today and wind is blowing tonight hope it leaves the north so we will have a little rain.

We will be lucky to plant oats the 1st of May here.

With love, Essie K.

Milling Co. was out of Alfalfa so had to get timothy.

[$].25 for horses hay. [$].25 barn rent.

  .30 Josephs dinner
  .10 plow bolts

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  .90 expenses
 
$4.65 on hand
  .90 expenses

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$3.75 to your credit Apr. 10th 1926