Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - June 10, 1930

2020.1.201 06101930.pdf

Dublin Core

Title

Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - June 10, 1930

Subject

Old Mission Peninsula (Mich.)
Agriculture
Farmers
Crops and climate

Description

Carolyn Gay Taft (1873-1952), was the owner of a small cherry farm on Old Mission Peninsula in the early 1900’s. While she spent her summers on the Peninsula, her primary job as a teacher at the Illinois State School for the Deaf required hired hands to run the farm in her absence. These farmers, and their families, lived on the farm and sent frequent written reports to Ms. Taft. Most letters are written by the farmer’s wives, and provide a record of both agricultural and social history.

Creator

Ralph Kitchen, Joseph Kitchen, Essie Kitchen, Max Gilmore, Hazel Gilmore

Source

Collection donated to Peninsula Community Library by the surviving members of the Taft family.

Publisher

Peninsula Community Library

Date

1930-06-10

Contributor

Mary T Morgan

Rights

This document is protected by copyright law. Contact the Peninsula Community Library for permission to reproduce, display, or transmit this document.

Relation

None

Format

PDF

Language

English

Type

Document

Identifier

LHC 010

Coverage

Traverse City, Peninsula Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan

Scripto

Transcription

June 10th 1930

My dear Miss Taft:

Read your card yesterday and today a letter. Was very glad to hear from you.

That gentleman you mentioned used to work with Bob & Edd. Bob is the one told him about your farm. He is a nice little fellow but hasn't money or perhaps a few hundred dollars. But Edd says he isn't a farmer and spends money as fast as he gets a little ahead for new cars. Just trys to keep up with the times is all. He is like hundreds other fellows thinks he can make a big stake on a farm. He may do well but unless you can get a good down payment be careful for one year of poor managing and your trees would be ruined. Then when a fruit growers orchard is gone there isn't much left. It would be nice if you could sell to some good man and not have these worries all the while. Of course I think we are all better off to have something to care for.

Your cherries are coming along nicely some trees are not so full. But a much better crop than a year ago. I hope you will be pleased with them.

The hay is coming slow after the frosts and dry weather. Oats look good.

I would feel bad to lose my garden here as I didn't plant much over home this year. Perhaps we had better plant some more up there. If you don't sell I'll be glad to share with you what I have.

Its quite expensive to have the lights put in. They are going to change the center road up by our place in order to cut off that corner. It will be nicer for us as it takes the road farther away from the house. They won't work on that until later on. We have to put $118.75 to join the co. and if we hook up within 60 days after the line is completed we get $100 back. and have to pay $10 a pole if we are 150 ft from line so it isn't so cheap. But would cost much more if left until later on.

In time I think they will come down this way altho it would be a lot extra as you would have to pay for poles to run down in here.

The men destroyed some of my Iris last fall but have some left I felt so badly to see every thing destroyed but salvaged some of them. One of them has a bud. It was so nice of you to bring them to me.

Miss Taft it always gives me a flip flop feeling inside to think of ever leaving here of course if you sell I'll have to go. I love my little home but this was my home first and has a tender spot in my heart.

Will try & be ready for you. The men start work up there tomorrow and hope some time in July you can enjoy good lights. They will only cost you what you use.

Lovingly Essie

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  1. 2020.1.201 06101930.pdf