Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letters - Transcribed letters from 1921

Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letters - Transcribed letters from 1921

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

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.

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

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

Peninsula Community Library

1921

Mary T Morgan

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

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LHC 010

Traverse City, Peninsula Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan

January 9, 1921

Dear Miss Taft;

I have intended to write to you some time ago. But every day brings so much work that I have neglected my duty to you.

When do you wish to have bates(?) fattened for market he is well now and fit any time you wish to have fattened.

We did not take the pig we spoke for. Because we did not see how we could spare the extra money. Jim Griffon bought it instead of us. It weighed 137 lbs. and came to $10.96. I have told you the name of all who bought pigs so if any time you should feel like asking about them you wouold know who to go to. Mr. Haywood has decided not to take his so if we can only find another buyer so as to get rid of the other one. Pork has been below .08 cents in town and dressed hogs are 10 cents a lb.

As soon as I can go to town I will deposit the remainder of the money.

Have you heard from the Stutsma's of late?

The snow is all most gone and quite cold.

Joseph is busy every day cutting wood over to Stutsma's place. I hope you keep well this winter. With love
Essie Kitchen


Old Mission Mich
Jan. 20th 1921

Dear Miss Taft;
My children have gone to bed so now will try + write a few lines to you.

I had a nice letter from Mrs. Stutsman a few days ago + Hazel destroyed her address. Would you please send it to me in your next letter. My girl keeps me busy most of the time. And it seems as though I will never get my work all did.

I need a new hat very much but it would cost me more for material than to buy a new one. For I never have much of any thing on hand to make one of. Your hats always look very well to my idea.

Have you heard about Mr. Myles Gilmore. Some time around Thanksgiving he thot he had rheumatism in his face. When after going to the doctor they told him that the cheek bone was affected. It did not get any better so they told him to go to Anarbor to some of the doctors there. About 3 weeks ago they operated + found that it was a cancer. They removed part of the check bone & part of the mouth & last Thursday he had another operation. Mrs. Gilmore is here with her two little ones. It is awful hard for her to be alone with her babies. They have a great deal of money but think how terriable to be left alone. We all hope he gets well. What is Mr. Stutsman's trouble or don't you know? Joseph often thinks of Mr. S. for he was very fond of him.

There are about 50 bu. of corn over in S's corn crib. We waited for your consent before we removed your share. Ledger has not heard a word from Mrs. S. so is in the dark about everything. The corn was sold before we heard from you.

Joseph has not feed any hay this winter. You can get a ton if you want to but will not need very much. We have been very saving with it. He thinks a ton would be a great pleanty. We have been having cold weather until tonight it began raining. Not very much snow so far. Yours, Essie


Old Mission, Mich.
Jan. 27, 1921

My Dear Miss Taft;

We have had a chance to sell 4 little pigs. How much do you ask for them. They weight about 60 or 70 lbs. Joseph don't think they weigh that much. Now will you please let us know how much you want for them if you care fo sell. We still have one of the large ones left.

It is school time so I can't write any more. With love
Essie


Old Mission, Mich
Feb 4th, 1921

My Dear Miss Taft,

I will try to ans. your letters that I know you are anxious about.

My head has ached for four days now + I feel as though I would like to run away from house work + noisy crying children for just a few hours where it would be quiet. Every time I try to write that Hazel is into every thing.

Joseph & Ledger (?) are still cutting wood over at Stutsman's place. I hope they will get through before long.

Will you please excuse me for forgetting to deposit your money in the bank. When I try to get ready to start away from home there is so much excitement that I left it home. But will try to remember next time. Joseph got the feed from the milling company a few weeks ago.

I do hope we can sell the rest of those hogs. I would offer to take care of the large one that is left but I am afraid I could not do a satisfactory job of it. Mr. Tompkins wanted to buy some of The smaller pigs but is in Lansing just now so must wait until his return before we will know about what he will do.

Mr. Wilbur is going to leave the Vaught farm some time next month. We saw him in town Tuesday. He told us he was going to get much better wages at the other place than here. He says his work is too hard for him also his wife has too much to do for other people. They have been here several times to call on us + before they leave our neighbor hood we must try to visit them. Mrs. Wilbur is a very dear little woman.

I don't know what to think of the weather. The snow was all gone for a few weeks & the ground frozen hard so I don't know about the fruit. The sweet cherry buds are swollen considerable. If you wish to have me send you some buds I will do so for I know you feel anxious the same as we all do. I will let you know about the corn as soon as we haul it all over here.

I enjoy the post very much. Thanks so many times for it.

With love Essie K

P.S. Your new seeding looks as though it has frozen but may come on in the Spring. It has began snowing this morning. I wonder what the day will be. The bay has not frozen over yet this winter & I doubt if it does.

Please ask quesions if I fail to mention the things you are most interested in for I forget some times.


Old Mission Mich
Feb. 14th, 1921

My Dear Miss Taft -

I am going to T.C. this A.M. and will see if I can remember to deposit your money. I wonder if the bank will be open today if not I will mail all of it to you. for we do not care to have much money on hand you never know who might demand it these hard time.

Well, we sold 8 of the small pigs. Mr. Tompkins came over here to buy some + you know they are noted for being jews he wanted the two nicest ones you had for 4 dollars + I told him he could pay $5.50 apiece or leave them. So he spoke to his wife + she said that is pretty high but we might take two of them so they paid $11.00 for a pair. I know you would have laughed if you could have saw us. He tried his very best to get them for nothing. In a few days Mr. Pratt came over + got 6 of them. By taking so many Joseph let him have them for $10.00 a pair. We know he is very honest man + tries to do right. When I see anyone that tries to play hog I can be just as contrary as they are. We had the check made out to you so you could see for yourself. Mr. T. paid cash for his two.

We have been having Spring weather until about 12 O'clock last night it turned very cold + he wind is blowing a perfect gale today. We have only had one week of good sleighing this winter. Most everyone has used their cars about all winter. The next months tells the tale of the fruit proposition.

Well here is not much use of mentioning the rest for you know as much about it we do. For no one can tell yet.

There were 60 bu. of the Stutsman corn. My time is limied so much fly now.

With love, Essie Kitchen 10..96 for lang & big (?)
11.00 for pe (?)
$21.96
The bank was open as you see + I had your check deposited also + will send you both receipts. I hope it is satisfactory.
E.K


Old Mission Mich
Feb 21st, 1921

Dear Miss Taft,

I was glad to hear that you recieved the letter I sent to you. I felt so miserable I could not walk to the post office with it so I left it at Waits drug store & Mr. Gray posted it for me. I will not mention what the trouble was in the letter for I don't tell my nearest neighbors some times when I have my poor days. When you are here I tell you & Mrs. S. & that is enough. I always look the same so no one ever knows.

Do you wish to sell those 2 hogs left for market price or what will we do. If prices are up out side they are about the same here. I inquired when in T.C. and they were paying .06 cents & .07 cents on foot then & have not payed any more since holidays. Of course the price may look better later on. It is a puzzle what to do. A Mr. Christopher was here today & looked at that older pig & said he would pay 10.00 for it & I told Joseph to ask you first. If it was ours we would know what to do.

We are having a few cold days now but hard to tell how long it will last.

I owe Mrs. Stutsman a letter but can't seem to find time to write. I have considerable Spring sewing to do for my little one's yet just plain clothes. That is about all I find time to make. I am going to make Hazel some crepe Romepers for Summer to se if ironing can be cut down a little.

Dear how I would love to sit down with you for a few hours visit. It is bed time & both babies are sound asleep so I think I will soon follow them.

Your's Essie K


Old Mission Mich
Mar 4, 1921

My Dear Miss Taft

We recieved your letter the first and have intended to answer before this but have not been feling very well so neglected doeing so. Of course I do not know what plans you & Joseph made for he forgets to always tell me exactly what you say But we have had two good offers in the past week one for $60.00 and the other for $70.00 besides our meat but they are not person's that we care very much about. We have the cows to bring in a little money but butter is so cheap & it takes to much hard work to care for the butter that I think it is dearly earned in the end.

I think women understand one another much better than men do. We are four to live & save out of the months wages so you can see for yourself. Joseh thinks he is realy worth more to you than $50. dollars during the summer months. But of course you know what you can afford & what you can't. We would rather work for you than stranger's for we know how you wish to have your work did and another thing I don't think you consider us as servants. Besides we have always been honest with you. You may ask any one you may wish too & you will find that we have never sold any of your intrests without you receiving the full ammount. Please don't think we are money sharks for we are not. Just trying to live & be someone some time.

We have been having very cold weather for just a few days at a time & very little snow. The ground is frozen hard as a brick.

I tried to sew yesterday & at last I managed to make a bungalow apron. While I left it a few minutes while trying to gather my mending together Hazel got the scissors & cut holes in it so my new apron is all patches. It made me feel sick to see all my hard work lay in ruins. But that is a mother's life. I don't think she will cut another one right away for I gave her a good spanking and sent her under the bed for about an hour.

Joseh thinks I am very unjust to his little daughter. Last week while I was ill she cut one of the bedroom curtains in half. My nerves are tried to the limit.

All amimals are well. Mother pig begins to look very prosperous again. I hope she has a good litter this time.

Joseph says there is about 150 bu. of corn left and most all of the oats he had some crushed for the horses & now & then the cows get a feed of them for they are thin & need a change of food besides the horses get a great deal more good out of them by being crushed. Belle's legs are bothering her some & that keeps her down a little but she looks fairly good.

It is time for Rager to leave for school & I want him to mail this so you get it this week. Please excuse poor writing for I am nervous again this morning.

With love
Essie Kitchen

P.S. Plase answer soon Joseph will inquire about hogs eithr tomorrow or the lst of next week & try to find sale for bates


Old Mission Mich
Mar. 16th 1921

My Dear Miss Taft-

We received your letter & have given it a great deal of thought. There are better wager offered us & several places open to us any time we are willing to take them. But when we leave your place it will either be the City or a farm of our own. We have decided to work for you until the lst o Sept. for the same wager we are getting now. But not any later than that except there are different arrangements made. I tried to get Joseph to ans. your
letter but he would not. So have written exactly as he wished to have me.

Of late we have been trying to get to T.C. once a monh for groceries & find we can save considerable.

You have a new family of red babies here. There were 7 of them & one was not strong & died so there are 6 left now were born the 10 of Mar.

The other hogs are ready for market. I called Mr. Z. up last week & he was paying .07 for stags & deducts 70 lbs. from weight & .09 cents for the very best. We had arrangements made to take them in Sat. & your letter did not come until Mon. so held them over we did not know your plans.

Joseph made 2 trips & got both the grain & hay. All was in very good condition.

The fall seeding is all frozen out. We have had so much cold weather & no snow to speak of that it could not survive. I thought I had best mention it now so you would know. The ground is frozen the hardest this Spring that is had been since we lived in Mich. There are about 10 feet of water in the cow pasture and also Mr. Ashmore clover & hay field. You never saw such a sight. Joseph had a very queer dream about you & that pond of water. He thought you arrived here during the night & got stuck in that mud puddle. What next will happen?

I feel very sorry for you & you have my sympathy. I know how it is to be so sick. My experience of 2 years ago has not worn off yet. And to lie it bed & hear my poor neglected baby crying & no one to care for it was all most more than I could endure. Please be careful & try to keep well. You looked so well & healthy last summer. It made me feel happy to see you enjoy your self after your long term of teaching.

Both children have been exposed to whooping couch I hope they escape it. But fear not. Hazel did not look very well tonight & has coughed several times since she went to bed.

We will all be glad to have you back with us again in a few months.

The last small hog was sold for 5.00 Will I deposit the money or keep it here. Mr. Christopher bought it all most 2 weeks ago.

Joseph's dinner Mar. 9th .30
12th .30
Barn rent " 9th .20
" 12th .20
1.00
$10.54 to your credit
$ l.00
9.54 to your credit Mar. 12th 1921

With love
Essie Kitchen

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