Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letters - Transcribed letters from 1924

Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letters - Transcribed letters from 1924

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

1924

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

Carolyn Gay Taft Letter
Jan. 17, 1924


Old Mission, Mich

Jan. 17th 1924


My Dear Miss Taft:-

Received your note + can't find any place to weigh those calves live wgt. now as [Doi?s] are gone + the scales at O.M.are not used since it froze up. So we have decided that the

best way for us to do is sell for .07 dressed as Ledger will take a whole one + Isac H. 1/2 + us the other that will be better than bringing them in town. Because the roads are bad + it is 2 below Zero now.Perhaps when we would get these they would be all most worthless Also we will bring hides to town first time we can go up.

The well man is expected down here to Guy Killmurys this winter some time + will we speak to him about this well if we have a chance to get him. Please mention in your next letter. "Guys look rather prosperous at present" "get me"

Clarence Kroupa's have a new son all getting along fine. John Kroupa's have gone to T. City to stay with Geo. the boy that went insane this fall. They are trying to find something to releive him. He was at the State Hospital for some time But is at the Bay Bank now.

I do not find on my account where charged for those mens dinners when getting fodder. Joe had chas. L. help him but returned labor so that all is O.K. 3 dinners at [$].25 each came to [$].75 Roy Hooper. Mo C. Leighton + Chas.Lannier were my boarder's.

Most every one has the measles around here. I hope Hazel escapes as her eyes are getting along nicely. Roger has had them once when a baby one year old.

I think Mrs Stutsman is a very fortunate lady to have you for a sister as you do so many beautiful things for her. I still have Hazel's bonnet + expect to keep it in a safe place. I can't think of a pretty way to make the bolster cover so must wait again for your ideas. Am afraid you will get tired of helping such a helpless creature after while. I must ask Mrs. Stutsman to please get me a small amount of that green for leaves. First I must try here so as not to give her so much trouble if they have it here.

Do you wish to have me deposit beef money in State Bank?

I have neglected your books again but hope I have everything straight if not please twist my ear.

If it keeps on storming we will be snowed in for good. I am so thankful I could go to town before this fierce weather came on.

Hope you stay well. with love Essie


($).25 Nails from P.F. Lardies

($).75 for 3 mens dinner’s

($).30 Joseph’s dinner in T.C.

($).25 Barn rent for team

________

$1.54



($) .55

5.00 check received

______

$5.55

1.54

$4.01 To your credit Jan. 17th 1924


I have taken an inventory of the account + everything came out even so I am satisfied now.


Old Mission, Mich.

Apr. 9th 1924


Dear Miss Taft:__


Where do you want sweet clover seed sowed. Please let us know you may mention others seed too


Beautiful weather now + have had a real nice rain.


Joseph said he could not remember where you wanted grass seed. Yours Essie K.


Old Mission Mich

April 16th 1924


My Dear Miss Taft:-


Received the ans. to my last letter tonight + was very glad as you forgot to mention in your

plans about sweet clover so am glad you answered so prompt.


We have another winter to hold things back. Joseph went to town yesterday after lime and

is stormed hard all day. He was nearly frozen when he got home. He took the tent to cover

his load or everything would have been ruined.


I wrote a letter to Mr. Allen but have had no reply yet. Hope he comes soon. Because

the work on the barn needs water.


I told you what Mr. Helfrich said he can get his brother to help him for $3.00 per day. He

did not say what he would charge for his own work. Please say what we will do as it is

getting late now. And it will take some time to get every thing finished. He will get busy

any time you say so.


You will need one ton of hay to last us through.


$ {?? ??? corn} $2.58 for Disc repair

5.00 F. Haywood 1.50 for to sharpen drag teeth

{.???} .25 B rent

5.00 {F??? ??n} Kitchen .30 Jos. dinner

{2 a {f??} $4.63

11.00 Curtis Leighton .20 for 2 phone calls from last fall

7.56 on hand from before and during winter. One was

$28.56 in all $4.83 Zimmerman + one was from

4.83 expenses calling about apples. The

$23.73 cash on hand central has not collected until

$ 5.73 I will keep for expense now so I paid him today.

$18.00 will put in bank

You told me to keep odd cents so

better keep 5.73 and deposit the $18.00

when I can get to Traverse city.


Fruit buds look fine was up in the orchard Sun + the trees look very good to me + I

see them every Spring.

With love Essie.

P.S. Hope I have not forgotten anything


Old Mission Mich

Apr. 27th 1924


My Dear Miss Taft:-


Am very glad Mr. Allen came to fix our well arrived Thurs. the 24th. He has found that your

well was put together with old pipes + no cylinder + all. The screen was so poor that the water

could not get through it. And the pipe had holes in it he got some of it out. But had to leave the rest as it would have cost more to get it out than to leave it + buy new. The old pipe could not have been used any more as it was no good. Also an old check valve that was worthless. We did not want to buy new materials but had to or have the same old trouble. He says that who ever put your well in just soaked you for all he could. I have seen every-thing that has been removed + it is old + the point was broken on the end when driven down. I only wish that you could see for your-self how things are. The well was 37 1/2 feet deep. So he got new pipe yesterday + will drive it down in the corner near the old place so the pump will be where it was. He said he would be as reasonable as he could be. We like the way he works very much. He is not slipshod about things like some men. And tries to be careful not to break things up. I hope he finishes things up in a day or two. Did you want him to look Mrs. Stutsman’s well over? Joseph says you do. But I can’t remember. It may not need much repairing.


Joseph got the line drill + seed drill + used them. You had a lot too much seed more than he could use. without trying to waste it. He can get Mr. Tomkins Manure Spreader this week.


I feel very sorry we had to put extra expense in the well but just had to do it.


Sold Mr. Hamilton 2 bu corn means $ 1.00 more

$18.00 to deposit

------------------------
19.00 to bank


$5.73

-2.00 for use of drills
------------------------
$3.73 on hand


With love Essie K.

P.S. thanks for the bolster pattern which way to stamp it. Are you going to stamp your”s. with

[ ] [ ]

this his way

the square or just one cluster of flowers? You were very kind to bother with me. Our tomato plants are about 1 inch high.


Old Mission, Mich.

Apr. 29th 1924


My Dear Miss Taft:-


Received Josephs check + your letter + was very glad to get them both.


The weather is fine + fields look fair but not green yet it has been so cold all Spring.


Mr. Allen was here for 16 meals + I will only charge you [$].25 a meal as I know how hard it is to get money that will be $4.00 I took it out of the account you had here. And will deposit $10.00 instead of $19


His bill for drilling 37 1/2 feet + furnishing 1 wood rod and 2 lengths of gas pipe 15 ft. in all came to $50.00. He says your well is sure to be all right now + no more trouble with it. He did not make me out a bill. But know you had an honest job done. Am very sorry it came so high. He told us for you to mail his check to us. In case he should be called home. On account of his wife sickness. Then we could mail it to him. His name is Charles Allen.


Mr. Helfrich has not showed up so far hope he hurrys up.


I have tried to help you as much as I could by not charging over [$].25 for meals + hope it is all right with you.


All of the Haywoods are sick now but will be better soon. Are on the gain. And Jim Lannin Has pneumonia + they don’t expect him to live. Have a trained nurse for him + paying $6.00 a day or more. All kinds of help is dreadful high. I was going to deposit


$19.00 I intended to deposit this

+ 3.73 from account that was on hand

$22.73 Cash on hand in all

- 4.00 for 16 meals at [$].25 each

$18.73 left on hand April 29th 1924

- 2.73 will keep out for expenses

$16.00 will deposit in T. City this week.


Hope this will prove satisfactory to you. I am Your’s

Essie Kitchen

P.S. have not bought carrot seed yet.


Old Mission, Mich.

May 10th 1924

My Dear Miss Taft:-

Just a few lines to let you know how everything is on the farm.

Your cherry trees look very good + think you will have a good crop if the weather straightens out.

Joseph has just began to work the orchard up now because early discing hurry things along faster + it has been so cold here that the ground has frozen most every night until these rains have begun. Had our first thunder shower Tues. night.

Joseph went to T.C. Mon. to get hay + came home in a cold rain all most frozen.

The flu is real thick out here. Gertrude Kitchen + her little boy are in the General hospital. Gertrude has pneumonia and is not expected to live. Richard is better. They all have the flu now. Freeman has temp. of 104 now + is very sick. He was up and took worse again. Our Ladies Aid got a nurse for him + the three that are at home. I hope Gertrude gets well she had been sick for 8 days before pneu. developed.

All of the Haywoods had it too and Mr. Breeden got a nurse for them + paid it himself. Also did everything he could to make them comfortable. I never knew he could be so kind to any one. Those folks are better now. Mrs. Lyon and children had it but Geo. has escaped so far.

I began to get sick + Dr. [Ky?d???] broke it up on me. He sure is the best Dr. I know for that sickness. I hope we don’t get it in our family again. Dr. K. says he will do most any thing to keep me from getting it. I felt very sick and stayed in bed for about 4 days. But feel very much better now. I wanted to write before but dared not to.

I have tried to watch Hazel + Roger + not let them play with the pump or do damage to any-thing. I am so sorry it cost you so much money + always dread to send large bills for you to pay. But ours is the same way always something extra. I guess it is the way this life goes.

Mr. Helfich has not showed up + help is so high I don’t know what to do.

Those Haywood’s haven’t any thing to do with + Ikey gets $60 a month so I don’t feel like carrying our food to them + Geo $70 Mr. Breeden oughto at the lunch hustle a little + then they would appreciate him a little. Children that are fed on cold potatoes + sleep in wet beds every night no wonder they are all most dead.

Your seeding over at Stutsman looks good.

By getting manure spreader the cherry orchard has plenty + apple orchard will have some too.

Joe hopes that the pasture starts up so that ton of hay will do. You have feed those animals since last Aug. So the corn fodder is all gone + has been for some time.

If the weather only warms up now every thing will be fine

I have had extra expense this month again. And my money is all most gone. And Henry Lardie is so expensive we do our shopping in town. Would it be asking too much Miss. Taft to get half of our check the 15th + the balance the 1st of the month. I do not wish to draw any money from the bank. And the cows dry I do not have any extra money. We would have had plenty to do us only this extra bill came along. I wish farmers could pay the same as in a factory twice a month + then a fellow could save more. This getting credit + spending money for nothing I do not like at all.

I pray we all stay well now + no more doctor bills to pay. I hope this wave of flu is gone before you return.

Have deposited your money + enclosed the receipt for same.

There is a heavy fog out that is all most like rain.

Hope you are well

with love Essie


Dinner [$] .30 $2.73 on hand

Brent .25 $2.50

Axel grease .35 [$] .23 left to your credit

Carrot seed .60

$ 1.50

Manure spreader 1.00
$2.50



P.S If you don’t object I am going to buy some linseed oil out of my own money + oil this kitchen floor. It is hard to keep clean + white so am going to oil it if you don’t mind my putting it on.


Your spray material is all here.


Old Mission, Mich

May 21st 1924

My Dear Miss. Taft: -
I must beg your pardon for not writing sooner but have been very busy.

Have most of my garden planted now but guess it will never come up. Have had two very hard frosts but hope fruit is not injured. sweet cherries have not been in full bloom yet. Every thing is a month late. Joseph could not get the ground cleaned up because he had so much to do + it has rained for 4 and 5 days at a stretch. he has the corn planted at Stutsmans place. He is sorry but thought perhaps he could squeeze the time out for to clean that land up. The snow went late + now rotten weather. Not even lilacs in bloom yet or no leaves on the trees. My asparagus froze flat Mon. night. + rained last night.

Gertrude + Freeman are a little better. But Freeman is not out of danger + Gertrude expects another baby in the fall. I don’t know how she can pull through it after this dreadful sickness. She will be in the hospital for some time yet. I have their 10 year old boy with me he came from the hospital Mon. P.M. Ikey Haywoods son is very [B????t???] hope I hear he is better this morning. That is Ikes oldest boy.

We are all well so far + pray we will remain so.

Sold Mr. Cooper 20 bu of corn + will keep the money here until you return here again.

Must hurry as I must leave for T.C. in an hour + haven’t one thing started so far. I am so busy I hardly find time to eat my meals any more. Hope you stay well I am Your’s Essie K.


Old Mission, Mich
May 29th 1924

My Dear Miss Taft:-

Joseph sprayed the first time yesterday so you see how far behind everything is. The fruit will be very late unless the weather warms up pretty soon. It is still cold nights + lots of rain + cut worms. Mr. Breedens cherry trees are full of them. You know he has sod under his trees + that is where they stay in the Spring they crawl into the trees + eat the buds. Your trees have had very few worms so far + hope that if they do try + eat that the spray dope will kill them. Your cherry trees are just beautiful + full of buds. If kind mother nature does her part.

The pasture is growing some now. But not extra good.

Joseph will try + manage so as not to buy any more hay. He may have to have 3 or 4 bales brought down.

He had to reseed all over again as the grass seed never came up. And he is trying between times to get new land cleaned up to put in fodder corn so as to have enough feed. The corn that was planted at S- + here has not come up yet. Hope the cut worms does not get it. They are dreadful this spring. I found one in the toilet this morning. They say the early bird gets the worm but I don’t want that fellow for my breakfast.

That [Ka?p?] sticks Joseph + Roger had to scrub for an hour to get it off + then had to use oil. Their faces are dreadful sore this morning.

I will be so glad to have you here. It is such a relief to know you will be here in a few weeks now. I hope the weather warms up or you will be very uncomfortable. Mrs. Breeden was here Sat. P.M. + she said it has not been over 68 the very warmest + from that down to freezing.

I have a nasty cold + my head feels like a barrel.

Freeman + Haywood family are getting along just fine Gertrude is not home yet. And Freeman has just began to sit up. Must hurry this off.

Hope to see you soon.
Your’s Essie K.


Your’s Essie K.

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