Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letters - Transcribed letters from 1928

Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letters - Transcribed letters from 1928

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

1928

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

Old Mission, Mich.
Jan. 1st 1928
My Dear Miss Taft:
I am going to start the new year in by answering some of my neglected letters. And also going to stop doing crochet work for a week or two as I am tired of it.
First I wish to thank you for my nice gift Roger and Hazel join in, also we have all been enjoying the magazine and book even to the Funnies. I have been so poor couldn't even afford reading. And I am like a fish out of water if I can't have reading.
Am so sorry I can't give you something pershaps later on I can get you a gift of some kind.
Received a very pretty card from Stutsman's. Was glad to know they thot' of us.
The hay we got of Mr Eiman was very nice nearly all alfalfa. Jos. didn't get any more than he could use or needed until later on account of selling.You will need more later if you don't sell out.
It has turned dreadfully cold after our rain & thawing weather. The fields are nearly bare of snow. These cold winds are hard on seeding but hope they don't freeze out.Nearly down down to zero this A.M.
Haven't heard about the W.& C. trial so far so guess it hasn't come off yet.
Spring will be here before we know it with all its busy days. Altho.I always welcome it as I love to be out of doors.
Well I can't think of any more to write. Wish you a very happy New Years
With love Essie
P.S. Haven't been to T.C. yet but will deposit money fist opportunity I get to go in. The roads are too icy for horses & dangerous with a car.


Old Mission, Mich Jan.12th 1928
My Dear Miss. Taft:
Well I will celebrate today by writing to you Jos & I have been married 14 years today.I feel old & worldy wise now.
I went to Traverse City the other day & deposited $35.75 of coin money the other two dollars I kept out for expenses.
We haven't had any chance to go in to get the grain so Mr. Lardie brought it down we paid him for hauling it and he had the grain charged at milling company.
We are having rain now for about 10 days & thaws nearly every night it is so dreadfully damp.
Joseph will have to dispose of most of the corn as it is starting to get mouldy again the crib will have to be moved as there is no way for the wind to get at the crib where it is we never lost corn until the crib was changed.Jos. feels sick about it. He can't move it now as the ground is frozen out there but if you have the place another year it ought to be done.The corn was in fine shape when stored Mr Eiman & several nieghbors saw it and said it was beautiful. It is the cribs fault & not his. Of course if it had of stayed cold it would have kept then but rain & dampness does the work.The crib is full & it is a shame. I hate this weather as it means harm to us if it continues as it is now the sweet cherry buds are quite fat.Joseph scolds me for worrying but it makes me uneasy to see so much failure in everything.
The buyers have held their cherries for a high price & times are so poor & people every where can't afford to buy them. So they are trying to get what they can out of them & can hardly sell them. Tho't you would like to know about it . You haven't any idea how scarce money is in traverse City a great many people are on the county right now.
We try so hard to keep things going & take good care of things. Say if you haven't paid Homer Willobee for cows. Don't pay him for the heiffer as she in heat again last week we supposed she was with calf so that is our hard luck & darn the darn luck any way. Joseph took her to Gore's this time to see if there is any difference. The
Kauer cow is all O.K. but not this one. Thats the way things go all the time.
The children want their supper so I must get busy.
I also had the good luck to break my glasses they had to be sen't to Grand Rapids so I have felt real sweet & kind all week.expected them back today. But they didn't come. So please excuse poor hen tracks.
As ever with love,
Essie
Hauling grain .60
2 gal. gas .40
Salt petre .20
____
1.20 exp.
1.10 on hand
2.00 put on account from corn
P.S ____
$3.10 in all
$1.20 exp
_____
$1.90 total on hand Jan 12th
Joseph looked arround the neighbor hood & borrowed pieces needed for cutting box & will use it with out buying to make expense less. As these wouldn't be any use to buy if there is a chance of selling this spring. Salt petre for horses.


Old Mission,Mich. Jan.29th 1928
My Dear Miss Taft:
Winter has came at last it has been cold now for about 10 days & plenty of snow.The meadows are covered with a nice warm blanket of snow.Am so glad it turned cold as it should as it was far too warm for to help our fruit. Hope it stays cold for a couple of months now & then we have a good Spring.
Joseph won't sell any corn less than [$].50 a bu.and it had only started to show signs of mould so there isn't any great loss so far.He always charges all he can get for your products.
Mr Newton of Bower's Harbor a dealer in real estate had $100,000 tied up in resort property here and worried until his health began to fail him.And while his wife was away caring for a sick daughter he got very despondent & blue and it ended up in suiside he drowned himself by jumping off from Dorg's dock He wrote some of his friends letters & one to his wife telling them his troubles & where to find the body.It was recovered about 24 hr. after the tragedy where he said they would find him. Mr Newton was a college graduate & a very popular business man & well like by every one. I don't know how he could do such a terriable thing & be so cool about it. Was about 60 yrs old.
Mr & Mrs Newell have been remarried. His people feel pretty mean about it.
The cow came in heat again Sat. And Jos. took her to Gore's before & let her stand all after noon before bringing her home.I got some medicine for her when in town the last time. She is well & seems healthy but so far can't get her with calf.Joseph wants me to tell you that he doesn't feel like buying her & knowing she isn't what he thot' her to be. We thot' she was calf or we wouldn't wanted her & no one else would want to take a chance like that.$65 is a lot to pay for a beef cow if she should be such. We are going to try everything possible to try & get her fixed up. I wanted her as she is a nice little cow.But Joseph doesn't want to take the chance with her as she is now. I don't think you would want to buy a cow knowing that either.So please don't think too hard of us. The animals all seem well & frisky.
It seems as tho' you ought to get at least $25 for a rug [the] that size.
I think I do a pretty good job of braiding baskets or bath tubs for such would be my [???] I had a difficult time keeping mine partly flat.Maybe could do better next time. I crocheted 112 doilies for Mr Ward and have had to give up for a while & rest my poor tired eyes & nerves. Hope I can continue it later on.I used over 6 miles of thread so you may know I did some hard work. besides doing all of my own work & 4 of us to work for.
I feel so badly about that cow that I could hardly speak civil to any one yesterday but I guess there isn't any use.It is only a cow after all. We have that to be thankfor for.
Do you remember my baby sister Mary that was out here with mother? Got a lovely letter from her & she is doing fine at school she is council student of her class am so glad she can go to college that rest of us couldn't. It seems as tho' the older children have to be left behind so as to help take better care of the rest.Oh well I guess this is my lot & I must not complain too much. I love my children & have lots of pleasure wth them even tho' I have to work hard & do without.
I hear Mr Wilbur is going to leave the company & has a better place .Miss Walker's man is going to take Clarence Kroupa's place. He doesn't care to tie himself down to monthly job.Altho' they say he wants to find a place where he can earn around 100 a month. Some people don't like Clarence very well.
John will soon buy a farm farm for him I suppose.
Well I can't think of any more to write about. Jos.will have to buy a larger pulley for engine he can't seem to find a second hand one.
With love Essie.
P.S. If we can get her with calf every thing will be O.K with us. Jos.talked with Homer W. today & is going to take her over here before she comes in heat next time & he will breed her 3 different times that way & maybe that will do the work and with the medicine we got for her she may be all right then.Homer said serveral people has did that & it proved satisfactory.I may talk with Dr Scott about her if we happen to see him in town.
Altho.H.W. is pretty well studied up with stock.


Old Mission, Mich. Feb.8 1928
My Dear Miss.Taft:
I thot' I would write now as our letters wouldn't cross on the road as usual.
I went to town the other day the first time since the last of the old year so I found what oats & corn was worth they are charging [$].71 a bu. for oats and corn is worth [$].45 a bu. on ear but they are not buying from here as they say the corn isn't hard enough unless put in a dryer & they haven't that any more. Do you want Jos. to get your oats now.
It has rained steady for the last 24 hours & quite hard some of the time a down pour. Basement of barn is dreadfully wet this A.M. Every one has been afraid of a sleet storm so we can be thankful it hasn't frozen onto the trees. There is a dense fog this morning so hope it turns cooler.
Mrs. Lardie spoke about corn last Fall & you didn't care to sell then & they never have any money. We don't feel as tho' they should have credit any more than other people it is all O.K. if you say so. I know they don't like us for not being easy. Homer Willobee will take all you have to spare. Joseph plans on selling 100bu & saving the rest. That will open the crib & if there is more to sell later on the price won't be any lower. And he wants a plenty for another year in case there isn't corn. It doesn't pay to sell short & buy over again & we know what our own grain is.
Are you going to put manure on all orchards again this year? There is going to be a lot of it. If you would care to sell 3 or 4 loads Jos. would be glad to buy it of you for our 107 large cherry trees. He can buy it in town for $5 per ton but has to haul it our here. We will have to buy something again this Spring. If I remember correctly you mentioned to me you wasn't going to manure your cherry orchard this year.
The stock clean their fodder up good & Joseph uses refuse for bedding. So your whole corn field will be in the manure pile.
If you care to let any go to us please mention & we would be very glad to get a little.
We have had quite a time with Hazel the past week. Had tonsilitis & ear ache & I am nearly tired out caring for her. Roger wants to write you a letter but is so busy with school work that he keep waiting. He will have to hurry or you will soon be here again.
Well I must close as he is ready for school & waiting for me.
yours with love Essie.
P.S. Hazel just came out with a little house for you. She thinks you are partly hers too & I guess Roger feels about the same.


Old Mission, Mich. Feb. 19th 1928
My Dear Miss. Taft:


I can't go to church today as we are having a dreadful snow storm & quite cold. So will try & write you a letter.


It rained the first part of last week & then turned very cold & is ending up in a blizzard. I hope we have cold weather up until middle of March or later. And not like the past two years. I don't know how you can have any fruit in Illinois with such sudden changes of weather. Joseph says that last year was the greatest failure Mich. ever had that he can remember of. It did seem pretty hard not to have much after such nice crops most year's. I think we are safe so far this season.


The little cow is over at Homer Willobee's & has been since Friday night. I hope she doesn't dissapoint us this time. I am glad you feel as you do about it. We were very much dissapointed with her. But will keep on trying.


Roger lost your letter & another on his way to postman that is how they were late. We didn't find them until evening. So they were a day late. Joseph let Mr. Lardie have 15 bu. of corn but couldn't let any more go as your own stock requires quite a little and Homer has 100 bu now & will deposit the money when he pays us. Jos. will get it Monday when he goes' for the cow. The Lardie's couldn't see why Jos. couldn't cut Homer short & give it to them. I can't endure Mrs. Lardie & there is no use in talking. I can't stand any one that is two faced as she is. The neighbors have told us a lot she says. I wish you could have heard what she told Joseph last Fall it made us feel pretty bad.But thought it over & have always felt you were above her & didn't take it to heart. She hasn't many real neighbors for the reason she gossips so much. And pokes fun of a fellow right to their face. Some people can make fun of us if they want to. But that little place is ours & some day we may run her a pretty little race. As soon as we live there Jos. may put up some kind of building so I can sell many things besides cherries & not have a begging box either. Oh I will keep still for I can see blue & red right now.

I was so glad to get your nice letter as it gives me something to think about

Am so glad Mrs. Cleary is better again. But poor Edward I can't imagine him working. What is Helen doing?

How about Miss Carter? I took a likeing to her I guess because she treated the children so kindly. Joseph always speaks of her as the lady with a bird like voice.

Mr Wilbur has decided to stay after another raise in salary. They have a beautiful place to live & a much better chance to save than at most places.

Henry Kitchen hired out to Mr Bostwick last Fall by the year and only intends to stay during the winter & then live in the log cabin & work for Wunsch during the Summer. I don't think that is a very fair way to treat Bostwick after paying him a good salary expecting him to stay by him. Ernest has a good job & not a thing to do all Fall & winter but isn't satisfied either. They plan on another new car this Spring. We would like one too but our home comes first.

I don't think I will do any more crochet work this winter as I have to many other things waiting for me now. And I got very tired working so much.

Hazel is better again I took her to Dr. Thirlby Wed. & had two teeth pulled they were the six year mollars some way he took out one of her permanet teeth beside it. That has made her feel very miserable. I feel very badly about it as is is 3 teeth she will never have back. The roots were larger than on any teeth I have ever had extracted

I don't remember if I told you that we set out 210 cherry trees last Fall. Jos. bought from Eingle Fritz Nursery surely are fine trees. Your's always did so well that he wanted to try them for himself. Your orchards are very beauitful & hope we can keep them that way as long as we are here.

Joseph is buying a new lever drag & will use it in your orchards as well as ours. The spring tooth can't do good work any more. And we can share up with you no need of buying as long as you intend to sell.

Jos. had 15 sacks more corn ground for Spring use for cows & horses & bought 2 gal. gas. for engine to cut fodder. With love, Essie K.

$1.90 to your credit $1.50 grist
1.90 expenses 40 gas.
______ ______
00 am broke $1.90
flat
P.S. We enjoyed the book immensely. Roger & all. Children are watching for funnies


Old Mission, Mich.
Mar. 4th 1928

My Dear Miss. Taft

I am nearly froze up sitting here by the stove. We are having a dreadful storm out. It has been storming quite a little for the past week but last night it broke out in full furry. So you can feel sorry for all of us up north. The bay has been frozen over solid for the past 10 days. So suppose it will be colder from now on and more storms. It was 12 below zero at Mr Ladd's last week and 15 down here.

Miss Taft please don't think we have lost faith in you. If we had of we wouldn't be here. Some times a fellow is picked to pieces until you have to go to some one for sympathy. So it happens I most always go to you. Roger was very glad to hear of your boys playing at school as he is very fond of playing and taking active part in all atheletic sports. It is very good for both boys & girls it keeps their mind on material things and not on their selves.

Pratt was here from Detroit a week ago attending to selling some of Mr. Newton's realestate at Bowers Harbor. Every thing is pretty quiet here now & property is at a stand still. I don't like pratt but he seems to make numerous sales around here & some big ones too.How often I wonder as I sit here working day after day where we will be another winter. I love this dear place but will have to give it up when you sell it.

I surely felt sorry that your school affairs are not pleasant and agreeable no wonder you love to get up here where it is peaceful & quiet.

Did Alberta get any of the prizes she was working for?

When I went in town last Tues. I deposited $45 out of the 50 we got of Holmer keeping out the $5. as you stated. You will find reciept in letter. Joseph had to buy 2 gal. gas.about every 2 weeks & this time a qt. of oil.

Joseph would rather you wouldn't take out any more money out of our check until we see if the cow is with calf. I surely hope she is. So many are having the same the same trouble. Jos. says it must be because it is leap year.

The children received the Funnies & have had a grand old time quarreling over them. I guess all youngsters disagree some times. Thanks many times for them.

I am trying to plan on a garden & will try & plant enough beets so I will have all I want for myself & for Mrs. English too. I know you are fond of the greens.

Do you mind if Jos. gets a little more oil meal & bran for stock? Corn & corn fodder isn't very good alone & he needs more bran as he is all out. We want to keep them well & healthy if we can.

Well I must close as it is time to start supper now.

Your's with love Essie.

$5.00 Mar.1st
65 2 gal. gas. 1 qt of oil
______ 40 .25
4.35 on hand Mar. 4th 1928


Old Mission Mich. Mar. 11th 1928

My Dear Miss. Taft:

I am going to write you a few more lines today. We had no mail for 3 days last week so you can imagine how much snow we have here. The corn crib has drifts 10 ft high around it on one side. When this snow starts to leave we may have to put the animals up in the wagon shed I know the basement will flood. The roads are the worst they have every been & shore road is closed they can't keep it open. people are trying to plow there with their cars & several have been stuck in drifts & stayed there for a week. This is fine for fruit but hard on man & teams.

Joseph borrowed Tom La?????] horse & [door] drove to town yesterday & brought the oats home. He thought is best to go as the plows had been out the day before but was a dreadful trip. I wish you could see for yourself.

It is much warmer out today looks like rain but is snowing a little now hard telling what it may turn to before morning.

Joseph sold 10 more bu. of corn so as to have money for bran he got 100# of Lardie and will send you receipt to show price.The cows & horses needed it so bad that he got it instead of waiting. I scolded him for selling the corn so low but said he wouldn't need much from now on.

The cow hasn't showed up yet hope she will be O.K.

I got a Windsor oil stove from Montgomery & it is fine 4 burners for $27.95 that will save a lot on fuel & make my cooking days more comfortable during the Summer.

Joseph's father made me the present of a brand new $20 bill so I will give it to Jos. toward his new drag it will take $5 more to buy the one he wants & needs. I need some new clothes so dreadfully bad my slippers are nearly worn out & my dress is nearly in tatters but must keep on smilling & do without. I will have to have something pretty soon. Maybe you will feel ashamed to be seen with me if I don't doll up pretty soon.I know just how badly you feel to see every one else with something new & you have old things I have always did that since being married.

The nurse was out and examined the school children Roger is 2# over wgt. and Hazel 4# so they are all O.K. as far as she could see. H. must use iodine salt for goiter. I guess that is wrong don't know how to spell it.

Today is Tues. and will make another try at finishing this letter.

Have had rain for two days so our snow is melting fast but ok the water every where.


Joseph will need more hay by the 1st of April or a little later. He didn't buy any more than he could get out of last Fall in case you might sell. He feeds corn fodder to horses some of the time.

The ice is still in the bay but won't be long if it stays warm out.

With love Essie.

[Jos] .30 Jos. dinner
.50 barn rent & horse hay
2.30 bran for stock H.M.L.
____
3.10 total expenses
4.35 on hand
5.00 corn sold [c??per]
____

$9.35
3.10 expenses
_____
$6.25 total on hand Mar 15th 1928


Old Mission, Mich. Mar. 23 1928

My Dear Miss. Taft:

Am going to try & write you a few lines this morning before Roger goe's to school. I wanted to write last night but couldn't do it because my head pained me dreadfully have a real hard cold & my neck is quite badly swollen. Hope your cold is much better by now.

I was talking with Mrs. Lardie the other day & she has been hearing a lot about Illinois people that work for the state having to give a certain percent of their salary for this dishonest man. And the Radio Broadcast that they are going to get him another large sum of money to retire on. If I was in your boots I hardly know what I would do If it was being taken for a good cause it wouldn't be so bad.

The snow is nearly gone from the fields but lots of it in the barn yards & woods ice was still in the bay last night. The wind has been in a good quarter for the past few days hope means a good Spring for all of us. We won't feel quite so blue about things then.

I wish you could sell your farm as long as you want to so badly as it doe's tie you fast some. Perhaps some one will want it this Summer. Henry H. would like to live here pretty well but I would feel sorry for the place after he had the care of it. He is shiftless as can be. Mr. Wunsch can't see what those people are doing but the neighbors can. Ernest hired a team and two men to get the Wunsch ice & Mr. W. was very much put out about it. They are getting a good salary but haven't any intrest in any thing. Clarence Kroupa was dishonest with Mr. Wilson so he hasn't been able to find employment any where yet. But must move pretty soon as another man intends to move in. Why doe's people do such things it will be found out in the end any way.

Joseph is sorry he didn't know about the fertilizer before as you have to order it real early in order to get it. He can't go in with the team from now on because roads are dreadful but will try as best to get some if he can We are not buying any this Spring but a year ago he put his order in during the Fall. It is around $65 per ton or a little more but you could see up at our place how it makes grass grow. Jos. tried it out under the apple trees. He has also found how to get best results from it with from corn. There is a lot to learn on a farm & very interesting to watch results. Your corn field surely showed it last Fall. Joseph was as proud over his field of corn as the cow was with her new calf.

We don't know if the cow is O.K. or not but you may keep on keeping the $5 out of each check. I think there is $25 paid on her now so it won't take much longer to get her paid for.I surely hope she has a calf & isn't as April fool joke. But every thing a farmer doe's is a gamble so that is just another one.

Joseph let Ernest have 5 bu corn but won't sell any more.

The Kauer cow had her calf it is small but on all 4 legs We are always glad to see them come alive. It means your cows are healthy. Joseph would like to keep it until Sept or so and have me can it for winter meat. You told us last Summer or Fall you didn't care to keep her calves. Do you object to it? We wouldn't let it bother the other animals could put it up home if no other place.

Mr Eiman hadn't sold his cherries a few weeks back. I read a letter they received from a broad casting station that they wrote to to sell their cherries for them Haven't had a chance to ask them yet what developed will find out some time soon & let you know. I couldn't ask over the phone as too many ears are ready to hear.

Spring is here & work soon starts in real ernest plowing & all. Jos. got most of the large field plowed last Fall but snowed before he could finish up.

Hope every thing is better with you by now as ever with love Essie

P.S.Cheer up black birds & robins are coming it is Spring & you will soon be back.

$6.25 on hand Mar 4th
2.50 sold Ernest 5 bu. corn
_____
$8.75 on hand Mar. 20th
.40 gasoline for Engine.
_____
$8.35 Mr. 23rd 1928

Mr Bryant of T. City died a week ago following an operation his heart & kidney went back on him. He had been a high liver & drank quite a little so the nurse told us and it all went against him when he needed strength most some mixed up letter.

How is the rug coming?


Old Mission, Mich. Apr. 4th 1928

My Dear Miss. Taft:

We had a very heavy snow fall that blocked all traffic since I last wrote you it was Mar. 26th had to snow plow roads. A no. of Old Mission cars was in Traverse over night. Last night we had our first real thunder storm & it was a bad one. It frightened me our whole family stayed down stairs until morning.

The buds on fruit trees haven't started much so far. hope it turns colder tonight.

There hasn't been a wreck over on that corner yet & hope there isn't any either it would be a dreadful thing to happen.

Joseph inquired about fertilizer & he can't get a pound of the Ford kind they haven't enough to fill all their other orders.

Joseph hasn't any hay so far as a truck couldn't get down in here as there is 3 or 4 feet of water over the road at the foot of the hill. Hope it soon drains away. our road down in here is dreadful.

Mr Garland is still our road comissioner Mr. Loulek lost out by 12 votes. We are so sorry he didn't get it.

I never saw such a changed about community as this Spring. A family by the name of Hawkins moved in Archie Helfrich's house on the corner. Ashmore's have two new men. And Henry & his bride are settled in the log cabin. And many other changes made. Every place is filling up with new people. The Nagg's place is sold too. Jos. changed his mind about wanting it 20 acres of rough land is enough for one man to care for. Mr. Scorfield is the one going to take it think the papers were made out today or should have been. It is going to cost him a lot for building as his house is worse than our was. And it cost us enough to get our place even as good as it is. He will make a go of it if he tries hard. but that is the only way.

You want carrots in the same old place as usual and seed the meadow up to the new cherry orchard, And corn where the sweet clover was last year. Do you want center of apple tree rows cultivated where sweet clover was planted? Joseph thinks you want to just cultivate around trees. But all of cherry orchards keept clean same as always. He wanted to be sure about the corn. Just the one field is all we found on plans and plant corn close.

Jos. tried all over to get a pulley for the engine but couldn't find one right size in town. And it will cost $5.50 to have one made at foundry. If you send out they cost much less and are just as good. He wants a 4 inch pulley to fit a [???] 1 3/8 in. shaft but wide enough to hold on a belt. about a six or 5 in space across for belt to stay onto. Will you send out for it or want us to. You know what fits your pocket book best.

With love Essie.

$8.35 on hand
5.55 grain
.40 gas
_____
$2.40 to your credit.


Old Mission, Mich. Apr. 22nd 1928

Mt Dear Miss. Taft:

You will begin to think I have for gotten you but I haven't. I have been feeling miserable lately head ache & up set stomach. I couldn't write until I felt better. Will make a try at it today.

Have had two dreadful snow storms since I last wrote to you Easter Sun. had a Jan. blizzard and again the 14th of Apr. It has stormed & snowed since but not so hard. The fruit hasn't started yet so no harm done so far we are sure of that. There is still lots of ice in the bay. Last Mon. after the storm the ice was frozen solid out to the island.

If you people in Illinois has had what we have I feel sorry for you.

Clarence Kroupa tried to haul hay down here a week ago & he was a hour coming from Stutsman place to your's. So you can imagine what kind of roads we have down in here. The road down near pasture is still flooded so we can't come thru there. He brought about 10 bails of hay to us and will haul the rest when he can get down here. It is fine hay 1/2 alfalfa & timothy $18.50 delivered. Tang is selling hay but poor trash. Jos. will buy of whom he can get the best for the money.

There is a new Farm implement store in Traverse Also garrage Jos. got a pulley for $2.25 and all farm machinery is very reasonable he bought his lever drag there & is going to get a 7 tooth cultivater also I am so glad he got the drag as it will do so much better work than the old one. And will help make the work easier.

Jos. had Harold Lardie down to repair the engine & get it ready for spraying yesterday. It went wrong last Week & Jos. couldn't get it started or could perry Christopher so Harold doctored it up his bill was $1.25 and he said you could pay it when you return this Spring. Joseph doesn't want to depend on the Wunsch mud puddle any more as some times the sprayer get all cloged up from muck I have to laugh at Ernst & Henry talk they say if you hadn't wanted so much down on your farm they would have bought it last Fall. You are wise if Wunch or any one else could get it with a small pay ment down & keep it a few years & half spray the way their orchards are in 3 or 4 years you could have it back & nothing on it. The party will come along that has the money yet and willing to pay for it. Think of it Mr. Wunsch is paying $75 rent for the little log cabin for Henry & they don't work half of the time. He will wake up some day & see for himself.

Today is Sun. but Jos. is working on the spraying in order to have it O.K. last Fall he cleaned it well & stored all parts so it would not be eaten out from old spray material.

The people who live in the Helfrich house are only renters not bought. About two weeks ago the house Archie was living in caught on fire & burned to the ground & nearly every thing they owned went with it It burned between three & four o'clock in the morning they blame it to a mouse chewing a match as the first started in an up stairs room next to where the little boy was sleeping they got him out just in time & no more.

Mr Scoefield changed his mind about the Knagg's place so Curtis Gillmore bought it for $1,200 Jos. could have had it for 1,000 but didn't want it. We may have the opportunity to sell ours so didn't want the other. Altho' I think we can make a good home out of it some time.

Did you ever locate the towels that you couldn't find last Summer? You mentioned it to me & I have intended to ask in one of my letters & have always forgotten to. I don't think any one ever molested any thing out in the shed so thot' you might have packed them in the wrong place & took them with your instead of leaving them here. I do just such things myself.

I had a dream about you last night & thot' we were visiting you & you told me Alberta wasn't coming. And you was trying to tell me about some nice cherries you had set & I didn't know about I could see them so plain but it turned out to be only a dream after all.

Must get dinner now so must close with love Essie. K

$[2.40 on hand]
2.25 for pulley
.10 rivets for harness
.40 gasline
____
2.75 exp. /$2.40 on hand
2.75
2.40
______
.35 you owe me.

Monday a.m.

P.S. Mr Eiman had to sell his cherries for less than he could have gotten last Summer. People won't buy those high priced cherries. When I was up there as few weeks ago I asked him about it. He said he was game to lose once in a while. He held for $14 a doz. but lost out on it.

Mrs. J.D. Marshall & I were visiting the other day & she said Mr Hazrock is offering .6[cents] per pound now & money down to any one that wishes to borrow money on their crop.

Must close as Roger wants to go to school

Love E.K.


Old Mission, Mich. April 24th 1928

Dear Miss Taft.


Ive been intending to write before, but have been very busy with my school work, and helping Daddy when I had time.

I thank you very much for the book, papers and card and we enjoyed the book very much.

I am taking up a course in commercial arithmetic I like it real well too. My school will be out the 16th of May but the final exams. for the 7th & 8th grade are on the 17 & 18th [??]

How is the weather over there? it snowed here yesterday and is cold enough to snow tonight. We sure ought to have a good cherry crop this year as it hasn't been warm for any lenfth of time all spring, the Sweet cherry buds are swollen but a very little so they hadn't ought to be hurt any yet.

Oh yes I forgot to tell you that Mr. Fuller got us a book on Hamlet By Shakespeare it is a play perhaps you have read it. I think it is pretty good.

Well I will close as it is Bed time and I am tired.

Your Friend

Roger Kitchen

P.S. We hope to see you soon.







Old Mission, Mich Apr. 24th 1928

My Dear Miss. Taft:

I will write just a few lines to you as Clarence hauled the rest of the hay today. It is the nicest hay Jos. has gotten yet. He bought #5,650 of hay not quite 3 ton & if the weather ever warms up so pasture can start he hopes this will carry thru' until haying time.

It is real cold out snowed yesterday & today but not to stay. We haven't had many warm days yet It gives a fellow the blues when the days are so gloom.

Joseph wants to finish plowing while the weather is so cool & nice for the team to work.

Mr.Lardie will soon deliver your order now as the roads are better down in here.

I haven't heard of any property being sold or changing hands so far this Spring.

Saw by the paper yesterday that John Hasrot was fired for driving while drunk. Some come down for our [Hi?????ys]. I never heard of his drinking before.

Henry K. got his foot in it. He sold enough of Mr Bostwicks apples corn fodder eggs buttter & I don't know what all while they were away this winter so that he had Henry arrested or made him cough up a hundred dollars he couldn't pay it so Ernest did. This is the straight goods it come straight to us. I am so very sorry he did such a thing as that it will hurt him for a long time I know he used to do little things but that is dreadful.

All Joe ever gave away of your's was a bu of good corn to Homer Willobee & he deserved it if ever a fellow did. He didn't make Jos. sort out every mouldy ear of corn he took it as it was so he had that coming also kept the cow for 4 days at breeding time it would have cost more than that to feed her. I always tell you every thing & then you can kick me if you think I am foolish but no secrets goe's here. I want a fellow to come to me & not behind my back with any thing. Joseph scolds me for telling you so many little things he thinks you wouldn't care to even know about.

My cold is worse today guess this weather is what makes it I will be glad when Spring sets in for ernest.

Please excuse mistakes as my head is fat from this cold.

Roger was very much please to be remembered with the card.

My neighbors have been very nice. Received several very useful birthday gifts from them. I don't think I ever told you about it but on our 14th wedding anniversary they gathered here & gave us a jolly good time.

Must finish supper The hay was $18.50 per ton so Clarence's bill is $52.27 His address is Clarence Kroppa Old MIssion

P.S. He lives in Roy Drews house at O.M. since he was there at the Wilson place.



Old Mission, Mich. May 10th 1928

My Dear Miss Taft:

We are having beautiful weather and every thing is coming on fine. The cherries are in a wonderful condition so far.

Last night it rained a little & is some cooler with the wind switching northward I surely hope it means no evil to we poor farmers.

Joseph is coming fine with the work. The seed & other article you ordered from Isbelle came & I treated the sweet clover on my parlor linoleum some swell [gury] I am. Not a seed wasted on that smooth surfarce or any dope either did a fine job now I want to see results for myself. The oats were also treated as you wished the directions were on the bottle & followed them very closely.

Joseph got Murray's seed drill & put the seed on with that so as birds & crows wouldn't work the seed so bad. With a drag there is always more or less uncovered. The field looks beautiful.I never saw a more beautiful view than up near where Tom Lannins house used to stand & look accross your farm. With newly plowed land & squares of green it is beautiful enough for an artist to paint. Joseph has his own orchards worked over once he did all his plowing last Fall so as not to have so much this Spring. I guess he was fortunate as with the late Spring & Jerry's cough he wouldn't have gotten it done & been able to stay here. He intends to try & hire a team a day or two but every one needs their own horses themselves. Jerry hasn't been fat since during the winter he gets those poor times the same as a human that has catarrah. I think he will be able to do the Summer's work all right. The hardest part will soon be over now & he can rest most of the time. Queen is fine.

We had Homer Willobee dehorn our cow last week she hurt the little Kauer cow every time she got the chance she always did pick on her every since she came. We didn't like to have it done but to have the other animals safe we had to or she would have torn their insides out. The first thing she did when her horns were off was to rush for the other cow the blood was streaming down her face & she was a sight it nearly made me sick. She was surprised to find her weapons were gone. She makes a fairly good looking Mully & a safer cow.

The trees were sprayed Jos. had to get a new hose that one broke in several places so the spray dope keept leaking out & couldn't use them any more he got 17ft of [Hom?y] Lardie at [$].30 per foot they are good hose. He thinks he can manage all right with a shorter length.

Jos. got a pound of carrot seed they are [$].90 a pound will be enough for next year too. I told him half a pound but he didn't understand me he didn't get the bill as I told him to but he got them at Kyselka's. I think they handle a good grade of seed.

Toney [Lou???k] bought Amousis farm for his son perry so we will have more desireable neighbors over there. The other people stole every thing they could get their hands onto.

I moved my berry path up onto the top of the hill where the oak tree stood I did that all myself have rasberrys strawberries & black caps there now I planted them between the cherry tree rows. Jerry spoiled 4 of our nice trees took the whole side off from them I felt so bad queen never does that but he will not go where you want him to. He has his idea where he wants to walk & doesn't intend to change it either. I suppose he thinks those trees are no good. I don't blame him much.

Well I must close now & wash dishes like a [nailer] there is a lot of them to do this morning.

Jos. & I will buy some gas. very soon now to do our spraying.

We sold D.B.Eiman #3 seed corn for $6.00

With love Essie K.

Fonn.1/2 pt. .30 Eiman $6.00
owed me .35 4.55
carrot seed .90 _____
1# sweet corn .20 $1.45 left
seed dill 1.00
galoline 1.80
____________________
4.55

Won't cash your check unless I need to later on.

P.S. Cherry buds are coming open fast the tiny green leaves are peaking out now. The wolverine packing Co. is here buying cherries now & paying [$].[?]5
that means a shortage some place so lets hang on. Buyers never came out so early before let me know what you hear there am anxious too.


Old Mission, Mich. May 21st 1928

My Dear Miss Taft:

I am going to write you a few lines tonight & let you know that every thing is grand on the farm. Your cherries are fine so far & so are ours the oats are 2 in high & seeding coming fine. Cherries have had second spray sweet cherry petals are falling & sours in full bloom. Corn is planted and every thing done but plowing apple orchards & Jos. is trying to let sweet clover come up nice & then plow under he is sure you would rather it would be that way.

Jos & I both had the flu again & Jos. looks real bad yet we were both very miserable for some time but will soon feel like our selves again.

Roger & Hazel both won prizes Roger got his from a word contest at school. The prize was a $2.50 book Hazel learned the 10 commandments & recited them before the whole Sun. school & got a bible or testament as her prize. And they are hard to remember.

Mr. Phelps is here has his sister with him and is farming as much as ever.

Oh yes your carrots are in too.

The tent worms are hatching out now & the orchard accross is full of them they should have been sprayed.

Mrs. Pete Lardie & Mrs. Jim Swaney passed away last Fri. Mrs. Swaney is Pete Lardie's sister.

Your's with love
Essie K.

P.S. You are going to heve Dutchess apples this year you feared not but they are giving to blossom any way.


Old MIssion, Mich. May 29th 1928.

My Dear Miss. Taft:

Was very glad to hear from you. Have been looking for a letter from you for nearly a week.

So far every thing on the farm is fine cherries look fine. hope we will all have something to pay us for our hard work.

The weather has been cool during the day & cold nights we have feared a frost but hope to escape. Some of the low land cherries were hurt about 3 weeks ago when we had a heavy frost.

The Dutchess & other apples are coming in bloom & promise of a crop if they only stick on.

I hope you haven't over estimated me Miss Taft. I try very hard to help Joseph but some times I fail If I wasn't such a nervous creature I would be all right. I think I work too hard during the Summer & don't have enough rest is one reason.

We will be very glad of any thing we can use and thank you for it. There is so much a person needs on a farm that every thing helps. Your being kind to us means far more than money for a lot of things. Joseph and I feel that as long as we use your team & he can use spare time to work on his place you are welcome to live there. As for selling cherries I may sell some there especially the first cherries but may not try many of the others I can't stand those long walks in the hot sun as I did last year of course I must try & make what I can as we need the money. If I can manage to get back & forth during cherry picking I will stay home nights as Jos. needs me here too. Our orchard is small & it won't take long to pick our cherries. Would like to get ours done & help you take care of your's.

Joseph has our own orchards worked now finished up today. We are trying to buy a horse but don't know if we can or not the fellow isn't anxious to sell now We want to take better care of our small trees as they will die out if we don't. Jos. will just cultivate around trees from now on not entire orchard. Our potatoes are coming up over there & I will remember you with some. I have a piece of fat salt pork & a few other things I am saving for when you come. be sure to let me know as soon as you can when you think you will be here as I must bring a boiler of warm water over there & clean the down stairs it hasn't been cleaned since I did it all up last Fall before closing the house up for winter. By knowing it will make it easier for me. Sunday Jos. will have to go over & store our wagon & other tools that are in the garage.

We bought 10 gal. of gas ourselves and paid for it as our share to spray with

Mr. Pratt was here tonight & bought a bu of seed corn & wanted to know if you would sell the suction hose if so how much? please mention in your next letter. He wants them very badly. We haven't any present use for them & they likely will rot with age.

Am so glad Alberta could take the trip to Washington how much Roger would enjoy an outing like that.

Mr Wunsch & Family spent the week end here and seemed to have a wonderful time. The cherry orchards were like large snow balls it was a sight for city people.

Will try & write real often from now on as I know you are anxious.

With love Essie.

P.S. Am returning your check as I don't need it.

1.45 on hand
2.00 W. R Pratt for seed corn
2.00 Fay Dohm
3.00 Ben Ghering
_____
$8.45 to your credit.


Old Mission, Mich. June 7th 1928

My Dear Miss Taft:

Well the cherries seem to be filling fine sweets are the size of a pea. The sours are going to be ready to spray in another week. petals are falling fast. Hope we both have a good crop. Maybe we will all feel more cheerful this Summer.

I expected to hear from you yesterday so as to know what to do. We won't move any things over home until I hear news as we don't want people prying in.

The weather is so cool & dry that the meadows are not doing much. oats are coming fine seeding is fair but alfalfa slow we have needed rain so badly for some time. Every time it gets to look like rain the wind switches back to the north. Corn is up if worms will leave it alone it will do fine.

Had Kauer cow breed a month ago & no more signs so far. Our little calf is growing nicely & is a lively little fellow at present it is in the front yard. I love animals of all kinds so am glad Jos. bought a farm. I used to like to scratch mother pig's babies back when she had them. They were so cunning.

If you wish to have me I will unpack your dishes for you. But perhaps you would rather do it yourself. I feel as tho' I might not have did right last year by not asking you first but only tried to help you. I want to have the house clean for you as I like to keep it as nice as I can so as not to have paint soiled and save painting over again. I find it pretty hard to do the work there & here too Altho' I enjoy going up there & working.

The quilt & pillows are still here & do you wish to use them? Dear me I wish I could talk to you a few minutes I would say a lot.

Miss. Taft I would rather a snake bite me me than one of those Haywood bed bugs so you are wise not to use any thing from there. They carry germs as all flies & bugs do & I am so afraid you will think I have gone dippy but those are my worst enemies. I scattered them out of this house in a years time.

Did you finish your hooked rug if so bring it along maybe a resort lady I know will want it. She doesn't care for braided ones. And may have gotten what she wanted before this.

Hope you got my last letter all right as I returning your last $5.00 check in it.

Well must hurry to mail this. Mr Fuller claimed the Hamilton mail box as it was taken from the school so we must put something there for a mail box. Lovingly Essie.





Dear Miss. Taft.

Just rec'd your letter & am hurrying to send this in to mail. Am so glad to hear from you. Would be very glad to receive the extra copy of what ever you have. Roger plans on a vacation this Summer & a trip north if something doesn't turn up.



Old Mission, Mich. June 11th 1928

My Dear Miss. Taft:

Well this has been another busy day for us. I did my washing & Jos. & Roger Sprayed all day long went over every thing on the farm. He was afraid of yellow leaf on cherries as the weather has been so cold some of the monts are out & some not so next week he will spray again. The cherries look the best they have for several yrs. there are always a few trees in every orchard that isn't loaded. They look mighty good to me. Sat. afternoon I went up there with Jos. & looked them over and also looked at the seeding. We had a lovely rain a few days ago & seeding is coming lovely I am so pleased about it. The oats are as fine as any I have seen and will help protect the new seeding. If they come good it would be a pity not to let them ripen & not trample seeding until it gets large. Corn has been replanted. Cut worms are fierce this Spring also army worms. pratt apple orchard is terriable & now they leave the nests & crawl in your trees.Jos. has used a gal. of kerosene buring them up.

The hay is not growing fast but coming. Looks like rain tonight again.

I suppose this will be the last letter that goe's to Illinois but may send one to Detroit later on

I called Dr Scott today & talked to him about the horses & cows. The cows have coughed for several weeks & their noses run & act like Jerry doe's queens nose runs too. We were pretty much alarmed about it so I called up & talked to the Doctor he said he couldn't tell what ailed them unless he saw them but says Jerry has catarrah but doesn't think the cows took it from him. And L.B. doesn't act like that on cows. I am afraid to use milk & butter altho' he thot' it safe. I told him you would soon be here but he could give medicine for animals now don't worry as the animals are not sick look good but have catarrah or some other thing like that. If it hadn't of been for extra expense for you we would have him come out & decide for him self.

Jerry should have had treatment several yrs. ago Queen is a fine animal & worth $25.00 today to any one that knows good horses. And if she gets this trouble she won't be worth a cent in a year or so.

There won't be any need of you hurrying your trip any on their account as Jos. will use his best judgement about the affair We thot' the cows had a cold but oughto be over it now the winds have been so cold & raw may be the cause of it. They may be all right in a day or so now that it is warmer. It may not be worth mentioning but they are your's & know you oughto know about every little detail. Well must go to bed your's with love will write later on. Essie K.


Old Mission, Mich
June 20th 1928

My Dear Miss. Taft,

Well I expect you are in Mich. by now as the last letter I sent you came back in todays mail was sorry you didn't get it before you left. As you must feel anxious about every thing.

First I will mention about crops as that is first importance If I judge right your sour chirries in large orchard looks good there are a few trees that have light drops on them. There always are trees like that in every ones orchard. The sweets are light crop Sunday evening Jos and I went all thru the orchard to make sure cherries are growing well and trees look good. Jos. is going to spray again this week to be safe from disease. I hope you will feel pleased this year

Small trees Alberta picked on years ago are pretty good but not much on smallest ones. Our own trees look good but not many cherries on inside of trees. But am very thankful for all we have got. Sweets are about same as last year

Apples are coming good have had dry weather for them up until last night had a thunder storm. and damp out today. Hope they don't scab.

Jos. got a new scythe and is going over to his place to mow hay until dark there is a light crop of hay every where this year.

Stock is all right or nearly so.

Your poor corn grower is having hard luck the cut worms eat corn as fast as it comes up has replanted once and will have to again.

Jos. has the chance to buy the horse he wanted and reasonable. Jenny will not be able to work much longer Jos. is willing to use her here to do your work. Are you willing for us to get it? She is young and healthy of course not as fast as Queen but would be as good as any we could afford to buy. We know this horse and don't want to get a strange one later on as a fellow gets beat more times that way than you win out. Jos. has promised to take her if he has to sell her again We need her to help with our own work too.

We planted some pumpkins in the garden for cows this winter They are up now if worms don't feast on them. The cherry buyers are coming thru now offering .06 for cherries but no one will sell. There isn't as many cherries as most people thot' there was.

You can have potatoes of us I have a pick of fine ones saved out for you it will save buying. The cellar is nice and cool and they are real firm and nice yet.

I read your last letter to Roger and he said how well he would like to be your boarder and have some flap jacks as he calls them.

Would love to have you and Alberta have supper with us the day you arrive and then go over home would make it easier for you.

Was in hopes of getting a letter from you today but was dissapointed again

Got two new window lights that were broken if a buyer comes along it won't look quite so bad as it did.

Mr. Wunsch has another new packard. Has two now

Well I must close now

Lovingly, Essie

8.45 on hand
.70 window glass
7.75 left to your credit




Old Mission, Mich. June 26th 1928

My Dear Miss. Taft:

Received your letter today noon and will hasten to reply. Will send this out in morning mail.

I spoke to mail carrier about using an ordinary box at our place for your mail & he said that nothing but a regulation box would do. Postal laws are very strick nowdays. Perhaps Mrs. Stutsman has one you could use.

Yes we have had rain and lots of it during the past few days. But we were much in need of it before it came. I think sweet cherries would have been heavier if it wouldn't have been so dry. The drop was heavy. Sunday our sweets had 1/2 fallen off. The early dark cherries were loaded an pershaps 1/3 of them are left. Monts look fine so far. Your early sweets won't be ready for a week or more as every thing is later this year I think if am correct it will be about 10 days or so they are light crop too.

Joseph is real proud over his carrots but oh the poor corn The worms have been so greedy this Spring. Apples look fine so far but bad weather for scale on them . but are clean as yet. Maybe we can have some fried apple this Summer. Wasn't every thing a sad out look last year. No wonder our faces were long all the while.

Yes I think cherries will be good price if people can stick together a little and not be in a hurry about every thing.

Joseph got cherries & apples sprayed again before storms came on he is in hopes to hold the leaves on if he can. He had to order 2 gal more gas. of Lardie will get more of oil man if we can catch him also file & some oil for mower & etc. Harold Lardie had to get engines to go again but the bill was small. Can't take a chance on being out of order when so much depends on proper care.

peas in blossom pumpkins and squash growing nicely since rain also string beans.

I don't think you would want Jerry around the other stock after you see for your self. When he coughs it makes Jos. sick he smells so badly. And if other animals eat after him they may all have it. I myself think he has glander's the way he acts at times. I felt so sorry for you last Fall poor year & all that we just got along and waited to see how things come out. I will promise not to make extra work for my self.

Lovingly Essie

love to Mrs. Stutsman


717 Washington St. Traverse City, Mich. Sept. 5, 1928

Miss Taft,

Dear Madam,

Your work on chimneys has been completed.

The Bill runs as follows;

Mason work 9 hrs. @$1.25 $11.25
Helper 9 hrs. @ $.40 3.60
Lime 1.20
_____
Total $16.05

Hoping to hear from you at an early date.

Yours truly

Clarence Lardie


Old Mission, Mich. Sept. 15th 1928

My Dear Miss. Taft:

Was very glad to hear you reached there safe & sound but sorry it is so warm there. It has been here too.

Thanks for the check & nice letter now you order what ever kind of paper you like best & it will please me as your taste is far better than mine.

The chimneys are done & look good also Dutchess apples hauled. Archie said the load he brought out weighed 1 1/2 tons and the apples 1,920 can
Archie charges [$].15 per 100# 130 did first load
2,190 second load
_____
#4,240 total $18.48

Joseph was in to the Doctor so put the money in bank for you.

He has the oat bin ready for oats & will start working up stairs as soon as there is another rainy day.

Got the pictues from Alberta & they were so nice of Hazel also the ones of apples & cherry orchard pictures I looked like a 300# weight. Went in to the Dr. too and my temp is 97 and blood pressure 105 instead of 125 am away below normal he will give me a thorough examination & find the trouble if he can I surely am nervous & worse now since there are so few people around.

Thanks for the paper maybe by the first of Dec. we can afford to have it continued until Spring. Also for rags for a rug haven't had any time so far to work on them.

Hazel likes her new teacher they are very strict but have to be as the youngsters did as they pleased for so long. They are boarding in Traverse City so far.

Mr. Lardie paid me for his dinner so you won't have any extra bills on that.

There is just the one lime & sulphur barrel here the other one has the end taken out for to pump water in. I told Jos. about you saying there was two & he explained it to me. Last year before you left he emptied the contents of the other barrel into the water barrel so there was just this one to return Mr. Lardie pays $2.00 for them. He cashed the $1.13 check without any questions.

Wish the Wealthy apples would grow faster am afraid they will be pretty small if they don't hurry up.

George Lardie over paid us $5.00 but I showed him his mistake & I guess he was pretty thankful. That was a pretty big one. Any way it looked big to me.

If Queen keeps on she will be as fat as I am. Every thing on farm is fine. Will let you know about hay when we hear any thing.

As every with love Essie.


Old Mission, Mich Sept. 27th 1928

My Dear Miss. Taft:

Received the wall paper yesterday and it very pretty am well pleased with it. Mrs. Dohm can put it on later on she charges [$] .30 per hour and it will take her more than 2 days. Of course I will help her all I can. But know I couldn't undertake it all alone with these tall ceilings.

Joseph is picking Wealthy apples will finish them tomorrow they are buying at the Harbor so he is hauling them there.Ciders [$] .35 peeler [$] .70 per 100 weight

The threshing is done. Mr. La Batt did all of the work around the neighborhood so Jos. had him do yours too there was 79 bu of oats and they are beautiful & clean Mr. L. said the nicest they had found so far. And they were so dry that they thresed out clean. Jos. returned the work to neighbors so only hired two men. And there was 5 here for dinner. I felt like giving them a boot as I don't like to cook for hungry people any more got my fill this Summer. Am so glad every thing come along as good as it did.

Mr. Lardie told Jos. he would get that barrel when he got the Wunsch barrels but forgot it. So Jos. will bring it to Old Mission before very long.

It has rained and snowed since Sunday & so cold out. Roger is nearly sick a bed with a hard cold.

There isn't any news so will try & write leter on.

With love Essie.

$1.13 Post office check
8.00 your check
_____
$9.13 money on hand

$7.50 threshing bill
1.00 for 2 men @ [$] .50 each
1.50 for 5 dinners @ [$] .30
.75 Mrs. English pickles
____
10.75 Total expences

My can of beets took 2nd prize at the fair with the canned good our Ladie's Aid exhibited.


Old Mission, MIch Oct. 12th 1928

My Dear Miss. Taft:

I intended to write several days ago but have been very busy Mrs Dohm came & I helped her paper for two days it was pretty hard work but looks enough more cheerful to pay for extra time spent. I was very tired of the old paper and it was quite soiled too. The rooms look very good and the paper could not be more suitable. Mrs. Dohms labor came to six dollars.

Mr Courtade was here Wed. and would like to you send him $11 [???tal] on the phone he couldn't find you when he came here to collect this Fall.

Homer Willobee mentioned about the cows too. He thinks the last calf Kaurer cow had wasn't settled for and these other breedings. I don't know what or how you did so it is between you and him. He wanted me to mention it in the next letter.

Joseph has picked the winter apples but it is raining so he can't haul them today. There are only a few bushels of them.

He had the corn all cut before the frost hit us here. Sept was a very cold rainy month and made it difficult to get much work done.

The trench behind the cows has been repaired and cistern cemented.

Am so glad to know you could take that little trip and thanks for the card.

The Wealthy apples turned out much nicer than we thot' they would for a while I thought there wouldn't be any canners they were so small but the rain helped them to grow.

I took Hazel in town a week ago and had her eyes tested they are coming along fine. She likes her teacher and is doing well at school. The Dr. told me that if she couldn't do good at her school work to keep her home rather injure her eye.

Haven't started the rug yet but will try to get at it later on. Am sorry you was sick hope your are well by now.

The Wealthy apples 4870# ciders and $13.72 canners total $30.77.

Joseph took the lime & sulphur barrel to Lardies so there is $2.00 left here. I got 4# paste to put wall paper on that [$] .60 and Jos. got a [$] .15 can axle grease. $2.00 sulphur barrel
2.37 expenses
____
.37 you owe me
$1.62 owed me
.60 paste
.15 axle greese
____
2.37

With love Essie.


Old Mission, Mich. Oct. 31st 1928

My Dear Miss. Taft:

I have been down and out for nearly two weeks with a cold on my lungs and upset all around. But am better I guess house cleaning proved too much. But I do feel so nice & clean am so glad because winter month one is so closed in to look and stare at the dirt.

Mrs. John [Mush] Marshall died very suddenly Sat evening Dr. said it was hear failure. No warning at all. Went to town with Mrs.Eiman and was there only a short time when she complained of being cold so they took her to her sisters and she just passed out with hardly a moan. It is a nice way to go when we are called but every one is not so fortunate.

Some days Joseph looks real miserable but his side is better the last week or so. The Allen's were here for two days last week and he enjoyed them so much. They are going to live on their place this winter. So expect to see them now and then.

Just received your letter so will answer your questions. The corn is poor Jos has it hauled inside and will husk it during poor weather. Fall plowing is done too good hay is hard to find this Fall and is quite high Joseph is still looking and thinks he has some located $10 must be for loose hay as they want $18 and $19 a ton when hauled. Jos. will do the very best he can. We have had poor weather here to get much work done some hail and snow. There hasn't been any pasture for some time now. It is too bad there wasn't more corn in for feed. Well, maybe another year we won't have hail and winds to destroy our crops and fruit.

Jos. will haul gravel shortly he has a little plowing to do on our own place so as to have every thing ready for Spring I sort of dread this time and yet I don't love the long winters and deep snow. Just so we stay well is all I ask. Joseph worries me so much as he never feels real well any more.

The cherry trees haven't come yet but Jos. is ready for them and is anxious to get them set out.

Would love to see your rug you make things so much nicer than I can. perhasps I tire of my own work. Am always so glad to hear what you are doing. I haven't did much but cough and have head ache so can't do much sewing when I feel so punk.

Henry Kitchens have a new baby girl. He feels real puffed up as most men do.

We saved 4 bu of winter apples and the rest came to $4.13 haven't been in town for nearly 3 weeks so haven't been to Morgans for check will attend to it the first time I can go in. We may drive Queen in later on if we don't catch a ride in.

The shade trees are all bare. Fruit trees still look quite green and healthy. Wish you could see your farm in winter time. It looks so different

I was thinking this morning that it wouldn't be long until time to pay taxes. It keeps a fellow on the jump every minute and then some to make all ends meet. Joseph bought Mrs. Marshalls new disc. for $40 she paid 65 for it. It doe's cost so muuch for to start in on a farm. Next comes a spray rig I suppose that is a good $300 or more. We don't want a lot of old worn out tools to keep repairing.

Guy Killmury took their little girl to Ann Arbor to have her broken limb reset she had it broken during cherry picking time and it has gone all this time.

Well I can't think of any more to write.

As ever Essie.

P.S. Joseph may have to go to Traverse City for hay if he can't get any within a few days we have hauled all of ours over here waiting for farmers to bail their hay. It will be a long winter to feed aniimals and wish we could get the hay soon . Its hard to find at present.




Old Mission, Mich. Nov. 19th 1928

Well I must write you a letter and let you know how every thing is here.

There was 31 bu of carrots and 175 pumpkins. And Archie Helfrich is to bring your last load of hay tonight. The roads are dreadful here as it has rained so much lately. It has been a bad Fall to get out door work done. Jos. is trying to haul gravel when ever there is a good day he will soon have that finished. The little trees are here and all set out ready to grow. He has some corn husked but it isn't good like last year. And the fodder isn't nearly as nice either. Is it any wonder after it got hail 3 times before harvesting time came. Yes if a person can't raise their own feed it takes all the profit from a farm Archie is getting our hay too. We had two Summers hay in the barn but needed more to hold thru. I get discouraged always trying to figure a way out. My neighbor ladies can buy nice clothes but I have to make mine or do without and this miserable skimping all the while.

I want to go home next week or about the 1st of Dec. if I can scare up enough money. I simply must get away for a week or two. I have still got that dreadful cough Dr. Kyselka
is trying to cure it. But I am so nervous all the time. I should have a coat as my old one was cheap and is very thread bare. And a few other little things the round trip will cost about $30 if I cross the straights. If crying would help me I would go down cellar and let it go but only makes my chest pain more. My work doesn't bother me much but I am alone too much of the time. I will try and write again before I go away. And will get that apple weigh bill into a check and deposit before I go. Both children are going to stay here and I will go alone would rather take them with me but the expenses would be much more. I haven't did any fancy work this Fall so didn't earn any extra money.

Levi is staying here as his mother is in the hospital she had two operations last Mon. One on her foot and her appendix removed. Don't know how soon she will be home. Perhaps you remember of her having her toe removed because of cancer of the bone well it followed up farther up into the foot. Am afraid her trouble has just started. Will let you know how she is later on.

Am sorry about your friend passing away as true friends are rare and hard to find. A lot of people will treat you nice and still be your worst enemy. I am getting so I don't care. I will do my best and give the best in me. And let the rest go at that. All the trees are bare now and look ready for winter. It has snowed a little all day and is still at it.

Was so glad to hear you are better. Hope all goe's well another Summer and we have [fruit] the trees look good at present. I feel so sorry for the poor trees that had no leaves since July. Doesn't look good for another Summer. Was very thankful for what we did get. It won't be many years until our little trees ought to help. Got 2 crates from them this season.

We expect our cow [?rish] any day now. I hope she has a living calf as that will prove she is all right.

Will send weigh bills of hay when Archie comes in tonight as he is in a hurry for his money. The hay is $19 a ton and is real good. But I know that bailed hay doesn't go as far as loose hay doe's. Jos. borrowed 9 bails of Fay Dohm so as not to buy in T. City.

As ever with Love Essie K.

32 95 first load
28 65 2nd "
34 70 3rd "
30 70 4th "
31 15 5th "
_____
15,815# of hay

P.S. Storming hard and ground covered with snow. Makes one think of winter. Hope you are well and comfy.


Ironwood Michigan Dec. 14th 19-28

My Dear Miss. Taft.

You will think I am very neglectful but have been very busy. We have had so many things to talk about. And am having a fine time.

I took Hazel along for fear of her getting sick while away. The girls want me to stay here for Christmas it has been nearly twenty years since we have been together for the holidays.

Mother has had all of her teeth drawn while I am home so we are all at my sisters home.

They have did so many nice things for us.

Hope you are feeling well there is so much flu about. Hope we don't pick it up on the way home.

I deposited your apple money in the bank before I left and left the receipt at home.

Want to start home before long as I miss Joseph & Roger so much but no use to hurry too much as it was an expensive trip out here.

Hope you got the card I mailed to you when I first got here. The children are playing & I can't think so must hurry up & finish this.

Will get my mail from Old Mission in about another week.

Hope you are well and happy. with love. Essie.


Old Mission, Mich. Dec. 31st 1928

My Dear Miss. Taft:

I will answer the letter for Roger. The weather is some cooler so I hardly think the fruit trees will be harmed any. If it was later in the season I would be alarmed.

They haven't as much snow in Wis. as we have here but is a little colder.

The flu is pretty bad here nearly every one is sick some have pneumonia. I hope our family escapes it. Maybe will if they keep the school closed for a while.

The reason I didn't take Roger with me was because Joseph hasn't been well & wanted some one here in case he got down and out. Mother was quite sick and glad I could see her and be a little comfort to her when she needed me. My family got along just fine without me but was glad to have me back home again. Got back Friday night.

I wish to thank you for the Christmas gift as I know we will all enjoy it a great deal. Roger got a 17 jewel gold case Elgin watch from his grandparents he sure is pleased with it. Everything on the farm is fine.

As ever with love Essie.

I wish you a Happy New Year.

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