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Old Mission, Mich Nov. 11th 1926

My Dear Miss. Taft:-

I was very glad to hear from you and thanks for the good letter and also Joseph's check.

We sent over 50# of winter apples down to the Harbor by Ledger & was surprised to get so little from them But every one has had the same good luck this Fall A great many people are tearing their apple orchards out I wouldn't be surprised if they would be a better price in a few years. I was in a hurry the day I took the apple check in so didn't remember the exact amount of canners & ciders. But know the weight of all together. Ledger hasn't kept any account of weights but I have sent them to you. So he told us to tell you to figure it up & mail him the check. I kept a copy of weights so can send you another list if you wish me to.

I would appreciate some of the Kershaw squash seed as they are very good. I have a new kind of seed this Fall that is fine. There was about a doz pumpkins that got ripe.

The Fall plowing is nearly done now but still have corn to husk. I think it will take two days or more to finish plowing if we have the weather to do it. Have had a snow storm again & real cold weather hope it warms up again soon.

The cows are all safe now. I got a new piece for the plow which was $0.35 I will call Mr. Tang about the extra hay if you haven't written to him.

As I understand Mr. Holmes & Pratt can't go ahead on this property & cut wood as they haven't much money into it. Joseph talked to Roy Holmes & tried to get the wood & couldn't get any more satisfaction than you did. We don't like to cut wood here but will have to do something. Coal is $10 or $12 a ton and we simply can't afford to buy it and if we could make some kind of arrangements other wise we would have done it. Holmes & Pratt do a lot of talking but that is all it amounts to. They are Lady chasers & booze fighters that is their bigest game now days. They can't take what thay don't own.

The children wish to have me thank you for the rememberance they have enjoyed them very much in the past few Days.

I wish I knew what to tell you.

It is late & I must go to bed as I am tired & sleepy. Will try & do better next time. 1,950# of apples $8.25

As ever with love

Essie K.

Friday A.M. I called Mrs Holmes and talked to her myself this morning & she said later on Mr. Holmes intends to cut wood to sell but not any on shares so there we are in a nut shell. Joseph saw Roy & talked it over with him a while ago. And W. G. Tompkins said I guess he will have to give us all more money before he cuts any of our wood & sells it. Am so sorry to have to trouble you this way but it makes me so nervous not knowing what to do but keep on thinking.

I doubt if Ernests will stay here as Lillie isn't satisfied at all. They get good pay & lots of extras if she would only appreciate it. It is so hard now days to get a man you can depend on they are warning all the time. Farm help is scarce. Mr. Breeden wants Ernest to stay here for Ledger. As he wants the farm taken care of. Well I must say Bye Bye as the children wants to go now. Lovingly Essie

[newspaper article on Grand Traverse Auto Co. with following handwritten note in margin] I thought this would be of interest to you so am sending picture and all. Some improvement to our city same as the new peny store. You will see quite a change in the Spring.