Backen Up in time: 2007

A letter from Young Carl Jr. and Bertha Backen:

Sep. 18th
Dear Grandma,
Today is valentine day and I got three.

These are all new words to J. lock the past month and the coal bill is enormous and sometimes I get mighty discouraged but I know it don’t do me any good nor any one else so I try not to let it be known. As it is about bedtime and I am pretty tired, will make this short and go to bed.
Lovingly,
Birt
Dar Mama,
Your letter came last week and on Valentines day I had to write you a few lines as you will see on the back and intended to write them but some way time just slips by before I know it.
Well this is Sunday night and Edna and Bertha that girl you met were here and just left. Rhonda took Keith out to her sisters and they stayed all night and came back after noon. Keith had a great time. He always dose tho he don’t like Craig the little boy they just cannot get along but he and the little girls play fine. Well we have certainly had some winter whether the last week and there is quite a bit of snow on the ground. Keith and Jr. are fine and honestly Jr is growing so fast and he eats so much and picking up a little flesh with it but while one can see Keith is growing he won’t isn’t growing anything like Jr. But his little brain is waking up and he is learning little rhymes and songs.
He is such a dear little fellow that they all just love him and Jr. is picking up in his ways. Well we heave our house listed for $6,250 and we will certainly be lucky to sell it. If we do for there are lots of things that has to be done around her pretty quick and we are hardly able to make the grade this winter. Of course Claude is starting *** on a new proposition and Carl has had such rotten (Second page of letter missing)

From Hila Lewis to her children:
Welge, ILL, July 1
“Dear Children,
I am at home now. I did not stay over the river but a week. I stopped at Elie’s and stayed two days and ** house. Since I have been sick for a week the doctor was out Monday I am better now but I am so weak that I can’t sit up all day. I guess I work too hard in the bees. I have thirty-four stands. I took over a hundred pounds. I’ve sold all I got yet Sprain had quite a loss. He had Bermot working for him. They built a shanty and it burned down. It burned the bed and st*** their new wagon. One set of new harness and one horse. I don’t know whether they killed the horse tried to cure him. I have not heard this morning. I can’t write today but I can tell you a little. Levi’s folks is well. All but him. He can only carry only to be about. I have not hear. Iris has hemorrhages of the lungs. Mr. Hensey says he won’t get well if he don’t leave there. I don’t know what he will do. John’s folks is well. Wesley is going to take *** ***. Must stop writing. So bye bye.

Mother to Millard Lipscomb

A Letter for Millard Filmore Lipscomb from Willis Spain (A distant nephew)

Mr. Millard Lipscomb.
Dear Uncle: -
I have yours of the 2nd., and was glad to hear from you, and that you are doing as well as the best, and still enjoying excellent health.
I do not know how much news that I can give you, that you are not already in possession of, as it has been quite a while since I have seen any of them myself, and learn most of what I know through my sisters.
Aunt Mary was living in Granitie City, until lately, while, Louis’ baby was in school, I forget her name just now. But I believe that they are now back on the farm near Rockwood Ill.
Noah died several years ago, what was the name of that town you lived in, in Ill, anyhow that is where he died. (Campbell Hill)
The smaller children, I do not know much of, not having been in that country since Grandmother Lipscomb’s death.
Brother George is in Bonne Terre. Mo. Trainmaster for the MR&BT, has been there for several years, seems to be getting along nicely. Brother Tom died in Chester Ill, in 1916, I think in May. Mother died in Hayti Mo, Dec. 2nd, living with me at that time, that was in 1915.
Sister Hila is married to a man named Cottin, in St. Louis, a Supt. For the American Nation Ins. Co. She seems to be getting along alright. And sister Frances, who was an old maid of 34, married in Carlinville Ill. The 21st of last June. I don’t know if you remember the two baby boys, twins, James and Charles. Well they are men of 28 years now. James is married his 2nd time now, living in St. Louis, working as a carpenter at present. Charles is in the Navy, located in Frisco. I have a letter from this morning too. He says that Aunts Ella and Lina were both in Frisco lately, and while there went to see him.
They are both married again, and while they both are in good health he says that they both look very old, and wentions (mentions?) that Ella’s hair is as white as snow. He says that Line married reasonably wealthy, and that Ella did not do bad at all. He did not tell me their addresses, and so when I write him again, I will get their exact address.
Now as to myself. I married in the Flat River country, and surely made a mess of it too. Any how, I stayed with it, until Dec. 1920, when I came to Fort Worth burning all bridges behind me. Life has been a bad struggle for me, on account of that, and I don’t like to think of it more than is necessary,
However, since I came to Texas, I have met another woman, and I am likely to hook up in the matrimonial yoke again, within the next year.
In a business way, I now am in a fair way to succeed, having charge of this district for this Company, and with the necessary attention, think that there is nothing to keep me from making a good living from here on, and at the same time life in peace. At least I hope to have that success.
Your mentioning having that motor boat, makes me want to visit you some time this Fall, however that is too remote to give any consideration at present.
And, like your self, have a good deal on my mind, have to get busy now and when I learn where Ella and Lina are at, will advise you.
Wishing the success that you deserve, hoping to hear from you soon,
WW Spain

Letters to Millard F. Lipscomb from Francis Spain (A distant Niece)

Carlenville, Ill.
1922
My dear Aunt and Uncle.
No doubt you will be some what surprised to hear from me. but I have often wondered where you were. and Aunt Mary Lipscomb told me and gave me your address. I am working in an Orphan Home. I have the care and training of 12 boys. and that sure is a hard job. but I love every one of them big and little, good and bad. My youngest is 19 months old. And the oldest is 12. and there is one all the way between. I have just settled them for the night. and it is just like a calm after storm. They all try to talk to me at the same time. but I think I do pretty well. even if I am an old maid. You know I am 34 years old now. I would love to hear from you. Uncle you are the only own Uncle I have left. I have would have loved to have heard from you before but I did not know just where you were. how is Bertha. I don’t suppose she would know me. Neither would I know her. Well I will not tire you tonight so I will close by saying I should love to hear from you any time you can write. So I will say good night.
God bless you.
I remain as ever
your loving niece

Francis Spain

Carlenville, Ill.
Aug 19/1922
My dear Uncle and Aunt.
I suppose you think I have forgotten you but I have not. I have been so busy. I have thought so often , well I must write to Uncle Bud’s folks but kept neglecting to answer. I have been married since I wrote you last. My name is Mrs. Arthur Cookey so you have a nephew now too. I wrote I gave Willis your address. He lives in Dallas Texas. Jim that is one of the twins is married, lives at 1324 Park Ave St Louse Mo. Hila lives at
4025 Oregan Ave. St. Louis, MO. Chas? Is in California that is the other town. Geo is in Bonn Terre, Mo. And dear old Tom is dead. Has been for several years. Chas is the only single one now. Since I took the foolish notion to marry. I have a good husband and kind, we are both the same age. I would love to see you folks. Only could you take a trip up and see us all. I have a kind of a family reunion. All of us together. I don’t know any thing about my father’s people at all. Well, I suppose I must close. I have quite a lot of work to do. Write me soon. Don’t wait so long as I did. I’ll try to do better in the future.
I remain as ever. Your niece Francis.
Mrs. Arthur Cooksey

East St Louis, Ill.
June 25/1923
My dear uncle and Aunt.
I found your letter this morning and am wondering if I ever wrote you any more. I am living in East St. Louis now. I have been marred a year June 21. My name is Frances Cooksey now. My husband works for a gas co. here. I surely have a good husband. He is very good to me. He has 2 little boys. They also are very good so I no complaint at all. My sister Hila lives in St. Louis at 4025 Oregan Ave. Willis is in Texas. 412 Moore field. Fort Worth, Tex. And also one of the twins is with him there. The other twin is in California in the navy. George is in Borne Pette MO. And I suppose you know that Bro Thomas has been several years. He died 2 years after Mother. We are all doing very well. Geo works for the RR. Willis and James are in the insurance. Willis is ?? and Jim works for him and also Hila’s husband is Supt. of the American Nation Insu. Co. the head office is in Galveston. Well uncle if you ever come up this way come and see me. I surely would be glad to have you. I don’t know anything of mother’s people only you folks. And I don’t know anything of my father’s people at all. So you see we’re always glad to hear from you. Well I surely must close. Hoping to hear from you soon. I am as ever you niece, Frances (Spain) Cooksey. 1319 Illinois Ave. E. St Louis Ill.

A Letter to Viola Draper from Emma Davis

Oct. 8, 1932
Dear Aunt Viola,
I have come to Missouri to visit my son, since I received your letter, and have been so busy going places and seeing things that I haven’t had time to write. I was glad you wrote me so promptly, and the stones are made and set up now. We just got two simple stones, just alike, of Georgia granite. They are good and lasting but very simple. We could not afford anything expensive, but they are neat and good.
(J. L. Mertins) Father died in September, 1929. Am sorry I failed to send you notice but I had everything to attend and was working in the office too so I overlooked it. He was down for five weeks and suffered a great deal. His heart and kidneys were very bad and dry gangrene set in, due to hardening of the arteries and his weak heart. He was 81 years old.
I hope you and family are all well and prosperous. I am not able to work now as my eyes have become too bad. I am hoping that a good rest will improve them, but don’t suppose I shall ever be able to work in an office again. But maybe I can do something else when my eyes get better. I should like to go back to teaching school, but of course it will take pretty good eyes for that.
Sophia is in Austin Texas and Charlie in San Francisco. Both are in bad health and I am afraid Sophie’s condition is really serious. She has been gradually going down ever since you saw her last and is very thin.
My two girls are living in Dallas now and the boy is in Missouri. He has bought a famr here and also is in the insurance business. It keeps him mighty busy looking after both but he has a manager of the farm, and I guess he’ll manage to pull through. His wife helps him in the office. They have one child, a boy of eight, and they keep a girl to take care of him and the house.
Edna’s little boy never did recover his hearing and they are sending him to school in St. Louis. He is learning lip-reading and they are teaching him to talk. She has a little girl now, six months old.
I should be glad to hear from you after (letter ruined) I go home. I will spend your copy of Father’s of tu*** (letter ruined).
Sincerely,
Emma A Davis
Emerson Davis
Box 156
Anderson, Mo.

J.L. MERTINS
PHOTOGRAPHER

WOLFE CITY, TEXAS

Dear Aunt Viola:
Aunt Rilda was buried yesterday at abount 3:30 P.M. at Mt. Carmel. Sophia and I came down to help them out and Dad was sick in bed and unable to attend to anything. The funeral was preached at the gallery as we didn’t think it safe for Dad to get out. Mother had her buried in a white shroud and a beautiful white casket. She looked very nice and just as if she were asleep. We got some beautiful flowers and laid her away in one of the prettiest lots in the cemetery. Father took a pictre of the casket and flowers and will wend you one as soon as he gets able to finish it.
We are going to take Dad and Mother home with us to stay all the time if they will. If not, we’ll try to get them to stay during the cold weather.
Mother was sorry you could not be here, but I hope you are better by this time.
If you write, address them at 326 Center St. Dallas.
As ever
Your Niece,
Emma Davis

326 Center St. Dallas

A Letter to Millard:
Latonia, Ky. Jan. 31, ’09. (1909)
Dear Cousin Millard;
I feel almost ashamed to think how long I have been in answering your letter. But I have several very good reasons.
One is: that I am kept very busy. My schoolwork is pretty hard, by that I mean the work I have to do our of school making out reports, and grading papers. I have a very easy room to teach. Thirty five boys and girls in the fifth grade. Ma is not well, and I have a good deal of the housework to do. We have a boarder (one of the teachers) which makes us some extra work. But another reason and not the least one, by any means, is the tearing open of the wounds cause by my father’s death. I never knew how much I cared for him until he was gone. You asked some particulars concerning his death and I will answer them as well as I can remember your questions (I have lost your letter). He was buried in the home grave yard, in the row with his and Ma’s seven infant children. Ma had a nice monument place on his grave which serves to make the graves of their babies, also will answer for her.
I have not been out to the home place and the graveyard since last July. Do not expect to go before Decoration Day. Pa make a will and left everything to Ma her lifetime. Of her death if comes to us three children in the following manner. Emma is to get what we always called the Aunt Sally piece and Aunt Ella piece. And I am to have the Uncle George Piece and the home piece. It was his intention that there was, to be no court costs. But owning to the fact that there was money in the back it had to go through the court but I don’t think the cash was more than twenty-five dollars. The will named me as executrix. I made my last settlement with County Judge a few weeks ago. Ma is awfully worried she is afraid to rent it for fear the tenants will plow up the grass. There is no one in the house of this time. Of Aunt Ann’s death Emma and J*** took possession there which was no more than right as they did more for her than anyone else did. They live of the old hours. I mean grand pap’s.
Aunt Ann is buried at old grave her husband had a tombstone, which had fallen over and Emma had it reset between his grave and Aunt Ann’s and the date of their birth and death written on one face and Mr. Beamers on the other. There is no one of the family left excepting Aunt Jane and Ma. She saw Aunt Jane thanksgiving she saw Aunt Jane and Ma. She is keeping up well for a woman of her years. I think she is turned into her eightieth year. Ma is sixty-four but she is failing fast. She has never been very well satisfied since she left the farm but we could do no better as I have a good position here and easier work than it would be on the farm. We have a nice little four room cottage which is just as cozy as it can be.
But it don’t seem like home and the place out there does not seem like home. But I try to (be) thankful that things are just as well with us as they are and surely he who has cared for us all along the journey will not forsake us now.
Grand father Marshall’s estate is to be settled up and the heirs are anxious to know If John Marshall has any living children. He married a Cluster and I think of one time they lived in Campbell Hill. If you know any thing about we would be glad if you would write and tell us.
I intended to tell you about Lucinda. She is living with Emma’s folks. She is well only for eyes. She’s blind. I suppose she was of the time you and your mother was here. Do you remember Sallie Grizzle. She was Lucinda’s sister that married Will Grizzle. Her oldest daughter if our next door neighbor and her husband is superintendent of the Latonia School. I expect you almost forget about all of your people in Ky. As you never see them or hear from them. I will try not to be so long writing the next the time. Write soon.
From Your Cousin,
Chatiee Lipscomb