1906 Nat's letter to Lucie - May 6 - Part 2

This is the conclusion of a letter which was posted on April 30, 2016, when this second page could not be located.  The lost has now been found and this is the rest of the letter.  To read the beginning of the letter click here.  

[cont'd from previous blog post, see link above] 
. . . Permanent organization to meet each year and they all decided to make it a bigger success next year by everyone promising to induce others to attend which was done.  (of course I'm not thinking of going alone next year.  Am I dear.  [Lucie & Nat were married on December 6, 1906])  and no doubt it will be an affair to be looked forward too in future years.

Yes indeed my dear girl am looking forward to your coming home this summer and hope you will have a pleasant and happy summer.  Everything is so grand here just now.  The trees just coming out and in bloom.  The roads are fine and if you were here we certainly would take a drive this fine afternoon.  McAteers have not got their Auto yet and Mrs. says she was only fooling about getting a one-seated one.  Am more than pleased to know it for have looked forward to some fine rides this summer.

Wrote you sometime ago that I expected to go to Chicago soon and would arrange to come back via Cincinnati.  Now Lucie cannot say just now if I can arrange it as yet however will let you know.  Yes it is hard to realize that you have been away 10 months.  How times does fly.  And then you will only get home and settled untill you will be going back (or wanting too) leave it.

Well my dearest there isn't much new to tell you and when you see the folks they will have time to tell you everything so I will leave you for this time so good bye and hope you have gotten to look like your self again and I'll receive my picture soon.

Good bye my dear with lots and lots of love.  I am as ever

Affectionately Yours,

Nat

P.S.  Lucie my dearest have just come home from down at your house and feel that I should tell you just what I think and realize about your Papa's condition, and am obliged to tell you that he is failing and seems so much weaker than when you were home and fear he will not be able to stand the trip to Huntington.  However you know he has such a wonderful vitality that he may rally again.  Sure hoping for this so hope he will enjoy his visit with you. 

[Papa = Adrian Wilmer Brown, born 24 Nov 1854, died ten days after this letter, 16 May 1906.  Lucie's mother, Mary Virginia Morrow Brown died in April 1890 when Lucie was nine.  Adrian married Ola Melissa Moore in 1892.]

My dearest that was the reason I asked you if you had told him anything about our engagement.  I feel that he was looking for it and believe he thinks we are keeping it from him and with his condition felt that we should tell him.  Now hope you will understand me for he has been such a good friend to me that I have been constrained to feel as I do.  Now you can suit your self when he goes down to see you for as I have always told you, this matter you can arrange to suit your self so you can think it over and whatever suits you will me. 

Yes my dearest and only love, I am only waiting the day when you are to be mine and what a future seems to be in store for us, and, how I wish I could take you in my arms tonight for dear you are all the world to me and life seems like a blank to me without you.  With all my business cares and troubles, they all pass away when I think of you and how pleasant and happy our lives will be to pass down through life in this way and do not see how it can be otherwise after so many years of seeing and being with each another and know it allways be so . . . .

Now must say good night with lots of love for your dear self.

I am always yours,

Nat

1909 December 23 Grandma to Granddad postcard

Originally published in this blog on Nov. 2, 1909

A Happy Christmas be yours, originally uploaded by morgazgc.

December 23, 1909 Grandma to Granddad, originally uploaded by morgazgc.

Hello Cecil! Did you get to see "Old Santa" in the city today? I will write as soon as possible. Received your card yesterday. G.H.

We'll move on in the postcard life of 17-year-old Gladys to Christmas, five months after the trip to Niagara Falls. This is the first card I have from Grandma to Granddad. I'm assuming that by "the city" Grandma means Hillsboro. Don't know if any of their letters were saved.

October 26, 1909 Ira to Dorsey

Originally published in this blog on November 14, 2009

MAIN ST. MOUND CITY, MO 19 (October 26, 1909), originally uploaded by morgazgc.

October 26, 1909, originally uploaded by morgazgc.

Ira to his son Dorsey
Oct. 26, 1909 Will start home to-night
arr. [arrived] o.k. -- I. H
You can Gslef [??best guess] home the rest of the folks.
You can give this card to Gladys.
Here's a card from a man who was probably more used to writing notes than postcards, we do know at least that Gladys was given the card since we are now reading it a mere 110 years later. I have studied the indecipherable word and can't come up with anything better than "Gslef" -- any guesses on what he was trying to communicate? We will assume that he is traveling by train and perhaps he (and his wife? since the card is addressed to their son) had gone to visit oldest daughter Luna after getting in the fall harvest on the farm.
Mound City appears to have a wide electrified unpaved Main Street with one of those new-fangled traffic signals or warning lights at the near and far end of the street. In 2008, Mound City's population was 1,074, so perhaps about the same size as New Vienna, 24% with German ancestry according to City-data.com accessed 11/14/09.

1909 CJU to GHU -Oct.14

Originally published in this blog on January 8, 2011.

Cecil J. Uible sent this card to his future wife, Miss Gladys Hiestand.  Transcription below.  Several family traits are in evidence on this card:  Aunt Mary and Marianne often make use of the "Ha" in her correspondence.  And the eating of a grocery store lunch has also carried into future generations.

It's the daily round, the common task,
That makes life all you need to ask.

From Uible Vintage postcard collection

In the big city today and living on milk and bananas today. Ha.  Am Fine and dandy as usual. Sincerely Yours, Cecil

Postcards from Grandma July 29, 1909 night

Originally posted Oct. 26, 2009

Gates Circle, Buffalo, N.Y. , originally uploaded by morgazgc.

July 29, 1909 night, originally uploaded by morgazgc.

Wed. night (11:00 P.M.) Have packed up things again ready to move on to Buffalo tomorrow at 8:30. If nothing happens will arrive home Fri. night. We are all visiting, talking & eating candy, pop corn, cracker jacks & fruit. do you think we will sleep any tonight? G.H.

Grandma eating candy and popcorn? I'm glad she added fruit to the end of that sentence! And this card gives us the approximate travel time from Niagara Falls (leaving for Buffalo at 8:30am Thursday) to Hillsboro (arriving Friday night). I'd love to know the route and connection details, just like it would be nice to know WHO she was traveling with -- the "We" sounds like a group of girls.... At least we know she made it home safely.

Today's History Lesson: By 1900, Buffalo was the 8th largest city in the country, with a population of 352,000 and went on to become a major railroad hub, the largest grain-milling center in the country, and the home of the largest steel-making operation in the world. In the 2000 census, Buffalo, with a population of 292,000 ranked 69th in population, between Newark NJ and Plano TX (Glendale AZ ranks 74th). Buffalo's population topped 580,000 in the 1950s and has been declining since then. At the peak of the railroad era Buffalo had 319 passenger trains, and 476 freight trains arrive and depart daily. (Facts obtained from US City Guide: Buffalo New York and the references listed therein, accessed 10/26/09)
Those of you with sharp eyes will note the green markings at the top of the picture part of the postcard -- something is stuck on the card but I'm reluctant to scrape too much off for fear of damaging the card.

Comments from original post:

 Mary Uible Crowson said...

I guess I'm surprised the postcard is in color? And what forms of transportation would be available from Buffalo to Hillsboro aside from train? There were a few cars back then, but I'm betting that she didn't have one---or if she had access to one, her parents wouldn't have permitted her to drive to Buffalo. CJ might have owned a car but he's not even in the picture yet, right? And rail was "the" form of transportation at that time, right?

Mon Oct 26, 10:29:00 AM 2009

 

 Catherine said...

Even if the family had a car, the only roads "drivable" were in and around towns. Not many city-to-city roads were improved until about 1915-1925 and then World War 1 kept them from being better developed. It was the 1920s before the federal highway system was developed. So, yes, Grandma probably traveled everywhere outside of Hillsboro by train. There were "interurban" trains (~1890s-1930s) sort of like electric streetcars that ran between towns that weren't too far apart, possibly from Niagara Falls to Buffalo. As for the color postcard, this particular one was printed in Dresden, Germany [see far left side where Grandma wrote the message] which was known prior to 1915 as producing the best color cards. After WW1 started cards weren't available from Germany and Kodak sold a camera from which the pictures could be made into postcards, but only in black and white. Bright colors on US made cards was made possible by 1930 with the development of new printing processes.

Tue Oct 27, 06:57:00 AM 2009

 

Postcards from Grandma July 28, 1909 evening

Originally published Oct. 19, 2009

July 28, 1909 evening, originally uploaded by morgazgc.

American Falls from Goat Island, Niagara Falls, N.Y.

July 28, 1909 evening, originally uploaded by morgazgc.

Weds. eve. Have had a fine time today. Went out riding on "The Maid of the Mist." .60 [cents] more gone. But it was worth the money. G.H.
Considering inflation, today's cost of $13.50 seems fairly reasonable and might not even horrify Grandma. At least she thought it was money well spent at the time of her dwindling funds!

For today's history lesson, I'll add that both Canada and the US made Niagara Falls a park in 1885, in the US it was and is called Niagara Reservation [State] Park. In 1892 Niagara Falls, NY was incorporated and the fourth Maid of the Mist was built (1892-1955). Made of white oak, 89 feet long with a 19-foot beam and powerful double engines, it was christened Maid of the Mist II. President McKinley was assassinated in 1901 at nearby Buffalo's Pan-American Exposition and Theodore Roosevelt road the Maid of the Mist. Eight years later our grandmother was a passenger. Both Maid of the Mist I (1885) and II were destroyed by fire from a welder's torch in 1955.
For a hint of what the future holds, there is one more postcard from this trip yet to post and two years later in 1911, Grandma again visits Niagara Falls.

Postcards from Grandma July 28, 1909 morning

Originally published Oct. 15, 2009

July 28, 1909 morning, originally uploaded by morgazgc.

July 28, 1909 morning, originally uploaded by morgazgc.

Weds. Morning. Slept fine last night after our long tramp. Going out sightseeing in about 10 min. G.H.

Postcards from Grandma July 27, 1909 night

Originally published Oct. 12, 2009

July 27, 1909 night, originally uploaded by morgazgc.

July 27, 1909 night, originally uploaded by morgazgc.

Tues. Night. [07/27/1909] Have just arrived home from shopping. I am perfect scared for fear my money will not hold out but I suppose I will have to make ends meet. G.H.
Obviously Grandma did not like to be "perfect scared" and made sure that those pennies were pinched for the rest of her days. I'm beginning to feel some sympathy for her mother who must be more worried with each received postcard. At least with mail arriving several times a day, it didn't take long for the next card to arrive.

Comments:

Postcards from Grandma July 27, 1909 evening (Tues)

Originally published Oct. 10, 2009

July 27, 1909 evening, originally uploaded by morgazgc.

July 27, 1909 evening, originally uploaded by morgazgc.

"Tues. Evening. We were all uptown until 11:30. Did not get lost." Hard to tell if Grandma is referring to being uptown the previous evening or that morning. Either way it probably wasn't very reassuring to her mother to get such a card.
Mary mentioned in a previous comment that Grandma told her "she graduated from HS one year, married the next and gave birth to Aunt Mary the next year! So if that was the case, this was not her graduation trip. Since we know that Aunt Mary was born in 1913, the marriage was in 1912, that would mean she graduated from High School in 1911. Wish we knew who else was on this trip with her? Did she have a chaperone? (Uncle Ira?)
I'm not sure travel was all that difficult then because of it being the golden age of train service. As long as you were going the same place the train was going!

Comment from MV:   Mary Uible Crowson said...

IF Grandma completed her schooling (as we know it today), she probably graduated in 1910. It is certainly plausible/possible that she graduated in 1909....another point that would make interesting research. Was there a Hillsboro High School and did she attend there or ???

Mon Oct 12, 10:44:00 PM 2009

Postcards from Grandma July 26, 1909 (Monday)

Originally published September 30, 2009

Scene at Belle Isle, Detroit, Mich

[postmarked July 27, 1909]
Mon. E.
Having the best time ever. Do not worry.  --G.H.

These words probably made Grandma's mother worry more than ever. Here was her baby off to Niagara Falls for a high school graduation trip (?) with plenty of things for Mamma to worry about. Speculating with Dad and Serena this morning [in 2009] about whether this was the trip during which Grandma met Grandad. Although the card is a scene from Belle Isle, Detroit, Michigan the card is postmarked from Buffalo so we can assume that the trip went to Detroit first. Five more cards from this trip yet to come, so we can speculate more after a few additional notes to Mamma.

1908 GHU postcard -Aug.21

[This post originally published Sunday, September 20, 2009.  Some of the questions at the end of the post have been answered since then.]  

On March 1, 1907, Gladys Hiestand was probably looking forward to the spring washing of her hair. Bigger news on that day for post card aficionados was the US Postal Service changed their rules so that postcards with a divided back were finally permitted. According to A Brief History of Postcard Types by Stefano Neis, The address had to be written on the right side of the back of the postcard while the left side was reserved for writing messages. At this time in American history the postcard hobby became a public addiction.

Postcards from this period are most collectible when they do not have writing on their fronts. Ones in prime condition currently go for $300 and up on vintage post card sites, whereas one like Grandma's, not including the historical family value, can be found on ebay for 99 cents. This "Real Photo" printed in England was considered of lesser value than those printed in Germany.

I like this card as it is the oldest card that has a message from Grandma. 

Fri. morning [Aug 21, 1908]
Dear Mary: We arrived safe and sound Wed. morning and surprised them all greatly. Mamma got along better than usual. We enjoyed the pears greatly and ate them all but one, but Ellen & Roberta [Aunt Luna's daughters] soon made way with it. Found them all well. Gladys

• • • • • • • • • •

Questions to be answered:
How long did Aunt Luna live in Mound City? At some point she moved to Columbia.

• Married at her parents house in 1901, had wedding dinner, then took the train to Mound City, MO. (Her obituary states she was married in 1899, but a clipping in February 1901 describes the wedding and sets the date as 20 Feb 1901.)  The family moved to Columbia MO so the children could attend the University of Missouri.

What did Uncle [first name unknown to me] Mitchell do in Mound City?

• Aunt Luna's husband – Robert Glenn Mitchell, was born 1869 (five years older than Luna) in Hillsboro.  In 1900 he is listed as a clerk in Mound City; 1930 a carpenter.  He died in 1943.   

How long did it take to get from Hillsboro to Mound City via train in 1908?

• Probably 12-16 hours – would have required changing trains in Cincinnati and St. Louis.

When was Aunt Luna born?

• Luna Hiestand Mitchell 1874-1970 

When were Ellen and Roberta (and their siblings) born?

• Ellen Mitchell Lippmann 1902-1999
• Roberta Mitchell Phillips 1903-1993
• Lois Mitchell Schuetz 1908-1990
• Robert H. Mitchell 1910-
• Gladys Mitchell Paxton 1912-2000
• Luna Mitchell Herron  1915 - 

Did "Mamma" not travel well or was she poorly in general?

   * * * * * * * * * *

Other blogposts about Aunt Luna can be found here.  

1907 John Freeman Obituary -Nov.21

John M. Freeman (1829-1907), third-great uncle of the Ballantyne-Dailey-Uible cousins was born in Pittsburgh in Feb. 1829, died in Toronto, Jefferson County, Ohio in November 1907.  He married Cyrene Peggs in August 1864 and they had two daughters – Lucile Freeman Rogers (1873-1920?),  and Cyrene "Rena" Freeman (1872-1952).  

John, who owned and operated a Sewer Pipe Manufacturing company, was a Civil War Veteran and was the younger brother of James L. Freeman (1809-1892).  James was the maternal grandfather of Nathaniel Wallace Ballantyne (1868-1949).

Following is the obituary from the (New Cumberland WV) Hancock County Independent, published November 21, 1907.

JOHN M. FREEMAN

- - - - -

Pioneer Brick and Clay Manufacturer 

Answers Death's Summons

John M. Freeman, one of the pioneer brick and sewer pipe manufacturers of the Ohio valley, prominently identified with the fire clay industry for nearly half a century, died at his home in Toronto, Sunday morning.

Mr. Freeman had not been in good health for two or three years, but was not confined to the house except for a few weeks prior to his death.  He was in the 88 year of his age at the time of his death.  He was born in Pittsburg, being a son of Thomas Freeman, who came to this county with his family in 1833, and settled at Freeman's Landing.  There the senior Freeman embarked in the clay and brick business and is said to have been the pioneer of that industry west of the mountains.

The business was conducted there for many years, and the family was honored and respected among the most prominent residents of the county.

There were fourteen children, all of whom but two have answered the final summons.  Among those were James, William B., Samuel, Charles A., and John M., the survivors being Miss Virginia of this place and Mrs. Mary Trusdale [Truesdale], of Iowa.

In 1846 John M. Freeman went to Cincinnati and there engaged in the brick, coal and cement business, which he conducted for ten years, and subsequently engaged in similar business i Madison Indiana and after devoting some years to that field, returned to this neighborhood, and embarked in the brick and sewer pipe business at Freeman's station, with his brother, Charles A., which business was continued until it was merged into the American Sewer Pipe Co., in 1901.  The death of Charles Freeman followed about five years ago.

Mr. Freeman [indecipherable: who had recently lived?] in Steubenville with his daughter, Mrs. Lucile Rogers, moved to Toronto, and the days he spent there were days of real enjoyment, because he always seemed glad to get back into the vicinity in which he spent his boyhood days, and here he enjoyed meeting his old friends, the rugged river scenery, the sight of the old factory operated so many years by his venerable father long since dead.

Mr. Freeman was a man of genial social qualities, which made for him many warm friends.  The news of his death therefore will be learned with sadness by all who knew him.  He was a man esteemed in business circles for his honor and integrity.  He was a member of the Second Presbyterian church of Steubenville.  He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Rodgers [Rogers], of Toronto and Miss Cyrene Freeman, of Steubenville.

The funeral services were held at his late home in Toronto at 1 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon brief services being conducted by Dr. Robinson and Rev. Hodil and the remains were conveyed by trolley to the Steubenville cemetery for internment.

1897 A.W. Brown Letter -Apr.9

National Hotel

Largest Hotel in Washington. 350 Rooms

All Modern Improvements

Opposite Pennsylvania Depot

Six Stairways to Ground Floor & Fire Escapes on all sides.

O.G. Staples, Proprietor

Walter Burton Manager

[This letter written a month after the beginning of William McKinley's first term as U.S. President.  McKinley, the 25th President took office on March 4, 1897 and was assassinated in September 1901 at the beginning of his second term.]

April 9, 1897

Dear Old Bert & Lucie:

Reached Washington all O.K., this morning.  Met E.D. Marshall and Col Taylor here.  This afternoon Col Taylor took us to the White House, and we were shown through the entire house by  a messenger who has been there since Abraham Lincoln's time.  We were shown all the private parts of the House where the President & family live, something that is not often done with visitors.  We were in the private dining room, state dining room, the private parlors, the Cabinet Room and in President McKinley's office and talked with the clerks.  He receives an average from ten to fifteen thousand letters every day.  The President is out of town on the Dolphin, taking a trip and will not return until Monday.  I looked into the White House kitchen as the door was open as we passed by.  We were shown many ornaments, selected by Arthur, Mrs. Harrison, Mrs. Hayes and others.

I am feeling well, and we have had a delightful time so far.  We expect to call on Senator Elkins and others.  He is in N.Y., and will not be back until to-morrow or Monday.  If you write me and I hope you will do so on Tuesday direct care National Hotel.  Col. Taylor certainly stands in at the White House as all the clerks and door-keepers know him and he seems to have all the privileges.  He told the head man he wanted to show some friends through, and he delegated the oldest & best man to take us into all of the apartments & explain us everything.

I must close with much love to all the dear ones at home.

Lovingly

           A.W.B.

  * * * * * * *
Other letters referenced or of related interest:

• 1902 A.W. Brown's birthday letter to daughter Lucie - May 22

• 1905 A.W. Brown letters - Jan.17

• 1905 A.W.Brown Letter -Feb. 10

1906 Nat to Lucie Letter -May 6

Lucie's father, Adrian Wilmer "A.W." Brown, whose health is mentioned in this letter, died ten days after the letter was written, May 16, 1906.  Born November 24, 1854, he was only 51 at the time of his death.

Paragraph breaks have been added for readability but grammar and alternate spellings, e.g. untill, have not been corrected.  Transcription follows the scanned letter and notes follow the transcription.

Home May 6 '06 [1906]

My Dear Lucie

Received your letter on Tuesday as usual and fully intended to answer on this but have been away from house and seemed couldn't get time untill today.

Lucie have thought the folks were writing to you discouragingly about your Papa and as he was so accustomed to these spells didn't think it would be long untill he would recover again and last evening when I saw him he seemed so much better.  He said he and your Mama were going down to see you on the Queen City leaving on Wednesday eve. so you will likely see them in a few days.  Do hope the trip will benefit him and he will enjoy it.

Our Organ is completed and will be dedicated on Tuesday eve.  Wish you were here to go along.  It is certainly fine and Mr. Richelson has been giving us some music on it every evening.  He plays fine and will no doubt have to play it more or less.  however Mrs. Trimble has been practicing and she thinks she will be able to get the music out of it.  Everybody's so enthusiastic about it.  Prof. Herbert Sisson of Cleveland gives the Recital and he comes well recommended.

Now must tell you about my trips to Pittsburgh to attend the Banquet of the Hancock County Colony.  It was in the Union Club in the Frick Building and was certainly a nice affair.  Mr. Marshall & I were the New Cumberland people who attended.  The Pugh family and the Mahans were the only ones from the County.  There were about one hundred and fifty there.  Send you one of the Menu Cards.

Met your Cousins Mrs. Scandrett [1] and Miss Alice Morrow [2] her sister.  Liked them very much and they were very nice to me during the whole evening.  They were with Mis Taylor, (Celia) Mr. Taylor & Mrs. McLane and they all asked about you all.  also saw Herman with a fine young lady forgot her name.  Saw the Justias [?] boys and their mother, all the Porters and the Stewarts and the Morans who were formerly from King Creek.  Bob Morrow [3] and I were together most of the evening.  The speeches were fine and very interesting as all the Speakers talked of the good times they had had and many incidents even related and stories told that happened before my time.  Now don't laugh!

Mr. R.H. Jackson made a very interesting talk and Mr. Ed Porter gave a good history of the many good times he and Mr. Linsey, George Stewart and others had years ago.  The crowd began to gather about 6 o'clock and after a general hand shaking and renewing of old acquaintances everybody was seated for Dinner about 7 o'clock which lasted for about an hour and a half.  Then the speeches began and lasted until after ten.  Then everyone had a general good time untill about 11:30 when they began to leave for home.  The Colony became a . . . .

[The conclusion to this letter is missing, though may only be temporarily lost if it was found separately in the archives with no date and has gotten separated from the first part of the letter.] 

* * * * * * * *

[1] Agnes Morrow Scandrett (1869-1953), daughter of James Elmore Morrow (1837-1904).  James was the older brother of Lucie's mother, Mary Virginia Morrow Brown (1857-1890).  Previous blog posts about Agnes, James, and the Morrow family can be found at these links –

• James E. Morrow 1837-1904 – father of Dwight & Agnes and brother of Lucie's mother, Mary Virginia Morrow Brown
• 1935 Elizabeth C. Morrow note to Lucie Brown Ballantyne -Sep.12 - wife of Dwight
• The Painted Pig by Elizabeth Morrow – Children's book, subtitled A Mexican Picture Book, was published in 1930.
• Agnes Morrow Scandrett Book – Agnes 1869-1953, a sister of Dwight, was also 1st cousin to Lucie, book is about cruising the coast of Africa in the 1930s

[2] Alice Morrow (1871-1940), also daughter of James Morrow.

[3] Bob Morrow - relationship unknown

1906 Letter to Lucie -Mar.22

A letter from Lucie Brown Ballantyne's great aunt, Elizabeth Catherine Howlett Spalding[1] .  Notes are added after the transcription.  Paragraph breaks have been added for readability.

March 22nd [1906] Brandon [Texas][2]

Dear Lucie,

Your kind letter received sometime since I should have been answered – I cannot say exactly what I have been doing so much but I am kept very busy – cannot say I have accomplished much – yesterday I really drew my sheet of paper from the box & thought I was already to write the letter I am now trying to write – strange when one is thinking of a distant one & particularly when you wish to perform your duty to them something comes often as a reminder.

The children went to the office & brought me your school pamphlet[3].  I thank you for your remembrance of me notwithstanding my long delay in answering your letter.  The Professor's or Principal's Bereavement is certainly very sad.  I felt deeply for him.  Such a loss is hard to endure.  One can quite realize his feelings while reading of them.  She was I imagine a lovely wife & a loving devoted couple husband & wife.

We certainly in our lives see the mysterious ways of a Loving Father – who does not willingly afflict His Children – My dear Child arrived safely.  She is restless about business & she took me with her to Dallas – after stopping at the Hotel we were invited to the "Texas Baptist University"[4] to make a visit to Katherine[5] – we had a pleasant visit – but thought a great deal was lacking to make it a desirable or progressive school.  Katherine has given up her studies & only taking vocal lessons.

Your Cousin Mary[6] is anxious to see you & her Sister whom she has not seen for many years.  I think she will be out there some day.  I have not heard from Aunt Cora[7] for some time.  I know she is very busy she really accomplishes a great deal.  I wrote to Anna but have not heard very lately from her nor do I know anything about Ella.  I had one letter from Chicago from her.  I answered it.  Lucy[6] writes she is about moving – but does not mention Ray.

I have many sorrows – today I am very deaf – it comes mostly from cold.  Sometimes worse than at other time very great affliction – we have had such disagreeable weather – so cold & dreary.

Cullen[8] would like so much to go away to school – he is near 16 – he is  model of a Boy.  I think his Mother would never let him go so far away – he would make a fine scholar if property trained.  Just received a sad letter to whom I wrote after the death of a dear Mother.  I write many letters to dear Bereaved ones.  It take time but do not consider the time lost – when I know one needs sympathy.

I have at last gotten some pictures taken.  I sent Cora one & will send your Papa one.  I think your Parthenon very nice – glad you are getting on nicely.  Give much love to all.  I hope your Papa is still improving.

Yours lovingly,

E.C. Spalding
[Elizabeth Catherine Howlett Spalding]



* * * * * * * * * *

[1] Elizabeth Catherine "E.C." Howlett Spalding (1824-1913) - sister of Lucy Howlett Brown (1823-1886) aunt of A.W. Brown, great-aunt of Lucie Brown Ballantyne, 2x great-aunt of Jean Ballantyne Uible and 3x-great-aunt of the Ballantyne-Dailey-Uible cousins.  "E.C." as she signs the letter, is living with her son James, a physician, and his family in Texas.  James (1853-1926) is married to Sallie (nee Boone).

[2] Brandon, population of 80 in 2000, is located in the central Texas hill country about 55 miles south of Dallas.  Settled in 1846 and serving as a stagecoach stop, it became a railroad town (after relocating a mile away from the original townsite in order to be near the tracks) in 1888 with the arrival of the St. Louis, Arkansas and Texas Railway.  Population peaked at 450 in 1914, but declined considerably when the railroad was removed in 1936. [Info from TSHA Texas State Historical Society.]

[3]Marshall College, where Lucie was then Prof. of Elocution  The Principal, whose title was changed to President in 1907, Lawrence J. Corbly (1862-1935),was married to Elizabeth "Lizzie" Holland of New Cumberland.  She died unexpected in 1906 and therefore earns a paragraph in this letter.  More information on Marshall College, including a picture of the library in 1910, can be found here.

[4]Texas Baptist University opened for classes in 1905 in Dallas.  Due to inadequate resources it was forced to close in 1912.

[5] Katherine (1887-1950), granddaughter of E.C., 

[6] Mary (1848-?) and Lucy (1856-?)  daughters of E.C.

[7] Cora Brown Crawford (1856-1923), niece of E.C., sister of A.W. Brown, aunt of Lucie Brown Ballantyne.  

[8] William Cullen Spalding (1889-1950), grandson of E.C., became a physician like his father.

1906 J.W. Ballantine letter -Jan.24

Today we have a letter from J.W. Ballantine to Nat (Ballantyne), written on stationery  of Hill and Ballantine, Hardware and Groceries, Bellevue, Idaho.  We can presume they were related, though the connection is currently unknown.  Nat had a younger brother, James, who moved to Idaho sometime between 1910-1920 and in 1920 was a general store merchant in Boise.  Possibly there is a connection.

J.W. "Uncle Jim" Ballantine – who was he?  Here are some details:

1. He wrote a letter to Nat Ballantyne in 1906 signed "Uncle Jim"
2. He was partner in a a Hardware / Grocery store in Bellevue, Idaho in 1906
3. Nat's father, Alexander Ballantyne (1841-1885) Had three brothers who would have been Nat's uncles, David (born 1837) – nothing is known about him after 1860; George, who died in 1900 and James, born in 1840, died in 1907.  Alexander also had four sisters.  
4. A woman named Lena is mentioned.  Jim's wife, Philena, born 1843, died in 1907.
5. In 1889 James W Ballantine was appointed Postmaster of Muldoon, Idaho.  Muldoon is now a ghost town in the mining area, not far from Bellevue.
6. According to Pennsylvania Veterans Burial information, he had been a Col. in the Civil War.
7. Though his Civil War records show his name spelled as Ballantyne, he evidently changed the spelling as not only does this stationery show his name spelled Ballantine but his and Lena's gravestones in the Homewood Cemetery in Pittsburgh also has the Ballantine spelling.
8. Jim and Lena had a daughter, Clara, age 4, listed in the 1870 census.  Presumably she died before 1880 as she is not listed in that census.
9. Lena and Jim both died in 1907 and are buried in Pittsburgh.  

The letter follows:

Jan 24th, 1906

Dear Natt

I should have written you long ago – but I expected that I would have made arrangements to visit Pittsburgh this winter but my partner (Mr Hill) has been afflicted with rheumatism that he could not attend to business – so I had to remain at home –

Lena – met with an accident about 3 months ago – we started on a visit to Boise City – and in getting of [off] the cars at Shoeshone missed the platform in the dark and struck the edges of the platform and injured her leg below the knee – she did not complain at the time – but on arriving at Boise City – it became so bad that I had to take her to the hospital – and she had to remain there two weeks before I was able to bring her home –– she has intirely [sic] recovered now and joins in sending love to all – We had a severe snow storm about a week ago – snow falling to the depth of 3 ft – and has had the effect of cutting of business almost entirely – and will remain so until the roads can be opened up again.  The outlook for business here in the spring looks very favorable – as quite – a number of new mines are being opened up – and will be in shape to produce ore as soon as the roads are opened – in the spring ––

We send love to all – and tell your mother we would be glad to hear from her ––

Your Uncle,

Jim

More about J.W. Ballantine can be found here – Idaho State Historical Society, Reference Series about Muldoon: 

• In April, 1883, J. W. Ballentine came out from Pittsburgh to organize operations at Muldoon more efficiently. That spring he had twenty charcoal kilns in production there. Then he contracted for a forty-mule pack train to bring eight tons of upper Fish Creek iron ore six miles each day to a wagon road.
• Running out of operating funds, he had to shut down entirely in October. In November he managed to add ten miners to his staff of four; encouraged by finding some carbonate ore rich in silver as well as lead, they undertook a lot of additional development which incidentally provided an ore reserve of more than four hundred tons that winter. By May of 1884, they had blocked out enough low grade values to justify an investment in a fifty-ton concentrator. That spring Ballentine returned to Pennsylvania long enough to obtain a lease, June 1, that would enable him to enlarge his plant and operate Muldoon's mine with a partner.
• By October of 1885 he completed a large moving project, hauling all his tram and mining equipment from Muldoon to a more promising North Star lode on the east fork of Wood River. Then in 1886 he went into cattle ranching at Muldoon.  

1906 Nat to Lucie letter -Jan.17

Lucie Sarah Brown married Nathaniel Ballantyne on 6 Dec 1906.  Here is another installment in the communication he sent to her prior to their marriage.  At the time of this letter Lucie, age 25, was teaching elocution at Marshall College in Huntington, West Virginia.  Nat, 37, was living in New Cumberland.

The 1900 census shows Nat living with his mother, Irene Freeman Ballantyne, born in 1840 she died in September 1906.  In 1900 Nat's brother James (1873-1957) and his wife, Maude, were also living in the household.  James and Maude, and their son, James Jr., moved to Idaho sometime between 1910-1920, and later to Oregon where they are shown living in the 1930 census.  A daughter, Helen, born 1905 died in 1910.  Later in the 1930s, Nat, Lucie & Jean traveled west by train to visit them in Oregon.

1906 was an eventful year for Nat & Lucie with the death of her father Adrian Wilmer "A.W." Brown on May 16, his mother died on September 19, and their marriage on December 4.  Though we know that they were married 110 years ago in December, it appears from the postscript that she has not yet given him the answer to the marriage question.

The scanned 6-page letter is followed by a transcription.

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Home, January 17, 1906

My Dear Lucie

Well must give you credit for being so prompt for on my arrival home last evening found your letter on my desk and was so anxious to hear from you that I just cast the others aside (if some of them did contain Checks and Orders) for I wanted to hear from you and learn how you were getting along.  Wrote to you from the City on Monday night and presume you have received it in this, and also sent you a little Box of nic-nacs.  Was into D....lings getting some for Ma and just thought that you might like a few also and had a box sent to you.  Did you receive them and what shape were they in when they arrived.

I'm glad to know you enjoy your Silver for can say that before I took them

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down to you I had to look at them every night and I had them for about 3 weeks.  Must say I do admire my brush and so far have hesitated to use it for am afraid of soiling it.  Think I'll just keep it with the expectation of adding a piece from time to time and may be, some bright future day when I get a complete set can look forward to having them (yours & mine) altogether  eh . . but that will take a long time if only one piece each Xmas.  Of course it doesn't take so many for a man and then some of yours you'll have, won't you?

So you have seen "Simple Susan Simple" again.  Well it's a good play and full of fun.  Would like to see it myself again.  Fully intended to see David Garrick [?] at the Nixon on Monday night and dont you think I went down to see Heart of Maryland and didnt like it at all.  It is a Military play and the time during the Civil War.

Well Lucie have just finished with Mr. Donahoo.  Mr. McKensie and myself who

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were appointed appraisers. (going over Atkinson's personal property) and we had to go over the whole house and appraise everything and you can imagine what a task we had.  Have you ever been there? their house from cellar to attic.  I hadn't ever been only in the Library to the best of my knowledge and it is certainly a "curiosity shop."  The 5 book cases full of books and old papers is certainly interesting to go through and the many pieces of bric-brac and old furniture.  Two bed room suites are of solid walnut with marble tops on the wash stands and dressers and also the curtain [?] stands and we were told cost some 150 to $200 when new.  Will hardly bring 25 or $30 today.  Also some other pieces in the parlor that were handsome pieces in their day.  Then we found so many of their golden wedding presents.  Diamond ring, watch and other pieces of jewelry and such table pieces as napkin rings, salt cellars, etc. that had never been used.  Some in the cases just as they had been presented to them.  And all the box of love letters which you have no doubt heard so much about.  We had to hurry along in order to get

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through so didn't have much time [to] inspect the old curiosities as we would liked to have done.  I presume you read the Will.  Believe he will have more money than was expected and am glad to see it so.  For so many people thot [sic] he wasn't worth anything.  We were two days going over the appraisement.  So you can imagine how tedious it was.

Now almost forgot to tell you that my chickens commenced laying.  Got one egg last Friday but do not know what's the matter for that's the only one and am keeping it to show my rivals when they come in to see us.  Mrs. McAtee says she gets 20 to 25 a day and your's are laying 6 or 8.  I am doing all in power for mine.  Sent away and got some fine poultry food and am somewhat encouraged again.

Yes, am pleased to know that McAtees are going to stay over next summer.  Have been down quite a little since you left and we had some great Games (Pedro).  They often ask if I wouldnt like that you were here to play.  My Dyke has a nice layout almost every time I am there.  We play in

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their room upstairs over the Dining room.  They have a great time with Mr. Byerly.  We invariably find Mr. D swaps and on one or two occasions laid himself out.  They were all away for awhile  one evening last week and he was so full when they got back home that he was helpless.  Mr. Dyke thought it a great joke.

Well Lucie you stated in your last letter that you hoped we would be successful at our meeting that day.  Now when I arrived home went straight to the Pottery and as Mr. Carson failed to be [?] in appearance we adjourned to meet on last Thursday and he was on hand but the judge & Mr. Porter failed to be [?] in appearance so we went a head with the meeting.  We ignored them entirely just as they had been doing with us in the past and now that they have found it out they are puzzled to know what to do but you know Lucie Judge is cunning and he will try to do us if he can so we are waiting anxiously for our Meeting (Annual) on next Tuesday.  We cannot see how we can last but we may meet our

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"Waterloo."  Will let you know how we come out.

Now my dear girl must leave you and am looking for a letter again on the usual day for before the day is over may want something to console me and nothing would please me more.  Unless it would be your own dear self.  Remember me to Misses Harvey, Harkney [?] & any others you can to and take good care of your dear self and do not let that cold get a hold on you.

Called in to see the folks at the Office as went by at noon and they all seemed in good spirits.  Do hope your father won't over do himself again.  He seems to be holding his own well and should he not have a back set he may get pretty well again.

Hoping you are well and happy with much love I will say Au r-Voir [sic]

Yours Affectionately,

Nat

P.S. My dear am going to ask you for that Answer some of these days in the near future.  And you must tell me, Won't You.  You know what I've said before and I mean it, every word of it too.