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LETTERS FROM MONA – Part 35 – Oct. 5 – Oct.13, 1914

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Oct. 5, 1914

Dear Diary,

Surprise I am writing this from Hulett. Grandma and Grandpa Smith were going to visit Uncle Will and Aunt Minnie. Since the threshers aren’t getting to our area on Deep creek for a while I decided to go along. I used to see my aunt and uncle often when they lived near us but since they moved to Hulett we don’t see them much. The Smith cousins are all younger than I am and are growing up fast. Eva is 11, same age as Daniel, Chester is 7 and then there is baby Zetta Mae. And she is a sweetie, always smiling and gurgling like babies do. She has already grown so much since we saw her in July.

And oh, speaking of babies, I must tell you I finally got to visit with little Iretha. What a little doll and one month old today. Sadie and Bert just dote on her it will not be long until she is spoilt rotten and I intend to help them. Sadie showed me the gift Roy sent. I think it is the nicest woven blanket you ever did see. And to think he made it himself on some sort of weaving loom he has. It is of the softest pastel yellow color, perfect for a baby. It is something he does occasionally in his spare time, he says it keeps him out of trouble. I am so glad he doesn’t take to drinking when he has idle time like some men do.

I had another card from Vera. They were still traveling through South Dakota when she wrote. She said their covered wagons are bringing out the towns folk when they go through town. Lots of people invite them in for a meal. They usually camp just outside of a town and in the evening some of the folks come out to their campsites. Rob Waddington loves playing the violin and Vera gets out her guitar and everyone enjoys sitting around the campfire singing songs. She said lots of folks like to snap photos of them too. I can just see Vera posing as if she is Annie Oakley. So far they have not had any problems, she sounds like she is enjoying the trip quite a bit. They expect to get to Nebraska at the end of the month.

  • Hulett to Aladdin stagecoach

October 7, 2014

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Dear Diary,

My goodness was last night ever exciting. Around midnight I was awakened by the sounds of the fire bell. I threw back the covers and dashed to the window to look outside. A crowd of people were running toward the hotel, cries of all hands needed for the bucket brigade filled the air. I dressed as fast as I could and joined the family downstairs ready to help. Grandma stayed behind to look after my cousins. Thick clouds coming from main street choked the air as we slipped out the door.

The bucket brigade was already well formed by the time we got there. I joined the end of the line passing the empty buckets back to be refilled. It was not heavy work but it felt good to be helping. I was never in any danger or even close to the fire and I really think the pumper truck did most of the work. The hotel is probably a complete loss but I am thankful it was contained to just one building. I hate to think what would have happened if it had spread. All the guests and staff got out safe and sound. They even managed to rescue the lady staying there while recuperating from surgery by carrying her out on her mattress. I imagine she was some scared.

This afternoon I went with my cousins and Grandma to look at the charred mess. The acrid smell of smoke still hangs over the area. The owner says he will rebuild. Afterwards Grandma took us to the ice cream parlor to enjoy cones. I chose chocolate just like the first one I ever had when Roy took me and Lida to the one in Puyallup. While I enjoyed having one with Grandma and my cousins I couldn’t help but think how much nicer it would be if Roy was there.

I will be going back home tomorrow or rather we will go as far as Aladdin and spend the night with Sadie. I don’t mind that at all as it will give me another chance to snuggle little Iretha. We will go back to Mona the following day. There is also supposed to be a dance at Donald on the twenty-second. I do not think I want to go as it will be one where all the candidates show up to politic for everyone’s votes. Since I can’t vote yet, I find it boring.

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October 11, 1914

Dear Diary,

Sadie and Bert are over visiting with Grandma and Grandpa’s so I went over to join them for a while. Grandma had made a big cherry pie so she dished us up heaping servings to enjoy with some coffee. More than one candidate showed up while I was there to leave their cards asking for their votes. Guess we will be seeing lots of that from now until the election.

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Oct.11,1914

Dear Mazie,

Well here I am once again to bother you some more. How is my Little Friend today? As well as I am and far happier though I hope. I am as well as ever and still getting along fine. Your last letter came last Wed. and of course you know I was glad, but gladder still that you were having such a nice visit with your uncle and aunt. Hope you have a good time, though I suppose you are at home again now.
I was somewhat surprised to hear of Vera and Clarence being married. I was wondering though why they were putting it off so long. I think it was much better for them to get married than for him to go and leave her that would have been awful. Am awful sorry though, that you have lost your chum. That is to bad, but you must not think about that to much. Remember we all have to bear such as that sometimes. I had a card from Frank R. yesterday. Didn’t say much except that he was well and as busy as a bee. Said also that he hardly expected to get to school this winter as he had planned. It will be a shame if he don’t get to go for I know he will pretty much be disappointed.

I have not heard anything from Puyallup but guess every one is alright down that way though. Guess they had a good Fair down there this year. Anyway, they had perfect weather and big crowds and I guess that is what it takes to make a good fair. We have had nice weather here for the past two weeks up till yesterday. It was the wettest day of the season so far. I got gloriously wet, but guess it didn’t hurt me any. At least I don’t feel any the worse today. It is cloudy and dark today but hasn’t rained so far, expect it will pretty soon though. I hope you are having pleasanter weather in your country by now. Seems to me it aught to be cooler there at this time.


 It feels pretty much like winter here in the morning but gets warm enough in the middle of the day. I went fishing last Sun and caught a fine string of trout but believe me I sure earned them. I near walked myself to death and was so tired I could hardly walk, Monday morning though, I don’t think I will go any more this year though as the days are getting to short.
I guess you must have thought I was never going to sell the rest of your beads. I have been slow I know but then I have done my best and that is all anyone can do. I have sold all but one string now. Some of the them I had to sell for less than a dollar so I got only fifteen dollars for the sixteen strings and the two bandeaux. The string I have left I would very much like to keep as a souvenir if you will be so kind as to give it to me I assure you I will appreciate it very much and will keep them always. Well I can think of nothing more worthwhile to say so I will stop for now.

Did you have any luck selling any beads yourself? And what kind of luck did you have. You never said anything about them. It started to rain again looks as though it will continue for a while. Expect I will get wet tomorrow.

 Good-bye

as ever, Roy

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Oct 12, 1914

Dear Diary,

The threshers have still not made it out to those of us on Deep Creek in the meantime Papa is putting in the fall crop of rye at Donald. Lots of that going in around here.

There was a dance in Donald last night. Hazel and I came and spent the night with Papa since he was already here anyway.

One of our neighbors escaped an almost fatal accident yesterday. Seems while they were cutting the grain he drove over a small stump and got thrown from his seat. His foot got caught in the trap lever and hung him up. Fortunately, he had a gentle team of horses and succeeded in stopping in time and got himself extracted. When Papa heard the news, he said that was how his father got killed. I am so thankful nothing serious happened for he has a wife and a young child to take care of.

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Oct 13, 1914

Dear Diary,

I probably will not have much chance of writing in you the rest of this month for I surely will be busy. The threshers are supposed to arrive here tomorrow.

So many ranchers around here are talking of putting up their places for sale and moving to Belle Fourche as they are not able to make enough off the crops to make a living. Wonder if that is what will happen to us?

Roy sent me 15 dollars for the rose bead necklaces Hazel and I made. It was most welcomed by both Hazel and I. She’s already planning on some sheet music she can buy while I think I shall try to hang on to mine for as long as I can. We did not have much luck selling them around here, no one has much extra cash for things that are not a necessity. I do not think I will bother making any more when I can get rose petals again, it is so much work and I don’t think we could sell many more of them. (author’s note: 15 dollars in 1914 is worth 385 dollars in 2020)

I have also given up at least for now studying for the teacher exams as I never seem to have extra time to work on it. Maybe if we do move to Belle Fourche I can find some work there to earn a little cash or time to resume my studies.

    LETTERS FROM MONA – Part 34 – Sept.14 – Sept.30, 1914

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    September 14, 1914

    Dear Diary,

    You will not believe this but I have been busy today making a wedding dress. No, not mine though I wish it were, it is Vera’s. Here I thought Clarence would wait until he got settled in Nebraska before asking for her hand in marriage. He told her he could not bear the thought of leaving her even for few months and asked her to marry now, so she could go along. She said yes, of course. They are getting married later this week.

     I have been helping her get a new dress finished in time for the big day. It’s nothing fancy but it is the prettiest blue plaid you ever did see and she will surely look like a “worth” model in it. I wish I could be with her on her big day but they are going to get married in Belle Fourche and we have too much to get done here for me to go. I will see her again before they leave as they are coming back to load up the covered wagons. Yes, you read those words right they are not taking a train like most folks do nowadays.

    When I told Mama, she said, “well heaven knows it will be easier than the trip we made by covered wagon in the 1880’s. More towns to stop in for supplies and the trails and roads are much better.”

     Maybe so, but I am a modern girl, I prefer train travel. I am sure Roy wouldn’t want to go anywhere by covered wagon either, he did enough of it growing up. He told me his family was always moving and he doesn’t want to do that to any family he has. He wants to stay put somewhere and put down roots, which sound good to me too. My family may not go far but almost every winter we end up staying elsewhere whether it is Donald, Aladdin, or Belle Fourche. The year I was four we stayed in Hay Creek with my uncles, Tom, Solomon, Hugh, William, and Grandma Jessie Phillips all in one little place. I would prefer to live somewhere where we don’t have to move every winter because it is too isolated.

    Guess it does not much matter to me if we go to Belle Fouche now though. I will be minus my chum either way. I am trying to feel excited for her but I sure wish it were me. Well not completely, I have no desire to go to Nebraska but I would gladly go to Washington state. Only I would go by train, no covered wagons for me, thank you.

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    September 15, 1914

    Clarence Waddington stopped by here a bit ago. He said he was on his way to visit Vera but had spotted a Mountain lion and cub walking outside the neighbor’s barn. He is alerting everyone and the men will take up a search for it shortly.

    I imagine they will locate her soon enough but just the same I am glad Daniel and Hazel are here at the house today and not out wandering around.

    Word is the threshers are not going to get here to Deep Creek until next month, so we won’t be done harvesting for a while yet.

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    September 17, 1914

    Dear Diary,

    I have been thinking of Vera for today is her wedding day. In fact, she is probably already an old married lady, ha, ha. I sure hope things go well for them when they move to Nebraska. I wonder if it will be though, seems to me it is just as dry there as it is here. If only this drought we have been experiencing for the last several years would end. Lots of folks are talking about relocating.

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    September 19, 1914

    Yesterday Mama and I took the afternoon off to go to the meeting of the “Book and Thimble” club. I was surprised when Mama invited me to go along. So why is it I am grown up enough to go to a ladies’ club but not to get married? It’s kind of a combination book and sewing club and an excuse to get together. They try to meet twice a month when they are able and take turns hosting it. This time we met at the Pannell ranch. They raise the best melons around so we had all the watermelon and musk melons we could eat.

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    September 21, 1914

    Dear Diary,

    Mama and I have been busy canning. Just a few minutes ago I took a bushel basket of dried shelled beans to the root cellar. What a sight to be seen down there at this time of the year. All the shelves are clean and gleaming with hundreds of jars in colors of green, gold, yellow and orange lined up row after row.

    It makes me proud just looking at them and knowing I had a hand in all the growing, picking, steaming, boiling, and sanitizing of everything. I am not sure where we will end up this winter but we will have plenty to eat.

    Vera and Clarence are back from Belle Fouche and are now a married couple. They dropped over last evening. They brought with them a pound of Oreo biscuits they bought in town. I guess they are now quite the rage. I had heard of them but never had a chance to try one. They consist of two crisp chocolate wafers with a layer of white frosting in between, not as good as my oatmeal cookies but they are not bad washed down with fresh milk from our cows.

    I almost lost it when they got up to leave. I hate good-byes so I just turned away and went into the house instead of waving them good-bye like the rest of the family.

    Papa is going to miss Clarence’s father. They have been friends since they were little boys growing up in Tama County, Iowa. Really we will miss the whole family better neighbors you could never have. But most of all I will miss Vera. She promised me she would be a faithful writer and I hope she will. Still I would rather have her close by than to depend on the mail.

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    Dear Diary,

    This morning I rode Drummer over to the Waddington’s to say good-bye to Vera and the rest of the folks. I wasn’t the only one a lot of the neighbors came to wish them well. So much hugging and talking going on I didn’t get much chance to talk to Vera. With all the talking it was eleven before they had the covered wagons all loaded with their worldly possessions. They are also hauling plenty of oats and barrels of water for they are taking 18 extra horses along. They are hoping to be able to sell them there for a better price.

    Rob Waddington was driving one wagon, Clarence and his brother driving the other two. Vera was riding a horse looking every bit the part of a cowgirl with her divided skirt, fringed shirt, leather gloves and cowboy hat upon her head. They said they hope to camp somewhere between here and Belle Fourche tonight.

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    September 27,1914

    Dear Diary,

    You won’t believe who just drove here in a brand-new Ford. It was James MacDonald and his wife Lulu. Lulu is my cousin only she’s Mama’s age. Grandma Jessie Phillips had 13 children so there are a lot of years between the oldest and youngest. Papa is one of the younger ones.

    James said he thinks he likes the automobile better than a horse if only he can learn to make it go uphill and stop when he says, Whoa! Ha, ha!

    Times are a changing, quite a few folks around here are starting to buy automobiles, though I don’t see how we will ever afford to buy one. And they may work well on the roads from Aladdin to Belle Fouche or Spearfish but so much of the year our roads out here are barely passable with a horse.

    maxresdefault.jpg (1280×720)

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    September 30, 1914

    Dear Diary,

    Believe it or not I have already heard from Vera. She said they were near Rapid City when she wrote. So far the trip has been uneventful. Apparently before retiring into their own cozy little tent she and Clarence enjoy sitting under the stars each night dreaming about their future. She makes it all sound so romantic.

    I am tired of waiting to turn 21, I want to be married too. And I don’t have to tell you who, my Roy is the only one for me.

    Nothing I can do about it tonight, though so I best go in. It’s been a warm and glorious fall but the days are growing shorter and the leaves are beginning to change color. It will not be long before we wake to some frost.

    Tomorrow Grandpa Smith is picking me up and then we will pick up Grandma at Sadie’s in Aladdin and then go on to Hulett for a few days. I will finally get to set my eyes on baby Iretha. I am excited to see her and see Sadie again.

    LETTERS FROM MONA -Part 33- Sept. 3 – Sept. 14, 1914

    1 Reply

    September 3, 1914

    Dear Diary,

    The evening light is fading as I sit amid my garden. Like the light my garden too is fading, won’t be long until fall is upon us.

    I am feeling rather blue tonight. I just returned from Vera’s where I spent the afternoon, helping her pack a trunk for her move to Belle Fourche. She has found a job in a boarding house working as a cook. I know she is glad to be setting off on her own but I can’t help wishing I could be on my own too. Except I know I’d miss everyone here terribly and they surely need my help.

    Vera and I had such fun this past summer trading our secrets, singing with her guitar, and just talking and talking.

    I am still hoping we will move to Belle Fourche this fall but so far Papa has found neither a place for us to stay or any work. If we don’t go I will surely miss her company as there is no other girls around her my age who haven’t married. If only Roy hadn’t promised to wait until I was 21 before he would entertain marriage, things could be different. Three years seems forever and I know he won’t go back on his word to Papa. And I also know he is the only one that will ever be for me.

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    Nagrom Wn.

    Sep. 5, 1914

    Dear Mazie-


    I heard from my two brothers over in the harvest fields this week also. They were both getting along pretty good though they were having to work pretty hard.
    Grover West is also working with the same machine. I hope he comes over here when threshing is over for I would like to see him.
    I haven’t had any letter from Justin yet, but I had a letter from my Aunt today and she said that Justin was away digging clams and that Lillian was staying at home and had been picking berries. I suppose Justin must be over on the place at Arletta though she didn’t say. I don’t see why he won’t write to me, guess he must be mad at somethings, though I can’t think of any reason.
    Well I guess Amber Winter is now Mrs. Henry. I heard they were married a week or so ago. Mother said they had a big time at Henry’s in honor of the bridal couple, wish I had been there and helped them had a good time. She promised me an invitation to the wedding but they must have forgotten me for I not got any.


    Well here I am once again for another talk if you have the time this evening. This is only Sat. evening but as I am going to work tomorrow can’t wait till Sunday this time. Letters have to leave here on the morning mail or you don’t get it until the Tuesday’s mail.
    Well how is the Little girl this evening and what are you doing? Wish could drop in and see for myself. I am feeling as well as usual and am getting along first class. My knee has been hurting me some all week but is better now and I think it will soon be good as new, hope so any way for I don’t want to be laid up any so long as the weather is fine, or at any other time so far as that goes.


    Your welcome letter reached me last Sunday and I was so glad. I also got one from Mother and one from Frank Risher and a card from Leah McDonald and yesterday one from Vera. So, I guess I can’t complain now about not getting any mail.
    Mother said that everyone at home was well. Said she and Lida were just ready to start hop-picking. They are going to pick up about Orting somewhere. They expect to be gone about 3 weeks and were going to have a good time and make lots of money, hope they do. I guess the folks have entirely given up going to Missouri and I am glad.


    Frank said he had been to bush to write to anyone lately. Said he had given up making beads and was now making some kind of cookies and selling them on the street and was doing quite well at it. Better than he did with the beads. He said if he could manage it was going to business college in Sheridan instead of Rapid City as he first intended. Hope he is succeeds for he certainly deserves it. Most people in his condition would be to much discouraged to try to do anything for themselves but he seems to be just as ambitious as any one.


    Well it is about time to call it off and go to bed for I expect you are tired of my foolishness.


    Tell Vera hello for me and give my best wishes to all the folks. Good-night and pleasant dreams.

    As ever Roy

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    Sept. 5, 1914

    Dear Diary,

    Exciting news! Grandma Smith just called; Sadie had her baby this morning. A little girl, they have named her Iretha Mable, both mother and baby are doing well. I am so happy for them. I can hardly wait to go and see her but suppose it will be a couple of weeks because I am going to be busy for the next little while cooking for the thrashing crews.

    Vera rang a bit ago, too. She isn’t leaving for Belle Fourche this week as planned. She decided to wait until after Clarence leaves for Nebraska later this month. And she said there is going to be a farewell dance for the Waddington’s on the 11th so everyone can say good-bye. She wanted to be sure I could come. I most certainly plan too as it will give us another chance to have a good visit.

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    Sept. 7, 1914

    Dear Diary,

    I am sitting under some scrub oaks at Uncle Tom’s cooling off a bit before the threshers come back out of the fields for the evening. Hazel and I are here to help with the cooking. It is crazy hard work but fun because I get to visit with lots of folks I rarely see.

    So, imagine if you will, a row of porcelain washbasins all lined up outdoors for face washing. When the men come out of the fields they line up to take turns dipping their hands into the water and scoop it up over their faces and head. Then they lather up with soap and scrub their necks and face, splashing to rinse it all off. When they are finished they empty the dirty water on the lawn and fill the basin up for the next person in line.

     After washing they proceed to the dining table where we have set full glasses of tea, lemonade, and water. And let me tell you they are mighty thirsty; I’d say each man usually drinks at least 2 full glasses a piece. And oh, my do they ever have appetites. It does not take them long to demolish the heaping bowls of potatoes slathered in butter and gravy, vegetables, platters full of meats sautéed in cream and butter, and the fresh bread and rolls we have set out. Then they put a big dent in all the homemade pies, cakes, and puddings we make, too.

    Then it’s back in the fields for a long afternoon of work while we wash and get ready to do it all again for supper. Such hot busy work, I think we women are just as tired as the men when the day is done.

    Generally, the main food is provided by the wife of the farmer but Uncle Tom has no wife. So, he was very appreciative of Hazel and I coming and helping to organize everything. He even gave us a small payment. I did not want to take it but he insisted and I surely can use it.

     I won’t be cooking for the threshing crews tomorrow; Mama needs me to help with canning, but I probably will go back to cooking after that. Such a busy time, getting ready for winter is tiresome work.

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    September 11, 1914

    Dear Diary,

    Clarence was working on the threshing crew I was cooking for yesterday. He told me he doesn’t know how he can bear to leave Vera behind. I told him if he really felt that way he should tell her. I would not be one bit surprised if he doesn’t have her come join him in Nebraska as soon as he has a chance to get settled. Maybe he will tonight at their farewell dance. I am sad to say I won’t make it there tonight. Just too much harvesting and canning left to get done for us to spare the time to go.

    Vera said it was okay that she’d make sure we had some other time together before she leaves, too.

    Roy wrote that he had hurt his knee jumping out of the way of a rolling log. It makes me feel so anxious, what if it had rolled over him? I could never bear it if something happened to him. Mama says I worry too much about things that may never happen. I know she is right but when it comes to Roy I can’t help it.   

    Sadie just called to say they had weighed little Iretha and she’s weighed in at a robust pounds. It’s the first chance I have got to talk to her since the baby was born. She sounded tired but happy. Grandma Smith is still here and plans to stay a couple of more week.

    Well, I’d better get back to helping Mama dig up the carrots and turnips. Hazel and Daniel dug the potatoes earlier and are loading them into gunny sacks now.

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    Mona, Wyo
    Sept. 12, 1914

    Dear friend, –


    I will write you a few lines as I have all my work done for a while.
    How are you any way by this time. I am fine. Daniel has gone to the post office and perhaps I will get some mail. I hope so any way.


    I got a letter from Lida a few days ago. She said she and her mother were going up some where to pick hops so I won’t answer the letter for a while or until I think they are home. There was a dance at Donald last night, but we never went. I guess they had a fine time though.


    Vera has been staying a few days at Rob Waddingtons, she is going down to Belle Fourche to work, is going Friday. I am glad she is going for I think we will soon move down there too. I will miss her while we are there tho. But it won’t be very long I don’t think. Papa and Mama are going down Monday to look up a “location” there (or a house) and as soon as we thrash we will go.

    Oh yes I must tell you about Aunt Sadie and Bert’s baby girl, she is awful nice. Is almost a week old. I haven’t seen her but will soon. I am surely proud of her. Her name is Iretha Mabel.

    Well Daniel has come with the mail and I have read your letter. Was glad to get it. I was glad to hear you were better but sorry you got hurt. You must be careful as you will get hurt pretty bad for it is dangerous in the woods I think for so many get killed or hurt so often. I hope you will be careful. I have not heard from Frank for a long while but I know he is busy as a bee. And I never do hear from Lillian and Justin. My I could just pull all their hair out if I could see them. I had not heard about Amber and Ode being married yet but thot they surely were.
    Well I don’t know much news. Only McDonalds have a new car and are real proud of it of course.

    Well I guess I will stop for now.

    With Best Wishes as ever Mae.

    ( China letter inside this envelope, translates to: I am looking for you xmas and I think Clarence is coming and that is our secret so don’t say a word, Be careful don’t get hurt just us four know it, Yours  Mae You must burn all these letters for my sake.

    • Roy’s sister, Lida Caple

    LETTERS FROM MONA- Part 32 – August 23 – August 30, 1914

    1 Reply

    August 23, 1914

    Dear Diary,

    I’m back in Mona. Hazel and I came back last evening. My wisdom tooth is bothering me a lot again this morning. I wish it would finally cut through. Mostly it doesn’t bother me that much but today it does. It makes me feel fretful.

    I got a letter from Roy. He said he had been helping to fight a fire in the forest. I hope that it the last of those for it sounds like a very dangerous business. It makes my stomach churn just thinking about it. Logging is dangerous enough without firefighting. It’s all so worrisome.      

    Hazel says she is ready to go plum picking. There are lots of them ripe now. Guess I should go put you away and join her. We need to can a lot more of them for this winter.

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    • Mona Post Office

    Mona, Wyo

    Aug. 24, 1914

    Dear Roy,

    I received your letters last Saturday. I did well got two at once but they were written a week apart. When you write on Sunday I get it Tuesday and on Saturday I get it Saturday, but we did not get the Tuesdays mail I never got any until Saturday, but was two times glad then.

    Was glad to hear you were well and you are still that way. I am pretty well now only have a sore throat and tooth I am cutting my wisdom tooth and Oh, my how bad it has been hurting. It is nearly throu tho it has been for six months. We took in the dance Friday night. Had a fine time most every body did any way. I did not dance much as I got sick about seven oclock and so missed a good deal of the dances. Hazel had a fine time tho. Wish you had been there. Hazel and I went down to Donald last Tues and was there for a few days. We were over to Pearl Hunnicutts you know that is where Uncle Tom and you and I went my we had a nice time. We had a nice crowd at church wish you could have been there too. (Author’s note: Pearl was Mae’s mother’s cousin; Pearl’s mother was another one of the Harden sisters.)

    Hazel and Daniel are riding after horses and Mama is picking plums, so I am alone Papa went down to the other place today. He will soon be throu, I will sure be glad for he is not a bit well and I am very worried about him but most every body is sick now. Today is just cold I am almost frozen. Yesterday was just awful hot, that is Wyo for you. My I am glad your folks are not going back to that place for I know you are much more pleased too. Vera was just telling me she got your card. She was much pleased, she says she is crazy over pictures and Lela got your card too. I was there when she got it, she said she had not forgotten you either, I was over and saw Clara and Holley too.

    Well I do hope that fire is out by now you must not fight fire any more or I will be worried. Now I guess I will stop and write to Aunt Sadie. I wrote this in such a hurry I don’t suppose you will be able to read it all.

    Best wishes

    Yours Mae

    P.S. We may move to Belle Fourche before long,  

    China letter in this envelope translates to: “I missed you so when I was at the dance and I was sick, O, don’t say a word.”

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    Dear Diary,

    August 26th, 1914

    The supper dishes are done. And I am sitting out in my garden. It’s such a beautiful late summer evening, the air is calm, the temperature mild and soon the stars will be twinkling like diamonds in the sky. Wouldn’t it be nice if Roy was sitting here with me? For now, I can only wish upon a star.

    Vera and I went riding with our ponies today.  We just let them amble along slowly, their ears a twitching and their tails swatting flies. It was such a beautiful day, the air smelled sweet and clean. Occasionally a hawk or an eagle would soar across the sky looking for lunch in the golden fields of wheat, oats and rye.

    I had packed us a lunch of sandwiches and cookies. We stopped along Deep Creek. We tethered the horses to a tree and sat under the shade of some scrub oaks. After we ate we laid on our backs and watched fluffy white clouds move across the blue sky. We began to talk of what the future might hold. Like me she was some worried about the thought of war but supposed that the U. S would never become too involved.

    Of course, I said I hoped my future involved marrying Roy and Vera said she hoped she’d marry Clarence. When she asked me how many children I would have? I said a boy and a girl for sure and maybe another girl. Vera said she wanted the same. “And what will you name them?” she asked.

    I said maybe I’d name the girl Vera after my best friend.

    She chortled and said, “Well I’m not naming my daughter after a month of the year.” She added she might consider Mae for a middle name though. She said her girls would be named Dorothy and Ruth. I said if I had a second girl she would be Mary and I teased; Vera would not be her middle name.

     Laughing we decided our boys would be John and James, whoever had theirs first could have first choice of the names. Of course, our girls would be the prettiest ever, the boys as handsome as their fathers. And all would be smart, they’d be able to go to high school, maybe even college. And we’d live in a town where there were proper shops, a theatre and a library.

    I closed my eyes and could see it all. Dreaming aloud, I told her about the house I’d have with bedrooms enough for all of us, a big kitchen, dining room with a plate rail to display my fine china and a proper parlor. The front of the house would have a long wide porch across its width, where I’d have white wicker furniture for us to sit on when the day’s chores were done.

    Realizing I was getting a little carried away with my dreams I asked Vera what her dream house would look like. When she didn’t answer I opened my eyes and turned toward her. Silent tears were streaming down her face.

    “Did I say something wrong?” I asked.

    “No, it’s just Clarence, I know he will never write to me. He’s not like your Roy. He’s going to forget all about me once he’s in Nebraska and I will end up an old maid for I shall never love another.”

     I tried to reassure her that he would return soon enough, tired of Nebraska and longing for her. But if I am honest I have to say I have the same fear for myself. Will Roy and I ever be together or will he tire of waiting for me to turn 21?  I wish I knew for sure; it would make the waiting easier. 

    After we untethered our horses and headed back out to the road I must confess we got confused and headed down the wrong one. The roads out here aren’t so well defined in places and it is easy to get confused as there are miles and miles of hills and little valleys and only a few ranches. We had ridden quite a way before we realized we somehow got ourselves headed to Hulett instead of the road that circles back to Mona. Mama was getting some worried about me when we finally galloped into our yard.

    All was forgiven though when she saw we were safe and sound. She knows with Vera leaving for Belle Fourche soon this might be our last chance to ride together for a long, long time.

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    Mona, Wyo

    Aug. 29, 1914

    Dear Roy-

    I am going to start a letter to you as my dish water is not hot enough to wash the dishes yet. Well I wonder how you are this evening, fine I hope. I am pretty well and do hope you are not lonesome for that is a bad thing.

    Vera was up today and I was down there and stayed all night last night, and she and I are very sleepy today, so that accounts for being sleepy we talked about half of the night and I guess the biggest half of that ha ha

    Waddingtons are going away to Nebraska soon so she will soon be lonesome too. She is looking pretty blue all ready but I tell her to cheer up so when are together we are all right. I think she will go to Belle Fourche this winter and we are going to maybe, so we will be together. I hope we will not get disappointed.

    I got your letter today Harvey Plummer got the mail, and I was glad of coarse to get it.

    Well it is so dark I must wash my dishes so will close for to night and will write more tomorrow so good night.

    Mazie

    Sunday 30

     Well here goes for another start. I wonder what you are doing to day, fishing maybe. We are going to drive over to the river a while this afternoon and see what we can get there are lots of chickens now and we wanted to get a few buffalo Berrys. It’s pretty warm tho. We had three or four awful cool days but is warm again but not so hot as it has been.

    Papa has been cutting the hay up here and he only has one patch of corn to do yet and they will have to stack it and thrash the grain.

    Frank Risher is doing fine but is so busy he can’t write to no one hardly. He is going to business college in Sheridan so won’t be home for a long time.

    Well I guess I will have to stop and get my bible lesson and get dinner also. Wish you was here too.

    I am not working to hard, so don’t say that for I don’t beleave in working hard you know.

    Hazel and I are going to cook for Uncle Tom’s thrashing crew. I think so will be busy for a few days.

    I haven’t sent that card yet but will soon

    Well I guess I have written a news paper all ready. I must stop.

    Best Regards

    Yours, Mae

      LETTERS FROM MONA – part 31- August 14- August 18, 1914

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      August 14, 1914

      Dear Diary,

      It is another warm evening but at least we have had some cool ones in between to make it more bearable.  I am happy to write that Mama is back. She looks so much better and seems her energetic self again. I think maybe the rest did her better than whatever treatments the doctor gave. She said she was proud of how Hazel and I had taken such good care of things. Seems like that should prove I am ready and capable of taking care of my own household but I doubt the folks will agree.

      We had a real nice crowd at church today. Most of the talk after the service was about that awful war going on in Europe. Some of the folks seem to think we are going to get involved. I sure hope not, I don’t want to think of any of our boys here going to war or worse yet, my dear Roy.

      I can’t get it out of my head how awful my Grandpa Smith said the War of the Rebellion was for him growing up. His father died because of that war. He said it was so hard for all the families to carry on with so many of their men gone. Mr. Caple, Roy’s father, told pretty awful stories, too. He said he had been a prisoner in Andersonville. I sure hope this thing in Europe ends quickly, the cost is too big.   

      Roy wrote that his parents are planning to move to Missouri this fall. They never did it last year but this year he thinks they will. At least he has no plans of going with them. He wrote that as a child he had no choice but to follow his father from place to place but he doesn’t have to now. Seems his father always thought the grass was greener somewhere else.

      It will soon be threshing time here and for that I can hardly wait. And then I guess we will be the ones finding some place to go. I am hoping it will be Washington.  

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      Mona, Wyoming

      Aug 17, 1914

      Dear Roy –

      I will try to write you a few lines this morning. How are you any way. Well and happy tho I hope, I am pretty well only have some trouble with my throat. I suppose you are real busy working. What kind of weather do you have now days. My we had a few days of nice cool weather but Oh how hot it has been in the last week. It was just awful hot I hope it will get cooler now for I believe we had enough for one year already.

      Every one is still awful busy but we will be thru before so very long if a thashing machine will only hurry up and get here, so we can thrash and then I don’t know where we are going to go but some where I guess. There is nothing to do here so I guess we just as well go away.

      I just got this far when I got such a headach I had to stop and have had a dreadful headache, it is pretty bad yet but I am going to write anyway for a while. My it is warm this afternoon. There is a dance at McDonalds Friday and Hazel is crazy to go so I guess I will go too. I don’t want to tho. Hazel and I are going down to stay a few days with papa and so will be there until after the dance. I wish you was here to go. My isn’t it awful about the war being so bad?

      Well I guess I will have to write to Lillian and Justin before I will hear from them again.

      When are your folks going away. I suppose Lida is going is she not? My I am sure you will hate to see them go. I am glad your berrys did so well I think that was a lot. I am glad you have such good times on Sunday for that is usually the lonesomest day. How did you celebrate your birthday worked hard all day tho I suppose.

      When are you going down to Puyallup again? Mama was gone nearly three weeks so Hazel and I had quite a time baching. We got pretty tired of it tho. I only got twentyone quarts of cherrys and the birds got the rest of them. My we had wagon loads of them, but did not get quite enough, but maybe we will have a few plums.

      I was talking to Vera and she and Florence Ryan were going down by McDonalds tomorrow evenings so Hazel and I will have company on the road. I am awful glad.

      Vera was up and stayed all day Saturday. She said to tell you Hello. We surely have some great time talking and planning. Well I will stop and let you rest a while I may send you a card soon as I have one for you.

      Best wishes,

      As ever Mae

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      August 18, 1914

      Dear Diary,

      This is the most pleasant morning, blue sky and not to hot or cool. I am in Donald to keep Papa company for a couple of days. Hazel and I came down yesterday afternoon so we would be here in time for the dance. We picked up Vera and Florence on the way and of course Clarence was along, too.

      • The old dance Barn in Donald taken in the late 1980’s.

      Vera is so very blue about Clarence leaving for Nebraska with his family. They plan to leave in another month once all the crops are in, here. Mama and Papa lived in Nebraska for a few years. They were just kids though, at least Mama was anyway. Papa says the Waddington’s and Phillips have been following each other around since at least the 1850’s. At least they have no plans of following them back to Nebraska.

      • Mae’s mother, Martha Smith Phillips and her younger brother William I. Smith. This photo was taken in Nebraska around 1886 or 1887.

      I got a terrible headache at the dance so didn’t stay to long. I was thankful we were spending the night here and I didn’t have far to go home.  I guess I slept it off as it is gone this morning.

      I must stop now and start making some lunch. Papa has found a few ranch hands to help so I need to rustle up some food for them, just meat sandwiches and oatmeal cookies they can eat out in the fields.

      LETTERS FROM MONA -Part 30 – August 1, 1914 – August 13, 1914

      1 Reply

      August 1, 1914

      Dear Diary,

      I haven’t written much lately; this is such a busy time of the year I find it hard to spare the time. Mama has never really gotten over the sickness she had earlier in the year and had started feeling rather poorly again so Papa sent her to Belle Fourche to get more treatments from the doctor there. She is staying with relatives. Yesterday we got a note from her saying she is doing some better but will stay a bit longer. I hope she is right about doing better as she hasn’t been good this year at all. It makes me feel worrisome.

      Meanwhile Papa is so busy taking care of the farming at both places we hardly see him. This morning he and Daniel left for Donald and will be gone for several days. So Hazel and I are here alone to take care of everything else. Not only do we have to take care of the household chores and garden, but also make sure we feed the livestock and chickens, gather the eggs, milk our 4 cows, get the animals out to graze, put them back in the barn for the night and muck out the stables. To add to that it’s almost time to start picking the wild fruit and canning.

      Hazel is pretty good about helping but she is driving me wild with all the singing she does. It wouldn’t be bad if she chose different songs but she sings the same one over and over until I can’t get it out of my head. If I hear her sing by the “Light of the Silvery Moon,” one more time today, she may find herself sleeping under the light of a silvering moon all alone in the garden.

      Aug. 4, 1914

      Dear Diary,

      Down at the edge of our woods we have a good number of choke cherry bushes and they are beginning to get ripe. Picking them at the right time can be tricky, to early they taste horrid but wait until they are black and sweetest and the coons and birds are likely to get them all. So,we try to pick them when they are a deep wine color. Hazel and I went an picked a couple of buckets today. Growing in large clusters they are easy to pick. They are too sour to eat fresh but we sure love them in jelly. Hopefully we will get quite a few more pails full as they surely taste good in the winter over Papa’s flapjacks or smothered on top of a slice fresh from the oven bread.

      It rained here quite a bit last week but with it came lightning storms and you know how much I hate those. The day before yesterday our telephone line got hit and it burned out our telephone. It hasn’t been ringing right for a long time anyway but I couldn’t bear the thought of being here alone with no telephone at all. But our dear old neighbor John, came over to look at it and had a spare part to fix what got burned out. So that is a good thing and the rain has made my garden looks so much better which is a second good thing.   

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      Mona, Wyo
      Aug. 7, 1914

      Dear Roy,-
      I supose you will be very much put out about me not writing oftener but realy Hazel and I are baching here and was just so busy. I thot John was going to the Post office Thursday but he never so there for I am afraid you won’t get a letter very soon. I expect you think I am very careless and I know that I am too. I will try to do much better tho here after.

      This is only Friday, and I supose I shouldn’t start a letter so long before I sent it but I was so awfully tired I just had to stop a few minutes.


      It keeps Hazel and I real busy doing all the work and chores and we are picking and putting up cherrys too. My we just got back from picking three ten-pound pails and it is dreadful hot too. My we were surely tired, and Hazel wants to go over to grandpas tonight after supper so supose we will walk over there after supper. I am about all in tho.


      I sent you a card and had Edna to mail it Tuesday but she never mailed it until friday so you won’t get that very soon either. My I am awful sorry I wonder how you are today? I got your letter last Tuesday and you know I was glad.


      Saw Vera twice today, Mama has been gone nearly two weeks. I am getting real lonesome to see her. I think I will go down next week and stay with Papa as he will have some men working and so he needs a cook. Oh my! Hazel says it is time to get supper so will get busy again I will finish later, so good bye,


      Mae


      Aug 8, your birthday


      Well here I am again I have been real busy doing the Saturday’s work and am about all in. Am nearly threw tho. I have only to churn, press my dress, make a cake, finish making my bread, and get supper. My seems like I never get throu.
      Hazel is riding after horses. My, Daniel phoned and said they were coming home tonight so I am so glad. Mama has been gone nearly two weeks and Papa and Daniel nearly one.


      Papa has so much to do and he can’t find anyone to work for him as help is so scarce this summer he is doing all his work alone so far but may be able to get help next week. Everybody wants someone to work but there don’t seem to be very many around here that want to work.


      We had several nice rains since I last wrote and some dreadful storms. One time it stormed, it burnt our phone line. I was just about wild. We have it fixed now tho and it works better than it did for 3 years.


      My I am glad it is not so warm in Wash. as it is here.


      Hazel and I went over to grandpas last night we never started out until so late tho. We never got there until about nine oclock at night. See how brave we are it was awful dark too. There is going to be a picnic at Mc Donalds and a big dance after wards. I (the rest of this letter is missing)

      ——————————————————————————————————————————-

      August 8, 1914

      Dear Diary,

      I am sitting out in the yard as it is another hot evening. The air feels so dry and dusty, it makes my throat scratchy all day. I do hope the weather cools down soon, I have had enough of this heat.

      Papa and Daniel made it back here in time for dinner tonight. I was glad I had decided to bake some biscuits to go with our stew and fresh greens. I opened tinned peaches for dessert. My, did they ever scarf down the food. Daniel said it was a heap better than the pork and beans and corn pone Papa had been fixing all week. He even gave me a great big hug and said he’d missed me. It’s nice to be appreciated.

      I am feeling rather blue. I long to be with Roy for today is his birthday. I wanted to send him a gift but I had no way of getting one. I did have a card but have been so awfully busy I had to give it to Edna to mail for me on Tues. Only she forgot so it didn’t get mailed until Friday. I was not one bit pleased when she told me. It was all I could do not to scold her and that would have been bad for she was doing me a favor. He probably thinks I have forgotten him which I can assure you I haven’t. 

      If he were here I would make him a great big cake. Maybe another angel food as we’ve got plenty of eggs with some berry preserves dripping over the top. He’s crazy for anything with berries. And I’d sing that “Happy Birthday To You,” song everyone has started singing. But he’s not here and that makes me so very blue.

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      August 10, 1914

      Dear Diary,

      Now that Papa and Daniel are back I have a bit more time to write. Last night after the supper dishes were done I set off for the top of the hill to watch the sun set. And oh, what a sight it was with the fields glowing gold and the wind blowing them like waves on an ocean. At least I imagine it’s like an ocean for I have never actually seen one. As the sky turned to a purple dusk, I sat with my hands wrapped around my legs, listening to the greatest orchestra of all. There can be no sweeter melody than the sound of a gentle wind, rippling through the grass, accompanied by the chirping crickets and the song of a meadowlark.

      It won’t be long now until those glowing fields are just a memory. If only their yield would be as big as we hoped for.  

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      August 13, 1914

      Dear Diary,

      I must tell you about a funny incident that happened last night while Hazel and I were finishing up the supper dishes. Someone left the screen door open and a snake had taken the notion to slither in while our backs were turned to the sink. Hazel turned around to put her dish towel down and let out an ear-piercing shriek. “Snake!” I turned and saw that it was just a harmless bull snake and not a very big one at that, but her screams had alarmed it. It had reared itself up to look bigger and started thumping its tail like a rattler. She ran from the room screeching. I grabbed the broom shooed it back out the door as it hissed and reared at me all the while. Papa and Daniel came racing from the barn to see what all the commotion was about just as I swept it out the door. We all had a good belly laugh afterwards, except for Hazel she was amused and you can be sure she is going to be sure the screen door is firmly latched from now on.

      I better stop writing and see what the shouting in the yard is about. Hopefully it’s not another snake scare.

      LETTERS FROM MONA – Part 29 – July 17- July 25

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      July 17, 1914

      Nagrom, Wash. –

      Dear Mazie:

      Well here I am for a little chat this evening as I have nothing else to do and wouldn’t do it if I had. Wish I might be with you for while this evening but guess I can’t so will have to write instead. I would much rather talk to you than to write but as that is impossible at present guess I will have to be content with writing.

       I got your last letter today and of course you know I was glad to get such a nice long letter from my Little Wyoming girl. You write so much better letters than I can that it makes me feel ashamed of my own poor letters. Glad that you had a nice visit with your Uncle Will’s folks. Wish I had been there to and got aquainted with them, to bad I didn’t get to see them last winter when I was there. Would like to be there to go with you to that picnic at McDonalds, but don’t suppose I would dare go down there either as I hear that they are mad at me, Have they ever said anything to you and Hazel since I went away? You have never said anything about them so I suppose you have never made up with them. Am glad that you have such good prospects for crops in Wyom. this year. I sure would like to see your garden and also help you eat some of the things you have in it. I like almost anything that grows in the garden and we get so little fresh garden stuff here in the camp that I get pretty hungry for it. I got pretty well filled up when I was home tho and guess that will have to do me this rest of the year.


      So Frank Risher is home again. I sure would like to see him. Tell him that I would like to hear from him if he isn’t to busy to write he owes me a letter if I remember correctly. Tell him that I said hello anyway.


      I went to the place where I bought your furs when I was in town and told them about the cape getting damaged and they said that they could repair it alright, so you had better send it to me and I will have them fix it. Better send it to Lida tho and I will have her take it down to them. Tell Daniel that I will answer his letter next time I write. We have sure been having some great weather this week. I have been wet to the skin every day. I never saw such weather in the summer time before and it is quite cold to. We have a fire every evening and it feels pretty good to. Doesn’t look like we are going to have much summer.


      I am sending you a couple of pictures that we had taken when I was down home. Guess you know some of the people. One of the men is my partner and the other is Lida’s beaux and the girls are a couple of berry pickers, all the rest I guess you will know. Well my paper is giving out so guess I will stop.


      Good night,
      Roy

      • This photo is probably one of the ones Roy sent Mae. He is the man in the center and the one on his left was his logging partner Gus. Lida is probably the girl in the center bottom of the photo. The photo back said they were enjoying home-made ice cream.

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      July 19, 1914

      Dear Diary,

      It’s been a few days since I could write in you on account of having a bum hand but it’s better now. It hurt so bad when I did it I was sure it was broken. Hazel called Mrs. Davidson and Vera; both came over to take a look at it. Mrs. Davidson examined it real good and declared it sprained, bruised and very rope burned. She had Daniel get some ice from the spring house and wrapped it with a dish rag around my hand. After a bit it did feel better and before she left she gave me some salve to rub on it and told me not to use it if I could help it. That wasn’t easy as Mama and Papa aren’t here. Hazel and Daniel have been good about pitching in, so most everything got done. It feels much better now and the rope burn and bruises are fading away.

       Now if it would only rain. It’s been so hot since the 4th and with no rain everything is shriveling up. I don’t know how we can hold up here another winter especially since Papa didn’t get the mail route.

      He must work so hard farming two places. And what with the added worry of making enough for us to live on it’s taking a toll. He’s still tall and lanky, but his hair has thinned and gotten gray. I can see lines etching his face now that were never there before. He’s a work horse but ranch work is hard, especially when you can’t find any hired help. He’s put his heart in soul in making this old homestead work, I know he isn’t going to give it up easy but the weather just keeps working against us.

      How I wish he’d decide to go back to Puyallup but work there was patchy, too.

      ——————————————————————————————————————————-

      Mona, Wyo
      July 19, 1914

      Dear friend,

      Well here I am at last, I will try to write so you can read it but my hand is awful stiff.
      How are you any way? I am pretty well, except I had a pretty bad hand for a while but it is better now. I went to stake the calf over to another place while the folks were at town and just got the rope around the tree and ready to tie the rope when the she jumped and of course caught my hand and burnt it and hurt it in every way possible. Oh my I thot I never could stand it but Vera and Mrs. Davidsons came up and finally got it a little easier but it was awful sore. I could not write before so I had Hazel send you a card. I never got a letter from you last night either. I don’t know why. The last letter I got was a week ago yesterday.


      We have had awful hot weather for a long time and this is the dryest year we have had yet. The crops are hardly any good. Papa will have some but not so much as expected. Everybody has the blues pretty bad and lots of talk to going to Washington too. We have surely had terrible storms this summer and are still having them. The lightening struck a tree right close to our wood shed and it has killed lots of stock here, were five killed five horses in two days for our neighbors so you see it has been pretty bad this summer.


      Vera is coming up this afternoon, so she will soon be coming. We have a good time as usual.
      I received those rose petals Wednesday was awful glad to get them. My there are fine, they are so black all ready. I will start to make them Monday, thank you very much for them. Do you ever hear from Frank Risher. I have only heard once. I guess he is busy and doesn’t write very much to anybody.
      I also got your picture. My that was a large tree. I was very glad to get it. I did not go home with my uncle for it was so warm and it is so far up there he coaxed me for a long time but says he’ll send a team after me soon. I may go for a little while I don’t know.
      We are going over to Uncle Ben’s tomorrow I wish you were going too. I have not heard from Lillian or Justin for quite a while. Well I guess I will close for this time, excuse the poor handwriting for my hand is so stiff well good bye.
      as ever
      Mae

      • Roy’s fallig partner, Gus. Mae’s worries about Roy’s job was warranted. Gus was later killed when a widow maker fell on him. Widow makers were big branches that would fall unexpectedly. If you were struck by one it was often fatal.

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      July 22, 1914

      Dear Diary,

      Hazel and I are still batching it. We both miss having Mama and Papa but Vera rides up here often and keeps us company.  We are managing to keep up with all the chores and keep the livestock fed and watered on our own. Without the rest of the family our chickens are laying way too many eggs for us to keep up with. Maybe I will try and make an angel food cake. They use lots of eggs. Yesterday Vera brought her guitar along and we sang and sang and laughed so much as we made rose beads out of that last batch of rose petals Roy sent. So, you see it’s not all work around here.

      Last Monday we paid a visit to Uncle Ben and Aunt Martha. I guess they thought we might be lonely so invited Hazel and I over for a visit and dinner. We had a real nice time and since their son is married to Vera’s older sister she tagged along with us. 

      My we have some good talks, Uncle Ben is Papa’s older brother but his wife, aunt Martha is also my Grandma Smith’s big sister. I know it’s confusing, she’s my aunt by marriage and great aunt by blood. And my can they tell good stories about the two families. Not only do they live close here in Wyoming but the whole great big bunch of them also were neighbors back in Iowa. Guess it was my Great Grandpa Jonathan Harden who is responsible for us all being here.

      According to Aunt Martha he was none too happy with his second wife so after hearing tales of fortunes to be made prospecting for gold in the Black Hills he decided to give it a try. She said it was sometime in the later 1870’s. When he failed to make a fortune digging for gold he decided to stake a homestead claim instead here in the Bear Lodge Mountains. Soon our great big Phillips clan along with Grandpa and Grandma Smith followed in their covered wagons. And so here is where most of us still live and none of us rich. And if we don’t get some rain soon, we are all going to be even poorer.

      ————————————————————————————————————————

      July 23, 1914

      Dear Diary,

      It is so hot I can hardly catch my breath; the sweat is trickling down my back like a river. I must sit for a few minutes here in the shade and try to cool off before I finish my chores. I sure wish my wisdom tooth would hurry up and come in. Sometimes it makes my whole jaw ache and today it is bad.

      We have had several lightning storms thank goodness none so close like the one that struck that tree next to our shed. Goodness Hazel and I just clung to each other that night. Our neighbor lost 5 beautiful horses due to lightning this month. Fortunately, our livestock has been spared.

      My poor garden is withering away, I can’t carry water to it all day. I don’t know how we can continue to stay here if this draught continues year after year.

      July 25th, 1914

      Nagrom, WN

      July 25th, 2014

      Dear Mazie,

      Well how is my little Friend this fine evening? Well and happy though I hope.

      I am feeling first class at present and hope this will find you and the rest in the same fix.

      I failed to get a letter from you last week and was beginning to fell anxious for I feared you might be sick. Yesterday I got a card from Hazel and was sure glad to know you were not sick but awful sorry you hurt your hand and sure hope it will be well again soon or at least well again soon or at least well enough so you can write for I miss your letters so much. Hazel didn’t tell me how you hurt it or was very serious but I suppose it is of no use for me to ask any questions for I know you will tell me all about it when I hear from you again. And I hope that won’t be very long for I shall be worried about it until I hear from you.

      I haven’t anything much in the way of news to tell you this time, except we are having perfectly lovely weather. It has been just about right all this week, nice and bright everyday and not to warm. I am having a good easy time to. We do just about as we please and of course we don’t please to work very hard.

      I had a long letter from Mother, as well as usual, but still pretty busy with the berry harvest. They will be through pretty soon now I think.

      She also said they were sure going to move to Missouri this fall if nothing happens to prevent it. I will be very sorry to see him go and I fear I won’t get to go very often. I will have to stay steadier in the camps than I have done in the past for there will be no place to go when I am not working. Some of the men stay year round, guess that is what I will have to do.

      I haven’t heard any thing from Justin and Lillian since the Fourth. Suppose they are still at Buckley though. Do you hear from them very often? I have been looking for Justin to come up here. He said he was going to but he must have changed his mind. I am going to write him about tomorrow and find out what he is doing.

      Suppose Saul and Ann will soon be going back to Wyo, or have they changed their minds again? I didn’t get to see either Saul or Hue when I was down to Puyallup. They were both there but I didn’t know it or I would have tried to see them. I am going down again before the folks start east perhaps I shall see them then if they don’t leave before then.

      I wonder if Ode and Amber are married yet? Have you heard any thing about it? They were to have been married a month ago today since then I haven’t heard a word about it. I wonder if there is anything wrong.

      Well it is getting pretty late so guess I will have to stop. The rest of the boys have been in bed for an hour or more and they are telling me if I don’t put the light out soon there will be trouble. As I don’t want any of that perhaps I best mind them. Expect you are tired of my nonsense anyway aren’t you?

      If nothing happens I am going fishing tomorrow, wish Daniel was here to go with me. I bet he would enjoy it.

      Give my best wishes to all the folks and be sure and keep some for yourself. Good-night

      Roy

      5 11 26 14, 2 1 3 7 (decodes to: “with love”)