Volume 11 , Issue 26

Insight Into Grandma

In a few of the letters that I have read, John asks Constance about Grace and Essie. I just happen to have a photo of those three young ladies, Essie Nall, Grace Brooks and Constance Warwick, when they were young girls growing up in the Northwestern part of Oklahoma Territory. That is the photo you are viewing on the left.

This week's Dear Constance letter from John McClure takes us into December 13, 26 & 29, 1904 as we finish the 1904 letters and move on into 1905.

Dec. 13, 1904 ... as postmarked, 4 p.m., Altona, Illinois, taking two days to deliver to Alva, O.T. It is addressed to Miss Constance Warwick and begins as usual with "Dear Connie."

"I received your latest letter all O.K. It should have been answered sooner, but I have been picking corn away from home. But I came home every night, as you know I can not stay away from home at night when I am near. I have nearly another weeks picking yet.

There was about an inch of snow fell this morning. My cousin who runs a corn sheller, got his hand badly hurt Saturday. Had to have one finger amputated.

You must not worry so much over that Civil Service affair, and I know you are not worrying over these girls up here. One of these girls were at my Grandmothers yesterday Eve and when I stopped a few minutes, she whacked in a cake that she had just baked. I had a notion to tell her the cake was sweeter than she.

I am nearly crazy to get to Oklahoma, and if I could position some where down there, I would sure as south of town. That is if I don't suppose Mrs. Snyder would not be mad at me now. We got a letter from the man that has the farm just across the road from our farm. He wanted pa to sell his place for him for 3600. We Considered that more than it was worth. I was acquainted with the McGrew boy. He was an adopted son.

Does the Free mail Route go past our place? I never heard where it went. Do they have anymore neighborhood quarrels like they had when we were there?

You are mistaken about me thinking you were writing crooked stories, because everything is true, at least, I think so.

I will close for this time. Write soon. bye Bye. Your True Friend, J. C. McClure.

Dec. 26, 1904 ... as postmarked, but dated inside the letter: Christmas Night, Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, O.T., Dear Constance.

"I have been waiting quite awhile for an answer to my last letter, but have not received it. I suppose you are having to good a time during your vacation for such matters.

"I attended a christmas tree in town last Eve. It was real good. I was home today, and put in the day pretty well eating.

"It is to late to wish you a merry Xmas, but I wish you a Happy New Year, and hope you had a merry Xmas.

"Grandmother will give a dinner to her three sons, their families on New Years Day.

"I am going to a Xmas tree tomorrow eve at Galva. Old Santa brought me several nice presents. I suppose he has reached Okla by this time, as I sent him there direct. Our school mom had a little tree for the children.

"It rained here night before last, but is frozen up now and threatens snow. We have not had snow enough for sleighing yet. What kind of weather are you having down there? Have you had any snow?

"I am thinking of going to Peoria after New Years. I will close. Write soon. Yours Sincerely, John McClure."

Dec. 29, 1904 ... as postmarked, Altona, Ill., arriving in Alva, O.T., December 28, 1904, at 5 a.m. It is addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, Oklahoma. and begins: "Altona, Ill., Dec. 28, 1904, Miss Constnace Warwick, Alva, Okla., Dear Connie,

I received your esteemed letter Tuesday, and was pleased to receive same.

Our rain storm turned into a blizzard and was one of the worst I have ever seen. It snowed, and blowed a gala all day yesterday, and all night last night, but moderated some today. Only one man froze to death. He was full of booze.

I'll bet your program was swell. I should have liked to have seen Santa. Who was he?Did R. T. have an Xmas tree?

Some of our Okla. friends must be getting rich. I wish some one would erect a mansion our place out there. I velieve I wuld go out there and learn to cook again. I haven't cooked any since I left there, and not very much then. Does Clyde Mathew farm? What kind of a time did Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have at the Fair? I will close for this time wishing your a Happy New Year. Ever Your Sincere Friend, John McClure, Altona, Ill.
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