Volume 11 , Issue 28

Insight Into Grandma

This week's insight into John C. McClure takes us into February, 1905. John is still in Altona, Illinois helping his folks around the farm with chores. It is cold with lots of snow as John continues his letters to Constance Warwick whose living in Alva, Oklahoma Territory.

February 8, 1905 ... The first letter begins, "Altona Ill, Tues. Eve, Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, Okla., Dear Connie, I received your welcome letter this morning. Was disappointed at not receiving it sooner. I believe you thought I os=wed you a letter, but I surely did not, but you surely know, by this time that I do not pay any attention to that.

"It is cold here now, and we have fine sleighing. It has been 25 below zero, , bought a Gov. thermometer. I went 4 miles to my sisters last eve and nearly froze to death before I got home. Have you d=had a sleigh ride yet? You sure have plenty of snow.

"So you think I am independent and spunky. I may be spunky but will not be independent until Feb 21 when I will be 21. Oct 20 Nov 20 Dec 20 Jan 20 Feb 21. Are you goo at g=figures? Penny for your thoughts.

"Does Nellie keep well, and how is Bertie? Tell Mrs. Snyder that I have not had a drink of buttermilk lately. Have you been to any dances this winter? Don't forget to tell me all about R.S. school.

"In a letter from Mrs. Bolte (my cousin) she asked me if I would come to Oklahoma if she found me a position. I suppose you could easily guess what I told her. "I suppose you attend prayer meeting regularly. If you don't it is better you should.

"You sure had a slim school, but I should think all those big boys would want to go every day. Does the McKitrick girls teach school? Also, Miss Forbis? "Well as I am tired and no more to write, I will close. You see, I helped mother wash today. I like to wash. Forgive this empty letter together all my shortcomings, such as spunkiness, etc. Write soon. Bye Bye, Your Best Friend, J. C. McClure."

February 18, 1905 ... The second letter in February, 1905 begins, "Altona, Ill., Feb. 16, '05, Miss Constance WArwick, Alva, Okla., Dear Connie, I am impatiently waiting for an answer to my last letter. I believe the cold weather has made you lose all your enthusiasm. Thats what makes a person enthusiastic up here.

"We have go more snow than we know what to do with here. There are drifts along the hedge fences and big as mountains. The roads were blocaded (sic) so bad that the mail man could not get here yesterday. I went to town last night thinking sure I would get a letter, but - It was 32 degrees below zero last Monday morning by the Gov. thermometer. Yes and I nearly froze coming from town last night. Now see what you come pretty near doing, but there is never a loss with out some gain. I mean some of my pestering letters.

"There was a change of 24 degrees here last Tues. I expect you think the weather is all I ever talk about. I wish you would give me a little bit of advice, or get me a position or something. I have applied for a position in Galesburg at the rapher (sic) and bookkeeping, also in Peoria. All my relation want me to stay at home. My cousin in Oklahoma wants me to come there, or rather she said she was going to get me a positon.

Well, I guess I will have to close for this time as there is nothing but weather to talk about here. write soon, From your best friend, J. C. McClure. P.S. I guess I will write a letter every day until I get an answer. John."

February23, 1905 ... The third letter sent in February, 1905 begins, "Feb. 21, '05, Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, Okla., Dear Connie, Your long looked for letter was received today. I don't know what you mean in the first part of your letter unless you mean an invitation to Nellie Corben's wedding.

"I don't believe I know Albert very well, I remember seeing Bill once in a while on dry goods boxes in Alva. Did Nelllie leave school to get married? Vera can get married too now.

"The snow is thawing fast now. It was real warm today. The paper stated that it was 10 to 12 below in Oklahoma. Isn't your school two miles from home? I shold have thought you would have frozen to death.

I hope you win in that debate, not because you have the right side, but just for the honor of winning. Of course you must think you are on the right side. I remember from away back you did not have a very good opinion of boys.

"I have been working hard today, so am tired so bye bye. Yours sincerely, J. C. McClure, Altona, Ill., Please P. P write soon. P. S. I wonder who did send that Val.? You ought not to debate that question so near after St. Val's day. John."
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