Volume 11 , Issue 25

Insight Into Grandma

This week's letter from John to Constance takes us into November, 1904, with three letters date November 9, 21 and 28, 1904, all from Altona, Knox C., Illinois, and addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, Oklahoma Territory. Have I told you John C. McClure has beautiful handwriting or penmanship?!

Nov. 9, 1904 ... Begins as usual with, "Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, Okla. Dear Connie, I received yours of recent date, and of course glad to hear from you.

"It has been raining all day. We picked corn this forenoon, but took a vacation this afternoon. School Marms do not get a vacation on rainy days. So you had better change your vocation.

"Yesterday was election in this country, but very little interest was taken around here. The worst of it was, I could not vote being not quite man enough. I sat up until 1:00 o'clock this morning listening to reports of the election. The farmers heard the reports before the people in the city.

"I would like to be at your box social, you would perhaps have the displeasure of eating with another little boy. Our school teacher is going to have an entertainment and box supper thanksgiving night. come, bring a box.

"Well! I will close for this time. News is skars (sic) 'round (sic) 'ere (sic). Write soon. Yours Sincerely, J. C. McClure."

Nov. 21, 1904 ... Begins, "Altona, Ill, Sun. Eve., Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, Okla., Dear Connie, I received your letter, all O.K. which I was pleased to receive.

"We are having fine weather, and are about through picking corn. We will be the first to get through in the neighborhood. Tonight is clear, and cold, so that means a big frost in the morning.

"There was an oyster supper at our nearest neighbors last eve, but I did not go. The folks said there were more girls than boys.

"Thanksgiving Eve, the teacher gives a box social at our schoolhouse. I guess I will go. I suppose I will get some wee little girls box. I hope your box social is a success, and that a little boy gets your box.

"Do you ever see Powers anymore? Say! Old man Corben will be having a Tripple (sic) wedding some day, won't he? "Tell Nellie I want an invitation to her wedding. Poor Edith. I often wonder how she is fairing. How is that other to know fellow coming? Has he found any more of my girls? Well! I will close, for want of something to say. Bye Bye As Ever, J. C. McClure, write soon."

Nov. 28, 1904 ... Begins, "Altona, Ill., Sun. Eve, Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, Okla., Dear Constance, I wrote you a letter last Sun. Eve and have received no answer yet, so I am going to see my best girl again. Only I wish I were 1000 miles closer. Penny for your thoughts.

"It has been awful cold here for two or three days. We finished husking the day after thanksgiving. We picked about 4000 bus. in 25 days and a half. I am going to pick in the morning for my cousin. Wages are awful high for Corn pickers.

"The teacher's box supper was a fizzle. The program was good, but so many girls came without boxes. I made several kids pay 2 prices for their boxes. I ate with another fellows girl. He was sick and could not come. This made some of the girls jealous. For you know there are always two sides in every neighborhood, and they are always fighting. We are on neighbor, two or three girls are continually asking me about my Okla girl. I suppose the other to know fellow up here told them. There is one family up here that cause me more trouble than all my money.

"Where did you spend TGiving? I picked corn. I will close. I just thought I would write as it is Sun. Eve. Bye Bye, Connie. write soon. Your Best Friend, J. C. McClure."
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