Volume 11 , Issue 27

Insight Into Grandma

Here it is ... January, 1905, as the letters from John C. McClure to Miss Constance Warwick continue as we give you an insight into John McClure of Altona, Illinois and Constance Warwick of Alva, Oklahoma Territory, in the 1900 thru 1906 era.

We know that Constance Warwick was teaching school in the Liberty 35 School, during 1904-1905, in norhtwest Oklahoma. Also, I have read ahead through 1905 letters and find that John C. McClure came to Alva, Oklahoma Territory in around the end of March, 1905, to work in the First National Bank of Alva. This weeks letters are postmarked January 14 & 17, 1905, Galva and Altona, Illinois.

Jan. 14, 1905 postmarked, Galva, Ill, 4 p.m. -- "Altona, Ill, Jan. 13, 1905, Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, Okla., Dear Friend,

"It has been over three weeks since I have heard from you. Your last letter being dated Dec. 22. It is needless to say I am disappointed.

"We have been having terrible cold weather. From 10 to 12 below zero. Sleighing is fine, and everybody seems to be enjoying it.

"As I have written two letters besides this one, I have come to the conclusion that something must be wrong. Please answer this. Very Sincerely, John C. McClure.

"P.S. If this letter is never answered I will be satisfied that I have gone beyong propriety, furthermore, tell those people that if they can find my name signed to any letter, to any young lady with the exception of your self, after Dec. 26, 1904, then I will willingly quit corresponding with you. John, Bye Bye, Connie. Penny for your thoughts (then some)."

Jan. 17, 1905 oistmarked, Altona, Ill -- "Altona, Ill., Jan. 17, 1905, Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, Okla., Dear Miss Warwick,

"I was as happy as the first bird of Spring when I went to the mail box yesterday and found that letter from you. Connie, I thought sure you had got lost, or been captured. I look for a letter every day just the same as a pig looks for his feast.

"Was glad to hear that you had a pleasant time during your vacation, but it was to long for me, that I mean your vacation - also that your Xmas tree was a success. Your patrons and students certainly like you. Our teacher here is not liked very well. She had a box supper which was a fizzle, and she could not get the parents interested in an Xmas tree at all. She had a small tree for the scholars, but none of them gave her a thing. So you see its nice to be loved. I am like our school mom. I don't know what it is.

"One of our Ill. people died in Okla. not long since. My Aunt is out there now. It was Mrs. Rice, living northeast of Alva. They used to live in Alva. She dropped dead.

"I am glad you did not take that old school too. You would have turned to a bear. Our neighborhood is just like that one out there, although it is better now than ever before.

"I wish I were that 4 o'clock happens along. Mebby (sic) I wouldn't. We have more sleighing here. From 10 to 15 below zero.

"I went to Altona to hear a colored Orator. A Dr. Mason. It was a splendid address. I and my Bro. went and took another boy. We told him we were not dressed up. So he did not dress either. When we got there we turned out to be dressed. I got seats in the Front of the house. He had on an old pair of overalls, and he did not stop to comb his hair. It was sure a joke which I enjoyed. It is time for the mail man. So Bye Bye, S.H. Write soon. Yours Sincerely, J. C. McClure."
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