Volume 11 , Issue 32

Insight Into Grandma & John C. McClure

As the Summer of 1905 begins, it looks and reads as though John C. McClure is becoming stuck on his sweetheart, Miss Constance Estella Warwick.

John C. McClure's letter continue from June 7-29, 1905, from Alva, Oklahoma Territory to Miss Constance Warwick who is spending the Summer of 1905 near Vanderpool and Mountain Grove, Virginia with her Warwick relatives.

Also, we find out John McClure's post office box is #133, Alva, Oklahoma Territory. In the June 10, 1905 letter below we find that Essie (Nall) was a McKitrick and had a sister named Grace.

June 7, 1905 -- addressed to Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, VA, postmarked Staunton, VA, June 12, 1905, 11:30a.m. It begins, "Tuesday Morning, Alva, O.T., Miss Constance Warwick, Old Virginia. Hello, Sweet Heart, I received your letters. The one from St. Louis. Also the one from Virginia. I would have written sooner, but did not know where to address the letter. We sure had a time before you got away, but I believe you worked it that way so I would not get that kiss, but I have 10000000000000000000000000000000000 for that one when you get back home again.

"They told me before I left Alva that day that you would have to wait in Kansas City to get your trunk checked, but I knew you would not. They don't know straight up here.

"There is going to be a ball game between the bankers and the Millers or all the grain men. We were out practicing last night.

Do you get any Alva papers? I went down last Sunday to get my picture taken but Mr. Heron was not at home. But I do believe from the depth of my .... heart that I ought to have one of those pictures of you girls, and If I don't get one I am going to tell you the reason why.

"I believe Lowe sneaks out to see Forbis once in awhile. As I must hasten to the bank, I will close. This all the paper also. Bye Bye SH (SweetHeart). I'll write more next time. John McClure."

June 9, 1905 -- Addressed to Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, VA. It begins, "Alva, O.T., Fri. Morning, Miss Constance Warwick, Old Virginia. Dearie Connie, I don't believe I have received that letter that you were to write Sunday.

"It is nice and cool here this morning but we have sure had some scorchers. We played baseball last night. I wish you were here to see the game. Mr. G. E. Nickel and wife left yesterday for Portland and different points in the west.

"I guess you heard about that excursion to Bliss next Sunday. I am just dying to go, but Cousin says I can not. What shall I do. Would you go on a Sunday excursion If I wanted a girl? I saw Miss Johnson yesterday. She had found out some way about you not getting away.

"There was a band concert last night in the park. Lots of Pretty girls, but I -- When are you coming home? Don't notice these two blots I just made. I will write around them. I guess wheat is just about ready to harvest in the country.

"It is reported that Hess Hudson is to be married this week. He has been buying carpets this week. Eugene Carter is coming back to take a place in the Alva National Bank. I will close for this day. Bye Bye S.H. John McClure."

June 10, 1905 -- Addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, VA, postmarked Staunton, VA, June 13, 1905. There were two letters. First letter began, "Alva, O.T., Thurs. Eve, Dearest Girl, I received your palm letter this morning. It is a beauty. Just now I pulled your letter out to read, and found one that I wrote yesterday, that I had forgotten to mail. I am sorry, but here comes two. You have been so good about writing me letters that I feel ashamed.

"You said something about writing to Lowe. You know I don't want you to. Would you rather write to Lowe than me? You know what you said that Sunday afternoon that I took you home after you had been with him the Eve before? I guess everything will be all right when you get home again.

"It is raining hard now, and looks as though it were going to rain all night. There was going to be a dance in the Opera house, but it is raining so hard I guess it will fall through.

"I see Miss Merchant downtown every day. Lowe was down to see her night before last. I am going out South next Sunday. Wish you were there too. I wish I were in Virginia to see some of the things you are seeing. Guess I will go on my trip. Would you like to go too. I will close for this time thanking you for your letters. Yours Faithfully, John."

Second letter: "Alva, O.T., Sat. Morn. Miss Connie Warwick, Old Virginia. Dear Girl, Why don't you write to me, or do you want to break your promise. I thought sure I would get a letter from you yesterday.

"I went to a bummy show last night in a tent down by the R.R. It was Ten Nights In a Bar Room. We played a practice team last night with the Grain dealers. I saw Grace and Essie McKitrick last Eve, so I guess Institute has commenced.

"The Big excursion goes to Bliss, Okla. tomorrow. Everybody is going. I don't know whether I will go or not. I don't believe I told you about my going down last Sunday to have my picture taken. I went down but Mrs. Heron was locked up. So I suppose I will have to try again.

"Remember for every day you miss writing to me means a dozen kisses and I have got several coming now. I saw Harry Buck last night. He is cooking for the show. He wears the same very important look. Hoping to hear from My S.H. soon. I remain, Your Friend, J. C. McClure. Bye Bye."

June 12, 1905 -- Addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, VA. It begins, "Mon. Eve, Alva, O.T., Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, Va. Dearest Girl, Why don't you write me a letter. I have received but two letters since you got to Va, and you knew you promised me a letter everyday, but I suppose you are having to good a time to write to any guy in Okla. I sure enjoyed the letter you wrote to me last. Va. must be nice place where you are.

"I did not go on the excursion to Bliss, Okla. Am glad I did not for they never got back until noon today. A good share of the people had to stand up all of the way back.

"Bolte's folks and myself took a long drive into the country today. It was real nice for a drive. Went to my farm then to Mr. Bolte's farm and ate our supper under the shade trees of North Eagle. Got back about 8 went to the Baptist Church to Childrens day exercises. They were grand.

"Tomorrow is the day for the big ball game. I will close for this time. Hoping you are having a dandy time. Have a good time for me too. I suppose you see what happened to that other page don't you. I believe you have found a fellow in Va. and were doing me like you did when I was in Ill. Better not. You have got to write me oftener. Yours Faithfully, John McClure, Alva, Okla., Bye Bye."

"Dear Miss Warwick, I think Mac's hand needs a rest so I have taken the pen away from him. You are fortunate indeed that you are mid the green fields of Virginia instead of scorching Okla. I hope your are enjoying yourself. Yours Sincerely, Mary Louise Bolte."

June 14, 1905 -- Addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, VA and held for postage. It begins, "Alva, O.T., Tues. Eve. Miss Constance Warwick, Old Va. Dear Girl, Many thanks for the letter you write me each day. I felt sure you would do it. It is a good sign that you are having a good time. I have only two letters to credit you for. Mebby it is a sign for me to quit. I am sure getting some kisses to my credit.

"We had the Big Ball game today, 9 to 8 in favor of the Grain men. The summer school started last Monday, a week ago. Mrs. Bolte goes to the North next Tuesday and Fred and I are going to board at Mrs. Fullers, There are two good looking school teachers there. But neither one of them are the right one. Do you reckon I will ever eat with the right one?

"Well! I will close for this time. I am afraid you are not getting my letters, so I had better quit. You Know, J. C. McClure, Alva, Okla."

June 17, 1905 -- Addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, VA. It begins, "Alva, O.T., Thurs Eve. Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, Va., Dear Sweet Heart, I can not understand why you have not been getting my letters. I have addressed all of them to the above address. The only one you gave me. I rec'd your letter this morning and was delighted to receive it. I have written a letter every day with the exception of Sunday ever since I got your address. Have you forgotten what you promised me the evening we were out riding?

"Va. the part you are in must be a nice place. I was not here today, and the wind blowed a gale. Most all the farmers are working in the harvest field. Bert Knox has not showed up yet.

"Lowe asked me this evening if I had heard from you yet. When I told him I had, he said for me to tell you not be partial with your letters.

"I am glad I got in on that list. It looked like a narrow escape to me, but it was a consolation to me to know I was not the least.

"Eugene Carter is working in the Alva National now. His mother is here living. Now, Connie, I want you to tell me whether you get my letters or not. Faithfully yours, J. C. McClure."

June 21, 1905 -- Addressed to Constance Warwick, Mountain Grove, VA, with postmarks received at Vanderpool and Mountain Grove, Va. It Begins, "Alva, O.T., Tues. Eve. Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, Va. Sweetheart, I received your letter this morning. I certainly did not know why you did not write to me. I thought perhaps I were not addressing my letters right as you seemed to mail your letters most any place. I hardly know where to send this one, as you are now in Monterey (VA).

Say! If last Sunday was not a scorcher, you never seen one. The hottest wind was blowing. We had ice cream. John Sturdevant was here, and we had all kinds of singing. I went to the Baptist Church but they dismissed it because it looked like a storm. But it did not storm at all. Some people go crazy! Oh! Mrs. Bolte and Aunt went north this morning. I got up early, so am sleepy now. We did better than you and I did. The train was on time.

"Mr. Bolte and I started to board at the widows today. There are five teachers there, but only one that I am much stuck on.

"Now! If you stay in Va. won't I be sorry I let you go. Perhaps it is a good thing you left, as absence makes the heart grow fonder. I will close for tonight so sweet dreams.

"Just got home from breakfast. Say! I went down and had my pic taken last Sunday. I thought one of the proofs were good but she wants me to come back. Miss Johnson was having hers taken. Somebody else had hers taken. "Now, Connie, if you think I deserve one of those pictures, you can send it right quick. I will close for this time. What was you going to wait for Sunday for? Sincerely Yours, J. C. McClure, Alva, O.T., Woods Co., Liberty Twp. (Constance Estella Warwick was written at the bottom of the last page of the letter.)

June 22, 1905 -- Addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, c/o Paul Warwick, Mountain Grove. Paul Warwick was a brother to my G-Grandpa John Robert Warwick and an uncle to Constance Estella Warwick. The letter begins, "Thurs Eve., Alva, O.T., Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, Va. Dear Girl, I received your letter this morning. You do not need to worry about me letting your letters lay in the office for I would soon get them if one came in on every train.

"It has been quite warm today and everything is dead here in town. I went to a ball game last night between the druggists, doctors vs the Lawyers. The Lawyers beat. It was the best game I ever attended. There are two lady teams now practicing for a game. Gee there are a couple okay looking girls where I board. One is quite pretty. The defeated team had to serve a banquet to the losers of the game last night. I guess Mrs. Bolte is in Ill. by this time.

"No one quit in the Alva National bank. You know Hess Hudson got married and he has not started to work yet. All the Bankers are getting married. How would you like to be a bankers .....

"I don't guess Lowe goes out to see Forbis very often unless he does it on the sneak. I saw Essie this morning, but not to speak to her. I would like to see Essie for an hour or so. I will close for this time. Sincerely yours, J. C. McClure, Alva, Okla. P. S. Send me a picture, Connie."

June 23, 1905 -- Addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, c/o Paul Warwick, Mountain Grove, VA. This letter begins, "Alva, O.T., Fri. Eve. Dear Girl, I received your letter this morning telling of the dangerous adventure, if that is what you call it, and I will go right out and tell your ma, if she will make you come. I just came from supper and must go back and work again. Every day this is dry here. No business and no rain. I guess wheat is about harvested.

"The bankers are going to play ball with the courthouse people next Tues. Have you decided where you are going to teach. I wish you would get a position here in town. I will close. Will try to do better next time. Yours Faithfully, J. C. McClure. P. S. Please send me one of those pictures of my Sweet Heart."

June 24, 1905 -- Addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, Mountain Grove, VA. It begins, "Sat. Eve, Alva, O.T., Sweet Heart Connie, I rec'd your Tuesday letter today, and was glad to hear from Old Va. This has been a windy day. There was hardly any one in town. I saw your paw. You never have told me about how hot it was during the daytime, or whether you could sleep at night. How high are the mountains. What do they raise there. Of course you know what I mean.

"Who is Lizzie? Any relation to you? Sure I'd like to meet her. Tell her to write me a letter. She might send me her picture. Smarty, you was so afraid I might touch one of those rings, perhaps it was your hands that were touchy for if you remember you gave me to understand that I was to look and not touch.

"Now about dying of consumption. Your remember that you was to weigh about 300lbs when you got back, for you know I am going to run right on the scales. Is there much consumption in your family. don't think I am getting scart.

"Thanks for those pretty flowers. The depot was robbed of 60 dollars night before last. Do you get an Alva paper. I want you to explain things more fully after this. I will close for tonight. Yours Affectionately, J. C. McClure. P.S. Please send me one of those pictures I heard about. Tell me yes or no whether you are going to give one as soon as you get them."

June 29, 1905 -- Addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, Mountain Grove, VA. This last letter of June 1905 is a four-paged letter and begins, "Alva, O.T., Sun. Afternoon, Miss Constance Warwick, Dear Sweetheart, I received two letters from you today. The one written Sunday and the one written later.

"It rained hard here last night about 12. I had not went to bed. You bet I would not get up if the wind blowed me sky high. The neighbors were all running to the caves. Mr. Bolte got over heated the other day, and he has been quite sick.

"Now, Connie, I have written more than six letters, I wrote a letter a day for one whole week. I have not written for two or three day because I have been so busy. Those school teachers came from Enid, and have never been here before. One is a sweet looking girl, but although you have not kept your promise, I have not went with another girl yet. You said you were in love with Okla. and people here. Don't you think you could make it stronger.

"There was a good fight between Albert Powell, and Coal Oil Johnnie (that's me) in front of the P.O. this week it was a good scrap. Both got black eyes. Say, Connie, what will you take for your claim. I remember you said you would take $1,000 for it but look at me.

"I don't believe you are getting all my letters because you fail to answer some of my (unexpectant) questions.

"I guess they are going to have a good time here the fourth. The are going to hold meetings in the square tonight, but it is quite cool here, and looks like rain. I haven't been out in the country lately. Essie is working for Panner and Humphray. Connie, you have got to get a position here in town when you come back.

"The girls are not going to have that ball game, because some of the people kicked. I will close for today. Yours Ever, J. C. McClure. P. S. You have not said word about that picture. Whether I am to have one." -- MORE John McClure Letters To Grandma
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