Volume 11 , Issue 33

Insight Into Grandma & John C. McClure

The Summer of 1905, July 5 thru 24th, finds Constance Warwick near Vanderpool, Virginia, staying with Uncle Paul Warwick and cousins at Mountain Grove, Virginia.

John C. McClure is working in Alva, Oklahoma Territory, at the First National Bank, and writing everyday to his Sweetheart (S.H.), Miss Constance Warwick. Did Constance feel the same way about John? Does absence make the heart grow fonder?

We know that Constance's father (John R. Warwick) and mother (Signora Belle Guinn Warwick) were in Alva, O.T., living 6 miles South of Alva, in Oklahoma Territory, in the Liberty school district area.

July 5, 1905 -- The envelope is addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, Va. It begins, "Alva, Okla. Wed. Eve., Miss Constance Warwick, Dear Girlie, The great 4th of July is over. Although I hoped they would have a good time here I must say that I considered it very bum.

"The speaking did not amount to a hill of beans. Dr. Fischer was to have given an address but was sick. Claud McCrory was chairman and read the D. of Independence. There was a ball game in the afternoon which was real bum. There was also a horse race out about two miles but nobody went to see. They just walked back and forth. Every boy from the country had a girl. There was no fire works in the evening. A dance capped the day. It was a model day. All the stores were open all day.

"I saw Miss Forbis just to speak to her. Say Mrs. Heron has changed all of her pictures out of her windows and among them are yours and Miss Johnsons. Connie, why don't you send me one. If you don't I will never look at you again. Now, SH., I think it is just fine.

I have not had a letter from you lately. Have you thought how fast those kisses are adding up? We have had a terrible big day and I have to work tonight. So bye, S.H."

July 11, 1905 -- This letter begins, "Alva, O.T. Mon. Eve., Miss Constance Warwick, Dear Sweet Heart, I received a letter from you today. You have been keeping your promise real good lately. I have not written for a day or two. I was sick all day, and then Lowe is gone on his vacation so it keeps us working.

"You asked me what picture I wanted. Gee I want them all. Yours especially or I take you. How would that suit you. You asked what I wanted to Essie for. I just wanted to talk over old tines. Say I believe you have a fellow in Virginia. You stay in Virginia this winter if you dare. You may go to school, if you go to the right kind. Do you remember that I wanted you to study music.

"We have had quite a bit of rain here lately, and it is real cool today. Say you do know what I asked you about your claim. You had better tell me. They are having Sun Evening services in the square now. I should like to have been in Virginia at your party. Is that cousin Lucy of yours good looking.

"They have started to thrash wheat here now, and some is coming in to market. Say, I believe my kissing proposition scared you, didn't it. I have to go back and work tonight so bye bye. Yours affectionately, J. C. McClure."

July 13, 1905 -- Wednesday morning, Alva, O.T., Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, Va., Dear Girl, I will answer your letter rec'd yesterday. It is &:00 o'clock. I have had my breakfast, been to the P.O. did not receive a letter from my S.H.

"I guess the reason your letter did not suit me was that I was a little out of sorts. I won't roast you any more for not writing every day.

"I am expecting every dat to receive a picture from Va. You have my promist that you shall have mine as soon as I can get them. Now it is up to you. I was thinking last night, perhaps I was the only one that had to fork over a picture for a picture, but I'll do it if has to be done.

"I do not believe your mama would care how much you flirted with your cousins beaux. You didn't ask me if I cared or not. Have all the fun you can.

"The banker's are going to play the Normal boys tonight. Troy Curl, and Otho Hiat (sic) are going to go to Portland Friday morning.

"Lowe is not back yet. He did not say a word about our going to any of the clerks, or when he was going to be back. Summer school will be out this week and the school moms will go. I will close. Yours Affectionately, John."

July 19, 1905 -- "Tuesday, Eve, Alva, O.T., Miss Constance Warwick, My Darling Girl, I rec'd your letter telling of your misfortune on account of high water. I did not receive a letter Sun. or Mon. The Bank examiner has been here so, I have had to work hard. I arose 3:30 Sun. morning and went to Capron to visit; came back Sun. Eve on the 11 o'clock.

"Connie, every time I go past Mrs. Herons window, I do wish I had one of your pictures. Connie, if you know what I do you owe me a picture just as much as I do you. But I should think if you think any thing of me you would not take the owing part in consideration and if you don't, I think we have went together long enough. You certainly shall have one of mine as soon as I get them.

"The summer school is out, and institute has commenced. The Enid girls have gone home. Three homely girls took their places. I don't like them at all. There are also two boys there. I am sick of boarding anyway.

"Lowe spent a week visiting down at Lawton. Don't ask what it was that I referred to in the beginning of the letter for I could not tell. Another friend is in the deal. I must know you are not to blame. I will close for this time and will try to write a letter each day. Lovingly Yours, John."

July 22, 1905 -- This was a two-page letter with a small, yellow-aged news clipping inside which read:

"Mrs. Mattie Hooper, wife of Z. Hooper, living near Kiowa, Kansas, died shortly after 6 o'clock Sunday evening of cancerous trouble, at 235 Dodge Avenue, Wichita. She leaves a husband and three daughters, all of which are grown. The remains were shipped to Kiowa yesterday. The interment will be in the Kiowa cemetery. Mrs. Hooper had been under treatment at the hospital for several months past, and there was little hope for her recovery. She was the mother of Miss Annie Hooper who is well known in Alva, and her many friends here join those at Kiowa and vicinity in extending sincere sympathy tot he bereaved family. Mrs. Hooper was a splendid woman, much loved and respected by all who knew her."

John's letter begins, "Wed. Eve, Little Dearie, I told you I was going to write you a letter today and I am going to do it. I did not get a letter from you today. One more kiss. you will sure have some sore lips when you get home.

"It has been fearfully hot today. It was over a hundred in the shade yesterday. I saw Miss Merchant back today. Lowe said he was over there last night. Guess I will go over some night. Do you care?

"I don't see what those people can worry about you for. Just as though I could not attend to one little girl. If I don't get a picture tomorrow, I'm going to steal that one from Mrs. Heron. No I ain't either. You have got to give me one.

"When are you coming home? You have stayed away long enough. If you come at night I will meet you. If you don't. Drop me a kaird (sic) so I will know where to find the birdie. Don't tell anyone but me when you are coming. "One of the kids that boards down at the shcack is a Mr. Boman. His sister is also there. I will close for this time. Write every day. Yours affectionately, John."

July 23, 1905 -- "Alva, O.T. Mon. Eve, Dearest Little Girl, I did not get a letter from you today. I guess you are disgusted with me, or have received some of those wicked little letters.

"It is cool here this evening. Rained some this forenoon. I was out in the county yesterday afternoon. Did not see very many people. Saw that Snyder fellow with one of the Knox girls. You know he is the fellow that wrote you so many letters (latest). That is the reason I received so few when I was in Illinois. I wonder what you will say when I tell you that I got a letter from one of those Enid girls. The two Corbin girls both have fellows from Avard. Nellie is at home now and Peters is working with a thrashing machine.

"Say, yo ought to be ashamed to dun a little school boy for $90. I went to church in the Park by my lonesome. I was down to see the photographer last Sat. Eve. I guess it will be two or three weeks before I get my pictures. You have got yours, and I suspect all your friends in O.T. have one except your bestess friend.

"Mr. and Mrs. Stine start on their trip west in the morning. I wish you would start on yours. I will close with a kiss. Yours Affectionately, John McClure." -- MORE John McClure Letters To Grandma
  |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

---