Sarah Ann (Jobe) Copple Myers Descendants

Many of our family have left us a legacy of personal writings (Bible entries, diaries, letters, memoirs), which help us to visualize their daily lifes. We have attempted to collect as many of these letters as possible. By strolling downward, you may slowly linger over each one or quickly jump to a particuliar group. Have a 'writing' to post, please e-mail Freida Wells or myself, Ann Brown.

1. Interview: Menifee (Copple) Cullen and Marjorie Irene (Copple) Nelson Fairley

2. My Early Years by Mary Alice (Puckett) Null Hoskins

3. My Siblings by Mary Alice (Puckett) Null Hoskins

4. My School Days in Chautauqua County, Kansas by Clarence D. Forbes

5. My Recollections of Grand Dad Copple by John Max Henderson

6. Memories of Copple Cafe by John Max Henderson

7. Biography of John Max Henderson (July 30, 2006)
   --Place Christian Church Installation: John, along with 3 others, installed as Elder Emeritus

8. 1944 Letter from Richard Warren Null while in armed forces

9. 1948 Letter from Mary Augusta (Myers) Puckett to a friend/neighbor

10. 1954 Letters of recomendation sent to Mary Alice Null by Mrs. J. E. Legleiter, landlord (2 letters)

11. 1961/62 Letters from Alfred Hoskins to wife, Mary Alice and daughter Freida

12. 1962 Letter from LeRoy Ward 'Bud' Puckett to sister, Mary Alice (Puckett) Hoskins

13. Several Letters Written 1962-1964
    -- by Nadine Louise (Puckett) Thorne/ Kocher/ Baxter (1917-1965)

14. Several Letters Written 1964-1973
    -- by Viola (Puckett) Howe (1900-1973)

15. 1980 Letter From Eddie Lee Kocher (1939-1983)to his aunt, Mary Alice (Puckett) Null Hoskins

16. Christmas Card notes Written 1986-1993
    by Larry Eugene Forbes (1937-2002) to his aunt, Mary Alice (Puckett) Null Hoskins

17. 1990 Letter From Clarence Dean Forbesto his aunt, Mary Alice (Puckett) Null Hoskins

18. Essay - Caring For the Family Tree by Tracy Pickering

Interview: Menifee (Copple) Cullen - Marjorie Irene (Copple) Nelson Fairley

1920's -1940's, Sedan, Chautauqua Co., Kansas

"Early Memories with Min" by Marjorie (Copple) Cullen

Games of hide and seek when we were in grade school (and it would have to be that year or so when we were at home between the two cafes).

Walking around to Greens' with aluminum pains to get mild from their cows. However it seem that I remember that Dad had a cow of his own to milk????

You and Thelma singing a duet, "Whispering Hope". How I used to fix yours and Thelma's hair by ratting it on the sides over the ears.

The family's trips to Arkansas. One trip I remember we visited the Joneses there in Joplin--Louise was your age; then there was the older girl more Muriel's age and the boy. There was a park close by where we used to go and a swimming pool. Buying those kaki knee pants and shirts for the trip.....in Independence.

Our trip to California that year, remember Dad's scaring us with his driving? One time he went to sleep at the wheel--luckily it happened on flat land (that was on our way home from California). At times it seemed Dad never used a brake--you just hung on for dear life. Our first night out on the that trip we stayed over-night in Winfield--50 miles--of course we got a late start.

Our visits to Aunt Minnie's and I can remember how I really enjoyed eating those noon dinners at the Boarding House across from Aunt Minnie's. It was such a treat to go down to Elgin--Madlyn and her bicycle--and she would let us ride it. We had so much fun on the skating rinks...there was one that came each summer under a tent--hadn't the girl married a Sproul--and then the last one where we really did a lot of skating and we thought it was pretty fancy skating. Dale Chappell was one of the good skaters. Harold Featheringill was a good skater as i recall.

What about those early morning tennis games with Raymond Hutton and Harold? In the summer we would get up about 5 a.m. And, don't forget those dances we used to go to our on the hill. As I remember you were going with Boyd Wright.

It was through your effort that I officially had my first date-- and it was with Randall. He wanted me to go to the show with him and you persuaded Mother to let me go. I can't say that I had her consent, tho', when we would sneak (?) off and meet, along with Themla, Roy Stone, your friend Jack London that had the same name as the English writer, and Tommy Roebuck.

Our double dates with Feather and Harold. We played cards but I have trouble remembering the name of the game. We four would listen together to wrestling matches on the radio, basketball, football and baseball games. We four went to our first "Talkie" down at Tulsa. Can't remember the name of the picture but think it had to do with a court trial???? And I'm sure you remember the Fourth of July picnics four or five of us would go on.

Then in the summer of '33 you made a visit to Kansas from D. C. where you were working for the Internal Revenue Service. I had just been put on furlough few months earlier and you made the arrangements with your department that I could be transferred to the Treasury Department if I passed a certain test on my return with you to D. C. Harold, you and I drove to Oklahoma City and we filled out the necessary papers there to release me for the transfer. Harold and I had been married a little over a year, the depression was in full swing and I really needed a job. Thanks to you I got one. And remember our 13- block walk each morning and evening from Rhode Island Apts. to the Internal Revenue Building?

After Harold joined us in '34, remember the poker games we would have on the week-ends...the 3 couples of us. We six ate together a lot on Sundays and would get together and listen to the popular radio programs then.

Muriel's and Dee's wedding in August, 1934--and the honeymoon to Chicago in the new car you had just bought--on our way to Kansas. The World's Fair was going on in Chicago that year.

I can't say that bookkeeping course we took through the Internal Revenue Service made a big difference in my life, but I'm sure that is wasn't for nothing. 'Member our trip to Atlantic City?

Then yours and Tommie's wedding on June 15, '35. Harold was Tom's best man. I have the write up in the Sedan Times Star of your marriage, which I want you to have if you don't have a copy. I couldn't remember of Nina Fields being there, but the paper says so. I remember the first apartment you two lived in. At one of our get-togethers, we girls forgot to put coffee in the coffee pot--remember?

So many good memories with you.

Then is 1936 we felt we had to go back to Kansas to be closer to Harold's Dad who had been seriously ill. I got a transfer to Wichita and things really changed. Our family soon came along and I became a mother and housewife.... a job I have really enjoyed.

Remember the gas light that swung on the wall from one room to another? Peeking thru the transom between the dining room and living room at Ara and her boyfriend---was it Gene or Pearl Green? The player piano that the folks bought and we go so much enjoyment out of it?

We used to sway clothes as I remember. We were in High School together for a year. Remember Mother was coming down to the house at 6:45 to take us to the store for breakfast and then off to school. After your graduation in '26 you went updatair4s over ths store to work in Mr. Robbins office as his secretary. Remember the big flood when there was not crossing the Caney river south of town and how busy we were at the cafe?

Mother and I drove up to Chillicothe and visited you and Muriel while you were going to Chillicothe Business College the summer after I graduated from high school. I believe you left for your Government job in D. C. about that time. I remember we went out of town for dinner and dancing--can't remember the name of the town, though.

Tommie's article in the Washington Post on those hair nets you wore (everybody does, or did)."

My Early Years by Mary Alice (Puckett) Null Hoskins

1920's and 1930's in Kansas

Since I’m the youngest, I can’t write to much about the early years of my brothers and sisters since there was a lot of age difference.

1921 - Nadine, Mary, Ed Puckett and their dog, Cappy
Taken in Eligin, Kansas

My oldest sister “Vi” married at the age of 22, the year I was born. “Bud” was 19 years old, “Gail” 15, “Burgess” 11 and Nadine 5 years old when I was born.

Mom had a boy, girl, boy, girl about every 5 years after Bud was born. I was suppose to be a boy. My brother Burgess was expecting a kid brother to pay with as he was surrounded on both sides by sisters. I was a “Tom Boy”, dressed in overalls and wore a cap when I could find someone else’s to wear that is.

Our dog use to dig a hole under the fence so he could follow Burgess and his friends while they rode bicycles or went to the river, after Cappy (the dog) got the hole dug I went under the fence and out the same hole. I headed for town. We lived about 3 blocks from where Dad worked at “Home Trading Store.” I never did get all the way to the store. Rita Haddican worked at the telephone office, she always managed to see me and called my Mother and she would send Gail to come and get me, but I kept trying.

1925 Mary Alice Puckett

I can remember the year I got my red tricycle. My Dad played Santa Claus at the Methodist church that year. I can also remember the time I was baptized at the Episcopal church. The priest picked me up out of the pew, carried me under is arm like a sack of potatoes to the fount. He sprinkled a cross on the top of my head, with water running all directions off my head. He carried me back and set me in the pew. I was 3 ½ or 4 years old. I think at the same time that my brothers and sisters were confirmed. (Bud, Gail, Burgess and Nadine.)

I was wearing shoes with holes in the soles and to keep from getting my socks dirty or wear an extra hole in them I had made a card board insoles to wear until Dad had time to half sole them. (Sometimes when he half soled them he didn’t get all the tacks flattened and they stuck to your foot). So I learned how to use the shoe last and tack hammer to take care of these tacks that giving me trouble. Then thank God we stared buying “Glue On” rubber soles. The trouble with them was, sometimes they came loose at the toe, and to keep them from folding back on you when you walked, you learned to do a sort of “Goose Step” this slapped the sole back toward your shoe and if you were quick and got your foot down, it didn’t turn back on you to where you walked on it."

My family was a close knit family, my folks wanted their kids to come home for Sunday dinner if they lived close enough to get there. If they lived 100 miles they came home on Saturday and spent the weekend. It was like a family reunion every Sunday. While I was still at home I helped Mom get ready for the weekend. We baked cakes on Friday, picked chickens (Dad raised his own frying chickens). We went to the store and got the grocery shopping out of the way. Saturday Mom made pies, apple for Dad and cherry for Lee Kocher.

On Sunday after dinner (during summer) we always made ice cream. Some of the son’-in-laws would go down to the ice house to get a block of ice. Someone would go to the garage and get the ice cream freezer and salt while Mom and some of the rest of us were in the kitchen. Mom made a vanilla pudding base for the ice cream. I made chocolate syrup (Ralph always had to have a choc syrup or some of Mom’s strawberry preserves on his ice cream). Nadine sometimes made apple dumplings. Gail got out the dishes and spoons.

The block of ice was put in gunny sack and chopped by using the flat side of the axe, while some of the son-in-laws took turns turning the crank, some of the kids took turns sitting on the freezer (on another gunny sack) to hold the freezer steady when the ice cream begin to freeze and the handle hard to turn. We sometimes went fishing on Sunday afternoons. One Sunday we brought home frog legs and lots of sun perch and had a big fish fry for supper. Those frog legs were weird jumping around the pan. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~ajobebrown/jobe/letters_copple_myers.html

After I graduated from high school and eventually went to work in Wichita I still came home on weekends every chance I got(rode the bus, she never learned to drive a car). We always raised some garden and in summer Mom canned everything she could. Dad built a big cabinet in the back bedroom that Mom called “The Peach Cubbard”. We bought 3 bushel of peaches every year. I sat and peeled peaches till my hands shriveled from being wet all the time and peach juice ran down my arms and dripped of my elbows.

1942 Mary's Graduation Picture

We canned chicken which we killed and plucked and cut up nite before. We usually did about 9 at a time. I got to the point after a chicken canning session I couldn’t stand the sight of a piece of fried chicken.

Mom also made picklelilli, peach marmalade, jellies, strawberry preserves, chow chow and etc. She never had any luck canning peas or corn, it always “Went Bad” on her, and when anything “Went Bad” you could smell it every time you walked by the “Peach Cubbard” (chicken pew!) so Dad made racks out of old window screens and cheese cloth and dried corn and peas.

One time he bought corn and made hominy, it turned out ok. One time he made sour kraut, it “Went Bad”. He used to make hot tamales, bar-b-cue sauce, etc. He used to make the bar-b-cue sauce they used during the county fair. He had a big lard can he sat on the stove on the porch. He poured gals of tomato sauce, packages of brown sugar, etc. The one ingredient that really made an impression me (a 12 year old) was a whole pound of butter. This was still ‘Hard Time Years” and whole pound of butter at once?

My Siblings by Mary Alice (Puckett) Null Hoskins

Laura Viola Puckett

Laura 'Viola' worked as a telephone operator in Elgin, Kansas before she got married. She met and married Lee Howe of Hewins. They lived in Elgin, Hewins, and someplace in Missouri, coming back to Hewins when Kenneth Lee was small.

The lived in Sedan awhile and then back to Hewins. Vi bought the franchise for the Telephone office at Hewins. She washed on board for her family and other people. It was “hard Times” in the 1930’s

Laura and Lee Howe
1941 Pioneer's Edition of the Sedan Times Star

She loved to go to dances on Saturday nite and did when she could. She was always busy, crocheting or embroidering-sewing etc. She was a very hard worker.

After they moved to Kingsley Kansas in 1950 she worked at café’s as a waitress. She still crocheted and sewed for other people. She died at age 73 years old.

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Leroy Ward 'Bud' Puckett

Leroy “Bud” worked for C. C. Houston at Elgin his last year of high school. After finishing high school he went to work for Continental Supply at Madison, Kansas. He traveled a lot for the company being transferred where they needed him.

LeRoy's Graduation Picture 1921-1922

He was sent to Calgary, Alberta Canada where he met and married Agnes Helen Law. She said she thought he was a rich American because he dressed so well. (Homberg hats and camel hair top coat) He spent all his money on clothes.

They were married in August of 1930. The Stock Market Crash” cause a depression and he was laid off. They came to Sedan and he worked with Dad and also got out and “Rode the Rails” looking for work. Came back to Sedan and got a job at the Chevrolet garage where he worked until Continental Supply called him back to work.

The sent him to Elmwood, Kansas, Hutchinson, Kansas, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Cody, Wyoming, Odessa, Texas, and finally ended up in Dallas, Texas. He was company auditor (having gone to college classes while living in Wyoming.) They sent him (out of Dallas) to Alcan Hiway in Canada to open a new store. To New York on export and import for company. Later he was to go to South America for them.

Bud liked photography and took a lot of photos. He even had his own development equipment and dark room when they lived in Dallas. A lot of the family photos we have today were taken and developed by him.

When he retired he was planning on living where he could fish for trout and play golf. By now he and his wife were divorced (she said he was married to his job.) He died a few months after he retired at age 65, (he died in his sleep.)

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Alma Gail Puckett

Alma Gail married Ralph Forbes during her senior year of school, so she did not graduate. He first son was born in Elgin in 1927. My folks moved to Independence where he (Dad) had a job in a grocery store. Gail and Ralph later followed us and lived with us at 1101 N 8th St. till he got a job working at the Mitchell City Park.

Later he drove a bread truck for Mitchell Bakery and they lived on Sycamore Street about the 1100 block. By then my folks had moved to Sedan, Kansas to put in the “Wager Wall Paper and Paint Store.”

Alma Gail (Puckett) Forbes (1942/1943)

Later Gail and Ralph moved to Sedan and Ralph worked in the oil fields, lived on farm and raised pigs and worked at Boeing in Wichita during WW II.

They lived in Winfield, Kansas. Larry (their youngest son born in Sedan) attended grade school and C. D. (Clarence Dean) the oldest attended high school and worked as projection operator at the Zile Theatre. He joined the Navy at age 17 ( and didn’t finish high school, but later did thru G. E. D..) He was an aviation ordinance mate in aircraft carrier Antietam. He didn’t go to Guam till he was 18 in August of 1945.

After the war they bought a farm south of Sedan and lived there till Ralph’s health forced them to sell and they moved to Casa Grande, Arizona for awhile. Ralph hated it there and they moved back here to live.

Larry also joined the Navy and aboard an aircraft carrier after he graduated from high school in early 50’s. Larry played football, was in class play junior and senior year, worked delivering ice in summer time.

Gail moved to Wichita and lived with C. D. and Ruth after Ralph died. Then she came back to Sedan and lived with Alfred and I for 2 - 3 years then went back to Wichita. She met and married William “Blue” Masters. They lived in McCook, Nebraska for awhile where Larry and his family lived. Later they moved back to Wichita. Gail loved to play bingo and her and Blue went to Bingo games all the time. She was playing bingo the nite she had her heart attack and died at age 71 years.

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Burgess Madison Puckett

Burgess went to work as a teenager when we first moved to Sedan. (1929) He worked at Harmon’s Drug Store about 12 years. He had a friend George Tole who worked at Fishes Drug Store across the street and they both loved to tap dance and got a routine together where they went different places to dance.

Burgess at age 17 (1929)

I can remember one Jubilee they came out from behind their soda fountains and took off their aprons and appeared on the platform and danced for the people both wearing thru while “soda jerk” uniforms, both wet across their middles where they had gotten we washing soda glasses and ice cream dishes.

It was a hot nite and both drug stores were doing a big business. The Jubilee was a pre “Fair” booster thing and they had contest, stage performances, street dance, etc. The street was roped off going north past the Huffman hotel to the intersection south of the court house. A good time was had by all.

Burgess worked at swimming pool as a life guard, the old “El Sito” at the city lake. When he and wife Marjorie left Sedan they moved to Parsons Kansas where he was a guard at the ordinance plant during WW II. Later they moved to K. C. Kansas where he worked for the railroad. Then they moved to Wichita where he worked for Boeing where he died at the age of 45 years.

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Nadine Louise Puckett

Nadine use to sing a lot of solos at church and school. She once learned to sing “Silent Night, Holy Night” in German. She was left handed and they tried to teach her to use her right had. The folks bought a funny looking musical instrument called a “Ukelin”. You could pick it and play it with a bow. It was to help Nadine learn to use her right hand. She never did learn to use her right had and I don’t know whether she ever learned to play the Ukelin or not. I never saw her even try it. I use to play with it, pretended it was a ship.

Nadine Louise Puckett (1929-1930)

She had lots of problems in her life. She married at age 16 (Harold Thorn) and was a mother of a baby girl (Frances Jean) at 17, divorced by 18 and remarried (Lee Kocher) by 19 and became the mother of 3 more boys. She lived in Sedan and Wichita where her husband worked for Boeing. They later moved to Winfield, Kansas where she ran a restaurant at edge of Winfield, east side.

When her husband died, her and 2 of her boys still ran the restaurant. She met and married John Baxter, sold the restaurant and moved to Milo, Missouri where she died of a heart attach still a young woman at the age of 47 years old.

My School Days in Chautauqua County, Kansas by Clarence D. Forbes

1930's and early 1940's, Sedan, Chautauqua Co., Kansas

"My first grade teachers name was Miss Miner, the second grade teachers name was Miss Myback and the third grade teachers name was Miss Pauline Casteel and the Principal and 6th grade teacher was Mr. Comstock. He was mostly bald with red hair and they all taught at Magga Kilmer school in Sedan.

In the classes were Ruth McCullough, Donna June Miller, Betty Fox, Donald Tharp, Jack Polk, Holt Denman, Richard Potter and a Host of others. In 1937 we moved to a farm house 1/8 miles of Limestone school. I was in the 4th grade. There was 5 Bruner kids, one Wilson boy, two McAfee kids, two that I don’t remember their last names but one was Roy and he had lost the tip of his fore finger in an accident and their was 2 Clifford kids and me.

Our teacher was Mrs. Ester D. Clarke, she and her husband lived straight east of Limestone about 1 ½ miles on north side of road. My brother Larry Forbes were born June 18, 1937 and we moved to the farm the latter part of August. I turned 10 years old on the 27th. School started after Labor Day and we went to school for 8 months so school was out the last Friday of May.

The school had a cistern for water and the water came from rain on south side of the roof there was a charcoal filtering system where water went into the cistern. There was a small horse barn on the south west property that was open on the south side for the horses that the Bruner’s rode and maybe the Wilson boy there was 3 stalls and room for hay.

In July of 1938 the men moved the cistern off the hole there was little water in it so they lowered Vernon Clifford and I into the cistern to clean it out. We scooped the water into a bucket and when we got all of it out, they lowered some water for us to clean the bottom with.

I don’t remember the class sizes, but I know Dola Fern Bruner and the Wilson boy and I made up the 4th grade. Lois Bruner and Roy’s brother made up the 6th grade. Levona Bruner and Roy made up the 6th grade. I believe the Clifford (Vernon) might have been in the 6th grade too.

In the summer time we would go fishing at Fletcher Ford west of Elgin on the big Caney river. There was the Bruner’s, Roy and Leona Petty, the McAfee and us the Forbes’. We would take turns getting bait and doing the chores for the bait getters.

One time Dad and I had gone downstream from the Ford and we caught a 56 lb river cat. We had it weighed on Ackerman’s certified scales. In the fall of 1939 Dad was plowing Clifford’s wheat field and plowed up a chipmunk it was out like a light so I took it home and put it in a bird cage. I entered it in the parade for the fair and won a $1.00 for second place as most unusual pet. I hid the $1.00 so I would have it for the fair, but forgot where I hid it. We found it when we got ready to move, I hid it on the ledge of our kitchen table (which I still have.)

Fur season was December and January. The hunting and fishing were from 1 July till June 30th back then. Dad hunted and had traps that he set in the bluffs for Possum, skunks and coon. He had a black and tan hound that we called “Major”, Dad let me take Major and the single shot rifle to the plum thicket one eve about dark and we got 3 possum. Dad also hunted for coyote dens in the spring when he wasn’t working on the W.P.A.

One day he took one of Mom’s old silk stockings and out 2 oranges in one side and two apples in the other side and tied the stockings closed and threw it around his neck in order for the fruit not to freeze. When he came home that evening he had 10 baby coyotes in the stocking. Dad always had a fishing hook in his billfold and he cut a stick long enough to reach the pups and tied the hook on the end and he got 10 pups that way and that meant $1.00 because of the bounty on the coyotes.

I don’t remember anything going on at school but we did miss the three that was going to Sedan. Sometime after school started we moved a mile south and ½ mile east of Limestone school. Dad asked if I could continue that year at Limestone and they said yet we were ¼ miles east of their line and into the Fowler school district.

I talked Dad out of 3 traps that I set that winter, he said not to run them of morning, look at them on the way home after school. I set them on west side of the north gulley, the south one by Spires house wasn’t deep enough. I could look down on them when I was going to school. One morning after a snow I couldn’t find one trap but I noticed movement and it was an almost while skunk. I think we got $25.00 for it. Where most skunks were from $10.00 to $15.00.

I had ½ miles west to walk and then one full mile north to Limestone. I finished the 5th grade at Limestone, then that September I started to go to Fowler school. I walked ¼ mile to Hiway K99 then one full mile to Fowler, it was all to the east of the house. I remember Grandpa Puckett coming out and checking the field corn he wanted to make hominy and Dad said he didn’t have any white corn, Grandpa said that OK I’ll use yellow. Dad never heard of yellow hominy but he sure ate a lot of it. It was good. Of course today you can buy either or both.

Fowler school had windows on both north and south side of school house and a garage all made of stone and it had black jack trees on south that helped shade the building. Limestone just had windows on the south. Some time during my 6th grade year, the folks moved to Peru and I rode to and from school with the teacher, she lived in Sedan. I was living with the Grand folks, Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Puckett.

I helped the teacher sweep, wash blackboards and dust the erasers. There was more girls than boys going to Fowler. I don’t remember anything about going to Fowler that was exiting. I do remember we had to watch for snakes when going to the outhouse. I finished the 6th grade at Fowler and went to Peru to live with the folks for the summer but Dad didn’t want me going to Peru school system. I don’t know why, he never would say way.

When the school year started I moved back with the Grand parents this was the fall of 1940 and went to the 7th grade in Sedan. I took up snare drums and my aunt Mary Alice Puckett taught the class. The school year went smoothly and then I was in the 8th grade and up until December of 1941 I lived with the Grand folks. Then Dad and Grandpa went to Boeing in Wichita and got jobs as painters. They put a sealant on the gliders that Boeing was building. Dad rented a little place in Winfield for us but I finished the 8th grade living with Grandma Puckett. We were a family again after school was out.

I don’t know when they closed the country schools or when the Limestone building was moved to within a mile of Sedan. They put it on the west side of Hiway. After my discharge from U. S. Navy the folks bought the old Golden place south of town. I married Ruth McCullough, we had three boys and 2 girls, one of the girls had rheumatic fever and died in 1973, then in 1986 the youngest son was electrocuted under his house so we had our problems but we used to drive around down the south of Sedan , the Limestone school was gone, Fowler was empty. My great grandson has a desk that I made have used when at Fowler, and High Rock was turned into a house.

Ruth is gone now, she Jackie and Danny are getting to know one another with my folks and Larry and most of her family. Ruth had Parkinson’s for the last 9 years and I’ve had open heart surgery and I’m 76 years old, but I’m not ready to go yet."

My Recollections of Grand Dad Copple by John Max Henderson

1930's and early 1940's, Sedan, Chautauqua Co., Kansas

Cousin Beverly called me by telephone June 13, 1994 and asked if I would write about some of my memories of Grand Dad Copple for the Copple reunion in Atlanta, Georgia. They are intermingled with memories of Grand Mother Copple, so I will be mentioning both. As I try to remember my memories, it's difficult to separate them from what I have been told.

Photo: John and Lena Copple

I first remember going by the restaurant after being taken to the doctor to have my knee lanced because of an infection due to a bee sting. We were living in Sedan at the time, we did so for about the first four years of my life. Much to do was made about the whole affair. Why did we go to the restaurant? Because waking hours were spent at the restaurant and sleeping hours at the home. Our grand parents were at the restaurant by day break and until bed time seven days of the week.

They worked very hard and I can remember staying with them by myself when I was older. I don't remember why, but they set up a bed for me in their bedroom and the minute their heads hit the pillow they were asleep, snoring very loudly but in perfect unison. I realized how tired they were and did not disturb them and soon I would fall asleep, too. When I awakened the next morning they were already gone and I was to walk up to the restaurant as per previous instructions and eat my breakfast.

I can remember Grand Dad sitting on a stool in the storage area of the restaurant with a bucket of water and and a bucket of potatoes and peeling them so they could make those mouth-watering hash browns.

I could have almost anything in the restaurant tha I wanted to eat, the only stipulation was that I wouldn't ruin my appetite before a meal and that I ask for it first. I came up with some strange concoctions, but I always managed to eat them for fear that next time I wouldn't get the OK.

Whenever we came to visit I was always given the OK to clean out under the shelves behind the eating counter for loose change that was dropped and rolled under the shelves. I always had to share it with Barbara even though she didn't help. I realized later in life that was a way of giving money to us but we were earning it. I also found out later that the help was to pick up any money they dropped. Later, this event was dropped probably because of fairness to the other Grand Children that had arrived. About the same time when we were leaving to go back home Grand Mother would grab a sack and start filling it with goodies and with Grand Dad's urging would fill it up to be eaten on the way home. Mother usually tried to get us to save some for later.

Grand Dad had a hand operated machine with which he made his own cigarettes. He loved to pitch horseshoes. He wore elastic bands on each sleeve of his long sleeved shirts in the biceps area. He had a full head of black hair with a small balding spot on the very back. He had a steel bristled hair brush to comb his hair and i can still remember him brushing his hair just before leaving to go to the movie.

Speaking of going to the movies, whenever I was staying with the grand parents by myself, I would go with one of them one night and the other the next night. It didn't matter whether the movie was different or not. They took turns staying at the restaurant and when we returned from the movie they closed.

While we were living at Aliceville they brought us two little pigs. I can remember Dad butchering one of them and the other one had 13 piglets later. The sow either ate or squashed six of them. When we were going to leave to move to LaFountain Dad tried to sell them. Each pig would fill a gunny sack. He finally got a dollar out of each of them.

As we were going to Sedan in a snow storm, near Moline, Dad pulled over too far when meeting a car and we hit a concrete culvert. The car was damaged but none of us were hurt. Grand Dad came with a wrecker and his car and took us to their house. The next day, Sunday, Grand Dad got the garage to repair our car so we could go back that night so Dad could work the next day. This was BS, before Sandra.

While Uncle Al and Aunt Myrna were living at Gridley we headed for Sedan after a rain storm and had to ford a stream. We were in two different cars. We weren't suppose to tell anyone that we forded the stream, but someone finally told.

I can remember walking Beverly around the block many times at the restaurant. She just could walk. There wasn't really very much to do at the restaurant except eat and sit. I did keep the pop cooler full.

Christmas Eve I would get very anxious waiting to go to the house to open presents. Uncle Tommy and Aunt Menifee were there once and Uncle Tommy had a gag gift for all the adults. One year my Grand Parents gave me a box of cheese for a present. It was during the war and hard to come by. The following year I received a nice Bible from them. When I was younger my parents gave me an electric train. I ran it on Christmas day in the storage area of the restaurant because the restaurant was open for business.

I can still see in my minds eye Grand Dad sitting at his rolltop desk at the close of the work day paying bills and recording things for the day.

Grand Dad wore a full haircut and went to the barber shop almost every day and I was right there with him. He would get a shave and if necessary a trim, and always a short nap in the chair. I observed the black shoe shine man quite closely and made a decision right there, that was my chosen vocation. Grand Dad got a laugh out of that.

Grand Dad and Grand Mother weren't able to come to our house often, but I remember them coming to Gridley after Sandra was born. Uncle Harold and Aunt Marjorie and new cousin Gary came with them. A new baby sister was a BIG surprise for me as I didn't know she was to arrive.

One gift that I still cherish and wear is a Cameo ring. My Grand Dad took me to the jewelry store and chose it for my 8th. grade graduation. He also bought me a Panama straw hat. I wore it but always felt like it was for an older person.

Grand Mother, Mother, Barbara and I used to visit Grandma Swinney out on the farm South of Sedan. I can remember eating cantaloupe she had grown. It was larrapin good!!!

I also remember going out to the oil lease South of Sedan (while visiting Grand Dad and Grand Mother Copple) to visit Aunt Ara and Uncle Gene. I remember riding past the pump house and riding over the rod lines. While there I rode Carmen's pony.

Grand Dad loved to play cards and did so with his sons-in-law. Grand Mother didn't like keeping the restaurant open while he played cards, therefore Grand Dad didn't get to play cards very often.

A memorable event took place at our Grand Parents house and guess who was there, yes, we were. Guess who didn't know what was happening? Yes, me, I woke up the morning of Nov. 4, 1934 and found out my first cousin on the Copple side had been born there at the house. You guessed it, it was Beverly.

There were many times that all of the Copple girls and their families were visiting in Sedan. They would close the restaurant and we would eat there. Lots of wonderful food and great fellowship were shared many times. They were a close knit family.

It was October 1946. I had been discharged from the Navy for 2 months. My Grand Parents Copple were retired. They were to come over for the weekend. It looked as though we would be seeing them at our house more and a chance for Grand Dad and I to get reacquainted. On the Saturday morning of Oct. 12, 1946 Mother came upstairs and woke me to tell me Grand Dad had died. Mother's birthday was the following Monday, October 14. I was disappointed that the Sedan businesses did not close during Grand Dad's funeral, even though they wer no longer in business.

Memories of Copple Cafe

1923 - 1945, Sedan, Chautauqua Co., Kansas

Copple Cafe 1937, after the remodel. Sedan, Ks
Original photo in posession of John Max Henderson

COPPLE POP MACHINE

The Copples Lunch pop machine, was about a 3 feet by 5 feet steel tub. The tub stood about 3 feet tall and on the back extending upward about 2 1/2 feet was a rack with about 8 compartments. The compartments stored the warm pop bottles. You would lay the pop bottles in the compartment, one on top of the other, one compartment of grape, one for orange, etc. The tub had about 8 U shaped coils that touched each side and the bottom of the tub. The coils were filled with pop bottles, one for grape, one for orange, etc. The tub was full of water and 50 lbs. of ice. There was a bi-fold lid over the opening that contained the water and ice and two small lids that covered the openings of the coils on either side.

If you wanted a grape pop you would remove a warm bottle from the compartment, open the small lids on either side covering the holes in the coils, push the warm bottle down into the left coil and a bottle would come out on the right of the coil. You took this bottle and repeated this process about five times. You now have a cold bottle of pop that came from the bottom of the tub. There is a bottle opener on the outside front of the chest. Open the bottle and the lid would fall into a bin directly below the opener.

Later you brought pop from the storage area and filled the compartments that stored the warm pop and emptied the small bin of bottle caps in the trash bin in the storage area.

HIRES ROOT BEER

Copples Lunch had Hires Root Beer. A shiny varnished lettered barrel on a counter, with a spigot. They had big Hires glass mugs with Hires printed on the mugs. After washing the mugs you let them drain for a short time and then put them in a chest freezer while the mugs were still damp. When some one ordered a root beer you took a frosted mug and filled it with root beer. It was very tasty.

CHILI

I loved the chili. I would put catsup and mustard in the chili and stir it up. They asked me "why did I put catsup and mustard in my chili". I answered "you put it on hamburgers, why not chili."

MAUDE CUMMINGS

I think Maude worked all the years that my Grand Parents ran the Copples Lunch. She was the closest thing to a relative and still not be one. She learned how to make homemade pies from my Grandmother Lena Copple. In later years when she worked for other Cafes she made their pies. They were just about as good as grand mothers. Grand mother would put a pinch of this and that and some special flavorings. Her pies were out of this world.

Biography of John Max Hendrson

John Max writes:

"Today ( 7/30/06) at the nine o'clock service at Park Place Christian Church; I and three other gentlemen were installed as Elder Emeritus. The attachment is the notes that Son David used at the installation. David added a few notes of his own but I do not have them. My family was there for the service."

Biography Notes:

John Max Henderson was born June 29, 1927 at Sedan, KS. His mother enrolled him in the Cradle Roll department of Sedan Christian Church. She saw to his attendance until 1939 when he became a Christian and was baptized, then he was on his own for attendance. Her attendance and service to God and the church was an inspiration to John.

In October of 1941 his family moved to Dexter, KS where John had the opportunity to be Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon and Elder at the Dexter Christian Church due to a shortage of men in attendance. He was a member of Hi-Y at Dexter High School.

From 1953 to 1958 John and his young family attended Howard Christian Church in southeastern Kansas where he taught school. He was Hi-Y sponsor for 5 years at Howard High—by the 5th year he had all boys, except four, in grades 9-12 in Hi-Y. Each year they hosted a banquet for the Girl Reserves, also a Christian organization for teen girls.

From 1958 to l965 the Henderson’s lived in Larned, Ks where John taught school. John was a Sunday School teacher, a Deacon, an Elder and was on the Building Committee when a new parsonage was built for Minister John Henry Cain and his family.

1965 to present day: Park Place Christian Church at Hutchinson, KS. John has been on a number of committees (some of which he chaired), has been an Usher, Sunday school teacher, Deacon, an Elder and Vice-Chairman of the Board for two years. Has served as chairman of the Audit Committee. He was Church Treasurer in 1992 (ran books manually and by computer for the last six months of his term). He was a Trustee from 1994 to 1997. He established the Tape Ministry to shut-ins in 1984, which is still operating today. Tapes have been sent to members as far away as Africa and within the United States to California. He has been the Memorial Fund Treasurer from 1998 to the present time.

From 1990 to 2000 John volunteered himself and his little red pick-up to the Reno County Food Bank two mornings each week.

John credits his mother for being a devout Christian example with her attendance and service to the Lord and to His church. Wife Joyce has served as an inspiration for the past almost 55 years in sharing her spiritual gifts in service to the Lord and the Church.

1944 Letter from Richard Warren Null while in armed forces

1944

T/5 Richard W. Null
A.S. N. 37214882, Co C./ 878 Aviation Engr Bn, A.P.O. 953 c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, California, U S Army

Postmark July 8, 1944, 2:30 pm

To Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Lee, 520 W. 12th, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Date of Love - City of Wishes
19 Hugs - 44 Kisses
July 6, 1944 - Time 8:15 P.M.

Dear Mom and Lee,

How are all any how? Might fine I hope. As for me, I'm fit as a fiddle. Only sure wish I was in Dallas or K. C. about now. Say that would right on the bean. Don't you think so? Well I sure do.

How's Jess's hip and leg getting along? Very good I hope. Say Mon by the way, there is a fellow that sleeps in the barrack with me who use to work on the Union Pacific Railroad he told me a pretty good joke about a fireman and a conductor. so I'll be you hear it, now no hard feeling or I'm not meaning this toward any one., But as the story goes, there was two women in a club car taking one ask the other one what her husband did on the railroad, she said her husband was a hoghead on the rail road, the other one said well whats a hoghead, the other said, why that's a fireman so the other one said well, my husband most be a hogs ass, cause he's on the rear of the train, he's a conductor. Ha Ha. Pretty good eh?

Sad when Gus told one that I thought I'd rip a gut. Gus the old devil is always giving out with the same thing like that. Really a good guy. He comes from Salt Lake City, Utah. Ask Jess about that about the fireman and the conductor.

Have ou heard from Sis lately Mom? I haven't heard from her for quite some time now. But hope to soon. How about Leona have you heard from her. She Wiate told me that Wenie saved over $500.00 since the fist of February and have one bond in the same period. I think she said the bond was a $50.00 one. That's not bad at all Mom, what do you say? If things go right I'll or well have $2000.00 saved up by the time I get out of the Army, or more if it don't hurry and end before long. God knows I can end tomorrow for as I'm concerned.

Gee Mom I wrote to Grandma and Charles, I never have heard from then, can't figure it out. So if you happen to go down to see them, ask them why they never write.

Have you heard from Hugh lately Mom? I've never heard from him. Don't know why. Butr guess he hasn't had time to write.

Have you heard from Leona lately Mom? Sure hope so, hope ou can go down and see her before long.

Sgt. Frame said to tell you hello, tell his wife that he's fit as a fiddle, and he send all his Love to her.

Well better close for now Mom dear, tell Lee not to work to hard, hope to see you all very soon. So until next time I'll say Good night Mom dear, Good night Lee Sir. To the Sweetest Mom and Dad on Earth

With All My Love and Kisses from your son Richard

Write soon Mom dear

1948 Letter from Mary Augusta (Myers) Puckett

January 25, 1948 - Wichita, Kansas

"Dear Hudson and Glend

Received your letter and was glad to hear from you. I was down Saturday But was in a hurry and did not get to see you. Ed is Better But can not yet get up out of bed. The Dr. said he could not come home till March. I will Be crazy By March. It is hard on me I can’t get out Doors. Hudson When you come to Wichita come to see me, Frances go to Hamilton it is ten Blocks she Like it. I will be glad to get Back to Sedan.

Write Soon
from Puckett"

1954 Letters sent to Mary Alice Null, RR1 c/o A K Forbes Sedan, Kans

April 6, 1954, LaCrosse, Kansas

To Whom It May Concern

Mary Null and family lived in one of our Rental properties for about 2 years then moved into one of our larger places where they lived till they left La Crosse

Any one renting to Mary Null will find her a tenant that Keeps improving where she lives - and does not destroy your property

IN fact they were one of our very best renters, took care of house and yard as it they were their own.

Any one renting to Mary Null will not be sorry.

Mrs. J. E. Legleiter
Las Crosse
Kans

April 8, 1954, LaCrosse, Kansas

Received your letter and am sending references - do hope they help you find a nice place to live.

We are all fine here. So are all of your friends - How is Freda? Suppose you saw announcement pf D. B.’s engagement - sure do grow up. He is in Dental College in K C. Mo. Studying to be a Dentist

Emma and family are fine. She has such nice boys

Best of luck to your

Your friend
Mrs. Legleiter

Several Letters Written 1961 - 1962 by Alfred Hoskins

(Freida Wells - 20 February 2008)
When I was 12 years old, my Dad worked out of town for awhile. He wrote to Mother and I every week. Here is the letters he wrote to us. They are dated July 1961 - February 1962. I do not know what he did with the letters that Mother wrote to him, I did not find them when he passed away.

Mrs. Alfred E. Hoskins
Sedan, Kansas

c/o General Delivery

Arkansas City, Kans. July 7, 1961 11 AM (mailed)
Ark City - July 6, 1961 (written)

Dear Mary and Freida

Just a few lines to let you know that all is Well on this end. Hope these few lines find you the same. Hope to see you come Sat Nite. The address is 108 North C st. c/o Mrs. Downing Telephone no is 1764
Love Alfred

Mrs. Alfred E. Hoskins
Sedan, Kansas

c/o General Delivery

Arkansas City, Kans. July 13 1961 9 PM (mailed)
7/13/61 (written)

Dear Mary & Freida
Just a few lines to let you I am ok and hope these few lines find you the same. Received your letter this evening Was shore glad to here from you all. I am still between the Fire and the pan. Maybe Sat I will know one way or another. I had the Seouls peged as that kind of people Maybe that is how they have so much - Will see you Saturday Alfred

Arkansas City, Kans. Aug 9, 1961 9 P.M. (Mailed)

A. E. Hoskins
108 N C St.
Ark City, Ks

Mrs. A. E. Hoskins
Box 55
Sedan, Kansas

Monday August 7, 1961 (written)

Dearest Wife and Daughter,

Must a few lines to let you know that I made it up here ok and hope these few lines find you all ok.

By the way I arrived here about 7:30 so I have had time to shave so the old Chevy must be running ok it used ½ quart of oil hope it keeps it up.

It is kind of cool up here tonight Maybe I can catch 40 winks. A While ago Some one was looking for Al I think it Was my Boss. But he didn’t come down to the 2nd floor I smelled Work so kept my mother shut. Ha. Ha.

My Throat is holding its own And the Better half is a lot better tonight. I think the corn starch is the best powder you know What I mean Ha. Ha. If Freida reads this letter she may be asking questions.

I got that Corvair Chevy together today But it still Makes the same noise. I kind of think it might have a Broken crank shaft but I will worry about it tomorrow so I will close for tonight. Good nite Mary and lot of OXXOX

Tuesday Eve.

Well I just got out of the bath tub now I am getting a sweet bath have ever it looks like it night be another good nite for sleeping I hope. I forgot to tell you the payment book & papers came for the car yesterday.

Today has been a rather bad day so I had to tear down that wrong end car headed south or some other direction. Any how I found a bad fly wheel on it. I have it back together ready to put back in the car.

By the way I bought another gear for the speed o meter & guess What it Works too

My throat fells better tonight hope it continues to get better.

Well I have to run not anything to gab about so I will say good night & let you go to bed to I love you.

Alfred

Wednesday Eve.

Well I will try to finish this letter. I just got out of the tub & I believe I am making more water than I used to take a bath in. I received your package this evening and already I am try the grease out. My throat is much better this evening.

I got that Corvair finished today and was the fly wheel. ….Over I guess that is about all I know to write about. Real Newsy place this eve.

Hope to see you all Saturday nite
Your Husband
Love Alfred

Arkansas City, Kans. Aug 30, 1961 9 PM (mailed)

A. E. Hoskins
108 N C. St.
Ark City, Kans.

Mrs. Alfred Hoskins
Box 55
Sedan, Kansas

Wednesday Eve Aug 30, 1961 (written)

Dear Mary, Freida & Bruce

Just a few lines to let you know that I received your most welcome letter this eveing Was shore glad to hear from you

This shore has been along week to me anyway it is half gone now I got my car title this Week

Last nite I ran the car in and adjusted the Brakes & Clutch Maybe run it in some other time and adjust the lights and switch the tires.

Just get one car done and in comes another kinda like a chain reaction.

Maybe it the kids realized how much it cost to put them in school they wouldn’t feel like that they were mistreated when they don’t get what they want or to do what eve they want to do.

I found out Why the car jumps out of high gear got a motor mount broken. That Mechanic Shannon is quitting tomorrow so that will leave them with just 2 men on the line.

Herb told me Monday that he didn’t find any body to help me which didn’t make me any difference anyway. It was his Idea not mine. The way I look at it so long as I am it he won’t have another to take my place. Maybe I am selfessh or just $ security.

I picked up a trailor hitch that I thought went to the Chev but it didn’t But with a little Modification it Will. Didn’t cost anything so just as usual took it and put it in the car.

Well guess I had better close for this time. Hope to see you Sat evening.

Love to all
Alfred

A. E. Hoskins
108 N. C St.
Ark. City, Kansas

Mrs. A. E. Hoskins
Box 55
Sedan, Kansas

Aug 23, 1961 (mailed)

Thursday eve. August 17,' 61 (written)

Dear Mary & the Kids

Just a few lines to let you know that I received your letter today was glad to here from you.

These few lines find me about the same.

I shore has been good sleeping Weather up here, and I shore have been taking advantage of it. I have been going to bed any where from 8:15 to 9:00

Monday or Tuesday I had something happen that Was rather amusing to me

Herb brought in a 59 Chev Wagon that had been sold and He Wanted me to go for a ride With him So I started driving and he said When you pull up as if to a stop sign in the Rear end Would Clunk.

So I tried it and shore enough it did so I said that is a rough down shift

I told him that the low band Was applying to hard. Of course he was all set for the worst

Then I went to eat and while eating it hit me as to what might cause it and after 1:00 I check it out & shore enough all that is was, was a vacum hose off of the Modulator Valve. I put it on in about 3 minutes and tried it out it was ok.

Herb was shore surprised and glad He said I didn’t know it has a Modulator Valve on it. He said you shore saved the company a lot of money.

Then Short came out it my stall & said you knew you were back in good graces of the company didn’t you. I said I didn’t know that I wasn’t and kind of let it open for him.

Anyway he got around to comletment me on thinking of the Vac Hose So I guess there is some satisfaction down through the years.

Then the rest of the week has been work and more sharp headaches.

Bruce did you know that cleaning brick was work. I bet you know now Ha! Ha. Well as you can see my pencil ran out of lead so I expect you should hunt up one so I have a pencil.

Freida you can hunt (over) one for me to take back also some paper ok.

Well so much for the gabing as I can get this in the mail.

Lots of Love

Alfred

There were two letters in this same envelope so will just continue with the second one…..

Ark City, Ks. August 21 ‘61 I guess

Dear Mary and Kids

Any how I know it is Mon eve about 2 minutes to 8:00 P.M.

I made it up here ok the car used about 1 at old though any how I felt better knowing that there was oil close at had just in case the oil lite came on.

Hope these few lines find you all ok. Today was a rather quiet day for me.

However I kept busy most of the day. I ran out of anything to do just before lunch. After lunch I waited and waited for Herb to come out of Shorts office and me didn’t. So I went to the office & tapped on the door and Herb came to the door. So I told him I was wanting something to work on. He just laughed and said he would be out after while. So this afternoon I put a pinion sealing a 57 Chev and Balanced a couple of Front Wheels and them just odds and ends.

Oh yes! I found time for my coffee to. Then I drove by the Café & eat a smothered steak & c cups of coffee 70cents worth. And then I came to my room & washed up & shaved so In wouldn’t have that to do in the morning. It is now Ten after 8 so I guss I will close for tonight.

Good nite all
Alfred

Well here it is Tuesday evening so I will try to fill you in on the events of the day.

Well I had to think al little so I could remember ___ I tuned up a little Buick Special that is Buicks little compoet car. & greased & changed oil & filter packed Front Wheels. Had a little trouble getting it to run like I wanted it too.

Then I drove it to dinner. Ordered one of those 65 cent specials it was. Chicken gizzards, French fried & toast. They were good. But I had to burn the roof of my mouth on the first one I eat.

Then I put a radio back in a corvett sports car. Then I started to grinding valves on a 50 Pontiac got pulled off it late this evening to Work on a 59 Ford Galaxy. So I have got plenty f work to start the day off in the morning.

Boy this pencil shore Writes good as a Parker pen I guess I never use a Parker to my knowledge So the rest of the eve I guess I will just wait around for it to get dark then go to bed It is kind of cool up here good for snoozing. So I guess I will close for tonight and Write some more tomorrow then mail it Tomorrow evening.

Good nite all
Alfred

Well here it is Wednesday eveing about 7:00 P.M. So I will try to finish this letter. Today was another day bout like the rest.

Had Hot cakes rather a stack 30 cents then off to work I finished up the 59 Ford

About 10:00 this morning Herb came around said you had your coffee yet so I went after coffee with him. And he told me that he thought he had hired a helper for me.

Yesterday he was asking me if I knew any one down at Sedan who was a mechanic or a mechanics helper. Of course I didn’t know of any body.

The I finished up the Valve jov on the 50 Pontiac ground 4 exasut Valves and it sounded as good as if I had ground all of them. That was the way he wanted it done.

Which was all right with me as there were only 16 Valves to ground and 16 tappets to adjust each having 3 lock nuts to hold with 3 wrenches in one hand and a feeler gauge in the other hand.

I am listening to the radio tonight. The some Tammy is playing right now. Boy wasn’t cool last nite. My sinus drained all day to day I kept a handkerchief in one hand most of the day.

I paid my rent tonight. The land lady reached out and grabbed it like she wouldn’t get the second chance.

We think we have trouble raising our kids sometimes. When you read things in the paper like I just read tonight. This man a widower with 10 children and a woman also a widow has 8 children are getting married. 18 kids altogether. Boy you know that would be a mad house. Kind of like a young army stand in line and wait.

Well I am having a hard time trying to fill the back side of the pages of this letter.

Ark City may be pretty good size but is shore dosen’t give out much news or I don’t get around much anymore.

I see where California has sentenced Spade Cooley to life in Prison for the murder of his wife.

Well I see that I just can’t find enough to tale about to fill up the back side of the paper. So I will start to closing it so I can get it in the mail tonight.

Well Good Nite you all

As ever

Love
Alfred

P. S.
Anyway I almost got 12 pages to this letter. By the time you get this straighten out you might think it is a long letter.

(My note: He was right, this letter is not in any order. The pages 12 of then is mismatched and I even had problems following them, good thing he numbered them. Freida)

A. E. Hoskins
108 N C
Ark City, Ks.

Mrs. Alfred E. Hoskins Box 55 Sedan, Ks.

Sept 11, 1961
Mon eve

Dear Mary & all

Just a few lines to let you know that I got up here ok just a few minutes late. The car used a quart of oil coming up & I drove it hard. Mary can you draw Bruce a picture of a neck yoke and tell him where it is located so he can buy it. That mail box I think should be mounted on the post before it is placed.

Alfred

A. E. Hoskins
108 North C St.
Arkansas City, Ks

Mrs. A. E. Hoskins
Box 55
Sedan, Kansas

Ark City
Sept 13, 1961

Dear Mary, Bruce & Freida

Just a few lines to let you know that everything is ok up this way and hope these few lines find you the same.

Altogether the past few days rain or maybe it was yesterday & last nite rain totaled 6 & .38 inches. From what I hear most of the creicks & Rivers are flooding around here. I guess I will be down this week end after all.

Both of the Bosses are going to Chicago, Ill tomorrow and Will be gone the rest of the week. So there isn’t much I can do but drove the old Chev another week.

I told Barcas he is the Body man in the used car Dept I would take $15.00 for the trailer and bring it back up next Monday If I could that would get one pile of junk out of the yard.

Not too crazy about pulling it back up here because I would have to start early. They hired another mechanic yesterday. He don’t even know how to pull a six cyl. Engine out of a Ford to pull a over drive transmission out and work on it. So I probably will have to fix what he has torn up.

He Brought in a huge box of tools the tool box was about the size of your green tool box Mary. I told Barcas he is helping me this week. That he reminded me of a mechanic that was freash out of finishing school. I asked Jack where the New Man was from. He said the Chev garage here in town. I told Jack what I should have done down through the years when I hired on a new Job was go to the Western Auto and Buy a fishing tackel box full of tools. He had a laugh about that.

He said you mean I have a bigger box of tools than he has & all I do is use mine to put on license plates.

Anyway he wanted to know what I was being paid I said 80 and he wanted to know if I had gotten a raise since I had been there I said yes. And he said I am going to try to get you a raise. He said I have got more pull around there than most people. Maybe I hope, anyway I am to going to hold my breath.

Looks like I had better hook up stoves this weekend. Will close for now. Hope the Pony express can swim this letter to you all.

Love Alfred

A. E. Hoskins
108 N C St.
Ark City, Kansas

Mrs. A. E. Hoskins
Box 55
Sedan, Kansas

Tuesday
Sep 19, 1961
Ark City, Ks

Dear Mary & all.

Just a few lines to let you know how things are as of today.

Yesterday evening as you know I had to work overtime was the reason I wasn't at home and I didn't know where call from or I might have tired to call you.

Any way I couldn't tell you why I decided not to have anything done to Willy. I am kind a between the frying pan & the fire. Cook the Shop foreman and Matt the Bookeeper got fired last nite. And me telling them I was turning the Chev back. However I am still driving the Chev.

Among other things that happened, Jack the Salesman made shop foreman and this morning He said he was going to get me a raise and he did $5.00. Any way the or both bosses asked me what I thought about it I said it was ok by me and I appreciate it.

When I told Short about turning the car back he said and you still couldn't make the car payments with the raise.

I told him I wanted more out of working than to make car payments. I told him that I made the Bed & that I would sleep in it even it ment my credit or job.

He said oh no We want you to work. He said maybe we can sell it for you. But up here it is like being in a cats den you don't know when.

I asked Short this morning as he was telling several of us guys what went on last . I was in a happy go lucky mood this morning. I said to him (are you still swinging the ax this morning). He stoped & looked at me a minute and said What did you say & I repeated it & he said Oh! U see what you mean. He said yes the ax swinging was all done last nite. But I don't think so. Maybe time will tell.

So for now I don’t know what will happen next or when I will be down again. If I can catch a ride down I might being a Pan gasket down to see if I could patch old Willy up.

I just might put a short block in it (0ver) I remains as ever

You Husband & Father Alfred OXOXXXX

1962 Letter from LeRoy Ward 'Bud' Puckett

*The Gail that is mentioned is their sister and Ralph is her husband

Novebmer 14, 1962 - Dallas, Texas

Dear Mary,

I got your letter about Mom and also got one from Gail a day or two earlier. After I got yours I wrote to Dr. Hayes and told him I would help pay the doctor bill, but that I would like to know how much it would be so that I could arrange to pay on it. You can tell Mom that I have written to Dr. Hayes and will help pay his bill. I have never been able to tell whether she really needs any thing or any help, as you say she talks all around the subject with out telling you anything that is definite, so I am usually a little careful about promising anything until I know the facts. Was sorry to hear that Ralph was in the hospital, he certainly did not seem well last summer when I was there. I have been sick with a cold and sinus infection for about a month, but when you live in Dallas you can expect the sinus trouble. I have also been having a new set of teeth made, which don’t come cheap. Well I just wanted to let you know that I had written to Dr. Hayes so I will get back to work.

Bud

Several Letters Written 1962-1964
by Nadine Louise (Puckett) Thorne/Knocher/Baxter (1917-1965)

Monday, October 23, 1962 from Milo, MO to her mother, Mary Augusta (Myers) Puckett.

"Dear Mom:

What ever am I going to do with you. John said tot ell you if you didn’t behave your self he’s coming up there and pack your clothes and bring you down here in the sticks and your could get squirrels company.

Seriously I hope you’re not in pain altho I know you’re bound to be. I got Mary’s card Saturday telling me about it. I’m just Thankful Gail was with you. I wish somebody could be with you all time. Mamma guess what I’m learning to cook on a wood stove. There was a nice while wood stove here when we moved in and so I decided I’d like to try and cook on it so I went to town and bought some stove pipe and John fixes it for me and showed me how to work the drafts and cut me some wood and I bakes biscuits in 3 minutes. I wished you could have been here to see it all. I put them in the oven and my knee was hurting so I sat down to get off if it and took a sip of coffee and I thought I just take a peek to see if they were done and the weren’t soggy either. John and Jeff really got a kick out of the expression on my face, I guess it was really something.

Theres a temperature gauge on it and I let it get up to 425 degrees because that’s where I back them on my gas stove but I guess its not supposed to be that hot because the tops were sorta on the black side but we ate them. John sware they were the best he had ever eaten. They weren’t to bad.

I’ve been painting the wood work in my kitchen. I going to try and paper it. John said he didn’t know anything about it but he would help me. We might have an awful mess but at least it will be clean.

Well mamma I guess I’d better get busy I’ve already missed the mail man. I wrote to Mary and I’d write to Gail only I don’t know what to say to her I guess she’s pretty upset about you falling. So I guess I’ll just wait & day or two and then write. Well bye for now mom and remember what John said about bringing you down here he’s kidding you of course but if you don want to come you know you’re always welcome & I’d come after you because we’d love to have you. Take care & keep your chin up we’re thinks of you.

Love Nadine, John & Jeff"

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Monday, October 30, 1962 from Milo, MO to her mother, Mary Augusta (Myers) Puckett.

"Dear Mom

Saw this cute card and I thought you’d enjoy it so I got it. I hope you’re not in pain But I know you are in pain you’ll make the best of it and not grumble about it. I remember when you were in the hospital when I stayed with Daddy the nurses told me you were the sweetest patient they ever had so don’t spoil your record this time. I know you won’t. I’d love to be with you Mom but I can’t so I guess we’ll just have to accept it. I think about you everyday but I guess that doesn’t help you much.

I’ve been painting the wood work in my kitchen. I’ve given all of it one coat. I’m going to start on my Living Room next. It rained over the week and John and Jeff cut wood in it. I was afraid they’d both be sick but of course John works in water all the time so I guess he’s use to it. He goes to work at just ungodly hours that he can’t get his bowels regulated and of course that upsets his stomach. This morning he left at 5 o’clock and won’t get home probably until 6 or 6:30 maybe 7 one night it was 8:30 and he was really pooped.

Well Mom it’s 6:30 time to get Jeff up to go to school so guess I’d better cut this short. Be good and take care of yourself.

Love Nadine, John, Jeff"

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November 2, 1962 to her mother, Mary Augusta (Myers) Puckett

Just a few lines to let you know that we’re thinking of you and hope you’re doing swell.

I forgot to get a writing tablet when I went to town the other day so I’m writing this on shelf paper. I only go to town once a week because the town I like to shop in is 20 miles away so I just go in on Payday. I make a list but sometimes good and forget to put things down and that what happened with the paper. This darn pen is trying to go dry. Its 4:30 in the morning I just got John off to work. He still have to drive about 80 miles to work they go to work at some of the darnest hours. Its nice an cozy here with my wood fires it damp and chilly out doors this old house is pretty big to. My kitchen is 14 x 16 and my living room is to. Well my pen finally quit on me so will try and finish with this one.

Had a letter from Frances Jean yesterday. Haven’t hear from Chuck and Sharyn for quite a while they were hunting a house the last letter I got. The house they were living was falling to pieces and the landlord wouldn’t fix it so I expect she’s busy packing with 3 little kids that’s a job.

The letter I had from Eddie and Pat, Eddie was working 12 hours a day 7 days a week. Pat said the were getting out of debt but Eddie was getting awful tired of working, that does get tiresome because I’ve worked that way so I know. I had a nice long letter from May and I really enjoyed it. Well Mom I’m running out of anything to say so guess I’ll close for now.

Love Nadine"

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Monday, December 8, 1962 from Milo, MO to her mother, Mary Augusta (Myers) Puckett

"Dear Mom:

Thought I’d write and let you know I’m thinking about you and wondering how you are doing fine I hope. I haven’t heard from anybody maybe I will to-day. Well Mom we won’t be able to make it at Christmas. John will just get Christmas day off and we just can’t afford for him to just to take time off. Our Pontiac went bad on us and John has to tear it down and that will take him about 2 weeks. It seems like everything happens at once but I guess I ought to be thankful he has a job and is able to work. Well Mom there isn’t much to write about. I didn’t mean to sound so depressed because I’m not and I shouldn’t have been writing things like that to you but I wanted to explain why we couldn’t be there and I knew maybe you might be expecting us but maybe later on it will be possible I hope so. Gee we’ll soon be down here a year it doesn’t seem possible time has really flew past. Well Mom I’ll close for now. Take care of yourself.

Love Nadine"

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December 29, 1962 from Milo, MO to her mother, Mary Augusta (Myers) Puckett

"Dear Mom

Hope you are doing lots Better by now. We’ve a;; had the flu, I never did get to bed just kept dragging and I can’t seem to get rid of this cold & sinus it just keeps hanging on and I seem to catch fresh cold every time I turn around.

The reason I’m sending you’re a check for your Christmas is because I had no way of getting in to town and if I send you money you can get what you want because you know what you need and I don’t. I’m sorry I had to wait until after Christmas to send it but I couldn’t help it.

I know you’ll enjoy it anyway. I don’t have any thing to write about we had a little snow Christmas Eve. It didn’t stay on long. The Sun came out and it was a beautiful Day the day after Christmas. Its Drizzling rain to day its 28 degrees its miserable out and John has to be out in it.

Had a letter from Gail & Mary. Frances sent me a picture of the baby she’s awful sweet I think she looks like Eddie when he was little. Well Mom its about time for mail man so I‘d better get this mailed. I would have called you Christmas Day if I’d had a phone take care of yourself why don’t you write to me. I can read it.

Love Nadine"

Mary Augustua (Myers) Puckett died September 15, 1964

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October 22, 1964 to her sister, Mary Alice (Puckett) Null Hoskins

Dear Mary,

Will try and answer your letter. Sept. 25th I got a notice from Riley on the Hearing on the estate of Mom on Oct. 16th. It's so hard for me to make out all the whereas and herebys and heretofor's but I decided that there was no need to answer it unless I had a complaint.

This law really throws me. I just hope I don't fail to answer one that needs to be answered. I sure don't want to goof. I feel so stupid sometimes when it comes to something like that. I figured if it was something I had to answer, Riley would have sent a letter with it.

Have you decided what kind of sale it will be on the furniture? I would love to have that swivel rocker and the chair that sat in the corner in the living room I think was Brown. It's hard to remember for sure because I haven't been home enough in the last 3 years, to Mom changed furniture alot in the living room also she replaced alot of it to. So its hard to be sure but I remember the Small rocker and liked it so well I would buy that one.

How was Freida's trip to Hutch? I hope she got a big thrill out of it. I was so tickled when I got home and looked at my pictures and found the one of Daddy painting on that Engine it's the only good picture I have of him. I'll take that back. I have their golden wedding picture. Well anyway Thanks alot for the ones you picked out for me. I feel guilty about Taking those knives and I'll pay what they are worth. One of them was Daddy's skinning knife.

You should see the woods down here they are sure pretty. I believe they are prettier this year than they have ever been before. The weather has been really nice in the daytime cool at night tho. I don't know about up there but down here the Wasps are about to take the country. Our House is covered with them. They are those red ones and when they sting they bring the Blood and hurt worse then any hypo you've ever taken. I don't know where they are getting inside the house at but they are getting on somewhere.

I'm crocheting a wool afghan for my neighbor. She bought the yarn on sale in 1948 & She found out I crocheted so nothing must do but I had to make this afghan. I told her it would probably fall to pieces but any how I'm doing it. It's pretty just hope it holds together until I get it done & home to her. She's a funny old duck but she's got a heart as bigh as a mountain. She can't get along with her daughters-in-law. She had 2 and hates both of them. Sometimes she gets on my nerves and I have to watch myself that I don't pop off to her. So far so good.

Well Mary its almost noon and I haven't got much accomplished so guess I'd better get in gear and do something even if it wrong. So write when you can.

Love Nadine"

Several Letters Written 1964-1973 by Laura Viola (Puckett) Howe (1900-1973)

June 21, 1964 to her sister, Mary Alice (Puckett) Null Hoskins after death of their mother

Dear Mary,

I‘ve; been getting your cards and letter. But I’ve been sick the last 2 weeks and haven’t tried to write. I’ve been so dizzy the last 2 days I can’t walk without staggering. I don’t know if my blood pressure is up or down have to go see Dr. and find out. I guess I’s just getting old. Sure fell that way I’m not worth a darn.

Mary what ever you want to do about Mom’s things is OK as far as I’m concerned. You are there you know what to do. I wish I could be there to help you although the shape I’m in I wouldn’t be much help. You do what you think is best.

Mom told me a long time ago I could have the feather picture Gail gave her. I mentioned it to Gail some time ago but she didn’t say anything about it. If she wants it that’s all right. Several of the tins on the whatnot shelves I gave her the little white plaques in the living I gave her. Of course anything she made with her own hands I’d love to have.

Lee finally got our cooler up. Our neighbor helped him. We can’t get anything our of Kenneth or Adolph anyway their combining their wheat too busy to think about helping us.

Well Mary I’ve run down. So guess I’ll close for now. Hope you are better and back to work. I know what it means to be out of a job. Bye for now.

Love Vi

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Tues, May 3, 1966 to her sister, Mary Alice (Puckett) Null Hoskins

Dear Mary and All,

Well if I can hold my head up long enough I'll try to Answer your last two letters. I've got the "flu" I guess I sure feel bad.

Kenneth has had it I got it from him I guess. I washed yesterday Ironed this morning and suppose to work tomorrow and next day don't know if I'll make it or not.

Gosh Looks like Hewins is coming up in the world. We have some things they should have but I doubt if Lee would part with them. We have Mother Howe's Bible that is well past 100 years old.

Well Mary I have to get dinner Kenneth is here so I'll have to cook more. I don't mind it though I'm glad to have him. Bye for now.

Love Vi and Lee

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March 29, 1972 to her sister, Mary Alice (Puckett) Null Hoskins after the death of Viola’s son Kenneth Lee Howe

Well I can’t write much. But, I wondered if you would take this clipping to the Times Star and have them run it in the paper. There are so many people around there and Peru that would probably like to know.

I’m sending Freida a Remembrance card tho’t maybe she would like to have one. The flowers were so beautiful we had so many. House is still full of potted plants. Sent big baskets to the hospital and the church.

Will write when I feel like it. Bye for now, Love Vi and Lee

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Wed, November 7, 1973 from Kinsley, Kansas

Hi :-

We took Layne to great Ben Friday they operated on her Tues. Morn for kidney ailment. Dr. Said she would be fine. Pat stayed with her last nite. I don’t know if she is coming home to-Day, Pat I mean-

Sun Eve. Nov. We are OK using the word loosely. Have been making relish made 10 pints it quite a job, but nice to have in winter we like it and the kids like it. Gave Lee Anne a pint to take to Lawrence with her. She came over weekend to see Layna. I went over Friday and wished I hadn’t. She sure is a sick little gal. But they seem to think she will be OK. Pat is worn out she has stayed every nite with her except one. Adolph stayed that one and Layna said “Daddy snores’ He nearly takes the roof off.

Gail called me this afternoon to tell me about Larry’s little boy sure was sorry about it. Wish I could have gone to McCook with her to but do well to stay home. I’m not a bit well but just keep getting along. Awful cold here at nite warms up some in Day time. Haven’s washed for 3 weeks. I’ll have pretty soon or we will have to go dirty or go to bed-

Well I don’t know any thing so will say Bye for now.

Love Vi

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December 10, 1973 to her sister, Mary Alice (Puckett) Null Hoskins

"Dear Mary & Alfred :-

If I can collect my wits sufficiently I’ll try to answer your letter. We are ok as far as that goes. Layna Jo sure had a time. We bro’t her home Tues. before Thanksgiving. Laura came in Sat. for check up & Tasha has a cold. Layna came with her and had Dr. look at incision. She still have a tube in it.

We havn’t done any Xmas shopping yet only some things Pat has gotten. Lee Ann told Pat to wait until she came home and we would do it all then. I probably won’t go. I can’t do too much tramping around.

Got your pretty Xmas card thank you. I’m late with mine but guess it doesn’t make any difference. We had an awful ice storm last week. We were with out electricity from 2:00 p.m. Monday until after 3:00 p.m. Wednesday. If don’t know how we used to get along with coal oil lamps but we did. I guess you do most any thing if you have to. I’ve got more writing to do. So will put lid on this - Have a nice Xmas.

Bye for now
Love, Vi

1980 Letter from Eddie Lee Kocher to his aunt, Mary Alice (Puckett) Null Hoskins

December 12, 1980

DEAR ALFRED & MARY

SURPRISE! I THOUGHT I WOULD WRITE THIS TIME TO THANK YOU FOR THE MAGAZINE. I GOT IT ABOUT 2 WKS BEFORE I GOT YOUR LETTER AND I COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE NAME OF THE MAGAZINE IS “WORKBENCH” AND IT IS REALLY A FINE MAGAZINE.

I CHECKED THE CLOCK WORKS AT REED SPRINGS ON CONSIGNMENT ITEMS AND WAS QUITE SURPRISED THE GET 30% OF GROSS. I WAS GOING TO SET UP AND BECOME THEIR CARVER AS THEY ARE LOSING THE WOOD CARVER THEY NOW HAVE. HE IS AN ELDERLY MAN AND HE CARVES MAINLY FOR FUN AND HE HAS A HEALTH PROBLEM WITH NERVES. SEEMS AS THO HE CAN’T SAY NO, AND HE TAKES ORDERS FOR ITEMS WHEN HE DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO DO THEM, SO RATHER THAN GO THRU THE HAZZLE HE JUST GOING TO QUIT.

I DON’T REMEMBER IF I TOLD YOU OR NOT, BUT WE FOUND OUT I HAD A HIDDEN TALENT. I HAVE BEEN CARVING SHOES/COWBOY BOOTS. I HAVE EIGHT CIMPLETE, ONE COW 80%, AND A NINUTURE CIGAR STORE INDIAN STARTED.

MOST OF THE SHOPS AROUND HERE DO GET 30% AND SILVER DOLLAR CITY GETS 60%, SO I GUESS I’LL HAVE TO START MY OWN SHOP IF I CAN FIND A GOOD LOCATION & SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR AN INVENTORY. I’VE BEEN MAKING SOME FIGTS FOR CHRISTMAS AND GATHERING SCRAP WOOD FROM CONSTRUCTION SITES, THEY ARE USING A LOT OF WESTER CEDAR FOR SIDING AND IT MAKES BEAUTIFUL PICTURE FRAMES. IF IT ISN’T PICKUP THEY BURN IT. MOST OF THE CONSTRUCTION HERE IS COST PLUS SO THE FUILDERS TEND TO BE WASTEFUL AS IT MAKES THEM A LITTLE EXTRA. I PICKED UP SOME 2X12’SX18 PUT HORSE SHOES ON THEM AND DID SOME WOOD BURNING ON FACE “FOR YOU HANG UPS” AND THEY MAKE REALLY NICE COAT RACKS.

MADE HALL TREE FROM DRIFT CEDAR TREE, AND A TOWEL RACK FROM 1X12 SCRAP PINE, PAT DID TOLE PAINTING ON FACE OF IT. THEN WE FOUND SOME SMALL ROCKING CHAIRS ABOUT 6” TALL FOR $2 @ AND PAT PAINTED THEM SOLID COLORS AND PAINTED LITTLE FLOWERS ON SOME & PUSSY WILLOW BOUGHS ON OTHERS AND PUT SMALL DOLLS IN THEM AND THEY MAKE REAL NICE GIFTS. 10 CHAIRS WAS ALL THE CRAFT SHOP HAD SO WE BOUGHT THEM OUT. SHE SOLD 3 ON ORDER AFTER SHE SHOWED THE FIRST ONE AROUND. SHE GETS $6.50 FOR THEM. I GUESS I’LL HAVE TO END UP MAKING SOME, AS WE CAN’T GET ANYMORE. THIS FELLOW THAT HAD THEM WAS FRON OUT OF STATE AND HAD ATTENDED A CRAFT FAIR AT OZARK & SOLD MUCH OF HIS STUFF LEFT OPVER TO “OXARK TREASURES” A GIFT SHOPD AOBOUT FIVE MILES FROM HERE ON 65 HIGHWAY. THEY DIDN’T GET HIS NAME.

I STILL HAVE AN ORDER IN FOR A “SHOP SMITH” AND THEY ARE PROCESSING MY CREDIT APPLICATION. IN THE MEAN TIME I SOLD MY “CHIEF SPECIAL” S & w 38 FOR $130.00 AND AM BUYING TWODIFFERENT SIZE HAND GRINDERS FROM SEARS, THEY SHOULD SPEED UP MY CARVING BY ABOUT ½, IT TAKES ABOUT 4 ½ HOURS TO CARVE SHOES BY KNIFE.

I’VE GOT A LOT OF IDEAS NOW WE’’LL SEE IF I CAN BRING THEM TO FRUITION. MY BASS WOOD WAS COSTING ME $1.50 TO $2.00 A FOOT AND WHEN I BUY BLANKS PRE-SAWED ON JIG SAW THEY COST FROM 75 CENTS TO $5.00 EACH, BUT IT IS A PATTERN WHICH I TRACE OR TAKE MEASUREMENTS FROM. I HAVEN’T STARTED CARVING ANY OF THE “OLD MAY FACES” IN CHURKS OR WOOD YET, BUT WITH THE POWER GRINDERS I WILL TRY IT. I HAVE 20 CEDAR STUMPS WE PICKED UP AT THE LAKE IN OCTOBER WHILE WE WERE CAMPING, SO HAVE MY WORK “CUT” OUR FOR ME.

MY UNEMPLOYMENT RAN OUT 11-30 BUT THEY GAVE ME AN EXTENSION FOR ANOTHER 13 WEEKS AS THIS AREA IS ONE OF THE HIGH PROBLEM AREAS. I CAN VOUCH FOR THAT. THEY DON’T SEEM TO WANT 41 YEAR OF TRANIEES WHO HAVE HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY UNLESS YOU TAKE $3.00 HR OR LESS.

I’LL KEEP CHECKING ON THE CLOCK SITUATION AS THERE ARE A LOT OF SHOPS IN THE BRANSON AREA AND I STILL HAVE THOSE PICTURES YOU SENT. THAT GIVES THEM AN IDEA OF YOUR WORK.

I BOUGHT PAT A WOOD BURNER TO PLAY WITH, BUT SHE KEEPS BURNING HER FINGERS AS THE HEAT RISES FROM THE TIP. IF SHE MASTERS IT I’LL GET HER A GLOVE FOR THAT HAND.

I HAVE FOUND MANY WOOD SOURCES FOR MY CARVING SINCE I STARTED SOME OF THE WOOD I DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS, BUT IS REALLY CARVES NICE. THEY USE A REAL TIGHT GRAINED WOOD THAT’S 3X3X48” BETWEEN PANELING & SHEET ROCK. IT DOES NOT CUT WELL WITH A SAW AT ALL AND IT SPLITS VERY EASY WITH CHISEL OR NAIL. IT BURNS JIGSAW BLADES WITH IN AN INCH AND IT PITCHES UP ON CIRCULAR SAW BLADES SO MOST PEOPLE WOULD NOT USE IT AND I HAVE A FRIEND AT THE LUMBER YARD WHO TOLD ME HE WOULD SAVE FOR ME. A LOT OF IT IS WEATHER CHECKED REAL BAD SO WASTE IS HIGH, BUT THE PRICE IS RIGHT! I TOLD HIM TO WOULD CARVE HIM A SHOE (LEARNING TO BARTER) HAVE SOME CEDAR SLABS AND WALNUT COMING FROM A SAW MILL IN EXCHANGE FOR A SHOE. FINDING MONEY TO BE TOO EXPENSIVE TO USE HA HA.

WELL I’VE RAMBLED ON ENOUGH. WE WILL TRY TO STOP BY AFTER CHRISTMAS AS WILL PROBABLY BE BRINGING TAMMY & LITTLE TOMMIE HOME AFTER THE HOLIDAYS. WILL TRY TO STOP BY IT NOT TOO LATE.

HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY

Ed & PAT

Christmas Card notes Written 1986-1993 by Larry Eugene Forbes (1937-2002) to his aunt, Mary Alice (Puckett) Null Hoskins

1986 - Christmas Card

Hellow folks how are thing in Sedan Have you dried out yet from all the water? We have had 3 snows up here all ready one last night while I was out driving a bus load of kids around but we made it ok hope you have a very merry Xmas and New year

Larry Midge & kids

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1988 - Christmas Card

Hellow Aunt Mary & Uncle Alfred how are e'thing in the Big City of Sedan? We are all about the same not any big change the weather is good I hope it stayes that way. I hate to drive in the Snopw But I'm not dirving that much any more. I guess I'm slaowing down in my old age.

Larry

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1993 - Christmas Card

Hellow,

I guess you all are busy. They are having craft sales 3 weeks ends in a row before Xmas up here. Midge's Dad is not doing at all well. He losing so much weight he won't eat but doesn't have much to love fore so sad I guess my bad heart might keep me out of a nursing home. We are doing ok Midge is very bussy with he catering & parents. I edged my sidewalk Sat & cut the line to you step lites so had to repair that today. Love

some of this made no sense to me

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No date - Christmas Card

Dear Mary and Alfred

Hope this finds you all well and in good spirits. We are all wells or as well as can be expected. Our Smas will be mixed up the kids want to be here at diferent times becaus of their Inlaws so I guess we will have a 4 day Xmas.

Love Larry, Midge & Marshell

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No date - Christmas Card

Dear Mary & Al

Well it is time to wish you all a happy Holidy Season. My ahes and paines are geting worse all the time so I hate to see winter come but it does anay way. Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.

Love Larry & Midge

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No date - Christmas Card

Dear Mary & Al

Hope this finds you Busy and happy. Midge loved the Santa. But doesn't know about carving the other one. But she may tackle it some day. She has ben doing sweat shirs like mad for weeks. But that should slow down pretty soon Marshell & Jim sean real happy together. Steve & Lorenda are doing well. Steve went to the Neb Oklahoma Football game and geat weat But happy Neb won for a change.

Love Larry & Midge

1990 Christmas Card Note from Clarence Dean Forbes to his aunt, Mary Alice (Puckett) Null Hoskins

1990 - Christmas Card

Hello there,

Glad to hear from you and glad you are keeping as busy as you want. I'm working in a horse tack business and drawing Soc Sec. Im'm going to have to pay back some this year tho. Ruth is working 11 - 15 hrs a week, Im putting in 45-50 hrs. I took from May to last of Oct off and didn't do much for garden. The way your TV chnl 10 up here sounds, Sedan must get them on cable down there.

Ruth still goes to Pitts evey other weekend to her mothers. Rogers is ove there hs has a little 1 1/2 acre place NW of Pitts. He cooks for Grndma Mac he has been house painting with a guy over there, they have been busy there isn't much to say aout Terry other then he and the boys are back in Wichita. Paula is in Neosho, MO. working for Teldyne. Lennie and boys are fine. Shehas finally got a boy friend, Danny has been dead for 4 years, so its about time.

Have a Happy.

Clarence

Essay - Caring for the Family Tree - English Comp I 176, Unit 4 Final Essay

November 27, 2002

Genealogy is a vital link between the past, present, and future and preserving a family’s history is a responsibility that one should be proud to take. Those who do not understand the importance of their roots often make the mistake of destroying or selling family heirlooms and other items that some would call treasures. Family stories and traditions are forgotten. By taking even a small interest in his roots, a person can help keep the memory of his ancestors alive. There are several reasons why one should take in interest in family history. As Dr. Lee Phillips explains, family history can hold important medical information. Steven Lewis, on his web page, “Why Do Genealogy”, explains the connection between the studies of genealogy and history. Jo Ann Wentzell gives additional reasons for learning about and preserving a family’s history. “Caring for Your Family Documents” gives information on how to preserve family items with historical and personal value so that they can be shared with future generations.

First of all, a person should have adequate knowledge of his or her family’s medical history. Many diseases are genetic. If one knows of a history of illness in his family, he can take necessary precautions to narrow his risks. For example, heart disease has certain risk factors that are genetic or cannot be changed: increasing age, heredity, and the male sex. If a person has these factors, there are other risk factors that he may be able to change. These include smoking, high cholesterol and blood pressure, physical inactivity, stress, and obesity (Phillips). A person should collect specific medical information about her family, including dates of birth and death, type of death, and age of onset of any medical diseases such as glaucoma and heart disease. “Age of onset of diseases provides a vital clue about genetic predisposition, since most genetically predisposed conditions develop before the age of 60” (Phillips). Knowledge of family history, when shared with doctors, can save lives.

Genealogy is also an exciting way to learn more about history, sociology, geography, and other sciences. Knowing that an ancestor took part in or was affected by an historical event gives it more meaning and relevance.

…the study of history and the study of genealogy are intimately entwined, and are of equal importance to each other. With genealogy, history comes alive! It allows both the young and old to realize that their ancestors had a role, direct or not, in the events of their day and thus they too have such a role in their own time. And with history, the genealogist has a structure into which one can place one's ancestors and arrive at a new, deeper understanding (Lewis).

As one learns about the lives of her ancestors and follows their migration routes, one gains knowledge of the laws and culture of the time. This begins an endless cycle of learning. The researcher will become more curious and will look for answers to her questions. Those whose family has roots in the United States will discover a great deal of American history on their genealogical journey. When learning how his family settled this untamed land and fought for their independence, one gains a better sense of pride in being an American.

Another reason to learn about one’s ancestors is to learn more about oneself. A person gets the color of her hair, eyes, and skin from her ancestors as well as her personality, talents, and bone structure. “Each individual is made up of traits handed down in the form of genes from (his) ancestors” (Wentzell). Each person wonders why he is who he is, why he has certain physical traits or temperaments.

At the very least, one should preserve family history for the sake of future generations. Even if a person is not interested in his family history, his children or other family members may want to know about their ancestors one day. Parents have the wonderful opportunity and duty to pass this information on to their family members. It is important for children to know where they came from and who they are. It gives them a sense of belonging. “They want to know about this larger group of people they belong to and from which they came. They like feeling they are a part of a family that is never-ending and spans the world” (Wentzell). Parents can teach their children to be proud of who they are by encouraging their interest in family history. They must pass down and preserve their family’s history for future generations. When a child displays an interest in learning about their heritage, parents and elder family members should be prepared to share what they know and to offer advice.

When exploring family history, the first step is to talk to the oldest living family members, taking notes of each interview. This information can later be checked for accuracy. Family members can tell a researcher where to look for more information. Often, there is already a person in the family who has done some research. By talking to family members, a person learns interesting stories. The next step is to follow clues from the interviews. One should look in attics and other storage places for family documents and heirlooms. The treasure hunter might find birth certificates, photographs, yearbooks, a family bible, maybe even a family tree. After these routes have been taken, the internet is the next source for information. There are countless genealogy websites available. One can find family members listed in the Social Security Death Index, newspaper articles, surname and location message boards, family tree databases, or may even find a website about her ancestors. While researching, a person will most likely meet “cousins” who are researching a common ancestor. Sharing information with these distant relatives can help one reach further into her history while forming new friendships and family ties.

Descendants have the responsibility of preserving and passing down family history. One way to do this is to share family stories with their children. Children find it fascinating to hear how times have changed. They take pride in knowing about their roots and being able to share that information with others. Family traditions should also be passed down from one generation to the next. In some families, it is a certain dish that Great-Grandma made that is always served at Christmas or a game that the family enjoys playing together. In others, it could be the saying of grace before the meal or reading the bible together on a Sunday afternoon.

One should be sure to take proper care of family photographs and documents. Labeling photographs with names and dates can be helpful in the future. Photographs and papers need to be packaged in acid-free paper or tissue, or polyester sleeves. Acid-free boxes are also available for storage. Before packaging, it is important to make sure the items have no dust or mold on them. Moldy materials should be kept away from other items and may have to be treated by a professional. If possible, each item should be packaged separately. Family records should be stored in a clean, dry, dark location where the humidity and temperature are relatively steady. They should not be stored near water pipes, heaters, outside walls, or in areas that might flood. The storage area should be inspected often and the contents examined at least once a year. When handling historical documents, one should be sure his hands are clean and dry and should keep food away from the documents. Scotch tape should not be used on these items because it causes yellow stains. Copies should be made to display and handle while the originals are stored safely (Caring for Your Family Documents). Unwanted historical materials should not be thrown away; they can be donated to historical societies. One person’s trash is sometimes another person’s treasure.

Why do some people have no interest in their heritage? There are several reasons. They may not be close to or get along with any of their family members. They might not even know any of their extended family. They might be adopted. People in these situations do not feel a connection to their family. Even those who come from close-knit families may not want to delve into their past. They may have no idea where to begin. They may be afraid of what they might uncover. Even if a person is adopted, he can find out about the origins of his adopted family’s traditions. After all, how a person is brought up is part of who he is. He can discover what makes his adopted family who they are. And, there are ways to find one’s biological family, if one has the desire. One should not be “afraid of discovering family skeletons in the closet. It's okay if everyone was not perfect, after all, we aren't either… being human has been a problem since time began” (Wentzell). Many people set out expecting to find rich and famous ancestors, but most will find that their ancestors were ordinary people.

Sometimes finding on our branches those ordinary people who did extraordinary things will gratify us. We might find a scoundrel or two on the upper branches, but then who knows there could be one near the root as well. Each life is precious. Each story is unique. Each person has something to give to the world, even if it is just a reminder to not live as they have done (Wentzell).

One should be proud of each of his ancestors, whether they were famous, or just ordinary hard-working individuals.

As one can see, there are many advantages in the study of family history. One may discover new interests, learn more about oneself, and have the opportunity to teach family history to his children. Parents and children may even work together to dig up their roots. As one delves deeper into the past, she will learn why so many people enjoy genealogy: it is fun! Fitting together the pieces of the family puzzle is exciting and rewarding. All it takes is a little curiosity.

Works Cited

• Caring for Your Family Documents. 17 Jan. 2001. Essex Record Office. 18 Nov. 2002

• Lewis, Steven M.L. Why Do Genealogy? 30 Nov. 1999. 17 Nov. 2002

• Phillips, Lee M.D. Your Family’s Medical History: Why It’s So Important. 20 March 2002. 17 Nov. 2002

• Wentzell, JoAnn. Tracing Your Roots. 1999. 17 Nov. 2002