Friday, May 8, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Intro to Letters Page
This Page displays several letters written from my grandfather "Colon White" to my grandmother "Miss Vasta Rogers"
Grandpa was from Ravenden Springs, Arkansas and he cut timber with his brother, Raymond in Ravenden Springs and around Marmaduke. The area they cut most of the timber was located east of Marmaduke down Peck's Speedway at a community called Mounds.
Grandpa and Uncle Raymond would travel from Ravenden Springs to Marmaduke on horseback. It took them two days to make the trip. Grandpa would tell me they would spend the night in either Delaplane or Beech Grove, then get up and make the rest of the trip the next day.
Times were tough. Grandpa just got back from France while serving in World War I for about 1 year. He didn't tell many stories about the war, but you know that most war veterns leave the stories behind.
Grandpa would leave his love in Ravenden Springs but by looking at the letters, he did not want to go to many church meetings or dances alone. Nor did he plan on Grandma spending her time alone. The letters speak about certain girls he would meet and he would ask about the boys she saw while he was gone.
Even though he worked hard, he would always put humor in the letters. He would tell her how hard the work was and how the crops were coming along. He tells about cows getting in gardens and working "fruit jobs". It took me a couple of times to read this to understand he really meant picking and helping put up a fruit crop.
I hope you have as much fun reading these letters as I have. I want to thank everyone who dug through their treasures to send me copies.
Sit back, read the stories and enjoy the trip.
Dennis
Grandpa was from Ravenden Springs, Arkansas and he cut timber with his brother, Raymond in Ravenden Springs and around Marmaduke. The area they cut most of the timber was located east of Marmaduke down Peck's Speedway at a community called Mounds.
Grandpa and Uncle Raymond would travel from Ravenden Springs to Marmaduke on horseback. It took them two days to make the trip. Grandpa would tell me they would spend the night in either Delaplane or Beech Grove, then get up and make the rest of the trip the next day.
Times were tough. Grandpa just got back from France while serving in World War I for about 1 year. He didn't tell many stories about the war, but you know that most war veterns leave the stories behind.
Grandpa would leave his love in Ravenden Springs but by looking at the letters, he did not want to go to many church meetings or dances alone. Nor did he plan on Grandma spending her time alone. The letters speak about certain girls he would meet and he would ask about the boys she saw while he was gone.
Even though he worked hard, he would always put humor in the letters. He would tell her how hard the work was and how the crops were coming along. He tells about cows getting in gardens and working "fruit jobs". It took me a couple of times to read this to understand he really meant picking and helping put up a fruit crop.
I hope you have as much fun reading these letters as I have. I want to thank everyone who dug through their treasures to send me copies.
Sit back, read the stories and enjoy the trip.
Dennis
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
November 8th, 1921 Miss Vasta Rogers
The first letter I have is written November 1th, 1921 and is postmarked from Water Valley, Arkansas, just north of Ravenden Springs on November 8th, 1921.
How are you & what is your occupation this fine weather?
I feel like I had seen better days!
Guess there was a big crowd in R.S. (Ravenden Springs) Sat night & Sun, was,ent they? I meant to come but took a little trip last wk & never got home till late Sun night did,ent mean to come home for another wk but u know a fellow will change his mind.
Was Mack Jordan in R.S. Sun? I told him I would be there but failed I think. He planned to be with Lenah Frey. Did he? That is if he could. & of course I had love in mind.
I will be over one of these days. I want ask for one date for to reasons. One is that I doubt where you would give me one & the other is you would say he’s lying again ha.
Which one of you girls is entertaining Loyd? Heard he was back in R.S. Does Everett still come to see Maisy? I hardly ever see him.
Heard he liked to a died last week but heard later he did’ent so I guess the boy was just sleepy & decided to sleep for a day or to.
Are you still going to school? Believe me I have been gathering corn this week.
I have run out of any thing to write about so I will close.
Nov. 1, 1921
Friend Vasta,How are you & what is your occupation this fine weather?
I feel like I had seen better days!
Guess there was a big crowd in R.S. (Ravenden Springs) Sat night & Sun, was,ent they? I meant to come but took a little trip last wk & never got home till late Sun night did,ent mean to come home for another wk but u know a fellow will change his mind.
Was Mack Jordan in R.S. Sun? I told him I would be there but failed I think. He planned to be with Lenah Frey. Did he? That is if he could. & of course I had love in mind.
I will be over one of these days. I want ask for one date for to reasons. One is that I doubt where you would give me one & the other is you would say he’s lying again ha.
Which one of you girls is entertaining Loyd? Heard he was back in R.S. Does Everett still come to see Maisy? I hardly ever see him.
Heard he liked to a died last week but heard later he did’ent so I guess the boy was just sleepy & decided to sleep for a day or to.
Are you still going to school? Believe me I have been gathering corn this week.
I have run out of any thing to write about so I will close.
Your friend as ever,
Colon
Ans soon.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
June 9th, 1922 Miss Vasta Rogers
This Second letter was written by Grandpa to Grandma June 9th, 1922.
Friend Vasta,
Well how are you, & are you still going to school?
I am feeling fine & working like the deuce. I’ve walked b,tween a pair of cultivator handles till they seen like home sweet home ha.
You bet I’d like to be at home & attend the Pente roller meeting. Think I’ll be home by the 4th. Probably Ray will start home in about 2 weeks.
I’d a liked for you to a taken the exam on cotton chopping, but think we will get over this eve the first time but there will be the second having which will be easier.
We,ve sure had some work to we have about 27 acres & hav’ent hired a days work done & we have eight acres of corn besides the cotton.
I should have ansr sooner but I write so much I thought I had ans your letter until I re read your last letter while a go. So here I am, did you people go to Valley Chapel on Sun?
I attended a singing convention & dinner Sun.
What boys went with you girls to Hubin?
I usually have a different girl every Sat N & Sun but don’t intrest me any only to pass the time with while I’m here.
I was lucky enough to have to Sun ha.
(one at a time ha ha)
How did Maisy ever get?
Did you ever see Perkins? Tell him I said work hard & make a good crop from what I hear & guess he will need it this Fall ha.
Looks like I never get time to write him.
Well it is near one oclock & work time.
I’ll close & not be so careless next time.
Marmaduke
June 9, 1922
Friend Vasta,
Well how are you, & are you still going to school?
I am feeling fine & working like the deuce. I’ve walked b,tween a pair of cultivator handles till they seen like home sweet home ha.
You bet I’d like to be at home & attend the Pente roller meeting. Think I’ll be home by the 4th. Probably Ray will start home in about 2 weeks.
I’d a liked for you to a taken the exam on cotton chopping, but think we will get over this eve the first time but there will be the second having which will be easier.
We,ve sure had some work to we have about 27 acres & hav’ent hired a days work done & we have eight acres of corn besides the cotton.
I should have ansr sooner but I write so much I thought I had ans your letter until I re read your last letter while a go. So here I am, did you people go to Valley Chapel on Sun?
I attended a singing convention & dinner Sun.
What boys went with you girls to Hubin?
I usually have a different girl every Sat N & Sun but don’t intrest me any only to pass the time with while I’m here.
I was lucky enough to have to Sun ha.
(one at a time ha ha)
How did Maisy ever get?
Did you ever see Perkins? Tell him I said work hard & make a good crop from what I hear & guess he will need it this Fall ha.
Looks like I never get time to write him.
Well it is near one oclock & work time.
I’ll close & not be so careless next time.
As crazy as ever,
Colon
Saturday, February 21, 2009
September 13th, 1925 Miss Vasta Rogers
Tues Morning
Dear Girl,
How are you? Fine I hope! What have you done the most of since I seen you last?
I’ve not done anything of any importance. I am going to R.S. if it does’ent rain me out. I am kindly afraid I’ll get my head wet ha.
We are planning to have a program at Oconee Friday night & so they put me on to defend Mrs slact as old Mr Evans cow got out in her garden & eat all of her cucumbers & cabbage & we are suing for damage there fore we will have to practice every night all week so I wont get to come to R.S. either night or Sun. I did,ent want to disappoint you & will drop this note in the office if I don’t get to talk to you any to days but will be over one time during X,mas.
I will make this short for the simple reason Ive nothing to write about.
Ans
Your friend,
Colon
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