Name/Title
Letter to Elizabeth W. Braman from R.W. PhinneyEntry/Object ID
2024.02.34Scope and Content
2024.02.34A
Envelope addressed to Mrs. Elizabeth Braman Alma Wabaunee Co. Kansa. " North Dover Deer" in blue ink at top of envelope.
2024.02.34B
Letter to Elizabeth from R.W. Phinney. Letter is folded in half creating two pages.
Front Right:
Dear Cousin Dec 11, 1876
I received your letter in due Time can best express my feelings to hear from you by telling you a little anicdote that occured when your Father came into this country the Scond Time, no one knew that he was coming back at the tie and driving up to Old Mr. Wrights tavern he got out and walked up to the door and the Old gentleman was sitting in the barroom he looked up and exclaimed "Mr. Aldrich god damn you to hell how glad I am to see you" Aaron was here the day before I got your letter on purpose to know if I had heard from you. Said if he could he should come out there this winter, we have not given up the idea of coming to Kansas but are trying to sell our Farm, shall come right and first this time bringing all the fmaily and not leave anything to come back to
Back Left:
David ?Osborn? had come to take the girls sleigh riding , he asked me if he might take your father home for his mother to read I told him yes but not anybody else, you know she would be so glad to hear from you. The girls have got a room in Mr Farr house at the center. They board themselves and go to school. They are having very nice Times this winter, are going to a Party tomorrow eve at Mr Westons ??? thinks trade is rather dull thinks he should sell out and git him a farm in Kansas as you did not write about the School, and meetings houses I would like to know all about such things for I may some day come there is it very hot in summers is it healthy there? do they have the ?ague? any; you know I couldent be ?shut? up much and hold together do they have the melancholy and is it contagous? You spoke of a lumber yard I wish David would inquire and send us a list of the prices of diferent kinds
Back right:
of building material. well what it would cost to build such a house as ours there. It cost about 1200 here. I suppose that there are Carpenters and Masons + all kinds of mechanics there about what would a good span of horses, harness, + Wagon cost, are there any stores in Alma and what kind of Stores are they, you asked after Mr. Wiltsie and where they were, they are scattered, all living at different places, Elizabeth you are wright in calling him crazy. I had a letter from Frank in fall asking me if they might come back here this winter and stay the same as they did last winter, that was to furnish Flour and Butter, I used one sack of which cost 1-50 and I made butter most all winter, it cost him about two dolards a week for five of them all the while they was here, I did expect that he would make Emma + Lucy a present for doing as they did but not a red cent
Front Left:
did they git, A man that has got a force to do that is not a man, I do not blame Frank, he said the children was teasing evry time they saw him to ask me if they might come, poor children my heart bleeds for them I would do for them if I could Frank visits that crops were very poor there this year and money hard to git, it is a very pinching time here just now, Taxes are so very high and money so scarce, if we had no other income but our farm we could not git along, I should sell the first chance I can, I hope you will answer as soon as you can, It is monday and I am very tired, the girls have to do so much cooking for them and more to and washing + ironing it makes it very hard, Good Night
R.W. PhinneyCollection
Aldrich Family Collection
