This is a fascinating piece of Turn-of-the-Century Oregon postal history.
1. Postmark & Cancellation Details
Origin Postmark (Backstamp): RIVERSIDE, OREG. / OCT 28 / 7:30 PM / 1903 struck in a clear, standard circular date stamp (CDS).
Receiving Postmark (Face): R. F. D. / OCT 29 A.M. 1903 / ALBANY, / OREGON. struck as a striking, crisp 4-line Rural Free Delivery (RFD) receiving mark on the front face.
Cancellation Type: Standard four-bar killer grid cancelling the stamp.
Transit Analysis: The letter was handwritten on the evening of October 27th, 1903, from Riverside, postmarked at the Riverside office the following evening (Oct 28th), and arrived via the local carrier route at the Albany post office the next morning (Oct 29th). The written address \"City\" indicates it was meant for local handling or nearby regional carrier delivery within the sorting district.
2. Stamp Identification
Country: United States
Issue Year: 1903 (The \"Series 1902\" definitive issue)
Denomination / Color: 2-Cent Carmine
Subject: George Washington (Shield Design, Scott #319)
Condition: Excellent centering for a standard commercial cover, with sharp perforations. The stamp has minor horizontal ink lines from the killer grid strike but remains bright, cleanly attached, and undamaged.
3. Historical & Genealogical Context
The Location (Riverside, OR): Riverside is located in Malheur County along the South Fork of the Malheur River. Known initially as a critical pioneer stage station and a junction for cattle ranching, a permanent post office was established there in 1889. Finding intact, beautifully struck 1903 correspondence from this rural outpost adds distinct regional appeal.
The Addressee: Mr. W. D. Risley. This is William D. Risley, a member of the prominent pioneer Risley family of Western Oregon.
The Content (The \"Maudie\" Letter): The letter inside is an exceptional, completely intact, 4-page romantic drama piece written by a woman named Maudie to her \"Darling... sweet boy\" Will.
Here is the full, page-by-page transcription of Maudie\'s letter to Will, preserving her original spelling, punctuation, and underlined emphasis.
Page 1Riverside Ore.Oct 27th 1903.
Dear Friend Will.–I am going to dropyou a few lines to let youknow I\'m still alive. butvery near \"dead\" as Birdie andRobert were here last eveningand they nearly talked me to deathOh! they are just horrid oldthings when they once getstarted at tormenting; theynever know when to let up.And poor \"little me\" had to takethe consequence too.–Well that\'s not all. Ivan S–was here also, came just when
Page 2they were in full blast. And to capthe climax he blurted out andsaid \"he just came from RuthDavis\'es said he heard us\"you and I\" had quarreled for somereason and I had quit you; orat least you got home before7 o\'clock.– now wasn\'t that grand.Oh! he just gave me the Dickens.And you bet I let him go homein the same state of mind hecame in. I told him lies by thesack full. I said yes we hada quarrel and you wasn\'t comingback any more.
Page 3And he honestly believed me to–so if you hear anything from M–about it, please don\'t get mad–You wont– will you Will?Now I tell you its quiterainy out here today and lookslike it might continue to bestormy all week. but neverthelessyou must be sure andcome out this week some eve.–or I never will forgive you.Now do you hear please lovebe sure and come. OhDarling I want to see youso bad. We didn\'t have any
Page 4visit at all sunday. but nevermind every day will beSunday after while \"as theold song goes\" I\'ve been peelingpairs for preserves all dayand my hands are so rough Ican scarcely write so Imust close for this time.Darling be sure and come.You can spare me one ev–ning this week I know.With lots of Love formy own sweet boy.I remain Yours ownMaudie.–
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1903 Maudie W. D. Risley Riverside Oregon Letter & DPO Postal Cover 2c
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