Two original handwritten family letters from Coffeyville, Kansas, mailed together to Mrs. E. E. Tallman in Guthrie, Oklahoma, in May 1905 — two years before Oklahoma achieved statehood.
The correspondence includes a lengthy four-page letter from “Mother,” dated May 22, 1905, and a separate letter from nephew Clyde Reed dated May 23. Together they provide a wonderful snapshot of family and everyday life in the early 20th century.
Mother's letter discusses heavy rains, crops and wheat, housecleaning, new furniture and mattresses, family members, children attending Sabbath schools, and news of relatives. A particularly poignant section discusses the death of Minnie and the family's difficulty communicating the news. Letters apparently continued to be sent to Minnie after her death, with one eventually going through the dead-letter office before being returned.
Clyde Reed's letter provides another fascinating perspective. He reports that their pottery business burned on the night of May 19, with nearly everything destroyed except the office. He describes standing on the porch during rainy weather, the fire wagon arriving, a recent trip to the country, buying leather boots for his father that did not fit, and upcoming Decoration Day.
Includes the original envelope addressed to Mrs. E. E. Tallman in Guthrie, Oklahoma, with a 2-cent Washington stamp, Coffeyville, Kansas postmark and Guthrie receiving postmark.
An especially interesting early family correspondence group for collectors of Kansas history, Oklahoma Territorial history, genealogy, postal history, and everyday American life.
Original antique correspondence showing expected age, folds, toning, edge wear and damage to the envelope. Please review all photographs carefully for handwriting, contents and condition.
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