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Source
Letters originally kept by Reece Mayer (Marie's nephew), who added comments. Now in possession of (and transcribed by) Gayel Knott (Marie's grandniece). The letters offer a brief glimpse into the life of small town farmer families in the early 1920s.
23 October 1922
Written by Marie's mother, Anna (Reusswig) Mayer.
Roseberry, Idaho
Oct 23. 1922
Well my dear Marie!
I think I sure must take time and Write you a few lines. Well how are you geting along by this time hope you are Well, Howe about your toe is it still sore, you better ask the matron about it, are may be blood poison might set in besure and tend to it, Dear Charley Was to see us yesderday, allso the Klients, Richerd got some of Eds Wheat, Eds Wheat is all soll now, Elmer Brown and Henry Went up to the lakes to catch fish, but came back again to day With out any, the fish arnt running yet, Whittels intend to go a way this Week, the spuds arnt all dug yet. I guess it Will take all this Week yet, Marie do you know What is the matter With Hilda she dont Write home, she Writes to Olga, she got a letter from her again last Satterday, and i think Olga mailt one to her to day, now I dont want you to Write to her about it I Wrote 2 letters to her and the 3. one, she shall never get, be Verry careful What you Write to Olgas, as she is Verry good friends With Mrs. Whittle again, and Will tell her all What nounsence you might Write about that schloges, did you Write to the Wolfs if not then Write to them, We still have nice Weather yet, it hasent raint since you went away, the little chicks are still livering yet, a little roaster and little hen, I had to hear again that I was going have a new soninlaw soon, [Reece: Elmer Brown?] so I told this Parson, that that new soninlaw Wasent out to see me yet Wether He could be my soninlaw, Well Marie I must close as it is getting late, now be a good girl, and it Will soon be Chrismas, then that Weding I soppose is to come of, Erma send you the films, the last Picture taken Was Ed and Edie goodnight, With love and best Wishes
your Mother.
[Reece: Marie was "kinda" engaged to Elmer Brown when she went to school - but he married some one else soon after. Elmer's mother was Mrs. Whittle. Elmer's nickname - "Curley"]
5 November 1922
Written by Marie's mother, Anna (Reusswig) Mayer.
Roseberry, Idaho
Nov. 5, 1922
Well dear Brigge got your letter and Picture all right, the Picture are verry nice, you look just the same as ever the one where you are standing you make kind a mad face, Perhaps you dident get no letter from Schloges,
those Picture that Bertha took in little Valley they sure are a fright, we all look like a ghost, for Pitty sake dont show them to any body,
Whitteer went a way a week a go last Wensday, they dident go by the way through Call Well, they went around salmen river, Elmer hasent come back yet no Mrs Whitter dident call up so much any more after you were all gone,
she said she would write to you girls after she got to Tacomas,
yes I had a letter from Lilly she said she was going to write to you, she said she had misslaid your letter and didnent know your address, but have found it, had a letter from Berthas she said she was very proud of yous
seen Olgas and her Holigen standing up there by Olsen but then He went down through Olsons field He dident go all the way with her, there was a dance in Donnly that night, May be He took her, she wants a mann aufell bad,
its a Wonder Spinky dont try and make a bid with her, she went horse back over to see Rubie Buchanan to day again, I guess just to see that Halligan, Well Briggie I guess till you come home on Chrismas the sauer kraut will be ready to eat, and we will feed you on that, that will make you sleepy then you sure will sleep, your schloges dont come to Roseberry this year verry much I geuss He goes to McCall to his ladys, Well Marie there is no news , yes Henry was Deer hunting but dident get anything, Well good night, With love and best Wishes
your Mother Write soon again,
P.C. yes we have snow but not verry much
[Note by Reece Mayer: Marie at College of Idaho--only 1 yr. then she went to Albion. She graduated from Roseberry Hi - May of 1922)
13 February 1923
Written by Marie's mother, Anna (Reusswig) Mayer.
Ustick, Idaho
Feb. 13, 1923
My dear Daughter Marie!
Well Briggie to day is my Birthday, so I thought I would write you a few lines, Im geting to feel every day a little better. Well honny howe are you feeling by now hope you are feeling much stronger and better by now, did you get the night gown, and dont be doing your washing yet for a couple of weeks, give it out and take care that you dont catch cold My but i did watch the car that Thursday that you said that you would be coming over and was looking for you yet on Friday evening, they never told me anything about that you was sick, till you was well,
Well hony I sure would like to see you before I go up home but I dont think that I can make it Im afraid it would make me to nervus, I cant stop to Ed either, Effie wrote me 2 nice letters send me a nice henkerchif for my birthday, little Edie wrote me a big letter but I couldent make out what he ment did you hear from hilda lately, they want her to take her school over again she said she would like to take it over, I guess in a kind of the barn, well Marie dear i will have to close,
now take good care and soon you will be home,
With love and best wishes
Your Mother
[note, Reece Mayer: Grandma staying awhile with Bertha at Ustick - where Bertha was teaching. Marie at College of Idaho.]
28 February 1923
Written by Marie's mother, Anna (Reusswig) Mayer.
Roseberry, Idaho. Feb 28. 1923.
My dear Daughter Marie
I must Write a few lines to let you howe Im geting along, and hope that you are geting along allright by this time, Im feeling right good ever sience I Came hom, I hope Will Keep on, We have nice Warm Weather durning the day, but of course it is cold durning the night, and lots of snow, little Charly Called up the other night ask howe I Was, and said tell henry that there was going to be a dance down at Orlin[?] grazy Dunce, havent heard anything of your scholges yet, the Wulf hollow Poeple were over last Sunday night and also Olga, Klints Were here during the day,
Lidy said that she heard that the girl is visiting at Elmers is Wearing a Daimond ring, so now you needent have an eye on Curly any moore, Dident see Effie and the Childer When we got to Emmet that Saterday, only Ed, He said that Edie had scarletina and that they were quarentin Ed wasent home at the time so He was staying down town, I havent heard Howe they Were geting along, so you better Write to Effie and ask howe there geting along, Lee bouth the Dutsh girl 100. Dallors Worth of Cloths,
thats the kind of old mann to get,
Some one broke in Lees old shack and stole his Clock lamp and the lids of his stove, Well When i got home Dutty had a Pair of Warm slippers 2 Pair of Warm stocking and a check for 8 Dollers for me,
Well Marie I dont know of any more to Write so I geuss Will Close,
hoping to hear from you soon dont say anything to Olga about the Daimond ring
With love and best Wishes
your Mother
Reece: Reece (Edie) had scarlet fever real bad, according to Mom - I almost died - Sister Anna had it real mild.]
19 March 1923
Written by Marie's mother, Anna (Reusswig) Mayer
Roseberry, Idaho
Mar 19. 1923
My dear Daughter Marie!
I just got through Writen a letter to Dutty, so I though I Would Write a fewlines to you, We have still got loads of snow jet, now marie that is all the furthers I got, and Who do you think that came you Will never guess, Mr. & Mrs Spink stayd for Dinner, Was 3. OChock When they left, bought one of our roosters, would you ever geust that they would Come,
John stayd home and took care of the incubater,
Mrs. Spink Will litter chick for Easter, Marie hear I send you mony for Easter and your birthday, I suppose the girls all be haveing a new hat for Easter, When you answer just say yu got the letter allright and last Saterday night I was in bed allready and i geuss the rest Were jest about ready to go, Who should Walk in it Was after 10 Oclock, but Olga and Curly, and styd till 1. Oclock, Playing Cards now Marie dont you think i told you loads of news for this time, just think Mr and Mrs Spink Coming,
Well I hop you Will have a joice Easter, and a hapy birthday and many more to come, Mrs Spink has her birthday in April to i think She said the 24, goodby love and best Wishes your Mother
[ Reece: Dutty - Grandma's sister Kate in Pittsburgh.]
6 March 1924
from Mrs. C. Noble and family
Rock Creek Id
March 6, 1924
Dear Marie Mayer
Dear friend. I will write you a few lines to let you know that I enjoyed your your [sic] nice letter ever so much, but was very sorry that you had the measles and had to be shut up so long expect it seems like a month instead of two weeks. Hilda had been saying she just knew you were sick, and had been worried about not hearing from you.
Don’t worry about the work you have to make up it will all come out all right, and you wont have to have the measles any more. Your excuse is gladly accepted but I hadent thought of you owing me any, nor any thanks for the box for Hilda sent it and I hadent much hand in it. I just put the jelly in, but I am glad you enjoyed it
We have had some nice weather, to, two weeks of Feb were fine, but this week has been very windy and disagreeable. the men have 50 acres of barly planted, and have been plowing and harrowing
Hilda has nine months of school so if you can come down at Easter time we would be glad to have you and will try our best in our poor way, to entertain you.
From your friend
Mrs C. Noble
and family
Reece: Marie at [Albion] – Hilda teaching at Rock Creek, Id (near twin Falls and Murtaugh) and B.[Board] & Rooming with the Noble’s.
1 April 1924
Written by Marie’s sister Irma
Roseberry, Idaho
April 1, 1924
My Dearest Sister,
Well to-days April Fool. Just seven more weeks of school. Lands will I ever live thro them I wonder. Nest week comes six weeks exams, if I get thro geometry with a decent grade it will sure be a mircle. But there will be more in the same boot so I should worry. Guess you’ve been busy taking exams too? Our school has been knocked to pieces. Mr. Plaiz & Old Buttons can’t hit it very good. Mr. Plaiz resigned the other day but if they can’t get another teacher I presume he’ll stay it out. Sure feel sorry for Plaiz as he’s had his time of it. He’s something like Mr. Cutting, quiet, and not liked until you get to know him. To-day the Freshmen gave us a lunch at noon. It was a surprise. They gave us sandwiches, cake & ice cream. It was real good.
We’ve been getting our share of snow the last week. Had one regular blizzard, but the last two day its been so warm that its flooded every where, cant go up town without “canal boots” (overshoes). The days are sure getting long again. One just can’t help getting a little touch of spring fever with the birds all flying around.
The senior class ar’n’t going to get any invitations. Buttons doesn’t approve of them. They’re going to have a speaker from Caldwell. Turkey sure thinks she’s something these days. She hasn’t many friends in this school – except Buttons, he makes up for them.
Marie dear you’ll soon be a maiden of nineteen summers. Wish I was there to give you your pinches, but I’ll save them for you just the same. Heres hoping you have a very Happy Birthday
I’ve no more news to write as I suppose Bertha wrote you all the home news.
Write when you find the time
Oceans of Love xxx
Xxx Irma xxx
P.S. Pop & Mom Turner just drove down the road. They look just the same as ever. Guess they’ll soon be making garden.
Reece: Irma a Jr. in Hi-school, Marie in Normal School at Albion, Idaho
10 April 1924
Written by Marie’s sister Irma
Roseberry, Idaho
April 10, 1924
Dearest Marie:
I promised Bertha I’d write you some time this week as she didn’t get around to it over week end, but as this is exam week I’m quite busy – or should be at least.
Mother has been pretty sick this week and doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Mrs Downend is worse again I heard. I suppose you’ve heard of Mrs. Whitney being so sick? She has cancer on her liver and is in Boise for an opperation, there is little hope of her recovery.
It’s real rainy looking out tonite but hope we don’t get any more rain or we’ll just float away, we’ve so much mud and water already. We’ve had a few real nice days and the snow sure melted some too. The roads are sure a fright. Sunday morning the cattle all marched over to the hill so in the after noon Bertha & I went over and found the most lovely lot of buttercups you ever saw, part of the way was rather muddy & snowy but we didn’t mind.
“Just six more weeks for to tote the weary load.” I’ll bet you’r sure busy these days. I can hardly realize that “Bridgy” will soon be a school Marm. We’ve started in practicing for the track meet. I don’t care much about taking part in any of the events altho I may have too.
Mr. Greenwood has been taking several pictures of the basket ball teams, different classes and ect, hope they’re good but since he took them I doubt it very much.
Remember some of the things we used to do spring before lst? The time we cleaned the yard and then made fudge?
I told you about the teachers quarrel didn’t I? Well after a hot time they finally compromised or half way did and are going to finish school.
Haven’t any news to write, really and truly haven’t. So nity nite.
Oceans of Love
Irma
I’m getting real brave, the other nite I killed two mice with a block of wood but still have plenty of their company.
6 January 1926
Written by Marie’s sister Bertha
Murtaugh, Idaho
January 6, 1926
My dear Sister Marie –
Well vacation came and went, and I suppose you realize by now that I did not get written to you the letter I promised you and that I planned myself to write you.
When one goes away for such a short time – one spends most of his time either on the road or getting ready. You see the trip altho not so lengthy requires nearly four days – on the road. And then being tired and worn out I followed a line of least resistance and because it required an effort didn’t write at all.
I shall begin with your Xmas to us. You certainly outdid yourself for us – A whole sight better than I did the first year I was out. Did it give you a sort of thrill to buy things for folks out of your own money?
Dad liked the shirt – very much and we all enjoyed the record. It is a very pretty one.
Your picture is very good Marie – It is as they take pictures now – They throw those high lights on them – as they do on the movie people on the screen. It looks just like you. Of course it doesn’t flatter you any. And when we have expensive pictures taken we sort of want them to do that. Dad said he wants one too.
We all put forth an effort to make Dad a good Christmas. Whether he deserves it or not I don’t know – but Frieda & Erma brot him a gray flannel shirt & a pair of good wool sox – and I brot him a gray cotton blanket to sleep between. Lillie sent him some money, and since Frieda & Erma were home during the butchering Frieda rendered all the lard and put away the sausage and cleaned things up for him.
We had a nice Christmas dinner. Henry Lemp & Richard Klient were there – Neither one of those men is officious so I didn’t mind them at all. We had a very nice day. We all catered to Topsy and no one got mad except I blew off once to Topsy because she didn’t like the Christmas present I gave her. Topsy didn’t give me a darn thing – And I gave her a Motto picture – (The girls said it was just like what H. L. sent you) and a check for $5. As Topsy is she didn’t like the picture. And when Dad said he thought the poem was very nice and he hoped Topsy would read it occasionally she flew off & said it wouldn’t soak in & then I “read the riot act.” But no one heard it only the Gov & Topsy & I – so no one knew I couldn’t hold in.
I suppose the girls told you the H. L. [Henry Lemp] gave us all something He gave Erma & me each a ring and Frieda a Book on the explanation of the Bible & Topsy a bracelet for her watch – Since H. L. got hold of a little money he certainly knows how to spent it seemingly.
I love the picture. “An If for Girls” and mean to have one of my own too – as well as Kipling’s famous one. I think it was so nice of poor Pug to get us each something. He brought two boxes of candy on Christmas day and Richard Klient brought a three lb. box of candy too – Those sports are not the tin horn kind, as a certain young man I know, is.
We had a lot of candy – And no one seemed to care to eat any – much.
You certainly have struck it hard for your first year of teaching – Marie – I can truly appreciate how you felt after your program was over on Christmas Eve – Like a rag and I can also appreciate your feeling when you got up to a dirty house on Christmas morning – I have been in both places – And also – I have been where Christmas has only been December 25” – But maybe something nice and big and truly worthy will come into your life some time to bring back that old time festive feeling for the holidays that you held so dear in your early years. I truly hope so.
You were surely well treated with gifts – but not more so than I – My list is long and precious –
I got a sewing basket – a jewel box, a string of beads – Frieda got me goods for a brown silk dress A dresser scarf. 4 embroidered tea towels – a powder puff in a little rubber bag, a pair of lavender silk garters – 10 nice handkerchiefs – A pretty book mark – 4 boxes of candy – a crocheted bag – A real china cup & saucer – this gold & blue stuff – a pair of pot holders a pretty metal flower to wear on my coat – And any number of pretty cards – Lillie of course still has her gift coming – but then I didn’t send her any thing so I wish she wouldn’t send me any thing. Oh yes and a photograph of a very dear girl.
It was pretty cold all the time I was in L. V. [Long Valley]
I talked several times to Mrs. Eaton on the phone. She said she had the finest letter from you She said one of the best she ever got from any one in her life – She said you had spoken of going to Spokane for Thanksgiving – and I added that you had also gone for Christmas and she said she wished so much that she had known. She would have sent you a letter of introduction to her niece & nephew in Spokane. And written them about you. She said they were such cultured people and would have in deed shown you a good time – And then she added – that her nephew wasn’t married. Oh Bridget – She felt I think that that would go back to some one again so she put it strong I felt that coming from Mrs Eaton you had scored a good point for you know she was the one who said that about the Long Valley girls & John – But then some one else said almost the same thing about their son to me last fall while I was in L.V.
Topsy& I were in Donnelly one day – We saw J. S. Gee but he is fat – and was hairy as an old grizzley – I spoke to him He helped Topsy untie her team I said maybe he didn’t know how since he drove but cars these days – He said he had no car – had had none all last summer & got a ride only when he could steal one. I heard from pretty good authority that he boot legs – and largely because his dad won’t give him any money. Of course he gambles too.
Mrs. Wolfe said she had a card from you – She was so tickled over it – She said she’d wait awhile before she wrote to you – and then tell you all the later news
Miss McGonigle & Mr. McCoy were united in marriage during the Christmas holidays –
Now Marie before I close (and of course this is not the letter I planned to write you but since there are almost five months I may get to write it yet – tho it may be too late – then too maybe [last page missing]
Reece Notes: Marie teaching 1st yr of School at Rose Lake Id – up in Pan Handle of Idaho – Not far from Spokane.
Bertha teaching at Murtaugh – Bertha – Frieda and Irma all home in L.V. [Long Valley] for Xmas with their Dad, who is alone or living with Henry – Letter never mentions Henry – maybe that was when he was working on a wheat ranch at Fairfield, Idaho.
Rnd trip on R. Road from Murtagh to Donnelly – 4 days for Xmas.
Marie went to Spokane.
Frieda from Notus also Irma – who was living with Frieda and Senior in Hi School
All the girls had nicknames – Ones I can identify are –
Hilda – “Topsy”
Marie – Bridgett”
Frieda – “Fritz”
Erma – “The Kid”
Grandad – “Old Gent” or “The Gov”
Bertha had a nick-name but don’t remember it
14 February 1926
Written by Marie’s father
Roseberry Feb 14, 1926
Mine deer Daughter Marie
I got your Picture and the letter I Tank you for the Shirte and the Picture I like the Picture you look good on it. It wos raining here tow, the sloose vose ful of Wather the snoi is only a foot deepe. I kilt old Cween [Old Queen – a horse] yesterday her tieth wos bad. I only got 3 cows I butchert the Wihte Cow and sold it to cascade Butcher for $60 00/00 and I Shept the big red cowe to Portland wit floud Lumis [Floyd Loomis] I got $61 10/00 for it and I bod 2 Pigs I am houling Wood out of Plassend Vally and Henry Lampe is helpen me to load it I have 2 mor loades to get yet. Yesterday Lady Eton vos hire got som souerkrout and I schoad her your Picture she sed it is nice tomorrow I go to toun to teke the Creeme in I got a foile canfol from 2 Wiks
The Chickens don’t lai very good I get from 2 to 5 Egs a day and Ole the Black Cats dide ther is only the Wide Cate left
Vel Marie ef you cant reed dis you hefto gess it
vit Love yor fater
Comment of Marie's neice, Ann: That’s the way he talked. The family spoke German at home.
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