February 28, 1924 letter to Nancy Brown from Hannah Towne

February 28, 1924

To: Nancy Brown, Chicago, IL

From: Hannah Towne, Kalamazoo, MI

Writes about how she has told different people about the candy business and how much everyone enjoys the candy. Wishes Bess lived closer to Lela so she wouldn’t have to travel so late at night. General news about neighbors and other family members.

Scan of 1924-02-28 Hannah Towne to Nancy Keith

Thursday Eve – Feb 28 – 1924

Dear Sister and all –

We have had three nice days and not so cold. Have thought of you and wondered if your fire is any better. I dont see how you can stand it to be so cold and not get sick. It wories us. Hope something can be done before an other winter. I do hope you can get the money so you can enlarge the business and make a lot of money this year. Everything has got a blue cast to it with us all. Where did you send Mabels candy. I suppose they are in York state some where. They intended to stopped here but we have’nt seen or heard any thing of them. Think she will be surprised to see your name.[1] I went over to see Ida and Carrie[2] this P.M. Mr & Mrs Brackie and Ethen[3] were going to the burg with horses and sleigh so I thought it a good time for me to go and then have the ride. I did’nt feel equil to it for I am so lame all over and then through me but I went just the same and I can tell to morrow how I feel from it. Ida just phoned and said Carrie has had a hard spell this eve and had to have the doctor. He says nothing can be done but an opperation. (I told them all about the candy business – they think it wonderfull – so if you ever send them a box put it up nice like you do when you send away. We dont want you to take any extra pains for us an old way will do. All we care for is the candy but dont send so often it costs you to make and send it. Mrs Ford phoned me Monday and asked all about it said Edna had told her said it was the most delicious candy she ever ate. She said she and Mrs Steward had been talking about. She wanted to know the price). I said to Ethen perhaps they were agoing to send for a box. Bess[4] I wish you lived nearer to Lela’s.[5] I dont like to think of your going home so late. That is a good letter Lou[6] wrote but I would be a fraid to have him come home. It is an awful thing to be as near right as he seems to be and have to stay there. But no telling what he might do if he came home. Floyd[7] was here about an hour yesterday. He had been to Battle Creek with Doc[8] & Bert Hope. They went to see Raymond. Doc has got rheumatism so bad. Has to go again next week. I would answer your letter if I were Cora and say something.

Friday 8:30 – Just got a phone from Elle M. She is comeing over and my work is’nt done. Had planned to do the cleaning up to day for to morrow. I want to do baking. Have to do that when it is warm enough to have a fire in kitchen. It has put me out and up set me her wanting to come this forenoon. It is dandy out sun so bright and nice. Hope to hear from you to morrow.

Love H

Three months to night Mildred and Fred[9] were married.

Would write more if I had time.

——-

[1] The name of the candy business was Nancy Keith Candies; Nancy’s maiden name was Keith

[2] Believe she is referring to her neighbors, Ida (Barber) Howe, and her daughter, Carrie. Ida married Eugene Howe in 1882; however, the 1900 census shows Ida as a widow and she and their children were living with her father. All subsequent census records list her and her children with the surname of Barber

[3] Her brother, Ethan Keith

[4] Nancy’s daughter, Bess (Brown) Recoschewitz

[5] Nancy’s daughter, Lela (Brown) Mueller. The girls made the candy in Lela’s basement

[6] Lela’s husband, Louis Mueller, who was confined to a mental hospital due to a brain injury caused by being hit by a streetcar

[7] Their nephew, Floyd Harris

[8] Samuel Boyer, husband of their niece, LaVerne (Harris) Boyer

[9] Their niece and her new husband, Mildred (Harris) and Fred Cripe

January 30, 1924 letter to Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne from Nancy Brown

January 30, 1924

To: Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne, Kalamazoo, MI

From: Nancy Brown, Chicago, IL

A short letter wanting to know if they got the $5.00 and cake.

Scan of 1924-01-30 Nancy Brown to Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne

Wed Jan 30″ 1924

Dear brother and sister

I’m writting just a few lines to ask if you got Roberts[1] check for 5.00 and if the cake got there all right. The letter was sent the 21­^st­ cake 23rd. Bess[2] said the little packages was put in to keep the cake from being shaken up to much. Hope you got every thing all right and think you did. I have not heard any thing from Cora[3]. I did not say any thing about you or the horse. Nice and sun shining to day but sloppy and wet. Lela[4] goes to Elgin tomow. Dr told Joe last Sunday he thought in a few weeks they could tell if Lou[5] was all right – if so he could come home. Dodo[6] dont hear one word from Louese. Some times she thinks she will phone her, then she will change her mind. We are glad Edna[7] liked our candy. Wonder if Henry would’nt like a box to take to Cal. on his trip. He can have one for 1.00. Bess just phoned. Said she and Robert got your letters, evry thing got there O.K. I’ll send this just the same so long as its written. Will write so you’ll get a letter Saterday. Jean[8] was walking on ice coming home this noon it broke. She fell in to a lot of water, wet from head to foot, so she cant go this P.M. She Helen[9] & Bob passed in school.

Nan

——-

[1] Her grandson, Robert Recoschewitz

[2] Her daughter, Bess (Brown) Recoschewitz

[3] Believe she is referring to her sister-in-law, Cora (Meredith) Keith

[4] Her daughter, Lela (Brown) Mueller

[5] Lela’s husband, Louis Mueller, who was confined to a mental hospital due to brain injuries sustained when he was hit by a streetcar

[6] Her granddaughter, Dorothy Recoschewitz

[7] Her cousin, Edna (Crawford) Henry Tullar

[8] Her granddaughter, Eda “Jean” Mueller

[9] Her granddaughter, Helen Mueller

January 7, 1924 letter to Nancy Brown from Wilma Keith

January 7, 1924

To: Nancy Brown

From: Wilma Keith, Shelbyville, MI

She will be writing to someone in Chicago once a week to keep track of everyone. All are feeling fine there; weather is very cold but sunny. Presumes the girls made lots of candy for Christmas. Their paper boy died Saturday of heart asthma. “The stars always shine at our house now As we have one in the garage, It runs like a top too.” Got Christmas cards from all but forgot to send theirs. Dorothy hasn’t written since she came home. She has her pillow cases done.

Scan of 1924-01-07 Wilma Keith to Nancy Brown

Shelbyville. Mich.

Jan. 7. 1924.

Dear Aunt Nan & All.

Well I don’t remember whose turn it is to write yours or mine But I am not going to wait. I am going to try and write once a week to someone in Chicago, So we can keep track of everyone. Ha. How is everyone anyway? We are all feeling fine. I guess it’s the weather. Sat. & Sun. it was pretty cold. Yesterday morning it was 18˚ below zero here.

Well I presume the girls[1] Holiday rush is about over. Do they have any idea how many pounds they made for Christmas.

To-day is certainly a beautiful day it is quite warm and the sun is shining so bright. It is the first 7^th of Jan I remember that was’nt a stormy one. I don’t rememberer or what it was 19 years ago to-day though.[2] Aunt Nan do you rememberer the little boy[3] who peddled the paper’s here nites. Well he died Sat. afternoon about 2:00. He has been sick for about 6 weeks, the last few days he suffered everything. The doctor says it’s from the poison left in his system when they had diphtheria because his face commenced to swell and when the swelling got down to his lungs it shut off his breathing. The doctors some of them said it was heart asthma.

Well Aunt Nan the stars always shine at our house now As we have one in the garage. It runs like a top too. Now we can go when it comes summer. We went to Aunt Marions[4] Christmas. Well I guess we got Christmas cards from everyone but we did’nt send ours. We got them all ready to send Then forgot everything about them. The last minute I got a few New year’s cards and sent but they was’nt so very pretty.

Tell Dorothy[5] I hav’nt seen a letter from her since I came home and tell her that I have her pillow cases done. Will send them soon. Would like to make a sheet to go with them with the insertion and perhaps I will sometime before April.

Well I must close. Write soon.

Wilma

Please excuse my writing as my head is to full of grief for the Bryants.[6]

——-

[1] Lela (Brown) Mueller and Bess (Brown) Recoschewitz

[2] Wilma was born January 7, 1905

[3] A search of Ancestry.com shows that Clifford Bryant died January 5, 1924 from complications of diphtheria

[4] Marion (Meredith) Rice, the sister of Wilma’s mother, Cora (Meredith) Keith

[5] Nancy’s granddaughter, Dorothy Recoschewitz

[6] Clifford’s parents, Arthur and Mary (Griffen) Bryant

January 3, 1924 letter to Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne from Nancy Brown

January 3, 1924

To: Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne, Kalamazoo, MI

From: Nancy Brown, Chicago, IL

This letter was Nancy’s first letter of the New Year. She is sending $5.00 and the girls are sending $5.00 of Nancy Keith money. Writes about the candy business; Edna has ordered 15 pounds in the last two and a half weeks.

This letter was originally posted to the Crawford/Comfort Family Letters blog and can be read here.

December 12, 1923 postcard to Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne from Nancy Brown

December 12, 1923  

To: Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne, Kalamazoo, MI

From: Nancy Brown, Chicago, IL

A postcard with general news.

Scan of 1923-12-12 Nancy Brown to Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne

Dec 12^“ 1923

Dear brother & sister

Has rained steady all day. Am afraid our nice weather will take a hard cold. I expect to go to Bessies[1] tomow, stay till Christmas. She will stay home. Not a word from any of Lous[2] folks for a number of weeks. Got an announcement from Mildred.[3] Wilma[4] wrote me Jim[5] was better. Two letters from Lou[6] to day written and spelled all right perfectly normal in any thing he said. We cannot understand it.[7] I have not been down town in over four weeks, such crowds. Girls[8] dont want I should. Have you got that record Ethan? Or have you heard it. I wont try to hear it now till after Xmas. Would be almost impossible to get in to a booth and play it now. We have had thirteen lbs candy ordered from Edna[9] and family. Let me know Aunt Jennies[10] address. I want to send her a card. Will write Friday. All in bed but me. Good night.

With love

Nan

——-

[1] Her daughter, Bess (Brown) Recoschewitz

[2] Their sister, Louese (Keith) Harris

[3] Their niece, Mildred (Harris) Cripe. She married Fred Cripe on November 28, 1923

[4] Their niece, Wilma Keith

[5] Their brother, and Wilma’s father, James Keith

[6] Nancy’s son-in-law, Louis Mueller

[7] Presume she means that it’s hard to understand how he can be perfectly normal at times and then at other times be delusional

[8] Nancy’s daughters, Bess, and Lela (Brown) Mueller

[9] Their cousin, Edna (Crawford) Henry Tullar

[10] Believe she is referring to Helen Jane “Jennie” (Clark) Barber, who is mentioned in several of the family letters and diaries. Jennie was the maternal first cousin once removed from Edgar Galusha, who was a neighbor of Ethan and Hannah, so the term “Aunt” was an honorary title

December 10, 1923 letter to Nancy Brown from Louese Harris

December 10, 1923

To: Nancy Brown

From: Louese Harris, Shelbyville, MI

Writes about Mildred and Fred’s marriage. Jim has been very sick and Walter and Dorothy have had to come over every morning to do the chores before Walter goes off to work.

Scan of 1923-12-10 Louese Harris to Nancy Brown

Shelbyville Dec 10 – 1923

Dear Sister:

I dont know how long since I wrote you last but guess it does’nt matter as you’ve heard any news from here which was worth while. I had a letter commenced to you “four pages” last week, but just could not seem to get a chance to finish it so I consigned it to the flames, and here goes again. I hav’nt been worth a pewter sixpence since you were home and after the trouble with my stomach etc “especially the etc” my back has been knocked out, then my head & nerves “worse yet” so I just dont seem to get any where. Well when I get accustomed to conditions maybe I’ll amount to more. Its hard enough for all of us but Tony[1] and I realize it most for we are here alone a good deal. No I dont mean to put the dog a head of D & the children[2] so far as feeling bad over Mildreds[3] going – but she certainly does act as if she felt awfully bad yet she has always made a great fuss when M has been away at the same time she seems worse now and I believe she gets the vibration that Mildred will not come home to stay any more. As M- has written Dorothy[4] I presume you know Fred[5] took us unexpectedly, just as he was taken. When M- refused to get married in Sept he put in an application for a few days lay off at Thanksgiving time. He was not informed that he could have it until the 24^th Sat “week.” He came up Sun P.M. told M- he could have 4 days beginning with Tues. Well it was a hustling time as she had’nt as she had’nt gotten her suit. She had in a way given up getting married until spring thinking that “as Fred said” there was hardly a ghost of a chance for an other layoff before then considering he had the two weeks in Sept. And then I think too she was anxious to wait on account of a trip they had planned. But Fred says they’ll go just the same when ever she wants him to have his vacation next summer. They “the operators” have their choice of what time they wish to lay off. I told her I hoped they would go, but there was many a slip between between the cup & the lip, by that time she might be on her way to Boston instead of Yellowstone or Washington D.C. To go back to the suit – She spent Tuesday in Kal – nothing there, Wed. forenoon in G.R.[6] same result, came home at noon, Fred had arrived at 10. A.M. They left at 2. P.M. for Allegan. After getting the license went to Kal.[7] Tried to get Minister of Peoples Church but were disappointed so a Presbyterian D.D. tied the knot. Of course you know they called on Hannah and Ethan,[8] came back here that night and returned to Galesburg Thurs. eve. leaving here at 7 oclock in a pouring rain. Staying with them until Fri. P.M. went to Kal. and Mildred came home on 4. P.M. car and staid until Sun. eve. when F- came after her. She came home again Wed. noon. He coming up Fri. eve. with car. They packed it full & returned to Kal. that eve. Had rented three furnished roomes, bed room size of hers here at home dining room about size of ours & kitchenette. $48.00 month. On East Lovell St. pleasant place clean & nice but not enough room. She phoned LaVerne[9] yesterday. They had a new place 1024 N. Edwards four rooms living, dining, bedroom, kitchen, furnished, so they can accommodate guests over night. She wants Floyd & Leone[10] to come down to morrow see “The Covered Wagon” in eve. Floyd is going will stay over night. M- may come home with him as she has planned to come Fri. any way and stay until Sun. Doc[11] LaV. & girls[12] may go to see the show too. He has to go to Kal. to get supplies for the lodge “masonic” and the kids are going to make the most of the oppertunity. M- says they’ll not furnish a home yet -, she is going to take time to look around and find out what she wants so long as she can as well as not. Then she will come home once a week for a day or two and I would’nt wonder if they do light housekeeping all winter.

You know Jim[13] has been quite sick. I’ve been down to see him twice. LaVerne told me he was up at Winnies[14] yesterday so he must be improving fast as I called Sat. eve. the girls and I – and he was so weak could hardly walk. He certainly looks bad. I can’t imagine his going to work very soon.

Walter & Dorothy[15] come home every eve. Walter to do the chores night & morning. They have to hustle some in the morning as he has to be back to station to go on duty at 7 oclock. I saw Helen’s[16] letter. Tell her I think she does fine. Should think Lou[17] must be considerable better. Will he ever be so he can come home. If he wants to so badly I should think it would do him good to come just for a few days. Think the candy business[18] is growing fast. Please remember & drop D or I a card – D I guess to let him know if Bessie[19] has rec’d his letter, also if she has called on the Co. to buy any sugar and whether the agent has been to see them about it. D wrote her several days ago. Thinks perhaps she did not get letter. Let him know soon as possible so he’ll know how it is before the agent comes again.

This letter should have gone Wed. P.M. but Edith Thomas Stephens “Leones friend” came from Allegan at noon to stay over until last eve. and I had no time to finish this. My knee hurts me so by night I can hardly walk so I make slow work of house work and keep more than busy any way if some one is here to visit every minute. LaV. comes every morning and helps me a lot, dont know what I’d do with out her then she, or one of the girls if not all three are here every eve until last night I said for them to stay at home as Leone was coming home early. Floyd went to Kal. Wed. noon. M- sent for him. The three went to see the “Covered Wagon” in eve. Floyd returned home yesterday noon. M- & Fred have a suite on N. Edwards St 1024. First place was on E Lovell. Three very small rooms $48.00. Have four where they are “furnished” and can accommodate company. Well Leone has fussed me – sits here talking and I’m writing things the second time. Probably Hannah has written you about the company they had last Sun. and the eats they brought. Thinks the Stoddards must have gotten a generous streak on. M & F. will probably go up often. She any way as she can have the car & time to go. She is coming home this eve. Will stay until Sun. I expect. Going to have coal stove put up to morrow. Mrs Eva Briggs left for Washington D.C. last eve. 60 day vacation. D is running her business[20] here yet. I must get busy & fry beefsteak steak for dinner. Hope to hear from you soon.

Love to all

Lou

I know this is not very satisfactory but I can’t do any better just now.

——-

[1] Tony is apparently the family dog

[2] Her husband, Daniel D. Harris Jr., and their son, Floyd, and daughter, Leone, who still lived at home

[3] Her daughter, Mildred (Harris) Cripe

[4] Nancy’s granddaughter, Dorothy Recoschewitz

[5] Mildred’s husband, Fred Cripe

[6] Grand Rapids, Michigan

[7] Kalamazoo, Michigan

[8] Their sister, Hannah (Keith) Towne, and brother, Ethan Keith

[9] Louese’s daughter, LaVerne (Harris) Boyer

[10] Louese’s son and daughter

[11] LaVerne’s husband, Samuel “Doc” Boyer

[12] Doc & LaVerne’s daughters, Carol and Louise Boyer

[13] Their brother, James Keith, who suffered from severe asthma

[14] Jim’s daughter, Winifred (Keith) Brouard

[15] Jim’s son and daughter-in-law, Walter and Dorothy (Beckwith) Keith

[16] Nancy’s granddaughter, Helen Mueller

[17] Nancy’s son-in-law, Louis Mueller who had suffered brain damage as the result of being struck by a streetcar and was in an institution

[18] Nancy Keith Candies, started by Nancy’s daughters, Lela and Bess

[19] Nancy’s daughter, Bess (Brown) Recoschewitz

[20] Eva (Dowell) Briggs. Research shows that her late husband, Wallace Earl Briggs, was a lumber dealer. He hung himself on September 3, 1921 and it appears that Eva continued to run the business after his death. Louese’s husband, D Harris, was apparently running the business while Eve was visiting family in Washington, D.C.

November 11, 1923 letter to Nancy Brown from Hannah Towne

November 11, 1923

To: Nancy Brown, Chicago, IL

From: Hannah Towne, Kalamazoo, MI

Writes about the fire at the Gates’ farm which killed Will Schuyler. Some think it was an accident, but others think it was suicide. Will’s wife, Ina, was in the hospital without much hope of getting better. If she did live, the doctors thought she would be blind and perhaps insane. Will was worried about that and the expenses. Hannah and Ethan need a horse so badly. Ethan has to cart corn and wood in a wheelbarrow. She hopes that Claude can help them with the expense of buying a horse. It is very humiliating to her to have to ask for assistance.

Scan of 1923-11-11 Hannah Towne to Nancy Brown

Sunday Evening, Nov 11-1923

Dear sister and all

This has been a fine day lots of autos out. Your letter came yesterday but no candy. That likely will come to morrow. We are so glad the girls[1] are on the road to a big fortune. It sounds pretty good. They certainly will have to have some help and more room. You did’nt say how Lou[2] is. Now I have some thing to tell. Last Friday eve about six thirty the barns on Mrs Gates farm burned to the ground. Mr Wilson and Mr Brown saw it and they both got there at the same time. They called to Will[3] but no answer so they thought he must be in the house and did not know of it. The chores were done. Nine cows two horses and Will burned with the barns. It took until eleven oclock before they found him. He was in the granery and a lot of rye had coverd him up all but his head. That was burned off but rest of body was all right. The Sheriff came before they could do much looking. He staid all night and yesterday he found some of the scull and teeth. Some think it was an accident and others suicide. We think suicide. Ina[4] is in Hospital with out much hopes of her ever being any better. If she does live will be blind and perhaps in sane so the doctors say. She keeps calling for him and to morrow morning the brothers and sister Calvin and Emma[5] and Dr Hobbs are going there and Hobbs will tell her Will had a heart spell and died. He may not tell it just as I have written it. I am sorry for them and Ina I pity her from the bottom of my heart. I would’nt be surprised if it killed her. You see Will was not well and so worried over Ina so afraid she would be blind, then this awful expense it worried him to death. And then he was alone night and day and could think night and day. I talked with him Friday afternoon over the phone and to think his body is up in Oak Grove.[6] Cannot realize it. This morning Blanche Wilson[7] phoned to see if I was going to the funeral. I told her no so she and Charlie[8] came and staid here. Mr & Mrs Wilson[9] went. I phoned Hazel[10] and told her I would take care of Forrest and Arvis.[11] She was glad to have me. It was hustle to get dinner and it was most ready when Jim[12] & Walter[13] came. Just about that time Mabel Buckley[14] phoned that they were going to the lake and would bring Ed Harman[?] here and leave him while they were gone. When they came Mary,[15] Mabel, Ruth[16] & Ed staid here and James & Edwin[17] went to the lake. Well it was some day here for Ethan[18] and I. Mary is going to Florida the last of this month. Ed look just the same only is quite fat. A good looking old man.

Tuesday eve. All in yesterday and to day. Could’nt finish this. Too much excitement for my nerves. I cannot write much about Will & Ina this time, it affects me so – but the Dr told her yesterday morning. The brothers & sisters were all there. She took an awful hard at first but quited down after a while. The “Dr gave her a hypodermic.” She asked when the funeral was and where he was buried and why they did’nt keep him so she could of seen him. If she lives and finds out every thing seems to me she would go crazy. Jim Blake is guardian. He and some men have been there at work to day taking care of the cows and horses and cleaning up – drawing the rye to the burg. It is a week to day that Will was to see her. It got to be time for him to come and he didnt come. She would call for him. Friday night about the time the barn commenced to burn she ” ” [commenced] crying and cried most of the time since. She got it in her mind that Will had been shot. Now she got some kind of an impression.

I will talk about some thing else. Jim said he felt the best and could breathe easier[19] than he had in six weeks. Sunday He did’nt make the fuss breathing that he did when he was here two or three weeks ago. Lou[20] wrote said she boiled some brown paper in salt peter water then dried it took it down to him and told him to put it on hot coals and in hale the fumes. I dont know if that is what helped him. He wants Ethan to buy Dean, says we can have him for $50.00. fifty dollars. You said Claude[21] said he would help to buy a horse. Have you any idea how much he could let Ethan have. It is awful humiliating to us to ask Claude for help. Pendeltons & Doyens[22] I hope wont know it. We need a horse so much. Ethan has to draw corn and wood in the wheel barrow and it is useing him up. The coal stove is’nt up yet and it takes so much of his time to get the wood and cut it for this little stove that he cant get time to do any thing else. If you can find out what Claude can do and let Ethan know, but for mercy sake dont let him know that I have written to find out. I guess Ethan will go to Shelbyville some day this week to see the horse.

The candy came to day. All in good shape and look so nice. The carmel are the best we ever have tasted – are so rich. Many thanks for them. Am sure they are on the road to a big fortune. I am so glad that I am aunt to the fortune. I have got to write a little to Lou if I can before going to bed. Oh yes Mrs Wilson paperd the dining room Friday and put down an other carpet. Ethan helped her with carpet so we look a little cleaner.

Hope you are better. Wish I could help wash your dishes.

Good bye

Love H

Ethan cant remember if he put your ____ or his return address.

——-

[1] Nancy’s daughters, Lela (Brown) Mueller and Bess (Brown) Recoschewitz, who have started a candy business, Nancy Keith Candies

[2] Lela’s husband, Louis Mueller, who had suffered brain damage and was in an institution

[3] William Schuyler, who rented the Gates place

[4] Will’s wife, Ina (Snyder) Schuyler

[5] Will’s brother and sister-in-law, Calvin and Emma (Allen) Schuyler

[6] Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[7] A neighbor; Blanche was about 13 years old at the time

[8] Blanche’s brother, who was about 10 years old at the time

[9] Blanche and Charlie’s parents, Willet and Cornelia Wilson

[10] Hazel (Beaumont) Schuyler. Hazel was married to Allen Schuyler who was Will Schuyler’s nephew

[11] Hazel’s sons, Jay Forrest and Ardis Schuyler, who were about 7 and 3 years old at the time

[12] Hannah’s and Nancy’s brother, James Keith

[13] Jim’s son, Walter Keith

[14] Mabel (Flanders) Buckley

[15] Believe this is referring to Mabel’s mother, Mary (Smith) Flanders

[16] Mabel’s daughter, Ruth Buckley

[17] Mabel’s sons, James and Edwin Buckley

[18] Their brother, Ethan Keith

[19] Jim suffered from asthma

[20] Their sister, Louese (Keith) Harris

[21] Nancy’s son, Claude Brown

[22] George & Caroline (Neumaier) Pendleton and Frank & Matilda (Neumaier) Doyen; Caroline and Matilda were sisters of Claude’s wife, Edith (Neumaier) Brown

October 24, 1923 letter to Ethan Keith and Hannah Towne from Nancy Brown

October 24, 1923

To: Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne, Kalamazoo, MI

From: Nancy Brown, Chicago, IL

They ordered 250 candy boxes with the new name of “Nancy Keith.” Business is picking up and the girls made 150 pounds since last Friday and will make again on Friday. Lela leaves for Davenport on Friday and Nancy is hoping she will bring back $1,000.00. Johanna went to see Lou. He knew her and asked about Lela and the children. He wanted to know when Lela was coming to see him, but then said it didn’t matter as he was going to Chicago that night on horseback and would play ball all the way in. May Roney got her divorce from Buck. Nancy wants to know if Ethan and Hannah are going to get another horse.

Scan of 1923-10-24 Nancy Brown to Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne

Oct 24″ 1923

Dear brother and sister.

We are having real nice weather, but quite cold. We ordered a small crate (holds three dozen eggs) from the “Fair,”[1] so you may send them. We also sent a box of “Nancy Keith” candies. What do you think of the box. We had to have boxes right away so ordered two hundred and fifty. All the rest will be the same only embossed which will be much nicer. It was done before I knew of it, I mean the cut. Claude[2] made that and the children all wanted the name. Now its up to us to make the name Keith famous. All who have seen the box like it and some say a good deal about it. Wilma[3] is proud of it. The business is picking up. Since last Friday have made one hundred and twenty pounds, make again Friday. Just Bess[4] and Carrie. Lela[5] goes to Davenport[6] Friday. Will be home Sunday night or Monday moring. I told her I hoped she would bring back one thousand dollars with her.[7] Joe’s[8] was all to see Lou[9] last Sunday, said he had gained a good deal. Knew them all, asked about Lela & the children.[10] Wanted to know when Lela was coming to see him. Joe said in a few days. He said it dont matter as I am going to Chicago to night on horse back. Shall play ball all the way in & so he is only a little stronger physically, but the same mentally. They asked the Dr if he thought him better. He said yes in some ways, but it dont mean any thing. The next change which is found to come may be so much worse for all and it may be the end. Glad you sent Mables letter. I got one the day before yours came, almost the same, only a little more to yours. May[11] got her divorce from Buck[12] the 18″, has the home and twenty thousand dollars. Had to give two (2) % of it to the lawyer. Buck hopes to pay her the eighteen in side of a year, if not will as fast as posible. She feels bad, but feels free, knows now where she is and dont have him to worry over. Wilma leaves Mrs Locks one week from to day. ” ” [Mrs Locks] told her she could come back if she wanted to. Dorothy[13] will come and stay with us while Lela is gone.

Friday, 3 P.M.

A fine mist. Lela left this 7 A.M. They drive from Joes, but they have a closed car. It is heated so they will be warm & dry. She went away with a hard head ache, nervous I guess. Bess and Carrie are making candy. Bess will stay this evening a while and work. Jean will go home with her. Dorothy comes tomow night. Sunday Robert,[14] Joe[15] and Wilma will be here for dinner. My cactus has three new leaves. Pepper looks nice but dont grow much. I think Mr & Mrs Stilwill had a narrow escape. Too bad about Mrs Golden. What kind of a dress did Mrs Riddler have and was they all right about your price for Virginas dresses. Are you going to try and get a horse. I know Claude will help some. I will a little. The children are coming from school. I want they should mail this. Wish I knew how Lou[16] is. She was going to write first of week but has’nt done so. Hope you got the crate all right – also candy.

With love

Nan

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[1] “The Fair Store,” a discount department store

[2] Her son, Claude Brown

[3] Wilma Keith, the daughter of their brother, James Clinton Keith

[4] Her daughter, Bess (Brown) Recoschewitz

[5] Her daughter, Lela (Brown) Mueller

[6] Davenport, Iowa, where Lela’s mother-in-law, Auguste (Ficke) Mueller, and sister-in-law, Johanna, lived

[7] Nancy was hoping that Lela would be able to get some help from her husband’s uncle, Charles August Ficke, who was quite wealthy

[8] Lela’s sister-in-law, Johanna (Mueller) Holmquist Langhorn

[9] Lela’s husband, Louis Mueller, who was currently in a sanitarium due to brain injuries sustained when he was knocked down by a streetcar

[10] Lela and Lou’s daughters, Helen and Eda “Jean” Mueller

[11] Marion (Roney) Buchanan, a former neighbor of Nancy’s when she lived on Kenmore Street

[12]  John Buchanan

[13] Her granddaughter, Dorothy Recoschewitz

[14] Nancy’s grandson, Robert Recoschewitz

[15] Joseph Langmayer, Dorothy’s future husband

[16] Their sister, Louese (Keith) Harris

September 13, 1923 letter to Ethan Keith and Hannah Towne from Nancy Brown

November 23, 1923

To: Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne

From: Nancy Brown

Nancy is writing to her brother and sister and enclosing a letter she received from her son, Claude. She writes that Mildred and Fred are getting married Saturday. Claude’s letter mentions that Louis is rapidly failing and didn’t recognize his sister when she visited. He would like to take Lela away for a few days so that she can get a break.

Scan of 1923-09-13 Nancy Brown to Ethan Keith & Hannah Towne

I’ll send these two letters.[1] I am not going till Tuesday morning.[2] Will try hard to get the border and cloth[?] sent tomow. Would if I could get them. Freds[3] being here makes it a lot harder. Mildred[4] cant do so much and its so hard for Lou[5] to get around. She told me it would go to day or tomow any way. I’ll do all I can to get it off to day.

The party is the Sissle girls.[6] Wilma and Winifred[7] are planing to go to Chicago two weeks from to day. Leave Kirk & children[8] at Jims.[9] She will stay till about Wednesday. Dont know how long Fred is going to stay. Has a nice new car. I imagine you are going to cut the alfalfa this week Ethan. How is the beans & peas. I’m going to help get dinner will write so you will hear about Friday. Guess I’ll be pretty busy if Lela[10] goes away, but I want she should go if it will help her any. Hope the weather will be warm so I wont have to take care of the furnice. I have never done that.

With love

Nancy

Mum is the word. I guess F & Mildred will go to G.R[11] tomow, get her a suite and other things she needs, be maried Sat. then to to Indiana. Plans not settled. They will write you when its all over. All feel bad of course but think it all right. You understand. Dont say any thing in your letters till you get it from them. M feels bad. I’m sorry for all but Fred. He seems real nice. I like him. This is only for you two.

—– 

To: Nancy Brown

From: Claude Brown, Chicago, IL

Wed noon[12]

My dear Mother: –

Guess I will have to start sending you money weekly again and then I will write as I should. I dont know where the time goes but it goes with the good resolutions maybe.

We[13] had a fine trip and a good rest at Sturgeon Bay – were away from Thursday to Wednesday so had a nice long trip and did not have to drive hard. We stopped Monday night at Oconomowoc – in the village – did not go out to La LeMiere the place we stayed when you were with us.

Have not made up my mind on vacation trip yet but the Eastern Jaunt seems to be fading away – dont see how I can take the time or spend the money. (Speaking of money – How about the new horse.)

Would like to get Lela away for a few days or a week if she can make it and will try to make it the last week in September – do not know where we will go but will go where she wants if she has any choice. If she wants to we could drive of over to Mich. and perhaps bring you back but am afraid that would not give her the rest she needs. My suggestion is a Wisconsin trip or into Souther Indiana.

Lou[14] is failing very rapidly – did not know Joe[15] when she was there Sunday. Lela will not go down again until he is better. Bess[16] and Carrie are going tomorrow and take some winter underwear as he complained of the cold.

Business[17] is not improving much but we are at least holding our own and selling some stock so feel very much encouraged. When our new help and new service get started about Oct 1^st we will all feel better – now it is a case of marking time.

Dont forget if you want anything or need more money to let me know – you know I dont think of those things but want to be reminded.

With lots of love

Claude

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[1] While neither letter was dated, I had originally given this letter a date of November 23, 1923 as Nancy’s letter referenced Mildred & Fred getting married which occurred on November 28. However, Nancy’s sister Louese wrote to her on December 10, 1923, that: “When M[ildred] refused to get married in Sept he put in an application for a few days lay off at Thanksgiving time.” In Nancy’s 1923 diary, she wrote on September 13 that she received a letter from Claude and from various other entries, it would appear that Claude wrote his letter on September 12^th and Nancy wrote her letter on September 13^th or 14th

[2] Nancy lived with her daughter, Lela, in Chicago, but it appears that she was visiting her sister, Louese, and would be returning to Chicago on Tuesday

[3] Fred Cripe

[4] Their niece, Mildred Harris

[5] Their sister, Louese (Keith) Harris

[6] Edith & Hedwig Sissle, who boarded at Lela’s house

[7] Their brother Jim’s daughters, Wilma Keith and Winifred (Keith) Brouard

[8] Winifred’s husband, Kirk Brouard, and their two children, Ruth and Keith Brouard

[9] Their brother, Jim Keith

[10] Nancy’s daughter, Lela (Brown) Mueller

[11] Grand Rapids, Michigan

[12] September 12, 1923 – see footnote #1

[13] Claude and his wife, Edith (Neumaier) Brown

[14] Lela’s husband, Louis Mueller, who was institutionalized after suffering brain injuries from being hit by a streetcar

[15] Lou’s sister, Johanna (Mueller) Holmquist Langhorn

[16] Nancy’s daughter, and Lela’s sister, Bess (Brown) Recoschewitz

[17] Bonnet Brown Sales Service

 

August 5, 1923 letter to Nancy Brown from Edith Sissle

August 5, 1923

To: Nancy Brown, Kalamazoo, MI

From: Edith Sissle, Chicago, IL

Is thanking Nancy for the birthday gift and apologizes for the lateness of this thank you.

Scan of 1923-08-05 Edith Sissle to Nancy Brown

Chicago, Sunday August 5. 1923.

Dear Mrs. Brown:

Your charming attentions to my birthday are gratefully appreciated, and I feel badly to have neglected to tell you this sooner. Hedwig[1] asked me this morning “are you not ashamed in not having written Mrs Brown?” to which I indolently replied, “hm, hm”, meaning yes, and she said do you think Mrs. Brown knows you are saying “hm, hm”. I had a real nice birthday – celebrating it with a visit to the Theatre, to which the firm game me two tickets for the “Dancing Girl”.

The folks[2] are away on the “Farm” today – left at 7 in the morning, so we are all alone at the house, and having wandered from toom to room, I will tell you what decorations we found in yours; sh-sh, don’t let anyone hear it; up on two hangers are two pair little “panties” of the children[3] hanging up on the electric chandelier; we laughed so much, it looks too funny for words, 4 legs sticking up in the air.

Enough of nonsense; how do you feel? And where are you now? We had a big fly in our room, and it must have bitten me on my left eye, because it is quite swollen, and I attribute it to that.

The pen I have is nice and scratchy, and that why this looks the same, I mean this writing.

Will have to get dressed for dinner, it is nearly four o’clock, and we are feeling pangs of hunger.

Take good care of yourself, Mrs. Brown, and make the most of your visits.

I want to thank you for the very pretty and use ful gift, which is already in use.

Kindest greetings to you and yours, I am

Most sincerely yours

Edith Sissle

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[1] Edith’s sister, Hedwig Sissle

[2] Lela (Brown) Mueller, who the Sissle sisters were boarding with

[3] Lela’s daughters, Helen and Eda “Jean” Mueller