Dec. 30, 1889 Olive Benjamin Bacon-1864 to Family

Dec. 30, 1889

Dear Ones at Home,

We were all pleased to have such long letters from you all.  (My pen is horrid so I think I best take a pencil).   We generally get the letters at noon and then as soon as I finish my dinner I read them to the others while they finish, so you see we all take them in at once. 

Glad to get such a good letter from Minnie.  We have been wondering why we did not hear from her again but supposed she was busy and so excused her.  Ann, so sorry about your mama not staying with you.  It must have been a disappointment to you and your mother too.  But never mind, sister Minnie, maybe there will be another pleasant day soon when she can come.

 Hope you all had a Merry Christmas & will have a Happy New Year.   Write and tell us all you did and about the Christmas arch and of the S.S. [Sunday School]  Did you all go to Mattie & Robbie’s or did they come over to Fairy Glen?  Also tell us, Minnie, how the milling workers succeeded and how your flowers sold.   I know they were pretty.   Would have liked a bite (& a big one too) out of those chicken pies made by mother & sisters.  Have not had a chicken pie for ever & ever so long.  Ann, glad you take a delight in meeting with the W W.   Minnie, know it will be good for you if you do not try to work too hard.  It must have been nice to make a little visit home again, but think mama was a little lonesome while you were away.   We all feel so much better about mama being there when we know sister Minnie is with her.   Now, Frank, see that you take care of such a good little woman for you won’t find her equal the second time.   We’re glad to hear about that molasses, Frank.   Hurry up and send it along, for we eat molasses like little pigs – takes lots to keep us sweet down here you know.   And in those barrels of millet can you put in a few sun flower seeds (Yes, indeed, if plenty please send the beans.)   I’m going to raise chickens you know.   And if not taking too much, can I have a picture put in there.  I do want one so much of the farm, you know.  Thank your mama for those plums.  Sis, very kind of you and you don’t know how we shall enjoy them.  Guess we won’t quarrel.  Howard says the first one that “jaws” or quarrels is going to be put on a slate & have to pay the contribution for the crowd the next Sunday.  Guess it will either fall to George or me as we are the two quarrelsome ones.  Maybe we will catch some of the others though.  Winfred, you don’t know how good it makes us all feel to think you are so good to mama.   You will never be sorry for it and some day will get your reward.  Write and tell me about your school.  Am so sorry you cannot have the same book as the others for I know how hard it makes it.  What boys & girls are in your class now?  Do the scholars all like the Professor just the same as ever? 

Has anyone told you about our Xmas?  Well, Xmas eve we went to the Xmas ball in the hall of the S. S. [Sunday school].  Had a jolly time.  Santa Claus brought father a big silk handkerchief & a pretty card on the tree.  One of the Colonists, Mr. Pirce, was Santa Claus.  He came in all dressed in fir & he did so well.  Made so much fun for the children.  Christmas day we had Mr. & Mrs. Sharretts, their little boy Harlow, & Jack Edgell, their clerk, to eat dinner with us.  Mr. Sharretts said a long time ago he was going to eat Christmas dinner in his new house but he has had to wait so much for masons & door moldings, lumber, etc., that the house was not ready, but the dining room & kitchen had been cleaned and scrubbed & Mrs. Sharretts’ boys were going to a picnic.   Howard says “why not invite them to eat dinner in their new house”?  We were all agreed and they were so pleased when we asked them Xmas Eve.  Mr.  Sharretts had been feeling blue & lonesome about eating his dinner almost alone & in the old rented house.    We set the table in their new dining room (a lovely big room) & put our gasoline stove in their kitchen to keep things warm on.  They all seemed to enjoy it so much and father seemed to feel so much more at home having more around.  He was saying so often he wished he was home to eat Xmas dinner but enjoyed the day better than he had thought.  This was our bill of fare:  oyster stew, creamed potatoes, sweet potatoes, watermelon pickles, Fairy Glen sweet apple pickles, fried & raw oysters, fresh rolls, coffee, mince pie, plum pudding.   I told you when Howard & I bottled our mincemeat it kept beautifully and everyone said they were delicious.  The plum pudding Jack Edgell brought up.  He is an English young man and his mother sent him a pudding from England.   It did not get here in time so he had Mrs. Hill, the bakeress (and a little English woman too), make him one.  It was just splendid.  First time Mr. & Mrs. Sharretts ever ate plum pudding & they enjoyed it thoroughly.   Little Harlow says “Mama, I’m awful glad I’ve got on my big shirt”.  He got almost too full.  I made a plum pudding as I did not know Jack was going to bring his so we will have one on father’s birthday, which is next Sunday.  We have sent for a watch chain for him for his birthday but do not know if it will get here in time.  We wanted it for Xmas but did not come.  It is one like that black one Arthur first had with his watch.  Nothing very expensive as our pocket books are slim, but is neat and pretty.

Forgot to tell you we had Wesie’s new dishes for Xmas dinner.   Aren’t they beauties?   They looked so nice on the table.  Howard made a little cupboard for them so she has them all stacked up in it.  We don’t use them every day.  My old white ones are good enough for common days and for common folks like Howard & me.  Mother Bacon sent Howard her photo, right size to put in his locket for Xmas & sent me such a pretty pale blue shoulder cape like yours, mama, only light blue. 

Now Mattie, let the baby run over to see mother just as often as she wants. It cheers her up so.  She thinks that is the most wonderful boy she ever owned and I have not a doubt but he is.  He has such a wonderfully bright mother and daddy you know.   Say, Winfred, where did you get your big sheet of paper to write on?   Write us a good long one next time, all of you.   We send this with two packages by mail with winter garments.   I have red drawers & woolen stockings of Howard’s he does not need, so if they will do Winfred any good he is welcome to them.  Wish we could send lots of nice things.  Almost too delicate for me.  Then Aunt Elizabeth sent H. a necktie & more white aprons.  Also sent L. a set of __ & a lovely head rest for rocking chair & for G, a necktie.  So you see old Santa remembered as all abundantly. 

With lots of love,

Olive

Dec. 30, 1889 Sarah Louise Benjamin-1862 to Family

Roseland, LA

Dec. 30, 1889

Dear Home Folks,

We were all glad to receive your letters but Winfred’s was awful small, but we have had some that were longer.   It is quite cold and rainy today .  George is oiling his harness …looks better.

 Suppose you think we have most forgotten you for not sending a merry Xmas, but not so, but is a very poor place to get anything of the sent that would be nice to send.   Our wishes were the same as if we sent a card.  We wish you all a happy New Year.  Wish I could have had a piece of the chicken pie.  Know they were good.  Can just remember how they used to taste.  Haven’t tasted chicken since the pressed we ate on the train coming. 

Hope the fair was a success.   Give my best regards to Mr. Goldsmith’s folks when you see them and tell Finny I have not forgotten her and should be most pleased to hear from her if she should write before I do.  Should anyway try to answer it.  Told her I would try and write her, have not as yet. 

Please tell us all about Xmas, S. school, and everything.  What was done?  Who did it?  What was said & who said it?  Also don’t leave anything out about baby. 

Well, there is no use trying; can’t begin to write as much as Olive .  We took a fine ride a week yesterday over the Tangipahoa River, crossed it twice.  The holly was lovely , also mistletoe.  Got home just at dusk.  Went right after dinner.  George can’t go any other day & father enjoys going so much.  The eggs let Mrs. Richardson take on shares are hatching .  Wanted to go and see them but it is too wet.    Saw Mrs. R yesterday at meeting and she said three are out & others coming.  I have over two setting & no hen to set.  Shall try to find one or more this week. 

Now, about what shall come in the two barrels.  Seeds are what we want .  I would like some, a few, of the Dennis bean.  You know what they are Mother.  I meant to bring a few of those sun flower seeds but I forgot it.  Olive would like some cane seed, what you can spare.  G & H expect to put in an early garden with things to sell & ship if it does well.   Have you any Buckhorn seed?   If you have, put in a little box as they will come better.  Father says maybe no one will have time to pick these.  Have you any Alaska peas?   Maybe I have asked for too much.   If you, you will have to leave some out suppose.   But send what you don’t want .  Have you beet seed to spare? 

Send what you like & what you think we would like.  We have figs for molasses, a gallon doesn’t seem to last us very long.  Our home butter has all gone last week, did pretty well.

Have written in a hurry but excuse.   Love to all, Mattie, Robbie & Georgie also.  With love from George &Louise

 

Dec. 30, 1889 John Benjamin-1823 to Family

Roseland, LA

Dec. 30, 1889

Dear Ones At Home,

Your letters came to hand on Friday last.  We were glad to find that all were well at home at the time. 

You wrote:  we received a letter from Arthur __ at some time informing us of his inability to get home to spend Xmas with you, as much as he wished to do so.  He gave very good reason, however, for his absence from home at this festive time of the year.   I, too, would of been glad to be with all my family to partake of Xmas tidings, although I would much rather have you all here were it possible, for I think we all could enjoy it much better here rather than there, as far as the climate is concerned at least.  We have been having most beautiful weather until today or last night.  It rained nearly all night.  This morning it is still raining hard.  This is the only rain to amount to anything since we came here and it was very much needed as the ground was very dry, but now vegetation will take a jump right along. 

I must impress upon Ma’s mind not to worry on my account, for the girls are doing all in their power to make it comfortable for me.  As a matter of course the girls would write should there be anything serious the matter with me, or any of us in fact.   I have no doubt but Xmas looked lonesome to you all with so many away from home, the only Christmas I have been away from my family, whom I love so well too, since I have been married.   I hope it will be the last and we will all be together next Xmas in this land of sunshine, where there are no blizzards but a continual summer from one end of the year to another. 

My health is improving right along.   My left hip pains me the worst, but not one half as much as it did before I came here.  I really do not expect to get rid of this hip trouble entirely at this time of life, but being here in this warm climate will add a few years to my life, whether useful or not remains to be seen. 

Yesterday morning we received a most excellent sermon from the Rev. Tradler, an episcopal minister from New Orleans.  He expects to be here one or two weeks.  Mr. & Mrs. Pazson came to dinner with us from the meeting.  We had a very pleasant visit with them until the evening.  Olive played on the piano.  Louise, Howard & George did the singing.  It seemed like old times when we were all at Fairy Glen.   I have no doubt but what you too would of enjoyed it.

I am glad that Winfred is so thoughtful about you, Ma.   May he continue in the good work, for a boy that takes care of his Ma will in the end reap his reward, if not in this world, in that which is to come, most assuredly.    Am glad to hear of Robbie’s kindness in coming after you to go to church as it is not always convenient for you to go by any other means .   Does Winfred hitch up little Prince now or not?

All were glad to get a letter from Minnie.  Tell her to write often as her letters are welcome writing to us all.  I was glad to find that Mr. Cutter made you a visit while attending the horticulture meeting at the H.   Also that Robbie visited with the Society.   I shall try to write to Mr. Smith soon,  also to uncle Bonniwell . Give my  kind regards to them and to all enquiring friends.   We have more cousins coming into the colony almost daily.  They come from all points of the compass too.  More from Nebraska than any other state. 

The girls will make out a list of articles they want to put into store barrels of millet.  Ship by the Milwaukee RR to Arcola, Louisiana , via Foreston junction. 

My best regards and love to all.  Shall write to Arthur soon,

Father 

 

I don’t like the idea of Frank killing any of the steers for they will be wanted for tax paying next month .

 

 

Dec. 17, 1889 John Benjamin-1823 to Elizabeth Benjamin-1830

Roseland, LA

Dec. 17, 1889

Dear Ma,

As I was writing to Frank today I thought that I would drop a line to you too as I have no doubt you will look for a word from me in some shape.  I am happy to say however that I am well in my general health.  My hip troubles me some as yet, also my knee at times.   Otherwise I have improved very much since I came here.   

I was highly pleased to learn that Arthur and all the rest of you enjoyed yourselves Thanksgiving at home.   I only wish that I were there too to enjoy it with you.  I was pleased to learn that you all went to Mattie.  Tell Robbie and Mattie that I shall write them as soon as convenient for I am kept busy most of the time with new ___.   I hope that Frank will council with Robbie in the matter I told him of.   I am only too glad to hear the praised that Winfred has heaped upon him in the care he takes of his Ma.   This I hear from Robbie & Mattie too.   I suppose that Winfred & little Georgie have a great time when they both go together.

We all visited at Mr. Pagson’s on Sunday, there being no meeting here as our preacher had gone to the conference.  Give my kind regards to Mr. & Mrs. Bustch, hoping that they are well.  Also to Uncle Henry & wife.  I wrote to Mr. W. T. Higgins last week; I expect to hear from them soon. 

Am glad to hear that the cows are doing so well.  Long may they continue to do so is my wish as this seems to be the only source of service just now to supply the house with what you need therein.  Howard & Olive are out training .  Lady Louise & George are piling lumber  for ___ ____.

Love to all,

Father

Dec. 12, 1889 Arthur Benjamin-1868 to Mother

Minneapolis, Minn.

Dec. 10, 1889

Dear Mother,

I have not received a letter from any of my relatives since I have been ___ this time.  Why don‘t some of you write?  I wrote nearly a week ago and have had no reply. 

I have changed places into Healy.  I room with Cotton at __ and will work for my board where he was staying.  Farncine (guess that is the way they spell their name) is where I am.  The reason we changed was because on account of a few petty ___ they found in Healy and they said they liked me better. 

There is quite a lot of work to do here.  Two furnaces to take care of, taking an hour in the morning and same at night.   Also wood to split for one cook stove and __ 800 ft. of sidewalks and paths to keep clean.  Also errands and other odd jobs to see to.  I have to do more than work to do all the work and do justice to my studies, yet I get first class board & a good room.   The people are well off.  Live in a very large stone house, but are too caring. 

I will not be able to come home during Christmas so I think I best put in what time I can at dissecting so as to get through as soon as possible.  I will have to have a skull cap and a thick linen duster or a rubber coat would be best.  I will also have to pay $10.53 for a part and $2.50 for a dissecting case. 

I got the money from Bain for the tow tubs of butter and after paying $9 for my instruments and $1.00 for room rent at Bains I have left now $.50, enough for case.  If there is any rubber coat or thick linen duster that will fit me and a skull cap send them by mail.  The coat or duster should fit and not be too big.  What will I do for the $10.00?  I have had no time to go downtown for anything.  Am busy every moment.  Had to study most of Sunday.   I have a final exam in skeletons next week.  Haven’t time to write more – write soon.
With love,
Arthur

Address:

726 2nd Ave., So. Minneapolis

Bain says he wants the butter right along. 

Nov. 11, 1889 Olive Benjamin Bacon-1864 to Family

Nov 11, 1889

Dear Mama and Family,

No one wrote yesterday, just why we do not know. Only father, George and Wesie went riding round the country to look at lots and Howard stayed home to take care of his wife as she did not feel well and could not go with the rest.  It was quite a chilly day and father rather thought of starting for Minn.  In the sun it was nice and warm, but cold in the house.   Today father was going to write, but had to attend to some men from the north, so said we could write and excuse him. 

We were glad to have such good letters from home again last week.  Hope you have overcome the financial difficulty.  How strange it seems to think of having snow and today has been so nice and warm.   Doors open even now at 6 o’clock p.m. 

Last week was fair week and Friday we went all day.   It was quite tiresome and no more like our fair than black is like white.  The fair opened Monday morning and lasted till Saturday night.   The ladies had a booth for fancy work and they fixed it up beautifully on Monday so that the Amite ladies got awfully jealous and they kept bringing in their fancy work all the rest of the week.  The most was brought in on Friday.  There was no exhibit of stock whatever.  Neither horse, cow, sheep, pigs or anything, only a few chickens, and there were no displays of different stores, not even one.   One druggist advertised Diamond Dyes by having about a dog in little chickens painted in all colors in an open box.  They were little beauties.  Louise & I took quite a number of things down.  Louise took first premium on her dog’s head.  Mrs. Rankin (lives in Wilson house) took first premium on animals (full figure) & landscape, but she is so conceited it takes all the glory away. Father was one of the judges on vegetables but had only a few to judge.  Had lots of horse racing.  That is the main feature of their fairs. 

We are in a hurry to get this into tonight’s mail so will finish this up. Hoping you are all well, comfortable & that baby will prove a blessing to Fairy Glen as well as the octagon home. 

With lots of love from all to all,

Olive

Dear Ma and all the rest at home,

As I have but a few minutes to write, I hope all is well & that Frank has been able to meet the interest on those notes as it is impossible for me to do anything yet.  I sent 20 dollars last week which I hope you received. I addressed to W Benjamin so that he would get on his way from school.

I hope that you do not feel so blue or __ as you did when you wrote me.  My health is getting much better every day.  I hope that you are all well too.  Am little tired tonight; walked too much. 

My love to all, from

Father

Jan. 3, 1889 Friend to Sarah Louise Benjamin Cook-1862

South Cucamonga

Jan. 3^rd, 1889

Dear Louise,

It was with great pleasure we received your kind letter and presents and I now hasten to acknowledge them before it gets put off to a more convenient season.  

Marion was not at home.   She is spending the Christmas and New Years in Cucamonga and I do not expect her home till Sunday but I will answer for her.  She will be very much pleased as we all are.  There is a letter from Arthur here so he must not expect an answer very soon.

I was very sorry to hear of Olive sickness.  I hope her trip east has done her good.  It seems so strange that she should make the first move to leave home and then go so far.  I hope you all will be able to get settled in a warmer climate soon not but what you will have something to contend with.  Go where you will, it is not all smooth sailing.   I am content with this climate but yet there are many drawbacks.  It is expensive starting and there is no return till the third or fourth year.  If we can fight for the time in the fifth year we will be able to clear 150 dollars an acre on vines alone and then we shall be able to make our friends a visit.  We have not made much headway because Mr. G. has done all himself: cleared the land, lakes bush and wood off without a team.  You know he never was a good horseman.  He has cleared about 12 nacres.   Now that we are going to put in vines this spring we want a new wire fence and he will be writing to you ___ soon to see about property selling in H.   I am afraid we are too late with that.  We should have sold when the boom was on but then we had no idea of your thinking of leaving your homestead and now I want to. 

That Arthur mentioned about some photographs that was taken at the wedding.  We have not received them and if we knew when they were sent we could make enquires for them. If you cannot send us any to keep send us them to look at and we will return them.  We have not heard from Olive since she was married but when you write tell her I should like to know how she likes and are the mosquitoes bigger than in Minn.   And she may as well correspond with two families in Cal as one.   

We are going to send the folks a few raisons as soon as we can.  Mr. Wall sent some to Pen and when he gets time Luke is going to send some and they will be both in one package ___ ___ a hundred weight between us.  I hope you will get them all right.  They have not gone yet. 

Mr. W is getting up potatoes and he is building a new house for two bachelors that have settled about two miles from here, so it keeps him busy. 

We are having a splendid winter.  We have had more rain this season than any before since we came, and very little wind.  We had a heavy front last week.  Killed the tomato vines but we have plenty to be going.   I think in the south you will have earlier vegetables and fruit than we have.   I fancy we are only a month earlier than you are in many things.  We have a neighbor here.  He thinks he would like to go to LA.   He wants to be where there is green grass all the year and you might send us a Louisiana paper sometimes.  He would come to see the place first.  He would have some means.   He is very hard working and no bad habits – but more about that when you go there and see how you like it. 

Tell your Pa that we receive the papers very regularly and they do me a world of good.   I hope they will still continue to come.  I hope he does not suffer with his leg as much as he used to.  If so, gather up the sticks and take your chances in a warmer place.   I have got so much to say that it is impossible for me to write any way decent.  If I live to see you all once more you will have to prepare yourselves for a volcano for my tongue will rattle on faster than my pen.

How does Frank like being left all alone as he got a girl __.  Tell him they are very scarce in this part – but there is luck in leisure and did no one like the chance of Leap Year.  I think for all I hear, Arthur has got me.  Is that so?  Well, Winfred, I suppose he has grown so much I would not know him.  Oh, I am sure I will forget Robbie and his son.  Give my love to him and kiss the boy from me. 

I must now conclude with best love to all, Ma, George and ___. 

From your ____,

M A _____

June 11, 1888 John Benjamin-1823 to Family

Amite City, LA

June 11, 1888

Dear Family,

I don’t think that I shall be able to leave here until next week.  Shall write you again, however, before I leave for home.  Shall stay at Chicago on my way.

We are all having a good time here, although the weather is rather warm, but not more so than with you; 87 the highest so far.  I have to stay longer than I expected on account of making the title perfect to all the colony lands.  Mr. Corbin continues to do some very crooked work in selling land to Iowa residents.   Am afraid that the gentleman will get into a very bad row of stresses by & by.  My matter and also Arthur’s is all right as I have examined all the records here.

Some of our company have left for home, some have gone to Florida, some to SW LA, some have returned from there and like this place much better than they did there.   They have some of the finest potatoes here that I ever saw.   The strawberries and the blackberries are very plenty as yet we have strawberries on the table every meal. 

I did not feel very well this morning but am all right again this afternoon.  This ailment was brought on by too much fruit.  I wish Olive was here to enjoy this baking climate.  We attended a festival last night for the benefit of the Episcopal Church.  It was attended by about 500 people and 114 dollars was realized and the company was first class in every respect.   

I feel quite at home and only wish that the price of my property there was in my pocket or available so that I could use it here right now.   Hope that Frank has attended to matters left with him to see to.   Tell Robbie & Mattie that what I write is for them or for one as much as another, so they will excuse me from writing to them directly.

My love to all.  There some indications of rain which is needed for it rather dry here just now.  Here comes an invitation to go for a ride to see the country.

From Father

Feb. 13, 1888 Winfred Benjamin-1871 to John Benjamin-1823

Hutchinson, Minn.

Feb. 13, 1888

Dear Father,

We received the letter than you wrote from Minneapolis last Wednesday and so we got the chickens ready last Friday and sent them down Saturday morning on the Manitoba by express.  There were about 190 lbs. of chickens all together. 

I went downtown to the post office to get the mail.   We thought that we would get a letter from you but there wasn’t any.   I went to Mr. Lovejoys to get a half ___ of onions but he didn’t have any.  We wanted to get them to give to that yearling that is bloated up so.   Mr. Selmer said that onions would be good for him so I went down after some.  He was bloated up worse the other morning so he couldn’t hardly move or breathe.   So that night Frank took a pen knife and cut a little hole in him and put live grills in him to let the gas out.

I take care of the creamery while I am home, wash it, and ___ the milk out yesterday.  I churned 26 lbs. of butter and there is a big churning for tomorrow. 

Last Thursday morning it was 36° to 40° below zero and so we had to  warm the water that we put in the creamery tank so make the cream rise and the milk right.  So I had to warm the water.

It snowed yesterday so we couldn’t grind any feed for the cows.  Mr. Selmer was here and put his horse in the stable.  They were going to lay out a road from the water town road to the old car road east of Engerbritson. 

You didn’t start from Chicago on the 9^th day did you?  You started on the 10^th .  The ___ field and Stockman says they would leave Chicago on the 10^th of Feb.  Did you go to Uncle’s when you were there?

There was a post card came to you last Friday from the Prairie Farmer saying that they hadn’t received the money for the renewal of the paper and wants you to answer as soon as possible.  You know I went to this post office to see if the money was paid to the Prairie Farmer and the Post workers said that it was, so they are responsible ___. 

Bring me some oranges from Hammond and some peaches.  Arthur didn’t come home this week and he didn’t know you have gone.   They have got  in the Leader that you went to Chicago and from there your brother would accompany you to the south.

Good bye.  Your son,

Winfred

Feb. 12, 1888 John Franklin Benjamin-1857 to John Benjamin-1823

Hutchinson. Minn.

Feb. 12, 1888

Dear Father,

In reply to yours of the 8^th would say that we shipped 190 lbs. chickens to B & S on Saturday which were OK.   I see by last night’s Stockman that your train did not leave C. [Chicago] until Friday 8:30 PM which would give you one day more to visit which would probably give Uncle time to make up his mind to go with you.

All have gone to church but G & L [Robert Gleave & Sarah Louise?].  We expect to get a letter from you this noon from Chicago according to an article in the Leader.  Uncle will accompany you to New Orleans & other southern points.  If you are not suited with armoured you had better look at other likely points in the south & if you conclude to take in St. Andrews Bay let me know & will send you the No. of our lots so you might look them up to see how many thousand we have made by the speculation.

Do not look at the country with an eye single to dairying alone for you are getting too old to follow that business & if there is as much labor connected with the business in LA as there is in Minn I believe you have no sons that wants to pull teats for a living.  Make a thorough search of the government lands.  Inquire the price of good horses & colts, farm machinery, tools, etc.  Also, ask Uncle the cost of fiting up a saw mill & what he could furnish a power wood saw for here. 

Who does that best girl on earth look like?  What is her name?   How old is she?  What kind of a place doers Corbin got?  How much land has he?  What kind of timber grows there & does it grow the year round?    What are the greatest drawbacks to the country, if any?  When you write, answer all of these questions & a thousand others which I have not time to ask.

They have returned from church but brought no mail. 

That steer seems to be about the same.  I put two canebrake tubes into him in holes made with a pen knife just forward of the hip bones which look like two smoke stacks or pipes which carries off the gas like smoke as fast as it generates in him & stinks like a – so bad that it killed one of my little lambs. 

About three inches of snow fell yesterday.  Just right for another blizzard though no wind today.  The folks are all kicking around but myself, & I am sick abedstead. 

I hope this will find you enjoying a southern climate.  I remain your affectionate.

Frank

Feb 12, 1888 Elizabeth Benjamin-1830 to John Benjamin-1823

Fairy Glen Farm

Hutchinson, Minn.

Feb. 12, 1888

My Dearest Husband,

As Frank was writing to you I thought I could drop a few lines to you hoping to find you in the enjoyment of good health.  Frank has been feeling quite sick at times; spells would come over him all at once, his face would be as red as could be and would last above an hour or so.  I think he took cold in the woods.  He went after some dry wood.  We have splendid wood now.  It makes quite a difference in the house. 

I see by the paper that you did not leave Chicago until Saturday morning.  I hope you had a nice visit with Uncle Edwin and that he went with you.  I hope that you will take care of your leg and that it will be most well when you come home. 

Oh! You don’t know how lonesome I have been.  It seems as though you had gone a month. I try to keep up all I can but I can’t help it.  It seems as all was gone, but I know what you will say (how silly) but I can’t help it – so there. 

Mr. Packer told me today that he had been to LA [Louisiana?] the time of the war.  He was there two or three weeks.   I asked him how he liked it, he said he did not like it atall.  This was in the summer, it was so hot he could hardly endure it. He said the figs were ripe there.  He would not live there for anything , so be cautions what you do .

Got your letter about chickens .  Got them off Saturday morning.  Was busy until 11 o’clock at night.  Between Louise and I we will get a case of eggs off Tuesday or Wednesday when we shall send a sis for case of butter.  The butter is splendid.  Got 26 lb. Saturday and a large churning tomorrow.   I had to put warm water in the west tanks to raise the cream but it was fine.   Winfred does well.  He has got ahead of me every time yet in washing the tanks.  I got to churning;  I had hardly commenced when he came in and would not let me touch it till I took the butter.  Oh it did look so nice. 

The sick cow is gaining nicely.  They save her milk now.  The boys have told you about the steer how he is.   We all, that is O.S., Winfred and I, went to church and S.S. had 100, 5 in S. ____ over a dollar.   Mattie had a large glass. 

Oh! How I wish you were here tonight.  ___ and all going to meeting but Winfred and I.  The paper has come from __ and the one from Silver Lake.  They ought to be sent before March!  I am going to get Olive to write to the Pra. Farmer.   Mary has no account of your renewal.  They are most ready to go to. 

I know I have written this in a hurry .  Everything is all right but your own dear self not here.   Expected a letter from you today but was disappointed .  All yours send love to you.  Good night and may God bless you is the prayer of your affectionate wife,

E. G. Benjamin

Write as often as you can.