Marcia (Chapin) Christy - November 17, 1879 - Coal Creek, KS

Coal Creek Kans Nov the 11 1879

Dear Mother

As it is raining and my house Leaks so bad that I can’t do anything I thought I would have a good time to write to you Richard and George have gone to the timber went yesterday morn expected to be back today I dont look for them for it has rained all night and still raining I have one spot I can start and write I never saw or heard such thunder and lightning Peter and me are alone nothing to burn but corn stalks and sunflowers, but never mind there is a better time a comeing [sic]. We have plenty to eat but not much to wear I havent a callico dress to my name and I will soon be barefoot and so will Richard you can buy things and work for them but you cant get money. R has bought a wagon for 4 acres of breaking he has to break next spring for to pay for one of ox he has one ox and one plow paid for and $12.00 paid on the other ox the next thing we get will be a cow we have got a good celler made. And George has pastered the house so if we had a good roof over us we would be all right it is a good thing it dont rain often in this (crountry). Oscar is building a new house getting ready for you. They are getting lots of new things he got a deed for his farm and kept it a month then mortgaged it for $500.00) dollars that is what I have been told they have not said a word to us about it she told me she was a going to send money to you to get a dress she was a going to sell eggs to get it I never let her know that I know it. I was there the 29 of Oct Willie’s Birthday an Georges 21 birthday he cast his first vote last Tuesday for Dinner Kate had a Cake Chicken Baked Sweet potatoes butter pickels perserves [sic] and Coffee. O yes Bread I have been a visiting every Sunday for 6 weeks Next Sunday is preaching at the school house. Last Sunday I was up at Mr John Underwoods We like them as well as any Neighbor we have She is just like Mrs Carl talks like her an acts like her. He is the man that has helped us more than any-body he lends Richard all the tools he wants they have been here 4 years, he will help a man as long as he is honest and does as he promises, he is all right but let him waver an inch he is done with him

Monday Nov the 17 1879

Richard and George have started for the timber I thought I would do some letter writing I had a letter from Jane and one from Aunt Kate and Ernest and they tell me that you have had another fall what is the reason that you fall so much I wish you were here to stay with me for I have to stay alone again. I went to church yesterday three weeks from tomorrow protracted meeting begins how I wish you could be with us. we had our first squall of snow this morning Alf has bought him a pony George still stands by us he has rented 60 acres for Next year the man furnished every thing from plows and seed he puts in 40 acres of corn the rest in oats the man pays for his share of thrashing it will make hard times for all unless we get our our money from the east George sold 8 bushels of onions at 75 cents a bushel, I have sold 8 dozen eggs come to 85 cents Well I must close Give my Love to my brothers and sisters if I have any tell Maggie she owes me a letter Love to yourself and lots of kisses Richard prays for you at family worship he wishes for you as much as I do he sowed 4 acre of wheat

I remain as ever

Your Loveing Daughter

Marcia Christy

I send this to Mr Stewart so you will be sure to get it