Marcia (Chapin) Christy - February 22, 1880 - Coal Creek, KS

Coal Creek Kans

Feb the 22 1880

Dearest Mother

How glad I was to get a letter from you once more and know that you are well This is a beautiful Sabbath day and I am alone for Richard and Alferd did not come home from the timber they are 15 miles from home Lewis came over last night and him Peter have gone down on the Creek. Tomorrow I am agoing down to camp I may stay all the week with them I shall go [torn] Oscars they are all well and doing well We are all well, If we can make a liveing here in Kansas I dont want to come back there to live and wade mud we dont have any here and the roads are as smooth here now as they are in Summer in Ill. all I wish you were all here then I would be satisfied if Dennis Harris and Timothy could get farms Wouldent we be glad if we could live some where near to each other so we could get together once a year any way

Now Mother keep your eye out for we may see each other before two months roll round if we got you out here then the rest will follow you wanted to know how large our house is it is [torn] 17 all in one room. Then we have a cave for a celler 6 x 10 wallled with stone and painted We are a going to plant 2 acres of Sorguhum and a bushel of Potatoes Half a pound of Onion seed Father Bocock is a going to send us Turnip Onion Lettuce peas and Beans Seeds. I had a long Letter from him and one from Lousie Little and I am like her I cant realize that she is dead she says Dix says every day that she will come again someday he talks about her all the time. Lou said her Children have both got the Whooping Cough.

You asked about Georges [unintelligible] he had 15 bushel in all sold 8 bushel at 75 cents a bushel they were as big as a saucer and sweet. I got the plate of my upper teeth broke so I cant wear them so I look perty old you wont know me when you see me I have to get a new plate which will cost $8.00 dollars I shall have to raise chickens and peanuts to sell to get my teeth fixed Now Mother your name is allways mentioned every day at this house and allways remembered in our prayers Richard never forgets you he often says if I only had money to send to Mother I hope I wont have to write many more letters but can talk to you.

Well I must close for this time hopeing to hear from you again soon I know if they were here would all join in sending Love to you and Kisses to Good by Dear Mother till next time I remain y [torn] Loveing

Daughter Marcia Christy

George is farming for himself

We did not reaise much last year for want of ground We shall plant a good deal this year and hope God will see fit to make it grow

I should have wrote to you and M long ago if I had had a stamp

Well Mother Kate and me are awaiting for you to come to help to quilt our quilts.