Marcia (Chapin) Christy - February 24, 1880 - Ritsman, KS

[This letter includes a lock of hair.]

Ritsman P.O.

Feb the 24 1880

Dear Brother and Sister

Did you not get a [illegible] from me. I wrote last I thank you Lizzie for those seend I am glad to hear from you and that your geting along so nicely for it is nip and [illegible] with us again Richard George and Peter are at the timber sawing wood at 50 cts a cord they make enough to keep us from starving but clothing is scarce I have had one new dress this winter my wedding Dress still lasts and I have one calico dress. I hope we will raise something to sell this year we will have our own bread stuff the prospect is good for wheat, now I cant go to my neighbor’s without I go in the morning while it is froze this snow has been on the ground for three weeks we did not get any mail for two weeks, Rosa has another boy she calls it Richard Thomas, it is three months old. I send you a piece the blue fades white

Harris Richard says to send us some of your kind of sorghum seed and dont forget it you can send it by mail you can send a pound for 16 cts we are agoing to raise enough to make two barrel and [illegible] of our own to make it up if we all keep well. Well Harris Will Ennis is a widower to be married, Mary Ana Burton she died Feb the 8) 28 years old Mercy Ennis is a widow her husband Died the 28 of Dec, I think they are born to trouble Henry Baker has rented his farm and gone to [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] we get the Homer Enterprise every week Roger Moose is married to Miss Richards of Tolono, I want you to write often so I can hear from Mother and all Sunday morning we got 5 letters and 4 papers. yours, [illegible], Henry Bakers Rosa and Jane.

It is beautifull weather the snow is most all off and the water is rushing down the [illegible] there is a regular river below the stable the creeks a full I never saw such drifts in my life between the house and well is a drift that is 3 feet high it bears me up I walk over it.

You have more stamps than me. I owe 8 letters I write just when I can get stamps, so when you dont get and answer you may know the reason, so good by Love to both

I remain your

Loveing sister Marcia

I will send you the Homer paper with the deaths in