Marcia (Chapin) Christy -June 8, 1880 - Coal Creek, KS

Coal Creek. Kans.

June the 8 1880

Dear Mother

I have waited a long time to get a stamp to write to you, Em Helm wrote to George and me and sent 25 cts worth of stamps to G so I kept two to write to you and Aunt Kate her health is very poor Ernie said he wished I was there for it is so hard to get help Herbert and Lucy does the work they hire thier [sic] big work done. And Em writes that Father Bocock is very low he has lost his voice been so for a month so all this kind of news makes me Homesick. Now I have told you the sad news I will tell you good news Our Dear Friends at Philo and Urbana sent us a box and nobody knows how axceptable [sic] it was and how much Needed it was we were realy [sic] in destitute circumstances I had to wear my black dress for everyday and my drab for Sunday I had no stockins [sic] to my feet. Mrs Larned sent 2 yards of bleached muslin toilet soap three Lead pencils and a quarters [sic] worth of letter paper Mrs Elias Evens a Pound of tea Edie a dollars [sic] worth of dried Apples and a skirt Mrs Collar some 6 yards unbleach muslin and a Drees [sic] Skirt Granma Ennis 3 pair of stockins [sic] 3 pair of cotton socks and a Handkerchief old, but good Richard Walkins a new calico dress Aunt Kate sent Old and new Calico and two yards of muslin buttons thread Needles darning Needles tape N. Lucy sent me a box of letter paper Envelopes and Hairpins John and Ruth Raymond sent me a salt box like a pepper box and nice new pan Aunt H sent patches and some bushes I dont [sic] know what they are they are a growing then they filled the box with papers and books to read there was two new pair of stockings and cigars I dont [sic] know who sent they sent a hat I am making Peter a hat Aunt Kate sent a new Shirt that was Mr Eatons [sic] and also a teacupfull of Dried cherries, they started the box the 10 of May I got it the 17 of May it came through quick I wrote to Aunt Kate that I accepted it as a birthday present they sent paper and Envelopes enough to last a year as two then to top it of [sic] I had to cry a day or two for over joy Hypo Aunt Kate calls it to think that my friends have not forsaken me they intended to send it Christmas if there had been a pair of shoes in it it would been complete for I am just barefoot. I have not seen Oscar nor Kate for a month but I hear they are well but the Lightning killed a cow for him. I expect to go up to see them tomorrow but she may not let me stay she gets on her ear occasionaly [sic] just as she did in Ill.

Friday Afternoon

I did not go to Oscars [sic] today dont [sic] know when I Shall have a chance to go now for Richard is away Breaking Prarie [sic] to pay for his other Ox when he is done there he has his team and waggon [sic] paid for and one plow then he 10 dollars to pay Mr Underwood for potatoes Millet seed and plow and today I sent for some better it is so cheap we thought we could afford to buy and so near out of debt then he has to pay $5.00 for his Harrow,. dont [sic] you think he has done well and only be here two years in Aug. the 20) We have had to live perty [sic] hard maybe we wont [sic] allways [sic] have to - I spoke for a cow to milk today take care of her for the use of her. Peter has come and no butter. Well I have 50 young chickens and 10 young Ducks I have 2 Hens Hatch this week I have 20 almost big enough to fry I had 20 Killed by Hawks and weasels we have potatoes in blossom I have lots of Beans planted Peas beats [sic] parsnips sugar can melons squashs [sic] pumpkins 3 kinds of Peppers Tabaco [sic] tomatoes and

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