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Letter, 13 June 1880, Norway, Benton County, Iowa, Emma to her sister Susie.
June July 18th
Norway, Iowa
June 13th 1880
Dear Sister
We received your letter containing your husband's picture and the announcement of your
marriage a long time ago but as I have been very busy I kept putting it off.
We are all well now. Emma and the baby have had the measles but I did not take them. There
has been a great deal of sickness and many deaths about here this spring. Allie Bower and Albert
Jackson were of the number.
The weather is very warm and we are having frequent rains though if was very dry early in the
spring. Everything is growing nicely. We have the nicest garden we ever had. Strawberries and
cherries are ripe though not as plentiful as last year. I am working at my trade this summer.
There is a considerable work and a good many workmen to do it. I am thinking of going to the
west part of this state to look for some land when I get out of work. It is my intention to become
a farmer as soon as I can make the proper arrangements. I had a letter from Albert about four
weeks ago. He was well and doing well.
Archie is probably in the Black Hills by this time. Mary is working and in the country. Haven't
seen her for six weeks.
I must not forget to compliment you on the fine looks of your husband's photograph. He looks as
though he knew what he was about.
Your old friends send their kind regards and best wishes.
Father rec'd a letter from Swain's folks a few days ago they were all well. Sell is married and has
got a baby about two months old. By the way, little Wilfred is the prettiest and smartest boy of
his age I ever saw. He sits alone and plays on the floor. I will send you his picture when he gets a
little larger.
Ashley wants me to write some, but I am too sleepy to write much. Ashley seems to be pretty
proud of the baby doesn't he?
Well Susie I heartily congratulate you on your marriage and hope it will prove to be as happy as
you anticipate, as it surely will when you have such a nice husband.
Ashley is going away in the morning to be gone a week; I wish you could come over and be
company for me while he is gone.
Your sister Emma.
Father says he will write to you before long. Give my regards to brother John and remember me
as your loving brother Ashley.
[Note: The principals in this letter cannot be identified at this time. However, one wonders if the Susie could be Susan J. Rogers. She married John McFarland in 1880 and named one of her sons Ashley. This letter was found with a set of others originally in the possession of Gertrude McFarling Pitkin. Other letters in this group involve the mining interests in Hayden Hill, Lassen County, California]
c:\myfiles\genealogy docs\mcfarl\norway_Iowa_ltr
aaa-0748