LETTERS & STORIES

Thomas Telfer letter
My Life, by Hallie Tomlinson
Nathan Tomlinson by daughter Cardella
Nathan Tomlinson by daughter Emma
Nathan Tomlinson by daughter Mary

Thomas Telfer to Samuel Telfer - May 23, 1820

The original of the following letter was written on one sheet of paper 18" by 22" which was then folded to form its own envelope.

Addressed to:  Mr. Samuel Telfer
               State of Indiana
               Franklin County
               Springfield Township
Tuscara
May 24th.
               Brookville Post Office

                                   Turbett Township, Tuscarara, May 23, 1820

Dear Brother,

The people are all well here with whom we have any concern - some few in the neighborhood have the measles yet, but not many now do I hear of any being bad - a great number of families have mifsed them altogether yet and probably will not take them this year - none of James' family have taken them nor do I think they will. Samuel had a turn of them but not very bad he has been for a good while part as well as ever - I believe that I have been rather the "worst" myself - You will recall that a few days before you went away I had caught a cold, and I was complaining some along the road going up to John's - that cold settled into a heavy cough, which I had without intermifsion for about 5 weeks - I then began to feel a good deal unwell, and one day I had to keep to my bed all day, principally on account of an inability to stand or sit up without fainting - I drank pretty plentifully of hoarhound, and other teas, ( and that being Saturday) again Monday I was able to attend to school - on Monday morning I god bled, and likewise on Wednesday and Friday again, My blood looked very bad. It had no serum at all, but a whitish, or rather bluish water, very much like milk and water raised to the top, which when it cooled grew thick and hard like the urt but rather tougher - in the opinion of some that saw it, and in the opinion of Davy Haskedorn, to whom I described it's appearance, it tended very much to a decay - the last time I was bled, the blood I thought looked something better than it had done before - I have been ever since using Alexcampane, Hoarhound, Spikenard and Comomile teas, and other things, whatever I heard was good - and these things have through the Divine Blefsing, been so far succefsful, as nearly if not entirely, to remove the cough, I believe I am now as well as usual or nearly so, I however still continue to use the specifics - from the Alexcampane in particular, I experienced considerable benefit as soon as I began to use it - I was over in Shearmans week before last, all there were well in health, but James Carron was complaining of a weaknefs and pain in his knees - It is worse this spring than common so that he is not able to walk out about the fields as usual, nor to do any standing work whatever. Christy was planting his corn when I was over. They were all anxious to hear the earliest word from you. I wrote a letter to them Day before yesterday of all the important particulars of your letter - It is now after sunset and getting too dark to write. I must go to my lodging, which is about a quarter of a mile off - I'll tell you where it is tomorrow - good night -

Well, I had a good night's rest and I hope you had the same - I told you last night that I would tell you today where I lodge. I must, now fulfill my promise - I board with George Gilliford at a Dollar a week till after harvest he will then have so many hands, as he is building a house, that he would not have convenience any longer - The boarding is excellent, and the family, though large, is agreeable - I like very well to live with them - I have not yet got a place for James to board but expect I will, though I have no knowledge where. I began school here on the 15th. May, having delayed a week on account of health - I like the place for so far very well though the school is but small - I have at present but 21 or 22 scholars - I would have had more but W. Laoghlin took on again above me, and five or six that I expected necefsarily went to him. It is confidently expected however that Williams who teaches below will not go on for another quarter as he has but 14 scholars, and the next quarter would probably not have so many and if he quits the greater part of his would come to me, however even with what I have I believe I shall go on for the year, for as far as I can learn others have no better schools than I have - and you know I have another object in view besides making money - I have yet got no money, excepting trifles, but from Haddin who lifted his note; but last Saturday I had to return him 10 dollars, which I suspected of being a counterfeit, and he could not exchange it so that I may almost say I got no money from him either but I expect to get it in one or two weeks - I saw Hart at the review day and he accepted of Starkeys note fro the interest, but he would accept of no afsignments for the principal. I offered him the above mentioned ten dollar note but he refused it under the imprefsion of its not being good. I settled with Adam Siebert, but it does not suit John well at present to take a transfer. I intend therefore to pay him the money as soon as I get it from Haddin - Neither Arn(?) nor Wlay(?) have given any yet, not indeed do I expect any from Wlay(?) without suing him scarcely.

He and his neighbors between them carry on a high stroke of businesfs. Tom swears he will be king of the ridge, but the rest don't seem willing to acknowledge his authority. His horses have been very troublesome to Jamie and Thany and last Sunday, when I was there Thany had them locked up in his stable, how they made out since I don't know - He hunts their cattle too, they say he has almost torn the ears out of some of their cows - one of Thany's cows was lost for some days when I was there and Thany says if she can't be found he'll try to make Tom find her, Tom has likewise ejected Jamie from doing anything with the upper end of the big field, as he says that belongs to him, he likewise threatened to take his place which is down in the lower end of the field the house is in - but I'm thinking he only talks for talk's sake - or in order to scare them - he has never talked so to me.

I have bought Roberson's Navigation from Davy at 3 Dollars - I have got no money from any of my subscribers only 3 Dollars of Juniata that I got from Moses Irwin. I have however made some transfers and turnover that answered the same purpose. I was at James Givins Sunday night last and showed him your leter, they appeared rejoiced to hear of your safe arrival and prospects. They both seem to bear for you as much regard, and to take as much interest in your welfare, as if you were a brother. The reason that I called there, and showed them the letter, was because he had charged Jamie to send him a few lines respecting you, as soon as we should get a letter -

I don't recollect anything more, of sufficient importance to justify putting it in a letter, and indeed I have not room for much more if I did recollect it, but if I have omitted anything I should have mentioned I'll mention it in my next if I live to write another. Pofsibly you may think this letter long enought for all that's in it, but if you do pay me back in my own coin - try to keep the post busy. Any particulars respecting Alex. and his family will be highly acceptable - and let me know in your next his reasons if he has any for not writing oftener - and take care that you, after crofsing the Ohio, which, like the waters of Lethe, seems to cause forgetfulnefs, don't forget to write too - It would be handier to me if you would direct to the Tuscarawa post office Turbet Township, as I am not more than 2 or 2 and 1/2 miles from it -

Give my respects to Alex. and Nancy and all their family and be assured that I am yours.

                                  Thos Telfer

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This is the story that Hallie Tomlinson wrote about her life. There are some inconsistencies between Hallie�s memories and what actually happened per court documents that exist in Delaware and Monroe counties. The discrepancies are probably due to Hallie�s young age (3 years) when she was adopted and may be what she had been told at the time. The actual facts are 1) Her aunt�s name was Rosetta (Etta). 2) Her father and Etta married in May 1896 when Hallie was a few weeks old so it is assumed that her mother died shortly after she was born. 3) Hallie�s step-mother did not die from childbirth. In 1899, Hallie�s father was sent to jail for petty larceny and Etta went to Muncie in Delaware County and filed for divorce. She remarried a short time later and died in 1900 of tuberculosis.

THIS IS MY LIFE
By Hallie Dott (Minnick) Tomlinson

I was born in Bloomington, Indiana on April 16, 1896 to Wesley and Amanda Claspel Buchanan. My sister, Amanda Alice, was three years older than I. Amanda Alice was named after our mother. My name was Rosetta. Our father was a cabinet-maker at a lumber mill in Bloomington. Our mother was a very good musician who sang and played the violin very well. She sang in many churches and social functions. Mother�s younger sister, Pearl, stayed and helped care for us. We girls were too young to realize that mother was very ill. In fact, so sick that she died of Tuberculosis at age twenty-nine. Pearl had already promised Mother that she would stay and care for us girls.

A few months later, Pearl and my father married. We lived in the same house and things worked out fine until my step-mother died during childbirth. The baby boy died too.

Father wasn�t able to keep us. He started to drink; then he lost his job. My sister and I were first taken to my grandfather�s house. Unfortunately, my grandfather didn�t want to keep us. So, he arranged that we would be taken to a Catholic home for girls. Grandmother took the money that Father had given her and brought us some material for new dresses.

The night before we were to be taken to the home, our father took a blanket, a box of crackers, and a quart of milk, and hid us in an old coal mine in the woods west of Bloomington. The next morning, after my grandfather left for work, grandmother came to where we were and took us to the Trustee in Indianapolis. She told them to place us in an orphan�s home that would take good care of us. The orphan�s home was known as the Indiana Children�s Home.

At the orphanage, the had a letter on file from Mr. and Mrs. Minnick asking for a little girl with brown eyes and hair who was not over three years old. The day that I visited them was May 17, 1899, which was Mr. Minnick�s birthday and also my sister�s. The lady who brought me, Mrs. DeWeese, talked with them while I played out-of-doors with Mrs. Minnick�s niece. When I returned to the house, Mrs. DeWeese had left. They had agreed to try me for ninety days. I took hold of Mrs. Minnick�s apron and looked into her kind eye�s and said, "You�ll be my mother now, won�t you?" Mrs. Minnick stated that she couldn�t give me up no matter what arose. They were proud of their little girl with natural curly auburn hair.

The only dress that I had was the one I was wearing; it was the dress that Grandmother had made for me before I left. Mr. and Mrs. Minnick took me to town the next day to Abe Weslow�s store. The store was called the White House, which was on the corner of ninth and Meridian across from the courthouse. They bought me so many nice things. They took me to see all their friends. They wrote to Grandma Minnick, who lived in Frankton, to come see what they had. Mrs. Minnick thought it would be another pony because they had several. But, was she surprised when she saw me! I�ll never forget her kissing and crying that she loved me. Uncle Joel gave me so many nice things, but Uncle Billie was sick and later died.

Mr. Minnick was a very good carpenter and made me a bed and high chair. The first few nights I slept on the floor. I had no night gown, so I slept in one of my new father�s shirts. I called Mr. Minnick " pop." I was well trained to say, " yes mam, and no mam, please, and thank you." I�ll never forget my first Christmas with them.. Pop made for me a doll, a doll bed, and high chair, a table with four chairs, and a cubbard for the little dishes. What a wonderful time I had! Pop also played Stanta Claus.

Grandpa passed away on March 20, 1907. That was when Pop bought the lot in East Maplewood Cemetery. It was a twelve grave lot. After Grandpa Jones died, Grandma moved to the house with us because she was blind. Later, she had an eye operation and then she could see. Grandma Jones was a good Christian woman. She had read the Bible four times and could discuss it with authority. On June 20, 1917, she died at age 87.

I had very bad ear trouble and the doctor that was treating Grandma, Dr. Whitdale, looked at my ear. He said and operation would be the only think to save my life, A half by one and a half piece was taken out of my ear. The doctor said that is was a serious mastoid infection. After the operation, I wasn�t able to hear out of the left ear. I was only ten years old when I had nine other operations on my ears.

Mr. and Mrs. Minnick were good to me. They gave me all the education that I could take. I quit high school, even though I had one more year to finish. I had a nervous breakdown. Pop had been told to take me from the city to a farm. The farm was three miles north of Anderson on Florida Station Road. They let me do whatever I liked. Pop gave me a calf and all the baby lambs the mothers wouldn�t have. I had six in the basement of the farmhouse. I fed them with bottles and nipples. While we lived on the farm, Pop gave me two horses. One was a beautiful riding mare and other was a work horse. One of the jobs that I had on the farm was to keep the cord of wood built up. At the house, when the wood would get low I would have to get more and keep the pile built up. I would hook the work-horse-hitcher to the spring wagon and house the wood to the house. From the big cord, I had to cut the wood into smaller pieces. I could pull a cross-cut saw as good as many men.

As well as house work and cooking, I also bailed hay. I drove the horse and pulled the hay fork. Our neighbors would always help us with the chores and we would in turn help them.

With all the work, we still had pleasure. Pop made a pony cart for me with which my girlfriends would go for a ride. Us women would have quilting parties where everyone could come to quilt. I always went and had a grand time.

Pop built a big beautiful house. He hired Bert to do all the plumbing and install the furnace. This is where I met Bert. At the time, he was going with a girl from Ohio. I was going with a young fellow named Clarence, who was studying to be a Methodist Minister. When Bert and his girl split up, Bert would come over to see Pop in the evening. After awhile, Bert asked me for a date. We took our first date in a two cylinder Maxwell at the speed of four miles per hour. We had fun and talked about many things. We got home just after dark and when Bert walked me to the steps, he took me in his arms and kissed me.

I saw Bert only on Wednesdays and Sundays, but he would call me every evening after work. We had gone together all summer and in the fall Bert asked me to marry him. I told him I would, but we should wait until my 18th birthday. He was always so gentle and kind; he brought me presents and did so many thoughtful things.

Finally, we set a date for the wedding. It was to be on March 29, 1914. But in February, Bert took a terrible cold and had to be in bed. I took things to him while he was sick and I also took cold and was in the hospital. We were to have a double wedding on March 29, but since I was in the hospital and Bert was sick, the other couple, Henry and Marian Neese, went ahead and got married. Bert and I got married one month later on April 29, 1914.

We were married in my home on a Wednesday evening by the Mt. Hope Methodist minister. My wedding dress was lace with an embroided veil. Bert wore a navy blue surge suit. He was so tall and good-looking. Pop, Mom and Grandma were at our wedding. After the wedding, Bert took the minister home leaving his car elsewhere and took the streetcar back. As people were going to bell us that night, they were fooled when Bert didn�t come back in the car. But later on, over two hundred people came. I�ll never forget Mr. Tappen. He fired a cannon that was used on the fourth of July. It shook the window; scaring us all! After that, we treated them with two cases of ginger snap cookies and 15 gallons of sweet cider. They wanted to take Bert and ride him on a rail, but one of the fellows said that they would leave us alone if they could kiss the bride.

For our wedding present, Pop gave us a choice of houses. I chose the one nearest them. It was the house where Grandpa Jones had lived. Bert wired it with electricity. Our house was the first to have electric lights in North Anderson. We papered all six rooms and varnished all the hard wood floors. We bought new furniture for the four rooms downstairs and had wall-to-wall carpeting. It cost about $400 for the new furniture.

The morning after our wedding, Mom fixed us a wedding breakfast. Then Bert went to work and I went to our new home to fix things. When Bert came home for supper, I had steak, gravy, fried potatoes, and cherry pie. The steak cast ten cents a pound. Bert came home for lunch everyday.

In September, Pop went to Florida on a trip. When he came home, he was all for Florida! He had already bought 72 acres of land. He talked Bert into moving with them. So, Bert and Pop charted the largest boxcar the L&M Railroad had. We put in all our stuff plus 30 colonies of bees, a 2 cylinder Maxwell car, 25 chickens, and our dog.

Bert started to build our house. Pop had bought a large tent to store things in until the house was ready. Bert had bought our lot. The land company said that they would give him another lot if he would drill his own well and put in a water system. Bert got a 1,000 gallon water tank and put it underground and pumped out the water with a gasoline engine.

Bert and Pop did all the setting of the grapefruit, orange, and lemon trees. We had two different gardens a year. We also built a pump over the tank and planted vines on each corner of it; it just looked like a mound of flowers. They named our street Indiana Avenue, because mostly people from Indiana lived on this street. Our street had a nickname of "Rabbit Row"; as old Mrs. Barker raised rabbits.

Bert and I were so happy! We sure enjoyed life. As Bert was a Maxwell car salesman, he could get a discount for Pop on his new car. So they went to Jacksonville and drove home with a new 1916 Maxwell. On Sunday morning, we always went to church, then we would go for a ride.

We had been married two years when we found out there would be an increase in our family. Mom and Pop were as happy as Bert and I. Mom and I made little clothes. I was very sick and Bert hired a lady to clean the house. When I wasn�t sewing, I was reading. I had read a wonderful book and decided that if I had a girl that she would be named after the woman in the story. I carried my baby for 10 1/2 months before it came. It was hard on me and I almost died. On April 16 1916, our darling baby girl arrived. She had very long black hair with dark brown eyes. She weighed 6lbs. 2 oz. Bert sat on the floor and braided her hair. Pop called himself "Foxy Grandpa." We called our little girl Beatrice. She was born on my 20th birthday. Beatrice grew up to be a beautiful baby, and would smile at everyone. Our preacher, Rev. and Mrs. Evans, dedicated her to God. We bought a cradle for her little bed. Pop got her a high chair. Bert came in one evening with a buggy carriage. He didn�t think that I should carry her when I went places. We still took long drives and when Bert felt he had to have a rest, we would take off with Bea and go to Daytona and have breakfast on the beach.

After so long, we found that another baby was expected. We were happy again. We dedicated the baby to God before it was born. I got along much better this time. On January 17, 1918, a son arrived with blue eyes and black hair. He weighed 6 lb.. 6 oz. He was a darling and we called him James after Pop. He grew to be a fine boy full of life.

WORLD WAR I came and so did Bert�s number. Before the draft, Bert found that if he was working the shipyard in Tampa he wouldn�t be drafted. So, we moved to Tampa. We just locked up the house and moved away. After a year, we returned home.

On July 16, 1919, another baby girl came. She had blonde hair and weighed 6lbs. When Bea saw her she said to call her May Dorothy, I said that we would change the name to Dorothy May. She was always thin, but healthy. Dorothy had a slight heart murmur which the doctor said she would outgrow. Before starting school, Dorothy was dedicated to God by our minister, Rev. Evans.

Things ran smooth for us and then on February 8, 1921 at 8:30 a.m. a boy arrived with gray eyes and black hair, who weighed 6 1/2 lbs. We named him Robert Henry, after Grandpa Jones. Robert was born in Leesburg, the others had been born in Fruitland Park, Florida.

Emily Alice arrived on August 8, 1922, a sweet blonde who came at high noon. Alice was born in our big new house. She was dedicated to God the same as the others by Rev. Evans. Alice was the last one to be born in Florida.

We sold all of our things and planned to move back to Indiana. On July 4, 1923, we spent the day on Lookout Mountain. We moved two miles north of Royerton. Bert worked for Elmer who was still in the thrashing business. Later, Bert stated his own business working on tractors.

We were all alone when I had another baby. I told Bert what to do and after half an hour Hurshel arrived. It was 12 a.m. on December 17, 1923. He weighed 9 lbs. 1 oz. The doctor came the next day and Bert paid him $3.00 for a house call. He was the cheapest baby that I had. We named him Hurshel Elsworth, after the minister in Muncie, Brother Allen. We dedicated him to God in Willard Church of God in Muncie. Bert�s sister, Mary Mong, stayed with us to help out. Hurshel grew to be a fine boy who loved to play ball.

Bert went to work for the Lang Construction Co. We moved to Muncie, but we didn�t like it. The we moved to Anderson on Meridian Street to Milton Avenue in Park Place. Bert was in Michigan working and I had to settle a lot of things while he was away.

One time while Bert was away, Bea and I were gassed. Bea passed out and cut her chin from ear to ear on the window. She had to have 14 stitches. Another time, when James was 10, he broke his leg jumping off a diving board.

On March 31, 1926 a little girl arrived at 4:30 p.m. She had black hair with blue eyes and weighed 61/2 lbs. The baby�s name was Mary Jane after Bert�s sister and mother. It was a very cold day with wind and snow. A friend of mine kept all the other children. The next day, Bert�s sister, Nora and her husband Will, came to see us not knowing of the new arrival. Nora tried to help, but she didn�t know how to care for so many as she was just use to herself and Will. Bert was off work from November to April due to bad weather. His company paid him straight through the winter. So he was home to help. The minister who dedicated Mary to God was E. E. Biron. The children went to the 8th Street Church. I couldn�t go everytime, because someone was sick or there were too many things to be done, but I kept the children going.

At 4:30 p.m., Betty Wyetta was born on August 14, 1926. She was 6 lbs. and had blue eyes. She was four weeks old before Bert saw her. She was such a doll. She got hit by a car while crossing the street to the ice cream wagon. She wasn�t hurt, but it scared us to death.

On October 21, 1929, at 2:00 a. m. another boy arrived. All the children wanted to call him Bert. He was named Bert Wilson, Jr. We called him Junior. He was blonde and weighed 6 1/2 lbs. and grew to be a butterball. He weighed 30 lbs when he was one year old.

I was ready to have another baby, so a neighbor lady said she would help Bea with the kids. So on August 28, 1932, I had another 6 lbs. boy with black hair and black eyes. We named him Russell Lee. Russell after my cousin, Russell Hardin, and Lee after my mother�s brother.

A friend of Bert�s asked him to remodel his house. If he would do the wiring, plumbing, and windows; then we would get the rent free. Our apartment was at 21st and Main. We only lived there part of the summer.

Bert�s mother died and we moved to Alexandria. We were anxious to get out of town with our big family. On the day that Russell was one, we moved to Alexandria. It gave us much more living space and we could raise chickens, pigs, cows, and have a large garden.

On February 19 1934, another boy came. He weighed 6 lbs. He had gray eyes and black hair. We named him Paul William. His foot wasn�t right, so the doctor�s began to work on it. Finally, they got it straightened out. Paul had to be in Riley Hospital off and for about seven weeks at a time. We were thankful that it could be corrected.

Mrs. Minnick moved in with us because she couldn�t care for herself anymore. She was 83 years old. She fired the girl that I had hired to work because she wanted to do the work herself. We had butchered a hog the day before she came. The lard was to be rendered. Bert told Mom not to bother with it and that he would render the lard when he came home from work. But instead of listening to him, she did it herself. We were thankful that she didn�t hurt herself. Finally, she got too feeble to do anything. She was a very good person.

On November 23, 1936, at 11:00 a.m. a little girl came to us. She had brown hair and gray eyes and weighed 6 lbs. Bert wanted to name her after his mother, Lovina. So, we called her Lovina Jean. Rev. Fleenor dedicated Paul and Lovina to God. Lovina was always a good little girl. None of the children caused us any trouble. They were all a good bunch of kids. We now had 6 boys and 6 girls.

As our children began to leave home, as birds and leaving the nest one by one, our children got married. First, Dorothy married John Vestal and had our first grandchild named John Jr. He was four month old when our daughter, Lovina was born. Then, James married Margaret Murray. Alice married Buck Embry. Alice had our second grandchild, Ronnie. Our grandchildren came so fast that it was hard to keep them in order. Now there are 47 grandchildren and 53 great-grandchildren. I love them all.>

Hurshel was our first son to leave for the service. On Thanksgiving Day, I fixed a big turkey dinner and had all the kids home to be with him before he left.

Betty took TB and died on August 7, 1945 at 3:00 a.m. She was really a good Christian girl. People came to see her and she would cheer them with her testimony. Her dad promised that he would be with her some day. So, today they are together. Neither Hurshel or Bob, who was in the Navy, could come home when their sister Betty passed away. They did get to come home on leave before she got bad.

Bob and Martha had a little boy named George who died at 14 months of spinal meningitis. He was a sweet boy and it was very hard to give him up.

Mom lived to be 90 years old. She died in her sleep in January 20, 1944.

We lived in Alexandria for 18 years. The children got their schooling in Alex at the Clark School. Bert worked as a night watchman at the Aladdin Factory. Bea worked in the shipping department after finishing high school. I worked there after Mom and Betty died. I worked the 3:30 to 11:00 shift. I could keep up with the housework on that shift and Bert was home in the evenings. Bert took care of Junior, Russell, Paul, and Lovina till the older ones came home from school. I only worked a year as a bottle inspector.

*Now Bert is gone and I live for God and all my children. They mean so much to me. I�m not physically able to do the things for my kids that I�d like. As I look back over my life, I see a lot of hardship and sorrow. Yet a lot of happiness has come from my children. As a son-in-law once said to Bert that we were the wealthiest people in the world. I can remember all the hurts and bruises I mended with love and kisses and the big meals that I fixed for all 19. I love my little home and I wish that I could do more. It will all be over some day, all try to remember our great love. Many prayers have been said for each and everyone. Please don�t put it off too long in making things right with your God, as we wouldn�t want the circle to be broken later. At this Thanksgiving time, I think of all the things I have to be thankful for.

-Hallie Dott Tomlinson

NATHAN W. TOMLINSON
From notes of Cardella Luzenia BAKER

Years ago - around 70

Our Grandfather John S. TOMLINSON gave our Father N.W. TOMLINSON 40 acres of land all in woods in Jay Co., Ind. Pa and Uncle Jasper Tuttle went out there from Delaware Co. and put up a little cabin to get along with until they could get up a better house. One evening while they were getting supper their horses got loose and started back home and they had to go in search for them. While they were gone the dogs got in and ate up their supper.

As soon as they could they cleared up some ground and then put up a log house of round logs something like 18 or 20 ft square with, as I remember it, one door and 2 small windows one at front and one at back. That house was 20 or 30 ft west of the one standing there. They also, in time bought another 40 acres and later another making 120 acres in all, the last forty bought was mostly cleared when they got it. Also, as time went on and the family grew larger, they built a larger loghouse of hued logs, 2 rooms below and 2 up stairs with shed lean to kitchen and pantry to the back. In these 2 log houses all of the 11 children were born, except the 2 oldest and the one youngest. Between 48 and 50 years ago they tore down the last log house (lived in the paint room and blacksmith shop one summer) and built a 7 room frame house. Pa and the boys cutting and sawing most all of the lumber, even most of the siding. They took it to the Mill in Portland and got it plained. Hired a carpenter and to the best of my recollection, only cost around $400.00 cash. In this new house, before it was quite finished, a little girl was born who was named Luzenia Cardella TOMLINSON.

A year or 2 before this house was built they put a large new barn that replaced the old log barn. Most of the last forty acres was cleared when they purchased it. Together the family labored and toiled to raise 10 children, attended church, took care of lots of preachers, helped to finance a good many meetings that were held for the purpose of getting people saved from a life of sin. Sometimes there were 25 to keep over night including the family. I remember when I was a very small child that Pa was Sunday School Superintendent of an old log meeting house. At that time they had big red and blue sheets of stiff paper made into little flowers.

In 1895, Feb. the 2nd, I think Mary and Burroughs went to Mo. to live. Of course in those times it seemed a long ways off out there. Some of us at least felt like we would never see her again. Therefore, we wanted a family group picture taken, since they were to start next day, that was the last chance. Although it was an awful cold day they put the most of us in the big wagon with high sideboards on it. A canvas was put over the top of us. We were covered up so we could not see out. They hauled all of us to Portland and had pictures taken. In August of the same year Mary and Burroughs were back. I remember the day well for when I got out at town I was turned around and I can see it yet. Every thing was on the wrong side of the street.

Family Incident of Long Ago

A daughter was born to Mr. & Mrs. Nathan W. TOMLINSON of Jay Co., Ind. on Sept 9th 1892 that being on Saturday. The oldest son, being then in his 23rd year was to leave for Muncie, Ind. to work on Sunday evening. He entered the bed room where Mother was and ask to see the little sister. While in there he helped to name the little sister Luzenia Cardella. As he had not been so much for paying attention to the little children, Mother was much pleased with this even. As time went on and the sister grew to womanhood the affection between Brother and Sister continued. After they each had their children, almost, if not all of their Easters were Spent together. Then when the Brother became aged and afflicted the Sister�s (who is now Mrs. O.E. Baker) home was opened to him that he might be near the Dr. and Hospital. Therefore, she had the privilege of nursing and caring for him in his last illness. When he was almost 75 years old he passed away at her home Nov. 20, 1944 at Muncie, Ind. This Brother was William J. TOMLINSON.
From notes of Cardella Luzenia BAKER

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NATHAN WILSON TOMLINSON
From notes written by Emma Angelina TOMLINSON about 1941

One evening while supper was being prepared, they missed the horses which had been left loose to graze on the grass. All went in search of the horses. They did not find the horses. It soon got dark and they were lost in woods, did not know which way to go to find their camp. Finally they heard dishes rattle, their dogs were eating their supper. This was Friday evening. The next morning, after taking their wagon over to a neighbors, one half mile away, they started on foot in search of the horses, stopping to inquire now and then. As they found tracks on the river bank, they thought they had started back home. On and on they went all day, no horses to be found, not even when they reached home. The next day was sure a day of rest to them after their long walk. Monday, they found the horses, some one had taken charge of them

In September 1869, the family consisting of father, mother, and little daughter Mary, then 9 months old, went to their new home. As there had not been any door cut in the log house, mother and baby were taken to a neighbors for the night, poor people but very hospitable . Those were the days of tallow candles, they had none, but mother had some in her satchel. Not many matches were used in those days, as many logs were burned and live coals of fire were carried from one place to another. If you called on a neighbor and was in a hurry, you might be asked if you came after fire. I remember we used to fold a paper, light it from the fire in the stove to light the kerosene lamps.

Nathan Wilson TOMLINSON, son of John Smith TOMLINSON and Mary Emily TOMLINSON, was born Oct 27, 1845, about one mile west of Alexandria, Ind. When about three years of age his parents moved to a farm a few miles south of Muncie, Ind. He had three brothers, Joseph Enoch TOMLINSON, James Bert TOMLINSON and Eli Jasper TOMLINSON, also four sisters Luzena Minerva Cheesman, Zilpha Frances Rhodes, Margaret Matilda McLain, Mary Elizabeth Rodgers. John S. and Mary Emily TOMLINSON, parents of this family each were about seventy years (70) old when they died. The children were as follows: Luzenia M. - 72 yr., Nathan W. - 76 yrs., Zilpha F. - 64 yrs, Joseph E. - 31 yrs., Margaret M. - 79 yrs., James B. - 45 yrs., Eli Jasper - 71 yrs., Mary E. - 69 yrs. when they died.

When a boy in the teen age, Nathan W. taught a summer of subscription school, as it was called. It was for beginners and parents paid a small fee for each scholar. His youngest sister Mary E. was one of his pupils. Days when his services were not needed on his father�s farm, he worked for his Uncle James A. TOMLINSON, who had a saw mill. Perhaps in this way he learned and liked to work with machinery. For in later life he operated a saw mill, also, a threshing machine, the latter for 30 or more years. I think it was in April 1903, he was on his knees tightening the guide on saw mill, the wrench slipped and threw his left hand on the saw which was running. All of the fingers were so badly mangled they had to be amputated. His thumb was of much use to him and he did a lot of work after this happened. He said he had done this a hundred times before. He could tell better how it was with the saw running. Mother was hardly able to be up at the time. But she forgot herself, looking after Pa and other things. When the Dr. came the next day to dress Pa�s hand, he said to Mother that she was feeling a lot better than the day before and also said, �I believe you have a lot of faith.� We had never met the Dr. before.

Some will wonder, was he Nathan W., in the Civil War. He was only 16 years old when it began, but for sometime during the war he was a member of the home guards. Those times at home, those who were in favor of the South had best not tell it, as it might get them into trouble. There were some fights if one spoke in favor of the South out in a crowd of people.

July 2, 1865, Nathan W. TOMLINSON and Minerva Caroline TUTTLE, sister of Darlin TUTTLE, were married. You see some of his grandsons and great-grandsons are following in his steps, married young, I mean. May 20, 1866 his wife died in child birth. Had twin boys who died also.

Jan. 22, 1867 Nathan W. Tomlinson and Lovina Jane TUTTLE were married. She was a daughter of Isaiah and Angeline (HEATH) TUTTLE, a sister of the late Harvey HEATH. Lovina Jane TUTTLE was a niece of the former�s wife. She was born Dec. 25, 1849 on a farm about five (5) miles south of Muncie, Ind. She was the first child of the family and the only girl. She had three brothers, namely Jasper, Eli, and Isaiah TUTTLE. When she was seven (7) years old her father died. One year later her mother married Charles COOPER. Later she had two half brothers, L.L. or Lon COOPER and John COOPER. Being the oldest, she was naturally put to work quite young. Her step father�s health was not the best, and he only lived a few years.

Them times corn was dropped by hand, in a furrow made with a plow then it was covered with a hoe. She helped plant the corn this way, recieved $.50 per day, for of course this was for some neighbor. Then she helped gather the corn, also, and got a lot of burrs in her clothing. As long as she lived she never liked weeds, and worked hard to keep them out of her garden. Uncle Harvey HEATH made a loom for Grandmother, who wove cloth, also blankets and carpet. By working early and late she could weave ten yeards of carpet a day. She died when only about sixty (60) years old, had a cancer on her breast, thought to have been caused by her working at the loom. Several of the HEATH�s lived more than ninety (90) years. The Heath�s were thought to have some Indian blood, some of them were quite thrifty, and good workers, I am told. The TUTTLE�s trace their ancestry back to England. Some of them having titles to their names. Such as Sir Mathew HALE. Grandmother TUTTLE�s maiden name was HALE. I am told that TOMLINSON is an English name.

Pa had been batching, as it was called, so Mother said he cooked their first meal when they started housekeeping. That was on a farm South of Muncie. Mother�s brothers got the Kansas fever. It seemed they almost thought that the greenbacks grew on the fence corners, such a great place it was said to be. So they all moved to Kansas. Stayed a number of years, but none of them became rich. Perhaps Pa, and Mother would have went too, but could not sell their farm crop. Soon after this Grandfather TOMLINSON bought 5-40 acres or 200 acres of land in Jay Co., Ind., about six miles west of Portland, Ind. He gave 40 acres to each of his four sons. He sold the other 40 acres to a Mr. Wesley Binegar. I understand that grandfather paid $8.00 (eight dollars an acre for this land). It was all in timbers, plenty of wood, but a lot of work to clear, lots of good timber went up in smoke, to split rails, and fence also to ditch, before raising a crop on it.

As wrote elsewhere, in the autumn of 1869, N.W. and L.J. TOMLINSON went to make their home in the woods. Jan 23, 1870, William Jasper TOMLINSON was born. In Feb. 1870, they had men hired to split rails. Mother had sugar trees tapped, she gathered the water and made molasses for the rail splitters to eat. Mary was too small to take out with her and was too small to trust with W.J. TOMLINSON in the cradle, so she was stood on a chair at the window to look outdoors, so I was told. A few years after this Mother heired a little money from her grandmother TUTTLE�s estate. With this, 26 acres was bought ajoining the 40 on the west. On this there was logs hued for a house. With this a house was built on the 40 acres, I remember it. I am guessing it to have been maybe 20 by 30 feet with a loft overhead, also a shed kitchen and pantry, or meal room it was called. When William J. was 20 years old he helped to tear down the old round log house in which he was born. In May 1891, the hued log house was torn down and a 7 room frame house was put up on the same spot. Frame timber was sawed at the mill, also most of the flooring, taken to a planing mill and smoothed. In this way it did not cost so much to build. At this writing, 1941, the house still stands. Most of the people who lived in the neighborhood are gone now.

In the early times a new gravel road was built on the North side of our home. It was sometimes called the TOMLINSON gravel road, as Pa was road supervisor when it was built. As a big farm wagon was common way to go, it did not ride so smooth either. I used to pack eggs in oats, in a bucket, or one half full to be taken to market. As they would likely be broken other wise. We did not generally sell much butter then, had a good market for it at home. Did not keep many cows, besides being a big family of us, we often had hired help to work at the mill or the farm. But I remember one spring we sold some butter for 15 cents a lb. We had received as little as 8 cents a lb, also at the same time we received 15 cents a dozen for eggs. So that seemed good to the folks. We sold many a dozen of eggs for 10 cents or less, even after this time.

For a number of years, Portland was the address for mail, and did not generally go there more than once a week. Portland used to print a newspaper once a week. It would be stale news these days. Then a grocery store was built one-half mile east of the place. Different people kept store there, and mail was brought in a buggy from Portland, Tuesday and Friday. Later it came Monday, Wed. and Saturday. The people of the neighborhood called there for their mail. A man by the name of Corkwell lived near by and the post office was named for him. Corkwell spent much time at the store; Riders were the owners, and Landis�s lived near, so some one made a little rhyme like this, �Riderville, Landis Street, Corkwell�s Hotel, and nothing to eat.� Since rural free delivery, Corkwell is off the map. Even the pump was removed. I remember when we did not have screen doors and there were plenty of flies, then the mosquitos were so plentiful we made a smoke with chips in an iron kettle to drive them out of the house at night. They were a nuisance at milking time in the evening.

Mother bought yarn by the pound as she knitted wool stockings for all the family. She learned her girls to knit also. She did so much of it that she could knit with her eyes shut, something I never learned to do. The yarn was put in skeins, so we children wound them into balls for knitting. Sometimes we would get it tangled, and Mother would have to help us out. These things were done in the winter time. We children went bare footed in the summertime, so stockings lasted much longer than nowadays. Mother had so much to do in day time, so she did much of her sewing at night, by hand, and an oil lamp. Sometimes staying up far into the night to make clothes for the family.

After Grandmother died. Mother had her loom. She wove carpet for her own floors, also, quite a lot for the neighbors. Most of we girls learned to weave also.

The folks had prayer meetings in the home even if the house was small. A log church was built 3/4 of a mile east of home. It was built on Uncle Joseph TOMLINSON�s farm. Mary says she was there at church one night when the stove pipe fell down. Pa was class leader there. The folks entertained many of the ministers and church people in their home. After the log church was abandoned, the folks drove 3 1/2 miles for a number of years, to a place called Willow Chappel. I am told that some ministers have preached four (4) hours at this place. I remember going there when I was quite young. I got very tired as they always stayed so long. At that time we had a spring wagon. It did not have any backs to the seats. It had 2 seats, they had a board to put in the middle, in case they wanted to take on more passengers. There was 9 or 10 sometimes. Drove two horses to it always. There was a camp meeting held at, or near, Praise Chappel. (Deerfield, I think it was called.) It was in Randolph Co., some twenty or maybe a little more miles from home. The folks generally attended. It was held in Aug. In 1895 Mother told Pa she did not feel able to ride so far in the spring wagon, so Pa surprised us by having a two seated carriage, also, a new harness for the horses, delivered on Saturday. So we drove out in style, Sunday morning. I was one who went.

In Jan. 1895, Burroughs, and Mary Mong, left for Missouri to make their new home. (They came back the next August.) We had never had a family group picture. So, one cold day, most of the family went to Portland in the wagon bed with high side boards, and a canvas over the top, on bob sled, to have a picture made.

Most every summer Pa and mother and the younger children went for a few days visit in Delaware Co., as most of the relatives lived there. It was a whole days drive and I remember how tired we were, sometimes we children would get out and walk a distance to rest us.

The summer of 1897 Nora, worked for George Hoagland family, 7 or 8 miles from home. Sometimes they brought her home for the weekend. So one Sunday eve, Della and I took her back to her work. When we was about 2 miles from home on our return trip it got dark, as a rain storm had come up. We had to cross the river and there was a narrow grade on each side of the bridge. It was so dark I could not see anything, only when it lightened, and the rain poured also. Della did not say anything, I was afraid she would fall out, or go to sleep, so I kept calling her to see if she was O.K. and tried to see where we were when it lightened, Thanks to a watchful eye which must have been over us, and also to the trusty old horse, Frank, who took us home safe. I guess the folks at home must have been some worried about us.

These pages would be far from complete if I fail to tell of the horses Jim and Frank. I am told that when Jim was a colt, he was in the yard one day, and come in the house and looked at Elmer, who was a baby in the cradle. They were a reliable team. In threshing time it was their job to haul water for the engine. Generally, they went to the river for a tank of water, sometimes a little distance from the machine. It sometimes happened that the water would be getting low in the engine, and a certain whistle meant to hurry up with water. The horses knew and would start in a trot with their heavy load. They would follow the threshing machine past home, as they sometimes did going to another job. Jim was frightened when young, being hitched near the railroad track. He would follow the engine all day, but did not want it to come up behind him. Each lived to more than 25 years old.

There was a lot of typhoid and malaria fever in the fall of the year. People had what was called ague, I even had a little of it in my youth. Maybe just after dinner you would get sick at your stomach, and have a hard chill, followed by a high fever. This might be repeated day after day. Not much of this after swamps holes were drained and the country cleared.

I have always been sorry that I did not, at least finish the eight grade in school. I have said that I would not set a price on what education I have, but wish I had more. Have dreamed many times of being in school. Young people please, don�t follow my example. I am glad that I was put to work when young, doing chores, gathering eggs, bringing in wood and etc. and now it seems to me each year is a little fuller and shorter.

At different times a railroad survey was made from Portland, Ind. to Pennville, Ind. and it went through our farm spoiling two 40 acres. There was now 120 acres in the farm. I remember one time when the wheat was nearly ripe. Pa saw the surveyors coming, he tried to stop them, but on they went draging their chains through the wheat. So he said, some day a railroad would be built there and would be a daily inconvenience. One woman said if they came through her place she would soap the tracks. The Salamonia River was at the back of the farm. In fact about one acre of the farm was on the other side of the river. A few people wanted to dredge the river, make it deeper and change its course in places. Pa spent some time, as did some others, with a petition against the dredging, a few cents an acre was collected to pay court expenses. The case was won at the time. These things made Pa think of selling out, which he did in 1899 to a man by the name of Samuel Slick. He, Samuel Slick died a few years later, but I think his widow and two sons still own the farm.

A few years later the river was dredged, also, the railroad was built. The railroad did not prove a success, and in a few years was abandoned. None of us ever fished much if we were near the river. The river was near a half mile from the house.

A man by the name of Joshua Weiner had a sorghum factory near us. William Jasper TOMLINSON worked some for him, later W.J. TOMLINSON and John Wright operated the same mill as partners, a year or two at the same place. About the year 1898, W.J. TOMLINSON started to operate the sorghum factory at its present location on his own place. He also did some blacksmithing in his younger years.

The spring of 1900 we moved to the six mile house, it was called on the Wheeling Pike, north of Muncie, Ind. We farmed there that summer, then moved in Sept. 1900 to the farm Pa had bought and could not get possession of sooner, four miles North E. of Muncie, on the Granville Pike. We engaged butter to people in Muncie, at 20 cents per pound. In summer went to market Tuesdays and Fridays. We also made cottage cheese, it sold readily. Sold young chickens, eggs, rhubarb, and vegetables of different knds. I was one who generally went. I sure went home tired many a time, it took a lot of time the day before to get things ready for market. In this way we bought most of the clothing for the family, groceries, and etc.; also saved some for some other things. Later on we sold milk at the farm.

An oil and gas company had leased the farm. We had free gas to burn, and also a gas pump. We got a tank in the kitchen for water. It soon failed, not enough water to give proper service. A windmill was erected to pump the water. Wood and coal were then used in the Majestic range, which we think was one of the best stoves ever made. It was a fine baker, sure different from baking in an iron skillet out by a log. We had a bake pan that filled the oven, held (8) eight big loaves of bread. Wish I had some of the good bread baked in it. This was filled 2, and sometimes 3 times in a week.

Many times strangers passing through the country were lodged for the night. One cold winter night soon after dark, a man knocked at the door, he ask to come in and warm. He soon had his shoes off. He was so drunk he did not know what he was talking about, but, he sure talked about most everything. We was not in any hurry putting him to bed. The next morning he had nothing to say, and went on his way.

Sept. 1908 Mary and Burroughs Mong went to Minnesota. Some people said it was a wonderful place. December of the same year found them in Missouri. Pa sold the farm, bought property in Anderson, Ind. and moved there Sept. 1908. Thought to not work so much, he was very restless after being always busy. Bought another farm, talked of moving on it, but did not. In the summer time he went and worked on it quite a lot. In time of the world war, he thought we would get along better if we could have more garden and keep a cow, so he found six acres in the edge of Alexandria, Ind. We moved there Feb 26, 1918. He did a lot of hard work there, and died there Nov 17, 1921, near the place of his birth. He was 76 years old, he had fair health most of his life, worked hard, provided for a family of ten children, saved some besides paying a few hundred dollars of security debts, some for neighbors, and some for one of his brothers.

He and son Roy went to the World�s Fair at St. Louis, Missouri, whatever year that was. In 1906 or 1907, he spent three weeks at Pensacola, Florida visiting his brother, Uncle Jasper TOMLINSON and seeing the country. William J Tomlinson spent one winter in Georgia. He also went to Colorado in 1899, was gone near a year in the interest of his health.

In 1921, Marion Sanford TOMLINSON came from California alone, except when giving someone a ride of a few miles in, an auto (a distance of 2700 miles). His wife Lulu had come on the train. Coming through some of the timber and country, I think in Wyoming, he slept in his auto. One morning he made a fire by the side of the road to fry some bacon. He heard a yelp in the timber, then more than one and coming nearer. He thought it was a pack of wolves that had smelled the bacon. He threw his things in the car and drove for his life. Sanford died June 5, 1933.

Martha used to sing a lot. Some of the nieghbors, more than one half mile away, said they heard her singing.

Bert was a very mischievious lad. When left alone, he would upset flower pots and such like. One day he dobbed soft soap on the table, broom handle, wood box, etc. When Mother went in the kitchen she smelled soap and discovered what had happened. He has the honor of having the largest family of any of his brothers or sisters. Being twelve in number, 6 girls and 6 boys.

For a number of years Mother�s health was poor. The last few years of her life, she spent a lot of time in bed. Her eye sight failed a lot, and her hearing was poor, but her mind was good to the last, which came May 30, 1933. She was 83 years old. Gone but not forgotten, she lives on in the memory of her children, and others who knew her. As also does our father.

From notes written by Emma Angelina TOMLINSON about 1941

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NATHAN W. TOMLINSON
By: Mary S. (TOMLINSON) MONG

Experience of pioneer life of my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan W. TOMLINSON as told to me.

In the year 1869 they came to Jay Co., Ind. from Delaware Co., Ind. My Father came, cleared a space, cut timber and built a cabin of round logs. Then mother came with me. I was about 1 year old, they didn�t have the door put up yet in the cabin, so mother took me and stayed all night with one of the neighbors. They had supper over, but gave her what was left. They didn�t have much, but made her welcome. In the morning they had plenty for breakfast, they didn�t have any light, but mother had tallow candles with her, so they had candle light at the neighbors. They hadn�t brought the cook stove yet, so mother had to cook out by a skillet with long legs and an iron lid, put hot coals of fire on top of lid to bake, she had 3 or 4 men to cook for too. They brought provisions with them; apples, potatoes and meat. When these were used up they had to go back after more. They bought a few acres of land just west of them. That was partly cleared, so had that much ready to farm. the man they bought it off had some logs hued out to make a hued log house. My father took them and built a house just east of the cabin, the hued log house was big enough for 2 rooms downstairs and 1 up. They put up a shed kitchen back of it. Most of we children grew up in that house. My brother Will was born in the cabin and helped tear it down when he was 20 years old, there were plenty of squirrels then too and wild turkeys. I remember after we was living in the big house they brought in a wild turkey they had killed. My Uncle Joseph TOMLINSON was staying with us at that time, we older children didn�t get to go to school very regular, had almost 2 miles to go and mud roads too in 1880. The Walnut Corner School house was built and we was only 1/2 mile from school. When clearing up the farm they rolled the logs together in heaps. Then we children (we were partly grown then) helped gather up small trash and put on log heaps. I didn�t think when I was helping burn up so much wood I would see the time we wouldn�t have wood and have to burn coal. (I liked to fire the log heaps when we got them ready, they let me do that sometimes). They fenced the cleared ground to farm, and let the stock run in the woods. Put a bell on the cow so they could find them if they didn�t come up. We had one good cow that furnished milk and butter for the Family (but she was a Rogue). She would get some rails off the fence and jump over in the cornfield or in the best pasture, no wonder she gave plenty of good milk. She would have the best of feed. Then old Doll the gray mare was a family standby, people rode horseback so much them days. Mother had a side saddle she would take 1 child in front and 1 or 2 sit in back of her. Said old Doll seemed to step so careful like she was afraid some of them would fall off. I remember going on horseback to church with my Father when mother couldn�t go. My Father helped to build a log church about 1 mile East of where we lived and helped to maintain and keep up a class of the Methodist Protestant denomination for years, I have seen that church crowded. People came for miles when a revival was going on. A woman told me in later years she was at my Father�s house to a cottage prayer meeting when she was a young woman and I must have been just a child then. The ministers used to come and stay round among the church members. I remember different ministers and some of their families being at our house. The early settlers used horse power to run their Threshing machines. They hitched the horses to a tongue and drove them round and round to turn a shaft that run the Thresher. My Father never owned one of them, but in 1875 or 76 my Uncle Jasper Tuttle and Father together bought a steam engine and Threshing outfit. They hauled the engine and outfit from place to place with horses and didn�t have much gravel roads then either, my Uncle sold his part in the Thresher. Then later Father bought the Traction engine and hauled the Thresher with that. He run a threshing machine for years also had a small saw mill and sawed lumber. Used the Traction engine to run the saw. One day while working with the saw his hand slipped and sawed his hand so near off it had to be taken off. He sold the saw mill then. There was talk of a railroad being put through from Bluffton to Portland when I was just a small girl; even surveyed a line through but road was not built till several years after. Even built an Elevator west of Walnut Corner School house (they called it Walnut Corner School house because there was a walnut stump at the corner). They called it C.B.&C. road. Corn Bread and Cabbage road some called it. It seemed it was not a paying proposition. They soon abandoned it and tore the track up.

I remember how we used to go in the big wagon to visit my grandparents it was 30 or 35 miles, would take all day had mud roads mostly too. We children would get so tired. We used to have high waters in the Spring. The Salamonie river would over flow and back up. But the country is cleared up and river had been dredged so the water don�t come up now, I remember going across the river on a foot log when I was a little girl. My parents went across the river to grandpa Greens house to Church Service.

Grandpa Green lived to be over a hundred years old. He was a pioneer settler and an early Christian. They had cottage meetings before they had any Church buildings. I remember we stayed for dinner at Grandpa Green�s one day when they had church there. I remember about his grand daughter being there, about my age. We used to have fine times on the ice in winter, when the river backed up and froze over. One thing I remember when we children were small before the country was cleared up and swamps drained; we used to have malaria fever chills or ague, some times every day but generally every 3rd day started having them about the time cucumbers were big enough to use, cucumbers didn�t have anything to do with it but chills started at that time, but I guess they have chills any new place where it is swampy. My Father used to sell timber Hoop Poles and hickory butts. Hauled them several miles to market some times. One time it was so cold he said he thought he would have frozen to death if he hadn�t got off the wagon and walked part way home. One night mother was waiting for him, had supper ready, thought sure she heard him speak that he was home so put supper on table but he didn�t come for some time after that. So she had been mistaken. He used to sell stove wood, too. Martha and I used to use the Cross cut saw sawing the blocks off and the boys would split them. We girls got us some new hats one spring, sawing wood. When I was 14 or 15 years old I and Brother Will planted corn with what they called Jobber corn planters. Two different springs I worked all day with him planting corn. We used to make our own Laundry soap; put wood ashes in a barrel, put water on it and run off Lye, had cracklin and rinds and other off all from the meat that was killed for Family use. We used to make our own lye to break wash water. Put about 1/3 of a gallon crock of wood ashes pour boiling water on it then when it cooled put more water in. That is the way we got our Lye to make Lye Hominy too, but we don�t have wood ashes to make Lye now in this year of 1941, I don�t know what year it was, but Martha was a little girl. A big dog came and stayed about the straw shed and stable so we let him stay, kept him till he died of old age. He was a good watch dog, seemed to know when mother was alone, would lay by the front door when my Father was away Threshing, some times mother took him in the house. We never knew where he came from or who he belonged to. But it was not safe for any stranger to try to pass him if he didn�t want them to. My parents smoked their meat in the old log Cabin. The dog would go in there with mother when she went to get meat. I remember one day mother was getting meat the dog in there with her. Some Irishmen that were working on a ditch not far away came up to the big gate and called to know if they could get a jug of water. The dog heard them was right out there, the dog was on one side them on the other. If I remember right the Irishmen got on top of the big gate post. Mother couldn�t get the dog to come back so she took them a jug of water. My brother Marion Sanford farmed, worked some at carpenter work and ran a threshing machine awhile. He was a traveling Salesman for parts of Threshing machines for several years. He also done Cabinet work. My brother Elmer started hauling water for Threshers when he was 13 yrs old, later he owned and operated a Threshing machine making about 39 years he worked with Threshing machines. He does painting and works at lawn mower repairing. My Brother Roy L. has been farming most of his life, worked a few years at shop work and was in Mich. one year, Brother Bert went to Florida soon after he was married, lived there a few years but come back to Ind in 1923 has worked at different kinds of work electric wiring road building and plumbing. I often think of our parents and home, when we were all there together. One fall after snow was on ground. Will and Sanford made false faces of paste board with corn silks for mustache and whiskers turned their own coats wrong side out, then with Martha and I went about a mile to where there was other young folk. We met a young man. He just stopped and looked at us. I guess he wondered who the boys were.

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