Soldiers Grove Depression Era LetterBy borges, Section Historical Perspectives
In the spring of 1931 a cousin of Miss Esther Danielson wrote a note from her Readstown home. She wrote about the news of the day, weather conditions and the failing economy. The cousins lived just a few miles from each other, the scribe in Readstown and Esther in rural Soliders Grove, and yet because the "roads are awful" they could not see each other in late February. It is an interesting peek into Kickapoo rural life nearly 80 years ago.
The letter was found in the woodwork of a farmhouse located on Johnstown Road. Apparently someone long ago tucked it behind window trim as a way to communicate into the future what life was like in that day. It survived a house fire some decades ago with only singes, and was uncovered when the room was being restored. If the handwriting is unclear a typed version is in the full story.
Dear Cousin:
Well the weather is just like spring isn't it? I guess we won't have any winter. The roads sure are awful. We would of been down this last Sunday if the roads hadn't been so awful. I suppose we won't get to come for a long time now because we will soon have to have new license and we haven't got the money to get them right away. You are suppose to have a new license by the 15th of March. This sure is hard times. You get no price at all for anything you want to sell. My it sure costs a lot to fix your teeth. I sure would think you would go bankrup...Ha Ha. I sure wish you could come stay awhile before spring work, because I suppose you will have to be home then. Sometime when Alfred goes to the grove you go along and maybe we can come down and get you. If we've got a license. [damaged and can't read] ...know of any place wanting a girl. I wish you could get a job close by and then we could see each other once in 10 years. Ha Ha. It sure is too bad for poor Rachel. I feel so sorry for her. What are you folks doing? I going to wash tomorrow and Otis is working in the woods. Sure is nice weather for it. We have all been having colds but are better now. It seems like everybody has been having them. It was too bad about Alice O [damaged can't read] I feel sorry [damaged can't read]if she beat the lawsuit. She sued Jessie Dailey of the grove and was going to make him marry her, but I haven't heard since. That fellow isn't just rite and he can't make a living for himself. Do you hear from Aunt Christina? I heard they was going to by a farm and pay $10 a month. I think that would be nice. They live in Richland Center now. Well as the baby is getting sleepy I will close. The baby creeps all over now.
From your best pal,
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