April 1999The following group of letters were written by William Riley Smith, oldest brother of my great-great grandfather George W. Smith. All but one, the last one, were written to their brother Hiram. The last one was to my great-great grandfather George W. Smith.
William Riley Smith was born in 1833. He attended Asbury College in Greencastle, Indiana which is now DePauw University. He went to the Kansas Territory in 1855 and never returned to Indiana. He entered the Civil War from the new state of Kansas, and due to his education, he became a Lieutenant.
These letters give a good history of the development of Kansas, from returning broke from the war to farming against mortgages, grasshoppers, banks going bust, railroad land grabs, drought, foreign markets, and the economic depression of the 1890s. In some letters he is despondent, and in others exuberant.
I know nothing of his descendants, only the names he mentions of three of his daughters. His children were all girls. He adopted a boy who died in early manhood. His wife was Ann Harkness.
From reading his letters, it would appear his health was very poor, yet he lived to be 88. He died in Kansas in 1921.
The original letters to Hiram were among papers left by Hiram's daughter Ella. The letter to George W. Smith was among papers of my great grandfather Marion Smith's sister Ollie. They were collected by my grandfather Herbert F. Smith, who transcribed all but two in February 1979. Those two remaining I have now completed in April 1999.
Mark A. Smith
At home 5 miles west of Ottumwa,
Kansas. January 13th 1866Dear Brother (Hiram)
Yours of the 25th Ult. Has come to hand, and finds us only tolerably well. I am glad that you have got back safe. I would like to see you and Alexander very much but know that it is impossible for I am not able to go to Indiana now. If I were, I should certainly go. I have bought 80 acres of land since I came home, which took everything that I could raise, and then did not pay it all. I am in more straightened circumstances now than ever I was before in all my life. I am positively in a bad row of stumps but you need not tell anybody there about it.
My family has come almost to want. $1500.00 would not replace the stock alone, which I had when I went into the service but which is now all squandered and gone. Did not have anything left, but one cow, when I got back. Billy Smith holds my and Davy's note for 365 dollars, drawn some time in April or May 1858, due one year from date, with legal interest from maturity, and as he is using Indiana laws, suppose he will take the legal rate of interest of that state. I wanted to pay this in 1860 and 1861 and tried my best to do so, but he would not take anything but Money, Money!, Money!! Was all his cry, and nothing but Money would do and this I could not get. I offered him every thing that I had in God's world and he wanted MONEY.
This I could not pay as you see in 1862 I went into the service, and it took all my wages to support my family, and thought I was doing well to do that. Smith also holds my note for Fifty (50) Dollars which I gave him for some down timber, with the express understanding (although not embodied in the note) that if I did not get the timber he would cancel the note. I did not get the timber as I am prepared to prove from the fact that he gave a warranty deed for the land, and when I went to get my timber I was warned off. Of course, I could do nothing so I just dropped it. And now I plainly say that if there is one spark of honesty left about him he will not make me pay this 50 dollars. It would be paying fifty dollars for nothing and contrary to the agreement.
I hope that you will not rely wholely on what Charly Noble says for a correct statement. He will do the best he can for Billy, as his attorney of course. I want everybody to get their dues, as you say, but I don't want them to get more at my expense. I appoint you my agent to settle up my business with him. Do the best you can for me for I am needy. Pay him off with as few dollars as possible. Don't let him collect that fifty Dollars if you can help it. I would send you a (power of Attorney) but don't suppose it necessary. I don't know anything about that 80 acres of land you spoke of. I wrote several times about it, and tried to get the numbers so I could pay the taxes, but never succeeded. So, I don't even know the numbers of it. I suppose that it is sold for taxes. Davy pre-empted it, therefore you will have to refer to his papers. I must close. Write soon. Do up that business soon as possible. Let me know what you can do.
Your Brother W.R. Smith
Get your eye teeth cut before it costs you something. Look out who you deal with. I have very little confidence in anybody any more.
(Noteó Ult. Is abbreviation for Ultimo which means "in or of the preceding month")
Ottumwa, Kansas
March 10th 1866Dear Brother (Hiram)
Yours of the 27th of last month came promptly to hand and finds us totally well. I was glad to get your letter for it gave me more information than I have had in a long time. But I am sorry that nothing can be done in the way of selling the place for I am in a bad condition. My hopes are all blasted. I was led to think from what Alexander wrote sometime ago, that the place could be sold for at least $50.00 per acre. This would have paid Billy and left me enough besides to kind of met my obligations, or furnished my family something to live on till I could raise something. But now I don't know what to do. I am much troubled every way.
When I came home or was discharged from the Army I had just $300.00 left after buying a wagon and team. Well, I thought that I had better try and get a small piece of land to make me a home on. So I bargained for 80 acres of good bottom land for which I was to pay $600.00 and paid my $300.00 down. George said he could let me have 200.00 which I was to pay just as soon as it could got from Indiana. The other 100.00 I was to have some time on.
Now how does the matter stand. George and I made application for his money early in December last, together with other things. In a reasonable time we heard from Alexander and he said that he would send it in a short time. In about ten days we had word from him in which he said that he would send it next week. About this time they began to make inquiry about the money. The man of whom I bought it had made his promises on mine. In another week we received another letter stating that the money would be sent next week. Five or more weeks have elapsed since that time, and we have not had one syllable about anything except one letter which contained George's key and these words "Well George here is your key ó A.C.S." This all that was in the letter, no explanation whatever, did not even state whether he had sent his trunk or not or anything else. And by the way, if he has sent it, and sent it as common freight, George will never hear of his trunk again.
Now they have sued the man that I owe and he cant help himself, for I cannot get the money for him. I kept telling him that the money would be at Lawrence in a few days, as surely I thought it would, until he did not believe me, and he now swears that I made no arrangements to get the 200 dollars from Indiana and now I shall lose my place, if not what I have paid on it, unless I get the money in a very short time. All this has come from carelessness on Alexander's part, if he has not sent the money for he wrote long ago that he would send it next week. This is the reason why you received a letter not sealed. I put the letter in my pocket, went to the Po. Office thinking that I would get a letter and want to make some change in it. There was no letter for me so I just took the letter from my pocket and dropped it in the office, never thinking to seal it, so racked was my brain. It seems to me like everything has combined to ruin and destroy me. I have a weakly wife who has had to cook all winter and spring by an old fireplace because I had no money to buy a stove with. I don't know what Alexander means, or what is the matter. I don't know where to write him at.
As regards my interest in the Estate, Brother I don't want you to lose anything in buying, neither do I want it sold if it will damage the others, but I cannot do anything, no way. Therefore, you can have my share at (40) forty dollars per acre. If there are only 92 acres this would give me 736 Dollars, and I would have something left after Billy was paid. If you can take it, have the proper deed made out there, and send it here by mail, and I will have it signed and sent back to you. Send at the same time the actual amount that it will take to pay Smith, or if you are coming out here soon you can bring them. I wish, for my sake, if you please, that you would see Alexander immediately and have him forward that money without any further delay, or I am ruined.
I must close at this time.
W. R. Smith
P.S. Money can be sent by Express to Lawrence, Kansas with safety, provided it is deposited at Terre Haute, or wherever it is sent from, with proper care and take the proper receipts therefor.
W.R.S.
(NoteóApparently George Smith had been visiting his brother W.R. at about this time. Marion Smith in his memoirs stated that his father once visited W.R. in Kansas but W.R. never did make a return visit to Indiana. The Estate mentioned in the letter is the property of their parents, both of whom were dead at this time. The Estate was eventually sold to the Sisters of Providence and is now part of the St. Mary-of-the-Woods College grounds.)
Lawrence, Douglas Co. Kan.
May 19th 1867
Dear Brother Hi--
We received your letter on the 8th of this month, was glad to hear from you as we always are to hear from our friends. I have nothing new to write, only grasshoppers. That is all the talk now. They are as thick as hail. Well Hiram, Hoppers--Hoppers is all the cry just now. Grass Hoppers by billions in quantity unmeasureable. Corn is retailing here at $1.75 per bushel. A few days ago it was only $1.25. I concluded that I could not stand this so one morning took my wagon and team and struck up the river for corn, found some 12 miles from here for which I paid $1.10 per bushel and husked it myself. As I came back through town was offered $1.60 per bushel. But I laid this by. Have two loads on hand now which has cost me 60 dollars. When this is gone, if times are not better, will load my traps and tramp, you tell me where for I don't know where to go to. We received your letter requesting me to send your papers to your address. Well Hiram I must apologise in this matter a little. Two or three weeks before this letter was received, I left an order at the Courriers office for your paper to be mailed to Sandford, Indiana and did not know until yesterday, (when Bouton hailed me in the street, and requested me to give your address as he had lost it) but what you were receiving the papers regularly. Have not received one for several weeks because I did not inquire at the Office for it after I told them to send it to you. Will look them up and send them now.
We are all well but me. I am never well--my disease is BLUES which affects me much indeed. Have not heard from Gib since you left here. Times certainly are quite dull. The Missouri River Rail Road has sued the L.L.&G.R.R. for this taken off the Delaware Reserve. The Delawares have made a treaty consequently don't own any land. The first Road mentioned claims said lands.
Man killed and pockets rifled in town the other night. Two stores robbed last Thursday night, man knocked down, etc., etc., and so it goes. Mayor Kimball has offered $1000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the murderer. The man that was killed kept a cigar shop on Massachusetts, a few doors above Perrys store. We had a heavy thunderstorm last evening, rained all night. Quite warm today. Much young Hoppers. Clayton has gone back to Illinois. Have not seen Crosleys but once since you left. Mrs. Crosley wanted to know if you have had any more jokes played on you.
Have not heard from Jimmy Smith for some time. I saw two men today from Coffey County. They tell a hard story. They say that there is no corn nor wheat in the County. Everything has to be shipped from Missouri or this place and many have no money, consequently must suffer. Whether the Hoppers will do much damage am not able to say. They have not done much yet as I can learn. Much rain--too wet, but in a week or two it may be too dry. So it is in Kansas. I am sick of her and would leave tomorrow if I only knew where to go. If you learn of any place where we can do well, please let me know, won't you, and we will go there. Speak to the boys for me. Tell them that I feel too sorry to write to them all a letter now. Give them my best respect.
Must close at this time. Answer this at your convenience.
Yours truly,
W.R. Smith
Lawrence, Kansas
July 7th, 1867Dear Brother (Hiram)
You think perhaps that I am never going to write you any more. All that I can say is that I have felt very much indisposed to write to any body and today is the first that I have tried to write for more than two months. I have nothing good to write about. Don't want to say anything about my troubles, blues, or anything of that sort so the only way is not to write at all.
Am getting along after the old sort, only I don't come as near making expenses as usual. I am going out to Ft. Harker the 1st of August if I can raise money enough to buy a mower to cut hay for Uncle Sam. If I go, will stay about two and a half months. I must make something. The grasshoppers have about played out now. They done much damage in North Lawrence and vicinity but not on this side. The Lane place out north of town looks like fire had run through it. They mowed grass, weeds, and everything. They worked only in spots so bad as this from what I have seen and can learn. On the Zimmerman place and that 50 acre field of Jim Masters I never saw a better prospect for corn in my life. This has been the best season so far that I have seen in Kansas. Just enough rain. Things began to look a little dry on the first of this month. On the fourth we had good rain and another on the 6th with prospects for more.
I cannot write more.
Your Brother,
W.R. Smith
Redman Farm, Kansas
Feb. 11, 1878Dear Brother Hiram,
Your very welcome letter bearing date Jan. 26 came quickly to hand. We were very glad indeed to hear from you. It is really too bad that we do not hear from each other oftener than we do. We did not hear for months afterward, of the death of your little children nor of the bad accident to yourself in getting your arm broken. We know how to sympathize with you, and hope that your babes will speedily recover.
But Brother I don't think that we should continue to feel "sad" because some of our little ones are taken away from us, although they have left vacancies that can never be filled. In our great loss, they have great gain. When I look at my past life and remember the trials and sore troubles and afflictions that I have passed through and feel that in all probability many more are waiting for me and also realizing that I am a "poor old stranded wreck", don't know what will become of me, I say I think of these things I feel glad to know that they are safe and although they were so dear to us here and the loss was so terrible, they are better off by far. They are safe in Heaven. They are done with the troubles of this world. They will not have to pass through the trouble that we have.
We are in tolerable health at this time. I am considerably afflicted with dispepsia, am much better this though, than for some time past. Last Spring, Summer, and Fall I was not able to do anything. I am driving though the mud at this time. We have had quite an open Winter so far. No snow until the night of the 9th, then only about 1 1/2 inches, and most of that melted next day. But we have had so much rain. No cold weather. Had a snap about Thanksgiving time. Wheat has grown most all Winter. I am awful sick of mud yet I don't suppose that our mud will compare with Clark Co. (Ill.) mud. We have had two years without Bugs or drouth. I had splendid corn crop this year. I might say that we have had in this past three good corn crops in succession. Three years ago I planted 150 acres to corn, the grasshoppers ate up 50 acres, leaving me 100 acres that made splendid corn. You ask me how I came out with that farm. Well, I am not out as yet. 1874 "Busted" me flat. At the close of the year ending in April 1875, I was $1500.00 worse than nothing--I had lost all and was $1500.00 in debt. I was a little blue I must confess. I had one year on the farm, yet went to work again with a will and this year although the young grasshoppers ate up one third of my corn crop, I sold in the month of April 4000.00 dollars worth of fat stock, and made back what I had lost the years before.
In August 1876 I bought a farm of 160 acres, 4 miles north east of Lawrence on the K.P. Branch R.R., 80 acres in cultivation, all under fence, good vineyard, 4 or 5 hundred bearing vines, apple and peach orchard about a hundred bearing trees each kind, 60 acres in corn that would make 5 bushels to the acre. I got half the crop with the farm, all for $2000.00. I paid $500.00 down, the balance I was to pay in three annual payments with 8% interest. I done quite well last year with my stock. But was very unfortunate in another direction. I lost $800.00 by the failure of the Lawrence Savings Bank. She Busted, she did and will never pay a cent. Clean steal.
Well, you may say you ought to looked out for this. So I should, but did not, and tis too late now. They stole from my neighbors at the same time in the same place, and the same manner 90 odd thousand which latter fact don't help me whatever.
Only a short time ago the Stimpson Bank of Lawrence went down, but I am told will pay about 25 cents on the dollar. One week ago last Thursday the heavyest Bank west of St. Louis went to pieces (The National Bank of Kansas City, Mo), also two Banks in Topeka the same day. I have managed to meet the first payment on my farm which fell due 16th last August, but I tell you that it took twisting and scraping to do it. So, I now have a farm with $1000.00 paid, and $1000.00 more to pay and the next payment falls due next August. Present indications are that I will not be able to meet it. I don't possibly see that far ahead now, but hope for something to turn up that will enable me to meet it. But for the loss that I sustained with that Bank last August I would have had a good farm paid for this coming May.
So the thing goes with me. Several times in the last 10 years I thought I had it, but like Paddy's flea, when I put my hands on it, it was not there. "Such is life".
I "hold on", eat your "hunk" of corn bread and milk, and when you get this, as soon after as possible eat one for me, for some how we can not get good sweet corn here like we could back in old Hoosier or Ill. Business is in a manner dead here, nothing much doing. Banks all breaking, Merchants failing, and farmers Busting. Where are we going to?óAnsweróRuin! Some people out here seem to think that Congress might do much to help us. Among other things they are terribly in earnest about the silver bill. I must confess that I fail to see any good to come from this in the end. Greenbacks are good enough money for me, though I think that Congress made a mistake in 1873 in demonitizing silver. I would be in favor of silver trade dollars or dollars that were worth as much as Greenbacks or Gold, but for silver dollars that are worth only 92 cents on the dollar I look on with disfavor unless they were made legal tender for all amounts, and then these would be great inconvenience sometimes. A farmer a few days ago sold to a pork packer in Lawrence about a 1000 dollars worth of stock. Said farmer was loud for the Silver bill. Well, says the pork Merchant, you believe in Silver money do you? Yes was the reply, most emphatically I do. All right, said the Merchant, I have a surplus of hard money, and counted out to him his $1000 in silver. Now he was in a bad fix. It was too heavy for him to carry in his breeches. He would not risk any of the Banks in Lawrence with it over night but finally he prevailed on a friend to take charge of it until he could go for his team.
But I should be very glad to have a wagon load or two of it, no matter how much it was worth, to the dollar. Any kind of money is good enough for me that will buy 100 cents worth to the dollar.
I have no more room so will have to close. Let us hear from you.
Your Bro.
W.R. Smith
Reno, Kansas
Nov. 17, 1883Dear Brother,
Your letter of September 30th is before me. It is too bad that we do not write oftener though I did not think it had been so long as you say. I am very forgetful of late but thought I had written.
This leaves us all well. The last three days have been quite cold. We are gathering corn and my hands are so sore that I can scarcely hold the pen. Crops with us are good all round. Wheat good, corn and oats very good. We are gathering in corn that makes 65 bu. to the acre. I am slowly getting out of debt. The last payment on the farm will be next July $500, and I hope to be able to meet it. Sure I shall feel greatly relieved for have had hard pull of it.
Everybody is doing well here now. The towns are booming as well. I wish now that you had come to Kansas a few years ago and bought a farm when everything was so cheap. You could have made it all right. But who of us knows how it would be if we should have a few more years of good crops and good times. Kansas will have 2,000,000 people--she has over 1,000,000 now. Real estate has more than doubled in value here in the last two or three years. I would not take $35 per acre for my farm today. How long these good times will last no one of course knows but I think that we will be fixed so pretty soon that one years drouth or one batch of grasshoppers will not bust us very much.
How much do you get a day for running an engine. I suppose wages are higher there than here.
I want to find where Joe is. Have not heard from him in a long while. We have found all the quit claim deeds to that land except Joseph's. Mr. Kelsall went to Will H's a short time ago and found some of them with him. That 80 acres is worth $20 an acre now. Is Sam Reece in Terre Haute yet, if so what is he doing? I am coming to visit you when I get the farm paid for.
Well Hiram, I am getting old, was fifty 19th last August and I sometimes think I am over sixty. I feel that way, though my friends tell me that I don't look to be over 45.
Our baby is 7 years old. Give our love to family. Write us when you can. We remain as ever your brother.
W.R. Smith
Reno Township, Leavenworth County
Lawrence Kansas June 12th 1886Dear Brother (Hiram)
Your letter of May 17th just came to hand. I am glad to hear from you even though it did take three years.
It is my intention to answer all letters received but I could not positively say now that I did. My recollection is that I wrote at least twice. I do not know where to direct this to reach you but will try Terre Haute.
I am in poor condition this morning to write to any person. Times are miserably hard. I am failing all round in health and pecuniaryly. Two years ago I was almost out of debt. Now I owe $1200.00 and the interest will be due in September when it will be nearly $1400.00. I have been trying hard for more than a year to get out of the business but the way seems closed. I have quit doing anything and am just drifting along without accomplishing anything of course.
I will write you a short letter this time and wait until I am not quite so dull and blue.
Your Brother
W.R. Smith
Reno Twp., Leavenworth County
Lawrence, Kansas
Aug. 3rd, 1886Dear Brother Hiram,
Your welcome letter received in due course. We are in our usual health. I Should have answered before this but have been hard at work. The first hard work have done for two years. Could not help it. Would not pat $20.00 per month because the business would not pay or make it. We have been having quite a drouth again in this part. Not even a light shower that is enough to do a particle of good, since last Saturday five weeks ago. I hope is broken now for it commenced at 7 O'clock this morning and has been steadily falling in a very mild way a light rain up to this hour 1:30 P.M. when it ceased, not enough to do much good unless more follows soon. The corn crop is seriously damaged here, much of it beyond redemption no matter how much it might rain. The earliest planting will make something but late planting cannot make anything without copious rains immediately. I have gone through my corn for 12 days. If good rain comes tonight, then will look at it tomorrow when will be able to tell whether there is any show for it. My corn was planted late and is not too much devastated, will make something though I fear the worst for it is just silking and tasseling. This is a bad lick on me again. It seems now that I never can get out of debt. I am set back one year. This is why I will not influence my friends to come to Kansas.
I came near getting George here last Spring and I expect it is for the best that we failed for he would have been largely to corn and might have failed to raise anything. For some years back he might have done much better here than there, but to have had such a year as this for the first, might have discouraged if not paralyzed him. But for about three such years as this, I would have been in independent circumstances. Oats were a fair crop, but wheat was not a success, much of it winter killed, though some good pieces of this cereal in my neighborhood. I cut 6 acres (six) and threshed 77 1/2 bushels of fair quality. Balance of crop did not cut.
Kansas has her ups and downs. When she is good she is a way on top. From reports, the western part of the State has had more rain and I hope may be in a better fix than we. This is something new. I wish you had a better and easier way of making a living but don't know but you are as well off in the long run as we are. I have kept together what I have by a mighty effort. Our love to all.
W.R. Smith
Farm Home of Wm. R. Smith
Reno, Kansas
March 2, 1897H.B. Smith
Edwards, Ind.
Dear Brother,Your letter bearing date 25th last month is before me. We were quite glad to hear from you again. I had been thinking for some time would write but had been so long since had heard from you that I had forgotten your Post Office.
Well, brother, how are you getting along, are you farming yet, if so how do you like it? I am still on my farm yet but I cannot remain much longer. I have not been able to do any work for more than five years. Ann has been an invalid for the same length of time. As a consequence, have not made anything but fallen behind each year. I am so much behind now that I never expect to catch up. If I could sell, I would do so. But what can we do now--I never saw wheat and horses as low as they are at this time. Hogs and cattle are a fair price yet but both are falling rapidly and they too will soon below cost if the fool democrats don't stop their foolishness. It was always so when they had full control of the government.
The plain fact is that the South has everything now. The festive Confederate Brigadier is now in the saddle. I am somewhat amused at some of Northern Democratic members. They know well what is the matter but have not the courage to break the spell. They still bow to the consecrated one, the big fat man, and poke out their heads and yell "cuckoo". It is hard to tell just what is coming. My mind is that the Senate will pass the Wilson bill without any material change and if it does this, the labor of this country will be but a step, and a very short one at that, above the pauper labor of the old world. This being so, the whole business of the country will become revolutionized. I dread the first year especially. After everything becomes settled, I suppose that the farmer can come as near living as any other class. But how can the country prosper? They have made work for the foreign laborer in his own country instead of making for their own people at home. It does seem so strange to me that they are so willing to tear their shirts into shreds hunting a foreign market. "The markets of the world" when the home market is so much more desirable. Confound their ignorance, I want the market as close to the farm as possible, the closer the better.
The South has always desired cheap labor. Guess they are in a fair way, and on the right road to get it. We will patiently forbear and as you say, next Fall we will mop the Earth with them. I can't see why they are so crazy. Seems to me they ought to see and know that the country will not stand such nonsense.
How many children have you now? Are they all girls like mine? Anna and Maude are at home. May has been with her sister in Leadville, Colorado for most two years. The winter has been a fair one. Some cold weather since the 11th of last month. We had a terrible snow storm on that date. We also had a couple of those cold days 22nd to 25th of Jan. The mercury was 18 degrees below zero on the morning of the 24th. Weather very nice today. Frost most out of the ground. If it keeps fair we will soon be sowing oats. I would like to see you all. My intention was to visit you last Fall, but I did not have the strength to do so. Neither did I have the means. When Uncle Sam pays me what he owes me and I sell my farm, am surely coming. Guess I will quit this time--Don't wait too long before you write us.
Love to all,
W.R. Smith
June 3, 1902
G.W. Smith
Terre Haute, Ind.Dear Brother,
Your letter came to me allright and I should have answered before this. I cannot lay my hand on your last letter and do not remember all you said. I am in the country 7 miles since last Sept. My mail facilities are not satisfactory but we are promised a Rural free delivery route July 1st.
I have not been quite so well since the middle of last March. But still I am much better than for many years. I can do a little. I am post commander this year as you will from the heading of this, and seven miles in the country which makes it a little tough on me but have not missed a post meeting yet. We have two meetings a month, the 1st and 3rd Saturdays. The first in the evening and the 2nd at 2:30 P.M. I always stay over in Lawrence the first for I cannot drive so far after night. I went to Ft. Scott on the 20th of May to attend the State encampment and was gone three days. I had not been to Ft. Scott since the close of the war. My Co. was stationed at this place about 10 months in '63 before we went South. Nice town there now and nothing looked familiar but the old guard house and hospital buildings which were standing yet. The old guard house is used by the City for City Jail and the old government hospital is used as a barn for horses.
I remember I asked you to give information about some of our people. I was inquiring of Mother's side of the house. The Campbells. I do not know if any of them are living. I knew Cousin Geo. Smith was dead but I do not know if Uncle Geo. Campbell is living. Some day tell me all about Aunt Jane Reese's family and all the relation on Mother's side of the family.
It was quite dry here in early Spring, and as a result hay will be short, also oats and straw. Wheat is very good. Corn is fine also potatoes. Had 2 1/2 inches rain in the latter part of May. Out west they have had regular floods it seems. We have not had enough yet but we are all right for the present.
Ann remains about the same she has been all Spring. Write us when you feel like and any way if you don't feel like it soon.
Your Brother,
W.R. Smith
The following is from the above mentioned State encampment, written by William Riley Smith.
Kansas Grand Army of the Republic
Lawrence, Kan. May 23, 1902
General Order No. 3Another year has flown, and the day looked forward to and held most sacred by the old soldiers of the great civil war is now near at hand. And not only is this day revered by the veterans, but by all the patriotic citizens of our beloved and redeemed country.
Therefore it is most befitting that we, who through the mercy of God have been spared; have been permitted the full fruition of our labors and sacrifices; have seen with our own eyes the result a happy, free, and reunited country, the best on God's green earth.
Put away the cares of life on this day and strew tears and flowers on the graves of the fallen comrades who gave their lives that the nation might live.
As our commander in chief says, " No more beautiful or impressive scene could be witnessed than that of a redeemed nation, ceasing from its daily toil and gathering around the graves of its defenders, bearing offerings of flowers, and giving expression of the love and gratitude which a great people feel toward those who gave their lives in defence of their country."
Memorial Day in the past has been too lightly observed, in too many instances it has been desecrated.
We take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to the faculty of the State University for action taken during the past year, and we are happy in the thought that there will be no more ball games on this day on McCook field or fields in surrounding country, and sincerely hope all other institutions will conduct themselves accordingly.
Col. Sam Walker Post No. 365, the Women's Relief Corps, Sons of Veterans Ladies Aid Society, Co. H, 20th Kansas, Kansas National Guards, all soldiers of the Spanish war, all old soldiers of all wars, and all citizens are cordially invited to join with us in its observance.
Junior Vice Commander C.H. Hoyt, will act as marshal for the day, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly.
Comrade S.A. Houstin will have charge of the decoration at Maple Grove cemetery.
Comrade H.W. Eggert at Franklin and the Catholic cemeteries and Comrade C.H. Hoyt at Mount Oroad cemetery.
All friends of the G.A.R. are requested to bring or send flowers to the Martin building first door north of the Merchants Bank early Friday morning, May 30.
The procession will start for Oak Hill cemetery at 9:30 a.m. The decoration at Oak Hill will be in charge of the flower committee.
At 2 o'clock the exercises will commence at South Park, providing the weather is favorable, if not, at Bowersock opera house.
PROGRAM FOR AFTERNOON.
1st. Music by Buch's Band.
2nd. Invocation by Comrade Dr. Cordley.
3rd. Grand Army ritualistic service.
4th. Address by Mayor Selig.
5th. President Lincoln's address at Gettysburg, Nov. 9, 1863, by F.C. West.
6th. Music by Buch's Band.
7th. Address by Comrade W.H. Smith of Topeka.
8th. Music by Buch's Band.
9th. Benediction by Comrade Rev. B.F. Olds.Immediately after the benediction the members of the Post will assemble for the purpose of having a group picture taken.
By order of
Will R. Smith,
Commander,
S.J. Churchill, Adjutant.The parade in the afternoon of May 30th.
I hereby announce the order of the march:
First Division--A.H. Krause commander Co. H, Twentieth Kansas; Sons of Veterans Co. B, Twenty third Kans., and all Spanish War soldiers and Co. H, Kansas, National Guards, led by Buch's band will form on east Winthrop street right resting on Mass. Street.
Second Division--Col. Will R. Smith commander, Washington Post No. 12, G.A.R. Sam Walker Post No. 365, G.A.R. and all old soldiers and sailors of the war of the rebellion, will form on wes. Winthrop street right resting on Mass. Street.
Third Division--Col. U.S. Plank, commander, Haskell institute battalion led by Haskell band, will form on north Mass. Street right resting on Winthrop street.
Fourth Division--In command of Mayor Selig. All civic societies, speakers in carriages and citizens on foot and in carriages will form on Vermont street right resting on Winthrop St.
All are requested to assemble at 1:30 o'clock as the parade will start promptly at 2 o'clock p.m. There is no one excluded from this parade and it is earnestly desired that all will appropriately commemorate this day set apart to the sacred memory of our fallen heroes, by a grateful nation.
C.H. Hoyt, Marshal.
Col. P.D. Poponoe, Lieut. Fred Stone, Aids.
Additional notes by Judi Assony, May 1999
William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, 1st published in 1883
OTTUMWA, Coffey County.
Among the early settlers of Ottumwa were Dr. Hamilton Smith, J. G. Shaubell, James Harris, John T. Cox, Jonathan Lyman and Dr. Joseph Jenks. September 15, 1857, Jonathan Lyman issued the first number of the Ottumwa Journal, which was the first paper printed in Coffey County. Only two numbers were issued. The press on which this paper was printed was removed to Linn County by Mr. Lyman in 1860. by an act of the Legislature, approved February 25, Ottumwa was incorporated as a town, the act of incorporation providing for a Board of Commissioners consisting of five members, a Marshal, Assessor, Collector and Treasurer. The Council was clothed with full power to regulate the municipal affairs of the town. The Councilmen designated by the act of Incorporation were: Ebner H. Hoult, William R. Smith, James Harris, J. W. Kerr and Enoch Maudlin.
Our Smith family were early settlers to Coffey County. My great grandfather Henry Gilbert Smith came shortly after Hamilton Smith and John G. Shaubell (Shawbell). Hamilton was his brother, John G. Shawbell was the uncle of his wife, Mary Jane Martz and William Riley Smith was his 1st cousin. Also coming early on were his Aunt Rachel Smith Kennedy and her husband Jesse Kennedy and family; his soon to be in-laws Solomon Martz and Margaretta Shawbell Martz. The Smith's came from Vigo County, Indiana. The Shawbells and Martz families came from Juniata County, Pennsylvania.
