1884 Letter from Mary HUGHES to Harriett STRAYER
Submitted  7/20/97 by Michelle Wiggins, michelle@usroots.com 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
USGENWEB NOTICE:  The USGenWeb Archives holds the exclusive rights
 of electronic distribution for this file.  In keeping with the USGenWeb 
policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be 
used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains 
on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in 
any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-
commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------


This is a letter which my great grandmother, Mary Emma
STRAYER HUGHES wrote to her mother, Harriett Ales HOWARD STRAYER 
who was most likely living in Davenport, Iowa.  In this letter Mary Emma
writes of the Henry Brown's robbery of the Medicine Lodge, KS bank.


------------------------------

Medicine Lodge (KS)
May 4th, 1884

My Dear Mother,

I received Flora's letter Friday afternoon.  She says you are uneasy
about me and Frank.  I am sorry I did not answer Mattie's letter
sooner.  I am getting along very well.  My eyes are much better.  I
received a letter from Frank last week.  He says there is so much snow
that he cannot work at mining.  Has had rheumatism in his shoulder.  Is
getting sick of that country but will stay this summer and seek his
fortune.  Now don't feel uneasy about us any more.  I don't want to come
home this summer either. Silah is going to give me $2.50 a week from the 
first Friday in May till the first in October.  I have not decided yet what
to 
do with my claim, but think I will hold it till I get a deed.  I have
gathered 
flowers on it Easter Sunday.  Silah has made her garden and we are 
having very nice weather now.  But we have the windiest wind I ever saw. 
The color of it is blew.  

I want to join the church here this summer. Will you please go to your
minister and ask him to give you a church letter or certificate of
membership for me.  You can explain to him the reason why I did not get
one when I came away.  Mr. Gillam is our minister here now.

Our town has been greatly excited this week over the murder of the bank
president and cashier.  I will send you a printed account of it. The
shooting was done Wednesday, April 30th.  Mr. Payne died 
Thursday and was buried Friday.  Mr. Geppert's body was kept until
Sunday afternoon.  I attended his funeral.  Both these gentlemen were
particular friends of Mr. Field's.  Mr. Payne leaves a wife and nine 
children.  Mr. Geppert's a wife and a boy named Frank, about 12-years
old.  There is scarcely a man in Medicine Lodge that was not present at
the hanging of the murderers.

Now don't think them a set of savages for they are not.  They are law
abiding citizens who will not let cowboys run the town.  Besides Mr.
Geppert was a universal favorite with all.

On Saturday a man named Hooker dropped dead on the street from Heart
disease.  The excitement had been too much for him.  Charlie Strong, son
of one of our neighbors, has inflamation of the brain and 
is not expected to live.

Well I must close.  Tell Mattie and Flo I will try to answer their
letters soon.  I may come home next fall to pay you a visit.  Give my
love to all and write me a letter soon. 

Your loving daughter,
Mary