Letters Written to Harriet Watson Warren Lovejoy, Gallatin Co., MT Indexed and contributed for use in USGenWeb Project by: Susan D. Slade-Grossl USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. © 1998 by Susan D. Slade-Grossl. This file may be freely copied for non- profit purposes. All other rights reserved. These are a series of letters written to Harriet Watson Warren Lovejoy. They are from some ladies in Moreland Montana, where Harriet and her husband Abial Lovejoy lived prior to moving back to Mendocino County California. They have been transcribed by Harriets Great Great Grand daughter, Susan D Slade Grossl, of Boise Idaho. A photo of Mrs. Potter is available by contacting submitter. These were found in an envelope addressed to Mrs. Harriet Lovejoy West Point, California Postmarked sep 5 1887 Moreland, Montana. And Sep 9, 1887 Cloverdale, Ca. ****************************** San Francisco, Jan.27/83. Dear Mrs. Lovejoy:- I received your welcome letter a few weeks since, and was pleased to hear that you arrived safely at your destination. It is unfortunate that you are not pleased with the place and climate, after the trouble of going so far. I am much obliged for the information you gave me in regard to the prospects of the country. I intend to go to Marysville for six weeks or so, to teach a class in painting. It has been raining and hailing very hard here to day. We have had very little rain this winter, and we need it badly enough we have had pretty cold weather all along. I have been thinking of the store you speak of it must be 328 Fourth, almost opposite us they keep a variety of dry goods. Mrs. Davis is the name. I have not seen anything of Mrs. Locke - she had never been to see me and I do not think I will go again till she does I have not heard from Isadore either. You did not have my right address, but the letter reached me it is 325 Fourth St. Remember me to Georgie I am glad he is enjoying himself so much. I suppose Lauriston and Charley will not come to you if you do not intend to stay. I hope they are well Steve wishes to be remembered to you and Mr. Lovejoy. With much love to yourself, I remain Yours Truly, Grace S. Williams ****************************** Moreland, M. T. Oct.13. 1886. Dear Friend:- I came down to spend the day with sister, and found her answering your letter, so I thought I must write a few lines too. We are so glad that you got through safely, and, that you are feeling well. How pleasant for you to find a welcome, and nice place to rest after your journey! You looked so sick the day you left we thought the journey might prove too much for you. We shall plan to make you the promised visit at the end of this year, time passes so swiftly, that even two years will soon go by. Mrs. Savet thinks Moreland needs a poor house since the arrival of the last baby, and little Mrs. Flowers thinks two will be necessary after a while. I hope you will not have such a neighbor if I may call Mrs Savet by that name. We have had just a little snow storm. The mountains are very white, but there is now snow in the valley. The weather has been very mild and pleasant since you went away until the last few days. Grandma is staying with Mrs. Oyler. She was quite sick when she first went down there but is now well again. Mr. Page is trying to sell out. They will go back to California if they dispose of their property here. (?) and write sone soon as you are settled in your new house. With best wishes for your health and prosperity. I remain sincerely your friend Mrs. L. E. Sanborn. ****************************** Moreland Montana Oct 13th 1886 My Dear Friends, Your letter of the 7th inst was received yesterday and I assure you I was very much pleased to know you are so well satisfied there, and also that you are feeling so well. I sincerely hope your health will improve with the change. You cannot imagine how lonely it seemed that evening after you left -: As we all stood watching the train out of sight the remark was made "Justsee how soon our friends can be taken from us perhaps forever". How true it is, and yet how little we realize all this, the changes that may take place ere we shall meet again if we ever do. Mrs. Sweatland very unkindly called us a funeral, procession as we walked to the Depot. She was mad to think she could not have been on of the number. Mrs. Flowers has a little girl, born on the 4th both are doing well. Carrie is with her. Mrs. Sweat called on her immediatley after you left and wanted little patterns but Nannie would not show her anything so then after offering her services in time of sickness for which Nannie made her no reply, she took her departure, telling some one "there was the strangest people in this place she ever saw". We are now looking forward to the grand event at her house which they now say will be in November or December. She and Mrs. Taylor had a falling out so she is friendless again. Mrs. Taylor and daughter are working at Mr. Arrcinys, Lou has gone to Chicago to finish her education and Aline will go East for furniture this fall. Their house is nearly completed. Dick F lost his situation immediatley after you left and has been at home since. His Aunt has not called on them since you left and has not even inquired after the mother and babe when Dick had occasion to call at their house but they do not care they seem quite happy. School commenced on the 20th. Mifs Jones from Wisconsin is teaching and I think is an excellent teacher. She is boarding with me. John is away for a week on the campaign. Politics are running high just now. The English Lords are all out on a hunting expedition, and Mr Riley is improving the time by having a grand drunk. Mrs. Graham and babies are well Mr Graham has been complaining for a week or now but nothing serious. Mellie sends love to you and Georgie he was very lonely for a time after he left. Clarence thinks Nannie's baby is very nice It is real good. Accept with love and best wishes from your friend Sadie E. Potter (upside down at the top of the last page: Mrs. Jolly is located Chico, Butte -Co- if I remember correctly. Write again, S. E. Potter) ****************************** Moreland Montana January 18- 1887 Mrs. Lovejoy. Dear Friend I have been a very longtime answering you letter but my eyes have been troubling me so lately that I cannot write & have to have Mellie do my writing for me. Today they have been a little worse than for quite a while. Mellie sent you some cards, did you get them? Mellie says to lett George to please answer the letter he wrote a long time ago and tell him what he got for Christmas. : Mrs. Sanborn is going to Idaho soon She starts tomorrow Ernie will go with her. Are you all at home yet and are you all well. This leaves us all well & hope it finds you the same Ever your Friend Mrs. Sadie E. Potter. ****************************** (Across the top, side ways written: Mrs. Sanborn sends love to you) Moreland MT Aug 31st 1887 Mrs Lovejoy Dear Friend: Your favor of August just was received in due time but as I was then quite busy delayed answering until I had more leisure. The boys and I have just returned from Helena where we have spent a week very pleasantly, visiting old friends and attending the Fair. Helena is improving very fast has been having a "boom" for eight or ten months, and bids fair to be the town between St. Paul and Portland. There are so many fine residences that would grace any city in the East. We were shown through the new Court House which is about completed and when furnished will cost two hundred thousand dollars. It is a fine building and the view from the top of the surrounding country is truly grand. Our little town seems to progress backwards. The Hotel was burned in the night about two weeks ago. I do not know whether it will be rebuilt or not. The Depot is undergoing repairs and having on a new coat of paint which will add some thing to its general appearance. Mrs. Flowers has been quite sick but is about well again. Stella has gone to Helena to attend school for a year. Nannie is living in your house and since the Hotel burned has taken the homeless one's to board. She has a very sweet little girl. Mrs. S is just as mean as ever and is making it rather unpleasant for Mrs Graham just now. Mr Inghram's family have started for some where they said California but they probably will not reach there this fall. Have you seen Mrs. Page and did Mr & Mrs Rogers go all the way through? Mrs Sanborn is as well as usual I am sure we would enjoy a trip to California very much and hope we shall be able to visit you some time if we cannot next year. We each had very pretty flower yards this summer. Mine far exceeded my expectations, and was a surprise to all who saw it. Many lovely bouquets have been carried away from it; but it will not last much longer. It is cloudy and cold today and when it clears we are likely to have frost. I dread the long winter which seems so near. The summer has been unusually cool and has seemed very short. I have just had a letter from my youngest brothers wife saying they thought of coming to spend Christmas with us and show us their new baby as it is the first of course it is very nice. They are the on'e that live on a farm, and have just harvested thirty one thousand bushels of wheat and barley so I think they can afford a short trip. Mrs Curtiss is building a nice house on her farm I think Mr C died after you left. They will probably live very differently after this there has already been a great change and they are abundantly able to live better. I do not know whether you are much acquainted with them or not but you probably know how they lived down there. Mrs Perks and Ellen went to the Fair quite a change for them. Grandma has not been as well as usual this summer she is coming to make one a visit next week if she is able. I suppose you were pleased to get back to your old home again and among old friends but don't forget your friends in Montana. With kind regards to all your family and love for yourself I remain you friend Mrs. S. E. Potter, Please write often. ****************************** Moreland Mt March 24th My Dear Friend, Your letter reached me two days ago enclosed with one from George to Mellie. I was glad to hear from you again. The letter or note you spoke of getting from me was written by Mellie and I supposed he write you that I could not write. I did not know that he had written it as coming from me. My eyes have troubled me since December until the first of March about three months, at times they were very painful I could not read write or sew, in fact could not do much of any thing. But they are much better now and I hope I may never have another such time. I am glad your health is better and hope it may continue to improve. I have thought of you many times during the winter. I have not been over to your old house this winter, The boys say the baby over there is very cute and funny. She is very large about as large as Mrs Graham's baby now. Nannie is large too there is a great change in her you know she was so very small. She stays at home all the time same as ever. The late arrival I have not seen I think Mrs W. D. Flowers is bout the only one outside of their own family that has seen it. March 25th Mrs Sanborn came back to day looking quite well, She has been gone since the middle of January. She inquired after you and said she would try and write you soon. I think she has enjoyed her visit very much. She certainly needed a change. The weather is pleasant here now and it is warm and dry. I am preparing to have a nice flower garden this summer have moved around into the back yard. And to the left of the gate as you enter; have it fenced and all ready for planting. It is much more convenient for me than on the other side of the buildings. Will tell you later of my success. I have managed to keep most of my plants through the Winter and they are now looking very nicely. I still have all those birds. I shall be glad to hear from you again. Accept with love from Your true friend Mrs S. E. Potter. ******************************