June 11, 1913

My dear Husband;--

how I wish for you to be here and take a ride with me this beautiful morning. Papa and Mamma went out for a short time yesterday, and I was so lonesome while they thought I'd go down and pet Charles William, then I happened to think that he was out riding with Papa and Mamma. Ha! Ha! My Ha! Ha!s aren't very joyous right now since my love has gone away, but I am doing my best not to let people know that I am pining for you, but Anna guessed that I had been crying Monday. Said she didn't blame me.

I am sending you some roses that Auntie Ivie sent yesterday. Mother knows how she can keep a secret as they are old time friends, and Mamma thought if she heard the report Anna heard, it might cause her to have a spell of sickness as she is very delicate and nervous and has been interested in me since I was a tiny tot, so I told Mamma to tell her, and she will not tell anybody. She said the roses she sent me were the Linde's roses, so I'll send you a sample, as "what is good for the bride is good for the groom." What is the saying about the goose and the gander? I believe my memory is failing me. Really, I am "Dreaming" Remember the song "Let Me Call You Sweetheart?" Especially where the words are "Roses blooming everywhere. You alone my heart can cheer. You, just you." That strikes me exactly just now because almost everywhere you look you see roses or smell their perfume, but still there is a longing for something dearer and sweeter to me than roses. That something is you.

Dear, you asked me how I was feeling in the letter I rec'd yesterday. Did I tell you? I don't believe I did. I was ill yesterday morning, you can imagine what it was dear? You know it was so very warm last week and then turned so cold. I took cold that settled some place. I am quire sure as I had to lie down on the couch and have the hot water bottle for two hours, for I was cramping so. But honey, don't worry. I am getting along fine today and was alright yesterday afternoon, only I was very weak, but I am always weak the first two days, but I don't cramp hard unless I take cold.

I just know you have heard enough of gloom for the present haven't you? Poor Maruerite, her health is failing fast, as she has been having a hemorrage since yesterday morning, and I don't think it would be good for Bobbie to play with her if he was here, as it might be contagious. Ha! Ha! Tho' I never yet haver heard her cough. She is so much more quiet than Bobbie, but I suppose being a girl makes the difference. He is always hopping around and getting or trying to get into mischief.

I hope everything is going to suit you in Harrison. Please write full particulars to me. You said in your letter that you felt encouraged and hoped we would be together sooner than we had depended upon. I hope so also. I hope some time in the winter we can begin being together for a greater portion of the time. Maybe you could visit your home then come back by here and get me some time in late Dec. or January. Hope I hear from you this afternoon. X This stands for 100 kisses.

Lovingly, Clara

Papa and Mamma send love to you. Don't forget to send them some. Dearest, don't forget to put our street and number when you address me, as I don't want anyone else getting my letters.

Clara Gibson Lay

Years ago I transcribed a series of letters written by Clara Eydelle Gibson to Thomas Henry Lay while he was attending a school of osteopathy. Before he left, they had secretly been married. I do not know their reason for concealing the marriage, but I think it might have been a social matter.

June 10, 1913
My dear sweet boy;--

I hope you have arrived safely in Harrison [Arkansas] by this time. I haven't words to express how much I miss you, but dear, I shall make the best of it. Papa and mamma miss you too, and when Papa came home from the station he said, "Clara, I feel quite sure that you have done well as Henry surely is a good boy." You might know how glad I was to have him say it, as he had always been opposed even to the thought of ever having a son-in-law. So I kissed him and thanked him and told him I knew he had judged you right. I am sending some clippings from the Daily Distress, see yours is in sympathy for the little girl you left behind.

Mamma and I went shopping yesterday, got curtains with pink roses for my room, and I got some extra. Enough for your bedroom and mine when I am with you. I have it put away in my trunk, and mama got a tablecloth for us. You know I was trying to get my mind off your being away from me, so we decided to shop a little as it was nice and cool. Mamma got 2 union suits [underclothes]Oh! gee, she would have a duck fit if she knew that I had told you, but I thought maybe it would make you giggle. A man started to wait on her and she let on as tho' she had forgotten what else she wanted, so I reminded her to her sorrow, as she was trying to forget. So she started down the counter to get them, and mamma side-tracked and asked one of the ladies to wait on her. You know mother is as "modest as the violet." Ha! Ha!

Papa said for me to begin my letters, dear brother. I thanked him for the suggestion.

I saw a young man with a straw sailor [hat] yesterday. He was about your size and a block away from me. Of course it made me think of you, but I bit my lips to keep back the tears and looked in another direction.

I looked at the clock at five yesterday. It seemed as tho' you had been gone for a year, and I said something about your not being to K.C. [Kansaas City] yet. Papa said, "Well I guess not. He was given his orders not to arrive in K.C. ahead of time.

As I understand it, the Odd Fellows have completed arrangements for the will and [burial] lots. Mamma was talking to Mrs. Frye over the phone. She said she was tickled to death. Papa saied, "Tickled to death? The poor pitiful thing. Mamma, who was it?" Isn't he the limit?

The fire whistle blew while we were up town yesterday, and I immediately thought, what if it is our house and our marriage certificate? But it proved to be a small blaze in another part of the city.

I just received your letter and card, and I was so glad to hear from you; but when you write again, write a long letter. I am glad you had company to KC.

Dearest, you personal was in the paper last evening, but I imagine someone else has put it in. If she never came to you, she was trying to escape as you say. If she did try, I don't think anyone would try to catch her. Do you? Ha! Ha! Lay, honey, who says we don't know how to escape with a capital E. I wonder why Anna and Jim couldn't do that way. He saw her in the meat market and asked her if she had her yard mowed, said he would be game and come down and mow it for her. She told him that she would attend to the yard. Then he asked her where her brother was burned. Said that he meant to send some flowers with her Decoration Day, but he forgot it. It sounds to me as tho' Ann may move to (east) Illinois before I go to Arkansas.-- Your uncle saw Papa up town and asked if the boy got off allright. Papa told him yes, then your uncle sure sounded your praises to Dad, and I was so very glad. They think so much of you. But no one thinks as much of you as I do because "I've loved you from the start." Remember that song?

Hope to hear from you tomorrow.

Lovingly,
Clara Gibson Lay

Introduction

I thought this would be a great way to share information and discoveries relating to our family history. Rather than sending an email or making a huge compilation, I can just post what I already have in small increments, as well as anything else that might come along. I hope that you will share you discoveries as well.