Dear husband:--
I rec'd your card this morning and I was glad to know you were o.k. Hope the State Board wasn't hard for you. You will want to take the Mo. State Board next year. Won't you, dear?
Hope I receive a long letter from you Sat. morn.
Be careful about getting overheated. This kind of weather you are bubblinng over with energy and you might boil over if you were to be in the sun too much or exert yourself too much these afternoons.
Eleanor McLeod said where she lived, in Montana, it was alway pleasant. They get the breeze fromthe snow on the mts. And she said there was so many pine trees there. I think her husband graduated about two or three years ago from the A.S.O.
We had a sweet letter from Mrs. Keiningham [sp?]. She is in a way discouraged, as the Dr. she was expecting to practice with has not kept his word in many ways, she was telling us. So he may feel as tho' he was hard hit as I don't imagine he had made arrangements for the wherewithall to start an office by himself, as he was depending on the Tampa Dr. [Doctor]. I am sorry for them but, dear, we have troubles of our own, havent we? without borrowing someone else's. Buit still you can see what a disappointment it ahs been to them, as of course, they will have to be separated just that much longer as she is in Virginia. She asked about Dr. Lay and hoped he had found a good location.
Honey, you and I should be the Doll Parade that I noticed on the Harrison 4th program. It will be a good program, I imagine. But don't you get overheated in the face where shoes are mixed. Ha! Ha! Remember you belong either in the Doll or the Flower Parade. Do you recall the time we were talking about the Banquet and I said your face looked so rosy when I was talking about you that you looked like a peony or a poppy. And you, little scamp, said, "I didn't know I looked like a poppy." Then I felt like going through the floor because when you daid that, I realized how it sounded dreadful, Yes? No. Well, after all, "all's well that ends well." If you were in the Flower Parade you might sing "I love, I love, I love you said the poppy to the pink. You are the sweetest flower that grows, I think." Also the message of the violet and the red, red rose.
Mamma had a letter from Aunt Bettie Lyon. She wanted to know how the Dr. was and said she injoyed here visit here. Think she thought you were just about right.
How soon will you know if you can come this summer? I wish you were her for tomorrow. We would sure celebrate by loving each other as much as the other could stand. Wouldn't we, honey? But we would wish for a cool breeze between love spasms, as we might smother in each others arms.--- I have written quite a letter, so I shall close and go find a cool breeze in a shady nook. If you were only here to be with me.
With best love,
Clara
Monday, October 27, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Wednesday [July 2, 1913]
I just called A.S.O Journal office and Blanche Jones said that the convention was from the fourth till the 8th of August, so if you can come, plan to leave the 30th of July. If Mr. H-- sends the children with you it would be such an acommodation for him so he wouldn't loose time from his business and his fare both ways that I should think he would consider it no more than right to settle for your fare one way. The reason I want you to start from there the 30th if you can come is because about the 8th of Aug. I am liable to be_____. So we could have a more pleasant time if you could come earlier. Maybe it would suit Mr H-- better if you care to come earlier, on account of getting someone to stay with the children there. Maybe you could arrange to come the 28th, that is, leave there at that time and get there the 30th.. you know I'd love so much to see you, but you must do as you think best.
Nothing sensational has happened here lately for me to write about. Honey, kid, I wished for you last evening when the band was playing. Remember when the band played "Home Sweet Home" and the "flower song?" Maybe they will play those same two pieces again sometime when we same two kids are together for all the time.
I hope your patients are improving.--I haven't ordered the announcements engraved yet, because sometimes you speak as tho' you would not be in Harrison longer than fall. Wnlighten me on this suject, honey, because if we weren't going to be there at least a while (few months), I wouldn't want it on the announcements.
I saw in the paper how Mrs. Selby had gone to Quincy by way of Macon. HA! HA! Rather a round about way to get to Quincy. I doubt that the Duchess (Mrs. S) sent the governor that way to see what he could find out.
We had another delightful rain. And it was so pleasant yesterday morning that I baked a chocolate cake. The first cake I have baked since I baked our wedding cake. Remember mamma said she thought the cake I baked June 2nd cought the spirit of the moment because it wanted to rise as it went into the pan. you know dearest, I was very happy when I was making it, but it almost seemed like a dream that was too good to be true. Papa was such a pleasant suprise. I was afraid he'd roar like a tempest, wasn't you? Surely you made the right kind of an impression with him as well as Mamma, but I was more afraid from the beginning to begin the subject with Papa, as it was easier to make Mamma understand.
I wished for you at dinner today. Mamma was busy upstairs and I made corn bread. We also had baked potatoes, sliced tomatoes with mayonaise, and raspberries and chocolate cake. We don't care for meat often, especially in warm weather. Do you Sugar Plum?---Tell Mr. H-- I haven't received his letter yet. Your aunt's father was worse again. She and Lester were passing here one eve. and she said she rec'd your letter and would write you later.
This is enough, I'm sure.
Lovingly your wife,
Clara Gibson Lay.
It was so pleasant last night that if you had been here we could have loved and loved and loved.
Nothing sensational has happened here lately for me to write about. Honey, kid, I wished for you last evening when the band was playing. Remember when the band played "Home Sweet Home" and the "flower song?" Maybe they will play those same two pieces again sometime when we same two kids are together for all the time.
I hope your patients are improving.--I haven't ordered the announcements engraved yet, because sometimes you speak as tho' you would not be in Harrison longer than fall. Wnlighten me on this suject, honey, because if we weren't going to be there at least a while (few months), I wouldn't want it on the announcements.
I saw in the paper how Mrs. Selby had gone to Quincy by way of Macon. HA! HA! Rather a round about way to get to Quincy. I doubt that the Duchess (Mrs. S) sent the governor that way to see what he could find out.
We had another delightful rain. And it was so pleasant yesterday morning that I baked a chocolate cake. The first cake I have baked since I baked our wedding cake. Remember mamma said she thought the cake I baked June 2nd cought the spirit of the moment because it wanted to rise as it went into the pan. you know dearest, I was very happy when I was making it, but it almost seemed like a dream that was too good to be true. Papa was such a pleasant suprise. I was afraid he'd roar like a tempest, wasn't you? Surely you made the right kind of an impression with him as well as Mamma, but I was more afraid from the beginning to begin the subject with Papa, as it was easier to make Mamma understand.
I wished for you at dinner today. Mamma was busy upstairs and I made corn bread. We also had baked potatoes, sliced tomatoes with mayonaise, and raspberries and chocolate cake. We don't care for meat often, especially in warm weather. Do you Sugar Plum?---Tell Mr. H-- I haven't received his letter yet. Your aunt's father was worse again. She and Lester were passing here one eve. and she said she rec'd your letter and would write you later.
This is enough, I'm sure.
Lovingly your wife,
Clara Gibson Lay.
It was so pleasant last night that if you had been here we could have loved and loved and loved.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Monday [June 30, 1913]
Dear Husband:--
I just finished reading the letters I received from you and enjoyed them so much. Sweethear, you are doing beautifully. Remember you have only been there 3 weeks, well hardly that, and oftentimes Dr.'s in a new place don't get patients so quickly. But listen, you don't know the people there--how good their word is about promising to settle their treatments, so why don't you have cards made with a certain number of treatments on and punch it each time they take a treatment. Have each ticket made with the number on there. If some wanted less than that, punch out all the numbers till you have the few left that they care to take. I know a great many teachers, especially private teachers in the city do that way. Prof. Kimmel always did that with dancing tickets, because no one can judge how good a persons word is that they do not know. That way you will be treating everyone alike. Remember, dear, that you haven't any strength to waste.
Oh! you squeak bug, I never heard of one, but I know this much. I'd love to see you. You know best what you should do about coming this summer. I'll leave it to you. Of course, I'd love to have you, but if you think you should wait till later, I'll try to grin and bear it. Ha! Ha! Dear you can imagine how merry that Ha! Ha! sounds, cant you--Honey, I just won't get sick this summer so you have more to worry about, but it is sweet of you, thinking of holding something in reserve, in case I did. Of course, we never know what will happen, but we will hope for the best.
Dear, there was something about you in the Express. It was this: "Dr. T.H. Lay of the June [19]13 class of the ASO has located in Harrison Ark. to practice his profession." I couldn't find the paper or I should have sent you the clipping. I just supposed that you saw it. It also had about Mr. Henderson. I tried to keep the paper, but it has been misplaced.
Papa got a new tag for Charles William today, and it is so new and bright. He feels quite proud. He thinks his girl sent it to him. I whispered in his ear and told him that Francis Summers sent it to him, and he said "E! he! he! he!" That is the way he laughs. . Papa went to sleep a while ago, and I tied the old tag on him. Wouldn't you have enjoyed seeing him? Remember I put a noose on him once under a chrysantheum [sp?]
So there is another Dr. Lay in Ark. Well you know Noah aimed to have two of everything in the ark, so I wasn't suprised to hear of the other Dr. Lay. Ha! ha! Is he an M.D.? I hope he will do you some good.
Mamma has just found that paper, so will send the clipping. See! it headed the column of city news notes. You might know I am proud of you. I didn't get the words just right, but you see it is similar. Be careful and do not get overheated.
Clara Young in Colo. Springs I noticed in the paper. As you and I both have only told those we thought we should tell, I don't think the public in general, at the present time, are regarding Dr. Lay and Miss Gibson as suspicious characters. The people who have been so innocently introducing me as Miss Gibson and calling me that, will surely have a fit when they know the truth. Mamma and I thought it best to tell Anna, so we did so, and she is the best one yet to make inquiring people think it is not true. You know she and Lovie were going to do every imaginable way to find out sure, and I know what a team they are. And we thought to tell hwer, we would keep it more generally quiet that for her to be trying to find out all the time. So Lovie wanted to know one day if we were married. Anna says, "Well, I know this much, that I have found out. They are not married." Mrs. Borneman [?] heard it and asked Anna if she supposed it was true. Anna said, "No, of course not. I wonder how that ever got started. Clara can't imagine how it did." Anna will keep it still because she has told me secrets that she wouldn't want told. When her friend was here last fall, I was the only one she told the truth about it, and she said I was the only one she would have wanted to have asked if Mr. Tolles was at the hotel when he had an engagement with her. So, you see, people like that wouldn't be telling secrets to get you started.
Honey, I must not write any more now.
Lovingly your wife,
Clara Gibson Lay
Papa and Mamma send love.
Does P.S. stand for Pears soup?
P.S. you are the sweetest french boy doll I ever saw, and if you were here, I'd love and love, and LOVE you. Tell Bobby he wouldn't be left out either. hope your exams won't be too hard for you, dearest.
With love,
Clara
I just finished reading the letters I received from you and enjoyed them so much. Sweethear, you are doing beautifully. Remember you have only been there 3 weeks, well hardly that, and oftentimes Dr.'s in a new place don't get patients so quickly. But listen, you don't know the people there--how good their word is about promising to settle their treatments, so why don't you have cards made with a certain number of treatments on and punch it each time they take a treatment. Have each ticket made with the number on there. If some wanted less than that, punch out all the numbers till you have the few left that they care to take. I know a great many teachers, especially private teachers in the city do that way. Prof. Kimmel always did that with dancing tickets, because no one can judge how good a persons word is that they do not know. That way you will be treating everyone alike. Remember, dear, that you haven't any strength to waste.
Oh! you squeak bug, I never heard of one, but I know this much. I'd love to see you. You know best what you should do about coming this summer. I'll leave it to you. Of course, I'd love to have you, but if you think you should wait till later, I'll try to grin and bear it. Ha! Ha! Dear you can imagine how merry that Ha! Ha! sounds, cant you--Honey, I just won't get sick this summer so you have more to worry about, but it is sweet of you, thinking of holding something in reserve, in case I did. Of course, we never know what will happen, but we will hope for the best.
Dear, there was something about you in the Express. It was this: "Dr. T.H. Lay of the June [19]13 class of the ASO has located in Harrison Ark. to practice his profession." I couldn't find the paper or I should have sent you the clipping. I just supposed that you saw it. It also had about Mr. Henderson. I tried to keep the paper, but it has been misplaced.
Papa got a new tag for Charles William today, and it is so new and bright. He feels quite proud. He thinks his girl sent it to him. I whispered in his ear and told him that Francis Summers sent it to him, and he said "E! he! he! he!" That is the way he laughs. . Papa went to sleep a while ago, and I tied the old tag on him. Wouldn't you have enjoyed seeing him? Remember I put a noose on him once under a chrysantheum [sp?]
So there is another Dr. Lay in Ark. Well you know Noah aimed to have two of everything in the ark, so I wasn't suprised to hear of the other Dr. Lay. Ha! ha! Is he an M.D.? I hope he will do you some good.
Mamma has just found that paper, so will send the clipping. See! it headed the column of city news notes. You might know I am proud of you. I didn't get the words just right, but you see it is similar. Be careful and do not get overheated.
Clara Young in Colo. Springs I noticed in the paper. As you and I both have only told those we thought we should tell, I don't think the public in general, at the present time, are regarding Dr. Lay and Miss Gibson as suspicious characters. The people who have been so innocently introducing me as Miss Gibson and calling me that, will surely have a fit when they know the truth. Mamma and I thought it best to tell Anna, so we did so, and she is the best one yet to make inquiring people think it is not true. You know she and Lovie were going to do every imaginable way to find out sure, and I know what a team they are. And we thought to tell hwer, we would keep it more generally quiet that for her to be trying to find out all the time. So Lovie wanted to know one day if we were married. Anna says, "Well, I know this much, that I have found out. They are not married." Mrs. Borneman [?] heard it and asked Anna if she supposed it was true. Anna said, "No, of course not. I wonder how that ever got started. Clara can't imagine how it did." Anna will keep it still because she has told me secrets that she wouldn't want told. When her friend was here last fall, I was the only one she told the truth about it, and she said I was the only one she would have wanted to have asked if Mr. Tolles was at the hotel when he had an engagement with her. So, you see, people like that wouldn't be telling secrets to get you started.
Honey, I must not write any more now.
Lovingly your wife,
Clara Gibson Lay
Papa and Mamma send love.
Does P.S. stand for Pears soup?
P.S. you are the sweetest french boy doll I ever saw, and if you were here, I'd love and love, and LOVE you. Tell Bobby he wouldn't be left out either. hope your exams won't be too hard for you, dearest.
With love,
Clara
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Visiting Kirksville
I met my mom and dad in Missouri where they just bought a house when I was there two weeks ago. Their house is in Brashear. Dad drove me around the block and showed me where he remembered visiting his grandmother Downing.
They showed me the house they bought. It is still really rough, but it can be livable, but for $16K cash it was a pretty good deal. Brashear is a forgotten town, so there is not much hope for it as an investment property.
Dad took me to see the local cemeteries where a few of the Downing kin were buried. I also saw the grave of Clara Gibson who wrote the letters I have posted here and her dear Hubby, Henry Lay. I felt a sort of awe and thought "hi." I have come to know her so well. Hmh! I just thought: it's kind of like meeting someone you have been talking to online for a long time; like, 'okay, it's a real person, and I already know so much about them.
We drove down N Franklin Street where the letters were addressed from; where Clara lived with her parents Clarinda Ellen Kiggins and Thomas Henry Gibson. (Yes, same first and middle name as the man Clara married.) We knew the house they lived in would not be there, and we couldn't remember the exact address (I now know it was 311 N. Franklin), but as we were driving I saw an attorney's office (or some such) that was titled Selby House, and I knew that was the home of the infamous Mrs. Selby (see the post from June 26 1913) who had to water plants out on her porch to have an excuse to peep at the events at the Gibson house. The address there was 316. I must conclude then that the house was across the street. The Selby house was much larger than I imagined by about double. It was red brick. I didn't get pictures or pay too much attention to architectural details, but I will have the opportunity to visit again, I'm sure.
They showed me the house they bought. It is still really rough, but it can be livable, but for $16K cash it was a pretty good deal. Brashear is a forgotten town, so there is not much hope for it as an investment property.
Dad took me to see the local cemeteries where a few of the Downing kin were buried. I also saw the grave of Clara Gibson who wrote the letters I have posted here and her dear Hubby, Henry Lay. I felt a sort of awe and thought "hi." I have come to know her so well. Hmh! I just thought: it's kind of like meeting someone you have been talking to online for a long time; like, 'okay, it's a real person, and I already know so much about them.
We drove down N Franklin Street where the letters were addressed from; where Clara lived with her parents Clarinda Ellen Kiggins and Thomas Henry Gibson. (Yes, same first and middle name as the man Clara married.) We knew the house they lived in would not be there, and we couldn't remember the exact address (I now know it was 311 N. Franklin), but as we were driving I saw an attorney's office (or some such) that was titled Selby House, and I knew that was the home of the infamous Mrs. Selby (see the post from June 26 1913) who had to water plants out on her porch to have an excuse to peep at the events at the Gibson house. The address there was 316. I must conclude then that the house was across the street. The Selby house was much larger than I imagined by about double. It was red brick. I didn't get pictures or pay too much attention to architectural details, but I will have the opportunity to visit again, I'm sure.
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