The letter was written to my paternal great-great grandmother, Lida Elizabeth Good (born July 20, 1869, died May 25, 1964) from her cousin Frank in Louisville, Kentucky. The letter was dated Ground Hog Day (February 2) 1888. Postmarked Feb 6 1888.
Frank writes about Moody & Sankey during their visit to Louisville in 1888. Moody was the famous revivalist preacher and Sankey was a famous American gospel hymn writer and singer. Everywhere they went they drew large crowds.
Also the little poem written at the end seems to have been a popular one in the 1880's to write in autograph books and to those looking for love. I Google'd the poem and found many different variations of the same theme all written in the late 1800's, so it was obviously personalized by the writer, like versus of "Roses are red, Violets are blue ...." .
Enjoy ....
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| P1 |
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| P2 & P3 |
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| P4 |
Letter to Lida Elizabeth Good
(on lined paper that has the words CONGRESS over a building
embossed on it)
P1
Louisville Ky
Ground hog day, 88
Dear cousin,
Your
letter came to hand and was read with care.
I can answer with some better heart than before as mother is improving. I took the bed myself last Wednesday and was
sick a day or so but they could not keep me in bed. I suppose it was from exhaustion from waiting
on Ma.
I sang in a concert’s last Monday & Tuesday night they
were given our church. I didn’t feel
like taking a part but they insisted on me and I bore one of the ____
away. The concerts were good and we took
in about 50$ the first night & the second night was free.
P2
I wish you could have been here and of gone.
I suppose you have heard of the great revivalist Moody and
Sanky. They are here holding a meeting
and the town is wild over them. There is
from 5 to 10 thousand people go to hear them twice a day. Some of the citizens here erected a tabernacle for them
that cost $10 thousand. It is heat up
with patent heaters and light up with electric light making it just grand. There is 500 voices in the choir. I was chosen to sing but have never got to
yet. They have been here nearly a
month. I suppose they will convert the
town before they leave. I expect to
attend from
P3
now on. It has just
struck 12 O’clock and here I am not done writing. I have written some other letters.
I was out to our old home Saturday and came back
Monday. I went out for _____ and I got
Charley and wife to stay with Ma. I saw
my oldest brother William he still lives at Edwardsville. I know he has got the sweetest little boy you
ever saw. He is so smart. We are looking for them to come
Saturday. My sister will be here
tomorrow.
You spoke of my picture in your letter. I am ashamed of
waiting so long but I will have them taken right soon. I expect to take an office next week as book
keeper if mother is well enough.
P4
Have had a large sleet and snow it has been great sleighing
here all the ________ Ma illness I could hear the sleigh bells. But I never got to enjoy a ride. It began to melt Saturday as I went out to
the country and I had a splendid time wading mud. I don’t believe I could live in the country
any more for the mud but I guess I could if I had too. I will bring my letter to a close by asking
you to not take all your leisure time talking to that Dude that James
was telling me about. But answer soon.
Yours truly Frank.
(top p4)
Remember well and bear in mind,
That a true Dude is hard to find
But when you find one young and gay;
Hang to his coattail night & day
Selah
Has cousin James moved back he wrote his letter from Aunt
Mag’s so I don’t know where to write to until you answer this. Please give this note to Aunt Mag. With love to all I remain your cousin
Frank.
Answer soon.
