Charbonneau Correspondence
Copied from postcards owned by Russ Shabino
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Norman E. Shabino Laurel L. Shabino Louis Shabino
Clarence L. Shabino Nettie Shabino Levi Shabino
(Roy) (Mrs. Norman Shabino) (Pa)
1909
To: Norman Shabino
From: Roy Shabino
Canistota, South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
We are going to have a concert the 25th of this month. We have just got done
plastering and we have so much work to do cleaning up.
Clarence Le Roy Shabino
1910
To: Norman E. Shabino From:
Roy Shabino
Canistota, South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
Hello Norman: How are all you folks. We're all well. We
are through seeding. Griffins
address is Wrightsonville South Dakota. Come over when your school out and bring
Elmer along.
We have two is weeks yet. Well so long. From your Bro,
Clarence LeRoy Shabino
1910
To: Norman E. Shabino
From: Laurel L. Shabino
Canistota,
South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
Dear Bro: Pa is going to Alexandria in a day or so and
will get you that money and send you a draft for same if banks will let him have
it. Have been too busy to even write lately. Just finished stacking, grain is
turning out good around here. Will thresh in about two weeks. Have 4 stacks of
barley and 10 of oats. Corn looks fine but needs rain. Too dry to plow. Had
heavy rains north and south of us but missed us last week. Are going to wash
today and I am going to cut hay tomorrow while Pa goes to town. Hay is very
poor. Your Bro,
Laurel
April
1, 1910
To: Norman E. Shabino
From:: Laurel Shabino
Canistota, South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
Dear Brother and All: Received your letter some time ago. Got your problem. Will
send answer in a letter soon. I've one for you to work. Are having great
weather. Had light rain Tuesday. River has been highest in years. Road to City
almost impossible.
Laurel
May
12, 1910
To: Norman Shabino
From: Laurel Shabino
Canistota, South Dakota
Parkston, South Dakota
Hello! Am in Parkston to exam. Having a swell time and not much work either.
Will finish early tomorrow. Haven�t time to write much today. May go out west
a ways to a dance tonight. Will write more soon
Laurel Levi Shabino
July 20, 1910
To: Norman E. Shabino
From: Laurel Shabino
Sioux Falls South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
c/o City Hospital
Dear Bro: Are having a nice rain this morning. Just rolled out of bed. Haven't
did a chore yet. Thought I would write and get it off by the mail man. How are
you feeling? I hope you are getting along alright. When you get strong again are
you going to canvass for those books? If you are I want one of them. Pa got home
just in time to begin cutting oats. They are very heavy and stack up thick. I
wouldn't care if we had 100 acres of such oats.
Laurel
July 20, 1910
To: Norman E. Shabino
From: Roy Shabino
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
c/o City Hospital
I thought I would write a few lines to find out how you are. I hope you are
getting on all right. We have about three more days of cutting oats and then we
will be done. I will write more soon. Write as soon as you are able. Your
loving bro,
Clarence LeRoy Shabino
Sept. 4, 1910
To: Norman E. Shabino
From: Florence Shabino
Canistota, South Dakota
Alberta, Canada
Dear Cousin and all: We are all and doing fine. Mama is back from the hospital
and is feeling fairly well. Love to all. Let us hear from you soon. Your cousin,
Flo Shabino
June 2, 1910
To: Nettie M. Shabino
From: Norman E. Shabino
Canistota, South Dakota
Salem, South Dakota
Dear Nettie: I have been looking for a letter from you, but I haven't got any
yet. I hope you and the boys are well and that you are getting along fine. We
are having a fine time and a good Institute and I have been feeling fine too. I
will be glad though, when I am home again. If I thought I could get a chance to
ride out I would come down to Canistota on the noon train, but if I don't will
come to Humboldt.
Norman E. Shabino
June 3, (?)
From: Roy Shabino
To: Norman E. Shabino
Alexandria, South Dakota
Hartford, South Dakota
Will take care of that contract as soon a we can. Laurel is in Mitchell
attending Institute.
Corn looks poor here. Small grain is OK.
Clarence L. Shabino
February 22, 1911
To: Norman E. Shabino
From: Clarence L. Shabino
Monroe, South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
Dear Brother: Well hello! How are you getting along now days? We are all well.
Thought I would write a letter tonight but it was so late when I got around that
I could not. How is Net? I hope she is better. Lots of wolf hunting around here
lately. Quite cold now. Think we will start putting up ice tomorrow. We have two
men to help us. Think we will sell all our cows and by some pure stock. Haven't
heard from Louis in a long time, have you? I think I will finish up 7th grade
this Year. Well, I must close as space is limited. Your loving Bro,
Clarence LeRoy Shabino
April
1911
To: Norman E. Shabino
From : Roy Shabino
Monroe South Dakota
Mi1town, South Dakota
Dear Bro & all: Well
how are you all? We are all well except Pa. He was plowing & the (team) ran
away while he was unhitching and broke a rib for him but he is alright
now. Well, we got the band started again. Will start planting corn Monday. Small
grain looks fine. Had a fine rain Sunday. Will have no app1es this year. Have
had lots of rain here this spring.
Le Roy
April 1911
To: Norman E. Shabino
From: Roy Shabino
Monroe, South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
Dear
Bro and all Received your welcome 1etter a few days ago and I was glad to hear
from you.
How is Net now? I hope she is better. We're are all well. There is some seeding
done around here but not much. It has been very peculiar weather here lately it
has been cloudy for nearly a week snowing a little every day. We got
a much needed rain of about 1 1/4 inch, counting the snow that fell. We have no
sowing done. We are going to put in about 25 acres of wheat and 50
acres corn and 25 of oats this year. We have been busy painting in the house
right lately. Will take my 7th grade Exam in about 5 weeks. I am not much afraid
only on account of Partial Payments. Well must close. Wish I had more room.
Clarence LeRoy
April
14, 1911
To: Norman E. Shabino
From: Florence Shabino
Monroe, South Dakota
Moosejaw, Saskatchewan
Dear Cousin: Will write you a long letter in a few days. Lovingly,
Your Cousin
Florence Shabino
June 8, 1911
To: Norman E. Shabino
From: Laurel Shabino
Monroe, South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
Dear Bro: Rec'd your letter this morning. Why do you ask such a foolish
question? Of course I will be at Alexandria to meet you Monday. Have been
looking for you for a long time. Arrange to make a decent visit. Two or three
days wont do this time. Make it a week anyway. Why can't you bring Elmer along?
You know we haven't seen him in two years. Had a small rain Sunday night. Am in
a hurry just now. Will tell you more next week. Be sure and come.
Laurel L. Shabino
June 14, 1911
To: Norman Shabino
From: Laurel Shabino
Monroe, South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
Dear Bro, Hello out there. How are you all? All�s well here. Have not started
to plow corn yet but expect to soon. Have a fine stand and it looks fine as does
small grains. Have had plenty of rain this spring. What are you doing now? We
are looking for you over anytime now since school is out. Better come over for
the 4th or sooner.
Laurel
July
6, 1911
To: Nettie Shabino
From: Norman E. Shabino
c/o Myrtle Peterson
Marion, South Dakota
Plankington, South Dakota
Hello, Just got back this far and am waiting for Ernest to come after me. Laurel
is with me. He is going to stay till after Sport Day. Had a fine time. How are
you? How long do you intend to stay? Write me and I will have Ernest meet you
here at Marion
Norman
August 12, 1911
To: Norman E. Shabino
From: Laurel Shabino
Monroe, South Dakota
Alexandria, South Dakota
Dear Bro: Yours rec'd. Will drop you a word from Alexandria to let you know we
arrived safe home. Took us two hours and we went to Alexandria same afternoon.
Machine and driver fine. Will mosey along that way in a few days. Have about 175
bushels of apples and have about 20 bushels of Wealthies yet. Will bring some
along. So long-
Laurel
August 29, 1911
To: Norman Shabino
From: Laurel Shabino
Monroe, South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
Dear Bro, This is to let you know we do not know when we can get over there. The
threshers are almost to us and we have been expecting to thresh for over a week.
Have decided to put up 40 acres more hay and see what we can do selling it. Had
bad hail storm last Saturday. Wiped out everything east of us. Missed us
September 15, 1911
To: Norman Shabino
From: Laurel Shabino
Monroe, South Dakota
Aberdeen, South Dakota
Dear Prof: Am way up north at present writing attending YW convention and doing
the sights of town. This is certainly "some great town". What do you
think of the reverse side of this (Main Street view)? Love to all.
Laurel
February
9, 1912 To:
Norman Shabino
From: Florence Shabino
Canistota, South Dakota
Vancouver , British Columbia
Dear Cousin: This finds me in Vancouver B.C. enjoying the nice warm weather.
Mama and Harold are here with me visiting Alice. Regards to all the folks. Love
to all.
Florence Shabino
May 17, 1912
To: Norman Shabino
From: Laurel Shabino
Canistota, South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
Dear Bro, Just to remind you that we are watching for you over most any day. If
you come on the train let me know and I will be on hand to get you.. Will also
see that your return fare costs you nothing if roads are decent. Bring Elmer
along, You know he is big enough now and we would all like to see him. Roy has a
dandy pup for him to play with. Write at once and let us know when to expect
you. Will finish seeding this noon
August 22, 1913
To: Norman E. Shabino
From: Laurel Shabino
Canistota, South Dakota
Chicago, Illinois
Dear Bro: Suppose you will be surprised to hear from me down here. Came last
Sunday. Am having a great time. Roy is here. Louis takes us to the sights one
day, and Charles the next. We are staying at Charles' place tonight, at Louis'
Sunday. Charles has sold out at O. P. Will be home about Wednesday. Will be over
the Sunday after probably. From
Laurel L. Shabino
November
18, 1913 To: Norman E. Shabino
From: Laurel L. Shabino
Canistota, South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
Dear Brother & All Received your letter some time ago and would have written
sooner but couldn't on account of the snow. Will be over soon however and bring
your traps. Not much in the trapping line over here. Wi1l see you later.
Laurel
December 16, 1913 To: Norman E.
Shabino
From: Laurel Shabino
Canistota, South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
Dear Bro: Arrived OK about 7:00. Got to Canistota without a stop. Had to take
radiator off to solder. Doesn't hold good yet. How's trapping. Jacks are only
worth 2.00 now. Will write more later.
Laurel
December 23, 1914
To: Norman Shabino
From: Laurel Shabino
Canistota, South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
Dear Bro, Haven�t heard from you for a long time. What do you do to keep busy?
We are sending the boys a little Xmas junk via mail. Let us know if it arrives
ok. Why can�t you come over some of these days, Write soon. Your Bro
Laurel
May 29, 1915
To: Norman Shabino
From: Laurel Shabino
Hartford, South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
Don�t you think this card is appropriate? What has become of you? Did the
incubator arrive ok? And what luck do you have with it? We�re having ok luck
with chickens. Have about 125 nice ones. Have half days planting yet. Heavy
rains every day for a week or more. Can�t do anything. Small grain looks nice.
Did you hear about coz Minnie Canuteson Ingersol�s death? Committed suicide
with poison while temporarily insane. She was going to have to return to the
asylum. Well, write soon or have Elmer write.
Laurel
August 9, 1915
To: Norman Shabino
From: Laurel Shabino
Hartford, South Dakota
Miltown, South Dakota
Dear Bro, Just a line. We�re through cutting but I don�t think we�ll be
able to stack. He�s not very well. Don�t suppose you could get away if we
should need you. Are you still where you were? We got $1200.00 insurance and
will still get some small grain. Corn was set back and will be too late, I�m
afraid. Write. Love to all
Laurel
August 11, 1915
To: Nettie Shabino
From: Norman Shabino
C/O James Ennis
Miltown, South Dakota
Canistota, South Dakota
Dear Nettie, Just got back this afternoon. Mr. Ryger was not in Brookings. Had to take the exam from an assistant so won�t know for a few days whether I will pass or not, but am certain I will. Can�t get a building in Monroe for about two weeks yet. No house for rent in Monroe. Got a letter from Laurel. Pa is sick and they write to me to come over and stack for them. Will go over in the morning. Write me at Miltown.
Norman
August 17, 1915
To: Mrs. Norman E. Shabino
From: Norman E. Shabino
c/o James Ennis
Miltown, South Dakota
Canistota, South Dakota
Dear Net: Am in Miltown. Just got your letter. We would have finished stacking
today but had a heavy rain yesterday. Don't know whether we can stack tomorrow
or not. The roads are so bad Pa couldn't bring me in his car for a few days.
Have been picking apples all day. Am anxious to hear from B. and R. but don't
suppose they are home yet.
Norman E. Shabino
November 1, 1915
To: Master Elmer Shabino
From: Nettie Shabino
Miltown, South Dakota
Canistota, South Dakota
Hello Elmer, How are you? I did not write last week because I expected to see
you Saturday evening. Be sure and come next Saturday if possible. I suppose Roy
will come with you this time as he hasn�t been out yet. We went to church
Sunday and there was a large crowd there. We haven�t got settled yet. I was
helping Mollie most of last week, also Mrs. Shoemaker with threshers. Write soon
and be sure to come Saturday.
Mama
June 22, 1916
To: Master Elmer Shabino
From: Laurel Shabino
Humboldt, South Dakota
Mitchell, South Dakota
Dear Nephew, Am at Institute so I thought I�d drop you a line. It is nasty
cold weather here. Will write you more later.
Write to me.
Laurel
July 10, 1917
To: Norman Shabino
From: Laurel Shabino
Canistota, South Dakota
Parkston, South Dakota
Dear Nettie, Your card received but am sorry to say we have no cherries at all
this year. The trees are all bare. We are not going to have any apples either.
Am afraid we cannot come over for Sports Day as we will be cultivating corn at
that time. Love to all,
Laurel
December 15, 1917
To: Norman Shabino
From: Roy Shabino
Canistota, South Dakota
Waukegan, Illinois
Great Lakes Station
Dear Bro & All, reached here today and like the looks of it fine. Men are
pouring in here by the hundreds. Can�t send you my address yet as we are in
detention camp for a few days and don�t know where we will be when we get out.
Will write more later and let you know more about camp.
Clarence LeRoy Shabino
December 17, 1917
To: Mrs. Nettie Shabino
From: Norman E. Shabino
c/o James Ennis
Chicago,
Illinois
Canistota South Dakota
Well Net I have my ticket and am all ready to start. Charlie and I are going out
and take supper with Louis tonight. It wont be long before I will be on the road
now. Net, I have taken a 5000.00 accident insurance for 4 days. It cost me 1.00.
Take care of yourself.
Norman E. Shabino
December 26, 1917
To: Norman Shabino
From: Roy Shabino
Canistota, South Dakota
Waukegan, Illinois
Great Lakes Station
Dear Bro, Don�t seem to be able to get to write a letter, so will write a card
at least. Like it first rate here, only the weather. Don�t think we�ll be
here long, as they are coming in and going out by the thousands. Have had
several holidays this week on account of Xmas. Expect the boys and Dad up this
P.M. Write me soon. From your bro.
Clarence LeRoy Shabino A.S.L.B. 1st Regiment, Great Lakes, Illinois
June 6, 1918
To: Norman Shabino
From: Roy Shabino
Clayton, South Dakota
Camp Perry, Ohio
Dear Bro, Just a card to let you know I am well and kicking. How are you folks?
How are you getting on with your work? Think I will get out of here to sea
before a great while. Hope so anyway. Why don�t you write once in a while.
Certainly would like to get a letter from you.
Clarence LeRoy Shabino Section C, Base Band
September 28, 1918
To: Norman Shabino
From: Roy Shabino
Clayton, South Dakota
Columbus, Ohio
Dear Bro, Started tour day before yesterday. Were in Peoria yesterday. Arrived
in Columbus this morning and leave for Cleveland tonight. I am well and feeling
fine. Write me at Great Lakes and it will be forwarded to me. Fine weather so
far and hope it continues. Is everyone well?
Clarence LeRoy Shabino
October 3, 1918
To: Norman Shabino
From: Roy Shabino
Clayton, South Dakota
New York City
Expect to be here for several days. Arrived here from Philadelphia this morning.
Some burg. That�s all. Expect to have Sunday to myself and can look around a
little. Haven�t had any mail yet.
Clarence LeRoy Shabino
October 10, 1918
To: Norman Shabino
From: Roy Shabino
Clayton, South Dakota
Washington, D.C.
Spent the day here and will leave for Baltimore tomorrow morning at one
o�clock. Will keep you posted by card. Am all in tonight.
Roy
November 25, 1918
To: Norman Shabino
From: Roy Shabino
Clayton, South Dakota
Bremerton, Washington
Is everyone well? I am feeling fine. Weather is beautiful, but cloudy here.
Write me and let me know if you have done anything about that proposition. Wish
I knew where Dad is. Let me know. Like it , first rate here. Your Bro
Clarence LeRoy Shabino