Advance Mo, March 6 1896
 
Mr D S Ferguson
 
Dear Sir,  as J H Tilly was telling me that you had a good mare with a ring bone.  as I have a remedy that will cure it I thought I would write and see if you wanted it doctored.   if you do I will send medicine and directions and charge you $5.00 when it is well.
 
I got my recipts from a veternary Surgeon and this is a sure cure.  I dont mean to take all the enlargment off but think I can reduce it some.   But will kill it and cure all lameness.
 
if you want it doctored let me know at once.  It wont cost you any thing to try.  I will send you the medicine and when you ar satisfied it is well you can send me the money.
 
Yours Truly, B L Hitt
 
(Mr. Hitt is a relative of Ida Hitt Tilly - believe her father.   He is mentioned by J. H. Tilly in one of his letters.)

 
Envelope sent from S P Lineburgh, Alamosa, Colo route 1
Receipt post mark at Willow Springs on ??? 9 1907
 
Pages 1 and 2 missing.  Starts with Page 3
 
...try do you have mutch fever and chills there.  do you have good water.  My familey seems to be fearfule about the health where you live.  I would like for you to write to me the good and the bad about your country.
 
You stated in the letter you wrote to Francis there was a farm there that could be bought for $10.00 an acre.  Would like for you to give me a discription of the improvements as to the building & fruite, water and ect.  What do they raise on the land and what will such land produce to the acre.  What kind of a living can a man make on a farm that will cost from a $10.00 to $20.00.
 
I will enclose you a price list from some of your agents.  Would like for you to eather look or find out what you can about the prices of land and see how they compare with thier prices.  I have placed some cross marks on the prices of land.  As you are aquainted with the country use your own judgement as to the prices and quality of land.
 
How far is it from your place to Moody.  I would like to locate as close to a good town as posible.
 
When you answer my letter please send the little pamplet back to me as there is others wunt to see it.  It seems to me from the improvements that on the land if it produces well it is reasonble in price. 
 
Do you have any tornados there.  My wife has reumatism in her rite arm.  She send her bes regard to all.  Said she would write in the next letter.
 
How is all of the connection.  Are they all in your settlement yet.  Please answer soon as I want to hear.  I want to look up a location.
 
Yours Truly,  S P Linebaugh and S J Linebaugh

 
Alamosa Colo, 7-18-07
 
Mr D S Ferguson
 
Sir your letter at hand and I am verry thankful for the information you gave me.  I would like to come and look at the country but cannot get away verry well before Sept so I guess I will take chances on liking it but first I want to tell you what kind of a place I want so you can tell me if it is their.
 
I would like to get in a country whear I could run from 80 to 100 head of cattle on the range and own a farm clost to the range so that I could be sure of raising Plenty of feed to winter them and some grain and fruit and so on.
 
Will you please tell me if their is such places their and how long you have to feed and the Prices of horses say 1000 to 1200 lbs from 5 to 10 years olds.
 
Do you know of a place I could rent for to live on this winter or for one year so I could have a chance to look around before I buy.
 
I understand your countery is healthey and that you have good watter, that is two find points.
 
Well I was at Linebaughs to day & showed them your letter.  they was pleased to hear from you & said they was going to write you a long letter soon.  they sold their farm last spring.  they will stay on it untill March 1908 then I dont know what they will do.  Should not be suprised if they dont go to Mo as they talk as if they could live better in the shouth then hear.  I think they made about $1200 on their land.
 
Now if you will help me out a little by answering this I will be Oblige to you & more than that, i am willing to pay you for anny trouble I may have put you to for it is all worth something to me.
 
Your Truly
Chas Francis

 
Postcard,  Hooker, Okla   Sep 8 1919
To David Ferguson, Willow Springs, Mo
 
Well Uncle Dave, when I think of my meny friends in old Willow Spjrings, of course you are included, so I will drop you a card.  I made the trip out here all rite and found things in general far better then I expected.  This country beautiful to look over.  There is more smart farming land here in Hooker then any place that I ever seen before.  The farmers all seem to be prospering.  The wheat crop is fair.  Some farmers had as much as 7000 bu.  I expect I will stay here.  Wages are fair.  Dorp me a line whenever you can.  I am fairly well.
 
by by C J Vanausdal
 
(Note:  Howell Co, Mo Cemetery Survey - Willow Springs City Cemetery
C J Vanausdal      born Jan 9 1843    (no date)
Mary F Vanausdal born Aug 7 1839   died May 29 1917

 
feb the 6, 1904     Dora, Mo
 
dear Friend,  i have found a farm for sail.   there is a hondard acors in cultevation, sixtey acors in woods.   there is no _________worth much nor no corn.  it is rig land and on the road.  school is handey.  so i will close for this time.
 
W H Trail

Raleigh, Ill   April 3 1902
 
Mr Dave Ferguson
Sir and friend
 
i will write you a few lines.  i want to here from that country.  how is times out there.  i want you to write and tell me
about the old home place as i have bought it and dont know whether to come out there or not.  what could i sell it for.  if i cant get what it is worth i will move out there.
 
Pa and Ma is not very well this spring.  pa had a bad spell of peneumonia feaver in last month.  hi is sawmilling now.  i am blacksmithing and have bin for ten years.
 
please let me know about the country in full.  has willow spgs got any R R machine shops.  how big is willow spgs.  i am thinking of coming out there soon if i can sell my shop.
 
well i must close soon.  you understand that i want to sell the remainder of the old place.  please let me know the prospects are.
 
From Marian Hall To D. S. Ferguson        please answer at once

 
Department of the Interior, United States Indian Service
Cheyanne Agency, S. Dak   Mar 10 1920
 
Dear Mr. Ferguson,
 
Would have sent this sooner but we have been snow bound and no mail has gone to town.  I think I will like it fine here just as soon as the weather gets warmer.
 
Thanking you again for your Kindness.
 
Catharine H Tippen

 
Postcard with picture of Union Hospital, Terre Haute, Ind,
dated Sep 4 1929 - addressed to Mr. Dave Ferguson, Willow Springs, Mo
 
Montpelier, Ind, RF 3, Sept 4 1919
 
Kind Friend, How are you this fine weather.  Aunt Ella and I are both well but Uncle Elmer is in a serious condition.  I am afraid he will not be here much longer.  He is so weak we have to do most all of the lifting.  I will try and write a letter the next time.  How is your son getting along.
 
From Mable Ramseyer

 
Postcard with picture of Classical Hall, Springfield, Mo
dated August 17, 1914 and mailed from Springfield, Mo
to Mr. D. S. Ferguson, Willow Springs, Mo
 
August 15 1914, Dear Friend - I am getting along fine.  I don't know when I can come home.  They taken a picture of the bones that were broken in my arm.  Think of me when you milk the cow tonight. 
Bertie

 
Letterhead:  Office of H. PARMENTER Dealer in Hardware, Tinware, Queensware and Glassware.  General Line of Stoves.  All kinds of Farm Implements, Paints and Oils, Sash and Doors,
 
Cabool, Mo, Nov 28 1898
 
Dave Furguson
 
Dear Sir, I Hear that a short time ago that thar was one of my Sholt with your Cattle.  He is Branded with the Little Pan right hip and labill in right ear with Parmenter and Rust name.
 
Will you Pleas write me at once and tell me what you now about it and if you now where he is now.  I have 4 head gone and if you can tell me any thing abut where ____they are will be a ___ ____ and I will make it right with you for your trouble.  Let me hear at once.
 
Resp, H Parmenter

 
Postcard - cannot read Post Mark
 
Simmens  March 19 - 1898
 
Well dave we are all well.  hoping this will find yours all well.  I put them peas in the (post) office this evening.  they are the mamoth cow peas.
rite soon,  G. E. Sigman to D S Ferguson
 - - - - - - - - - - - -Line across middle of card- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
well dave I am still at Simmons.  I rote to you about 1 year ago.  I suposed you was ded till George went down & played off on you.  il do you worse than that if you dont rite to me.
M L Sigman to D S Ferguson
 

 
Douglas, Cochise Co, Arizona Territory, Jany 31st, 1903
 
Mr D S Ferguson,
Willow Springs, Mo.
 
My Dear Sir and Friend:
 
I am in receipt of your letter of Jany 28th in regard to calf and team, and I wish to thank you very much for the interest you have shown me in this respect.
 
The half Red Poll calf would not suit me, for the reason that I like to get a full blood or at least a high grade calf to start with and in that way build up my small heard as rapidly as possible, which now consists of 12 ordinary scrub cows and heifers.
 
The team is rather too old, but if they are in good condition and sound, and the harness is also in good condition, I might give the man a trade, or buy them. Please let me know the condition and weight of the mares, and whether or not they are breachy and what color they are.
 
I am very glad to learn that there are indications of more prosperous times in So Mo.  I am satisfied there will be some advance in property all over that country in the near future.  My faith in Howell County now is to the extent of 480 acres, having bought the old Christensen place something over a year ago.  As soon as I get a little more improvement in the shape of fencing and hay land, I will return there to live and go into the stock business, which has always been my desire.
 
I read in the Willow Springs Index that you had sold your Pine Grove farm and located near Willow Springs.  Trust the exchange will prove beneficial and satisfactory to yourself and family.
 
My wife and two little ones are not with me here but are at my Father in law's place in Texas County.  Do not think I will move them out here as the expense of moving out here and back again would not justify it for the short time I will remain here.
 
Again thanking you for the trouble you have taken in my behalf, and assuring you that I will reciprocate whenever an opportunity presents itself, I am, with best wishes and kind regards to all,
 
Sincerely your friend,
 
E O White
 
Pls Remember me to Charley & Mr Jo Ferguson
 

 
Manes, Mo 5/20 03
 
Mr Dave Ferguson,    Willow Spgs, Mo
Dear Sir
 
My pardner left a mare with you a short time ago to be sold.  Have you sold her yet?  Or do you want to buy her?   If so please send draft for amount to me at this place.
 
Respy, J. W. Essex
 

 
Piece of letter - no envelope - no date - no addressee or signature
 
....getting along there.  When you see brother Brown tell him I would like to hear from him.  I believe he is a honest man.  Do you know what they are doing over in the Quaker Kingdom as you call it.  sometimes I feel that I would like to spend a day or two there again, yet when I left there I said that I did not want to settle in a quaker neighborhood like that & still feel the same.  But still I love the princible but they have so departed from the truth that their church is filled with a spurious ministry without ..........



Salida Colo, May 27  (no year - no envelope)
 
Mr David Ferguson
Dear Sir
 
We have arrived home safe & well and I have just finished a letter to Mr Willis and I will ask you to about it.  We forgot to ask you if the house and barn were insured.  if not we thought we had better have them insured, the house for $1000 dollars & the barn $500, as we would like to be on the safe side.
 
We will know in a few days when we will be able to come and what stock we will bring and we will very likely want some of your cows and other things you will have to sell.
 
Well I will close.  We are having a fine rain, has rained for 24 hours now and is still raining.  give my love to Mrs Ferguson & your daughters and please write.  our address is
Mr. W. H. Sexton
Salida, Colo
 
P. S. has it rained there since we left.  we past through a hard rain and it was going in the direction of Willow Springs.

Carte Postale, with picture of a Cathedral, with the name blacked out.
Postmarked U. S. Military Censored.
To Monsieur D. S. Ferguson, Willow Springs, Mo. USA

Officers Mail
Aug 31 - 1918. Feel fine. Jo
Censored by J O Ferguson
14th Inftry

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This page was last updated January 12, 2001.