Cochran Letters




Cochran Letters

I have been working with a couple of ladies with some look-ups for Howell Co, Mo, and we learned both of our ancestors had also been in Kingfisher Co, Ok. The below letter is of rough times in Kingfisher at the turn of the century. I have one more letter, when daughter Bessie died. The letters were written by Robert J COCHRAN to my Great-grandfather David S. FERGUSON - his 1st cousin - and were saved along with numerous other letters in a handmade desk - which I eventually inherited.

No envelope Letter headed, Kingfisher Novem 24
Mr. D. S. Fergson,

Your kind and welcom letter that come to my surface the other day.

Well Dave you dont kno how much good it done me to Read a letter from you. i am left alone in this world. me and my wife has Bin parted nerly a year. her and the too least children in Tennessee. Charly and John is in Clay County. Edd is in Springfield Mo. Bessie is all the one that is with me.

Brother Charly Died the 23 of july. he never got up any more after he got down. so you can see how i am left in this world. i am so lonesom i dont know what to do. i am Bilding a Barn (for) Charleys wife now. i am nerley done with it then i will hunt another job

i wood love to see you.

times is dul here now. the Banks is all closed. there is nothing dooing now. They cant sell nothing here now.

well i will close By asking you to excuse Bad writing and speling. write soon. i Remain your friend. as ever.

R. J. Cochran R F D Rout 5 Bar 5



Envelope receipt post mark, Willow Spring, Mo Feb 10 1904

Letter headed Kingfisher Okla Sunday February 7 1904

Mr D S Fergson Dier Cousin

your Kind and Welcom letter at hand. Was glad to here from you. you dont kno how much good it dos me to read a letter from one of my old friends in my Hours of trouble and Bereavement. I thought I new what trouble was But I never new Before I had to give up Bessie.

She died hapy. said she was going Home. she sing Home sweet Home and called us all to her and Kised us goodBye and said she was redey to go. she wiped the tears from my eyes and told me not to greave after her. the last word she spoke was papa. it is aful hard But it wright, god giveth and god taketh away. I dont kno what will Becom of me.

I cant have any helth here. I have stasmatic pane of the heart. it takes three men to hold me when I have them spells. the Blood Will Run out of my mouth. I am unconsias. I dont think I can stand many more speles. I have Wished severl times I had staid there and kept my place. I could have Bin Beter of than I am here. this is a hard place here to make any thing. it takes so much to live here. my sickness and trouble has Brake me up.

Ever thing is dul here. there is nothing to do her. Wheat is looking like it woodent make any thing. We havent had any bank since last October. there is lots wheat that is not up yet. I dont think there will Be any crop here this year.

We have had nice wether all Winter. it has spit snow one time this winter.

Wheat is worth 10 cents, corn 50, oats 50, cattle and hogs low.

this leaves all well. Hoping this will find you all well. I will close Hoping to here from you soon.

R J to D S Good bye

FUNERAL NOTICE  No 127
Date May 22 1917
Full Name   Bob Cochran
 
Sex, Male   Color or Race, White      Status - Widowed
 
Casket No.  Pauper
 
Prices:  Casket        7.50
Burial robes            4.00
 
Total                    $11.50
 
Autos from Liveries   to be paid by Dave Ferguson in two weeks.   
 
Credits:  May 24 - Paid in full by C. C. Cochran   

Envelope Postmarked Springfield, Mo Jun 30 1907

Mr D S Ferguson, Willow Springs, Mo

Dear Sir

Yours at hand and glad to hear from you to hear you wer all well. We air all well but Mart. She is in the Horse pitle again. had another operation. it has Bin offel hard on her this time. it took too hours and a half. they got a Stone out of the gone duck as large as a cheary. She has Sufferd lots But is geting a longe vary well.

Well you can get the vary finest seeder for 9.50 and a good one for 9.00.

Well Dave I dont now just what I will do yet. I dont think I will stay in Springfield. I will close

Your as ever, J. H. Cochran (James H Cochran is a First cousin of David S Ferguson)

(Note: The next two letters were in possession of Jacquelin Hogan-Williams, descendent of James Hiram Hogan, and copies found their way to Katherine Susong-Harmon, next to A. Claude Ferguson, and thence to me.)

Letter dated May 18 1884, Greene County, Tenn

Dear Sister

I received your letter a few days ago and was glad to heair from you all and glad to hair you was all well.

Dear Sister I received the dress you sent me all rite and was very proude and thankful. I receav Mary and Lille pictures last Summar. I would love to see you all. I spinds a many a lonesome our thinking of you on earth. But hope to Strike glad hands in that brite shining world of peas and happy world wher we shal never parte.

Tell brother Jim I hope he hasent forsaking me as brother Dave has. he hasn't been at my house in a year & I havent spoke to him in a year. Sister Susan has been sick all summar, is better now. Brother Jesse was out to see me a few weeks agoe.

Hane Boles is living at pops at the olde plase yet. She sade to tell you she was scratching a round doing the best she coud. She wanted to no something about Mandy Boles. tell her to rite to her.

Times is harde heair. Corn is 14 cents a bushel. Bacon 12 1/2 a lb. Milk cows air wirth from $30 to about $50 dollars. Suckling calf from 10 to 15 dollars.

So I will close for this time hoping to heair from you. So write me all the news. The connection is well as fair I no. My health is very poor. I remain your Sister.

Mary Cochran to Elizabeth Ferguson.

(Note: Mary Hogan-Cochran is age 58 in 1884, and widow of Robert D Cochran. Mary and Robert are the parents of James H Cochran and Robert J Cochran, whose letters can be found in the Cochran set. Elizabeth Hogan-Ferguson is age 60 in 1884, and widow of William Milo Ferguson, and mother of David Sanford Ferguson.)

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This page was last updated January 17, 2001.