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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.)
Back to Letters from
Grandpa Ferguson's Desk
This page was last updated January 17,
2001.
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