Brothers, Sisters and Cousins

Great-Grandpa Dave's brothers lived within 'hollering" distance, all of them near Willow Springs, Mo. At first I could not understand why some of these letters were written, until I read that West Plains, the largest town in the county, did not obtain telephone lines and service until 1907.

Sheet of paper - no envelope - no date

1 50 lb Anvil
1 35 lb Vise
1 8 lb Sledge
2 hand hammers

1 Ducks Nest
2 Pair of Tongs

Dave, Please see what this outfit will cost.

Please send me a card right back and oblige.

Your Brother, T. J. F. (Thomas Jefferson Ferguson)

(written separately, probably by Dave) $20.00

At Home, Oct 14 1896

D. S. Ferguson, Dear Bro.

I have looked for you down. I have a young sow shoat that will bring pigs abut 15th of October, half breed, good stock, to let you have for keeping mine and when you come after her bring mine with you and I will satisfy you for same. I have not been to say well since I saw you.

E. C. Ferguson (Emanuel Clark Ferguson)

Hutton Valley Nov 6 1896
D. S. Ferguson Esq

Dear Bro.

Your sow has found pigs (Wednesday). She has five. I would like for you to come and get them soon. I have two other sows with pigs and am afraid they will mix up until I can't tell "which from the other". I would come up and bring them but I have no way to haul them.

If my sow has not a boar pig, if you have one that you can let me have, I will tel you have a good Bar Shoat next fall a year from now. If you cant come down, let Charley come and bring mine and get yours.

This leaves all well. The Republicans elected McKinley but lost Missouri. Hoping to see you I remain

Your Bro, E. C. Ferguson

Letter headed Hutton Valley Mo Jan 30, 1897

D. S. Ferguson Esq

Dear Bro.

Have you a Fresh Cow 3 to 5 years old you would like to trade for my cow. She is not in calf and it will be too much trouble for me to keep her up this summer. She is fat enough for beef but it would be a pity to kill her, she is such a good milch cow.

This leaves us in usual health. Hope to hear from you. I am your
Bro, E. C. Ferguson

Note in Christmas card from Snoqualmie Falls, Washington, 1924 to Mr. D. S. Ferguson, Willow Springs, Mo

Dear Brother, Just to let you know I remember you this Christmas. Why don't you write to me any more. I haven't heard a word from W.S. for such a long time. I am wondering if you have all moved or just don't know we live here yet. Just now its so cold I feel like we lived in Alaska. We are almost having a blizzard today, the wind is blowing the snow just as if it was snowing, and the sun is shining, but I think the sun is frozen, it doesn't give out any warmth. Roe will be home tonight from the U for the holidays. Tell Tennye and family hello. A Merry Christmas
Lillie

(Sarah Elizabeth "Lillie" Ferguson, sister of David Sanford Ferguson, married to Sterling T Price Byars.)

Letter dated Nov 6 1898 from Santiago, De Cuba
to David Ferguson, Willow Springs, Mo
 
Mr. Ferguson, Dear sir,
 
I thought to drop you a few lines this morning to let you know I am still in the land of the living but am not (well?).  I have had fever but am improving slightly.  I truly hope this will find you all well and enjoying life. 
 
We are having a very hard time here and have had for some time.  A great many has died with fever.  We are all wanting to go back home but there isn't any prospects of me going anyways soon.
 
Well Mr. Ferguson this is a great country here.  I would not take the island as a gift although it is a furtil country - but it is almost impossible to live here.  Anyway the fever here is malaria, typhoid and yellow jack and dysantary which is considered equally as dangerous as any of the fevers.  And the Cubans are no good.  I would prefer being with Indians again out in Dakota in preferrance of being with those low down natives here.
 
I have only got 8 more months to stay, then I am going back home and stay.  Well I will bring my uninteresting letter to a close hoping to hear soon,
 
as ever yours very respectfully
 
Porter M Boles, Corporal
A. Company 5th WS Infantry
 
P.S.  I would be very glad to receive a letter from Mr. Ferguson.  My best regards to all.  Good bye.  Please excuse bad writing and spelling.
 
Mr. Ferguson, is the war over?  We can't hear anything from the States here. 
 
(Porter Boles and Dave Ferguson are 2nd Cousins - sharing common Great-Grandparents, David Bowles and Mary (Clowers) Bowles..  Porter returned to Tennessee safely from Cuba, married and had 6 known children.)

Postcard, with picture of the White House and the South Lawn, dated May 26, 1924, and mailed from Washington D.C. to Mr. D. S. Ferguson, Willow Springs, Mo.

Sunday, May 25, 1924. Am here to give Cal some advise about running the Government. J. O. F. (son Jo Orval)

Letterhead: Office of Henry A Smith,
Collector of the Revenues of Howell County,
West Plains, Mo.
Nov 24 1903

Dear Father

You see Mr. Johnson and see what he wants for that stalk pastur and let me know. Henry Smith thinks he would buy it if he will sell it cheap enough.

Very Respy, Chas (son)

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This page was last updated January 12, 2001.