1874 is another interesting year in the life of Cordelia Green. She is 28 and one particular man whose signature cannot fully be made out other than the "D" was writing to Cordelia (four times in this year) and being written about by her friends and cousins.

Glenda Riley writes in her book, The Female Frontier: A Comparative View of Women on the Prairie and the Plains, how population imbalances existed in Missouri and other western states in the nineteenth century which could be one explanation for why Cordelia was so sought after. Riley writes, “Even during the years when female: male ratios were fairly well balanced single women were in great demand as mates.” She goes on, “Yet in spite of tremendous pressure to marry, a significant number of women chose to do so only relatively late or not at all.” (page 18) There is not one certain reason for Cordelia being pursued and for Cordelia choosing not to marry for so long, but Riley provides valuable context for consideration.

These letters do make it clear she had a close relationship of some sort with "D," as well as with a cousin Jake, Emily and Mollie. It is refreshing to hear some aspects of society are timeless such as neighbors talking about neighbors, friends filling in friends on gossip, and sending their best, in good and bad times.

May 30, 1874

My Dear Cousin Cordelia

This is the first time I ever had this pleasure of writing to a dear Cousin for you know I never had one until I found you and it appears I just found you to love and lose for you are so far away. I fear you will forget there is such a being as me on top of ground before we meet again; I hope this will not be the case and if I will should finish this Rail Road you may expect me to drop in any time. If you have no ground to forget rather expect me any moment.

Cousin I do wish you was where I could spend an evening with you say once a week if agreeable to you. I think I would enjoy it very much if I did not learn to look upon my little ... the one in whose hand visited the destiny of a lovely beat and in this case of course I know what my doom would be therefore it is better for me to be away for fear of something of this kind which of ... would make me unhappy for you know men never get over things of this kind.

I know Cousin how comes on your little trouble all settle before this and hope now please write me soon and tell me if I was not right in my judgment that is that it would be made up when you meet to the satisfaction and happiness both this I hope is the case and that you may live long and happy is the wish of you cousin.

I would have written long before this but I hardly knew weather you gave me permission or not but when I look at the heading of this I think it is all the apology I need to offer and if I had thought you would have heard from me long before this for I have not heard from you since you left except that you got home safely and this is all! I will not say weather or not he has heard from you and I have no way except through you which I greatly ....

I have no mind to give you, we are all well and the people in the neighbourhood (give by?) as far as I know!

The parties are about over for this season and we have nothing to amuse us with except gong out in the rain which we can do most any day we choose.

Say nothing this time if you will write to me very soon I will answer and give .... lot of news. I hope you will be anxious to have the news and write soon to your loving Cousin Jake

July 17, 1874

Miss Cordelia Green

Dear friend I saw Mr. Craig and at my suggestion he went to Mr. Kimball and Mr. K says the pianos are ... ready to be delivered. Had you not better come over tomorrow or Monday and attend to the matter. I am clearly of opinion that Mr. K will be watching and therefore advise you to keep a ... look out. or he may ... you yet. Let me know when you are coming and I may render you some assistance no news of ...

... Your friend (uncertain) "D"

July 23rd 1874

Miss Cordelia Green

Dear friend

I was just a little late at the Bridge Depot this morning having watched this just as the train was moving off but not seeing you either in the train or armory the passenger who got off. I conclude that you did not come. Just however you may be in the city and have trouble with Mr. K. I will take the liberty of saying in my usual off hand way that should you need any assistance in any way to secure your rights I will gladly assist you. I go west this morning and will return tomorrow at 9 1/2 . If you are here and will remain over until in the morning I will do whatever is needed to secure your ...

Truly Your Friend

(uncertain) "D"

• There is mention of the weather and what different people, probably relatives, are doing.

"... they asked many questions about you and say you might write to them. Jake has also been down, asked me if I thought you were dead, I suppose you have answered those letters before this if not - you can imagine the consequences."

• This letter talks about mother and father, health, the help and all sorts of relationship tidbits that Cordelia probably understood quite well even though as readers one can only wonder if some of these aspects of every day life are meant to be cried or laughed over, maybe both.

".... left us the very day I wrote you my last letter (I do not mean the note but the letter.) He did not meant to leave but sister made him go he treated her rather disrespectfully and she gave him his walking papers... I really have laughed at him. I have not seen him since he left."

• As Emily writes on her handwriting becomes more and more difficult to read and she appears to have ran out of paper as on the last page she writes both horizontal and vertical. The letter definitely has a gossip tone.

"Fred and Bella are prospering so one ever thinks of writing from there.... Miss David is... dreadfully ugly."

"He told me all except that you wrote him to come and asked him how he happened so, so he said he looked at your picture and could resist no longer. He is the happiest person I have seen in a long long while it is useless to tell you my darling friend how glad I am I have prayed so fervently God would in his own good time and the manner he saw fit to bring this cup of happiness once more or if best not be reconciled each sufferer to His will. I dreamed just before I went up I met you and "D" together and you were friendly and thought he called you "Cordie" Oh! I am as glad for both my heart has suffered much in sympathy with both as each one told me the pain. I never could believe anyone else but he loved you. I did not know what after years would bring but I knew his grief was genuine. He told me he was coming down here way soon to see me. I have been trying to see how many music scholars I could get you here - how much I do want you here. It is likely you would get a good class in Plattsburg. There is no music teacher here but Mrs. Brucat you know she is a very ... one."