To: Sophronia Troupe – Fostoria, OH
From: unsigned
Envelope: post office mark ? Indiana
April 1st, no year
Well, Mother [Sarah Hampshire Stahl- Fostoria, OH], it is not with much pleasure that I write this time for if you know what hearts trouble is, you may think about yours, we feel for. It is with a sorrowful heart that I write these few lines for Aunt Lydia [Lydia Stahl Hanas] has gotten herself in trouble for sure and is very poorly. She is in a family way. O Mother [Sarah Hampshire Stahl- Fostoria, OH], have mercy on her this once more and forgive her. But I am really sorry she did not watch herself from that one trouble. She swore it on Loyd’s brother, David Hanas. I can’t help but think that she thought he would marry her, but he won’t own it. But I think there is where it belongs now. She sees where she has done wrong, but it is too late. What will become of her now? What can we do but we must forgive or we can not be forgiven. And it happened the last week in August (unreadable).
We did not know it til about six weeks ago, then Anna Liza has left her and I dare not make her go back. Her Pa says she needent then.
I went down to the County line about six miles from here and got her a little girl. She is ten years old, but she too little to do much.
O Mother [Sarah Hampshire Stahl –Fostoria, OH], try and come out the last week in May or get Fronie [Sophronia Troupe] to come about middle of May if she can. Well Mother [Sarah Hampshire Stahl – Fostoria, OH] we are not very well at present. I have not been well for some time. I have been taking medicine for a long time for my liver and my blood. But I know not what ails me. I am so nervous and so weak. Anna Liza has been to Aunt Tena’s [Tena Stahl Foster] for three weeks, til last night. She came home with the sore throat. She is quite sick.
Cena [Sarah Delcena Hutchins] was there one week, but Ida got home yesterday. Their baby has been very sick. The doctor thought it would not live, but it is better now. Henry’s children has had the measles and was sick for along time. They are not so healthy as my children used to be. The rest of the folks are all well as far as I heard. Henry [Henry Hutchins] lives about one mile and a half from here. Jonas [Jonas Michael Hutchins] has been to home all winter. He has been chopping for (unreadable) and Lydia boarded at home.
Well I have got four fresh cows and will have one more. This is the first day of April and the (unreadable) is leaking and the water is like a flood almost.
Well I must tell you that old Uncle Tony and Aunt Katy is still alive, but Aunt Katy went to bed last week one evening and in the morning when she waked up, she was blind in one eye and she can’t see any more with one eye. What a world of trouble.
And I care not how soon my days will be numbered as I know of. Tell Wesley that Pa’s big Kentucky cow is not coming in this Spring, but she is a big one. The water is so high that our folks can not go to prayer meeting this evening.
Well, we have had a long winter and very cold with much snow. The wheat looks good here. Well, (unreadable) Emericks has got a boy at last. They had nine girls. Fronia [Sophronia Troupe], please write soon. I wish you all well.
Well, I did not send my letter yet but I will finish it now. And if you can come out the last week in May, I wish you would or send Fronia [Sophronia Troupe]. Aunt Tena’s [Tena Stahl Foster] baby has been very sick again. The doctor was there most all night Saturday night and Sunday and Monday. It had something like the brain fever. It is little better now this morning. Well, I must close by sending my best respects to you all. Hoping this will find you all well. Lydia is not a bit well. She fell yesterday and hurt herself.
Fronia [Sophronia Troupe] burn this letter after you read it so nobody else will read it without delay.
Write.
Unsigned