Tag Archives: Thaddeus S. Scofield

Fayette Friday – Eugene B. Scofield, 4 September 1888

Letter transcription:

Rushville Ind. 9.4, 1888

Dear Sister Lena

I received your kind missive on my return home, and presume you received a card from me about the same time.
I am still improving—am very much better able to perambulate than a week ago.
Was at Flatrock Sunday and got along finely.
I do not wonder at Thad’s making Dem. speeches. The Rep. candidate for Pres. is a time-servant of all that is contrary to the interest of a laboring man—has always voted in favor of capital & against labor, and as Thad is a laboring man, & chief among them I am surprised that he had to wait to get to

[page 2] Chinese—“Ah Ben!”—ridden California to get his eyes opened. No! I am not at all surprised.
As for Bro. Chase’s chances I do not like to guess—the outlook is too hazy—Just look—Gov. Hovey—Live-long-friend-of-Saloons L.F. Chase—Friend of all righteousness Treus Lemptke—Leading Brewer of Indiana. Looks like they would catch all on both sides if they can. My opinion is, that the whole Republican Ticket will be defeated in Ind. by from 6,000 to 10,000 votes. Harrison was defeated in 1876 by some 6,000 I do not think him stronger now than then. Besides this the Dem. party is in favor which gives it the advantage. Porter evidently believed this, and when all the Rep.’s in the State wanted him to run for Gov. & were expecting him to do so, he refused without giving a reason, choosing rather to enjoy the pleasures of stump-speaking

[page 3] for a reason, than to suffer the affiction of defeat with his chosen people. He was not like Moses see Heb. 11.25
Beside all this the Prohi’s will cut an interesting figure in the play on the cool day in the month of November.
Bro C. would, I think, serve God better by devoting his excellent powers to the building up of his church, than by running a wild goose chase after no commendable purpose. Over Against all such we read: “Godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is & of that which is to come.”
The Rep. party is notorious for breaking of promises—but this year they are afraid to even make promises. I believe they do declare for Local option in Ind. a

[page 4] measure that has been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Ind.
I am tired of writing; as I cannot use a pen on account of being nervous.
With Love to all,
You Brother
E.B.

©2018 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2018/02/23/fayette-friday-eugene-b-scofield-4-september-1888/

Fayette Friday – Eugene B. Scofield, 4 October 1886

Letter transcription:

Meade Center, Kas. Oct. 4, 1886

Sister Lena;

Dear Sister; I have been owing you a letter for some time and will improve the present opportunity. As you will see I am way out here in south western Kansas, am here to preach and am getting along finely, last evening the new Church was full to overflowing and quite an interest is being manifested. Two have been added since we began—a week ago yesterday.

I left home Wednesday morning Sept. 22 at 6 a.m. and was met at the Depot at Bloomington by Minnie, and as the cars were very much crowded I thought best to accept the invitation to remain over night. Thad. has suffered very much for several months with a sore eye. He had his eye ball cut some six months ago. He had gone to work for the first time in months the week I saw him. His children (Lee Roy Excepted) are all doing well. Arther is a model of a young man, and Minnie is a real lady. No one could change more than has El [Eldora].

I staid home with Thad Wednesday night while the rest went to prayer meeting. We had a long talk which

 

[page 2] I enjoyed very much. On Thursday morning I resumed my journey arriving in Kansas City too late for the train west and put up at a hotel for the night. At 10 a.m. I took the train and crossed the State of Kan. by daylight arriving at Dodge City several hours late at 2 a.m. and went to bed. At 8 a.m. I again took up my moving tent and for 9 hours wended my way over the great Buffalo plains of the Southwest arriving at my destination at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Thus you see I made my journey of 1,000 miles mostly by daylight. I had traveled most of the road from New Castle to Bloomington along which there are very few objects of interest, save Wabash River which is lovely this season of the year. On my journey crossed the Wabash, the Illinois, the Mosouri and the Kansas and Arkansas all about the same size. at 2:30 p.m. the 24th I crossed the Great Mississippi River at Louisianna Mo. It is as clear as White Water, and greatly in contrast to the muddy Mo. River.

Kan. has suffered from a drouth this year yet in the eastern part of the state the crops look fair, at least the corn in the field, and out here the corn, oats, millet & cane

[page 3] look very fine. The cattle in all parts of the country are looking well as are the horses and sheep, hogs are a scarce article.

This is one of the finest counties in the State. One year and a half ago there was not a house where the Co. seat now is, now there are 800 or 900 people. A quarter section bought of the U.S. two years ago just north of the present town for $200 is now worth $12,000 and quarters all over the County are ranging from $800 to $3,000 and $800 piece is generally much broken but good pasture land. Keep it in the family—I bought a half section of as fine land as there is in Kan. last Saturday. It is 12 miles out, but that will not affect in 10 years from now, and does not affect it much now. By the help of my friends here I got it at a big bargain from parties auctions to sell, and have just been offered $500 for my bargain—but no. It lies to the south west of here. See map. Please say little about it.

Right here the Buffalo roamed not more than 4 or 5 years ago. I have seen hundreds of prairie-dogs and now and then a Jack-rabbit, as large as a small dog. Deer still

 

[page 4] and few miles west of here the wild-horse.

Well I guess I have told all of interest save it should be about domestic matters. The houses here are all small. In the country most of them are made of sod, and when plastered outside and in are very cozy—but not many are thus finished. The most of the people are industrious and honest. They leave doors unlocked, and are seldom troubled with thieves.

They are chiefly from Indiana, Ill., Ohio and Mo. as named in proportion of numbers.

Give my regards and these presents to Dan. My love to Ella and the Babies and also to Bal. & all.

Lovingly Your Brother
Eugene B. S.

©2018 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2018/02/02/fayette-friday-eugene-b-scofield-4-october-1886/

Fayette Friday – Eudora Scofield, July 14, 1882

Letter transcription:

Bloomington, Ill. 7/14/82
Miss Lena Scofield
Connersville Ind.

Dear Aunt:

This evening while I have few leisure moments to write I will try to answer your letter, I want you to write oftener for you can tell me more than any other person there. “James” rece’d a letter from Chas. Gilchrist this week – They moving off the Hill makes another great change there. Is Fannie & Conn living in the country yet? I suppose her baby is quite a large boy now.

[page 2] We live in a very pretty place. The porch extend along the front of the house and is high. I am even sitting on tip stelps. The front faces the east. The family are all well and all at the table but me. Minnie is calling me to supper, so I must go. I have eat my supper and made a call and entertained three callers who have just left.—They are now old acquaintances—have known them since the first time I cane in City. Last night—my fellow came, he will leave the city tomorrow—how lonesome I will be—You ought to try to come to see me soon. I think now that I cannot come to see you all very soon. “I would if I could.”

 

[page 3] I’ve have had little Tad picture taken and is just like him. Thaddie is smart—he does not act like a baby three years old—more like a boy twelve. He always his hat on back part his head and he came in the other day in that way—said to Ma [Can I have the can?] Ma said not a word, then he said, [I’ll bring it back!] [I won’t brake it, when I get done with it I’ll bring it back.] He looked so straight at Ma, his eyes were sparkling. We think him a great boy. He must always walks so important. He had to sit three times to get his picture, for when we asked him to look, he would raise on his tip toes. When ever he

[page 4] does anything he ought not too he goes to Ma [says] Ma I want to kiss you. She of course must give up—and laughs. Minnie has grown so much and Floy is taller not so fleshy. James is very tall I can stand under his arm. And Lee is as tall but very heavy large. I feel so small beside them. This is yesterday after-noon I will finish my letter—I got sleepy last night before I could wri finish. I wish you was here to go up town with me. I am so home sick. The teachers institute is going on now. Why can’t you come soon, if you don’t I will die. Sure, it will not cost much and not take

 

[page 5] long to come. Start here at half past Seven and get to Indianapolis at half past Eleven in night—get to rest there one hour before you could start for B. Then arrive here at half past five in morning. I would meet you at Depo—which is only two blocks from where we live. You I know would enjoy the visit we live in a very pleasant place—we have five rooms & kitchen—I am now in “parlor.” I wish I had your picture please send me one. I am going to get mine taken next week. I had mine taken with a friend here but mine is not good so I will not send you one of them. All the boys are working—and Pa. Lee

[page 6] is is commission business for himself. “James” is clerking in Notion & Millinary store, but [?] like any thing at “home” on larger scale. James gets four & half a week. Lee makes sometimes five dollars a day and Pa make four dollars a day and Arthur he has been living in country but came home the “fourth” to day this summer, he is selling paper & now until he can get business to work which pays more. I am going to clerk in fall or soon as I can get a place—All girls work here the Vanbuskirk girls clerk when they can—but now it is dullest time. The girls here which are highly respected and go in best society clerk—clothe themselves and do safe some besides. I live to clerk. Hope

[top of page five] you will write me a letter soon. I want you to give my love to all Pa’s folks and keep a share for yourself. I have not heard from my friends only as you tell me. I would like to see [?]

Yours lovingly
Eudora R. Scofield

[top of page one] I sent two of Thad’s pictures one for Aunt Minnie

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/10/13/fayette-friday-eudora-scofield-july-14-1882/

Fayette Friday – Eudora Scofield #3

Letter transcription:

Bloomington Ill. May 25th 1881
Miss Lena Scofield
Connersville Ind

Dear Aunt: Now I don’t know wheather you are married or not, But if so, I know once your name was “Schofield.” You ask me to remember you—I think a day has not past since we parted. That I have not thought of you. Every day something occurs which reminds me of the good old times we have enjoyed together. Last Thirsday eve we gave a “social” at our church. I thought of when

[page 2] we had one in our church and the Rev. W. K. was there what a time we had. & then again while the band was playing Saterday eve “—when at home” we would meet every body al[?]—chat to the “Johns” & “Jamie” “Cliffords” “Frosts” “Harlans” others to numerous to mension. O—yes—don’t you remember at Jennie B.’s “party”—wonder if Jennie is still afraid to sleep in that bedroom yet with window up and if you have stayed all night with “Jennie” and sliped “home” in morning like you did the morning I caught you by [?]. Just think what silly games we played at the first “party” in that house—I can see the hens and roster up there yet,—“in the chair”—[in my mind.]

Eudora Scofield letter, May 25, 1881, pages 1 and 4

[page 3] The next thought is back to an other “party” of “Jennie’s”—for as I know out of that first table full only two are married “Charles Frost & “Samuel Powel” and may be you. I am elected to be an old maid, which I choose, Although out of “four sucker”—I may chose, one to promise him that I will see that he don’t marry another. So far do my thoughs [?] back that I could can not express them all Now should I try. But I confess I do think of “home” too much. To day is “show day” and very warm—I have just return “home” from the Steets.—I never suck a crowd. Every size color and ugliest people you could im [imagine?]. why the most fun we could have at

Eudora Scofield letter, May 25, 1881, pages 2-3

[page 4] the window see people pass—A trunk hauler came pass the other day with his wife. She was one of these tall bony women had on large bonnet with purple flowers in front—well just as I got the first glance of her she was [appeared to me] very sick. But when I look more heard her husband say “sit up here now, and don’t make a fool of your self”—which was [?] seen—that she was very drunk and the [?] evil her face, till the greese almost flowed in stream. Well it was just horrible pictures I ever look at. Last Sunday every person almost seemed to have new buggies—and

Eudora Scofield, May 25, 1881, page 5

[page 5] so had a colored couple—The lady wore an old sun bonet and he had on a high plug hat—he while talking to her would stop and look under her bonet—It was a splendid give away to buggy riding. So much on witty side. This City is beautiful Now especially Every where things are all arrange so nice. I want to visit the “grave” yard, where I have not been yet—it is said to be beautfil and of course large. Pa has been there. O to ride up and down from Normal on St. car is plendid—past two “Universities” one at Normal and the other in Bloomington—They are on

[page 6] stight line two miles apart. Then I want to go to “Orphant’s home”—in Normal when LeRoy went I was too tired to go with him. On 14th Jun we have our annual Sunday school picnic—going to a “grove” some miles away—on special train—for to get to groves one haft too go quite a distance—not like at “house” &. Well this morning I will add more to this unfinished letter—last night I went to the “show” and afterwards we stoped at the “ice cream sallon”—where I said to [Men] that I was thining of friends at “home.” You remember how we cheated LeRoy. I will enclose a card he wishes you to have—he is [?] on one “girl.” O I am left. But she is sweet. Smart and a fine performer—“look up”

Eudora Scofield, May 25, 1881, p. 6

[page 6 top] on piano. A beautiful Alto singer. This “merry six”—have a band of their own—all members of same church

[page 5 top] go together, all time and all are splendid boys. James has been last three weeks traveling for the “New York store.” Arthar is quick and cute as ever. Minnie is going to school and learns fast look to the other page.

[page 1 & 4 top] Thaddie has had a time with the measeles. Had two “Coctos” for him But Floy had them right at first so she did get well soon—But little Thaddeus suffered terrible, for nine days the child never slep a miniet—The measles did not come out right at first—went to his “brane”—also with this had “lung trouble” “information of the bowels”—The Doc said he would have never come out all right had he not the best of care. Floy is same sweet light hair girl. We are all rejoicing to see Thaddie better and getting so fat—and is to smart to talk about wants Ma to kiss him all the time when we kiss Ma he rubs it off and kisses her over. Pa kiss Ma this morning and he rub it off just laughs like “Huston.”

[page 2-3 top] “Space will not permit more” So love to you all and inquiring friends. Your niece Eudora R. S. “write soon.”

Eudora Scofield, May 25, 1881, envelope

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/09/01/fayette-friday-eudora-scofield-3/

Fayette Friday – Eudora Scofield #2

Letter transcription:

Bloomington Ill. Nov 28th 79
Miss Lena Scofield
Connersville Ind.

Dear Aunt:—

We enjoyed our ride far as Indianapolis—There we had good rest, But from “there” it was very rough road to travel—The car was warm then cold—Ma took very sick about an hour before we arrived—Pa was in to meet us—went to the Tavern—staid until about ten o’clock—If Pa had staid half hour—

[page 2] longer [Tavern] I would had “fit”—for I had not slept any—until hour before he came with the carriage—then was asleep—They had a time to get me awake & I was sick when I awoke—Well just before I got home was very much better—never saw a more beautiful place—you must not think I am bragging to much—for I never saw many places “you know” But—Connersville is the best place in the winter & how I wish was home, write soon tell all about the weather and every thing—will be of interest to me, but here is no gravel or hills, springs,—all black clay—it has

Eudora’s letter, pages 1 and 4

[page 3] rained last three days—and the mud—have mercy on us if we don’t write as soon as you expect for can not get to the city while it is so wet horses sink not feet—it is worse than sinking in the “Snow Drift.” It was very beautiful here the first two days This is a beautiful place—so many houses around us, all are large two story frame houses. Ours is one of the same—about as far from the raod as your house is—a large veranda in front—an other on the south—extending from the parlor to the kitchen—two front rooms, back there a large

[page 4] dinning room—has seven doors—two windows—I was glad when they were all cleaned back, this room—bed room and kitchen—back the kitchen an other room—with pump [?]—a place to go down celler, which is under all the six rooms, at the left a wood house well I have describe this enough to say, this is a very nice house every thing so handy—closets and wardrobe in every room But the parlor,—the house is painted very nice, If you only could get a crowd to come

Eudora’s letter, pages 2 and 3

[page 5] out to see me I would be fixed—It will be a grand place in the summer time, I like the—place very much—But am so lonesome nearly spoils it all—I can now realize how it is with Aunt—Minnie, try to come out next Spring! There is five suckers south as [brothers] close as Faircer is to Gilchrist—when I speak of suckers—mean those males older than myself An handsome one lives east—he was here yesterday—is going to school in the City—this is his last year at school.

[page 6] Then there are twelve North of here, the city is west—when I find out how many is there will let you know. All these neighbors live close, as you do to Martins’. a Tileing factory is south west—also a brick yard about two equars, what I have seen of the neighbors here, are rich and very nice. A school teacher lives in the second house south. The school house is a mile east from us. But we think sending Arthar & Minnie to school in the City—which will be about a mile and half for them walk. We expect to have Uncle

Eudora’s letter, pages 5 and 8

[page 7] Doc Sunday for dinner. We can hear the Christin Bell ring—beautiful tone. I have not seen any young ladies yet. Tell J. S. poor chance in the west. Hope that he may get one before he starts. You & him can elope with me a week or longer.—plenty room for six or less. I am going to rais chickens. Turkeys, gooses—We have our pigs and cow and Organ. Tell J. S. I am going to rais a Turkey especially for him, Hyatt L. can have all prairie-chicken he wants—You ought to have been here second day the three boys and Pa went out to kill a

[page 8] prairie chicken that was in the Garden I never laugh more—they m[?] it, and LeRoy came in saying he wore Eugene’s boot—instead he had wore out here one Pa’s. Then we all laught until we cryed. I haven’t smiled since until yesterday—you can gues who to, “He is a Daisy” I have not been to the City since I left Sunday. I have wrote this in Haste so please excuse mistakes from your Neice

Eudora R. S.

Eudora’s letter, pages 6 and 7

P.S. if R. H. S. comes back you see him tell him to write—

[top of page 7-8] as he promised if I left Connersville the hours how swifty they past. Goodnight. Give my love to all Aunts, Uncles cousins—and Friends. To yourself especially we are all well at present hope you are the same Amen

[top page 1] I have looked through everything “But was all in rain.”—for my earrings. You have not found them please watch maybe you will see or find them Obige your Neice.

Envelope of Eudora’s letter, addressed to Lena Scofield, her aunt

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/08/18/fayette-friday-eudora-scofield-2/

Lena’s Postcards #9

Postmark:
None

Addressed:
Mrs. Lena Hackleman
Connersville
Ind.

Message:
Dear Aunt Lena,

I am as white headed as you and look older. I have three soldiers left of the war. My Verner is in the “Weleyan College” he has commence – his life work for a Physican. Our Robert S. is teacher. Write. T [-?-] is sick and alone in Akron O.

Lovingly –
Dora R.S.C.


Eudora “Dora” R. (Scofield) Condon was Lena’s niece. She was the daughter of Lena’s older half brother Thaddeus. They were only 6 years apart in age. Lena was born in 1855, and Dora was born in 1861. Dora had six known children with her husband, Osmond J. Condon: Nellie, Rowland, Osmond, Arthur, Robert and Verner. The postcard was likely written after the close of World War I.

Condon, Osmond & Dora - 1900 Census

1920 U.S. census, McLean County, Illinois, population schedule, City of Bloomington, Precinct 27, enumeration district (ED) 117, sheet 4-B, dwelling 98, family 98, O. J. Condon; NARA publication T625, roll 387; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 March 2015).

©2015 copyright owned, written and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/16/lenas-postcards-9/