Letters

“I looked around for something sweet . . . “

~ Lark ~ Leave a comment

Mary Rumping head shot_2_vignetteGeorge Schenk head shot_vignette

A sweet postcard from Mary to George while she was visiting in Neihart, Montana, where George’s mother and several of his sisters lived at the time.

Note how Mary signed her name in the blank space of the white ribbon on the front right.

It’s a bit difficult to read the postmark on the back but it appears to be “May 23, 19” something-or-other. And since George died in October 1915, that certainly narrows down the options.

The postcard is addressed to Mr. Geo. Schenk in Bald Butte, Montana[1. Bald Butte is about five miles southwest of Marysville where George and Mary’s home was located.].

Transcription of the back is as follows:

Dear George:-

We got in Neihart all safe on Monday. They were all at the train to meet us. We will write more next time.

As ever Mary.

Copyright (c) 2016, Lark M. Dalin Robart
NOTES

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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144_vintage postcard_St Patrick's Day_jpeg

A beautiful vintage postcard from Mary’s collection –

144back_vintage postcard_St Patrick's Day_jpegThe card is addressed to Mary (“Mrs. Geo. Schenck”) and is from her cousin Irene[1. Irene and Mary were first cousins – their mothers, Christena Specht Ehrhardt and Eva Specht Rumping, were sisters.] in Decatur, Illinois. It was mailed on March 12, 1912.

Translation:

Dear Cousin!-

How is Aunt Eve? I do feel so sorry for her, she certainly is having her cross to carry in this world, for which she will be rewarded in the next. I hope all is for the best and that God will give her strength.[2. Mary’s mother Eva died about four months later that same year on July 20th.]

Irene

NOTES

A letter from Heinrick von Bobart to Mary

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One of the more interesting items discovered among Mary’s belongings is this letter from a cousin in Germany.  Dated in 1905, the letter appears to have been written in response to correspondence that Heinrick’s parents received from Mary.  She would have been 27 at the time and he was 15.

Since Heinrick’s last name is “Von Bobart”, I believe Mary’s father, John H. Rumping, and Heinrick’s mother, whose maiden name is unconfirmed at this time, were probably siblings.

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Your Papa’s Sweetheart, developing pictures, getting even with the Beavers girls

~ Lark

George Schenk head shot_vignette  Mary Rumping head shot_2_vignette

This letter from George to Mary dated May 30, 1899, was written while  he was living in Marysville and she was out of town, most likely visiting family in North Vernon, Indiana.  The reference to Mary’s father‘s “sweet heart” in paragraph 2 is interesting.  Mary’s parents had been separated since about 1893 but I was unsure whether her father was still living in Marysville.  Apparently he was – or perhaps he was temporarily in Marysville on business?
Spelling, punctuation and capitalization are as seen in the original letter, except for edits I made as necessary to clarify meaning.

Marysville, Mont.

May 30th 1899

Dear Mary

I received your kind and welcome answer tonight.  So as I am home at good time . . and went to bed early the last few nights I will ans[wer] tonight.

The last time I see your Papa was last night in the post office.  He got a letter.  I expected it was from his Sweet Heart.

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