“I looked around for something sweet . . . “

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

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

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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Only one girl in this world for me

George Schenk head shot_vignette Mary Rumping head shot_2_vignette
Another letter from George Schenk to Mary dated April 30, 1897, while he was living in Belt, Montana.  This letter appears to cover three different writing episodes over two days.  Spelling, punctuation and capitalization are as seen in the original letter, except for edits I made as necessary to clarify meaning.

April 30 [1897]

Dear Mary,

This is Friday and I have just finished the dishes and fixed up the bed and the house so I have nothing to do but write.

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“Say good by, do not cry . . .”

George Schenk head shot_vignetteMary Rumping head shot_2_vignette
This is a letter from George Schenk to Mary dated April 29, 1897, while he was living in Belt, Montana – several years before they married.  Spelling, punctuation and capitalization are as seen in the original letter, except for edits I made as necessary to clarify meaning.

Belt   Apr. 29/97

My Dearest Mary,

I received your kind and loving letter Tuesday and was glad to hear from you.  It is not as it used to be sence I am down here.  I can’t see you every day now.  But that sweet face I never shall forget. 

Mary, I guess you think I am having a great old time down here with the girls the way you rote that letter but you are mistaken if you think I am.  Thair are a lot of girls in the Coulee and the same in Belt[1].  But there is none of them for me.  I met a few girls that I know before and that all I care to know.  I am not looking for fun.  Now days I know a few marryed women that comes over to see Edith[2] and one of them told me I was an awful quiet boy.  If I was like the rest of the kids in this town, I would be run [illegible] it.  There is a lot of them drunk every day. 

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