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.

We had a dutch show here and a dance after the show.  I see your Mother at the show and also at the dance.  My Mother was there too so that made it bad for me.  That was the hottest show I was ever at.  They talked all German and I laughed when the rest did.

The first time I tried to develop pictures I laughed too.  Frink Hindley came up to help me and we got everything mixed and I said to him not which is which as we had two trays with mixtures in.  He was reading the manual instructions and I was doing the washing, so he said put one in each so I did.  One turned black as coal and the other turned to clear glass.  Both spoiled.  So I took some more and had Nick Murray come over and help me and got along alright developing. The sun has not been out so as to print so I haven’t finished them.  There is more work about them than I thought but I guess I will make it alright.

I have not been to any church sence that night I don’t think and I do not know when I shall go again.

Well the kids and the marryed men played ball Sunday.  The score was 30 to 10 in favor of the kids.  I was working of course the same as usual.

The sixty stamp mill is going to close on the 1st of June.  They may lay off some men in the mine too.

Mary, you told me a few times you were going to bring a cousin of yours home with you.  Is he a he or a she?  You haven’t said.

I haven’t been down around your house lately but I guess your garden is just like the rest, just getting out of the snow.  We ain’t had what you would call a nice warm day yet.

I haven’t seen the Beavers Girls since . . . yes I did too.  I see them at the last dance.  There is where I get even on them.  I see them sitting four or five times and walked right passed them and got some one else to dance with.

Well Mary Dear, I will close as it will take you a day and a half to make out what I have on here.  But I hope you will excuse the writing.

I remain your true friend.

George XXX to Mary

Marysville Box 114