Jenks, Irving D.

Author: “Brother” Irving D. Jenks of Marathon, NY
Title: Letter to “Brother” George S. Thomas of Byron Center, MI
Date: 31 December 1906
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

December 31, 1906
Marathon, NY

Mr. George S. Thomas Esqu.
Dear Brother:
We are all well and hope this will find you the same. Laurie wanted I should write you in regard to our buying these places. I went down to Bruin where Edwin was this was May 1, 1905, that I left Dryden got there the next day. I stayed 3 weeks with brother Edwin and while there I made a bargain with him for the little place where Ashur and Mary Jane lived the price was $600. I also made a bargain for the one half of the 120 acre place which was Mary Janes and when I got home my brother Edmund B. Jenks made out the deeds the undivided one half of the 120 acres to him. The undivided one half of the little place to him and the undivided one half to me. The caragon lot of 3/4 of an acre was made the same sent then to Bruin and Edwin signed them and acknowledged then before one Sam Gibson. He was a Justice of the Peace there in Bruin. And they were witnessed by Joseph Jordan. Then they were sent to John Miller at Marathon we paid the money to him (John Miller) and got our Deeds then they were recorded in the county clerks office at Cortland. Now Brother George that explains the transaction as near as I can explain it on paper but if there is any thing that I have omitted if you will write me I will do my best to make it plain.

Katie May and myself are here living on the little place. I have ben getting out lumber. I got out and it is sawed and stuck up 155 M feet of lumber. Had a mill here. I had 1055 RR ties them I have drawed we also had 150 cords of slab wood that I am drawing at this time. Then I have the lumber to draw as it is sold. The RR ties we got 44 ? delivered at Marathon. The wood we get 250 pr cord loaded on the cars at Marathon. The lumber we get $20 pr M for on the cars at Marathon. If the going will keep good I think I can get every thing hauled by the first of May. My brother has been up here 3 times since I commenced cutting the timber last December. He piled lumber (one day) you see I have been one busy man. I have two teams one team is the nicest there is in this country. They way some over 2500 they are true and kind but I have to drive them with chain bitts as they have been known to run away. Jenks drives them himself. George it would do you good to look at them they never go to sleep while in the harness. I have 9 cows, 3 calves and 2 pigs, 25 hens. Katie has 38 hens and 3 cats. I guess I had better close for this time. Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year I remain as ever your brother, Irving D. Jenks
Katie sends her love to all and a happy New Year.

Now George I have in my possession receipts which Ashur payed Edwin after Manley’s death. One of $120, one of $2.5, one of $26.98, and one I payed after Mary Janes death of $47 making in all $196.55. He has received since MW Goodale’s [Manley Goodale] death to my certain knowledge. Whether there had been any more payed or not, I do not know. I wright this to you thinking perhaps they might be good for reflection. Never the less, I intended to present them at the proper time and place.

Edwin twited? me once of gobbling up papers which I had no business with probably there are the ones. I haven’t keep there receipts a secret with the intention of injury to you or Laurie but thought maybe they might turn up at the proper time with a surprise to both sides of the case.
Yours,
ID Jenks