Author: “Brother” Eugene [Ketchum] and Jane [(Thomas) Ketchum]
Title: Letter to “Brother” [George S. Thomas and Julia]
Date: 04 June 1886
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:
Colfax
Monday, June 4, 1886
Dear Brother [George S. Thomas]
I wrote you a letter some time ago and have received no answer yet I know the reason now. I heard by the way of Aunt Eliza you was sick again. We are all well this summer. George you don’t know how bad we want to see you. If I could get money enough a head I would come and make you a short visit. But I have been laid up so much I have all I can do to keep sole and body together. It seems as though we had our share of troubles. I have been laid up with rheumatis for nearly two years. This spring I had one of my horses killed and then I had my cow poisoned and she won’t be of much use to me this summer. I have plowed and dragged seven acres and planted it and logged most two with my little mare only weigh about 8 hundred the two older girls had been away to work all this spring. They have helped me quite a good deal. Bertha came home last night. Eliza is at the county surveyor at Cadillac. We miss her very much. George, don’t you think a change of climate might help you? If you want to come up here we will do the best we can assist you. Bob and David was up to see us this spring. We had a good time. But no better than we did when your folks was up. Now George if you are not able to answer this soon do it when you can. But keep your mind quiet and don’t worry. I ever remain your brother,
Eugene & Jane
It froze hard here last night.
[written on back of letter] Dear Aunt Julia,
Ma says she has got all out of practice of writing so she got me to write for her. She says she would like to see you and all of the children. we are real sorry Uncle George is sick. We would like to see him real well. We would come down there to see him if we had not had so much bad luck. I came home last night. I have been at Manton at work. I am going to Cadillac if I get a place I guess I can. Sibbie says she would like to see Janie. Well I guess I will have to close so bye bye from your affectionate niece Bertha Ketchum. Write when you can. Auntie I weigh 120 pounds. I have not been weighed since last fall.