August 1
Today was my 13th birthday. Mother bakes a special cake , the first we have had in quite a while. I got a new white shirt for church on Sunday. I hoped to get a fine baseball like Timothy’s but there’s no money for such things now.
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Proof of Payment
$1.50 Paid to Johnathan Stone for digging a water well on the property of Ezra Cummings
Ezra Cummings
July 25, 1880
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Miss Daisy Kelman cordially invites you to an Independence Day Picnic on July 4th starting at 1:00 in the afternoon
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June 1, 1880
Dear Johnny,
I am writing this letter a month before your birthday hoping the mail will get it to you on time.
Uncle George and I have talked it over and want to invite you to come to live with us here in New York. You can work with Uncle George in the bank and learn the banking business from him. It’s a good occupation for a young man with a sensible head on his shoulders.
I will send you a train ticket if you decide to come east.
Love, Aunt Anne
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Heartland News
May 1, 1880
Civil War Soldier Dies
Jonathan Stone, Sr. one of Indiana’s most honored Civil War soldiers, died yesterday at his home in Heartland.
Born in Middlebury, New York, in 1819, Stone moved to Indiana as a young man. With a partner, he stated the first lumber company in Heartland at the corner of Second and Main Streets. Most of the homes in Heartland were built with supplies from Stone Lumber. Mrs. Stone says she plans to close the company by October because of her ill health.
When the Civil War began, Stone was one of the first men from Indiana to enlist. He is credited with saving 40 lives in the Battle Chattanooga before he was wounded with a shot in the leg. After the war, Stone returned to Heartland.
Stone leave a wife and one son of the home, and two grown daughters.
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John, Meet me by the Pioneer Tree after school. I have something important to tell you, Daisy
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August 2, 1880
Dear William,
Guess you have gotten settled in Montana by now. How do you like living there? I wish you haven’t moved so far away.
This summer the only boy our age around here was David Ourings. He and I don’t get along.
I have to make a big decision in my life by September 1 and there’s no one to talk to about it.
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Benjamin Franklin School
Report of Student Marks
Jonathan Stone Year 1880
Reading A
WritingB
ArithmeticB
HistoryA
GeographyB
CitizenshipA
Promoted to High School
Mrs. Young, Teacher
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Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad
Passenger: Jonathan Stone
One Way Passage from: Heartland, Indiana
To: Middlebury, New York
Fare: $7.00
Date: Void if not used by September 30, 1880
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Easton Preparatory School
Indianapolis, Indiana
July 15, 1880
Dear Mr. Stone:
On behalf of the faculty of Easton Preparatory High School, I congratulate you on being accepted to join our Freshman class of 1880. As you know, our school is very selective and takes only young men of outstanding talent and character. A diploma from Easton will assure your admission to any university in our country.
School begins on October 1. The tuition for each year is $25.00. Room and board is $30.00. You must pay tuition, room and board by October 1.
I look forward to receiving a letter of intention from you within the month.
Sincerely yours,
Alexander S. Leming
Headmaster
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The Adventures of
Tom Sawyer
By Mark Twain
To my dear son Johnny
May this book bring you hours of reading pleasure.
Love, Mama