Non-Resident Historical Edition

Sumner Press

1915-1917

“Pink Letters”

Non-Resident Historical Edition

Pilgrims of LawrenceCounty

The following custom was adopted where ever we have published newspapers. We desire to issue on Thursday, February 4, 1915, a special edition of the Sumner Press. This addition will be known as the Non-resident Issue, and will contain letters from former Lawrence County residents who have moved to other points in Illinois or any other state or in fact anywhere on the globe.

It is impossible for all who once made LawrenceCounty their home to come together in a reunion face-to-face, but it is possible, practically speaking to have a reunion brought by means of each one writing a letter to the Press editor. Taken collectively these letters make mighty interesting reading, not only for those who have wandered from Lawrence County but to both those who remain here and share reminiscences of gone days.

This edition will be printed on pink paper and will represent quite an additional cost but it is considered worthwhile by the publishers. The paper for that week,will be mainly the product of those who have tasted of good things of life in LawrenceCounty, that are now residents of other communities.

The first issue of the Non-resident Historical Edition of the Sumner Press was originally set to be printed on February 4, 1915. Due to the editor’s father becoming ill and letters continuing to come in, printing waspostponed until February 11, 1915

Pilgrims make fine response to roll call

Letters tell, in original style, of happenings of the long-ago

Past and present perfectly blended by the storytellers

Those who have located elsewhere,

now get together in one grand reunion of mind and soul,

As the tale is told that grips the heartstrings of the readers

As pictures of the past and present and visions of the future quickly passed before

Former sons and daughters of Lawrence County Thus Called:

“The Pilgrims of LawrenceCounty”
Advertisers

In the

Pink Press Edition

Mushrush Lumber Company

State Bank

Dale & Sheridan

C. H. Saxton

Emerick Milling Company

H. M. Wagner

The A. L. Maxwell Company

Petty Brothers

Erwin & Company

Kaley Clothing and Shoe Company

Carter's Bookstore

Gem Milling Company

C. M. Schuder & Company

F. P. Caldwell

G. R. Stout

H. O. Stout

Redman & Westall

Travis & Maynard

C. W. Conour

First National Bank

James Gochenour

Jones Grocer Company

Jas. H. Stull Hardware Company

Commercial Hotel

The City Bakery

F. S. David

D. C. Staninger

W. E. Brian

The Thrift Coupon Stores

Names

Alsey, Clementine
Alsey. Lire
Anderson, Lizzie
Baird, Mary
Baird, S.W.
Baker, Charles
Baker, Clarence
Baltzell, Charles
Banter, M.A.
Barekman, Charles
Barekman,W.A.
Beesley, W.F.
Bell, Philo
Benham. George
Berlin, A.J.
Berlin, John
Berninger,W.E.
Brian, D.
Brian, Fred
Brooks, M.
Berry, Samuel
Burnside, George
Burrell,Lena
Bodine, Essie
Burt, P.E
Buzzard, Ralph
Caldwell,J.C.
Carlisle, Edna
Caven, N.A.
Chrisman, Lena
Coffman, Mort
Combs,H.F.
Cooper, D.F.
Corrie, Everett
Corrie, Glenn
Costello,Raymond
Cunningham, Grace
Cunningham, Henry
Cunningham, John
Cunningham, Kent
Diebold, Emma
Diebold, Robert
Donnelly, Leati
Dunphy,G.R.
Elder,W.B.
Foster, Jenny
Freese, J.M.
French,C.
French, Charles
French, Emily
Fuller, E.H.
Fyffe, W.C.
Gibney, Warren
Goff, James
Goodman,George
Gordon,D.T.
Gowin.Ezekiel
Gray, Frank
Hamilton, Nellie
Harms, W.C.
Haynes, Ida
Haynes, Lee
Heath,John
Hershey, C.B.
Hester, Mary
Higginbotham, C.W.
Hill, William
Hollingsworth, Della
Hoopes
Houser, Rolla
Huchel, O.J.
Hudson, H.D.
Hughes,George
Ince,H.E.
Irish, Annie
Irwin, Earl
Ivie, Addie
Ivie, C.W.
Ivie, L.A.
Ivie, Phoebe
Ivie,W.C.
Jensen, Clem
Jervis, Cleora
J.H.S.
Judy, Leroy
Judy, McMerrell
Kapp, Webster
Keplinger, Kate
Kilgore, W.C.
Kinkade, Laura
Kirk, H.C.
Lathrop, William
Legg, Nellie
Lent, L.W.
Longnecker, B.M.
Lytle, Samuel
Mallison, Molly
Malone, Clement
Malone, Harley
Marley,J.A.
Martin, George
Mayo, Lou
McCann, George
McGuire,G.G.
McKelfresh, H.G.
McNece,Charles
McNeely, Frank
Milburn, C.S
Miller, Joseph
Milligan, R.E.
Moore, D.S.
Mushrush, Frank
Mushrush, M.
Neighbor, Elmer
Newman, Clarence
Osborn, J.A.
Parks, Morris
Peeple, Aaron
Pence, L.J.
Perkins, Frank
Perrott, Samuel
Peters, J.W.
Petersen, Isabel
Petty, Alvin
Petty, Moses
Phillips, Hester
Piper, Clark
Piper, Joseph
Piper,T.E.
Prout, Willis
Provines, Ira
Provines, William
Quinby, D.W.
Rawlings, Emma
Reynolds, J.B.
Richey, Amy
Rigall, H.D.
Roberts, F.M.
Rosborough, J.F.
Rosborough, W. H.
Shafer, G.H.
Sanford, W.S.
Shaw, Emory
Shick, Abner
Shick, A.C.
Shick, D.L.
Shick, E.O.
Shick, F.M.
Shick, Ralph
Sheridan, J.L.
Shoup, Charles
Shoup, H.H.
Siebert, Theodore
Simms,W.E.
Simms, V.J.
Slichenmeyer,
Smalley, Glenn
Smalley, Jesse
Smith, Stella
Smith,W.I.
Starkman, Clem
Stout, A.E.
Strader, Martha
Stroshine
Stroup, James
Strouse, Marion
Sumner, French
Sutherland, H.C.
Sutherland, J.R.
Thompson, James
Thorne, Carl
Turner,H.C.
UmFleet, John
Vandament, Charles
Vanscyoc, D.B.
Wagner, Elmer
Wagner,H.M.
Webb, Edna
Webb, Mary
Webber, C.A.
Whites, Anderson
Wilson, Cliff
Wilson, Dora
Wood, William
Worstell, Alpha
Woodall, Nora
Wurtsbaugh, Mahala
Yetman, Ida

ParagouldArkansas[top]

January 16, 1915

Dear Editor Press:

I write a few lines for the "nonresident issue,” of the Press. It has been a little better than 10 years since we left our old home in LawrenceCounty, and came to Arkansas, locating among good people of Paragould.

My former home was 1 1/2 miles northeast of Sumner, where my father, Amos Grogan, now lives. My husband lived 2 1/2 miles southwest of Sumner on the Alsey homeplace.

Our children Wilma and Amos, have learned to enjoy the visits, back to "Old Lawrence".

We enjoy reading the old home paper and are always glad to hear from old friends in Lawrence. We also think the reunion will be like a homecoming. I anxiously await the issue, as it is published on my birthday, February 11. Thanking the editor for this favor. I am yours sincerely.

Mrs. Clementine Alsey

ParagouldArkansas[top]

January 18, 1915

Editor Press:

It affords me great pleasure to write to the nonresident issue of the Press. I was born March 24, 1883 in LawrenceCounty, ChristyTownship, 2 1/2 miles southwest of Sumner. Resided in LawrenceCounty until 1904, when I came to ParagouldArkansas and began working for a Valve and Heading manufacturing company for $40 per month and I am with the same company, receive a salary of $75 per month.

I was married on June 6, 1906 to Miss Myrtle Lytle of the city.

Our home has been blessed with two sons. The oldest Joe Lytle Alsey, was born May 29, 1910, died October 5, 1911 Howard Milton Alsey was born February 5, 1912.

Paragould has a population of 8000, and is indeed a city of churches and schools. There are 12 churches, four Baptists, three Methodist, two Christian, one Presbyterian, one Holiness and one Catholic. We are members of the East SideMethodistChurch. There are six schools, four public schools, one high school and one BusinessCollege.

This is a land of opportunity, and we quite often see residents of LawrenceCounty in this vicinity. There are several nonresidents of LawrenceCounty in this city, but will leave them to write for themselves.

I will close wishing the “Pink Issue" a great success.

Yours truly,

Lire Alsey

Monan Indiana[top]

January 18, 1917

Dear Readers of Pink Press:

Last March I visited Sumner soon after the Pink Edition. Many were the callings I received for not having a letter in that paper. I then promised myself and friends I would appear this year, so here I am.

I hope the reading of this issue gives to every one the pleasure it gives me, for through its columns we hear from friends who otherwise we never would hear from again. This certainly is a pleasure to read how well they are doing and all about their children whom we knew when small.

We are now located at Monan Indiana, 97 miles southeast from Chicago. There are various reasons why we like it here, lots of work all the year, and money always ready when work is done.

(?) is working at Roundhouse, will in time be promoted to (?). He gets good money and gets paid for every hour he works overtime. Herbert is a drug clerk in a large store, with soda fountain- a good business. Gets good salary. Nina is in the second year high school and is doing well. We have a good school and building. They teach domestic sciences in connection with all the other studies. During vacation she clerk's in the leading grocery. Last but not least is what I am doing. I have a two-story house and am keeping borders and roomers. We have one family light housekeeping. I am very busy, with my various affairs to look after. There is only one drawback and that is the high cost of living, for there is plenty of work here for all W. W. (Willing workers).

My name was Lizzie E. Berry. My father was John Barry. I was raised 11 miles southwest of Sumner, at Berryville. Have there been Sumner twice. Once when my husband was in school at that place. Last time I moved to Sumner to school my children. It will be remembered by some that Herbert graduated from there in 1915.

We trust to know we have many friends who read this issue. I shall be anxious until it reaches us. I would be glad to get individual letter from old friends and will gladly answer same. I do not think it possible for me to forget Sumner friends if I live to be very old.

Respectfully yours,

Mrs. Lizzie E. Anderson

Guthrie Oklahoma[top]

January 15, 1917

Mr. Editor:

I received your notice that you wanted a letter for the pink press and as you do not want us to write about the crops, I will just give some reminiscences of the past.

Forty-six years ago I was Miss Mary Fyffe, but on February 26, 1871 I was married to S. W. Baird and we move from Lawrence to Crawford County Illinois. We had then just two forty acres of land, about four miles apart, with some goods, a few farming implements and about $1200. Bought a farm and of course, when in dad again, lived there for seven years, then sold out again and bought this place of 160 acres, with two good houses on it about nine years ago, and I and happy to say we have it all paid for and or out of debt again.

Now about the children: our eldest, a daughter, Mrs. F. G. Retherford, is living in Meridian, about three miles from here, and they now have six boys and two girls. One of the girls was teaching school, one of the boys has a good position with a farmer near town and the rest are still at home. Our first son is here, running the farm for us, because we were not able to make the work go like we used to and then he has four boys and three girls to help him and hours all gone but one, and he is going to school. Our second son is in Katy Texas, working for another lumber company and two of our boys are gone from the earth, along with the perishing flowers. Our other daughter lives near Guthrie and her husband, J. A. Baty, is also in the mail service. We had 25 grandchildren, but some of them are so far away that we cannot see them very often, so most of them are nearer. One of Charlie's little boys was here from Thanksgiving until about two weeks ago, when his mother took him home and left the other one to stay till next spring, if they don't send for him to come home sooner. I think it is very nice to haves some of them here most of the time, for they are so much company for me.

My brother, C. H. Fyffe, and wife were out to visit us about Christmas and I was truly glad to see them.

Yours respectfully,

Mary Baird

R. R. No. 8

Guthrie Oklahoma[top] January 15, 1916

Editor Press:

It has been more than 45 years since I left old LawrenceCounty. My father moved to Bridgeport in 1858. However he had lived in Lawrence County 20 years before, near where old Mt.Zion now stands. In that neighborhood he married my mother Jane Turner. He taught one term of school at a place called Spring Hill, not far from where old Shiloh now stands. He taught school through the week and preached and reasoned with the people, who assembled at the school house, on Sundays. He moved out of that neighborhood, but for several years he visited and preached at that point occasionally.

Then he went to another state for a number of years and returned on a visit in 1858 and held a very successful meeting in an old schoolhouse there were Mt. Zion now stands and also at the White House. Those two churches then prevailed on him to come back to old LawrenceCounty. With the aid of good citizens of the community they built a home in Bridgeport, where he lived for about 10 years.

The Christian church at Bridgeport was first started under his care. For some time, however, the organization at the White House included the Bridgeport folks, and they held their meetings alternately at the White House and at Bridgeport in an upper room over a business house. But as soon as the meeting house was erected they met there. I remember my father held a meeting in the house before there was any floor in the building. The piles of lumber lying on the ground served the congregation for seats. This was just before the Civil War, when people were crazy on politics. Even church members were not always sane.

In 1869 I purchased some land on Oblong Prairie in CrawfordCounty, and in 1871 I married Mary Fyffe, whose parents, Wilson and Lucy Fyffe lived on the state road near the White House.

In my letter last year your printer made me say I was married in 1877, probably mistaking one of my ones for a seven. Also you made me say that we had here now 100 acres of land when I wrote 160. But the worst wreck of your devil played on me was leaving out the words ”son of", in describing that boyish trip to the Lawrenceville depot, I said I asked William Letterman, son of the proprietor to go with me, (a boy about my own age) but the printer makes me say that I made that trip with a dignified proprietor of the town. Now I know this must have dealt a staggering blow to my reputation for truth and veracity with my old friends, whom I remember something of those times. So now I demand satisfaction or you must suffer the consequences. I am peaceable.

S. W. Baird

DanvilleIndiana[top]

January 26, 1916

The Sumner Press:

While I never made my home and LawrenceCounty, we always call Sumner our home town. I was born and raised in CrawfordCounty, southwest Township, Landes having been our post office.

I left there in the spring of 1906 and came to Hendricks County Indiana and located in Danville, the County seat which is 20 miles west of Indianapolis, and engaged in the medicine business.

In the spring of 1908 I was married to Shirley Rodrick, daughter of Rev. Samuel Rodrick. We have a daughter six years old and a son four. We own our little home and are getting along nicely. I have been here now 10 years and am still in the medicine business.

Yours truly,

Charles E. Baker

DanvilleIndiana[top]

January 25, 1917

Editor Press:

As I am a reader of the Press will try to write a short letter for your February issue.

My home was at Landes Southwest Township of Crawford County. I now live at Danville Indiana Avenue a small farm at the south side of town. Have a record a nine room home all modern like having in town and country both. We have a flowing well also and everlasting spring which is piped through the house have a two-story garage building.

We used to think that Crawford County Illinois was the only place but find that Indiana is far ahead on account of the good roads as the autos can run the year-round.

I am engaged in the auto business doing fine.

We are always glad to get the Sumner Press. Will close with best wishes to all,

Clarence A. Baker

Princeton Indiana[top]

January 21, 1916

The Sumner Press:

The writer takes this opportunity to be a contributor to your "nonresident Pink Press" being a native by birth of PettyTownship, the good County of Lawrence. I have been located at Princeton Indiana, following the practice of the law for practically 18 years. During that time have had some varied experiences in a business and political way and otherwise. We have a son, our only child, now 16 years of age, who is a freshman in our StateUniversity. Aside from my work in my profession, I am president of the Citizens Trust and Savings Bank, which gives me broader opportunities in a business way.

I look forward with pleasure to the arrival of your publication, “nonresident Pink Press”, as I have always had an interest in knowing just how about girls and boys of my early association were fighting life battles and I know of no better way of asserting the same than through your publication.

Very truly yours,

Charles O. Baltzell.

JonesboroArkansas[top]