ADDRESSED TO:
Miss Helen WOOD
Helen Augusta (WOOD) STAGE, my great-grandmother, b. June 27, 1866 d. September 24, 1942. She is not-quite 21 here. She will be married on Christmas Day. Do any of them have any inkling of this?
, Odessa, Schuyler Co., NY (Care
S.B. OWEN
Samuel B. OWEN, husband of Sarah (GANOUNG) OWEN. Samuel and Sarah are Helen's uncle & aunt. It was not uncommon, according to census records, for Helen and siblings/family members to live with relatives in Schuyler County, NY.
)
FROM: Her friend,
Louie THETGE
Based on context of the layoffs in this
letter, Louie is female. We also know Louie has a twin, Loutie, with whom she is very close. More on them in later letter(s).
Mansfield, Pa. Mar 2nd 1887
Dear Helen
Let's talk a bit about the nature of this letter: girl talk. Helen is coming to PA to visit. She's got at least a week off. Louie wants her to come visit for part of the week.
-
Thought I would write and tell you the news. I suppose you are anxious to make a longer visit if you can. Mr.
VANHART was down and said you would'nt have to go to work until a week from Monday. Your mother says you can stay a little longer but you had'nt better stay all next week. "Our friend",
Ella
So many Ellas, so little context. No idea. Knowing that Ella is frequently a nickname for Helen doesn't help. Do the quotes mean she's a tough hang? Clearly, it's an insider comment.
left us this
afternoon. I tell you we are feeling quite lonesome tonight. I took my music lesson today and went almost to sleep over it too. Oh! I am so sleepy. I got a letter from
Ma
Lura/Laura A. (HIGLEY) THETGE m. Andrew THETGE. Andrew is a hotelkeeper according to 1880 Schuyler Co. census.
today. She enquired about you.
Emery
Working theory: Emery could be Emory STAGE. In a short while he'll be Helen's cousin by marriage. He would have been 13-14 at the time of this correspondence. Could just as easily be another mutual friend.
was down and ate warm sugar with us last night and played euker, dont give it away. Ahem -, wish you had been here. What luck did you have getting through to
Havannah?
Havannah (NY) is now Montour Falls, NY.
The
"woman in black"
Assuming "the woman in black" is the classic urban legend about a darkly-clad woman who appears mysteriously in windows or dimly lit areas, generally scaring lone pedestrians. A reference here - https://shermanroom.omeka.net/oldposts - indicates it was still a thing (or became a thing again) in 1906. Of course, there's the Daniel Radcliffe film from 2012.
is all the rage here now. I am anxious to see her, but I guess there isnt anything in it. We had two more boarders come tonight for a week or so, a lady and gentleman. We are having lots of trade this week. Thought we would get some rest but I guess we wont.
Bert
Working theory: Is "Bert" Albert Jackson STAGE, my great-grandfather b. March 24, 1858, d. Dec 1937? They are married on Dec 25, 1887.
What are the other Bert choices?
is the same as ever.
Will close my letter as it is getting late.
Ever your friend
Louie
P.S.
Your mother
Mary Elizabeth (GANOUNG) WOOD. This places her living in Mansfield in 1887.
says tell you to ans. this just as soon as you get it for we all want to hear from you. Let us know when you are coming home.
Louie