Dear Sister and brother   i now take the time to answer your kind and welcome letter i received last Wednesday.  it has been in the office since the 17th of last month.  We are all tolabel well at present. 

Pa

John Albert STAGE, Helen's father-in-law.

has been sick.  i have been doctering all summer.  i have been going to the Dr 3 times a week fore a while then i went 2 a week  now i am going to quit.  i was to go down today.  i don think i will.  i had that throat trouble and liked to died.  i was all alone when i got worse.  i was sick when pa and

Stella

Viola Estalla "Stella" (STAGE) BARBEE, Helen's sister-in-law.

went away but not bad.  When they come home i was so bad

Uncle Bill DART

Who is Uncle Bill DART? This is a family letter; would their be a need to attach "uncle" to someone who was not an uncle?

went for the Dr.  when he come my throat was fill of them soars and inflamed.  my feever was 103 degrees.  he come back the next morning and put Cockine in my throat.  he wouldent let me wash nor iron last weak.  i have it on him this week.  i have done boath.  i will go down next week.  pas is with the threshing machine.  Stella and

Fred

In most instances, Fred is the name of the family bird. No reason to think that is not the case here.

goes after him Saturdays. 

Kate and the Boys

Katherine Anne "Kate" (STAGE) COONTZ, Helen's sister-in-law.
Kate married William Jesse COONTZ.
At the time of the letter, they had two boys:

• Jesse Arthur COONTZ, 1885-1972.
• Guy Edward COONTZ, 1887-1955.

was over and staid from tuesday to friday.  she was coming over this week. 

elmer

Elmer STAGE, a cousin to Ida.

was coming this week to pick blackberris.  you had ought to be here.  there is the most blackberis and the nicest ones i ever saw.  i have canned 42 qrts made 7 glasses jellie 11 qts jam and are drying some.  You wanted to know how my garden was.  i have an offle nice one.  i have had lettus radishes onions peas beans beets cabbage tommatos to use.  i have beets as large as a saucer.  i have more cabbage then we can use.  i have had some new pickles.  i have 66 chickens.  i have been frying them.  We have nice potatoes and the chickens are diging them.  Your grape vine and quince bush are living.  Your orchard hasent got any fruit in. 

Clara

Clara Angeline (STAGE) WILLOUGHBY, sister-in-law to Helen.
You may notice Ida and Clara have the same married name. Clara passes in 1907. Ida and Andrew WILLOUGHBY marry in 1917.

has got her a new sewing machine.  Mr. ANKRAM said tell you that this fall her and i will ship you a box of papers.  bettie is going to give me some blocks for your quitl.  i will send them next time.  Sallie BOLLIN was down and took Supper with me.  Clay YOCUMS has got a girl at their house.  Hellen when was Lib married? 

Aunt Thank

Thankful Frances STAGE, married to Edward T. STAGE, mother of Elmer mentioned in letter. Edward is brother to John Albert STAGE.

got the babys picture the day you went away. 

Tessie

Tessie Viola (STAGE) DARCY, Helen's eldest daughter.

that little old pansy you used to carry around has had 50 blooms and is budding again.  My flowers looks well.  i will have to quit hopeing to hear from you soon.  from your Sister Ida STAGE to her brother and Sister AJ and Hellen.  Good By  kiss the

Children

In 1891, the children of Albert Jackson "Bert" STAGE and Helen Augusta (WOOD) STAGE are Tessie and Nellie Avis (STAGE) RUPPEL, my grandmother.

for me.  how is

your mother?

Mary Elizabeth (GANOUNG) WOOD, Helen's mother.

  sorry to hear she was sick.  hope she is better.
hear is a boquet for Tessie.  I am fat this summer.  i weigh 100 lbs.
P.S. i dont like to wait till fall for them pictures.  then i will have to wait till spring.  Direct my letter to Darbyville.