Letter from Ida (January 1935)

Letter to Malissa Joslin Brubaker Bower from her sister, Ida Joslin Dressler Lewis. A copy of this letter was made by Irwin Joslin from my grandmother's files. The location of the original is not known. I received a copy in November 2007 from George and Lorene Joslin. This is the transcription done by Irwin Joslin. You'll probably notice that he "cleaned up" her spelling, which makes it easier to read, but perhaps loses some of the "flavor" of her previous letters.

For more information on Ida and her family see Ida Joslin Dressler Lewis (1863-1937)

Other posts in this series:

• The first letter from Ida (May 1, 1899)
• Letter from Ida (November 1934)
• Letter from Ida (December 1934)

Joe is Ida's son, Joseph Dressler. Belva is his wife. Sam is Ida's husband, Sam Lewis. Babe is the youngest child of Roxie Joslin Parkison, Gladys Parkison Elder, who lived in Cardin, Oklahoma in 1930 but moved to San Diego, California.

Not dated - possibly written in January 1935. In the previous letter, which I think was written in December 1934, Ida mentioned that she had written three letters to Roxie. And she mentions that here also.

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Dear Sister, the new year has just began and because you are lonely I’ll write you. Always so glad to hear from you but first I must pick a bone with you. One letter was addressed to Kansas City, Mo. - no street number. It came after Christmas. Then one came today addressed to Wabash, Kansas City, MO. - no street number. They have a hard time locating me and for a wonder they looked me up instead of returning it to you. So no harm done but its a wonder they went to that much trouble as they are very important here in their own imagination.

This is beautiful weather - snow all gone - some ice remains and nasty and muddy a few days before Christmas. I started out and fell off the stone steps on the concrete walk - skinned my knee up pretty bad but, oh was I lucky. I might have broken bones. I’m all right now and rally happy that I was so lucky but I haven’t been out of the house. My legs are not what they used to be and so many have had awful bad falls and are in the hospital - its terrible here. Now the day before Christmas my little girl friend came and brought mince meat she made and made a nice fat mince pie and I believe I’ll make up the rest this afternoon. Sam will be glad to get it for his supper tonight. His cousin wrote us they would send us a chick when they could get to town - roads terrible.

Did I tell you they have taken Belva (Joe's wife) 160 mile from home to a hot springs. A woman doctor (I hate them). Maybe they will finish her money. Joe is awfully worried. He can write often when he is in trouble. I’m sure they are giving her the wrong treatment but I won’t say a word that might discourage him. They will have to fight it out alone as I have always had to do. Sam is so strong and well - fat, ragged, and sassy. I’m glad he is. How quick they will gobble him up when I’m gone so I’m just holding on - just sticking around and he actually seems to want me but the time is coming when one must walk alone but it won’t be for long as we are both getting near the end. I know Della will be awfully glad to hear from you and if you addressed it right she will answer you if she is at all able. Let me know for even though her children are with her she to is lonely, a great sufferer and a shut in. I believe Roxie is bed ridden or gone as she never answers. I have written three times. They didn’t come back so the children might get them. Babe is or was in San Diego, California. She is the one I would expect to write me but not a word has come. And, of course, I can’t help but worry as I can’t rely on the old “saw” that no news is good news.

Well, the cat has come in for its supper - the golden sun is sinking in the West - the mince pie is still to be baked, so I’ll quit. I love to hear from you so don’t wait so long for the end is near for both of us but I do mourn for my loved ones these Christmas and holiday times that had meant so much to me but they are happy their suffering is over.

John 11th at Lazarus’ grave - Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life - He that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall be live and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die”. Comforting words to me.

Now I hope this will be a Happy New Year to you and me both. Perhaps it is best we don’t know what is in store for us in the future. Goodbye sister dear - I might send you some more candy when

[the rest of the letter is missing. . . ]

Letter from Ida (December 1934)

Letter to Malissa Joslin Brubaker Bower from her sister, Ida Joslin Dressler Lewis. A copy of this letter was made by Irwin Joslin from my grandmother's files. The location of the original is not known. I received a copy in November 2007 from George and Lorene Joslin.

For more information on Ida and her family see Ida Joslin Dressler Lewis (1863-1937)

Other posts in this series:

• The first letter from Ida
• Letter from Ida (November 1934)

Sam is Ida's Husband. Joe is Ida's son, Joseph Dressler, and Belva is Joe's wife. They lived in New Mexico. Lolo (actually Lola) is the daughter of Joe and Belva. Della and Roxie are Ida's sisters Della Quillen and Roxie Parkison, they lived in South Carolina and Oklahoma, respectively.

The letter is not dated but Ida makes reference to it being after Christmas. She also states that Malissa is 85 ½ years old. Malissa was born June 24, 1849 so I'm guessing that this letter was written the last week of December 1934. The first paragraph of this one might make a bit more sense if we knew what Malissa had written to Ida...

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Sunday afternoon.

Dear Sister, this is an awfully cold day, snow a little this a m but has turned bitter cold. I could not venture out to church this a m but Sam went to represent the family. They are going to have a big time thare to nite. Three churches combining with a speaker from Forin misonery but I'll not go out. And you want me to die and leave my dear Sam alone now isent that funney but you were always that way so I don't mind it but its strange how some people want others to die when thay are not in any bodys way. Well I never felt that way in my life about any one when those I love and I know love me. I want them to live on to be with me to help and comfort me and maby I can help them in a way to bare thare burden. I suppose thare are some that are waiting for you to pass out but as for me I hope you may live on as long as you enjoy life and can write to me. I like to git your letters even thou you are 85 ½ years old but I know it can't be long and if I should out live you I will be very very sad. I'm ready when my dear Savior calls me so let us not worry about thoes things as that is our Lords Business and he will take us home when he is ready.

Well a letter came from Joe & Belva that made me heart sick. While Joe and son Chester (his wife stayed with Belva) was at the Hospital 160 miles from home the man (Mexican) they left in charge, he had been employed by Joe, stole all thare clothing, the beautiful cloaths I sent them and lovely keep sakes, two suits of Chesters, shoes, shirts, all of Joes cloaths, 3 new comforts, all thair meat canned, fruit, etc. Just cleaned them out. Took Joes Truckto pack them away in but brought it back. Stock tied up in Barn. He has about one hundred head cows, mules, horses etc. Joe had just written how desolate and bad off with Belva so bad off but now he surley has something to worry him. I hate to think of the thief wearing all those lovely shirts, suits, flanel pajamas etc. that I might have kept for Sam as he could have worn them all, both 6 ft weigh 200 lbs, but Belva says it might have been worse but at that it made her worse. She is quite bad off. I doubt if she recovers and I want her to live. She is young. Joe loves her and needs her. She wants to live, asks me to Pray for her. You see someone has need of me and I'll try to help in my small way.

A letter came from Lolo. She seems happy with her 2 little Boys and her husband. I'll send you thair Pictures, just snap shots, but please return when you ans [answer] me. I haven't a word from Della or the girls since before Christmas but I'm sure if she gets your letter she will ans [answer] if she is able. I'm worried about Roxie. I'm sure she is gone or something has happened as she never treated me this way before and some one gets her mail. Three letters have never came back. Well write me as soon. Sam don't feel very good this afternoon. Guess he eats to much. It's 5 pm and getting dark. I wonder if you still have that church certific of Mothers.

Lovingly from sister Ida, no I'm not mad I just think you are funny! So will I be at 85.

Letter from Ida (November 1934)

Letter to Malissa Joslin Brubaker Bower from her sister, Ida Joslin Dressler Lewis. A copy of this letter was made by Irwin Joslin from my grandmother's files. The location of the original is not known. I received a copy in November 2007 from George and Lorene Joslin.

Malissa was living in Columbia City, Indiana. Ida lived in Kansas City, Missouri with her second husband, Sam Lewis. Joe is Ida's son, Joseph Dressler who would have been living in Torrance County, New Mexico. Della is Ida's sister, Della Quillen, who lived in South Carolina.

Spelling has been transcribed as it was written though punctuation and paragraphs have been added to make it easier to read. Ida's handwriting is atrocious and she used hardly any punctuation, which makes the letters somewhat difficult to decipher. Bad writing and all, I'm very grateful to have these few letters that have survived.

For more information on Ida and her family see Ida Joslin Dressler Lewis (1863-1937)

Other posts in this series: The first letter from Ida

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Envelope attached.
Return address: Mrs. S T Lewis, 2711 Wabash, K City Mo
Sent to: Mrs Lissa Bower, 201 East Market St, Columbia City, Indiana
Postmarked: November 9, 1934

Sister dear, its such a beautiful morning, sunshiney, crisp, lovely. I would like to take a long ride out in the woods. They say they are beautiful. The leaves are going fast. So are we. But the new life is more beautiful. I'm very much better. This new treatment, 4 tablets a day, is helping my general health. Of course, I'm still suffering pain in my swollen joints. My wrist is the worst but I don't suffer as bad as I did.

We have our rugs secured, floors polished, screens out, old vines taken down, etc. Still thare is a lot of work to do yet but Sam can do most of it when he is not busy. I got beautiful lace curtains for my living room this fall. Our house needs redasking [?] its stucco and painting but it will have to do this year. Living is surely high. Sam pays more for everything he needs for his work and works for less. The union have cut thair price so he must keep below them to get the work but he keeps going. He's strong and healthy and I'm awfully thankful.

My Joe is not strong & never quite well. The Dresslers are not strong. His father has been dead a great many years so are nearly all of their folks. Joes wife has never quite recovered from her gall bladder operation. Was going to be xrayed for another operation (maby). Joe was running for a Political job. Haven't herd how he came out. I hope he was defeated. He is to clean and decent to mix with the class that is now running the country. Conditions are tearable but its not only here its every where. Our Bible teacher said last Sunday Saten was runing the country now. It surely looks that way.

Well, I've got rested and will try it again. I'm making ice box rools [rolls ?] besides lots of other work but so thankful I can. Haven't herd from Roxie for a long time. I think its wonderful you keep so well. My dearest friend passed on to that other home, aged 82 years. She was a mother to me. Another dear friend died 4 weeks after she buried her husband and I miss her so but after his death she couldn't make the grad [grade?], just layed down and quit, no children, just those old folks alone. She was 60, he was 70. And so it goes. Had a beautiful home and were very happy after 35 years of married bliss.

Dear sister Della says the Lord is coming in the clouds. So be it. I'm ready to live so am ready to die for the Lord sayed who so ever will may come and that included me. I'm tire of writing, my wrist pains, ans [answer] when you can. It seems to me you have a easy life as you are nearing the setting sun, and I'm glad you have, but of course you must be lonely too.

Lovingly yours, Ida
2711 Wabash

The first letter from Ida

The letters that Malissa received from her sister, Ida Joslin Dressler Lewis, were apparently in the possession of my grandmother in the summer of 1969 when she was visited by her 2nd cousin, Irwin Joslin, who is the grandson of Luther Joslin. Irwin made copies of the letters at that time. Good thing, because the originals were not in with the box of grandma's papers that I have. I received copies of these letters in November of last year when I went to the Joslin Reunion in Springfield, Missouri.

There is no date on this letter but Ida mentions that it is Father's birthday, May 1st. And, since Father was going to live with "Nerve" (his daughter, Minerva Knight) I think it must be 1899. His wife, Lydia, passed away on January 25th that year and according to his obituary, Lysander was living at the home of his daughter Mrs. Knight in Keighly, Butler County when he passed away on May 14, 1899 - just 13 days after this letter was written, if my assumptions are correct.

Other people mentioned are Romey, Malissa's son. I'm guessing here but the sickness referred to was probably a result of his service in Cuba during the Spanish-American War where he contracted malaria. Elnora is Ida's 16 year old daughter. In the 1900 federal census Ida and Elnora were listed as boarders and living in the 8th ward of Kansas City, Missouri.

Nerve is Minerva Knight and Dellie is Mandella Quillen, both daughters of Lysander and Lydia. Merl and Nellie are children of Minerva and William Knight. Nellie's husband was Bert Sutton, whom she married in 1897.

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[probably May 1, 1899]

Dear Sister & Family

I will reply to your letter, has romey got home? I do hope his sickness was not severe and that he is now at home. I can relize your trouble and suspence knowing he was sick and you where you could do notheing for him. I guess we all have our troubles in one way or anoter. Elnore is trying hard to make up for lost time although she has not gotten strong yet. Do you hear from Nerve - of course I don't - haven't a word from any one only Dellie & she knows nothing about them. This is Fathers birthday May 1st. They tell me Nerve will take father to town with her (I don't know which town). Merl goes on the road with his Father & Nellie & her husband will farm the place at Keighly. I don't believe father finds it as pleasent as he expected to.

I will send you a picture of our first home in K. C. the little one in front is Elnora the one with a hat on is me. Will also send the Band of Mercy program. 20,000 children were gathered together. It was a beautiful sight.

Sister you speak of us going to Chicago. I think (by what I hear) it would be the rong place for us. This is a beautiful place. Just the town for working people. So many factorys and great stores. One can always find employment. Of course thare is crime & vice but that is in the slums. We know nothing about that part of town only what we read in our daily papers.

I want Elnora to finish her education here than she will stand a better chance to get a school. She is quite a favorite with the teacher & principle man if she only holds out. The kerchief you sent me is lovely. I think so much of it. Many thanks & the tea tray is quite unique. I will get Elnora to write. I'm layed off for a few days and am glad of it. Will make Elnora a calico dress. Thare is so much I can find to do when I get home. She is not strong enough to work and some times I like a chance to stay at home a few days. We get along nicely & I have the Doctors bill nearly paid. Come soon. Love to all.

Lovingly your sister Ida.
501 E 12th
K C Mo