February 1920

by Louise Smith Posted on February 15, 2015
Winter in Eldred. From left: Orchard Terrace, Congregational Church, Sunshine Hall , and Sunshine Hall Free Library. In the center of the photo, the old Eldred Schoolhouse. Von Ohlen’s was the dark building. Straub’s set behind Von Ohlen’s.

Bob Austin, Eldred, to Raymond Austin, Staten Island
February 9, 1925
Raymond,
The snow up here is melting fast. In the morning it is frozen so we go sleigh riding. We both got sleighs for Christmas. We saw the total eclipse of the sun. We have our wood sawed. Mrs. Cox hurt her leg sleigh riding and she came to school with a cane.

I am sick and I can not go to school. I had to stay in bed all day Sunday. I felt dizzy when I stood up. I hope you are feeling well. I am feeling better.

I hope you can come up on Lincoln’s birthday. The rest of the family are feeling well. Arthur is as fat as ever. Your brother, Bob

James Eldred (J.E.) Austin wrote his daughter Lillie Calkin who was studying at New Paltz Normal School. A number of folks sold eggs as a source of income, including Lillie’s family (in Bethel, NY) and later Garfield and Ella Leavenworth, in Eldred.

J.E. Austin, Hopewell Jct., N.Y., to Lillie Calkin, New Paltz, N.Y.
February 15, 1925
Dear Lillie,
Glad to hear you were all well. I see in the N.Y. paper the ice has gone out of the Hudson and Delaware Rivers. The rivers did quite a lot of damage in places on account of the ice damming up, but saw no account of any damage being done above the waters on the Delaware.

It’s about time your hens began to lay eggs. We took a crate of eggs to Poughkeepsie yesterday and only got 48 cents a dozen. The most we got for eggs was $1 per dozen. Our best month for the hens was December with $65 clear for about 187 hens. 100 of the hens about paid for their feed in December.

I have not heard from Mort since November. Hoping you are all well.
With love, Dad

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February 7 & 8, 1918

by Louise Smith Posted on February 14, 2015

Ruth Colville wrote to McKinley (Mac) Austin in April 1917. Ruth was from Barryville. Ruth wrote again in February of 1918.

Ruth Colville wrote Mac Austin in February 1918.

Ruth Colville, Barryville, N.Y., to McKinley Austin
February 7, 1918
Dear friend McKinley,
Received your letter some time ago and really intended to answer it before, but was busy the last couple of days keeping warm (or trying to, ha ha).

Monday certainly was a terrible day. The wind blew about 50 miles per minute. You speak of mud. I don’t believe that I would know what mud looks like.

Aunt Norah [Norah Bradley Avery] said that there were several Sundays when there wasn’t anyone except the minister and Christine that ventured out to church.

Every cold day, I make a new vow that I will not stay here another winter, but I suppose that I will not have courage when it comes to the pinch, to get a job.

Belle Mills is teaching here now. Went to visit the school the other day with Anna and it surely was a circus. I never saw so many methods of “spit ball” throwing in my life, but well, I guess she is about as good as the average teacher.

Your friend, Ruth [Colville]

Anne Rassine, Astoria, Ore., to McKinley Austin
Anne Rassine, a Lone Scout Correspondent wrote Mac on February 8. Anne mentioned the S.S. Tuscania which had been torpedoed on February 5. Click to read Anne’s letter.

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Lone Scout Letters February 1–5, 1918

by Louise Smith Posted on February 13, 2015
Lone Scout letter to McKinley Austin from Chicago, IL.

Lone Scout Letters
Girls from rural areas across the US saw Mac’s address in the Lone Scout magazine (often their brother’s) and wrote to him in January and February. They described their looks and daily lives in the cold winter of 1918.

Vera Allen, Cates, Ind., to McKinley Austin
February 1, 1918
Dear Friend,
I received your letter and was glad to hear from you. You wanted to know how the weather was in Indiana. It is a little cold. It freezes one day and thaws the next. It has been 23 degrees below zero…One of my old schoolmates, who went and enlisted, is at your camp.

I expect you wonder where I found your address. I found it in the magazine, “Lone Scout.” One of your brothers had written a letter to the magazine telling them about you. He seemed to be very proud of you. He signed his name, C. Raymond Austin.

…Hoping to hear from you soon, Your friend, Vera M. Allen

Rachel Hidden, Boyd, Minn., to McKinley Austin
February 3, 1918
Dear Friend Mortimer,
You said when you went to school you had double seats. We have just single seats and we can’t whisper, but we write notes instead. Our teacher is so sly as an old fox. Your friend, Rachel Hidden

Ottie Godsey, Peerless, Ind., to McKinley Austin
February 4, 1918
Dear Mr. Austin,
I was very glad to get your letter this morning. But was sorry to hear that you had had the mumps. I had the mumps about three years ago…

You must be having nice weather if there isn’t any snow there. It is awful cold here. There is a large snow and about an inch of sleet on top of the snow. Answer soon, Ottie Godsey

Annie Herald, Equality, Ill., to McKinley Austin
February 5, 1918
Dear Friend,
Will try and answer your most kind and welcome letter. You asked me to answer your letter soon…I like to study, and geography is my favorite study.

The weather is so bad I cannot get my picture taken and the first time the sun shines, I am going to have it taken. I had them taken a few months ago, but they were no good. The weather is still good for coasting and the snow is 30 inches deep with about 3 inches sleet and that froze over and can skate anywhere you want to. We have not seen the ground here for a month before Christmas. Your loving friend, Miss Annie Herald

Reindeer love the mountains
Rabbits love the hills
I love my soldier boys
God knows I always will.

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February 1902

by Louise Smith Posted on February 10, 2015

Jennie Crawford, Swamp Mills, N.Y., to Lillie Austin, Bethel
February 7, 1902
Dear Lillie,
Last Saturday night there were 30 of us skating up in Highland Lake. What a good time we had. I wished you were with us to enjoy it, too. I got home 25 minutes to 2.

Sunday night I went skating up to Swamp Mills. Monday afternoon I saw Mr. Perry and State inspector Symes. Perry said you were sure of your third grade.

Jennie J. Crawford

Jennie Crawford later married George Crandall. At some point they lived in the house James Eldred built in 1830, which is no longer there.

Jennie and Lillie Austin (Calkin) were lifetime close friends. Lillie was the great-granddaughter of James Eldred.

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February 5, 1895

by Louise Smith Posted on February 9, 2015
Looking south from Eldred Corners towards Barryville. On the left, the corner of William Wilson’s grocery store, Abel Myers’ store, the Parker Hotel. The building on the right was not there until around 1900.
Main Street looking North to Eldred. The Parker Hotel is on the right. William H. Wilson’s Store is in the center of photo.

Charles Metzger, The Minisink House, Eldred, to Mort Austin
January 27, 1895
Dear Friend Mort,
Glad to hear that you are managing to keep contented. One thing is settled in my mind and that is to leave Eldred. I think it will be better for me every way. When a young man leaves his native town, he is then thrown on his own resources and put to his best mettle. No one remembers when you went to school and keeps thinking you are still a Boy.

I’ve been trying to keep busy a little by cutting fire wood, but this snow is so deep in the woods that it’s rather up hill work. I used to go skating last month sometimes, but of late the snow has covered the ice for good.

While I am on the subject, Mort, unless I strike something before that, I will be right with you to travel till we can strike a favorable position. I think the spring is the best time to go only we ought to get started midling early, Providence permitting.

I will try and get up to see you next month and then we can talk matters over. Someone is trying hard to get me a job up in the Catskills, but I have some doubt of their succeeding.

But if nothing unforeseen occurs, the indications are that you and I may still take that overland trip. George Beck was last heard from out in Missouri, so he is well on his way to Alaska. He promised to write to me as soon as he conveniently could.

I see your folks nearly every day. There have been no social gathers since Jan. 1st, but there is to be an oyster supper at I.M. Bradleys on February 5th.

Trusting to hear from you soon. I am as ever your sincere friend,
Chas. C.R. Metzger

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February 1891

by Louise Smith Posted on February 8, 2015
Centenary Collegiate Institute on an 1891 envelope.

In October 1890, Mort Austin was accepted to Centenary Collegiate Institute in Hackettstown, New Jersey. Grandpa Mort attended the Institute for about a year, until ill health prevented him from returning.

In February he sent his brother Lon a letter.

Mort Austin, Hackettstown, N.J., to Lon Austin, Eldred
February 8, 1891
My dear Brother Lon,
I have been staying with a friend this week that is rooming on the second floor. So I will not have to sweep my room this Saturday.

I find that to accomplish our aims in life we must stick to it, although the way may be rough and dark, “Let us be sure we are right, and then go ahead.”

I am glad you are going to join the Methodist Church…

I think Walter [Styles] is very reasonable in his charge for the house. I suppose he will let you have a garden and the use of the lake…

I wish you would tell Father I have not forgotten him, but will try and write him a few lines.

Give my love to Brother Boyd. Is he going to do anything?

Mort

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Welland Hall, February 1887

by Louise Smith Posted on February 7, 2015
West Fifth Street, Oswego, New York. Photo from album of Aida Austin.
Snow in Oswego in Aida Austin Collection.
Welland Hall where Aida stayed when she went to college at Oswego, New York. Welland was a girl’s dormitory from 1867 to 1918. Aida Austin Collection.

Edward Austin Sheldon, A.M., Ph.D, Oswego Normal School, Principal from 1861 to 1897. Dr. Sheldon was possibly a distant Austin cousin of Aida.
Aida Austin, Oswego, N.Y., to Lon Austin, Brooklyn, N.Y.
February 12, 1887
Dear Brother,
I was to church this morning, but I am going to stay in my own room tonight and write letters, for it is not likely that I will have much spare time during the week.

I arrived here safe and sound yesterday morning; came right to the Welland and then went to the school building with Lucy for my books and classification; but there were such a number of students that I was not able to procure either my classification or books until afternoon.

Mr. Poucher was here yesterday afternoon collecting, and I paid him $38 instead of $40 as I intended, because I did not have quite enough change left to get my notebooks.

Mr. Poucher booked me for 29, my old room. I’m real glad for I like it better than any other room in the house. I thought Mr. Poucher must have forgotten to keep me a room when I was registering yesterday afternoon.

“Why Aida, Do you think I would forget you?” Then he told me I could have 29. Now isn’t that just splendid? It is on the fourth floor and my board will be $73 this term instead of $76.

Everything looks natural and there are a number of the old girls here yet, so I have not been very lonesome or homesick. The teachers all seem to remember me and are very pleasant and kind.

Don’t forget to write soon. Your loving sister, Aida Continue reading →

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February 1885

by Louise Smith Posted on February 5, 2015
State Normal School, Oswego, NY (1879–1913) where Aida Austin went to college.
Moonlight on Lake Ontario, Oswego. Postcard in the Austin Collection.

Aida Austin, Oswego, N.Y., to W.H. (Henry) Austin, Eldred
February 26, 1885
Dear Father,
I have received the money from Eldred (her brother).

Your kind and welcome letter was received some time ago, but I have not had time to answer it before, being kept so very busy with my lessons which are much harder this term than last.

We are not going to have finals this term, so it will all depend upon our class work and our impromptus whether we pass from our subjects or not.

I am getting along pretty well so far, but begin to feel rather tired, and shall not be sorry to see the first of June.

I had a letter from Lon a few days ago. He tells me that he thinks the trouble between Mr. Perine and the Church will end in a law suit. It seems strange they will act so foolish. I should think that by this time, they could see it would be better to leave him alone.

How is mother? Does she keep well this winter? I would write you more about the school and my work, but my head is aching quite badly and I am very tired and sleepy.

With love to all, I remain your loving daughter, Aida

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February 1882

by Louise Smith Posted on February 3, 2015

Katie, Beaver Brook, N.Y., to Mary
February 7, 1882
Dear Mary,

There was a terrible accident happened today. The train was wrecked and only two cars saved. So I suppose the mail train was destroyed and just to think neither one nor Mary can hear from our beaux…

Write soon, Katie

Mary Ann Austin, Eldred, to Lon Austin, Out West
February 14, 1882
My Dear Son,
I began to be afraid you had gone on to Alaska, or that you was sick or dead until Aida received your letter. She said we might look for you anytime.

Why don’t you come home? What can keep you? Can’t you get your pay, get enough to get home on some way. There is plenty of work here this winter. Come and see.

Your Father said to tell you that if you wanted to see me alive, you better come home. I guess by that he wants to see you and oh, I want to see you more than words can express.

Aida is going to school yet, but I won’t tell my news hoping that you may hear all by word of mouth.

Don’t forget your loving Mother, M.A.

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February 1881

by Louise Smith Posted on February 2, 2015
Aida Austin a few years before she wrote her 1881 Diary. Photo courtesy of Katherine T.

Aida A. Austin kept a diary in 1881, the year she turned 20 in November. She lived in New York City with or near her Eldred-Austin relatives during the winter months. In the summer, Aida and her New York City cousins travelled some 100 miles to the village of Eldred, New York, and stayed with Aida’s parents, Henry and Mary Ann Eldred Austin.

In January there were plumbing problems in New York City.

Some February excerpts
N.Y.C., Tues., February 1, 1881
It has snowed all day so we did not go to the Park. I had a letter from mother today. She cannot come down. I have commenced studying again.

Title page of Aida Austin’s 1881 Diary.

N.Y.C., Wed., February 2, 1881
It has been fearful cold today; went to the Park.

N.Y.C., Thurs., February 3, 1881
It has not been quite so cold today. Ida frosted her big toe yesterday. Maria was here this afternoon. She is going to stay with Mary. They are going to give her 12 dollars a month.

N.Y.C., Thurs., Feb. 10, 1881
I have a very bad cold and feel terrible.

N.Y.C., Friday, February 11, 1881
…My teeth commenced aching…and I went to the dentist and had two out. I took the gas and I had to go to bed I felt so bad.

N.Y.C., Sat., February 12, 1881
My cold is worse…

N.Y.C., Mon., February 14, 1881
My cold is so bad I can hardly see. Continue reading →

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