Does anyone know:
• If the Orchard Terrace in the following 1949 ad was the Abel Myers’ Orchard Terrace which was the Eldred School from approximately 1926 to 1942?
• Who F. Stickel was?
Orchard Terrace, Eldred. Beautiful location; quiet, high elevation. Modern, large rooms; private lake, bathing, boating excellent home cooked meals. $35 weekly. $6 daily Tel Barryville 2568. F. Stickel.
McKinley, France, to Jennie Austin, Eldred
August 9, 1918
Dear Mother,
I hope you will pardon me for not writing sooner. But when I had paper, I did not have time and when I had time, I could not get paper. Have you heard from Raymond lately? I have had one letter from him.
I don’t suppose there are so many city boarders up this year.
Aunt Aida sent me a couple of pictures of the children saluting. They certainly looked comical, especially Robbie. Is Willie still working at Proctor’s?
Tell Grandfather that I will write him sometime. When I get back home, we will have some time swapping war stories. Raymond will talk for a week steady when he gets back.
I am getting along well. Except in a big drive there is not much danger, so you need not worry about me. Give my love to all.
Your loving son, Mac
The S.S. Tuscania was a luxury liner named after a town in Italy. She was torpedoed February 5, 1918, by the German U-boat, UB-77 while carrying 2,013 American troops to Europe. Over 200 people were lost, mostly American troops.
—worldwar1.com
Anne Rassine, Astoria, Ore., to McKinley Austin
February 8, 1918
Dear Friend,
I’m staying in Astoria now till the end of this month. Astoria is a large city and besides it is a seaport city. This city is on a hill and of course part of it is built on Columbia River. Columbia River is about six miles wide at the part right opposite Astoria.
The men all have come to work in Astoria at the ship yards. Astoria has three large ship yards. And each one has three large ships under construction at present. My father is coming to work at the shipyards also, next Monday.
Well, how are you making it out there? When will you have to go to France? We have had great discussions about that ship, Tuscania that was torpedoed now lately. I hope to goodness that such a fate will never be yours as it was for those who perished in that disaster. Continue reading
Jewell Hamilton, Vandervoort, Ark., to McKinley Austin
January 8, 1918
Kind friend,
Saw your address in “Lone Scout,” and thought I would write. Hope this will find you ok.
How do you like the army? I have several friends who have gone to the army. Oh it is so lonesome and makes me sad to see them go. There is a boy in the camp you are in that lived here. I was writing to a boy in Texas. He left for France. I haven’t heard from him since.
My brother takes “Lone Scout” of which he is a member. I saw your address and thought I would write to pass the time.
Arkansas is awfully rough and dry. We haven’t had a good rain since about August. There are lots of measles around here. I had them last June.
A friend, Miss Jewell Hamilton
Ila White, Duraham, Okla., to McKinley Austin
January 7, 1918
Soldier Boy,
After seeing your name in the “Lone Scout” which your brother sent in, I thought I would write to you. Many of our brothers and friends are called away to protect our flag. I haven’t any brother in the army, but two cousins.
We are doing our bit for our country. Some of us who are several miles from a camp, haven’t any idea of what our country is doing to protect herself and it is our duty to do everything we can to win the war.
Almost every person, even children have joined the Red Cross. I think there is nothing nicer than our Red Cross organization. The older ones make the hospital garments and we younger ones hem the pillow cases and knit.
As my letter is getting long, I will describe myself and close. I am five feet four inches tall, have light hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. Age 17 years, weigh 124 pounds.
Would like to hear from you, Ila White
The women of our local Red Cross are working most industriously for it as will be seen by the following report of the shipments this week:
Box 19, monthly allotment of 25 hot water bottle covers, value $5. Box 20, 60 sweaters, 20 mufflers, 15 helmets, 115 pairs wristlets, and 80 pairs socks all hand knitted, value $490. The 80 pairs of socks alone show how busy the women are. The numerous auxiliaries are doing their share of this.
The Eldred Auxiliary has just raised $100 from a supper and contribution besides increasing their membership and sewing and knitting steadily. They have a subscription for the Red Cross Magazine for their Sunshine Hall Free Library.—Republican Watchman, Monticello, N.Y.
Lone Scouting was started in 1915 by William D. Boyce who had started the Boy Scouts of America in 1910. Lone Scouts gave rural boys a chance to participate in Scouting.
Lone Scout Magazine Letters
Sometime in December 1917, Raymond Austin sent his brother Mac Austin’s Chattanooga, Tennessee address to the Lone Scout Magazine, asking Lone Scout readers to write to Mac.
Girls from rural areas across the United States saw Mac’s address in the Lone Scout magazine (often their brother’s) and wrote to him. The girls described their looks and their daily lives in the cold winter of 1918.
They wrote about school, which was often 6 days a week. Basketball was played by both boys and girls. Some families had cars. Kodak cameras were popular. Besides winter sports, movies were popular and the young ladies often liked to go dancing. Many of the girls helped out the Red Cross in some way.
Nearly all of the girls insisted on a photo of Mac. However, the gals often did not have a photo of themselves, but would promise to send him a photo when the lighting was better or the film was developed. They always seemed to have some excuse.
The letters from these young ladies were from January and February 1918.
I am currently working on the second time through the World War II years and found this recipe of my grandma Myrtie Briggs. I know that sugar was rationed, so I wouldn’t think this cake could be made too often.
Canadian War Cake or Butterless, Eggless, Milkless Cake
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups hot water
4 tablespoons lard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves or nutmeg
1 cup raisins
1. Boil together for five minutes after they begin to bubble.
2. When cold add 3 cups flour and 2 teaspoons of soda dissolved in 1 teaspoon hot water.
3. Line pans with oil paper.
4. Bake in two loaves in a slow oven for 1-1/4 hours.
Once again I could use some ID help with the following folks who were listed in the 1940 Census as having a boarding house. Thank you.
Karl Angerstein, 59, widower owned a boarding house.
Gus and Frieda Dasener ran a boarding house on Minisink Ford-Barryville Road.
Mimie Rupp, 63, widowed, ran a boarding house also on Minisink Ford-Barryville Road.
Walter and Barbara Kramer, also on on Minisink Ford-Barryville Road.
Bertha Sullivan, summer and hunting season lodgers.
Ceclia Sullivan was one of the Eldred teachers who boarded at Alfred and Bessie Hill’s place. One year at sugaring time, Alfred, Bessie, their children Billy Lass and Joan Hill, and Art Austin went to Cecelia’s home. They feasted on maple syrup drizzled over snow.
