A Grandmother's Legacy

February 1904 - Insight Into Grandma

Our next letter from John C. McClure, Quincy, Illinois, takes us back to February 16, 1904 as John writes yet another letter to Miss Constance Warwick. Constance received the letter two days later.

Before I get into the letter, though, I talked with Bud & Lovina Clark this week and they told me that John C. McClure was some relation of J. L. "Bud" Clark. Quincy, Ill.

Feb. 15, 1904 -- "Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, O.T. Dear Connie:

I received your letter the latter part of the week and won't wait as long as you did and you had better do it again. Why did you address my letter to Altona? I have written you a letter since I came back to Quincy. I have been here just one month tomorrow.

We are having cold weather here. There are four boys rooming here. Two of them have had the mumps and one had the measles. I had the measles when I was in Oklahoma.

Say. I think most anybody is good enough for Nellie Corben. I would sure like to be there at that Literary Society.

You told me who all the girls were keeping company with except the one just across the creek on the Alva road.

You wanted to know something about the bachelor school board and Blanch Gateka. Well. I am sure I cannot tell you. She is only a dream of the Golden Past. I have not heard from her for a long time. In fact, we quit writing to each other.

You tell me something about the school board. I am anxious to know about the affair.

It will take me about 4 months to finish short-hand. I think I will go to St. Louis and see the fair then. Are you going to go?

My cousin from Oklahoma was here this winter to visit us. The one that works in Shares Dry Goods Store.

I am sorry Ralph Hankins does not improve any. Give my best respects to the McKitrick girls when you see them (for me).

Well. I will close. Now do not wait an age to write. So. Bye Bye.

Your Friend
John C. Mcclure, 524 North 9th St., Quincy, Ill.

This weeks letter from John C. McClure take us back to February 22, 1904, Quincy, Illinois, postmarked May 15 and 17, 1904 by the respective postoffices of Quincy, Illinois and Alva, Oklahoma, respectively.

The 1904 letter begins:
Quincy, Il., Feb. 22, 1904,
Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, O. T.

Dear Connie, I received your ever welcome letter this A.M. I perhaps will receive the letter you sent to Altona but have not yet.

"Well! I have got the mumps. The town seems to be infected with them. I have not been out for a week, but will be out again soon. Three of the boys who room here have had them, one had the measles, and one has them now. I expect I will have to have them yet.

"I would like to have been to your leap year ball, but I am not much good at dancing. That town will be real nice, won't it. You can walk over every day and go around the square, like you used to at Alva.

"In one of your letters you reminded me about my hat. I did not consider that half as bad luck, as when I got back to town that next Sunday Eve. You said you did not meet with a single refusal at the ball, but you can say that you never sent one. The only one a certain kid ever got.

"Ikie must be getting good at finding girls. I think my chances would be slim at even finding one. I would like to be at the literary society and hear that dialogue, and also some of those debates. Bevis for instance.

"You must have a stand-in (as the saying is) over at Snyders or mebby (sic) it is the other way. You had better come here instead of going to Salina. A lady who taught at the east school (Mrs. Adams) is here attending school, attending the G. C. B. C. How do they charge at Salina? There is a girl from home going to school.

"Say! You never told me about that Bachelor School Board and Miss Gateka. I want to know about it. I do not write to her. How did you find out I was writing to her. It was no secret at all, I think that is what made her mad. She did not treat me right about one thing any way. Did you see her during the holiday vacation at xmas?

"Yesterday was my birthday. I was 20. When is your birthday and how old will you be. You will have to take an extra sheet of paper to answer these questions on.

"Those pictures were no count, so I am going to try it alone next time. He would not finish them.

"Say! Connie, somebody swiped that picture that you gave me. I think it was one of the boys, who stayed here last winter. Tell me in next letter, if I had better ask for another, if I would get one if I did. Don't forget. I will close. Write soon.

Your Friend,
J. C. McClure,
524 North 9th
St., Quincy.

This weeks letter from John takes us back to February 22, 1904. John C. McClure is attending college at Gem City Business College, in Quincy, Illinois.

Grandma is still single and residing and getting mail at postoffice box 133, in Alva, O. T.

The letter starts out:
"Quincy, Ill, Sunday -
Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, O.T. -
Dear Friend Connie.

"I received your letter, which of course was glad to receive. it is a fine day here. Nice and warm. But I am horribly lonesome. There was a Big Excursion to Hanibal, Mo. today. They would not leave all the people on the boat that wanted to go. I suppose that Beer and Dancing will be the order of the day. Yes. I suppose Nellie would dearly love to have me come to Oklahoma and suppose I would a more cordial welcome from her than anybody else.

"Was sorry to hear that Mabel Ayersman had left for California as I would like to see the dear little girl. So Blanche is not married yet. Mebby (sic) there is some chance for me yet. (ha ha).

"Say! Connie are you going to Worlds Fair?

"You wanted me to tell you more about a boat. Well a boat is pointed at both ends. Is about 4 foot across the top in the center of the boat and there is room for two to sit in the center of the boat, and at the ends only room enough for one. I would rather set in the middle, wouldn't you.

"Today would be a fine day to boat. I have not been boat riding yet. I am in the 90 word class now, have two more classes yet to make. Students are leaving fast. You tell Essie that I would not advise her to fall in love with Ralph, that is before I get back to Oklahoma. Tell Ralph he had better becareful who he is talking to.

"Well! I am going to quit and send this in hopes it will pass for an answer to yours.
Yours true - Don't wait so long.
John McClure, 435 North 7th Street."