Mary Beed Clark Letters

Gage, Okla. May 2, 1906

Dear little Elwin and Paul,

        I expect you wonder how we like it here. Well it looks strange here at first with no trees and the small houses, as we have been in town and city so much of late, but we enjoy it more and more.

        Grandpa and Uncle Will went to Woodward 26 miles from here and when they got back grandpa said he saw nothing so nice while gone. The second day we were here grandpa said as we stood outside, this is nice, isn't it. We are on high ground and the country looks beautiful on all directions. The beautiful green wheat, Buffalo grass in it's old state looks like ripe grain, and the plowed land makes it look like patch work. We can see off twelve or 15 miles. Sabbath we took a walk to west end of the farm and they say we can look over into Texas. The Texas line is 19 miles off but they say we can see 26 miles. The dark ridge they say is timber in Texas.

        We do not miss the trees things look so beautiful. The sun may be hot but as soon as you step into the shade you feel cool. As soon as the sun sets it is cool.

        Things are quite backward here, no garden truck up yet. I was at a neighbors yesterday, they have potatoes up and they have a few peach trees, and peaches as large as the end of my little finger. We washed this morning and aunt Annie put her clothes line from the corner of the house to the wagon. The jack rabbits walk fast two steps, then jump and they look funny as they skip across the fields. The kitties catch lots of squirrels and some rabbits so they have plenty to eat.

        We had a nice time visiting all the folks, but it almost seems like a dream.

        Well I think you would like to see things here and run over the country, but you might get lost as there are few fences. People fence their pastures and I guess that is the most.

        We see lots of houses from here. You would try to count them, I expect. A few have some trees around them, mostly peach, cottonwood and locust trees, not very large yet.

        Folks burn lots of cow chips. There is plenty of it as there used to be so many cattle, and it was all the folks had to burn here at first as so many could hardly afford to buy coal. It makes a nice fire with a little coal. Mrs Augden has 175 chickens and has 30 hens setting yet. She raised 300 last year and want to raise 500 this year. The mail box is near their house and we will mail this if I can get it finished as we will take a walk this eve. I want to help auntie finish her calico dress by making some button holes for her. Will enclosed a piece and pick a few flowers on the way down to Mrs Augdens.

        Grandpa helped auntie put in what garden she had to make yet, so there is plenty to do. We do just what we want to. I will write again when I find lots to write about.

        Gladis and you have a nice time, and we would like to see you all. Kiss Gladis and each other and papa and mama for us.

        Write a letter to Ruth, she was disappointed that you did not answer the letter she wrote you.

        Love from all to all, Your loving Grandma

        The large yellow flowers is wild four-o-clocks. Will pick some other kinds on the road down.