Mary Beed Clark Letters

Gage, Okla, May 12, 1906

Dear Charlie & Myrtie,

        We were glad to receive your letter of May 6. Our letters take longer to reach each other now.

        The past two days and nights we have been having our experience of Okla wind and still blows, but I guess folks get used to it as Annie went to Shattuck to SS and Meeting today and thought little of it. Ruth said she like to be out in it.

        Thursday after dinner we went to Gage and around by where they lived last winter. Brought their cow and calf home, making 21 miles. I was surprised to see so many peach trees out. Many places looked quite homelike, but a variety of housing. A few dugouts, sod houses and small frame. Very few 2 story houses.

        It looked strange at Gage to see small 1 story houses, indeed not a half dozen 2 story. There were indications of lots of business though.

        One cannot expect many large houses at the price of lumber $39.00 per thousand. This being a Territory yet, they take advantage of sales. Kerosene is 25 cents per gal. It seems a shame to take advantage of people. The merchants are not to blame I expect. The people hope it may soon become a State. Some go to the Texas line to ship and save themselves something .

        Will's paper states there are 30,000,000 peach trees out in this state, 20,000,000 berry. The trees are bushy but low. A state where a greater variety of fruit can be grown. One wonders at the tiny wild plum trees & grape vines bearing any thing. We saw grapes vines about 2 ft high-fully covered with blossoms. One near the creek was climbing a tree and was as large as any. Strange how they adapt themselves to circumstances.

        Will says the Territory has made great provisions for schools. Every township has 4 school sections. These are leased and the proceeds of this goes to the State University and the other 2 to public schools. One section we passed, a man pays $3,000.00 lease for 3 years and then if he should want to buy it he will have the preprice. He was nicely fixed in buildings. He used to be a lumber dealer so probably has the advantage in some way.

        It is still quite backward here, but flowers are beginning to bloom more. The Lupine are nice as one sees in any garden, also the Yucca or soap plant. Ruth brought in a wild verbena this morning. Just like a verbena only smaller.

        There is so much one can write, so I will get in a little at a time. I wrote my last in regard to crops, which I think answered your questions. Annie is getting some dewing done. Got a suit fixed for Ruth to wear. Skirt, Lelora sent her and a waist the use to be Annie's that I have saved just fitted, so it looked quite nice for her. I think it will take the gingham waist you gave me that was a little small, it will do nicely for her.

        This is a terrible place to wear shoes. The buffalo or native grass seems so sharp and there is plenty of walking to be done.

        We hope to put in our time and help them out some that way. Pa has started a little cellar so Annie can put some things down. I can dig it larger as the time permits. This ground does not cave any.

        Oh yes, the roads are solid and smooth as a floor, but found some sandy. Will says they can go 21 different ways to Gage.

        Sunday aft.--Annie is pleased with the little cellar or hole. It will help her some. Can keep her butter and perhaps milk and cream. Pa got the door up this morning.

        It is dry here yet, but wind sound more like rain. It is quite warm this afternoon. Wind still blows some. Wills cotton is coming up. Annie says the garden is all coming up. Some beans and potatoes self sown. Potatoes were good that happened to be left in the ground so may have a few earlier.

        Henry Beed's wife gave me an indelible pencil which I like to write with, but cannot erase if I make a mistake.

        Have to go half a mile or more for water. Get 2 barrels at a time, but have to water the stock. Lasts about a day and be as stingy with it as we dare be. But we get alone nicely.

        They soak the peanuts in kerosene before planting to prevent squirrels taking them. I hope they will do well as they enjoy them so well.

        I hope you are all well, and doing well. Hope you will not work too hard Charlie & Myrtie.

        I saw by the paper they had 8 inches of snow in central Wis. It has been so cold here I hardly thought we had it all.

        Annie seems to adapt herself to her surroundings well and seems to enjoy herself. Hope to add a little to her comfort while we are here. She has no good place for her hens and chickens. I hope we can make a sod house or something to help her out. But we see plenty to do and will do our best.

        Uncle James said in my next, to let them know when we would be back to Hampton. Can tell little about our plans as we don't know what we may do. Uncle John and Aunt Celma went north the fore part of May, but don't know how they are or whether they sold. Will know their plans later perhaps. I would like to spend one more winter there if they keep their orange grove and we could be of any help to them.

        As we stand at NE corner of the house can see some of the houses in Gage. They appear to be just over the bow of the hill, not more than three miles and it is 9 miles.

        A place that we went yesterday, the folds found a coyotes' den and dug our 10 babys and had them at home alive. All were quiet, but one, that would growl and snap like a dog. They were small so quite young. A neighbor near here dug out 5.

        Pa fixed up on each side of the cellar door with stone, and clay moistened for plaster which did nicely. Annie seems pleased and thankful for her little cellar. I said if it were only as large again, O she said "I am thankful for this" We would think it a small affair north. It can be dug out more any time. I told her I thought if the soil were taken away down to the clay it would make a nice shelf to set things on.

        O yes I must tell the little boys that the coyotes gather the wild gourds which are sound as a ball, for their babys to play with. Ruth just brought 2 she took out of a den. The dens are in the rocks. The outside of the gourds are scratched where the babys have scratched in playing with them. These gourds are just what I have seen among the cultivated ones. Some differ. The handle and half is yellow and the bottom half a bright green. These are small too.

        They are doing their best for Ruth. She studies some each day. She is always ready for her books. She has a play house in a corner by the horse barn or sod house. She had all the old tins and broken dishes but keep them in order. When we came home, the day we went to Gage, about 9:30 in eve, she had the house in perfect order so I think she will be a good housekeeper. She tries to make the best of what she has. There is much I could write but must close or I shall tire you.

        Annie is hoeing in the garden, Will preparing the ground for corn. Annie likes to work in the garden. There is lots in it, it faces well. Ruth and Annie handle the horses pretty well.

        I hope you are all well. I would be glad to look in on you but am contented where we are at the present. The flowers are not all in bloom yet. It will be beautiful after a little. Annie and I rambled a while before getting dinner and saw many plants that will be beautiful after a little. I think I shall wish many times I could hand you a bouquet. Much love to all from all, kisses for the children and an extra hug for Gladis.

        Thursday morning-Had a nice little rain before dark yesterday. A terrible black cloud came out of the north and mostly passed to the west, but we got quite a little. Cloudy this morning. All at work out doors. Good bye.