Submitted L_eigh Viertel, March 19, 2004

Postmarked in Ipswich, South Dakota, January 20, 1924, 6 PM

Addressed to:  Mrs. R. H. Lent

Coalwood, Montana

Dear Emma & Kids,

Just a few lines this awful cold day to let you know we are yet all O.K. It is beastly cold here. It was 32 degrees below this morning and it is 10 degrees below now and the goes through you like a knife. I was out to Burke's and we came in yesterday. Had a dandy time. They have a big radio and we sat up until 2 O'clock to listen to it. We heard from Chicago, Ill., Forth Worth Texas, Calgary Canada, Philadelphia Penn, Los Angeles California, and 3 stations in Kansas City.  It is sure great and I am crazy about it.  We are all just fine here. Mother is fine only has a little cold. Father is as contrary ever. Ralph is doing lots better in school this year than last. I went to a basket ball game last night Ipswich played Aberdeen Normal and beat them 17 to 11. Ipswich has not lost a game this year. Lydia & Margaret, Agnes, Art & Alvin and Austen & David were all in last Tues. I was going out there to day but it is too cold and they did not want to come in so I am going to wait until itwarms up. You'll be home before long so we can talk then. Lydia is expecting the stork again in the spring. Wish it was Agnes instead of her. Agnes don't keep house like she used to. She finds out she has lots more to do now. Kind of tickles me and she gets to talking I say "Well what would you do now if youhad 2 more kids and 2 more men. Lydia looks bad and she doesn't feel very well. Well Emma I will close and get Ralph to take these to the post office so they will go and you should get them Tues.

Heaps of Love to you and kiddies

I am

Always, Gert

Did you know that No 18 the train we leave her on went into the ditch at Marmouth Thur morning Mr. Chubbuck (or Chubbirck) is not expected to live. Lots of sickness here. several new cases of diptheria and pneumonia. I am baking bread and I baked a cake and made jello to day. My bread is in the oven now. Mother can find all kinds of work for me to do. Have not been out in the country since Xmas. Mother don't want me to go anywhere. but I am going this week Della is expecting again.

Written  by: Gertrude Hudson Viertel of Edmunds County, SD to her sister-in-law Emma Hudson Lent and has been transcribed above exactly as it was written. She was born in Illinois in the year 1887 to William Ervin Hudson & Emma Alida Mack. Her family moved to Edmunds County, SD where she would later meet and marry Erwin W. Viertel in 1906.  In 1912 & 1913, Gertrude taught school in a one-room schoolhouse which was known as the Viertel School, as the land for it had been donated by her father-in-law, Oscar E. Viertel, an early homesteader and prominent area farmer who was also a member of the Liberty Township school board.  The Viertel family had originally come to Edmunds County in 1883.