Vtg 1888 PA Letter Insane Asylum Drowning Macabre Gossip Eau Claire Clarion Co For Sale

This listing features a highly detailed, gossipy four-page original handwritten 19th-century letter and its matching postmarked embossed envelope. Dated January 23, 1888, the letter was written by a woman in Farmington, Pennsylvania, and sent to Miss Jennie Kiser in West Freedom, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

POINTS OF INTEREST AND HISTORICAL VALUE

Macabre and Dark Ephemera Content: This letter crosses into the highly collectible dark ephemera category due to its casual but intense discussion of local tragedies. The writer notes in a postscript: "oh yes did you know that Jerry Helo was in the insane asylum again if not I'll tell you some time again." Additionally, she discusses a recent drowning in moroffer detail: "I hadnt heard that Wilis Black was dead until you told me nor about John Bell he must have been fishing for suckers or how did he get drowned did they find his body or is he in the river yet."

19th-Century Social History and Morality: The text offers excellent insight into rural Pennsylvania life in the 1880s, including sleigh rides to Emlenton, baking wedding cakes, hiring dressmakers, and strict church morals. The writer chastises the recipient, stating: "I think you have forgot that you belonged to the church or why do you allow dances where you keep house I would kick on that if I were you."

Genealogical and Regional Importance: The letter names numerous individuals from the Clarion, Butler, and Venango County regions, including Jerry Helo, Wilis Black, John Bell, Aunt Mary, Laura, Sister Lizzie, and Elwood Sloan, making it a fantastic primary source for local genealogists.

Postal History: The letter is housed in a 2-cent red George Washington embossed stamped envelope featuring a crisp circular Eau Claire, PA postmark dated January 24. The reverse bears a faint transit postmark from Emlenton, PA, dated January 24, 1888.

Farmington Pa Jan 23Dear JennieI have done nothing to day but bake and write one letter yet I have not much time left to write to you but will write as much as I can I have been looking for you down since the snow has come or I might have written sooner but as you havnt come yet I thought perhaps you was waiting for me to write first so here I am you want to come while the sleighing if you cant come to stay very long the roads are smooth enough now to slide on an Elder bush so I think you might come we are well I hope you are Elwood is digging lime at his uncle Dave Sloans he is at home

at night I hadnt heard that Wilis Black was dead until you told me nor about John Bell he must have been fishing for suckers or how did he get drowned did they find his body or is he in the river yet. has clara not wrote to you yet If I knew her add I would write to her. does Aunt Mary and Laura never say any thing about me how under the sun do you suppose Sil ever got away out there that girl will be around the world yet before any of the rest of us get out of the state. well Emmie I spent my Christmas at home most of it I was down to dads a little whill and I had the cold so bad I couldnt go to the oyster supper. I think you have forgot that you belonged to the church or why do you allow dances where you keep house I would kick on that if I were you. who was so

kind as to get you such a nice muffler or do they grow on elder bushes too they dont here if they do up there I would like to there long enough to get one for they are very fashionable here & I have none. you dont need to be afraid to bring your country jake of a fellow down here if he is homely for un less he is crosseyed and lopeared there are town pops around here as homely as he can be. yes you mind woods Sister Lizzie dont you her & that fellow I told you was going with her are going to put their things together the first of feb and oh boo hoo they say I have to bake the cake She is young yet but she thinks she must have Grub or starve I was with her to Emlenton before Christmas to help her choose her out fit she has her dress made

and by a dressmaker and it dont fit near as well as one I made her nor she says she dont like it as well. I must close now for it will soon be dark and I have to get in water and coal and wood will be home soo for super so write soon if you cant come I am anxious to see you come it would just be a nice drive for you And there is big meeting at the grant farm you and I might go down ther if you come in a sleigh Bye Bye from your Sister

oh yes did you know that Jerry Helo was in the insane asylum again if not I'll tell you some time again