Duffield/Sisson Postcards, No. 54

This next postcard from the collection of Edith (Duffield) Sisson illustrates that, in 1912, friendships endured over distance, families stuck together when times got tough, and being neighborly was the right thing to do.

BIRDS-EYE VIEW   56  ULYSSES NEB.

Postmarked Jun 3, 7 PM. The year and post office city didn't show up.

Addressed to:

Mrs Charls Cisson

Ottawa

Ill

south side 

(The Sisson's lived in South Ottawa)

Ulyses Neb

Jun 2 -12

Mrs Sisson

We are still here trying to 

sell evry thing I am so tired 

of the place Sarah is going to 

live with us she must sell 

evry thing it takes time to get 

rid of it I know you are tired 

taken care of hour home but 

we did not inteng to stay so 

long but will try and come home 

midle of next week if arangements 

can be made Love to all

From Mrs Baumgardner

Mr. & Mrs. Baumgardner lived a short distance away from Edith (Duffield) and her husband Charles Sisson in Ottawa, Illinois. The Baumgardner and the Duffield children had grown up attending the same schools. Sarah Eve Baumgardner, born in 1856, had married Charles Henry Challis in 1879 and moved to Ulysses, Nebraska. Charles was the editor and publisher of the Ulysses Dispatch until his unexpected death in May of 1912. These photos of Sarah, Charles, and their children were found in Edith's collection, and I know the families kept in touch even after Sarah moved to Nebraska. She was almost nine years older than Edith, but it seems they were friends despite the difference in age. In one of Edith's letters written in 1922, she mentions that Mrs. Challis will be coming to visit.

Sarah (Baumgardner) Challis,
Photographed in Ulysses, Nebraska,
From the collection of Edith Sisson.

Sarah's parents were about 80 years old when they traveled to Ulysses to help her settle the household after her husband's death. Edith stepped in to care for their home in Ottawa while they were gone. This note tells us that Sarah was planning to go back to Ottawa to live with her parents. She probably helped her parents a great deal until their deaths. Her mother died in 1917, followed soon after by her father in 1918. After their deaths, Sarah moved to Scotts Bluff, Nebraska to live near her daughter, Blanche, and son-in-law, Lloyd Jackson. Sarah died in 1942 in Scotts Bluff and was buried next to her husband in Ulysses.

Before Mr. Baumgardner died, he made an addition to his will. His five surviving children would inherit his estate, but he also wanted to leave $100 to Edith Sisson in appreciation for the many and valuable favors in the past years.

June 10, 1922 - Putting up tents and taking them down again

In this letter, once again on a card and in a prepaid envelope, Edy mentions enclosing the photos mentioned in the postcard. Unfortunately, the photos weren't still with the letter.
While transcribing these last few letters I keep imagining the experiences of driving and camping in those days. They were probably driving a Model T Ford. Many areas were just then getting the first paved roads. Automobile camping was a very new thing and here they were, in the middle of it. While she isn't enjoying the tedium of setting up and tearing down continually, Edy likely enjoyed the trip.

Addressed to:
Mr. G. Rayson Brown.
1468 E 67th St.,
Chicago, 
Illinois.

No return address.

Transcription:
Grand Island, Nebr.
June, 10 - 1922.

Dear Rayson:

This is a great country, all along the road the wild roses grow beautifully and also other wild flowers. We spent the night here and the wind was so strong it nearly blew us away.

I am enclosing the pictures we had taken in Columbus. They had a circus there yesterday. I think the pictures are fairly good considering.

This life is not what it is cracked up to be. We are forever putting up tents and then taking them down again. Will be glad when its over.

There was a special train went through here this morning and they had a steam calliope aboard. I was wondering if it could be they were Masons headed west.

Well dearest this isn't much of a letter but the best we can do. There isn't any news. Will write again soon.

With all my love I am as always,
Lovingly yours
Edythe.

June 10, 1922 Postcard from Columbus, Nebraska

Y.M.C.A., Columbus, Nebr.

Postmarked Jun 10 1922, Columbus, Nebr.

Addressed to:
Mr. G. Rayson Brown
1468 E. 67th St
Chicago,
Ill.

Message:
Dear Rayson:
We are here today. Had a big rain and wind storm last night and didn't sleep very well. We just had our pictures taken and I will send them to you. Hoping you are well, I am.
Yours, Edythe.