Elizabeth Marshall Long Raymond, Kansas - February 9, 1904
 
Raymond, Kan Feb. 9 1904 Miss Wynona A. Elliott Prairie Grove farm Sedalia Mo. My Dear Cousin I will try once more to answer your ever welcome letter rec’d some time ago. this leaves us not very well. have such colds. the children are pretty nearly sick. Mildred has been exposed to chickenpox and her time is most up to take them. we are having a tiny bit of snow this morning. have had a nice winter so far. with scarcely any snow. Wheat is beginning to need moisture. We were sorry indeed to hear of Uncle Georges Death. But Life is uncertain and Death is sure. And we must so prepare ourselve when the summons says “come,” to be ready and waiting. There is an Evangelist hold a revival at Chase, and he is fine, he has a singer with him and the Singin is grand. We have gone several nights. It is five miles - and it is most to cold to take our little ones. I had a letter from Mother Lately - says Dr. says Pa will not walk for 4 or 5 years and perhaps never. It makes me feel very badly. I so much wish they could go up and make you a visit, and as many of the family as can meet together, for it won’t be long until that family circle will be broken, for they are all getting old. Mother isn’t well either has kidney trouble so badly. I always send your letters home so Pa can read them, They enjoy hearing from you. I was sorry you did not go to see them last summer when you were so near them. you did not tell me who went with you. I got Brother Orths Picture yesterday and it is nice he is a fine looking young man. He is in Colorado with Anna. We are going to have our little ones pictures soon as the weather gets so we can take them. It is ten miles from here to Lyons. Our little Mildred is sweet. She has three teeth and can scoot all around on the floor. And Cousin Emma has two Boys? you did not say how old he was. Cousin Bettie is not the only one that is big and fat I am too. I haven’t weighed this winter, but expect I would weigh about 160. You ask wehre we live we live about 160 miles southeaast of Topeka a little more west than south. Rice Co. is the center co. of the state and we are nearly the center of Rice co. I wish some of the folks would come and hunt us up. We like here fine. Hows Uncle and Aunt this winter. In fact all of you? I would like so much to see you all but will have to postpone until our bank account grows al ittle. but think you might come to see us and the country. and last but not least “The Kansas bachelors.” we have several of them and some are rich too, and no so very old. Our Bachelor, Mr Reese is still making lots of money. his mother died last Oct. that was three in less than one year. his Father, a sister, and Mother. He and his old maid sister live together. They have their sisters Baby. She is one year old now, and they love her so much. If it wasn’t for Baby they would be very lonely. Oh! I could ask you so many questions, but you never could get time to answer all. is Tom Anderson still living? and hows Cousin Bobs - Nellie, Will Andersons, - and is Asa as large as he use to be? Well. I must close now please do not wait so long to answer - and write a long letter from your Cousin Elizabeth Long Raymond Kans R.F.D. 1 over Shall I put “Prairie Grove farm,” on your letter so as to distinguish who it is for, as there are so many Elliotts? Write me in your next. © Copyright 2007 - All rights reserved