Letter Snippets From the Family of William Pearsey Walker

These letter "snippets" were provided by Marjorie Kimble and to her by one of William Pearsey Walker's descnedants. They are part of a series of letters written between 1908 and 1919. They were originally in the possession of Marion Louise Tyhurst Shrock, who was William Pearsey Walker's granddaughter, the daughter of his daughter Rosamond. Before reading these ot their analysis, be certain to read the background notes on William Pearsey Walker's family, as it will give you insights into the nicknames the family used. These snippets came without any paragraph differentiation, but I have added that in order to clarify what I believe are separate thoughts which otherwise sometimes seem to run together. The original transcriber did not copy these letters word for word but summarized their thoughts into her own words, so these snippets are more of a narrative. "Dad" and "Grandpa" are both William Pearsey Walker.

Letter Snippet #1

April 6, 1911 was a Thursday. There seems to be some confusion on William Pearsey's part, even, going through the letters as to whether or not his birth was May 6 or June 6, 1841, and this letter says he will be "70 years old this month;" at the earliest it would be the next month.

April 6, 1911

W. P. in Novelty [Missouri] to Bun at Des Moines, Iowa

Grandpa (W. P.) says a very cold spring.

Ed started for Colorado last Monday. Susie (Rose) got a card from him yesterday. He was at Riverton, Nebraska visiting Ernest Packwood.

Sim Swan, Mr. McCoy and Mrs. Strickler died and Lee Wilson and Roy McConnell are very low (consumption).

Susie (Rose) got a card from Jake. He had got done his contract and would work for someone else.

It was Rolla Kinney that bought George's shop. He was married two weeks ago to Carl Hunte's (Hunter??) sister.

I am glad you like your place and are saving some money.

Dad (W. P.) was elected Mayor for another year. One note against him was McCarty.

Brownie Richardson has moved back here.

Sim Swan died of diabetes. Funeral reached from Swan's house to the cemetery.

Dad (W. P.) will be 70 years old this date month. (on May 6, 1911 [see above])

Letter Snippet #2

This letter was written in the month of July, 1914. William Pearsey had evidently passed the winter of 1913-14 in Florida, and now was back home in Novelty, Missouri. The man named Henry who was mentioned at the end of this letter would seem to be Alice Walker Gregory's husband, Henry Gregory, although he was blind which makes the comment seem as though it might be someone else. Ed is W. P. Walker's son, Bun's brother.

July, 1914

Dad (W. P.) in Novelty to Bun (Bernice) in Des Moines

His [William Pearsey Walker's] letters to her [Bun] in Lincoln were returned. Then he went from St. Cloud to Kissimmee [both in Florida], and might have missed her letter there.

All he knows of Ed's wife is he married her in St. Joe, Missouri. Henry said she's a very nice appearing woman.

Letter Snippet #3

August 1917, Ed had moved to Colorado where he had taught school in Akron (Colorado). He also lived in Brush, and had a claim later (for land?) in Penebly, Colorado. However in August 1917 he was apparently in the army as he was a soldier during World War I.

August, 1917

Probably from Ed to Bun.

Ed was in Brush, Colorado and seemed very ill. His writing is almost illegible. He had written to everyone and wanted to ask Bun to write to Rose as he was very tired.

Letter Snippet #4

World War I is in progress for the United States. Ed is in the service.

June, 1918

Dad (W. P.) in Hurdlan [Missouri] to Bun [Bernice] in Council Bluffs

Dad (W. P.) to Novelty for Decoration Day. Ten of the last members of the [G. A. R.] Post were there. There are 16 altogether.

There was a fire in the G. A. R. Hall [in Novelty, Missouri] and they lost everything except the books that had been taken home. The first blistered the paint on Dad's house and broke in the Richardson's Building.

Ed is in Camp Kearney, Linda Vista, California. E. A. Walker Truck Company #4 Supply Train.

Jake was working on his last tiling job and he was going to try to get a job in a a shipyard. He was rejected in the navy because of his eyes.

Next:

A Note Listing Names in the Family of W. P. Walker

Index:

The Walkers - Paperwork

Helpful notes - the Previous Page in this Section:

The Movements of the Family of William Pearsey Walker

Related information:

William Pearsey Walker

William Pearsey Walker's Obituary

Laurine (Piler) [Walker] Buckner

Rosamond [Walker] Tyhurst

Anna Mae (May) [Walker] DeLong

Alice [Walker] Gregory

Rosamond [Walker] Tyhurst

Bernice (Bun, Bunnie) [Walker] Westburg

Edward A. Walker

Charles Jacob (Japie, Jake, J. P.) Walker

Mary [Anderson] Walker