1957 Letter from Hattie Daugherty Place

This is Hattie...a very special person in the history of the Daugherty family.

I wanted to share this letter sent to my aunt, Beulah Daugherty Goehring on Jan., 1, 1957. The writer was Mother's and Beulah's great aunt, Hattie (Harriet D. Daugherty Place). She lived in Wessington, SD at the time of this writing. I think we'll get some sort of idea of the daily life of our South Dakota Ancestors. Hattie died in 1959. She was born in 1863.

"Dear Alton, Beulah and Family,
Thank you for the message your lovely card brought me. I spent Christmas Day with Audrey (Laura Audrey Place Sisco), Hattie's daughter. Jack McGirr (niece Mable Daugherty McGirr's husband)came with car for me and called five PM and brought me home at 6:30. Edna Pesicka, (Hattie's other daughter...not sure why she called Edna by her last name and not Audrey), her son Don and his three boys surprised us. They went home to Dupree on Thursday.

Edna could not stay longer this time but promised to come in spring and help me clean house. It will surely need it by the, for I do not dig out as often as I should. Do all my own work, but no more than needed, through the winter months.

Johnny D. (Hattie's brother, Fred & his wife Ona Daugherty's son), returned from Germany in October. He is staying at Audrey's. I hear from Edna Veal often (the sister of Johnny). She doesn't like Germany (Edna was a nurse in the service...think that her husband Richard Veal was in the special services...no dates). Their time is up in June.

I suppose the weather there is similar to ours, colder today. Yesterday, during the middle of the day I had the north, south and east doors open nearly all afternoon and today they are closed with rugs rammed against them at the floor.

This has been an unusual quiet day. Lloyd, Helen and Susan called when I was at my breakfast. (Lloyd & Helen must be Lloyd & Helen McGirr McNeil and Susan must be Helen's sister Hazel McNeil's daughter.) Haven't seen a soul since, now 8:30 P.M.

They were on their way to Cliff's (both Helen & Hazel's brother, and Susan's brother were named Cliff - so not sure which one...the latter is probably the case ?) for dinner and were driving home from there. They did not get to her mother's (Hazel Daugherty McGirr) for Christmas. Jackie (Helen McGirr McNeil's daughter) only got the one day off (she works in a bank) so they could not come and Helen stayed home for their Christmas. Hazel (Helen's sister) did not get home either. Cliff and (? difficult to read...)and families were home. Jack is looking and feeling fine.

I am glad Douglas (Beulah's son - my first cousin) got over his sickness and is back in school. Do the children have far to go to school?

Aunt Laura (Grandma Irene Carrington Daugherty's sister - married to Grandpa Fred I. Daugherty's brother) calls frequently. They are fine. Marjory (Laura's daughter) called on me when home for Christmas. She is quite tall, thin and very sweet and pretty.

My vision improved a little. Can read my own writing now, and about half the other letters I receive. I could read yours easily. Written with black ink on white paper. Can't read printed matter.

The ladies of the Study Club gave me a lovely Bible with large print at our Christmas party in December. I have read five chapters in it, some 9 or 10 verses at a time. Can't read fast enough to get much good of it but will keep on trying bit by bit. Have every faith that in time my reading sight will return.

I still listen to my radio to pass time away. When nothing interesting on it, play solitaire. Have lots of callers which makes the days pass quickly.

Bob D, (probably Robbie Daugherty, grandpa Fred I.'s brother), calls nearly every day. Brings my mail, carries in my water, and if it ever snows will keep my walks shoveled. He has not been in for three days. Is not too well. Ate something at the cafe which didn't sit well.

I hope your Christmas and the holidays have been the best ever, and that 1957 will deal to you the best of everything and all your heart's desires. Had a nice letter from your mom (grandma Irene Carrington Daugherty), David, Kenneth (my uncles) and Helen (Mom) sent the family picture. So nice of her. When you are over this way stop and see me. With love and best wishes, Aunt Hattie."

Hattie was 94 when she wrote this...obviously living alone. This is a confusing letter as there are so many names as well as many interrelated people (3 Daugherty brothers married 3 Carrington sisters). It's easy to understand how important letters and visitors were for Hattie. That's the case with people nowdays. It's too bad that many families are so seperated by miles. The older I get the more important family has become.

You can read more about my Great Great Aunt Hattie in other posts in the Daugherty/Carrington Prairie Roots Blogsite.