07 Apr 1916 – to California

Letter from Mrs. Kate Strong

Editor Reporter – I haven’t written a message to the Reporter since my return from California and as it threatens rain today, which is all it does for days at a time perhaps it may cheer me up to pen a few lines to relieve the monotony of gloomy chilly weather. I am just about settled after my return trip from the state of the golden west. The road from Sayre, Oklahoma, is, I know, a great deal rougher than the one Christian traveled in Bunyon’s Pilgrim’s Progress, and I must tell you an embarrassing incident it placed me in between the two places. For breakfast I had to call the porter to help me reach the dining car. I told him I did not want to lose what few brains I had (can’t read) I thought I would like a drink of water and came to the conclusion I could probably reach the drinking fountain by holding on to the seats, which I did, and started back. As you are well aware there are two seats facing each other and on the second one there was an old man fast asleep with his hat over his face. Well, what did I do but pitch forward on him with both arms outstretched, knocked his hat off on the floor. I was mighty glad I did not have my mouth full of water, as it was my chin struck on the top of his bald head. However, it scared him worse than it did me; by the look he gave me I knew he thought he was held up or in a wreck. His eyes were nearly popping out of his head. I apologized to him and told him to excuse me it was n involuntary embrace on my part but he was too amazed to utter a work in reply. I asked the conductor what was the matter with the road bed and he said the track over the panhandle was too low on the ground. To me it sounded all the time like dragging 40 scoop shovels over the track.

As this time I haven’t anything to tell on Mr. Strong will continue telling something more pleasant which occurred when I visited the soldiers’ home near Los Angeles, CA. It is a beautiful place and so handsomely kept. The day I was there a large crowd of visitors, mostly ladies, I noticed a great many of the old soldiers admiring them. Thinks I to myself I believe some of them would marry again if they had the chance. I spoke to several and asked them a great many questions, as I am always doing. One in particular seemed so well pleased to be able to answer them. Finally as I arose to bid him good bye he says to me, "Are you married?" Of course I had to tell him yes as my brother-in-law, J. Dilley was with me. After leaving he said to me, "Kate, if you ever want a man you will know where to come to get one."

By the way, I saw in the Reporter the name of Ralph Rumley for clerk, I wish if he gets the nomination J.D. could live in Decatur County long enough to vote for him. That would be something out of the ordinary, a grandfather voting for a grandson. Of course I know he would vote for him, as he is a republican, but I hope he will not forget he has some good old democratic blood in his veins too, for my father, Jacob Hiner was a staunch life-long democrat, as well as Mr. Strong’s father Stephen strong, was a strong republican, and last but not least the soldier blood on his own grandfather Louis Rumley’s side would make a good soldier of him to fight the battle of life or if called upon to serve and defend his country. As this letter is mostly a personal one I will mention I read Mrs. Belle Harvey’s most excellent letter in the April number of P.E.O. Record. Its sentiments appeal to me very much, but I wondered why she headed it with a favorite verse of Christian Science slogan, "Know the truth and it shall set you free." …

(can’t read)

… Next in order is a little bit about Blaine county’s stock sale the past month, near Watonga, 26 head of Short Horns bringing $22,000. One man from Waterloo, Iowa, bought Princess Good at $110. That is something to be proud of a grand old state like Iowa having to come to Oklahoma for …

(can’t read)

… from Indiana to cry both sales. Many came from a distance to them. Alf Deck, formerly of Decatur county, Iowa, found better stock in Blaine county than in his own (if he had the price) or I suppose he did as he came with the intention of buying. He called Mr. Strong up over the phone and asked him to come and see him at the Hotel Bristow, but he never said a word about Aunt Jane coming nor didn’t come up to see her. And old soldier for me! Mr. Sam Martin who enlisted in Iowa and lived there is inn the soldiers’ home in California. He came to J. Dilley’s while I was there to ask all about his old friends in Iowa. Mr. Dilley told Mr. Strong his mother lived with him and she often asked fi I had written anything to the paper, but this may tire her and some of the rest who read it, but well close as Fred and an Indian by the name of Sunmaker just came. I told the Indian I was glad he came. Perhaps he would bring a little sunshine if there is anything in a name, for sunshine is surely needed, even if they do call it "sunny" Oklahoma, been cloudy and cold for eight days.

KATE STRONG

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