Coons Family
Submitted by Lillian
Letter to J. S. Coons
from his daughter, Addie Neldon at Norman,
Oklahoma
Norman, Okla., January 24, 1909
Dear Ones at Home:
Well dear ones I am going to begin my letter back to the night you left us in Mo. After the liveryman left you at the Central Hotel he phoned to me that you were all right and told me where he left you so of course we know you were in good hands and now right here let me say that the livery bill was settled by us before you went away and owe us nothing and don't you ever think of it again. Well we packed our goods and Hazel and I left on the following Saturday afternoon. It was very could when we left and we suffered getting to Richland and O so tired and by the way I have not got rested yet. George was ready to leave in the car. We brought Wild Fire with us and are keeping her in the livery barn. We, that is Hazel and I went as far as Springfield and there laid over for the fast train and then when it came we got as far as Claremore at 3:00 a.m. and there, we stayed on the track until daylight ,the train could not cross the Verdigris river as the track was several feet under water, well the orders came to back up some 50 miles and then we went by the way of Muskogee and Okamulgee and Sapulpa to Tulsa, that took us until 11 p.m. Sunday night so we stayed in Tulsa until Tuesday about 2:00 p.m. that being the first train to go to Oklahoma City we were too late to catch the 8:00 p.m. train that we should have got so we had to wait until1:00 o'clock a.m. and Hazel was so sick that I left her in the depot and I took a look around for something to eat. I found a nice place close to the depot and by depositing for the dishes I took Hazel some soup which she ate, and then went and had my own supper. Hazel was just dead for sleep and sick too. Well the train finally arrived and we got to Norman about 1:40 a.m. Wednesday when we should have got there at 12:39 Sunday and all the time on the road. I got to be quite an expert at jumping off and getting sandwiches with the rest of the passengers. Well after arriving at Norman we got into the bus that was hollowing that this was to the way to the Agnes Hotel ( a line is missing) 9 p.m. 6 days in a week but we would not let her do it. The manager just begged George to let her, but he could not see it that way. I have had a cough and cold ever since we have been here, I am taking glycerin and whiskey now, but with it all I have gained 10 pounds I only weigh 195 now too, what do you think of that. Now papa don't feel bad because I have not written as I have been going around like a chicken with its head off ever since our arrival here, maybe I'll get tamed down after while. We received your beautiful cards for Christmas and thank you very much for them, they brought such beautiful thoughts with them. Always remember we love you all dearly and so long to see you all Give our love to Arthur and family, Edith and husband and a whole bushel for you and the dear ones at home. Write soon.
Your loving daughter
Addie Coons Neldon.
Here is the article just under this letter, not related to our family. I found it amusing. I have spelled it as written in paper.
It seemed to J. A. Stone, a civil war veteran, of Kemp, Texas, that a plot existed between a desperate lung trouble and the grave to cause his death."I contracted a stubborn cold," he writes, " that developed a cough that stuck to me, in spite of all remedies, for years. My weight ran down to 130 pounds. Then I began to use Dr. King's new discouvery, which restered my health completely. I now weigh 178 pounds." For sever colds, obstinate coughs, hemorrhages, asthma, and to prevent pneumonia it's unrivaled. 50c and $1. Trial bottle free. Guaranteed by W. Albert Dukes.
Here is the letter to Emma Coons from her son that is not mentioned in the article you sent to me. His name was John William Coons and his son is still living in New Jersey. He is in his mid 80's and knew nothing past Jacob Smith Coons. I met him once when I was 6 years old.
Now this letter had St. Joseph, Champaign Co. at the top of it.
Mother's Day Letter
Written to Mrs. J. S. Coons by her son, J. Wm. Coons, From Camp Upton, New York.
Dear Mother,
I have been planning to write to you for the last several days so will get busy this evening. Due to the fact, it is Mother's day in America. I cannot let this opportunity slip by when I think how the Mother's of America and the world have suffered in the last few years. I cannot write this letter without a certain sadness in my heart and still I am happy that our family got thru so far O.K. for I know when all were asleep, that many nights you have lain awake and pondered over what would be our fate, but thank God, we are safe and I know and can remember when I was a little fellow how you watched over us. You gave us that tender mother care, that adds so much to bring rest to the little one when you, yourself were so tired and weary, no one could compare with it, it was the spirit of that wonderful mother love. It so reminds me of that beautiful verse.
Hast thou sounded the depths of yonder sea.
And counted the sands that under it be.
Has thou counted the stars in heaven above.
Then mayest thou think of a mother's love.
So Dear Mother, moved by an inspired thought I am sending you this letter, a token of love and to tell you, dear mother, I haven't forgotten you, and there isn't a day passes but what I think of you, and always there is something comes up that causes me to think I haven't treated you tenderly enough, or some time I might have slighted you, but it wasn't intentional, dear mother. Your dear old face and bent form shall ever linger in my memory and each thought and each memory shall be hallowed with tenderest thought and reverence, so darling mother of mine, please accept loving thoughts and greeting from your boy who loves you dearly, and thinks of you tenderly and I only wish I could return the love and care you gave me in the 34 years I have lived and with this spirit, dear old mother of mine, I pen these few lines on the close of this Sabbath day with a fervent prayer to God, that from your example, I will be a better man and that God will guide and direct my every step, to help me to serve Him, and my country, better in the years to come.
This, dear mother, is my message to you at the close of this Mother's day, May,11, 1919 .
I hope these few lines will find all at home well. Give my love to pa and tell him I often think of him. Give my regards to all at home.
Margaret and I are well , we both send our love, write when you can.
Your loving son,
J. WM. Coons.
Q. M. Sergt.. Q. M. C. Sr. Grade.
Chief Instructor. U. S. A.