A LETTER FROM "THIS WEEK" 90 YEARS AGO (The First Letter)

With support on this idea from friends of my book's Wisconsin Krueger Family Tragedy facebook page I have decided to transcribe a letter written by Caroline Krueger from "this week" 90 years ago.  

I will not alter the text unless necessary to make the words understandable.  Caroline, (those of you who have read my book will know), did not have the best grammar.  Ha, neither do I!  Caroline did speak with feeling and conviction, and "told it like it was".  

At present, my goal is to transcribe two letters a month, from the corresponding month, for one year.  The letters transcribed will not necessarily be letters found in my book.  I'll try to choose those that have historical interest.

Let this be a look back into rural Wisconsin in 1923, a small history lesson, a little spotlight into the past.  Maybe we can learn something from it all...  Maybe not.

But remember... this is real, not a novel, not fiction, an actual person's pen in hand.  Treat Caroline's words and thoughts with TLC... 



To Leslie Krueger Waupun Wis. Box C

Inspected Oct 19, 1923

From Withee Wis  10/17-1923

Dear Leslie,  Well no doubt you think what in the world is the matter with her that she don't write, well I had to go away and did not come back for 3 days so I thought I would write like today.  I went to get the vases home from the cem.[cemetery] and there were 9 new graves, Dr. Williams died 2 weeks ago today  he was in the insane Asy[lum]  then he got better  they got him home and shortly died after that.  Doped him up and sent him home.  Well I would like to tell you many things but think best not to, that is, where I was and what is being done-- but don't be so discouraged you will be out--- you wrote in your letter [I] paid tax 20 years, I paid 41 years and the last 3 years were very heavy tax years... at least to raise it on this place as it now stands with nothing, nothing no where on the place and no money either, you wrote that this had to come up on a certain time, no their is not certain time in this case, yes, what that political outfit wants is the Dollar and so far they got it but it's changing now the other way, what are them steel tanks for that you wrote about.   Well the papers stated that their are new Officers at the prison again, is that so, I do not know what to do about going to see you... I would like to but to make 2 trips I don't like to do that either, costs to[o] much money  3 1/2 cents a mile, but I would like to tell you some things that would make you feel good and happy well hope you are well as this leaves us   I remain your Mother Mrs. Krueger