Golden Age (1900–1915), 1900s, Family Correspondence, Novelty & Humor, Romance & Courtship, Sent From: Illinois

Postcard #011: Get Busy, I Am Waiting For That Letter

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A yellow
Front — A yellow “Telegraph Post-Card” with a graphic of a running messenger and a brief handwritten message.

Postcard Metadata

  • Postmarked: Quincy, Illinois — Oct 26, 1907, 10 A.M.
  • Sent From: Quincy, Illinois
  • Sent To: Miss Pearle Byers, 318 N. Fayette St., Carthage, Ill.
  • Distance Traveled: Approximately 50 miles (80 km)
  • Postage: One Cent, Benjamin Franklin, green stamp
  • Card Details: Divided Back era (1907)

The back of a 1907 yellow postcard with a one-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp postmarked Quincy, Illinois, addressed to Miss Pearle Byers in Carthage, Illinois, with a handwritten message from Angus B.
Back — Correspondence from Angus B. to Miss Pearle Byers

Transcription

Nº31 Time Sent ____ Oct 27 1907 I am waiting for that letter get Busy M. S. POST CARD Write Message Here Say Pearle I was cer-tainly glad to hear from you. I shot the earth had swallowed you. You certainly sent me a dandy postal. Such I have never seen be-fore. Am well at present hope you are the same. Are hav-ing fine weather. Now Ans-wer soon. The same Old Chump Angus B.

Historical & Family Notes

This early postcard to Pearle Byers features an intriguing dual message. The front, formatted as a “Telegraph Post-Card,” bears a brief, direct note signed “M. S.” with the seemingly urgent instruction, “I am waiting for that letter get Busy.” The date “Oct 27 1907” is handwritten on the front, creating a slight anomaly as the card was postmarked from Quincy, Illinois, on October 26, 1907. This could indicate the handwritten date was a future reminder, or simply a discrepancy in dating.

The reverse side carries a longer, friendly message from “Angus B.,” clearly responding to a previous communication from Pearle: “I was cer-tainly glad to hear from you. I shot the earth had swallowed you. You certainly sent me a dandy postal.” The two distinct messages and signatures on one card suggest it might have been a collaborative effort, or that Angus included a note from a companion. Given that Harvey Sights is a primary character in Pearle’s life story, it is plausible that “M. S.” could be an initialed message from Harvey, possibly M. for a middle name or a playful alias, lending an early glimpse into their developing dynamic.

Angus’s sign-off as “The same Old Chump” adds a touch of affectionate familiarity, suggesting a close relationship, perhaps a cousin or family friend. The card’s early date places it firmly in the courtship period for Pearle, with various individuals sending her notes. The short, demanding “get Busy” from “M. S.” contrasts with Angus’s more jovial tone, hinting at the different relationships Pearle maintained.

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Golden Age (1900–1915), 1910s, Family Correspondence, Romance & Courtship, Sent From: Colorado

Postcard #010: Bear Creek and a Playful Colorado Inquiry

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A vintage, hand-colored postcard depicting a serene sunset over Bear Creek at Mount Morrison, Colorado, with water flowing over rocks surrounded by dense green trees and distant hills under a vibrant orange and green sky.
Front — A hand-colored scenic view of Bear Creek flowing through a mountainous landscape at sunset in Mt. Morrison, Colorado.

Postcard Metadata

  • Postmarked: Denver, Colo. — August 1, 1919
  • Sent From: Denver, Colorado
  • Sent To: Miss Pearl Byers Carthage Ill.
  • Distance Traveled: ~880 miles
  • Postage: One Cent George Washington U.S. Postage stamp
  • Card Details: Divided Back Era (1907-present), Published by Great Western Post Card and Novelty Co., Denver, Colo.

The reverse side of a postcard with a handwritten message in black ink from Harvey Sights to Miss Pearl Byers, featuring a one-cent George Washington stamp, a Denver, Colorado postmark dated August 1, 1919, and the card publisher's details.
Back — Correspondence from Harvey Sights to Miss Pearl Byers

Transcription

Remember the 1st time I said these words to Pearl? Here goes. Cola interested? Well, I guess so! – $ 7/27/19 H.S.S.

Historical & Family Notes

This postcard captures an early moment of playful flirtation between Harvey Sights and Pearl Byers. Harvey is likely in Colorado, sending this scenic view of Bear Creek, Mt. Morrison. His message, “Cola interested? Well, I guess so!”, cleverly abbreviates “Colorado” and implies an ongoing inside joke or conversation they’ve had about the state, or perhaps about him visiting. The phrase “Remember the 1st time I said these words to Pearl?” further solidifies the intimacy of their burgeoning relationship, hinting at a shared memory or a significant romantic declaration.

Sent just before their eventual marriage, this postcard serves as a sweet testament to the lighthearted yet meaningful communication that characterized their courtship. Harvey’s hopeful response to his own question, “Well, I guess so!”, suggests his deep desire for Pearl to share in his interests or to join him on his adventures. This early exchange paints a vivid picture of the personal bond that would soon lead to their lifelong partnership and the foundation of their family.

The date “$ 7/27/19” written above his initials “H.S.S.” indicates he wrote the card a few days before it was postmarked, a common practice when traveling, giving us a precise timeline of his thoughts leading up to its dispatch.

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Golden Age (1900–1915), 1900s, Family Correspondence, General Correspondence, Greeting Card, Romance & Courtship, Sent From: Illinois

Postcard #009: Merry Christmas Lilies and a Skating P.M.

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A vintage Merry Christmas postcard featuring a vibrant central arrangement of pink lilies with prominent green stamens, surrounded by dark green holly leaves with red berries, and deep green pine needles. In the soft, blurred background, a winter landscape with a bare tree and distant snow-covered buildings is visible. The words
Front — An illustration of pink lilies, holly, and pine branches, with “Merry Christmas” script, superimposed on a faint winter landscape.

Postcard Metadata

  • Postmarked: Quincy, Illinois — December 20, 1908
  • Sent From: Quincy, Illinois
  • Sent To: Miss Pearle Byers, Carthage, Ill.
  • Distance Traveled: Approximately 37 miles
  • Postage: 1 Cent U.S. stamp (Benjamin Franklin)
  • Card Details: Divided Back, “Printed in Germany”

The back of a vintage postcard with a postmark from Quincy, Illinois, dated December 20, 1908. A green one-cent Benjamin Franklin U.S. postage stamp is affixed in the upper right corner. The left half contains a handwritten cursive message in purple ink from
Back — Correspondence from Harvey Sights to Pearle Byers

Transcription

Dec. 20. 08 We were all down to illard Fri. night We were about 30 there. Hello Sis. Wish I had a fine time. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! How are you? Why in the world dont you write. This was received today. I was skating this P.M. Verna said you never answered her card and so did Bertha. No news around here. There is a Xmas tree in room. How come. And soon. Your true friend Harvey

Historical & Family Notes

This festive Christmas postcard from December 1908 catches Harvey Sights playfully chiding Pearl Byers for her lack of correspondence. His query, “Why in the world don’t you write,” hints at a burgeoning flirtation and the desire for more frequent communication during their early courtship phase. He shares snippets of his life, mentioning a social gathering and an afternoon of skating, painting a picture of typical Midwestern winter activities.

The reference to Verna and Bertha, likely mutual friends or relatives, suggests a shared social circle and adds a layer of community to their interactions, further binding Pearl and Harvey together within their small-town world. The mention of a “Xmas tree in room” and “How come. And soon.” leaves a hint of anticipation, perhaps for a future meeting or further holiday tidings.

This card captures a tender moment in their relationship, framed by the holiday season and the charming impatience of a suitor eager for a response. It’s a sweet, authentic glimpse into the early stages of the connection that would eventually lead to their marriage and the birth of their daughter, Marnelle.

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Golden Age (1900–1915), 1900s, Family Correspondence, Romance & Courtship, Sent From: Illinois

Postcard #006: Galesburg Court House and Plans to Return Home

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A vintage colorized postcard showing the Galesburg Court House in Illinois, featuring a prominent clock tower and stone architecture against a blue and green sky, with the image printed upside down.
Front — A vintage postcard image of the Galesburg Court House with a prominent clock tower, depicted upside down.

Postcard Metadata

  • Postmarked: Galesburg, Illinois — August 12, 1903
  • Sent From: Galesburg, Illinois
  • Sent To: Miss Pearl Byers Carthage, Ill.
  • Distance Traveled: Approximately 78 miles
  • Postage: One Cent U.S. Postage stamp (green, Washington profile)
  • Card Details: Undivided Back postcard, published for S. H. Knox & Co., Made in U.S.A.

The back of a 1903 undivided back postcard with handwritten message in faded ink from Harvey Sights to Miss Pearl Byers, postmarked Galesburg, Illinois, with a green One Cent U.S. Postage stamp.
Back — Correspondence from Harvey Sights to Miss Pearl Byers

Transcription

8-11-03 Hello Pear. How is my little girlie. I am having a good time at my work and will be home Sat. by by. Need.

Historical & Family Notes

This early postcard, penned by Harvey Sights to his future wife Pearl Byers, offers a charming glimpse into their courtship in 1903. Sent from Galesburg, Illinois, where Harvey was likely for work or a visit, the message conveys an eagerness to return home to Carthage, underscoring the distance that often separated young sweethearts in the early 20th century. His affectionate salutation, “Hello Pear. How is my little girlie,” clearly demonstrates the intimate and tender nature of their burgeoning relationship.

The card’s front, featuring the impressive Galesburg Court House, serves as a geographical marker for Harvey’s temporary whereabouts, connecting his personal message to a tangible place in the Midwestern landscape. The use of an undivided back postcard, popular prior to 1907, highlights the primary mode of personal correspondence during this era, where brevity and directness were key, much like a quick text message today.

Harvey’s promise to be “home Sat.” and the affectionate “by by” not only signal his imminent return but also suggest a longing for reconnection. These small, daily communications formed the fabric of their long-distance relationship, laying the foundation for their eventual marriage and shared life together. The collection of these postcards traces the romantic journey that defined Pearl and Harvey’s early years.

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Golden Age (1900–1915), 1900s, Family Correspondence, General Correspondence, Romance & Courtship, Sent From: Nebraska

Postcard #005: Mother’s Hot Summer Greetings to Harvey from Guide Rock

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A sepia-toned photograph of a three-story brick high school building with a hipped roof and multiple large windows, situated on a grassy hill. The text
Front — A large brick high school building in Lyons, Kansas, with “SMITH & WHARTON, PUBLISHERS” noted.

Postcard Metadata

  • Postmarked: Guide Rock, Nebraska — July 2, 1909
  • Sent From: Guide Rock, Nebraska
  • Sent To: mr. Harvey Sights, La Harpe, Ill.
  • Distance Traveled: Approximately 320 miles
  • Postage: One Cent U.S. Postage (Green George Washington)
  • Card Details: Divided Back Era (1907-Present)

The back of a faded postcard featuring handwritten cursive in faded ink on the left side, starting with
Back — Correspondence from Mother (Harvey Sights’ Mother) to Harvey Sights

Transcription

Guide Rock. July 2nd 1909 Dear Harvey Thought I would write you this to let you know that We are all well but awful hot where do you expect to spend the fourth We expect to go to a picnic hope this finds you all well. Mother

Historical & Family Notes

This postcard offers a personal glimpse into Harvey Sights’ life just a few years before he would meet and marry Pearl Byers. Sent by his mother from Guide Rock, Nebraska, to Harvey in La Harpe, Illinois, it paints a picture of everyday family correspondence, discussing the weather (“awful hot”) and Fourth of July plans. This card is significant as it establishes Harvey’s family background and geographical context, showing him as a young man still connected to his roots.

The message, brief and warm, highlights the simple pleasures and concerns of the time, such as summer heat and holiday picnics. While Pearl is not mentioned, understanding Harvey’s familial ties and his life prior to their relationship enriches the overall narrative of their eventual romance and the family they would build together. It’s a fragment of his world, hinting at the life experiences he brought into his future with Pearl.

The generic image of a high school in Lyons, Kansas, suggests this was a common type of postcard available across regions, used for personal messages regardless of the scene’s direct relevance to the sender or recipient’s location. This underscores the widespread use of postcards as a primary form of communication in the early 20th century, connecting families across growing distances.

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Golden Age (1900–1915), 1900s, Friendship, Romance & Courtship, Sent From: New Mexico, Subject: Nature & Landscapes

Postcard #004: Cowgirl Picture Sent to Pearl Byers by Theo Wind

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Vintage postcard illustration showing a dynamic cowgirl on a dark horse, wearing a white sweater and polka-dotted bandana, expertly lassoing a steer in a dusty western scene with other riders and cattle in the background. The text
Front — A vibrant illustration of a woman on a dark horse, lassoing, with ‘782. Cow Puncher Girl’ printed below.

Postcard Metadata

  • Postmarked: Carthage, N. Mex. — May 21, 1909
  • Sent From: Carthage, New Mexico
  • Sent To: Miss Pearl Byers, 318 N. Fayette Street, Carthage, Illinois
  • Distance Traveled: Approximately 1150 miles
  • Postage: One Cent, Benjamin Franklin stamp
  • Card Details: Divided back postcard from the golden age of postcards (1907-1915).

The back of a 1909 Williamson-Haffner Co. postcard with a one-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp postmarked Carthage, New Mexico, May 21, 1909. A handwritten message from 'Theo Wind' to 'Miss Pearl Byers' in Carthage, Illinois, is visible on the left, with the address 'Carthage Ill' on the right.
Back — Correspondence from Theo Wind to Pearl Byers

Transcription

Send you my Picture that I’ve Miss Pearl Byers Write me a big letter when you get time Your friend Theo Wind Carthage Ill

Historical & Family Notes

This postcard, featuring a spirited “Cow Puncher Girl” in a dynamic lassoing pose, was sent to Pearl Byers by her friend Theo Wind from Carthage, New Mexico. The vivid illustration likely offered a stark contrast to the more settled life in rural Illinois, perhaps appealing to Pearl’s own sense of adventure or simply reflecting the popular imagery of the American West at the time. The sender, Theo Wind, thoughtfully requests a “big letter” in return, highlighting the personal touch and effort involved in maintaining long-distance friendships through correspondence in the early 20th century.

The message, “Send you my Picture that I’ve Miss Pearl Byers,” suggests Theo is dedicating this particular postcard to Pearl. It’s a charming glimpse into Pearl’s social circle and the connections she maintained across vast distances. While Harvey Sights is not mentioned on this particular card, it’s a testament to Pearl’s active life and relationships preceding or during her courtship with Harvey, painting a richer picture of her world.

The card’s journey from the rugged landscapes of New Mexico to the farmlands of Illinois underscores the power of postcards in bridging geographical divides, allowing friends like Theo and Pearl to share moments and maintain their bond. This seemingly simple message embodies the era’s communication methods and the importance of personal connections.

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