An archive of over 1,100 early 20th-century postcards from one family. One new postcard every day.
Back — 11/24/09 Did you ever see this illustrated on the screen. Having beautiful weather today. is mud to the hubs badly. 108
Back — wish u would get those photo postals as soon as u got the autograph card or rather will get it. Nell is ready to go home so ta-ta E.P.B.
Back — This does not suit the occasion as it should but I guess it will do. Better this than none at all I guess Spose. "O. you kid."
Front — ] Fountain Green
Back — ] Hello Pearle Have you seen any sights lately. I am seeing F. G. sights but not any of him. Crete
Back — ] I was going to be gone? suppose [illegible] will let you know when I should be ready if I should decide. Dear Friend, — Was talking to W.B. today she said for me to let you know. If you can be at boat landing Sun. it may be I will be there that is if I am at home. ] Don’t depend on me to much, as I can not say yet, but I will do all I can to be there but if I should not I will give a good explanation later on.
This bird’s-eye view of Dallas City shows a steam locomotive pulling freight cars through the town, with the Mississippi River visible in the background and the town’s commercial district in the foreground. Dallas City had a small depot on the CB&Q line — Harvey’s railroad — and the presence of a locomotive pulling through the frame suggests the card was made from a point above the tracks. The combination of the river, the railroad, and the town grid captures exactly the infrastructure of a Mississippi valley community that Pearl and Harvey both knew.
Back — Rec’d your card was glad to hear from you again – you stayed up longer than you intended to did you not was you mad at me for doing the way I did, but really I could not help it. H. S. S.
This bird’s-eye view of Dallas City, Illinois was sent by H.S.S. — initials that match Harvey Sarchet Sights. If this is Harvey, he was standing on a high point above the river town, looking down at its orderly grid of streets and the Mississippi beyond, and sending a card home. Dallas City is in Hancock County, the same county as Carthage and La Harpe; Harvey would have known the town well. The combination of H.S.S. initials and Hancock County geography makes a strong circumstantial case for Harvey as sender.
Back — Dec 4 – 09 A. J. B. [?]
Back — Hello well how are you I am all O K hope you are the same. well kid I am shut up with the mumps & measles one of the twins died of measles & the other one is very bad today & she is [?] about dead well kid it is so sad. well @ present I am on the go all every day full of force well write soon & more of it to me some of your news [continued at top:] so do well & write back [?] to me [illegible] so by by from your true friend Minnie Powell [?]
Back — Hallo how are you anyway. we are all right of course your Card was glad to hear from you well have you haven’t found that girl down there yet why dont you go down to Burlington will see you soon maybe [illegible] [illegible] off for this time so I will [illegible] so I will quit write more from [illegible] write [?] more of a card [illegible] your friend Nell
Back — Hello Kiddo. How are you am feeling fine Picter [?] are [?] ready. or Lester.
Back — Dear Kiddo: card recd. asking me to write. Wrote long ago but have been waiting for an answer. am very busy as I’ve just got home, but will write a long letter. Weather fine, just little frost. how are boys? mother father baby and yourself? we are all well, Hugo is not home. With love. Martha
Back — Here is my application for the telephone work. 8061 ???
Back — Rec’d your card I am very sorry that you can not go to B. I had a fine trip in view for a crowd of four, H.B. and his girl and you and I, see. [sideways in blue ink:] Place marked X is Telephone office. Views of Dallas continued. Ever, S.H.
Back — 12/28/09 Wellington Ks. A friendly remembrance with kind regards. W.S.N.
