An archive of over 1,100 early 20th-century postcards from one family. One new postcard every day.
Back — Have been to church this afternoon. Am afraid something terrible will happen. I wonder if Aunt Mary will see anything this even. Pearle. 9-16-09.
Back — Arrived all ok Roy missed me but we found the place all right Have had a fine time but am all in down & out. Hiram & [illegible] are going to stay here tonight. Saw H.U. D.M. & La Harpe operator was on the train & [illegible] [illegible] on the train & went [?] with me to Dallas Pearle
The Old Methodist Church in Carthage — the earlier building replaced by the large brick structure shown in the linen-era card — represented the congregation’s first permanent home in the city. Carthage was settled in the 1830s and its Protestant congregations organized quickly; the Methodist and Presbyterian churches were among the first institutions the settlers established. Pearl sending this card from Burlington suggests she was traveling and found a card of her own neighborhood church at a store — or that someone mailed it to her while she was away.
Back — Am at Elva’s till Sat P.M. If you think I had better come home phone me after 7. Marnelle can. Got moms card last night. John D leaves for camp next week. No time for more now. Am sewing for Elva. Go back to Guys [?] Sat then home Sun. P.M. is plan now. Pearle.
The Methodist Church in Carthage, Illinois — shown here in a linen-era postcard — was a large brick building with a prominent tower that anchored the residential neighborhood where Pearl lived at 318 N. Fayette Street. Pearl sent this card herself, which suggests she was either sending it to someone who’d asked about the church, or simply documenting the neighborhood she lived in for someone far away. The church building visible here dates from the late nineteenth century and remained the center of the Methodist congregation Pearl would have known throughout her years in Carthage.