pearle-byers - When My Tan Wears Out

1900s, Family Correspondence, Friendship, General Correspondence, Golden Age (1900–1915), Sent From: New York, Subject: Nature & Landscapes

Postcard #0057: Woodbury Falls Thanks and Greetings

June 4, 2026 No Comments

A hand-tinted postcard image of Woodbury Falls, Highland Mills, New York, showing a wide waterfall cascading over rocks into a stream below, surrounded by lush green trees and foliage. A handwritten message is visible on the right border with the date 3-14-06 and signed by Carrie. — Front — A serene depiction of Woodbury Falls in Highland Mills, New York, with a short message on the right.

Postcard Metadata

Postmarked: Newburgh, NY — March 14, 1906
Sent From: Newburgh, NY
Sent To: Pearle Byers Fayette St Carthage, Ill. Box 611
Distance Traveled: Approximately 830 miles
Postage: U.S. 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp
Card Details: Undivided Back era (1901-1907)

The back of an undivided postcard with a 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp postmarked Newburgh, NY, March 14, 1906, at 6:45 PM. It is addressed in cursive to — Back — Correspondence from Carrie to Pearle Byers

Transcription

3 – 14 – 06 Thanks for card Was glad to hear from you Carrie Write soon P.S. Highland Mills N.Y.

Historical & Family Notes

This postcard, sent to Pearle Byers in March 1906, offers a charming glimpse into her early social life, long before her eventual marriage to Harvey Sights. The sender, Carrie, clearly a friend, expresses gratitude for a previous card and encourages further correspondence, highlighting the personal nature of such exchanges. The simple, heartfelt message, “Was glad to hear from you,” underscores the role of postcards in maintaining friendships and connections across distances in the early 20th century.

The card itself features a picturesque view of Woodbury Falls in Highland Mills, New York, a location mentioned by Carrie in her postscript, suggesting a personal connection to the scene. While not directly related to Pearl and Harvey’s courtship, such cards reveal the typical ways young women like Pearl engaged with their friends and world, building a network of social ties that would have been an integral part of her life.

The swift two-day delivery from Newburgh, New York, to Carthage, Illinois, demonstrates the remarkable efficiency of the U.S. postal service at the time. This allowed friends such as Carrie and Pearle to share news and greetings across vast geographical spans with relative ease, contributing to the rich tapestry of Pearl’s life story before she became Mrs. Sights.

1900s, Family Correspondence, General Correspondence, Golden Age (1900–1915), Sent From: Illinois, Sent From: Iowa

Postcard #0032: Grapes and Good Times in Nauvoo

May 8, 2026 No Comments

Hand-colored postcard depicting the Mississippi River at Nauvoo, Illinois, with lush green and autumnal trees lining both banks under a soft, hazy sky. — Front — Hand-colored view of the Mississippi River flowing past Nauvoo, Illinois.

Postcard Metadata

Postmarked: Wever, Iowa — August 20, 1908
Sent From: Wever, Iowa
Sent To: Miss Pearle Byers, Carthage, Ill.
Distance Traveled: Approximately 25 miles
Postage: One Cent, Benjamin Franklin (green)
Card Details: Divided back postcard (1907-present era)

Back of a vintage postcard with a Wever, Iowa, postmark from August 20, 1908, a one-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp, and a handwritten message from E.W.B. to Miss Pearle Byers in Carthage, Illinois, discussing an excursion to Nauvoo. — Back — Correspondence from E.W.B. to Miss Pearle Byers

Transcription

Twas at Nauvoo Wednesday on an excursion. Had a good time. It is quite a nice place. It is a great place for grapes. E.W.B.

Historical & Family Notes

This postcard, sent to Pearle Byers, captures a pleasant “excursion” to Nauvoo, Illinois, a town known for its historical significance and scenic beauty along the Mississippi River. The sender, identified only by the initials E.W.B., was particularly impressed by the local produce, noting it as a “great place for grapes,” indicating a delightful day spent exploring.

While not from Harvey Sights, this card provides a glimpse into Pearle’s social life and the popular recreational activities of the era. Excursions, often involving steamboat trips or train rides to picturesque locations, were a common way for people to enjoy nature, escape daily routines, and socialize with friends and acquaintances.

This artifact contributes to the broader understanding of Pearle’s world before her marriage, showcasing the types of communications she received and the leisurely pursuits of her contemporaries. It paints a picture of a time when the simple pleasures of travel and local delights were cherished and shared through the mail.

Golden Age (1900–1915), 1910s, Family Correspondence, Friendship, General Correspondence, Sent From: Montana, Subject: Nature & Landscapes

Postcard #012: Martha Asks Pearle About Getting Married Amidst Calf Branding Scene

April 18, 2026 No Comments

Front — A vintage hand-tinted postcard showing cowboys branding calves in a rustic corral with mountains in the background.

Postcard Metadata

Postmarked: Chinook, Montana — August 26, 1910
Sent From: Chinook, Montana
Sent To: Miss Pearle Byers, Carthage, Hancock Co., Ill.
Distance Traveled: Approximately 1,350 miles
Postage: One Cent U.S. Postage, Benjamin Franklin stamp (green)
Card Details: Divided Back, Printed in Germany. Photo Copyright by Chas. E. Morris.

The back of an old postcard with a handwritten message in cursive ink from 'Martha' to 'Miss Pearle Byers' in Carthage, Illinois. The message discusses news, marriage, and friendly chiding. A green one-cent Benjamin Franklin U.S. postage stamp is affixed in the upper right corner, partially obscured by a round postmark from Chinook, Montana, dated August 26, 1910. The card is a divided back postcard with 'POST CARD' printed at the top. — Back — Correspondence from Martha to Miss Pearle Byers

Transcription

Dear Kid. well I like that you tell me to write when I’ve written you long ago. Just get busy now and drop me a line. Am very busy just now as I have the debumaker here. Weather just like summer here. I got your card some time ago. How are the boys? So your going to get married? Well I hope to get an invitation. will do likewise well I hadnt be good to your self. If I don’t hear from you soon will write. Loving by Martha.

Historical & Family Notes

This postcard offers a glimpse into Pearle Byers’ life before her marriage to Harvey Sights, hinting at the social expectations and personal developments of the era. Martha’s lighthearted yet direct inquiry about Pearle “getting married” suggests that Pearle was of marrying age and that such news might have been anticipated or rumored within their social circle, setting a significant context for her eventual union.

The message from Chinook, Montana, contrasts sharply with the rustic ranching scene on the card’s front, demonstrating the widespread use of postcards for maintaining distant friendships across vast American landscapes. While the card doesn’t mention Harvey directly, it frames Pearle’s life at a pivotal time when discussions of marriage would have been common, providing a subtle precursor to her future with Harvey.

The sender, Martha, playfully chides Pearle for not writing back sooner, indicating a close, informal relationship. Her closing remarks, “well I hadnt be good to your self. If I don’t hear from you soon will write,” reinforce the bond and the casual but consistent nature of their correspondence, a testament to the role postcards played in connecting people across vast distances in the early 20th century.