William Franklin Collins
Donated by Norman & Rita Dickey
Provided by William “Bill” Collins of Col June 2009
Written by William Franklin Collins (age 71) 26 Dec 1938 Sims, IL
To Ida Catherine Cravens Grand Valley, Col
Dear Sister,
I received your xmas card a few days ago and sure was glad to hear from you. I am almost ashamed to write after so long a time but I guess we all neglect to write when we should, as we get older.
Well yesterday was nice and warm but it has been raining today, not hard, but at it most of the time, still warm. All of our children are married. Just Eva and I are alone. Only two near enough to see very often. Pearl lives ½ mile west of Dickeyville church, she married Audrey Dickey, a grandson of Taylor Dickey. She has 6 children, 3 boys and 3 girls.
We expected them down yesterday but they did not come. Eva got dinner for them and waited till nearly 1 o’clock, before we ate our dinner. We had plenty for us. Frank come just before we ate, he had his dinner, but he set down with us and a little. He married Leroy Miller’s girl, probly you will remember her mother better Ruth Miller. They live in Wayne City. Have four girls. The oldest is married and lives where Henry Johnson lived when you left here.
Our oldest girl Florence lives on farm in McLean County, ILL., Edward in Rachelle, Ill., Myrtle north of Pearie, Ill., Edna in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Myrtle married Evert Green. Edna, Monroe Butler, Edward has three girls, Florence has 3 boys, Fred, Myrtle, and Edna has no children.
Well, Ida we are still living where we were when you left here, but we rent it now. I got in debt so much I could not pay out, so a year ago last July, sold out our interest, got enough to pay all my debts., and a little left. We sold to Claciy Robbins. There was another oil boom was starting, and it is booming, but the closest it got here is south of Boydston. Got 30 or 40 wells down 3 miles west of Fairfield and some scattered over the east part of the county. There are 70 producing in our county and I don’t know how many dry holes about 40 or 50 I guess. There has been 2 s of Wayne City, but no good. They are putting 1 down on the other farm 2 mile NE of the Berry town hall. The old Smith farm where you folks used to live. There was 1 drilled there several years ago and it was dry. There was 1 drilled about the same time north of Wayne City and it was dry too.
So I thought I had better sell and get out of dept while I could, and let the other guy do the gambling. For that is about all this oil game is, so I don’t try to farm much, I have about 12 or 15 ackers where the buildings for cash rent, and someone else runs the balance. We keep one horse, 2 or 3 cows , and some chickens, and some hogs. I get $13 per month old age assistance, we get along very well.
I thought I was going to get to go out to se you last fall, but it all went blue. Johnie has talked of going for the past two or three falls. We had about all the arrangements made. One of his girls was going to taking their car, but they could not be gone two weeks, that did not suit Johnie and I wanted to go on to Cal. If we went. Don’t know whether try it next fall or not. I expect not though.
Well the wind has got in the NW and it is getting colder. The wearther man said this morn it would. Edna and Monroe sent us a radio nearly two years ago. It is lots of company for us, and we get the news and werther forcasts, but it is sorty costly, but I guess just as well spend money for that as any thing else. Trueman. Well the weather man guessed it right this time, it is pretty cold, and the wind is out of the NW but it is clear.
Well I guess I had better close. We are all well as can be expected for one of our age. Eva has some kind of stomach trouble, cant get anything that does much good. The Drs says that my nerves broke down. I take medison most of the time. Cant do any hard work, I guess I am just wore out. Ha Hope that you are in good health. Write when you can
W.F. Collins
Sims Ill
Wishing you a Happy New Year