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Excerpts from Souvenir Submitted by David M. Waid |
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1889. November 16, 1889--I have returned home (Blooming Valley, Penn.)
from the funeral of Addie Stull,
who died on the 14th inst., in her twenty-first year.
There was a large attendance, part of the services being held in
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Indeed,
Blooming Valley is noted for the large number it turns out on funeral
occasions. At the close of the portion of the services held in the
cemetery, Again I look'd on that dear spot Where kindred sleep, but not forgot; Eliza, dearest of them, thy grave I
see, And with loving heart I still think
of thee. F. C. W.
Leaving the cemetery, in company with my cousin, Ralph
Roudebush, I took dinner with him, and received from him
information in regard to the School Record [see
page 19], and of some who lately died.
Among the latter was Mary Cowen (wife
of Daniel Cowen), who died October 19, 1885,
aged eighty-five years. I
have a recollection of visiting her, with my wife, one evening shortly
before her death. She was
much pleased to see Eliza and hear her tell of her sister Jane, who had
lived with them a long time, doing house work; and of the time when, Jane
being sick, Eliza took her place, but, becoming homesick, cried to go
home! It was pleasing to hear Mrs. Cowen tell of this little
incident, of days long since gone by, and of her friends and kindred and
family. Pointing toward the
cemetery she said: "Soon
I will rest there with my family."
This was our last meeting. Mrs.
Cowen loved the girls, and they appreciated her kindness.
She died at the home of Mr. Stull, in Blooming Valley, who has
to-day (November 16, 1889) buried his beloved daughter.
I have sympathy and love, and my prayer is:
"Oh Lord, bless the family and young people in this
community."
Minta Thompson died October 10, 1889. November 18--Nine years-ago, to-day, occurred the memorable
meeting, on the train, between myself and Anna E.
Tyler, now Mrs. Francis C. Waid, to
whom I have written a letter to-day.
November 20, 1889--At 8 on the evening of this day took place, at
the residence of their parents in Blooming Valley, the wedding of Mr.
and Mrs. Odell's two daughters, "a double wedding," the
one daughter, Mode, being married to Mr.
John Tarr, and the other, Dessa, to Mr.
Ed Beatry. This
interesting event brought pleasure to the many present, especially to
myself, and my only regret was that my wife was not present to enjoy her
share in the festivities. My
life-long acquaintance with Mr. Odell's family, and knowing both Mr. Tarr
and Mr. Beatry, all combine to strengthen my interest in the present and
future welfare of the young couples, which, together with the pressing
special invitation I received from Mr. and Mrs. Odell, was sufficient for
me to be present at the wedding, even if unaccompanied by my wife.
This lasting principle, "to do good" (as I may have the
opportunity) seems to be a demand in my nature which I find nothing better
than to obey. As I said in my
speech that evening, I was present not only because of being invited, but
because I wished to be there for the same reasons the other guests had,
and I wanted to help start out the young people who had just entered a new
state of life, as I had been twice married, and had given three sons in
marriage. I found nothing
more useful to myself and wife on entering on the journey of married life
than the Bible which my parents had previously given me.
Now this Bible has a history, simple yet suggestive.
Being none too well bound originally, and being read daily and much
handled, it naturally wore out in course of time, and had to be taken to
the binder, which was done in 1876. Even
this time it was none too well "fixed up," so I once more found
it necessary to have the good old book placed for repairs, and accordingly
on November 23, 1889, I took it to the Tribune printing office bindery in
Meadville to have it rebound. "My
advice to you, my newly-married young friends," continued I in my
speech, "is to take the Bible as your pilot on the voyage of life,
for I have found it profit me much. I
do not know of anything that you could take with you that would be of more
use or benefit in increasing your happiness, in making life a success, and
in ultimately bringing you safely into heaven.
These two photographs, one of Eliza
and myself, and the other of Anna and myself,
are but tokens of our friendship; but here are two family Bibles from your
sincere friend and well-wisher, Francis C. Waid,
containing within their boards what is beyond earthly value, if rightly
understood. And although I am
aware that Mr. and Mrs. Odell, the thoughtful parents of your two brides,
have already given you a Bible each, yet remember this is a double
wedding, and as a consequence you require two more Bibles, so each of you
will be, in that important respect, fully equipped for married life. My friends, I will now close my brief remarks with the
citation of two of the truths: "
Do not die a poor man with Heavenly treasures within your reach."
" The Bible is the mine, you are the miners."
November 26, 1889--I have before me both the first and last letters
Anna, my wife, wrote to me, the first being
dated Norwood, Kas., February 6, 1881, nearly eight years before we were
married, and addressed to George W. Cutshall,
Francis C. Waid and George N. Waid, a copy of which, in part, I
here give: Kind Friends:
We have not forgotten the promise we made you in the Union Pacific
Transfer Depot at Council Bluffs, November 18, 1880, to write you as soon
as we were located in a home of our own, and as we now have a farm, I
thought it time our promise was kept, so on this dark, rainy night, I find
myself penning a few lines to you about our new home, etc.
We did not reach Topeka, Kas., until 2 o'clock, Friday afternoon,
November 19, very tired and worn out for want of sleep.
We at first boarded at a hotel for a week, and then went to
housekeeping. The men folks
went out into the country nearly every day, and they thought there was
some very nice land, splendid farms--but they ask more for land here than
they do in Illinois where we came from; so we concluded to move farther
south for a home, which we found in Franklin County, same State, one mile
and a half west of Norwood, six miles north of Ottawa, and fifty-six from
Kansas City.
We have 240 acres, all fenced with hedge and wire, forty acres of
timber, a stream of water running through.
The barn is just comfortable, and will accommodate six span of
horses. There is also a large ice-house nicely painted.
In the front yard there are growing apple, peach, cherry, pear and
quince trees and a lot of nice ever greens.
The house which was built six years ago, at a cost of $5,000,
fronts the south, and the road runs past it from east to west. * * * Among
many other conveniences there is a cistern that will hold 500 barrels of
water, with one pump out-doors and one in the kitchen.
The amount paid by us for the property was $6,000.
It is an excellent place for raising cattle, of which we have at
present forty-four head.
I have not been homesick one minute since I came to Kansas, for I
have realized more in the climate and beauties of the country than I had
anticipated. The thermometer
has stood above zero most of the time this winter, and the coldest weather
we have had was a short time after Christmas, where for two or three days
the thermometer indicated twelve degrees below zero.
Between Christmas and New Year we had one inch of snow, and that is
the most we have had this winter, as yet, so we have not had any
sleigh-rides. When we left Topeka we sent our goods by rail, and came
ourselves across the country so as one might see it.
We started January 5, enjoying a splendid ride of fifty miles, and
saw some beautiful country. It
was not at all cold when we arrived here.
We have those pictures you gave us of yourselves, which frequently
reminded us of our pleasant traveling companions, and we often wonder if
you had a pleasant trip to Nebraska, and if you reached home safely.
If you think my poor letter worthy of answer, we would be happy to
hear from you. Any questions
you may wish to ask about the country out here, I will try to answer.
Father and mother send their kind regards to you all.
I remain as ever a friend. Miss ANNA TYLER.
This letter was read with great pleasure by the three individuals
to whom it was addressed, and was listened to with no less interest by
other friends, all seeming to derive not only instruction but also real
happiness and enjoyment, and none took more pleasure in perusing Anna
Tyler's letter than my wife Eliza.
She loved the family, and often expressed a wish to visit them, but
the opportunity never came. And the result was that neither friend nor writer saw the
Tyler family until Mr. Cutshall and I met them at their home in Kansas,
October 10, 1888. The other letter referred to as coming from my wife, Anna,
and dated November 19, 1889, commences thus:
"My dear husband," &c.
Both of these letters are very dear to me, and I have given the
first one a place in my SOUVENIR on account of its most instructive and
interesting qualities.
December 12, 1889--A beautiful day for the season of the year, and
a radiant one for the work of doing something in the Lord's name.
This "something" might by a good few be considered
unimportant or trifling, but we are taught by the Master that the smallest
act done in His name, is as pleasing to Him as one of great magnitude.
And yet it was a labor of no small importance, the shingling of the
driving shed at Advent Church; for it is a building 112 feet long, by 20
wide, divided into fourteen stalls or apartments, each one of which is
twenty feet long, by eight feet wide, the entire work requiring 20,000
hemlock shingles. The
consummation of this noble enterprise has been one which the church has
been in much need of ever since it was built in 1854, this providing a
covered place for the convenience and protection from storm of animals and
vehicles driven to the church, or used on funeral occasions.
I had the pleasure of being present, helping in the noble work, and
to me fell the honor of laying the last shingle and driving the last nail,
which was about four o'clock in the afternoon.
My happiness was indeed great, not simply in being privileged to
subscribe $50 toward the good work, but in being enabled to give my
physical assistance as well as moral.
Indeed, words fail me in endeavoring to express the pleasure and
real happiness I found in the work of that day.
In the morning it became a question with me whether I should go to
Meadville or Blooming Valley, as I had business to be attended to in each
place. We always need counsel, and David has given the best:
Commit thy ways unto the Lord.
I thought out my ways under the circumstances as best I could,
which resulted in my going to Blooming Valley with the school children.
Youth and sunshine are much alike in cheerfulness, and I was
favored with both on my way to the valley.
The pleasures of the day to me increased, as I pursued my several
business duties an hour or two before returning to help shingle the church
shed. While waiting for a
brief space at Blooming Valley to see a friend, I called on my uncle, Horace
F. Waid, and had the pleasure of reading a letter from another
uncle, Gilbert Waid, of Michigan, dated Ann
Arbor, December 10, 1889. I
hope yet to have an opportunity to visit my relatives in Michigan.
While Uncle Gilbert writes of his poor health and general condition
at present, he expresses a wish to return some time to Crawford County,
Penn., to once more see his old time friends.
Only two of my father's brothers are now living:
Andrew G. and Horace F., and
two sisters, Mrs. Mary Ann Simmons and Phebe
Goodwill.
When I reached the church shed I found quite a number at work, and
in the early afternoon about thirty more joined the "bee."
Later on, the work becoming scarce for so many hands (although
there was other work to do besides shingling), a large number left before
it was finished.
In this connection, and before laying down my pen, 1 would like to
place a few facts on record concerning the old school-house in the valley,
and Advent Church. The former
was built in 1851, and the latter in 1854, not a great distance apart, on
the north side of Main Street, on the side hill.
They present a good appearance since trees were planted and sheds
built, and are both still in use, the old school-house as a dwelling.
The church building has been repaired, and looks very well, yet
there is still a desideratum, and it is this:
The audience room was made the full size of the building, hence
there is no vestibule or hall, a want much felt, and a something necessary
to all churches, or even School-houses.
I am sure the good people of Blooming Valley, those immediately
interested, if properly supported (as I have no doubt they would be) would
take the matter under their serious consideration, and have the much
needed addition to the church made. And
why not have what should be on every village church--a belfry and bell?
For a long time I have been anxious to see the Advent Church
property improved, and have even expressed a willingness to subscribe $100
if the church authorities would make the improvements I have just
suggested. However, we have
at last substantially shingled the driving shed; and who will say what may
be the next good work for the benefit of Advent Church and its
congregation? He that watereth shall be watered. In doing right the Lord blesses us, but we should bear in
mind that "Works adjourned have many
stays; Long demurs breed new delays."
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