ALLEN/KIPP FAMILY LETTERS AND POSTCARDS

You tell Ed, Louisa, that it is quarter after seven, or 7:15, and that this is being written in the den at the school house. That the lines on this paper are dull or my lantern does not give sufficient light or my eyes are poor; one of the six. Yes, that was Mrs. Anderson, wife of the undertaker and barber, that had the boy baby. And they think it is just right. This is their only child. They had a little girl some eight or ten years ago that died on the day of its birth. A long time between acts, you see. Say, Louisa, don’t mention to anyone what I am going to write now, for if our good fortune becomes known generally there would be so many after us for our wealth. But on Sunday, January 12, 1917, we got two eggs. Monday, January 15, 1917, we got three eggs. Tuesday, January 16, 1917, we got four eggs. Wednesday, January 17, 1917, we got three eggs. Total number in the four days one dozen eggs. Total cost of production $1.97 ½. Present market value of eggs 36 cents dozen. When on our way to Paterson in our new automobile will stop and see you. The cause of the increased production of eggs is no doubt due to feeding the chickens horse flesh. Some two weeks ago Ad Stacy killed a horse for Robert Thompson, a part of the hind quarter of which he brought and put near the door of our chicken coop. At first the chickens acted shy, apparently afraid. After a time they begin to pick at and eat the meat. Happening to be at home thought to watch their actions. After eating a little while one of the pullets began to sing, making a noise like an old hen that wanted to lay, and her comb became red as though it were inflamed and swollen. Soon the singing became louder and more constant and the pullet left the meat and went into the coop. In a few moments a cackling was heard. Going to the coop the pullet was seen leaving the nest where she had actually laid an egg. Her cackling over she went back to the meal and again began eating. In a very short time the singing began and the noise made like a hen that wanted to lay, and then the visit to the coop, the cackling, etc. and another egg was laid. This was repeated three times and fearing so much laying would work injury to the pullets the meat was removed. Not wishing to overdo in this matter or cause unnecessary strain on the pullets we feed the meat in small quantities two or three times a week. Just enough to keep the pullets in laying condition. Should this secret become known generally owners of horses would kill the animals and engage in the poultry business. So keep it to yourself. But should you at any time want to try the “Speeriment” will send a chunk of horse flesh by parcel post.

Weather here has been bitter cold for past week or two. Snug winter weather and no mistake. Very little snow, however, though there is fair sleighing; none too good as the snow is dry, being so cold. Today pompletes one half the school year—4 ½ months. How time flies. Same old story at school—getting along fine. I get up every morning at twenty minutes to four; breakfast at 4:30 and leave for school at 15 to 20 minutes to five. Have as yet--in two years four and one half months—had no trouble in keeping the building properly heated and free from smoke. The school has not been closed for lack of heat and too much smoke as it used to be before we took hold. Township board of registration meets at our place tomorrow. Special election, Tuesday, Jan. 30. Primary election March 7. Village election March 12. Township and general election first Monday in April. So you see we are well fixed for elections this spring. In two of them, village and township, we may be interested if they want us to again be township and village clerk. That remains to be seen. Shall take them if we can get them. Eggs 36. Butter, creamery, 42; home made 35. Potaotes $1.50. Other stuff high enough. But under ordinary conditions you will never starve as long as you have enough to eat. Best love to all.
Your Loving Father, R.H. Allen

R.H. Allen
LeRoy, Mich
April 17, 1917
My Dear Ed and Louisa,
Your letter received this morning and really we did not like its contents. Too gloomy altogether. For a fact we feel sorry for you, especially when the had of the family is cut off. Do sincerely hope that Ed was fortunate enough to continue his insurance, which we feel sure that he did. Hope you are all on the mend by this time. Poor little Robert. Wonder if he would like to take a ride on grandpa’s back. If I had a dollar for every time your family is mentioned in our house could afford an automobile. Hope your extra work, Louisa, do not get you down for the others will surely need a mother’s care. Do your best and keep a stiff upper lip. Yes, Louisa, stuff seems to be high but not so bad if so much was not said and written about it. Nothing here but what has gone up in price. Potatoes in the farmers hands now bring 2.50 to 2.75 per bushel. Beans 15 cents pound, flour $14.00 barrel, salt pork 20, lard 25, butter creamery 46, dairy butter from 25 up. Corn to feed chickens 2.90 per hundred pounds, and so on through the list. We got 18 eggs Sunday. Mention that because Sunday was “egg day” with the M.E. Aid Society. One day each year the members of this society set aside a day usually Sunday which they designate “Egg Day” and ask the people to donate the eggs laid on that day. Members of the society having no chickens are asked to give a quarter. Sunday our pullets laid eighteen eggs which we gave the society. We get from 12 to 18 a day. Last Saturday we sold six dozen at 31 cents dozen, now they are 32. We could not use all the hens laid so had to sell them. We ate so many eggs in the hopes of saving meat and other stuff, that our combs got red and our actions were like unto those of a common fowl until we got ashamed and quit eating eggs. We have one hen setting and in her nest some of the other chickens lay every day until now she has about forty eggs under her. Listen, we are going to keep that hen on the job all summer. As fast as the chickens hatch we will take them from under her and let her continue setting on the remaining eggs. We are not saying much about this not wanting the society for the prevention of cruelty to chickens to hear of it. On my way to school at about 10:30 George Kellogg offered me 2.50 for a bushel of potatoes. Not many more potatoes left in this country any more already. Seed potatoes will be scarce. We shall likely planted our back lot to potatoes and corn and beans. Some potatoes in our garden proper and plow up the front yard north of the sidewalk leading to the house and plant that to potatoes. It is a good sod, never has been plowed but once since we had it and ought to produce good potatoes. Think we will try it anyway. Five weeks more of school after this week. Had a sty on my right eye that busted Sunday and have evidently caught cold in it for the eye and surroundings are badly swollen and inflamed. Have fared pretty well this winter though mother for a while was terrible sick with grip. May write again. Best love and hoping you are all better.
Your Loving Father,
R.H. Allen

G.A. Holt
774 E. 22nd St.
Paterson, NJ
May 1, 1917
My Dear Louisa,

I suppose you are wondering what has happened to me. I have thought of you all very often and was so pleased to get your letter and the children’s picture. It is real cute but not as nice as they really are. I certainly fell in love with Emma. Mary went back to School after the Easter vacation and likes it very much. She hasn’t been this week as she has had a bad attack with her stomache but I hope she will be able to go again by Thursday. She is in the first grade and seems to be doing alright. She was seven years old on the fifteenth and we gave her a trycycle and of course she is crazy over it.

Will is still in Philadelphia and probably will be until the first of July. The next places they go to will be St. Louis and Los Angeles. I certainly hate to think of the latter place as it is such a distance. Yesterday was Father’s birthday. He was sixty-six years old. He isn’t very well but tries so hard to keep up. Jim seems to be improving and is much more cheerful than he was. How is your little family getting along? Write when you can and tell me all about them. As I haven’t any more news shall say Good night with love to all.
I am lovingly yours, Grace