June 4, 1899 letter to Sarah Keith from James Keith

June 4, 1899

To:  Sarah Keith

From: James Keith, Chicago, IL

General news about family. Would like to come home for Claude’s wedding but can’t see how they can since Winnie would miss two weeks of school. Will plan to come when school lets out.

1899-06-04 James Keith to Sarah Keith

Chicago June 4 1899

My Dear Mother

I am ashamed to write to you for it has been so long since I have but I knew you heared from us every week by Nan.[1] That is one reason I have been so careless. Lois[2] was here to day just went home. She expects to go home Tuesday. Ina[3] is all right so she can do her own work.[4] Bess[5] stayed all night here one night this last week. She comes in or we see her most every day. It has been most awful hot here to day. It look so we were going to get an awful storm. Have been haveing storms most every night of the last two weeks. We would like to come home the 15th to Claudes[6] wedding[7] but dont see how we can then. That would be two weeks of school Winnie[8] would loose. I want to come the last day of this month get home the first day of July. Will come by South Haven. School will be out the last day of June. We will come that night if nothing happens. We have got a boy[9] that is a boy. You will find it out when you see him too. Will send some of Walters and my pictures. Expect you have seen them as Bess sent some to her Mother.[10] Will B.[11] was over this Pm. Said Lizzie[12] was not feeling the best. Was awful weak. We are all well as can be this Hot weather and hope this will find you all the same. What do you all think about Pa[13] comeing back with Nan and staying untill we go? I talked with her about it. Will have to say good bye. Love to all from your son.

Jim

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[1] Jim’s sister, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[2] Jim’s half-sister, Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner

[3] Lois’ daughter, Ina (Skinner) Holmes

[4] Ina’s daughter, Frances Holmes, was born around 1899 and perhaps this is some reference to that birth

[5] Nancy’s daughter, Bess Brown

[6] Nancy’s son, Claude Brown

[7] Claude Brown and Edith Neumaier were married on June 15, 1899 in Kalamazoo

[8] Jim’s daughter, Winifred Keith

[9] Jim’s son, Walter Keith, who was about a year and a half old at this time

[10] Nancy Brown

[11] Willis Brown, brother of Nancy’s husband Henry

[12] Willis Brown’s wife, Elizabeth (Ogden) Brown

[13] Charles Luke Keith Jr.