January 15, 1890 To: Ethan Keith, Galesburg, MI From: Oscar Keith, Bloomingdale, MI Will send his family record to Ethan to forward on to Aylmer Keith. When the book is issued he will try to get it. He heard that Hannah is going to marry and hopes that she will do well and not regret… Continue reading January 15, 1890 letter to Ethan Keith from Oscar Keith
December 14, 1885 To: Oscar Keith From: Louese Harris, Shelbyville, MI Letter of sympathy regarding Harvey’s death. She has seen Mrs. Cramer but not Mrs. Andrews whom she expects to come into the store in a day or two when she will ask her what she has to say about the case. She will then… Continue reading December 14, 1885 letter to Oscar Keith from Louese Harris
November 8, 1885 To: Oscar & Mary Ann Keith From: Sarah Keith, Galesburg, MI Letter sympathizing on the ordeal of the trial of Harvey Keith’s murder. Galesburg Nov 8th 1885 Dear Oscar and Mary[1] I hope you do not think because I have not written you we have not thought of you or the _____… Continue reading November 8, 1885 letter to Oscar & Mary Ann Keith from Sarah Keith
A FOUL MURDER – PART 3 This is the third installment of the newspaper accounts of the July 28, 1885 murder of Harvey Keith. The following articles cover the actual trial, including jury selection with the account of a juror being dismissed and fined $10 due to the fact that he was 35 minutes late… Continue reading A Foul Murder – Part 3
August 7, 1885 To: Oscar & Mary Ann Keith From: Orendo & Susan Sikes, Keeler, MI A letter of sympathy in regard to the murder of their son. Keelersville[1] Aug 7th/85 Dear Bro & Sister Keith[2] We are so sorry for you & hasten to express our sympathy. You are indeed passing under the _____.… Continue reading August 7, 1885 letter to Oscar & Mary Ann Keith from Orendo & Susan Sikes
August 6, 1885 To: Oscar & Mary Ann Keith From: Sarah Keith, Galesburg, MI A letter of sympathy in regard to the murder of their son. Galesburg Aug 6th 1885 Dear Oscar and Mary O how our hearts go out in sympathy to you this terrible affliction that has come upon you. I find myself… Continue reading August 6, 1885 letter to Oscar & Mary Ann Keith from Sarah Keith
On July 28, 1885, Harvey R. Keith was murdered by Marshall G. Barker after supposedly being found in a compromising position with his wife, Lillian (Hogmire) Barker. The family has always believed that Harvey was the victim of a badger game — an extortion scheme in which a woman lures a man usually into her… Continue reading A Foul Murder – Part 1
April 13, 1884 To: Herbert Keith From: Harvey Keith, Wyattville, MN Writes that he was feeling better but still couldn’t do anything yet. He received the money from Pa as it came just in the nick of time. He went to church with the Geeslins the week before but took cold and felt worse the… Continue reading April 13, 1884 letter to Herbert Keith from Harvey Keith
April 5, 1884 To: Mary Ann Keith From: Harvey Keith, Wyattville, MN He reports that he wasn’t feeling any better than when he left home and hasn’t been out of the house since he arrived. He developed a pain in his lungs and couldn’t sit up and had to take a sleeping car all the… Continue reading April 5, 1884 letter to Mary Ann Keith from Harvey Keith
May 28, 1882 To: Sarah Keith, Galesburg, MI From: Kate Chaffee, Paw Paw, MI She was out to Oscar’s the week before Katie died and Vern was there until today. Mary was taking Katie’s death very hard. Katie only had two requests: to be buried next to Nettie and that Mary should take care of… Continue reading May 28, 1882 letter to Sarah Keith from Kate Chaffee
Digging through the stacks to find my family's history
~creating a legacy through story genealogy
A genealogical site devoted to the history of the DeKorn and Zuidweg families of Kalamazoo and the Mulder family of Caledonia
Cultivating Conversations on Family & Faith
Reflections
Sharing a love for Indycar with my sons
Letters & Diary Entries From the 1860s through the 1890s 