Letters of the Cochran/Ferguson Family
in Kingfisher, OK 1903-1904
submitted by Bonnie L. Johnson

"Perhaps the below letter would be of interest to the page -
of rough times in Kingfisher at the turn of the century.
I have one more letter, when daughter Bessie died.
The letters were written by Robert J COCHRAN
to my Great-grandfather David S FERGUSON -
his 1st cousin - and were saved along with
numerous other letters in a handmade desk -
which I eventually inherited."

No envelope Letter headed, Kingfisher Novem 24 (from other sources, believe written 1903) Typed with small case letters and misspellings, just as written.

Mr. D. S. Fergson, Your kind and welcom letter that come to my surface the other day

Well Dave you dont kno how much good it done me to Read a letter from you i am left alone in this world me and my wife has Bin parted nerly a year her and the too least children in Tennessee Charly and John is in Clay Country Edd is in Springfield Mo Bessie is all the one that is with me

Brother Charly Died the 23 of july he never got up any more after he got down so you can see how i am left in this world i am so lonesom i dont know what to do

i am Bilding a Barn (for) Charleys wife now i am nerley done with it then i will hunt another job i wood love to see you

times is dul here now the Banks is all closed there is nothing dooing now. They cant sell nothing here now

well i will close By asking you to excuse Bad writing and speling write soon i Remain your friend as ever

R J Cochran RFD Rout 5 Bar 5

"If there is a way you can use this on the web site,
thought it might be interesting.   The 2nd letter is in 1904,
when Bessie has died.   He also tells more of conditions
around the community."

Envelope receipt post mark Willow Springs, Mo Feb 10 1904

Letter headed Kingfisher Okla Sunday February 7 1904

Mr. D S Fergson Dier Cousin

your Kind and Welcom letter at hand Ws glad to here from you you dont kno how much good it dos me to read a letter from one of my old friends in my Hours of trouble and Bereavement I thought I new what trouble was But I never new Before I had to give up Bessie

She died hapy said she was going Home she sing Home sweet Home and called us all to her and Kised us goodBye and said she was redey to go she wiped the tears from my eyes and told me not to greave after her the last word she spoke was papa it is aful hard But it wright god giveth and god taketh away I dont kno what will Becom of me

I cant have any helth here I have stasmatic pane of the heart it takes three men to hold me when I have them spells the Blood Will Run out of my mouth I am unconcias I dont think I can stand many more spels I have Wished severl times I had staid there and kept my place I could have Bin Beter of than I am here this is a hard place here to make any thing it takes so much to live here my sickness and trouble has Brake me up

Ever thing is dul here there is nothing to do her Wheat is looking like it woodent make any thing We havent had any bank since last October there is lots wheat that is not up yet I dont think there will Be any crop here this year

We have had nice wether all Winter it has spit snow one time this winter Wheat is worth 10 cents corn 50 oats 50 cattle and hogs low

this leaves all well Hoping this will find you all well I will close Hoping to here from you soon

R J to D S Good bye

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This page was last updated November 28, 2000.