Enclosed is a copy of a letter which my great grandmother, Mary Emma STRAYER HUGHES wrote to her mother, Harriett Ales HOWARD STRAYER who was most likely living in Davenport, Iowa.

Contributed by: Michelle Wiggins

Medicine Lodge (KS)
May 4th, 1884

My Dear Mother,

I received Flora's letter Friday afternoon. She says you are uneasy about me and Frank. I am sorry I did not answer Mattie's letter sooner. I am getting along very well. My eyes are much better. I received a letter from Frank last week. He says there is so much snow that he cannot work at mining. Has had rheumatism in his shoulder. Is getting sick of that country but will stay this summer and seek his fortune. Now don't feel uneasy about us any more. I don't want to come home this summer either. Silah is going to give me $2.50 a week from the first Friday in May till the first in October. I have not decided yet what to do with my claim, but think I will hold it till I get a deed. I have gathered flowers on it Easter Sunday. Silah has made her garden and we are having very nice weather now. But we have the windiest wind I ever saw. The color of it is blew.

I want to join the church here this summer. Will you please go to your minister and ask him to give you a church letter or certificate of membership for me. You can explain to him the reason why I did not get one when I came away. Mr. Gillam is our minister here now.

Our town has been greatly excited this week over the murder of the bank president and cashier. I will send you a printed account of it. The shooting was done Wednesday, April 30th. Mr. Payne died Thursday and was buried Friday. Mr. Geppert's body was kept until Sunday afternoon. I attended his funeral. Both these gentlemen were particular friends of Mr. Field's. Mr. Payne leaves a wife and nine children. Mr. Geppert's a wife and a boy named Frank, about 12-years old. There is scarcely a man in Medicine Lodge that was not present at the hanging of the murderers.

Now don't think them a set of savages for they are not. They are law abiding citizens who will not let cowboys run the town. Besides Mr. Geppert was a universal favorite with all.

On Saturday a man named Hooker dropped dead on the street from Heart disease. The excitement had been too much for him. Charlie Strong, son of one of our neighbors, has inflamation of the brain and is not expected to live.

Well I must close. Tell Mattie and Flo I will try to answer their letters soon. I may come home next fall to pay you a visit. Give my love to all and write me a letter soon.

Your loving daughter,
Mary

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