When Earl was age 14, he wrote this letter to his grandmother Margaret Ann Young Adair when she was living with her daughter Minnie Donelson in Hatfield, Missouri. Earl’s grandfather died a few years earlier. Please NOTE that the stamped envelope date does not match the letter date, but I believe that this letter was still addressed to Margaret Adair in Hatfield.

Original copy

My transcription

Redding, Iowa
Jan 24, 1910

Dear Grandma,

I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know we are all well and is very nice weather yesterday and today are nice days. It looks like spring would soon be here.

I suppose you are all having a fine time and is very nice weather.

I am at school now. We got our picture taken today. They took the large room then the middle room then the primary room and then altogether.

Vergie has stopped school.

I'm am going to town yet. But I am going to stop over for the term is over. With an account of farming in the spring. We have ordered a gasoline stove but it has not got here yet.

We received Sam[?] card that you sent him today. The Prof is getting so cross you look at him he will match you bullheaded he shoked[?] two kids today.

Tell Addie that I will send her a valentine Post card. I suppose she remembers about one year ago that day when she was up here.

Redding is getting about built up again on the east side where it was burned down. There are 4 building.

We have had good slaying this winter but this hot weather spoil the hot slang and made the rode ruddy[?] where the snow is not on. It is going to be pretty hard to find seed corn up here because it came a freeze with October.

From your grandson
Earl D Adair.

P.S. John Shaner is still going to school.