File #1340: "CAC_CC_039_1_1_1_0039.pdf"

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Box 1, Folder 1, Item 39- Letter to Dick T. Morgan from Porter Heath Morgan and Ora Morgan
(1897 April 25)

Norman, Oklahoma Territory
April 25, 1897

Dear Papa:
We just received your letter this after-noon and of course were very glad to hear from you.
Mama and I are having a very nice time here. Yesterday afternoon Mr. McCulchen hitched up to
the wagon and took Mama, Mrs. McCulchen, Miss DeBann, Miss Curtley, Miss Van Winter, Miss
Drake, Miss Weman, and two or three others over to visit the Asylum. Of course, they had a
good time and saw a part of the city. But this afternoon I went down and got a livery rig (for
$1.25, for this afternoon), and mama and I went out riding. I showed her the town and we went
out to the river south of here. We had quite a drive and wished that you could have been with
us.
I did not wake up until it was nearly over- but I know that we did have an awful hard rain. It
rained so hard and so fast you might say, that the roads were very good for our drive this
afternoon. We had two horses, one of them was lame but the man said to put him through so
we did. We went to church and Sunday School this morning. Miss Deb, Miss Van Winter, Miss
Curtley, Mama and myself went together. We had a good S.S.; there being 66 present. Prof.
Praxton made us quite a good talk and walked home with the crowd, referred to above. and
treated us all to ice cream soda. Mama got acquainted with Mrs. Smith and several other ladies
at church. Our Queen Esther went off with-out a hitching we all feel very proud. We will show
at Purcell Friday night. They are talking some of going to Oklahoma City. John W. Shartell of
Guthrie lectures here Tuesday evening at the Chapel. The Racket you got for me was just what I
wanted. When you wrote that you had got me one I hoped that it was a 14 oz. one and so I got
just what I wanted. I guess that I haven't thanked you for it but I suppose you already know that
I am very much obliged but I supposed I had better put it down in black and whole so here

goes. Thank you ever so much for the racket you got for me. I got me a pair of shoes yesterday.
They are a blend of a dark red shoe oxblood they call them. Cost $2.45 I will need some money
the first of next week. The Normal School have refused to debate with us owing to some
correspondence in which they say that our committee wrote. I don't' understand the matter
fully yet and will write you more about it some other time. This is the morning and Mama has
finished her part of the letter so I will sign my name here.
Your loving son,
P.H. Morgan

Porter has written you quite generally in regard to everything of special interest. Which has
occurred since we have been together. When we came in from our ride your letter was here
awaiting our letter and we were not long reading it, for two reasons we were anxious to learn
of your whereabouts, and it didn't take long to read about a half-a-dozen lines. 'Twas a whole
lot better than no letter at all, though, you did not say which train you took from St. Louis in
regard to Perry acquaintances you surely will not feel lovely while there. I do before you can get
back in the time I thanked you in the letter I took for you. I don't know when I felt more late to
see you so., Porter being gone too. I felt so relieved when I heard you had gotten over the
flooded district all right. I received your card Wed. eve. I didn't go back out for Mrs. Jones that
eve. ^the weather was growing so disagreeable but stopped at the store myself, and at her
house, as I went house after leaving you- I didn't listen when the train pulled out- I didn't want
to hear it. I got to go to the Carnival (Tues. Eve.,) Bro. Hilton and Sister Williams had three
tickets between them and Mr. Williams sent Bro. Hilton around for me to go with them. I
enjoyed the evening much, but it was very tedious. I had walked down town and down to Miss
Brady's, (The dressmaker's) that afternoon, But the nervousness of you going away and my
much walking did not get me down-make me sick- I just put my mind on getting ready and
coming to see Porter.

Mary asked Mr. Colwell to see the fur-man, and the G.M. happened to be in there at the time. I
thought of that being the better way. I was afraid there might be a misunderstanding between
her and the hotel folks. The G. M. did not charge us anything. I got a round-trip-ticket.
'Twas a good thing I took some body.

[[in margins]]
I feel lovely to think of going back house.
[[/in margins]]

[[in margins]]
I got a letter from Mrs. Whitfield Tuesday, last, asking me if I would suit my convenience for her
to be with me over Sunday, as she would be going to Guthrie to attend all meeting first of the
week. We got there safe so I enjoyed it and i guess he did too. The wind and dust continued to
day all wk., day and night, until our hard rain Sat. night. I am writing most of my part of this
letter.
Monday 26. I like Norman, this place and the people so much, I will stay longer than I had
intended. Until Thursday, I guess. I went up to school with Porter this morning to his Chapel
exercises and his walks before leaving house, for one needs three feet here, worse than any
place i ever saw- just have to have them, no selling a round in. As I had been sitting so long, I
walked from the depot with Porter then we all walked down to the opera house that night and
back. This walking about gets away with me, but just so it doesn’t, all right. Porter and Mrs.
McCutchen intended going with us out to the asylum, but some boys came from a distance to
play a game of ball. I saw he felt he ought, and would like, to stay here (over here on the
campus) and engage in the game. So i excused him. Queen Ester gave a fine display and was
quite good and we enjoyed it. Porter is making my stay as pleasant as he (over)

[[written in margins]]
May be the Queen Esther folks will go up to Guthrie Thursday Eve., and to Purcell Friday night. I
think it is too much going , don't you?
[[/written in margins]]
Mrs. Boyd called on me this P.M. I am not feeling at all well this eve. I guess the well water was
me sick. I will use the cistern water after this, altogether Rep'd your letter of Fri., this eve., glad
to get it. I must close now. Good night dear
Y.L.U.
Ora