A letter written by Leland Stanford Cool to his parents, John Marshall Cool (9.257) and Susan Adell Rossman: BEGIN Millette, S.D. Sep 8 1906 Dear Folks I will write too let you know where I be, for you probably wonder where I am. I am working on a threshing machine for a man from Pontiac. I get $2.50 a day and board. The country is just fine out here. The field I started in had 600 acres in it. Was all wheat. That is a pretty big one is'nt it. Don't write till I write again, for I am liable togo to some other place. Well, I must close and go back So Goodbye From your son Leland Cool END A postcard from Leland Stanford Cool to Blanche Rozella Wright: BEGIN Sent from Leroy, Michigan to Freesoil, Michigan May 23 1909 I am looking for a letter as I wrote over two weeks ago. Please write-LSC END A postcard from Blanche Rozella Wright to Leland Stanford Cool: BEGIN Sent from Plymouth, Michigan to Leroy, Michigan Oct 21 1910 All well this morn. Johnnie says Krum was shredding Mon. Don't know who for. It is cloudy and misty here today and awfully lonesome. All have sort of "The Blues". Am looking for a card or letter tomorrow Mon. Rcvd card from Ma. A view of the Harbor. Lots to do today. So goodbye. Come home around ____??????(not readable) END A postcard from Blanche Rozella Wright to Leland Stanford Cool: BEGIN Sent from Plymouth, Michigan to Leroy, Michigan Oct 7 1910 Will be up Saturday if nothing happens. Hope you will receive this in time to be at the train. All well. Mr Larsen has gone to Beaver Island. Hope to see you soon-BRC END A postcard from Leland Stanford Cool to Blanche Rozella Wright: BEGIN Sent from Flint, Michigan to Missaukee, Michigan May 5 1910 Dear Blanche. Will write later. Am in Flint. Have a job four dollars a day and 4.40 for board. They want lots of men down here. END A postcard from Leland Stanford Cool to Blanche Rozella Wright: BEGIN Sent from Plymouth, Michigan to Freesoil, Michigan Jul 15 1912 Am still looking for a letter. Am trying to set a good example, and perhaps you will be ashamed of yourself. If I don't get a letter soon I will look elsewhere. LSC END A postcard from Leland Stanford Cool to Blanche Rozella Wright: BEGIN Sent from Plymouth, Michigan July 18, 1912 Just a card to let you know I rcvd your card. Hope to get a letter next time. Please write. LSC (VERSE ON BACK OF CARD) I MAY BE ROUGH AND READY BUT AIN'T I JEST THE FELLER FOR YOU? END A postcard from Leland Stanford Cool to Blanche Rozella Wright: BEGIN Sent from Plymouth, Michigan to Freesoil, Michigan July 23 1912 Rcvd card tonight. Think verse alright. Hope you and Max are well. I will write a letter soon. LSC (VERSE ON BACK OF CARD) I WILL LOVE YOU WHEN YOU HAVE NO MONEY, BUT I WON'T BE WITH YOU. END A letter from Leland Stanford Cool and Blanche Rozella Wright to Leland's parents, John Marshall Cool (9.257) and Susan Adell Rossman: BEGIN South Souix City, Neb July 26 1923 Dear Folks Well here we are back in Neb. I did'nt write yesterday because we done quite late and I was tired as the dickens. We left Mt Vernon, IA yesterday morning at 6 A.M. Camped at Dennison 10 P.M. 259 miles Today we have been sight seeing so only made 105 miles but it only 6:30 P.M. and are done supper, and Blanche has her dishes nearly done. We were___???___Where we could __???___acrossed Soiux river into S.D. today. Expect to cross sometime tomorrow. It look like rain tonight here and is thundering in the west. Well guess I will close and go over and mail this Your loving kids Lee & Blanche Postscript by Blanche Rozella Wright Dear Folks Lee signed my name but he had no authority to do so. Ha Ha Guess he thot he would cheat me out of writing but will fool him. We have had to write mostly on the fly so far. So thot as long as he kept you posted it was'nt necessary for me to write. How is Dorothy? Well and a good girl I hope. We think of you often and do so wish you could see some of the beautiful things & scenery we have seen. We went thru Iowa very slowly so we could feast our eyes on the beautiful landscape. Most beautiful I ever see, so picturesque all thro the whole state. I told Lee today that when I get back in Mich., I was'nt going to tell of some of the things I have seen. People would'nt believe them if I did. He said he found that out long ago. We have had excellent luck all the way and it sure is one cheap way to live. After paying for the gas, etc. it has'nt cost us only about 2/3 of what it does in Mich Lee got sirloin steak today for 14 cents per lb. Just half of what is costs there. I guess Lee wont have trouble finding work as they say there is a big harvest and men are scarce. I only hope we can do well. Lee is ready to mail this So Goodbye Blanche END A letter from Blanche Rozella Wright to John Marshall Cool (9.257) and Susan Adell Rossman: BEGIN Jackson, Mich July 25 1924 Mrs Jno M. Cool Gaines, Mich Dear Folks: I suppose you are wondering how "Little Madelon" is. Well, it is rather hard to tell about all we can say is that she is holding her own. She seemed better for a few days and yesterday P.M. she had another bad spell (chill and her fever shot up to 105) then last night she had another chill both were very hard. Of course they all help to set her back. Yesterday morning was about the first encouragment they gave us. But her spell yesterday did away with all that. She is'nt any nearer to taking home than when we brought her here. As I can see she is such a patient little thing. I have dreaded writing as she remained about the same., and hate to keep writing the same thing. At times we feel very much encouraged and then something always crops out to dishearten us again. Today is the 24th day. Lee took his pen so I have an old stub of a pencil to write with. I hope Dorothy is a good girl. I havent seen the boys for such a long time. It just seems we are just living from day to day. The boys are taking care of themselves. I suppose as dirty as can be, but it is impossible for me to leave baby as she cries as soon as I am out of her sight and we all do everthing to keep her from worrying as that is her only hope. Eat drink and rest Must close With Love Blanche END Letters from Leland Stanford Cool to Blanche Rozella Wright: BEGIN Letter #1 Stockbridge, Mich. Aug 25 1935 Dear Blanche We received your letter yesterday, and I guess Max was pleased, I didn't here him say, but you know. A person has to figure out for them selfs with him. Dorothy got him a very nice cake, and the girls got a real dandy supper last night for him. Darryl was home for the occasion also. We threshed yesterday, had 149 Bu. Not so bad, and last the (alphalfa), We just looked it up and Dorothy was right again, Alfalfa is sown. Dorothy is canning plums today has 20 qts. Darryl has gone to Plymouth to the reunion, and Max is working repairing the seperator of the thershing machine. Lee is with him and Donna is busy keeping out of sight as Dorothy keeps her working when she can. Right now she is getting corn ready for dinner. I have been trading, and now have a Cadilac Eight, 1926, Darryl took , it last night and they put 18 gal. Of gas in it to go to Howell and back. Darryl said probably they would'nt want to go very often, his friends bought the gas, like they did when he drove the Ford. Say old Top, ask Bill if there is anyone there, that have pigs for sale, and what they will cost, and maybe I will bring a couple home with me when I come after you. They are very high priced here. I have been having a Devil of a time with Pleurisy can just about get around and that's all, but don't worry for I feel ugly and that's a good sign. Well I must go and lay down awhile as is punishment for to set up, give my love to Susan and goodbye all. Leland S Cool. Letter #2 LELAND S. COOL Manufacturer & Dealer RAILROAD TIES---OAK LUMBER FLOORING---BOXES---CRATES Phone 43J2-1 Stockbridge, Michigan Aug. 30 1935 Mrs L. S. Cool Barton City Mich Dear Blanche: Just got home and found you very welcome letter waiting. I mailed a letter to Dorothy this morning, and asked her to come home next Mon. as that is the day that she is off, and help to get the kids ready for school. If she will, it will be a big help to me. I am going to make crates for Mr. Bird this afternoon, Max is home and Mr. Cole is to help also. Now about you coming home, I don't know just when I can come, but it will be just as soon as I can after you are ready I guess, so cheer up and wipe your nose. I must close and take this up and mail it. From yours as ever, L. S. Cool Letter #3 Stockbridge, Mich. Aug. 21 1935 Dear Blanche & Susan: We received your letter yesterday, and of course, was real glad to hear from you so soon. You spoke of some clothes, they must be in the car yet as it was all news to me, so you will have to write Dorothy and have her send them to you from there. I am sorry but hope you wont have to go bare until you get them: Ha;Ha. Everything here is just fine now, but we had a scare night before last, Lee was sick when I got home from Tangle Ass's, had a headache and fever, and his knees were so weak that he could hardly walk, of course I thought of paralysis right away, and yesterday morning his legs still hurt, so I took up to your friend the Dr. to see what was the matter. He thought it might be Summer flu. He ask him what he been eating and he said nothing much. Well he gave him three kind of medicine and told to go to bed and if he did'nt feel better to let him know right away. Well. Chas. Had been down here playing with Lee before he taken sick, and when Gerthine went home yesterday, why here was Chas. Sick too, and just about like Lee was, so she told him that she knew that twoo kids could'nt be sick that way, without thy had been into some thing that they should'nt and he owned up that he had eat some green pairs, so she came home and made Lee own up that he had filled up on them to. I found Donna Jean with the Barber's Itch when I arrived home but I have got that almost well now, it begins to look as if I will be like that hired man where the boss came home and found his buildings burned and his wife dead, it seems as if the unusual is bound to happen. It rained most of the time that week that I was up there, and we had a hard rain here last night. We went to the show but it rained and they had to stop, and then when it did stop the machine had got wet and it coulld'nt talk, different from me. When I get to wet. That's when I can talk. But they showed the picture and it seemed like old times to watch them and guess what it was all about. Now hold your breath; but if everything goes all right today I am going get my grass sown. Today. Kiss Susan for me, and goodbye, Leland S. Cool END Letters from Leland Stanford Cool and Blanche Rozella Wright to Dorothy Lee Cool (3.576): (NOTES - Dorothy was staying with her grandparents, John Marshall Cool (9.257) and Susan Adell Rossman. Madeline passed away September 13, 1924.) BEGIN Letter #1 Gregory, Mich. July 22 1924 Miss Dorothy Cool. Gaines, Mich. Dear Dorothy: Your very welcome letter received, and was real glad to hear from you, and that you got home alright. I just got home from Jackson. I stayed here last night and all day today. Madelon was worse this morning, but gained a little the latter part of the day. She is a very sick baby all the time though. I was over to Pardee lake yesterday, they are going to build a dam there and want me to take the job, but don't know if I will or not. Mr. Tubbs gave me a mess of fish, and I cooked them for supper, took one over to Madelon, she eat the whole of it today and said she wanted me to bring her another when I came again. Poor little kid, her appetite is'nt very good. I believe your Grandma is mistaken about the cloths pin as I remember about it. You ask her if she can't. Well little girl, I must close as it is getting to dark to see the letters any more. Now be a good little girl with Grandma and we will be over just as soon as we can. From your loving Dad; Leland S. Cool Postscript from Blanche Rozella Wright I will write Grandma later, so all can hear from Madelon oftener. She has been very bad again yesterday and today. Ask Grandma if she knew Bill Coverdill was going to be married. So if it's really true, Clara will have a new step mama With Love Momma Letter #2 Gregory, Mich. July, 25 1924 Miss Dorothy Cool Gaines, Mich Dear Dorothy & all: Max is getting breakfast, so I think it is a good time to write you a letter. Have you got homesick yet, or do you like it better over there, then you do over here? I was in Jackson all day yesterday. I believe Madelon was better than the day before, although it was so little, that I could'nt tell for sure. I see a fellow out back of the hospital, cleaning some fish, so I ask him if I could have some, for my little girl that was sick, and he said sure. Well, it turned out that it was the priest that I asked, and when her tray came up for supper last night, he had remembered, for there was two, all fried, she eat every bit to, when I told him, how she eat them, he said there was lots more, and she could have some. Well folks tere much to write about, so must quit. From your son & dad LELAND S. COOL I ALWAYS WRITE MY OWN NAME IN BIG LETTERS AS IT LOOKS BETTER. Letter #3 Gregory, Mich Aug 4th 1924 Miss Dorothy Cool: Gaines, Mich Dear Dorothy: We received very welcome letter, and will try and answer it, tonight We brought Madelon home last Sat. A. M. and she was some better then, but is lots worse since yesterday. Her fever is very high tonight, around 103 & 105 most of the time, so you see, she is pretty bad There did not seem to be any use, leaving her at the hospital any longer, as they said they could'nt do her any more good then we could at home. I guess it is all most hopeless, but am still hoping. I am going to start the dam tomorrow if nothing happens to prevent. It ought to be a good job for me, if I have any kind of luck, but my luck seems to be no good this year, anyway. I think, if you can, you had better stay with your Grandpa until Madelon is better, as we have to keep it very quiet here, but now, if you can, get Grandpa & Grandma to come down any day, and come so you can stay all night. Doris Leach is working for us now, started last night. Alex is fixing his Ford, has a new top and he got the pickup from me, took the oieces and put them on his where it needed them. It looks pretty good now. Well I have wrote all the news so I will close for this time, from your dad & ma Leland S. Cool Postscript from Blanche Rozella Wright Mother Dear. Don't you suppose you could make arrangements to drive over, Poor little Madelon wants to see you all. She is lonesome for Dorothy and I would so like to have her see her before she leaves us. For Mother we are almost without hope. The poor little thing can't hold out much longer. It is just killing Lee and I. The little thing, what has she has ever done that she should suffer so. Her little face is beginning to draw out of shape. God alone knows what it is and why it must be. The Drs are at sea. At times it almost compels one to loose their faith in the Almighty when a little innocent thing like her must suffer. Letter #4 Gregory, Mich Aug 6 1924 Miss Dorothy Cool Gaines, Mich Dear Daughter; As Darryl is writing, I will enclose a few lines also. We are having lots of rain now, so can't do much. The doctor was here, and he thinks we will have to take Madelon back to the hospital, tomorrow. Her head burst last night in her left ear, but there is'nt enough drainage to let out all of the pus so they will have to open it. She is very weak to stand a operation too.The doctor also wants to take a xray to be sure that it is'nt a mastoid. If it is, it will mean a operation anyway. She has rested very easy ever since last night when it broke. I am trying to build that dam, and I have my hands full, with that and tending to Madelon, To. Tell my dad not to worry about me as I have just about, given up hope of ever amounting to anything anyway. I was over to Matt Brady's yesterday, and hired him to work for me, also, Willie Gearhart and the pollock on Laughlan place, with their teams. Expect them to start next Mon. going to put the dirt in with wheelers Answer soon to your dad & ma L. S. Cool In this letter Darryl Dewayne Cool (3.575) also wrote: Gregory, Mich Aug 7 1924 Dear dorothy The doctor is here now and doris is washing now. And dad gust came from town Madelon wanted to get up and walk. I gust gust we will never get over to your houst. I ant got any thing to write So must clost Your brother Darryl cool END (Note - Above transcribed as written.) From a newspaper: BEGIN The lumber camp and gang in charge of the Leland Cool operations was moved from the Chapman woods to the woods west of Gregory owned by Charles Galbraith. END From a newspaper: BEGIN Little Madeline Cool critically ill at the Mercy Hospital in Jackson. END From a newspaper in Sep, 1924: BEGIN Death of a young child Madeline Marguerete Cool, youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Leland Cool, was born at Plymouth, Mich., May 29, 1919, and passed away at the home of her parents in Gregory, September 13, 1924, at the age of five years, three months and fifteen days. Her death came after ten weeks of patiently endured illness. During her short life, she endeared herself to all who met her, by here winning ways. Besides the parents, three are left to mourn their loss, two brothers, Max and Darryl, and sister, Dorothy, and a grandmother and grandfather. The funeral sevices were conducted by Rev. H. E. Sayles of Plymouth. At the Gregory Baptist Church, last Monday afternoon. The room was filled with friends, who showed their sympathy in many ways. The flowers were many and beautiful, four flower girls carrying them in and out of the church. The burial was at Riverside cemetery, Plymouth. The family has the sympathy of their many friends in Plymouth. END From a newspaper in Sep, 1924: BEGIN The Rev H. E. Sayles was called to Gregory, last Monday afternoon to officiate at the funeral of the little daughter of Mr and Mrs L. S. Cool, former residents of Plymouth. END