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Letter from Lizzie Hartzell to Annie Stryker
[Stationery has images of Lehigh University]
Bethlehem, Pa., Feb. 19-1908
Dear Friend Annie,
I just finished a letter for Annie Young, and thought I would
commence one to Annie Stryker although it is my bed time. My eyes
are very heavy now it was 11 o'clock last night before we retired.
It was our Missionary evening and we met on the West side, and
after our meeting they treated us on cake and coffee, and so we
had a social chat and it was rather late when I reached home.
I do not like late hours. My mottoe [sic.] is early to
bed and early to rise.
Annie I have been thinking of you often for the last few weeks
while the weather was so bitter cold. Could you keep your large
kitchen warm and I suppose you had cows to milk how did you keep
your fingers from freezing? I just felt like sitting by the stoves
and piling on coal.
I am not surprised that you do not get out much this winter, it
must be awful bad walking in the country, in town they must keep
their pavements clean.
Morning. I just came from the meat market.
The walking is dreadful the pavements are covered with ice, the
snow is off in most places, I walked in the car track. I hope
the sun will melt the ice to-day.
Wish I could have seen Ann & Gate Voorhees. If I get
to White House again I surely will call on Mrs. Buckley if you
see her tell her so.
I am surprised that your Uncle Vaetor [Vechte?] and Johnny Reger
are living yet.
Annie did Mrs. J. Suydam get anything from the railroad company
for Jacob's death. I hope she did. What does she do for a living.
I feel so sorry for her, and Frank, they lived so nice all together.
How is Mrs. Wack, is she still in her house, remember me to her
when you see her.
You asked how Aunt Belle was.
I have not heard from her since Christmas she was getting along
nicely though. She could get about the house very well but could
not go up or down stairs. I would like very much to see her. And
would like to see Washington too. If we keep well and our pocket
book will allow it think we will go. Edwin received his office
again last Tuesday Election day. That means all work and no play
for him anyhow. If people were only honest enough to come and
pay their taxes without giving him so much trouble and expense.
we might take a trip every year. But there is so much crookedness
now days.
Even Ministers forget their high calling and some skip their taxes.
I must stop writing now and go to work. I hope this will find
you all well. Ward's baby boy has had typhoid fever for the last
4 weeks they pillow him up in bed a little this week. Adele had
chickenpox last week. Grip, and measels are all over town, Edwin
& I have not had the grip yet so far but it has been all around
us. Robbie and his family are well I believe this week, I have
not seen them since last Sunday. Edwin Jr. had a billious attack
last week.
Love to you all. Lizzie Hartzell
N.R. Please answer this year
Bethlehem
March 24, 1920
My Dear Friends,
Annie, Fannie & David I cannot wait any longer I want
to hear from you all thought often of writing to you throughout
the winter but did not do it. I was a shut in for 8 weeks was
in bed one week don't know really what was the matter I would
fall over so easy & am not very strong yet, but went to church
last Sunday morning, the weather was so nice.
Annie how did you get through such a bitter cold winter with so
much snow & ice. I thought of you so often I suppose you did
not have to milk the cows expect David done that if you have any
to milk.
When I was at home I used to wade through the snow to the barn
if and I know what little fun there is in it.
I hope you all have been well through the winter no grip nor "flu."
Many people died in Bethlehem with Pneumonia.
Warn & his family had grip and Robbie too, Edwin & I had
colds but not grip.
How is Mrs. Suydam & Frank getting along well I hope
remember me to them when you see them.
How I would like to see you all and have a good talk with
you.
This has been a lovely morning the sun shines so bright
it will take some of the ice away, we have some in our yard yet.
Annie we are not planing to go to Bound Brook this summer
it will be a surprise if we get there. Edwin is getting so feeble
& forgetfull I do not care to go away from home to stay. Edwin
was 80 last Oct.
It is dinner time so will close this letter hoping to hear
from you soon.
Tell Fannie to write if you cannot see well enough Annie.
Our love to you all, Lizzie Hartzell
Bethlehem
Jan. 27-1922
My dear friends Annie & Fannie & David
I am always so glad to hear from you. And am sure you love
to receive letters, as I suppose you do not get away from home
very often.
Over the Holidays I received 30 letters and cards many unexpected
ones but glad for them all, it shows that I am not forgotten even
if I do not get away from home. I miss my church, Aid Society
Missionary Meetings & many of my friends.
I am so thankful that I can see & my hearing is midling
good. I sew very little, my hand is stiff yet, I read almost to
much it hurts my eyes.
I feel so sorry for Annie it is so sad when you cannot see
nor hear. You must tell Annie that we must think of the many years
that we enjoyed good eye sight & hearing. If we cannot see
earthly things we must turn our eyes more toward heavenly things.
The Lord has been very good to us in the past, our time me not
be very long here any more. I hope we may be fully prepared for
the change to a better world where there is no sorrow nor sickness.
I felt sorry to hear of cousin John Young's death Jan 2nd.
None of us could go to the funeral. Robbie was up in York
State at work, & Ward has work part of a weak & did not
like to spare the time & expense & I could not go. Annie
wrote me they did not know what they intended to do yet her health
is miserable she wrote at that time.
I suppose you feel the hard times around White House too.
We have them by the 100 that must be fed & properly
clothed in Bethlehem & coal furnished to keep them from freezing
this cold weather so many poor children suffering so many parents
out of work.
I hope we will not get another big snow storm & so much
ice.
I remember Sallie Blanc but do not remember who she married.
I did not know that Kennedy's family were all dead. Was
Rose married? They had such a large family.
Fanny remember me to Mrs. Suydam & her sister. I received
a card from her on xmas.
I will try to write to her sometime. Annie has passed her
80th birthday. I believe mine comes Feb. 12th if I live that long.
I hope you all are well & Happy
with much love I remain as ever your old friend
Lizzie Hartzell
Write when you can
Bethlehem
July 10th 1923
My Dear Young Friends
It is a long time since I heard from you hope you all have
been well. We have had some warm weather, but I do not mind it
much just sitting around I do not even walk in the yard without
my cane & somebody helping me. I do not have much pain but
I am weak my knees are stiff & I fall so easy & cannot
get up alone. But still the days do not seem long. I have many
callers my boys & grandchildren come often. I am always so
glad to see them.
Annie Young my cousin visited me in May staid 3 days we had such
a pleasant time together. Her Aunt Mrs. Shirts was buried a few
days ago. Our relatives have nearly all passed away.
I suppose you can nearly say the same
I suppose you miss Mrs. Suydam very much. I felt so sorry last
xmas when I heard of her sudden death, I think Frank must be lonely
without her I feel so sorry for her. Is she still living in the
old home with her brother or is she married
Remember me to her when you see her tell her I have not forgotten
the nice visits I used to have at their home.
Alex and Lizzie Crater visited me a few weeks ago they passed
your home & looked around to see some one but was disappointed.
Said they were coming soon again. Alex gave Wards family a nice
ride in their Auto I enjoyed it so much.
We rode past our old house in the country, where Father &
Mother lived six years. It looked as changed the old fruit trees
& everything looks different
I wonder if you had such a nice shower last night it has
been so dry, we had some rain last week. To day is fine after
the rain. How glad I would be if I could see you all again Annie,
Fannie, & David. If I cannot see you again on earth it is
such a please to think of the good times we had together years
ago, when we were young & happy & free from care.
I wonder if Annie's eye sight is better I can see, but my hearing
is failing but I have many things to be thankful for. I hope my
dear friends if we do not meet on earth we will meet in heaven
this is my prayer. I hope to hear from you soon if you can read
my writing.
My best love to you all From Mary E. Hartzell
All information on this site © Copyright 1998-2000 Andrea
L. Beaudin except where otherwise posted.
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