A Letter from Our Research Library Archives

Dear Johnny,

Well here we are at last! Bet you have been cussing us for not writing sooner. You should know a lot of new cuss words by now but we didn’t get your letter until Thursday night after we got home from town. Then had to rush off to the 4-H. Then we kept thinking you might come over Sat—But no Johnny—am sure sorry kid you’re having such a tough time with your bubbles. How long do you have to take those shots? Bet there is a red headed nurse in that office and we won’t be seeing much of you—but take it easy kid—Momma will tell you all about the birds and bees some day… When do you think you will be over? Don’t make it to long, huh? Thanks for missing us. That makes it even… Hope you can read this. Write soon.

Love from all
Honeypot



This letter was written to John Jury in 1948 by his sister Marlene, who signed many of her letters with the nickname “Honeypot.” Marlene lived in Murphy with her and Johnny’s parents, while Johnny was residing in Ashland.

It is unclear why Johnny was in Ashland, but Marlene frequently mentions her hopes that Johnny get well from his “bubbles.” Perhaps he was in Ashland to recover from a bout with chronic, recurring boils, which are skin abscesses caused by bacteria or in some cases, inflammation of the sweat glands.



Post Submitted by Karreen Busch


Source: Letter from Marlene to John Jury, 1948. SOHS Research Library Archives.

Christmas Letters from the Past

From the collection of the Hanley sisters

Post Submitted by Karreen Busch

            Happy Holidays!  It’s early December, and the time is here to send out your holiday greeting cards.  The first Christmas cards originated in the mid-1800s in England, but the practice has since become a worldwide tradition for people of many backgrounds and many different religions.

            The Hanley sisters, of the historic Hanley Farm in Central Point, received dozens of cards each December from the 1910s to 1980s.  Mary Hanley, one of the sisters and the last descendant of the family to live on the farm, deeded the farm to the Southern Oregon Historical Society.  In addition to hundreds and hundreds of artifacts, the society was also given all of the Christmas correspondence to Mary, Martha, and Claire Hanley.  While most of the cards contained only a signature from the sender, there were a few cards with longer letters inside.  Here are two interesting samples from 1944, the year before the end of World War II:

Sent to: Misses Mary, Martha, and Claire Hanley, Medford Oregon

A “Thank You” card from: Marilyn S., Harbor Oregon

Inside of card: Thanks a million for the cute pin, and the lovely handkerchief and pretty handkerchief holder.  Love Marilyn

Back of card:

Dear Everybody:

Merry Christmas a little late. Yes, I got lots of things for Christmas. I think the best thing I got was a bike. Today I’m learning to ride it. I took a spill in a rosebush last nite, Ouch. I got lots of other things like 2 sweters, 3 slips, a new purse, a pair of cute suspenders and a charm bracelet, 3 pins and lots of other things. Thanks again

Love Marilyn

Sent to: Claire Hanley, Rt. 2, Medford Oregon

A family picture, with caption, from: Ghangle, Medford Oregon

We pause on this Christmas morn in sober reflection, and gratitude for the blessings that have been ours.

With the coming of the new year, we extend our greetings, and good wishes for 1945.

The Ghangles

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            The relations between the card senders and the Hanley sisters remain unknown.  There are multiple boxes filled with the Hanley sisters’ Christmas cards, ready for perusal at the Southern Oregon Historical Society’s Research Library.  The cards provide a fun insight to the past, and reading them might even help you compose your own upcoming Christmas letters.