Since today is the Fourth of July, Independence Day in the United States, I want to start the celebration by transcribing a document for fun. Today's project is to transcribe a postcard from 1907, with the front showing downtown Douglas, North Dakota where the citizens of the town are enjoying an Independence Day Parade. Here is a window into the past, to learn how our family observed this holiday.
Amanuensis Monday is a weekly blog theme that was started by John Newmark, the author of TransylvanianDutch blog. John defines Amanuensis as "A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another." I also appreciate the good work and format examples of San Diego genealogist Randy Seaver of the
Today's project was chosen for its relevance to the holiday and since everyone is busy, so let's keep the project short and then we can get back to celebrating.
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| IMAGE: "MAIN STREET DOUGLAS, NORTH DAKOTA JULY 4, 1907." |
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| IMAGE: Scanned copy of postcard's reverse from the family collection of Edwin J. Ostrom. Original provided by Ione Peterson Schooler, daughter of postcard's recipient. |
-------- transcription begins --------
POST CARD
[Reverse : left-side of card]
Hello Ida.
received your
letter. We are
all well.
expect to come home next
week. Anna & Christina are
MESSAGE
coming home to. Harry
is coming up here when
he gets threw in Harvy
by next week so we will
come home all of us
maybe Harry & I will go
to Fergus we’ll write later
Oscar has threshed now
[written vertically at top of card.]
love from both us.
Mary
[Reverse : right-side of card]
[hand-stamped]
DOUGLAS,
SEP
23
A.M.
1909
N. DAK
KRUXO + KRUXO + KRUXO + KRUXO [1]
One Cent Stamp Here
ADDRESS
Miss Ida T Brekke
Dalton
Minn
Route no. 2
-------- transcription ends --------
This postcard was sent from Mary Brekke Olmstead (1887-1969) to her sister Ida Brekke Peterson (1884-1982). Mary has been visiting sisters Anna Brekke Ostrom (1890-1972) and Christina Brekke Roberts (1882-1945), the latter two then live near Douglas, North Dakota which is featured on the front of the postcard and now Mary is informing of her return.
Mary tells that her husband, Harry Olmstead has been in Harvey, North Dakota and that her brother-in-law Oscar Ostrom has threshed the grain that was ready. The postcard shares a little window in time, like samples of today, it doesn't contain a lot of writing space.
Douglas, North Dakota, in southern Ward County is a classic false-fronted, wooden sidewalk boom town. It is a good example of structures found in many small towns throughout the central and western portions of the late 19th to early 20th century. This little town is all "decked" out with flags and red, white and blue bunting in honor of Independence Day with parade observers lining the sidewalk. It shows three horse drawn wagons that are also decorated. The wagon on the left has its spoked wheels covered and the woman passenger has a dress hat on. There is also a horse and rider included in the parade amongst the wagons.
The building in the center of the photo is Jo's Harness Shop - Harness and Shoe Repairing. The fourth building from the left is A.G. Burgeson General Merchandise store. The rest are unidentified.
Someone may have claimed the postage stamp that was once affixed to this postcard for their stamp collection. You can see a bit of the paper outline of this missing stamp that still remains on the postcard.
SOURCE CITATION:
1.) "Real Photo Postcard Stamp Boxes" Playle (www.playle.com : accessed 3 July 2016), Deltiology, Kruxo 1908-1910.
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Please comment regarding this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then use the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Or contact me by email at dsteff4246[at]gmail[dot]com. Please enjoy your day and to those in the U.S., have a "safe and sane" fourth.
Copyright (c) 2016, Darlene M. Steffens. All rights reserved.
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