KELSO, K - from Kansas 1898
K. KELSO - letter from Kansas
Source: Waveland Independent newspaper, Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana Dec 23, 1898
While looking over your papers I chanced to read an item for which I now write. I had three brothers and two sisters born in Montgomery Co, Ind, near your town, but I was more lucky than they; I was born in a County by the same name, but a different state, Kansas. I am well pleased that I was b. in a state that can produce fruits and grain of all kinds. They call Ks. the "Sunflower state," but they may make all the fun they like but it can keep up with Indiana, the "Hoosier" state, any old day. We Kansas folks sit at home of winter eve, by bright gas fires, and gas jets in each room. We have gas wells all around our city. You Indiana folks sit by a wood fire. We also have hydrants in our houses and yards. The weather of our state is temperate. Warm and pleasant in summer and short winters, and they are cold.
Our public schools are the best that may be had. I often hear my brothers speak of you. They were schoolmates of yours. I have visited your state once. It is a very nice state, but Kansas can compare with it. I have an aunt, uncle and cousins living near your town. We all call him Uncle Buddy. Your paper is a welcome visitor to our home once a week.
Our town is on a "boom"; there is a large smelter being put in. When it starts it will employ 150 men and will soon employ as many as 500 men. it is said to be the largest in the US. It can down St. Louis. There are two brick plants getting ready for business also. Why of course all you Hoosier folks would like to visit our state and city. The crops of this year were not as good as usual; corn was good, wheat was fair. Although Kansas has not lofty mountains and peaks, its mounds contain valuable shale in abundance and mines of coal and petroleum. Kansas is well wooded along the rivers and creeks.
When the war with Spain was declared, KS was ready with her troops to answer the call. I have a brother in the army. He is in the 21st Ks. Our state has a population of 1,427,096. Ks. has all new books for its schools. Our motto is: "Ad Astra Per Aspera." Three cheers for the Sunflower State.
Note: This is probably (about 95% sure) KittyLou Kelso, daughter of John A. and Mary Ann (Spencer) Kelso. Her uncle was William Rice Kelso, and everyone called him Buddy :) -- kbz