52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks: Most

28 April 1917 Kenneth, Sheridan County, Kansas

Dearest sister Franny,
Once again, my life is taking new me in a different direction. This has been a most difficult decision. I will be leaving Kansas and moving with my daughter Jennie and family to California. I feel as if I have spend most of my life just wandering…settling down for a few years…then moving on. Since my Henry passed, I have been set adrift…not sure when I will touch shore again.

Remember all those years ago when I left Illinois with Father and Mother and the young children? You remained in Chicago to be a domestic servant with the Pierce Family. Then you met and married Dr. Read, and your world changed. Me…I was 14 years old, and I traveled by wagon train across the prairies to Kansas. It all seems like a dream. Change was coming for me, too.

Now, here I am in Kenneth (Kansas) and daydreaming where life is taking me. I sold Henry’s livery business to a young man. I am taking the money and going to a far off place named Riverside, California. This time, I will be taking a different kind of train…a railroad one. We will be traveling over 1,200 miles…I have never gone so far. A change is coming for me.

Why are we making this change? Promises of warm, sunny days versus the hard winters of the plains…jobs and opportunities versus uncertainty… new beginnings versus old lives. Once as when I am leaving Illinois as a young girl, I am now leaving Kansas as an old woman for the golden promises of California. A change will be waiting at the the train station for us.

When we get settled, I promise to write to give you my new address. I promise to tell you of the glories of golden California.

All my love,
Your sister Lottie

Note: Lottie (Charlotte) and Franny (Frances) Boultinghouse were my great grandaunts. They maintained most of their sibling relationship through letters. They were parted at a young age so only these missives could keep them connected. Lottie was married to Henry Korb while Franny was married to Dr. John Read. A most pair loving of sisters…