OH MR. POSTMAN - POSTCARDS

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         In this age of Internet, email, and instant messaging, letters and postcards are largely a thing of the past.  But in our grandparent’s time, a postcard was an inexpensive way to keep in touch and send a nice sentiment.  I am fortunate to have many family postcards in my collection.  I have postcards sent to my grandfather, Will Churchwell, others sent to my grandmother Iva before she and Will were married, and postcards she sent to her betrothed.  I have postcards sent to Iva as a young woman.  I have others she sent to me when I was young, and some sent by my mother, Mildred.  I even have one my Aunt Gail sent from Tijuana, Mexico! 

         Here are some of my favorite postcards, including the message written on the back.  I hope you enjoy the beauty and even some surprising photos from the early to mid-1900s. 

 

FLOWERS:


Mrs. Will Churchwell, Shelbyville, Missouri.  R.R. #6

         Sept. 8, -11

Hello Iva:- 

     How are you this rainy weather?  I am all right.  What have you been doing?  I am going to iron this morning.  Don’t know whether I will see you to-morrow or not.  I wish you many more Bright and Happy Birthdays!

How is Will tell him Hello for me.

   Your Sis.  Lizzie






Mr. Will Churchwell, Shelbyville, R.R. #6, Missouri

 Aug. 1, 1910 (8 months before Will & Iva were married)

“Hello”! Will:

      How you be, pretty sleepy I expect.  Did Prince get in all of them ditches last night?  I hope he got out O.K.  I guess you are having a good time.  Bye bye Iva

Answer soon 

 

 

 

 


Postmarked Jul 9, 1917, Emden, MO.

Mrs. Ivy Churchwell, Stratton Colorado. R.R. 

Dear Ivy and family – How are you all?  We are all well.  Archie is cutting wheat today.  He has quit[sic] a bit of cutting this time.  We went to church yesterday.  Have you all commenced your house yet.  Mabel is fat as ever.  She breaks out with heat so bad.  How is your garden?  I have all the potatoes, beets and beans I can use now.  Will have cabbage soon.  You must write to us soon and tell us all the news.  Bye Bye Eulelia. 


 

ANIMALS:  

(Undated)

Mr. Willie Churchwell, Shelbyville, MO. R. No 6.

Hello did you have a fine time at the party last Tuesday.  I had a fine time, Mr. Sparks said we could have a party the 12 of May it is Luties birthday that will be to late every body will be so busy.  I don’t know[sic] if we will have it or not. 

Irene Po-?? 


 

SCENERY:


Postmarked Gerber, Mont Mar 3 1911

Mr. Will Churchwell, Shelbyville, Mo.

c/o Frank Churchwell

 Hello Brother How are you getting along, it is fine Weather here now, and every thing is looking fine for a good crop this sumer[sic].  How is Father and Mother, Hoping to here[sic] From you soon 

Your Loving Brother Frank Churchwell Stanford, Mont.

 

 

 

 

CARTOONS:


Mr. Will Churchwell, Newark, Missouri.  R.R. #

 April 1. 1914

Dear Bro. and Sis,

How are you getting along?  We are all well and like the country fine.  Has Dolly got a mule?  Wrote and tell all the news.  We are going to start to farming next week.  ans. soon.  B.D.C. (Will’s brother, Benjamin David)

 

 


Postmarked 19 July 46. 17 

J.W. Larew, R.6 Box 621, Denver 14, Colorado U.S.A.

Hello,

Good bye,

Gail

This postmark is a mystery!  My aunt Gail wasn’t born until 1923, and my grandfather James Larew and family did not move to Colorado until 1934! It almost looks like it could read July 17 1946.

 


HOLIDAYS


Postmarked Clinton Mar 3 1913 Nebr.

Mrs. Iva Wallis Churchwell, Newark Mo.

 Dear Grand daughter

We were glad to hear from you all.  I would love to see little Frank Kiss him for me.  It is very snowy and cold here.  We are all well.  We are moving up by Clinton on the land Grand Pa bought.  Love to each and all.  Write soon yours lovingly,

                 Grand Ma

 



BUILDINGS:


Georgian R.R. Bank Building, Augusta, GA

(since this card is an imprint of the building, it’s very hard to read)

[Postmark illegible]

Mr. Will Churchwell, Shelbyville, Missouri R.R. #6.

Dec. 15, 1910.

         “Hello”! Will:  bad cold this Morning!  I am all O.K. what time was it when you got home last night?  Are you going to church to-Night?  Don’t expecte[sic] will get to go to-night.  Charley was good last night wasn't he. Ha! Ha!  "Bye" "bye" I.W. 

(Answer soon)

 





Postmarked Aug 4, 1941, Colorado Springs Colo.

Miss M.E. Churchwell

Rt 1. Box 392 ½

Wheat ridge, Colo.

We are in Colo. Springs because of hayfever.  Came yest.  We each got a permanent.  We saw “Gone With the Wind” yesterday.  Leora is going to Manitou to see if she can get a job?  No news.  Love, Helen







Postmarked 13 Chicago Jul 3 1948 Ill.

 

Mr. Kermit Larew & family

582 S. Meade St.

Denver 9, Colo.

 

Hello Honey, We’re here and have a room on the 7th floor and it is near Lake Michigan, will go get a tan tomorrow.  We’re at the Belair Hotel.  We’ve taken a shower & will go eat soon.  I sure do miss you & the “dollies.”  How’s Dode & Dean making out.  Will see you soon Darling.  Bye, Mildred

 

 


 

The Famed Water Tower, on whose site the great Chicago fire of 1871 was stopped, has been preserved as a monument to that terrible disaster. 

 (not mailed)

I think my mom must have brought back both this Water Tower and the following Wrigley Building postcard from her trip to Chicago with my aunt Gail. 

 





WRIGLEY BUILDING, CHICAGO

     The Wrigley Building at the North End of Michigan Boulevard

Bridge is 398 feet high.  The observation tower, which is open to

the public, gives you a thrilling view of Chicago and its beautiful

Lake Front.  The buildings contain the Main Offices of the Wm.

Wrigley Jr. Company, manufacturers of the famous Wrigley’s

Spearmint, Doublemint and “Juicy Fruit” Chewing Gum. 

 

(not mailed)


 

EARLY SEX APPEAL:



(Blank on back)

 

 

 Postmarked Oct 5 1909 Emden, MO.

 

Mr. Willie Churchwell, Shelbyville, Mo.

 

Your friend.

C. Yort. 

 


 


Postmark Shelbyville Mo.  Jan 3 1912

 Mr. Charles Wallis, Warren, Mo.

Hello how are you these cold days!  A happy glad New Year to you.  May you be as gay as a bird. 

            Lovingly,

         Grand Pa & Grand Ma


 




Postmarked Newark, Mo. Feb 20 1912

 Mrs. John Wallis, Warren Mo.  R.R. #1.

 Dearest Mother:

         How are you all we are well.  We all went to church yesterday.  What are you doing now?  I am going over to Mamma’s to iron Will is going to help haul some corn to-day.  Ma what is the Matter I can’t call you all any more?  I will be glad when we get to come down there I am getting home sick and so is Will.  Tell all “Hello!” for us and kiss the Baby for us too.  Love to all,

                                                                                               Will & Iva


 




Postmark Shelbyville Mo.  Aug 10 [year illegible]

Mr. Monroe Wallis, Shelbyville, Mo.  R.F. #6

When you go out to Market be carefull[sic] what you buy.  





SHIPS AND LIGHTHOUSES:

 



(Postmark illegible)

Miss Iva Wallis, Warren Missouri

Feb – 24 – 1911.

         Dear Iva:

  How are you by this time?  Iva just – to you know I’m always fine. Ha! Ha!  Did you think I had forgotten you!  I hadn’t.  You know I never forget good people.  I wish you could have came with Arch and Johnnie last night.  Iva I don’t know wheather[sic] we will come over there Sunday or not.  It looks like We are never going to get to go.  Every Sunday has to be stormy. 

     “With Love from Effie” 

 

 


Mr. Will Churchwell, Shelbyville, Missouri. R.R. #6.

 Sept. 22, 1910

         “Hello”!  Will: 

How are you by this time.  That ‘s too bad you haven’t got over that sleepy spell.  I don’t know whether I am going to get to go where I was talking about.  If I go to town Sat.  I will leave a note in your mail box.  “Bye” “bye” Iva

Answer soon 

 






Postmarked Shelbyville, Mo. Mar 7 1911

(under stamp) we love you in the same old say

 Mr. Will Churchwell, Shelbyville, Mo. R.F.D. No6

 Hello!  How are you by now?  I am Better.  Say, what do you know about it raining last night.  Johnnie Ruby & I went visting[sic] last night and had to come back through the rain what do you know about that.  I am sleepy to-day I have Been up the last 2 nights till after ten.  We are all well “bye, bye.”  Jewell

 

 

PHOTOS:

Postmarked Billings, Mont. Oct 28 1907

Mr. A.E. Wallis, Shelbyville, Mo.  R.F.D. #6

(no message)

These are a different type of postcard.  The only thing on the back is the address.

 

 

 



 Postmarked possibly BILLINGS, MONT. [day and month] 1907

Mr. R. Monroe Wallis, Shelbyville, Mo.  R.F.D. #6.


 




Postmarked Joliet Mont. 25 Oct [year illegible]

Miss Iva Wallis, Shelbyville R.F.D. #6. Mo.

Dear friend – I rec’d your card awhile ago.  I am getting along fine now and how are you.  I don’t thing[sic] I will come home this fall I gess[sic] you are having a fine time down there.  I wish I was there again.

                                           Loren.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEXT:  CHRISTMAS POSTCARDS

 

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