Charlie letters

August 25, 1915

(From Funk, Nebraska)
(To Richvale, California)

Dear friend Charlie,

I had intended to answer your letter soon this time, so I guess I'll have to do that tonight, because if I wait to do it come Sunday afternoon I'm afraid it will take a long time till you get it, because on Sundays it is most generly warm weather so I have to go down by the drink(?) and swim.  The water is so deep over the grade that at first it nearly went up in the buggy when we drove across, but now it just goes up to the hubs, so it make fine swimming in the ditch, water even with the shoulders. 

Since April 1st weve had around 36 inches of rain.  There's lots of ducks over here so just what I'm waiting for is for the season to open.  We are not done stacking yet, a couple days left.  The corn grows like sixty(?) when its dry and warm weather.  Weve traded our old gas engine off for an 8-16 Mogul, with which we intend to plow, it pulls three plows.  I've plowed 1/2 day with it, it was fun and it worked fine.

Im glad to hear you can throw some fancy curves when you try to.  We didnt have any rain through harvest, but as soon as we got done we got 4 inch in about 35 minutes, thats what filled the ponds.  I suppose you will soon start to cut rice now.  Martin and Family have been house visiting a few weeks, but he left yesterday again he made the trip in auto, from Elbow Lake Minn.

Just a few lines to let you know we are alive and with good health.

Greeting from us all.  Duzinia says greet him from me.

Your pal,
Emil G.

Write soon.

June 20th, 1915

(From Funk, Nebraska)
(To Richvale, California)

Friend Charlie,

Now I've waited so long to write, so I'll have to write you a few lines tonight, I've even forgot which one of you boy I owe a letter first.  but if this aint right just write me again and I'll know next time, and I'll answer sooner than I did this time.  First I want to let you know that we have lots of rain this summer, weve had somewhere around twenty inches of rain already since spring begin, so the ponds are full of water, all over, and theres water across the roads on several places between here and town so we cant use our auto if yet it is fine roads elsewhere.  but I suppose that will sink away if it dont come a hard rain too soon again.  This afternoon Elmer, Zek(?) Lind, Victor Nelson, and I were down in Clauses pasture boatriding but It didnt get very good the long grass polks up through the water so one fellow can hardly move it with four in.  There's so deep water all way the whole mile so it nearly goes over a persons(?) rubber boots.  There quite a few ducks around here and also many mud hens.  The corn isnt big enough to be cultivated decent, on account of all the rain.  but the wheat and oats is fine where the ground aint too low or where they have had hail.  We havent had any hail yet, around Willcox, south east of Funk, and east of Holdredge there's been hard hail.  Its got easy to hail this year so we may get ours anytime.  Our picnic will be held July 1.  You ought to be here then.  How is everything in Cal?  I would like to go there this year but I dont think I'll have the time and money.  "Elmer says, tell 'em that I'm still alive, I'll write some time."  Duzenia(?) is in Wahoo at present, She's been there on Lillie Linds wedding.  How soon will I get to hear of your wedding?  Is Albin married yet?  How is Richard coming along?  Was to the Farmers Union Picnic the other in Verbacks grove, had a pretty good time, Do you play in a base ball team this year?  Greet all of 'em from me.  Write soon and let me know about everything.

Your friend
Emil Gustafson

November 23, 1915

(From Funk, Nebraska)
(To Richvale, California)

Dear friend Charlie,

How are you by this time.  I've caught a cold good and proper.  I should write you a letter but I dont just remember if I wrote to you some time ago or how.  We are done threshing now, the wheat averaged 19 bls(?). Haven't got started to pick corn yet.  Elmer has helped to fix the bank(?) so people can cross.  May have some fine skating this winter.  Greet everyone

From Emil Gustafson

August 26, 1915

(From Nimshew, California)
(To Richvale, California)

Hello.  Feeling jake.  Been on top of mountain to down the lowest valleys till I don't know where I'm at.  You just ought to be here.  Making hits(?) all the time Ha Ha!  I should worry.  Suppose I fish the next month or two.  Bye bye.  From M.P.