The Collver Letters, Indexed Version 11/6/2008a When Gordon Ross told me about publishing the Collver Letters, I was very excited to get a copy. My brother, Dan, had given me a disk with images of the original letters but it was much easier to read the typed versions. Unfortunately, few copies were printed and an electronic version was unavailable. So, I manually retyped the letters from Gordon and Barbara's transcriptions. I added a time line and an index to the names mentioned in the letters. These additions are found at the end of this copy. At a later date, I hope to expand the index with additional information, names and references. I would like to thank the Powell family for the preservation and sharing of these letters, which contain so much of my family's history. I would also like to thank Gordon Ross and Barbara Sytsma for their work in transcribing the letters for others to read and enjoy. I would also like to thank my cousin, Dennis Collver, for all the good work he has put into the Collver web site. If you are interested in learning more about the Collver family, his web site is a good place to start. Here is the current web address: http://www.collver.org/collver I would welcome any additions, corrections or questions. My email address is: [email protected] and my phone number is 541-572-0473. Greg Collver THE COLLVER LETTERS This collection of letters was lovingly made available by the descendants of Adelia Emily Collver Powell, who was born on the Oregon Trail near Provo, Utah, during the winter of 1851-1852. She settled, with her parents, in the Umpqua Valley and, in 1857, came over the Coast Range to the South Fork of Coos River. In 1876 she married Isaac J. Powell, a schoolteacher and minister living in Empire City. In the late 1870's they moved to Wasco County. In that location, she received many of these letters, which were written to her by her parents and siblings. The Compiler wishes to thank the Powell family for the preservation and sharing of these letters, which contain so much history of the Coos County area. I also wish to thank Barbara Sytsma for her many hours of work in transcribing and editing the letters to readable type. Respectfully, the Compiler, Gordon Ross. June the 15th, 1864 Dear Cousin, I take up my pen to answer your thrice welcome letter, which I received nearly two months ago. I was glad to hear from you. This leaves us all well at present. You mother was gone when I received your letter. I am a-going to school. I study arithmetic and grammar. Little Joel is dead. He died about three weeks ago with the congestion of the brain. Aunt Harriet is sick. She is not able to sit up all day, but she is some better now. I was sorry to hear that your mother was sick with the measles. The doctor says that it is the scarlet fever. Hiram is going to school. I wish that you was here to go to school with me. June the 25th, 1864 I will now try to finish my long-commenced letter. Uncle Mansfield is a-making a new house this summer. Aunt Harriet is able to sit up all day, but she is not able to work any yet. The children make so much noise that I cannot scarcely write. Tell Henrietta she must write to me. I cannot think of any news to write. Please write soon. This from your affectionate cousin, Mercy A. Cook To Adelia Collver Notes: Mercy is 17 years old and living in Noti, Oregon, an unincorporated city in Lane County, Oregon near Elmira and Veneta. She lives with her mother, Mary, father, Joel and sister, Lucy Ann. She is writing to her cousin, Adelia. Adelia is 12 years old, living up Coos River with her mother, Ruth and father, Alfred. At this time the family has baby Andrew, about 1 year old, 4 year old Sarah, 7 year old John, 9 year old William, 14 year old Ansel and 16 year old Henrietta. Little Joel is possibly a child of Mary Elizabeth Rice (Cook) and Joel B. Cook that is not listed? Mercy's young maternal Aunt Harriet Lucinda Cook (7 years old) is sick. Mercy tells her cousin that A.B. Collver's brother, Hiram, who is 30 years old, is also going to school. She and Hiram are not married yet, but they will get married Christmas Day, December 25, 1864, the year this letter was written. Mercy's maternal Uncle Mansfield (Seley Mansfield Cook?) is building a new house. Young Aunt Harriet is doing better. Last year, Mercy had lost an older sister, Alvira and next year she will lose her other older sister, Lucy. The noisy children are apparently other relatives living there. Coquille, Wednesday December 21st, 1864 Friend Adelia, We arrived at home yesterday, finding the folks all well, except Mother. She is not very well, and has not been for more than a week. She is some better today. I did not start home the day I left your house. Thomas had not gone to Mr. Bazzill's, the night before, and we did not start until the next day. I carried my boat up safely; got her down Beaver Slough, through the crabapple brush without giving her a scratch; but the worst of it was when I got to Mr. Harry's with her. Mrs. Harry took her away from me, and would not let me take her any farther (bad luck to Mrs. Harry). Mr. Harry's folks are all well. Alvy is building him a ferry-boat. Clarinda is making a new dress that I got for her when I was down to the Bay. Sarah Belle and Samuel are playing in the corner, making quite a racket. Mother is reading the Bible, and Father is reading some other book. I must brag a little on this Coquille country, little Adelia, for we have had not snow here at all, and you have on Coos River; but I need not wonder at it, for your county is some farther north. It is a beautiful day, the sun shines in all her splendor, producing a beautiful appearance to the surrounding landscape. I believe I will draw this letter to a close, for I do not know what to write that would interest you. I would be glad to have you write to me, and for Henrietta to write, also. Give my love to all who may deem me worthy of inquiry, and accept for yourself a share from your friend and well-wisher, James H. Rowley Coquille Coquille Flow on, thou gentle River, thy bed is streaked with gold, Thy banks are well-protected by mountains high and bold. Thy bottoms rich and fertile, fit for us men to till Where we can all a living make, if we only have the will. Thy Elk and Deer are plenty, we need not lack for meat; There's fishes in the stream, also, we have enough to eat. Notes: I have not identified who James H. Rowley was, so non of the names are recognized yet (or listed). Of particular interest is which Harry's these may be. Named in the letter: Mr. Bazzill, Thomas Mr. and Mrs. Harry, Alvy (Harry?) Father and Mother Rowley, Clarinda, Sarah Belle and Samuel (Rowley siblings?) March the 5, 1865 The Drummer Boy When battle roused each war like band And carnage loud her trumpet blare, Young Edwin left his native land, A drummer boy for Waterloo. His mother, as his lips she pressed And bade her noble son a'dieu, With wringing hand and aching breast, Beheld his march for Waterloo. But he, who knew no infant fears, His knapsack o'er his shoulder threw, And said, “Dear Mother, dry those tears, Till I return from Waterloo.” He went and e're the set of sun, Beheld our arms the foe subdue, The clash of death, the murderous gun Had laid him low at Waterloo. “Comrades, comrades,” Edwin cried, And proudly beamed his eye of blue, “Go tell my mother, Edwin died, A drummer boy at Waterloo.” They placed his head upon his drum, Beneath the moonbeam's mournful hue, And still at night, the battles hung, They dug his grave at Waterloo. - Mr. Osmer H. Cook March the 27, 1865 Dear Cousin, I take my pen in hand to let you know how we are getting along. We are all well at present, and hope these few lines will find you the same. Well, Ansel, I been harrowing in oats yesterday. Winfield and Leonard have took a job of 4000 rails to make. Well, I must quit for the present. So goodbye, write soon. This from Osmer W. Cook To Ansel Collver Notes: Osmer White Cook is 18, living in Coquille?, Ansel Mark Collver is 15, living in Coos River. The Battle of Waterloo was on Sunday, June 18, 1815, 50 years before this letter. The poem was written by Osmer H. Cook, not Osmer W. Cook, author of the letter. The rails are probably not the iron rails, but the wood ties. Names mentioned: Winfield and Leonard? Noti Valley, Long Tom Lane County, Oregon September the 12th, 1865 My Dear Cousin Adelia, It is with the greatest of pleasure that I take up my pen to answer your thrice welcome letter, which I received of September the 10th.