To: Albert John Mangelsdorf, c/o Seedman, Atchison, Kansas
From: Duke, Pleasant Hill, Missouri
Dear Al,
No, I’m not sick. Neither do I want any great favor. What I want to know, what you folks can lay down at this time the following grass seeds. —Sudan —Red Clover —Alsike —timothy. We are expecting to use some of all of these varieties and naturally want to buy where our money will do the most good — If there are any objections of a more or less retail business, say so Al — No one’s feelings will be hurt here —
The weather we’ve had the past week surely ought to be good for something — so it must be the fish. It’s a cinch it only adds to the trouble of a dairyman.
We’ve done no farming as yet. Don’t even have any spuds in — although the garden is plowed. Are milking 25 cows now. Bill’s doing all of it alone. We expect to have a machine in within the next 6 weeks and our troubles will be somewhat less —— really ——
The listing of Sudan isn’t a joke Al — I mean it. Have a piece of alfalfa that is very questionable as to stands. If it doesn’t deliver, we are going to give the wonder grass a chance to save our hides.
Dick and Laura are both well. Dick is growing like a weed and eats like a harvest hand.
Give our regards to Celeste and the boys, also such other members of the tribe as we are acquainted with. As ever, Duke.
“Lovingly”
March 22, 2025 at 1:33 am
Rachel here and hope that we find more information on Duke as we read through the family archive. My heart goes out to someone whose family livelihood is risked on cattle, seeds, and the weather, and yet meets this difficulty with humor and eloquence.
Holding this hundred-year-old letter in my hands was heartwarming and memorable – a meaningful slip of American history.
March 23, 2025 at 5:41 am
Sounds good to look into these letters.
Staying at the hotel sounds great.