James Clinton Harris Sr. and his first wife, Florence Margaret Steffer. I believe they were married in Spokane, Washington. No date on this photo

I do not know the names for sure, so I am guessing: Standing in the back left to right: Vance Hays Harris, Lorena May Harris Faris, and my grandfather James Clinton Harris. Great Grandfather, Creed is seated left, holding Virginia Maguerite. The taller girl to his left is Ella Gladys. The shorter girl to his left Mabel Margie. Next is their mother, Margie Anna Hays Harris holding Robert (Jack). The girl to her left Verna Leila.

Two other children were not yet born: Chester Fulton and Donald Wilson. Mary, Hallie, and Birdie had all died before this.

I am guessing at the date: about 1908 since my grandfather was with them and because of the age of the baby, who was born in 1908.

The following letter was addressed to J.C. Harris, 708 Union Street, Seattle, Washington, with a return address of C.F. Harris, Union, Neb. Postmark was June 21, 1949.

W.E. STRAUB
H.J. REQUARTTE

President
Secretary

We got your letter day or so ago. This leaves us all very well and we are having plenty of rain here and harvest on in next 10 days. Been wet to put up hay. Sterling is [illegible] a commercial hay baler. He baled about 6,000 bales in past 2 weeks and he has gone today to work and baled yesterday. He will run about $1000 for the month if nothing breaks. He gets 14 cents per bale for baling. Fulton is in Minnesota fishing this week he and Bess. He sold his place last week and I hope he didn’t get another one. There is three places kept here now. Vance’s family got rained at Lee’s last night and they stopped here this morning on their way to Omaha. He is leaving Saturday or Sunday for New York. He goes to Iceland where the govt. is putting up an airport. He has to sign up for 11 months and gets transportation $85 per 40 hour week. He just had to do something to make a living. His Western Nelson doings all blowed up after such a hard winter out there. He is setting up this week on the [illegible]. Margia Ruth has another girl. They are in Hawaii on an island. Her husband is in the Drs core [sic] in the Army. Virginia Pollard is thinking of going to Oregon to live. They are in California now. Her man is a railroad signal man. Wheat is [looks like] calm. Hay and f[illegible] looks all OK here. We are looking for you folks, boys too, this mo. Well, come when you can. Margia says thanks for all. We will be looking for you. Have only written $150,000 of since Jan. 1. I am not trying to work so hard now. My ins. “Life” is now $2500 with the co. they pay all but $18 per year rt. That is all I can get under my contract. I still write enough to make me a living. Donalds all well. Vern in Va was here recently all well. It was hot here yesterday and they had a cyclone in Neb yesterday about Grand Island somewhere. Was around 100 yesterday. I am taking it easy and have already got my weeks worth in for the co. Write and come when you can. Bring the boys if they can come. I see that Giles from here who lived at Condulence Work died recently.

Got your letter a few days ago. Sterling and Mill will meet you in Omaha if they know when you will be there so they said this morning. The buss passes here at 9 o’clock am and 2 pm and 6:30 pm. Going south the bus depot is close to the Castle Hotel in case anything should happen. So it would be impossible for them to be there. But they are going to meet you there. There is no MoP [Missouri Pacific] trains south now because there is a strike on that road. Lora and Verne have been sick the past 10 days. Lee and Lora are going to Lincoln for the winter. They are about ready to go. Weather good here now. Sterling is baling hay yet. Gone today to Balce [?]. Corn is pretty good this year. Wheat and oats no good. We had lots of peaches this year. I still keep busy but had to slow down somewhat. Sold one 160 four and a half miles east of Avoca for 21,000 and owner gets this year’s crop. Sterling bought Fulton out on home place a couple weeks ago. Well, you tell Bill and Jack to come on, too if they can. We’ll be looking for you. Margia has a very bad cold but is up and around. We will be looking.

Geo Rieke gone to Calif to bring Will Rieke body here for burial Wednesday 21 Dec. He had a stroke and never was conscious after that. Jim Niday passed away. Mrs. [looks like] Harry Chillcott and Forest Barkhurst and Curley Keane of Union also. No snow here yet. All one family due except Lora. She has hers down in bed again. Is better now. Margie not very well now. Is up and around lots of car accidents it seems. Vance Fetters to [sic]. Donalds all OK hope all one[sic] well with you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Margia & C. Harris