Grandma's Photo Journal - Found at Goodwill

I couldn't believe it when I found a small "Photo Journal" at the Goodwill Outlet Store - with pictures still inside!

The photos were taken in the spring and summer of 2006 ...

As the grandkids went about their summertime activities.

Like playing in the pool ...

Those who know me are not surprised that I had to save these wonderful photos, even though I have no idea who these people are, or where they live. I just can't stand seeing these beautiful memories shredded and sent to the dump!

Elkins Family Bible ...

I was shopping at the Goodwill Outlet store in Hillsboro, Oregon, when a bin full of books was brought out. There were many old books, and I grabbed some that caught my eye.

I saw an old tattered and falling-apart Bible, but passed over it ... until my daughter opened it and made me realize what a treasure it was ...

On the inside cover were four tags ...
"Rev. JT Elkin, TUSCOLA, Douglas co Ill"
"Rev. JT Elkin, WAXAHACHIE, Ellis co (worn off)"
"Rev. JT Elkin, MARION, Marion co Oregon"
"Rev. JT Elkin, CORVALLIS, Benton co Oregon"

Also a sticky note as follows:

"BIBLE - 1856

"Belonged to my Great-Grandfather (my Dad's Grandfather) used as he rode horseback through the countryside, as a Methodist Circuit Rider.
Lois Harvison"

The Bible itself is labeled "New York - American Bible Society" 1856

Between the Old and New Testaments was a section titled "Family Records"

Marriages:

James T. Elkins & Jennetta F. Gardiner was married by Rev. Benjamin Darlington October the 27th 1859
Simon N. Grizzell & Nannie J. Elkin, January the 18th, 1882, Waxahachie, Tex {daughter}
George R. Maple & Ella E. Elkin, January the 18th, 1882, Waxahachie, Tex {daughter}

Births:
Kanawha co West Va, James T, son of Edley & Francis Elkin was born October the 31st AD 1826
Montgomery co West Va, Jennetta Francis Elkin, daughter of Alaxander & Nancy Gardiner was born December the 9th AD 1840
1. Putnam co West Va, Nancy Jane, daughter of James T. & Jennetta F. Elkin, was born August the 30th AD 1860
2. Camargo Douglas co Illinois, Emily Ellen Elkin, daughter of James T. & J. F. Elkin, was born April 3rd AD 1864
3. Tuscola, Douglas co Illinois, Leonard Haddington, son of J.T. & J.F. Elkin was born April AD the 10th 1867
4. Tuscola, Douglas co Illinois, Euretta Candace, daughter of Jas. T. & J. F. Elkin was born December the 16th, AD 1868
5. Tuscola Douglas co Illinois, Infant son - J.T. & J.F. Elkin, born July 22nd AD 1871
6. Tuscola Douglas co Illinois, James Clark, son of J.T. & J.F. Elkin born January 8th AD 1873, 8 oclock 15 min

Deaths
3. Leonard A. Elkin, September the 2nd AD 1868 12 oclock 25
4. Euretta C. Elkin, September the 4th AD 1869 7 oclock 35
5. Inf son of J.T. & J.F. Elkin, July 22nd AD 1871
Mrs. Jennetta F. Elkin, July 14th AD 1875, Marlin Falls co Texas, 8 oc 13 min
Rev. J.T. Elkin, ded, January 3rd 1889, Corvallis, Benton co Ore.

Tucked between the pages of Family Records, was this well worn bookmark. It appears to be a peachy pink ribbon with scalloped edges, and a cross-stitched (on heavy paper) saying - "the blush of modesty" and a flower.

There was also a newspaper clipping about the Elkins family ...
including family crest and family history from medieval times through the 1600's.

Someday I will get enough information about this family to be able to track down the Reverend's descendants ... and return to them his Bible.

Until then, I am grateful that it ended up in our shopping cart ... instead of being sent off to be shredded and recycled (as do many of Goodwill's books that don't sell) ...

Vern - Letter #2

This second letter from Vern to his mom and dad is not dated. But it was lovingly tucked into the same envelope with the first letter, dated December of 1968, and mentions some of the same things ...

Hi - folks hows the volks ha ha. Guss what? It snowed thats what about 5 inch of that white stife. the most snow all at onece Nampa ever had for a long time they say. they only have about one inch at a time then it males (melts) before noon. this time four inch last all day 9:30 P.M. now and most of it is gone tho.

Boy some good news they are going to fix the Volks folks. only $400 Dollars to fix it too. It will be tomorrow when I fine out when it gets fixed Reddy to drive. they seem to think it just might be reddy by JANUARY somethings. mybe the firest of the week of JAN.

Gee every thing is Happypenny when I'm not thare, how about that? Glen Bys (buys) a truck Loran

(over)

sells her House.

Whars Loran moveing to now. Gee a could a or a can a you spar a mybe $10. Dollars this a month mybe I'm a little shot of cash funes (funds) moneys Dollars perticharly this month.

So if you might just have some money ling (lying) around and looking kind of sad would plese spar about $10. Dollars. mybe. you see Don and I have'nt been able to fine a bitter (better) or chiper (cheaper) place lattly.

Well thats all I can think of for this time by for now.
Vern poor Meligan

Isn't this another adorable letter from Vern?
I love how he writes the way he talks. I think he's awesome!

Introducing Vern ...

Yesterday while at the Goodwill Surplus store, I came across two tattered old books in a plastic bag. They intrigued me, so I paid the $1 to buy them.

One of the books was a family Bible - it's leather cover coming apart in chunks. Oh the treasures tucked within - old postcards, letters, pressed flowers ... but more on that later.

The second book was a battered dictionary, with no cover, hand written notes scattered throughout. Treasured letters were tucked between it's pages. It was owned by someone (I get the impression of an old lady, but that's just me I think) who loved words.

Several of the letters tucked into the dictionary were written by "Vern". As I read through these letters, I fell in love with his country charm. He wrote as he spoke.

12/25/68

Hi VOLKS OR I MIGHT FOLKS

I'm not going to write or see you anymore this year. So thar. Gee I Dissaponted' you never seent (sent) me my bannanes insted you cut them up in my frute cake Boy what a dretty (dirty) truck (trick) you pauld (played) on me.

I was So! dissaponted I Had "cry just a little bit, Geech. Boy when I get Home when I get home you've! just Had it thats It, I'm telling, you thats it now, youve just had I now. Well for instenes (instance) I was and stell am so mad I ate some of that bannana furt grade and to Eat any thing with bannanas in it will it (halps). Makes you get over being made (mad)
(over)

Gee I worked today 25th. Allday too. Boy its some-things to see them sapost (supposed) to be helpless poeplo (people) open gifts well! hell thare not acctcherly (actually) Helpless to a sertten (certain) point, you might say only there handy capt (handicapped) is about all I guss. two feelows that careral, they where ones that opened Gift like a eez you might say or go a Head and say I sure wont stop you that for sure! Im here.

Oh yes they will fix my car only $400. Dollars to get it fix is about all too.

I stell dont know when I'll get fix tho, soon tho, the way he talked. So looks like I might just see you soon like (maybe) I'll see yous soon. So well see you sometimes soon. Well that's about it now. Might see you or write soon.

V E R N

Isn't this the most delicious letter you've ever read? Apparently Vern worked at a State School for handicapped people somewhere in Idaho in the mid to late 1960's ... and was possibly a bit handicapped himself ... his view of the "handy capt" people he worked with is adorable.

There are 2 more letters from Vern, as well as a note from his mom to herself about a phone call they had. I can hardly wait to share more from this delightful family!

To see all things postal, including delightful old letters, visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory - and join us for Weekend Mailbox!