CDM Sr. 5: Letter from Charlie Mahaffie to his family, March 3, 1905

Kingfisher 3/3/05

Dear Home Folks;

I just got a telegram from Boyd that I passed in that exam alright. Prexy* is still having fits. I’m feeling pretty good myself you bet. Feel like celebrating. Don’t know but I’ll get drunk. I’ve got away from shaking hands and being tossed and am locked in my happy home to write a little.

I’ve got to have a certificate of birth right away to take to Norman and present with myself when the committee meets. I suppose I’ll have to go to Norman again, at least I have to go wherever they meet to be inspected.

About that birth certif. Can you get it from the County Clerk or Coroner or whoever keeps the record of Johnson County? Or the Doctor? I don’t know much about it except that it says there must be one.

I’m about out of money and am going to require a good deal this spring, cause the last year is a lot more expensive than other years and then of course this scholarship business will add somewhat to what I’ll be out. Now I reckon its about time for Papa to quit just giving me money and the best thing for me to do is to borrow about $50.

I guess I could get it here but if Papa is not too much afraid of the security—that’s a joke—has it to spare I mean, I’d rather get it from home.

Of course I don’t know yet how much I’m going to need but have got to have a new outfit of clothes before long and then by the time I pay my debts and take a trip to Norman there will be quite a hole in 50.

I’m feeling most too good to sit still and just write so will close with lots of love to all from your son and brother.

Charlie M.

P.S. Just happened to think maybe you won’t get this till Monday but hope you do anyhow.

________

In early March, on receiving the news, Charles wrote his family the letter above. He’d worked intently to prepare with Julius Temple House, the head of Kingfisher Collage. He was the first in Oklahoma to ever do so. it was a big enough deal that the papers in Oklahoma covered it and stuck with the story as he traveled to Europe and started at Oxford. The Hobart, Oklahoma papers, his home town, even published series of his “Yank at Oxford” letters home.

But it is this letter that carries so much of his excitement, combined with his very business-like approach to getting ready for his overseas adventure. He was ready for this.

*”Prexy” was Kingfisher College President Julius Temple House, who had coached Charlie for the Rhodes Scholarship examination.

 

This is one of a series of posts that explore the life of Charles D. Mahaffie, Sr. through family memories and items from a family archive. Charles was the author’s grandfather. He left a remarkable collection of papers, photos, and mementos which offer a lens through which to explore his life and legacies. For the full collection, click here.