Charles spent a few days as he began his trip East in Olathe, Kansas, just west of Kansas City, Missouri. It was his birthplace and his father’s home town. And it was the town where his grandfather James Beatty Mahaffie lived, along with a number of cousins, aunts, uncles, and old friends of the Mahaffie clan. No doubt under strict orders from his parents, he looked in on most all of his relatives and the old family friends.
Charles’ letter home at the end of the visit makes it sound as though either he had not been there since moving to Oklahoma as a boy, or had at least not visited for some years. He seemed to enjoy seeing the relatives and being fussed over. Overall, he was most taken with his Aunt Ella, about 15 years his senior, the youngest of his father’s siblings.
The chart below shows the immediate relatives, not all of whom were still living in Olathe during Charles’ visit. Note also, at least one pair of “Aunt” and “Uncle” may be close family friends that had become effectively Aunt and Uncle to the family.
Shortly thereafter Ella wrote to Charles’ parents, giving her perspective on Charlie’s visit. I will share that letter in the next post.
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CHARLES’ LETTER HOME
Olathe 9/26/05
Am to leave this burgh at 2:25 P.M. and get out of K.C. at 6:15. Just got in from a drive with Grandpa up to see Aunt Jane and her girls. Think I’ve seen all the relatives now except some of the Lee tribe.
Had a fine time at U. Frank’s Sat. night and by the way, Aunt Mary is about as pleasant to look upon, talk to etc. as anyone I’ve met here except perhaps Aunt Ella. Certainly would get the premium on looks and accomplishments.
Sunday, all the boys and Tom and Nell [His cousin Nellie and her husband] were here and I went out with [Cousin] Murk that night. U. Billie and A. Clara have been under the weather most of the time since I’ve been here.
Went to Dan Page’s yesterday morning, came to town after dinner, and took supper at A. Bell’s [Isabelle “Belle” Julien]. Aunt Ella went with me. Mr. Breyfogle came up Sunday P.M. and talked quite awhile. Have met all the Grange Store people, Hodges Bros. and a good many others. People here none of them claim they would have known me but of course all knew me at once cause they are expecting me. They most all send their regards to you people and tell me a lot of things to tell you. Seem to forget that I won’t see you again from some time.
Was at U. Charlie’s yesterday P.M. awhile. Saw J. Meadows Clark old & young and the Bookout men. Have been told I resemble everyone I most every heard of now, even Frank Carithers.
Grandpa insists that I tell everyone about that $10 especially U. Charlie. Says maybe the latter will do as well.
Uncle Frank said he would be up to take me to the train. If I have good luck shall get into Buffalo tomorrow night and Phila. the next morn. Got that glove O.K. Have had perfect weather since I’ve been here but fields are still too wet to work. Think Aunt Jane has cancer on face. About size of a wart yet but looks bad to me.
I’ll probably not mail this until I get out of K.C. You want to get some thin paper when you write so as to tell a lot. Grandpa still says he will come but don’t think so and if he don’t U.B. and A.C. will I think later at least. Have visited a lot with U. B.
Grandpa got 25 postals and gave me to send him. Says he wants to make a book of them. I’m pretty near a Methodist. Here is the only place I’ve shared a chickenless meal and Aunt Ella has it often.
She has a girl —also a boy. Well good-by for this time with love to all,
Charlie
6:20 P.M. Aunt Ella caught the train just as it started & came with me. Have spent the P.M. seeing K.C. and are just getting out now.
Service is fine.
Good-bye,
Charlie
Wed morn. Slept all O.K. in Lafayette.
C.M.
9:00 and I haven’t had a chance to mail this yet. Cause this Logansport Country don’t look good to me.
Fascinating. I wonder a few things:
– What does he mean by “I’m pretty near a Methodist.”?
– And “Here is the only place I’ve shared a chickenless meal and Aunt Ella has it often.”
– and does “She has a girl —also a boy.” refer to Ella? Doesn’t make sense to me; Ella was single.
Mike, sure wish I got that joke to the family. Maybe they tended to hold some stereotype about Methodists, possibly relating to chicken dinners.
You may be seeing that the pre-Oxford Charles was somewhat smart-alecky. Not how I remember him, by the way.
The “she has a girl, also a boy” surely means household help. I don’t know if she kept house with her father, either. She may have. She later moved to the Kansas City area.
Help… of course. I should have thought of that!
This stuff is really great. You should try to share some of it with Tim Talbott, the Director at the Mahaffie House. I’m sure he would appreciate it. His e-mail address is ttalbott@olatheks.org. Matt