Letter from Mabel to the Lingle family discussing the death of Ara “Grandpa” Hoagland
(Some silverfish damage along edge of pages.)

Plainville, Ks. May 5, 1904

Dear Cousin,

I must write and tell you the sad news that Grandpa has gone home. He died very suddenly last Sat Apr 30 about noon. He had been feeling pretty well all Winter, for him, until Fri. night he had a bad spell & complained of such a pain in his chest. He was at Aunt Ellen’s & came to town with them Sat morning to see the Dr.

The Dr. was out of town so Grandpa came down to our house, walked down & did not seem to be in much pain, just wanted to see the Dr. before he left town. He read a letter to me from Aunt Effie’s children, you know he liked so much to get letters, & was always so pleased to hear from any of you. Then he lay down on the bed to rest a while until George came to dinner. He slept nearly an hour & said he had rested so well; got up & walked thro. the dining room & came out where I was, in the kitchen to see if I had hid his shoes, he said, & laughed & talked like he always did. I found his shoes for him, & he pulled one on & reached for the other, & just fell over, dead. George caught him & told me to run for the Dr. quick but it was no use, for there was no life at all when the Dr came, & Aunt Ellen. She was down town. It was an awful shock for all of us & will be to the rest of you but we know he was ready & waiting to go. I should have written before, but I have been out with Aunt Ellen. She misses Grandpa so, he has been there all Winter, mostly. Of course we all miss him & [ ]n will miss his letters. I will send you the notice of Grandpas death, from the paper, & you please get word to Josie & your Mother, & also to Ethlyn, as I do not know her address.

Aunt Mary’s children have the measles & Leonard was the only one able to attend the funeral. Uncle Eugene Bice’s lost their oldest girl last month with diphtheria. She was 15. The younger girl has it now but is almost well. They just had the three children. It seemed so sad, and they couldn’t have a funeral for Della & no one can go in to see them, unless they stay.

The rest are all well. Grandpa had a letter from Ina last week & she said you had another boy. You must have your hands full, but the “little ones” are sweet if they do keep us busy. I must close & write to Descom & Ina & Aurilla. Try & find time to write to us, for we like to hear from all of you & Grandpa always shared his letters with all of us.

With love & best wishes from your cousin Mabel Bice Green