Epistles from Pap: Letters from the man known as 'The Will Rogers of Indiana'

h his father for daring to criticize the latter's rather conservative attire. So to help him "straighten out" and prepare to become a useful citizen, he was sent to Western

istration for organizing a dance at "The Delts," his fraternity house. About to be suspended, he beat the admin

ly). The couple eventually married and Grandfather Sawyer gave them a generous start in life by

E OF THE O

viving letters were

pper Alton, Illinoi

r veteran, the oth

Alto

h 9,

ke us go to bed at 9:00 and have the lights out at a quarter after nine. If we do anything wrong we have to carry guns and walk. For smoking the penalty is five hours hard walking. If we wear a dirty collar we have to walk an hour. They make us have o

of the steamboat on the Mississippi. We hear several every morning. . . From what I know now I shall

Alto

l 6,

ote for anyone he pleased and the three boys getting the highest number of votes were elected to speak. . . And I cannot even get to try. . . There was nothing fair about the thing at all. . . You see, all the officers here work for each other. . . They just got up and nominated each other

is the ten students who have the highest grades in the whole school. These ten get their names put in the school publicatio

f my shotgun? Have yo

is it?

START OUT BUT

urreptitiously by Pap's future father-in-law, F. P. Sawyer, of Muscatine, Iowa, to Pap's father, James V. Durham, in G

tine,

ary 1

. D

castl

ng happiness of Andrew, as we are to that of Aura May; so you will understand my moti

to rent to them, but as we have never boiled it down to exact conditions

help me start (which I later repaid) I would not have been able to succeed or don't think I would-as I have. And the gift of $500 after the wedding from my father-in-law was not without big appreciation on my part. A few years later, when I was building a moderate home on a lot bought with

not after they have slaved along and shown their ability to take care of themselves (though it does often bring out their best qualities quicker, but they don't need the help so much then). I don't

r promises to be what should exist to insure the desired future, and secondly, 'til they can feel fairl

ght up with them, so that the problem is not exactly as it was in the pioneer days, when good health, no debts, a jo

an income of $1,000 per year. I did not think this high, but wanted them to know they must expect to live economically, and that I expected them to depend on their own resources. The limitation I named was more theoretical than arbitrary, though they both think I still hold to that; but it depends on

point of view, as you know much better what Greencastle presents as a permanent home for them, and Andrew's present situation, and what he can reasonably expect in the near future. Aura May has various pieces of furniture whic

000, including ground, as they don't want to carry a load, and I don't feel that I can tap my estate too heavily when out of business and depending on income only. . . I propose to rent this to them at the rate of $200 for first year, payable monthly if they can do so, and 'til they can fr

would expect to give Aura May at least $2,000 of the value. . . In case of my death I would so

ters there, or probability that his position is not calculated to develop so as to be able to keep up his end or remain in Greencastle. I do not know how much he is making now, or if you expect to aid him in any way, and feel that s

oing anything which might look as if it would directly or indirectly put a bu

ight approve such a step and possibly have in mind some

e something different, in which

they would be considered rash or unwise to even set the time at all, particularly as it appears they have not come up to my second stipulation as to his income. I used it about 18 months ago, when he asked for my consent to their engag

Aura May is exceptionally practical, and with no heavier expense for rent than my plan contemplates I think if Andrew has the p

conditions there that my plan or their marriage this summer sometime (perhaps as

to Mrs. Sawyer and s

me in good

Since

. Sa

the house was not built that summer, and the weddi