This week in the 1911 Courtship letters of Noah Draper and Ethel Nelson we learn of some new relatives on the eastern side of Regina near Indian Head. This opens up a new aspect of our family tree because Indian Head is only 30 mins from our present-day farm - half the distance we have to travel for a cup of Tim Horton's coffee in the city. If you've missed any of the 1911 Courtship letters, you can catch up here.
Part of Wish You Were Here: Canadiana Pamphlets Collection, 7-70-278, University of Saskatchewan Library
The above photo is a Saskatchewan postcard c 1910 showing a farmer loading a hay rack. I'm showing this image because in his letter, Noah mentions 'strawing' and how he uses a hay rack for the job.
Author of Letter: Noah Clement Draper (24 yrs old)
Dated: Apr 11 (1911)
Addressed to: Miss E. Nelson, Bellhaven, Ont., Dear Ethel (22 yrs old)
Mailed from: Grand Coulee (Saskatchewan)
Relationship: Courting
Profession: Farmer
Writing instrument: Fine point pen, Black ink, but looks blue-grey in places
Writing Paper: Thick, textured, linen-like paper, 9 inches x 6.5 inches. Paper is folded in half, with a front and back page, but inside, the letter is written across down the full 9 inches so that the paper must be turned to read the inside.
People/places mentioned in this letter:
**Elva and Wm Mitchell - Elva Jane Nelson is Ethel's cousin.
**Stewart's - Noah's cousin, Stewart Trueman Draper and family
*Sadie - Ethel's 16 yr old sister
*Look under the Categories/Labels in the right column for more posts on this person.
**see Genealogy Notes below
| Grand Coulee. April, 11. Miss. E. Nelson. Belhaven. Ont. Dear Ethel ; -- Rec'd your letter Sat. and was glad to hear you were still of some use in the world. Hope you are all well as this leaves us as present. Well I got back from the Head this morning. Your cousin Elva. and. Wm is at Stewart's. I told Elva she looked just the same as she did twenty years ago and she wouldn't believe. me. Ha.Ha. She asked me if you |
| had a beau & I told her she would have to ask you but I did not think you were much of a hand for the boys. Ha. Ha. Have all that hard work done I was telling you about & expect to start seeding next week. that is when we go some. Say Ethel I have not got my hen hous up yet so have not got my hens over, but expect. to build it tomorrow. but the will not lay. for a while I guess but if you come up for Easter I will go out and buy you three whole egg's. and a rabbit. shot five down at the Head with a twenty two rifle oh say I am a great shot. Have seen a few geese but I intend to have one for dinner Sunday so you had better hurry and get here. also shove around the calendar about eight months. You asked what strawing is. well I will try and describe it. first we hitch a team to the waggon that has the rack on then we drive to a stack and proceed to get as big a load as possible on (the rack.) not our selves |
| then we drive out along the edge of the stubble and throw it (the straw) off in a row. so as to get a good start for the fire when we go to burn the stubble in the Spring. Well Ethel I guess you will think I am crazy & I guess you would not be far out. but I was borne that way & guess I will die that way. Eh. Am going to send Sadie a post card some of these days. & tell her a few things. Ha.Ha. Well Ethel I guess I will close for this time so good bye. Little girl good Bye. P.S. ask. that man From Yours as B4. if he can play. O N. C. D. I dont know. why I love you but I do. NCD |
Genealogy Notes
Elva and Wm Mitchell - Elva Jane Nelson is Ethel's cousin. Elva was born at Roche's Point which is a few miles northwest of Belhaven, but on the shore of Lake Simcoe. In 1907, Elva married William Francis Mitchell and subsequently moved to Saskatchewan. It appears they are working on Stewart Draper's farm. (I have a letter from Elva dated July 15, 1911 which I will post here when July 1911 rolls around.)
Indian Head added to the map (in green).
Noah's cousin, Stewart Trueman Draper and family are from the same North Gwillimbury Township in Ontario as Elva and William, Noah and Ethel. The Stewart's farm a few miles out of Indian Head on the eastern side of Regina.
