Contents of handwritten letter from Reinhard Stehle to his son, Joseph K. Stehle, dated January 1, 1904. Text, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation of words are as in the original. Text that could not be read accurately is enclosed within square brackets. Reinhard would have been about aged 62 and Joe about 21.
Marietta, O. Jany 1 – 1904
Mr. Joseph K. Stehle
Bauemont, Tex.
My Dear Boy,
…your favor of the 24th [ult? nlt?] came to hand and was duly appreciated. I am glad to Know that you are well and that the Climat is more Kind to you than in the Summer. I hope that your health and Strength will return to you and that you may fill out the Measure of your Manhood. We are enjoying a real old fashioned spell of Winter Muskingum been froze solid for more then one Month and Still it is cold. So this is the first day of 1904 it is very apropriat time to look over our Chart and Mark our Compass that we may Steer our little craft safely past
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…the reefs, sand banks and breakers of Lifes seas. If we choose Jesus Crist as our Captain all is well. I don’t want to Keep my New Years Resolution from you, as you Know that lifes journey with me, has been prolonged beyond the average length. Hence I may be able to give to you a good or a bad example. My Resolution this Morning is not less than this go and desire to love God above things and to love my Neighbors as Myself. I know that this is aiming high and I know the fraielty of Human Nature but I strife after it, and the Lord will give strength and [grace? peace?] to the work. And now I would like to preach to you a little as I have already done to your Brother in my
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…New years greeting, but preaching is rather unsuccessfull unless the hearers or [other? eather?] Readers Mind is reseptive. As you have so often assured me that you could take care of yourself and did not need my admonitions I will refrain, hoping that you may be able to take care of yourself in the full sense of the Word. It is my earnest wish and desire that 1904 may have [have] in store for you real Happenis Properity, good Health good Companians. In my desire to save you from all pain and dissapoinment I feel constrained to appeal to you and remind you, least you may forget that the Wages of Sin are Death. There is one thing that you seem not to
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…realize, that is that you ought to take your Parents your Father in to your confididence, I do not Know any thing of your affaris, you make $100.00 per Month how do use your earnings? Do you feel still that it is all right no matter what one does with his money? The fact is Money used for evil is a curse that Man cannot eskape Money use for good is blessing. Each will bear fruit of its Kind, What soever Man will sow soweth that will he also reap. I hope you will accept this few words in the spirit in which it is intended it is me heartfelt desire to see you enjoying true Happeniss, which the loving Heavenly Farter has intended for all his Creatures and now
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…few Words about Matters, I have tried this sommer to get along with as little help as possible and have worked afith fully myself but there is but little in it. I would like to hold on the land Knowing that some day it will be worth more Money but I don’t see my way out it takes every Dollar to pay expences and Taxes. I think that I could sell the 70 Acers for $7000 [readely?] to invest that at 6% would bring us 420 a year is more than I can make throwing my years work besides and the help besides. What do you think of it let me Know in your next letter. Hoping this few lines will find well and happy, (we are all reasonable well thank God) from your affectionate Father
R. Stehle
