Washington Street, Monroe, Mich

Dear Friend, What kind of a time did u have at the fair? I don't think I had a good time as four years ago. I wish I could of had a longer talk with u. But the first time I was with my folk whom I had not seen for 18 mo. Before I left them that lady came and stuck like glue. So you see I was in it. Now don't forget to ans. this and some day I will tell U what you said about me. f.f.B. his could be t.t.B, not sure, but he seems like a suitor. I like him - he seems sassy.

With New Year Greetings

Wish you all a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Cecelia. Potmarked december 22, 1908 from Lorain, Ohio.

A Happy New Year

When are you coming home to spend your christmas. I hant done any shopping yet, its nearly time now, I may go to Toledo soon. from your sister Anna sent from Custar, Ohio Dec 22, 1908.

Memphis, Tenn., New Court House.

Papa's Baby is Papa's Love. It's not addressed to Katie - it looks like Mrs. Frederick Gattling in Ottawa, Ohio. Postmarked September 8, 1908 from Memphis,TN. Maybe this was flirtatious?

Greetings from Dunkirk, NY

No signature or postmark.

U.S. Fish Hatchery, Put-In-Bay, O.

Joe. Postmarked July 13, 1908.

Greetings from Custar, O.

Dear Friend, We are all quite well Jimmie is feeling fine Your loving friend Mary Bates Custar O. This is odd because there is no postmark, but we obviously know where it comes from. The stamp is unusual - all of them have been one cent Ben Franklin stamps. This stamp is a Commemorative Series 1907 United States of America Founding of Georgetown Capt. John Smith. I did a little web research. It's a rare stamp. Unused, it's worth $150.

Every Little Helps

No signature. Sent from Weston September 14, 1 PM, 1905. I like this illustration. The well-to-do fellow looks sidelong at the poor schlub with his mismatched shoes and whiskers - reluctant to give up his coin. I love the font, also. It's copyrighted 1905 by E. B. & E.

Easter Wishes

MJO Postmarked March 30, 8 AM,1907, from Custar. The sender initialed the front in teeny tiny letters.

Greetings from Holgate, O.

Wishing you a glorious fourth of July. Yours. (notes inside the tiny envelope on the front)Happy Days for you - Love and Kind Wishes From A.U.O. Not sure who this is from - could it be great granny Oster once again? Although it's postmarked from Holgate, not Custar. Dated July 1, 1907.

Best Birthday Wishes

This card has no signature, but it's postmarked from Custar, so my guess is that it's from Anna - her sister, my great grandmother.

Happy Christmas

From Mary Postmarked from Elyria December 24, 1906 at 6:30 AM.

Puzzle Post Card

This postmarked from St Louis, MO, October 29, 1907. No signature. This is what i know of as a "wiggle picture," except that the image is reversed on top of itself instead of showing movement.

The Milburn Residence, Buffalo, N.Y.

Dear Katie, I just got back from Buffalo. Had Gailen there. Have to take him back in 10 days. They say they can cure him. They all say that. I don't get much chance to write. Write and let me know how you are. I was in Buffalo two days and nights. Mike's father went with me. Try an come out here this summer. Hattie. Hattie must have a child that is ill. It seems as though she is weary of doctors' promises. She sounds like she needs a friend. The subtitle on this card reads, "Where President McKinley died. September 14, 1901. (x) Shows location of Room in which he Died." I could not locate the "x". That must be McKinley in the oval inset.

Flowers

We are here talking to --- We are going to Detroit Sunday tell Mrs. B. Julia. This is postmarked from Weston. Who are they talking to? Why was the name intentionally left off of the card?

Faith

Dear Katie, We moved to N.Y. We got here today. ??? stood big trip good. Will hear from me again. Mrs. Mike Kane, Wellsville, N.Y. This is postmarked from Wellsville, obviously, but I can't make out the year. This card is stunning - there are gold accents and it is embossed.

College and Campus, Findlay, O.

dear Friend Katie I will send you an Postal of the City as I am in Findlay today and if ma Could only see me now I am Fat Ragged and Saucy. There is no signature here, and it is not stamped or postmarked, so I'm not sure how it came to Katie. I looked up this term, and it means "In good health and spirits". While googling this phrase, I came across a fascinating resource: The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue.

Echo Temple in Stockholm

From Mrs L A Phillis. This is postmarked from Sistersville, West Virginia. The date is October 25, but the year is impossible to read. Wikipedia says, "Echo Temple was built in 1790 as a summer dining room for Gustav III who loved to eat outdoors." Katie certainly has a wide circle of acquaintances, didn't she? Sistersville is a city in Tyler County, West Virginia, along the Ohio River. The Sistersville Ferry crosses the Ohio River to the unincorporated community of Fly in Monroe County, Ohio.

I've seen all the big bugs of this place

I'm not sure what to make of this image. It's printed on a piece of fabric, then mounted on a postcard. I like that one industrious little bug is using a ladder. It was sent from Elyria on March 2, 1907. There is no signature. The printing on the postcard says, "Copyrighted 1906 by Fabric Art Co. NY.

Floral

Dear Katherine:- Heart collapse tomorrow this is Leap Year and really another chance gone, you know who! Gertrude joins me in sending regrets and sympathy I'll double twice over. Thought it best to inform you before hand. Sad but true, Catherine. This is dated September 19, 1908, from Custar. I believe this is from Catherine Oster, my grandfather's paternal aunt. It is somewhat cryptic. What does leap year have to do with anything and whose heart is collapsing? Why is she sending sympathy?