Letter from Mary Etta Syphus, Panaca, Nevada to John Bunker, St. Thomas, Nevada

Letter from Mary Etta Syphus, Panaca, Nevada to John M. Bunker, St. Thomas, Nevada, dated January 5, 1891

(6 pp., no envelope)

Dear Friend: As you asked one of us to write

and tell you the Holiday news from this part I will endeavor to do so for I do not think Ellen has written. But first I

will say that we arrived here
on the evening of the 24th Inst, but not soon enough to see the Christmas tree. The weather
was mild and agreeable, and

we would have had a pleasant trip but some of us were not very well. I hope you are feel­ ing better than you were or have

recovered from the mumps if you had them.

On Christmas Eve the children especially were delighted with the Tree which had been set up in the school house and beauti­ fully decorated and loaded

with presents. A short enter­ tainment was given and of course Santa Clause appeared

Panaca, Nev., Jan. 5, 1891.

Mr. John Bunker,
St. Thomas, Nevada.

and with the assistance of the committee distributed the gifts. On Christmas day there was
a dance for the children and
one in the evening for the adults.

The following day the boys

especially had a good time

shooting chickens and such

sports that they so delight

in. The next Sunday evening

the Mutial Improvement

Associations held conjoint

meeting. Those who had their

CJ

names ofi the programme rendered their parts well and we had a good time.

On Monday night there was another dance which was a success. Wensday night, New Years Eve, a party was given called "The Old People’s Party". All of the older people had

special invitations and they had the desired effect for

there were more of them out
than there has been for years before.. There were speeches, songs

ani'd recitations between the

dancing. Tables were set and supper was served at half

past ten, and dancing con- tinued until about four o’clock. As the party was for the married people the poor boys had to mind the babies while the rest danced and

they complained very much
the next day about their arms aching. All particapating

had a splendid time and the

party was a grand success.

EV
On New Years da$ we had a

family dinner party up to
Mr. Whitney’s. There was an-

other dance it the afternoon for the children and one in the evening. The next night there was another dance and
it seemed better than ever. I think it will be the last for a while. All who were out during the Holidays seemed

to enjoy themselves and were well satisfied with the ms

committee ofl arrangements. There were several opposition parties in the saloon but

they did not make any dif- ference to ours. I just wish you could have been here
for I know you would

have enjoyed yourself splen -didly, but I hope you did anyway. Please tell me where and how you spent the Hol- idays if you feel like writing.

George is going to start down to the "Sweet Sunny South"

tomorrow. I see I will have to get more paper or stop writing and I am afraid it will try your patience to read this scribbling, so I will conclude.

I remain as
ever your friend,

Mary Etta Syphus. P.S. Please do not let anyone see

my letter, and excuse mistakes for I am to cold to write.