Isabel Kan
Aug 25th 1889

Dear Sister & brother

I will try to write you a few lines this sabbath afternoon. We are well and hope these few lines will find you all enjoying the same blessing. I went up to the office to get a letter from you today but did not get one. so I thought I would write one. Well what are you all doing today. & I expect you wonder what we are all doing. we are doing just the best we can. Pa is setting out in the shade of the house singing and Mable is standing by me. And dick has gone to Coldwater Commanchie Co. he is working on the section and when the noon train came in they took the hands all out there to fight fire. it had got out from the train. they dont haft to work on Sunday only in case of that kind and he would not have had to gone if he had not have been up there at the depot.

Unpaved streets of Isabel, Kansas

Well we had a very nice time at the picknick, but oh how we did miss poor Nettie. I would almost imagine I could see her thare. Oh we do miss her so much. You dont know how much we miss her. Mable says tell any Helen she wants to see her & tell her to come back here. thare has been a big Camp meeting over at Elem Mills. Pa was over and staid a week. Thare were 100 conversions & 70 joined church. Oh yes Dicks sister & her man are coming out here about the 15th or 20th of next month to stay with us this winter. their names are cooley. they live in Brookfield. Dick says he is a real nice fello and a good worker. Dick says he wants to keep the children together if he can and to keep them whare Pa can be with them for he thinks so much of them that he could not bare to be parted from them.

I dont know whether Sue wants to write eny in this or not. I will go down & see pretty soon. you asked some questions in your last letter and I have forgot what they wer. and I guess Dick has got the letter with him for I cant find it. Will get it when he gets back and answer them next time. Pa says he thinks of you every day. dick says if he ever does seperate the children he wants you to have blanchie. for he knows it would have been Netties wish. Oh she is such a sweet little thing. allways lafing & she puts me so much in mind of dear Nettie. she is just beginning to walk a little and she knows everything you say to her. dick says he is going to get her picture taken as soon as he can. Oh I do want to see you all so bad I cant hardly stand it. I am going to com back if ever I get money enough to com. now write soon and tell all the news. Excuse the bad writing & spelling.

As ever your Brother
Layton White

2) Well Hellen I will write a little more now. I have just found that letter and will answer those questions. you asked where her hair was scorched. it was over her left tempel. I dont know as I can tell you hoo laid her out but I think that Mrs Roby and Mrs Todd and Olie Carter was the ones that laid her out. she was laid in the south room in the southwest corner. thay did not put shoes or slippers on. dick had just got her some new stockings and thay put those on her. they did not put flowers in her hands but put a reith of nice flowers on her coffin. her hands wer just as white a snow. I believe that is all the questions you hav asked in that letter. Now Hellen When you write again if theire is enything that you want to know, dont hesitate to ask and I will take your letter and set down and answer everything. I wish you would ask for thare are so many things that you want to know that I dont think of and if you dont ask about them I wont think of them. Tom Roby went to Ohio his mother aint expected to live long Now write soon. I want to send this tomorrow. I look for a letter from you before you get this and if I dont get one I want you to write as soon as you get this.

Layton