And We think We have it Bad - Part I

I'll pretty well let the writing that I included with this letter the first time when I transcribed it do the talking/commentary. Below is a letter dated 13 November 1920. Because I want to add a scanned picture of Ida Benton Lester Ponder, the woman whom I believe wrote the letter, I will put the letter up in 4 parts with corresponding transcriptions for each page/scan.

Addendum: This is actually a link to the 'streetview' on google maps that shows the very house from whence this letter was written

Unaddressed letter/no envelope
Written Nov. 13, 1920 in Vidette, GA. (location on google maps) Based on contextual clues it was written by Ida Benton Lester Ponder to her sister Clemmie Lester _____. It is also a possibility that it was written to Clemmie Ponder Cates as she was called ‘Sister’ by her parents (E.E. Ponder & Ida Ponder) and siblings, but contextual clues seem to indicate that it was written by Ida Benton Lester. It is possible that it was never sent or that it was sent and returned later after Ida’s death.

Written on wide-ruled paper, narrow, typical stationary. Yellowed with age in 2007 when I found the letter attached to a card board album page with paste, which resulted in the damage to the eleventh and twelfth pages.

Letter:

Vidette, GA

Nov. 13^th, 1920

Dearest Sister,

Your letter was read about two weeks ago and you know I am always glad to hear from you, will not wait so long to answer this time as I want to tell ^you [carroted in] about Heman we went to see him Tuesday & I really dont[sic] believe the poor fellow can live more than two or three weeks longer. We go to see him every week & he is poorer & weaker every time we go he is getting so weak now he cant hardly talk he is pittyful[sic] to look at

2

& dont[sic] seem to realize his condition he talks now about getting well, he dont [sic] retain a thing he eats all comes back back in a little while after he eats. Ruth says she dont know how he has held up as long as he has had been in the bed now 11 weeks and not a soul has waited on him but her[.] it is remarkable how she has kept up[.] She is looking well[.] Heman says she is a good nurse & he didnt[sic] want any body[sic] to wait on him but her[.] I have offered to stay & help her but it[‘]s this way[.] She has two men boarders & hasnt an extra place for any one to sleep says she is obliged to keep them for they are feeding her family[.]

3

it is a sad affair words cant express my sympathy for them[.] Heman has always been so devoted to his family[.] I’ve always though if he should be taken from them that Ruth couldnt stand it but I think she is becoming rec-onciled now she knows that he cant[sic] live, he is living on morphine now[.] the Dr learned Ruth how to puncture him he suffers so with his stomach he just has to have it, it almost breaks my heart to know he has . . .

The Heman Cates mentioned in the letter married Ruth Ponder, dau of Ida Benton Lester Ponder & Edwin/Edward Erastus Ponder & sister of Dollye Elizabeth Ponder, Clemmie, & Lillian and Gordon Ponder who is briefly mentioned later in the letter having only recently died during WWI.