The following letter is the last one that Vesta Wilt Johnson received
from her brother, John, prior to his death.
On outside of envelope:
John Wilt
Leaburg
Oregon 97401
Mr. Mrs. Glen R. Johnson
3012 E. Rahn Rd.
Dayton 4o
Ohio 45440
In Vesta's handwriting: Last mail from John
Nov 16. - 64
Dear Vesta an Glen
We received your letter Sat.
an one frm Nellie. I sure wish it was raining Glen. Most of the heavy
rain has been North or south of this vally. but have had enough ain. We
have had cold frezing weather since Thursday. had 2 in. of snow Friday morn.
there is still a little in spots. The temture this morn. 25. yesterday
morn. 27. sure shone bright. but was still cold. this freze sure fixed the
tomatoes, corn, cucumbers & squash. The snow broke down turnups tops. an
smashed the Mustard greens down. the leaves
(2)
sure is falling. Got lots of apples hanging on trees. have lost all of the
Grapes. This freze is early. an a surprise to the Old Timer's. I haven't ben
out mutch & had to stay in. Clifford don the out side chores. I caught
a cold friday but is better now. I sure been cracking nuts. but didnt crack any
today. the palm of my right hand has played out. Glen the stove I got is an oil
heter. it's big enough to heat the house. if I ever want to use it - it had ben used
one Winter. the people that had it had to move to Alaska. I got stove, pipe, 125
gal. tank for $50. I setit up in the old garage.
(3)
Can dry the nuts. Walnuts in 3 or 4 days by keeping the heat from 85 to 100. Got
nuts all dride. it is hard to dry nuts in the house. I cracked 9 gal. of filburts. Not
very good. but lots of work. have plenty of walnuts. I'll say there having lots of bad
fires in the east. have saw pictures of some them on T.V. they may have rain by now. yes I have saw
my share of forest fires. Didn't get to finish this last eve. Not quite so cold this A.M. 30. an
that's to cold. Ha. Yes I did enjoy John and Nellie short visit. John was feeling pretty
good then. but Nellie said in her last letter he was having trouble again.
(4)
have'nt herd from Betty for awhile. Hope you all had a big time at the wedding. an I knew
you all did. an the little flour girl Windy. I'd laugh if she
took the flours and went the wrong way. Ha. Ha. here is wishing Michale a happy married
life. Marrie Hellen an Gene never write. "Gee" you will have a house full if all the folks
gather at your place. it is just about mail time. Must get this on it's way. your Bro. John
P.S. my cold is better. hand isnt. Clifford is doing the washing. an keeping my hands out of the cold
water.
Hope to hear from you soon.
The following letter is from Nellie Wilt Lilly to her sister, Vesta, after their brother John's death. It was
written on Nellie's personal stationary.
(Letterhead) Mrs. John Lilly
Tillamook, Oregon
Dearest Vesta
Want to send you something have these
maby you would like this for one your perses. We are so thankful Glen could come
be with us at this time. He has helped us all so much. He and Clifford came on over
Sat. after they got some pappers sighned and we have just rested and looked at the
T.V. treat for Clifford. And Glen got his ball game in coller yeaster afternoon. Honey
I sure hope you are feeling lots better now. Think my cold is breaking up now got my
voice back 2 days now. And Clifford seems to feals when ever he sits quite a minute
he is sound asleep. But he dident get much rest 2 or 3 weeks so his nerves is
geting a chanst to relax we think he will be better in little while. John Lilly is
taking another cold he started taking his cold medecin this A.M. Thinking of all
you.
Bushels of Love an Kisses
Nellie