Dear

Sister and Brother and little Nieces.

Sister(-in-law): Helen Augusta (WOOD) STAGE, my great-grandmother.
Brother: Albert Jackson "Bert" STAGE, my great-grand-father.
Nieces: Tessie Viola (STAGE) DARCY and Nellie Avis (STAGE) RUPPEL.
    Nellie was my maternal grandmother.

  i now take those fiew spair moments to answer your kind and welcome letter i received some time ago.  it dident find any of us well but we are toliable well.  i have got the headache.  i hope those few lines will find you all well and

your Ma to.

Mary Elizabeth (GANOUNG) WOOD, Helen's mother.

  i havent been well

since Ma Died.

Mary (KNAPP) STAGE, Ida's mother.
Online records would say she died November 4, 1891. Letters from the Stage sisters would indicate she died in late October.

 if

aunt hellen

Working theory: Helen L. (COLEGROVE) STAGE, wife of Charles Emmett STAGE.

has been to your house she can tell you better how sick i was then i can.  i was to sick to know anything.  the Dr. injected morphine in my arm.  he told me the other day if i had waited an hour longer it would have been no use for him to come.  he was with me all the afternoon and i thought i was all right so he went home.  about an hour after he was gon i begin to get worse but i dident tell any body.  about midnight they went for Dr. and he staid the rest of the knight.  him and

Aunt Helen and Frank

Aunt Helen and Frank. Logical to assume that "Aunt Hellen" and "Aunt Helen" are different people? Need to find a Helen and a Frank.

sat up.  Mrs. ANKROM was awffle good to me. 

pa

John Albert STAGE.

was at Circleville yesterday.  i was at Darbeyville. 

Stella

Viola Estella "Stella" (STAGE) BARBEE.

was at Claras. 

Andy and Clara and the Children

Andrew Thomas WILLOUGHBY, husband to Clara (and later Ida).
Clara Angeline (STAGE) WILLOUGHBY.
In December 1891, Andy and Clara have Finley Clark (b.1888) and are raising John Emerson (b.1889, illegitimate son of Mary Emma (STAGE) REDDING.

was at home today.  Clara and i went down to Mrs. ANKROMs this afternoon and her and

Emma

Working theory: Mary Emma (STAGE) REDDING. This is the "laundry list" of siblings section so Emma is logical but that doesn't preclude a different Emma.

came home with us. You wanted to know where i spend thanksgiving. i spent it at home quilting. we are all going to Darbyvill to the Christmas tree a Christmas eve.

Tom was down today.

Who is Tom? The context suggests familiarity and some tie to Kate (Katherine Stage?). Her husband is William Jesse Coontz

he said

Kate and the Children

Katherine Ann (STAGE) COONTZ. We do find she marries William Jesse KOONTZ/COONTZ in 1885.
Jesse Arthur COONTZ (b.1885) and Guy Edward COONTZ(b.1887).

were all sick. tell

Birt

Albert Jackson "Bert" STAGE, Helen's husband, my great-grandfather.

 

Marth DAVIS was berried the second day of this month and Sallie TIMONS 9th and Em BAGGAR the same day. Lottie DICK and a girl at Derby the next day. there is a good many sick now. Perry DOSSEN is dead to.

A list of people for whom we might find more details.

what do you expect to get a Christmas. tell Birt he must get

Tessie

Tessie Viola (STAGE) DARCY.

a doll and when she comes home i will Dress it for her. i do hope you will come back. if you want to come you neadent wait for your house to be empty. you can stay with us till it is. i get so lonesome if it wasent for Mrs. ANKROM i dont kno what i would do when pa and Stella are both gone. Well i will tell you what i have done and what i have got to do. i have knit five pair of double Mittens and two single pair one pair Stocking 1 pair socks footed one pair socks and pair Stocking got three pair Double mittens and two pair Stockings yet. One dress for Stella one for me to make    finish joining my quilt and finishing quilting the one i have in the frames.  i think that piece of your dress is awfle pretty.  Clarence brought my letter to me.  he said he would have to hear how his little Tessie is getting along.  Bettie sends her love to you all.  Mrs ANKROM said send her love to you and your family.  Dr. MILLER said if you come back he would have to call on you and see

that Baby.

Nellie Avis (STAGE) RUPPEL, my maternal grandmother.

  i cant think of any more to rite this time so good By from your Sister Ida STAGE to her sister and Brother A.J. and Helen STAGE.  Oh i foregot to tell you that

George RIDGWAY and Jane MCKINLEY are married.

Probably no relation. Just one of those neat historical points in time. We have two people and a time period. Can we find them?

  Well i will close hopeing to hear from you sooner than i usualy do.  i shall expect your pictures for a Christmas present.

Kiss the Children fore me.  i guss John will stay in your house next year.

These are all pieces of Stellas Dresses.