Auburn Theological Seminary
Auburn, N. Y.
Feb. 14, 1888
Dear Father:-
I am aware that I have neglected writing to you for a long time. Before I
commenced preaching I used to have a leasure (sic) hour occasionally or a whole
evening in which there was nothing particular to do. But it is not so now. Every
minute is occupied. And while I am studying here it makes me exceedingly busy.
I was just about to retire, but thought of you, and so concluded to write a few lines
first.
For the past three weeks I have been in Genoa all the time, holding meetings
every evening. The meetings were unusually good. They have not had such an
interest there before for some time. One evening, at my request, all the business
places and even the drug store and saloon (at the hotel) closed up and all hands
came out to meeting. I think that there have been between twenty and thirty
conversions. The Church is thoroughly revived and much encouraged.
I often wish, Father, that you might have this same hope which so many
have recently found. Some who before were “good moral men” are now rejoicing
in Christ.
I think we are all well now, though Sophie and the boy have been having
hard colds. I expect a donation before long but I afraid they will put it off until the
weather breaks up.
Our potatoes and apples chilled a bit in the cellar, but I think we have
enough. Have been expecting Fred’s folks, but do not see them yet.
You have a standing invitation to come whenever you can.
Sophie will go out home in about six weeks and stay a month or so.
Now I must retire,
Love to all
John
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Rev. John Ames (possible Martyr for the faith 1890's AZ Wild West)
Story of Rev. John Ames (possible Martyr for the faith 1890's Wild West)
I have researched for over 10 years my husbands Great Grandfather finally finding his family who where lost to us.
John F Ames well educated, witty, smart American Baptist minister from upstate New York in 1890. He had 7 brothers all successful as Judges, Lawyers, teachers and Newspaper owners. His mother died when he was 18 and he began to take his Christian faith seriously after she died. This appeared to be a turning point in his life as he went on to become a minister after devoting several years of university training and religious studies.
He had two successful churches one in the Dakota's where he added many numbers to the congregation. He felt a calling to the West. He had to leave the Dakota's as his wife came down with TB. Her mother and sister died of it.
He went for a short time to Memphis and there risked life and limb to go and preach to the Blacks as well as the White church's.
He left there and went to Phoenix AZ for 4 months as his wife needed the dry air and it matched his calling to the West. They had two very young sickly children.
He was so well loved that the church in downtown Phoenix hired him as their full time Pastor after losing their last Pastor to death.
While driving his horse and buggy to Church one morning his horse was spooked by the large steam engine tracker down town.
After calming the horse and passing the tracker he went 20 ft. ahead when the driver of the steam tracker blew his whistle 2 times. As a results the horse bolted Rev. John Ames was thrown from the buggy, hit a hitching post and died soon after.
A month later his wife died. Leaving my husband Grandmother baby and brother orphans. They moved in with the Uncle and his childless wife to Sloan Iowa.
One of the newspaper accounts in the paper said that the man who blew the whistle was happy when he heard that Rev. Ames died as he didn't need any more (god dam) preachers in his town. ( can't find the newspaper article I read that in but am looking) Another account referred to the ugly rumors that the Whistle being blown was intentional but didn't list the what was said. A crime charge was not given as it was hard to prove. But as we now murder was not that big a deal in the Wild West. You can see in the newspaper accounts posted how it was covered up.
He very well may have been a Martyr and his innocent blood part of the Spiritual heritage of Phoenix. He is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery downtown.
John Doan was named after him and he too has a Christian calling on his life like Rev. Ames who may have been a Martyr. When I visited the grave recently I was thinking and praying about the tragedy and it's effects on the family line. I realized that Rev. Ames may have had Martyr status. He is buried in the Mason part of the pioneer cemetery downtown. I have called all the Mason's where he lived to see if he was member of the Mason's. All records say no. His brother was a Mason who arranged the grave plot.
I started a blog about his life. I truly think he deserves to be remembered for his faith and sacrifice.
OBITUARY
DeRuyter Gleaner of August 17, 1892
John F. Ames
Rev. John F. Ames died in Phoenix, Arizona 12, 1892, from the effects of injuries received on July 31st. Mr. Ames was a son of Fordyce W. Ames of this town, being sixth son in a family of eight boys, seven of whom survive him. He was born in DeRuyter, N. Y., in 1858, where his early life was spent on his father’s farm. After graduating from the DeRuyter Union School and Academy he spent one year teaching at Georgetown. Desiring a still better education than he had already acquired he entered Colgate Academy at Hamilton, and after graduation from that institution he completed a course in Madison (now Colgate) University, in 1886. Previous to this time he had decided to enter the Christian ministry and had preached in DeRuyter, and various other places in the vicinity of Hamilton during his university course, using money obtained for his services in the pursuit of his education. He preached for several weeks during the winter of 1885-6 in Stillwater, Saratoga Co., making the long journey on Saturday and returning to his school work on Monday. One summer’s vacation was spent at Smithville, Jefferson Co., where he supplied the two charges, Smithville and Henderson.
Soon after leaving the university he married Miss Sophia M. Wall, daughter of William Wall of his native town. Having accepted a call from the Baptist church at Genoa, Cayuga Co., he moved there and was ordained to the Christian ministry December 9, 1886. His two years of work there was very successful, and there as elsewhere he was held in high esteem not only within his church and denomination but by all with whom he became acquainted.
The first year of his theological course was taken at the Auburn Theological Seminary during the last year of his pastorate at Genoa. Desiring, however, to complete the course under instructors in his own denomination, he resigned his charge in Genoa and removed to Rochester, completing his course in the Rochester Theological Seminary in 890. While in Rochester he preached whenever opportunity was found, sometimes in the city and sometimes in adjacent villages.
Having decided on the West as his future field of labor he went to Sloan, Iowa, and soon afterwards received a call to the pastorate of the Baptist church in Madison, South Dakota, where the church was greatly increased and strengthened during his brief period of ministry.
But the climate of Dakota proved too severe for his wife’s health and he resigned his pastorate to seek a milder climate, going first to Tennessee and thence in June, last, to Phoenix, Arizona. Here, with almost the entire care of his family, he supplied the pulpit of the Baptist church so acceptably that they extended him a call, which he had decided to accept. By the advice of his wife’s physician they were temporarily located on the ranch of one of his parishioners six miles from the city. While driving to church on Sunday, July 31st, his horse was frightened by the whistle of a traction engine just as he had passed it in the street, a short distance from the church. Mr. Ames was thrown from the carriage, one leg broken and his head dashed against a telegraph pole, rendering him unconscious, from which condition he never rallied. His wife, who is in feeble health, and two children survive him.
His brother, Fred L. Ames, and his wife’s daughter, George Wall, reached his bedside before he died.
Mr. Ames was a man of singular purity of character and unswerving devotion to truth and duty, a kind, indulgent parent and a devote husband. He had consecrated his life to the Christian ministry and bent all his energies to the faithful performance of the work of the Master as revealed to him. His untimely deaths, caused by criminal recklessness, and the sad circumstances connected with it, have cast a deep gloom over a large circle of relatives and friends.
I have researched for over 10 years my husbands Great Grandfather finally finding his family who where lost to us.
John F Ames well educated, witty, smart American Baptist minister from upstate New York in 1890. He had 7 brothers all successful as Judges, Lawyers, teachers and Newspaper owners. His mother died when he was 18 and he began to take his Christian faith seriously after she died. This appeared to be a turning point in his life as he went on to become a minister after devoting several years of university training and religious studies.
He had two successful churches one in the Dakota's where he added many numbers to the congregation. He felt a calling to the West. He had to leave the Dakota's as his wife came down with TB. Her mother and sister died of it.
He went for a short time to Memphis and there risked life and limb to go and preach to the Blacks as well as the White church's.
 |
| Mary Robey & Francis Ames 1940's LA CA Children of John and Sophie Ames |
He was so well loved that the church in downtown Phoenix hired him as their full time Pastor after losing their last Pastor to death.
While driving his horse and buggy to Church one morning his horse was spooked by the large steam engine tracker down town.
After calming the horse and passing the tracker he went 20 ft. ahead when the driver of the steam tracker blew his whistle 2 times. As a results the horse bolted Rev. John Ames was thrown from the buggy, hit a hitching post and died soon after.
A month later his wife died. Leaving my husband Grandmother baby and brother orphans. They moved in with the Uncle and his childless wife to Sloan Iowa.
One of the newspaper accounts in the paper said that the man who blew the whistle was happy when he heard that Rev. Ames died as he didn't need any more (god dam) preachers in his town. ( can't find the newspaper article I read that in but am looking) Another account referred to the ugly rumors that the Whistle being blown was intentional but didn't list the what was said. A crime charge was not given as it was hard to prove. But as we now murder was not that big a deal in the Wild West. You can see in the newspaper accounts posted how it was covered up.
He very well may have been a Martyr and his innocent blood part of the Spiritual heritage of Phoenix. He is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery downtown.
John Doan was named after him and he too has a Christian calling on his life like Rev. Ames who may have been a Martyr. When I visited the grave recently I was thinking and praying about the tragedy and it's effects on the family line. I realized that Rev. Ames may have had Martyr status. He is buried in the Mason part of the pioneer cemetery downtown. I have called all the Mason's where he lived to see if he was member of the Mason's. All records say no. His brother was a Mason who arranged the grave plot.
I started a blog about his life. I truly think he deserves to be remembered for his faith and sacrifice.
OBITUARY
DeRuyter Gleaner of August 17, 1892
John F. Ames
Rev. John F. Ames died in Phoenix, Arizona 12, 1892, from the effects of injuries received on July 31st. Mr. Ames was a son of Fordyce W. Ames of this town, being sixth son in a family of eight boys, seven of whom survive him. He was born in DeRuyter, N. Y., in 1858, where his early life was spent on his father’s farm. After graduating from the DeRuyter Union School and Academy he spent one year teaching at Georgetown. Desiring a still better education than he had already acquired he entered Colgate Academy at Hamilton, and after graduation from that institution he completed a course in Madison (now Colgate) University, in 1886. Previous to this time he had decided to enter the Christian ministry and had preached in DeRuyter, and various other places in the vicinity of Hamilton during his university course, using money obtained for his services in the pursuit of his education. He preached for several weeks during the winter of 1885-6 in Stillwater, Saratoga Co., making the long journey on Saturday and returning to his school work on Monday. One summer’s vacation was spent at Smithville, Jefferson Co., where he supplied the two charges, Smithville and Henderson.
Soon after leaving the university he married Miss Sophia M. Wall, daughter of William Wall of his native town. Having accepted a call from the Baptist church at Genoa, Cayuga Co., he moved there and was ordained to the Christian ministry December 9, 1886. His two years of work there was very successful, and there as elsewhere he was held in high esteem not only within his church and denomination but by all with whom he became acquainted.
The first year of his theological course was taken at the Auburn Theological Seminary during the last year of his pastorate at Genoa. Desiring, however, to complete the course under instructors in his own denomination, he resigned his charge in Genoa and removed to Rochester, completing his course in the Rochester Theological Seminary in 890. While in Rochester he preached whenever opportunity was found, sometimes in the city and sometimes in adjacent villages.
Having decided on the West as his future field of labor he went to Sloan, Iowa, and soon afterwards received a call to the pastorate of the Baptist church in Madison, South Dakota, where the church was greatly increased and strengthened during his brief period of ministry.
But the climate of Dakota proved too severe for his wife’s health and he resigned his pastorate to seek a milder climate, going first to Tennessee and thence in June, last, to Phoenix, Arizona. Here, with almost the entire care of his family, he supplied the pulpit of the Baptist church so acceptably that they extended him a call, which he had decided to accept. By the advice of his wife’s physician they were temporarily located on the ranch of one of his parishioners six miles from the city. While driving to church on Sunday, July 31st, his horse was frightened by the whistle of a traction engine just as he had passed it in the street, a short distance from the church. Mr. Ames was thrown from the carriage, one leg broken and his head dashed against a telegraph pole, rendering him unconscious, from which condition he never rallied. His wife, who is in feeble health, and two children survive him.
His brother, Fred L. Ames, and his wife’s daughter, George Wall, reached his bedside before he died.
Mr. Ames was a man of singular purity of character and unswerving devotion to truth and duty, a kind, indulgent parent and a devote husband. He had consecrated his life to the Christian ministry and bent all his energies to the faithful performance of the work of the Master as revealed to him. His untimely deaths, caused by criminal recklessness, and the sad circumstances connected with it, have cast a deep gloom over a large circle of relatives and friends.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
AZ History: Obits for John and Sophia Ames
The Arizona Daily Gazette, Tuesday Morning, August 2, 1892, page 5, Col. 1.
Probable Last Ride
Almost Fatal Termination of a Runaway. Rev.
Ames of the Baptist Church the Victim.
His Chances of Recovery are Almost Hopeless - His Friends are With Him.
Rev. Ames lies at the point of death at the residence of J. F. Elwell, on the corner of Cortez and Jefferson streets, from the effects of injuries received Sunday in a runaway scrape. The man's head and face are very badly bruised from the force of the fall against an electric light pole in front of the Kellner corner fruit stand, and his left thigh is broken at the joint. His scull is not fractured, but the concussion has caused serious internal injuries and blood has passed from both ears. Up to a late hour last night he was still in an unconscious state, having only been partly conscious twice since the accident. At one time he asked for Mr. McFall and at another time inquired for his wife, who is almost prostrated with grief at their home, near McFall's. The lady is not confined to her bed, as has been reported, but is too ill to come to town, thought it required the combined efforts of her friends yes
terday to persuade her from coming in to see her injured husband. Dr. Hughes is attending the man, and thinks there is a possible chance for his recovery.
The reverend gentleman was driving in from his country home Sunday morning to attend divine services at the Baptist church, of which he was recently chosen pastor, and while passing up Washington street his horse become frightened at a traction engine which belonged to H. M. Lewis, but he had managed to get the horse past the big machine, and was about twenty feet in advance of it when Frank Smith, the engineer, gave a couple of sharp toots with the whistle, which sent the animal off as though he had been shot out of a gun, and down Washington street he came at a furious rate of speed, and when he turned the corner at Kellner's store, the frightened man jumped out and lit on his feet, but going at such rate of speed sent him on against the big pole with the force that he was knocked senseless and hurt as before stated. He was picked up and carried to Frake's livery stable and a physician called. The horse ran
into Ryder's lumber yard, where he was caught; the only damage there being a broken shaft and single line. Had Mr. Ames stayed in the buggy no doubt he would not have been hurt. The unfortunate man came to Phoenix with his wife and two little children a few weeks ago to take the pastorate of the Baptist church. The members of his church are doing all in their power to make him comfortable, and nothing will be left undone to cause his recovery.
The Weekly Phoenix Herald, Thursday, August 4, 1892, Vol XVIII, No. 21, pg 2, col 1.
A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
Rev. Ames Gets Thrown From His Buggy.
Yesterday morning about 10:50 a runaway occurred that may prove the death of Rev. Ames who now lies at death's door with a fractured skull and other serious injuries.
He was driving up Washington street on his way to church when the monster steam threshing outfit of H. M. Lewis came onto the street and blew its whistle to clear the track.
Rev. Ames's horse became frightened and started up Washington street on a mad run. When it came to Montezuma the horse turned down that street, but it was going so rapidly that it could not make the turn and ran into the ditch on the west side of the street near Donefrio's fruit stand. When the buggy went into the ditch Rev. Ames slid from the buggy seat as though shot out of a cannon, and was thrown against a hitching post with terrible force. His head seemed to partially bend over the top of the post and his skull was crushed and his face badly cut. His entire body was bruised and cut in a very painful manner.
As soon as the accident happened several started out for a doctor, but Drs. Hughes & Dameron were the first on the ground and did all that was possible to be done for the injured man. He was carried to Frakes's livery stable near by, out of the sun, where his injuries were examined. He was unconscious and it was feared that the shock would result in his death in a few minutes. The doctors worked with him and made his condition as good as possible.
He was taken home and a nurse placed in attendance. Today his condition was considerable improved and the physicians have hope of pulling him through, though the chances are very slight.
The injured man came to Phoenix with his family this summer from South Dakota, to take the pastorate of the Baptist Church of this city, and during the short time that he has been in Phoenix he has made many friends.
The Accident appears all the more sad when the fact is known that Mrs. Ames is very sick, and the two children are also in a delicate state of health. this sad accident places the family in a bad situation, but there is no lack of aid in taking care of them.
The members of the church are doing everything in their power to make the injured man comfortable, and if care and medical treatment will do anything he will be brought through.
The Arizona Daily Gazette, Friday Morning, August 12, 1892, page 3 , Col. 1.
Rev. Ames still lies in an unconscious condition and may be expected to die any time, though his physicians have not yet given him up. He has never yet realized what hurt him and in his mauddling talk, inquires for the man who was hurt, apparently thinking it was some one else who was in the wreck. A brother of Mr. Ames arrived Wednesday from South Dakota, and a sister and her husband from Iowa have been in the city several days, but their injured brother has never recognized them.
The Arizona Daily Herald, Friday, August 12, 1892, Vol No. XIX-36, page 3 , Col. 3.
Rev. Ames Dead.
He Passes Away This Morning Very Quietly.
Rev. J. F. Ames, who was injured several weeks ago in a runaway, after lingering between life and death, died this morning at 5 o'clock.
the funeral will take place this evening at 5 o'clock.
Rev. Ames was born in De Ruyter, N. Y. on May 13th, 1858. He was a graduate of the Madison, (N. Y.) University, and also the Rochester Theological Seminary, where he graduated with high honors.
He was stationed at Genoa, N. Y., and Madison, S. D. from which pace he came to Phoenix on account of the poor health of his wife.
He was called to the pastorate of the Phoenix Baptist Church, which he had under advisement at the day of the accident.
He is one of a family of eight boys all of whom survive him.
He leaves a wife and two children, a boy and girl of tender years.
while Rev. Ames had been in Phoenix but a short time he had made many friends who admired his manly courage in living up to his conviction.
The widow has the sincere sympathy of the entire community in her loss and the Herald assures her that there are many true hearts who fully appreciate the great loss she has sustained in the death of a loving husband and kind father.
The Arizona Daily Gazette, Saturday Morning, August 13, 1892, page 4 , Col. 5.
Rev. J. F. Ames, who was injured in a runaway a few weeks ago, died at the residence of Mr. Ellwell yesterday morning at 5 o"clock and was buried last evening at 5 o'clock. Deceased was born in De Ruyler, N. Y. May 13, 1858. He was a graduate of Madison N. Y. University and the Rochester Theological Seminary, and was stationed at Genoa N. Y. afterward at Madison S. D. from which place he came to Phoenix a few months ago. He leaves a wife and two children to mourn his death.
The Arizona Daily Gazette, November 20, 1892, page 5, Col. 2.
Mrs. Fred Ames, wife of the baptist minister who was killed recently by a runaway horse, died in phoenix yesterday and will be buried this morning. the lady, it will be remembered was too ill at the time of her husband's death to be brought into town from Mr. McFall's place three miles north of her to see him.
Rev. John Fremont Ames and Sophie Wall Ames
I Visited Phoenix, Arizona 9/16/98 and went to the Pioneer Cemetery to see the Grave of John Ames and his wife Sophie Wall Ames. On the side of the tombstone was written "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." On the west side of the stone was "Sophie Wall Ames, Died Nov. 19, 1892, 31 yrs, 4 ms, 25 ds." On the East side of the stone was written"Rev. J N O F. Ames Aug. 12, 1892, 34 yr, 4 mos."
I visited with Marge West (602-931-1883) at the Department of Recreation for the city of Phoenix. She told me that some of the streets in the area were renamed. Cortez is now 7th Ave. and Mohave is now 15th. Ave.
The City Directory of Phoenix, AZ 1892 lists one Baptist Church in town. It was located on Jefferson and Mohave. Sunday services, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.: Sunday-school, 9.30 a.m.; prayermeeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.; convenant meeting, monthly; Rev. F. D. Rickerson, Pastor.
Pioneers' Cemetery Association, Inc.
PO Box 63342 Phoenix, AZ 85082-3342 Phone 602-253-2734
The oldest existing cemeteries within the city limits of Phoenix are in Pioneer and Military Memorial Park at 15th Ave. and Jefferson. They were established between 1884 and 1898. The burials ceased in 1914. The largest of these cemeteries lies south of Madison street comprising four acres of fraternal grounds and four acres dedicated to city burials. It was the only organized cemetery in the area prior to 1890. It contains a "Who's Who" in early Phoenix history consisting of all races and economic backgrounds.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Rev. John Ames a Witty Wicked and yet so Thin....
John F Ames in 1880's as young manRev. John Fremont Ames born May 13,1858
Dear Cousins and Friends....In an effort to get some photo's out to Janice Ames from Iowa...I made a blog for John Ames...I am going to add his story on this blog with letters and photo's that I find over time. This is my own blog and my interpretations of this very moving story of his life. I have spent years off and on collecting and sending out inquiries to know more about him. I will be consulting my husband John Doan for help in telling Rev. Ames story. I would be interested in any other stories or info that others in the family would like to add. It was a long held dream of mine to find John's Great Grandfathers family....I started thinking and praying about it in the 1980's soon after our marriage. The family's had been separated for over 100's years through a tragic death of Rev. Ames. The friendships, new family members and the fun that John and I have received from this journey is priceless. I will share them on the blog over time.
Hope you all enjoy.
Deirdra
"I can't thank Deirdra enough for her persistant
efforts to make contacts for us through researching
this family through looking up census information,
posting inquires on the internet, and making dozens of calls and letters to libraries, researchers, museums,
and cemeteries. Basically, without her there would
be nothingto send to no one in particular!"
John Doan 8/2/2003
Sophia Augusta Wall Ames
Sophia and John Ames are in the Center standing up. Fordyce Ames and his mother are siting in the middle at family homestead in DeRuyter NY 1990's
The eldest brother came back from the War between the States and was so angry he had another brother...he wanted a girl so....... he refused to have his photo taken with Fred....but his mother Electa Ray Ames did a run around him and cut out the photo below and pasted her little new son into the family photo anyway!
John Ames was a beautiful and intelligent boy. When his mother died when he as 20. He loved her deeply and as a result of her faith he became a Christian and then later studied many year in the ministry. He was a American Baptist preacher. His college class mates in a student magazine called him "Witty, Wicked and yet so thin!" Wicked in those days meant very intelligent. I will post some letter's by him and his story in other posts...John attended DeRuyter Union School and Academy, graduated Colgate Academy at Hamilton 1882, Madison (now Colgate) University in 1886, graduated Auburn Theological Seminary 1888, graduated Rochester Theological Seminary 1890.
American Baptist - ordained to the Christian ministry December 9, 1886.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Ames family
Left to right
Frank, Father Fordyce Ames, holding William, George, Mother Electa Rae Ames holding Fred in front, Henry back from Civil War, Hart holding John, Whit standing behind John and Hart.
Fred was the best friends with John. John was # 6 brother, then William # 7 and Fred the last # 8 brother. When Henry the oldest brother came home from the Civil War he was angry that his mother had another boy. He wanted a little sister. He refused to have his picture taken with the family if Fred the youngest brother was going to be in the photo. So Electa had a photo taken later of her 3 youngest boys. She cut out the photo of Fred and pasted him in!!! You can see in the photo how funny it looks. John looks very cute in his little stripped pants and shirt with ruffles.
John Doan at www.johndoan.com is named after his great grandfather John. They both seem to have a refined and kind nature. Rev. John Ames who loved his parishioners and John Doan who loves his students at Willamette University Salem Oregon and his fans for his recording career on his 20 string Harp Guitar.
OFFICE OF THE
Cape Vincent Eagle
Warren W. Ames, Publisher
Dear Brothers, Fred and Will.
I have got some news to tell you! We are all well at present. Our writeing school is most out, only three or four more lessons. Prof. J. H. Warren our teacher offered 25 cards with youre name written on them, to the one that would write the best set of captals. Henry Marks and I got them, I will send you one of mine, so that you can see some of his work, he is as I have probly told you before, the best writer in the United States, “I can't begin with him.” perhaps I shall want you to send it back, keep it cleen
Fred you must write next time. I sent you a cupple of coppes of the Childrens Hour when you have red them them pleas send them to 10.ac. I also send you a coppy of the Schoolday Magazine. (keep that.)
Will you speak about not haveing any thing to read. Take the History of the United States and you will find it the most interesting reading you ever red, when you have red it through and can answer all questions tharein let me know it and I will send you reading enough to last a sentury, poste paid. __________
It is quite warm to day, it thawed and rained yesterday, does sap run yet down youre way? . …. …. . . .__ _.. . . . … …. . . .._ ._. . . __ ._ _... . . .._ _ _ . .. .__ . … _.. ._ .. … _.._. Telegraph above can you read it?
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t
._ _... … _.. . ._. __. …. .. _._. _._ _ __ _. ._. ….. .._. … … _
u v w x y z & . ?
.._ …_ .__ ._.. …. …. . ..__.. _.._. This is the telegraph alphebet, lurn it!
Will I cant think of any more to write now, only Whit talks of moveing into a room next of the office then it will be so handy for Ell, she wont have to run to the house every once in 30 minutes to fix the fire. I have not got time to write to you , Mother, for I must write to George to day.
To all of you.
Mother you need not send me no stockings I have got enough for this Winter
NOTES:
John Ames would be 15 years old in May. He seems to be living in Cape Vincent, going to school there and helping his older brother Whit on his newspaper, the Cape Vincent Eagle, then about one year from its start date.
Sad to say, John got about one third of the Morse Code alphabet wrong.
Left to right
John Ames, Fred Ames and William Ames
youngest Ames brothers.
This letter was written by 14 year-old John Ames to his eight-year old brother Fred Ames. John seems to have gone to Cape Vincent to work for his brother Whit Ames on his new newspaper the Cape Vincent Eagle.
OFFICE OF THE
Cape Vincent Eagle
W. W. Ames, Proprietor
Dear Brother
I supose you are writting to heere from me and so you shall. We are all well at present and and hope that you are sitting in the same saddle It is rainy to day and the weather is cool.
You ought to be up heare and see all the Cherry Trees which are verrey numerous, laidened with their writch and wripened fruit. Mr. Seeleys folks the ones who we hire the house of went to Mr. Irvines (a farmer who lives about 2 miles out) to pick some Cherries and fetched home large pales full (gave us a taste) and were invited to come again. Well Fred how are you on the swim cant swim nor dive yet eh I guess that I have got the start of you fellows I can dive swim on my back or under water) ask Eugene if he can). How does Mark get along. Please send the Visitor up heere and I will send it back again when I have read it.
Ma what is it about cloths I want a new Coat next winter and I dont know but I have got to have pants and vest Them pants Aunt B made are so big I dont want to ware them under a yeare or so And if I have got to have new cloths next winter why not get them now and so have them when I get my picture taken I think that I can get them cheep But it is just as you say if you want me to wate I will.
What is it about Mrs. Phillips Baby Ell wants to know whether it is a girl or a boy and if it is as handsome as its Parents.
We have about all we can do to keep up with the woork. We printed some Circulars for Charlie Corning he is going to have a Select School in Georgetown commencing Aug 20.
I have tried to rite a long letter but I have sliped up on it. I tried my bigest to rite a good one if it is short C ant hink of any more.
So good by Write soon from
NOTES:
This letter was written by 14 year-old John Ames to his eight-year old brother Fred Ames. John seems to have gone to Cape Vincent to work for his brother Whit Ames on his new newspaper the Cape Vincent Eagle.
Cape Vincent is a small town on the St. Lawrence River about three miles below Lake Ontario. It had a strong French heritage and in the census of 1870 had a population of about 3,500. Cape Vincent is about 100 miles north of De Ruyter.
Ell who wants to know about Mrs. Phillip’s baby was probably William Elmer Ames, born in 1860 and seventh son of Fordyce and Electa Ames. John, William, and Fred were the three youngest children and brother George, the fifth son, was 18 years old in 1872.
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