Letter from Ethel Jane (Manly) Hill to Emma Dorothy (Zoeller) Manly
Dear Em --
No. When mom married our dad Mr. Manly -- he had two children, Charlie, a few months older than John, mom's oldest child; also a daughter, Fanny, 2 years younger than John. Mom had four children -- John, George, Martha & Mary. Dad had 2 children Charlie & Fanny.
Mom & Dad had 6 children. 1st -- Ruth who died in a few days -- then Vena, then Bob, then me -- then little Grace who died at 3 yrs, 9 mos -- then Hughie who died in
a few days. Grace & Hughie are buried in O'Fallon close to Mom & Dad -- But when mom married Mr. [James] Tiley -- she was 15 years old -- he was divorced from his first wife. His daughter was nearly 12 years old -- she & mom got along so well -- she wrote to mom after her mother came and got her after Mr. Tiley child. Mom & Mary & I visited her husband in Montana, her name was Eva -- but they all called her Evy -- she died
young -- but she & her husband Robert McDonald got along so well. They had three children. When we went up there in 1914 - Feb. [Hays?] was married but young Robert & young Eva were still at home. Robert was one year older than me -- Eva was year younger [than?] mother. Evy died when Eva was a few years old -- their mother Evy was a half sister to John & George & Martha & Mary. Mr. Tiley was their dad Evy's dad. Evy's husband kept in touch
with us after Evy died. In 1904 -- during the St. Louis World's fair -- he came to Collinsville to visit us. He was there when dad died. So was my dad's Aunt Fanny & she brought her niece with her. Her name was Ethel Van Sickle. They were all with us when dad got killed.
About Dad being a horse trader -- well, Vena has him mixed up with Mr. [James] Tiley -- he was a cattle buyer & trader -- he sold & bought horses & cattle. He had a nice home far
from mom & Evy & the children. He traveled a lot -- he got sick during the civil war and he died the 20 of May [1885]. Mary was born the 28.
But our dad was a worker, not a trader or seller. My Grandma -- mom's mother -- thought my dad was such a good man. John & George said to me more than once -- that mom was lucky to have dad. They told me how good he was to them. If ever our dad ever stole a thing -- he would die.
When Walter & I were married -- mom said “he reminds me of your dad, [a] good & honest man.”
Where did Vena get that idea Aunt Fanny raised dad[?] -- she was proud of him.
Dad's brother Ross Manly was with us when dad got killed. Ross lived in Louisiana where there were lots of colored people still treated like slaves, Uncle Ross said. My dad visited him just before he married my mom. Uncle Ross said my dad couldn't understand why they would treat the colored people so badly -- that dad was good to them. Uncle Ross told me a lot about Dad. Did Vena ever say where she heard such a thing about our dad[?] Let me know if you know. Mr. [James] Tiley was a cattle trader but there wasn't any such thing as thieving going on.
The family that took mom in were really good to her -- the lady was the sister of Mr. Tiley. Later on, Mr. Tiley came to live with his sister -- he went thru the Civil War and wasn't well. Mom was nearly 15. His sister thought it
would be good for him & mom to get married -- she had raised mom & liked her. Mr. Tiley had Evy with him -- she liked mom. Mr. Tiley was good to mom -- but he was a hard worker & away a lot -- so it wasn't easy for mom -- but he did provide good for mom & the kids and mom said Evy was so good to the babies.
If I could see you I could tell you a lots more about mom's early life. But what Vena said about our dad -- I can't understand it. We are so busy here -- getting ready for the Cancer League Party. Betty is on the board and of
course up to her neck in plans. I've made 12 money aprons. The tickets to get into the party are $15.00 each -- and then at the cancer party they sell tickets to raffle off [change?] so the ladies have to have heavy aprons. Besides, there is lots to do around here with Bet gone to meetings and so on -- so, of course, I've been baking -- a lot.
Tell Robert we expect Richard home -- he will be here for 2 or 3 weeks.
Robert could write to him here. I'm going thru my things and cleaning things out so when I go -- there won't be any work for anyone -- just a few old clothes to get rid of.
Well Em, if you can think of something else to ask about, I'll do my best. Out side of what Vena said about my dad -- everything was pretty O.K. The daughter [who] was mom's age was Mr. Tiley's -- not our dad's.
[I'll] send you some pictures -- the kids will like them.
love
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transcribed by Ron Manley
Ethel
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