$15 for the Minister

What better way to celebrate Easter than to pledge $15 towards the minister's salary.

Here's the back of the card, sent to Mrs. Gussie Ward in Canastota, New York. The message reads:

Gussie - 

Put me down for $15 for the year on your ministers salary - 

Best wishes - 

____(?)

Fröhliche Ostern

These two Easter cards were both sent to Trinchen von Oesen, the German maid featured in last Saturday's post.

The first card was from her sister Lina, who thankfully had fairly legible handwriting. The message reads:

Dear Sister!

I received your card many thanks for that. I'm traveling to Grambkermoor

The Baetjers got a little girl but I would have gone anyway. Now you can write me about how things are with you there. Now ___ your time is soon up.

Happy Easter along with friendly greetings

Your Lina

I am unable to decipher the message on the second card.

I am Your Brudder

This card with Best Easter Wishes was sent to Freda R. McKewen (?) at the Mansion House in Binghamton, New York in 1916.

There are a number of mansions in Binghamton, but I have a feeling that this was actually some sort of boarding house rather than an actual mansion. I found an article in the November 3, 1900 issue of the New York Times announcing the death of a salesman, John Higgins of Binghamton, at the Mansion House. Higgins, a traveling salesman for the Beck Cigar Company, was despondent over family and health problems. He committed suicide by eating two ounces of rat poison. Higgins left behind a wife and four children.

Here's the back of the card and the message, which reads:

Wishing you a happy Easter

I am your brudder

Deloss