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February 16, 1865

Gilboa, Ohio,
Thursday, Evening,
Feb 16", /65

My own dearest------

It would be useless for me to attempt to describe my feeling, on perusiing the first page of your very welcome letter of the 5th. Didn't read more than one line at a time. Had to stop to collect my Thoughts.

Upon perusing the other side of the letter I was amply paid for all my fears. Of course I shall pardon you this time for keeping me on suspense so long three minutes at the least calculations. I shall sur[e]ly read the first part of your letter to the first person that asks me concerning your marriag

I thought your letter was a long time coming. I think I shall have to jog your memory a little so that I can hear from [you] more frequently. Received those novels, have read one of them and the other partly through. They are very good. That poetry was rather gay too. Jennie A's letters are gay too.

Ira you are deserving of a better correspondant than she is.

As you are corresponding simply for amusement why do you not hunt a better one.

From the reading of Sarah K... letter I should much prefer her as a correspondent. I wish you would write to her and give her your real name[,] find out whether it is that Sarah Kratzer that lived near Sharpsville. Send me one of Amelia's letters[,] let me see what kind of stile she puts on. No doubt you will think I am rather fast in passing my opinion on your correspondents and perhaps you will think I had better look at home first and perhaps I had better. I have always been vain enough to think you would pass by my imperfections. I have the faculty of appreciating a good letter although I do not possess the talent for writing them.

Ira I have a communication to make that I think will be rather interesting to you. It is this[:] Mr Isac Mullen and Miss Abbie O... were joined in the Holy bands of "padlock" today. Abbie is but sixteen, quite a young bride. I heard that Dave Oren was very much opposed to her marrying he thinks she is going to be left a widow and I think Dave is right. Don't you.

You think you have plenty of strings to your bow--Yes I think so myself rather more than I like for you to have. The General order has taken all your teamsters away. Good thing you and Wallace will have to get out and do something. I have no doubt they think you have played the gentleman long enough. But those Officers have my heart felt thanks for exerting their influence to keep you there. I am so afraid you will have to go to your Regt. yet before your time is out. I have two days school yet then my three months are in but they have hired me another month. School will not close untill near the middle of March. With my love to you and kindest regards to Wallace & Lady I am stil your own little Jen. I shall take good care of that lock of hair.

February 19, 1865

Gilboa, Putnam County, Ohio,
Sabbath Evening Feb 19 [1865]

My Dearest and best Friend,,--

As Sabbath eve. seems the most favorable time for me to write I shall endeavor to improve it by inditing a few lines to you my most esteemed friend.

The Mail does not leave Gilboa until Tuesday Morning so you see this letter will have to lay in the Office a couple of day's before leaving. I should much prefer writing just before the mail goes out but that seems out of the question as my mornings taken up in preparing for the school room and I am generally so tired in the evening that I don't feel like writing.

My school would have closed yesterday had not the Directors persuaded me to teach another month which I was loth to do, but to plase others we often have to sacrafice our own happiness. It will only deprive me from being at home another month longer and that is something in my estimation.

Home is the most coveted spot on earth to me. I presume I am not different from most persons in that respect. Especially those in who are so fortunate as to possess a good home. When I get homesick and lonly then I often think of the Soldiers who are so far away from their homes and no doubt there are many that do not entertain even the faintest hope of ever beholding "the spot more dear to them" while I only a few miles from home feel so dreadful.

I had a nice visit in the country yesterday. Mr. Spar's came in after me and brought me back today. The weather is fine some indications of spring.

I received your letter of the 10th yesterday Morn. Glad you were well and enjoying yourselves as usual.

I am glad you are still with Wallace but Oh Ira would that visit have been nice if they had ordered you to report. I cannot conquer my great inclination to see you if only just for one hour but that is impossible at the present.

You don't want your part of the past buried. Think it has been a lesson. Ira how long will it be a lesson. How long will it last...until you get home?

I think you are getting quite a number of correspondents.. I had quit writing to my little boy friend but still you keep on writing your schoolmate Miss Amelia and I am going to answer two letters that I have received from my boy friend that are here unanswered. Want to know what has become of Mag Stanton. I cannot tell you what has become of her unless she has gone to goose heaven or some other seaport. Dear O dear what am I about telling you such a story. She is married "that's what's the matter." This is the third letter I have written this eve and I have one more still to write this eve. Please except this short epistle with my love. With my best wishes to your bachelor spouse I am still Yours Jennie

February 25, 1865

Gilboa Putnam Co Ohio
Friday Evening Feb 25th (1865)

Ira B. Conine,

Well "Plug,"

I have just finished reading yours of the 14th received this eve - father passed through Gilboa on his way to Glen Cottage brought the letter with him and as I have a leisure moment I shall improve it by answering immediately.

I am well and getting along as usual. I should like very well to read the letter you wrote to "Dunn and Goit" but I don't expect to get up to the "old squires" very soon not while the mud lasts at least. How could you wish such a cruel wish for the mud to be over our shoes. It is bad enough as it is. Sugar making is coming on better take a furlough and come help to make sugar. Think you came down rather heavy on the Smith family. Don't see how you can blame Gall for falling in love with the Lieut when he is so handsome and delicate looking, being married would make no difference. Those valentines are very nice especialy the squirt that just suits you to a T yet I forgot all about valentines day untill it was too late.

You are glad you are at Knoxville where I cant bother you. Why! Did I ever bother you? I am sorry the next time you come I will try not to be in your way. You formed an opinion of Amelia the night she held the curtain back for you to see the girls dress. I should think from all appearances that you had formed rather a favorable opinion of her. I don't know that there will be any harm in telling you Ira that I never had a rival that I feared so much as I do Amelia. I know what you will say that you don't consider her a rival. She is merely a school mate and all that but I tell you I don't want to hear her name mentioned. There is something so repulsive in connection with her that I shudder when I hear her name mentioned. I know no particular harm of her don't wish to injure her in the estimation of any one but I don't want any thing to do with her in any way.

Ira I think you are real mean to keep those letters of mine. Wish I was down there a while I would pick that sock. You say mother would think she had a bad boy if she should read those letters. I would like to know whose mother you mea. I did'nt intend that any body's mother should read them. I think you must bee crazy. John Martins have moved to Shannon. I have heard nothing from Katie Todd for a long time. Moll Howard got home last week. There is no distress being paid to her at present by any person. You think there wont be to many girls with out fellers when you and Wallace and that Tennessee boy come up here. Tell Wallace not to bring his wife along. Jim Beard was buried to day. Dave Grear has sold his farm. I guess no one will be sorry in that neighborhood. I've got well of the blues, thank you. You are sadly mistaken in thinking Lucinda's disease and the blues all the same. Blues is a disease of the mind your honor! Hoping this will find you well I will close with my regards to all.

Yours as ever,
Jennie B.
Gilboa Ohio
Ira B Conine

MS 673 - Ira B. Conine Papers, Introduction | Transcript List
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