The Muncie Morning Star, Thursday, March 31, 1932, page 3

pg. 4 of handwritten letter by Lydia (Dennis) Billheimer

pg. 3 of handwritten letter by Lydia (Dennis) Billheimer

page 2 of handwritten 1901 letter by Lydia

4 pg. handwritten letter by Lydia Dennis Billheimer (1848-1932) dated 30 Nov 1901 Selma, Delaware Co., IN written to Mrs. Mary Estella “Stella” (Smith) Hawkins (1883-1975). She states her husband is Sylvester Billheimer (1855-1953) and speaks of religious thoughts, flowers, and impending death. This came in an old photo/memory album that was purchased on eBay:
“Selma Ind Nov 30th, 1901
Dear Mrs. Hawkins,
I have thought of you so often and wondered what you were doing and how I would love to see you, and hear you talk and especially hear you give testimony to saving power of Christ. I can see so plainly how bright and happy you looked at Maxville Church the night you were converted, Oh! how I would love to meet all of the dear people there once more.
There has been so many changes come since we left and especially the change that came to your home. How much I wanted to stand by your side the day of the funeral and we were nearly ready to start when Sylvester got word to go to Muncie as a witness, so that stopped our going to the funeral for he had to be a witness that day, how quickly death can come. I heard today my father is so poorly. He is in his eighty eighth year (88) and so very feeble. I want to go and see him Monday. My sister & her husband was here this week & Sylvester’s sister & husband was with us two days & nights, and we looked for Blanch McNiece (Eva Blanche McNees (1870-1954)) tonight, but we got a card from her this evening saying she would come in the morning.
This has been such a beautiful day, in fact the whole fall has been so very nice, and the roads are so dry and smooth.
Well I can’t help but say praise the Lord for all his blessings to me. My niece is with us going to school. She is getting along so nicely. The Epworth league has an entertainment tonight, so Sylvester & Della have gone. I did not feel very well so I did not go. I would rather stay at home & write. Well I have my feathers made into a fly-brush so I must thank you for the feathers. They are so nice, mine is made like yours.
Well it will soon be Christmas how fast time flies, soon it will be said of you and me we are no more and it seems sometimes that I can nearly reach into Heaven. My time is so short here, I cannot write it so real as it seems to me, so each day and hour I live I want to be ready to praise the Lord for his kindness to me. I am so glad the love of Jesus helps us to love every ones soul, and have a desire for the salvation of all. My sister Sarah went to California this Summer she had such a nice time, and has had better health since she came home.
I had so many pretty flowers this Summer. I love flowers so much. I see in the paper that Uncle John Flood is dead.
We think of beginning protracted meeting next Sunday at Mt. Tabor. We have had no meetings yet. The church at Mt. Pleasant is being repaired. Think it will be ready for service by the last of this month, and the church at Mt. Tabor has been frescoed and varnished, the carpet cleaned so they want to have a nice good time there next Sunday to begin the meeting with. Ig I could see you how much more I could ask. So I close asking my Father’s blessing upon you & son. Come and see us. I send love to all I knew.
Lovingly,
Lydia D. Billheimer”