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OR - Zion,Clackamas County - May 14, 1886 - Oregon Journal

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Western Americana Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 800.00 USD
OR - Zion,Clackamas County - May 14, 1886 - Oregon Journal
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This lot contains the handwritten remembrances of Elmer S. Shankland on his trip to The Beaver State, between 1884-87.

One page, marked “Private,” related stories about his work as an organ salesman and other jobs he held like the time he missed the boat and had to walk to Portland and an episode with a young lady named Bess. He wrote, “Bess asked me to go buggy riding with her. I told her yes, but O how it hurt me." Other entries include “Mrs. Eliza Love sued O. H. Love for a divorce, [on] June 13th 1877” which she was granted. The soap opera continues when Shankland notes that not long after Eliza’s decree was granted, he went walking with her in a Milwaukee cemetery, noting “BAD, O SO BAD.” He later declares his love for Bess, expressing “Bess is the pride of my heart.” Besides the narrative, there are pages that list marriages as well as births. The notebook was mailed to his father, the Post Master of Zion on 14 May 1886, which is written on the book’s cover. It measures 3.5”x 6.” There is also a 1c circular rate Franklin stamp, that’s postmarked New York. On the reverse and inside both covers, a printed advertisement by Robert Orr, 388 Pearl St. New York City, claims the best prices on goods of any store in the country. Other than some water stains and a little dog-earing of the cover, the book is in very good condition. The history, as well as the humorous subtleties contained in the text, make this a delightful piece of Americana.

- Gil Schmidtmann Collection