When we were cleaning out Grandpa and Grandma’s home in Kohlertown, we came across a box of letters.  I stuck them away in the attic and just the other day decided to look at them. 

These letters, from gentlemen admirers, were written from 1919-1920, when young Katie was 19 and before she began seriously dating Percy Kohler whom she would marry in 1924. 

The bulk of the letters came from a soldier who was in Paris and Germany after World War I, but the letter I am discussing today came from a young man who was smitten with the fetching Katie Hill after meeting her at an event at the Clement Lake Farm House near Liberty.  The Clement Farm was a popular spot for social activities in the early part of the last century. 

This missive was written on October 5, 1919, by one Elmer Ninesling from Great Neck, Long Island. “Friend Catherine,” he begins, “Suppose this will be a great surprise to you but I thought I would write a few lines to you as I have done to all of my friends.  I’m not sure if it is quite proper for me to write to you but I thought perhaps you would like to hear from one whom you gave such an enjoyable time the night of the corn roast at Clements Farm. I sure did enjoy dancing with you.” 

Elmer seems a dear, doesn’t he?  Apologizing for being so bold as to write to Katie.  And how, you wonder, did Elmer get Katie’s address?  Well, it is simply addressed to Miss Catherine Hill, White Sulphur Springs, Sullivan Co, New York.  Easy.  If he knew that she was from White Sulphur Springs, that was all the address he needed back in the day. And how about that two-cent envelope!

Elmer goes on to say that he heard that Katie was “out to Liberty” last week, but says he was told this by Ruby Hobart, who “kids me so much I hardly can believe half what she says.” 

He concludes by writing, “Well, Catherine, I don’t know whether I have been too forward in writing to you but I’ll await your answer which I hope will come in the immediate future.” He signs it, “Sincerely, Elmer S. Ninesling, c/o Harry Ninesling, Great Neck, NY.”   

This letter is written on letterhead from H. Ninesling’s Sons Department Store in Great Neck, established in 1879. According to the Great Neck Historical Society, at Ninesling’s “you could get anything from a haircut to a hammer.” 

Since this appears to be the only letter from Elmer, we can surmise that “Catherine”, whose name was actually spelled “Katherine”, never responded to Elmer’s entreaties. I’m glad that she kept his letter, though.  It provides a charming snapshot of a much more genteel, civilized time. Can we have a moment for Elmer's impeccable handwriting? And it seems that my grandmother was always as charming as we all knew her to be. The beguiling Katie Hill, the belle of White Sulphur Springs.