Vintage Postcard Mystery - Help me crack the Case!

[4reals]

Post Card #2 of 7 – A Chance Play
Postmarked: Jul 23, 6pm, 1910, Redfield, South Dakota
Addressed to: Flossie Horning, Mellette, S.D.

Message:
…..two at Faulkton Thursday & Friday. I went to Faulkton yesterday by auto to see the game, and it was a good one. Came back on the train, as Norbeck made a trip North to 2 or 3 well rigs, getting in at midnight. Some of the crops west are junk others are pretty good. How are they up that way. I suppose you know of the fire at Aberdeen, loosing thier Opera House. which will put the show business on the bum? brim? burn? up there for sometime no excitement here of any kind now; Hot dusty and worn.
G.L.

[4reals]

Post Card #3 of 7 – A Steal
#1 of 2 – sent the same day
Postmarked: Aug 8, 3AM, 1910, Redfield, S. Dakota
Addressed to: Flossie Horning, Mellette, S. D.

Message:
Redfield, Aug. 6 – 1910 – 5:30 P.M. Friend Flossie: Hello. How you was this cloudy day. Tried to rain a little here but did not succeed very well. Our boys beat Aberdeen here, yesterday and day before, but won only one out of the five at Aberdeen. They go to Huron tonight for three games 7-8-9. I am getting to be a real live fan, as I am taking in all the games here but do not get to go away to any much.

[4reals]

***This postcard contains a derogatory word that I do not condone the use of.

Post Card #4 of 7 – Catching a hot one
#2 of 2 – sent the same day
Postmarked: Aug 8, 3AM, 1910, Redfield, South Dakota
Addressed to: Flossie Horning, Mellette, S. D.

Message:
2. Our business men have decided to try the Fair again this year Sept. 6-7-8-9. We have had a (n*****) Minstrel 2 nights this week. I went the first night, pretty fair. Wheat is turning out so much better than was looked for, that we may not be in such bad shape this fall after all, a little rain now soon will help the corn out wonderfully. I guess there are no exemptions to the Hills this year. By.by. in haste. G.L.

[4reals]

Post Card #5 of 7 – A Balk
#1 of 2 – sent the same day
Postmarked: Aug 19, 6 PM, 1910, Redfield, South Dakota
Addressed to: Flossie Horning, Mellette, S. D.

Message:
Redfield, Aug. 19 – 1910. Friend Flossie: Most time to go for dinner. Your cards at hand this morning. Carl was saying he thought he seen you run by him the other day, so as I take most of the ball games I kept a watch for you but did not see you. Huron beat us yesterday 5 to 2, we won the day before 4 to 0. They play again today. I did not take in any of the Lewis shows so cannot tell you anything about them. I understand they are to be here during fair week.

[4reals]

Post Card #6 of 7 – Delaying the Game
#2 of 2 – sent the same day
Postmarked: Aug 19, 6 PM, 1910, Redfield, South Dakota
Addressed to: Flossie Horning, Mellette, S. D.

Message:
Their plays are mostly of the wild west, where the bold, brave man appears at the right time and accomplishes the impossible and as I do not take much stock in such I do not care to go. I would like to get down to the Huron Fair for a day or two, but think now it is out of the question, too short on cash. And as I have been taking in most of the ball games I may not get to our fair, but cannot say yet. I am in the office most of the time is why you did not see me, probably you would not know me anyway. How did your grain turn out. G.L.

[4reals]

Post Card #7 of 7– A Sacrifice
#1 of ? – sent the same day
Postmarked: Sep. 1, 7 PM, 1910, Redfield, South Dakota
Addressed to: Flossie Horning, Mellette, S. D.

Message:
Redfield, Sept. 1 – 1910 – 5:40 P.M. Friend Flossie: Your cards received a few days ago. Cold & cloudy today, makes a fellow wonder what has become of his summer wages. A bunch of 17 autos left this morning for Frankfort, Doland, Turton, Conde, Brentford, Mellette, Northville, Athol, and Ashton boosting for the Spink County Fair and just got back. Carl went along with Hutch in one of our cars. They were sure black when they got in. C.L. Nicholson & wife, Gen. Nicholson and our stenographer left by auto last Friday for a visit with the Nicholson girls who are on……….

[4reals]

Here is a link to a complete consolidated transcription for anyone that wants it. It is a word doc uploaded to google docs.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0Bt...it?usp=sharing

Key words/names:

Recipient: Flossie Horning of Mellette, SD
Sender: Lewis Jones of Redfield, SD
Spink County, SD
c/o: George Northrup
Dates: May 1910-Sept. 1910

[JollyElm]

I'm thinking the 'pigs' is 'rigs.' Maybe they stopped by some oil well rigs or something.

[4reals]

thank you, adjustment made

[JollyElm]

Another thought. Where you have 'Ser.', it could be either Senator (Sen.) or General (Gen.) Nicholson he's referring to. Search those names out and see if anything pops.

[4reals]

I do now believe the first letter is a G, by comparing it to the word girls later in the same letter but I'm still not sure what the last letter is. It might be Gen. but if it is an n it doesn't look like his other n's. Is there any other abbrev. it could possibly be? Ge_?

[buymycards]

Hi, these are listed in the Sports Postcard Price Guide.

The football cards are part of a set of 6 that were made by the Colonial Art Co between 1905 and 1915. The value is listed as between $15 and $22.

The baseball cards are from a set of 9 from the same years and are valued between $6 and $12.

Can't help you with the wording.

Rick

[4reals]

Thanks Rick, a baseball set of nine. I have six and I've seen the other two...I wonder what the last one is.

[KCRfan1]

Lewis Jones is a bit difficult since the name is very common. Flossie Horning is easier....born December7, 1887 in South Dakota and died July 12, 1964 in LA. She married a man named Cecil John Cropp. Her formal name is Florence Cropp. All I've got so far. Neat postcards and a great idea to pass these on to decendents.

They married February 20, 1925 in Santa Barbara. No luck finding children though, yet.