Congo (82) Luebo, Congo 9/1922 [DCS]

"Luebo" Sept. 1922

My dearest Homefolks:

"The Beautiful Package" that is the subject of this letter. I never was much of a hand to express my gratitude and thanks in "elegant" language, so I'm not going to try, but I must say this, that no one ever would know how good it makes you feel to get a package or even a little remembrance from your loved ones at home when you're this far away, until you have had the experience. And this was such an "elegant" package. I look at these things made by hand, which have taken so much time and work, and say to myself, well, I'm sure they still love me or they wouldn't do so much "just for me." It's not that you need to do these things in order that I may know--never--but I'm just like other folks, it's good to be reminded. Besides this token these things are going to be so useful for I need them badly. I don't believe you realize even know how much entertaining it is our "duty" to do out here. I have already initiated the porch set. Only got it yesterday morning and used it yesterday afternoon. There was a gentleman came to tea from across the river. He was leaving today and being associated with B. M. a good deal along business lines and also being a very nice man so far as nice men among the traders go, we felt that it was our duty to invite him. We have quite a lot of inviting along this line to do besides the missionaries. They always seem to enjoy themselves very much, for it seems that the social life over there isn't much. Being foreigners and believing so strongly in "class," there isn't much visiting among them. This man spoke English yesterday, so I got along very well, but with the banker who used to come real often, he spoke nothing but French, so I had to sit up and hold my hands, and try to look pretty. The greatest trouble about being nice to them, they want to come every week if you will let them. They don't seem to realize that missionaries have to work. I suppose you have had a taste of that out at home--but I have been entirely off the subject. That's always the way I do and I suppose the reason I use so much paper up and then haven't said anything.

Well, as I said I used my pretty new porch set, and first thing B. M. told him about its being new and just getting it that morning, etc., as men always do. I've heard daddy do it, so when he spilt some cream on it he blushed and was very much embarrassed, but he was an educated gentleman therefore thought everything so pretty. Men have to be educated to those things you know-women are born educated ??

The other table set is just simply beautiful, looks so lacy and pretty on the table and just fits exactly. How did you know how large to make it? I never saw pique made up that way before and it makes it so attractive. Everyone just raves over it. I was so glad to get the extra pieces to my morning glory set for I have needed them sometime's. You see the Club is three itself and we two, then if I happen to have some extra ...? But I never try to seat more than six at my table; it's too small. Twice I had seven, but was very crowded.

Can't tell you how glad we both were to get the picture of myself. I was hoping you would send it, but had no idea you would. You see, that picture is so much better looking than I ever was that it's good to have it to show and say "that's how I used to look," see. And everything out of the cedar chest was just like new to us for both of us were too interested in each other to appreciate everything just like we do now.

The little aprons and handkerchiefs are as dear as can be. Since Xmas is coming on and I haven't a thing to give anybody, they will certainly come in handy. I've got to rake up something to send Miss Setser and Mr. Shive; they have all their papers and her permission from her father, so everything is coming off during Mission meeting.

Please thank all who helped with the lovely package. I hope to write Aunt Nennie and Aunt Hon soon. Kiss yourself 1000 times for me.

Lovingly,

Dorothy

Congo (81) Luebo, Congo 9/3/1922 [BMS]

Luebo, Sept. 3, 1922

Dear Mother and Daddy:

On account of the late notice we had in the last mail of the closing of the mail, I didn't get to write my letter, but I want to assure you that it was not because I didn't think of you. Our mail going out has been very irregular of late, and also very far between. This is on account of the low water, during which time it is difficult for the steamers to reach Luebo. However, the water has already risen some and is continuing to do so, and in a very few weeks we shall have larger boats coming up and more regular mail service.

There hasn't been anything out of the ordinary of late. We have had the Club during August, about which I believe Dorothy told you. The next thing in order will be the Mission Meeting at Lusambo. The "Lapsley" will come around here along the first of October to take the folks from Luebo to Lusambo, as the meeting is to begin about October

15th. There are several from Luebo going: Mr. & Mrs. Stegall, Dr. & Mrs. Stixrud, Mr. Allen, Mr. Craig, Misses Mckay and Black, and either Mr. McKinnon or Mr. Vinson. This will leave eight on the station.

We are expecting Mr. Morrison tomorrow. He is our new Assistant Mission Treasurer. Mr. Morrison will be here something like six months before he goes to Europe for furlough in order to get back in time to relieve Mr. Craig, whose furlough will be due in about two years.

You would be surprised to know the amount of visitors and strangers who are constantly passing through Luebo. At this moment we have Mrs. Smith, the young wife of an American Prospector for the large Mining Co., (Forminiere, we call the Co.), who has been here about two months and a half, and who is likely to be here a month or two longer. Next, a Mr. Patterson, also of this same company, who is under the doctor's treatment with a bad hand. Last week we had with us for three or four days a Mrs. Dow, wife of one of these Company men. A short time ago we had a Mr. Bixel with us, a missionary of the Congo Inland Mission, whose main station is at Djoko Punda, just a little over a day from Luebo, and who was with us for about five or six weeks with malarial rheumatism. It is very seldom that we have no stranger in our midst. This does not include those visitors, white, who come over for a few hours to see the station or to make a call, say for afternoon tea (a la English). The State people and traders from the other side of the River (where the State Post is located) come over quite often, some on business and some on Social calls.

The young banker who used to come over quite often and play tennis and became quite a friend of ours, was sent to Lusambo for the remainder of his term. He spoke very little English and this was good practice for me in French, although often somewhat tiresome for Dorothy. The banker who is here now speaks English "somewhat," although his wife speaks none. They are also quite friendly with all of us. I suspect we see more people from other places here than you do out there. You would be surprised at how we keep in touch with the outside world through our mails and our visitors, with their views and news.

Dorothy and Miss Porter and I went on a little camping trip Friday afternoon, spending the night and part of next day in a little village about eight miles from here (two hours from here, as we would say). We had a nice trip and enjoyed it. These little excursions are bracing. The chief, in whose house we stayed, was very glad to see us; he brought us four chickens, six eggs, a couple of cups of rice, and plenty of food for our caravan. They feel honored to have the white man stop with them, and while they generally expect some remuneration for the things they bring, still they also want to show their pleasure by bringing you something.

The Washburns haven't arrived yet, although they are due any day. That is, they haven't reached Bulape that we have heard, for they are not coming by Luebo, but coming on up the Sankura river and get off at a post near Bulape, for. the boats can't make direct connection with Luebo just now.

Trusting this finds you both in your usual health, if not better, and with love to you both.

B. M.

The latest news from Mrs. Kellersberger is that she has just about completely recovered from the sleeping sickness, although they will be delayed some time in getting back out here.

I am enclosing herewith a check for $8.00 to pay for the package which we had you order from Montgomery Ward for us. Please do not hold this check too long, so that we can keep our bank account straight.

Congo (80) Luebo, Congo 8/28/1922 [BMS] [DCS]

Luebo, Congo Belge, Africa

August 28th, 1922

Dear Friends:

This is vacation month in our day schools at Luebo, although the rest of the work on the station continues as usual. Our school year is divided into three terms of three months each, with a month of vacation at the end of each term, making our school year the same as yours. When you consider the environment of the natives it is remarkable how well they learn, and their eagerness to go forward. We have been trying each year to increase our standards, and a great deal has been accomplished towards this end in the last few years. One of our great problems just now is to raise our standard for our native teachers, for we must depend on them to do the bulk of the work, even on our main stations.

To give you an idea how quick the native children are to learn, and how anxious, I want to tell you about a boy who came to me for work less than a year ago; his name is Kalenchi. When he first came to me he was what you would term a typical raw native. He was about 14 years old, and did not know a letter of the alphabet. He asked permission to attend school, which I gladly granted. In less than three months Kalenchi had mastered the primary branch and was beginning to spell out words, and at the end of the term, was promoted to the First Reader. By the end of the next three months he was reading easy sentences and writing them; now he is in the last part of the second Reader, and out of school hours is reading in the Third Reader. Very often when he has no work he will get out his Reader and study it. And you must remember that the school day here is only two hours in all. They all love to read; nearly any day we can hear the boys in our kitchen reading their Bible aloud (they always read aloud unless they are where they will interrupt someone). Within another six months I believe Kalenchi will be reading in his Bible. Many of these natives who learn to read are far away from the sound of the preacher's voice, but the Good News of the Gospel is always open to them; and not only is it open to them, but you will very rarely find a native Christian who knows how to read who does not possess a Bible or New Testament. Many a time have I seen out in far away stations, as well as here at Luebo, a group of natives gathered around the doorstep listening to one of their number who is reading the Bible to them.

Another remarkable example, and one which is somewhat of an exception, is the case of a native chief here at Luebo, who was recently promoted to the Third Reader. He must be something over 30 years of age. But he was determined to learn how to read. We were all glad to see this chief, Kalamba, get his certificate of promotion, for it is not only for the good it means to him, but also the influence of his example as a chief.

We had a Conference of all the native Evangelists and Elders of this section here at Luebo a few weeks ago. There were present something like 300. This covers only our Luebo territory. Special prayers were offered for the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, for weeks in advance of the meeting, and we have sufficient evidence to prove that our prayers were answered. One of the main topics that was discussed was their native superstitions, and their resolve to do all they can to eradicate them. The whole life of the heathen native is a network of superstitions and customs. At one of their meetings different ones gave their experiences of the past year. Two different evangelists told how someone who opposed the Gospel had tried to force them to leave the village, and had actually aimed a gun at the evangelist and pulled the trigger, but in each case, the gun had failed to fire and bystanders had kept them from further harm. One evangelist stated that when he first went to the village where he has been working, two brothers in this village had tried to force him to leave by threats. He refused to go, and began praying for those two men. In less than a year, one of them had become a Christian, and the other was now in the catechumen, or Inquirer's Class.

We have had quite an important and interesting event to take place in the Printing Office lately in the arrival and installation of our new job press. Up to the present, the only press we have had is our large newspaper press for printing 8 pages, and which press came out to Luebo about 1912, and went down to the bottom of the Congo River when our first steamer, the "Lapsley," sank. But it is still in good condition and in constant use. However, it is entirely too bulky for small jobs, and the small job press will mean a great saving in time as well as more efficient work.

Just a few days ago a native canoe turned over in the middle of the river at our crossing, and about four or five natives were drowned. There were something like thirty in the boat, so it is a wonder that so few were lost. Only three bodies have been recovered so far, but at least one more is missing, and two or three are supposed to have been lost about whom no one is certain. Even before the bodies were found, the native "wailing" had already begun at some of the homes. Only one of these that we know was a Christian; another was from another village. Instead of comfort and consolation in a time like this, heathen native has only tribulation added to his grief, for all of his relatives, or rather those relatives of the one who remains, come to stay with them and "mourn" for some days or weeks and eat him out of house and home. Without Christ, the native has not a ray of hope, only the terrible shadow of death hovering about his threshold. While many have seen the Light there are still too many who have not believed.

As this will no doubt reach you somewhere near Xmas time, we take this opportunity to wish you one and all a happy and joyful season.

You may feel that this is only a "circular" letter, but we want to assure you that it is a "real personal" letter to each one on this list. We trust you will believe this, and if you can find the time, let us hear from you.

With our prayers for you, we are

Sincerely,

Mr. and Mrs. B. M. Schlotter

Congo (79) Luebo, Congo 8/16/1922 [DCS]

"Luebo"

August 16, 1922

My dearest homefolks:

It's raining hard outside and has been for over an hour, so there won't be any prayer meeting, and I'm going to take this time to write to you. This rain means that the dry season is nearly over with and I'm so glad, for this has certainly been a long, dry, dusty, dry season. I'll take back all ever said about the dry season being the most pleasant. It is the coolest, I suppose, but I like rain and green things. I’m going to plant my garden before long, I think, and I'm going to have okra, lettuce, tomatoes, and peas. The other things I'll get from the farm.

I've certainly been making good use of my vacation month. Even though I have the club, I am getting lots done between times. They are less trouble this time than ever before, but of course just having two makes lots of difference even though Mr. Gilliam was pleasant and wasn't a large eater either, it took lots more planning to feed him than either of the others. During the dry season there just isn't much to plan for as we just have to eat the same every day most unless I open lots of canned goods and I'm just too stingy, for it certainly does cost. We are keeping a very close account of all our expenses this time and if we go in the hole, we are not going to have the club any more. I don't feel that with the wear and tear on dishes, linen, and the bother of having them, and then to go in the hole on top is fair, for we have to save as well as they. We have not gone under either of the other times, but we have never kept so close an account before either. Everyone else says they have not covered expenses, but I don't feed them as expensively as they, I am sure. You seem to think we are extravagant, but we are about, if not the least extravagant on this station and we have saved quite a little. There are the Hopson's; they are not out of the hole yet and have been out here over a year and a half now.

I was going to tell you about my work and then got switched off on another subject. In the last two weeks, I've made two pillow cases for Ann Wilds, (all with my fingers), and they were pretty, too, even if I do say it got rid of all my patching and darning, (the boy does the darning of the stockings), besides making me a white skirt from goods gotten across the river, and two collars for B. M. I am proud of both jobs, in view of the fact that I've never done much sewing and they were done all by myself. The goods in the skirt is not what I would get at home where I had my pick but it washes well and looks nice. I needed skirts so badly, but never dreamed they were so easy to make. I'm to copy another from one Miss Black has soon. It's a very pretty pattern, I think. The one I made was very plain, not even any pockets. You know I only had one white skirt when I left home and bought another in England, but it's about the sorriest thing you ever saw. I also whipped the crochet on to that cloth you cut out for a table runner.

Today I've been working on my magazines, putting all the food into one so that I can use the other for storing things and for entertainment stuff. It was a job, but I wish you could take a look at them tonight; they are clean anyway.

B. M. has moved his office into our back room where they have been storing visitors away for the past year and a half. He had such a tiny, hot little place up at the printing office and I had been looking forward for some time to his coming down here, but he didn't seem to think it was possible until just now. This room is about the nicest room in the house and the only one that has glass windows as yet. The glass for the rest of the house has come but there is no one free to put it in for us. .

The Wilds and Mr. Martin left about a week ago. I hated to see them leave as Mrs. Wilds and I were such good friends, but Mrs. McKinnon is so sweet and nice and I know I shall like them very much as neighbors. She and her husband are living where the Wilds lived.

I'm sorry you didn't go to Kerrville for I know you would have had a good time, and I also am sorry Mr. Martin could not have there, he is such a pleasant man and I'd like you both to meet him. I don't much expect you will get to now for he isn't going to stay very long at home. He wouldn't even go home if the mission didn't require him to, I don't think. I intended to fix up a box to send you but they were in such a rush to get off and Mrs. Wilds not strong either. I hated to bother them.

We have electric lights again on Luebo station. The engine Dr. Stixrud bought is running and will put lights in the hospital, the home of Dr. Stix and Mr. Stegall, and Vinson are asking to have their houses wired, there is not enough wire to wire all the houses. This is going to cause hard feelings but I imagine they will get it.

The delegates for Mission Meeting have been chosen and if everyone goes there will only be about eight people left on Luebo station, ourselves included. We did not want to go, at least B. M. didn't so I will stay with him to help hold down the station and we will also get to see how it feels to live on a small station. I may have mentioned it before, but Stegalls leave the first of next month for a visit to Mutoto and Bibanga before going to Lusambo, where the meeting is to be held. The Stixruds and Miss McKay are to take the same trip on the way home from the meeting. I suppose it will take them about two months to make the round trip.

I wonder if we ever wrote you about Miss Setser's engagement to Mr. Shines, the industrial man on Mutoto station. Miss Setser is the nurse who came out with us. They were expecting to get married about the time of the mission meeting, but on some account they have put it off, and are expecting now to go home and be married there. I think it's because her father objects, and he didn't want her to come to the Congo anyway. I have heard that they are very "sensible lovers," did you ever hear of such a thing.

Mr. and Mrs. Vinson have a new girl born about two weeks ago. I gave her one pair of the little boots that were in my "baby set." I certainly hated to give them up, but I have almost lost hope in ever needing them. I'm not going to give up the other things, though, if they lie and rot.

Kate sent me a sweet picture of their new baby at five months old. I think it looks much like the Hammonds, don't you? Speaking of who has the negatives of that picture of you that was taken lately? I want it if I can get it. I've looked everywhere for that picture of you and can't find it. I've almost come to the conclusion that some of the boys have taken it, for they are very fond of pictures. See what you can do about it for me, please, as I was so proud of that picture.

You seem to be uneasy about my health and happiness. I have been having malaria lately, but haven't had any hard fevers, only a little sometimes. I'm taking plenty of quinine and following the Oro's directions, so I'm sure I'll be rid of it in a few days. You must remember, I've never been really sick in the Congo, and that's more than I can say at home. There are very few people who come out here who don't have some very hard fevers soon after they arrive, and therefore we have been very lucky. I am not gaining in flesh, but that does not mean anything with me. I'm just not meant to be 'fleshy, and I'm glad I am not, for fat people don't get along so well out here. And if I'm not happy that's my fault for I have everything to make me so. A nice home, husband and friends.

B. M. is very kind to me and I love him. Of course I get discouraged and blue at times, but if everyone does not do that, I'd like to know who it is. The times when I am blue are mostly when I think if you so far off and I can't see you once in a while. Often I picture you coming in and spending an evening with us until I can almost hear your step on the path and then I'm disappointed when it's not so. You see from that what a strong imagination I have.

I am glad you have another cow and hope she will be giving plenty of milk a year and a half from now. Be sure and don't let her range toward the "moonshiners" or you won't have any to be giving milk. What color is she and has she a calf, etc.

I'm going to have a few words to say on clothes and then stop. B. M. gets after me for writing such long letters, but when I wait a long time to write, I have so much to say. You see he wants me to write more often instead of so much.

Clothes! My yellow skirt has worn out on the seat, but the blouse is good yet, only needs washing and I'm afraid to give it. Washed my brown crepe de chine dress gotten in England and it turned out nicely. The white one gotten at the same time is in good condition and so is my organdy (white). I have never washed it yet, though it needs it. I only wear those two dresses for evening wear so the dirt does not show. Would you believe that I still wear my pink jacket once in a while (at night). I have plenty of nice dresses now, but everyday dresses are my problem. I'm going to make one or two and wear middies and skirts, all my old ginghams are worn out. I don't want any new dresses until I start home~ though. That will be in the winter time and I won't need any summer dresses. I'll need something to wear for evenings on the boat and perhaps a dress to travel in when I get home. Of course, that can be gotten in New York when I get there, but I wanted your opinion as to what kind to get. It seems to me being about March or April, some soft silk that does not wrinkle or hold dust would be best. Wish you would look up about clothes and write about what to get just before time to come home. I have my coat and suit which will be perfectly good unless something happens to it before that time. My biggest problem is on the boat for going from Europe to America, people are expected to dress and I don't want to get English clothes.

I thank you for the package you sent me, haven't gotten it yet, but the Washburns are likely at the Pool before now. Hope you will send my pitcher and bowl set by Miss Kirkland for I need it badly. I'm using one Lucile let me have until she comes back. It is a nice one and I'm afraid I'll break it, but you know I've not had a decent one since I got here. I wouldn't have taken Lucile's but it had already been broken several times and we glued it together so that it will hold.

I can't say I am as enthusiastic over old things as you are, but I like some old things. As to the silver butter dish, what is going to be left for me? You told me long ago that beautiful water pitcher that I think so much of was Hickman's and Daddy says his watch is Hickman's so I'm beginning to wonder where I come in. But I'm not forgetting about that grand, grand old watch I've got promised me. I was thinking and telling someone about it just the other day, so don't you forget. This sounds kind of dictatorial but I didn't mean it that way at all. Aunt Han has at least one picture up in her bathroom, that is it used to be, that's mine if I ever have a home in America.

If you did not send one of my pictures, the kind we had taken in Dallas, please send one the next chance you get. Everyone saw the picture in the Survey, but I'd like to show them the original. I'd prefer the one B. M. had.

I must close now. Am enclosing the picture of Lake house.

Lovingly,

Dorothy

(This note attached to Dorothy's letter)

Dear Mother & Daddy:

This mail closes so suddenly that I haven't time even for a few lines. The mail has been delayed in getting here. This will reach you late.

Love,

B. M.

Congo (78) Luebo, Congo 7/17/1922 [DCS]

"Luebo"

July 17, 1922

My own dear homefolks:

This is the longest I have ever gone without writing to you in my life, and it may look like I have just forgotten you entirely, but if you knew how often I really do think of you, you would change your mind. Our trip, getting back and getting settled has kept us pretty busy. And you know I'm teaching school and keeping a boarder also. Not just at present but I have been. The school closes in about two weeks, but I get the club again in August. It seems to come around to me pretty often, but I ought to be glad I am well enough to keep it as so many, I mean several, have not been. There are only two [in the club] at the present time, but they are expecting Mr. Morrison any day. He is our new missionary, a Scotchman, who was with a trading company out here and asked to be taken in as a member of our mission. Dr. Smith appointed him a member while he was here, as Mr. Craig needed an assistant at once and the mission had elected him, but it had to go to Nashville, so under the circumstances, Dr. Smith took it upon himself to answer for the Committee. This is perhaps not interesting to you, but after I had started I couldn't stop. (Mr. Morrison is an earnest Christian, an elder in his church, and bears an excellent character as well as ability.)

McKinnons are here, came while we were away. I find them very likeable people indeed. We (B. M., Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon and I) played croquet together today. My first game since we used to play out on our lawn at home. I imagine our game for a while, at least, will be croquet as Mrs. McKinnon is very fond of games and she can't play tennis.

The Dr. decided all of a sudden the other day that Mrs. Wilds had to be operated on at once, so they did. It was a very serious operation and everyone was uneasy about her, but somehow through the goodness of God she pulled through all right and seems to be getting along fine now, only very nervous. They let her put her foot to the floor for the first time today. They and Mr. Martin are going to leave for home as soon as she is able. I think they plan in about two weeks now. Owing to their early departure and Lucile's not being able to wait for her going home things, we, the ladies of Luebo station, gave her and baby Ann a shower. I gave her a piece of very pretty voil for a dress, which I got in New York coming out. Have one more piece left, but it's not so very pretty. Certainly hate to see Lucile leave as she is one of my best friends on Luebo station now.

Mary and I gave Georgia a Fourth of July birthday party combined the other evening. It was at their house, but I helped Mary prepare for it. We followed the color scheme of Red, White, and Blue. Everything went off very nicely and every one seemed to have a good time. There were only twelve invited.

The Steagals are planning to leave early for Mission Meeting, going by Mutoto and Bibanga, in all they will be gone two months. Their furlough is due in December, but on account of the winter weather they want to wait until spring to go with the children. Sankie is growing fast, and I suppose learning fast,too. She has a new teacher, Mrs. McKinnon. Mrs. McKinnon by Doctor's direction will not be assigned any station work, though is fat and looks well. They say she will be an invalid all her life.

I have never written you about our vacation as I had planned, but took some notes which will cover it pretty well. I'm going to send you a letter from Rowena which we got about two hours from Bulape. I think it was a very sweet welcome, also a drawing of the lakehouse where we stayed. I made this drawing from Rowena's drawing.

Sun. July 23

We are still expecting mail. It has been over six weeks since we have had any mail from across the ocean. My but that seems like a long time. you see this is dry season and they say the river is lower than they have seen it in years and years.

As to our trip, I haven't finished telling about that yet. We got into Bulape about 2:30 in the afternoon before anyone was expecting us, because our men were hungry. Hadn't had any food all that day, so we did not have the reception that they had planned. Rowena was going to have her fence girls come out to meet us and welcome us in and several other nice things--I can't remember them all. Anyway soon after we got there, here came Mr. Wharton, and close on behind Mr. and Mrs. Edmiston and Bope, and we had some nice tea and cake, no, I believe it was grape juice and cake, I'm so used to having tea almost forgot. Kemp did not get in until late as he was working on the lake house so that it would be ready to live in. Mrs. Wharton had had a bad spell with her back and had to be carried to her bed just at noon before we arrived, so she couldn't be there. But anyway we seven had a very enjoyable time. Ate supper at the Edmistons and breakfast at Rowena's. The Hobsons had planned to go on down to the lake that morning to get things ready, and we were to stay at the Wharton's for dinner, but as Mrs. Wharton got sick, we went on with them and all made camp together. I was glad to, of course, sorry Mrs. Wharton was sick, but I think we would have missed one of the nicest parts of our camp life. We were fixed up mighty nice, had everything we needed and oh! what a good time we did have rowing, bathing, playing games, and even just sitting and watching the trees, birds on the lake, and listening to the different sounds in the forests. I took books, sewing, and letters to answer, but read one book, wrote one letter to you, and sewed not a stitch. Weren't we industrious? That's all right; that's what we went for--to rest-and I gained five pounds on the trip. Mrs. Edmiston and Bope came and spent one day and one afternoon with us. After a week and one day, we went up to BuJape and stayed a day, and from there with Mrs. Edmiston & Bope to Muxenge. Mr. Edmiston was already there. I suppose about fifty natives, men and women came out to meet us singing and hollering at the top of their voices. It was very dusty and I almost choked several times, but it would never have done to stop them. I suppose they came about two miles with us, but this was their sign that they were happy to see us. These people are of a different tribe with different customs and language than ours (Baluba) so it was all so interesting.

The next day we visited the King's courts; it is the same King whose picture is among the pictures we are sending you and of whom I'll tell you later. Muxenge is a real capitol city, everything closed in and everyone not allowed to enter, in fact only a select few. I am somewhat mixed here; it is only the king's courts where everyone is not allowed to enter. Lukenga is the only real native King I have ever seen; he is said to be very wealthy as far as native wealth goes, and a large part of his wealth is in wives. It has been said that he cannot count them, he has so many, but I don't know how true this is. The whole visit was interesting and we were allowed to go where don't very many other people go. He has just recently become a friend of the Mission and asked for a Missionary. The mission has tried for years to get into Bakuba territory, but former kings have been enemies of our mission. We saw the grave of the king before this one; he was the one who tried to drive out all white people from this part of the country, because he said we were weakening his power and authority, and it was he who burned Ibange, I mean our whole mission station at Ibange.

He was buried in his house and the house is still standing. Their custom is that when a king dies, he's buried in his house and the rest of the village moved to another spot. Bakuba houses are built so that they may be taken apart piece by piece and moved very easily.

After an enjoyable visit of two days, we left for Luebo, coming home by way of Ngalikoko; the rubber plantation is there, and it is very interesting to see how the rubber is gathered and the process gone through before it is rubber as we see it. The sap from the rubber trees, which has the appearance of fresh milk and foams like it, too, runs out from about six in the morning until ten, and they have lots of little native boys who gather it. It is carried to the factory and chemicals are used to harden it, then run through rollers and hung up to dry for two months.

I love the trail and do not get tired as lots of people do, but I have not been on what one would call a long trip yet. I was struck during my whole trip with the absence of wild flowers in the forest. There are practically none, and vines, colored leaves, and many kinds of delicate ferns take their place. The woods are beautiful, but when you are walking, you long to be able to stoop and pick some stray flowers as you pass. I don't know why, but I always imagined Africa full of pretty wild flowers, didn't you?

I have decided not to send the picture of the lake house now, as I want to copy it, but hope to send it in one of my next letters.

These pictures we are sending are some taken at the time of our last mission meeting by a Mr. Room who was visiting here. They just got to us the other day, because he sent them to Europe to be finished. We think there are none of them very good of B. M. and I but as a whole, they are very good.

I had intended to bring up the subject of clothes in this letter, but my! I've written such a long letter already, if I start on clothes I might never stop.

I was very sorry to hear of Mr. Dicken's death and am writing to the family as a whole in this mail. Everything will certainly be changed when I come home. Who is living in the old Sam McKee house now?

This coming week is examination and closing week in the native school, and I imagine it will be a very hard one for me. But we are looking for the mail, so that will lighten things a lot.

Give my love to the people in Terrell for me when you write. It's a shame the way I've treated them. I hope they are not out with me.

Lovingly,

Dorothy

Congo (77) Luebo, Congo 7/3/1922 [BMS]

Luebo, July 3, 1922

Dear Mother and Daddy:

Here we are back at home again, after an absence of three weeks. While we enjoyed the trip, still it felt good to get back home again--it is needless to expand that subject.

Dorothy has already told you a good deal about our trip, and it may be that we are duplicating some of our subjects, but you will find some subjects different at least.

If one travels a whole day at home, he would probably travel something like 200 miles, and while we were actually a little less than three days from Luebo at the most, still we were then just a little less than 100 miles from here. From Luebo to Ibanche, an old station of ours, it is just about 29 miles, which means a good day of traveling; then Bulape is beyond Ibanche just about the same distance; the direction is a little west of north from Luebo. Then from Bulape to

Muxenge, which is the capital of the Bakuba kingdom, it is 21 miles or about five hours of travel by hammock. The reason I am giving you the miles is because I have a cyclometer on my wheel (I believe I have told you that I use a wheel here, and took it with me on the trip); ordinarily we speak of distances in time, so many hours. Dorothy wrote that we left Luebo on Thursday afternoon and set out to Kampungi, which is about one and a half hours travel by hammock, 8 1/2 miles; Miss McKay accompanied us to Kampungi, and came back to Luebo early the next morning in time for school. This made a little easier trip for us to Ibanche the next day. We reached Ibanche just at noon, rather hot and tired. We stayed at Ibanche from Friday at noon till early Monday morning, when we went on to Bulape. The road from Luebo to Ibanche is quite a good one, being a much travelled highway by both natives and white people; and then there are no long hills, only one medium sized hill just as you reach Ibanche. But after you leave Ibanche, your troubles begin with the hills, for there are quite a number of long hard hills, and some of them rather steep; the fact is, it is nearly all ups and downs. However, one redeeming feature of this part of the trip is that it is nearly all through a beautiful forest, and it is not only pleasant to be in the woods, but it is also much cooler than on the plains; this also makes it much better for the hammock men and porters. Between Ibanche and Bulape, naturally among so many hills, we pass a number of streams. The men enjoy these especially, as they can drink and take a bath.

At Ibanche we find the Bakuba people, who are radically different in many ways from the Baluba and Lulua peoples, in customs, appearance, dress, etc. There are some Baluba at Ibanche, but the majority are Bakuba. Their houses, instead of being the mud houses as we have here, are a smaller and lighter build, being made of the leaves of the palm trees closely woven together. they are made in parts, each wall separate, and can easily be moved in a short time; in fact, whole villages can be moved in one night, the houses being light and easily taken apart: they also make quite a good protection from the weather. very often the Bakuba do some artistic work in these walls, making various figures in weaving them, and they look very attractive. While we were at Muxenge, we stayed in one of these houses. This race has been exceedingly slow to take up the customs of the white man, especially is this true in the matter of dress, for it is very seldom that you find one of them wearing European clothes; you do find them occasionally wearing European cloth (not clothes). but even this is wrapped around them in their ancient Bakuba style. They nearly always dye their cloth red, their dye being made from a dark red wood which they pulverize and mix with water or oil, and which makes a splendid dye. Another time I want to tell you more about what we saw among the Bakuba people, many interesting things. The Bakuba also do quite a bit of iron works; originally they smelted their iron from the ore, making their own tools and weapons.

July 4th--As we have just received word that the mail closes in a few hours, and as we want to be sure and get this letter off to you, I'll have to make the remainder brief.

Dorothy not only enjoyed our trip, but it did her good; she looks better and feels better, and weighs some four pounds more. Some of the traveling was rather hard, as there were a good many hills, like the trip from Ibanche to Bulape. However, Dorothy didn't have to walk very much, and while it was a little tiresome and hot at times, still all this seems to have been a tonic for her. She never became what you call worn out, even after the longest day, and the next day always felt fine. All the missionaries who itinerate say they have better health on the road then they do on their stations. It was a big change, too, and very interesting to her, as you see the same thing here at Luebo and don't know much about what the actual life in the outstations is like.

We will write you more very soon. We had hoped to mail you a letter while we were on our trip, but it was more difficult to do than to resolve, and we never knew about the mail men.

With love to all,

B. M.

Congo (76) Luebo, Congo 6/6/1922 [DCS]

June 6, 1922

My dearest homefolks:

We start on our vacation to Bulape day after tomorrow, so I want to get off a letter to you now so I can be sure of one. If we get to having too good a time, I may not get to write much. But please don't think I forget you, for I never do that. If you only knew how often I really do think of you and love you.

I have just been sitting on the porch thinking about what a good time we had before I left. It just seems wonderful to be out at home with you and Daddy, Hickman and Nettie and Aunt Hon and John like we were the day and night after we married, but you know I was thinking too much of my new husband to appreciate it then as I do now. It seems like everything just went off so perfectly lovely at the time of my wedding and that whole month we were there afterwards. I often wonder if anybody's mother is or could be as sweet and good to me as mine is. Oh! I just love you and Daddy so much, and sometimes I think you don't think I do, and I don't think I have ever been as expressive of my love as I should or could have been, but I'm learning a few things in this old world. This letter sounds like I'm homesick. Right? Does it not? But I think really I'm just waking up to a few things. I'm very happy out here, and especially just at this time, as we are planning our trip. I am looking forward to it with so much pleasure. It seems like B. M. and I are together very little comparatively here on the station. We were rather sorry at first to spend our vacation with the Hobsons, but if we can only be friends, I'd be willing to give up most anything. I know we are going to have a good time, though.

I certainly was sorry to hear that you have appendicitis. Hope you won't have another attack. Do the Dr.'s say you should have an operation or do they think you will be all right now?

Thursday, June 15, 1922 On lake at Bulape

As well as I can remember without reading it over, this was more of a "love letter" than anything else, but now I'll start on narrating our trip.

We started from Luebo just a week ago this evening and stayed at Kampunge about two hours from Luebo. Georgia came that far with us to spend the night and left the next morning at six o'clock, in time to get back to her school for eight o'clock writing lesson. She certainly seemed to enjoy her trip, and we wished she could have come on with us. B.M. also left at six in order to hunt monkeys in the forest and keep out of the noise of my hammock men. I left at six thirty. It was very cool, but I had on my heavy khaki suit, made a middy for the skirt we got in Brussels and my sweater on top, so I was very comfortable. I had heard how hard a long hammock trip was, and how tired out we got, but I enjoyed every step of the way, only pushed my helmet back too far on my head, so I could rest my head against the back of my hammock and when we got to Ibange at 12:00 had such a hard headache that I had to take some aspirin before I could get comfortable. Still some people say you don't need a helmet in Congo, and even some of the Doctors.

Our stay in Ibange from Friday noon to Monday morning was very pleasant. B. M. hunted guineas some, but didn't kill any, and I read a book by Gene Stratton Porter, "The Song of the Cardinal," and started "Laddie" by the same authoress. B. M. preached on Sunday. You know Ibange used to be one of our stations, but was abandoned on account of its nearness to Bulape and Luebo. There is a very nice mud house there which could be made a very nice place to live in, with only a little work. There are lots of rose bushes which Mrs. Edmiston planted there; you know Mr. and Mrs. Edmiston just as much as made that station by themselves, and they were very much hurt when it was done away with or abandoned. There is a nice church shed there which Mr. Edmiston built and several other houses. The one we stayed in is still good.

Will continue in another letter, as this is getting too long for one envelope. Hope you won't get out with me for not writing regularly, as it's been quite a while since I mailed you a letter. Time just slips by these days, it seems like. I love you just the same and think of you often, even if I don't write.

Lovingly,

Dorothy

Congo (75) Luebo, Congo 5/28/1922 [BMS]

AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN CONGO MISSION

Luebo, Belgian Congo

May 28, 1922

Dear Mother and Daddy:

It has been now a couple of weeks since we have written you, which doesn't happen very often, but these past few weeks have been full of those unexpected events which devour so much of one's time here at Luebo. In fact, interuptions form a large part of our life here, as I think I have already written you, and as you have also doubtless read from my letters to you.

First it was Dr. Smith getting off, a meeting or two with him, et cetera. Then the Hobsons were here from Bulape, and stayed with us for about six days, and now Miss Larson has just come and the party is getting away for Mutoto and Bibanga, about which Dot is writing you.

Everything has been moving along smoothly enough with us; Dorothy is back in school, now, after the month of vacation, for you know we have three months of school followed by one month of vacation the year around, instead of three months of vacation on a stretch. One of the most important events to us lately is the medical examination we have both had. The Mission at our last annual meeting passed an action that every missionary should undergo an medical examination every year, so carrying out this action we have taken ours, and I am glad to report that the doctor found us both in fairly good condition, what you would call normal. The only exception to Dorothy was that her blood is a trifle thinner than most people after a year's stay, but I account for that by the fact that she has been living in a kind of subtropics all of her life.

The important item is that we expect to go on our vacation in about two weeks, and have planned to go up to Bulape for at least the larger part of this time. About three miles from our station at Bulape, there is a beautiful little lake, and the Bulape folks building a little rest house there for just such purposes. So we will be able to enjoy both fishing and bathing in nice clean water. And you know how Dorothy enjoys both of these. We are both tickled over the prospect. The Hopsons may come out and spend part of the time with us, as their vacation time is due now too. I want to add a little explanation here, for this may sound inconsistent, for when we came out together I'm pretty sure none of us would have thought of spending any vacation together, but I'm glad to say that's all over now, and we are on the best of terms.

We have about given up the idea and hopes of doing much with chickens and are getting rid of all of them except a few good seting hens. We are not properly fixed up to raise them and it seems to be more difficult to raise the little fellows out here, the larger part of the difficulty being due to the fact that conditions are so different here, I believe.

I wish you could see our new table boy. His name is "Mukambala"and his head reaches just a little higher than the table. He is a dignified little chap, nearly always solemn. But he seems to be a good little chap; he's a brother to one of my little apprentices in the printing Office. He has the hardest kind of a time to get the knives and the spoons out of the cupboard as the drawer is up pretty high.

Just now we have one of the best libraries on the station, with some of the best literature in print. Mr. Martin sent us his library and asked us to take care of it for him. Among his books are the famous "Harvard Classics," and you know what they are -some of the best books or a good part of the best books. Then he also has some splendid religious books, as well as some of the light reading. He also has the big Webster's International Dictionary, which we are keeping. In other words, we are surrounded with the wisdom of the ancients and the moderns; here's hoping we will imbibe a portion of it…

We had a nice little mail yesterday afternoon, among which some mighty nice letters from you. We are trusting that your attack of appendicitis will prove to be a mild one. We are especially glad to hear how you have been improving in getting so fat! Please save me your formula!!!

With lots of love,

B. M.

Congo (74) Luebo, Congo 5/10/1922 [DCS]

Luebo, Africa

May 10, 1922

Dear homefolks:

This has been a very eventful day in a way as Dr. Smith left for America after three days stay with us after his stay at Bulape. You remember I suppose that Bulape is only two days from Luebo. That was his last station to visit. He is trying to catch the June Belgian boat, and I think he has plenty of time. That will put him at home in August or September. He and Mr. Rochester, one of our colored Missionaries at Motato, are going home at the same time. Dr. Smith got your names from me the other day and he is going to write to you about his trip out here & I suppose tell you what bad children you have in the Congo. He took breakfast with us this morning. My table looked so nice, I had on the table set you made for me with the blue morning glories. It certainly did look pretty.

May 28--There is quite a lapse of time between this and the last time I wrote. I'm sorry but it just seems like we don't find time to write letters. I made great plans how I [was] going to write every one I owe letters to but never get it done. then when I make such a resolution I generally am awful late writing to you and I just look forward to the coming of your letters so much.

Miss Larson came down from Bulape on her way to Bibanga for the nurses conference, which by the last mission meeting is to meet once a year. I think the chief object of this meeting is to get the young ladies together and it was acted on along with the question "how" to attract single ladies to our Congo Mission field. This also helps very much as it gets the nurses together to talk about their work and what they have learned and turn their experience over to other nurses. In some ways I think its very fine but it is quite an expense on the stations and they are so deeply in debt anyway. You see we look at the financial side as B.M. is station treasurer and has to keep down expenses as much as possible.

Well getting back to the subject, Miss Larson is joined here by Mary (Miss Porter) and right at the very last minute Miss Black decided to go. Some people thought she was foolish just picking up and going on such short notice, two days before she left, as it is such a long trip to Bibanga. She is paying her own expenses so the station did not feel like objecting. I was mighty glad for her to have the trip as we had been here a year and she was due a short vacation, she will likely not get to take a vacation next year. The worst thing of all though,it seemed like to me, was that Georgia is the only single person, I mean lady, on our whole mission who will not be there. She is teaching school and anyway I don't suppose she would feel able to foot her own expenses. I felt sorry for her this morning when the crowd left, because I remember how I sometimes felt when the crowd out at Kiam left me out. Only there was a difference, too, they did it on purpose to hurt me. Understand that does not bother me now, I only wish that I might have stayed away from them more, but I'm off the subject again. Miss Black had four days more in her month for keeping the "Club," but I took it for her so the[y} are with me now for a few days. Mr. Hillhouse and Mr. Craig are the only two left now as Gilliam left with this crowd for Bibanga, but he is only going to Mutato.

The station gave Gilliam a farewell dinner the other evening, and we enjoyed it so much. There were several toasts and speeches that were good. First we served cocktail, tomato gelatin salad, duch dressing, palm cabbage and green peas (canned, of course) and gelatin with whipped cream for desert with angel food cake. I believe that is all, but I may have left out something. A small paper cup was sent around to catch our tears when we said farewell.

I spoke of Georgia being lonesome, I'm trying to prevent some of this by having her here for her meals, that is until we go up to Bulape, which will be in about two weeks. The reason I've gone into detail about these people is that this is the crowd I'm thrown with a great deal, especially Georgia and Mary.

Now I am going to tell you about another of my best friends. Lucile Wilds is in very poor health and the Dr. has advised her to go home with Mr. Martin, of course I mean she and her husband. They hate to go so bad as Mr. Wilds has had to leave each time he's been out here before his time is up on account of his health. He is alright now and she has to go. I hate to see her go so badly, as she is my next door neighbor and we are together a good deal. She came over last night after supper and read to me in my new Ladies Home Journal, you know I do like to be read to, and it is so pleasant to read together. It seems to me that she is actually one of the nicest women I ever met. She has to be operated on and can't be out here as she isn't strong enough. Litle Ann, her baby, has measles now but it does not hurt babies much generally, you know.

Kemp and Rowena came down and spent a week with us not long ago and we enjoyed their visit very much and it seems that we are better friends than ever before. I guess you will think so when you hear that we are going to spend our vacation with them at Bulape out on the lake. This seems fine to me for I hate to be at outs with anyone.

I will have to play for church now as Mary and Mrs. Martin are both away. Don't get to practice very much. Georgia and I visit in the village every Tuesday and Thursday. We visit the teachers, there are about fifty in all and scattered all over Luebo.

It's time for the mail to close, so good bye. I will write again soon.

Lovingly,

Dorothy

Congo (73) Luebo, Congo 4/10/1922 [DCS]

Luebo, Africa

April 10, 1922

Dearest Homefolks:

Your three last letters came today, and Oh! I was so glad to get them. One of them contained only the clipping from the Terrell paper with the pictures of some of my old schoolmates in it. Certainly was glad to get it. I suppose Virgie is a sure enough grown lady now, and she has a Military Academy boy for a beau. That used to be the highest of her ambition to have one of those boys for her beau, so I suppose she is perfectly happy. Don't say anything like that to her, though; she might not like it.

I note with interest the wedding of Carroll Rutledge. Hope he is doing well, for he seems like a fairly nice boy. I suppose they will live in Dallas. I'm always glad to hear news of the Terrell folks, you know that next to the Indian Village in my heart [sic.]. I don't know so many people, at least I have no very close friends there outside the kinfolks, but I like it just the same.

I was so surprised to hear that Mrs. Porter was taking such an interest in me, for she certainly did not seem at all interested in me while I was there. I liked her older daughter very well, but there was nothing like intimacy between us. We first met at the B.Y.P.U. pretty often. Of course, don't say anything like that to Aunt Hon and Aunt Minnie, but she always seemed kind of "ofish" with me, but I never knew why. As far as her boys are concerned, I don't know which one she meant, possibly the one that was in my class. He was about fourteen years old, toe-headed--white headed I mean and as ugly as "homemade sin." She had a very good looking boy who graduated in John's class, but I can't remember ever so much as speaking to him. I can hear some people say, well she did not have to speak to him; she might have flirted with him, but I didn't flirt with everybody in Terrell as "some" people thought. I was not an angel, I know, but I wasn't near as bad as you all thought I was. That's enough on that subject. I hope you will continue to like Mrs. Porter, as she can certainly give you a nice time, I imagine. They have such a lovely home, they say, but I've only been there at night, so I couldn't tell very much about it.

Stella wrote me of Edd's plan to go to school in Port Arthur and I wondered if he and Dedie had not kind of broken off. But I notice you don't seem to think so. I can't seem to convince myself that he wants to marry her when he could do so much better, it seems to me. O! well, that isn't my business, and it far from worries me., I hardly ever think to those people out there except Stella. I got a letter from Dedye D. a good while ago which I should answer, I suppose, but I have so many other that are more important and mean so much more to me that I don't know when I'll answer it. I get such nice sweet letters from Lucile, Evelyn, Eva, and Stella. She was praising Douglas to the skies, well I just feel that B. M. deserves so much more praise, but don't feel like doing it in a letter to her. Trying to surpass when there is no comparison. I did not notice that you had not been mailing your letters at Pinckney. I'm kind of sorry, as I'm afraid we have run things into the ground. Perhaps they are not as bad at Kiam as we thought for a while.

I find that it is not at all certain that Mrs. Martin is coming back out here. If she does, she is not likely to stay more than a year or so, they say she never has and has been out here three times. I have not played for church in a long time and never when I can get out of it, so don't say anything to Mr. Martin about that if you see him. They have appointed me, but I have never acted.

I don't want you all to think B. M. and I are extravagant, we live cheaper than anyone on our station except the Stegalls and as cheap I believe as they. We have plenty to eat, but a lot of it comes out of the garden and living is just cheaper out here.

Give my love to everybody please. This is just to acknowledge your letter. Want to write another soon.

Dorothy

Seems that I can ramble on and on without saying a thing. This is a "bum" letter. Dot