HELEN F. LITTLE Correspondence II

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY
Helen F. Little, Staff, 1925
Line Fork Settlement
Correspondence II
June 18, 1925, through January 7, 1926

022a. Line Fork Cabin, front view. [mccullough_I_022a.jpg]

TAGS: Helen F. Little correspondence, Line Fork Settlement, Katherine Pettit, letters of recommendation, Neighborhood House, lace, Health House, Line Fork rule book, Luigi Zande, hickory brooms and stools, rag rugs, wool for carding and spinning, Pisgah School, Stanley McCormick School, Smith Community Center, singing-school

HELEN F. LITTLE Correspondence II

June 18, 1935, through January 7, 1926

SUMMARIES

[Several letters with incomplete dates and/or missing images are fully transcribed.]

[Note: Letters from PMSS staff in the PMSS Collections are carbon copies, typewritten, unsigned, and meant for the Office files. The original signed documents were sent to the correspondents. The initials at the bottom left of most PMSS letters indicate the writer (along with initials of the secretary). For example, “KP” refers to Katherine Pettit, and “EKW” to Evelyn K. Wells. Letters from others are typewritten originals unless specified otherwise. The following list of contents is in the order of the image numbers and not necessarily in chronological order. Text may be slightly edited for clarity.]

MISSING IMAGE Thursday, [No date] 1925. To Pettit from Little. Full transcription.

Dear Miss Pettit,
It will be impossible for me to get in any evening this week, as plans already made will prevent, and next week I can’t come in on school days, and have things planned for Thursday and Friday with folks that I don’t want to disappoint.

I may be able to get in on Sunday afternoon after dinner, although it is Miss [Catherine] Hoague’s last Sunday and we are going to have a singing here then, but I could miss it, and come in and start back very early the next morning, to get here for school. But I can’t tell until the day comes whether I had better leave or not.

I had to get a two months’ supply of feed or none at all, so it will come to about nineteen dollars or so. It hasn’t come in yet. I got enough oats to do until the feed gets in.

It wouldn’t be satisfactory for Janie to stay here and go to school, as she would leave so soon in the morning, and he never lets out until four o’clock and sometimes after. Also, I think it would not be just best, because she wanted to come and work for me all the time, and I told her she couldn’t come because she needed to get her education. And I feared she would come when she heard that Polly was leaving.

The report has come to me that she was disappointed because she could not be at Laurel House with Maude. I know you probably had good reasons for putting her where she was, and she and Charlie are restless, but I am sorry she had not sense enough to stay.

I have a most satisfactory arrangement about the work now. Hannah Sparkman, who can leave her family, as she has one grown girl at home, comes early, and is a fine worker, intelligent, neat and quick. She needs the work badly, and it is a great help to have her, for she can bead [?] and do anything well. She only can weave.

I went to see Mrs. Begley. She is far from well, and needs Mary Ann for at least two weeks more. I told Hannah I wanted her to stay until Mary Ann could come. If Mrs. Begley is still so poorly, Mary Ann should stay at home.

Hannah would be glad to come all the time, except for a day or two now and then. Her girl would be no use here, as she is troubled with such poor eyesight that she couldn’t do our work.

We primed the well again, but it was no use. The water came down that we put in and a little more which quickly stopped.

Miss Hoague has to go two days sooner than she expected, and I want to be with her as much as I can, for she is such a great help musically.
Sincerely,
Helen Little

MISSING IMAGE Monday, [No date] c. 1925. Full transcription. Typewritten letter to Pettit from Little.

Dear Miss Pettit:
Enclosed in my report. Mr. [Robert] Stapleton is a very fine man, and the folks liked him, after they got over laughing a little at his “quare” way of talking. I never heard a man give a talk more interesting and better suited to their interest than he did Saturday night at our meeting here, attended by forty (several men who have never come out here before were present), and his Sunday morning sermon was wonderful.

I think he would be most excellent person for a community center. He was so thoughtful, helped us so much, and we felt that we had been given a great treat, with both he and the Warrens.

Mr. Warren, too, gave a right good talk. We had just a fine week-end, so many folks out, and coming here.
Sincerely,
Helen Little

[Handwritten notation at bottom of letter]
Will Cornett, Mrs. Warren and I took pictures of the services outdoors at Coil [Coyle] Branch. Have primed [the] well several times — used 8 buckets last time, got a little water up, but it soon stopped.

MISSING IMAGE [No date] c. 1925. Full transcription. Typewritten letter to Pettit from Little at Line Fork Settlement.

Dear Miss Pettit:
There were fifty or more out at church this morning. The children didn’t come for games yesterday because they all hoed corn, but think they will come later.

Several are coming next Saturday.

Essie Begley isn’t able to spin now. Store-keepers are buying wool, they tell me. I should be very glad to get special rates for the operations. I think I can one day go to take a radium treatment, come back for six weeks, then go for the operation. Haven’t heard from Dr. Pickett yet how long I should rest, but it is a small tumor, and I haven’t any money to rest on!

Can tell you more about it next Saturday.
Sincerely,
Helen Little

MISSING IMAGE [No date] c. 1925. Full transcription. To Pettit from Catherine Hoague.

Dear Miss Pettlt,
I am writing this letter at Miss Little’s request, so as to save her the trouble. This morning I went with Bert Smith to Poor Fork, riding on Dock, and I was able to straighten out the matter about the organ, freight and storage. It appears that the organ was billed “collect”, and so the FOB had to pay the freight charge, but Mr. Blessing, the man in charge of the office at Poor-Fork says that he will write to the Kstey Organ Company and straighten out the matter, for we are entitled to the $5.00, as the Organ was supposed to be sent pre-paid. T[?] need not bother to write to Brattleboro [Vermont], for I feel sure Mr. Blessing will fix this up for us.

On the way home I was able to call on Cindy Lou Sparkman^‘s mother, and to find out about the lace that was tied for Miss Richards. I enclose the Information I was able to get. You can write to them, at the address I have put down,

I had a request for a large gauze pad, or else the gause [sic] to make such a pad for child-birth, and also we are In need of little shirts with sleeves, bonnets and blankets,

I am enjoying it immensely here and you will be Interested to know that I started my first sewing class at Bear Branch, yesterday, with an attendance of 11 girls.

Miss Little is improving, but she needs to relax more to really get the benefit of her hospital treatment, I think. I am hoping very much that she will soon be her normal self again.
Sincerely,
Catherine Hoague

MISSING IMAGE [No date] Full transcription. Handwritten note, n.d., 1925

Paying Line Fork folks who do work.
Send or bring statements to Miss P. who will mail check. Worker pay men. No work paid for at Cabin by Miss Pettit, if not ordered.
Order this. Miss Pettit.

022 June 18, 1925. A typewritten letter to Pettit from Frances Ingram on letterhead for “Neighborhood House, Louisville, Ky.,” requesting details about Helen Little who is seeking a position with Neighborhood House.

023 June 18[?] 1925. Typewritten (in italic font) letter to Pettit from [unsigned, apparently Little] at Line Fork Settlement. Little has decided to get surgery in Louisville instead of treatments, which will only require her absence from Line Fork for three weeks or a month, returning in September. She provides updates about Line Fork activities; mentions a visit with Ira Sparkman’s family, whose grandmother makes lace; encloses her report.

024-024b Monday morning, [no date]. Handwritten letter to Pettit from Little, reporting the number of attendees to Sunday School at Coil Branch, Bear Branch and Saturday afternoon for games. Mentions Miss White’s visit; that a large number will be coming for the Fourth. A fireplace was built “up on the hill” for cooking outdoors.

025 June 24, 1925. To Miss Ingram in Louisville, Ky., from KP [Pettit], providing a positive report of Little’s capabilities and offering to send additional information.

026 June 24, 1925. To Little from KP [Pettit], who encloses a “check for $11.55 for hay, oats, and corn and hauling for Line Fork Settlement.”

027 June 24, 1925. To Little from KP [Pettit], thanking her for the draft of “the rules for Line Fork. It seems to me so … well thought-out.” She would like a few changes, including that “the spinning wheel at Line Fork belongs to Miss Metcalf….” Pettit asks if she can help with her stay in Louisville; suggests that Little take three or four months at least to recover. She asks for names and addresses of everyone who tied lace so she can pay for it; thanks Little for her report.

028 [n.d.] Handwritten letter to Pettit from Little, Ask if Polly Baker can come on August 13. “[?] Boggs of Ingram’s Creek, teaches at Bear branch, wants to stay here. Mrs. Garrett Lewis said she could recommend him….He could sleep at “Health House” while Miss Hoague is here.” Little provides numbers of attendees at church.

MISSING IMAGE Wednesday, July [?], 1925. To Pettit from Little.

Line Fork
Gilley, Ky.
Wednesday night, July [?], 1925

My dear Miss Pettit:-
As I am still a little shaky, I can’t write as much as I should like. I think I stood the trip across the mountain rather well, as I took plenty of time to come over. Dr. Keith was very fine about everything , and said I should be very well, and able to do almost anything in reason inside of a month or two. I may have to get out once in awhile to have osteopathic treatments for my back, but the other trouble which caused the most inconvenience, will be all over in a month or so.

I am very sorry to have missed your visit, but didn’t feel well enough to come before.

About the trees. Before Miss [Ruth] Dennis left, she suggested that I get Hi Hall and Jim Smith, who Miss Medcalf left as the best workers for the wood. Miss Dennis said I had better get them inside of two weeks, but I thought it was necessary until they had their crops in, and before they started on fodder, as we Just had about enough wood to do us until August. She pointed out the fact which I could see, because I have had experience in caring for two forties of land in Wisconsin so as best to preserve the trees for future generations, that there were several trees that were rotten and were a danger to both the water pipe up on the hill where it sticks out of the ground, and to our cabin, as they were apt to fall at any time. So I had them taken out just as soon as I was sure that I had money to pay for it, and also had some trees taken out for firewood, as it seemed best to use wood on our land, rather than have to pay other people for their timber.

The trees that were taken down were robbing other trees, and the good trees will not grow so well when there is so much underbrush, and so many trees close together, except where it is virgin forest, and the ground is clear.

Also the cabin tends to be damp, and needed a little more sunlight. I knew Miss Dennis was a person of good suggestions and thought of many things myself that seemed to me to be almost imperative if the place were to be kept up well.

I am sorry if I have done anything which I should not have done. I am never hurt by being told of my mistakes, as I believe with the person who said, “The only person who never makes mistakes is the person who never does anything!”

I have been doing some writing to my Mother, and she has had many well to do folks up at Innisfree lately, and is sending me many orders for things which Bert Smith, and the Halls can make. I got several orders at the hospital. I also learned new ballads from two girls, one from near Hindman, on Troublesome, Maude Dyer, and another from another county, which I can’t recall now.

I think I may get some of Mother’s friends to help me with money for folk classes, etc. I have found four or five older boys and some married girls who want me to teach them, so I still hope to start a little Line Fork Folk-School. What would be a good name for it?

I think I had better get it started first, however! But I have the students, who will start when I get ready for them.

I hope to get over to see you soon, and can’t write much longer, as it tires me.

About weeds. Miss Dennis put In three days pulling them, I have put in many hours myself, and have had four children at different times but you know there are many things to do here, and one can’t do everything. I don’t believe I have wasted many hours since coming out here, but one has to do the most important things, and I just haven’t been able to do everything.

Many people are coming here every day, now. We need more baby clothes badly. There are many calls for dresses, and petticots [sic] for two year old children. I have also have had severaI requests for more of those flannel blankets, and we are about out of cotton baby dresses, pads, safety-pins, etc. It seems as if all Line Fork were about to increase the population this summer or fall.

I did not expect you to pay for the table and rustic seats, as I will be able to do that out of the living. I paid Hi Hall and Jim Smith in full before I left for Louisville. I did not know Frank Hall would go in with a penciled statement. I asked him to make out a bill, and bring it to me to sign.

I shall be very glad to put those things In the rules, and will them make a new copy of the rules, and send to you.

About the hose, I understood you to say that I was to ask Mr. [Luigi] Zande about it, and he asked me to let him know when it came, and whether it was long enough. I think the Idea about the spring is better, but why didn’t he mention it when I was in there?

About prices paid for work, I understood from Miss Dennis that I was to follow Miss Anne Ruth Medcalf‘s notes, which she left here, but I shall be very glad to pay whatever you think Is right.

Miss Hoague is going over to Poor Fork with Bert Smith tomorrow, and find out about the charge on the organ, and after that, I can let you know, and send in all the bill of lading, etc. Henry Lewis was over to-day, and said he paid it, as otherwise the agent wouldn’t let Paris Smith take the organ out, and he would have had the trip for nothing, and so the money should be sent to him.

Thank you very much for writing to the girl on Cutshin. I heard from Mrs. Eli Sparkman to-day that I could probably get one of her nieces from down on Hurricane Gap, Gordon P.O., to come if the other girl didn’t appear.

I want so much to hear about your trip. I was sorry the house was arranged quite as I have it, but Miss Hoague did just the best she could, but she didn’t know where all the things went. She is a great help.

Miss Pettlt, I have a young friend, who was at the Pocono College last winter, who wants to come down, and work with me as a volunteer recreation and industrial worker, and after two or three months, she would like a position with a salary. She was considered by all the fine lecturers who came there as the most promising girl of all the students for community dramatics, singing, and games. She is a natural game leader, and also can do things with her hands better than I can. Basketry, etc. She is very fond of me, and wants to get experience with me, and would be a great asset. She is up in the Adirondacks now, and will be thru that work about the first of September. Miss Hoague will leave about the tenth, and If no worse comes, I certainly would need help as so many people are coming out and I have so many plans for the young people and the young married people.

I don’ t want to write Rose about It until I know whether you would consider having her. She has no means, but thinks she could pay her way down here, if there is a prospect of netting some salary after working two or three months.

She can give references from Soren [sic] Mathiasen [ Sorn A. Mathiasen] and other people at Pocono College. She is about twenty-two, I believe, a Roman Catholic girl, but wants to do Sunday-school work, and she found out at Pocono that she didn’t know as much about the Bible as she wanted, but we had some very good courses there on the Bible and biblical times, etc.

She is very attractive, and radiates good spirits, and runs the greatest drawing-card at our big Saturday night parties. She can take a large crowd and get them playing, also can do some of the country dances, as they were done up there.

I am eager to give her a chance to get some experience, as she is very amenable to criticism, and wants to do community recreation, etc.

She is used to hard work, having been a worker at home, and In her parish. She organized fifty or more young people into a community club before she came to college, and while she was working in one of the large cafeterias and delicatessen stores in Wilkes-Barre, when I was in charge of a settlement last year.

She had two years of High School, then had to go to work, and later was graduated from Nigh High School. Then she had the Pocono Course, which was very strong on singing, community organization, and game work. We had some of the finest men and women in this country and England lecturing and sharing the life there and everyone noticed Rose.

Please excuse mistakes, as the light isn’t good.

You don’t know how happy I was to get back to Line Fork. The nurse told me I talked about Line Fork for two hours while getting over the gas and radium!

I appreciate so much all your kindness to me, and hope to repay it by really doing something out here. My typewriter sticks tonight, and skips some letters.

Is Miss Gaines going to be able to stop at Pocono College? They write that they have some fine students and lecturers there now.

I won a prize from the Louisville Courier-Journal, writing a letter about making coffee. It is a leather case, with three pairs of good sharp scissors, which will come In very handy out here!

Sincerely yours,
Helen F. Little
Maude sends her love, and will stay till I get the other girl.

029 July 9, 1925. Typewritten [in italic font] letter to Pettit from Little, telling her schedule for her stay in Louisville. She clarifies what Miss [Ruth] Dennis had reported, that Little cannot ride a horse until her back has been fixed. She lists several reasons for their need for a horse. Mr. Hall put on the screens; the loom needs to be set up; asked for address of Miss Gibbs who visited with Mr. Estabrook. “She liked this place very much” and if needed she would like to work there. Little asks how much should she pay Bert Smith or her husband to take me over the mountain? Miss Medcalf left a note that Bert Smith can help with washing and ironing. Rosie Sparkman said Smith used to help Callie. Mentions that locally grown lettuce could have hookworm infestation. She provides an address “for the lentils” which she ordered at 11 cents a pound.

030-030a Wednesday, [no date]. Two-page handwritten letter to Pettit from Little, 030 asking to have salary early to pay for her expenses in Louisville. She has asked Mrs. Suzanne Sparkman of Gordon, Ky., for quantity and price of the lace. Miss Hoague wants Pettit to know “she likes it here…” 030a Mentions Jerush Sparkman, Maude, the Gunns. She looks forward to seeing Pettit and Miss [Ruth] Gaines this week.

031 July 14, 1925. To Little from KP [Pettit], about arrangements for staff [Polly and Maude) while Little is away. Rosy (sic) Sparkman can stay overnight with Miss Hoague if necessary. Pettit will explain to Little why “it is best not to undertake outside boarders. You can say that the Health House was built to use as a guest room, play room, and for health purposes, and not for a regular bed room.”

032-033 July 27, 1925. Two-page letter to Little from KP [Pettit] 032 Mentions paying Frank Hall for chinking the cabin and fixing the roof; tells how she thinks people who work at Line Fork should be paid and asks her to add it to the rule book. Pettit ask Little to go through her instead of Mr. [Luigi] Zande when she orders anything or has anything done. Mr. Zande has advised the best way to get water at Line Fork – look for a spring, as was done at Medical Settlement [at Big Laurel]. She paid Perry Smith for hauling the organ; mentions Henry Lewis. 033 Pettit regrets that Polly Baker took another position and lists the next steps in hiring someone else.

MISSING IMAGE August 3, 1925. To Pettit from Little.

Line Fork Settlement,
Gilley, Ky.
Aug. 3, 1925

Dear Miss Pettit: –
When I got back, I found that Dr. Estabrook had been here, and left his horse until his return from the East, which will be about the middle of this month.

Doc [horse] has now consumed all the feed which I had bought for Queen [horse] just before you sent for her, with the exception of some corn. The oats are all gone, but there is a little hay.

Shall I order the usual amount of feed, which Queen requires, and let Doc eat it until Queen comes back? I need to order it at once, if so. We have Doc out in the pasture, and eating the grass in the yard. Both Miss Hoague and Maude ride every day, and I expect to begin in a day or two. He gave Miss Hoague riding lessons, and she is getting along very well.

The check for her living has not yet come.

I have written many letters to friends and it is possible that I may be able to get some money for here, although so far I have gotten just orders. I have enough thru Mother’s rich playmates to keep the Halls and Bert Smith busy for some little time. If we could get the weaving started, I could get many more orders.

Several women at the funeral yesterday said they aimed to come up to the cabin to weave as soon as we got It started. I met every Cornett on this earth, I do believe.

You should have seen me. I don t claim to sew, but I made a shroud. They asked me to be sort of master of ceremonies, say a prayer, read the Bible, and get my singing-school, who came down after Bear Branch Sunday-school, to sing at the house. Then they asked me to arrange all the folks, for three pictures, with the coffin in the center. The men who had been making the boxes and their tools were at one side, then the coffin, and the nearest kin, all draped artistically around, then the singers with their books open, then all the rest. This was all according to what Manon [Cornett] and his wife suggested.

Then we sang all the way up to the [burial] ground, and it took them about two hours more to dig some more in the grave, and Miss Hoague did nod [?], I being about all in by that time, and Mrs. Manon in hysterics.

Miss Hoague, Maude, the Davidson girls, Henry Lewis, Charlie Lewis, Charlie Cornet and Creed Turner from Pine Mt. sung for about two hours. Then Miss Hoague said some prayers as the body was lowered, and we sang again. It was quite a day, and I met many people, but I was so tired last night that I slept from eight o’clock until four this morning without ever waking up, which Is the longest sleep I have had for some time.

People coming in swarms here all day long. Great demand for thin baby-dresses. We are about sold out of some things you sent by Miss White.

Rosie Sparkman wants to go in when Maude does, so badly that her Mother may relent at the last moment. She has been helping with the washing to-day. Our well is dry, so we are packing water.

Will be in if nothing happens on Friday.

Hastily, Helen Little (over)

P.S. A man I refused to marry on the way down here [from Louisville ?], which added to my general tiredness, just sent me ten dollars to use any way I want to in my work. Wasn’t that nice of him? MORAL: The worse you treat them, the nicer they are!

MISSING IMAGE Sunday A.M. [August 9 ?, 1925]. To Pettit from Little.

Dear Miss Pettit,
As I was down at Manon Cornett’s last night, helping, I did not get your letter read until late.

Mr. Larsen must have gotten an erroneous impression. Maude never has been “a serious problem.” She has been a great help, most thoughtful and receptive to suggestions, and her training with Miss [Ruth] Gaines has established habits that were influencing the other girls.

I consider that in getting the young people coming here, teaching them rook, getting Janey [?] and Rosie [Sparkman] to want to go to Pine Mountain and in persuading two Line Fork boys to enter Coil Branch School, she has been a valuable asset.

Therefore I wanted her to be here at least three days with the new girl, as the influence of one girl on another is psychologically more potent than an older person’s influence.

If Maude were not so young, (really not in love with any boy, but just fond of being admired) and didn’t need to keep on with her training at Pine Mt., I should very much like her to stay on, because I understand her little ways. She is very creative with her hands, artistic, etc. and takes to cooking and sanitary housekeeping readily. Should think she could learn weaving, anything requiring manual dexterity.

I have made arrangements with the Sparkman girl (Rosie Sparkman, Ira’s daughter at Hurricane Gap) , who will let me know tomorrow whether she will come next Wednesday, if Lissie York doesn’t come, and Maude will stay till Monday, August 10th.

She wants to help the new girl.

Rosie Sparkman’s mother felt she might not be able to spare her. Rosie is a good girl, but not overly gifted mentally. If her mother will let her go, I will give her work here enough to earn the money, as there is plenty of work. I have engagements for classes, etc. for almost every day, and it will be much easier for me to do my community work if Maude is here to run the house which she does very nicely with my supervision. I will come in on “[?]” Friday, if nothing happens. Miss H. [Catherine Hoague] and Maude ride every day. I conduct burying to-day at Manon Cornett’s.
Helen Little

MISSING IMAGE August 13, 1925. To Pettit from Little.

Line Fork Settlement, Gilley, Ky.
August 13, 1925

Handwritten notation at the top of the page: ” The stove mat is 3 1/2 ft. x 3 1/2 ft. Creed Turner had a party for Miss White last Saturday, so was not here.” [and indecipherable] “play sr. at school [?] [?]”

Dear Miss Pettit: –
Manon Cornett now has six pounds of wool, which he will sell to you for .60 cents a pound, if you will let him know at once.

I went down to the Mat Fields‘ yesterday and had a very pleasant time there. They will send the wheel to Frank Helton‘s store just as soon as Kelly Isom goes with his wagon. Do I pay for it out of our living expenses, or do you pay for it as permanent equipment for this settlement? They will try to have the little chair on the same wagon, the one which Enoch Whittaker will make.

He is working on a house now, but will make it as soon as he is done with the house.

I met Grant Cornett and his father. The latter asked me to tell you that he didn’t want for Grant to have an operation unless it was necessary, and was waiting a little while to see how he got along, and if he thought that he ought to have the operation, he would let you know.

I collected lace from three people, and have it all properly labeled, and will send it in at the first opportunity. If any one comes out from Pine Mountain this Sunday, will send it by them.

Hannah Sparkman worked here two days, and Janey Smith came to-day and will stay until she goes into Pine Mountain.

I have four more organ pupils. My adult school starts Monday morning with three pupils.

[Hand-written note at end: “Later: Have received your two notes. You doubtless know what I learned twenty years ago when I was first teaching school, not to believe all the news carried to me by High School girls and boys about other teachers; or even the talk of older people. So many things have happened in the past in this country that folks anticipate trouble before it happens, and exaggerate greatly small affairs. (over)

As you rightly surmise, there was no serious trouble, or Miss Hoague would have mentioned[?].

Mrs. Mary Smith and Hannah Sparkman came to see the children play and staid [sic] until I sent them home at nine o’clock. Creed Turner was not there. A boy named Harrison Cornett, son of P. Cornett, who had never been here before, met Charlie Cornett, from Pine Mt. at the store, and came with him. Everything was lovely until we went into the Health House to sing, and then I noticed two or three boys missing. I found them telling Harrison Cornett to clear out. There was no shooting. They told him to get out because he had said something they didn’t like. He went home.

Charlie Cornett wanted to make more of it, so staid [sic] behind & tried to tell me Harrison might be hurt. I knew he wasn’t, as I was right there and knew what happened. No boys have lain around drunk. That is a lie, pure and simple.

No boys have slept here but Charlie Cornett or Creed Turner who came to see Maude. You told me Damon Lewis could sleep at the Health House, that it was used for transient guests, so when they told me they had no place to sleep, I would have considered myself rather inhospitable had I not asked them to stay.

It is a pity there is no telephone here, so I could call you up and find out just what unwritten law I was violating! There is no way of getting word to all those singing-schools not to come Saturday, but if they do come, I will send back all who don’t belong to the singing-class and send the others home by daylight. I agree with you that it is best not to have night parties, but I have been much pleased with the way the majority have behaved and there has been no trouble that need alarm. [page cropped]

MISSING IMAGE Thursday A.M. [August 13 ?, 1925.] To Pettit from Little.

Dear Miss Pettit: –
I may not have made myself clear about Rose [Rosie ?] coming down. I did not mean to suggest that she stay here after her two months volunteer work was over. I think she could then go elsewhere as a rural recreation worker. I, or the folks at Pocono could get her in a city settlement, as girl’s workers are very hard to get. I tried four months last year to get one to help me at Wilkes-Barre.

But she wants rural work. If you needed someone to help as industrial and recreations worker at your centers on Cutshin or Leatherwood, she could do that after 2 months here, I think. Or I could get something started at Cutshin or Leatherwood, and she could take my place here temporarily. So far, I feel I should like to stay here, but I would be glad to help get other centers started.

You may not believe it, but I really know something about building, as I taught house-planning five years in High School, and bossed the Wisconsin farmers who built my beautiful big stone fireplace, which draws perfectly, holds a four-foot log, and has a crane cemented into it. And, when I get all well, I can do much work. People say I am a good organizer, and that compensates for my lack of skill in sewing, weaving, etc., but I am going to learn to weave, even if I am clumsy.

I do hope we can get our loom set up soon, as I can get orders, I know. I want to have blankets – coverlets, for every bed, here. I have a Canadian homespun on my own, which Mrs. D. Smith wants to try to copy. It is very warm and light, and she studied it a long time and wants to make another for me on this loom. What do you think about this? I am back in bed, as I did too much yesterday. So many neighbors came to see me, as they heard I was back. We (Miss Hoague) start sewing class at Bear Branch to-day.

I want a community picnic the third week in August up here or would the school be better? Miss H. [Catherine Hoague] & I can get our singing-school to give music, and maybe Dr. Estabrook would talk? Several folks told me they would be proud to come. Please tell me if you approve?
Sincerely,
Helen Little

034 August 13, 1925. To Little from KP [Pettit], mentioning purchasing wool from Rosenbaum; tells Little to give the wool to Mrs. Begley to “card and spin”; and to temporarily hire Mary Ann Begley if Polly Baker doesn’t come. Pettit responds to a request for a new stove.

035 August 24, 1925. To Little from [unsigned, likely Pettit], who suggests taking Polly Baker to Dr. Todd at Lynch, since Dr. [Alfreda] Withington won’t return to Big Laurel for several weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Warren, teachers from Big Laurel, will visit Line Fork, and he will preach if Little wants. Also, Mr. [Robert] Stapleton will be visiting, who hopes to work at PMSS. Pettit asks Little to give him a tour of Line Fork and neighborhood.

MISSING IMAGE August 28, 1925. To Pettit from Little.

Line Fork Settlement,
Gilley, Ky.
August 28, 1925

Dear Miss Pettit:-
In a recent letter you say “What you make in the course of time, from sales of brooms, stools, etc. could go for equipment.”

These things I have been selling at the same price asked by Frank Bennett, and Hiram Hall, Will Cornett, and Bert Smith. Miss Dennis bought some and had some sent away, and as she did not Increase the price, I have not done so. I had not known that we could make any profit on them. So will you please give me the prices at which you sell them, or at which they should be sold, or Just the margin of profit at which you handle them, and I can then figure the prices accordingly.

Every letter from Mother brings more orders, to change the prices as soon as possible, so that she can quote them correctly.

Will you also quote me prices for woven goods? Not only for our own future use, but I have had inquires about the things made at Pine Mountain.

I wish to be sure that my memorandum in regard to the weaving here Is correct. Only one woman is to do the weaving, and she is to do it from her own wool, and get a profit after I have sold the finished product. Here again I should like to know whether I charge a commission for handling it for her which comes out of the market price?

I have no money with which to pay anyone for weaving the rug which is to be the first finished article. You spoke, if I remember correctly, about my raising some money with which to start the weaving, and I would need money for materials for a dye-pot. But I have not yet been able to do so, and it may be some time before I get any cash which I could use for that purpose.

How are the women who do not understand weaving to learn if they do not use this loom? Your answer may be that seeing the work here might awaken the desire to get a new loom, or get out an old one, and start at their own homes. I have found In other lines of industrial work that a woman may not get sufficiently interested to start her own weaving, or whatever the work may be, until she has actually had the experience of doing the creative work herself enough to know that she can do it, and likes It. Your experience here, of course, is greater than mine.

I could try to sell this first rug produced, but that is one thing I am positive I would not be able to sell, for the people to whom I would have to write are the ones who are buying Mother’s rugs, and are not as liable to be interested In rag rugs as in the more unique walnut articles.

I am sending Polly in, as there is opportunity for her to come. I can get Hannah Sparkman to come by the day until Mary Ann Begley is free to come and try how she gets along. Hannah Sparkman Is a very good worker, needs the money, and is able to leave her home daytimes.

My school is going better than I imagined would be possible, as far as spirit of students and their work is concerned. Two more coming next week.
Sincerely, Helen Little

036 August 29, 1925. To Little from EKW [Wells], who will let Little know when they start the weekly meetings for dancing and ballad-singing.

037 September 11, 1925. To Little from [unsigned], who encloses a petition from Frank Hall to the Post Office Department, “asking for the reestablishment of the Bear Branch post office.”

038 September 15, 1925. To Little from [unsigned], asking if Little will take Grace Campbell to Louisville with her “to have her eyes straightened” and Frank Hall’s son, Willie. Asks if Little will take care of the orders for stools and brooms made by the Halls, particularly the order for 12 brooms from the S.I.E.A. in Washington, D.C. “You know they are the people who pay your salary and the weaving teacher’s here.”

039 September 30, 1925. To Little from [unsigned], who encloses a letter for Little to attend to; asks for a report of her activities; asks her to remind Mr. Boggs about the teachers’ meeting. Send the School the bill for stove repairs.

MISSING IMAGE Saturday A.M. [n.d.] 1925

Dear Miss Pettit:-
I am sure all the pieces of the loom which arrived here are here now, for I counted them so that I could know how many there were in a loom, and the number tallied the other day, as I have not moved them except for sweeping.

Frank Hall did not mend the roof of either porch and it comes in worst right above the loom. Shall I get him again to do that?

Will be very glad to see Mr. Zande. Hope he gets here before 9:30, when we go to church. Dr. Estabrook may return tonight with two friends, so there would not be room for the children to stay if they come back to-day.

I had a chance to get feed as Paris Smith was going to Poor Fork, so ordered it to be here when Queen [horse] comes back, and visiting horses often come without feed. He will send bill to you. There is about $9.00 on-hand from sales of baby-clothes, which will cover part of feed bill. Have you an extra copy of “Little Men” — Alcott, and the “Uncle Remus Stories” :
Sincerely,
Helen Little

MISSING IMAGE Friday [n.d.] 1925

Dear Miss Pettit:-
Miss Hoague went up and got back all but one lb. of the eight pounds of wool we let Mrs. Begley have. From your letters of to-night, I infer that you wish us to give back 6 lbs. of it to Mrs. Begley in three lb. lots, which I will do.

You did not enclose check for the other two pounds. What do you wish done with that?

I enclose letter I started this a.m. about Polly. She has been dizzy and far from well all day since I wrote.

It is Miss Hoague’s own idea to stay here, and I can manage her expenses.

Sincerely,

Helen F. Little

MISSING IMAGE [n.d.] 1925

[Enclosed with Friday, n.d. 1925 letter to Miss Pettit.]

I am concerned about Polly’s health. I asked her to see Miss Heney [Eva Heney, nurse] about her cough, which is a persistent and continuous one. She tells me that she was troubled with it last winter, was in the hospital at Buckhom for awhile: that her grandparents died with T.B., also an uncle: that she lived with, and cared for her grandmother, who has all broken out with bad sores: that she tires very easily, and does not always sleep well; that she has lost 23 lbs. in weight this summer. You may know all of this, and be considering it, as she told me that you said she could come in there, if she were not well enough to stay here. She told me herself that she thought she might have t.b.

Whatever is the matter with her, she is not at present strong enough to do the work here without getting too tired, and as much as I should like to have her here, unless she gets better, it would not be the best thing for her, nor for us.

Miss Heney gave her some medicine, and I am seeing that she gets milk every day, but I don’t like to ask her to do very much when she is not well.

Our two wells have both been dry for over three weeks, and it is very expensive to have the water carried. It would seem that both of them should have been dug deeper. I have been told that the well on the hill only goes down to the first water that was struck, and that if it was dug deeper, there would be a constant flow of water. Miss Medcalf also had to have water carried In the dry season. In a model home of this kind, the well ought to be dug deep enough to ensure a good water supply, as the spring from which we get our water is used by animals, although we have tried to built it up with rocks. Also, wells belonging to neighbors are still giving water, and a model home ought to have a better, not an inferior, water-supply to the other homes in the neighborhood.

In addition to the expense, we cannot always get children, as they do not like to pack water. Miss Hoague has dislocated her shoulder carrying heavy pails, and I have insisted that she do so no more. She got her shoulder back all right, but it is still sore. Nealy Cornett packs for us, but she is not to be depended on, and we are often very short of water.

Now, when the wells are dry would be a good time to have them, or at least the one on the hill, dug deeper. There is no spring near enough to the Health House to furnish water there. The one outside the fence is on the other side of the reservation, and, it would require a gasoline engine to get water from it to the Health House, even if it would furnish enough water, which It would not, as it is dry now. The only way to get water there would be to have another well dug above it.
Sincerely yours,
Helen Little

MISSING IMAGE [n.d. 1925] Note scrap.

In regard to the people doing up their own packages; I have made it a rule for them to do them up at their homes, and take them to the post-office themselves. They have been doing that ever since I came out here, as I feel exactly as you do on the subject of mountain schools crippling the people. I have gotten many orders for Bert Smith, and she wraps them up and ships them off herself, as does Mr. Hall.

Last Saturday, however, I had purposely asked him to bring up for my inspection two stools which were to be made especially nice, and a little different from his others, so I could see how he had carried out some suggestions I had given him, also another way of carving candle sticks. These were to go to a very particular friend of Mother’s, and I wanted to see them before he sent them off. He brought gunny-sacks, thread and everything with which to do them up along with him, as this is his way, to the post office. While I was playing with the children, Miss Hoague offered to take the packages, as she had the horse.

[Helen Little]

040 October 7, 1925. To Little from [unsigned], asking about the price Little paid for Mrs. Fields’ hickory brooms. New ventures should be discussed in the office, so that all can agree on products and their prices. Pettit hopes Little will bring people to attend a meeting with Mrs. Alderman and the Big Laurel women, particularly Mrs. Jarret Lewis and Mrs. Davidson.

041 October 23, 1925. To Little from KP [Pettit], asking her to send brooms to Miss Belles at once. She asks if Little can “get started at making the old, old cotton homespun that people are so anxious for.”

MISSING IMAGE October 29, 1925. Full transcription. To Pettit from Miss Hoague.

Line Fork Settlement
Gilley, Letcher County
Kentucky
October 29, 1925

Dear Miss Pettit:
I was sorry not to have more time to talk with you the other day, but the weather was so bad we wished to start for home, and I did not like to leave Mary alone only longer than necessary.

I think in regard to her that I ought to give her another chance and see how she gets on. I have talked to her, and she promises to do better in regard to taking things. If I do not leave her alone and put temptation in her way, she may be all right. I know that for a girl accustomed to so little, even the few things we have seem luxuries. She does the work very well, and is learning to cook very nicely.

Yesterday I had a card from Miss Skidmore [Mrs. Mary Skidmore?], on which she asked me to tell you how she was. She says, “I couldn’t write until I was able to grasp the inevitable. Since I wrote last, I’ve developed rheumatism in my left arm. That led to a thorough examination which a revealed a heart lesion, nothing serious, perhaps, but certainly a handicap. I’m not to over-exert myself. Can’t go up and down stairs or climb hills. That means I’m compelled to stay away from Line Fork for the time being. Am feeling well now with the exception of a little ear-ache I’ve had for the last few days. That frightens me a little, but I think it will be well soon.”

That doesn’t sound as if she could come back here to work very soon, does it?
Her address is “xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Bluefield, W. Va.”
I haven’t received your letter, yet.
Sincerely yours,
Miss Hoague [Catherine Hoague]

She wants to help the new girl.

042 October 31, 1925. To Little from KP [Pettit], who instructs Little about buying Manon Cornett’s wool. Offer rags to “weave that warp off in rag rugs for us.” Mrs. C.B. Widner in Michigan would like to sell crafts in her shop and asks Little to send her a sample of a stool and basket.

043 November 2, 1925. To Little from [unsigned], enclosing Miss McCord’s order for brooms.

044 November 5, 1925. Handwritten letter on Line Fork Settlement stationery to Pettit from Little. Mrs. Mary Smith wants some thread for turfing;. Little hasn’t received a check from Pettit for the wool she bought from Manon Cornett ($4.20 for 4 lbs. wool), which Mrs. Begley is spinning. Little can’t come to campus on Monday because of her school (5 children under 15) or on Thursday as she teaching singing at Bear branch. Her mother won’t be coming to PMSS this winter, due to her health.

045 November 10, 1925. To Little from [unsigned, apparently Wells], enclosing a check for Little’s wool purchase. Wells is still looking for a company that sells thread for tufting counterpanes. Suggest that Little write to Miss Elisabeth Roberts, who is in charge of the Fireside Industries at Hindman. Wells will be going to Blackey with the basketball team and needs Little to send Queen (horse) to ride there.

046 November 27, 1925. To Little from KP [Pettit], suggesting that Little turn over the orders for stools, brooms, etc.

047 December 3, 1925. Typewritten (in italic font) letter to Pettit from Little, who gives Pettit several reasons why she can’t meet with her. She will be staying at Line Fork during the Christmas holiday. A Chicago friend is providing candy and presents; Mrs. Abercrombie will give money and presents. Little tells of her difficulties in finding other work and that she has applied to the American Association of Social Workers in New York.

HELEN F. LITTLE After Line Fork

048 December 9, 1925. To Mr. Waller at The Pisgah School in Candler, N.C. from KP [Pettit]. “Miss Anna Brockschlager, one of our workers last year, enjoyed Pisgah so much that we have recommended it to another worker, Miss Helen Little, who is leaving us. She will come down to find a place to board for a few weeks, with the hope of finding work to do later on.”

049-049a December 26, 1925. Two-page handwritten letter to Pettit from Little at Stanley McCormick School in Burnsville, N.C. 049 Although Little appreciates Pettit’s words in her note to Little, she “still feels that there was not sufficient reasons for asking me to leave….after working so hard and getting so many people interested in Line Fork, and then having my work suddenly stopped…” has made her very discouraged. 049a She will stay and teach at Stanley McCormick. She wishes Pettit a “delightful trip around the world” and asked to receive the Pine Mountain leaflets.

050 January 4, 1926. To Little from EKW [Wells], who is sending her copies of the PMSS publication “Notes” and adding her to the mailing list. Wells asks that Stanley McCormick add PMSS to their list.

051 January 4, 1926. Typewritten letter on “Smith Community Center” stationary from Catherine Culnan], Secretary, asking for a recommendation for Helen Little, “who has applied for volunteer work at one of our centers.” Letterhead: “Smith Community Center, Smith, Ky. Conducted by The Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.” [Handwritten notation in bottom margin: “We are so grateful to have Miss Abbot’s good help!”]

052 January 7, 1926. To Miss Culnan at Smith (Ky.) Community Center from EKW [Wells], who stated that

“We do not consider Miss Little a good extension worker….She did not adhere to our well-defined policies, and her talk was indiscreet….Her interest in the mountains and her progressive ideas of work are to be commended, though her personality is not forceful. Most of her work has been teaching, and I believe her special ‘line’ is domestic science.”