MARTHA BURNS Correspondence

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: Staff/Personnel

Martha Burns Correspondence, 1927-1961


TAGS: Martha Burns Correspondence ; Angela Melville ; cows ; Katherine Pettit ; Hubert Hadley ; Elizabeth C. Hench ; Mr. Pedar Moller ; PMSS Dairy Department ; Darwin D. Martin ; resignation ; Catesby Spears ; Leon Deschamps ; summer work ; H.R.S. Benjamin ; Burton Rogers ; guest information ; gifts ; Nativity Play ;


GALLERY: Martha Burns Correspondence


TRANSCRIPTION: Martha Burns Correspondence

[NOTE: Letters have been slightly edited during transcription. Transcribed letters are in chronological order and may not match the order of the images.]

[burns_m_bio_001.jpg] Handwritten letter, page 1 of 3.

Richmond, Va.
June 6. [no year, possibly 1927]

Dear Miss [Angela] Melville:
I received the June check. I thank you very much. I am sorry to tell you Emily had to turn back from Roanoke, Va. I never saw anyone in my life get so sick from riding. I thought I was going back with her. The first day she could not sit up. We spent the first night in Bristol.

[burns_m_bio_001a.jpg] Handwritten letter, page 2 of 3.

Stayed there till one the next day. Then we came to Roanoke, VA. I came on to Richmond, VA. Emily was going from there to her home at Hazard, KY. I am so anxious to hear from her. Yes, I am having a lively rest here in Richmond, VA. I am going out this weekend with my daughter to see some parts of Va. Everything is so beautiful. I mean the valleys and flowers. I think of you when I look at them. I hope my work[?] will be…

[burns_m_bio_001b.jpg] Handwritten letter, page 3 of 3.

going fine….
Lots of love,
Martha Burns.

[burns_m_bio_002.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten letter.

August 6, 1927

Dear Mrs. Burns:
I was so glad to have your two nice letters. You know what little chance I have to get personal letters written, and yet you do want to know that Wilson and Astor are doing your jobs, it seems, to me, as well as when you were here. They certainly are trying, and the other boys felt quite left out when I read your letter and you did not mention them. Brit [Brit Wilder] said “And I am going to fetch the heifer from Putney.” It came two nights ago and Brit was there to meet her, but came back to get Mr. Browning to help him drive it across the mountain. He didn’t want to take the responsibility for that expensive cow and run the risk of its eating ivy and getting sick, the way the jersey cows Mr. [Luigi] Zande once brought us, did. It is turned out to pasture at John Lewis’ and will be none the worse for a little rest after the train trip.

So glad you are going to Clear Creek. The Corbin fair comes from the 17th to the 20th of August, you know, and you might like to run down to it one day in the bus. Emily is not sure whether she can join you or not, and I think it would be fine if she could do what you plan. But she is interested. Miss [Ruth] Gaines got back and is so disappointed about the way everything looked, after beautiful Massachusetts, that she cannot do a thing but pull weeds and cut grass.

Alfreda [cow] died while I was in Lexington, and I am just so grieved that neither you nor I were here, to save at least her hide.

We cannot call the new heifer Rejoice, it seems to me. She has a long pedigree, and we must hold on to it through her name, I think.

It won’t be long now before you are back. When I was in Lexington Nancy Lisle asked me so much about you. She wanted to drive me out to see her sheep on her farm, but I couldn’t find the time for it.

Faithfully yours,
[Unsigned – Katherine Pettit]

Mrs. Martha Burns
Avoca, Ky.
KP:W

[burns_m_bio_003.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten letter.

July 13, 1928

Dear Mrs. Burns:
So glad to have your letter and know what a beautiful trip you had on the way to Richmond. Be sure to go to the Museum there, for there are so many interesting things you will enjoy, and I hope you will get down the James River.

My, we would like to have Mr. Shinn come and show us about roads sometime. You know I have got to have the road above my house fixed.

Miss Miller is fine on the barn job. Mr. and Mrs. Browning both say so, and I find her most intelligent and capable. She is a good sport too. When I found that she was afraid of the cows, I offered to change her job, but she said no, she wasn’t a quitter! She is as interested as you are in getting them fed at noon.

Now you must forget all about us and the cows and the calves and have a good time. That is what I always do on a vacation.

Give my love to Holly and Dixie.

Faithfully yours,
[Unsigned – Katherine Pettit]

Mrs. Martha Burns
Richmond, Va.
KP:W

[burns_m_bio_004.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten letter.

January 8, 1929

My dear Mrs. Burns:-
Here is a check sent to me by Mrs. Adams and I am, therefore, not passing it through the books as none of the rest of the “cow money” has gone through.

Will you please acknowledge it directly through Mrs. Adams?
Sincerely yours,
[Unsigned – Angela Melville]
AM/D

[burns_m_bio_033.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten note.

December 4, 1930

My dear Mrs. Burns:
Miss Gaines [Ruth B. Gaines] asked that we have another beef ready on Friday, December fifth, which is tomorrow. Please let me know what Mr. Lewis decided about exchanging his cow for the heifer which you were trying to trade. Also, if the trade did not go through, will you send me word so that I can get Mr. Lewis word what to do? Will you see me for a minute right after dinner, please?
Sincerely yours,
[Unsigned]
HUBERT HADLEY

[burns_m_bio_033a.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten note.

December 4, 1930

My dear Mr. Lewis:
Will you butcher the cow which you have saved for the school on Friday morning, December fifth? If you care to you might drive the cow and do the butchering which would save some trouble and would make it possible for our boys to help you.
[Unsigned]

[burns_m_bio_005.jpg] Handwritten note.

[Letterhead] PINE MOUNTAIN SETTLEMENT SCHOOL
PINE MOUNTAIN, HARLAN CO.
KENTUCKY

Feb. 12, 1931
Mr. Hadley,
I am resigning my position here at Pine Mountain, taking the effect June the first.
Mrs. Martha Burns

[burns_m_bio_006.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten letter.

February 14, 1931

My dear Mrs. Burns:
This will inform you that your resignation, to take effect June first, 1931, has been received and accepted. I shall, of course, notify the new director so that arrangement may be made to fill your place. I am certainly glad that you are letting us know o far ahead for I realize that you place is a difficult one to fill satisfactorily.
Sincerely yours,
[unsigned – Hubert Hadley]

Mrs. Martha Burns
Pine Mountain, Kentucky
HH:RC

[burns_m_bio_009.jpg] Original typewritten letter.

[Letterhead] DARWIN D. MARTIN
MARINE TRUST BUILDING
BUFFALO, N.Y.

February 19th, 1931

Miss Evelyn K. Wells
Wellesley Club
New York City

Dear Miss Wells:
Here is a letter from Mrs. Holton of February 16th which please return; also Mrs. Burns’ letter referred to therein and Miss Pettit’s recommendation of Mr. Catesby Spears of Paris, Ky, as a Trustee…..

….I am sorry I have not yet had any word from Miss Andersen.
Sincerely yours,
[Signed] Darwin D. Martin

P.S. Your letter has just come, telling me Mrs. Burns has handed Mr. Hadley her resignation….

[burns_m_bio_010.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten letter.

The Wellesley Club
New York City
February 24, 1931

Dear Mr. Martin:
Mrs. Burns…has been valuable worker for years, with real devotion to the school….. [She] was once the wife of the head of a school herself.

….I don’t know Mr. Catesby Spears, except as a good friend and contributor. Wouldn’t he have to go on the Advisory Board first, and be elected to trusteeship from there?
Sincerely yours,
[Unsigned]

[burns_m_bio_011a.jpg] Original typewritten letter, page 2 of 2.

Miss Wells, Page 2.

….Miss Gaines wrote January 12th:

“I do wish you could see the Dane farmer [Peder Moller]. He is just too good to be true. It is such a satisfaction to have him here and I wish you could see him get a big job done. Does not know what it is to dread to do anything. Nothing looks too big to him. Besides, he is cultured and refined — good for the boys.”

I do not anticipate the least trouble to any director in adjusting dairy service under Mr. [Pedar] Moller, but will be interested in information from you when you get there of his attitude toward the dairy and its early-morning milking. Quite possibly if Mrs. Burns remains her small salary will be returned to the school in eggs and milk, besides furnishing her a haven.

I think the next Board meeting should add Mr. Catesby Spears to the Advisory Board. Meanwhile, someone will suggest the right successor to Mr. Samuels.

Very truly yours,
[Signed] Darwin D. Martin

[burns_m_bio_019.jpg] memo for the office files.

April 30, 1931

MRS. BURNS — Mrs. Burns [handwritten insert: “resigns”] on June first, and she will be entitled to a month’s vacation with pay beginning from that date. This arrangement settles in full for Mrs. Burns’ connection with the Pine Mountain School.
[signed] E. K. Wells

[burns_m_bio_020.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten statement.

June 1, 1931

Mrs. Martha Burns has been supervisor of the Pine Mountain Settlement School Dairy for several years, during a period when the herd was building up from small beginnings. She has been an enthusiastic worker in her department, sensing to the full its importance both in the health of the school in providing abundant, clean milk and in educating the boys and girls in the care of the cows. She has also had charge of our poultry and has been successful with them.

Mrs. Burns leaves us with the goodwill of the entire staff of workers, and their admiration of her uprightness and their belief in her deep interest in the welfare of the young people of the Kentucky Mountains.
[Signed] Evelyn K. Wells
Acting Director

[burns_m_bio_023.jpg] Original typewritten letter.

Hindman, Ky
July 3, 1946

[Handwritten notation: “Sent – July 30, ’46. Dir.[?]”]

Mr. H. R. S. Benjamin
Pine Mountain Settlement School, Inc.
Pine Mountain, Kentucky

Dear Mr. Benjamin:
If it would not be too inconvenient for you, I would appreciate very much your sending to me a copy of the By-Laws used in obtaining the charter for the Pine Mountain School. I would like to have this in connection with some other work that is being planned.

Trusting that all goes well at Pine Mountain and that you continue to make the progress the school so well deserves.
Sincerely yours,
Martha Burns
[Signed] Martha Burns.
B:o

[Stamped at bottom of page.]
CHECKS
RECORDS NOTED
Master card [checked]
Donor’s card__________
A.S. Due_____—______
Pledge card moved____
Noted in pad__________
By___________________

[burns_m_bio_024.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten letter.

July 9, 1946

Mrs. Martha Burns
Hindman, Kentucky

Dear Mrs. Burns:
We are grateful for your gift of five dollars. Your interest in Pine Mountain is greatly appreciated.

Once again we are busy at our summer tasks. Each student remains a few weeks in the summer to help with the house-cleaning, painting, canning, and farming. In this way they earn by their own effort part of their tuition, and have a direct share in the preparations for the coming year. We appreciate also your part in these preparations.

Miss Dorothy Nace, our regular office secretary, is at present on vacation. When she returns, in about two weeks, she will send you the by-laws which you request.
Very sincerely yours,
[Unsigned]
H.R. S Benjamin
HRSB:rh

[burns_m_bio_021.jpg] Handwritten letter.

Hindman, Ky.
Aug 10th 1946

Dear Miss [Dorothy] Nace,
I received the By-Laws. I have been away for a few days. The Secretary will be here around 22 of Aug. He can copy them. I need one copy then I will send them to you by insured mail & will get them back safe to you. Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Martha Burns

[burns_m_bio_022.jpg] Handwritten letter.

Hindman, Ky.
August 20th, 1946

Mr. Benjamin
Pine Mountain, Ky.

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin,
How much I would like to drive in to Pine Mt. Settlement to visit you all. I have been so busy this year. Haven’t had a vacation this year. I hope everything is going fine with your work. I received the By-Laws. I want to thank you so much for lending them to me. I never had such time to get them ready to send back. I will send them by insured mail. Thank you so much.
Very sincerely yours,
Martha Burns
Hindman, Ky.
Knott Co.

[burns_m_bio_026.jpg] Handwritten letter.

Berea, Ky.
Aug 23 [1961]
Mr. Burton Rogers

Dear Mr. Rogers,
I plan to come to Pine Mt. around 4 or 5th of Sept. I would like to stay 2 or 3 weeks. Can you let me have a room at Laurel House? Please let me know. Mrs. Delia Creech & Owsley[?] Hill Creech want me to come. I have heard the buses just run to Harlan. Mrs. Dela Creech wrote me that Emily [Creech] would meet me in Harlan. I have not found out for sure yet. I would like to come the third of Sept. if I can. That is Sunday. I don’t like to plan Sunday so I will try to come Saturday or Monday. Hope to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Martha Burns

[burns_m_bio_027.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten letter, page 1 of 2.

August 28, 1961

Mrs. Martha Burns
Boone Tavern Hotel Annex
Berea, Kentucky

Dear Mrs. Burns:
Your letter of August 23 arrived at the end of the week.

I have been away all summer, for medical and surgical care, and now everyone is fully occupied with the beginning of the new school year today. Thus, there has been delay over the week-end in check on arrangements and getting a reply to you.

We will be glad to arrange a room for you in Laurel House. It will be ready on Saturday, the 2nd of September so that you can choose what date next week-end you want to come.

Please notify Mrs. Emily Creech as to when you expect to be in Harlan. We will leave all transportation matters to her since you say that she has undertaken to meet you, and since we do not have anyone free to go to Harlan on short notice.

Would you also kindly let us know in advance what day and time you expect to arrive (approximately) so that meals can be prepared for you.

Our guest rates are much reduced for former staff members like you, and would be as follows: Breakfast $.35, Lunch $.50, Supper $.75, Room $1.25, total per day $2.85. Those rates are for meals which are served in the dining hall at 7:00 a.m., 12:00 noon and 5:00 p.m. The noon meal time may vary slightly according to day of the week. We are not able to serve meals at any other time, or in any other place than the dining hall.

[burns_m_bio_027a.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten letter, page 2 of 2.

Rooms are cleaned once a week. Meals have to be charged for in case of absence unless sufficient advance notice is given the dietitian. This is all some guest information which I thought you would like to have.

I am glad that you are counting on visiting a good deal with Delia Creech and Emily Creech, because our staff are very limited and, especially at this time of the year, will be very busy both day and night. We do not have anyone available for providing entertainment, and there is very little social life at this time of year. Everyone is busy.

I hope that your trip here will be very pleasant and that we may have nice weather while you are here.
Sincerely,
[Unsigned]
Burton Rogers
Director

[burns_m_bio_025.jpg] Handwritten letter.

Berea, Ky.
Aug. 31st, 1961
Mr. Burton Rogers
Pine Mt. School

Dear Mr. Rogers,
My plans now are to be at Pine Mt. School Sept 6th if nothing prevents. My plans now are to arrive in Pine Mt. late Wed 6th of Sept.
Sincerely,
Mrs. M. Burns

[burns_m_bio_032.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten letter.

October 26, 1961

Mrs. Martha Burns
Boone Tavern Hotel Annex
Berea, Kentucky

Dear Mrs. Burns:
I am so glad to have your letter of October 23 and want to let you know that both the letter and the enclosed $10.00 arrived safely. Thank you very, very much….

Everything is going along busily here. It is hard to realize that time can pass so quickly. We have had a long period of warm weather, with a few cold days. The mountains have been lovely in their autumn color. We are sorry to see leaves coming down now, although I think there will be some remaining on the trees for quite a while.

With every good wish to you, and with our deep appreciation of your thoughtfulness and help I am,
Sincerely yours,
[Unsigned]
Burton Rogers
Director

[burns_m_bio_033.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten letter.

December 16, 1961

Mrs. Martha Burns
Boone Tavern Annex
Berea, Kentucky

Dear Mrs. Burns:
How very kind of you to send yet another gift so soon after you [sent the] last one, with your Christmas Greetings.

I do not need to tell you how important this is to us and how much we depend on these gifts, but I can tell you that your interest and your care and concern are deeply appreciated, and mean much to us, coming from a long-time friend and early worker at the School.

May you have a truly blessed Christmas, as you have shared with others, and a very happy new year filled with all that is good.
Gratefully yours,
[Unsigned]
Burton Rogers
Director

P. S. We have just had the rehearsal of the Nativity Play yesterday, and tomorrow it will be presented to the public twice, for the first time that we know of that this has been done, both in the afternoon and the evening because of the large crowds we have had in recent years. I wish that you could be here to renew your memories of this lovely tradition.

[burns_m_bio_034.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten letter.

P. S. to Mrs. Burns on form thank you letter.

June 5, 1962

Dear Mrs. Burns:
I am still here to thank you personally and warmly for your kind donation yesterday. It means much to me and to the School. I am sorry I could not visit you yesterday.

With best wishes and warm thanks,
[Unsigned]

[Attached gift card with handwritten entries.]
My Gift to Pine Mountain Settlement School
$5.00
Name Martha Burns
Address Boone Tavern Annex
Berea, Ky.


See MARTHA BURNS Biography