Junkin to Alexander 1905-12-15

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            <title xml:lang="en">Letter from W.Junkin_to_A.J.A. Alexander, December 15, 1905</title>
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               <persName>Rachel Crilley</persName>
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               <dateline>
                  <placeName>Chunju</placeName>
                  <date when="1905-12-15">12/15 1905</date>                  
               </dateline>
               <salute>My dear <persName ref="ALE">Dr</persName>:</salute>
            </opener>
            <p>We did enjoy hearing from you so much. Your letters are the best of tonics I have been ashamed to write to you.  I hoped to get your wedding present to you in 
            Kansas City and  <persName ref="PBR">Mrs. Reynolds</persName> was sending is by a returning missionionary. After last moment Dr. Forbes then had decided to go 
            to the U.S. so it was put in his trunk to go back. Then he failed to go so it is high and dry in Seoul. Corea have sent it by <persName ref="HOU">Hounshell</persName>, 
            McFarland  or a number of people but <persName ref="FOR">Forsythe</persName> seemed the best chance. I hope to get it to you by your anniversary!</p>
            <p>Where shall I begin to tell you the happenings here. I have had quite a busy time. The government agreed to sell us back the old mission houses if we'd move them. 
            We rec'd 15000 yen for them, gave them 1600. But thereby pendeth an appendage.  The station appointed a Brother to get the money throu our Ad. Int Committee.  
            He went over to Kunson?  &#x0026; came back without a cent &#x0026; only a promise to pay in a year.  Meantime the sale was confirmed in Seoul &#x0026; the government 
            wanted their monty. As we had only talked of a cash trade, the Korean officials liked it so ill &#x0026; ?? pat>  in such a way that Forsythe &#x0026; I thought 
            we ought to pay even if we had to borrow this money.  This I eventually had to do at 14% from the Japs I felt that we'd lose face if we didn't do this &#x0026; it 
            wd (would) put me in bad light as pastor of Churiyan Church.  My chief interest in the houses was to get one of them for a Church.  The natives came down liberally 
            giving a good fraction of the original price but it would take 660 gold to tear down &#x0026; rebuild.  As we built  snag after snag was struck &#x0026; I got 
            deeper &#x0026; deeper in debt. But the church is now about finished.  While building the Japs began to buy all around our church &#x0026; raised prices tenfold.  
            We were forced to add to our church lot or never be able to add to the building. So, I went in for 300 yen on a lot that we could have gotten a year ago for as many 
            yang. Forsythe backed me all he could cd but he had nothing but his salary to go on. So when my birthday comes on Dec 18, I was not very happy until the mail came 
            in when a letter from New York and VA friends contained just enough to cancel the church debt.
               <pb n="2"/>
            I had simply written Judge Phlegan of Va the status of things #x0026 asked him to put the matter before my home church.  He sent however his personal check to a 
            friend on Wall St &#x0026; he took the liberty as he expressed it of rounding up the check.  I would not go into debt for myself, but this served to F. &#x0026; 
            me so clearly God's leading that we went ahead on faith &#x0026; are now very glad of it.  I'll get back the money on the other house when the committee sends it 
            out &#x0026; be out nothing but the interest.</p>
            <p>It was the same way about our little orphanage.  On acct of having everything in the church we were short on orphanage funds. We are usually plenty able 
            to care for them &#x0026; had never asked any one to help us.  But even so unasked a check came in &#x0026; filled the bill -- and the orphans too.</p>
            <p>We have a brand new baby and he lives principally on goats milk.  But the old goat went back on him &#x0026; we scoured the country in vain for another. The time 
            of kids was not yet.  So we asked the Lord to send us one -- and in it came the very next morning. A country man had bought it to the city, sold it, 
            quarreled over the price, taken it away, expected to go back, hurt his hand, came to the hospital as a patient saw the goat, sent us word &#x0026; so we 
            got it. Now the Lord sent the goat &#x0026; we are awfully relieved &#x0026; glad -- but the man asked too much for it.  Avery?, would you have dued ? him down?  
            God is good to us.</p>
            <p>In the past two months county vestry?? 260 have been  examined in the Chunjin field &#x0026; about sixty more waiting til I can get out to them.  Tony? 
            he went yesterday to join Mr. Tate in the country.  A Romish priest shot a Korean last week &#x0026; this week with an armed band he is rounding up our 
            leaders &#x0026; trying to arrest &#x0026; beat them.  We have sent Japanese &#x0026; Korean gendarmes down to keep the peace.  What the gentle father 
            Tang has left to preach now I can't imagine.  He certainly is not in our "Love" Yesterday a Catholic is said to have left here with guns &#x0026; a good 
            quantity of ammunition, but I trust the Japs will be on the scene before they use them. We could not want a better exponent of Romanism.  He will disgust 
            all decent people &#x0026; the toughs will flock to his standard.   I could not go as I am just getting over a two weeks spell of sickness--the result 
            of work or worry--I fear. As F. was accompanied by a guard I do not fear any trouble for him. I'll write you more of this when I heard.  Some of 
            our men were driven into the snow barefoot &#x0026; few clothes. I'm sure I do not know what he expects to gain by this.  Five they carried off some 
            rice &#x0026; other property but he of course knows that "a good name is rather to be chosen
               <pb n="3"/>
               An English priest once boarded the litter straining? on which we used to go from <placeName ref="CHE">Chemulpo</placeName> to Seoul before R.R. days. a number of officers 
            from the Warships were on &#x0026; offered the priest a bottle quite a large affair?  After a while the bottle &#x0026; the priest disappears &#x0026; when drinks 
            were called for one officer drawled out, Blest if I've seen that bottle sine the Man of God from Kanwha came aboard."</p>
            <p>I got the station to put in a good force pump in the fire well we have here and as the well is in our yard I blew in a little of my own &#x0026; got a 
            few extra pipe &#x0026; a small horse tank so we have water in kitchen &#x0026; bathroom.  Fifteen minutes pumping will give water for a whole day so we don't 
            need a  windmill.  I told Forsythe he could connect with the home-- trough for his dispensary &#x0026; he'll probably put in a few pipe next spring.  The occasion 
            of my forcing the pump in the station was a fire in Forsythe's kitchen (he has D.J.' house)  when a mere accident gave us water we put it out.  Ordinarily 
            we should have not had it.  I finally threatened to call Tate &#x0026; McC off from the use of the well if they did  move for the pump. This brought them to line.   
            It is a good life insurance on the house.  They wouldn't vote for my horse tank so if it is the means of putting out a fire I'll claim premium for fire insurance.</p>
            <p>McC. is still pursuing but I fear is disconsolate as his lady love has been stationed away over on the coast of Wensan.  Forsythe needs a good wife more than 
            anyone i know.  He has no idea of taking care of himself--nor his money nor his clothes --- where they go he never knows.  Talking of "station needs" here you 
            have it -- a wife for Forsythe. He agrees to fall in love with her at the water front!  Really if his wife or his other do not come out I fear for him, he 
            keeps up so much steam?, pays no attention to signals just goes down the main line line the Flying Dutchman an hour late!  Can you image Mr. Tate the bridegroom?  
            I know you can conjuer up the bridegroom part of it, but the Tate?  The petrified smile approaches it faintly.</p>       
            <p>Our babe --"the Governor" as Forsythe calls him, is a dear rollicking fellow with a smile for everyone. F. seems very fond of him &#x0026; with him "seems" as 
            "is".   Nolan came up for the occasion as F. was in Seoul, but Pastor got sick, F ran down from Seoul &#x0026; the day Nolan left we found
               <pb n="4"/>
            the Governor -- 10 good pound of him tucked snugly away in a blanket. For he didn't bring a rag along with him &#x0026; all the clothes his mother had provided 
            were too small. He didn't seem to mind it at all &#x0026; has gained two pounds a week so often that Willie wrote his grandmother that we had to sit up nights to 
            make him clothes.</p>
            <p>M. Tate does? all the hurting now. He kills deer, bustards &#x0026; this week sent a large wild boar.  There are so many in that section that natives have to watch 
            their crops or they'll be destroyed.  When you come out we'll take a shot. By the way, if you ever come across a collector of guns put me on to him.  I was in 
            PyongYang six weeks teaching in the Theological classes &#x0026; got hold of a tiger hunters rifle.  It is very old, has a stock with pistol handle that is of one 
            piece of hardwood reaching to the muzzle, is mounted with 22 brass band (not Sousa's)  (Have just gotten word that the noble Catholic band have taken refuge 
            in the priests compound &#x0026; that the Japs are sitting on the doorstep!   Mass will doubtless be celebrated within tomorrow - Sunday.  The soldiers have written 
            for instructions as to whether hey shall enter or wait)  This is a crisis here for if these people are not effectually settled now we shall be unable to work 
            in the country. I think they don' know the Japanese or they wouldn't be so cock sure of not being taken i hands for their misdeeds.</p>
            <p>"Jack" is a fat and saucy as you please--When he doesn't want to go preaching he has the habit of suddenly elevating the helper walking out from under him &#x0026; 
            coming home.</p>
            <p>I have made a deal for the tile roofed property inn front of the Tates place here. It will be an ideal school site &#x0026; there are 21 Kahns of house, 1 1/2 acres 
            of land (fine fields) &#x0026; 1/2 acre rice fields for yen 600.  If we don't buy what we need in the next few months we shall have to pay awful prices &#x0026; soon 
            we can not get these thins at all for the Japs will have them.  If the mission don't take it off my hands I shall make a private deal of it &#x0026; can sell for 
            twice as much.</p>
            <p>With a college man here we could crows this place with scholars, but I fear we are doomed to disappointment.  Some with girls school all talk &#x0026; no do in 
            Committees part in this line.</p>
            <p>My sister in K.C. would be delighted to see you. I know you are glad my papers out.</p>
            <closer>
               <salute>Most cordially yours,</salute>
               <signed><persName ref="JUN">Junkin</persName></signed>
            </closer>
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               <person xml:id="ALE" sex="M">
                  <persName>
                     <reg>Alexander John Aitcheson Alexander</reg>
                     <forename type="first">Alexander</forename>
                     <forename type="second">John</forename>
                     <surname type="birth">Alexander</surname></persName>
                  <nationality>American</nationality>
                  <birth when="1875-08-05"></birth>
                  <death when="1929-03-10"></death>
               </person>
               <person xml:id="PBR" sex="F">
                  <persName>
                     <reg>Patsy Bolling Reynolds</reg>
                     <forename type="first">Patsy</forename>
                     <forename type="birth">Bolling</forename>
                     <forename type="married">Reynolds</forename></persName>
                  <nationality>American</nationality>
                  <occupation>
                     <orgName>Presbyterian Church in the U. S.</orgName>
                  </occupation>
               </person>  
               <person xml:id="FOR" sex="M">
                  <persName>
                     <reg>Wylie Hamilton Forsythe</reg>
                     <forename type="first">Wylie</forename>
                     <forename type="second">Hamilton</forename>
                     <forename type="birth">Forsythe</forename></persName>
                  <nationality>American</nationality>
                  <birth when="1873-12-25"></birth>
                  <death when="1918-05-09"></death>
                  <occupation>
                     <orgName xml:lang="en">Presbyterian Church in the U. S.</orgName>
                  </occupation>
               </person> 
               <person xml:id="JUN" sex="M">
                  <persName>
                     <reg>William McCleery Junkin</reg>
                     <forename type="first">William</forename>
                     <forename type="second">McCleery</forename>
                     <surname type="birth">Junkin</surname></persName>
                  <nationality>American</nationality>
                  <birth when="1865-12-13"></birth>
                  <death when="1908-01-02"></death>
                  <occupation>missionary
                     <orgName>Presbyterian Church in the U. S.</orgName>
                  </occupation>                 
               </person>
               <person xml:id="HOU" sex="F">
                  <persName>
                     <reg>Josephine Hounshell McCutchen</reg>
                     <forename type="first">Josephine</forename>
                     <forename type="birth">Hounshell</forename>
                     <surname type="married">McCutchen</surname></persName>
                  <nationality>American</nationality>
                  <occupation>missionary</occupation>                 
               </person>
                     </listPerson>
            <listPlace>
               <place type="settlement" xml:id="CHE">
                  <placeName>Chemulpo</placeName>
                  <placeName>Incheon</placeName>
                  <location>
                     <country>Korea</country>
                  </location>
               </place>
            </listPlace>
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Letter from W.Junkin_to_A.J.A. Alexander, December 15, 1905 transcribed and encoded by Rachel Crilley

Information contained in this document is provided for non-commercial, personal, or research use only; [Original works in the public domain]

 Kentucky Historical Society Alexander Family Papers
Chunju 12/15 1905 My dear Dr:

We did enjoy hearing from you so much. Your letters are the best of tonics I have been ashamed to write to you. I hoped to get your wedding present to you in Kansas City and Mrs. Reynolds was sending is by a returning missionionary. After last moment Dr. Forbes then had decided to go to the U.S. so it was put in his trunk to go back. Then he failed to go so it is high and dry in Seoul. Corea have sent it by Hounshell, McFarland or a number of people but Forsythe seemed the best chance. I hope to get it to you by your anniversary!

Where shall I begin to tell you the happenings here. I have had quite a busy time. The government agreed to sell us back the old mission houses if we'd move them. We rec'd 15000 yen for them, gave them 1600. But thereby pendeth an appendage. The station appointed a Brother to get the money throu our Ad. Int Committee. He went over to Kunson? & came back without a cent & only a promise to pay in a year. Meantime the sale was confirmed in Seoul & the government wanted their monty. As we had only talked of a cash trade, the Korean officials liked it so ill & ?? pat> in such a way that Forsythe & I thought we ought to pay even if we had to borrow this money. This I eventually had to do at 14% from the Japs I felt that we'd lose face if we didn't do this & it wd (would) put me in bad light as pastor of Churiyan Church. My chief interest in the houses was to get one of them for a Church. The natives came down liberally giving a good fraction of the original price but it would take 660 gold to tear down & rebuild. As we built snag after snag was struck & I got deeper & deeper in debt. But the church is now about finished. While building the Japs began to buy all around our church & raised prices tenfold. We were forced to add to our church lot or never be able to add to the building. So, I went in for 300 yen on a lot that we could have gotten a year ago for as many yang. Forsythe backed me all he could cd but he had nothing but his salary to go on. So when my birthday comes on Dec 18, I was not very happy until the mail came in when a letter from New York and VA friends contained just enough to cancel the church debt. I had simply written Judge Phlegan of Va the status of things #x0026 asked him to put the matter before my home church. He sent however his personal check to a friend on Wall St & he took the liberty as he expressed it of rounding up the check. I would not go into debt for myself, but this served to F. & me so clearly God's leading that we went ahead on faith & are now very glad of it. I'll get back the money on the other house when the committee sends it out & be out nothing but the interest.

It was the same way about our little orphanage. On acct of having everything in the church we were short on orphanage funds. We are usually plenty able to care for them & had never asked any one to help us. But even so unasked a check came in & filled the bill -- and the orphans too.

We have a brand new baby and he lives principally on goats milk. But the old goat went back on him & we scoured the country in vain for another. The time of kids was not yet. So we asked the Lord to send us one -- and in it came the very next morning. A country man had bought it to the city, sold it, quarreled over the price, taken it away, expected to go back, hurt his hand, came to the hospital as a patient saw the goat, sent us word & so we got it. Now the Lord sent the goat & we are awfully relieved & glad -- but the man asked too much for it. Avery?, would you have dued ? him down? God is good to us.

In the past two months county vestry?? 260 have been examined in the Chunjin field & about sixty more waiting til I can get out to them. Tony? he went yesterday to join Mr. Tate in the country. A Romish priest shot a Korean last week & this week with an armed band he is rounding up our leaders & trying to arrest & beat them. We have sent Japanese & Korean gendarmes down to keep the peace. What the gentle father Tang has left to preach now I can't imagine. He certainly is not in our "Love" Yesterday a Catholic is said to have left here with guns & a good quantity of ammunition, but I trust the Japs will be on the scene before they use them. We could not want a better exponent of Romanism. He will disgust all decent people & the toughs will flock to his standard. I could not go as I am just getting over a two weeks spell of sickness--the result of work or worry--I fear. As F. was accompanied by a guard I do not fear any trouble for him. I'll write you more of this when I heard. Some of our men were driven into the snow barefoot & few clothes. I'm sure I do not know what he expects to gain by this. Five they carried off some rice & other property but he of course knows that "a good name is rather to be chosen An English priest once boarded the litter straining? on which we used to go from Chemulpo to Seoul before R.R. days. a number of officers from the Warships were on & offered the priest a bottle quite a large affair? After a while the bottle & the priest disappears & when drinks were called for one officer drawled out, Blest if I've seen that bottle sine the Man of God from Kanwha came aboard."

I got the station to put in a good force pump in the fire well we have here and as the well is in our yard I blew in a little of my own & got a few extra pipe & a small horse tank so we have water in kitchen & bathroom. Fifteen minutes pumping will give water for a whole day so we don't need a windmill. I told Forsythe he could connect with the home-- trough for his dispensary & he'll probably put in a few pipe next spring. The occasion of my forcing the pump in the station was a fire in Forsythe's kitchen (he has D.J.' house) when a mere accident gave us water we put it out. Ordinarily we should have not had it. I finally threatened to call Tate & McC off from the use of the well if they did move for the pump. This brought them to line. It is a good life insurance on the house. They wouldn't vote for my horse tank so if it is the means of putting out a fire I'll claim premium for fire insurance.

McC. is still pursuing but I fear is disconsolate as his lady love has been stationed away over on the coast of Wensan. Forsythe needs a good wife more than anyone i know. He has no idea of taking care of himself--nor his money nor his clothes --- where they go he never knows. Talking of "station needs" here you have it -- a wife for Forsythe. He agrees to fall in love with her at the water front! Really if his wife or his other do not come out I fear for him, he keeps up so much steam?, pays no attention to signals just goes down the main line line the Flying Dutchman an hour late! Can you image Mr. Tate the bridegroom? I know you can conjuer up the bridegroom part of it, but the Tate? The petrified smile approaches it faintly.

Our babe --"the Governor" as Forsythe calls him, is a dear rollicking fellow with a smile for everyone. F. seems very fond of him & with him "seems" as "is". Nolan came up for the occasion as F. was in Seoul, but Pastor got sick, F ran down from Seoul & the day Nolan left we found the Governor -- 10 good pound of him tucked snugly away in a blanket. For he didn't bring a rag along with him & all the clothes his mother had provided were too small. He didn't seem to mind it at all & has gained two pounds a week so often that Willie wrote his grandmother that we had to sit up nights to make him clothes.

M. Tate does? all the hurting now. He kills deer, bustards & this week sent a large wild boar. There are so many in that section that natives have to watch their crops or they'll be destroyed. When you come out we'll take a shot. By the way, if you ever come across a collector of guns put me on to him. I was in PyongYang six weeks teaching in the Theological classes & got hold of a tiger hunters rifle. It is very old, has a stock with pistol handle that is of one piece of hardwood reaching to the muzzle, is mounted with 22 brass band (not Sousa's) (Have just gotten word that the noble Catholic band have taken refuge in the priests compound & that the Japs are sitting on the doorstep! Mass will doubtless be celebrated within tomorrow - Sunday. The soldiers have written for instructions as to whether hey shall enter or wait) This is a crisis here for if these people are not effectually settled now we shall be unable to work in the country. I think they don' know the Japanese or they wouldn't be so cock sure of not being taken i hands for their misdeeds.

"Jack" is a fat and saucy as you please--When he doesn't want to go preaching he has the habit of suddenly elevating the helper walking out from under him & coming home.

I have made a deal for the tile roofed property inn front of the Tates place here. It will be an ideal school site & there are 21 Kahns of house, 1 1/2 acres of land (fine fields) & 1/2 acre rice fields for yen 600. If we don't buy what we need in the next few months we shall have to pay awful prices & soon we can not get these thins at all for the Japs will have them. If the mission don't take it off my hands I shall make a private deal of it & can sell for twice as much.

With a college man here we could crows this place with scholars, but I fear we are doomed to disappointment. Some with girls school all talk & no do in Committees part in this line.

My sister in K.C. would be delighted to see you. I know you are glad my papers out.

Most cordially yours, Junkin

Alexander John Aitcheson Alexander Alexander John Alexander

M

1875-08-05

1929-03-10

American

Patsy Bolling Reynolds Patsy Bolling Reynolds

F

American

Josephine Hounshell McCutchen Josephine Hounshell McCutchen

F

American

missionary

Wylie Hamilton Forsythe Wylie Hamilton Forsythe

M

1873-12-25

1918-05-09

American

Chemulpo

Korea

William McCleery Junkin William McCleery Junkin

M

1865-12-13

1908-01-02

American

missionary

Toolbox

Themes:

Letter from W.Junkin_to_A.J.A. Alexander, December 15, 1905 transcribed and encoded by Rachel Crilley

Information contained in this document is provided for non-commercial, personal, or research use only; [Original works in the public domain]

 Kentucky Historical Society Alexander Family Papers
Chunju 12/15 1905 My dear Dr:

We did enjoy hearing from you so much. Your letters are the best of tonics I have been ashamed to write to you. I hoped to get your wedding present to you in Kansas City and Mrs. Reynolds was sending is by a returning missionionary. After last moment Dr. Forbes then had decided to go to the U.S. so it was put in his trunk to go back. Then he failed to go so it is high and dry in Seoul. Corea have sent it by Hounshell, McFarland or a number of people but Forsythe seemed the best chance. I hope to get it to you by your anniversary!

Where shall I begin to tell you the happenings here. I have had quite a busy time. The government agreed to sell us back the old mission houses if we'd move them. We rec'd 15000 yen for them, gave them 1600. But thereby pendeth an appendage. The station appointed a Brother to get the money throu our Ad. Int Committee. He went over to Kunson? & came back without a cent & only a promise to pay in a year. Meantime the sale was confirmed in Seoul & the government wanted their monty. As we had only talked of a cash trade, the Korean officials liked it so ill & ?? pat> in such a way that Forsythe & I thought we ought to pay even if we had to borrow this money. This I eventually had to do at 14% from the Japs I felt that we'd lose face if we didn't do this & it wd (would) put me in bad light as pastor of Churiyan Church. My chief interest in the houses was to get one of them for a Church. The natives came down liberally giving a good fraction of the original price but it would take 660 gold to tear down & rebuild. As we built snag after snag was struck & I got deeper & deeper in debt. But the church is now about finished. While building the Japs began to buy all around our church & raised prices tenfold. We were forced to add to our church lot or never be able to add to the building. So, I went in for 300 yen on a lot that we could have gotten a year ago for as many yang. Forsythe backed me all he could cd but he had nothing but his salary to go on. So when my birthday comes on Dec 18, I was not very happy until the mail came in when a letter from New York and VA friends contained just enough to cancel the church debt. I had simply written Judge Phlegan of Va the status of things #x0026 asked him to put the matter before my home church. He sent however his personal check to a friend on Wall St & he took the liberty as he expressed it of rounding up the check. I would not go into debt for myself, but this served to F. & me so clearly God's leading that we went ahead on faith & are now very glad of it. I'll get back the money on the other house when the committee sends it out & be out nothing but the interest.

It was the same way about our little orphanage. On acct of having everything in the church we were short on orphanage funds. We are usually plenty able to care for them & had never asked any one to help us. But even so unasked a check came in & filled the bill -- and the orphans too.

We have a brand new baby and he lives principally on goats milk. But the old goat went back on him & we scoured the country in vain for another. The time of kids was not yet. So we asked the Lord to send us one -- and in it came the very next morning. A country man had bought it to the city, sold it, quarreled over the price, taken it away, expected to go back, hurt his hand, came to the hospital as a patient saw the goat, sent us word & so we got it. Now the Lord sent the goat & we are awfully relieved & glad -- but the man asked too much for it. Avery?, would you have dued ? him down? God is good to us.

In the past two months county vestry?? 260 have been examined in the Chunjin field & about sixty more waiting til I can get out to them. Tony? he went yesterday to join Mr. Tate in the country. A Romish priest shot a Korean last week & this week with an armed band he is rounding up our leaders & trying to arrest & beat them. We have sent Japanese & Korean gendarmes down to keep the peace. What the gentle father Tang has left to preach now I can't imagine. He certainly is not in our "Love" Yesterday a Catholic is said to have left here with guns & a good quantity of ammunition, but I trust the Japs will be on the scene before they use them. We could not want a better exponent of Romanism. He will disgust all decent people & the toughs will flock to his standard. I could not go as I am just getting over a two weeks spell of sickness--the result of work or worry--I fear. As F. was accompanied by a guard I do not fear any trouble for him. I'll write you more of this when I heard. Some of our men were driven into the snow barefoot & few clothes. I'm sure I do not know what he expects to gain by this. Five they carried off some rice & other property but he of course knows that "a good name is rather to be chosen An English priest once boarded the litter straining? on which we used to go from Chemulpo to Seoul before R.R. days. a number of officers from the Warships were on & offered the priest a bottle quite a large affair? After a while the bottle & the priest disappears & when drinks were called for one officer drawled out, Blest if I've seen that bottle sine the Man of God from Kanwha came aboard."

I got the station to put in a good force pump in the fire well we have here and as the well is in our yard I blew in a little of my own & got a few extra pipe & a small horse tank so we have water in kitchen & bathroom. Fifteen minutes pumping will give water for a whole day so we don't need a windmill. I told Forsythe he could connect with the home-- trough for his dispensary & he'll probably put in a few pipe next spring. The occasion of my forcing the pump in the station was a fire in Forsythe's kitchen (he has D.J.' house) when a mere accident gave us water we put it out. Ordinarily we should have not had it. I finally threatened to call Tate & McC off from the use of the well if they did move for the pump. This brought them to line. It is a good life insurance on the house. They wouldn't vote for my horse tank so if it is the means of putting out a fire I'll claim premium for fire insurance.

McC. is still pursuing but I fear is disconsolate as his lady love has been stationed away over on the coast of Wensan. Forsythe needs a good wife more than anyone i know. He has no idea of taking care of himself--nor his money nor his clothes --- where they go he never knows. Talking of "station needs" here you have it -- a wife for Forsythe. He agrees to fall in love with her at the water front! Really if his wife or his other do not come out I fear for him, he keeps up so much steam?, pays no attention to signals just goes down the main line line the Flying Dutchman an hour late! Can you image Mr. Tate the bridegroom? I know you can conjuer up the bridegroom part of it, but the Tate? The petrified smile approaches it faintly.

Our babe --"the Governor" as Forsythe calls him, is a dear rollicking fellow with a smile for everyone. F. seems very fond of him & with him "seems" as "is". Nolan came up for the occasion as F. was in Seoul, but Pastor got sick, F ran down from Seoul & the day Nolan left we found the Governor -- 10 good pound of him tucked snugly away in a blanket. For he didn't bring a rag along with him & all the clothes his mother had provided were too small. He didn't seem to mind it at all & has gained two pounds a week so often that Willie wrote his grandmother that we had to sit up nights to make him clothes.

M. Tate does? all the hurting now. He kills deer, bustards & this week sent a large wild boar. There are so many in that section that natives have to watch their crops or they'll be destroyed. When you come out we'll take a shot. By the way, if you ever come across a collector of guns put me on to him. I was in PyongYang six weeks teaching in the Theological classes & got hold of a tiger hunters rifle. It is very old, has a stock with pistol handle that is of one piece of hardwood reaching to the muzzle, is mounted with 22 brass band (not Sousa's) (Have just gotten word that the noble Catholic band have taken refuge in the priests compound & that the Japs are sitting on the doorstep! Mass will doubtless be celebrated within tomorrow - Sunday. The soldiers have written for instructions as to whether hey shall enter or wait) This is a crisis here for if these people are not effectually settled now we shall be unable to work in the country. I think they don' know the Japanese or they wouldn't be so cock sure of not being taken i hands for their misdeeds.

"Jack" is a fat and saucy as you please--When he doesn't want to go preaching he has the habit of suddenly elevating the helper walking out from under him & coming home.

I have made a deal for the tile roofed property inn front of the Tates place here. It will be an ideal school site & there are 21 Kahns of house, 1 1/2 acres of land (fine fields) & 1/2 acre rice fields for yen 600. If we don't buy what we need in the next few months we shall have to pay awful prices & soon we can not get these thins at all for the Japs will have them. If the mission don't take it off my hands I shall make a private deal of it & can sell for twice as much.

With a college man here we could crows this place with scholars, but I fear we are doomed to disappointment. Some with girls school all talk & no do in Committees part in this line.

My sister in K.C. would be delighted to see you. I know you are glad my papers out.

Most cordially yours, Junkin
Alexander John Aitcheson Alexander Alexander John Alexander American Patsy Bolling Reynolds Patsy Bolling Reynolds American Presbyterian Church in the U. S. Wylie Hamilton Forsythe Wylie Hamilton Forsythe American Presbyterian Church in the U. S. William McCleery Junkin William McCleery Junkin American missionary Presbyterian Church in the U. S. Josephine Hounshell McCutchen Josephine Hounshell McCutchen American missionary Chemulpo Incheon Korea