American Epistles

… the story of our country, one letter at a time.

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“See that shack over yonder?” (Women Homesteaders)

Posted May 4, 202101:11:05

Under the Homestead Act of 1862 and its revisions, over 1 million applicants received a plot of land from the Federal government. Thousands of the...

“… We were almost starved.” (Elinore Rupert, Part 8)

Posted April 20, 202100:21:40

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“A very angry Aggie strode in.” (Elinore Rupert, Part 7)

Posted April 7, 202100:24:29

October 6, 1911 Dear Mrs. Coney, … Aggie was angry all through. She vowed she was being robbed. After she had berated me soundly for submitting so...

“The wind was shrieking, howling, and roaring.” (Elinore Rupert, Part 6)

Posted March 16, 202100:21:34

Zebulon Pike Parker shares his story from home, then a frightening storm is followed by a beautiful sunrise.

“The ‘rheumatiz’ would get all the money …” (Elinore Rupert, Part 5)

Posted March 3, 202100:22:41

The Elinore Rupert series continues with a family tragedy, a young girl's industry, and a sewing bee.