Below are letters that were written by Augusta Wakefield Leger to Mathias Cormier and his wife Phyllis. It really gives a true feeling of what Augustas life was like in 1920.
Conway Center, NH Feb 2nd 1920
Dear Mathias,
Just a few lines to show you that I have not forgotten you and Phylis' kindness to us when we have been so poorly. I shall never foret it, I want to thank-you for your Christmas present. "The flashlight". It is a great thing for me in going around the house. I have known for a long time that it was not safe for me to carry a light-but-I suppose I would have kept right on if you had not sent one, I feel safe now, and thank you so much . About the medicine you sent John, He couldn't tell whether it helped him or not. He was taking some from the Doc, all of the time and was about well then he was taking 2 or 3 , and ("Fal Hepatrea") and I thought he had taken enough for awhile as long as he was well. I did not advise him not to take it, but I thought as long as he was well it was spending your money just for him to drink, He takes the "Sal. Hepatica" once in a while to keep his bowels regular and the pills and I think he will be all right Thank you for him for your kindness in offering to get the medicine for him. If he should be taken down sometime in the future, and is taking a half dozen other kinds perhaps he might try it. He would have his own way about it any how. Isn't it laughable how one will stick to their own way of doing things. It is lovely here today. Mercury 40 above zero Friday Saturday 44 below. What a change, I suppose you are working hard all of the time, Don't work too hard. I suppose when John wrote you he told you all about his stock what would interest you so I don't know what to write you, We haven't but 3 cows, the ( Ivy heifer) had her calf and John sold it for 18 dollars, and we make butter from her for our own use and have what milk we want for the table and cream for breakfast. I think she does well, fed on oats as they grew John didn't thresh his oats this year. Our potatoes turned out well, are very good. 190 bushel I think we got these ( ) been a great call for them, Most every bodies potatoes rotted badly around here. Ours have not rotted but very little once in a while we find one with hard rot. I suppose you have to pay high for everthing you have to get the same here. It is awful the way this world is going . Now I would like to hear from you and hope to see you sometime. Kiss Geneva for me Write soon all about what you are doing yours Respectfully,
From Aunt-Augusta
John Leger and Augusta Wakefield Leger, sitting on the front porch at the farm.
Conway Center, Feb 1st 1920
Dear Phyllis,
I have been waiting and waiting to get that letter you promised, and I have not gotten it yet, so I have come to the conclusion that you have forgotten all about me, so this is to remind you of it. John is a great deal better than he was. I keep around all of the time, and have done my work except what I leave undone, I have done my washing since you went home, but it has been hard for me, and I cleaned my house, and it was very dirty for the flies were something awful through the summer and fall. I did not fall but once, and then I had got nearly through cleaning I was washing the window by the kitchen stove standing on the wash bench and all at once I found myself down between the bench and the stove. I got up. It hurt me quite a bit and I did not get over it for sometime. I think it came near breaking my shirt bone and one arm I have had to move it in the night with my other hand it has been so lame but it is almost well now, I don't know how I happened to fall. I have never told John anything about it. He was away from home that day I have been very lucky for every day that I was cleaning I expected it would be the last one. I haven't been to the (corner) yet to get my glasses changed and it is getting too cold now. I will wait till spring comes which is not far off. (April) We having some cold weather now, far below zero. 3 women have died in the (plac) this fall and winter Mrs. Alice Parsons..Emerson Cooks wife and Jesse Hatches mother Georgie Hatch. Zacker and family are well. They have got a nice girl some over a year old now, Mary comes over quite often, It is Monday today and very pleasant and warm Last Friday and Saturday Mercury 44 below zero, commenced to be warmer yesterday and today it is 40 above big change in short time. I find the jacket you sent me very nice these cold days and I thank you very much for it also for the candy you sent me Christmas
I have not been anywhere to get any cards or I should have sent you all some before this time. John was gone to the (corner) today so I am alone. How do your potatoes hold out, and are they good? They are a scarce article here in Conway. Most everybodies rotted so, they won't have hardly enough for seed. I think John has sold all he can spare for the present. He carried 11 bushel to Conway today. Now I want you to write soon and tell me what you have been doing since you went from here. and if you are getting rich quick? Have you been getting sugar as you like to, and is everything to costly that it takes all you can earn to live? It is awful the way this world is being run these days. Don't you think so? Lumber men are paying from 3.50 to 4.00 dollars a day for work in the woods, and they think farmers can pay the same. They cant do it, and won't do it. I tell John just plant enough what he can care for himself and it will be all right. He is getting to far along in years to work so hard now, but John is quite smart now. I hope he will keep so Tell me all about yourself and Geneva, and don't work too hard, it won't pay you I hope to hear form you very soon. Kiss Geneva for me I would be so glad to see you all sometime Lovingly, Aunt Augusta