Scope and ContentTwo message transcripts printed in the SDHC newsletter inserts --- 1. [Saugatuck-area residents have been going to Florida for the winter for more than a century. In this brief postcard Desiah (Van Hoesen) Bird, wife of Henry Bird of Saugatuck writes to her daughter, Mary (Bird) Dean who lived in Ganges, that Uncle Harry and his wife, were headed south for the winter. They had come for a visit on the A. B. Taylor, the first boat launched by Rogers & Bird. Desiah's son, Charles E. Bird was part owner of the firm.] Saugatuck, Oct. 6th 1884 Dear daughter Mary; Grandmother, Aunt Kate and Uncle Harry are here. They came Saturday morning on the Taylor. Will be here this week. Hope you can come down to see them. They are as spry and happy as ever. Uncle Harry especially, he sometimes calls himself The O1d Harry . All are well at present. Mother will stay with me this winter. Harry and Kate are going to Florida to spend the winter. Your loving Mother [Harry calls himself "The Old Harry" to avoid confusion with Desiah's seven-year-old grandson, Harry Bird, son of Charles E. and Hattie (Moffat) Bird.] --- 2. [Below, a letter from about the same time from Laura (Bird) Pride in Saugatuck to her sister Mary (Bird) Dean in Ganges. Ague was a kind of malaria that would return at regular intervals.] Thursday afternoon Dear Sister: You say that it is my turn to write but I have my doubts in regard to that. Yes, I should think that you might divide your little clothing seeing that you have a good supply and are not in need of it at present. All that I have got is not of my own [ ] more of it has been given to me. Eddie is not at work at present as he has sawed one of his fingers so that it is impossible for him to do anything. I guess that he will down to the farm in the morning to get cherries for me to can. We got half of a bushel of strawberries in Chicago and I put up two quart this morning and I have two quart of cherries day before yesterday. I had the Ague again but I have escaped it today and I wrote to you I have had a spell of having it every day then Uncle doctored me, but he is at South Haven now and I have to be my own doctor. .. Ancelia left here last evening on the 5:15 train. I miss her ever so much and am much obliged for the blocks. .. Well, I am tired out so I shall have to close. I am just as weak as a cat so if you know how weak a cat is you will know how weak I am. No more for this time. Love to all. L E Pride