Letters from Guthrie's descendants

In the envelope that contained Connelley's correspondence with the descendants of Abelard Guthrie. Connelley notes that there are "some very valuable genealogical material in this correspondence."

March 8, 1898
Grace Guthrie is writing to William Connelley on behalf of her husband, who is attempting to secure answers to the questions that Connelley asked about in his letter. Grace is going to send Connelley some family photos, and she asks if he can "return all Photos as they are the only ones we have in our Possession." She also mentions that Jake Guthrie has the Diary of Abelard Guthrie, and that Connelley should write to Jake's wife about obtaining the Diary. Grace also notes that Mr. Guthrie's mother is buried in Chetopa, and she believes that in writing his history Connelley will learn that she was "one of the smartest and most remarkable Indian women of her time."

March 28, 1898
Grace is informing Connelley that they have just found the information that Connelley asked for and they will forward it in a few days, with the photos to follow in about a week.

April 1, 1898
Grace informs Connelley that she hasn’t sent the photos yet, but that everything is ready. Also, she will let J. K. Guthrie know that Connelley would like to hear from him.

April 25, 1898
Dora hopes that Connelley will pardon the delay in answering his letter, as she has been unable to look over the Abelard Guthrie books Connelley was asking about due to sickness. Dora notes that the diaries contain a great deal of Mr. Guthrie's "private life and his troubles." Dora apologizes for being unable to furnish any other details about Abelard Guthrie's family, but she encourages Connelley to contact Thompson Brown in Chetopa, Kansas, who "lived in their family for a good many years."

April 28, 1898
Jacob informs Connelley that he has all of his father's books, and they are ready to ship. Jacob says that he doesn't know much about his father's early history because he "never talked much." He also says that he has an uncle who has promised to help, but he is a "shrunken worthless fellow," and he is not dependable. Jacob concludes the letter by stating he will send along a photo of himself and his family as soon as they are ready.

May 1, 1898
Grace informs Connelley that enclosed he will find the information that he was seeking. She has also included family photos, and she asks him "to please take care of them as they are the only ones in possession of the family." Grace notes that she has been waiting for Mr. Guthrie to copy the enclosed contents in ink, but since he hasn't done it she decided to send it now in its present state. The next page, presumably written by James Guthrie, contains biographical and genealogical information concerning the three surviving children of Abelard Guthrie. The final page of the document contains a timeline of events in the life of Abelard Guthrie, and it is unclear if it was written by James Guthrie or William E. Connelley.

May 7, 1898
James shares some basic information about his father Abelard's life, and directs Connelley to write to J.V. Andrews, whose father, Jacob, was Abelard's half brother.

May 7, 1898
Grace says of the family photos she recently sent to Connelley, "we are compelled to have returned for the reason it is our intention to have them enlarged," and the one of Guthrie and his wife, "we have to keep for the reason they are the only ones in possession of the family". She also encloses another photo of her daughter Lucy, "to appear in your book".

January 19, 1898
Grace tells Connelley that she and her husband are very interested in his book, and that they have been writing letters and talking to people to find facts and photos for him.

July 12, 1898
Grace thanks Connelley for his letters and photos, and for "such a high tribute" to her daughter, Lucy. Assures Connelley she will continue to help him with research for his book.

August 22, 1898
Lucy asks Connelley to send "the picture that my mother sent you" to an address in Kansas City to be enlarged.

October 27, 1898
Grace says she does not know much about Dora Guthrie, and did not get a chance to speak to her as expected. She also shares about her own family history and herself, including that she "enherited if I do say it myself natural gifts that would have made me a talented actress. it was the only vocation I have ever found as yet that I was ever adapted fo But Alas my parents objected, and at an early age."

June 3, 1899
Grace thanks Connelley for sending them his book - "we are greatly indebted to you for such a valuable and authentic History not only of Abelard Guthrie but of the Wyandotte tribe of Indians of which a well delineated account has never been given before" - and says that her husband "sat up till Midnight reading his Father's Journals".

June 11, 1899
James writes very appreciatively of the book that Connelley sent him - "I can say with sincerity that you are the only person that has ever done my Father justice as he deserved. The sketch you gave of him & my mother also I feel very proud of.”