Elmer Johnson moved to Benchland (Judith Basin County) Montana from Maitland, Missouri in 1910 to establish a homestead with his sons Floyd, 16, and his brother Author. Another son, Earl, and a daughter, Ethel Metcalfe, followed later. Mamie Ader married Floyd M. Johnson in Iowa in 1918. The couple made their home and farmed in the Benchland area until 1948 when they moved to Lewistown, Montana.
Mamie's letter to a relative or friend George Bender in Missouri at Thanksgiving time relates the life she is leading on the homestead. It includes mention of rending lard, butchering hogs, the crops and Floyd's activities. She describes visits from neighbors and relatives which she attributes to the fact that they have a radio. Mamie also indulges in local gossip about the activities of people of the neighborhood - who is in the hospital, who is traveling on Christmas, who has changed jobs or bought a new business. She also describes items that are not available in Benchland to George and requests a style of hat for Floyd.
This collection is open for research.
The Mamie Ader Johnson letter was purchased from Fred Flesher of Bethany, Missouri by the Montana State University Library on June 15, 2006.
This collection was processed 2008 August 4