December 25, 2002
Dear Suzanne:
This book, Betty Gale on the Mesa, was a Christmas present
from your great Aunt Florence Brown Shue and her son (and your cousin),
Bruce Shue (then age 3) to your Grandmother, Gladys Suzanne Brown
Munier. I believe your grandmother was about 13 or 14 at the time.
I was collecting antique books I have around here to give to the
Marshall University “Little one-room country schoolhouse Museum”
when I came across this book and found the inscription. Since you are
Gladys’ namesake, and because you have met Bruce (and Miriam in
Brookville, Ohio), I felt you must have it to cherish as part of the Brown
Family history, and to pass on to your children.
I read the story, and it is very interesting. The writing style reflects
that of 1919, and best of all, it truly captures what real life was like on a
farm in New Mexico. I hope you, too, will read it, keep it in its plastic bag,
and treasure it.
Much love, Cousin Carolyn Ruth Hunt
Dear Bruce:
I just want you to know that I recently came across a small paperback book (5” x 6 1/2” and only 48 pages) named Betty Gale on the Mesa. It is a real Brown family antique. Inside is an inscription “ To Gladys, from Florence and Bruce Shue. December 25, 1919”
I came across it while I was collecting antique books I have to donate to the Marshall University “Little One-room Country Schoolhouse Museum.” I have sent it to Suzanne Munier, Gladys’ granddaughter and namesake, as a Christmas present – 83 years later. I felt that was appropriate. Hope you agree.
I am so sorry about the way our July meeting turned out, but everything seemed out of my control. How many times have I gone to the Rasor reunion and it has been completely ended by 2 PM!!!! And everyone else in the Brown family that I try to visit – but you – is off, gone, busy; So you are the only one I
truly got a good visit with. But this time, everyone was at the long reunion and all Brown family members home.
My first cousins, children of my father’s sister Grace, Emerson (Bud) Brown and Leola Crowell & 3 of her 9 children came to the reunion. I had not seen them in years; we, and the rest of the reunion, were still going strong at 3:00, and I reluctantly had to tear myself away for my ‘Brown’ visits. Cary and Lindsay
Brown were home, and had just completed a house addition as extensive as mine. We had not visited in at
least 3 years, and they also have a new adopted son about 6 years old, so there was lots to talk about. Then
on to see Glenn, Francis and Doris. I would not say that Glenn has true alzheimers, but he really remembers
very little of the past now, and is not much aware of the present. After Francis, Doris and I had talked for
about half an hour, out of the blue, Glenn looked at me and said “Carolyn??!! You’re Ruth Hunt’s little girl
aren’t you?” Glenn still lives alone in his home; refuses to go in to the local senior citizens for any social visits during the day; and Francis (who is now retired), really has his hands full taking care of him. Now that my house is getting together, I hope to get back to doing some Brown Family history this coming year.
I think I am going to give up trying to cram reunion visits with both Rasor and Brown families in one day.
Robin thinks we ought to start a Brown family reunion day of our own; review history, etc. What do you
think??