The ledger contained 3 each, 1903 one cent US post cards enclose in an envelope with other monetary documents. 2 each $5000- bank transfers and 1 each $9802.20 bank transfer. Each $5000- bank transfer in 1903 would equal about $139,000- in today’s dollars.
I sure would like to know the story behind the bank transfers. My grandparents were not involved because they would have been around 10 years old in 1903. Perhaps the story lays with my Grandmother’s parents and other relatives. 1903 would have been about the time Grandmother, her family and relatives moved from Kankakee, Illinois to central west Nebraska to homestead. In any event, $5000- would have been a tremendous amount of money for a farming family in 1903.
To First National Bank, Essex, Iowa. From: Commercial National Bank, Omaha, Neb. Postal stamp 5:30 PM, 19 Jun 1903, Omaha, NEB. “Your favor 18th inst. received. We remit to your credit $5000- to Continental (National Bank, Chicago) and debit your account.” Postal stamp 7 AM., Jun 20, Essex. Iowa.
To First National Bank, Essex, Iowa. From: Commercial National Bank, Omaha, Neb. Postal stamp 7:??, 15 Oct 1903, Essex, Iowa. “Your favor 13th inst. received. We remit to your credit $5000- to Continental (National Bank, Chicago) and debit your account.” Postal stamp 7 AM., Jun 20, Essex. Iowa.
To: First National Bank, Essex, Iowa dtd 30 Oct. From :The Continental National Bank, Chicago. Dtd 29 Oct 1903. “ Dear Sir: Your favor - - - - - is received with enclosures as stated. We credit and advise First National Bank, Shenandoah, Iowa. $9802.20“.
Postal service in 1903. Post card stamped Chicago, Ill. Oct 29, 6 PM. Received at Essex, Iowa post office - Essex postal stamp Oct 30, 7 ??.
When I was a kid, mail was delivered by train. The local post office would hang a mail bag on an arm next to the train track. Train never slowed down. An arm on the train grabbed the mail bag left by the post office and deposited the incoming mail.
I have an excuse. CRS.