Mullaney to Agnes Kelly Murphy, Jan 25-27 (c.1925-29) — Walkerville; thanks for buffalo robe and magnifying glass; mentions Melda, Maggie, Jen, Winifred

# Mullaney to Agnes Kelly Murphy — WalkervilleButte: companies, unions & placesWalkervilleA separate small city on the hill above Butte, grown up around the Alice and Lexington silver mines.More in Key terms →, January 25-27 (c.1925) *Letter from Michael R. Mullaney (b. ~1856 Michigan; d. 19 May 1929 Walkerville) to his Chatham cousin Agnes Kelly Murphy. Year not specified in header — bounded between Jan 1925 and Jan 1929 (the "Jim" of the closing is Agnes's husband James J. Murphy, 1883-1938, alive throughout; Mullaney died 19 May 1929). Most plausibly Jan 1925.* Walkerville January 25/26 My Dear Agnes, Hearing good resolutions, for tomorrow, will as usual, end in nothing. I will here and now apply exertion. I perused the contents of the last letters one, but felt confident the worst was over, and sincerely hope there was no after ill effect from such a nerve-racking experience. It seems, no matter where we go, trouble is lurking around waiting for half a chance to attack us. I believe there are certain things planned, in everyone's life that cannot be escaped, and for this reason, we should make a supreme effort to strangle worry: worry is the very height of misery and how often we find later it was not necessary. I hope your trouble vanished long ago and may stay vanished. Now for Xmas: I received the largest package ever addressed to me through the mail, Dec 24th, and I asked Miss Boulton, of our office, "who sent it." I said, "has a critical eye," I might visit the stores in Butte and come home with something that would not give near as much satisfaction. I did not go to the P.O. again, until the 28th, when I found your package, and one from Melda, both containing a nightgown, of no doubt fine quality and correct fit. I would not want either of these 3 garments altered, as to fit or otherwise. Your package contained a glass of very good magnifying power and is besides an excellent sunglass, which can set fire to anything, from a house to a haystack, when sun is shining and glass properly focused. Thank you kindly for these. I feel positive since receiving your package, that the Buffalo robe came from the Murphy family for the reason there was two cards in your parcel, and one said, "From all the Murphys." This card must have been intended for the jumbo package. I thank all the Murphys in advance. Since I did care to wear out my lounge or stuffed chairs in a lounge robe. I clap it on where I retire, and indeed the first experience here made me call it buffalo. I have been threatening to secure one of these garments every winter for the past 5 or 6 year but would not wear them up to this this time. I was telling Maggie, in a scrap of paper, I put in a bundle of newspapers, that it seemed too bad to wear such fine garments in this dingy place; but destiny must have made them for such a purpose. Eye will not allow further writing today, and I want U.S. to carry more ink and will spread more on the back tomorrow. 27th — I hope nothing prevented you all from enjoying a thoroughly happy and glorious Christmas, as the family was united once more. It must have aided greatly in the holiday celebration. I found things to slip away as mostly any Sunday in the year: had an invite Christmas afternoon; did not accept; was in possession of grub sufficient for my requirements. I continue to receive letters regularly from the best friend on old Mother Earth; they were all well over there and ready for three squares a day. I received a letter from Jen. So long in the distant past that I dread to look at the date, and two others followed close together previous to Xmas; all three still unanswered. I intend to acknowledge their reception, after this is safely deposited in the grip of that old piece of bunk, U.S. Jen is still requiring doctor's service, but steadily employed. It is my fault that Winifred has not written me in a long while, as her letter remains unanswered. Please tell Melda that I shall not for a moment forget to answer her, muchly appreciated letter, after I shall have dispatched a few more blank pieces of paper, of exactly this dimension, will be sprinkled with a dark fluid, generally known as ink. At no time the past winter was the weather severely cold and, for a few weeks passed, is very mild for this time of the year. I do not remember, since coming West, of snow remaining so long at one time. And making a complete white blanket for Earth; as far in every direction as eye can see, as it has the past winter. To sum up things: it is a devilish (excuse me my coal reserves pays dearly) long winter; though Eastern Storms failed to cross the [saiage]: there was between five and six inches of snow fall lately. I received an Xmas card from Sister but no information of any kind. I have been promising myself a stint or two at the Holland rink before the ice meets disaster: it is a model winter for ice skating and were my eyes not so sensitive to strong light. I certainly would have taken advantage of it to the fullest extent. I will close with love and good wishes for you, Jim, and all the family, Cousin Mike North Fourth St. Walkerville Mont. --- **Correction 2026-09-26:** the dating bound "Jan 1925 and Jan 1927 (Jim Murphy mentioned alive; he died April 4, 1927)" uses the other James J. Murphy (d. 1927). James J. Murphy (1883-1938) was alive throughout; the bound is Jan 1925 to Jan 1929 (Mullaney died 19 May 1929).