The Following excerpt is from a small collection of postcards dated 1948. These postcards were sent between two women who we believe were apart of the Amish community during the 1940s and into the 50s. Mrs. Joe J. Miller a.k.a Katie Ann of Ragersville, Ohio wrote a series of brief letters to Mrs. Jacob M. Miller a.k.a Emma of Sugarcreek, Ohio in 1948.

Although we cannot be certain, we believe that these two women were apart of the Amish community due to a few factors. The first factor is Katie Ann mentions that the shaft broke and the harness tore when their horse fell. This indicates that they were traveling by wagon or horse and buggy. Keep in mind, the year this postcard was written is 1948 and the consumption and production of automobiles were at a high. Therefore it is likely that the average American family owned at least one automobile for transportation. Another important indicator is the nature of these postcards. The information that is given in this postcard, as well as others, is extremely condensed. There is little elaboration or detail provided and the letters resemble what one may include in a quick phone call. Carefully noting that the year these postcards were sent was 1948 reveals an important detail, most American families had telephones in their homes at this time. The absence of an automobile, as well as the perceived absence of a telephone, strongly indicate these women were apart of the Amish community during the time these postcards were written.

Without further due, please enjoy this snippet from Sugarcreek’s past written March 11, 1948.

Hello Emma,
Thursday, a few lines in a hurry, [I] am making breakfast. Say, I was down home yesterday and Owen [&] Mary said to them we and you shall come down there Sunday. Just thought I’d let you know that we’ll go and you shall come too, so she doesn’t bother for just us. [We] sold our hogs yesterday. They averaged 374 lbs each. [We] had bad luck on the way down home, Tony fell down and broke the shaft and tore the harness. I was lucky it wasn’t up or down a hill, it was at Lester Troyers. I was lucky to get the children off without anybody getting hurt. [I] will tell the rest on Sunday, be sure to come too.
- Katie Ann
PS: I have a little arthritus again in my arm and leg. We and you are to come to Owens