Florence M. and John W. Stauffacher

Correspondence Index

FMS Diaries Index

1 JWS letter 19020317 AIM Philadelphia March 17, 1902.  John's letter applying for acceptance by Africa Inland Mission.
2 JWS letter 19020416 AIM Philadelphia April 16, 1902. Letter to A.I.M. Philadelphia, John's interim response.
3 JWS letter 19020424 Philadelphia Missionary Council-Bio April 24, 1902. John's letter to A.I.M. containing autobiographical information.
4 JWS letter 19020825 Miss Florence Minch Aug. 25, 1902. John to Florence; leaving college and preparing to go to Africa.
5 JWS letter 19030222 Miss Florence Minch Feb. 22, 1903.  John to Florence; courtship and preparation for Africa.
6 JWS letter 19030305 Miss Florence Minch March 5, 1903. John to Florence, courtship and preparation for Africa.
7 JWS letter 19030322 Miss Florence Minch March 22, 1903. John to Florence, courtship and preparation for Africa.
8 JWS letter 19030422 Miss Florence Minch April 22, 1903. John to Florence, courtship and preparation for Africa. Frank Young's remark.
9 JWS letter 19030526 Miss Florence Minch May 26, 1903. John to Florence, courtship and preparation for Africa. Travel plans.
10 JWS letter 19030526 Miss Florence Minch (note) May 26, 1903. John to Florence, courtship and preparation for Africa. Conspiratorial note.
11 JWS letter 19030606 Miss Florence Minch June 6, 1903. John to Florence, trip and arrival at A.I.M. Philadelphia.
12 JWS letter 19030611 Miss Florence Minch June 11, 1903. John to Florence, courtship and preparation for Africa. A.I.M.'s priorities.
13 JWS letter 19030708 Miss Florence Minch-from ship Graf Waldersee July 8, 1903. New York to Hamburg on ship Graf Waldersee. Stops planned before arriving at Mombasa.
14 JWS letter 19030728 Miss Florence Minch-Between Marseilles and Naples July 28, 1903.  Between Marseilles and Naples. Thoughts enroute.
15 JWS letter 19030829 Miss Florence Minch-Kangundo BEA Aug. 29, 1903. John to Florence from A.I.M. Kangundo, British East Africa. Description of his new life and surroundings.
16 JWS letter 19030917 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe Sept. 17, 1903. John to Florence from Kijabe. Elected Field Treasurer, and thoughts about working with the Masai.
17 JWS letter 19031010 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe BEA Oct. 10, 1903. John to Florence from Kijabe. Scenery, monkeys, baboons, Longonot hike, hunting trip, perpetual picnic, snake.
18 JWS letter 19031023 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe BEA-Intro to Masai Oct. 23, 1903. John to Florence from Kijabe. Favorable impression of natives, introduction to the Masai people.
19 JWS letter 19031030 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe BEA-slow letters Oct. 30, 1903. John to Florence from Kijabe. 10,000 mi. snail mail, "all our preparations are as filthy rags".
20 JWS letter 19031116 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe BEA-building and translation Nov. 16, 1903. Building a 28 x 42 ft. two story home for the mission. Meets & hires Mulungit and Noya.Claude Hollis helps with Masai language work.
21 JWS letter 19031211 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe BEA-missing decision-Africans-Mulungit Dec. 12, 1903. Letter with Florence's decision is missing. Demon possession. Advice on what to bring. Following God's will. Studying Masai with Mulungit and Noya.
22 JWS letter 19040102 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe BEA-postmaster rhino hunt Jan. 2, 1904. Christmas & New Year. Flower beds. John & Postmaster General go on a rhino hunt, disrupt buffaloes.
23 JWS letter 19040130 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe BEA-Athi trip with Hurlburt and mule- rhino-buffalo

Jan. 30, 1904. Machakos-Kangundo-Athi Plain-Thembigwa trip. Brush with rhino. Nocturnal buffalo in garden.

24 JWS letter 19040220 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe BEA-to bring and to do Feb. 20, 1904. Danger from animals. Botany. Dirt floors. Masai boy Naguldu. Requests.
25 JWS letter 19040313 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe BEA-3 Masai helpers-oppressed by the devil Mar. 13, 1904. First sermon in Masai language. Trouble with Noya and Naguldu. Mulungit wanting to move his family to Kijabe. John feeling Satanic oppression.
26 JWS letter 19040330 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe BEA-Mulungit-Hurlburts sheep-Gods will Mar. 30, 1904. Mulungit a valuable companion. Naguldu gives away 4 of Hurlburt's sheep. Advice to Florence about Masai, etc.
27 JWS letter 19040429 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe EAP-among the Masai-marriage plans Apr. 29, 1904. Visiting Masai with Mulungit. Marriage and living plans.
28 JWS letter 19040609 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe EAP-python-elephants-Mulungits father June 9, 1904. Life among Masai. 16 foot python. Too close to elephants. Mulungit's surrogate father. Fear of native uprising.
29 JWS letter 19040710 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe EAP-women-moving Masai-what to bring July 10, 1904. Uncertainty with government and Masai. Masai women. Masai community at Kijabe. Discussion of what to bring.
30 JWS letter 19040715 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe EAP-Masai expulsion-what to bring July 15, 1904. White settlers fearing a massacre. Discussion of what to bring & Florence's visit to John's family.
31 JWS letter 19040916 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe EAP-Masai reserve-elephant hunt Sept. 16, 1904. Waiting for Phila. Council to respond. British plans for locating the Masai. Miss Alexander's elephant hunt.
32 JWS letter 19041022 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe EAP-Mulungit baptized-house plan Oct. 22, 1904. Awaiting Council approval. Discussion of preparations. House plan. Masai coming to Kijabe. Mulungit baptized.
33 JWS letter 19041110 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe EAP-awaiting approval-Masai settlement at Kijabe Nov. 10, 1904. Waiting for Home Council to act. Masai at Kijabe. "I shall live and die in these old hills at Kijabe."  Masai language lessons.
34 JWS letter 19041208 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe EAP-hunting backlash-Forest Department overruled Dec. 8, 1904. Home backlash over hunting exploits. Forest Department overruled in Hurlburt's favor. Kijabe "quite a little town".
35
JWS letter 19050112 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe EAP-Masai and Mission situation Masai refusing to move to the reserve. Mulungit wanting to move his family to Kijabe. Mrs. Owen, "little mother".
36
JWS letter 19050214 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe EAP-plans for Masai-concerns Marital concerns. British and Masai. Mission plans. Books to bring.
37 JWS letter 19050301 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe EAP-Masai Reserve settled Mulungit to be made a chief. Sir Donald Stewart and Lord Delamere agree to cooperate with mission arrangements. Josiah Shanga engaged as a teacher.
38 JWS letter 19050322 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe EAP-Masai Reserve uncertain-Wandorobo John goes to Naivasha to talk to Mulungit about the Masai. Explanation of pictures. Missing Mulungit.
39 JWS letter 19050418 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe EAP-Hurlburt leaves-Florence coming Hurlburt leaves for USA, has offer of support for Florence. John exploring Kijabe mission property and anxiously awaiting Florence.
40 JWS letter 19050516 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe EAP-anticipating Florence's arrival Hurlburt's abilities. Missing Mulungit. Death of Mrs. Bartholomew. Hurlburt intent on promoting Masai work at Kijabe.
41 JWS letter 19050613 Miss Florence Minch-Kijabe EAP-agreement with Lenana John's meeting with Masai chief Lenana & British officials & plans to relocate near Nairobi.
42 JWS letter 19051008 Mrs John P Minch-Laikipia Masai Reservation-comfort for those left behind Letter to Florence's mother & family, reassuring them about her coming to Africa.
43 JWS letter 19060202 Miss Cora Minch-Kijabe EAP-letter to Florence's sister Cora Florence has arrived in Kenya. Banter. John suggests her sister Cora should come out too.
44 JWS letter 19060324 Mrs John P Minch-Kijabe EAP-John on sick leave Letter to Florence's mother. John sick & Florence caring for him. Letter finished by Florence.
45 FMS letter 19060508 Minches-Kijabe EAP-Married Just married. Taking care of John. John improving. Busy. More later.
46 FMS letter 19061120 Mama-Rumuruti BEA-long-picture info Florence to her mother.  Long. Train trip to Naivasha. 60 mile trek to Rumuruti. Life at Rumuruti & misc. Long list of picture explanations.
47
FMS letter 19070216 Mama-Rumuruti Laikipia B.E.A.-Misc Misc. family, friends & domestic items. Mr. Downing's planned U.S. visit.
48
FMS letter 19070316 Mama-At home-Rumuruti Laikipia B.E.A.-Misc Hippo in garden, music, Rhoads' baby, misc. requests & comments.
49 JWS letter 19070316 Mrs John Minch-Rumuruti Laikipia-books music exploration The importance of books and music, hopes & plans for future.
50 FMS letter 19071029 Sister and Brother-Rumuruti Laikipia B.E.A.-Misc-lost porters Misc., Bertha Simpson, isolation, building agenda, separation from porters on the way home.
51 FMS letter 19071116 Dear Ones-Rumuruti Laikipia B.E.A.-long-Xmas-John away Xmas letter "to be read at breakfast table". Long, playful, John on extended absence. Description of Masai kraals. Florence and Miss Simpson in the tree house holding down the fort.
52
JWS letter 19071128 Mrs John Minch-Kijabe E.A.P.-trip-infected foot Safari with Riebe and Marshall and infected foot. Masai sham battle near Lake Baringo. Mrs. Hurlburt with consumption.
53
FMS letter 19080420 Motherdy-Laikipia B.E.A.-rats-household-garden-family Birthday letter. Deciding where to build a school-Govt. wants Swahili, they want English. Evading rats. Postponed vacation to Uganda, Mrs. Riebe expecting. Lion sighting. New missionary postings. Planning to get oxen or donkeys & cart. Masai warrior in for knee treatment.
54 FMS letter 19080710 Mother-Laikipia B.E.A.-expecting baby-leopard Expecting baby John. Leopard at window. Dr.s Blackburn & Rainsford there.
55 JWS letter 19080718 Mrs. John Minch-Rumuruti Laikipia-baby John Excited father. Deciding on a name for the baby.
56 JWS letter 19080722 Mr and Mrs Charles Minch-Rumuruti Laikipia-gun-baby John Leopard returns to visit 2 day old baby. John decides to spend money on a good gun. John's deepened feelings for Florence.
57
FMS letter 19090204 Mother-Kijabe BEA-misc domestic At Kijabe waiting for John to return. Pictures, flowers, clothes, difficult school children, Raymond, everybody has colds.
58
FMS letter 19090218 Dear ones-Kijabe BEA-night fire-Johns return Raymond teething. Outbuilding burns down during the night. Word arrives that John & Hurlburt will soon be home. Enjoying school. John & Hurlburt arrive on train. Both bedbound.
59 FMS letter 19100403 Mother-SS Prinzessin-Egypt trip On ship in the Red Sea. Tour of Egypt. Glimpsed Roosevelts in Egypt. Raymond's misadventure on Great Pyramid. Sore muscles.
60 JWS letter 19100521 dearest Bibi-Karungu EAP-lake steamer On steamer on Lake Victoria. Feelings about leaving Florence & baby Raymond. Simpson & Gribble's behavior.  Arrive at Mwanza, haggling over further transportation.
61 JWS letter 19100530 dearest Bibi-Nassa GEA-mission sites Missing Florence & Raymond. Mrs. Sywulka sick. Sailboat ride. Mosquitoes & scorpions. Competition from White Fathers. Plans for three new mission sites.
62
JWS letter 19100610 dearest Bibi-Nasa GEA-homesick-exploring Choosing mission station sites in German East Africa (Tanzania), Mwanza area. Mrs. Sywulka sick. Plans for further exploration/return to Kijabe. Low on money. Missing Florence & Raymond.
63 JWS letter 19100627 dearest Florence-Mengo Uganda-Freddie's sister Note about bringing Freddie's sister back with him to Kijabe.
64
JWS letter 19100703 dearest Bibi-Uganda road-through Uganda Traveling through Uganda. Meeting Mr. Loyd, Mr. Moses, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Hatterly & Bishop Tucker. Starting trip around south end of  lake Albert to Mahagi & back via Butiaba.
65 JWS letter 19100717 dearest Bibi-Semliki River-turning homeward Camped at south end of lake Albert, traveling around west edge of the lake toward Mahagi. Landscape, people, food, prices.
66 JWS letter 19100801 dearest Bibi-Hoima Uganda-homeward bound On the shore of lake Albert, waiting for Gribble & porters to catch up. Feels the country is a paradise and wants to live there.
67
FMS letter 19100925 Dearest Mama-Rumuruti-homelife Raymond; safari from Gilgil to Rumuruti & at Rumuruti. Food.
68 FMS letter 19110323 Dearest Mother-Kijabe-two deaths Post card, deaths of Karl Barnett and Mr. Wall.
69 FMS letter 19120718 Dear ones all-Api Hill-sickness & thievery At Api Hill.  Raymond's 4th birthday. Reluctant porters. Camped & putting up houses. Sickness, earthquake, thievery.
70 FMS letter 19120728 Dear ones all-Api Hill-lamp chimneys etc Things to send out. Claudon learning to talk, he & Raymond good playmates.
71 FMS letter 19120801 Dearest Cora-Api Hill-mission life Building, trying to hire good help. Thievery. Raymond doing watchdog duty. Language study. School & food.
72
FMS letter 19120808 Dear Chas & Bess-Api Hill-surroundings & life In tents at Api Hill. Building stone houses. Thieves stole shoes. Rat litter in Dr. Newberry's veil. Great views. Leopard getting chickens.
73 FMS letter 19120907 Dear Home Folks-Api Hill-buttons & sunrise Claudon & Raymond learning to speak Kingwana & English. Raymond at the "why" stage. Buttons being stolen off of clothes. Glorious sunrises & sunsets over Lake Albert & hills.
74 FMS letter 19121116 Aunt Annie-Gasengo-moving from Api Hill Too many mosquitoes at Api Hill, after some exploration mission moved to "Gasengo Hill" now "Kasengu". Building wind-proof structures. Sun & headaches.
75 FMS letter 19130421 Miss Young-Butiaba-missing bank draft Waiting for bank draft in the mail. Uncongenial lake steamer captain. Mr. Hurlburt expected on next boat or in a month.
76 FMS letter 19130616 Fellow workers-Butiaba-draft & leopard Building a road. Money arrived, via West Coast. Bamboo houses only last 6 months. Leopard got the dog.
77
FMS letter 19140121 Butiaba-Bro & Sister-English party-Xmas To brother Charles & Bessie.  Misc family news. English party. First fever. John's back.
78 FMS letter 19140218 Butiaba-Mr Palmer-Finances & opinions Finances.  Fake news. Mr. Hurlburt coming soon. Church attendance. More workers needed.
79 FMS letter 19140527 Butiaba-Dear ones all-Misc domestic-sick but okay [Hurlburt arrived at Kasengu Apr. 14, left for Aru Apr. 27.]  Agonizing over what to do about Mulungit's party. Organ needing new springs. Claudon falling down. Siege of sickness.
80 FMS letter 19140530 Kasengu-Home folks-cooking-clothing-misc [Sent typed history to Hurlburt (at Dungu) on May 23, this letter sent on the following mail so date for this letter is probably about May 30. After July 2 FMS got word Mulungit & party arrived at Dungu on May 2.] John in bed. Wondering about Mulungit's party. Food-bananas & safari beans. C.T. Studd.
81 FMS letter 19140804 Butiaba-Mr Palmer-finances, health, intruder Finances. Hurlburt at Dungu and unwell. Homeschooling Raymond & Claudon. Nocturnal intruder.
82 JWS letter 19160309 My Dearest Florence-Battle Creek-medical exainations-depressed Undergoing a battery of medical tests, financial concerns, depressed, apologetic.
83 JWS letter 19160315 My Dearest Florence-Battle Creek-feelings-food-plans Lonely, talks about his feelings, showing them, and music. Exploring food options, plans for coming home.
84 FMS letter 19181001 Siyabei-Father -pages missing-misc news Tagi's foot injury.  Mulungit not noing well at Kijabe.
85 FMS letter 19181007 Dear Ones-Narok-War-family chatter Younger brother Warren joins the war. John working on shingle roof. Gardening. Hetz boy dies. Tagi not well. Difficulties getting Masai to work.
86
Bell, Agnes H letter 19181107 Mrs Stauffacher-Kijabe-Claudon's prayer-BEA Claudon's prayer.
87 FMS letter 19181203 Dear Folks-Narok-Kijabe trip-influenza SNAFU going to Kijabe to get Claudon & Raymond. Effects of Spanish Influenza.  Cow manure floors, fleas.
88
FMS letter 19190211 Dear Folks Far & Wide-Narok-oxcart travel-misc Traveling by oxcart from Narok  to conference at Kijabe. Nocturnal hyena escort. Misc.
89 FMS letter 19190529 Dear Mama and the rest-camped at Kijabe Camped at Kijabe to get away from noise. Childrens' camping trip to Lake Nakuru. Mr. Bell & Congo party hindered from leaving. John, Tagi & Mulungit working on translation.
90 FMS letter 19190623 Dear Mama-Siyabei-re Dickinson letter Major Dickinson's note of appreciation and Florence's comments.
91 FMS letter 19190629 Dear Sonnies-Narok-letters etc Letter to Claudon & Raymond. 4 chicks died. Bitten by a rat. Ox attacked by lion.
92
FMS letter 19191024 Warren & Mattie-Narok-lions Merry Christmas.  Lions after cattle.
93 FMS letter 19191106 Home & China Folks-Narok-storm-wet bread Major storm. Dirty water in bread, ice cream from hail.  Dreams and magical thinking. Exchange rate for Rupees.
94 FMS letter 19191127 Dear Ones on all sides-Narok-Billy Rainbow-John & Mulungit Thanksgiving Day, John gone to Kijabe. Billy Rainbow's tantrum. John & Mulungit safaris, concern over John's health. Getting old.
95 Raymond & Claudon letter 19191205 Grandma Minch-Narok-G Mulungit's birthday Forgot George Mulungit's birthday. Leopards, lions, etc. etc. Fishing, Tagi killing monkeys.
96
FMS letter 19181001 Siyabei-Father -pages missing-misc news Tagi with infected foot. Brush fire destroys kraal. Mulungit not doing well at Kijabe.
97 CEH letter 1920 -Donors-Aba-Mission Info Charles E. Hurlburt form letter thanking donors. Catholicism. Chart showing tribes, missionaries, converts.
98 FMS letter 19200905 Narok-Aunt Annie-clothes etc Weather, garden, flowers, monkeys, large python, four lions in gun trap, etc.
99 FMS letter 19210702 Narok-Home Folks-misc etc John gone to Kijabe & Ngong, not feeling well. Misc. family news etc. Kittens born in children's bed. Medical issues with two little girls & woman with miscarriage.
100 FMS letter 19211011 Narok-Aunt Annie-tapeworm McKenrick family visiting. Trip to Kijabe to help with tonsillitis & measles. John exploring mission opportunities along new railroad track; has tapeworm.
101
FMS letter 19220210 Dear Folks-Robins etc-Narok-
John's tapeworm.  Trip to Kijabe for boys and Alliance Conference at Kikuyu.  Claudon's difficulty parting.  Plans to rebuild Rift Valley Academy.  Still on General Fund.  John needing glasses.
102 FMS letter 19220227 Dear Ones all around the Globe-Narok-
Exploring irrigation possibilities.  Mr. Clarke's dinners.  Part of letter missing.
103 Note on scrap of paper 19230507 Raymond's travelers license, F.H. Clarke
104 bin Wagstaff letter 19230718 Excelsior parody-Kijabe
Spoof poem about climbing Mt. Kenya.
105 Note on scrap of paper-Tagi's death 19230728 Ole Meilamei's note about Tagi's death.
106 FMS letter 19230813 Dear Robins-Narok-Tagi's Death
Detailed account of Tagi's death.  Getting acquainted with Breretons.  John may need to go to USA sooner than desired.  Tagi translated New Testament.  Part of letter missing.
107
FMS letter 19231010 Dear Nestlings-Narok-
Shaffers, Rainbows & Siyabei social life. Kijabe/camping trip, snake, scorpion, five lions & mules.
108 FMS letter 19240513 Dear Folks All-Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean, enroute to USA.  Trip to Mombasa via Kilimanjaro.  Elba, Rome, extra page from earlier letter.
109 JWS letter 19250605 My Dearest Florence-Anaheim
John & Florence planning to get together.  Family business & money. John weighing pastoral options.
110 JWS letter 19250612 Dear Folks at Hooppole-Anaheim
John traveling in California.  Pastoral, location, travel & school options for parents & kids.
111 FMS letter 19281114 Dear Chinesers-Narok
Christmas letter.   Sick headache.  "Hurra for Hoover".  Airplane ride as hearing therapy.  Leopard skin & nervous cats.  Clarke offers use of truck.
112
FMS letter 19281226 My dear Lora-Narok
The day after Christmas. Dinner, menu & festivities. Partial letter.
113 FMS letter 19290316 My dear Aunty Anie-Narok Raymond baking. Shaffers leave for the coast. Conflict with Mulungit. Preparing to fill in at mission resthouse in Nairobi. John having tooth trouble. Johnny and Maria picture.
114 FMS letter 19290821 Kilimanjaro diary Makeshift diary from August & September 1929, not a letter. Kilimanjaro ascent from Merangu, Tanganyika.
115 FMS letter 19310412 My dear Cora-Narok Big shauri over female circumcision. Carl/Charles Hurlburt dies in Congo.
116 JWS Note 19310826 donkey rental Short scribbled note about renting donkeys & rates.
117
FMS letter 19311026 Dear Chas and the rest-Narok
Short letter, family chatter, written during school.