A cute picture postcard sent from Americus, Kansas, to Dunlap, Kansas, in 1911, spoke to me in several ways. The picture on the front shows a Pekingese dog standing calmly beside a kitten.
The face of this dog reminds me of Simon, our little Pek. The kitten is a reminder of Fluffy, a cat I once had in Lubbock, Texas. Sadly, both animals are now gone. Beloved pets don’t seem to stay with us very long.
A phrase underneath the picture says, “A Fig For The World.” I had to look up the definition for such.
The phrase “a fig for the world” is an old-fashioned expression meaning to care very little about what the world thinks or to dismiss the opinions or concerns of others.
Saying “a fig for the world” implies a sense of independence or defiance, as if to say, “I don’t care what others think.” The word “fig” in this context refers to something of little value, so the phrase as a whole expresses disregard for worldly judgment or conventions.
A message on the card was written on September 19. That’s the date of my wedding anniversary. The number 911, taken from 1911, is my late mother’s birthday. Truly significant, Joleen’s father, Herman Freeman, taught at Dunlap Elementary in the 1960s and was also the school principal there.
The card message was somewhat cryptic to me, although probably not to the sender and recipient.
“Americus, Kas
Sept 19, 1911
Dear friend,
By the time you get this it will nearly be time to close our two week work won’t it.
J.G.”
Americus and Dunlap both have interesting histories, with Dunlap’s perhaps a bit more so than the other. Founded in the late 19th century, Dunlap became well known as a settlement for African American families during the Exoduster movement of the 1870s and 1880s.
Many formerly enslaved people migrated from the South to Kansas, seeking new opportunities and freedom, and Dunlap became one of their key destinations.
The town grew into a vibrant community with churches, businesses, and schools serving its residents. Although Dunlap’s population has declined over the years, its historical significance as a haven for Black settlers remains an important part of Kansas heritage. Today, Dunlap might be considered a ghost town.
Americus, Kansas, was founded in the 1850s during the early days of statehood. The town was named after the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci and played a role in the westward expansion of the United States. Located in Lyon County, Americus became a hub for agriculture and railroad activity, connecting local farmers to broader markets.
Over the years, Americus established itself as a close-knit rural community, with schools, churches, and small businesses serving its residents. Like many small Kansas towns, it has seen changes in population and industry, but its history as a center for farming and community life continues to shape its identity today. As of 2024, approximately 776 people live in Americus.
Miss M.E. McCaw is Margaret Elizabeth McCaw. She lived in Dunlap for a short time yet hailed from Americus. Margaret was born on April 10, 1885, in Americus, to parents, Sgt. Samuel Porter and Cornelia McCaw. While in Dunlap, she worked as a stenographer for the Poehler Mercantile Company.
On September 7, 1911, Margaret Elizabeth wed Thomas Curry Oyler. This was almost two weeks before she received the postcard. The reference to work by her friend must have meant preparation for the wedding, which was an elaborate one.
Thomas and Margaret had one daughter, Kathryn Irene Oyler. The family moved to Brookfield, Missouri, where, over time, Dr. Oyler became a chiropractor, superintendent of schools, and then mayor. Sadly, Margaret Elizabeth Oyler passed away unexpectedly on October 8, 1924, at the age of 39. She’s buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery.
There were several possibilities for the person writing this postcard, with the initials J.G., yet I could never positively identify which one.
I like to write junk... 