A Little Yellow Receipt from the Hills of Prince

“A penalty of $300 is fixed by law for using this card for other than official business.”

Now, step back in time with me for a moment to the tail end of the nineteenth century. We’ve come across a sturdy little orange-yellow card that tells a simple but important story about Laban Gwinn, a resident of Prince, West Virginia. This isn’t a long, rambling letter, but rather a registry return receipt—the 1897 version of a tracking number. It tells us that Laban sent something precious or official through the post, and this card was his guarantee that it reached its destination in Fayetteville safely.

The card itself has held up remarkably well over the years, though it shows its age with a bit of gentle discoloration and some soft wear along the edges, much like an old friend. Laban’s name is written in a beautiful, flowing ink script that reminds us of a time when every letter was a work of art. You can clearly see the purple ‘PRINCE, W. VA.’ stamp and a dark postmark from Fayetteville, marking the path this little piece of paper traveled through our mountain passes.

In those days, the Post Office was the backbone of communication, and they took their jobs quite seriously. There is a stern warning printed on the card mentioning a three-hundred-dollar penalty for misuse—that was a massive amount of money back then! It shows us just how much trust people placed in the mail service to keep their business private and secure.

Today, this little slip of paper is more than just a bridge to our past; it reminds us that our ancestors were connected by these same roads and post offices, relying on one another to keep the wheels of the community turning. It’s a small, humble treasure that captures a quiet moment of everyday life in the West Virginia hills.

Original Transcription

When the registered letter or parcel accompanying this card is delivered, the Postmaster
will require signature to the receipt on the other side, also on his record of registered deliv-
eries, and mail this card without cover to address below.

A penalty of $300 is fixed by law for using this card for other than official business.

Post Office Department.
OFFICIAL BUSINESS.
Post Office at

RETURN TO:
Name of Sender Laban Gwinn
Street and Number, } PRINCE, W. VA.
or Post Office Box. }
Post Office at ……………………………………………
County of ………………………… State of …………………………

[Stamp area text:] Stamp here name of Post Office and date of delivery.
[Circular Postmark:] FAYETTE… DEC…