A Quick Note from Paw Paw: The Friendship of W.P. Phillips

“hope you Will not think hard of me”

Pull up a chair, friends. I’ve found a little scrap of paper that’s traveled over a hundred years just to tell us a simple story. It’s a single sheet of lined paper, now turned a warm, buttery yellow with age. You can see the folds where it was tucked away, and the ink is dark and quick, written by a hand that was clearly in a hurry. W.P. Phillips was a man of his time, using phonetic spellings that make you feel like you can hear his West Virginia accent right through the page.

Back in April of 1876, in the little town of Paw Paw, Mr. Phillips found himself in a bit of a bind. He had to head out on business, but he realized he hadn’t made good on a visit to his friend, Mr. Zuecker. He writes this note almost like a modern text message, explaining that he’d gone to Stratons the previous Saturday evening instead of dropping by. He sounds genuinely worried that his friend might be offended, asking him not to think hard of him for the delay. It’s a humble, hurried apology from one neighbor to another.

In a world before phones or emails, a few lines like these were the glue holding a community together. While 1876 was a year of big events, life for folks in West Virginia was made of these small moments—business trips, trips to the local store, and the hope of a good talk upon return. This letter reminds us that no matter how much technology changes, the value of keeping our word and the simple desire to sit down and talk with you remains at the heart of what it means to be a good neighbor.

Original Transcription

Paw Paw W B
Mr L Ziler Apr 24 / 76
Dr Sir
As i haf to go away
to day i Will Drop you
a few lines to let you
no i Was Compelled
to go on business but
as soon as i git back
Will Come down & talk
With you i Would done
so last Saturday Evng
but did not see you
I Went to Stratons in
The Evng we Waud
Come down to your
hame hope you Will
not think hard of me
Yours Truly W P Phillips