Venice Ohio  Feb 21st 1889

    Dear Uncle & Aunt

I thought I would write and tell you the news that is if you have not found out from some other direction.  There was a meeting of the Brandenburg heirs at Dayton the 12 of this month.  and I was going but the babe got sick and I had to get the Minister out from Sandusky and have her Christened   that seemed to be all she wanted as she got better soon after but not soon enough for me to go.  She had taken cold.  I named her Theresa.  as I could not go Ma gave Mary 5 dollars to help pay car fair  it cost 8 dollars to dayton  I will send you Wallace's letter and you can see what the meeting was for and can do as you please   Ma will send 10 dollars to help the cause.  if you are afraid let Thomas and Delia take your place as I have sent your name in and if there is any thing coming you will get your share.  it is only what can be expected of them to look to Grandpa's children for a share of the expense.  although they have been working on this since last June.  have you written to your Uncle Paul  if you have not and want to see what he says about this I will send you his letter.   I beleive I told you who Mrs Shephard is.  She is your Uncle Henry Brandenburg's grand daughter Mary Ann or Polly as you knew her by is her Mother and this Strausburg is her brother   the C D Bell of Louisville is your great grandfathers brother's great grandson

Aunt dont think we are wild over this as that is not so.  the nearest neighbor or anyone in the place hear knows nothing about these expectations of the great house of Brandenburg's.   Mr Charles Strausburg calls your way give him your pedigree and if that dish of sourkrout come look for a spoonful.  well the children are home from school so I must close as they will talk

Ma and Aunt Betsy are well and send love and regards to all.

Hoping to hear from you soon      I remain your Neice

Kate Betow    to

Uncle and Aunt R.C. and M.A. Baker

    Strausburg is Mrs Shepards brother