Mrs. Belle Delaney lived in Thomas, a small city in west-central Oklahoma.
A small store was established in the area when it was still Indian Territory, and, after the “Oklahoma Land Rush”, an agricultural community grew up around the intersection of two rail lines.
Many of the early settlers in Thomas were members of “plain” Protestant sects -Amish, Dunkards, and United Brethren in Christ.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas,_Oklahoma
On Mother’s Day of 1917, Mrs. Delaney received a lovely postcard from her daughter, Annie.
(In 1917, “Mother’s Day” as a national celebration on a defined date, was still a new holiday.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day_(United_States)
The postcard was not mailed, but Annie thoughtfully memorialized the occasion by adding the date.
The inscription suggests that Annie delivered the tribute in person.
The face of the postcard displays a simple drawing of pink blossoms and a verse entitled, “Mother”.
The irregular verse is accredited to C. D. S.
“What’s in a name? some people say,
But just the same, I’m sure that they,
Would quite agree the name of “Mother”
Means much more than any other.”
The postcard was published by the J. Raymond Howe Company of Chicago.
Unfortunately, this postcard was not stored well and is now marked with significant foxing.
I removed digitally the worst of the brown and black smudges, but the face was originally much brighter.
One hopes that Belle was delighted by the sentimental postcard and that she retained an affectionate relationship with Annie for many years.
