Miss Leona V. Smith lived in Tarkio, a small city in Atchison County of the extreme northwest corner of Missouri.
The city was home to Tarkio College, a private Presbyterian school from 1883-1991.
In the 21st century, a technical training school was established on the site.
Today, the population of Tarkio is less than the 1966 folks who lived there in 1910.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarkio,_Missouri
In February of 1911, Leona was celebrating her birthday.
She received a birthday postcard from Frank.
Frank mailed the postcard from Excelsior Springs, a city that grew up around medicinal springs in northwest Missouri.
(Interesting accounts of reputed miracle cures can be found in the Wiki article.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excelsior_Springs,_Missouri
Today, the city is within the metropolitan Statistical Area of Kansas City, Missouri.
Tarkio is about 127 miles northwest of Excelsior Springs.
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The face of the postcard is dominated by a medallion drawing of a rustic dwelling among tree-shaded hills.
(The short, choppy brushstrokes of the grass in the foreground may conceal the artist’s initials or a date.)
The drawing is surrounded by a descending bough of dogwood blossoms on a purple background.
Beneath the array is the printed greeting:
“Hearty good wishes for your Birthday”.
The postcard was published by Davidson Brothers; it was printed in Germany.
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On the reverse, Frank acknowledges, “Letter received”.
He remarks, “Was sure glad to get it.”
For Leona’s special day, Frank adds “Wish you many more happy birthdays.”
Frank promises, “Will be thinking of you Monday.”
The message ends with Frank’s avowal, “Ever your friend”.
It seems that Leona was pleased by the postcard as it was preserved in excellent condition.
One hopes that she and Frank maintained a friendly correspondence for many years.
