Erstwhile Friends and Simpler Days: A Photographic Retrospective

Have you ever wondered about the sequence of events that led to the abandonment of many farmsteads across the Midwest during the 1900s? In this evocative volume, editor Lyndell Leatherman delves into the heart of these 'ghost houses' that still dot the landscape of Kansas and Missouri. With a deeply personal connection, inspired by the experiences of his grandparents who lost their farm during the Great Depression, Leatherman explores the struggles and resilience of farmers during that era.

Drawing inspiration from four autobiographical poems penned by the late Rev. J.C. Leatherman, his son Lyndell weaves these poignant verses with stunning photography, creating a visual story that captures the essence of a bygone era. The images, carefully selected to illustrate the nostalgia and heartache expressed in the poems, are a powerful reminder of the faded hopes and financial catastrophes that affected many families.

Leatherman skillfully extracts wisdom from the past, encouraging readers to reflect on the family values and lessons learned from these historical hardships. As we revisit these memories, we are reminded of the enduring spirit and perseverance that continue to shape our present and future. ' Erstwhile Friends and Simpler Times' is a tribute to the legacy of those who lived through the Great Depression, offering timeless insights through inspirational and Christian poetry and celebrating eternal treasures that neither rust nor decay.

Lyndell Leatherman was born into a parsonage in Baxter Springs, Kansas, then lived for a while in Joplin, Missouri, and then spent most of his formative years in Green Rock (now Colona), Illinois. Following his formal music education at Olivet Nazarene University (Kankakee, Illinois) and Illinois State University (Normal, Illinois), he moved to the Kansas City area and launched into a diverse career in church and school music, primarily serving as a music editor for various publishers. Lyndell and his wife Barb, an artist and quilter, raised three children and are now happily involved with their four grandchildren. In his free time Lyndell enjoys maintaining an 1880 Queen Anne Victorian house and garden. In the parlor-which features a Chicago Cottage pump organ, an M. Schulz & Co. player piano, an Edison phonograph, and an RCA Victor floor radio-his longtime fascination with antiques intersects with his passion for old-timey music. Inspired by his late father, Rev. J.C. Leatherman, who often quoted and wrote poetry, Lyndell compiled Erstwhile Friends and Simpler Days, featuring his father's poems enhanced by stunning photography solicited from old and new friends. The book honors his father's humble beginnings, his Midwest values, and his godly legacy.