Lena Prather Martin

Lena Prather Martin

3 items. Letters to JWT. Photograph. Biographical sketch.

John Wilson Townsend Papers

1929

correspondence

photograph

eng

text

image

2005a001-b09-f07-08

1st Letter-
Maysville, Kentucky
Jan. 14-1929-

Mr. John N. Townsend;
Dear Sir; I came across a letter from you a day or so ago, that should have been answered
some time ago. I am mailing you under separate cause one of my little plays. You can obtain
some of my plays from the following firms.
Eldridge Entertainment House, Franklin, Ohio.
Willis N. Bugbee Pub. House, Syracuse N. Y.
Arthur H. Strouse Pub. House, Lakeside, Ohio.
I sell my plays out-right, so you will have to pay 25(cents) or 35(cents) for the little paper
booklets.
You ask for a history of my life.
I was born in Mt. Olivet Robertson Co, KY. June 8, 1872. I was raised in Fleming
County. My mother died when I was eight years old and I went to live with my maternal
grandparents. Col. and Mrs. Wm. Erving/Ewing who lived near Elizaville, Fleming Co.
I attended school at Elizaville and Flemingsburg and graduated from Bellewood
Seminary Anchorage, KY. in 1891.
I taught school for ten years then married in 1904, Charles E. Martin of Winchester, KY.
We came to Maysville, to live when we were married.
I am now a widow, and have two sons, Edwin who will be graduated from the Annapolis
Naval Academy next June, and Willis who has a position in Washington City.
I sold my first play in April 1925.
I happened to write a little play for a club to which I belonged; because I was on the
committee to select a play and could find none suitable. My friends insisted that I try and sell it,
which I did, and have been selling little amatuer plays ever since.
If there is anything else you would like to know I shall be glad to tell you.

Sincerely
Mrs. Lena P. Martin
1232 East 2nd St. Maysville, KY.
P.S. Have concluded to mail play in same envelope “Judiel & the Mountains by same
firm is my best play.

2nd Letter-
Maysville, Kentucky
March 27-1929
Dear Mr. Townsend
Enclosed is a small picture of myself. It is not a recent picture but all that I have. I am
not very good looking so do not like to have my picture taken. I hope this one will do and that I
have gotten it to you in time for your book.

Cordially yours,
Lena P. Martin
1232 East 2nd St. Maysville, KY.