Little Old Letter: Big Piece of History

100 years old and still intact, read a big part of Stark Bro's history: the letter from A. H. Mullins about what would become the Golden Delicious Apple.

When you are a part of a company that has been around for just about 200 years, every once in a while you come into contact with a piece of its history that makes you stop and say, "Wow."

This happened to me last week when I went to speak with Stark Bro's Chief Production Officer, Elmer Kidd. He was going through some old Stark files and happened upon a small handwritten letter. The page stapled to the letter had a stamp on it that said Return to Mullins File.

"Would you like to read a piece of Stark Bro's history, Sarah?" Elmer asked.

"Sure, what is it?" I replied, feeling intrigued.

"It's 100 years old, take a look," Elmer said as he passed the letter my way.

The letter had to be no bigger than 4x6 inches and it was a little worn in spots. It also looked like someone had jotted down some notes first and then had written a letter on top of those notes. I picked it up and read the date. October the 20, 1914. I'd say it was in pretty good shape for something over a hundred years old! My eyes skimmed the cursive body of the letter down to the signature: A H Mullins.

"'A H Mullins', why is that name so familiar?" I asked Elmer. I knew I should have known that answer, but it wasn't coming to me.

"He's the man who sent Stark Bro's the first Golden Delicious apples to try. That's the letter," Elmer said in a casual tone.

Wow. Suddenly, I felt like I should have been handling the letter with gloves in a controlled environment. Wow! I looked back at the paper and read over the handwriting more carefully. Here's what it said:

1914 Golden Delicious Letter to Stark Full

Stark Bro's Nursery and Orchard Co

Louisiana Mo.

Dear Sir I am sending you a small box of apples for inspection by mail. They are off a seedling tree in my orchard. The tree is such a nice tree and bears such fine apples. We like them so well that we think them all most as good as Delicious. No one here has any thing like it. The apples are so rich that they will make apple butter without sugar. Please try them and write and tell me what you think of them.

A H Mullins

-Sarah D.

We all know now what happened shortly after this letter made its way to Stark Bro's (as told by Paul C. Stark in The Trail of The Golden Apple) and that the Golden Delicious apple tree and its fruit are still widely available to this day. I just had to share this little piece of history that connects the discovery of such a fantastic fruit and its continued legacy. Wow, right?

Shop Golden Delicious Apple Trees

Article Categories:

Latest Articles

How To Prune Grapes - Summer Care Article imageArticle imageArticle imageArticle image
How To Prune Grapes - Summer Care Summer pruning helps control vigorous growth, improve fruit quality, and keep your grapevines healthy and productive throughout the growing season.
How to Make Redbud Jelly Redbud jellyRedbud jellyRedbud jellyRedbud jelly
How to Make Redbud Jelly Learn how to make redbud jelly from edible redbud tree blossoms with this easy small-batch recipe.
Winter Preparation for Fig Trees: Cutting Back and Mulching Article imageArticle imageArticle imageArticle image
Winter Preparation for Fig Trees: Cutting Back and Mulching Fig trees are beloved for their sweet fruit, but they can be sensitive to freezing temperatures, especially in colder climates. Proper winter preparation ensures the tree survives the harsh weather and grows back vigorously in the spring. One effective method involves cutting back the branches and insulating the tree base with mulch. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Indoor Gardening with Purpose: Fresh Ingredients Year-Round Planting in pots indoorsPlanting in pots indoorsPlanting in pots indoorsPlanting in pots indoors
Indoor Gardening with Purpose: Fresh Ingredients Year-Round Imagine walking into your home and being greeted by the vibrant greenery of your very own indoor garden. With aromatic herbs, fresh ingredients, and even small fruiting plants, indoor gardening can turn any space into a productive and inviting haven. Whether you’re looking to save on grocery costs, enjoy a steady supply of organic produce, or simply find joy in gardening throughout the year, growing indoors is a rewarding way to make the most of your space.
House Plants: Benefits, Top Picks, and Care Tips Article imageArticle imageArticle imageArticle image
House Plants: Benefits, Top Picks, and Care Tips House plants aren’t just for looks—they’re living companions that enhance our homes! Whether you're a plant mom or plant dad who wants to bring nature inside, house plants offer health benefits, create calming atmospheres, and add charm to every room. Let’s dive into the many ways house plants can enhance your well-being and explore the best plant options for your lighting conditions.
The Stark Bro's Story of Leadership in Gardening Excellence Rooted in ServiceRooted in ServiceRooted in ServiceRooted in Service
The Stark Bro's Story of Leadership in Gardening Excellence At Stark Bro’s, we’re proud to be veteran-owned and veteran-operated, bringing the values of service and dedication directly into the heart of gardening. With over 200 years of history, we know that the strongest roots grow from a commitment to quality, integrity, and community. Our leadership upholds these principles, guiding every plant we nurture and every customer we serve. Here, we don’t just grow fruit trees; we grow relationships and legacy.
Preparing Your Garden for a Successful Fall and Winter Harvest basket full of applesHarvest basket full of applesHarvest basket full of applesHarvest basket full of apples
Preparing Your Garden for a Successful Fall and Winter As summer comes to an end, it’s time to give your fruit trees and berry plants the care they need to thrive through the colder months. Proper fall maintenance not only protects your plants from winter damage but also lays the foundation for healthy growth come spring. Here’s your fall checklist to help ensure a smooth transition into the next season.
How to Prep a Garlic Bed for Planting Preparing a garlic bedPreparing a garlic bedPreparing a garlic bedPreparing a garlic bed
How to Prep a Garlic Bed for Planting Preparing a garlic bed properly is essential for growing healthy, productive garlic plants. Garlic is usually planted in the fall, as it needs a cold period to establish strong roots before spring growth. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prepare your garlic bed for planting.
How to Care for Citrus Trees in Containers & Successfully Grow Citrus Indoors citrus treescitrus treescitrus treescitrus trees
How to Care for Citrus Trees in Containers & Successfully Grow Citrus Indoors Imagine filling your home with the vibrant scent of citrus blossoms, while enjoying fresh fruit all year long—even if you live outside the ideal growing zones for citrus! Growing citrus in containers makes this possible, allowing you to bring the beauty and flavor of citrus into any climate. With optimal care, citrus trees can bloom and bear fruit multiple times a year, adding both color, fragrance and flavor to your living space.
When Grapes Are Ready to Harvest: A Guide to Determining Ripeness When are Grapes RipeWhen are Grapes RipeWhen are Grapes RipeWhen are Grapes Ripe
When Grapes Are Ready to Harvest: A Guide to Determining Ripeness Harvesting grapes at the right time is crucial for achieving optimal flavor, sugar content, and overall quality. Grapes can be used for fresh eating, winemaking, or cooking, and each purpose may have slightly different ripeness criteria. Here’s a comprehensive guide on when grapes are ready to be harvested.
Subscribe to Stark Bro's e-newsletters
Get to know your zone! Try the new Stark Bro's Hardiness Zone Finder