Neil Ross, of Kingston, Rhode Island, is trying to discover some local historical information and is seeking readers' help.

He recently acquired a postal envelope. It is dated 1897 and addressed to “H.T.R. Kraus, Box #9, Chaska, Minn.”

It was postmarked Cowesett, Rhode Island, June 14, 1897. “The envelope looks to be from a commercial business of a D. J. Lambert, Apponaug, R.I. It shows a rooster head and slogan ‘Death to Lice.’”

Ross purchased the envelope for a history book he is writing about that area of the Rhode Island coast. “I would like to connect with any of your readers who know of, or are descendants of, Mr. Kraus. I wonder what his Rhode Island connection to poultry lice was?”

If you have any idea, shoot Ross an e-mail at neilross@cox.net [1].