Box 162, Elko,
Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley
Modesto,
California
Dearest:- The section foreman's note to the roadmaster "Off again, on again, gone again, Finnegan," would almost fit our visit at Midas.
We have found, dear, that our initial visits are not howling successes, financially, but it is gratifying to learn that the return ones are more profitable. We were in Midas just a week and while we made a little better than expenses our main accomplishment was the acquaintance of the majority of the population. And a couple of confidential and reliable tips that we would get three big jobs of crown and bridgework the next time we went in to the camp; these were given us yesterday morning as we were getting into the stage.
You know, dear, it makes a fellow feel "kinda" good when he learns that patients are pleased with his work and that they boost for him.
Last night when we got into Golconda found several days work waiting for us. Three big jobs and two others which we haven't examined and estimated. So taking it "all in all" I think the sun is going to shine very brightly for us. I think we will "make" Austin, Eureka and Wells before we return (for any length of time) to Elko.
I can account for all your letters,-got the last two, Sunday's and Monday's, this morning at Golconda. And the one that went astray, Allene, Jan. 17-to Midas, I got in Midas yesterday morning.
Golly dear, it's sure nice of you to just keep right on writing every day when my replies have been going so irregularly-and sometimes not at all. I'll pay you back tho' dear, someway, sometime.
We had a tough trip down yesterday. The first relay,--or stretch of about 16 miles,--was in sled, then we changed to wagon and it was a terribly heavy drag. Snow, ice and mud all mixed. The outcome of it was we didn't get any thing to eat from 7 a.m. till we arrived at our destination at ten P.M.~~and it was some cold after the sun got out of sight. Say but we didn't do a thing dear when we finally did get into that Hot Springs Hotel. We each (5 of us counting the driver) took two big jolts of whiskey and then made tracks for the dining room. Don't think there was a one in the bunch who tho't about washing his face and hands first. Well when we had satisfied our ravenous appetites, and it took some bulk to appease them, I "kinda" separated myself from the others and got the key to the "No 1" plunge and--well I did it. When I got out and went to the room there was old Doc in bed. He was all in.
This morning we got up and found the six o'clock train accomodatingly [sic] late. Our general appearance being rather shabby and that business I have to attend to in Elko, we decided to "hie ourselves hither." Now we are on the train. Don't know where Dr. W. is but I'm back here in the Pullman with you dear. Oh, if it were only a reality!! But maybe_______! I'm one who lives in hopes.
I'm not attempting to answer your letters herein dear. This is just a tale of woe. When I get more time (alone) I'll be with you, deeper in tho'ts-if that is possible.
Anyway dear I'm always
Yours
Frank
Feb'y 16th 1916.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Letters from Grandpa 11 February 1916
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
1020-15th St.,
Modesto,
California
Allene Dearest:- I'd a whole lot rather be where I could talk to you tonight than be writing cause I'm pretty much sore at my old partner, Dr. Moore of Elko. But then I should worry about such a thing;-we dissolved partnership last June and I've only seen him one or twice since. I have his signature, properly witnessed, to a little piece of paper which he isn't very proud of and he's foolish enough to try and buck in soft sand. My lawyer says he's trying to welch [not keep his end of the contract-ed.] and while he has not a chinaman's chance still it peeves me. Maybe I'll have to go back to Elko before I really want to.
Well dearest I got two dandy letters from you tonight to pay for the one I didn't write yesterday. I want to confess right now dear, the facilities for writing here are not. I don't think there's a writing desk in the camp, at least there isn't any that I've seen, and right now I'm up here in my room at the only hotel (?) using the wash stand as a desk and very nearly freezing. The only fire in the "joint" I guess is in the down stairs, rear, and I'm in the up stairs, front,--but I'd rather stand a little cold now than the burning I'd expect,--and probably get,--from you dear, if I missed a mail.
I'm a little afraid the movies have given you a sort of an exaggerated idea of a mining camp. Some of the very prosperous, booming camps have all those things, dance halls, etc. but this is not a prosperous camp dear--not now anyhow and besides I don't like beer at four bits [25 cents-ed.] a drink and you never can drink alone in a dance hall. I'm not a millionare [sic]--why I already have told you I was a fortune hunter. So dear you may go to bed and have a good sound sleep when I've finished talking to you.
You want to know what I do for recreation when on these trips. Well dear I work, and eat, and sleep from ten to twelve hours every night and that's all I do.
Hope you enjoyed yourself at the card party Wednesday night and did "Kitty" prove to be a nice little "girl." Sometimes a fellow gets fooled with those nice little "girls." I suppose you'd feel terrible if you did slip and call him Kitty to his face.
Do you know what I'm going to do now, dear, well I'll say good night and let you guess.
Always yours
Frank
Midas, February 11th, 1916
1020-15th St.,
Modesto,
California
Allene Dearest:- I'd a whole lot rather be where I could talk to you tonight than be writing cause I'm pretty much sore at my old partner, Dr. Moore of Elko. But then I should worry about such a thing;-we dissolved partnership last June and I've only seen him one or twice since. I have his signature, properly witnessed, to a little piece of paper which he isn't very proud of and he's foolish enough to try and buck in soft sand. My lawyer says he's trying to welch [not keep his end of the contract-ed.] and while he has not a chinaman's chance still it peeves me. Maybe I'll have to go back to Elko before I really want to.
Well dearest I got two dandy letters from you tonight to pay for the one I didn't write yesterday. I want to confess right now dear, the facilities for writing here are not. I don't think there's a writing desk in the camp, at least there isn't any that I've seen, and right now I'm up here in my room at the only hotel (?) using the wash stand as a desk and very nearly freezing. The only fire in the "joint" I guess is in the down stairs, rear, and I'm in the up stairs, front,--but I'd rather stand a little cold now than the burning I'd expect,--and probably get,--from you dear, if I missed a mail.
I'm a little afraid the movies have given you a sort of an exaggerated idea of a mining camp. Some of the very prosperous, booming camps have all those things, dance halls, etc. but this is not a prosperous camp dear--not now anyhow and besides I don't like beer at four bits [25 cents-ed.] a drink and you never can drink alone in a dance hall. I'm not a millionare [sic]--why I already have told you I was a fortune hunter. So dear you may go to bed and have a good sound sleep when I've finished talking to you.
You want to know what I do for recreation when on these trips. Well dear I work, and eat, and sleep from ten to twelve hours every night and that's all I do.
Hope you enjoyed yourself at the card party Wednesday night and did "Kitty" prove to be a nice little "girl." Sometimes a fellow gets fooled with those nice little "girls." I suppose you'd feel terrible if you did slip and call him Kitty to his face.
Do you know what I'm going to do now, dear, well I'll say good night and let you guess.
Always yours
Frank
Midas, February 11th, 1916
Letters from Grandpa 8 February 1916
Box 162, Elko,
Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Dearest Girlie
It's 7:30 A.M. and my fingers are almost frozen but the stage leaves in a few minutes and I don't want to disappoint you nor cause you to look like "the last rose of summer," as your aunt said.
We had a dandy sled ride from Red House up yesterday altho' it was a heavy pull for the team. The last twelve miles we had to use four horses.And at that they didn't get out of a walk, except at one or two little down hill places. 'Twas a little after seven when we got in and then after we ate and got our things put away we rolled in. Couldn't find any stationery or would have written then.
The day was as near perfection as could have been expected out here at this time and not once were we cold or the least bit uncomfortable. The snow here is several feet deep and even on the tip top of the summit was about four,--and they say it must have settled eighteen inches yesterday.
I may be able to get some snow scenes before we get out of here. It looks favorable for such.
With love dear,
Yours,
Frank
Midas, Nevada
Feb 8, 1916
Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Dearest Girlie
It's 7:30 A.M. and my fingers are almost frozen but the stage leaves in a few minutes and I don't want to disappoint you nor cause you to look like "the last rose of summer," as your aunt said.
We had a dandy sled ride from Red House up yesterday altho' it was a heavy pull for the team. The last twelve miles we had to use four horses.And at that they didn't get out of a walk, except at one or two little down hill places. 'Twas a little after seven when we got in and then after we ate and got our things put away we rolled in. Couldn't find any stationery or would have written then.
The day was as near perfection as could have been expected out here at this time and not once were we cold or the least bit uncomfortable. The snow here is several feet deep and even on the tip top of the summit was about four,--and they say it must have settled eighteen inches yesterday.
I may be able to get some snow scenes before we get out of here. It looks favorable for such.
With love dear,
Yours,
Frank
Midas, Nevada
Feb 8, 1916
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Letters from Grandpa 6 February 1916
Elko, Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley
Modesto
California
Allene, Dearest, I've been the busiest man today--busier'n a cranberry merchant.-Worked like a trooper to finish up our "Midas." This afternoon about four I turned him loose. Since then we've been packing, getting laundry ready, and cleaning up. The supper bell interrupted and now dear I'm devoting these few moments to you so this won't reach you a day late. The mail train is due here in about ten or fifteen minutes and if I fail to make connections this won't go till tomorrow.
Our Midas sure scintilates [sic] like the tower of jewels. And he likes it.
Received two dandy letters from Modesto this morning dear, which I can't answer now. Will do that little thing when I reach Midas. One of them was yours Allene and the other was your aunt Helene's. She sure did write me a nice letter, and she has such a clear, comprehensive way of telling things and explaining them. Isn't it funny that I should remind her of Mr. Maze? Do you think I'm like him in any way? I wouldn't mind being at that because I think he's a pretty fine man.
Here's the train dear so good-bye for a few days.
Always yours,
Frank
February 6th 1916.
P.S. Will send a letter by first mail out.
Miss Allene S. Kelley
Modesto
California
Allene, Dearest, I've been the busiest man today--busier'n a cranberry merchant.-Worked like a trooper to finish up our "Midas." This afternoon about four I turned him loose. Since then we've been packing, getting laundry ready, and cleaning up. The supper bell interrupted and now dear I'm devoting these few moments to you so this won't reach you a day late. The mail train is due here in about ten or fifteen minutes and if I fail to make connections this won't go till tomorrow.
Our Midas sure scintilates [sic] like the tower of jewels. And he likes it.
Received two dandy letters from Modesto this morning dear, which I can't answer now. Will do that little thing when I reach Midas. One of them was yours Allene and the other was your aunt Helene's. She sure did write me a nice letter, and she has such a clear, comprehensive way of telling things and explaining them. Isn't it funny that I should remind her of Mr. Maze? Do you think I'm like him in any way? I wouldn't mind being at that because I think he's a pretty fine man.
Here's the train dear so good-bye for a few days.
Always yours,
Frank
February 6th 1916.
P.S. Will send a letter by first mail out.
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