Sunday, November 4, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 26 March 1916

Commercial Hotel
W. M. Doyle, Prop.
Elko, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley
Modesto Berkeley
California
2800 Regent St.

Elko Home Dearest,
Again a few lines but not in answer to the big bunch I just received. And when I say big bunch I mean it. Lost count at five and there was more. These few lines are to let you know I'm here and safe and thinking of you--and wishing for the impossible;-which is that you were here now.

The little Dodge is out in front of the hotel just calling me dear and I'm calling you--won't you come and take a ride and--well I'll tell you when I see you. Those letters were about the very bestest welcome I could get--unless it was you----and that's the only alternative I'd have appreciated more.---Now you see?

There's one thing more-perhaps pursuit is right, perhaps I know it; perhaps I slipped but by golly, dear, I'd have lost out in a spelling match, cause I'd surely have spelled it "per" and never have given it a second tho't.

I like to be corrected in my orthography and grammar.

Tomorrow I'm going to see if I can get a picture taken.

We won't leave for a couple of days and then to Montello for a few days only.-----maybe. Will wire you fully as soon as I decide.

Always with all my love dear.
Yours
Frank

March 26th 1916

Note: This letter was forwarded from Modesto, I believe, because the address on the envelope had been changed with different hand writing.-ed.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 25 March 1916

The Brown Hotel
Daniel Morrison, Prop.
Eureka, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley
Modesto 2800 Regent St.
Berkeley
California

Variety, sure enuff, is the spice of life, Dearest and if that little old measly correspondence card hadn't been backed up with a couple of lively, open souled, "you-ey" letters, ("chummy" you correctly called that kind dear) I'd have kicked like a steer. Anyhow I didn't have time to write a decent letter that day and it came as an excuse for the thing I sent. Then when those two letters came dear I was so jubilant I just couldn't write and I've been busy - every second - since yesterday morning and am going to be the balance of the day. You'll get this tho' dear just as soon as you would had I written it yesterday and mailed it last night,-so-Yes so-

This is a little over twenty four hours since I wrote that so, dear. And a patient is to blame for it.

Yesterday forenoon-(this is Saturday) I tho't I could steal "enuff" time to finish a letter- the delayed one,-but no such luck. Now I'm in Palisade, on the main line, and only thirty miles from home, and have forgotten what I was going to say after so; you must know tho' Allene dear, that it was something nice,-not a complaint. You can surly write lovely letters dear and these last three -(another has been received)- are excellent samples of your abilities in that line.

Golly dear, I wish the train I am waiting for was going to take me to Modesto,-and you. Time is an awful slow poke when you are anticipating some pleasure,--and it's sure running in low for me.

With love, dearest,
Always
Frank

March 25th

Letters from Grandpa 21 March 1916

The Brown Hotel
Daniel Morrison, Prop.
Eureka, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto
California

Dearest:- Just for that little measly correspondence card I'm going to cut you short tonight and you don't need to get peeved about [it] either cause I've exhausted my supply of news and don't expect another batch till tomorrow, or next day, or after we get out of here. Anyhow you've gotten a couple of letters that took excess baggage rates and they aught to hold you for a while.

We will be in the land of life again Saturday night and I'll wire you as soon as we arrive so you'll know when to expect "dailies" again.

Don't you dare let your aunt Helene or anyone else talk you into believing I've thrown you over dear. Nor dont [sic] you send me any more correspondence cards when you have plenty of time for a real letter.~~~But I don't want to scold you dear when everything you say to me and everything you do makes me so happy.

Always yours
Frank
March 21st 1916

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 20 March 1916

The Brown Hotel
Daniel Morrison, Prop.
Eureka, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Allene Dearest:- All day yesterday the wind blew a gale and just before I started to bed I noticed it had banked up the clouds on all sides so I wasn't surprised when I "came to" this morning and found it trying to wash out my room by forcing rain drops in thru' the open window! Maybe the Lord forgot that Saturday night just passed and tried to give me the bath I didn't need. If it doesn't let up pretty soon it will turn into snow, as these storms always do, and then that'll put the roads out of commission for another few weeks,--and just when they were getting almost passable.

Of course Elko has warm weather dear--and yes, it does get very warm there. An even hundred in the shade is the hottest I ever saw it there tho'. But Elko is high and dry,- 5,000 feet above sea level,- so there is little or no humidity and the air is always nice and cool just after the sun goes down,-and if you don't like hot weather you can wait till after sunset.


I just noticed in your letter that buried is spelled with one r and I remember of telling you our office at Midas was burried under the snow (with two r's.)  But now we are even dear, because w-i-e-r-d is a weird way to spell weird. Maybe tho you've discovered a lot of misspelling in my letters but didn't say anything about it~~Have you?

In my letter of yesterday dear, I think I said it all so I'm compelled to leave you now and wait for the inspirations tomorrow's mail will bring.

With all my love dearest,
I'm always yours
Frank

Eureka, Nevada,
Monday, March 20th, 1916.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

My Dad, A. F. Sauls

Today is my father's birthday. He passed away in 1995, but had he lived he would be 89.

Alva Fay Sauls, who was known to all as Fay, was born 1 May 1923 in California. He married Frances Russell (1925-2004) in 1948. He died 7 Jan 1995 in Idaho. Between those times he served in World War II, worked as an attorney, raised children, hunted and fished, loved his family and friends, and lived a life.

I don't have a lot of pictures of him. In my first post are two of him as a young man. Here is one from the late 1980's:
Fay Sauls and grandson
Happy birthday, Dad! I love you.

Update, 10/7/12 I am submitting this to See It Sunday: Pair.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 19 March 1916

The Brown Hotel
Daniel Morrison, Prop.
Eureka, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Just see what I've missed Dearest!- and to show you I'll enclose it.

If I hadn't gone back to Elko and met Dr. Whitesides my name would have been coupled with Carl's, that is Mr. C. G. Jepson, and I'd have been in the market for "Livestock in Carload Lots" and with all those other things he's got on the card. The complexion of his other stationery (letterheads and envelopes) is just as unusual and impressive as that of the card and it sure makes a hit with me. I call it C.L.A.S.S. The unusual always did appeal to me anyhow. By that I don't mean freakish nor ridiculous things.

Well dearest the dance is a thing of the past and I feel that I carried out my part in a dutiable manner. By midnight I had all the dancing I wanted but Thelma,-the little devil,-seemed to be just "beginning to commence" (Allene Kelley) to enjoy herself, so I just stood around and talked--with the fellows (you know how they always bunch up when they're not dancing), and danced occasionally till three o'clock and the bloomin' kid made no signs of getting tired so I had to tell her it was about time to go home. Gave her two more dances and then took them home. Their little brother, Peter Breen , Jr., was there and went home with us. 

I had a good time but had to "pay the fiddler" yesterday as I had a lot of work to do and had to get up at the usual time. The twelve and a half hours sleep I got last night has put me back to normal and I feel fine this morning. Anyhow the two letters I rec'd from you last night helped a whole lot, dear, toward making the world brighter. And to dim everything Pearlie Morrison, the landlord's daughter, just came in the parlor here and is favoring us with a few selections such as "Where the Silv'ry Colorado Wends It's [sic] Way" and others equally ancient. And after my telling her to get out, to go make the beds--that I was busy writing to the onliest girlie in the world~~and I meant every word of it too. Thank goodness!--She's gone - to make the beds I guess.

Is a person absent-minded when he's in love? I believe it does have it's effect alright and I know when you're always thinking of one thing or one person you haven't much time for other things and are therefore very apt to be accused of absent-mindedness.

So you wish Cressey [Cressey Maze -ed.] and Mariam would hurry up and get married. If it will relieve you of any suspense dear, I wish so too. I don't see what's the use of those prolonged engagements anyhow,~~unless financial or other equally important obstacles prevent. And Cressey's quiet is he dear, and his usual conversation is carried on in monosyllables such as yes and no in response to questions? I hope I'm not that way altho' I do get spells of silence among strangers. Wait and see-you be the judge dear as to my conversational abilities.

Old Bill Doyle, as I call him sometimes, got drunk as a Lord at the advent of Florence's arrival and she's proven worthy of the demonstration. She's the dearest, cutest little youngster I believe I ever saw.

I'm sorry you couldn't get the first ride in the little roadster Allene. You sure'd have had it had you been anywheres near, but I'll try and arrange so will have a ride in it before it's all worn out toting me around after these elusive eagles and double eagles. The pursuit of them is a pleasure notwithstanding the hardships it puts us to. There's a good time coming tho' for all of us, but let's make ourselves happy while we're waiting for it.

The tho'ts expressed in your missives, Allene dearest, and the others which I find between the lines add immensely to my happiness and I trust mine are likewise, equally, joy bearing. May they be the forerunners of something greater and better for us dearest, that's all now.

Ever yours only
Frank

Eureka, Nevada,
Sunday,
March 19th 1916.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 17 March 1916

The Brown Hotel
Daniel Morrison, Prop.
Eureka, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Dearest, can you realize that I sat up till the night was half gone trying to comply with that unnecessary request of yours for a chummy letter? And this morning the result of my efforts is on it's (sic) pokey way to you. I called it an unnecessary request Allene because every spare moment I have-(yes and lots of others too are devoted to tho'ts of you dear)-seem to be yours. And it's a pleasure to know you appreciate them and ask for even more. Somehow or other as I look back and think of my last night's letter it appears labored and stupid, but as I've already told you, it's on its' way and anyhow it was the best I could do.

The train arrives here this evening and leaves for its return trip in the morning. The conductor for accomodation (sic) will carry letters etc. to Palisade so by giving him this letter dear you'll get it about the same time as the one that went out this morning.

In one of your letters, one of the three I got in yesterday's mail, you speak of having had a headachy (sic) attack followed by "tummy" ache and "kinda" blame the hot weather and here I am blessing the hot days but I'll cross that word out dear and substitute damn if you find they are really the cause of your trouble. I don't want you suffering all the time and so if praying will do any good~say dear I'll get down on my tender shin bones and stay there till I wear out everything on the points of contact.

Who is Erma dear, and where is the ranch and is there a rural delivery there? You know I don't like these compulsory lapses in our correspondence a darn bit and if you get away from civilization too it's going to be simply~~well you say it dear. This old place hasn't even got a telegraph now and messages have to be phoned and that means that almost everybody else gets 'em before the parties to whom they are sent.

Well we will leave here next Saturday, I'm very sure, so after Monday you'd better send the letters to Elko. The last mail we will be able to get will be that which leaves Palisade Wednesday morning. The service here is the worst I ever saw and these old timers who are sitting around here dead but don't know it~~~~~~~~~ (six hours later-a patient interrupted)~~~~~~~~keep hanging on believing there's a better time coming and I guess there is for them but it won't be in Eureka.

The patient who interrupted dear was Mrs. Breen, the district judge's wife. The family are very good friends of mine. I've known them for a number of years. Mrs. Breen is the greatest woman I ever saw. It seems as tho' she can't do too much for us. Every time I come to Eureka and stay any length of time she will send one of the children down every day or so with a fried chicken, a pie, or a cake or something equally palatable and say but you should see us dear. We just sit ourselves down in the handiest place, usually the middle of the floor, and go to it like hogs. And she enjoys it,-and so do we.~~Gee but I like Mrs. Breen.

There's a dance here tonight and I'm going. Going to take Eileen-(I wish it was Allene)-and Thelma. They wanted to go so I told their mother Mrs. Breen I'd take them. Eileen is about sixteen and Thelma is a couple of years younger. If it was anyplace else, I'd feel like grandpa in a nursery but guess it'll be alright here.

With all my love dearest and wishing again it was you I was taking I'll close.

Ever your own,
Frank

St Patrick's-1916
Eureka, Nevada

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 14 March 1916

The Brown Hotel
Daniel Morrison, Prop.
Eureka, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Allene Dearest:~After a long six hours ride in the dinky old narrow guage [sic] from Palisade on the main line we arrived safely, but much the worse for wear. Eureka, as it stands now--and little of it is standing,--is hardly a toombstone [sic] for what it used to be. For at least ten years during it's [sic] best days it had a population of as many thousands and was one of the liveliest camps in the state,--(that was in the "early days" from about 1880 to 1890)--but it has dwindled down to almost nothing.

It's a mystery to me how the remaining inhabitants live and it's a fact that a big percentage are wards of the county. There are five well filled cemeterys [sic] here that speak in sombre silence of the better days. Now not even the dogs come out to bark at strangers. As the old fashioned bus that meets the twice a week train carries you slowly up the hill thru' the town one can see on either side an occasional pair of sleepy eyes that seem to brighten up with excitement at your arrival and in an hour or two the entire community knows there's a stranger in town.

And we've got to stay here about two weeks!! Somehow or other I've always made money here. They seem to have plenty of tooth troubles and the money to pay for the fixing--thank God.

Well dearest it seems like a century since I got a letter from you--and it has been. Havent [sic] had one since Friday and here it is Tuesday--and the next mail won't arrive till Thursday! It takes two days for mail to go and come from the main line. In 1910 this R.R. was washed out and the mail contract was let to a stage line and they've been carrying it ever since. So at the best you won't get this before Friday dear and by that time I'll be in receipt of a whole raft of yours--I hope.

With all my love dearest I'll say good night.

Yours always,
Frank

Eureka, Nevada,
March 14th, 1916

Friday, April 6, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 12 March 1916

Commercial Hotel
W. M. Doyle, Prop.
Elko, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Elko, Dearest, but only for a day. Leave here in the morning for Eureka and triweekly mail service. And have missed two of your letters-yesterdays and the one that should have come this morning. They'll come here, then be forwarded to Eureka.

Wish you were here. 'Tis a perfect day,-just right for a dandy long ride in the little roadster. Come on with me dear, I'm going out in it in a few minutes.~ 'Long as you won't go I'm going to take Mrs. Doyle.~~Oh, and her daughter Florence,~~and oh, again- It's Mrs W.M. Doyle and she's the only wife of one of my very best friends and Florence will be three years old on the marnin' if the siventeenth-and her daddy will probably celebrate the occasion as he did the event of three years ago.

I'll tell you dear it's like home, this little place of Elko,~~home~~to me. I hate to have to leave again in the morning but duty calls and I've got to answer. After this year tho' things are going to be different and I predict smoothe [sic] sailing for us.

Here's my party dearest - Always with lovin' thots and love itself.

Just yours only
Frank
Sunday, March 12
1916

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 10 March 1916

The International Hotel
Austin, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

My dearest Allene:~This is our last night in Austin for a month or two,~or more.~ Our baggage is all packed, roped and strapped and we leave for Elko in the morning. Will arrive there-if train's on time-at 8:10 P.M. and will have the weekly chicken dinner at the Commercial instead of the International Cafe.

I think we will go to Eureka next,-will get the "dope" on the place tomorrow or Sunday. We don't want to "run in" on another dentist and one has been billed for there for several weeks. You may think this is funny running around over the country like this~~and by golly dear, it is, just lots of fun~~and some work too, but it's pleasant work most of the time.

Got your little letter today dear,~ the one with the remarks on the contents of the wonderful Austin paper. While I enjoyed the comments dear it doesn't somehow seem to be inspiring and I'm short of news and have been going at such a pace that I'm almost out of breath and before I am completely winded I will say good night dearest.

With all my love,
Just your
Frank

March 10th, 1916

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 9 March 1916

The International Hotel
Austin, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Dearest Mine: Your aunt hasn't got a thing on me at all. I don't know what I did to her that she should take such a liking to me nor do I know what she did to me that made me like her so well. Anyhow it's apparently a mutual admiration which I shall do all in my power to maintain. And if her message of love hadn't accompanied the remark that she didn't write because she was afraid the reading of her letter would take up too much of my valuable time, I'd have taken it to heart and been pretty sore. And I'm very grateful to both her and your grandmother for their kind message. Tell them fair exchange is no robbery and I reciprocate, eye for eye, dollar for dollar,~love for love.

I should like to meet your grandmother dear, I'd like to see "you all," but time is such a slow traveler when you're anticipating something pleasant,-and oh, how it flies at other times!~~This is going to be a long summer for me dear, but I'm hot going to let any grass grow under my pedal extremities~~or other parts of my anatomy. We've decided it would be greatly to our advantage to stay on the road all summer. By this scheme we are getting acquainted with the country and people, advertising our work with practical demonstrations and reaping an immediate pecuniary harvest, all of which, especially the last, are very necessary. When winter approaches we will be all fixed (I hope) so we can go right into our office home.


Your letters of yesterday and today were brief dear but didn't I tell you once before that it was unnecessary to apologize for that? "Short but sweet" is a fitting remark, or comment, on them, and I love 'em short or long.

Ever yours
Frank

Austin, Nevada,
March 9th, 1916
--------------------
Address next to Elko
--------------------

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 7 March 1916

The International Hotel
Austin, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Allene Dearest, Your promised  fat one was received today as per schedule. In it you speak of getting my letters earlier in the day, but two days after they are written. One of those days is lost between here and Battle M't'n. And in your post script you sort of prod my memory regarding some very important questions you asked me a month ago.

I remember very distinctly dear of telling you that I had some plans for the future but that I couldn't tell you what they were--nor even consult you regarding them--as the time and the place were not right.

First dearest I want to ask if the important questions weren't regarding these plans and then that you be patient and wait;--will you, Allene?

So you'd be extremely jealous if I worked over girls or women patients, huh? Am glad to hear you say that dear but you'll have very little cause for any feeling of that kind as most all our work has been and is on men. Anyhow I'm not stuck on working on nervous touchy women. Doc. W. seems to like it and it "goes" with me fine.


Business is still good tho' no big jobs on hand.

Anxiously awaiting your reply dear to find out if I'm on the right track regarding those important questions and to hear what answer you will give to my requests I am,

Your ever sincere,
Frank

Austin, Nevada,
March 7th 1916

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 6 March 1916

The International Hotel
Austin, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Dearest:-Ever since I regained consciousness,-and that happened after a twelve hour sleep which ended at seven o'clock this morning,-I've been thinking of the explanation of the mail service I gave you in my post script Saturday night. Maybe you noticed at a glance that I was all "twisted," if not you will know that the day for the missing letter (when you get this) was yesterday and not today.

Well the big rush is over and I'll be able to rest up a little. Have a full day's work laid out for tomorrow but can take my time. We will probably leave here Saturday and haven't decided where to, but will let you know, of course.

Got two letters from you today dear and in one of them you sort of apologize for its being brief and promise a longer one tomorrow. It isn't the length of your letters dear that counts,- it's the daily expressed tho't, so in the future just bear that in mind dear~~and me too.

Austin's a dull town. I've only been out of the hotel about twice and both times were to go to the P.O. to mail letters to you--and I'm going again now.

All my love dear.
Ever yours
Frank

March 6th, 1916

Monday, March 19, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 4 March 1916

The International Hotel
Austin, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Allene Dearest, The storm is still on. It's work, work, work and I like it, 'ceptin' it doesn't allow me much time to talk to you,~nor to anyone.

So you think two hundred is a lot for one piece of work! Moore and I got five hundred for a single job here in this town--and the patient died a year afterwards!

"'Tis a small world after all." To think your dentist should have been born in Austin. I hope the place looked different then. It's surely a delapidated [sic] place now.And bye the way "Doc" Grove doesn't need to "puff up" with his display of office furniture, fixtures, appliances, etc. (You didnt [sic] say that he does dear.) but anyhow his "finest office in Modesto" or "the most up to date"~well Elko's goin' to have something pretty classy.

I think perhaps I was joshing dear about getting flustered but I do know I'm awfully anxious to see you.

All the love I've got is enclosed herewith for you dear.

Ever yours
Frank

Austin, Saturday P.M.
March 4th 1916

P.S. There is no incoming mail here Sundays nor outgoing Mondays so the second day after receipt of this you can expect a blank~~~

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 20 December 1915

Note: I apologize that this is out of order...I found it unfinished in my drafts just today!


Box 162
Elko, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley
1020 15th St.
Modesto, California

Allene Dearest:~
Had I known~really known~how happy I was going to be I never could have waited for this morning's mail. You got my telegram so know I received the picture O.K. but you don't know what I did the first thing.~~I went to the jewelry stores~all three of them and bought, what I tho't, was the neatest little sterling frame. And now your picture, dear, is right on my dresser where I can look at it and into those great big beautiful eyes of yours whenever I go into my room. And, oh but it is a perfect picture!~Such a characteristic pose and your own natural expression, excepting perhaps the usual trace of a smile. I am pleased Allene, almost beyond comparison. Even the card that accompanied it has been taken care of.~It's in the frame~behind the picture.

Now for a little exciting news about myself~~~ My Los Angeles proposition is all off. I've gone into partnership with a dentist!! We had [a] lawyer draw up [a] contract yesterday and will sign it today.

You may and may not have known it dear, but I followed this line, in partnership with another fellow for four years in this state and we made plenty of money, so I almost know what I'm doing. We will open up offices here in Elko just as soon as we can get our furniture shipped in~probably about the middle of January. We will, in the meantime,~make a professional trip into one or two of these neighboring little towns (villages or mining camps). We're going to start right after Christmas.

I was pleased, dear, when I read that part of your letter in which you said "the L.A. proposition didn't sound encouraging" to you, pleased to note that you took interest, at least enough to make intelligent comment. Do you know, about half the time, (putting it mildly) a girl has got more business sense in a minute than a man has in a month? Lots of time tho' she won't impart her knowledge till too late.

By this time your homecoming is ancient history~~you've see everybody, in the village, shaken hands etc., been to picnics, parties and pink teas, huh? And weren't "auntie" Helene and uncle Will glad to see their "little" girl!!~~not any more so that I'd be. Tell them I haven't forgotten them,-that I said "hello."

Will close dear, thanking you for the dearest Christmas present I ever got.

Yours
Frank

Elko, December 20th,
1915

Letters from Grandpa 2 March 1916

The International Hotel
Austin, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Well Dearest here it is eleven thirty P. M. I quit work just an hour ago and came down stairs and one of the boys tackled me for a game of pool. Well I beat him. Have been working on the deliberating patients' case.
I landed him with a compromise of two hundred and ten. We'll finish him day after tomorrow then maybe I'll have more time and will be in better condition to write. As it is God knows my back is about broken and I'm all out of sorts and all in but the shoestrings.

But anyhow you wrote me a dandy long letter which I got today. You told me about Mrs. Maze getting fat and I've got nothing more to say. If you want to take on weight, well it's up to you dear-I've nothing more to say about it.

With all my love dear I'll say good night and leave you alone.

Always yours
Frank

March 2nd

Monday, March 12, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 1 March 1916

The International Hotel
Austin, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley
Modesto,
California

Here it is nearly eleven P.M. Dearest, and I just finished work.

My deliberating patient will be up to see me at ten in the morning,-about the time I finish with this first one. I'll "land" him.

Last night I was so tired when I finished work I hardly knew what I was writing. And in your letter you told me about your headache and your left ear burning like sixty and I didn't even tell you I was sorry, dear, when I was all the time. Now today's mail brings another letter telling of more suffering, but I'm glad it's all over and the little mole is gone.

You're sure some goer when you start if you always to the rounds as you did this time.

Don't know why you didn't get a letter Monday cause I wrote Saturday and Sunday too and that's doing pretty well--for me. Sunday's was mailed in Battle Mountain.

Aw, thunder dear, I can't write tonight,-it just won't come out of me, so buenos noches.

Just yours,
Frank

March 1st

[On the back of the last page:]
Now my left ear is burning-I wonder if it is a forerunner of a "call" you're going to give me, afc of this excuse.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 29 February 1916

The International Hotel
Austin, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley, 
Modesto,
California

Talk about work, Dearest--I got up at 6:30 this morning and our sheepherder patient came in at nine. We'll [sic] I worked over him all morning and since then have been making the bridgework. The upper jaw will be one solid piece of gold. I just finished putting it together,---its [sic] nine forty P.M. I will cement it in the mouth in the morning. Will finish the balance of his work tomorrow and will then "nail" the other fellow. I tell you I'm pretty tired-didn't notice it till I came down stairs-but I'm anxious to get that job done.

Got two letters from you today dear. One was for'ded from Golconda. Telegraph comes in pretty handy and from tone of your letters, it has "saved my bacon" several times. I try to keep up my end of the correspondence dear but sometimes it's awful hard to find time or material, so must resort to the wire. 

Now what have I done to call forth a "roasting" from your auntie and you?

No I've never read any of Hiteliens' works so you'll have to tell me about "Bella Donna," if you want me to know.

Alright dear,----if possible----I'll take your advice and not get discouraged, or feel blue, or worry, or "nuffin." And I'm glad everything is going to be lovely and you're sure of it and that you are all much interested and are very fond of me and especially you dear, so I'll accept the stacks of love you've sent and look for more.

Always yours only
Frank

February 29th, 1916

Monday, March 5, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 29 February 1916

The International Hotel
Wm. Easton, Proprietor
Austin, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley, 
Modesto,
California

Here am I, Dearest,-sound and safe. And what would you expect--?--Well don't venture even one guess till I tell you the very first patient has paid the expense of the trip--or at least he will. Two patients were bro't into the office the first thing, by an old friend, and I landed one for a hundred and sixty dollar job and the other is trying to make me cut from two hundred and twenty five to two hundred even. There's nothing to it, I'll land him even if I have to compromise. There's no other dentist here.--Maybe we will be detained longer than one week.

Now dear that's all I'm going to bother you with regarding business matters tonight. But it was such an agreeable welcome and surprise when we were not counting on "taking in" much more than expenses. Will enclose a card- my friend's picture and names of the patients on reverse side. These fellows are sheepmen--sheepherders.

Listen dear, in your letter of the 25th you remark about lack of "pep" in your letters account of short acquaintance. There may be something to that, but Allene dear, let me assure you there is not the least expression or word in your missives that I do not give a thorough analysis and I think I can detect the you from the other parts. Ant it does sound good dear when you sort of forget yourself and just say the what you think in plain ungarnished words. It's just like a warm greeting from an old friend whom you haven't seen in years. I know your presence is going to knock courage clear out of me, dear, so I'll try and be honest, and frank, and sincere while I'm rational.

Sometime, as soon as fortune favors, if you'll permit me,--I'm going to Modesto and give you an opportunity of getting better acquainted with me,--so you can be at ease--and me too--at all times.

Must leave you now dear--goodnight.

Always yours
Frank

February 28th, 1916
10:30 P.M.

Letters from Grandpa 28 February 1916

Battle Mountain, Nevada
Box 22

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

'Nother note Dear to tell you all's well and we leave for Austin in a few minutes.

It's ninety miles up there and it takes about nine hours to get there and they charge by time rather than mileage. Nine "bucks" one way!~And we make it up on about the first patient who 'lights.

"And you still grow fat," dear!! How much have you taken on lately? And say you'd better hold on 'cause I tho't you were heavy enough but maybe you think that's a matter of opinion--and maybe you're right. But anyhow dear I admired you the way you were and if you go piling on fat you're liable to spoil it all.

Say I've got to beat it dear and get out tickets etc. Train leaves in thirty minutes and everything's all piled up here in our room.

With all my love

Yours
Frank

Battle Mountain,
Feb'y 28, 1916

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 27 February 1916

Golconda Hot Springs Hotel
Golconda, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley
Modesto,
California

Dearest:-Two letters from you this morning and a heavy snow storm were the starters for an exciting day. We've been "swamped" alright with the excitement of leaving Golconda and there hasn't been a second, hardly since morning that we haven't been doing something. Collecting and paying bills--packing and repacking--, we've got such a collection of "junk" that it must be packed just so or it won't fit~ and saying goodbye to the bunch.-Why it seemed like we'd lived in Golconda for ever. Anyhow we are here in Battle M't'n and the Post office is open for a few minutes while the trains mail is made up-hence my hurry. The train goes to Austin in the morning instead of the motor car as I tho't. Motor is rougher riding but makes better time than the train. "Everything equalizes" (Rich man gets his ice in the summer, poor man get's his in winter).

'Twas very nice of Marian Decker to get off and take a look at Elko and then to admit that it is a very nice place.

I've got to stop else you won't get this--

Love from 
Frank

Sunday 27th

Telegram from Grandpa 27 Feb 1916

Western Union Telegram

Golconda Nev 1205PM Feb 27 1916

Miss Allene Kelley
Modesto Cal

Adios Allene Snow storm today but ish ga bibble

Frank
443 PM

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Letters from Grandpa 24 Feb 1916

Golconda Hot Springs Hotel
Golconda, Nevada

Miss Allene Kelley
Modesto,
California

Allene, My Dearest:-
Keep on taking "foolish powders" if that's the way they effect you. That's the grandest letter you ever wrote me. You just turned yourself loose in good shape and filled it full you-eyness and I like it. And I don't know whether I've done any giggling but I do know I caught myself laughing out loud several times while I was reading it and even afterwards when I'd think of something you'd said.

I just love those spontaneous letters dear and I try to write 'em too but mine don't always come out that way. They're labored. Suspect I'm worrying when there isn't a thing in the world to bother me, but if you'll continue to send me those letters with so much of you in them dear, 'twill do wonders toward diverting my mind from unnecessary business worries.

Darn it all, (excuse the french) anyhow I wish I was constituted differently. I'm not at all satisfied with myself. When everything is going along fine and there isn't anything on hand to bother me I take a fit of some sort and get restless and all out of sorts and that's a ~~~~~~well it is. But thanks to you dear,-your letter has filled me up with real live "Joys" and chased the "Glooms" miles and miles away. Hurrah!! Also my cold didn't linger. It went as fast as it came but the summer suit is folded nicely and packed away in my suitcase.

Just for that I'm not going to send you any more candy for a long time dear. If you can't, or won't. eat it, what's the use? Think of the pile of money I'd have if I'd save all that I spend for candy for you!! Maybe it'd amount to $2.00 in a year or 2. When I do get rich dear, I'll remember what you said so no more lectures, altho' I like them too.

I'm planning too, dear, but it isn't Mills or anything like it~~Will tell you later on---just as soon as I can see some of said plans materializing. In the meantime forget your woman's curiosity--if you can, if not you must.
Yes, I am glad you didn't go to Mills this year.

And to look back, it is agreeably queer,-our meeting, the trip, etc. It was a most pleasant trip for me I can assure you. If the opportunity presents itself I certainly will tell Dr. Moore what you said, tho' I hardly think he'll ever tell me that he objects to my presence in Elko, but I guess he'd rather I'd be there than out on the road covering "his territory" as he calls it. Poor Moore!

Calling my attention to the length of your letter dear was entirely unnecessary. I noticed it with great pleasure the first thing. You were happy and so am I.

Always yours
Frank
February 24th

P.S. We go to Austin from here.