Thursday, July 17, 2014
Friday, July 4, 2014
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Letters from Grandpa 2 May 1916
Editor note: "Berundo" is Berendo, California, which was located in Fresno County.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Letters from Grandpa 21 April 1916
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
My dearest Allene:-
Too late for a letter when I sent telegram yesterday so put off writing till today. A little account of my doings in explanation of my silence is in order, ---after the correspondence card of this morning's mail.
Left Wells with the best of intentions of carrying out plans as I told you. By phone we learned "our man" was in Elko so we came straight thru' Friday and arranged to "take him on" Saturday morning. Mr. Man didn't feel right when morning came so after talking the thing over we agreed to go out to the ranch Monday and do the work there. Saturday afternoon I was "button-holed" by two men from Wells who insisted on me going back up there to do some surveying. Took train from here early Sunday morning and arrived in Wells about 9:30. Got in their big Packard and went out 50 miles to work. Finished and got back to Wells about 7:30. Was in Elko just a few minutes before midnight. Monday morning packed up and drove the Dodge to the ranch and put in two full day's work -- for which we were well paid -- and we sure need the money, but we are getting out of debt pretty fast.
Haven't had one single chance to write even a postal dear and couldn't have mailed it if I had.
We will leave here for Eureka either Sunday P.M. or Monday morning but think we will stop at a ranch or two on the way. Have received two letters besides this morning's card from you dear since my silence began and in-as-much as they were divided by a couple of day's space I'm not at all surprised at your inquiry. I think I'll be able to keep you posted - better - in the future, ~~~for the very near future at least.
That part of your letter wherein you say you're getting thin again "reads good" to me. I don't like 'em too fat -- nor you that way either. Just stay like you were when I saw you dear.
Always yours
Frank
April 21st 1916
Modesto,
California
My dearest Allene:-
Too late for a letter when I sent telegram yesterday so put off writing till today. A little account of my doings in explanation of my silence is in order, ---after the correspondence card of this morning's mail.
Left Wells with the best of intentions of carrying out plans as I told you. By phone we learned "our man" was in Elko so we came straight thru' Friday and arranged to "take him on" Saturday morning. Mr. Man didn't feel right when morning came so after talking the thing over we agreed to go out to the ranch Monday and do the work there. Saturday afternoon I was "button-holed" by two men from Wells who insisted on me going back up there to do some surveying. Took train from here early Sunday morning and arrived in Wells about 9:30. Got in their big Packard and went out 50 miles to work. Finished and got back to Wells about 7:30. Was in Elko just a few minutes before midnight. Monday morning packed up and drove the Dodge to the ranch and put in two full day's work -- for which we were well paid -- and we sure need the money, but we are getting out of debt pretty fast.
Haven't had one single chance to write even a postal dear and couldn't have mailed it if I had.
We will leave here for Eureka either Sunday P.M. or Monday morning but think we will stop at a ranch or two on the way. Have received two letters besides this morning's card from you dear since my silence began and in-as-much as they were divided by a couple of day's space I'm not at all surprised at your inquiry. I think I'll be able to keep you posted - better - in the future, ~~~for the very near future at least.
That part of your letter wherein you say you're getting thin again "reads good" to me. I don't like 'em too fat -- nor you that way either. Just stay like you were when I saw you dear.
Always yours
Frank
April 21st 1916
Monday, February 17, 2014
Letters from Grandpa 13 Apr 1916
After ten days return to
D. Quilici Bros.
Wholesale and Retail
D. Quilici Bros.
Wholesale and Retail
Dealers in
General Merchandise
Wells, Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
My Dearest:- This morning, what do you think? - I've got to go and do some surveying! One of the old settlers here and for whom I've done lots of work in the past came to me and asked that I run out some lines as a personal favor. So I'm back at the old job again -- for a few hours.
And it's cold. It froze ice last night. Well it snowed day before yesterday -- what do you think of such a blinkety blank country?
We're going to leave Wells tomorrow, - going to stop at a ranch 'tween here and Elko. Will arrive in the metropolis, said Elko, Saturday P.M., then?? for a day or two. I might add, or say, rather,that we are headed for Eureka again but will put in a day or two at Lamoille, 20 miles south-east of Elko, first.
Allene dearest, you're nothing short of a wonder, - you should know I mean it by now. I've had occasion several times before now to notice how very clever and with such simple ease you voice your feelings. I certainly admire you, dear, for it, and grieve because of my inability to be like you in that respect. I'm so darned stupid and slow - I can't talk at all. Really I have to make signs, - and it's very apparent I need some lessons even in that mode of expression.
Now that you mentioned it dear I must say your suggestion is a very sensible one; that it will be lots better if we do write less often; when there is something of mutual interest, - and not try to force ourselves into writing daily. But lissten, dear, don't let's get so negligent that we get out of the notion entirely -- of course I know I won't, - I'm only in doubt about you on that point.
That's very nice of you dear, to say the picture does not flatter. I honestly think it pretty good, - but I'll not insist on convincing you that I'm right -- other than to present my own self for comparison as soon as possible. That's fair "enuff" isn't it?
With love dearest
Yours always
Frank
April 13th, 1916
Monday, February 10, 2014
Letters from Grandpa 11 April 1916
The Allen Hotel
Geo. Allen, Prop.
Wells - - Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Dearest:- This morning's mail bro't two letters, as anticipated, from you and I feel much better than I did twenty four hours ago, and while I'm in this condition I'll pen you a few lines -- a very few because time's limited. The last west bound mail train for the day is due in a few minutes.
Started in this A.M. being very busy and kept at it till 3 P.M. or there-abouts. Then I "threw up the sponge" donned my old corduroy trousers and a pair of old tan shoes and went over to the garage where I put in the balance of the daylight part of the day going over the roadster. Although I tho't I knew every part of a car I wanted to be sure so I got the "Hints to Beginners" or "Instruction Book, [sic] or whatever they call it, and started at the starter and stopped at the stopper. I administered oil and grease, as per directions, to every place, adding a little for good measure in each instance. Tomorrow I'll wash off dirt and dust and wipe off oil and grease, of which there's plenty, then I'll polish nickel and glass, etc. till the little devil looks like it's for sale. Have run it only five or six hundred miles yet it is just covered with dirt. Nevada roads are not like California's boulevards - not at all.
Mrs. Quilici invited us, Dr. W. and I, over to dinner again today, - needless to say we accepted the "invite." And it was some dinner! She seems to have one standard and it's way up yonder. I like Mrs. Quilici, -- but dearest, you have my love.
Always,
Frank
April 11th, 1916
Geo. Allen, Prop.
Wells - - Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Dearest:- This morning's mail bro't two letters, as anticipated, from you and I feel much better than I did twenty four hours ago, and while I'm in this condition I'll pen you a few lines -- a very few because time's limited. The last west bound mail train for the day is due in a few minutes.
Started in this A.M. being very busy and kept at it till 3 P.M. or there-abouts. Then I "threw up the sponge" donned my old corduroy trousers and a pair of old tan shoes and went over to the garage where I put in the balance of the daylight part of the day going over the roadster. Although I tho't I knew every part of a car I wanted to be sure so I got the "Hints to Beginners" or "Instruction Book, [sic] or whatever they call it, and started at the starter and stopped at the stopper. I administered oil and grease, as per directions, to every place, adding a little for good measure in each instance. Tomorrow I'll wash off dirt and dust and wipe off oil and grease, of which there's plenty, then I'll polish nickel and glass, etc. till the little devil looks like it's for sale. Have run it only five or six hundred miles yet it is just covered with dirt. Nevada roads are not like California's boulevards - not at all.
Mrs. Quilici invited us, Dr. W. and I, over to dinner again today, - needless to say we accepted the "invite." And it was some dinner! She seems to have one standard and it's way up yonder. I like Mrs. Quilici, -- but dearest, you have my love.
Always,
Frank
April 11th, 1916
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Allene Kelley's Principal's Recommendation
Grandma Allene graduated from Modesto High School in 1915. She was recommended to the California State Normal School in San Jose by Thomas Downey, the principal, but the evidence indicates that she married without attending.
Letters from Grandpa 10 April 1916
The Allen Hotel
Geo. Allen, Prop.
Wells --- Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
No joke this time, Allene Dearest, a note's all tonight 'cause I didn't get a letter today and I'm tired as --- well I am. Left Elko too early for mail this morning and besides I told 'em to forward it, so if there was a letter I'll get it tomorrow and I hope it has company.
Soon as we got here today our patients (two of 'em) pounced in on us and we were busy till a few minutes ago. I pounded my thumbnail in all the excitement and it's all blue, the nail and the air too.
No more paper available so this is what you get. Doc didn't get a very big supply at the office this time, -- but it's "enuff" for me tonight.
Ever yours,
Frank
April 10th 1916
P.S. We will be here three or four days -- or more.
Geo. Allen, Prop.
Wells --- Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
No joke this time, Allene Dearest, a note's all tonight 'cause I didn't get a letter today and I'm tired as --- well I am. Left Elko too early for mail this morning and besides I told 'em to forward it, so if there was a letter I'll get it tomorrow and I hope it has company.
Soon as we got here today our patients (two of 'em) pounced in on us and we were busy till a few minutes ago. I pounded my thumbnail in all the excitement and it's all blue, the nail and the air too.
No more paper available so this is what you get. Doc didn't get a very big supply at the office this time, -- but it's "enuff" for me tonight.
Ever yours,
Frank
April 10th 1916
P.S. We will be here three or four days -- or more.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Letters from Grandpa 9 April 1916
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Dearest:- It's only eight thirty and Sunday morning yet I've been up for two hours and a half! What do you think of that? This early rising is growing on me;- getting to be an awful habit. If I didn't have to use both physical and mental forces in my strife for that fortune, perhaps when daylight awakened me I could roll over on the other side and render a bass-viol accompaniment to the birds' spring songs; as it is that early worm is the one I'm after and the lazy late bird goes hungry.
Dr. W. seems to think I'm a funny fellow. I think he's it. Anyway my opinion is that lack of work worries him not; that he'd be perfectly willing to sit calmly down even tho' no patients came. With me ---- well if I know of a prospective patient, say, I go right out after him and, if he's got any notion at all of having the work done, I'll come pretty near landing him. It may not be a strictly ethical method, but as I've told Doc., it's the money we're after, -- not the glory. The first question that's always asked about a man is "what does he do for a living," and if the man in question has the money the conversation's closed --- and I'd like to have those conversations about me very brief.
I hope you'll like the picture I sent you yesterday, Allene dear, -- of course I know it doesn't do me justice (I say that with a "straight" face) but I never carried away the prize from any beauty show, which shows my face is my fortune and I have to work for a living.
'Twas very nice of you dear to send a letter so I'd get it here this morning and I did and I'm going to answer all the questions in it and in the others I've neglected lately.
I remember the color of your hair, and a lot of other nice things I noticed about you dear. If red hair is an excuse for your "spit fire" explosions, it may be necessary for a peroxide or other chemical treatment -- ---unless you can calm (pronounced "cam") yourself down when you feel an outburst approaching;-- can you?
Weather's fine - no snow 'ceptin' in the country and on the mountains. There's plenty there.
Wowie! I'm glad you told me - you're some "card sharper." I'll choose you for a partner when we play bridge.
Tell Hazel I wish she wouldn't come pesterin' around when you're writing to me. It's none of her business anyhow and she got no right to let you use her as an excuse for cutting me short - and she son't need to be standing around waiting for you to "hurry up and finish."
Tomorrow, dear, we go back to Wells for another few days. We're just like a bee in a flower garden.
With love dearest, -
Always yours,
Frank
April 9th
Modesto,
California
Dearest:- It's only eight thirty and Sunday morning yet I've been up for two hours and a half! What do you think of that? This early rising is growing on me;- getting to be an awful habit. If I didn't have to use both physical and mental forces in my strife for that fortune, perhaps when daylight awakened me I could roll over on the other side and render a bass-viol accompaniment to the birds' spring songs; as it is that early worm is the one I'm after and the lazy late bird goes hungry.
Dr. W. seems to think I'm a funny fellow. I think he's it. Anyway my opinion is that lack of work worries him not; that he'd be perfectly willing to sit calmly down even tho' no patients came. With me ---- well if I know of a prospective patient, say, I go right out after him and, if he's got any notion at all of having the work done, I'll come pretty near landing him. It may not be a strictly ethical method, but as I've told Doc., it's the money we're after, -- not the glory. The first question that's always asked about a man is "what does he do for a living," and if the man in question has the money the conversation's closed --- and I'd like to have those conversations about me very brief.
I hope you'll like the picture I sent you yesterday, Allene dear, -- of course I know it doesn't do me justice (I say that with a "straight" face) but I never carried away the prize from any beauty show, which shows my face is my fortune and I have to work for a living.
'Twas very nice of you dear to send a letter so I'd get it here this morning and I did and I'm going to answer all the questions in it and in the others I've neglected lately.
I remember the color of your hair, and a lot of other nice things I noticed about you dear. If red hair is an excuse for your "spit fire" explosions, it may be necessary for a peroxide or other chemical treatment -- ---unless you can calm (pronounced "cam") yourself down when you feel an outburst approaching;-- can you?
Weather's fine - no snow 'ceptin' in the country and on the mountains. There's plenty there.
Wowie! I'm glad you told me - you're some "card sharper." I'll choose you for a partner when we play bridge.
Tell Hazel I wish she wouldn't come pesterin' around when you're writing to me. It's none of her business anyhow and she got no right to let you use her as an excuse for cutting me short - and she son't need to be standing around waiting for you to "hurry up and finish."
Tomorrow, dear, we go back to Wells for another few days. We're just like a bee in a flower garden.
With love dearest, -
Always yours,
Frank
April 9th
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Letters from Grandpa 8 April 1916
Commercial Hotel
W. M. Doyle, Prop.
Elko--Nevada
Miss Allene S Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Dearest:-
Under separate cover I am mailing today (as they say in business correspondence) the pictures - They are self explanatory, I "reckon".
Had a nice little ride down here today. Got your letter just before we left. Glad you saw the Clansman. 'Tis a great picture.
Aw dear there's a whole bunch here in the lobby all talking at once and I can't think let alone write; so accept another excuse from your fortune hunter
Frank
April 8th, 1916.
W. M. Doyle, Prop.
Elko--Nevada
Miss Allene S Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Dearest:-
Under separate cover I am mailing today (as they say in business correspondence) the pictures - They are self explanatory, I "reckon".
Had a nice little ride down here today. Got your letter just before we left. Glad you saw the Clansman. 'Tis a great picture.
Aw dear there's a whole bunch here in the lobby all talking at once and I can't think let alone write; so accept another excuse from your fortune hunter
Frank
April 8th, 1916.
Letters from Grandpa 7 April 1916
The Allen Hotel
Geo Allen, Prop.
Wells--Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Allene Dearest, In my yesterday's I said I was "mad" but I wasn't, 'twas only a disappointment. When your letter doesn't come on time I'm disappointed dear, that's all.
Your apology today dear has sort of bro't me to my senses and while I want and will look for a letter from you every day, still I should be content with the knowledge that you care enough for me to write, even tho' you do fail once in awhile.
Now dearest I don't want to be unreasonable or selfish. I think we understand each other and with that mutual understanding let's be honest, and frank, and friendly. I won't hold it against you if you miss a day or two with your writing, because there are times when a fellow just can't, that's all, and I want you to be as lenient and considerate with me. Don't misunderstand me, dearest, and think for a minute that I'm tiring of you, or want to slack up with the writing; that's furtherest from my tho'ts. We're going to be better acquainted and at the earliest possible moment and in the meantime let's be as close to each other as possible.
Today was surely the "cranberry merchant's." I got up at 6:30 and after breakfast I got busy. Well there was no let up until 5:30. No dinner, no nothin', 'cept patients (not patience) and work. Landed a couple of good jobs for next week, - beginning Monday, so we will drive down to Elko tomorrow afternoon and return Monday morning. Address mail here as you have been doing.
With all my love dear,
Just yours,
Frank
April 7th, 1916.
Geo Allen, Prop.
Wells--Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Allene Dearest, In my yesterday's I said I was "mad" but I wasn't, 'twas only a disappointment. When your letter doesn't come on time I'm disappointed dear, that's all.
Your apology today dear has sort of bro't me to my senses and while I want and will look for a letter from you every day, still I should be content with the knowledge that you care enough for me to write, even tho' you do fail once in awhile.
Now dearest I don't want to be unreasonable or selfish. I think we understand each other and with that mutual understanding let's be honest, and frank, and friendly. I won't hold it against you if you miss a day or two with your writing, because there are times when a fellow just can't, that's all, and I want you to be as lenient and considerate with me. Don't misunderstand me, dearest, and think for a minute that I'm tiring of you, or want to slack up with the writing; that's furtherest from my tho'ts. We're going to be better acquainted and at the earliest possible moment and in the meantime let's be as close to each other as possible.
Today was surely the "cranberry merchant's." I got up at 6:30 and after breakfast I got busy. Well there was no let up until 5:30. No dinner, no nothin', 'cept patients (not patience) and work. Landed a couple of good jobs for next week, - beginning Monday, so we will drive down to Elko tomorrow afternoon and return Monday morning. Address mail here as you have been doing.
With all my love dear,
Just yours,
Frank
April 7th, 1916.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Letters from Grandpa 6 Apr 1916
The Allen Hotel
Geo. Allen, Prop.
Wells--Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley
Modesto,
California
Now Dearest, I can appreciate your feelings when you don't get a letter and when there's no apparent excuse 'cept negligence. Today I drew a blank an' I'm mad,--that's all. And just for that I'm going to tell you that we've been busier 'n the proverbial cranberry merchant all day and have another cranberry merchant's day ahead of us----thank God. We just love to work when we need the money and are getting paid for our labors.
Of course, dear, when I'm awfully busy you're neglected----but not forgotten----and this accounts for this excuse of a letter, 'cause I'll have to forgive you as you have forgiven me in the past. But believe me, Allene dear, I don't like neglect at all.
Ever yours
Frank
April 6th, 1916
Geo. Allen, Prop.
Wells--Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley
Modesto,
California
Now Dearest, I can appreciate your feelings when you don't get a letter and when there's no apparent excuse 'cept negligence. Today I drew a blank an' I'm mad,--that's all. And just for that I'm going to tell you that we've been busier 'n the proverbial cranberry merchant all day and have another cranberry merchant's day ahead of us----thank God. We just love to work when we need the money and are getting paid for our labors.
Of course, dear, when I'm awfully busy you're neglected----but not forgotten----and this accounts for this excuse of a letter, 'cause I'll have to forgive you as you have forgiven me in the past. But believe me, Allene dear, I don't like neglect at all.
Ever yours
Frank
April 6th, 1916
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