Letters from Grandpa 1 April 1916

After ten days return to
Quilici Brothers, Wholesale and Retail
Dealers in General Merchandise
Wells, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Dearest, Your letter just received a little while ago and it was about time too. I was certainly getting weary. What wouldn't I give to see you all togged out in your new rags! But really dear a look at you in any kind of old-(or new)-rags would be quite a pleasing sight to me. I think I know just how you feel with all those new clothes dear. There's such a satisfied feeling when you're all dolled up in nice new things,--Isn't there? I've got a lot of old suits- in fact all I've got are old- well I'm going to try and wear 'em all out this summer,- not get anything new till I do--and then this fall, or late summer, I'll stock up again. But I won't get two suits exactly alike again.

That grey norfolk I had my picture taken in is one of twins. Had the suit made with an extra pair of trousers. About the second time I wore the suit I went into the barber shop to get shaved;-took off the coat, (I seldom wear one in summer) and walked out and forgot it. A few days afterwards I looked into my wardrobe and noticed an extra coat hanger. Then I remembered. Well when I enquired of the barbers, porter and others and no one seemed to know anything about it I gave up the search and had another one made. After I'd been in California a couple of weeks I received a letter from Mrs. Doyle saying the coat had been found and when I returned to Elko I found it had, so I've got two of 'em.

The little Dodge carried us and all our baggage up here yesterday. It's certainly a darling little car,-- to my way of thinking,- and I've had quite a lot of experience with 'em---all kinds.

Had a swell dinner today dear. My very particular friends here in Wells, Mr. and Mrs. Quilici gave me the treat. Don't judge by the name because he's one of the most popular young men in this part of the country.--He was born and raised in Italy but a true blue American. Mrs. Quilici is decidedly American, born and raised to the name of Smith--a trained nurse by profession and a very nice girl. Was with Damenick when he met her. Well you'll like them dear when you see them.

With all my love dear I'll close this April Fools Day missive.

Ever yours only,
Frank

Letters from Grandpa 30 March 1916

Hotel Mayer
Elko, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Dearest; Where are you? Another day has gone and I've failed to hear from you and I'm getting anxious, even tho' you did tell me that you'd not give me the G.B. Am going to the photographers this afternoon, so if you want that picture you'd better come to life. And tomorrow we are going to Wells. If you'd have given me your Berkeley address dear, I'd have sent my baby (?) brother to call on you, but maybe I'd have regretted it as you know he's one of the eligibles.

Well I just wish you'd hurry home if you can't find the time to write me even a postal while you're away. Your silence is just what Sherman said about war, so "come to" dear.

Ever yours
Frank

March 30th, 1916

Letters from Grandpa 29 March 1916

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

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

The old cold has gone, dear, and everything's fine again and tomorrow I'm going to try and have that picture taken for you.

Two days have gone by and I've not received even so much as a postal from my girlie and I'm beginning to wonder if she's met with some accident. If I fail to hear from her tomorrow I'm going to gather up the late papers and see if I can find what hospital, or morgue, the victims were taken to.

Day after tomorrow, dear, we are going to Wells, so that will be the next address.

I'm not at all inspired today, so accept this excuse for a letter Allene dear, and I'll promise to do better--when I can.

Always yours
Framk

March 29th, 1916

Letters from Grandpa 28 March 1916

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

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Good morning, Allene dear. Went straight to bed last night and got up at six thirty. If my head didn't feel as big as a box car and as full as a tight shoe I'd be O.K. When a fellow feels like that tho' and also when he's been forsaken, as you have me, it's not possible to look cheerful so I guess I'll have to postpone that engagement with the photographer till I know you are home again--and safe--and the tight car full of shoe boxes,--I mean---oh you know what I mean dear--well till that feeling leaves me. I do know that I'll not leave here till this cold is broken up and I am better.

Now can't you have some Kodaks taken when you get all dolled up in the new rags dear and let me see yow you look again? I'll be expecting them.

With all my love dear I'll stop for now.

Ever yours
Frank

March 28th 1916

Letters from Grandpa 27 March 1916

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

Miss Allene S Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Now darn it, Dearest, you're going away only for a day perhaps but it just seems as tho' I was writing this to mail to no one, and therefore I'm not at all inspired.

I hope you are having a delightful time tho' dear while this is waiting for you. Indeed I'm having one only while I'm writing; I caught a peach of a cold Saturday-coming down from Eureka and yesterday I took a little more and today I took--well it doesn't matter dear what--but I'll feel better tomorrow---can't feel worse.

Wish I could see you Allene dear when you get all togged out in the glad rags. Bet you'll come home all dressed up like a broken arm--but please be careful and don't do anything to make you feel like one.

I'm going to bed in about two seconds and it's only 8:30--so forgive yours only

Frank
Monday, March 27th 1916

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.

Allene Kelley Russell

Modesto, California, circa 1977