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
Showing posts with label letters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letters. Show all posts
Friday, August 9, 2013
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
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
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
Daniel Morrison, Prop.
Eureka, Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley
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
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
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
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
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
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
--------------------
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
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
Saturday, August 27, 2011
A Railroad Map from Grandpa 18 February 1916
In his previous letter, Frank H. Russell told Allene S. Kelley that he was sending her a little railroad map which he had marked up a bit. These are scans of the marked up portions of the pages he sent her and the note he included. Please click on the images to enlarge them.
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.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Letters from Grandpa 4 February 1916
Box 162
Elko, Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Again, Allene Dearest, your letter is early. It came on this evenings [sic] train and of course I won't get any tomorrow morning to pay for it,~ but maybe I'll be rewarded again tomorrow evening. Here's hoping.
I guess you've guessed it dear when you guess fate is "agin" us. It's alright with me tho' so long as we are kept busy and out of mischief.
Our "Midas" has all those gold crowns in his upper jaw and electric headlights on a dark clear night are not to be compared with his illumination. Our Midas has the old King Midas backed clear off the board.
Of course, dear, we can, and do do porcelain work. Can't make porcelain inlays on these trips, account of that work requiring an electric furnace, but crowns and teeth we can supply. For crowns and bridge-work gold is stronger and more durable and we always advise our patients to take it for that reason. Of course if they want porcelain we give it to 'em, in fact we give 'em anything they want, ~ if it's within reason, or possible.
That's too bad about your gold crowns showing when you laugh dear. Maybe some of these days I'll be able to show you what I can do in the way of changing them to porcelain. I should say I don't advise gold in the anterior teeth, altho' I, myself, have "a plenty."
You bet that one is a good picture of you and I'm going to keep it right in my pocket where I can take a look at it whenever I want to, and I want to now, so wait a second. You're unchanged dear; you're just as sweet looking as before.
Tell me what the S in your name stands for and don't tell me it's Samanthy or even Sophia.
With love dear I'm
Always yours,
Frank
Fish Day~~~~
February 4th 1916
[Editor's note: The "S" in my grandmother's name stands for "Simmonds."]
Elko, Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Again, Allene Dearest, your letter is early. It came on this evenings [sic] train and of course I won't get any tomorrow morning to pay for it,~ but maybe I'll be rewarded again tomorrow evening. Here's hoping.
I guess you've guessed it dear when you guess fate is "agin" us. It's alright with me tho' so long as we are kept busy and out of mischief.
Our "Midas" has all those gold crowns in his upper jaw and electric headlights on a dark clear night are not to be compared with his illumination. Our Midas has the old King Midas backed clear off the board.
Of course, dear, we can, and do do porcelain work. Can't make porcelain inlays on these trips, account of that work requiring an electric furnace, but crowns and teeth we can supply. For crowns and bridge-work gold is stronger and more durable and we always advise our patients to take it for that reason. Of course if they want porcelain we give it to 'em, in fact we give 'em anything they want, ~ if it's within reason, or possible.
That's too bad about your gold crowns showing when you laugh dear. Maybe some of these days I'll be able to show you what I can do in the way of changing them to porcelain. I should say I don't advise gold in the anterior teeth, altho' I, myself, have "a plenty."
You bet that one is a good picture of you and I'm going to keep it right in my pocket where I can take a look at it whenever I want to, and I want to now, so wait a second. You're unchanged dear; you're just as sweet looking as before.
Tell me what the S in your name stands for and don't tell me it's Samanthy or even Sophia.
With love dear I'm
Always yours,
Frank
Fish Day~~~~
February 4th 1916
[Editor's note: The "S" in my grandmother's name stands for "Simmonds."]
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Letters from Grandpa 3 February 1916
Box 162
Elko, Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Allene Dearest,
Already I've won my wager of this afternoon, but there's no sport in betting where you have a "cinch." And if ever there was one it was that the Vagabond would prove the stronger magnet that that Russian Musical. The wager was decided by your letter which arrived this evening. I guess this letter was intended for tomorrow and to pay for getting it tonight I'll about have to go without one in the morning. I'm a cheerful winner, dear, and it's alright, fine when they come on time, or a little early, but I get pretty peeved when they're late, so if you want to keep me in good humor you want to get 'em away on the first train.
So my letter was thrilly,~gee, I'd like to know what particular part of it is responsible for that comment? And as for your being in doubt as to my address,~ always send 'em to the same old place till I tell you for sure to send 'em someplace else. Anyhow all mail for Midas is sorted over at this P.O. and even if the letters are addressed to Golconda and we are up there we will get then without any delay.
Yeh, that's alright~very nice~ also fine, and I'm glad Helen Hinkle likes cookies and nuts~~and that she get's 'em in her jail, Huntington Hall. But I know another party, that is I have a speaking acquaintance with him, in fact I talk to him quite often. (You know this kind of weather is enough to make a fellow talk to anybody,~even himself.) Well anyway, he's worse than in jail,~he's snowbound on a big desert~and he likes cookies and nuts too,~~and he doesn't get 'em. That doesn't take away his likes for them tho' nor his love for her who makes them.
Always yours dear,
Frank
Thursday Eve.
February 3rd 1916.
Elko, Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Allene Dearest,
Already I've won my wager of this afternoon, but there's no sport in betting where you have a "cinch." And if ever there was one it was that the Vagabond would prove the stronger magnet that that Russian Musical. The wager was decided by your letter which arrived this evening. I guess this letter was intended for tomorrow and to pay for getting it tonight I'll about have to go without one in the morning. I'm a cheerful winner, dear, and it's alright, fine when they come on time, or a little early, but I get pretty peeved when they're late, so if you want to keep me in good humor you want to get 'em away on the first train.
So my letter was thrilly,~gee, I'd like to know what particular part of it is responsible for that comment? And as for your being in doubt as to my address,~ always send 'em to the same old place till I tell you for sure to send 'em someplace else. Anyhow all mail for Midas is sorted over at this P.O. and even if the letters are addressed to Golconda and we are up there we will get then without any delay.
Yeh, that's alright~very nice~ also fine, and I'm glad Helen Hinkle likes cookies and nuts~~and that she get's 'em in her jail, Huntington Hall. But I know another party, that is I have a speaking acquaintance with him, in fact I talk to him quite often. (You know this kind of weather is enough to make a fellow talk to anybody,~even himself.) Well anyway, he's worse than in jail,~he's snowbound on a big desert~and he likes cookies and nuts too,~~and he doesn't get 'em. That doesn't take away his likes for them tho' nor his love for her who makes them.
Always yours dear,
Frank
Thursday Eve.
February 3rd 1916.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Letters from Grandpa 3 February 1916
Box 162
Elko, Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley
Modesto
California
My Dearest Little Girlie has got me tongue-tied, or has given me "writer's cramp," or else the receipt of this mornings letter with the pictures has acted as an anaesthetic and as far as external appearances go I'm in an absolute comma [sic]. My mind and tho'ts tho' dear, are working overtime. When I read your letter there are about a million things I want to say and then when I look at your pictures I'm speechless. I don't know whether it's fright (like "buck-ague" or "stage fright") or admiration.
Anyhow dear the pictures are great,~especially the one of you in the sweater. I love that characteristic carelessness it portrays. You do look "kind-a" natural in the other one of you standing but I don't like it nearly as well as the first. And the one of you sitting~~well I don't know,~ Might have tho't it fine if I hadn't seen the others. The one of aunt Helene, gee!! It's a funny one alright. She stood too close to the camera and it's distorted~made her too big in the middle.
Most wonderfullest, dear that you should have baked and "maked" and all those other things about cookies and almonds~ and all by yourself, too! I am so surprise-ed!! <--Exclamation points. And I'll take your word for their quality.
Now I suppose I'm to guess which was the stronger attraction, "The Beloved Vagabond" or the "Russian Composers." Oh, I'll take the single tramp.~ The movies are bound to be the winners.
Gee dear, but I like that picture of you in the sweater, and love the original.
Frank
Feby. 3,-1916.
Elko, Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley
Modesto
California
My Dearest Little Girlie has got me tongue-tied, or has given me "writer's cramp," or else the receipt of this mornings letter with the pictures has acted as an anaesthetic and as far as external appearances go I'm in an absolute comma [sic]. My mind and tho'ts tho' dear, are working overtime. When I read your letter there are about a million things I want to say and then when I look at your pictures I'm speechless. I don't know whether it's fright (like "buck-ague" or "stage fright") or admiration.
Anyhow dear the pictures are great,~especially the one of you in the sweater. I love that characteristic carelessness it portrays. You do look "kind-a" natural in the other one of you standing but I don't like it nearly as well as the first. And the one of you sitting~~well I don't know,~ Might have tho't it fine if I hadn't seen the others. The one of aunt Helene, gee!! It's a funny one alright. She stood too close to the camera and it's distorted~made her too big in the middle.
Most wonderfullest, dear that you should have baked and "maked" and all those other things about cookies and almonds~ and all by yourself, too! I am so surprise-ed!! <--Exclamation points. And I'll take your word for their quality.
Now I suppose I'm to guess which was the stronger attraction, "The Beloved Vagabond" or the "Russian Composers." Oh, I'll take the single tramp.~ The movies are bound to be the winners.
Gee dear, but I like that picture of you in the sweater, and love the original.
Frank
Feby. 3,-1916.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Letters from Grandpa 30 January 1916
Box 162
Elko, Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Dearest Girl o' Mine,
I'm still on the job,~ the teeth didn't cook too much and the patient is "tickled to death" with the work. A pleased patient is our best ad.
But what I'd like to know dear, is who is to blame for my failure to get a letter from you dated the 27th? Yours of the 26th came yesterday, accompanied by one from your aunt, dated the 27th, and the one this morning was written Friday. Now dear, you have forbidden my scolding and to prove my lovely nature I acquiesce in your favor~~this once; but you surely can't object if I tell you I'm disappointed when there's a day missed. I want one for every day even if they are not received for three or four days, if (again) then they come three or four in a bunch. I'm selfish dear, but can't help it, nor do I want to, where you are concerned.
Gosh! Sell that beautiful home! Do you really believe he will,~or wants to? Seems like a shame to even think of it,~but if he gets his price~~! And you haven't any idea where you might go? Well dear, should the deal go thru' and you leave Modesto all you've got to do is to tell me the new address and when the time comes I'll get there.
All the weather prophets around here say this last storm is the last big one we'll have for a while and if that's the case we will be at our destination in a few days. Was talking to the stage driver last night, the fellow who had that terrible experience (he's alright now) and he says "they'll be able to get us thru' in a few days, about Wednesday." They are driving stock etc. over the road now to break it. When we get there, dear, the triweekly mail service and the uncertainty of stage lines out here will put a damper on our daily missives but we can write a few lines daily anyhow. Now that the time is drawing near and we have been away from Elko so long I hate to go up there to that old mining camp, but what can a poor man do?
With love dear, I'm always yours
Frank
Sunday Afternoon,
Jan. 30th, 1916
Elko, Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Dearest Girl o' Mine,
I'm still on the job,~ the teeth didn't cook too much and the patient is "tickled to death" with the work. A pleased patient is our best ad.
But what I'd like to know dear, is who is to blame for my failure to get a letter from you dated the 27th? Yours of the 26th came yesterday, accompanied by one from your aunt, dated the 27th, and the one this morning was written Friday. Now dear, you have forbidden my scolding and to prove my lovely nature I acquiesce in your favor~~this once; but you surely can't object if I tell you I'm disappointed when there's a day missed. I want one for every day even if they are not received for three or four days, if (again) then they come three or four in a bunch. I'm selfish dear, but can't help it, nor do I want to, where you are concerned.
Gosh! Sell that beautiful home! Do you really believe he will,~or wants to? Seems like a shame to even think of it,~but if he gets his price~~! And you haven't any idea where you might go? Well dear, should the deal go thru' and you leave Modesto all you've got to do is to tell me the new address and when the time comes I'll get there.
All the weather prophets around here say this last storm is the last big one we'll have for a while and if that's the case we will be at our destination in a few days. Was talking to the stage driver last night, the fellow who had that terrible experience (he's alright now) and he says "they'll be able to get us thru' in a few days, about Wednesday." They are driving stock etc. over the road now to break it. When we get there, dear, the triweekly mail service and the uncertainty of stage lines out here will put a damper on our daily missives but we can write a few lines daily anyhow. Now that the time is drawing near and we have been away from Elko so long I hate to go up there to that old mining camp, but what can a poor man do?
With love dear, I'm always yours
Frank
Sunday Afternoon,
Jan. 30th, 1916
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Letters from Grandpa 29 January 1916
Box 162
Elko
Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Box 686
This last storm, Dearest, has put things "on the h[illegible]mer" again and the letter I wrote Thursday night or Friday (yesterday) morning is still here in the P.O. My letters are usually mailed on the train but when no trains come along~~well I've just got to get rid of them. I don't know what the outcome will be; whether you'll get them singly or in bunches, but I'll see that I have one ready for either "No. 19" or "No. 9," the west bound mail trains, each day.
Yesterday dear, of course, I didn't get even the scratch of a pen from you~ and today, altho' the east bound trains have gone thru', just the one tardy missive. Yours and Mrs. Maze's came. I don't seem to be missing any,~the dates check up,~but there's no regularity.
It's surely awful out here and no mistake. The mail carrier, who was going to take us to Midas, left here in the stage two weeks ago day after tomorrow. He hasn't been able to get back,~~nor did he get in. They had to go out and meet him. The other day he started out with the intentions, as I understand, of coming back here. Snow was so deep he was unable to get thru. Got caught in a big drift, had to stay there all night. The next morning he left the team and started to walk. During the day a relief party was sent out for him.(by telephoning they found that he'd not reached his destination) and they found him floundering in the snow entirely exhausted. Had they arrived a little later they'd have found a corpse. When the wagon roads are so bad you can't get thru with [a] big team it's pretty bad.
I'll bet you are happy, dear. There's such a big feeling when [you] cross the line,~ from exercises to real music. It's very much the same feeling as when a boy gets his first pair of long pants. I took piano lessons some years ago. I drilled away on the old monotonous finger exercises as faithfully as could be,~~while they were watching me,~and oh, how proud I was when I got that first piece. I seemed to have gained the summit.~~Anyhow I "camped" right there. I quit while I was filled with pride.But you mustn't follow my example dear.
And have I been scolding too terribly much? I 'pologize dear, but if you should quit writing I'll "take it back" and scold worse'n ever. So there!
I've been shaving, dear, almost regularly, but by no means for the cause you mention. I do it selfishly~Do you know how that can be? Well before you have time to answer I'll tell you. I do it for my own personal comfort and no one else is taken into consideration~that is no one out here.
Thru' your experience with the "borrowed" baby you've concluded you and Hazel would make wonderful mothers, huh? Blood's thicker than water," [sic] and you can't judge from another's how you'd be with your own.
I'm glad you feel that way about it, Allene dear, ~"if you went to bed without writing your day would not be complete." My days seem to be your days dear.
Frank
January 29th, 1916.
Elko
Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Box 686
This last storm, Dearest, has put things "on the h[illegible]mer" again and the letter I wrote Thursday night or Friday (yesterday) morning is still here in the P.O. My letters are usually mailed on the train but when no trains come along~~well I've just got to get rid of them. I don't know what the outcome will be; whether you'll get them singly or in bunches, but I'll see that I have one ready for either "No. 19" or "No. 9," the west bound mail trains, each day.
Yesterday dear, of course, I didn't get even the scratch of a pen from you~ and today, altho' the east bound trains have gone thru', just the one tardy missive. Yours and Mrs. Maze's came. I don't seem to be missing any,~the dates check up,~but there's no regularity.
It's surely awful out here and no mistake. The mail carrier, who was going to take us to Midas, left here in the stage two weeks ago day after tomorrow. He hasn't been able to get back,~~nor did he get in. They had to go out and meet him. The other day he started out with the intentions, as I understand, of coming back here. Snow was so deep he was unable to get thru. Got caught in a big drift, had to stay there all night. The next morning he left the team and started to walk. During the day a relief party was sent out for him.(by telephoning they found that he'd not reached his destination) and they found him floundering in the snow entirely exhausted. Had they arrived a little later they'd have found a corpse. When the wagon roads are so bad you can't get thru with [a] big team it's pretty bad.
I'll bet you are happy, dear. There's such a big feeling when [you] cross the line,~ from exercises to real music. It's very much the same feeling as when a boy gets his first pair of long pants. I took piano lessons some years ago. I drilled away on the old monotonous finger exercises as faithfully as could be,~~while they were watching me,~and oh, how proud I was when I got that first piece. I seemed to have gained the summit.~~Anyhow I "camped" right there. I quit while I was filled with pride.But you mustn't follow my example dear.
And have I been scolding too terribly much? I 'pologize dear, but if you should quit writing I'll "take it back" and scold worse'n ever. So there!
I've been shaving, dear, almost regularly, but by no means for the cause you mention. I do it selfishly~Do you know how that can be? Well before you have time to answer I'll tell you. I do it for my own personal comfort and no one else is taken into consideration~that is no one out here.
Thru' your experience with the "borrowed" baby you've concluded you and Hazel would make wonderful mothers, huh? Blood's thicker than water," [sic] and you can't judge from another's how you'd be with your own.
I'm glad you feel that way about it, Allene dear, ~"if you went to bed without writing your day would not be complete." My days seem to be your days dear.
Frank
January 29th, 1916.
Letters from Grandpa 28 January 1916
Golconda Hot Springs Hotel
Golconda, Nevada
Box 162, Elko
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Box 686
So long as it doesn't make any difference in the date of delivery Dear, does it make any difference to you whether this was written Thursday night or Friday morning?
Well Friday was (is) the day we were to have started for Midas but a continual snowstorm all day Thursday forestalled the trip again. The old weather man doesn't take us into consideration at all. Maybe he's playing "freeze-out" with us. If so I'm still betting on myself.
Wednesday night dear, I tho't I was going to pen you a short letter, but when I got started,~whew! From now on I'll not give you warning; if you find an abrupt ending, please don't complain. You'll know dear, I wasn't in the mood for writing at the time. Strange as it may seem to you, Allene, there are times when I worry. When things don't go right, I worry in my own "peculiar" way and I don't seem to be able to concentrate my mind on anything else. You'll be able to tell it because the preoccupation of my mind takes me, the real self, away and my letters will lack the vim and life that I try to give them. But we haven't come to that bridge yet dear, and I hope we never do.
Say dear, you are sensible, sure enough, because if you had had me pictured with that halo etc. we'd have both been disappointed,~ that is I'd have been disappointed and you mistaken 'cause,~ well I'm not one of those things. And don't think for a minute dear, that I noticed any signs of peevishness nor took your letter so seriously as to lose sleep, or worry, over what you'd said.
Listen, Allene, you mustn't hurry me back to Elko, too quickly. We've got to make a "haul" before we go back there, and may have to take in several other towns first.
Well that's too bad dear that the looks should be spoiled thru' a mere pencil mark on the envelope. I'll be very very careful in the future. Will that be alright, dear?
With an abundance of love
Frank.
~~~~~~~~~~
Thursday P.M. or Friday A.M.?
~~~~~~~~1916~~~~~~~
P.S. If I've been sputtering away and talking in parables ~(I often do)~ "call me" for it dear. I'm always anxious to make myself understood.
Yours.
Box 162, Elko
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California
Box 686
So long as it doesn't make any difference in the date of delivery Dear, does it make any difference to you whether this was written Thursday night or Friday morning?
Well Friday was (is) the day we were to have started for Midas but a continual snowstorm all day Thursday forestalled the trip again. The old weather man doesn't take us into consideration at all. Maybe he's playing "freeze-out" with us. If so I'm still betting on myself.
Wednesday night dear, I tho't I was going to pen you a short letter, but when I got started,~whew! From now on I'll not give you warning; if you find an abrupt ending, please don't complain. You'll know dear, I wasn't in the mood for writing at the time. Strange as it may seem to you, Allene, there are times when I worry. When things don't go right, I worry in my own "peculiar" way and I don't seem to be able to concentrate my mind on anything else. You'll be able to tell it because the preoccupation of my mind takes me, the real self, away and my letters will lack the vim and life that I try to give them. But we haven't come to that bridge yet dear, and I hope we never do.
Say dear, you are sensible, sure enough, because if you had had me pictured with that halo etc. we'd have both been disappointed,~ that is I'd have been disappointed and you mistaken 'cause,~ well I'm not one of those things. And don't think for a minute dear, that I noticed any signs of peevishness nor took your letter so seriously as to lose sleep, or worry, over what you'd said.
Listen, Allene, you mustn't hurry me back to Elko, too quickly. We've got to make a "haul" before we go back there, and may have to take in several other towns first.
Well that's too bad dear that the looks should be spoiled thru' a mere pencil mark on the envelope. I'll be very very careful in the future. Will that be alright, dear?
With an abundance of love
Frank.
~~~~~~~~~~
Thursday P.M. or Friday A.M.?
~~~~~~~~1916~~~~~~~
P.S. If I've been sputtering away and talking in parables ~(I often do)~ "call me" for it dear. I'm always anxious to make myself understood.
Yours.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Letters from Grandpa 26 January 1916
Box 162,
Elko, Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
1020~15th St.,
Modesto
California
Yesterday, Dearest, I didn't write nor did I receive, but the one I wrote Monday P.M. didn't go till yesterday so I'm none behind. Today I got the tardy one and another, and they both "had a tendency" to make the world look brighter in this gloomy old place. Anyhow I noticed a difference, if no one else did and I feel lots better since I consumed their contents, cause it does make me feel a little downhearted and neglected when I go to the postoffice [sic] and they tell me "nothing doing."
You're not going to get much of a letter today dear.~Am "awful" busy and the train will be here before I finish work. Will write what I can while I'm "cooking" some incisors.
I'm very glad to hear you are industrious too, and that you are faithful to your music, even tho' you do "meet up" with a good many obstacles to hinder and to make it disagreeably fascinating;~ such as snow storms, mud theatres, etc. And talking about theatres, I saw Letty in San Francisco~not "Frisco." I should say she is an awkward looking thing on the stage. And where she made that exit on all fours and then peered around the corner at the audience,~~well "could you beat it" dear?
By golly! dearest, those teeth are done to a frazzle and I'll have to leave you or "lose my job." Will answer this last one tonight.
Always with love,
Your,
Frank.
Jan 26~1916
Elko, Nevada
Miss Allene S. Kelley,
1020~15th St.,
Modesto
California
Yesterday, Dearest, I didn't write nor did I receive, but the one I wrote Monday P.M. didn't go till yesterday so I'm none behind. Today I got the tardy one and another, and they both "had a tendency" to make the world look brighter in this gloomy old place. Anyhow I noticed a difference, if no one else did and I feel lots better since I consumed their contents, cause it does make me feel a little downhearted and neglected when I go to the postoffice [sic] and they tell me "nothing doing."
You're not going to get much of a letter today dear.~Am "awful" busy and the train will be here before I finish work. Will write what I can while I'm "cooking" some incisors.
I'm very glad to hear you are industrious too, and that you are faithful to your music, even tho' you do "meet up" with a good many obstacles to hinder and to make it disagreeably fascinating;~ such as snow storms, mud theatres, etc. And talking about theatres, I saw Letty in San Francisco~not "Frisco." I should say she is an awkward looking thing on the stage. And where she made that exit on all fours and then peered around the corner at the audience,~~well "could you beat it" dear?
By golly! dearest, those teeth are done to a frazzle and I'll have to leave you or "lose my job." Will answer this last one tonight.
Always with love,
Your,
Frank.
Jan 26~1916
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