Letters from Grandpa 19 February 1916

Box 162, Elko
Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Allene Dearest:-

Aboard the train for Elko Wednesday I wrote you and when I arrived I gave a small boy a whole nickel to take the letter over to the P.O. We stayed overnight there,-just long enough to get ourselves groomed a little and attend to some business matters relative to our offices, automobiles, and "Moore." The last mentioned is on the fire, cooking and I am awaiting developments.

Expressed you a box of candy which I hope didn't get all mashed in transit. Returning on the train Thursday afternoon I penned some more and told you I'd try and write again that night, but dear it was out of the question. And the next morning, yesterday, before we could get our things unpacked there were three patients waiting. Well we peeled off our coats and went to it. Worked without a stop, excepting for a hurried lunch, until after five o'clock and then started in after supper and put in about two hours. Promised to finish the one patient by ten o'clock this A.M. Missed it one hour only.

That's the reason my girlie didn't get a letter yesterday and I'll bet she's getting awful tired writing when she don't get any replies. I don't blame you, dear, when I fail to hear from you for a few days, when conditions are like they have been, but I'm disappointed every time I go to the P.O. and don't get your letter.

Think we will be here another week and then we'll go to Battle Mountain and Austin. Don't expect to stop in B.M. Change trains there and take narrow guage [sic] up to Austin. Am sending you a little R.R. map which I've marked up "a bit."

Oh, did you like "The Clausman," dear? I saw the pictures of it and it was fine. I never read "Michael O'Hallorhan," but if it is like "Corporal Cameron" or any other of Ralph Connor's works it's certainly going to get me. Here I have your letter of Thursday the 10th,-the morning after the "Five Hundred" set-to,-and when you were all excited about the case you had on a married man: It's not only disgraceful but provoking  and besides dear I'd rather you'd not have room for "cases" on any other than me. Your confidence in me dear shows me that you were not sincere with the case at hand, so I'm not too jealous.

You say you had a good time at the Winter Garden that night? Did you like the new (?) styles of dancing you saw? I'll bet it was some kind of tough ragging that was demonstrated. Isn't it ridiculous the way some of 'em dance? And after all I think the old fashioned waltz has 'em all beat.

In another of your letters you said something about eating worms cause nobody loved you--you'll have to recall that remark dear--right away quick. And now you weigh 126 1/2, golly!! I'll bet I've lost about that many since we went to Midas. Am glad you've got 'em, dear, since it pleases you so much, but I haven't any to spare so when you get thru with them send 'em back--P.D.Q.

I didn't get any letter from you yesterday or today dear so just for that-take this-It's more'n four pages anyhow.

Always yours
Frank

Feb. 19, 1916

Letters from Grandpa 17 February 1916

Box 162, Elko
Nevada.

Miss Allene Kelley,
Modesto
California

Just an excuse of a letter to my girlie to let her know I've not forgotten her today.

Will be in "Goldamya" in a few minutes.

From Elko I expressed a package of sweets, dear, You should get 'em about the time this letter reaches you. Enclosed a couple of pictures but saved the best one for this. It's a lovely likeness, don't you think?

Will try and pen you a few more lines tonight dear but I'm pretty near all in.

Always yours
Frank

Enroute. Feby 17, 1916

Letters from Grandpa 16 February 1916

Box 162, Elko,
Nevada


Miss Allene S. Kelley
Modesto,
California


Dearest:- The section foreman's note to the roadmaster "Off again, on again, gone again, Finnegan," would almost fit our visit at Midas.


We have found, dear, that our initial visits are not howling successes, financially, but it is gratifying to learn that the return ones are more profitable. We were in Midas just a week and while we made a little better than expenses our main accomplishment was the acquaintance of the majority of the population. And a couple of confidential and reliable tips that we would get three big jobs of crown and bridgework the next time we went in to the camp; these were given us yesterday morning as we were getting into the stage.


You know, dear, it makes a fellow feel "kinda" good when he learns that patients are pleased with his work and that they boost for him.


Last night when we got into Golconda found several days work waiting for us. Three big jobs and two others which we haven't examined and estimated. So taking it "all in all" I think the sun is going to shine very brightly for us. I think we will "make" Austin, Eureka and Wells before we return (for any length of time) to Elko.


I can account for all your letters,-got the last two, Sunday's and Monday's, this morning at Golconda. And the one that went astray, Allene, Jan. 17-to Midas, I got in Midas yesterday morning.


Golly dear, it's sure nice of you to just keep right on writing every day when my replies have been going so irregularly-and sometimes not at all. I'll pay you back tho' dear, someway, sometime.


We had a tough trip down yesterday. The first relay,--or stretch of about 16 miles,--was in sled, then we changed to wagon and it was a terribly heavy drag. Snow, ice and mud all mixed. The outcome of it was we didn't get any thing to eat from 7 a.m. till we arrived at our destination at ten P.M.~~and it was some cold after the sun got out of sight. Say but we didn't do a thing dear when we finally did get into that Hot Springs Hotel. We each (5 of us counting the driver) took two big jolts of whiskey and then made tracks for the dining room. Don't think there was a one in the bunch who tho't about washing his face and hands first. Well when we had satisfied our ravenous appetites, and it took some bulk to appease them, I "kinda" separated myself from the others and got the key to the "No 1" plunge and--well I did it. When I got out and went to the room there was old Doc in bed. He was all in.


This morning we got up and found the six o'clock train accomodatingly [sic] late. Our general appearance being rather shabby and that business I have to attend to in Elko, we decided to "hie ourselves hither." Now we are on the train. Don't know where Dr. W. is but I'm back here in the Pullman with you dear. Oh, if it were only a reality!! But maybe_______! I'm one who lives in hopes.


I'm not attempting to answer your letters herein dear. This is just a tale of woe. When I get more time (alone) I'll be with you, deeper in tho'ts-if that is possible.


Anyway dear I'm always
Yours
Frank


Feb'y 16th 1916.

Letters from Grandpa 11 February 1916

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


Allene Dearest:- I'd a whole lot rather be where I could talk to you tonight than be writing cause I'm pretty much sore at my old partner, Dr. Moore of Elko. But then I should worry about such a thing;-we dissolved partnership last June and I've only seen him one or twice since. I have his signature, properly witnessed, to a little piece of paper which he isn't very proud of and he's foolish enough to try and buck in soft sand. My lawyer says he's trying to welch [not keep his end of the contract-ed.] and while he has not a chinaman's chance still it peeves me. Maybe I'll have to go back to Elko before I really want to.


Well dearest I got two dandy letters from you tonight to pay for the one I didn't write yesterday. I want to confess right now dear, the facilities for writing here are not. I don't think there's a writing desk in the camp, at least there isn't any that I've seen, and right now I'm up here in my room at the only hotel (?) using the wash stand as a desk and very nearly freezing. The only fire in the "joint" I guess is in the down stairs, rear, and I'm in the up stairs, front,--but I'd rather stand a little cold now than the burning I'd expect,--and probably get,--from you dear, if I missed a mail.


I'm a little afraid the movies have given you a sort of an exaggerated idea of a mining camp. Some of the very prosperous, booming camps have all those things, dance halls, etc. but this is not a prosperous camp dear--not now anyhow and besides I don't like beer at four bits [25 cents-ed.] a drink and you never can drink alone in a dance hall. I'm not a millionare [sic]--why I already have told you I was a fortune hunter. So dear you may go to bed and have a good sound sleep when I've finished talking to you.


You want to know what I do for recreation when on these trips. Well dear I work, and eat, and sleep from ten to twelve hours every night and that's all I do.


Hope you enjoyed yourself at the card party Wednesday night and did "Kitty" prove to be a nice little "girl." Sometimes a fellow gets fooled with those nice little "girls." I suppose you'd feel terrible if you did slip and call him Kitty to his face.


Do you know what I'm going to do now, dear, well I'll say good night and let you guess.


Always yours
Frank


Midas, February 11th, 1916

Letters from Grandpa 8 February 1916

Box 162, Elko,
Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Dearest Girlie

It's 7:30 A.M. and my fingers are almost frozen but the stage leaves in a few minutes and I don't want to disappoint you nor cause you to look like "the last rose of summer," as your aunt said.

We had a dandy sled ride from Red House up yesterday altho' it was a heavy pull for the team. The last twelve miles we had to use four horses.And at that they didn't get out of a walk, except at one or two little down hill places. 'Twas a little after seven when we got in and then after we ate and got our things put away we rolled in. Couldn't find any stationery or would have written then.

The day was as near perfection as could have been expected out here at this time and not once were we cold or the least bit uncomfortable. The snow here is several feet deep and even on the tip top of the summit was about four,--and they say it must have settled eighteen inches yesterday.

I may be able to get some snow scenes before we get out of here. It looks favorable for such.

With love dear,
Yours,
Frank

Midas, Nevada
Feb 8, 1916

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.

Letter from Eunice D. Kooy 5 December 1994

Eunice Dale Broadwell Kooy was my paternal grandmother. She wrote this letter to my daughter; I believe there had been a school assignment related to the Great Depression. "Mom," as I called her, was first married to Robert B. Sauls. He is the "Bob" she refers to. They were divorced in 1933, and in 1938 she married Gerrit Kooy. Her parents were Nathaniel Dale and Elva Helen (Clark) Broadwell.
The letter is undated, but the postmark in the envelope is 5 December 1994.
I have edited out the names of living people.

My Dear [Great-granddaughter]

I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you. However, I'll send this information that may help in the future.

In 1929 [my third child] was born in Oakdale.
His Father Robert Boyer Sauls was trying to sell Watkins Products in Oakdale District. He couldn't sell enough products to maintain our home so we moved back to Modesto in 1930. He found employment at the Ford Dealership as a mechanic. That job lasted a short time and he was layed [sic] off.

I went to work at The Modesto Fruit Exchange packing fruit. After packing untill [sic] in November the fruit season finished. I couldn't find work and we were being evicted from our home due to nonpayment of our rent. At [sic] time Lloyd, Helen, and Aunt Maude Johnson invited us to live with them for a while. Lloyd was in cement contracting business at the time. He insisted Bob work for him and I cooked for his cement crew until Glen was born March 9, 1931.

In April 1931 Bob received $600.00 from the Government, with that and what other money we could get together Bob and Lloyd built a small house in Yoris Grove. Bob still didn't have work. So my Dad let us milk young Jersey cows so we would have milk and butter for the children.

W. D. Sauls-your Great-[great]-grand father, was a minister. Enid [Enice] Sauls Great-[great]-grandmother.

The boys went to Ceres by bus, In the mean time I raised a few chickens and rabbits for food and had a garden. I baked bread in a wood stove and sold it for 10 cents a loaf. Also, made mayonnaise and sold it for 25 cents per qt. [quart]

I made underwear for all out of flour sacks. I didn't have a washing machine so I heated the water over a fire outside fire [sic] and washed by hand with a rub board.

When Apricots were ripe we didn't have gas for the Ford car so I walked 3 miles each way to cut apricots for 25 cents for a 50# [pound] lug. 10 boxes was the most I could cut for drying in an 8 hour day.

Aunt Maude, Helen and my mother took care of the Boys.

May 1933 I moved to my mother & Dad's home in Ceres. Most all the banks closed. Farmers couldn't get their money out to buy hay for their cows and many sent their herds to slaughter. The economy down until Pres. Roosevelt started releaf [sic] Program (WPA) I got a job with the Government doing payroll for 100 men for $60 a month.
May 6, 1936 I got a job doing general office work.
Jan 2, 1938 I went to work for Stanislas [sic] Co. Dept of Agriculture where I worked for 33 yrs as Secretary & Agricultural Insp. [Inspector]