Cousin James to Carrie, 10 Jan 1932

Personal and

Private

#8828 Emerald Ave

Flat no.1

Sunday 1/10/1932

To:

Dear Cousin Carrie,

In Florida

For fear you may feel lonesome no that you have no longer the delightful companionship of Quin and Mrs.Brown, I am writing just a few lines on this cloudy winter day. I had not seen the adorable Quin for five long years, (and only saw her then but a few moments). She seems so natural and so different from the majority of young women of these days; She was a surprise to me. It seems to me that Webster has a wonderful wife. I have never before said “Good Bye” to you, that I was depressed in doing so, but these days the future looks as if nothing but disaster lies ahead, all partings now do depress me. There seems nothing in the outlook to make an optimist of anyone. The charming Mrs. Brown said she was going to California, so I do not know what your plans are in Florida, but by March it may be 90 degrees in Florida, and then you will flee to Minnesota to enjoy the companionship of those you love, your own flesh and blood. There is no snow on the ground as I write, but looks very much like snowing. It is a little colder, (but not much) than when you left here.

My very best wishes go to you for your happiness, and continued good health. I may never meet you again. Our names may not much longer appear on the list of the living. Yesterday I received from the Wichita lady a copy of the “Foursquare Crusader” with many items marked and a few words of comment, written with pencil by the Wichita lady, who seems to be sane on all subjects excepting religion. You may recall that in one of her letters she wrote me, “Meet me some place and live with me on trial for a month, then if I cannot please you, forever leave me alone.” I wrote her that I could not grant her request for a trial month, for two reasons. 1st. That to live a trial month with her outside the state of Kansas would be in violation of the Mann act, not withstanding we could not cohabit, and that the 2nd reason was that I could not be away from Chicago a month, and did not expect to be able to do so before next Summer, but if I survived this winter, and she still desired to meet me again in Wichita (which is on the Rock Island Lines) I would grant her request, but that I thought she should make an arrangement with a man of her own faith, and I could never be a Christian. She sent me a Christmas greeting, also, a New Year’s card. I expect to hear any day that she has married a man of her own faith. She is a good woman, but, like Gloria Swanson in “Tonight or Never,” she wants to be loved by the man she wants to love her, and is willing to give the man she wants any opportunity he desires to consummate the loving. She seems determined to convert me to her faith, and seems to think if she had me with her for a month she could make a Christian of me. I wrote her months ago I could not be changed to her believe. The God of “The Bible” was incompatible with all modern knowledge, and that I would not marry any woman who believed in Hell. When I was in Wichita she wished me not to leave her, and that if I would not marry her to live with her as a boarder and roomer, and she would change her will in my favor. This did not influence me in the least, and I told her I had no interest in her assets or liabilities, and that I came to Wichita to please her, and not to marry her, or to get her or myself into trouble with all passion gone, an old impotent man, having a date with death, why should I waste what little strength I have in loving a passionate woman of 69? Such things are for young people. Youth is the companion of youth and all else is in violation of nature’s laws. Old men should forget about the physical charms of woman, and never look upon them. Do not trouble to write me only “when the spirit moves.” Do not let it become a burden to you. Good Night.

Your Affectionate Cousin,

James

Transcriber's note: I love Cousin James. I always try to include all of his excessive underling and punctuation... I hope I find a lot more of his letters! They always amuse and the handwriting's not so bad! I actually transcribed this almost 2 years ago and for some reason never posted it. Shame!

UPDATED: Carrie E Hodge to her family in Pine City, 10 Sept 1901 - HISTORIC

IROQUOIS1

BUFFALO

Tuesday morning, Sep 10th, 1901
My dear ones all:
Don’t you think I have considerable nerve to walk into this palace of a hotel, use their ??? and stationary just as if I owned it all? I feel nervy but tonight Mrs. B & I are going to patronize their cafe and they will get even. I have just received your good letter written Saturday PM. Mrs B has one from Breck - very ?????? to her so we are happy & will go very soon on our our coach ride & expect to see everything of interest. Mr Wilburn knows where the president is & all the beautiful homes here. I now just how grandpa Hodge will talk of this attempt on the president’s life2 & as you say there is too much freedom in this country. Business here on Maine St. was almost at a stand still for a little while when it first happened. The weather continues fine, cloudy and cool today. I wear my jacket the times when we are out. We went for a car ride yesterday & tried to attend the Convention of Women’s Suffrage3 but got there too late: so yesterday was a quiet day. I read your letter over several times & enjoyed Websters - I am sure I will like “the cat that is a kitten” & if it could only stay a kitten I would like it better. I am sure if he is confined to the house any with his arm, he will miss his mother. Otherwise he will not remember, only occasionally, that he has one. I am sure the ducks & chickens were good & you enjoyed Sunday, well, we did too - although you remember I cannot yet quite make up my mind about going on to Montreal but if we do go we will make a round trip of it & return here - we will stay here this week at the Juobia. The people there are nice their meals are all we could ask for the price & they humor me to plenty of fruit and melon & everything I want.

Mrs B. is very well please & then when we came down town we have been to one good place. Not so good as McGee’s but tonight after our ride we will go to the best the city affords as they say. I have a great curiosity to see it too.

I continue to feel well & sleep the best kind, no sickness of any kind. That is one thing I am staying here through this week, maybe I will want to keep very quiet a few days soon.

Tom Egans death is a shock to me. I saw him, looking finely, when I went to Sandstone last. Greeleys are due here this morning but we did not go to meet them or will not probably. I only hope they got a good shaking up. I am glad the big fellow is back. It will not seem so lonely for you but every time I think of his going away it sends a sorry pang through me & I keep hoping some thing may develop so he will not be obliged to but I know too it is a forlorn hope but if wishing could keep him he would not go. Sometimes this seems a tough old world. Be sure to remember me to him & tell me of his plans as they develop themselves.
Some day we are going to shop a little cosy windows, drug stores, hardwear & every kind is filled full of “jim cracks4 ” & not much to tempt me yet. I never saw so much & all very much alike - it has been so considerably everywhere but nothing as it is here & crowds everywhere

I will write soon, but maybe not tomorrow, as we talk of going out to the Expo5 once more & want to start early & take it easy.I am doing that all the time & want to put on some used to be fat.

Mrs B. sends regards. Be sure & tell Mr Mc that I wrote Miss James about Jo and ask him what he heard & say too that Mrs B. says the last she heard when she left home was that “father was going to buy McAllens Billy & buggy” & by this time she expected he was in their farm. That’s a trip for him.

All -My love to the family & though I do not write to each separately, you are all in my heart

Yours, Carrie


Transcription and Historical Notes from Emily:

1. The stationary used was from the Iroquois Hotel in Buffalo. I tried to recreate it at the beginning of this post. It was very nice paper, I'll admit... Want to read a great description of the finery Carrie was experiencing at the Iroquois when writing this letter? Follow this link.

2. Major US History event discussed here! At the time it was written, the President was William McKinley. Mrs. Breckenbridge and Carrie E. Hodge were in Buffalo, New York, during the Pan-American Exposition - also attended by President McKinley. While giving a speech on tariffs and international trade, McKinley was shot twice by Leon Frank Czolgosz. Eight days later, on September 14, 1901, President McKinley died and the shooting was officially an assassination. Carrie and Mrs. B. wrote their letters on September 10 so the President was still alive. Indeed, doctors and staff had high hopes of McKinley’s recovery at that time but one of the bullets had gone through his stomach, pancreas and kidney. Ultimately he died because of the gangrene surrounding his wounds. For more interesting facts about this event, see this Wikipedia entry.

3. I couldn't find anything specific about this convention but it was likely part of the Pan-American Exposition. It does answer a pretty cool question though! My great-great-grandmother was in favor of women’s suffrage (well I doubt she would go to the convention if she wasn’t!). Activism runs in the family!

4. When I’m transcribing and think I am reading something correctly but it sounds totally bogus or strange, I google it. I hit jackpot right away on “jim cracks.”! It seems to be a slang term meaning things that are “shoddily built” or...cheap... If it sounds familiar, it’s probably from the song “Blue Tail Fly” which is the one with the refrain “Jimmy crack corn and I don’t care” etc etc. The song is probably talking about cheap corn whiskey. Thanks again to Wikipedia for helping me figure this out!

5. The Pan-American Exposition happened in Buffalo from May 1 through November 2, 1901. Some amazing inventions were unveiled at this Exposition like the x-ray machine (which the doctor’s thought was too risky to use to locate the 2nd bullet in President McKinley’s abdomen) and some sort of power transmitter invented by Nicola Tesla which allowed the entire World’s Fair to be electrically lit using power from the Niagara Falls! However, the assassination of President McKinley probably overshadowed a lot of the amazing things featured at this World’s Fair... Check out this Wikipedia link for more.

Mrs Breckenridge to Mrs Webster, while on trip with Carrie E. in Buffalo, 10 Sept 1910

Dear Mrs. Webster,
I presume you are all very anxious L.E. Brackenridge to Mrs. M.R. Webster


Buffalo Sept 10 - 1901
Dear Mrs. Webster,
I presume you are all very anxious to know just how Mrs. Hodge is getting along. I know she is much better than when we left home. Her appetite is very good indeed and she does not feel tired when evening comes. Of course the days we stay at the hotel she always rests for an hour. I should have thought it utterly impressive for her to walk as much as she has. She sleeps well and hasn’t had any of her stomach trouble. We expect to go out to the Expedition tomorrow and that will finish us up for that point. The trip so far has been very pleasent not a drop of rain since we left home. I got a letter yesterday- the first one - so I felt much better. I certainly expect to hear from Mrs. N today. John writes that the children are all right. Anything you want from the garden - help yourself. There are plenty of squash and must be good by this time. Kind regards to Mr. Hodge and all.

Sincerely yours,
L.E. Brackenridge

M.E.H to Unknown, Jan. 1, 1910

M.E.H to unknown

Leaf River, Ills 1/20 ~1910

Dear Sis,
Up with the lark this stormy morning. Fannie says “too windy to build fire.” So will spend a brief period with you. Yesterday was a lovely winter day, real sunshiney all day. The first all day shine for a long time. Not cold, but windy. Snow beginning to settle a little. Worth your life to venture on the walks. Lillith and Anna on a short walk yesterday. Walk on the south is rough because of snow being left. Monday they were hauling snow out of the ditches to the river. We will be deluged if it goes with a rain.

Do wonder how it goes up your way?
Anna - up & reports a fairly good night. She has not been resting extra well of late. Shoulder more comfortable back about the same as wehn you left. Eye fairly quiet. Only very slite hemorrages for the past week - seems blurred or cloudy. She has some cold & perhaps that causes the trouble.

Do not write till you have time as Sally has told us that she heard from you.
Monday (24) is Mr. Grimes birthday and as they are intending to “shower” him, thought perhaps you would like to send a card.

No time for nothing but Love -
M.E.H.

November 11th, 1926

Apart. No 1.

Chicago Ill.

Nov. 11^th, 1926

Dear Carrie,

Yours of the 9^th inst. just reached me tonight. I duly wrote you of my change of residence, but it seems my letter did not reach you. I am rooming with a family I formerly roomed with prior to going to Mrs. Heilscher’s. I, also, used to board with the mother (now dead), the “lady of the house.” I am now rooming in the home of H. Stanley and Florence A Reynolds at #915 west #86^th Place apart no.1. Mr. Reynolds is a clerk in “The Mutual National Bank.” They have two daughters, one 7years old, the other 11 months old. I have a comfortable room, (furnace heated), having a very large clothing closet, in which I, also, keep my trunk.

Since mother died, I have “lived around,” and had all sorts of experiences, and the longer I live, the more the quietness, and peacefulness of the single life appeals to me. I see by your letter that today “Thursday the eleventh” is the fatal day when Webster gives up^^the joys of bachelorhood, and enters “the monogamic institution of marriage” and that this date is, also ^^the anniversary of your wedding day. I am unable to make out the name of the young lady who is a party to this civil contract (for that is all marriage is in the sight of the law) which secures for her “board and clothing for life.” Lucky woman. I wish them all the happiness in the world.

I took as my vacation the last two weeks of Oct. I was retired the 31^st of Oct., and Nov. 1 my wages were reduced to a pension basis. I do not know as yet what the amount of the pension will be, but I know it will be small. I have, as yet, made no effort to obtain employment, and have spent most of my leisure in reading. I still have passes, and go to the business center every day, and watch the stock grain & cotton quotations, and visit the Public Library, and read magazines. I took your advice and did not retire until I reached the age limit i.e. 70 years. I, also, took your advice and did not “buy an income” by the purchase of the six flat building, and am now engaged in working out a plan to live within what income I shall now have. I have been greatly tempted to buy cotton around 12¢ but have resisted it so far.

I much enjoy reading “The American Mercury Magazine.” Today I came upon an article upon

“Monogamy” and it greatly pleases me, and so much so I made a copy of it. I quote from it.

“The success of the monogamic institution of marriage in these later days of Caucasian civilization must be looked for very largely outside the cities, and in the small towns, villages, farms, and other such places, where life is relatively

Page 2

(quotation continued) “drab and uneventful. Monogamy flourishes, as a cactus flourishes in a desert. Its very irritations, annoyances, disgusts, plate throwing, even fist fights are the things that perpetuate it sicne they, distasteful they are, yet offer themselves as compensatory fillips in the miserable humdrum of life immediately beyond the household walls. It is impossible to imagine the failure of a marriage on a deserted island, and it is almost as difficult to imagine the failure of a marriage in a settlement of five hundred or a thousand people where there isn’t even a movie parlor: where the railroad crossing man’s mother-in-law is the only suspect houri within twenty miles, and where the roads are bad, and where any person who doesn’t go to bed with the crows is given a hard look

Carrie- Here I had a caller who stayed late, and the next day I was called out of the city and I have had no chance to finish this letter, and now its Monday Nov. 15^th and “the lady of the house” is ill and I am remaining at home while the husband is at the bank. I now resume my letter writing

by the pastor on Sunday morning. It is obvious that a marriage disintegrates less frequently from internal than external causes. Thousands of married couples who hate the sight of each other, and would give their last nickel to mash the breakfast grape-fruit against each others noses stay married nevertheless, and so contribute their might to the delusion, shared by the less reflective statistician, that monogamy is a success (illusion). But the moment a husband lays an eye on a woman who coddles his fancy and causes him to lament the fact that his wife’s hair is black instead of yellow, or the moment a wife begins to take too great an interest in football or quotes at the dinner table the charming remark of her osteopath, that moment does a shyster lawyer somewhere begin figuring on buying a new body for his Ford. In the cities, these deplorable external critiques of monogamous marriage are plenteous, in the rural regions they hardly exist. The married yokel looks about him, and sees that his married lot is no worse then that of his neighbor’s. If his wife needs a good shampoo and garters to keep her cotton stockings from looking like exhausted accordions, so does this neighbor’s wife, and that neighbor’s wife in town. If the corned beef and cabbage that wafts into his windows from the house across the mule-path smells as if it would taste the same. If the physical appeal of his spouse is approximately as strong as that of a campaign poster of Ma Ferguson’s, so is that of every other squaw in the reservation, so he simply sits back, heaves a sigh, and waits patiently for a blonde angel in a white nightie in the hereafter. The city man, on the other hand, suffers a matrimonial doubt almost every time he looks out of a window or walks down the street on a windy day, and so, also, does his wife. For every marriage that is dissolved for statutory reasons, there are ten that begin to wobble toward disintegration simply because a husband, quite innocently, but unforgettably, likes the way in which his secretary smiles good morning at him, or because a wife admires the way in which some other fellow of her acquaintance keeps his trousers up without suspenders.”

Page 3

I judge the author of this article on “Monogamy” was a man with a bitter experience. The divorce courts, too, have their tales to tell of how difficult it is for a man and woman to live together in close contact. Looking at the subject with the perspective of the author, Webster stands a very good chance to escape the “Rocks of matrimony.” My sincere hope is that he will.

The predictions are for a severe winter, but I do not place much reliance on predictions regarding the weather. I am unable to decipher the given name of Webster’s wife in your last letter, and do not recall her last name prior to her marriage. It will be quite a change for her after having lived in a large city. Recently I read that Florida had never been visited by tornadoes later than Oct. or Nov. of any year. I am wondering if it is truth or propaganda. I shall begin working again if an opportunity presents. Men 71 years of age, and lame, are not much needed, I find. I took the last two weeks of Oct as my vacation. I have now been “a Man of leisure” for a month. As you predicted this kind of living (on so small a pension) is not to my liking. Nothing but lack of income would keep me from going South directly after Thanksgiving. I presume Pneumonia will “get me” in January or Feb. but it will not matter.

Your affectionate cousin,

James

Paragraphs, punctuation, paper, OH MY!

Well, I had been putting off writing this post because I was desperately trying to find more evidence on what I was going to write about. Even in absence of the evidence, I'll go ahead and write this post.

Frances and I were talking about the infamous "Monogamy" letter written to Carrie E. Hodge by her dear cousin James "Jim" Martin. (I will post the letter next). Frances made a comment about how hard it is to read Jim Martin's letters sometimes because he just jumps from one subject to another with no transition. I had noticed the same thing BUT, having read more letters of the error at this point, I think I know why it seems this way.

It all comes down to paper and postage, I think. I remember learning somewhere that paper was a precious commodity 100 years ago. I know during times of war in particular (such as WWI and WWII), it was important to use as few sheets of paper as possible to write letters in order to save money on paper and postage. The result is long letters with no margins or paragraph breaks! You never know how valuable a paragraph break is until you are reading Jim Martin's letters which often seem to be one long run-on sentence. I noticed especially in the "Monogamy" letter that Jim was definitely thinking about saving paper. On the first two pages, the writing is edge to edge, small, and cramped. In the letter James Martin is copying an article from a magazine to send to Carrie. At the end of the 2nd page, he is almost done with the article but it probably became clear that he was not going to fit it all on 2 pages. Thus the final page does not have nearly as much writing! He finishes the article, makes some closing remarks, and signs off. The writing on this page is much bigger with lots of space between lines. It's as if he said "Oh well! Gotta use another sheet anyways so might as well be sloppy while I can!"

The other thing I've noticed is that the punctuation is either really difficult to decipher or it is just non-existent. When I started typing up the letters, I was going to try to stay true to spellings, grammar, punctuation etc. Well, I've decided that although those things are really cool in a historical sense, it is a lot easier understand the letter if I take a few guesses as to the placement of commas and the beginnings of sentences. Therefore in most of the letters I've manufactured paragraph breaks in order to make the reading easier for everyone. After you read the next post of Jim Martin's letter, imagine reading it in old cursive with no paragraph breaks... I find it fun! Others find it tedious and frustrating... I love this project though - it is relaxing to just sit down and puzzle out a letter and learn a little more every day about these people I call my ancestors. Enjoy!

P.S. Two more things - James Martin in particular LOVES to underline things so whenever possible, I underline as he does. Second, when I typed up "Monogamy" each typed page equaled 1 of his handwritten pages... If you've ever typed up something hand written, you will know this is really amazing. When I type up stuff I've written, two hand written pages usually fit on one typed page...

Oct. 13, 1897 ~ Letter to F.A. Hodge from Adam Bede

Centerburg, Ohio, Oct 13, 1897

Senator F.A. Hodge,
Francestown, N.H.

Dear Senator:
I have been hustling over Ohio so fast since coming here that I have neglected my correspondence, and haven’t got hold of the local papers where I speak. But the Columbus State Journal has given me several very complimentary notices through the local correspondents, of which I enclose one. I am busy all the time, but the committee is holding me in readiness to follow Towne if he comes back to the state. He has already missed some of his engagements. I have got into the pond with the big fish here, and am having a happy time.

(Page 2)

I was sent to fill one appointment for Foraker when he was called to New York, once to supply a vacancy for Senator Wellington of Maryland, and am billed with congressmen all the time, as they generally send two speakers to each meeting here. Tomorrow night I am with Lt. Gov. Jones, the next day with Tama Jim Wilson of Iowa, now secretary of Agriculture at Washington. Next Monday I am with Ex-U.S. Senator B.K. Bruce (colonel) of Mississippi. One night I was with Congressman Hull of Iowa, and was to be with Knute Nelson last Monday night but family affairs called him suddenly hom. At my first date I was with Hauna, Congressman Kerr, and ex.Cong.Watson both of this state. Most of my appointments have been in County seat towns of 5000 to 10,000 population, and are have jolly good times. There is considerable apathy on both sides, however, and the total vote will fall off 100,000 or so from last year.

(Page 3)

The Silver question is very much observed, and the democrats seem afraid of it, their fight being made against Mark Hauna. There is also much rivalry between the big folks here, and much soreness and jealousy in places. Only an election can demonstrate the extent of these influences, but if the republicans turn out and vote their own ticket they are lasy winners by 100,000.
I am writing this at a little country hotel while waiting for railroad connections, so excuse stationary, and, in the words of the runaway pig, my bad pen.
Remember me with kindly regards to Mrs. Hodge, and to your people if this finds you still in New England.
The weather is very warm here and very dry. A light shower Monday was the first in six weeks. The Sciota river is entirely dry at Columbus. In haste,

Ever Sincerely,
J. Adam Bede

Hauna told me he would make it rain if he didn’t need a good deal of dust for campaign purposes.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOTES:
Historical names – J. Adam Bede
Senator Wellington of Maryland
Lt. Gov. Jones
Tama Jim Wilson (Tama distinguishes him from another congressman named Jim F. Wilson, also from Iowa)
Ex-U.S. Senator Bruce (colonel) of Mississippi.
Congressman Hall of Iowa
Knute Nelson
Mark Hauna
Congressman Kerr (of Ohio)
Ex. Cong.Watson (of Ohio)

On the actual letter –
The stationary is plain and faintly lined on both sides. The envelope used is from the National Life Insurance Co of Vermont but that address has been crossed out by the writer. The handwriting is very elegant and surprisingly easy to read!

Here is the text of the enclosed article (no date was referenced on the clipping)

GREAT CONTRAST
The Sovereign Meeting Was the Big Republican Gathering at Nelsonville

Nelsonville, O., Oct.7 – (Special.) – A rousing republican mass meeting was held here in Stuarts opera house last night. It was a marked contrast to the Democratic opening a few days since, when only a handful gathered to hear Master Workman Sovereign. The speeches delivered last night were also a marked contrast, inasmuch as they were not tirades of abuse but logical arguments.
Hon. John P. Green of Cleveland first addressed the meeting. He spoke for the most part to the colored citizens, who were assembled, and was given close attention. He made an eloquent appeal and his oratory was frequently applauded. No colored people here will be deluded into voting for the McLean side show. Mr. Green was followed by Hon. J. Adam Bede of Minnesota, who held the audience spell-bound by his matchless address. They were often provoked to laughter, but his arguments came home with telling effect. He said he had heard Master Workman Sovereign make a speech a few days ago in which he referred to the fact that he had worked in the tombstone business for 15 years. Mr. Bede said it seemed to him eminently fitting that a party which was running on so many dead issues should have a man who would be able to prepare a suitable monument.