Category: writing

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family History Photographs Postcards Vintage writing

“My Dear Boy”: A Desperate Message from a Loving Mama

To Mr. Walter Meyers. Date Unknown

May 2: My dear boy Walter,

Well I was at the ranch and am back again after firing me. They hired another woman and I have lost out all around so I am out of work and out of money. How do you like your place?

Your loving mama

Because there’s not a postmark on this card it’s impossible to know when it was sent/delivered to Walter Meyers. My instinct tells me it’s somewhere between 1900 and 1915, though it could be into the early 1920’s. The publisher, Edward H Mitchell, was active between 1898 and 1920.

Additionally, in my experience, earlier dated postcards typically conveyed family information like illness, hardships, celebrations, or moves. However, as the ability to communicate over longer distances became easier, later dated postcards typically discuss vacations and trips. Of course, this is not always the case, but it’s something I’ve noticed.

I also tend to think that this postcard originated (and ended) in Northern California, though I suppose our “loving mama” could have been in Southern or Central California (based on the fact that she’d been on a ranch of some sort). At the turn of the 20th century, much of California was agricultural and relied on migrant workers for labor. Frankly, this is still the case. I have a feeling this mother and son lived and worked in different areas of Northern California. Especially since the postcard was printed in San Francisco.

That leads me to the message and picture of the card itself. The desolation of a dark, lonely lake only illuminated by a high moon seems to fit the desperate message of the card: “I am out of work and out of money”. Yet, something about the card makes me uncomfortable, and I can’t place why. Is it simply because the mother is in need. Is the reverberation of her fear for the future imbedded into the fading pencil marks? Or is it something else?

Our loving mama doesn’t outright as her son for money, but she makes it clear she has none. She ends the message with a question of how he likes “his place.” She’s likely referring to his job, here. Is she trying to get hired? Is she reaching out to her child only as an act of self preservation? My mind reels with questions. All parent-child relationships are complicated, but still I can’t help wondering how close these two were, and whether her son was happy or disappointed to hear from her. The overall message itself feels…cold. Desperate, yes, but also seems to lack true affection.

Perhaps I’m being unfair. In fact, I’m probably being unfair. Especially since without a date and place it’s difficult to search for Walter or the “C/O John Vaugh”. I hope that our loving mama got her job and money situation sorted, and I do hope that she and her son were able to have a sweet reunion. How and why this card was kept, we won’t ever know. But, now it exists as a testament to the hardships of life and family.

Front of Postcard

Categories
Education History Postcards Vintage writing

Miss Ada Moll: Mama’s Spider Bite & Doctor’s Visits in the 1920’s

Mrs. J.A. Taylor: Circa early 1920’s

My Dear Beryl:

Received your (unclear) card and little note and glad to get both. Hope both of you are well and enjoying yourselves. Will be glad to hear more from you at anytime you’re not busy. We are all well except mama. She was bitten on the left eye Sunday by a poisoned spider and it was swelled up so tight she couldn’t see. Much better now. Have had Dr. Field 4 times. Can open eye a little now. Sorry you forgot the minte. Lots of love,

Ada C. Moll

Post Script: Do you remember ever seeing the view on the other side? Come over and we will take a ride. A.C.M

The date on this card is unclear, the ink lost to the ravages of time. However, I was able to find a Miss Ada C. Moll mentioned in an Indianapolis newspaper in 1925. I suspect this card pre-dates the mention, however since phone lines and wires were becoming more widespread by the 1920’s, I’d wager a guess that it’s within that time frame.

The 1920’s conjures up images of flappers, lipstick, dancing, cars, movies, progress, and fun. This card certainly has some of those aspects. In the 21st century, a postcard that exhibits nothing but a dirt road and telephone wires seems…bland. However, it’s no different than a postcard that features an image of modern wind turbines, or even a plane. That indicates progress. The postscript on the bottom of the card indicates fun and leisure. The Great War has ended, and the depression hasn’t hit yet, so times aren’t quite as rough as they’ve been.

Yet, in the midst of a changing century, we have a world in which doctors make house calls. It’s difficult to imagine the cost of a modern day doctor coming to your house not once, or twice, but FOUR times. However, apparently that’s what the case was. I suspect mama may have been in danger (or fearful) of losing her sight, hence why the doctor had been out so much. I know that if home visits for a doctor were within my price range, I’d probably do the same if my eye was swollen shut.

I’m sure that Ada was a sister of Beryl, or perhaps even writing to her sister and her niece. That being said, Beryl may have been an older sister in the employ or care of Mrs. J.A. Taylor — I’ve been able to find very little. As I’ve said often times before, women are often obscured in history since they married and took on their husbands name. For me, an amateur genealogist with limited time on my hands, it’s difficult to track down the real people. But I invite your suggestions, or even thoughts on Miss Ada C. Moll and her dear friend Beryl.

Front of Postcard, Evansville, Ind.

Categories
Education History Photographs Postcards Vintage writing

Teenage Flirtation in 1908, A Call to War, and The Mystery Sender A.N.

Mr. Earl Poush, 1908

Hello Earl,

I received your card and was glad to hear from you. I went to the party Saturday night and had a nice time. Vera and I went over to Dallas Sunday afternoon and staid till church at night. Maybe you think we didn’t have time. Well I didn’t have to ask Bertha who the card was from. Did you go to town Saturday. I will have to close for this time.

Answer Soon

The front of this postcard is just as informative as the back, so rather than post it at the end, I wanted to post it here. Take a gander, then read on:

The Ballot Post Card: September 23, 1908

1908 was a leap year, and saw a variety of notable events that live on within the American zeitgeist. Wilbur Wright completed a 2 1/2 hour flight, Henry Ford debuted his Model T, and the Chicago Cubs won the world series.

But all of that, perhaps, pales in comparison to the light flirtation of teenagers. Again, we have a bit of a mystery sender. There’s no way for me to ascertain who “A.N.” was, or what (I assume her) relationship was to Earl, but I think it’s rather clear that the two of them may have been sweet on each other. Especially since Miss “A.N” checked off “I think of you often”, “Wait for me”, “A kiss for you”, and “Ever yours.”

Additionally, I’m guessing that when “A.N.” says “I didn’t have to ask Bertha who the card was from”, she means she knew the card she received was from Earl before even seeing it. I love that A.N seems to be surrounded by some girl friends, and I wonder if Vera, Bertha, and A.N. were on a little girls trip together.

Although I couldn’t find the identity of A.N., I do believe I found a little bit about Mr. Earl Poush. If I’m correct, it appears that he was born in 1892, which would put him at the tender age of 17 in September of 1908 — the perfect time for an early flirtation. It seems that he fought as a Corporal in World War I, and was injured in 1918. In 1919, he married Hope Lita Hicks (Poush) — not our elusive A.N. The world both teens grew up in must have been very different from the one they sent innocent cards in during the waning summer of 1908.

Categories
History Photographs Postcards Vintage writing

Manie’s Postcard to Mr. Howard Burr: A Snapshot of 1917

Postcard to Mr. Howard Burr, 1917

Portage Wis. March 29, 1917

Dear Howard: –

I will drop you a card. My mother and I are at Portage. Got here last night to see the lawyers. Will go home some time tomorrow.

From,

Manie

Before I get into this tantalizing postcard, let me first drop 1917 into history, as it’s a fairly pivotal year, and March an important month. Europe was at war, but in February of 1917, the Russian Revolution began. This would eventually prompt the US to enter World War 1, but war was not declared until April 4, 1917. The US would institute a draft in May, and the Spanish flu was still a year away. So, when Manie wrote this postcard on March 29, 1917, the United States was six days away from war.

I always love mementos like this, cards on the precipice of something big. I have to wonder, how anxious were they? Did they know the world was about the change, or were they fairly isolated in their midwestern towns? I suspect a little bit of both.

Without a last name, I wasn’t able to easily research Manie, the sender. Though I would love to know why he and his mother were meeting with lawyers. Did it have to do with the impending war? A family estate? A marriage? A death? A divorce? Legal troubles? Your guess is as good as mine, though my guesses tend to run the gambit of wild and unusual.

Portage, Wisconsin was somewhat easier to research — as towns tend to be. In 1917 it seemed it was a larger commercial district, which explains why Manie and his mother were there to see a lawyer. We can imagine that they perhaps did some shopping, or stayed in a quaint hotel in the city center.

I was able to find a Mr. Howard Burr who was born in Paynesville, MN in 1896 and died in Wisconsin in 1972. I wasn’t able to locate a (free) obituary, however I’m fairly confident this is to whom the card is addressed. If I’m right, Howard would have been just under 21 years old — the right age for the draft instituted in May of 1917. I’d guess Manie was around the same age. It leaves me wondering if they both fought in the war.

I also hope that whatever legal business Manie was involved with was easily resolved.

Front of Postcard. Silver Lake, Portage Wis.

Categories
History Postcards writing Writing Prompt

So Don’t Get Married

Mr. Frank Van Gordon, 1912

Dear Old Friend:

How are you. I am fine and dandy. Marie said she was raising (or saving?) her daughter for you so don’t get married. “Ha Ha”. I never got your letter until the other day and will just send you a card. Haven’t seen tasel(?) for a long time. Well so long my son.

Yours,

Chuck

542 N Elder Ave Indpls

My favorite thing about this postcard is actually not necessarily what’s written on the card, but the intricate “Post Card” script with the picture of the C. Other than that, I love the moniker “old friend.” I love the “fine and dandy”, I love the joking about getting married. These are clearly two people who’s bonds went deep.

Front of Postcard

Categories
History Postcards writing Writing Prompt

Sold the Farm for Almost Nothing

Miss Annie Booker, 1909

Oct. 09

“Dear Friend Annie,

Received your letter long ago. Hope you and Nellie are well. Brother Tommy (?) lives in Columbus. Have just sold the farm for almost nothing. Do you hear from your sister Selena? Aunt Jane had a letter from her not long ago about her granddaughter’s death. My daughter Eva attends night school studying shorthand. With love to both yours in truth.

Your Friend Mary E. Lightly

Goodnight. God is Love.”

This particular letter is packed full of information and overall has (what I feel) a somber mood. Mary’s cramped writing, short sentences, and earnest tone draw me into this particular postcard. I wonder what the connection between Mary and Annie was, and if marriage separated the two friends.

Mary’s chosen postcard; a solitary boat moored on a windswept beach, further adds to the tone of the letter. It’s a beautiful postcard, textured in a way that photo doesn’t show. The boat and ridges of the waves are raised giving the entire postcard a tactile and satisfying feel.

Front of Postcard

Categories
History Postcards writing

By Any Means

Miss Mabel Huss (or perhaps Husr?) 1909

Not forgetting by any means.

(unclear) me

S.E.P.

This particular postcard has an interesting postscript, on the front of the postcard it states “The original Garden of Eden. Just here is (unclear) #2”

I love this postcard because there’s so much unknown context from which we can create our own stories. Based on the “miss” Mabel was unmarried, so is this a postcard from a lover, a friend? Is there an inside joke that caused the means to be underlined? Whomever it was also wrote in an emerald ink which I think is entirely fun and whimsical. It’s a beautiful postcard with a timeless sentiment.

I’d also love to know what you think the second to last word is. Seems to start with a “c”, but could be an “i” or even an uncrossed “t”.

Front of postcard “Garden of Eden, Seattle”

Categories
History Postcards writing

Nice Trip, But Tiresome

Bernard Hassler, 1909

Friend Bernard,

Am in Seattle today Saturday, will write in a day or two, nice trip but tiresome.

Will

Love that he was addressed as “Friend Bernard.” 27 Woodward Avenue still exists in San Francisco. It was built in 1907 and is exactly as you’d think it would look.

Front of postcard

Categories
History Postcards writing

Seattle Day was a Hummer

Warren Bullard, 1909

Seattle 9/10/09

Warren,

I am still taking in the sights and am not half through. Seattle day was a hummer. There was 117,013 tickets sold this racket on the “Pay Streak” was fine, they kept going all night.

I suppose you are busy fishing by this time. Who is running the the lower ground this year.

(615-12th ave N.)

J.A.M

I was curious about the tickets and the “pay streak.” After a (very) little bit of research, our friend J.A.M seems to have been enjoying the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific exposition in Seattle, also considered Seattle’s first World’s Fair (as indicated on the post). The “pay streak” was a row of attractions that seemed to change over time and cost 25c – 50c per attraction.

Like any fair, many of the attractions offered were marketed toward curiosity seekers and were therefore dubious in nature even for the time. For example, a one month old orphan was auctioned off (wut?), and premature babies in incubators were next to machines that could slice a salmon in half. A reminder that just because technology progresses, humans don’t necessarily follow.

Categories
History Postcards writing

Get a Kick Out of It

Mr. A.D. Keese, Date Unknown

Dear Aunt and Uncle;

Glad to get your card. I will write just as soon as I get time. I really like my job. I really get a kick oiut of it. I went home this last week in. Saw all of the family but Lee and they are all well. I will close. Write to me soon.

Love,

Lois

Have you heard from Grandma?

This is one of the few postcards I have where the words are typed directly onto the postcard. I think this is interesting, because it would have involved some nifty formatting, as well as access to a typewriter. I hope Lois eventually heard from her Grandma.

Front of Postcard