LETTERS FROM THE PAST
Myron F Taylor with 3 of his buddies in 1952. Over the last 20 years I've been working on our family letters. Letters that have been passed down. Including letters from my parents to my great-grandmother. Every letter was saved by my great grandmother and grandmother. I hope someday to either print them or give them to a museum. I am copying the letters–not being able to photocopy all of them. Each letter is in script. I know today very few can read them. I hope you enjoy them.
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Post Card Sept 9, 1948
1919 Golden Wedding Celebration!
"Father, Mother & Uncle Will True"
That would be Solon Campbell True married to Sarah Anna Birge True married 11 Nov 1869, Tebo Township, Henry Co, Missouri.
William "Will" Merit True b 27 Dec 1857, Mercer, Mercer, Missouri, d. 18 Feb 1938, El Reno, Canadian, Oklahoma. (He was married twice)
I wish they would have said who the one behind William is. It is probably one of the 2 other brothers of Solon. They could be Cyrus or Lawrence G. True. Of the 9 children there were 4 boys, 5 girls. Solon's father was Mason True married to Esther Baker Campbell.
Post Card From Lorena True - 4/19/21
Grandma True - is Sarah A. Johnson True
I have a lot of post cards that will be put on here as I go along. I also have more letters to post, so please keep checking back from time to time.
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Sunday, August 27, 2023
Irvin Wineland - Hawaii Unknow Date
Thurs eve
Dear Archie & Mable,
We rec’d your letter yesterday and was glad to hear from you.
No, we did n’t have any damage done by the tidal wave. I was at ork and they rec’d the news of one coming, I was sort of worried about Marion and Puki our Siamese cat, when I got home Marion said the Police came around early in the morning and gave the warning and instead of going back to the Mts back of us they all went over to the beach and watched it come in. Marion said it was only 3 or 4 ft high on our beach, so it only went over the road a few ft, we’re a block and a half away from it. A few places like Hilo, waived on Oaki and on the Island of Kauai got it pretty good our sending a map to you some idea of the area hit.
I got a letter from Roy Harvey back at Osborne KS, and he said things were pretty dry also half of the business places had closed doors as things were pretty tough there.
Yes I know Al Smith whose photo you sent, he’s at Volunteer Park and has quite a few Orchids of his own.
I have a phalaenopsis , which is a Orchid from the Phillipines that bloomed in Nov and lasted up to 2 weeks ago and now has over 50 flower buds on it. Said will have Dooms for over a 6 mo period. I paid $6.00 for the plant last fall and it’s easily worth 75 to 100$ one gets a real good one ut of 15 to 20 I also picked up a extra choice Vauda Orchid a Sandarina – which is dark pinkish cast with a exquisite bloom about the size of a small saucer and if it blooms next time as good as it did in Dec, I’ll place it in the first Orchid Show if I can time it’s bloom, for it is an extra choice one.
This blame job that I’m on
has kept me tied down, but it will be over this weekend, thank heavens. I sure
don’t want any more news press jobs, we had to assemble every blame roller,
plates frames and they weigh from 1 to over 2 tons each too darn heavy and
dangerous. I’ve only had 5 days off since the 1st of the year one
hundred dollars was my smallest check that is take home pay – up to $124 they
only pay 1 ½ for Sat and Sun.
Over here, so I’ll take a darn good rest for a while.
I sure was surprised at Old Brown. I suppose he told Don and Ed off and they just canned him, which they should of done years ago. Old Hutch has been failing for several years so I wasn’t surprised at him.
Don wrote a wonderful recommendation letter for me, so if I do need work it may help, but all the machinists over here are all working, so one don’t have any trouble finding work.
Marion said she might work at the Tel Co. for a while and she wants me to stay and watch the place and do some work such as a out door fire place, etc.
We’ve had some rain the last month or so but with sunshine in between so it is not too bad. These darn pens are hay wire.
Write when you can –
Aloha
Marion and Irvin.
PS We have a coffee tree that
just bloomed and now has tiny coffee beans coming
Well I will jut add a note to Irvin’s letter. He has told you most of the news. All houses here have been built up a little so that if water gets underneath it won’t come into the house unless it is several feet deep. Since Irvin has been working and having two meals away from home I have been practically living on bananas. I eat two or three for breakfast with my coffee and for lunch. Not getting very thin either tho I am happy to say I haven’t gained any since being here in Hawaii.
Our Siamese cat may be going
to have kittens. We tried to mate her to a purebred Siamese Tom named Rhone.
Don’t know what results were yet. Have you still go the black car and your
bird? We have some beautiful birds here – wild ones. They have red topknots and
white breasts, grey wings. Also we have the red cardinal and minor birds galore.
Puhi tries to catch them but they are two fast for her. She climbs away up in
the tall trees after them.
Today I sat out under the Banana trees sewing. Am making a nightgown for the Kahuki hospital – a childs. This is a project taken over by the Kahuku Women’s Society. It meets once a month. I go when I can. The Minister’s wife came and got me this month so I went. Only about ten or twelve woman who are mostly army personnel and Haoles – white. Once in a while Irvin and I go the Methodist Church in Kahuku – 6 miles away. I get letters from my sisters so keeps me busy writing them. It’s nice we have airmail because it takes only a day or two to reach them.
Guess Shirley would do well to have another baby while she is about it or Chris will get spoiled. Well its bed time so will sign off and get this stamped and ready to mail tomorrow,
Seems a long time ago since I last saw you standing in front of your house and saying Goodbye. Hoe you will get over here some day soon for a visit.
Love, Marion
Rosaeltha White - Unknown date
Thursday Morn
My dear Husband
I didn’t receive any letter
from you Tuesday night & was very much disappointed. Are you sick or did
you mail one & it could not get thro’. If you were sick Mr Huckins would
surely have miltes. We are as well as usual. I wrote a long letter & mailed
Tues & will write more than this by next mail. Did not get home from Mrs.
Richey & until dark last-eve. Mr. Colvin came yesterday morn &
surprised them. Walked out from Ottawa. Rose, Nellie are in ecstasies about it,
no other new that I know of. Ella Gallawy intends starting west – next Tuesday.
Now darling If I don’t get a letter tonight don’t know what I shall do. Do be
careful & not get sick. Accept ever so much love & excuse this scratch
from your loving
Rosa M. White
Note: Rosa White 1849-1920
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Divorce - Irving Wineland Oct 6, 2026
NOTE: This is the first we have seen any sign of Irvin getting a divorce from the 6 wives he had. Shame he didn't tell us the name of his wife - in the last few letters we have listed.
Irvin Wineland
Gen Del San Francisco
California
Post marked – Oct 9, 1926
Mr. Archie Wineland
Natoma Kansas
San Francisco
Oct 6 – 26
Dear Bro:
San Franciso Calif
Wilmington Calif - Irvin Wineland - Jan 8, 1923
Post Mark –
Nov 25, 1922
Los Angeles Steam Ship Co
Jan 8 – 23
At Sea –
Dear Brother:
Well it’s been a long time since I have written to you. Well
I’ve been following the sea for about a year. I am night watchman on this ship.
I was deck steward on the Dorothy Alexander – which ran from
Seattle to San Diego, before that I was on the Matsonia a large passenger liner
running from San Francisco to Honolulu Hawaiian Islands. I’ve also been down to
the Samson Islands and also in Sydney Austraia – that’s certainly a wonderful
cit – and booze – oh Boy – schotch at $3 a bottle and Johney Walker and Black
and White at $2.50 a bottle.
I’ve made around 150 – a month all summer and fall. Our
quarters are certainly fine and our eats are the same as the 1st
class passengers.
This same ship – the President Harrison is going to the Portland,
San Francisco and South American run after the 1st of the year. I
may stay on it for the New company – Swain and Howyt of San Francisco takes it
over – and the Martha Washington takes it’s place this is running for the city
of Honolulu that was burned about two months ago – I came very nearly making that
ship certainly lucky I didn’t.
Write me a big letter and tell me what you are doing and all
about yourself –
I’ve been separated from my wife for about a year now.
Tell Grandfather helo for me. Also the rest of the folks –
also Uncle Clint and Aunt Mary Wineland of Natoma helo for me.
Your loving bro.
Irvin Wineland
% SS President Harrison
San Pedro California.
Jan 4 - 1924. Irvin Wineland - Los Angeles
Los Angeles Biltmore
Jan 4 – 24
I received your letter this morning – was certainly glad to hear from you. I had given up hopes of hearing from you.
I didn’t know your address or else I’d have sent you some little reminder – well any way I think of you just the same.
Am glad to hear that you have a wheat crop in and that it looks fine. I certainly hope that you make good money out of it next summer. I am busy as a bee – I’ve been working every day all fall since the Hotel opened, it is the Finest on the Pacific coast and is far ahead of anything west of Chicago. The people ahead of this Hotel has six of the finest Hotels in New York, also in Providence RI and Alanta NJ, Florida and in Havana Cuba.
I am in the Room Service New Year’s nite I made $25. Not so bad for a days wages. I make $65 a month wages and for 25 to $50 a week tips. So in all it averages 200 a month and up. I just got my bonus money from the State of Kansas last Sat. $577.00 in all – it certainly came in handy for the New Year.
I would like to see our step sis too.
It’s certainly funny about our old Dad – isn’t it he could at least write us and tell us how everything is – well I’ve made my way and you have also – so I guess that we can continue on – if he doesn’t think enuf to write us I certainly won’t put myself out a writing him.
I was surprised that Uncle Jo and Aunt Nettie had gone to Idaho and Bob and Aunt Mattie are in Colorado.
Tell all our relation helo
for me and give them my best regards and I also want you to be a little more
prompt in your correspondence to me old kid as I am always glad to get a
letter from you.
With best wish and good luck
and prosperity from the following year –
I am your old Brother
Irvin
1440 Edge Cliff Drive
Los Angeles
I G Wineland - Sept 2, 1924 - Los Angeles
I G Wineland
2132 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles
Natoma Kansas
Sept 16 – 24
2132 sunset Blvd
Los Angeles.
Irvin Wineland - Dec 9, 1924 Los Angeles
Post Mark: Dec 9 11:30 PM 1924
1225 W 5th Street
Los Angeles Calif
Natoma Kansas
Dec -8-24
Tell all the folks helo for me and to drop me a line.
1225 West 5th St Los Angeles Calif