LETTERS FROM THE PAST

This blog is to honor those who have come before us. These are family letters that I have had for years and wanted to be able to share them with family. It's an interesting way of knowing how life was in 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, 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:

 Well I expect that you will be surprised to get this letter from me – as I just wrote one to you folks last week. I think I’ll find a job here in the city, it seems good to be back in a real city after you have been away for three or four years. I’ve been in Los Angeles v.no –

 Say Archie I wonder if it would be possible if you could wire or send me a loan of a hundred and fifty Dollars for say three or four months I have a insurance policy that I will be able to get a loan of a $125 – the 1st of the New Year but I just can’t make it before then so if you can possible spare it – I’ll never forget it as long as I live – the reason – you wonder is that I have filed suit for divorce and the attorney wants the pay of $125 in cash by the 20th of this month. Now for the love of pete don’t even say any thing about this to any body out side of your little wifey now remember.

 Here's hoping that every thing is lovely in your little home –

 I remain your loving bro Irvin-

 906 Howard St

San Franciso Calif



Post card from the 1930's. 


  

Wilmington Calif - Irvin Wineland - Jan 8, 1923

 Post Mark –

Nov 25, 1922
Los Angeles Steam Ship Co

 Wilmington Callif
Jan 8 – 23

 Dearest Brother:

 I rec’d your letter yesterday morn – we just arrived in from Honolulu HI

 This harbor is incorporated in the City of Los Angeles, but we have to take an electric train to Los Angeles which is twenty miles away.

 I only made twenty five dollars side money this trip – but I only had one room I happened to get a rotten dose of (c-p) in Honolulu this trip too – that takes all the d-m joy out of life too – but I’ll get rid of it soon.

 Yes, I think I’ll spend the rest of the winter in the Sunshine of California and the Tropics of the Hawaiian Islands and then next spring about May or June when it warms up back there in that old desert country – I’ll take a trip back and pay you a good visit – and possibly work in the Harvest some – then I’ll hit back to the east coat or back here to the Pacific – as I hate to leave the taken in my set – I have a set of suites and 1 Bridal chamber, it’s a $400.00 room one way to Honolulu – the set of rooms I have is one of the best on the ship, because it costs quite a bit of money to travel in them – and most usually the people that travel in suites tip you from ten to twenty dollars. I have a table too – but on account of the small passenger list this trip back I didn’t I just got a new tailer made suit this trip – it’s a blue evening suit – a swell one too – and I got a pair of pumps too.

 But if I get a good job ashore either as a salesman or in the oil fields, I would quit the sea for a while.

 This trip old kid, I’ll send you some thing from the Islands as a present from your wandering brother.

 Tell all the folks helo and also Uncle Clint – Aunt Mary and Gene too – and all my old friends. What is the Myer’s boys doing?

 Drop Uncle Geo Wineland a line and tell them about me – and send them my greetings.

 Hoping to hear from you next trip –

 Lovingly your bros. Irvin

 


SS President Harrison ship ca 1935. copied from Internet. 

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

 Dear Brother;

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

 Mr. Archie Wineland
Natoma Kansas

 Los Angeles Calif

Sept 16 – 24

 Dear Brother:

 Well I’ve been waiting to hear from you for the past few months but you haven’t written.

 How is all the folks back there? And how did your wheat crop come out? I have been on a vacation fro the past three months and will start to work about Monday on the same old job.

 How is Grandfather White getting along? I haven’t heard from him since last Oct. Have you heard from Grandfather Wineland? I got a letter from Mrs. La Rosh aying that he was just the same – that much have been six or seven months ago.

 My wife just got out of the Hospital, she is laying in bed as I write this letter – she says “helo” to you, and that she would love to see you – can’t you send us a photo. You ought to see our little airdale pup – he is three and a half months old – just growing fine and is as onery as his master – haha.

 Well write and give an account of yourself.

 Your loving bro. Irvin. 

2132 sunset Blvd

Los Angeles.

Irvin Wineland - Dec 9, 1924 Los Angeles

Post Mark: Dec 9 11:30 PM 1924

 Irvin Wineland
1225 W 5th Street
Los Angeles Calif

 Mr & Mrs Archie Wineland
Natoma Kansas

 Los Angelse Calif

Dec -8-24

 Dear Bro and Sis-in-law:

 Well I rec’d your letter the other day, and was glad to hear from you – but the marriage part of it was indeed quite a surprise to me – as I had given up hopes from you –

 Congratulations to both of you – you didn’t tell me her name –

 You two will have to make a trip out here and give us a visit.

 Cannot you come out for a month or so this winter? Try and make it Archie – I’d certainly would like to see you both.

 So father was down to see you? Did you tell him that I was in Los Angeles Calif and what is he doing for himself? Still at the ranch game in Nebr, I suppose?

 I wonder why he doesn’t write me – I wrote him several times.

 I am still working at the Biltmore Hotel here in Los A –

 I make from 6 to $10 a day depending on how full up and how busy we are. You ought to have been with my wife and I on our trip up in the Mountains this last summer. We caught all kinds of trout and saw some of the most beautiful scenery in the world – lake after lake and the mountains snow capped.

 We were to some party last Sat nite – if fact didn’t get home till early Sunday morning – I was laid out too much gin and scotch. I have some dandy wine bottled up. We’ve been on a stew about twice a week all fall.

 I made some of the swellest white wine – and some kick too.

 I am sending a little swap shot of my wife and I taken last spring before we were married.

 Write and tell me all the news about yourself and wife and all the folks.

Tell all the folks helo for me and to drop me a line.

 Sincerely your loving Bro and wife

1225 West 5th St Los Angeles Calif