Elsie Howe Whitfield's Letters

Elsie Howe Whitfield in 1907 at age 19

Vaughn, Wash.
July 13, 1908

Dear Folks at Home:

I didn't think of coming to Vaughn when we started from Fall City but the ride on the cars made Gertrude and I both so sick that I didn't dare to come back the same day so we came on to Vaughn. The ride on the boat seemed a good change from the cars.

Everybody was glad to see us except Chris and he said "how-de-do" to but he didn't congratulate us. Adrian sports a moustache now. He looks lots older with it.

When we got off the boat Frank Garey showered us with rice. They must have seen us coming. Alva's folks seemed to be glad to us and they had a chicken supper waiting for us. --You know Gertrude sent that letter we told her not to--and they had two cakes and a pie made.

Uncle Leonard says he wishes you would get things fixed up with the boys and come down here and go up to Everett to see about those piles. They other men have all gotten their pay and he says he can't get what belongs to himself and you'uns because you three did the most of the business and they wouldn't probably recognize him. He thinks you will have to get some sort of a written paper from H.H. as either he or you was the business partner and get the boys signature anyway before you get the money. Anyway he wants you to do it right away so you will be sure to get the money. He thinks it will be absolutely necessary for you to go to Everett about it and I guess he wants to go with you.

Well I'll have to close and go home now--I've got two homes you see--we'll be back soon--sorry I left Momma with the pitting to do but I couldn't have come back.

Garnet is here. She is going back East. Ither is worse. Mrs. Sampson is better but her mind is weak. Maybe it will never be better.

Love to all,
Elsie

Tacoma, Wash.
October 2, 1909

Dear Folks at Home,

I got your letter the other day and was very glad to hear from you. I wrote some postals but I don't suppose you will count them as writing at all so I'll have to write a letter.

I had a very nice time at the Fair but wished they had moving stairways and sidewalks. It's enough to make a well person sick to walk on pavements and climb stairs and stand around looking at things. I didn't stand around looking at souvenirs very much I can tell you. I could see the price marks sticking out all around them. I got a pretty little pair of shoes for Baby but they're so awfully big I don't believe she could wear them for a year so I'm going to change them for 0's.

I don't believe I would go to the Fair if I had it to do over again and yet I've seen things I'll remember all my life. Have you gotten hold of any sweet peppers yet or shall I bring them back with me when I come?

The doctor thinks I'm an awfully dirty person I guess. He told me to take a bath every single day. I'm going to fool him and take them at night. Then he made me use Colgate's Cream for my teeth and lots of things.

I have met Mrs. Hoyt & Edna Klein & Clifford Wright and I saw Mr. Riebow lately. Did I tell you that Mr. Riebow & Artie owned the Berlin Bakery & Restaurant on Pacific Avenue.

Everybody in town wants me to come and see them but I don't think I'll go many places. The doctor is always advising me to ride on the Seeing Tacoma car or to go to the matinee or the park but money looks big to me now. I don't want to.

Mrs. Owens has a very convenient house. I never saw one more so. She has a bath-room up-stairs, three stationary tubs with hot & cold water faucets in the kitchen, a sink, electric lights, a place for an electric flat-iron, telephone, and a lovely pantry with glass doors that open into the dining room and a piano, but she rents it. It belongs to Dr. Brown.

The doctor says I mustn't do any house-work yet. I don't know if he means I won't be able to as soon as I get back or not.

Tomorrow I think I shall go to Church. At least I will if it isn't too far.

Well I'll have to close there isn't much more that I can tell you. Charley Owens gets $112 per mo. carpentering. Some of the other boys do surveying.

Well write soon. Love to all. Elsie.

Tacoma, Wash.
October 11, 1909

Dear Folks at Home,

I got your letter Saturday and I went downtown right away and sent you a can of Lactated Food. Did it get there all right? It was a dollar can. I wanted to come right straight home when I got your letter and Charlie's. Yours said the baby was sick & C's said that Arthur was there. But I couldn't come. The doctor thinks I can come home next Saturday or Sunday. I think it will be Sunday.

Tell Raymond that the dollie head I got this time will not break so easy as the other. It is celluloid.

I will try and get the peppers if I can find them. I asked the man up at this grocery about them but he said it was hard to get them.

I went to Crane's yesterday then went to Endeavor with them. But I played on the organ too much so my heart acted pretty funny before I got home. I found out that Uncle Leonard had been there Saturday night but he didn't know where I was so I didn't see hiim. The Cranes were the first people I have called on. I haven't felt like going calling because riding on the cars hurts my heart so. I am getting better, very much better but I do not get strong very fast. I don't suppose I will get real strong until well for three or four months because I have to come back and get tended to again in about two months.

When is Bernie coming to Fall City. Will you write and tell me Grandpa Stauffer's address? Mr. Crane wants it.

Tell Bill to be sure to come up to meet us next Sunday night. Where did Mr. Green go? Well I'll have to close & write to Charlie before the postman comes. As ever. Elsie.

Elsie Howe &
Charlie
Whitfield

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