Transcription of letter:
Friday Est. Dear Ones at Home, Well I arrived here at 8:30 a.m. and I certainly have been on the move all day. I have worked our everything I came to do, or will have it thro in the morning. Every one has been so very obliging and willing to get busy and do things, instead of waiting until later. I am sure I will get everything thro tomorrow. Well I called Thomas before noon and he insisted we eat lunch together, so I went to the Federal Reserve and we ate in their cafeteria. It is near 9:45 and we have had dinner together and then we went to a Morman Church to an organ recital, and back here to hotel. He also took me to his apartment which is very nice, arrayed for light house keeping. I told him it looked quite suspicious to me. Well he seemed quite glad to see some one (any one I think) from home. He said he was getting home sick. He wanted to know Maurie what you said about him, his work etc. Seemed to think you regulated his fate, I told him I thot I heard you say, "to look out for hold up men." He said he had been scared a few times, but nothing has ever happened. This desk on which I am writing contains a radio which is playing right along. I have never have stayed here before, but it is a nice hotel as 3.00 per da and not very far from Pat Office, White house, IRS. bldgs, so I should be able to get along alright. I also called F--, and he recognized my voice and wants me to be sure to see him tomorrow. I will be busy until noon but expect to by to see after noon. Well I'm thinking of all of you, and love you dearly. Lots of love and kisses EAF |
Transcription of letter: Sterling Ill. Jan 19/38 Dear Ones at Home, Well I got out here last eve about 8:30, when I arrived I found Peter had gone into Chicago and had tried to find me, but failed. He will be back today noon. Well I know your are wondering just what has happened since I left Washington. I had a delightful day Saturday with Ms --- Sister's family. I'll tell you details when I get home. Monday in Cleveland I was shown around and treated quite well throughout the day. However, they had nothing to do with the war department. They called Chicago right away to see if the right man would be there. He had to leave for Minneapolis, but I was well treated by his secretaries, and we went into the proposition partly knowingly. They are expecting him back in a day or two and will call me when he returns. They of course didn't give me any idea what would be done, but they certainly have been liberal in their praise and appreciation of our business. I feel quite confident they will do what they can. Jillie wants me to stay over Sunday and I may do that, depending of course when I can see my man in Chicago. I have just sent you a wire. I am feeling tired and weather has been quite wild all the time . It is snowing this morning, so will at least have a chance to wear my rubbers. I will go over and see Laura right away. She is about usual health. Jillie says. A--- Ella is about the same. She'll with Bessie and gets so lonesome by herself so much up stairs. I will go and... They say a very fine man. He belongs to Christian Church also Sadie. I got your letters and --- glad to hear again from home. Seems that it is more than a week since I left house. I have thot of you a lot sweetheart and wonder if you ever think of me. Henry says they will finish moving into new plan today. They hav ebene having mild wealth so they have gotten building far. Jillie says to say Hallo to all of you and that she will take good care of me while here. Lots of love for all. EAF. |
The writing at the top of the letter:
I am so anxious to see my baby. So she is talking some. I know she is awful --; Is Ruby going to school? You spoke of --- her, but haven't mentioned it since. With lots of kisses for all. E.A.F.
Transcription of letter:
Austin Tex
Sunday
Dearest Ones at Home
I'll endeavor to write a few lines this morning to pass away the time and help you do like wise when you get this.
This is rather a dismal day, as it commenced raining about day brake this morning has [it] has been drizzling most of the time since.
Mr. --- said he would wire and take me to lunch, but I suppose on account of the weather he hasn't shown up.
He sings in the quire [choir] I think. At least he does some times, and he don't belong to any church at all.
I shouldn't think people would want such people to sing in their quire.
Mrs. --- The boarding house lady, said to me the other day, is your wife much for fashion. I told her no and and gave her some what
of a history of our belief.
She said she had noticed, I was modest in dress and wore no jewelry etc. They are pretty much the same way, don't seem to care much for jewelry: I told her I always complained of you not spending enough. I think you are too much that way. Of course I like to see you economical, too but then I think
You would get more out of life if you would be a little more free with yourself. You are certainly the sweetest darling to me that ever lived, and no would [one] would ever be so dear to me, for you are just for me. Well I guess we have been married too long to go over such love making as this, but today 14 years ago Mr. & Mrs. --- was married and they were talking last night of their experiences.
I told them we had been married nearly that long.
They have a big turkey for dinner. Oh how I wish you were here. Or I would sooner be there, but I hope that I will be there by next Sunday, but I mustn't make promises, for you know how much longer it always takes to do those things than it seems to.
I have all the machines nearly done, but they have some stuff coming yet, so I can't finish and test the work till it comes.
They don't seem to think I can finish this week but it looks like I aught to get through, but it seems like it goes so very slow finishing up such work. They don't seem to consider my experiences as all, as it don't seem to help me to hurry the work along at all.
They seem to have lots of confidence in my...
I am so anxious to see my baby. So she is talking some. I know she is awful --; Is Ruby going to school? You spoke of --- her, but haven't mentioned it since. With lots of kisses for all. E.A.F.
Transcription of letter:
Austin Tex
Sunday
Dearest Ones at Home
I'll endeavor to write a few lines this morning to pass away the time and help you do like wise when you get this.
This is rather a dismal day, as it commenced raining about day brake this morning has [it] has been drizzling most of the time since.
Mr. --- said he would wire and take me to lunch, but I suppose on account of the weather he hasn't shown up.
He sings in the quire [choir] I think. At least he does some times, and he don't belong to any church at all.
I shouldn't think people would want such people to sing in their quire.
Mrs. --- The boarding house lady, said to me the other day, is your wife much for fashion. I told her no and and gave her some what
of a history of our belief.
She said she had noticed, I was modest in dress and wore no jewelry etc. They are pretty much the same way, don't seem to care much for jewelry: I told her I always complained of you not spending enough. I think you are too much that way. Of course I like to see you economical, too but then I think
You would get more out of life if you would be a little more free with yourself. You are certainly the sweetest darling to me that ever lived, and no would [one] would ever be so dear to me, for you are just for me. Well I guess we have been married too long to go over such love making as this, but today 14 years ago Mr. & Mrs. --- was married and they were talking last night of their experiences.
I told them we had been married nearly that long.
They have a big turkey for dinner. Oh how I wish you were here. Or I would sooner be there, but I hope that I will be there by next Sunday, but I mustn't make promises, for you know how much longer it always takes to do those things than it seems to.
I have all the machines nearly done, but they have some stuff coming yet, so I can't finish and test the work till it comes.
They don't seem to think I can finish this week but it looks like I aught to get through, but it seems like it goes so very slow finishing up such work. They don't seem to consider my experiences as all, as it don't seem to help me to hurry the work along at all.
They seem to have lots of confidence in my...
Postcard from 1912: Mr. E.A. Frantz in Washington, D.C.
Card transcription:
Weatherford Wednesday
Dearest Ezra we are giving --- all right. Hope to see you sometime soon will write to mother last of wk
Your wife
Marrie
Card transcription:
Weatherford Wednesday
Dearest Ezra we are giving --- all right. Hope to see you sometime soon will write to mother last of wk
Your wife
Marrie
Postcard from 1909: Mr. E.A. Frantz Starr and Wire Buckle Co. Memphis Tenn
Transcription of post card: At home Monday first thing I must tell we had a fine rain last night must have rained about 3 hrs all are getting along fine your letter came today always anxious to here. Lizzie is here said tell you she still boarded here. Ill try to write a letter soon I must close and go to town and get canvas for rooms will begin to paper up stairs today Always Marrie |
Transcription of letter:
Monday Dear Mamie, Well Nellie & Mary left a while ago and I imagine are home by this time. They have been a lot of company but I didn't want them to stay on my account. The Dr. said he thought I had better stay longer as I wouldn't get the benefit of the treatment I have taken. They say I have too much gas and that is causing my ---. I am feeling better and I imagine by last of this wk I'll be able to come home. -- here yesterday certainly gave me 2 good treatments. I hope to have him again in a day or two. I hope the boys are getting along alright making buckles. I'll ship out a couple -- when i get home. Escal wrote he thought Joe & Helen would be back today. I hope they do so you will have company. I'll miss you a lot and wish you was here with me. I sure want to be feeling a lot better when I get home. If any important mail you can send it. I have to make out --- report by Jan 15. Lots of love from your sweetheart, EAF |
Thursday Morn,
Well here I am writing to you again. Had a nice shower this morning and looks as if we will have more. It looked in the west last night like they were having a big rain when Florence came home she didn’t tie Fannie so after while I went out to the lot so baby watched her and said papa. I got a letter from a Man in Iowa hope you can help him out and make a lot also one from Parker surely you forgot you wrote him as he says he has your letter. You no Mrs. --- said the horse was not back on foundation just propped up, but doesn’t mention her name when writing him there must be a lot of winds in it haven’t heard from -- yet. Well take good care of your self and don’t neglect to fix your braces and lets see if you can’t be a whole less strained when you get back so good by dearest
Always yours
Marrie
Well here I am writing to you again. Had a nice shower this morning and looks as if we will have more. It looked in the west last night like they were having a big rain when Florence came home she didn’t tie Fannie so after while I went out to the lot so baby watched her and said papa. I got a letter from a Man in Iowa hope you can help him out and make a lot also one from Parker surely you forgot you wrote him as he says he has your letter. You no Mrs. --- said the horse was not back on foundation just propped up, but doesn’t mention her name when writing him there must be a lot of winds in it haven’t heard from -- yet. Well take good care of your self and don’t neglect to fix your braces and lets see if you can’t be a whole less strained when you get back so good by dearest
Always yours
Marrie
Sources
All letters featured on this page are personal writings of the Frantz family.