It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from this/these transcript(s) must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collection Coordinating Committee. Alvin Fielding and Amelia Smith Letters, Nov. 1906 MSS 7952 [notes by transcriber are in brackets] [ltr. 1, p.1] Salt Lake City. Nov. 5 – 1906. My Own Dear Alvin:- I received a letter from you today also one last Thursday I was so pleased to get them also to learn that you was feeling so well. Brother Cummings called last Tuesday afternoon he came after dinner and he had somewhere else to go so could’nt stay to supper so he did’nt get the dinner you promised him. He told me all about you what a fine boy you were and that you was well and how well you was getting along. He seems to be quite a nice young man. I did’nt ask him if he had seen [ltr. 1, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 3] 2. Beth but I guess he had. I got the kodack pictures I see you quit the bunch in one of them I like the one where you are three together, that came today, but that one looks pretty good to me. My but Sear is fat if he could give you a little off of his cheeks and put it on yours I think you would both look better. Dearie you do look so thin. Some one said to me the other day “you must be getting fat looking at Alvins thin picture. I am quite fleshy. That was such a dear little letter you sent Ruth I read it to her and she seemed so pleased when I am reading my letter she always comes to get the kisses. Yes Dearie no doubt you can do more work with me not being there, but if there is another mission you will have to do [ltr. 1, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr.1, p. 5] 3. less work because I am going too. And I shall always feel that your Mother had a hand in sending you. So you wonder what I think about you regarding religion well I think many things I wont bother to tell you all it would take to long. Mr. Tuddenham has’nt done any thing at the house as yet Will being sick has thrown him with his work. Will sat up for a little while yesterday and today he is getting along fine but he is awfully weak. I did’nt go to conference – Mama and Papa went and they said they had a good conference. Mama is pretty well if it was’nt for the rehumatism in her feet sometimes they feel pretty good but when it is damp they are [ltr. 1, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 7] 4. worse. Papa is well but since he has gone to work he finds he is not as strong as he was before he was sick and he has’nt got the strength in his hand yet. But he can almost close his hand now. You asked me in one of your letters what size glove Mama wears I forgot to tell you (6¾) Ruth will have to answer her letter some other time as she has gone to bed. Today she said to me “Mama I got sleepers in my eyes, rock Ruth to bye bye” so I had to rock her to sleep. She does say some cute things. The other day she was sitting on the floor play- ing with her doll and she turn- ed around to me and said “I would like to see Papa”. I showed her the pictures I got today and she looked and looked at the one that you was’nt on and [ltr. 1, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 9] 5. she said “I ca’nt see Papa so I handed her the other one and she said “here’s Papa” and she got the right one this time. So you think if you could get a hold of me you would give me a few hugs and kisses I wonder if you would? Dearie it is so long since I had a good hug and kiss I do’nt think I would tell you to “quit. Dearie I can kind of excuse Alice Reynolds as she is a very buisy woman She was’nt here many days and she was so buisy all the time and when she came up to conference she did’nt come until Saturday morn ing and she attended the meetings and had to go back Sunday night so she did’nt have very much time. Zina telephoned yesterday and [ltr. 1, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 11] 6. she was coming up to bring Annie Nibley as she wanted to come up before she went home Zina came but Miss Nibley did’nt have time as she went home last night. Zina said the folks were all well. I sent you the clipping about your Papa and I hav’nt heard any thing since. I do’nt know wether Fanny will get marrid in December or not She told me their house was all finished so I should think they would. Yes Ruth remembers parts of some of Mother Goose stories she is a great kid today I said to her ‘who is the sweetest kid in the world’ and she said “mama” So you did’nt like the play you went to. Some people think any old thing is fine. Joe took [ltr. 1, p. 12: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 13] 7. Bertha and I to the matinee Sat- urday to see “Parcival” it was just fine and I did enjoy it. Mrs. Adams was down yes- terday and she asked about you and wished to be remember- ed to you. She does’nt have very good health now. Bertha had a small croud up there Halloine night and we did have a good time. Instead of having ice cream and things like that she had a kind of dutch supper and cooked welche rairbit in the chafing dish and it was just fine. We had a heavy rain last week and it has been raining all day to day and tonight it started to snow but it has stopped now. Ruth do’nt like it a bit – she do’nt know what to do when she ca’nt go out doors. She just talks a string and asks [ltr. 1, p. 14: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 15] 8. questions or wants to be waited on all day. We are both well. Mama and Papa and all the folks send love to you. How much have you gained since your fast? It was the cutest thing of Moke the other day when I got your picture I was stooping over showing them to Ruth and Moke came and put his nose in and fussed and fumed just as if he knew what I was talk ing about. He is a cute little beggar. You aught to see and hear him if he thinks he is going out with any of us and Ruth he runs around and barks and almost talks. Well my own dear sweetheart May the Lord bless you always is the wish of two that loves you with all their hearts and souls. Loveingly, Millie and Ruth. [ltr. 1, p. 16: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 1] 117 Salt Lake City, Nov. 8, 1906. My Own Dear Alvin:- Yours of Oct. 26th came yesterday and I3514 was so pleased to get it also to learn that you was well. So you have been shopping again for the house – I am glad you have got it fixed up so nice and you are sleeping by your self – I have Ruth for a bed fellow I guess you will have to sleep alone when you come home because Ruth will be so used to sleeping with her mama that she will want to continue. So Andelin is in London – how was it Miss Clark did’nt come with him? Give Alex our love when you [ltr. 2, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 3] 2. write him. Yes I got you photo and I guess you will think I am awful what I said about it, but really deary you look so changed in it. Of the ones I got yesterday I like the one in the group best and next the one where you are sitting down but I do’nt like the one where you are standing up of course they are only proofs and of course the pictures will look better. It will be nice for you to have Alex to spend Xmas. with you. So you have sent some dolls home I hope they get here with out being broken. I was going to get Ruth a doll buggy for Xmas. but if you are going to get one I guess I wont. I am [ltr. 2, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 5] 3. afraid you will have a time getting it here. They must be good buggies if they will last as long as you say they will. I guess Elder Sear was glad to get home I guess he had a nice time with his company. So your fogs have started. We have had some miserable weather of late but it is fine now. That Morton on the front row of that picture is the one I told you about in a previous letter George and Chase look fine. Well election is over and the Republicans got nearly every thing the Americans only got two small offices a constable, and I think a deputy sherrif or some thing like that. I tell you it is a good thing the Americans [ltr. 2, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 7] 4. did’nt get it they are such a low lot. Your Papa telephoned election morning to tell me how to vote and said he would send the carriage for us to go to vote but I told hime some one was coming for us. He said he was well and I guess he is glad the election is over and it went the way it did. The dirty Americans have been boasting what they would do to your father when they got in. Eva Tud. was down tonight and she paid me for her beeds and she is so pleased with them I hav’nt a green back but will send it some other time. She wished me to thank you for her. I put my baby to bed but she got up and she is waiting for me to go to bed. She is [ltr. 2, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 9] 5. loveing moke just now I just wish you could see her play with moke and her dolls. To-night I said I was sleepy, and she said “come he Mama” and she put her arms around my neck and began to sing and she said “I singing mama bye bye. She does do and say some cute things. Mama and Papa and all the folks send love. May the Lord bless you con- tinually is the wish and payer of your loveing and affec- tionate wife and baby, Millie and Ruth. X XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX [ltr. 2, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 1] #118 Salt Lake City, Nov. 15th 1906 My Own Dear Alvin:- I received a letter from you Monday and another today I was so pleased to get them and to learn that you were well I see from your letter that you are having rainy weather we have been having nice weather but today we had quite a wind storm and then it started to rain and is still raining. Papa and Mama got your letter today and they were much pleased with it. We will give Harry his the first time we see him. Your Mama said she was’nt [ltr. 3, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 3] 2. sick but she was tired so she stayed in bed. I think Will Bruce has got his old job back again. He cut his thumb, quite bad the other day, in the bread cutter, but it is getting better. Do you know Deary that street paveing was defeated by only 1,000 feet. Will Tud. has been out for a little while the last few days my but he is thin and awfully weak. John was the same after he got over it and now he is fatter than he has ever been he has a face like a full moon. Yes indeed Ruth is a comfort to me she is such a sweet happy little kid. Tuesday was your Papa’s birthday – Aunt Julina had [ltr. 3, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 5] 3. all the grandbabies and their mothers to dinner at four oclock and then the rest of the family came in the even- ing. I think they were all there but Mellissa and Richard. we had a lovely time. David took a flash light of all the grand babies and what a circus to try to get them in position then they turned the lights out and then that flash light scared all the kids and they all began to houl – I tell you it was a “houling success” Ruth said “take me out Mama take me out Mama” my but she was frightened – then they wanted to take Lillian, Lileth and I with our babies but I could’nt get Ruth in the room she cried and would’nt go in. Just before I came home I walked in quick [ltr. 3, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 7] 4. with her and she looked around and put her arms around my neck and said “I want to go home mama”. I came home about eight o’clock and then went to the theatre it was a play called “Checkers” and it was just fine I did enjoy it. I got the pin while I was at the Beehive it is real cute Ruth says it is her Dutch pin and she thinks it is fine I asked her who sent it and she said “Papa” I said what are you going to send Papa for it and she said “a kiss”. Dearie you must be an expert cook I guess I will let you do the cooking when you get home Yes your Mother and Bro. Cummings and several [ltr. 3, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 9] 5. of the elders have told me you look better with a mus- tache but I hav’nt gotten used to it yet. I thought the proof of the one where you was sitting down was pretty good but I did’nt like the standing one. So you hav’nt regained your weight yet. I guess I am getting fat for both of us. David said to me the other day “My Millie but you are getting fleshy”. Well Dearie I hope they wo’nt keep you longer than two years but in a letter I got about a month ago you said you thought you would’nt be home for another year. We are all well. I heard the other day that Jim Madsen was called on a mission. I also heard that Peterson, Jennie [ltr. 3, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 11] 6. Smith’s brother in law, was called and he has’nt been home very long. Well Dearie it is getting late so I will say night night. May the Lord bless you continually is the desire of your loveing and affectionate wife and baby, Millie and Ruth. XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX [ltr. 3, p. 12: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 1] #119 Salt Lake City Nov. 19 – 1906 My Own Dear Alvin:- I have just put Ruth to bed so thought I would answer your letter that I received today you didnt say how you was only that you had’nt slept for two nights. I do’nt see how it is you do’nt sleep better you are out a good deal and I should think that would make you sleep. I see from your letter that you are having lots of rain. We are having winter it snowed all night Friday night and all day Saturday and it has been freezeing and awfully cold ever since it is a cold as mid winter. I just dread winter – we [ltr. 4, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 3] 2. had enough last year to last for ten years and it has started in earlier this year. So Andelin and Clark are not going to be marrid after all. Maby when they come home they will drift apart. Yes Bro. Cummings called to see me but he did’nt get the dinner you promised him I told you about it. So you wish I would read your letter over I hav’nt time to look it up tonight. I did’nt say any thing about your letters being a jumble several times you referred to things and said I told you about it and you had’nt told me any thing about it and that is what I had reference to. I think I told you that the Repub- licans won on election day. The Americans carried the city [ltr. 4, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 5] 3. vote but they did’nt do so well in the counties so they were defeated. I am glad you had good success with your fritters. How large a family has Bro. Baliff? Well Dearie I guess Bro. Soren Peterson has a better wife than you have — I do’nt know him but I would have more res- pect for him if he had stayed home until the expected arrived. I hope you have a nice time at your house warming. We had another ward reunion last Friday I went and had a very nice time Remember Ruth and I to Chase and George when you write. so George thinks he will be home for the fourth of next July at one time I thought you would but I have made up my [ltr. 4, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 7] 4. mind that you will be here when you get here. So Sid Saville is coming home I guess he will be glad to get back. Your Mama gave me the Z.C. M.I.($5.40) dividend the other night at the theatre. I went down to pay Bro. Nelson the intrest the early part of the month but he would’nt take it he said it was paid and I told him it was’nt unless he had paid it and I told him he was too good and that I would rather he would take it - I would rather pay it and he said “so would I rather pay it”) I asked him about sugar stock and he said it is a way down it is a good time to buy. He said he made lots of money this summer $45,000. on the bank deal $35,000 on mining stock and if the [ltr. 4, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 9] 5. Salt air deal went through it would mean $70,000 to him but from tonights paper I guess the deal fell through – they had until midnight tonight to come up but from all in- dications they werent going to. Will Owens wife had a daughter this moning and I guess Eva Owen will have her’s before to morrow morning. Gersh Wells wife had a son last night. she was Maude Freeze before she was marrid. Joe and Bertha have just gone home – they send love. Mama and Papa and all the folks send love. The other morning I said to Ruth give me a kiss and she said “my kisses ar all gone” I said where are they gone and she said “to papa” I tell you she [ltr. 4, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 11] 6. is a dandy talker she is a cute little doll She says and does some might cute things. When she woke up Saturday morning and sayw the snow she said “aint it pretty mama it’s so white” Love Hugs and kisses from Ruth and Mama. We are all well and hope you are. May the Lord bless you con- tinually is the desire of your loveing and affectionate wife and Baby, Millie and Ruth. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X P.S.– I knew there was something else I wanted to tell you. In Friday nights paper it said they were going to advertise for bids for 9th East from S. Temple to city limits and the work would be commenced in the [ltr. 4, p. 12: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 13] 7. early spring. I asked Bro. Tuddenham about it and said I thought it was defeated by a thousand feet and he said he was’nt at council meeting Tursday night but he un- derstood the city claimed to have won by 1,500 feet. So it looks as though they are going to do it afterall. They seem to do as they please. Millie. [ltr. 4, p. 14: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 1] #120 Salt Lake City, Nov. 26 – 1906. My Own Dear Alvin:- I have just got home from the Thea- tre. I have been to see Lonis James in “the Merry Wives of Windsor”. It was pretty good but James took another silly part. To day was my letter day but it did’nt come but I guess it will come tomorrow I have one to answer that I re- ceived last Thursday. It must be a sight to see so many people I guess they do have great parades. I do’nt think the potato crop was short but they ship so many away and then some hold them back to get a higher price later on. [ltr. 5, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 3] 2. So you think I aught to agree with Hyrum in all he says even though I did’nt in my heart - I am not built that way. Remember me to Alex when you write him. So you think you have aged ten years since you left home Well I wont believe it un- til I see you and I always see you as you was when you left. Your mother told me I was getting old but I hope I am not ageing that fast. Your Papa was fined $300.00 Kind of an expensive baby. Bertha mad you a fruit cake and brought it down for me to send you for Xmas. I think I will send it the first time I go to town and then I will send you another for Xmas. [ltr. 5, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 5] 3. I had a piece of one like it and it was fine. We are having winter with avengance snow and wind golore it snowed all day long yesterday to day has been fine but to night the wind is houl- ing. Last week we had a feastly windstorm and snow about every other day. Mrs. Adams was down today she invited Mama and I up for Thanksgiving so I guess we will go. Just think Dearie next Thanks giving you will be home. We are all well Your mother telephoned this morning she said they were all well. Eva Owen’s baby arrived last Monday night at eleven [ltr. 5, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 7] 4. o’clock it is a son. I saw Bro. Lyman down town the other day he asked about you and said give Alvin my love and that he and you were old sweethearts he said “you tell him I love him as much as his wife does” I said ‘are you sure’ and he said he was. One of his sons died last week at the L.D.S. Hospital of cancer of the stomach it seems so sad he leaves a wife and two children. Coulson was at the Theatre tonight he is working at the C.W. and M. Co. in the collection department. Every body that sees my beads thinks they are just grand they are the prettiest I have seen. [ltr. 5, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 9] 5. Well Dearie it is getting late so I guess I will say night night. Mama and Papa and all the folks send love. May the Lord bless you con- tinually is the wish of your loveing wife and baby, Millie and Ruth. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X [ltr. 5, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 6, p. 1] #121 Salt Lake City, Nov. 29 – 1906. My Own Dear Alvin:- It is a week today since I had a letter from you but I got two to- day and I was delighted to get them also to learn that you was well. That is a great picture my but you are thin. This is Thanksgiving Day – we went up to Mrs. Adams to dinner which we enjoyed very much and to night I have been to a convert at the Tabernacle “Leoncavallo, Italy’s greatest composer, conducting the famous LaScala Theatre Orchestra” It was fine – I enjoyed it very much. Your Papa sent me the tickets he also sent me [ltr. 6, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 6, p. 3] 2. another present this morn- ing it was a pleasant sur- prise – a down quilt and two pair of blanket sheets. They are very nice and such things are always use- ful. Yes Ruth was asleep when Bro. Cummings called I want- ed to wake her but he said no I will see her some other time. I will ask Bro. Cummings up to dinner some time if ever I see him. I am glad those people are going to move and I hope you will soon get through with that affair. So Sister Grant thinks she will go to Berlin for the win- ter. I do’nt blame her if that is what she expects when she gets home. I hardly think they will arrest him. The [ltr. 6, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 6. p. 5] 3. Judge told your Papa that if it happened again he would send him to prison The news did’nt print a full account of it. I thing the little picture is real good. Yes Dubois was defeated and a good thing he was. Yes I ment Eva Hudson Owen Papa is cooking at the hospital I thought I told you. So you are lighter than you was before the fast it did’nt do you much good then did it? I am glad you enjoyed your visit to the poultry show also the theatre. I wonder is George will be as crazy over chickens as he was before he went away. So your girl is coming to America? The boss must [ltr. 6, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 6, p. 7] 4. like the job of boss I should think he would want a clean cook – I would rather have a clean cook and have meals late once in a while than a dirty cook and late meals too. I guess he likes to show his authority. Your mother called yester- day she said they were all well. Did Bro. Penrose take a wife with him? We have been having more wind and it is quite cold We are all well. Mama and Papa and all the folks send love. Dearie I do yone you with all my heart. I lt will seem good when you are home again – it wont be long now. My but this year has gone fast. I do’nt [ltr. 6, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 6, p. 9] 5. know where the time has gone. Ruth is the same cute baby. I asked her the other if Mama should get another baby and she said “yes” I said if I do it will have to sit on mama’s lap and then you ca’nt sit on my lap and she looked at me and said “I will sit on one knee – This knee” and patted my knee. Well my own sweet heart may the Lord bless you continually – love hugs and kisses Yours loveingly, Millie and Ruth. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X [ltr. 6, p. 10: page is blank]