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, Jan. 1907 MSS 7952 [notes by transcriber are in brackets] [ltr. 1, p. 1] 127. Salt Lake City, Jan. 6th 1907. My Own Dear Alvin:- It will be a week tomorrow since I had a letter from you – tomorrow is mail day and I do hope I get a letter I have one that I hav’nt answered so I will do so now A few letters since you was giving me good advice as to going to bed now you tell about sitting up about all night. That is worse than I do. I am glad you are getting along a little better with the E. Estate affairs. So George has had the promise of his releas – who gave him the promise? Too bad you did’nt get to see Lillians and the babies picture why did’nt George send it by mail. And you would really like to have even a kodack picture [ltr. 1, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 3] 2. of your sweetheart – well Dearie it wont be necessary for me to have a stamp picture taken as you will soon see what your sweetheart looks like. I wished after I had it taken that I had had Ruth taken with me. I guess I will have to have her’s taken. I finished her little white silk dress, that you sent her, the other day and she wore it to Geraldine’s party yesterday and she did look so sweet I just wish you could have seen her. I used that fine lace and insertion that you sent and it is so pretty. Bro. Worthing- ton took all the children to the paty in the big wagon so I rode back with them as far as the Bee Hive and I got out there to take the car and Aunt Julina took Ruth in the house and wanted me to wait a few minutes so as Your Papa could see Ruth – he came in in a few minutes – Ruth would have her wraps off and of course They saw her dress. Aunt J. remarked what pretty lace [ltr. 1, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 5] 3. I told her you sent it so she wants you to get some for her she wanted me to tell you to send it and she would send you the money I told her she better write you herself and tell you just what she wanted and your Papa said the best way is to get Millie to give you a sample and then you write and send him the money and then maby he could fold it in a newspaper and sent it. So next time I go that way I will take her a sample of course you dont need to get the same pattern but she wants that quality. Ruth had a nice time at the party but she wanted her mother right by her all the time. Geraldine was’nt at all well she has an awful cold and cough. I did’nt get her doll dressed for Xmas. so I dressed it and let Ruth give it to her for her birth day and she was just as pleased as could be with it. Ruth is tickeled to death with [ltr. 1, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 7] 4. her doll she wants that one all the time she calls it the cute one and she does love it and tend it so cute. She said just now “tell Papa all about my dolly she is writing you a letter. Ruth got two books and a little rubber cat off of the Xmas. tree yesterday. Yes I should say that post card picture is a dandy. You look about as fat as a match. I am going to frame that and hang it up. I am glad you are gaining a little. I am getting fatter all the time it seems to me. Oh say Dearie I had a comp. the other day. One day last week your Mother and Lis. and Aunt Alice and Aunt Mary called they had been to the hospital to see Coulson. Your Mama brought me a half dozen little plates for my birth day (they are just as dainty and pretty as can be). She said Millie when [ltr. 1, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 9] 5. is your birthday I said next Thursday aunt Mary asked how old I would be and I said thirty two and Aunt Alice said you are the youngest looking woman I ever saw for thirty two and aunt Mary said you dont look a day over twenty one and your Mother said yes thirty two and only one baby. Too bad you marrid such an old lady. Yes I blieve Joe is about as bad as you used to be but when Joe loves Bertha and Ruth is around she laughs at them then she goes and wants Joe to take her and of course he takes her and he cant hold both so Bertha is cut out. I see my finish. But I wont get jealous as long as it is Ruth that cuts me out. So you really think you could pass the time away in bed better if I was your bed fellow I do’nt doubt it. I remember how when we were first marrid that you used to lay awake all night. [ltr. 1, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 11] 6. I guess the shops do look fine they looked real nice here but now every body are having sales. They have a fine holiday there do’nt they? I guess you do see lots of poverty at this time of year. Coulson went home from the hospital yesterday I just called them up to see how he was you Papa answered the phone and he called Coulson to the phone and he said he is getting along fine but that he feels a little weak yet and he wished to be remembered to you. I received the boks for Joe and Harry and I gave them to them and they both wish me to thank you very much for the same. Joe told me to tell you he was going to write to you if you stayed long enough. I saw Norah Davis the other day she said they received a book from you and she thanked you very much for it. They are all well [ltr. 1, p. 12: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 13] 7. and wish to be remembered to you – I also saw Ray Naylor and he asked about you and sends best regards. Mellissa said yesterday that she expects John home the first of June. Richard says every thing and he is into every thing he is the greatest climber you ever saw. He is a boy. The day Mrs. Buckel called she told Mama that Mrs. Luff told her that Fred would be home for Xmas. or New Year’s but I hav’nt heard of him coming – is he coming home or not? Jan. 7th Well Dearie I got two letters today and I was indeed pleased to get them also to learn that you was well – this writing leaves us all the same. Sister Grant called today and gave me the kisses you sent she seems to be a real nice lady. She said she wished she was back in England – she [ltr. 1, p. 14: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 15] 8. says she does like England. she told me lots of nice things about you and said that you wished you had been coming home with them. 4,000 sacks of mail was a few wasnt it? I am glad Santa Clause was so good. to you – my but that was lovely of Bro. Nelson Yes Ruth likes to dance she plays her piano and says “dance mama – sing mama and of course I have to obey and she thinks she is doing it. I will go down and see Farr’s I for- get wether it was $2,300 or $2,350 you paid for the place I too think it is worth that with what you put on it. Even if it is torn down there is lots of material that can be used over again. Yes the forest dale property is all right and I like the lot but I do’nt know wether I want to go out any farther or not. I wish I had known about taking things to the news before as that would be much cheaper. [ltr. 1, p. 16: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 17] 9. it was Will Nesbit that said it. Mama got $25.00 for her cow but she had to deliver it to the slaughter house and it cost $2.00 to get it taken down so she only got $23.00 for it and she bought a cow and calf for $42.50 and she sold the calf for $6.70 and this cow gives a bucket full of milk so you see it was better to make the change. Give Chase my love when you write. His mother said the other day that Chase said he had started to pack his trunk. The post office there did a wonder- ful business – our post office did a little its self – broke all previous records. That is quite a cute mounting you have for your photo. So you actually had a good dream about me – I am glad you did. So you are at last going to have a change well I am glad of it and I do hope you get better vitulas Why dearie the idea of you worry- [ltr. 1, p. 18: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 19] 10. ing about not sending me any thing for Xmas. when you sent me to lovely pair of gloves and they are just what I wanted. Yes all three dolls came in fine condition not one thing broken about them. Your Papa liked the pictures, like the one you sent in this letter, best I too wish you had been at the theatre with me. You know Dearie you aught to laugh lots it will make you fat I think that is one thing that makes me so fat. Yes Dearie Ruth knows what she wants I guess I am that way too but I ca’nt help it. So you think you would spoil Ruth if you was home – she is pretty well spoiled as it is she just about runs us all now. but she does it in a nice way. Some nights when Papa comes home she says “sit on or lay on the lounge Grandpa I want a romp” and of course he does it then she romps and laughs and has a good time. So you have had the blues and Willard had them too Dearie you [ltr. 1, p. 20: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 21] 11. aught not to have the blues laugh them away I have tried it and I seldom have them now I try not to – of course I know some times it is impossible to drive them off. Sister Grant asked Ruth when her Papa was coming home and she said six o’clock. Yes I asked Will Bruce to come to Xmas. but he did’nt he went some where else. Yes there are lots of deaths at the L.D.S.H. I do’nt know how many patience’s that have compared to other hospitals. They Holy Cross seems to have lots of patiences I see the van go up and down South Temple so much. Well dearie this is the last of my paper so I will have to quit. Mama and Papa and all the folks send love. Love hugs and kisses from Ruth and I I do love my own dear sweet heart with all my heart. May the lord bless you continually is the wish of your loveing and affectionate wife and baby, Millie and Ruth XXXX [ltr. 1, p. 22: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 23] My Own Dear Papa:- [page is covered in pencil scribbles] Loveingly, Ruth XXXXXXXXXXXXX [ltr. 1, p. 24: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 1] 128 Salt Lake City, Jan 14 – 1907. My Own Dear Alvin:- I received your letter of December 29 last Thursday and I was very much pleased to get it also to learn that you was well. I am so glad you had such a nice time Xmas. They do’nt believe in one day there do they well you know I think that is a good way have two or three days of it and have a good time. Xmas. only comes once a year. We too had a nice time Xmas. but we would have had a better time had you [ltr. 2, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 3] 2. been here but next Xmas. you will be here. I am glad you got cards from the girls. Alice Reynolds is almost a nervous wreck she looked awful when she was up at Xmas. time she needs a rest but she wont take it. Her father has needed one for some time but he did’nt take it but he leaves for Sand- wich Islands in the morning he is threatened with paralysis of the brain. His wife is going with him and they expect to be gone three months. Alice will be like him if she does- nt be careful. Benny Goddard and his wife Emma are going to New Zealand – they leave next month and expect to be gone six months. Eva Tud. is to leave on the [ltr. 2, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 5] 3. twentieth of March. Cid Saville and his sweet- heart (Hattie Whitney) called yester day and brought the gloves. We had just sat down to dinner and they saw that so they did’nt stay long I asked them to join us but they said they had had dinner. I did’nt expect any body yesterday for it snowed and blowed all day it was a fright of a day they had been to some stake meeting over in our meeting house and I guess that is how it was they came he said he had been buisy ever since he came home he has’nt been to call on his sister Mable yet. The gloves are just fine and I thank you very much for them. He wished me to remember him to you. Bro. Lyman may be sur- [ltr. 2, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 7] 4. prised to get a letter from you but I think he will be pleased. I am glad you got the cake and candy all right, and that you enjoyed them. I saw Will Davis the other day and he wished to be remembered to you. So Bro. and Sister Seaich thought Ruth looked like me – most people think he look like you and she does. I am sorry you did’nt go to Holland for New Year’s. You ask about what to get for Alice I think there is nothing prettier than white for little girls. Ruth’s little white silk is just as pretty as can be if you get white silk get some fine volencenes lace and insertion to trim it with. I guess a doz. yds. of each. I will enclose a sam- [ltr. 2, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 9] 5. ple of that I used on Ruth’s so you can see the quality. Dearie while you are looking around at the shops some time I wish you would price the neck chains one for Ruth and tell me about what they are like and how much they are. I was going to get her one for Xmas. but the one I wanted was too much so I thought I would wait and get one for her birth day and I have been thinking maby you could get it cheaper there I like the yellow gold be[-]tter than the bright. I think your locket is the color I mean I do’nt want you to buy it now but let me know about what it will cost and I will get you to get it before you come home. Ruth has’nt been feeling very well for two or three [ltr. 2, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 11] 6. days but she is better today she had a bad cold and cough and she is getting two big double teeth and all together she did’nt feel very good. I asked her what I should tell Papa and she said “tell Papa I better” Alice and the babes were down to day and Al came for them tonight they are all well and wish to be remember- ed to you. Richard has a cold and cough just about like Ruth and Geraldine is’nt over hers yet it seems to be going around I have heard of so many children having it. You can bet I am glad Ruth is much better today. We are all well. Ruth was real pleased with her letter. It was mail day today [ltr. 2, p. 12: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 13] 7. but our letter did’nt come I guess it will come to- morrow. We are having winter now there is quite a lot of sleighs out on South Temple. Well Dearie it is getting late so I will say “tata’ May the Lord bless and protect you at all time Lots of love hugs and kisses from your loveing wife and baby, Millie and Ruth. XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX [ltr. 2, p. 14: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 15] Jan. 14 – 1907. My Own Dear Papa:- I too wish you could have been home with us for Xmas. Santa Clause brought me a doll with a bonnet and coat on and it goes to sleep and I tend it on my red chair and he brought me a doll buggy and a knife and fork and spoon and some stockings and a pretty apron and a stocking cap to put on when I go out in the cold and a piano and I play and sing. and some nice blocks what I play with [ltr. 2, p. 16: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 17] 2. and a little elephant and a kittie and some books. Santa Clause is a man I like Santa Clause he has gone away he is com- ing back next Christmas. I did’nt have a Xmas. tree but I saw Martha’s and Zeneth’s and Geraldines and Arville’s I like Xmas. trees got pretty lights on, got lots of things on I got a tick tock too. I going to give you big kiss when you come home I give Mama smacker kisses Mama says Papa’s coming home pretty soon. I love Papa and Mama six dollars. Lots of love and kisses from your loveing baby, Ruth. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X [ltr. 3, p. 1] #129 Salt Lake City, Jan. 17 – 1907. My Own Dear Alvin:- I received a letter from you Tuesday and another today I was so pleased to get them in one you say you are not very well and in the other you say your cold is better well I hope it is and that you are feeling all right again. Ruth is much better but she is not rid or her cold and cough yet. Aside from Ruth’s cold we are all well. So you think I must have been out of sorts when you wrote that letter I dont remem- ber being – I am out of sorts tonight so I do’nt know what [ltr. 3, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 3] 2. I might say. You did’nt read that letter the way it was written. I too was joking about the baby – also about Sister Crofts. Yes I know my letters are sarcastic at times and so are some body’s elses. So you think your feelings aught to be hadened by this time well Dearie I do’nt think I have written a much meaner letter than the one I am answering. I never said or thought of such a thing as you being like gossip said McClellan was I was merely telling you the gossip that was in every body’s mouth, but I guess I must not tell you what gossip says. Mc is still in town and he still holds his position as Tabernacle Organist. And the talk has [ltr. 3, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 5] 3. dropped. Papa cut the end of his left thumb off yesterday with the bread cutter up at the hospital. I am glad you are going to the pantomine I guess you will enjoy it. We are still having winter weather lots of snow and pretty good sleighing. Yes I heard Alex was coming home I am sorry he is no better So you are still having trouble with the estate – I guess you will be glad when it is all settled. That was very nice of Mr. Odell – I too think you aught not to go to work before you have been home a week any way. I will deliver the gloves when they come. Yes the gloves you sent are [ltr. 3, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 7] 4. all right. I told you what to do about getting the gloves in a previous letter. I do’nt want you to bother about getting any thing for my birth day I got the card and it is quite neat. So you wont have Jones for a boss much longer well I am glad of it. I hope you like your work at Engield, Why are you going to ask to be released as pres- ident I understood that En- field was a branch of North London. What do you think Dearie I had an offer made me last night. A gentleman asked me if I would like to go to Eng- land and I said well I should say I would I would just love to and he said well you get ready and when [ltr. 3, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 9] 5. you are ready let me know and I will pay your transportation from here to the other side of the water and that man was none other than Bro. Nelsen. Well I hardly knew what to say it is certainly lovely of him he said now think about it and not only think but work on it and as soon as you are ready let me know but he said do’nt tell the other boys wives. So do’nt you say any thing to them about it. What do you think about it? Just think you have been gone 21 months today. Tomorrow is Bertha’s wedding day – one year marrid. She looks muchly marrid. I had a miserable dream about you last night the worst I have had I do hope you are not sick. [ltr. 3, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 11] 6. little Richard is better but still has his cough. Martha has it also all three of Alice Tuds children it seems like all the children are hav- ing it. Ruth got her little doll and she thought and still thinks it is the cutest thing I wish you could have seen her when she got it she laughed and laughed. Dearie I do love you with all my soul. May the Lord bless you continually is the prayer of your loving and affectionate wife and baby, Millie and Ruth. XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX Mama and Papa and all the folks send love to you. Millie. [ltr. 3, p. 12: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 1] 130 Salt Lake City, Jan. 21 – 1907. My Own Dear Alvin:- I got my letter earlier this time it came Saturday and I was so pleased to get it also to learn that you was better of your cold Ruth’s cold and cough are almost gone aside from that we are all well. I took the samples of cloth to Burt Needam and he said they were both nice pieces of cloth he thought the brown was a little better than the other he said they were what they called the chiffon broad [ltr. 4, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 3] 2. cloth and he said they would be about $2.50 per. yard. Dearie you ask me how I would like a brown velvet suit – I would like one very much I think they are swell there has been lots of them worn here this winter. It would take 7 or 8 yards of 42 inch goods you surely dont mean that the velvet is 42 inches wide – I never heard of velvet that wide. Dearie I think those gloves you sent are long enough. Yes I should say I would have enough to last me a day or two if you buy a half doz. pairs. I have two or three pair I hav’nt had on yet. Yes I remember about the canany birds – so they were both hens and you got two roosters in return. And you [ltr. 4, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 5] 3. are going in to the bird bus- iness – I hope he gets them here all right I like canaries. Alvin I want to tell you that Morton is no friend of mine I only know him when I see him and that’s enough. So Silvester Cannon is to take Alex’s place and Ivin is going with him well I am glad she is that is the way to do. Yes I heard what Sears wife told him about Mc and a dozen other things but I do’nt know how much truth there is in it You ask me a lot of questions about Xmas. which I have ans- wered in previous letters. One of the Grant girls called Xmas. night and Sister Grant has called since Yes I remember the Grant girls you speak of. I am glad you enjoyed the theatre. [ltr. 4, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 7] 4. So you will soon be on top of the ladder well I am glad of it. I hav’nt been down to see Mrs. Farr yet but she tel- ephoned me today she want- ed to know just about when we would want the house she said they expected to start to build in June or July and they expected to move in their new house in September. And she thought if we wanted the house befor then rather than move twice close to-geth er she would rather move when the lease was up, but she would rather stay where she is until their house was ready if she could. I told her I did’nt know when you would be home but I thought about [ltr. 4, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 9] 5. the last of June. If they move out in April I would- nt like the house to stand empty so I did’nt know what to tell her so I told her I would ask you and see what you though and let her know as soon as I heard from you. I spoke to her about buy- ing the place and she asked me how much we wanted and I told her an she said and you would take no less and I told her no if we could’nt get that we would rebuild ourselves and she did’nt say any more about it. Ruth gave me my birth- day hug. The paper came today with her handkerchieves in and she thinks they are fine. She is a great [ltr. 4, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 11] 6. baby for a clean hand- kerchief. Joe has been home two or three day with a bad eye it is a little better today. Little Harry is sick Dr. Richards says he has a little kidney trouble he says it is not serious but he has had to quit school for a while. We had another big snow storm and there has been lots of sleighing – it has been thawing a good deal today and I do’nt hear many sleighs out tonight. I see you are having sleighing in London that must be quite a novelty Well Dearie I guess you are settled in your new home by this time. I hope you will like it better [ltr. 4, p. 12: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 13] 7. than you did 97. The latest Dearie – Aunt Julina’s Emily has taken a baby six weeks old to raise – it belongs to some girl in Denver and she is to furnish it clothes and pay Emily $20.00 a month for taking care of it. It came last night. Emily thinks it will be an easy way to make a liveing. Fanny came up to the city today and is to be marrid Wednesday. Your Mother came up for a minute today – she wants me to make Zina’s gradu- ating dress – she graduates a week from next Friday. Well Dearie it is getting late so I must say night night. [ltr. 4, p. 14: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 15] 8. Mama and Papa and all the folks send love to you. Mrs. Adams was down today and she wished to be remembered to you. Love hugs and kisses May the Lord bless you continually is the wish of your affectionate Wife and baby, Millie and Ruth. XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX [ltr. 4, p. 16: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 1] 131 Salt Lake City, Jan. 28 – 1907. My Own Dear Alvin:- I received your dear letter of Jan. 10th last Thursday I was so pleased to get it but I was sorry you was sick you must have had a very bad throat – I do hope you will be careful and not take more cold and if your throat do’nt get right well I want you to see a doctor – and do’nt wash your head and go out in the cold again. Do be careful and take care of your self. [ltr. 5, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 3] 2. To day was mail day and I have been looking fore- ward to it so I would know how you were but my letter did’nt come and I was rather dissapointed but I guess it will come to- morrow and I do hope it does and that you are better. And you got my pic- ture and you like it – I am glad you like it and that I surprised you. Every one that has seen it thinks it is fine – I like it my self – the one that is’nt mount- ed is the other proof, I just had the two and I liked the one I had finished best but I thought I would send you the other proof so you could see it. So you think my waist [ltr. 5, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 5] 3. is pretty so do I it is pale blue and white. I am sorry you are having so much trouble with that estate and when you do’nt feel good I do’nt want you going out about the blame thing. Yes Ruth does like her books I have to read “Cock Robin” about ten times a day Ruth can say lots of little pieces out of her books. She is a cute little kid and she is quite old fashioned in her talk. No I did’nt have a visit with the Grant girl there was a little boy with her and she said she could’nt stay Dearie I do’nt know if you remember me speak- ing of Mrs. John Woodmancy [ltr. 5, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 7] 4. She is a lady that lived in this ward until it was div- ided and then she was in the twenty seventh ward she was a lovely woman and I liked her very much she died last Monday and was buried Friday. They have been marrid twenty years but they never had any children and I do feel sorry for her husband. I made her dress to be buried in it was white silk crepe and her robes were of handkerchief linen I never saw a sweeter corps she just looked as though she was lying on a bed of flowers She made all the arrangements. that is she told her husband just how she wanted every thing before she died. She was such a strong healthy woman she was the last person I would think [ltr. 5, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 9] 5. of dying. We had lots of snow and cold weather last week and there was fine sleigh- ing. Saturday we had another big snow storm and when it quit snowing it began to thaw and has been thaw- ing ever since and today it has been raining and you aught to see the slush and mud. We are all well Ruth is all over her cold and cough. We went down to Nell’s yes- terday Hen told me that he thought Fred Odell was going to quit – he is going in the pigeon and chicken busi- ness. Hen said from what Ralph Savage told him he thought that Farr’s had’nt got their ground yet. Savage said that he had told them of a [ltr. 5, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 11] 6. number of places but that they did’nt decide on any of them. I said maby they hav’nt got the money and Hen said Savage inti- mated as much. He said he thought they werent ready. They are not apt to get started to build this sumer but I would like them to stay in the house until we want it. Because I could’nt very well send it for two months and I would’nt want it to stand empty. I went to the theatre the other night to see “She stoops to conquer” it was fine and I enjoyed it very much. Well Fanny got marrid at last – (last Wednesday) You know all the time she was in the city before she did’nt come near. to see me [ltr. 5, p. 12: page is blank] [ltr. 5, p. 13] 7. she telephoned me just as she was going home and said she had’nt had time but when she came up to be marrid she was coming up but she did’nt come up or telephone. I did think I would give Fanny some- thing for a wedding present but when she acted that way I did’nt get her any thing Well dearie it is getting late and I must get to bed. I do hope you are better and I pray the Lord to bless you continually. I do love you with all my heart love and kisses from your loveing wife and baby, Millie and Ruth. XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX [ltr. 5, p. 14: page is blank]