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] #144 Salt Lake City, April 1st 1907. My Own Dear Alvin: your most welcome letter of Mar. 18th came today and I was so pleased to get it. It is a week today since I had a letter from you and it did seem good to get it. I am glad you are still improving and I hope you will take the Doctors advise. I too think it will be best to leave Ruth home and I know I will get awfully homesick to see her but I am going to try to be sensi- ble about it and not worry any more than I can help [ltr. 1, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 3] 2. I guess I am going to have company – I went to fast meeting at the temple yes- terday and John Taylor’s wife came up and in- troduced her self to me and said she expected to go to England and that she would like to go with me if I was willing and I told her I would be so pleased to have her company so I guess we will come together – she is going to leave her children home. She in- troduced me to her father and he kissed me and said I believe your hus- band sent you a kiss but if he did’nt it’s all right. Mrs. Taylors sister Mrs, Canon made herself acquainted with me also [ltr. 1, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 5] 3. We had a fine meeting yesterday. I do’nt know when I will start I thought I would start on the 17th but I asked your Papa the other night and he said the first boat was all full – Silvester Canon did’nt get passage on that boat either. Your Papa said he would see about my ticket the next day that would be last Friday I am going in to see him this week to see when I start. There is another company going to leave on May 1st and I do’nt know wether I will have to wait that long or not. Joe Smith (big Joe) is going on a mission to Holland and he goes the first of May – his mother told me. Sarah Harris was married [ltr. 1, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 7] 4. in the temple last Tuesday and they had a reception for her at the Bee Hive Wednesday I went we had a real nice time. Ruth is sitting at my elbo and I just wish you could hear some of the cute things she is saying. She is a pretty cute baby. I will have so many cute things to tell you about her. She just “Who are you writing to” and I said ‘to Papa’ and she said “What again” So you think you are old enough to take care of your self well I guess you are if you would. Well Dearie we do’nt have to cover up one side of the cage to get the birds to sing the sing quite a bit now. I told you about the books in my last letter [ltr. 1, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 9] 5. Yes that shawl is lovely but I thought you said you was sending a red table cover so when I took that out of the box I said well Alvin is not going to have this on our dining room table because it is a shawl and I will use it for that. Mrs. Buckle and Mrs. Williams called today and I was up to Berthas Mrs. Buckel has been three times and Mrs. Williams twice and I have been out every time so mama telephon ed for me. Mrs. Buckel has’nt got her books yet so I gave her Stratfords address. It seems that she sold Alice (that used to live at 97) her suit case for $2.00 and Alice did’nt pay her and she has’nt heard [ltr. 1, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 11] 6. any thing of her since she got here and she wanted to know if I knew where she was and I told her no. I will tell you all about it when I get over there. She wants you to see if you can find out any thing about her folks from John West (her brorther inlaw) She said he wouldnt tell her any thing she woud like the names from the family bibel and she thought he had it but he would’nt tell her any thing. Her fathers name was John Isaac Cooper. I think she is a regular old crank. I told her Sister Steel was expecting to hear from her. She asked me if I was going and I told her I was un- decided. So every body comes to you with their troubels. I guess they like your sympathy [ltr. 1, p. 12: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 13] 7. There was no mask faces in those things you sent be Bro. Bateman but when they come I will give them to the children. Yes Adams is a grouchy old thing he and Nelson did’nt hit it. But Bro. Nelson is still there I think there will be a chang some way before long do’nt say any thing about this. Joe was going to quit on the first that is today but Bro. Nelson told him not to so he got a raise thorugh Bro. Nelson so I guess he will stay. I am glad you have a good dinner occasionly also that Sister Crofts is so good to you. I telephoned Rea Nibley she would like to go but she ca’nt. She said she wished I could persuade her mother to let her go. I saw Bro. and [ltr. 1, p. 14: page is blank] [ltr. 1, p. 15] 8. Sister Nibley yesterday and I said I wish Rea was going and she said but she is’nt. Last week we had quite a lot of snow and it was rather cold but the last three days have been fine and tonight it is raining. Mama and Papa and all the folks send love and are glad you are getting better. May the Lord bless you continually. Love hugs and kisses from 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. 1, p. 16: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 1] Salt Lake City, April 7 – 1907. My Own Dear Alvin:- I received two letters from you last Wednesday one from London and the other from Rotterdam they were such nice letters and I was pleased to get them and so pleased you had gone to Holland. Also that you arrived there safely. So you and Alex stayed awake all night and talke just like two boys. I am glad you enjoyed the pantomine I too wish I had been with you gut I will be before many moons. So you think now I better leave Ruth home I think [ltr. 2, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 3] 2. April 8 it will be best but I do hate to leave her and if she could do without her milk I would bring her. I am afraid I will get awfully homesick for her. Now Dearie the idea of you getting so nervous and worrying until you got a bad throat – if quietness is the only thing that will do it any good it better get better before I get over there because you know how noisy I am. I do hope the change will do you good. I am glad you and Alex en- joyed talking of your sweet- hearts I do’nt doubt but what you would have been willing to sleep together in a narrow bunk had your sweethearts been along (I mean you and Alex) I guess I wo’nt [ltr. 2. p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 5] 3. leave until the first of May. Bertha has a fine baby girl it was born Friday noon – weighed 8 ¼ pounds they are both getting along fine she is such a sweet little doll she is fatter than Ruth was when she was born. Betha and Joe are tickeled and we are all glad it is over. I guess they will name her Evelyn after Aunt Ev. Alice Roberts is down I hav’nt seen her yet – she telephoned me today. Conference is over I did’nt go to any of the meetings – I was buisy going back and forth to Berthas – there was a very large attendance this time and we had lots of rain until yesterday [ltr. 2. p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 2, p. 7] 4. Yesterday was fine and today has been just like summer. We had two conference visitors but one went home this morning but the other is still here. Ruth is reading your letter and you would smile if you could hear what she is saying. She is just wild to get a hold of Berthas baby she thinks it is fine. We are all well and hope you are the same. Mama and Papa and all the folks send love to you. May the Lord bless you continually. Love hugs and kisses from your very own sweethearts, X X X X X X Millie and Ruth. X X X X X X X X X X X X X [ltr. 2, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 1] Salt Lake City, April 15 – 1907. My Own Dear Alvin:- I rec- eived two letters from you last Thursday and I was so pleased to get them also to learn that you was feeling some better. You ask me if I have been to see your Papa again about my ticket yes twice and I asked him what it was going to cost me and he said he did’nt know he said I would leave here about the first of May. Mrs. Taylor telephoned me the other day and she [ltr. 3, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 3] 2. said she had been talk- ing with Silvester Canon and he said he was’nt going until the second or third and that they were going right through and Mrs. Taylor said she would rather rest a day or two, in New York or Boston, before sailing and I thought that would be best. She said some of the elders were going as early as the 27. Rhea Nibley is’nt coming. Elder Henson called Saturday morning – I was up to Berthas and Mama telephoned to me so I came down he said that you was feeling better when he left. He had’nt seen his folks he was going home Saturday even- ing he said he was going down to your Mama’s that [ltr. 3, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 5] 3. he had a package for her. Yes I guess Alex is anx- ious to get home. I am glad the weather is better in Holland and I hope the fogs will be over in London by the time you get back. The weather has been real hot here for a week just like summer the trees are all in full bloom and every thing looks fine. I will tell you about the in- surance when I get over there. Mrs. Hart is fine she was up to see me the other day she has gone to housekeep- ing now. You do’nt speak of Al Lovey in a very flattering manner he was not cartoonist for the Trib. he was on the Herald and I never heard of any [ltr. 3, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 7] 4. one that got as many mentions as he did and he was spoken of in the highest terms possible and that too by the Deseret evening news. I was not acquainted with him but I have heard Ella and his wife and different people speak of him and from all I know about him I think he must has been a very fine husband, father, and son. Dearie it seems to me you are too ready to condem people just be- cause they do’nt see as you see religiously they are not fit to live. I hope I will never be that way. Dearie do’nt get too anxious I do’nt feel very anxious to leave I guess it is because I am going to leave Ruth home I often wonder how she will be and how lone- [ltr. 3, p. 8: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 9] 5. some I will be without her. Of course I am anxious to see you and take the trip I am about to take but I will be glad when I have been and come back. Mrs. Taylor is’nt coming back until September. You aske me how much we owe the bank $500.00 two notes $250.00 on each I do’nt know what sugar stock is worth I will go down and see Bro. Nelson. They do’nt issue return tickets on the railroads now unless it is some exur sion but I guess I could get a return ticket on the boat. I do’nt know any thing about that but I will find out. Bertha and the baby are getting along fine I guess she will sit up for a little while Wednesday. [ltr. 3, p. 10: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 11] 6. We are all well but tired we are house cleaning. I want to get it done before I go because Mama will have enough to do without house cleaning. When ever I say anything to Ruth about going she says she wants to go on the too- too train on the big boat to see Papa. Well Dearie I wo’nt have to write many more letters to you and I will be glad of it for I do’nt like to write letters It will seem so good to be able to talk to one another in- stead of waiting a month for an answer. I went to dinner at the Bee Hive the other day I will tell you about it later. Aunt Julina said that [ltr. 3, p. 12: page is blank] [ltr. 3, p. 13] 7. The boys were all coming home to attend the last of June and your father said you do’nt know any thing about it. Mama and Papa and all the folks send love. May the Lord bless you continually is the desire of your loveing wife and baby, Millie and Ruth. [ltr. 3. p. 14: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 1] Salt Lake City, April 19 – 1907. My Own Dear Alvin:- I received a letter from you Tuesday and another Wednesday the last one stated you was about to leave for London I am sorry you could’nt stay over there longer but I hope you will feel better for your trip – I also have your letter of March 29th unanswered so I guess I will answer that first. So Alex is more homesick than you are I feel sorry for him I told you in my last letter when Bro. Cannon [ltr. 4, p. 2: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p, 3] 2. I thought it would’nt be long after Alex got home before he was marrid. Well I guess he might as well as to wait longer Some times Ruth is willing for me to come but she nearly always says “I want to go to see Papa”. Bertha and the baby are getting along just fine she sat up an hour Wed- nesday and two hours yesterday and is going to sit up longer today The baby is growing fine but she is a little tad to fuss in the night. Well Dearie I see you are roasting me fro not telling you something I did’nt know my self and I do’nt know yet all these questions you ask [ltr. 4, p. 4: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 5] 3. and as soon as I find out I will informe you of it. I do’nt think you knew all these things until you got your ticket about two days before you left. All I know is I am to leave here about May first. I had’nt thought about surprising you. It might be to great a shock to your nervous system – you might treat me even worse than I did you when you came from Montpelier The idea of you lyeing awake all night thinking every old thing I wish I had’nt told you I was coming until about a week before I got there. I will answer your other letter next time I am awfully buisy but I thought I must write you a few lines [ltr. 4, p. 6: page is blank] [ltr. 4, p. 7] 4. We are all well We have had quite a bit of rain this week and it is trying to snow now and is quite cold Bro. Grants brother Josua died this week and was buried yesterday. I think his sister Mrs. J.T. Odell came home for the funeral she has been in California for some time under a special- ist for her eyes she is nearly blind. Dearie I would like a letter from you before I sail I will try to find out what boat I am going on and when it sails. Lots of love hugs and kisses (these will be real soon) May the [-]ord bless you continually is the desire of your loveing and affection ate wife and baby, Millie and Ruth. [ltr. 4, p. 8: page is blank]