The following and the next three posts (total of 4) are letters written to and from members of my Grandfather Andrew J. Paul's immediate family plus some aunts, uncles and cousins and a couple of school friends. The letters were transcribed exactly as written. Included are the following:
Hollis Brayton Paul & wife, Adella Caroline Curtis (my great grandparents)
Their children:
Melvin Curtis Paul & Bessie Mabel McNab
Arthur Brayton Paul & Lillian Caroline Felt
Grace Vedder Paul & George Potts Watson
Andrew Jackson Paul & Harriet Lucina (Lulu) Felt / Gladys Adell Morehouse
(Harriet died after childbirth. Andrew and Gladys were my grandparents)
Clara Lydia Paul & Arnold August Pfenninger
Walter Eugene Paul (WEP) & Maud Ethal Mandery
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H. Brayton Paul Family Letters
1893 - 1918, 1959 and Unknown Dates
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Part 1 - Letters 1 - 15
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(Note from Walter to his son)
December 12, 1959:
Kenneth, These are letters welcoming your Mother into the Paul family.
Dad
1] Big Falls Jan 5th 1913
My Dear Boy-
I am glad your are feeling so much better and hope you will keep on gaining.
We had a good time Christmas but I missed those of you that could not be with us. We was glad to have Bessie with us New Years. Arthur & Lillian came down here to dinner and then we all went up there to supper.
Well now! I am pleased with the settlement that was made Christmas and have reason to think you have made a good choice. by what you have said of her. I liked her looks and appearance well, when I was down there. I would like very much to have her come up and stay a while. as soon as you can come. I shall like to hear all you would like to say about your plans. for I am interested too. you gave me her name. but I have lost it. please write it in your letter. In my last letter I don’t just remember whether I acknowledged the nice book & portfolio you sent Pa and I or not. The book I think a great deal of. when I know it is the sentiment of my “grown up boy.”
Monday morning
It was pretty cold last night and this morning. Our minister staid with us last night. He went back on the freight.
Your Pa has gone over to saw some wood for Arthur. The post office and telephone business keeps Arthur pretty busy, especially since the long distance telephone has started. He has a good girl to help him, though.
I hope you will chances to use your pass this year. so you can take a run up here now and then. Remember I like to get a letter from you often.
Lovingly your Mother.
[ Written in black ink on 5 X 7 7/8" smooth finish, blue ruled stationery; envelope return address- From Box 38, Big Falls Minn.; to address- Mr. Walter E. Paul, Brainerd. Minn, Depot; postmark reads- Big Falls Jan 6 P.M. 1913 Minn.; the envelope has a red Washington two cents stamp; on the reverse the postmark reads-Brainerd, Minn. Jan 7 7-AM 1913.]
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2] Queonta N. Y. June 19-1913
Dear nephew and niece:
We hear that two loving hearts have made a little home, and as your uncle Will and Aunt Lydia always like to have a “finger in the pie” we are sending you by express a little token of our love. We hope that you both will be very happy and prosperous in your new home. Your mother has written us about the wedding, and that you went right to house keeping.
We are on our way back to our old home in Binghamton, shall spend the Summer there, and when it gets too cold for us. we shall go back to our Florida house. We like it very much there. We never were fond of the long cold winters in the North.
Your uncle Will has a half brother here in Queonta with a home we are spending a week or so. but when we go from here we shall go direct to Binghamton and shall be glad to get a line from you there, our address will be
W. G. Joles
4 Lockwood St.
Binghamton
N. Y.
Walter, please send us a picture of Maud. when you have one to spare. We may never meet face to face. unless you bring her to see us in Florida. some day. which we would be very glad for you to do.
We both send much love and the wish that life spent together be a very long and happy one.
Lovingly your uncle Will and Aunt Lydia Joles.
[ Written in black ink on 5 1/8 X 6 7/16" stiff stationery; envelope address- Mr. Walter Paul, 601 South 10th St., Brainerd, Minnesota; stamp is missing and postmark is half obliterated showing only AM N.Y.; on the reverse is the return address- Mrs. W.G. Joles Queonta N.Y. No. 3 River Extension St.]
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3] International Falls, Minn. Jan 25 - 1913
Miss Maud E. Mandery
Royalton Minn.
Dear Miss Mandery,
It was with much pleasure that I received a letter from my brother Walter a short time ago saying he was engaged to be married to you.
Although I have never met you, I know you must be just all right or Walter would never have selected you for his wife. You see I was about fifteen years old when he was born and so always made a special pet of him, or at least my sister said I did, and I think he is about as near perfect as a brother could be. Am sure he will always be a good, kind husband to the woman he marries and I congratulate you and wish you both much joy and happiness.
Doubtless you both think you love each other now, and of course you do, but you know nothing of the depth and richness of the love you will have for each other after you have lived together as man and wife for few years.
I think it will be just awfully nice to have another sister and can assure you of a hearty welcome into our family.
We have two spare bed-rooms and would be glad to have you and Walter come up and make us a visit at any time when you can.
With kindest regards to yourself and your people, I expect to be at some future time
your sister
Grace P. Watson
[ Written in black ink on 4 7/8 X 6 1/8" linen finish stiff stationery, folded; envelope address- Miss Maud E. Mandery, Royalton Minn., R.F.D. No. 4; it has a red Washington two cent stamp and the postmark shows- International Falls Jan 26 --M 1913 Minn.; postmark on the reverse shows only C’D.]
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4] Northome Minn May 5th 1913
Dear Sister Maud:
I may call you that may I not? seeing the time is so short when even the law recognizes us as such. I had a letter partly Written to you last week and Melvin in gathering up waste paper off the desk some how gathered that in and lo it was no more.
We are all very glad that you are consenting to become a Paul, and I am positive that I can assure you, you will not regret it, Having tried it for a matter of sixteen years I feel quite competent to say it. Father Pauls family is really an exception in this day and age. Please don’t think I am trying a little “taffy” on them, I really mean every word of it. and I am sure you and Walter will be very happy together. I know there are times when we wonder if we are doing just the right thing, if we really do care as much as we think we do. All serious minded persons hesitate when they think over these things and I think it a good trait, for people that marry in a hurry without thought are not as a rule the most happy. I would have liked so much to attend the wedding Wednesday but as we cannot both leave at once and it happens to be Melvins “baby brother” who is the groom, I feel he should attend, and he will do so if possible for him to get away. I have been alone since Sunday morning as he went to Int’l Falls to see Sister Grace. I hope Walter will take a good long vacation soon as possible so you can come up and get acquainted with all your relatives. Oh I tell you there are lots of us when we are all together, and we will try and give you as good a time as the as the country affords.
Did Walter tell you how we greeted him last Saturday night when coming through Brainerd Sister Clara and I? It was too funny, really we were sights. Sat and talked to him with our coats buttoned over kimonos.
May all the joys of married life attend you.
Lovingly Sister Bessie
[Written in black ink on 5 1/8 X 6 7/16" stiff stationery, folded; return address- from Box 35, Northome Minn.; to address- Miss Maud Mandery, 1001 Oak Street, Brainerd Minn; postmark shows- Northome, May 5 --PM 1913 and the red Washington two cent stamp is affixed sideways; postmark on the reverse reads- Brainerd, Minn. May 6 7 AM 1913.]
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5] Jan 26th (no year given)
Dear Nephew Walter I was very much pleased with your nice little letter and hope you are well and having a good time this winter I supose you must be growing into a nice big boy. It wont be many years before you are large as Arthur. I wish Arthur and all of you could come and see us next Summer. when Melvin comes I can see that you improve in writing every time I get a letter. I an so proud of them I have to shew them to my friends. Is your dog a big one if he is I should be afraid of him. have you a cat also I think you must have had a nice time Christmas would like to have been there. Do you remember swinging in the hammock in our door yard what nice times you and Clara had when you came over here I have sent for some flower seed and am going to try to have flowers next summer.It is snowing again now and I am glad of it for the sleighing was getting poor. Jan 27th
I stoped writing and went to church last night. walked both ways. Walking pretty good. The milkman has just come and the cat knows it and is teasing for milk. I will close hoping to hear from you all soon. Your loving Aunt Lucinda
[ Written in black ink on 4½ x 7" very faintly ruled paper; at the top, written in WEP's hand is the question: Year?; no envelope exists.]
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6] West Superior Wis Nov. 16, 1902
Dear Cousin Walter;-
As you wrote the last letter, I think it’s high times I was answering. Papa and Lulu have gone to church, so I will write a few lines as mama and I are alone.
I suppose Melvine is working on the railroad now as an teleg. operator hope he likes it. How is Arthur making it on his claim as he was down here before he went to Ripple.
I see in the Barnum news that Andrew went to Atkinson Minn. hope he had a good time. I began trapping about a week ago, and considering the place have had good luck, catching one mink, one weasel, and a musk-rat for all I expect about $2.00.
Hoping the Fur and wool magazine I sent you, will be of some interest. I have a new dog a water spaniel pup and so far am well pleased with him. as a partridge dog, although pretty young.
I am going to school as usal, and am in the 8a grade, you see being sick this spring put me back half a term. But being fortunate anuff to have it leave me I am feeling as well as ever. Hope you will have good luck with your traps and gun. May this find you all well I remain
Yours truly
R. F. Doe
[ Note by WEP attached: Richard Doe spent his Christmas Vacation with me hunting and trapping. A few years later he was hit by a train on a trestle and was killed.]
[ Written on 5 5/8 X 9" stiff , cream colored stationery; envelope address- Walter E. Paul, Barnum Minn; the postmark reads- West Superior Nov 17 1PM 1902 Wis and the red Washington two cent stamp is partially torn off; on the reverse the smaller postmark is indistinct, the larger postmark shows- ---um Minn Nov 18 --AM ; the smaller one is indistinct.]
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7] Norwich Jan 13th 95
Dear Nephew Walter I was real glad to get your nice letter and will now answer as I have just written to your pa I think you are a nice writer for a little boy like you I can read it without glasses it is so plain. Little Volney Titus called to see me yesterday and I asked him what Santa Claus gave him Christmas he unbuttoned his little sack and hauled out two little brownies (dollies) one a Chinaman the other a dutchman made of cloth and stuffed with cotton he said one belonged to Myra one in each stocking and some books under their stockings. he stayed a little while and then run home. Do you remember about our kitten how he would set up and salute if he wanted something to eat well now if anybody has a ball on string and he wants to play with it he will set up and salute for it, or if he wants to go out doors he will go to the door and sit-up and salute the one nearest the door. I should like to see you real well, “have you grown much since you went away” It is so late I cant write to the others tonight-but-will soon I expect your Uncle John home from church pretty soon. It is almost bed time Do you expect to live near school this summer so you can go. I think you must have learned faster than children do in school. I think Grace has been a good teacher for you. You may kiss Grace your ma and all of them for me and kiss your self lots of times, or no it would be better for them to kiss you for me. but I would like to give you a kiss for myself. Your loving Aunt
Lucinda
[ Written on 5 X 8" light blue lined stationery; small leaf design impressed in upper right corner; no envelope exists.]
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8] Norwich June 13th 96
Dear Nephew Walter I was real glad to get your nice little letter, enjoyed it very much, and I would also enjoy some of your radishes, lettuce and onions etc I hope your garden will do well, Would you dare to hit a mosquito if it was lit on your teachers face, try it and see what she will do. I like to work in the garden to, but if the sun shines very hot I dont want to work to long. What have you named the little bears, and foxes, little Velma Crandal who lives next door has a little kitten, that she has named “Nuisance, because her mother kept calling it a nuisance when it would run up the lace curtains; have you hoed your garden yet, have you cured the dog of eating the eggs or carrying of the china egg. Our cat lives out doors now, but he sleeps in the barn he always comes when the milk man stops at our door, and if we have not got up, the milk man puts some in his dish because the cat salutes him so nice. we leave a pail on the back porch every night for he comes so early in the morning, I think the bears must be much cuter than the foxes. I alway thought I would like a little bear for a pet. I hope the mosquetoes will not eat you up. 14th We did not go to church to day, saw by the paper there were two mnnisters advertised to preach in the Baptist church, so concluded we did not care to hear either of them. Think we will go to the Methodist meeting to night. Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Frank called and stayed to tea. I hope you are having a good time, and growing into a great stout boy. When you get large enough just come out here and see us and bring your pa and ma with you. Will you: You must write again I enjoy your letters so much. Minnie has just called so good by for this time, Your loving Aunt
[Lucinda]
[ Note by WEP attached to the two preceding letters: Two letters from our beloved Aunt Lucinda, Fathers Sister. Re, school=she refers to Mother and Grace teaching me at home. Bears and foxes=We captured 3 cub bears and 5 fox kits in Spring of 1896.]
[ Written in black ink on stationery the same as in letter 7 above except this is somewhat yellowed and is not impressed; no envelope exists.]
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9] [ No inside address and date.]
Dear Walter
I am going to write few more words I have two sisters and two brothers and we have three ducks and twentyone chickens.
And I like to go two school because The teacher is very good to me and I like her. and I am eleven years old.
I like to write letters because when I will be big then I could write a letter to any one.
That is all what I have to write to you
Johnnie Patrick
[ Note attached by WEP: Written in school at Split Rock by one of my Polish Schoolmates]
[ Written in pencil on 6 x 8¾" blue lined tablet paper; 3 x 3¼" hand made envelope from the same tablet paper with canceled brown 4 cent Lincoln stamp pasted on; address- Walter E. Paul, Split Rock Minn]
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10] Oxford N. Y. Jan. 10. 1898
Dear cousin Walter
I like to go to school quite well and I study Arithmetic Reading and Spelling and I write in a writing book. I would like to have you cane to my house as quick as you can. I have not seen you in a long time. I would like to go hunting with you very well. I have not seen any tigers nor any gorrillas or any monkey but I have seen one bear and have seen many elephants.
I find the little pieces of ice that break off fram the loads of ice the men draw. I think it is fun.
Papa is working down at the ice houses.
Grandpa has been here and stayed about five weeks.
Write to me sometime
Your cousin,
Raymond E. Paul
[ Written in pencil on 5 X 7 7/8" light blue lined tablet paper; no envelope exists.]
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11] Oxford N. Y. Mar. 9-1899
Dear Cousin Walter
I ought to have answered your letter before. I thought your letter was very nice.
Christmas I got a necktie and a pair of slippers and some home made candy. Down to the Christmas tree I got a picturebook and a box of candy. I go to school and I study arithmetic spelling and a third reader. My teachers name is Mr. Nearing and I think he is a good teacher.
The baby is 01 months old Papa and Mama are pretty well. School begins the 27 of March.
Raymond E Paul
Your cousin
[ Note attached by WEP: Raymond was about my age and the Son of father’s brother Eugene.]
[ Written on same kind of paper as letter 10; no envelope exists.]
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12] Barnum Minn Dec 15 1896
Dear Walter
We were writing letters for our grammer lessons so I thought I would write you few lines. Albert Vaughn and me are thinking about going to your place.
I would like for you to the Christmas tree and I would for you to stay with me all night if you could and we will have a nice time I am learning good at school I hope they will have your sister for to teach us next term.
Our school will be out next friday and then we have vacation
So-good by
From Neil Scott
[ Note attached by WEP: This was one of Grace’s pupils when she taught 2 miles east of Barnum. The Albert Vaughn here mentioned Committed Suicide soon after,- Claiming he had been snubbed by one of the girls in his class.]
[ Written in red ink on 5 1/2 X 8¾" light blue lined tablet paper; on the reverse side is written in dark blue ink--How do you like my letter?; envelope 5 5/8 X 3½" addressed in red ink--Master Walter Paul, Barnum Minn, Carlton County--with no evidence of having had an affixed stamp, and envelope is addressed upside down.]
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13] Moose Lake Minn April 8 1899
Dear Walter
I am glad to see you I am is well and my brother too and we have nice time now and snow is all gone and when the spring-time was come then we have nice time we play on the crick with the boat and we swim on the water and the bird singing all time and when the winter come then the bird was all gone. and we got two little dog and two little calfs and I give to you two rabbit Steve give one and I give one and you give too him hay and clover potatoes and oats and water maybe little box to him then he going to sleep to the box and I got no more to write this time.
Your Truly
Joe Berlik Moose Lake Minn
[ Note attached by WEP: Joe Berlik, one of my Schoolmates at Split Rock]
[ Written in pencil on 5¾ X 8" blue lined tablet paper, darkened by age; no envelope exists.]
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14] Barnum Minn Oct. 23, 06
Dear Friend Walter.-
Put on your best togs and come to Mr. Herberts next Saturday night, of course I mean if it doesn’t rain. And I think Clara will be there and go home with you. We are twisting and planning every way so we can all be there.
Now be sure to come.
Your friend
Pearl
[ WEP wrote in pencil below Pearl's signature: Pearl Curtis.]
[[ Written in ink on 5 X 8" watermarked tablet stationery; envelope address- Mr. Walter Paul, Barnum Minn; postmark shows- Barnum Oct-- 12 M 1906 Minn.; the postage is a red Washington two cent stamp.]]
Dear Friend
Clara said to tell you to bring the two rigs as Miss Cameron wants to go with us.
In haste
Pearl
[ One cent U. S. Postal Card with McKinley picture in the stamp location; in the upper left is the oval seal of the United States of America; the postmark shows- Bar--- --nn. Nov-- 10 AM 1906 Rec’d.]
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15] Bemidji, Minn., Feb. 13-1900
Dear Brother Walter,-
I see you have been practicing writing. Am not sure but what you are about the best writer in the family now. Am so glad you all have a chance to go to school this winter. How long will it last and how much do you have to pay?
Tell Mother I am not sure how much cloth I got for that star quilt but think it was about 12 yd. for lining and all. I see by my old account book that it cost 72cts but the number of yards is not down. Think I calculated eight for lining and four to set it together with.
I think one of my skirt patterns will do all right for Clara if it is made a little shorter and perhaps narrower. Will try to send one of some kind before long. Is she going to have a new dress? Tell her if I don’t forget it when I come down I will bring her my black dress that Alice made for me. The waist is so narrow for me that it is very uncomfortable to work in and the skirt is altogether too short to wear afternoons. But it will make a real nice dress for her.
If it is not too late, tell Father not to pay the freight on the organ when he sends it. I will pay that when it comes.
We had another five dollar wedding last week.
We have that big rug that the Indians were making for us. It is a dandy.
Guess there is nothing more of importance to write this time, so will stop writing and go down town with George.
It is very cold here this week. Write often.
With much love to you all from
Grace
[ Written in black ink on 8 X 9 7/8" paper with pale blue lines running lengthwise, the sheet folded in half across the middle to make four pages, three with the letter; on the last page W PAUL is rubber stamped about ten times; no envelope exists.]
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