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1896 transcriptions & notes

Jan 15:

Philatelie & Curiosities

Section: Philately

The Last City

Dear Sir

  Please be so kindly and publish the enclosed notice in full text in
  your valuable paper. (read by many of our city members) We trouble you
  only once a year and hope that you will do us the favor. Meantime ???

With philatelic greetings

The Board of Officers of “Germania”

By order L. Philips; International Secretary

Box 21C

Jan 16: letter from Editorial Rooms The Evening Post.

Dear Miss Austen: You know my sentiments about this vice; but who knows,
S.S.C., and in this dose there may be some efficacy. It comes with the
enclosed letter. Why, Heaven only knows.

Yours sincerely, W.T. Wright

Box 21C

1624 Garden Street; Santa Barbara, Cal; Feb 4th 1896

My dear Alice; Forgive me for not writing you before and for letting so
long a time go without sending you a line of thanks for remembering me
so kindly at Xmas tie.

It is doubly appreciated to be remembered when so far away & the stock
will be lovely on my summer dresses. How I wish you could drop in upon
me tonight Y see me in our barn quarters…

… Mrs Nicoll has decided to live with me during the winter, & I am so
glad for she is a charming woman and we are very congenial. She and I
have had the large room in the barn filled win with redwood & furnished
it with odds & ends. This room we use as our sitting room & enjoy it so
much. I have the same bedroom as last year, but have had a door cut
which connects it with the large room, out of which is also Mrs Nicoll’s
dressing room. We have made it all look very cosey & homelike.

You will be glad to hear that the Sanitarium at present is doing a
flourish-…

… ing business. All the rooms are taken I have two nurses & my hands &
brain & body are busy all day long & when evening comes I am glad enough
to come out here to this haven of rest. It is fine though to feel it may
pay after all & I love the work: all the people like it here and so of
course will send others to me. Would it not be fine if you could come
out & make me a visit. I wish you could & I do not see why you could
not. How I should like to see you. My tongue would never stop. I was so
sorry to read in the paper of Mr McNamee’s death. Staten Island is so
changed I would not know myself. Do you ever see anything of Mamma or my
father? Howard is doing splendidly. Amy’s little house is lovely and
they all seem so happy together. Will you please tell your aunt I enjoy
the Stanten Islander so much & give her as well as your mother my love.
I am going to bed now & will write soon again.

Again with many thanks to you for the Xmas remembrance & with much love.

Affectionately, Julia Taber Martin

1896_3-13-1896 March 1001-Baltimore-Trude

(envelope from Baltimore that looks like Trude Eccleston’s handwriting)

April 4th;

Dear Alice: it is 4 o’clock and I am going to sit down for a while &
send you an

answer to your kind & welcome letter of Marth 1st. you see I am turning
over a new leaf not allowing more than a month this time. My
correspondents have all suffered this winter for I am very busy & when
not busy very…

… tired & seem always to be resting when not really engaged in the
house, which of course take much time & more thought. You will be
delighted to hear, I now that since January evening rooms have been full
of $20 & $25 patients, so that I have nearly made up the $800 I lost the
first three months. Dr. Hall is delightful and we seem to work together
very well. He is so fair. I have now five patients: two house boarders &
two table boarders and next…

… week or rather from the 10th to the 17th. I expect eight more table
boarders so you see I am doing well and with three nurses, a maid & two
chinamen, perhaps you may believe there are a few calls on my time, a
few things to look after, but I love the work & hope next year to be
able to enlarge a little. I am very tired & only wish I might arrange to
come East. If such a thing should happen I am afraid I should never get
back again. The crazy dick has never been heard of. I had a number of
his letters, but can only find his first to me which may amuse you.
Tomorrow will be a great day with you and I shall think of the chimes of
St John’s as I walk to church. Tell Dr Eccleston with my love, I wish I
could have been present at this Easter service. Mrs Nicoll read me…
… of the death of Mr Haxton & it made me feel really very sad. I am not
at all surprised that Faith McNamee’s baby crows on all keys, nor that
their Father’s death has not plunged them into mourning…

Mrs William Murray Alexander is home form her wedding trip abroad. They
have not been received with open arms, but seem satisfied with each
other. Poor Mrs Snively, what a beautiful life thrown away. She looks…

… so old and her 24 year old husband looks so thin & forlorn. You knew,
did you not, that her cousin Mrs Nicoll is still with me. She is a
delightful woman, but a Crosby through & through. Her husband died in
December & since then Mrs Nicoll has done my shopping for her board. She
is almost of no help to me in the house being fat & lazy y I think she
considers her mere presence worth her board. I did think of making her a
proposition for next…
… winter but will not do so now, as I should always do all the work, the
thinking & everything & she would look on & get paid off the e??i like
her very much when she leaves me. I wish she would stay out … I think it
is time for me to work for myself.

Dear me I could write all night & not say half I want to so perhaps I
had better stop now. give my love to your mother & Aunt & with lots of
love and an Easter greeting.

Affectionately, Julia T Martin

April 6: wedding invitation Marie Louise Clawson to Louis S. Bones
(letter index)

1896_4-6-April 1002

April 9: from Julia Martin

Dear Alice: What do you think!! I am really coming home and I am simply
wild with joy & gladness. On Sunday Dr Hall & I decided definitely & I
am to leave here on May 1st with Kingsley to be gone in the vicinity of
Albany for six weeks & the vicinity of New York six also & return August
first.

Amy & Howard take charge of the Sanitarium. I was…

… so tired a few weeks ago that Dr Hall sent me up to the “Hot Springs”
a lovely spot for a week. Kingsley went with me & we had a lovely time &
it did me a great deal of good, but I feel that I need a thorough
change, rest & the next three months will be quiet probably. I engaged
my berth today, so I feel as if I were going & have just lots to think
about & do. This week eight table-boarders come in extra for Carnival
week which brings it to the 17th & it will take two weeks for me to get
ready & arrange every…

…thing.

I write in haste. Where are the “IK’s” now.

Affectionately, Julia Taber Martin

1896_4-22-April 3002 – Erving / King wedding announcement

1896_5-12-May 1002 - Kirtland / Batchelder wedding announcement

May 21, 1896: Thursday. [violet ward]

My dear old Alice,

Your letter received ten minutes ago.

This is nothing more than L expected and planned for.

I will be down tomorrow at noon. Good Luck to you.

  My Father is now on a milk diet, which of course will make him weak,
  and I must watch him all the closer as he still goes downtown every
  day.

  In some respects, I think him rather better.

Lovingly, V.

May 26: wedding invitation Harriette Bagley to John Craik Jr

1896_5-26-May 3002

May 30:

My dear Alice: It is rainy and cold & we are all, that is Walton, King,
& I in Aunt

Addie’s room.

  Now Alice I have a great disappointment for you & me & that is that I
  will be unable to make any of my expected visits, as my Aunt is not
  well enough to take care of Kingsley for more than two or three days,
  so I should only go…

  … down to Riverdale for a few days, leaving Kingsley with Walton. What
  I want is for you to return with me for a week as my guest. I never
  could go back without seeing you, so I hope you will come. We are at
  Chatham in the hotel. Of course it is a country hotel in a country
  village, so do not expect anything. When my Aunt in better health we
  thought of going to Gloucester, Mass, but she is not well enough. She
  is very sensitive about her health & will not admit that she is not
  well.

The air is delightful up…

  … here & I am getting nicely rested & certainly the feeling of being
  near my friends is delightful. If you come up we will go to Albany for
  a day & I think we could manage to have a pleasant time together. If
  you can not come back with me, you must come later. If we came to NY
  on Saturday, we will return on Tuesday afternoon at 3:35. Let me hear
  from you soon & believe me with much, much love.

Affectionately, Julia Taber Martin.

June 6th

  My dear Alice: Your letter reached me this morning and I have been
  turning double headed summersaults ever since I read it.

  Thank you so much Alice for asking us & you need not worry about our
  not coming anyway for a week & if all goes well for the two. Kingsley
  is a good child & I think we can manage very nicely. Oh dear, I am/…

  … so glad. When I made up my mind to come home only a few weeks before
  I left, that I could come only if I brought him, I ran it all over in
  my mind if it would pay, thinking very likely would have to give up
  some of my visits. When I saw my Aunt’s condition I decided that I
  could not leave him with her & wrote to Gertude asking her if she
  would keep him a week or ten days, but no such luck. However the
  delightful feeling of being home again madeup for it all & now I
  really…

  … am off my head with joy, but are you sure that the arrangement is
  agreeable to your mother & aunt & you know Alice it will handicap us a
  bit. Have you thought it well over. If so & you really think it will
  pay, I do. We will come down on Monday the 22nd of June on the train
  that reached New York at 12:05 I am going to be away four days at a ??
  school reunion in Syracuse.

  I hear that Mrs Williams is to be on the island& I shall try to
  arrange to leave Kingsley with her for one week while I go to
  Riverdale. My Aunt Julia has been very ill & for this reason Kingsley
  can not go there.

  Please thank your mother & aunt for me and tell them I appreciate
  their kindness and it will perfectly delightful to see you all again.

Affectionately. Julia Taber Martin.

  King & I have slept together ever since we have been away so do not
  take the trouble of putting up a cot in our room.

1896_6-1896 June 2001-Barstow

1896_6-1896 June 2002-martin

June 6: Arrive Barstow 9am expect to reach Los Angeles 3am today, just
losing

our train for SB. We are delayed two hours on account of wash outs.

  Have had a very cool, pleasant trip. This morning only being warm &
  dusty as we pass through the dessert. The train shakes so I can hardly
  write at all. Much love JTM

July 7: 1896_7-7-1896 July 1001

My dear Alice: I am really here, and from present appearances for keeps,
that is until

  Friday. My respective relatives will not even listen to my going a day
  sooner & Kingsley is to be sent for tomorrow & is to stay over with
  me.

I am of course delighted, but disappointed not to see you all once more…

  … on the Island. I shall leave on Friday at 3 o’clock from the Harlem
  depot. If possible find your way there, that I may leave a final good
  bye.

I will have to let my shopping go & trust to luck finding what I want in
Albany.

  I want you to give my love to your mother & Mrs Muller and thank them
  for their kindness to King & me. It is needless to say how much I
  appreciate all you have done for me & to tell you how…

… much I enjoyed my visit with you. Pray that the fates will decree my
speedy return.

Hoping then to see you on Friday, and with lots of love I am

Affectionately, Julia T Martin

1896_7-15-1896 July 2001-martin

July 15: pencil on postcard: La Porte 12:58pm / We are just coming into
La Porte, Indiana,

  where I will mail this postal. We left Albany yesterday at 4:30 & have
  had a very comfortable trip thus far & not very hot. Kingsley has been
  asleep for the last two hours & I have been halfway there. Lots of
  nice people on the train. When we reach Chicago,, in about two hours
  we are going to do the city up ?? until dark. I wish you were with us.
  Love to everybody. JTM

1896_8-17-1896 Aug 3001-Tomkinsville-violet envelope

1896_8-17-Violet Ward Aug 17003

Sunday, August 16, 1896

My dear Alice,

All good so far. So glad to receive your letter.

Fortunately, the Pater does not have to pay Railroad fares on this trip,
or we would be bust.

Neilson goes along. I stopped just now to address an envelope to you.

A very near clap of thunder spoilt the end of your last name.

There is more thunder.

Trunks are all away and we take the 7:55 boat tomorrow. D.V. [Deo
volente (god willing)]

Write to Cazenovia, Madison County, New York.

More soon.

Affectionately, V.

Tuesday morning, August 18, 1896

  My dear Alice.

  Top of the morning to you.

  My father is at the Doctor’s across the way.

  Journey delightful. Everybody so kind here.

  Put up at the club and invited for a sail last night.

  Country beautiful; temperature most comfortable.

  Send letters to Cazenovia post office (next door to our hotel) as we
  are only here for 2 weeks. We are not in a cottage.

  The lake is beautiful, and Doctor is so very thoughtful.

  I will tell you all about it later.

  With love, V

Aug 20: letter from Carrie Ward at Cazenovia to EAA at Mohonk

My dear Alice – We are going for a sail at 10.45 & it is past 10.30 so I
can write but little.

I waited to come up here to write & was too curled up for 2 days to do
so.

Papa seems all right – Vi is in fair shape – but must be in better
before returning or there will be squalls – The Kid is in charge at the
house & not having too easy a time I fear – I consider it …

… V’s fault not mine, to have obviated it, I would have had to
disbelieve her, a kind of chuck up of rudenesses?

It is quite cold here – charming & cordial – I don’t know much else yet
–

Write me here Linklaen House – I am in too much of a hurry to think up
what happened before I left & I have owed you this a long while –

Affy C.C.W.

Thursday morning

1896_8-27-1896 Aug 6001-Cazenovia-ward - ENVELOPE

Wednesday August 26: Cazenovia Club, New York

  My dear Alice – The Club is just not to be sprinkled with meal,
  preparatory to a leap year dance this evening. I am out of it of
  course.

We leave here on Saturday. Everyone has been so nice; I shall hate to
leave.

It has done Papa some good, and a longer stay would do more for him
easily.

  I took a golf lesson from a professional who was here this morning. I
  was out three hours on the Links, altogether.

  I am the reddest thing you ever saw just now, and redder.

I must find my father and make him take me for a row.

  Mr K. came for me for a sail just at lesson time this morning – such
  is life.

  The lake is 6-metres and good for a small boat.

  As for Canada, I fear I can’t go as I must look after my Dad. However,
  I shall see the Doctor again.

  The wheeling here is fine. Pity I can’t.

  Favors have arrived (it’s 5pm) and people are fixing things.

  Carrie is better, much better. The house seems to get along, somehow,
  from Daisy’s account. And we are quietly happy here.

Write me your plans and how and what you are up to.

With love. Violet

P.S. Harper’s check arrived all right.

Cazenovia Club, Cazenovia, New York August 29th, 1896

  My dear Alice –

  Letter from you this morning with your new address.

  Write to me, do.

  But don’t say I have not written for I have written quite regularly
  for me.

We leave here tomorrow, and you must send your next to Tompkinsville.

Don’t stay away too long for I shall miss you terribly.

Affectionately, V.

Aug 30: Box 21C – from Mountain Rest House, J. Irving Goddard, Prop’r,
Mohonk Lake, Ulster

  Co., NY; addressed to Miss Alice Austen, Care of. Wm A Shortt,
  Alvington, Kingston, Ontario, Canada -FROM TRUDE

My dearest Alice – I am trying to write and talk at the same time so if
this letter is a

little mixed you will know the reason why – thanks so much for the
bones. I have spent my Sunday…

… afternoon sewing them in my corset & I feel very wicked & sinful but
entirely comfortably & obliged to you – You certainly have proved that
you are quite capable of taking care of yourself after this last
successful trip of yours & you Mother ought to be able to trust you any
distances. I think I have gained pounds since your departure. I have
only had one long walk with Papa of seven miles & one bike ride…

… over to the lake, so you see I have been very lazy. We all spent a
delightful musical morning over at the Hotel yesterday. Edith & I sang
to our hearts content & Mrs Smally played for us. She reads music very
well so played all of our…

… accompaniment in as much to our delight – Edith & I were glad to find
that we had not lost our voices we wished we might have had you for an
audience. I miss you very much my dear & feel quite lost in my big room.
I haven’t even got the BB’s for company any more. Papa & I are going to
Vineyard Haven on Tuesday for a weeks visit. Mother & Edith may not
leave then for home on account of the boy who is at present sick with
enlarged tonsils. He has been indeed…

… all day poor little fellow & has had fever continually but the Dr says
it is nothing serious & that he will soon be well, they will not go home
until he is – I have your lamp safe & sound and hope you will not want
it until you get home as I will put it in your trunk & not take it with
me, of course if you do want it – Mother can send it to you -she will
forward my letters to me to the Barnetts so if you write me, direct home
as I am not sure of the address I think it is just Vineyard.

… Haven, Mass, C/of Mary, C. Barnett. Papa has gone up to bed or I would
find out about it. We had the usual service this eve & I did the singing
as usual. There are a lot more old women here, all ugly – I will be glad
to leave & see some good looking people for a change. Well everyone has
gone to bed so I must follow as it is not proper for me to be here alone
with Mr Goddard. Hoping to hear soon of your safe arrival at Hamilton &
all about the place I am as ever your loving friend (all miss you) Trude
Eccleston

… Don’t you envy me packing my bike tomorrow. How did yours arrive?

Sept 2 postmark from Rosebank: empty envelope addressed to EAA C/O Mrs
W.H. Townsend,

No 77 Park Avenue, New York-

Wednesday Morning

My dearest Lollie,

I was so glad to find your note beside my plate this morning, it is very
good of you to write me.

Last night we had a hard rain shower, your Auntie and the Captain dined
at the Camdm’s. I have not seen her yet today. She wore a challie dress
for the first time that she has had for years. It had been altered
several times, it is pretty. Katie ran on the plants

… early in the afternoon to prevent their thrashing. Today it is lovely,
so bright and still. What will you do with so many table cloths? I wish
you would accept the stereoscope box Alice offered. They cost a good
deal and I have quite a number of views, but nothing to look at them
with. See if the box is in good order. Aunt S.A. used to have some good
photos for it. I would like Alice to give you these too. What a good
chance for paying off your little visits. I wish you had more to do, it
is the first time you have driven round NY in a carriage for that
purpose, I think. I hope some day you will go in your own.

Get of course what you want for the silk waist. Look at Hood’s new
fashion plates, and insist on small sleeves, she does so hate to change.
If the Mills are in town it would be well to go there but perhaps they
stay late in those sand hills. I have not seen a soul since you left so
have no news. Your Auntie says Dr O’Dea stays half an hour talking to
Beenie, what on earth can he find to say to her.

Judge Greenfield is very anxious for the Captain and your Aunt to come
to the City next winter and board in the same house so they can go to
the theatre together, not much change of that.

Jenkins the milkman has taken the poor stray cat, he was glad to get it,
if he will only be kind to it. Punch is trotting round the place today.
The lump is certainly diminishing. I suppose the trunk arrived all
right. I paid for it. The strap is the one I intended for the Mohonk
trunk, but Katie that time took off the wrong one that which has not
come back.

Is Dr Wheelock back yet? And have you seen Dr May? I suppose the Wrights
have moved. Clara Maguire, Ella Mills sister lives on the 10th floor and
likes it. I intend to come up some day, my love to Aunt S.A. Good bye my
dearest, Your Mama

Sept 2: Staten Island; Sept 2/96 [Box 21C]

My dearest Lollie – Your welcome letter of Aug 31st , I was so glad to
find when I returned from the city last evening. I wrote you Aug 28th it
was mailed Saturday afternoon, perhaps Sunday coming next delayed the
letter somewhat but I do hope you have got it now. I wrote you August
23d to Mohonk did you get that? In my last I put the express receipt as
you wished. Your two last all very interesting. I have read them many
times it is like a dream that you are in Canada, it is a good omen. I am
sure. You seem to be making the …

… most of your time as usual, never was there a better traveler. I am
provoked about the sweater, it seems to me you must want it up there if
you would like the golf cape and homespun do get it if you have money
enough, the homespun is well known. Green of various shade seems to
prevail in the autumn goods, flecked with red it is pretty much smaller
sleeves, just with a puff on the top, are to be seen in the new fashion
plates. People are coming back to the City, the stores are quite full,
the weather yesterday lovely and bright, today is the same. Fanny says
she heard that Blanchard was coming back to the Fort also Mr Murray, the
Murrays have gone, Mrs Comegys has a baby, and Mrs Louks expects one
next month. Willie Wimple offers to raffle off his piano at 25 cts a
chance, it seems odd.

… Of course the Island is very quiet just now, even the bathers have
subsided. It is decided that Monroe is to go to Ralph, I think he will
stay there for good. Do you think you will go there some time? It would
be nice in one way, but Violet would no doubt repeat to accompany you,
and the Captain kindly says Ralph does not like her. I am a little sorry
about Bay Head. Will it be too late when you return if they ask you? We
have seen nothing of Helen, the Monroe’s house on Townsend Av is sold
$3,000 the price.

The papers are full of the doings of the Chinese Viceroy, he seems to be
a ?? old gentleman, he told a deputation of Methodist, Baptist, and
Presbyterian ministers who called upon him that there was very little
difference between Christianity and the Doctrines of Confucius. At a
great dinner…

… given to him, the Chinese Minister picked his teeth with his long
fingernail.

Willie left word he would return on the 8th of September will you and
Lucy return with him, or do you stay longer?

Give my love to them both and say I think they are kind to invite you.
Do you notice the different intonation of the voices? Where are Willi’s
parents I thought they lived in a place called Coburg. I do not know
where that is.

What regiment do the officers at Kingston belong to? See all you
possibly can though there is hardly need to say that you are so wide
awake. I wish you could see the Rapids of the St Lawrence, a grand
sight, what a fine large river it is.

We are all well here, Punch gets on better now it is cool. Katie is
devoted to him, it is curious to see Snip? watching over him at night.
Now I shall send this right off. I see your letters bear a 3 cent stamp.
They say at the P.O. that 2 cents is right from here. Your Mama

How is the Baby? Tell me about it. Your godchild will always have an
interest for me.

1896_9-30-1896 Sept 2001-Rosebank-ACA – envelope – I think this matches
the letter

Sept 30: postmark from Rosebank – letter from Mamma – to Miss Alice
Austen, Care of Mrs

W.H. Townsend, No 77 Park Ave, New York [Box 21C]

1896_9-Alice Cornell Austen 2001

No 77 Park Avenue, New York

Staten Island

Wednesday Morning

My dearest Lollie,

I was so glad to find your note beside my plate this morning, it is very
good of you to write me.

Last night we had a hard rain shower, your Auntie and the Captain dined
at the Cameron’s. I have not seen her yet today. She wore a challie
dress for the first time that she has had for years. It had been altered
several times, it is pretty.

Katie ran in the plants early in the afternoon to prevent their
thrashing. Today it is lovely, so bright and still.

What will you do with so many table cloths? I wish you would accept the
stereoscope box Alice offered. They cost a good deal and I have quite a
number of views, but nothing to look at them with. See if the box is in
good order. Aunt S.A. used to have some good photos for it. I would like
Alice to give you these too. What a good chance for paying off your
little visits. I wish you had more to do, it is the first time you have
driven round NY in a carriage for that purpose, I think. I hope some day
you will go in your own.

Get of course what you want for the silk waist. Look at Hood’s new
fashion plates, and insist on small sleeves, she does so hate to change.
If the Mills are in town it would be well to go there, but perhaps they
stay late in those sand hills. I have not seen a soul since you left so
have no news. Your Auntie says Dr O’Dea stays half an hour talking to
Beenie, what on earth can he find to say to her.

Judge Greenfield is very anxious for the Captain and your Aunt to come
to the City next winter and board in the same house so they can go to
the theatre together, not much chance of that.

Jenkins the milkman has taken the poor stray cat, he was glad to get it,
if he will only be kind to it. Punch is trotting round the place today.
The lump is certainly diminishing. I suppose the trunk arrived all
right. I paid for it. The strap is the one I intended for the Mohonk
trunk, but Katie that time took off the wrong one that which has not
come back.

Is Dr Wheelock back yet? And have you seen Dr May? I suppose the Wrights
have moved. Clara Maguire, Ella Mills sister lives on the 10th floor and
likes it. I intend to come up some day, my love to Aunt S.A. Good bye my
dearest, Your Mama

Oct 19: letter from D Allen, Kingston, Ontario, Canada Box 21C

Alwington, Kingston.

Dear Miss Austen,

  Many, many thanks for the Photos which you so kindly sent by my niece,
  JM Marshe? And which came on Saturday – we are all so pleased with
  them & think them capital – would it be asking too much to ask for a
  few more of the house & the Postman at the gate? We want to send them
  to friends, to where they…

  … would be much receptable. Or, if that would give you too much
  trouble, ?? ?? suggests my asking you for the negatives, if they are
  still in existence, & we could have them printed here – but you have
  done them so well, I fear no one else could please us so well, I know…

  … you not think me a greedy co?? ence. Well let me & ?? if we can have
  more & how many of each ?? we have Photo & the postmen – these two are
  what we shall like copies of –

Again thanking you – ?? love from Gertrude & myself.

Yours sincerely, Drew Allen

Oct 23: letter from Julia Martin in Santa Barbara [Box 21C]

1624 Garden St. Santa Barbara, Oct 23rd ‘96

My dear Alice: What do you think has become of me?

  Please forgive me for letting so many weeks pass without a line, for I
  have often thought of you and have begun numerous letters none of
  which…

  … seem to have gotten finished, but I will promise to do better, if
  you will promise not to pay me back in my own coin. I only have a few
  people in the house now & they monopolize most of my unoccupied time
  as a few always do. They are the Colbys from Portland. Mr Colby went
  to St Paul’s school with Howard & is very pleasant, his wife is
  charming & her sister Miss Taylor is pleasant, very…

  … bright, lovely to me, but a nervous crank, poor girl & awfully
  spunky to her family. They came for a few weeks but have stayed on & I
  should not be surprised if they remained all winter, if I can keep
  them for the price they have been paying. The outlook for the winter
  is good and I hope to make up for lost time as I have lost a good deal
  this summer, although my house for one month (August) was full. I have
  just had the barn put in order and hope to rent both rooms to someone.
  My little stall room I have had covered with burlap & it is very
  pretty. I should get $20.00 per week for two people in these rooms &
  if the right sort of people took them they could be very comfortable.

I had an application this morning…

  … from a Mr Roberts of Cheshire, Mass. How he ever heard of me is more
  than I can imagine, but I wish he would come to me as he says it will
  be for a five or six month stay.

  I have been doing all sorts of things since I wrote you last. Among
  other things have been to San Francisco, where I had a fine time. I
  took the young girls who were staying with me here, then put them…

  … on the train for home & I had all my expenses paid there & back. Amy
  took charge of the house for me. I saw Lilly Bonner, who is coming
  down here this month for a few weeks. San Francisco is an odd, quaint
  city all built on the high hills & the huge houses are all of frame.
  The cable cars run up & down to & fro all over the city & it such fun
  to ride on them. I went out to the Presidio & wished that Edith Blunt
  was…

… there. It would have been pleasant to have seen her.

  Then too, I have been quite gay & giddy for me. These young women and
  myself got up some charades and gave them in this house & we had such
  fun. The people who got them up with me were Mrs Buston. I think you
  know her as one of my Montauk friends. I spent a week with her last
  summer out there. Her father has one of the handsomest places there.
  The other two who helped were the two Reddington girls. One is about
  my age, the other younger. The one rather good looking, very
  attractive & ta?ing, the other, my favorite, very quiet but awfully
  nice when you know her. We asked Miss Taylor to help us. Mrs Martin,
  and a Miss Nicker-…

  … son. Then later, I know & like quite well. She is pretty and plays
  beautifully on the violin. We fixed the stage in the parlor, facing
  the hall & stairs, fixing the stirs, which are directly opposite the
  folding doors, as seats. They looked lovely, as we put all the fancy
  pillows we could raise between us on them, lots of flowers & chairs on
  the landing & the hall was lighted…

… with Jap. Lanterns.

  About 25 were present & we all had a fine time. I took three parts.
  The first a man, in the word politician, the second as Hamlet in
  Tribly & I spouted “to be or not to be.” The third part, I was a
  matron in the word insane. We fed the people on ice cream, cake,
  coffee, sandwiches and had a good time generally. Then last week, Miss
  Taylor gave a candy full,

  … after which we danced. Last week I went to our Santa Barbara
  Philharmonic, consisting of amateurs & it was very good. Herr Schuy is
  the leader. He is a very talented man & for many years played in
  Seidl’s orchestra. He has done wonders with very raw material.
  Tomorrow afternoon & evening I help on the Ice cream table at a fair
  given for the cottage hospital, so you see how gay I am. Then I have
  been ill twice, once in bed for a day, have had two colds losing my
  voice entirely, have had a house full & a house nearly empty. I sent
  you a paper the other day because I know you would be interested in
  Howard’s success…

  … The old “Morning Press” was bought through him & he is editor in
  chief of the whole thing & of course it is fine for him, but awfully
  hard work for him. & he is not very strong. They are living quite a
  few blocks from me, in a dear little one story house.

Kingsley has been delighted with his little papers from Mrs Miller for
which I wish you…

… would thank her for him.

  On Monday next I expect a housekeeper. I have engaged her for a month
  on trial & hope to find her a help if she is not too much of a lady.

  Mrs Nicoll is in Morristown in a boy’s school. She writes she likes it
  so I suppose I shall not see her & of course I miss her very much. I
  get awfully homesick sometimes & feel…

… sorry my lot is cast so far away. I doubt if I ever come back to live
in the East.

  I wish you could come out here – we could have such a fine time
  together & it would be such a pleasure to have you with me. I think I
  have told you all of my doings and I shall look for a letter very soon
  from you.

Much, much love, affectionately, Julia Taber Martin.

1896_10-27-1896 Oct 1009-SantaBarbara- envelope

1896_11-17-Nov 1001

Nov 17: wedding invitation Lucy Alexander to Edward A Whistler Everitt

Dec 6: letter from Julia Martin in SB Book 2

My dear Alice; your letter of Nov 26 only reached me yesterday. Note
prompt reply, it is

  Sunday 3pm & I as usual, am keeping house Ang, my house boy has gone
  to Sunday school, being a Christian. Sing, being a heathen has gone to
  Chinatown for a good time. Miss Taylor who you have been introduced to
  has gone to library. Mrs … & Mr Colby & little Jack are off for the
  day. My housekeeper is off for the afternoon & Mrs Adams (new) has
  gone out with her baby, so you see I am quite alone & the house is
  delightfully quiet & restful.

  I have a lot to tell you & hardly know where to begin, but the most
  interesting thing is the addition of the new rooms & a bath to the
  “Palms.” I nearly stood on my head with excitement when Mr Alexander
  Senior, suggested the idea. They are rooms which I can rent at $10 &
  $12 per week &

  … they are lovely. I think the photograph that you have shows the
  kitchen, beyond it is an outside pantry enclosed with wire. One of the
  rooms, the smaller one is over this. It has two windows, one in the
  back from which you can see the ocean & get a few rays of sunshine in
  the morning, the other window looks out upon my orange trees &
  evergreen on beyond the mansion. It is the only room from which you
  can see the Mission. This room opens onto a hall, opposite is the
  other room which is much larger. It has two large windows on the east
  side, beautiful view of the mountains & ocean. This room I had open by
  a door into a large double room, so that it gives quite a suite of
  rooms the bath is at the light of the small room. I have painted a
  whole set of furniture, including a bed white & am going to make the
  room white & yellow. Howard hopes to be able… to get me a pass to Los
  Angeles this week & I shall go down & back in a day to do some
  shopping & leave my cards at the large hotels there, having letters of
  introduction to the proprietors of each. I am also having some
  photographs of the house taken & intend to hang one in each hotel.
  Lilly Bonner expects to come down here next month for a few weeks. I
  saw her when in San Francisco & she expected to come this month but
  was detained. The Colbys are still with me & are so pleasant. I doubt
  if they have me for some time although they are talking of
  housekeeping. Mrs & Mr Adam are two young married people from
  Pennsylvania with a youngster 8 months old. They are both just the
  kind of people I want paying a good price, making themselves
  thoroughly comfortable & are exceedingly pleasant.

  … they are here for three months, perhaps longer. there are as yet not
  many strangers in town, but few come until after the holidays. The
  ??arrives is of the past. I regret to say, but perhaps it is wiser for
  me to make all I can alone which I hope to do sometime, if I do not
  love it all first. It must seem odd to have Gertrude Eccleston on the
  Island again & I suppose her family are delighted. Mrs Barnett wrote
  me such a good long letter the other day. She feels rather lonely way
  off so far. Walton wrote me that the “JKs” had left the old house. I
  wonder sometimes when you have time, if you would lika a photograph of
  the house. I should like one very much. My friends, the Colemans have
  gone to San Francisco & I miss them very much. They are to be gone six
  weeks. Although they live six or seven miles away, they both drop in
  quite often, especially Mrs … Coleman for lunch on Saturdays & as I
  know them, perhaps better than anyone out here it seems quite lonely
  without them.

  Amy gives a large afternoon tea on Tuesday. I am to help her in the
  dining room and lend her my boy Ang. She is such a funny little body &
  delights in such things. I shall wear my new silk skirt. The cloth
  dress I bought give me such an ugly figure that I have had to have it
  …

  … altered & it is lovely. I had to whole front taken out & silk put in
  its place using the front of the cloth as a zouave jacket effect & it
  is very becoming. I do not think I had my housekeeper when I last
  wrote & I want to tell you of her. She is a woman far above a servant,
  yet willing to do anything & I like her in many way so much although
  she is so slow she drives me nearly crazy at times & is very tiresome,
  but I could not get along

  .. without her she eats by herself is not a bit airy, honest &
  interested in the house. Her duties are to make up all beds in the
  house, do the fine dusting, take the entire case of lamps, clean the
  silver, wash the ornaments, oversee the cleaning of the rooms (which
  she does not do well) & do all the mending, & counting of clothes. It
  takes a huge amount off of me, especially things I detest to oversee
  or do myself. As she has few friends here she is at home a great deal
  & is a responsible person in the house, although she is more or less a
  fool in lots of ways. I am awfully fortunate to get such a person
  hover & hope she will stay with me. I wish you & your mother would
  come out here this winter, but I suppose you can not just now. you
  must come sometime. Give my love to the Wards when you

  … them & the next time you will tell me how the store is getting on.
  My love to Mrs & Mr Miller & your mother & with lots & lots for
  yourself believe me, affectionately, Julia T Martin.

Dec 30: letter from ED Van Rensselaer, Fishkill-on-Hudon, NY

Fishkill on Hudson, Dec 30-96

My dear Lolla, Your photographs arrived safely and good condition.
Mother wants me to thank you so much for them and to say that they bring
back to her very vividly old scenes in which she is so deeply
interested, and old days – and now your work has brought back to her
scenes which she was familiar with being before you were born. It is
very sweet of you dear Lolla to send them.

Mother has been very sick, she was taken with an attack of acute
indigestion some two months ago, and has…

… fully recovered form it, at thanksgiving time she was dining as usual,
but had not really regained her strength. Then soon again she was taken
in the same way and it has been very

hard to bring back her digestive organs to working order. Indeed they
are not in order yet. Mother walked down stair today for a little while.
In the first and I hope will soon now be down for her meals – her
strength is under full, and of course is always a great standby in
bringing her back to health again. We hope you are all well and send you
our love and best wishes and a happy New Year.

Dec 31: letter from Carolina Machar, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Kingston, December 31st

My dear Miss Austen – I wonder if those unlucky molasses will ever reach
you. There was such an unaccountable delay in their coming from Montreal
and then after that when Miss Machey took them to Am Express office they
told her they did not know whether the American postages would allow ??
so any further than Cape Vincent without having the duty paid.

Miss Meacher told the agent they had only been sent back to ??..

… days when Lucy asked her to stop over on her return from Virginia. She
thought Stella was returning to Canada in six weeks and it may not be at
all convenient for Lucy to have her just at present.

The crossing from Cape Vincent is done now in open boats and is
consequently very dangerous so I hope she will choose some other routes.
think of the wife? Probably have to remain in Kingston sometime to as
her Uncle lives on an Island with which there is at present very little
communication.

I hope you will call upon Stella…

… changed and ??? upon the parcel but added that they might not take her
word for it.

We have lately had so much trouble about a parcel we were sending to
some cousins and ?? was stopped at ?? till we sent five dollars so I
have a ??some ?? of your ??????

I enclose some stamps hoping that when you have time you will kindly
send me two more photographs of Alrington.

Mrs Monterey Mr Groot girl ?? travelled north we to New York en route to
Virginia writes me that she has written to Lucy to ask her if she could
take her in just now for a few…

… if the ?? go to Lucy I have gone ?????

My asking ?? to do me these photographs will much love to Lucy & all are
when we see them and a kiss to my sweet baby and many wishes that the
new year may prove to you a very happy prosperous one I am

Sincerely yours, Carolina Machar