February 20, 1918 - Dora's Husband, Guy Lindsey, Also Contributes to War Effort

[Dora is on her way to Kendall for Susan and Herman’s wedding]

Dear Father,

            Dora and Margaret will leave here Feb. 28^th at 9:15 P. M., over Rio Grande to Pueblo, Rock Island to Omaha, over Northwestern to Kendall, Wis. 

            I am all broke up over the fact that it is impossible for me to take a vacation at this time, I wanted so much to see you all and be with you when Dora and Margaret were there.

            Last year I planed to see Mother and Father Lindsey when Dora was in Boise.  But I could not get there, owing to business.  And this year has found me head over heels in very important work, that it is impossible for me to leave at this time.  Not that I consider myself better than others, but I know every German and I. W. W.[1] in this field and those who come here are easily picked out, and the Company feel that it would be simply impossible for me to leave at this time.

            I manage to get home once a week to see my little wife and baby, so don’t keep them to long as it certainly is lonesome enough as it is, but will make the best of it until she comes home.
                                                            Yours respectfully,

                                                                        G. W. Lindsey

 [At this time Guy and Dora lived in Castle Gate, Utah which was a Coal Mining and railroad town.  Guy may have been working for the Mine, but he had also been in the past a train detective, working to protect payrolls and merchandise in transport.  The link above at "the Company" highlights is more information on our past visit to Castle Gate while following the adventures of family members.]

Guy and Dora Lindsey a few years earlier

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[1] Industrial Workers of the World.  The IWW was founded in Chicago in June 1905 at a convention of two hundred socialists, anarchists, and radical trade unionists from all over the United States (mainly the Western Federation of Miners) who were opposed to the policies of the American Federation of Labor (AFL).  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_Workers_of_the_World

 

February 3, 1917 - Sister Dora Plans Trip for Sister Susan Nuptials

 

This photo was apparently taken during the time that Margaret Lindsey came with her mother Dora to visit her maternal grandparents Will and Ella Jane (Stevens) Sherwood.  Behind them is "Spring Brook Farm" where Will and Ella lived and where George was born and raised.  Margaret seems a little small for 2.5 years old if this was the March 2018 visit.  This may have been taken at an earlier visit.  I would be happy to be enlightened by any relatives who might know for sure.  Or I could be totally barking up an entirely wrong tree.  I do know that the people on the ends are Will and Ella Jane Sherwood, George's parents.

Feb 3^rd 1918

 

Dear Daddy: - A note to Herman and small books to the “vining folks” [referencing the soon to be married sister Susan Sherwood and Herman Weber] last week pretty nearly wore out my pen so I just left you over till today.  I have to do all my scribbling when busy-body is sleeping.  And I find I’m getting to be a lazy writer. Had a fine picture of George in last nights mail sure do enjoy it. Have written him today.  You and mother would have a lovely “honeymoon” while the “children” are away on theirs.  It is a shame to intrude  but I don’t see how I’m ever going to get there and get my visit over and get away by Mar 12, so I suspect you will find a very matronly daughter and a very busy grand-daughter at least busily engaged in destroying any “honeymoon” dreams you may have.  I’ll defy you to do any “spooning” Margaret doesn’t catch you at.  It can’t be done.  And when she catches you she will tell you very sternly that she (and none other) is your “girlie." We have had little snow and very little real winter weather.  I wonder what a Wisconsin March will hand us.

            Guy is awfully anxious to come East while I’m there but we scarcely dare hope that he can get off.  Doesn’t look so very promising now at least. He threatened last night not to let us go so far away but I know he was not in earnest.  Margaret just now woke and is half awake in my arms.  She may get back to sleep. 

            How she will love you all!  Let’s not plan much work while I’m there (get the “kids” properly married and then visit).  I may not write much the next three weeks.  I have so much to do.

                                    Love to all,
                                                Dora

The sense of humor of this family is fairly well demonstrated as this photo of Ella Jane with her, granddaughter  Margaret Lindsey (I believe) and another unidentified child.  I do believe that that is Ella Jane's handwriting under the picture of herself.

Margaret Lindsey a little older

Guy Lindsey's Self-Introduction Letter to 15 Year Old Brother-in-Law, George Stevens Sherwood

1912-0303 – Guy and Dora S Lindsey to Will, Ella Jane & George Sherwood



Guy and Dora Lindsey
 

 Mr. Geo Sherwood

Route 4 Box 31                                                                                      Salt Lake City, Utah

Kendall, Wis.                                                                                           3^rd – 3^rd - -- 12 ---- 

 Dear Brother Geo –

            We are in Salt Lake at last and located at the Helvetia Apartments at 23^rd First West St.  Dora is confined to her room on account of a sore toe – big feet and small shoes.  We are going to comb the city tomorrow for another pair. It took her three days to get the pair she has.  When we left Pocatello we had to sneak out and catch an early morning train as the whole Railroad force was laying for us with a lot of Rice and Old Shoes.  But we gave them the slip.  And we were scared all the way to Salt Lake because I overheard the whole plot.  They were going to shower us with rice and then telegraph to the Chief of Police of Ogden to take us off the train and carry us around the city in an auto with a bunch of old shoes tied all over it and  placards reading – Just Married – We are Married Now – and all such things. But we beat them to it.  And arrived safely. Some of the bunch are coming down tomorrow and I am gong to meet them at the train and we will have a nice dinner at home, then a theatre after.  Dora certainly is a fine little cook.  But let me tell you something confidentially Geo.  She has a sore toe and a Blossom on her nose.  (Here Dora adds – “note, she does not have to cook with either her toe or nose as she can still “feed the brute.”).  (Returning to Guy --)  No apologies, Geo.  She took a cold in Pocatello but is getting along fine now and will be alright in a day or two.  Well, Geo this is all the nonsense I can think of so will close.  Hoping to hear from you in the near future –

                                    I remain

                                                Your New Brother

                                                            Guy

 

Mr. & Mrs. Sherwood                                                                                Salt Lake, Utah

Kendall, Wis.                                                                                                  3—3—12

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Sherwood,

            Having all the interest in the world for the welfare of your daughter, you, of course, want to know how and who she married.  Now to be frank about the matter, I am not a wealthy man and have to work for our living but we are getting on very nicely with fine future prospects in view.  And she will never want for a thing that she can not have. She is the dearest girl in all the world.  I have salary of $90 a month.  But just as soon as we can get to it we are going to take up a ranch over in Central Oregon and go to ranching.  My work isn’t the best in the world as I may be called out at any time and gone for days at a time.  And then there is more or less danger attached to it.  Because I know most every crook and box car robber from coast to coast and they all know me and something may happen some day.  Dora worries so, every time I step out of the house, that I have made up my mind to quit in a very short while.  And we figured that the next best thing would be a good ranch and I have my Homestead right so we are going to use it as land in this country is very valuable.  And will be more so in time to come.

            Well I am a very poor hand to write so will close by stating that Dora will never want for any thing in her life as I am going to protect and take a care of her all her life. I am trying hard to make you understand just how we are but through my awkwardness I am making a very poor out of it.  I believe Dora is writing a few lines also so I will say Goodbye with Love.

                                                Your loving son,

                                                            Guy

Dear Ones All: - I have a strong suspicion that there may be a letter following us down here but when you see this paper you will remember that I am used to that.  Am using up a few old sheets I have left.  You are all cordially invited to visit us in our new home.  We left Pocatello between suns as Guy has explained, but almost everything is permissible in this wild and wooly west.
            Got to Salt Lake at noon yesterday and after lunch started on a mad search for rooms, but this old cripple gave out and Guy had to finish alone.  He rented the dearest little suite of two rooms furnished and I’ll give you a picture of them and the arrangements. 

            We have hard floor with rungs and linoleum in kitchen, lots of cooking dishes and other dishes.  It is so delightful to have our meals at home and not have to eat restaurant truck and I am in love with our little home.  The bath is across the hall and I have use of the laundry on Wednesday.  The dots are trees beside the drive.  We are all unpacked and quite settled and so hopeful that we won’t have to get out and move on an hours notice some day.  Well, we enjoy every day as it comes and like the Alcott’s Little Women make a joke even of a sore toe so you can see that a mere move can’t worry us.

            A serious word dear ones, as Guy is writing to you in serious vein and I know he is far too modest to tell you the best of himself.  Just to my family I must say some tings for you will understand and not think me foolish just because I care. I am old enough, have seen enough unhappiness in the lives of others and enough trouble so I can appreciate just how wonderful and blessed a thing this lad of mine and his love is.  Could you just watch a bit you would understand.  His love is not the kind which spends itself in the vain repetition but so true and steadfast and unselfish.  I marvel a hundred times a day for there seems never a moment when he is not thinking for me and my happiness, guarding me and saving me in every way great and small, indeed it is the remarkable aggregate of small things which make me wonder so. He can always think and anticipate my wants and always be so gentle and patient with me.

           He is clean, clear tho a man whom men respect and like and good women love.  I shall have to be a very good woman and always a growing woman to be deserving of these things and I am sure you will all agree with me that a happiness like mine is above price tho so far as money is concerned I have no fears.  We will have to know each other better in our cozy home than in a mansion.  I think you all understand.

            And now a loving good night to all my home folks and you shall some day know and love the boy as I do.

                                    Lovingly,

                                                Mrs. C. W. Lindsey