January 16, 1917 - Another of George's Cousins Gets Drafted

1918-0116 – Bertha Page Richardson to William R & Ella Jane Stevens Sherwood

 

West Topsham, VT

Jan 16 – 18

 

Dear Cousin,

            Your card that you sent to Uncle Robert[1] was sent to us today. It has been lying in the post office at Groton.  Our daughter is working over near there and they sent it to her and she sent it to us. We will get to Uncle.  Aunt Rosettie[2] has been very bad this winter, is so she does not sit up.  I was up there and stayed a few days, she is very poor in fleshy.  Uncle is quite smart for a man of his years.  Wish Aunt Eva[3] could see them.  We have a very hard snow storm, it has been very cold here this winter.  Our boy has been drafted but has not gone yet but expect to go any time.  We have only one boy[4] and five girls and are all big now.  Youngest is 14 years old.  Will is better than he has been for quite a number of years. I am to one of the neighbor taking care of a sick one.  It is quite warm out doors today and it seems good for we have had it so cold.  Uncle Robert address is Washington, Vermont instead of Groton.  Should like to hear from you.

            Lovingly yours.

                    Mrs. W. C. Richardson[5]
                 R. D # 1  West Topsham Vt
                       

 This photo is Robert Fletcher Richardson II on the occasion of his 80th birthday.  He was born in 1832 and lived until 1922.

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Attached to this letter is a little sheet of paper.  At the top it says “Wills” in the corner, and in the center says 1911. Six year previously.

Eva Olive – 10

Isabelle Christia 16

Robert Henry – 14

Lydia Marie – 12

Berdena B B – 10

Agnes – 8

 

[This is a list of the children in the family, but was obviously done years before and attached to this letter at some point.  On the back of the little paper it says “Will’s Children” right down at the bottom.  Pink highlighter on letter and note are done by Robert and Bernadine Tangen Weber when they were beginning to read these letters and trying to sort them and make sense of who all these people were.  They probably attached the little note to the letter once they found them both.]

 

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[1] Robert Fletcher Richardson II

[2] Rosetta Dexter Richardson

[3] Evalina (Nellie) Richardson Thompson, sister of Robert Fletcher Richardson II

[4] Robert Henry Richardson, being drafted for WWI

[5] Bertha Page Richardson

Aside - all the participants in the 1907 50th Anniversary of Robert & Rosetta Richardson

This is the 50th anniversary photo of the Robert Fletcher Richardson II family taken on July 4, 1907. Robert and Rosetta are in the center.  "Charley" Henry (who was mostly known as Henry in his family, and who is the Assistant Professor at Syracuse University is next to his father with his wife behind him and daughter sitting crossed legged on the ground in front of him and not looking at the photographer.  According to a letter from Rosetta it was a very bright day and it was hard to keep everyone looking in the right direction and not squinting over much

Dear Sister Eva,
 

            I will write a few lines to enclose in Robert’s letter.  I fully realize that we have neglected writing to you to long already, and will now try to answer some of the questions you asked in the letter you wrote to us last Aug.

            No, Nathaniel and Julia were not here to our celebration. Julie wrote us that they would like to have been here but Nat did not think that they could come.  They are very busy with their work.

            Brother Henry was here, also his sons Willie, and George with their families. Also she that was Annie Whitell with her husband and two daughters.

            Yes: you were right about Herbert and Rosina sitting on my side, also Henry and Flossie on Robert’s, the husbands and wives back of them. Lillian Scott and her oldest brother Herbert Harold stand back of Robert and I. Robert Scott sits in front of his grandfather and Royal sits in front of Herbert.  Henry’s Evelyn sits in front of her father.  She is their only child.  Herbert and Ella have lost all of their children.

            Flossie’s oldest Child, Lelia May, is sitting at my feet. Robert and William are in Flossie’s lap and George Wallace is in his father’s arms.

            The sun was shining directly in our faces when the picture was taken, and we got more scowls and wrinkles than rightly belonged to us.  The children could not look up, the sun was so bright in their eyes.  The dress I had on, also the collar were the ones that I was married in, without any change in them.

                                                Yours with many good wishes.
                                                                             Rosetta

PS – My brother Servis was here. In the post card he is the first an standing near the corner of the house at the other end of the card George Richardson is the fifth man from the end of the card directly back of the lady sitting in the chair. He is holding his little boy.   His wife stands by his side, she has her hat on, and stands in front of a gray haired lady near the corner of the shed.  Being acquainted with the guests I can pick them nearly all out with the naked eye.   [Do not currently have a copy of the post card to which she refers.]

           

January 9, 1917 - News from Distant Family in Vermont and Cousin Also Involved in the War Effort

 This is the 50th anniversary photo of the Robert Fletcher Richardson II (author of this missive)  family taken on July 4, 1907. Robert and Rosetta are in the center.  "Charley" Henry (who was mostly known as Henry in his family, and who is referenced in this letter is sitting next to his father with his wife behind him and daughter sitting crossed legged on the ground in front of him.   According to a letter from Rosetta it was a very bright day and it was hard to keep everyone looking in the right direction and not squinting over much.

Washington, Vt, January 9^th, 1918

 Dear Sister[1],

            I expect you will scold some for your letter not being answered but I have been drove with work for this last six months – cannot get any help [probably because of so many young men going off to war] so have to do what I can and let the rest go.

            Mother[2] began to fail some ten weeks ago and the last four weeks very faint is not able to sit up much. Suffers terribly with pain of her limbs as well as all over.  It is the general breaking down of the whole system due to old age and hard work.  Her case is one that cannot be cured.

            The last we heard from Julia [author’s widowed sister-in-law, wife of his late brother Nathaniel] she lived with her children in Worchester, Mass.  Arthur [Julia’s son]  has gone to California to reside.  Eva [Olive, niece of author] Richardson still lives at Waite’s River [Vermont].  Brother Henry’s widow [Lilla M Keyes] has secured a pension [from Henry’s Civil War Service] of twenty five dollars per month and some back. Hope you have secured yours [Eva, recipient of this letter, was also a widow of a Civil War Veteran].  Will’s [Henry’s son] children and family about as usual.  Our children quite well.  The last we heard from them Charley Henry [author’s son] enlisted the first of the war as a chemical and mineral expert but does not expect to be called to go to France.[3]

            Will Richardson’s wife is helping us now. Expect Bertha Tillotson to help us for a while. Cold hard winter, the worst known for 40 years.  Take extra good care of yourself and write us as often as you can.

                                                            With love,

                                                                        Your loving Brother[4]

[While this letter can be confusing with all of his quick references, it is fabulous first-hand knowledge of their individual situations at this time and is verification of family members and events.  Charles Henry referenced here was a graduate of Dartmouth and at this time an assistant professor at Syracuse University teaching geology and mineralogy.]

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[1] This letter is written from Robert Fletcher Richardson II, George’s Great-Uncle, to his youngest sister, Evalina Irene Richardson.  Eva was known as Nellie outside the family and was widowed of George Thompson a Civil War Veteran

[2] He is talking about his wife, Rosetta Dexter Richardson.  She passed away February 2, 1918. 

[3] Charley Henry, Charles Henry Richardson, had achieved a Ph. D at Dartmouth College and was an Associate Professor of Geology and Mineralogy at Syracuse University in 1910

[4] Robert A Richardson and Rosina Healy Richardson, were parents of, Robert Fletcher Richardson II, and of a total of 8 children, six of whom grew to adulthood and had children of their own.  Two died very young. 

December 21, 1917 -- Christmas Greetings, Prohibition, Sam & Daisy Spooner from WA

Spring Brook Farm

December 21, 1917

Dearest Brother ‘O Mine,

            A Merry, Merry Christmas and a Happy New year from each of us, Herman included as he asked me to say it for him though perhaps he will get around to send his New Year wishes himself  We hope that this letter will arrive on Christmas day to give you its message of Good Will then as I suppose that the Christmas boxes and gifts from various sources, or at least most of them, will be received before Christmas and probably opened as soon as received unless you all plan to have some kind of a “grand opening” Christmas day. 

            So much, much love for the day from each of us and remember that we will be thinking of you especially even though we may be doing for others.  Papa and Mama will either have Aunt Nellie and the girls up here or they will go down there. I don’t know for sure what I will do but, as I told you last Sunday, Mrs. Julius Weber wanted me to go over there with Herman and perhaps I will do so as they surely need all the cheering up possible.  I do hope she will change her mind about the Christmas tree as the little children will miss it so.

            Telephone messages comprise a big share of my news lately.  Had a call from Wonewoc today, man’s voice wants to know if it is “Sherwood” and then if it is “Ella.”   I say no that it is Susan but he says he can’t hear.  Woman’s voice asks if it is Susan.  When I said “yes” voice says that it is Aunt Daisy and that Uncle Sam will be up on the afternoon train.  I ask if she is coming but she says that she will come later but her father is not well just at present.  (Uncle Sam says that he “don’t think he will last long.”)

            Was cleaning out and rearranging the bureau drawers for the mittens, string and so forth when they called from Wonewoc.  Expected to clean the pantry as soon as I had finished that but “the best laid plans” etc. 

            A soon as dinner was over I started in to do the sweeping and dusting but had barely started when I saw a woman coming up the path.  Consternation and exclamation to Mother about “It never rains but it pours,” but open the door with bright smile and cordial welcome to a perfect stranger.  Proves to be one of the workers of the “Forward Press” activities (The Prohibition Press at Madison).  She is renewing subscriptions to the “Campaigner” and working up sentiment for a dry state and nation.  If only the “Prohibition Amendment” would be ratified immediately so that the U.S might go into the war as the “cleanest” nation in the world for the country will be physically, mentally, and morally clean when “booze” is no more and it would be a fine thing for our soldier boys to be able to remember such a country and to be able to come back to such a country when the war is over, for in spite of what has been done and is being done in Europe, moral conditions are terrible in many places and none too good in any, although I understand that the U.S. is going to try to make an agreement with England and France where by they may have “dry” and “vice less” gone around each of their camps there as they do here in this country.

            Well, Uncle Sam arrived (Papa went to the train for him) and we have all visited and visited until time for us all to be in bed.  (I had the sweeping and wiping up of floors all done when they arrived home but no dusting or other work done because of our visitor.) 

            Uncle Sam says that before Washington went dry that people said that Prohibition wouldn’t prohibit but he says that it is most certainly dry, dry as a bone.

            Did you ever expect to see or hear of your family eating oleomargarine in place of butter?  That is what we did last night and all thought that it was about as good as butter in taste and the price, well, butter at 50 cents per pound and Troco (oleomargine)[1] at 35 cents a lb stood side by side on the table and as one can hardly tell the difference in taste I rather believe that two third or more of our “butter” will be “Troco” from now on, for awhile at least.  Perhaps you have seen “Troco” or seen it advertised.  It is supposed to be made of Coconut Oil and is pure white on the packages but color comes with it so you can color it if you wish.

            We have been visiting with Uncle Sam as hard as we could all the evening for he must go tomorrow morning he says as he only has two weeks off and the trains are all so late that he will have to start back a day earlier than he expected.  They were 26 hours late into Elroy he said, that is 26 hours later than they would have been if they had been able to come straight through from the Coast.  Owing to a rock on the track on one road and a wreck on the other and so forth they had to be transferred to other roads when they were just starting. Reached St. Paul 16 hours behind their schedule and had to wait 8 hours for a train and then lost 2 hours from St. Paul to Elroy.  He will visit with the folks at Elroy for a few hours tomorrow then get a rig to Mauston.  I don’t know whether he will go form Mauston to Beaver Dam or not but he wants to go to Beaver Dam, Milwaukee, Chicago and I don’t know where else but he says that he don’t believe he can get around to all the places under the circumstances.  Aunt Daisy will stay with her folks six or eight weeks and will make us a visit of a few days when it is possible, but from what Uncle Sam says of her father’s health I doubt if she will visit around much.

            A Merry, Merry Christmas dear and though we can not have “peace on earth” at this Christmas tide we can have “good will toward men” whether friend or enemy.

            So much, much love and all the hugs and kisses that I would give you if you were here.  Our love and prayers for a Happy Christmas. 

                        Mispah[2].  Your loving little sister

                                                            Susan R. Sherwood.

 

 

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[1] Troco oleomargine was created by mixing pureed coconut meat with pasteurized milk.  It apparently had some of the taste of butter but it was mostly coconut oil.   http://www.amazon.com/1918-Troco-Oleomargarine-Butter-Coconut/dp/B005DH5CJ4

[2] “The Lord watch between you and me while we are apart one from the other.”

December 3, 1917 - Birthday Greetings from Dear Ones at Home

Spring Brook Farm, Kendall, Wisconsin in Winter.  The large 14 room farmhouse is hidden behind the large tree to the west of the barn.

  Spring Brook Farm



December 1, 1917

A.M.

Dear, Dear Little Brother
            This will have to be my birthday letter to you since I was so busy frosting the cake and getting the box ready for you this morning that I only had time to write a few lines so tore it off and sent you only the “letter of ye olden times” which was intended only as a part of your birthday greeting from me.
            Now first as to your birthday box which we sent in today’s mail. We hope that the contents prove acceptable. The big cake of course is your birthday cake and we all had a hand in the making.  Mama made the cake Papa and Herman cracked the nuts and I frosted it. The small piece of cake was intended for you just a “bite” to see what we had for Herman and his sister and Mrs. Staade on their birthdays [Herman's birthday was November 25].  The nuts and chocolate frosting that were left I combined to make the few pieces of candy which we sent. Perhaps you would rather we would not have sent such a little sample since there are so many to share with, but it seemed so good that I wanted you to have it and we needed to fill up the box also as there were only a few cookies since mama did not get around to do the oatmeal cookies because of her work at Elroy for the Christian Home. And last but not least is the wrist watch which we so hope will be all right though it is not exactly as I wished. You asked for one with the luminous figures and hands and wide tan strap fastened to the watch instead of having the watch in a case.  This answers all of those requirements too but would have been better I believe if the dial plate had been black as with the Ingersoll’s, and some others.  This one doesn’t show up well until after it has been worn several minutes but seems to me all right then so since it was the only one that I could get track of just at present and it seemed all right (except the black face would have been better) we decided to take it.  One thing I liked about it was that it is quite a little smaller than some and another is that it has an “unbreakable” crystal, at least that is what the jeweler said.  It is stem wind and stem set. Of course we do not know enough about watches to be able to say how good it is but Mrs. Frederick said that the jeweler at Sparta said it was just about as good as some $18 watches of a different kind that he had and that this kind was the one that was proving the most popular of any of the wrist watches he was selling.  (Of course I think the price had something to do with it as $18 or $20 would be quite a price to pay for anything of this kind.) I have been debating in my mind as I have written the above as to whether I should tell you the price so you would know what to ask in case it is not just what you want and you should have a chance to sell it.  It was $12.50 exclusive of the strap (It had a narrow black strap but we thought the wide would be better).  We surely hope that it proves just what you want but if it don’t show up as it should in the dark or if for any other reason it does not prove satisfactory, don’t be afraid of hurting us by exchanging it for something better. We wanted to have it a gift from us but our love will be there just the same even if the gift can not be accepted in its present form.
            And now a few more lines about the watch.  think Herman and Mrs. Frederick have helped so much that they might be considered part of the givers. When I could not seem to find anything better, Herman took me to Elroy in the car one night to look at what they had there and it is probable that if the jeweler had not taken off the secondhand to fix another watch that you would have had that watch before this. I had asked Mrs. Frederick if they knew where we could get a wrist watch with both the “unbreakable” crystal and luminous dial but she did not know. Then one day she phoned that she had been in Sparta and had found a watch that she thought was what I wanted so we had it sent down and have sent it on to you. So I hope you will find time to write to both and thank them, for I don’t know when you would have gotten it otherwise.
            And here is something which I wish I could say instead of write as I don’t know as I can exactly explain what I mean, but I wish you would write to Herman sometimes even if he don’t write to you (he says that I write so much that there is nothing left to say).  It has seemed to me sometimes this fall that he has taken on a “don’t care” attitude toward life and he is not living up to the best in himself.  I don’t know how to help him and I think perhaps he needs a man’s help more than a woman’s just now anyhow.  Perhaps I am unnecessarily worrying, I hope so, but so many little things have happened that have suggested this attitude that I fear something is wrong.
            We received your letter with the list of things that you could use or needed and noticed that you had “eats” the first on the list, so perhaps we will send you a cookie or two sometime! I heard that some of the boys at Waco did not care to have “eats” sent so we were not sure whether you would want much in that line or not. Of course part of the boys at Waco are like you and cry “more”  and probably one reason some objected was because some tried to send fried chicken and things that do not keep well.  Let us know if we send anything that it would be best not to try to send again.
            Goodnight dear heart, or rather Good morning as it was really morning before I started even.  Love and love and prayers always.  Mizpah[1].
                                                            Your little sister, Susan

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[1] “The Lord watch between you and me while we are absent one from the other.”

November 21, 1917 - Soldier's Social Life and Family Loss

Camp Logan, Nov 21, 1917

Dear Home Folks:

            There isn’t much to write but I will write it just the same.  Thank Heaven! My week of K. P. was finished last night.  Was very sorry to hear of the death of Herman’s nephew[1] namesake.  One never knows when they may be called, do they?  Things around here have quieted down some, no further indications of a very early departure, so don’t worry.  We are woefully lacking in equipment and will surely get some of it before they move us.   

            Sat. nite Mohn and I went up to Karnes where we met Miss Carnes and from there went to Woodland Heights where there was a party staged to come off.  But on arrival we learned that one of the hostesses was sick and that the party had been called off by phone to those who could be reached.  We were invited in, as of course we had been expected, and soon 4 other Engineers arrived who had also been expected.  Then we enjoyed a pleasant evening talking and later playing 500. Mohn and I won 2 out of 3 games. Miss Carnes played too and Miss French part of the time.  One of Mohn’s tent mates was there, but neither one knew that the other one was going to be there.  One of the fellows depended on his pall bringing him a pass.  I wish you could have seen his face when his pal arrived and told him he had been unable to get the pass.  I understand he managed to run the guard all OK, however, Mohn and I just barely made camp in time to get by with our passes which were limited to 1:00 A.M. Sunday morning. 

            We were to go down river in Mr. Karnes’ brother’s motor boat Sunday, but it rained ‘til about 8 A.M. so we went out to the house for dinner again instead.  They are surely good to us.

            I had to pay a pal $1.00 to take my place in the kitchen Sunday but I consider it was worth it.

            Things are going along in the same old rut this week.  Took ten pictures while out to Karnes but it was rather dark so fear they won’t be very good.  We got a stove for our tent yesterday, so with stove, sweater and blankets I am very comfortable even tho I have no overcoat.

            Well, I must close again now, with lots of love to all.

                                                            George

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[1] This would be Herman F W Weber, son of Julius and Amelia (Emillia) Weber, born 10 Apr. 1900 and died November 1, 1917.  He was only 17 years old.  Herman (later he became George's sister Susan’s husband) was three years younger than his brother Julius.

October 28, 1917 - George Sends Photos from Home Sweet Home

Camp Logan, Houston, Tex.

Sunday, P.M. Oct 28, ‘17

            Well, here I am back in my tent. Just got back from town, where I went with Mohr, whose picture I herein enclose.  We took a jitney and got to the M. E. church just in time for church, 10:30 A.M.  Were treated fine by the people there.  Heard some fine music by choir, also vocal and violin solos, then a fair sermon. Got out of church at 12:45.  Just went straight from there down to Thompson’s Cafeteria where two poached eggs on toast and a piece of hot mince pie set me back 25 cents but they were worth it at that.  Then we walked out to the union station and around town awhile, then went to a movie then chartered a fliver and came back to camp. And now I am writing to my dear folks back home, or at least trying to when the noise in here will allow me to.

            You ask for a sketch of our days work.  So I give an abbrieved (coined by me) schedule:

                        5:45 First Call

6:00 Assembly and Roll Call (as fully dressed)

6:10 Physical exercise

6:30 Mess

8:00 Drill or Detail work

12:00 Mess

1:30 Drill, work or loaf

5:30 Retreat

6:00 Mess

10:00 Taps –lights out 

            I am still waiting to hear how much I owe you.

            This is a nice sunshiny day with cool breeze blowing.

            If I don’t get down to real work soon I will be as fat as ever, I guess.  Did I tell you before that we have received over 1,000 draft men from Rockford.

            Now to explain the views or snapshots, I should say.

            No.  1 is explained on the back.  Our tent is next to last to be seen at far end of street.

No. 2.  Mohr took of me when I was grinning and faking a salute, not thinking he was ready to shoot.

            No. 3 Also explained on back.

            No. 4 Lowery and I are studying surveying out of my book together.

No. 5.  I snapped of Mohn so you could see what my pal looked like.  Also so I’d have one to keep.

            No. 6 was also taken the day of the Liberty Loan Celebration.

            I will send you some more soon. Don’t for heavens sake let anyone see No. 2.  It is awful.

                                                            Love to al,

                                                                        George Sherwood

Unfortunately we don't have the whole set of photos and are not sure that this photo is the one he is talking about as #2.  But it was apparently taken about the right time for this letter (4 days in advance).  It would be nice to match these all up!