top of page

2 for 1-- Letter home, Feb. 29, 1920


 

[Headlines from The New York Times (page 1, above the fold) to place the letters in context of the world around them.]

RAILROADS GO BACK TOMORROW, WILSON SIGNS THE BILL


TREAT WIVES ROUGH, ADVISES IBANEZ

Tired of Adulation and Languishing for "Cave-Man Stuff," He Says. MEN FEAR ROLLING PIN Every American Man Is a Coward Before a Woman, Declares Spanish Author.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 28.—Every American man is a coward before a woman, and his status in regard to her today is identical with that of the Southern negro before the advent of Abraham Lincoln, according to Vicente Blasco Ibanez, famous Spanish author.

 

Hotel Sherwood

Hornell, N.Y.

E. M. Chase, Prop


February 29, 2020


My Darling.

This is a beautiful Sabbath morning and it is not as cold as we have had most of the time for the past week, but the air is sharp and bracing. You can just take it from me that I was lonesome yesterday afternoon and am not that way today, although I am satisfied that it is the proper thing for me to be here over the week.

Yesterday afternoon I took train at 4 pm and went down to Cameron Mills to call on my good friends Crawford Brothers and returned to city at 7:30. They gave me an order for two hundred “Long, Long, Trail” for $54. You remember if the Crawford is the father of Prof. Crawford of Syracuse. They are fine folks and it did me good to see them again. I got three little orders here in the city for $20, $25, 21 and $63.00. We had twenty-three orders for $769.12. Ordinarily with that number of orders or sales would not be less than $1,200. We made our bogey for the week and I suppose we ought to be thankful

for that. We are thankful. It’s fine to think we’re well and able to do our work. You have no idea how much sickness there is in the country, and there are a great many deaths.


I am in doubt whether to leave here today or not. I am undecided where to go. Have two parties back in Wellsville I would like to see and may decide to run back there for part of tomorrow. Have more mapped out for the week than I can possibly get to.


Was glad to see report of tests on paper. One of those should be reported as a yearling. Wonder if Lewis has been able to get figures on Lena Rex Dr. Kol’s record.


Talk this thing over with Lewis about the horses. If he wants to keep his team, and I hope he does, I must sell the black team and now is the time to sell them. I don’t know what they are worth, they are 16 and 17 years old, and have been great workers. I don’t know how Molly’s leg is coming on but Lewis is a good judge of the worth of horses and he is right with the team. I paid $250 for the pair two years ago tomorrow. I want to sell them pending Lewis keeps his team and am willing to take whatever you and Lewis think they ought to sell for. Better leave it largely with him. He will get all they are worth and that’s all I want. Don’t delay on this matter but be sure that an ad goes into [The Earlville] Standard this week. I should think the team ought to be worth somewhere about $200. Prince is a tough, hard worker and may be good for several years. I believe he is worth $150. Sell them separate or together. I don’t care which. If we keep Molly, it might be well to breed her. Lewis spoke of that last summer. You have full authority to do as you please and I’ll not pick. The church bells are ringing and I guess I ought to go to church.


I got your dear letter yesterday and was delighted. Did you buy a sweater for Frank. If you didn’t, please let me know and I’ll see what I can find.

Your loving,

John


[In same envelope]


Hotel Sherwood

Hornell, N.Y.

E. M. Chase, Prop


February 29, 2020


My Darling,

It’s 5:30 pm and I have had a quiet but busy afternoon. Have written several letters to old customer. Ask Mr. Clark for a form 1040a and 1040 in regard to income report. I am not clear just how far back we have to go on report of sale. For instance I paid in 1913 $175 for Ray Apple and sold him for $1,200. If he had been bought a year or so ago and I sold as above I would have to report as income the difference between these amounts. Do I as it is? Mr. Clark will tell you. If I can get a few of these things cleared up it won’t take as long to make out report. By the way I’ve looked all through my grip for Osborne Co report of income--have just found it so you needn't look for it. I shall make fair report on cash receipts and disbursements instead of accrual so we don't have to pay any attention to page 2. I have got to no cash receipts on milk for 12 months Jan. through Dec. ‘19 and should know number of quarts. You can do that. It is partly shown on my “Condensed Farm Report.” Suppose I'll have to work on this when I get home. Have decided to go back to Wellsville.

Your Jack


 



Editor's notes


From John's letters, it appears they now have a working farm and hired man, as well as the sales business. Frank is 16 years old and he and Louise are the only children still living at home.


Comentários


bottom of page