[Headlines from The New York Times (page 1, above the fold) to place the letters in context of the world around them.]
WILSON URGES NATION TO LEAD DEMOCRACY
WOULD LEND TO ARMENIA, FREE PHILIPPINES
ADVISES TAX REVISION, SILENT ON TREATY
PRESIDENT TELLS HIS FAITH America's Privilege, He Holds, to Be an Example to the World. MUST PUT HOUSE IN ORDER Outlines Immediate LegislativeNeeds to Help Recovery Here and Abroad
Hotel Powhaton
Pennsylvania Avenue
Eighteenth and H Streets
E. C. Owen, Manager
Washington D.C.
December 8, 1920
Dear Sister Sue,
The time is drawing near for my departure and while my heart is full of gladness for the greeting I am
going to get at home, I hardly know how I am going to stand it to leave this dear brother of mine. I have always loved him most tenderly but I hardly realized just how much I did love him. I am proud of him and his achievements as an Osborne man, and all the boys love him.
And let me say that no Fire-Builder has quite the place the esteem of the Osborne Men as you. You are inquired for on every hand al all regret that you are not here.
Would it not be great if both the Briggs Fire-builders could be at the next convention? I think it would.
It was a joy to be in your house. You did much to add to the joy of my visit, and if I should start to tell you of all the smart things about the dear children and how different qualities of each appealed to my heart, I would never get through in time to set down at the banquet.
Give my love to each one of the children, not forgetting “Betty” who is away from home. My visit with Marion was a delight.
With love for each and all, I am,
Affectionally yours,
Frank
Editor's notes
My apologies for the delay these past few days in publishing. I was sidelined with other projects but now I'm back.
This letter from John's brother Frank, home to Sue, is a first in my collection. He did write one letter to John's son Frank when he was quite ill, a few years ago. It appears Frank has joined John in the Osborne Calendar business (or perhaps the other way around?) Frank refers to Sue as a "firebuilder" and, from the history of The Osborne Company , we know this is how the company refers to the wives of the salesmen. It appears that Frank must have stopped in to see Marion in N.J. or Philadelphia
on his way to the company convention in Washington D.C.
Am so enjoying reading these daily posts and have now been inspired to pull together old letters from my Armstrong, Patty, Ragsdale families to preserve them for future generations, albeit not nearly as creatively as you've done it, Holly. Congratulations!