[Headlines from The New York Times (page 1, above the fold) to place the letters in context of the world around them.]
PROSECUTE SOCIALISTS, NEWTON DEMANDS
SENDS EVIDENCE TO FEDERAL OFFICIALS
SHOOT OR SEAT THEM, SAYS LAGUARDIA
Arizona Ratifies Suffrage Amendment, Is the 31st State, Only 5 More Needed
The Kirkwood
Geneva, N. Y.
G. M. Stilwell, Mgr.
Friday night
9:00 PM
February 13, 1920
My dear Sue:
When I reached here tonight I found your good letter written Wednesday and am sorry to hear that you have such a hard cold. Would not stay out if I was sure you need me at home. Stay inside and take good care of yourself. Hard colds are dangerous as so many can turn into pneumonia when people don’t use precaution. There is a great deal sickness everywhere I go. Hope you are feeling better by this time. Hope you were able to go to the banquet.
All that bunch of mail sent to Deposit is on hand for attention tonight. I am returning Frank’s letter for I don’t think you had read it. I now have order books to last until summer at least at the rate I’ve been going this week. It seems impossible to part pep into my work although I’m at it all the time. Have made as follows today- $14, $16, $189.91, $15 and $74.
I am not greatly disturbed about Sou. Pac.[a stock?] going down so low for I am sure it will come back. I wish you would keep my checks from Osborne Co for a time and I may send for them to buy some more Sou Pac to help out the shrinkage. The stock will surely go up again and we could make a few extra dollars. I’m certain of it. What do you say? Don’t want to do it through Earlville Bank [of which he was Vice-President at some time during his life.]
If you don’t hear to the contrary send your Sunday letter to Honoye Falls N.Y. Will try to work out trip for next week so that I can hear from you.
Your loving,
John
[Enclosed on blue Osborne Company stationary]
Geneva, New York
Dear Elizabeth:
Now who’s stung?
Papa
Editor's notes
The letters jump 7 years, from 1913 to 1920. Census data indicate that in 2020 John, was 47 and Sue 45. Their children (Marion (21), and Elizabeth (17) were both in college at Syracuse University. Frank (15) and Louise (13) lived in Sherburne, New York on “The road from Carhill to Sherburne Hill .” From family notes, I believe they were living on a farm just south of Earlville. John always wanted to be a farmer. This was as close as he would get to this dream.
On 1/1/17, Prohibition started with the Volstead Act (although this would not have affected this family as they were tea-totalers to the end.)
Beginning in 1920, the letters come fast and furious. We will also begin reading letters between the now adult, or almost adult, children, as they begin to venture out to their own amazing lives!
Teaser! The children fall in and out of love, have nervous breakdowns, and overcome them, love alcoholics, and adventurers, fly in one of the first "barnstormers" ( which landed in their field on the farm), marry, divorce, overcome pre-mature deaths and much more. The 1920s were definitely roaring in the Briggs family.
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