[Headlines from The New York Times (page 1, above the fold) to place the letters in context of the world around them.]
100,000 VISITORS SEE NEW PENNA, STATION
A Seventh Avenue Sunday Is Transformed by Opening of the New Structure.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
November 28, 1910
My Darling Susie:
Have had our dinner and a visit with most of the men, and at nine by myself to have a little evening chat with my sweetheart. We took our upper berths as engaged and retired soon after leaving Earlville. Guess my two night meals were too much for me and then after going to bed I discovered one of those fine King apples, and aside from that the lunch is untouched. I rolled and tumbled and could not get to sleep for a long time; really believe we were already at Scranton before I got any sleep. Chauncey Brooks got on at Sherburne, so with Mr. Wright we had quite a social party. We arrived in New York in time at about 7:45 and we took the Hudson Tunnel and landed at 23rd Street where we had breakfast, Mr. Brooks with us.
Clayton [John’s brother-in-law] and I then looked around some of the stores and other places of interest,
chief of which was the new Pennsylvania Station at 33rd St. which was opened for the public yesterday. It is the largest railroad station in the world, and it is said, will accommodate 100,000 people at a time. We found that we could get a train over to Atlantic City at 3:00 o'clock, so checked our grips and got down to the Osborne Co’s office just in time to go to lunch with Mr. Avery, Hirst, Wilson and others. After a little more moving about we took the train arriving here at 6:15 and just in time for a fine dinner and a pleasant reunion.
When we reached here, it was sprinkling nicely and since that it has kept up a good steady rain, so we have not been outside the hotel and have no idea of the surroundings. The hotel is a fine one and we have a splendid room with bath. The dinner was served in fine taste and everything was well cooked. Just wish you were here. The following women are here and there may be others: Mrs. Summers, and Helen, Mrs. R. N. Bennett and little daughter (Oklahoma) Mrs. Tinker, Mrs. Tophan, Mrs. Davis. Have not yet seen Mrs. Summers to speak with her.
All the fellows look about the same and a good many of them have inquired very kindly of you, and say they wish you were here. I am going to retire early tonight as I am tired. Accept much love and many kisses for my dear wife and four little ones.
Your affectionate,
Jack
Editor's notes
This letter marks the first time John's letters reference the events of the day. Apparently he, and his brother-in-law, took a train from Penn Station on its opening day from NYC to their Atlantic City Osborne Company Convention.
The Osborne Company hosted extravagant annual meetings, often in Atlantic City.
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