Duffield/Sisson Postcards No. 4

This is the fourth in a series of postcards from 1908-1914. They were discovered last year at the home of Warren Brown in Sierra Madre, California, following his death. Warren's mother, Edythe Grace (Sisson) Brown, was the daughter of Charles Herman Sisson (1868-1927) and Edith Amy Duffield (1864-1926) of Ottawa, Illinois. These postcards are just a small part of the collection of memorabilia that Edith saved and passed to her daughter and then Warren. It remains with the family in my possession. This is a postcard that Edith received in January of 1909.

This postcard is from Vic, probably Edith’s sister Victoria Jennie (Duffield) Sesslar (1866-1957), though she also had an Aunt Victoria, her mother Henriette’s sister and sis Victoria’s namesake. Aunt Victoria was still living at this time, so it’s unknown for sure which Vic was the author. Victoria (DeSusClades) Piergue lived 1849-1930.

#7059 Granite Gorge from Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon, Arizona

Mailed from Los Angeles, CA on 27 Jan 1909

California, Jan 26, 1909

We all think this is a very nice place we are viewing the Date Palms and the Palms they got the fans from as we ride along it is getting nice and warm the farther we go west I have been wondering so after how Charley is. I will write so you can answer. Vic

Addressed to:

Mrs Charley Sisson

Ottawa, Illinois

LaSalle, CO

The postcard was probably purchased at Williams Depot, an Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Depot built in 1908. The depot was a stop for travelers heading to and from California along the main line that ran from Los Angeles to Chicago. It was home to one of the Harvey House Hotels, with rooms, a formal dining room, a cafe, and a bar. We can imagine that the stop was at least long enough to have a look around and a meal, or perhaps they stayed a day or two. It had to have been an exciting trip for a couple from the midwest! It’s also quite possible that the stories they told on their return to Ottawa were the inspiration for Edith and Charles to move to the area permanently.