April 26, 1922 "I still have the rose from Sunday"

Addressed to:
Mr. G. Rayson Brown.
1468 East 67th St.,
Chicago,
Illinois.

From:
408 Marcy St.,
Ottawa, Ill.

Transcription:
Ottawa, Ill.
Apr. 26-22.

Dear Rayson:

Your dear letter came this morning, and I was awfully glad to hear from you. It seems to me ever since we reached home that you are some where near me and I catch myself wondering where you are and what you are doing.

I was busy sewing when your letter came, just finishing a kimona which I started several weeks ago and dear I broke the needle while sewing on it. You know what that is the sign of. Or perhaps you do not believe in signs. Mother and Vera were both darning socks for Billy.

Tell Billy if you see him that the trunk arrived this afternoon just as we were ready to start for town. Vera met Elizabeth at five oclock and went home with her to dinner and to spend the evening.

It started to rain Monday night about five oclock as we left Joliet and rained harder the nearer home we came. We skidded around the roads in Marseilles considerably but managed to stay right side up. We reached Ottawa about seven thirty oclock. That wasn't bad time I didn't think. We couldnt go fast as the paving was wet and slippery.

Tomorrow night the Lady Maccabees are giving a birthday party and everyone must dress as children. Can you imagine me in short skirts and curls? I don't care much for such affairs but am going mostly to deliver the collectors books to Jane King. I am too busy to manage them any longer.

I still have the rose from Sunday, it is still fragrant although not fresh any more. 

Yes bring your camera Sunday and we will take some pictures. You may have dinner at home but you must come here for supper. We will be looking for you. Call me when you get in.

This has been a dark day although it hasn't rained since Monday, yet it stays cloudy. Just seems like the sun will never shine.

Well Rayson I am very tired tonight, also tomorrow is wash day so will bring this letter to a close. I will not expect an answer but will see you Sunday. Until then I am as ever,
Lovingly your,
Edythe.

April 19, 1922 News of the WBA of Maccabbee convention

"Mother wants to do certain things and I must do accordingly."

Edith Amy (Duffield) Sisson, seated, and her daughter Edythe Grace Sisson.
Unknown date or location.

Addressed to:
Mr. G. Rayson Brown.
1468 East 67th St.,
Chicago,
Illinois.

From:
408 Marcy St.,
Ottawa, Ill.

Transcription:
Ottawa, Ill.,
April, 19, 1922.

Dear Rayson:

Your most welcome letter came this morning and was surely glad to hear from you. I suppose you have been very busy the last few days with Easter and all. I would really have liked to been in Chicago Sunday to have seen the Masonic work. It must surely be very nice.

We didn't go any where Easter. Aunt Vic and Mother and I had dinner together and we all had a very pleasant time.

I am sorry our Sunday program is so badly mixed up but you see it is not always what I have planned, some times Mother wants to do certain things and I must do accordingly. And so it was that Sunday, the choice is not always mine. But Rayson I do want you to come the first Sunday you have open, we will discuss this when I see you.

I am driving in Sunday as I told you before, leaving here about five oclock so as to get into the city early. Mrs. Kewer Pearce is coming with me, I think, she wants to visit her sisters. They live on the south side also. 

Yesterday, Mother, Aunt Vic and I were shopping in Streator. I stayed in the evening to attend a WBA of Maccabbee convention. Streator has a very good team but our team put on the best work. We were surely proud of them.

Well Rayson I haven't a bit of news this time so will close this until Sunday. Until then I remain as ever
Lovingly,
Edythe.

P.S. - Please tell Vera not to plan too much for Sunday and we four will go riding in the park. -Edythe.

April 12, 1922 "That black cat that crossed in front of us was surely a jinx."

Edythe has finally received the photo of Rayson. The picture below is from a year earlier when he received recognition for reaching the 32 degree level with the Masons. He is a handome man!

George Rayson Brown
Photograph from his 32 Degree Mason certificate

Rayson's 32 Degree certificate - it's so big that I couldn't scan the whole thing.
It's dated March 1921 in Chicago.

Addressed to:
Mr. G. Rayson Brown.
1468 East 67 St.,
Chicago, Illinois.

From:
408 Marcy St.
Ottawa, Ills.

Transcription:
Ottawa, Ill.
April 12 - 22.

Dear Rayson:

Your most welcome letter came this morning. It was rather unexpected as I was under the impression that it was my turn to write and so was very glad to hear from you.

Rayson I didn't get a chance Sunday to tell you that I received the photograph. It surely is fine and I want to thank you a thousand times. To me it represents all the ideals of what a man should be, everything that is clean and good, and Rayson I think you are wonderful, you have done what few other young men of today would do. I am very proud to call you a friend and hope I may always do so.

I was sorry to leave Sunday night I should liked to have gone to church with you and heard Rev. Williamson speak. And to I missed out on the ice cream.

You made a terrible hit with my Mother and so I guess it is a bad case for both of you. She came home safely tonight, after two awfully lonesome days, knocked at the front door and wanted to know if she could stay all night. I was so glad to see her I didn't know what to do, It was awfully lonesome here all alone.

You seem to have the wrong idea about Billy Madigan. You know Rayson he is nothing whatsoever to me only an awfully good friend and has done so much for me. He used to come to the office and help me with my hardest work when I was tires. He calls himself my big brother and has surely been like a brother but outside of being a dear friend and a dependable one, he is nothing more to me.

As you say Dear out plans have been slightly altered since I saw you Sunday. You cannot come to Ottawa Easter and and that is all right if duty calls. I would surely have liked to come there Easter but as long as Vera wants me to come for her on the twenty third I cannot make so many trips and will see you at that time. Then I want you to arrange to come here the thirtieth or as soon as you can.

I intend to make the trip the alone, or bring one of the girls with me, I am pretty sure I can find the way by myself. If I get lost I send you an S.O.S.

That black cat that crossed in front of us was surely a jinx. We lost our way twice before we finally found our way out of the city and out between Chgo. and Lockport the fan belt broke and we had to stop at the nearest garage and have a new one put on but finely arrived home safely. Due to the fact that we were home late I had to stay alone but was too tired to even think of being afriad and was asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow.

Today I crated my victrola and packed my chest and will probably leave on the 3:40 PM train on Apr. 13-22 and should be there by Saturday. Will you tell Vera Rayson, Please that they are on the way and that I am paying the express so they won't try and collect again up there.

Well Rayson I am just dead tired after crating that machine. The box was an Edison case and my machine was a Sonora and much smaller, so you see it took no small amount of figuring to make it fit. Aunt Vic helped me for I never could have managed alone.

Please excuse the writting for after wielding a hammer all day my arm is so shaky I can hardly write. It is getting late and as I am very tired will say good night for this time. Write again soon. As ever, Lovingly,
Edythe.

April 7, 1922 Plans for Rayson to meet Edythe's mother

"I would like Very much for you to meet Mother."

Addressed to:
Mr. G. Rayson Brown.
1468 East 67th St.,
Chicago, Illinois.

From:
408 Marcy St.,
Ottawa, Ill.

Transcription:
Ottawa, Ill.
April, 7 - 1922.

Dear Rayson:

Your letter just received and am writing right away to tell you that we are driving into Chicago this coming Sunday and would like to see you. We will come sure if it isn't raining.

Mother, Aunt Vic, Billy Madigan who is the chaufeur of the party and myself are coming. I wold would like Very much for you to meet Mother.

Don't know just what time we will get in but probably will arrive about noon.

Will close this in a hurry to get it in the first mail.

Lovingly yours,
Edythe.

April 2, 1922 "We are going to try our best about coming to Chicago on Easter Sunday"

Edythe Grace Sisson
Photo was taken at Gerding's Studio in Ottawa.

In this letter Edythe is getting ready to send a photo of herself to Rayson. I think she may have sent him this one.

Addressed to:
Mr. G. Rayson Brown.
1468 East 67th St.,
Chicago,
Illinois.

From:
408 Marcy St.
Ottawa, Ill.

Transcription:
Ottawa, Ill.,
April, 2, 1922.

Dear Rayson:

I know I have kept you waiting again as usual. I am surely getting neglectful but I have been so busy these last few days. Yesterday was my last day at the office but I had to go over this morning and check George Moore in, in my place. In a way I am glad that I am through and in another way I am not. It will seem strange to be home all the time.

Last night I brought home all of my belongings including a small Burrough's adding machine which I have been trying to sell but haven't been able to find a buyer. Do you know of anyone who could use one?

We are going to try our best about coming to Chicago on Easter Sunday but it all depends on whether Vera will be there or whether she will will be torn up and moved. I suppose we would come straight in on Western Ave though. I was talking to a fellow who drives the car for the National Fire Proofing Co here, he had driven into the city last Sunday and he said that near the city he went through water up to the axles of the car. I don't suppose it is that way all the time though only after heavy rains.

Next week I will be busy sewing so as to have that all out of the way before we start. In a couple of weeks Vera will be home and probably they will both be home the Sunday you are here and we will have a big time together. I want to get all the sewing done because when Vera comes home we will keep the roads warm going somewhere all the time.

Rayson I am sorry you will not go with us in the car for you know that you are welcome but then you know best what you can do. I suppose we will be a pretty tired bunch but we can take our time and stop and rest occasionally.

I will send the photo Rayson just as soon as I can get it ready so you can expect it any day now. In the meantime I'll just wait patiently for yours. 

Well Rayson I must close now as it is getting late. Give my best regards to Vera & Billy and write soon again,

Lovingly  - Edythe.

March 26, 1922 "...you didn't say anything about that little proposition I put up to you..."

Edythe is busy making plans to pack, taking some refresher driving lessons, and seeing a show.

Addressed to:
Mr G Rayson Brown.
1468 East 67th St.,
Chicago,
Ill.

From:
408 Marcy St.,
Ottawa, Ill.

Transcription:
Ottawa, Ill.
Mar. 26- 22.

Dear Rayson:

Your dear letter received and was glad to hear from you, but just couldn't seem to get down to writting letters. Haven't written to Vera either but must do so soon.

Aunt went out in the country for dinner today and Mother and I have been here all alone all day. I have not been feeling well, sort of a sick headache but will be allright in the morning, I guess.

Well I only have five more days to work and then for a much needed vacation. I think about next Saturday I will get out the car and see I can climb a telophone pole or do some thing else foolish. One of the boys who used to work at the office is going to teach me, I am afraid I have forgotten all I ever knew about it. Mother and I are going to try to drive to Chicago the sixteenth and we are going to expect you here then Rayson on the twenty third so please mark your calendar accordingly.

Yesterday it rained very hard here and was still raining last night so I did not go down town to do any shopping. I did want to go to town too mostly to get Vera a little hat like mine. They are felt and just the thing for traveling, to keep off the dust.

By the way Rayson you didn't say anything about that little proposition I put up to you about going west.

Next week I will see about packing my victrola and cedar chest. In all we will have three boxes and a couple of trunks containing clothes. I am anxious to get to packing. There is so much to do.

I am patiently waiting for the photograph but surely hope it will come before next Xmas. You didn't say in which uniform you had them taken. Do you like the photo Vera has of me? They are really the best of the two kinds.

I'll bet you had a good time in Hammond. Your callender is pretty well filled.

Irene Cole and I went to the Crescent the other night to see "Over the Hill". It is an awfully sad play. We sat and cried all the way through it. I suppose you saw it there about a year ago. We always get them so long afterwards.

Well Rayson I know this is not much of a letter but please excuse me this time and I will try and do better next time. Write soon.

Lovingly,
Edythe.

March 19, 1922 Making plans for April visits

In this letter, Edythe is making plans for April visits and she agrees with Billy that Rayson should come along in the car with them to California.

Addressed to:
Mr. G. Rayson Brown.
1468 East 67th St.,
Chicago,
Illinois.

From:
408 Marcy St.,
Ottawa, Ill.

Transcription:
Ottawa, Ill.,
March, 19- 22.

Dear Rayson:

Your letter came yesterday morning and was surely glad to hear from you. It came to the office and as you signed your name on the envelope the boys found out who the writer was. They have been very curious for a long time to know who was writing to me.

This has been a terrible day. The sun shone only about five minutes this morning early and the rest of the day it has rained. Tonight it is colder and the wind is blowing hard. I suppose by morning we will have snow.

Yes I do owe the folks a letter. Mother wrote them Friday but I will write also as soon as I can. They want to know mostly how soon I can be ready to go west.

It seems to me that nearly every time we turn around we change our plans. Now it is this way, Mother thinks that Father should stay there until we all get there and help get us located and then come home and see about things and go with her. It is hard to know what to do without talking to everyone concerned. 

Listen Rayson, Billy is right, you can go in the car with us as well as not. Mother was intending to go with us but has given up the idea because she is not strong yet and would get all tired out. She thinks she better go on the train, and so I second Billy's motion, come on along with us. The more the merrier, you know.

We are coming to Chgo., some time in April for sure but just what Sunday I cannot say. I would like very much to make it Easter Sunday as I know that will be a wonderful sight and would surely like very much to see it. I will surely write you as soon as I know just when we can come.  Next month I will not be working and will have more time to think.

I would like to have you come down here in April, before we start packing up to move. Can you manage to get away for one Sunday? We both would like awfully well to have you. Just write me what Sunday you are coming, any time suits me.

Yes Rayson I think I have a pretty fine little mother and am surely glad that she is getting well. Although not well and strong enough yet to "crow" about. I am not at all selfish and am willing to share her with you. I certainly never thought anything of the way you mentioned her in your letters, Rayson you are not that kind of person.

Last night my aunt and I were down town shopping and saw one of your sisters clerking in Woolworth's. She is a very pretty girl. I really think that you both look alike. No, I am not looking for a quarter.

Well Rayson it is getting late and as tomorrow is a work day I will close for this time.

Lovingly,
Edythe.

March 15, 1922 "How is everything in the city?"

Has Rayson changed his mind about going to California? 

Addressed to:

Mr. G Rayson Brown

1468 East 67th St.

Chicago,

Ill.

From:

E G Sisson.

408 Marcy St

Ottawa

Ill

Ottawa Ill

Mar. 15. 22.

Dear Rayson:

Your letter came promptly as usual and was very glad to hear from you but regret to say that mine is a little late. I have been busy sewing, I put new collar & cuffs on a jersey suit that I bought when I was in the city last. I am always buying things and then making them over to suit myself.

Well I am going to quit working here the last of March so as to get ready to go West in May. I think it will take almost a month to pack there is so much to do. We have decided to store what furniture is worth keeping and sell the rest. Then rent the house and other lot. I don't know what Vera & Billy will think to this plan but I am sure we could never sell for what the place is worth so better wait until later.

How is everything in the city? Yes I am going to drive up in April but thats the only thing that bothers me is what street to take. I'll have to figure that out and tell you later. Mother and I were planning on driving in on Sunday and coming back during the week. I do want to visit Chicago jist once more before we go west. 

I often stop and wonder just how this adventure is going to turn out. Whether we will be as satisfied there and so on. I thought you were seriously considering going west also. Why should you stop for your father if that is the way he felt about you. Trust me Rayson I will say nothing about it to anyone.

I would almost be afraid to take a trip in that plane after it has stood all winter unless he has it in first class shape. I don't care much about them anyway. I would sooner be on the ground. Every one says they are fine though.

This is a fine day more spring like than ever yet. We are expecting an auditor so I am hurrying to get this letter finished before he arrives. 

I would like to have been with you three to the concert. We never have anything worth while down here. This is a great old town and yet I hate to leave it.

Well Rayson I must close for this time. Write soon and tell us all the news. Please don't wait as long as I did.

Lovingly,

Edythe.

March 6, 1922 "Rayson have you got the California fever too?"

In this letter, we discover that Rayson is considering a move to California as well. 

Addressed to:
G Rayson Brown.
1468 East 67th St.,
Chicago,
Ill.

From:
E.G. Sisson
Ottawa, Ill.

Ottawa, Ill.
Mar. 6. 1922.

Dear Rayson:

Your most welcome letter received and was surely glad to hear from you so soon. You also are very prompt about answering. And I was just wishing there would be a letter waiting for me but didn't epect such a nice long one.

Rayson have you got the California fever too? How does that happen? Maybe you will there ahead of us at that. I'll tell you it would be a fine to know that at the end of the journey the first person we would see would be an old friend.

Mother and I have been trying to decide whether to sell the property here or just rent it. Suppose we shouldn't care for the country then we could have a home to come to. After all it will be hard for me to leave this little old home, its the only place I have ever lived. But I wouldn't dare say as much to Mother or might decide not to go and as long as its is best for her, I say go.

We are having real spring weather here. Every noon I walk to work and watch the white sea gulls sunning themselves on the ice in the Fox river and it reminds me of the time when we three walked to work so many times together.

Yes Vera wrote finally and said they had both been very sick. Don't tell them I said so but really Rayson they do too much running around, they are always on the go somewhere. They get all worn out and tired and then they take cold. I am awfully glad that they are getting along allright again.

All week I have been sewing. I am making new summer clothes and making over the old ones. I have such a lot of sewing to do before warm weather begins.

The carpenters are putting up the new fixtures at the office and such a noise all the time. Just cannot hear yourself think. It will be a fairly respectable looking place when finished.

Rayson I wouldn't begin to tell you how to have the photo taken because I don't know one uniform from the other. I would rather you would decide that, just whichever you like best. Of course I will send one of mine in return. I like the one like Vera has the best of any of them. And so I will send one just like it.

Well Rayson I must close as it is getting late and I have to get up so early. Write again soon. Best regards to the folks and yourself.

I remain as ever,
Lovingly
Edythe. S.