October 22, 1922 - Aunt Mae has a heliotrope started for Mother.

Addressed to:

Mr. G. Rayson Brown.

1468 East 67th St.,

Chicago,

Illinois.

From E. G. Sisson.

5009 Whittier Blvd.

Los Angeles, Calif.

Los Angeles, Cal.,

October, 22 - 1922.

My Dearest Rayson:

I received another of your wonderful letters Saturday evening and was so glad for I was not expecting one before the first of the week.

This was surely a beautiful day. I wish that you might have been here. There was no fog this morning and the sun came up bright and clear. We could see the mountains quite plainly and that is "very unusual" for that time of the day. Some days we do not see them at all. Later in the day it was quite warm and the air seemed smoky. Some say that is caused from dust or sand storms in the desert. Tonight it is warm enough out of doors to sit without a coat.

There is a pretty new moon tonight hanging over in the south west. I hope dear that you will like this country. It is beautiful by moonlight, when the moon is at its fullest, it seems as though you could reach up and touch it and twice as bright as it is back there.

Billy and Father worked on the house all day. Father put in the windows and Billy wired for lights. Vera calls it her "chicken coop".

After dinner I shampooed my hair but it wasn't very satisfactory as the water is so hard. I will have to look for some castile soap.

Tomorrow the folks are thinking of going to the city shopping and Tuesday Mother, Vera and I are going to drive to Long Beach to see Aunt Mae and spend the afternoon with her. She has a Heliotrope started for Mother. That is my favorite flower. It grows as high as the eaves of the houses here and back home if it grew to be a foot and a half high we thought it wonderful.

Well dearest heart I suppose you are in Ottawa today to see the folks. Write and tell me whether you saw Aunt Vic and give my best regards to Blanche when you write to her. I should liked to have seen her before I left but you know how busy we were.

Have you received the box of pepper berries dear? Vera picked a big box full and sent them to Mrs Armstrong. They make a nice bouquet for winter there.

Last night we three went over to Whittier Blvd, to do our Sunday buying and on our way home we stopped into the dancing pavillion. Vera likes to dance but I am sorry to say that I cannot dance anything but a waltz any more. We didn't stay long but when we started home a heavy fog had lowered and you couldn't see ten feet from you. We became lost, quite naturally, but finally managed to get home all right side up with care. Mother was glad to be home again and Father and Billy were surely relieved when we arrived. It was something terrible, just like London fog.

Mother bought a lovely white ivory bed downtown for twenty dollars, complete. Wasn't that a splendid buy? Down at a store on the boulevard they are selling whole bedroom outfits for seventy five dollars. This includes bed, dresser, chiffonier and chair. I think she intends buying one.

How does it happen that Anna Devore is going with Isabel? I thought Isabel and Bessie Maxwell were inseparable. Nothing that she says can ever worry me dear, I shall just pretend that I don't hear it. That is the best way.

I had a long letter from Irene Cole, Saturday, also. She and Paul and Catherine and Ed Jacobs have been to Detroit, Mich for a couple weeks. When they returned every one thought that Irene and Paul were married. She said Paul did want to get married but she knew her folks would not like it if she were married away from home and so she wouldn't. She had a lovely time and is wild about Detroit.

Well dear this old month is drawing to a close quite swiftly and none to quickly to suit me, for dearest mine, with every little week that slips by brings us nearer together. Mother says it will not be long now, please write and tell me when.

I must close dear heart as it is getting very late and I shall have to be up early tomorrow. Write soon dear and take good care of yourself. With all move and kisses for you, my dearest lover, I remain as ever and forever,

Lovingly your,

Edythe.

For links to all the letters in this collection, go to https://ordinaryancestors.blogspot.com/p/edythe-and-rayson-love-letters.html where they are organized by date written.

October 20, 1922 - "It is called Clorox and has a powerful smell."

Addressed to:

Mr. G. Rayson Brown.

1468 East 67th St.,

Chicago,

Illinois.

From E. G. Sisson.

5009 Whittier Blvd.,

Los Angeles, Calif.

Los Angeles, Cal.,

October 20 - 1922.

My Dearest Rayson:

There isn't much to do around here this morning as so I will write a few lines to you. I am expecting a letter from you today but cannot be sure.

It is foggy here this morning as usual, and there is a little mist in the air. About ten oclock the sun will clear away the fog and we will have a nice day. The rains are due to start now any time. That is what I am dreading but some say it is not so bad as others try to make one think.

Yesterday I gave the dining room chairs another coat of stain and they look quite nice considering who did the painting.

Last night Father drew the plans for the two front rooms and dear, it is going to be awfully nice when finished. I am so anxious to get it finished and then Mother will like it better here.

Mother, Vera, Billy and I drove to Long Beach last night to see the Aunt and Uncle. Aunt Mae asked what I heard from you and when you are coming. They have rented their house and have taken a couple furnished rooms nearer Uncle's work. Uncle Herb and Billy walked down to the "pike" and bought a box of salt water taffy, made in all flavors. It was awfully good.

Vera is doing a little ironing and Mother is washing some flour sacks, with some kind of acid she bought at the store. It is called Clorox and has a powerful smell.

 The Seattle star. (Seattle, Wash.), 09 June 1922. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87093407/1922-06-09/ed-1/seq-15/>

This afternoon we are all going down town shopping. Vera has to buy all new dishes to start housekeeping. 

Father has been working on Vera's house but today a Mr Williams from Washington, came to get him to help on his house. He is building a big house just across the street from here.

Well dearest heart I haven't any more news and so will close this and write again soon. Write dear and let me know when you are coming Mother sends her love, she is looking for a letter also. With all my love and kisses to my own dear lover, I remain as always and forever,

Yours lovingly,

Edythe.

For links to all the letters in this collection, go to https://ordinaryancestors.blogspot.com/p/edythe-and-rayson-love-letters.html where they are organized by date written.

October 17, 1922 - "Just a little sample of berries"

Los Angeles, Cal.
Oct 17 - 1922.

My dearest:

Just a little sample of berries, if you do not care for them, give them to Mrs Morgan or Harry's wife. They will last all winter and make a nice bouquet when there are no flowers.

Lovingly your,
Edythe.

For links to all the letters in this collection, go to https://ordinaryancestors.blogspot.com/p/edythe-and-rayson-love-letters.html where they are organized by date written.

October 15, 1922 - Father, Billy, Mr .Roani & Mr. Noack build a house for Vera

Addressed to:

Mr. G. Rayson Brown.

1468 East 67th St.,

Chicago, 

Illinois.

Return address:

E. G. Sisson.

5009 Whittier Blvd.,

Los Angeles, Calif.

c/o Loftus Land Co.

Los Angeles, Cal.,

October, 15 - 1922.

Dearest Rayson:

I was wondering whether or not I would hear from you again this week and surely enough Billy brought home another wonderful letter. It made me so happy dear and I am so glad that you are well. Although I might have promised not to worry, you know dear that seems to be part of a woman's "make up", so to speak. We just cannot seem to help worrying.

It is Sunday again but you would never know it around here. Have to work just as much as any other day. Mr Roani and Mr Noack came over early to help Billy and Father build the house. I was down to the place this noon myself and it is really a nice location. Mother and I got dinner for the men and have just finished doing dishes. If you were here dear, you would most likely be putting them away. I can hardly wait until you come, I will be so happy.

It was nice of Harry to ask you there and I am glad you had a nice time. If we happen back there some day we will surely stop and see them.

Now dear, if I had thought for one minute that you would feel that way I would never have mentioned building on to the house. It is not on youre account at all. The truth is, when Father built this place he forgot all about clothes closets and consequently we must have more room to put our clothes. Just at present most of ours are in the garage, still packed. The neighbors around here think I only have one dress, I guess, as I always wear the same one. But then they don't bother me as I don't know any of them any way and a part of them I don't care to.

We drove to Alhambra one evening for a ride. Do you remember the Gualano's in Ottawa? Vincent and Fortunato are operating a music store in that city. They invited Vera and Billy to see them but they haven't gone yet.

I picked a few berries off the pepper trees here and am going to risk sending them in this letter although they may get crushed. The trees look awfully pretty, just hanging full of red berries.

And another thing if we ever want to sell here, it will sell quicker when there are improvements. The way it is now, no one would care for it. It can be made awfully nice in time.

You should see the pen I am writing with but it writes better than anything around here. It is a pen Father bought for me in Ch'go when I was a little girl. It is only seven inches long and as fat as a match. I have a hard time holding on to it. 

I asked Father about the mail being delivered here and he doesn't know how soon it will be, and so dear you had better give the Whittier Blvd., address and we can see about it when you come.

Billy and Father have just come home from the new house. They used all the lumber they had and so had to call it done for the time being. They most part of it is done, all that is left is the roof, plaster board walls and hanging doors and windows. It is a cute little place, only two rooms. When they build on, these two rooms will be turned into bed rooms.

Well dearest lover it is supper time and I must help Mother. She sends her love to you dear, as ever. I have no more news and so will close. With all the love in the world that I possess, for you dear I remain as ever yours only and lovingly,

Edythe.

P.S. - Dear, Mother thinks it best not to send the berries in the letter so will send them separately. Someone might tear this open and you would not get it.

For links to all the letters in this collection, go to https://ordinaryancestors.blogspot.com/p/edythe-and-rayson-love-letters.html where they are organized by date written.

October 13, 1922 "...one day nearer together"

Addressed to:

Mr. G. Rayson Brown.

1468 East 67th St.,

Chicago,

Illinois.

Return address:

E. G. Sisson.

5009 Whittier Blvd.

Los Angeles, Cal,

c/o Loftus Land Co.

Los Angeles, Cal.,

Oct 13 - 1922.

Dearest Rayson:

I will write you a few lines while I have a little time for I haven't written since Monday night. How are you dear by now? I hope you are feeling better again for I worry so about you.

We are all quite well except Vera, she has a terrible cold from not dressing warm enough during the day. One has to be awfully careful here for over a year. It is warm in the daytime, especially just at noon, and cold at night. 

Mother hasn't become rested from packing and traveling. She is working as hard as ever, I help all I can but Vera seems to think that Mother is made of iron, I guess. Leave it to her to take things easy.

Tuesday night we drove over to Noack's. They used to live near Armstrong's in Ottawa. Billy wanted to get him to help build their house Sunday. They have an awfully cute place, made most of it themselves.

As soon as Vera's house is finished, which should not take more than two days, we will start building on here. I am so anxious to start it, then we can go ahead and get furniture and fix the place up. I am afraid dear you will get an awful shock when you see this place. It is all very rough looking as yet, we haven't had a word about gas or paving. The grass, of course, will start when the rains commence. The house is well enough, or will be, if the surroundings were a little more pleasant.

Have you heard anything of Mr. Rice whereabouts? I do wish he would get back so you could come. I miss you so dear since I have been here. You seem so near me and yet you are so far away. We will make up for all the time lost when you come, won't we dear. I do hope you can come soon.

The sun is going down again and another day is almost gone, which brings us one day nearer together. There are eighteen days left in this month and I am going to work just as hard as I can in hopes that they will go faster.

Darling it is supper time and I must close and help Mother. With all my love for you, my own, I remain as ever and always,

Yours lovingly

Edythe.

For links to all the letters in this collection, go to https://ordinaryancestors.blogspot.com/p/edythe-and-rayson-love-letters.html where they are organized by date written.

October 9, 1922 - Mother writes to Rayson

Addressed to:

Mr. G. Rayson Brown.

1468. East 67th St.

Chicago Illinois.

Return address:

Mrs Edith A. Sisson.

5009 Whittier Blvd.

Los Angeles Calif.

c/o Loftus Land Co.

Los Angeles Calif.

Oct 9 - 1922.

Rayson my dear boy:-

You dont know how glad we were to hear from you, it has seemed such a long long time since the last Sunday we were togather and we both were sad at leaving you and Aunt Vick behind.

Rayson you asked how I liked the trip,. well I enjoyed it very much, but I was beginning to get tired, and I would suggest when you come to come on the Santa Fe. Dickey stood the trip fine once in a while when the train would stop he would start in and sing. 

I like it out here very much. There is some beautiful places and I know you are going to like it too.

We were over to Long Beach a week ago Sunday to see my Sister, (Aunt Mae) and she certainly looks fine. in the evening we all went down to the ocean and watched the breakers roll in, it certainly was a wonderful sight.

Now my dear boy I can assure you that every thing is going to be all right in regard to your coming here. I told our Father and he said it would be all right, for you to come ahead and when you find work you can pay board if you feel as though you should. we want you to come and feel right at home.

Now Rayson in regard to the secret we have between us. I think it will be impossible for us to carry it out, and if you dont care, I will tell her for I think she would much rather go to the Depot to meet you, she certainly has been one sad girl since she left you.

Now my dear boy let us know just when you are coming and and we will gladly meet you. Every one here are well with the exceptions of Vera and I and we have the hives. but they dont hinder us from eating. Rayson you never saw any one eat like we do. we are always hungry. the white grapes here are just grand we bought a bunch to-day that weighed 3 lbs. and as sweet as honey.

Well my dear boy I will have to stop writing and get busy. I am varnishing the wood-work and will soon be through. Take good care of your-self and write me soon.

With much love and a great big kiss to my boy, I am

Loveingly 

Your Mother.

For links to all the letters in this collection, go to https://ordinaryancestors.blogspot.com/p/edythe-and-rayson-love-letters.html where they are organized by date written.

October 9, 1922 "P.S. - Please hurry and come."

Addressed to:

Mr. G. Rayson Brown.

1468 East 67th St.,

Chicago,

Illinois.

Return address:

E. G. Sisson.

5009 Whittier Blvd.

Los Angeles, Cal.

c/o Loftus Land Co.

Los Angeles, Calif.

October, 9 - 1922.

My Own Darling Lover:

Tonight I am as happy as I was worried and unhappy last night and for the last week or more for dearest your wonderful letter has come at last. I was afraid dear that something terrible had happened to you, you know you spoke of two different operations. I will be Oh so glad when you are here so that I can take care of you. and I hope we are never so far apart again for darling it is surely terrible with you so far away.

Father and Billy painted the garage yesterday and it looks quite respectable for all that it is made from piano boxes.

This morning I glue sized the walls of a couple rooms so as to have them ready to paint. The wood work is all varnished and shines like a slate roof on a rainy day. Father put up shades and it is beginning to look like a real house.

After dinner we three went to town on the street car this time, for poor Mother was so afraid when I drove the last time. Vera bought kitchen things and dishes for her new house. They are going to start building Sunday. Mr Noack, Mr Roani, Father and Billy are to build it, they should almost finish in one day.

In a way dear I am glad that you did not buy the Reflex. You took such nice pictures with your own. I didn't want you to sell it although I thought you knew best what you wanted to do.

Billy has gone to bed with a  headache and cold. Father also is in bed. Vera is embroidering handkerchiefs and Mother is waiting her turn at the pen and ink to write to you.

Darling heart you do not know how much happiness you dear letter brought me tonight. If I have said anything dear in any previous letters that displeases you, just don't worry about it for dearest lover it was just the wrong time of the moon for me and that was why I worried so, if you know what I mean.

Well dear one perhaps I have kept Mother waiting long enough and so will close for this time. With all my love and a thousand kisses I am as ever, 

Yours forever,

Lovingly, Edythe.

P. S. - Please hurry and come.

For links to all the letters in this collection, go to https://ordinaryancestors.blogspot.com/p/edythe-and-rayson-love-letters.html where they are organized by date written.

#virtualoregontrail July 25-31, 1845 - Soda Springs and Fort Hall

Continuing with the diary of James Field, teamster for the Riggs family, from the Willamette Farmer.

Fri., 25. - Went bout 16 miles to-day, crossing the river again and climbing over a mountain which shuts in to the river's edge.

Sat., 26. -  Owing to an injudicious selection of our camp last night we did not get away from it until 11 o'clock, so that we only went seven miles to-day. There was an almost impenetrable thicket of brush near our camp, from which it seemed impossible to get the cattle.

Sun., 27. -  Went about 22 miles to-day, camping near the soda springs. These springs are in the river valley on its northern side, and are one of the greatest curiosities on the road. Some of them are warm, others cold, and all boiling, and most of them impregnated more or less with copperas. Where some of them boil up they have formed a lime rock, which on walking over sounds as if it were hollow. There are several elevations on the rock two and three feet high shaped like a sugar-loaf, and their whole insides are filled with warm water constantly boiling and bubbling. Some of the water in these springs is supposed to be poisonous, from the fact of cattle dying when people have camped near them. They extend along for two miles between the mountain and the river on its northern side, and the poisonous ones are supposed to be located near a small cedar grove. The water has not a lively soda taste, but is rather like soda water left to open air until it dies, leaving only a sour, acid taste, and on the whole it is rather mean water.

Soda Springs
photo from:
https://www.pemcarbon.com/gallery/soda-springs-id/

Mon., 28. -  Went about ten miles to-day, leaving Bear River on our left and camping near a spring slightly impregnated with soda. About a mile from camp we passed a spring, the water of which tasted more like soda water than any I have tasted of. The trail from the States to California parts from the Oregon road at Bear River, down which it follows, while the Oregon road strikes over on the Snake River near Fort Hall. A word for the Bear River Valley before leaving it: it comes nearer to being fit for white folks to live in than any section of the country we have traveled through since leaving the branches of Kansas River, and it only lacks a little of being a good farming country. The principal drawbacks are a scarcity of timber, there being only a strip of willow bushes along the river, with once in a long while a small grove of cottonwoods, and a little more rain in summer would be desirable. The soil is excellent, the climate rather cold of nights, and there is once in awhile a snow-drift to be seen on the mountains along the river. There is timber on the mountains nearly sufficient for the use of the valley.

Tues., 29. - One natural production of the country ought to be noticed, as it constitutes an important item of the food of the natives, game being rather scarce here. This is the crickets, which in some parts of the valley are larger and more plentiful than I ever saw them anywhere else, being from an inch and a half to two inches in length, with corporations like aldermen, and the Indians make fine, rich pots of soup of them (see a recipe here), as some of our company saw at a camp near the soda springs. We traveled about 14 miles to-day, camping on a small creek which is probably a branch of Bear River. I omitted mentioning yester-day that we had left the regular road again not far from the soda springs to take another near cut under the pilotage of a Frenchman. Our company found and employed him at the springs, but we had not proceeded far before we found the Greenwoods were conducting Tethero's company by the same route, and as they made a plain road for us to follow, our pilot returned. We have not yet got into the old road, but we have thus far had an easy, level way, and from the relative bearings of the two roads we must cut off at least nine or ten miles. We had an excellent camp, with plenty of grass and water. These Greenwoods are an old man and three sons whom he has raised in the Indian country. They are well posted on the route.

Wed., 30. - Went about 16 miles to-day, crossing the dividing mountain between Bear and Snake Rivers, and camping upon a small creek which runs into the latter stream, so that we are now upon the waters of Oregon. About four miles from our camp we struck and crossed the old road, crossing the mountain by a route which wagons had never taken before. Tethro passed over it, although it was the regular pack-trail. We struck the old road again about two miles from our present camp. An excellent road could be made across here with but little labor, and in its present condition it is not a hard road, and saves eight miles' travel.

Fort Hall, 1849
sketch from:
http://www.historyglobe.com/ot/fthall.htm

Thurs., 31. - Eighteen miles to-day took us to Fort Hall, which stands upon the broad, level bottom of Snake River, with fine pasturage and some timber around it, and surrounded by a few wigwams of the Eutaw and other tribes of Indians. It is a good-sized fort, built like Fort Larimie of unburnt bricks, and is one of the posts of the Hudson's Bay Co. The superintendent of the fort is a very gentlemanly man, a Scotchman, I believe, and showed a good deal of kindness to the immigrants, but like most others in the Indian country, well disposed to make a good bargain off them when it can be done. They told us the first companies who arrived a few days before took them by surprise, being a month earlier than companies had ever reached the fort before.

From “The Diary of James Field” Willamette Farmer (Portland, OR, Fridays: April 18 – August 1, 1879). 
20 Jun 1879 (July 22-29) 

https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn85042522/1879-06-20/ed-1/seq-6/ 

27 Jun 1879 (July 29-August 3) 

https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn85042522/1879-06-27/ed-1/seq-6/ 

October 8, 1922 - The setting sun is leaving me lonely again.

Addressed to:

Mr. G. Rayson Brown.

1468 East 67th St.,

Chicago,

Illinois.

Return address:

E. G. Sisson.

5009 Whittier Blvd.,

Los Angeles, Cal.

c/o Loftus Land Co.

Los Angeles, Cal.,

October 8 - 1922.

Dearest Rayson:

It is Sunday again dear. All week long I have looked for a letter but none has come. Dearest I am nearly beside myself with worry.

Perhaps it is the fault of the mail as Billy says he hasn't received all of the mail from one of the men at the Steel mills who writes to him regularly. When you write again dear address the letter to 5009 Whittier Blvd c/o Loftus Land Co. again and see if that makes a difference.

This has been a very busy week for all of us. We all take turns staining and varnishing. The little home is going to look awfully nice.

Thursday Mother, Vera and I drove down town to do a little shopping and so Mother could get an idea what kind of a city she is living in. She said she thought it was just like Chicago. She doesn't like it here so very well yet but I think she will the longer she is here.

I was sick in bed today and only just got up. All I could think of was the last day we were together. Darling we did not do right really, and sometimes I wonder if you have taken a wrong impression of me. Dearest please do not think that is a usual custom of mine but dear I could not refuse you and as I have said before cannot refuse you anything for I love you too much. I can tell you something dear when I see you again to convince you of this too.

Perhaps I am wrong to think all these things but darling, a worried troubled mind and a sick heart doesn't overlook the least thing. I have prayed and I have cried myself to sleep but it has done no good. Mother wonders what has happened to her boy but I cannot tell her a thing.

Well dear the sun is setting beautifully in the west and leaving me lonely again, I miss you dearest so much. If ever I have said or done anything, I am so sorry and surely beg your forgiveness. I must close for this time dear and help Mother with the supper. With all my love for you and you only I remain as ever yours only,

Lovingly, Edythe.

For links to all the letters in this collection, go to https://ordinaryancestors.blogspot.com/p/edythe-and-rayson-love-letters.html where they are organized by date written.

October 4, 1922 - Building a garage from piano boxes

Addressed to:

Mr. G. Rayson Brown.

1468 East. 67th St.,

Chicago. Illinois.

From.

c/o W. S. Armstrong

223-225 E Ann St.,

Los Angeles, Calif.

Nat'l Fireproof Warehouse Co.

Los Angeles, Cal.,

October 4 - 1922.

Dearest Rayson:

We arrived here Friday and although dear, I did not expect a letter to be here when I arrived I surely expected on the next day or so, but none has come so far. I am so worried dear, has any thing happened to you?

Dearest I have thought of everything and have even blamed myself for what has happened. If you are sick dear, please ask Mrs Morgan to write a few lines for you so that I may know.

I am so worried darling, I can hardly keep back the tears but wouldn't dare let Mother see. She feels badly enough as it is without more worry.

Mother doesn't like it here very well, that is this particular place, but it will be much better when we have more room and I think she will like it then.

Vera and Billy are going to take one of our lots and build a temporary house on it for the winter. Father and Mr Noack are going to build it for them.

Sunday dear, we took Mother to Long Beach to see Aunt Mae. We had a nice visit and nothing would do but we should stay for supper and go down to the pike in the evening. 

The moon was shining beautifully and the tide was sending great waves far up on the beach. It was all so lovely dear, but it made me, Oh so lonesome for you. If you do not come soon, what will I do.

Yesterday Father and I started a garage. Billy got some piano boxes from the warehouse and we are building it of them. Later we will put on siding. The first day I got all sunburned and so today I put on the old knicker suit to keep from looking like an Indian. We will finish the garage tomorrow and then we will start the two new rooms on the house. Just now there is no room for trunks, bedding, or dishes. It will be awfully cute when it is done.

I intended dear to look for a position as soon as I came but find there is too much to be done here and Mother is quite tired yet and not able to do much. And so darling I am going to stay home for a while and get things started.

I am awfully tired tonight dearest and as there is not much news I will close and shall pray for a letter tomorrow. Darling I cannot rest until I get word that you are well. With all my love, my dearest and a thousand kisses, I remain

Lovingly yours as ever,

Edythe.

For links to all the letters in this collection, go to https://ordinaryancestors.blogspot.com/p/edythe-and-rayson-love-letters.html where they are organized by date written.