1926 1 20 Olive Rose to Elbert Rose

Spelling and grammar may be changed as I transcribe.   The letter itself is dated  20 Jan 1925 but the envelope was postmarked 21 Jan 1926.  I believe my grandmother's memory of the year slipped as it does for many people in January of each new year.  The location is Albany, Albany County, New York.

My grandmother, 'Olive' Letha Rose Schnack wrote this letter to her 'Dad', Elbert Rose.  'Florence' Alice Rose Lawler was her sister.  'Clifton' More Rose was their brother and 'Lena' his wife.  'Charlotte' Rose is the daughter of Clifton and Lena.  'Uncle Arthur' or 'Uncle Art' was Elbert's brother Arthur Ezra Rose.  'Aunt Clyde' was Arthur's second wife, Clydis M. Clough Rose. 'Bob' was  Arthur's son, Robert Randolph Rose, by his first wife, Louise M. Humphrey Rose.  'Aunt Minnie' is Elbert's sister, Minnie B. Rose Springer and 'Oscar' is her husband.

In regards to Arthur's visit to Minnie and Oscar's home; the 1925 New York State census shows their address to be the village of Kings Point in the town of Great Neck in Nassau County.  Kings Point was the inspiration for the novel "The Great Gatsby" which was a fictional account of the decadent Roaring Twenties era.

68 North Lake Ave.
Albany, New York
January 20, 1925

Dear Dad,

I suppose I should be writing this to Clifton and Lena to thank them for the garment they sent me.  But I trust you will do that for me.  Tell Lena it fitted good.

Probably Florence told you that I expected to have Sunday dinner with Uncle Arthur and Aunt Clyde.  I went over after church and as they had arisen late, I also had breakfast with them.  Aunt Clyde, Bob, and I went to church in the evening.

I had a letter from Florence this morning.  She says you think you can't afford to let me go to New York.  I really don't care.  I would much rather you paid some of the Doctors' bills which must be paid.  Now about my coming home;  you see I have a day off for Washington's Birthday, Feb. 22, and I would rather come home then than now.  It would make it shorter until Easter vacation.  You wouldn't be able to get me a pass now & then, too, nor could you afford to pay my car fare.  Aunt Clyde is going to go to

Newburgh the first week in February (that's the week I have off) and she asked me over there to stay.  You see, I could get Bob's and Uncle Arthur's meals for them and really be of some use.  Please let me know whether you want me to come home or would just as soon I should stay.  Florence probably won't want me to go over because she dislikes Aunt Clyde so, but Aunt Clyde really did a lot for me when I was sick.

Uncle Art has seen Aunt Minnie and has been out to the place where they live.  Oscar is gardener on some estate.

Now, please write.  You haven't written to me once this year.

You'll have to put about $12 in the bank by next week.

Lots of love,
Olive

Destroy this after you have read it!

Be sure to write and let me know.