1933 1 15 George Shutts to Olive Schnack

Spelling and grammar may change as I transcribe.  This letter originates in Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.

'Geo', George Liberty Shutts, wrote this letter to his cousin, my grandmother, 'Olive' Letha Rose Schnack.  'Harriet' More Burgett was  the daughter of 'Aunt Alice', Alice Estelle Clayton More.  'Seward' Hager Burgett was Harriet's husband.  'Uncle Owen' Wickes More was Olive's grand uncle.  'J.P. More', I believe, was John Person More, my 3rd great grandfather, and father of Owen Wickes More, and grandfather of George Liberty Shutts, the author of this letter.  'Lucy' Cook Shutts was George's wife. 

The 'Strauss Co.' that George writes about, I believe, is S.W. Straus & Co, which was a well known and respected real estate bond broker.  The financing of large construction projects by these means was fairly new and not regulated.  By the late 1920s these means were being scrutinized.  And, by the mid-1930s, S.W. Straus & Co. had defaulted on $214 million in bonds. An estimated 60,000 people lost their investments.  http://nexus.som.yale.edu/qn/content/what-used-be-new-capital  Perhaps George and his potential heirs were among those unfortunate investors.

Owen Wickes More died 15 November 1931.
Seward Hager Burgett died 17 January 1932.
Lucy A. Cook Shutts died 21 September 1932.
Alice Estelle Clayton More died 16 December 1932.

31 Newhall St.
Springfield, mass.

Jan. 15, 1933

Dear Cousin Olive,

Thanks for your good letter containing receipt for the Irish quilt bequeathed you by our dear departed Uncle.  How fortunate for him that he did not live to know that the years of saving he enjoyed so much with the Strauss Co. was a colossal failure.  There doesn't seem to be anything that can be done to settle the estate, for many of the bonds are valueless and no one wants to purchase any Strauss Bonds at any price.  There is too much risk.

 How the ranks of our dear ones who were together at Harriet's home in 1931 have decreased.  Uncle Owen, Seward, Lucy, and Aunt Alice have all joined the ranks of the departed.  Such is life.  I attended the funeral of the husband of one of Lucy's dear friends here in Springfield today.  Two weeks after Lucy's going, her only living sister passed on, so that all her family are gone.  Aunt Alice was the last of that generation of the J.P. More family.  So, we are all going

on to the journey's end.

I am well and very comfortably located in my own house, which is occupied by a family who rent the house and care for me.  I hear from Amanda and Mary Miller frequently, and a goodly number of relatives and friends.  I appreciate your expression of sympathy and very kind invitation to visit you.  I might get out in that part of the world again some time, but can't make any promises.  I am glad to be employed and able to do my daily stint.

I hope you and your growing, active, and interesting family keep in good health and have a comfortable degree of prosperity.

As ever yours,
Geo L Shutts

P.S.
Dear Cousin Harriet has my heartfelt sympathy.

1932 1 4 Mary Miller to Olive Schnack

I may change some spelling and some grammar as I transcribe.  This letter originates in Durham, Greene County, New York.

'Mary Miller' wrote this letter to my grandmother, 'Olive' Letha Rose Schnack.  'Uncle Owen' was her maternal grand uncle, Owen Wickes More, whom I believe she was particularly fond of.  'Aunt Mary More' was Owen's sister, Mary Elizabeth More.  'Uncle George' was a brother-in-law to Owen, having married his sister, Deborah Permelia More Shutts.  'Grandmother' was the girls' maternal grandmother, Alice Estelle Clayton More.  'Aunt Hattie' was Alice's daughter, Harriet More Burgett. 

'Amanda' is a name I am not familiar with.  Should any of my readers have a suggestion, please leave it in the comment field at the end of this post.

Durham, N.Y.
Jan. 4, 1932

Dear Olive and family,

I was glad to get your letter.

We are both well here.  Amanda goes all around the street to call on her friends.  She is remarkable for a woman of her age, I think.  I could tell you a lot more about her if I could see you but cannot write as it would make a book.

I will try and mail the package to you tomorrow as we only have one mail a day out of here.  I will put it in the

office tonight so it will go out of here Thursday morning on the stage.

Now, if I remember right, Aunt Mary More, Uncle Owen's sister, your Great Aunt, pieced and gave the quilt to Uncle Owen when he came home from the war.  I hope you will receive it all safe.  I will have it insured and please let me know that it arrives all safe.

Then, if you would please, send a receipt to Uncle George as he is the one that has that part of the business to look after.  Just write, Received of the O.W. More Estate, one Irish chain quilt, and sign your name; that is all.
 

There is a great many colds and some flu around here.  I hope we escape them.

I hope you and your family keep well all winter.

Yes, I heard of your Grandmother's death, poor soul.  She is better off but I feel so sorry for your Aunt Hattie.  I have not written her since, for I don't know how to comfort her in words.  She is alone but for you girls and I know you will all be kind and good to her as you always have been.  I would love to go and see her but it is out of the question just now, as I cannot get away very well in cold weather.  Give her my love when you see her and tell her I think about her often and will write her soon.

I am glad to do this for you and do not take it as an imposition.  Love to you all.  Remember me to the girls when you see them.

Cousin Mary _____

Here is Uncle George's address:

Mr. G.L. Shutts
31 Newhall St.
Springfield, Mass.