1941 undated typhoid letters

 Some spelling and grammar may change as I transcribe.  The locations are Laurens and Oneonta, both are cities in Otsego County, New York.

I have a number of letters written to and from my grandmother during the time that she and my father were hospitalized with typhoid.  They have no dates and  I will post and transcribe them together.  A few have dates and I will transcribe them together in the next post.

I was told by my mother that, unbeknownst to him, a laborer hired to work on my grandparents' small farm was a carrier of typhoid.  It's my understanding that after the family became ill with typhoid, that the 'government' paid this laborer to not work on a farm ever again.  I have no proof of this, and I don't know the man's name; it is simply something my mother told me.

Unsourced newspaper clipping found in my family memorabilia collection.

 'Mrs. Walter Schnack' was my grandmother, Olive Letha Rose Schnack.  My grandfather was Jochim "Walter" Schnack, also known as 'Walt'.  My father was Walter J. Schnack, known as 'Junior' or 'Jr' in the letters.  His sister was Vivian Eleanor Schnack Cope and his brother was Edward Alexander Schnack.  Amongst others caring for the family at home was, 'Aunt H', or 'Aunt Hattie', Olive's aunt, Harriet More Burgett.

Monday

Dear Mother,

How are you feeling?  Miltie is down and we asked how Harriet was?  He said, "She dirtied all her ditties."  We worked Jr.'s puzzle;  it's awful nice when it's finished.  Well, Strong's are in California.  They sent up 8 comic books.  Our meals are good.  How are yours?  Eddy and I are swell.  Jr.'s improving every day.  Christine asked him if he wanted to borrow her ____.  Dad says he does not feel too bad.  His temperature runs from 99 to 102.  Ask Dr. Clark about him, and you'll find out a lot more. (She means he can tell you better than she can...added Harriet)  Thanks for the melon and candy.  Do you know how high your temperature is?  We got a nice bouquet that Eddy picked of wild flowers.

Well, I must close.  It's 9 o'clock.  Sam just left so I'm too late to send it but I'll send it somehow.  Lots and lots of love.

Your children,
Vivian
Eddy
Walter Jr.
xxxxxxxxxxxx

P.S.
If you can possibly write a letter home to us or have one of the nurses write it, we would love to get it.  (Maybe that short nurse that's so nice to you would do it.)
xxxxxxxxxxxx

To Junior
From
Eddy
Vivian

This little dog was sorry
To hear that you were sick
And comes today
So he can say
"Sure hope you will get well quick!"

Thursday

Dear Honies!

I thought you would be interested in whom I've had cards since I've been here.

Florence
Carrie and Harvey
Helen and Russell
Aunt Daisy
Clif and Lena
Mildred Burgess (Aunt Hattie will tell you who she is.)
Emilee and Granny
Mr & Mrs _. M. Hopkins
Ella and Charles

And then best of all, Uncle Clif came up to see me.  We talked and talked.  He told Jr

to keep his hands away from his mouth and his nose and he would give him a hive of bees when he gets better.

Have Daddy bring some envelopes.

Must close.

Love,
Mother

Saturday

Hello honies,

Mother will have to learn to write all over.

Do you suppose, Vivian, I will get up and walk like you?

Why don't you write to me and tell me what you do to pass away the time.

Junior is still real sick.

Love,
Mother

Friday p.m.

Hello kids,

Well, Dr. Clark says I can come home the middle of next week.  That probably means Wednesday.  Won't that be grand?  I sat up in a chair today and it didn't go bad at all.  Of course, my feet and legs didn't work too well.  Jr. is feeling so good that I'll have to ask the doctor when he can sit up.  Dr. Clark put him on the house diet today, too, so he gets more to eat.  The doctors give all credit for his getting better so fast to a new drug just on the market.  I think it is especially

fortified.  It is called sulpha quadragine or something like that.  He is the first ever to take it in this hospital.

Had a nice letter from Auntie Bea.  She has had Harriet.  She said she was so tiny she was scared of her.  All the clothes she gets will be way too big for her.   But, by the time Harriet leaves the hospital she won't be so tiny.  Tell Aunt H. my bathrobe looked lovely.  Daddy got me a pair of pretty blue slippers.  Well, must close now.  Maybe will write more after supper.  xxxxxx

Love,
Mother

Monday

Dear Vivian and Ed and Aunt H,

Well, Jr and I got some nice get well cards from all of you.  It's fun to get them when there isn't anything to do.

Mr. Loyer was here this p.m. with a nice bouquet.  I think he was going up to Auntie Bea's.  Did he stop and see you, too?

I was up this a.m. and walked to the bathroom but this p.m. I had a temperature so stayed in bed.  Dr. Clark said we could come home Wednesday and I'm so afraid

something will happen so I can't come.  I don't think the temperature is serious.  Aunt H, Vivian said you were planning what we are to wear home.  If you have them ready, send them tomorrow.  If not, Wednesday will be o.k.  Anything you send will be o.k.  Oh, how I hope nothing interferes with our coming home.

Be good. xxxxxxxx
Love,
Mother

Monday

Dear Vivian, Eddy, and Aunt Hattie,

Well, we have just had dinner and I think you have better things to eat than we do.  Today for dinner we had mashed potatoes, finely chopped beets, bread and butter, and a dish with three hunks of pineapple in, also tea.  You mustn't plan on my being home any special day or you may be disappointed.  My temp stays down but I guess it doesn't stay so normal all day yet so Dr. Clark won't let me sit in a chair or get

up.

Yes, Jr. has been real sick; delirious most of the time.  This a.m. his temp was normal but will probably go up this p.m.

2:45
His temp is down yet.  I don't know just how much.  And, I guess mine is still normal.  Last night, after Walt was here, somebody left a bouquet of snapdragons for me;  no card so I don't know who sent them.  They are very pretty.  This p.m. there arrived a lovely big bouquet from Ella and the Schnack family.  There is everything in it, even bachelor buttons and carnations.

Must close.  Be good.

Love,
Mother

2nd Installment

I haven't said anything about the bedroom.  I'll bet it looks like a different place and I know just how hard Aunt Hattie had to work to get it that way.  I'll be so glad to have it done.

Vivian, you might as well plant all the David Harum flower seeds.  They are yours and Jr.'s, you know.  I am glad you planted mine or they never would have had flowers this year.

Poor Jr. just wet the bed.  The nurses that can come in here were downstairs to supper and nobody to get him the bottle.  So, he has to have his bed changed.  He has been crying because he wants to come home today.

I must close for this time.  So glad to hear Eddie is getting along so good.

Be good kids.

Love,
Mother

Hello Everybody,

Well, Jr and I are getting better everyday, Dr. Clark says.  About tomorrow, I am going to ask him if I can send for my bathrobe and slippers so I can sit in a chair.  Maye that way I will gradually get some strength so that when I do come home I won't be too helpless.

I had the nurse pull the screen back this p.m.  It's the first I've seen Jr in 3 or 4 days.  He looks sick but not crazy like he did.

xxxx for Eddie

For supper tonight we had asparagus on toast, bread and butter, and a half peach.   I had tea and Jr. had cocoa.  It doesn't sound like much but my tummy feels full.  At least I got a letter from Auntie Bea.  I will send it over with this.

Has the wind blown hard over there?  Out of my window it looks as if the wind had been blowing hard.  Every night, Daddy tells me how good you are getting along.  It makes me feel real good.  Of course, I know you have the best of care and that makes all the difference in the world.  Be good.

Love,
Mother

Monday

Dear Mother,

We don't have to take Milk of Magnesia any more.  I eat out in the kitchen most of the time.  Eddy is getting so he can walk pretty but, he has not been off the porch yet.

How do you like your forget-me-nots?  Did Dad tell you I rode in the car over to West Laurens?  Miltie has got his hair cut way off.  Dad got a letter from Aggie.  Milt brought down the sickle and I cut the grass a little bit.  I planted 4 hills of squash that I'm going to raise.  Well, you and Auntie Bea and Jr. are pretty popular getting your name in the paper most every

day.  I guess I'd better close.  We're all swell.

Love from all,
Viv and Ed

P.S.
I've planted my David Harum seeds and I'm going to plant Junior's.  I'll plant yours tomorrow.  Sorry you misunderstood me.  I had orange juice, chocolate milk, and poached egg on toast for dinner.  We had chocolate milk, tomato soup, bread and butter, and pudding with bananas on.  We had mashed potatoes with gravy, carrots, cake, and bread and butter.

Shirley went back to school today.  School ends one week from Friday.  What do you think about me taking my Geography regents up here?  Please tell me what you think.

Viv

 Sunday p.m.

Dear Mother,

I guess you will have to write all over again.  I suppose you know that Auntie Bea has a daughter.  Eddy and I get up every day.  I'm getting so now anytime I want to get out of bed all I have to do is get up and walk out to the chair.  Dr. Benedict was here yesterday and says Jr.'s cough is getting along fine.  This A.M. at 6 o'clock I was awake.  Eddy was already awake.  I got out my book and began reading in sets of an hour and had eaten my breakfast.  Harold stopped in so see how we were.  After breakfast I fiddled around and read my book for awhile.  After that I listened to the radio and looked at some magazines.  For dinner I had spaghetti, (with tomato sauce) and carrots put through the sieve, chocolate milk, and chocolate cake.  After that I rested a while and read the post.  Then I jumped

out of bed and wrote you this letter.  That is, what I've done up to 20 minutes after 3.  Is that all right for telling you what I do to pass away the time?

They put Auntie Bea's baby in the incubator.  Uncle Len says it yells just as loud as the rest of them.  He says it acts all right.  I wonder what Auntie Bea will name it?  Uncle Len just came in and he says she is going to name it Harriet Julia.  When Aunt Hattie heard about it she said, "What does she want, to kill it?"  Well, my letter is getting long; my writing is getting bad so I'll have to close.  Keep on getting better.  We want you home soon.  Don't worry about your garden.  It's getting planted.  Write another letter to me very soon.  Don't forget us.  Get better soon.

Your children,
Vivian and Eddy

Dear Junior,

I'm glad you're able to write.  I had my regents today.  I'm quite sure I passed.  I think it's swell you sit up and are able to come home with mom.  Well, I must close.  xxxx

Love,
Vivian

Wed.

Mom,

How are you?  Yesterday, I got my clothes on and had a lot of fun playing outdoors.  I saw my calf and she's grown like everything since I last saw her.  After dinner, Dean brought her up and tied her to the lilac bush.  Dean had all he could do to hang on to her.  They mowed some of the new seeding yesterday and will probably rake it today.  That flower I got you for Mother's Day has 3 nice big leaves.  Well, I got to go cut some weeds for Aunt Hattie now so don't get lonesome.

Junior

Vivian,

I sat up for about 2 hours and ate my dinner on a chair in front of our lazy chair.  Tonight, I sat up about 2 hours and had my supper up.  I teased Mom that I'd crank her head up and her feet up.

I hope you can read this.

Jr.

1926 10 8 Jochim Walter Schnack to Olive Rose

Spelling and grammar may change as I transcribe.

This postcard was sent by my grandfather, Jochim Walter 'Walt' Schnack from New York City, New York, to my grandmother, 'Olive' Letha Rose Schnack, in Oneonta, New York.  It is postmarked 8 October 1926.  They would be married four days later in Watertown, Jefferson County, New York.

To Miss Olive Rose
7 Draper St.
Oneonta, N.Y.

Hello Hon,

Reached N.Y. OK.  All ready to leave for Wash.

Cheer up Hon.  The time will pass.

Yours
Walt

1926 4 30 Olive Rose to Elbert Rose

Spelling and grammar may change as I transcribe this letter.  The locations mentioned are Albany in Albany County and Oneonta in Otsego County; both cities are in New York. 

My grandmother, 'Olive' Letha Rose Schnack wrote this letter to her 'Dad', Elbert Rose.  'Florence' Alice Rose Lawler, also referred to as 'F.A.' in this letter, was her sister.  'Uncle Arthur' was Elbert's brother, and 'Aunt Clyde' was Arthur's second wife, Clydis M. Clough Rose.

Apparently, my grandmother was quite upset with her sister Florence at the time she wrote this letter.

229-B Delaware Ave.
April 30, 1926

Private

Dearest Dad,

Here it is nearly a month since I came back and I haven't heard a word from you.  In fact, have only had two letters from Oneonta during that time.  I don't know what you think I am living on.  Out of the money that there was in the bank, I paid Dr. Graham $5, which leaves $10 still unpaid.  Besides that, there is car fare and at least one book.  I have had to borrow $1.35 from Uncle Arthur.  I look like some backwoodsman.  My hair needs cutting so badly and I haven't the money to have it done.

When Florence wrote, she rather joked at what she called my "feeble health".  Well, maybe she thinks its all put on but it isn't.  If she had had to go through what I did for about two days this week,

she would change her mind.  It would also be a good idea for her to keep her mouth shut about Aunt Clyde.  She might be asked to prove a few things and it makes it so nice for me to hear things that have come back to Aunt Clyde that F.A. has said.  And they don't come from a relative, either.  But, don't say anything to F.A. about it.  It will only make a lot more trouble.

Aunt Clyde and Uncle Arthur have been lovely to me.  They have given me clothes, taken me to the movies, and we went fishing last Saturday.

When are you going to get me a pass?  And, for heaven's sake, put some money in the bank for me.  Fifteen dollars at least.

Burn this up when you have read it.

Olive

1925 12 13 Olive Rose to Elbert Rose

Spelling and grammar may be changed as I transcribe.  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.  'Clif' was her brother, Clifton More Rose, and 'Lena' his wife.  'Charlotte' is the child of Clif and Lena.

Olive is attending New York State College for Teachers in Albany.  The family members in this letter live in Oneonta, Otsego County, New York.

68 North Lake Ave.
Albany, New York
December 13, 1925

Dear Dad,

Why don't you answer a letter once in a while?  By the rate you people in Oneonta write letters to me, you would think you had your right hand cut off.

As you probably know by this time, I called Florence up last night.  She said that she had only put $15 in the bank for me.  That means that I have overdrawn my account by about $8.  Tomorrow, my board is due again.  It will 

be $8.50 this time.  Besides that I haven't bought a single Christmas present yet.  I am only going to get a few now.  I have to put in $1.00 toward a Christmas present for Miss Carl and the girl who waits on table.  My fare will be $3.  I do hope you will hurry and put the money in because if my check comes back, no one will take it again.

I had another bill from Dr. Graham yesterday, $20.  I want to bring that back with me from Christmas

vacation.  I guess I'll have to have about $22 to pull through now.

I haven't heard from anybody since I came back so I don't know where I'll go or anything.  Do Clif & Lena expect me there Friday p.m.?  I wish you would either write or call up and tell me.  My phone number is West 4554M.

Now, please hurry.  I will see you Friday.  My train gets there at 6:30 p.m.

Lots of love,
Olive

I can hardly wait til I see Charlotte.

1925 9 25 Olive Rose to Elbert Rose

I might change some spelling and some grammar as I transcribe.  This letter is written from Albany, Albany County, New York.

My grandmother, 'Olive' Letha Rose Schnack wrote this letter when she was 17-years old to her 'Dad', Elbert Rose.  'Florence' Alice Rose Lawler was her sister.  'Uncle Owen' is her maternal uncle, Owen Wickes More.  'Clif' was her brother, Clifton More Rose, and his wife was 'Lena' Mae Carrington Rose.  'Charlotte Grace' is their daughter.  I believe the second photograph was made about the time that Olive writes this letter, or not much later. 

Lena Mae Carrington and Clifton More Rose married in Oneonta, New York on 16 June 1924.

 Charlotte, Lena, and Clifton Rose with Olive Rose on far right.   

 68 North Lake Ave.
Albany, New York
Sept. 25, 1925

Dear Dad,

I am all settled here now and like it very much.  The place where I am is about three minutes walk from school.  We have an elderly woman, old maid, for a landlady.  There are three other girls here.  One is a Senior and the other two are Freshmen.  The board and room is $10.50.  I couldn't get it any cheaper.  We have the privilege

or pressing out a few things and of washing handkerchiefs and stockings.  The rest I will either have to send home or get someone to do.

I went down to see Dr. Worth, the eye doctor.  He said he would have to test my eyes again so I am going tomorrow to have drops put in.  Florence put the money Uncle Owen gave me in the bank and I paid for my first week's board.  I will have to put another

dollar with it to pay next week's board.  Don't forget to put money in for me on payday.

How's Charlotte Grace?  And Clif and Lena?  Tell them all to write and I want you to answer this too.  You have lots of time on Sunday.

I haven't made up my exams yet.  The school doctor said I could have ample time to make them up.  So I will pass them all anyway.

Well, I must close now and go to school.

Be sure to write and tell me how you are, and how your job is.

Lots of love
Olive

1925 8 22 Olive Rose to Elbert Rose

I will make minor changes, if necessary, as I transcribe.  This letter was written from Dolgeville, Fulton County, New York.

My grandmother, 'Olive' Letha Rose Schnack, wrote this letter when she was not quite 17-years old, to her 'Dad', Elbert Rose. 'Flo' was her sister, Florence Alice Rose Lawler.

Although she doesn't mention my grandfather, he was from Dolgeville and I wonder if she might have met him at this time.  He was a Marine, stationed at Pearl Harbor, Territory Hawaii at this time, but could have been home on leave.  They were married in October 1926.

Dolgeville, New York
August 22, 1925

Dearest Dad,

Probably before you get this, Florence will have seen you and told you that last night or Friday night, Edna took me to where she was camping and then I came back again.  Edna is coming down Wednesday in her car and I stayed so that she would not have to come alone.

I have been having a very good time here.  We go for automobile rides and I have been swimming once.  One day, a lot of us girls went blackberrying.  We got about five quarts.  I hope the blackberries won't be all gone in Pine Hill when I get back to Oneonta because I think it would be real nice if we could get some.

Are we going to keep house?  You'll know when I get back, won't you?  Flo said you weren't working yet.  Gee, I hope you can get work.

I must close now.  Expect to be in Oneonta about 7 o'clock Wednesday night.

Lots of love,
Olive

1924 June - Olive and Beatrice Rose photo

On the left is my grandmother, Olive Letha Rose Schnack.  On the right is her sister, Beatrice May Rose Camp.  The photograph was taken to commemorate their graduation from Oneonta High School in June of 1924.  The photograph was made at Warnken Studio in Oneonta, New York.

1923 5 14 Olive Rose to Elbert Rose

I'll change some spelling and some grammar as I transcribe.  The location is Oneonta, Otsego County, New York.  The address is the same as found on the 1925 New York State Census for Seward and Harriet (More) Burgett.  My grandmother's sister, Florence Alice Rose Lawler, lived with them in 1925, as did my great-grandmother, Alice Estelle Clayton More.

My grandmother, 'Olive' Letha Rose Schnack, wrote this letter when she was 14-years old to her 'Dad', Elbert Rose.  'Florence' Alice Rose Lawler and 'B', or 'Beatrice' May Rose Camp, were her sisters.  'Clif' was their brother, Clifton Rose.

256 Main Street
Oneonta, New York
May 14, 1923

Dear Dad,

Why don't you write?  We believe that you have had a spell of forgetfulness.  Every one has written you a dun letter and now I am going to.

You know it cost $10 to move and then the rent and grocery bill had to be paid.  Florence does not get so much pay now since night school has closed.  Her money is all gone except $2 and today is May 14; over two weeks before payday.  You know you told me once you wouldn't be mad if, when you forgot, I wrote and asked for money.  Well, money is needed to carry us through the remainder of this month.

Saturday, I borrowed $10 and bought some very necessary 

clothes.  You are wondering what became of the $10 you left.  $2.80 went for a few underclothes and 75¢ for fixing shoes.  When the rings came, B had no money to pay for her's with so she had to take the rest of the $10.

Beatrice has one dress to wear to school.  A blue serge, which has been worn continuously for 3 years and is just about the case.  I know you don't want her or me to look awful.  If I went on to tell all the different things for which we need money, you would be scared to death.  Therefore, I will stop talking about money.

We have had quite a few letters from Clif lately.  He is getting along good.  I guess he is planning on coming to see us the last of June.

What are you going to do this summer?  We are going to work somewhere.  We don't know where.  We will have to earn something, for next year is graduation and

that costs an awful lot of money.  School is out the last week in June.  I hope I can start right in to work.

I am wondering why you don't write or come up.  Every Saturday we say, "I wouldn't be surprised if Dad should come walking in".  You don't so we look for you Sunday morning, but all in vain.  We don't see you.  You won't know me when you do come.  I am growing like a weed.

I saw Bill Peet and his wife and Leslie Eignor Sunday.  They were going to Utica.

I go fishing quite a lot and am getting to be a regular fisherman.

It is after 10 o'clock.  So, I will close.  Please send some money immediately and follow it by yourself.

Love, Olive

1916 11 19 Beatrice Rose to Florence Rose

I got to thinking; why not put the images of the letters on the posts as I create them?  I'll give it a try!  As before, I'll correct some spelling and some grammar as I transcribe.

The locations mentioned are in Ulster and Otsego Counties, New York.  Beatrice Rose was 10-years old when she wrote this.  I believe the Sister that this letter is addressed to is Florence Rose.  Uncle Seward (Burgett) is the husband of Hattie (Harriet More Burgett).  Grandma is Alice Estelle Clayton More.  Grandpa Burgett is Peter Burgett, the father of Seward.  I believe Peter died 9 November 1916.

 Pine Hill, NY
Nov 19, 1916

Dear Sister,

How are you getting along in school?  I am getting along pretty good.

Are you lonesome yet?  Don't you think that Uncle Seward is getting fatter every day?

My, how he worked down

here.  He fixed the chicken coop lovely and helped Papa butcher and get some wood the next day after he fixed the chicken coop.  We found an egg.

We are doing fine in school.  I hope you are, too.

Why did Clara Griffon stay out of school so long; and, why did they think she wasn't coming back again?

Grandma received the

package all OK.

Wasn't it too bad about poor Grandpa Burgett?

Grandma looked all over for Aunt Hattie's ring.  Do you know where she put it?

Mrs. Ioninan (?) found the letter you wrote to Ronald (Ioninan ?) when you first went up there.  He left it in his bedroom on the stand when he went away.

We want to go up to Oneonta for Christmas and take our presents up with us and have a Christmas tree.

I can't write very good because I have an old pen.

Are you coming home Thanksgiving and then going up to Oneonta for Christmas?

Well, I must close and change my clothes.

Beatrice

1916 3 28 Beatrice Rose to Florence Rose

I will correct some spelling and some grammar as I transcribe.  The original correspondence can be seen in the Grandma's Letters tab.  Beatrice Rose, the author of this letter, was 9-years old at the time she wrote it and she lived in Pine Hill, Ulster County, New York.  Sister is Florence Rose.  Papa is Elbert Rose.  Grandma is Alice Clayton More.  Oneonta is located in Otsego County, New York.

Pine Hill, N.Y.
Mar. 28, 1916

Dear Sister and all,

It is a very slushy day and I did not go to school today because I had no rubbers.  Papa has gone to Uncle Billy's to see if he can get to town.

Yesterday, Papa got down to the lane where you go on the _____.  He got stuck and couldn't go any further and had to come home.  I have sent for rubbers.  I hope he will come home with rubber boots.

It is a very slushy day but it is warm.  Well, I will have to close and help Grandma with the dishes.  Florence!  Papa thinks that you would rather go to Oneonta then come home and help him.  I would like to see you very much.

Did I tell you that George sent me and Olive each a box of toothpaste and each a bottle of perfume and me 30¢ in Lincoln pennies?

Papa thinks you better come home soon.

Will close and wipe the dishes.

Your Sister,
Beatrice