The
The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and
Printed Ephemera
Henry Francis du Pont
5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur,
Delaware 19735
Telephone: 302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883
OVERVIEW OF
THE COLLECTION
Creator: Brooks, J. Louis (John
Louis), 1879-1969.
Title: Letters
Dates: 1895-1902.
Call No.: Col. 714
Acc. No.: 03x160
Quantity: 184 items
Location: 18 E 1
BIOGRAPHICAL
STATEMENT
Louis Brooks was the son of Mary Blanche Swasey and
John Vail Brooks of Montpelier, Vermont.
His sisters were Edith (1881-1938) and Ruth (1883-1974). Louis graduated from high school in
Montpelier, spent an additional year taking college preparatory work at
Williston Seminary in Easthampton, Massachusetts, and then entered Amherst College,
where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. After not quite two years at Amherst, he
decided to go to New York City and study illustration at the National Academy
of Design. Little else is known about
Louis. In 1918, he was living in New
York City, married to a woman named Mabel, and was working in publishing. In 1942, he was a commercial illustrator,
living in Fairfield Conn., and was not married at that time. He died in Montpelier in 1969.
His father was a partner in Brooks & Deming, a
hardware store, but he later opened his own business, selling glass, doors, and
blinds. John Vail Brooks' sister
Caroline Augusta Brooks married Harmon Morse, and was the mother of cousin Mary
Elizabeth Morse (1878-1953), who did become a doctor.
SCOPE AND
CONTENT
A small group of letters addressed to Louis Brooks
from family and friends. Unfortunately,
there are no letters from Louis. His
correspondents wrote about what they were doing, a variety of activities from
taking canoe trips to getting drunk. His
sister Edith was especially keen on music; she attended many concerts, took
piano lessons, and began singing in public.
Sister Ruth liked to go ice skating and snow shoeing, which Louis also
enjoyed. He and his male friends played
basketball, attended fraternity parties, rode bicycles, took photos, and went
on canoe trips. Everyone enjoyed going
to dances, athletic events, plays, and parties, and they all moaned about their
school work. Some friends’ letters were
mostly boasts about getting drunk and about their successes with women. Mr. Brooks wrote a long letter with details
of his trip to the woods of Nova Scotia.
While in his second year at Amherst, Louis began to send sketches home,
and several letters mention how much his family enjoyed them. Later in New York, Louis continued to send
sketches to his family, and they praised his progress. Although the family was not poor (they put in
a telephone in 1902), Louis spent summers working in the New Hampshire
mountains, and both his sisters worked, Edith singing and at an art gallery,
and Ruth as a teacher in a very small rural school. Louis’ friends often decried their lack of
money. One letter gives a Thanksgiving
dinner menu; others list Christmas and birthday presents.
Among Louis’ correspondents were Anson Ely Morse,
the cousin of a cousin, and Chester Whitney Wright, both of whom are listed in
Who was Who in America, volume 4.
(Wright was a professor of economics; Anson Ely Morse was a historian.) In a letter, his cousin Mary Elizabeth Morse mentioned that
she was working in a lab at Johns Hopkins University in order to earn money for
medical school. Sketches of men and of a
steamboat are found on the back of one envelope and letter. Also in the collection is a printed Latin
exam from Amherst and several wedding and graduation invitations. As well, three letters not related to Louis
Brooks found their way into the collection.
One letter is addressed to C. A. Brooks of New Hampshire. The other two are addressed to B. J. Balch and are from his daughter
Florence, who was married to E. C. [Emory C.] Kinney, a worker for the American
Sunday School Union in Vermont.
ORGANIZATION
The letters are in chronological order.
LANGUAGE OF
MATERIALS
The materials are in English.
RESTRICTIONS
ON ACCESS
Collection is open to the public. Copyright restrictions may apply.
PROVENANCE
Purchased from Carmen Valentino.
ACCESS POINTS
People:
Brooks family.
Morse, Mary Elizabeth,
1878-1953.
Topics:
American Sunday-School Union.
Amherst College - Students.
Delta Kappa Epsilon.
Pi Beta Pi.
Williston Seminary (Easthampton, Mass.)
Amusements - 19th century.
Amusements - 20th century.
Christmas.
College students.
Gifts.
Illustrators - Education.
Latin language - Study and teaching.
Telephone.
Thanksgiving Day.
Young men - Social life and customs.
Young women - Social life and customs.
Young women - Employment.
Winter sports.
Montpelier (Vt.) - Social life and customs.
Nova Scotia - Description and travel.
Letters.
Sketches.
Graduation invitations.
Wedding invitations.
Students.
DETAILED
DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION
Location: 18 E
1
All accession
numbers begin with 03x160.
All letters
were addressed to J. Louis Brooks, unless otherwise noted.
Box 1:
Folder 1:
1895-1897 (.1-.11)
.1a-b from Homer W. Vail, N. Pomfret, Vt., June
28, 1895: card received and will look for you on July 1;
with envelope,
Louis in Montpelier; left side of envelope is torn off, so only part of printed
return address is visible: [torn] of Agriculture, [torn] W. Vail, [torn] et,
Vermont, with seal of state of Vermont
[Homer Warren
Vail (1842-1926) was a relative; his son Solon Joshua Vail (1885-1964) also
wrote Louis a letter.]
.2 from A. H. Cushman, Providence, R.I.,
Nov. 22, 1896: thanks for pictures; has two rivals with Florence; visited
dancing school yesterday; have Thanksgiving for holiday; saw Jenny Davenport in
“Cleopatra” and is going to see James A. Hewe in “Shore Acres”; [Chester
mentioned twice]
.3 from Chester Wright, Newton, Mass.,
Nov. 29, 1896: had examinations last week, rather than holiday; E-d Nutt
reported good sleighing and skating; football championship to be decided; hopes
to be in Montpelier for Christmas; rides [bicycle] when can; inquires after
friends
.4a-c from A. H. Cushman, Providence, R.I.,
January 30, 1897: also owes Chester a letter; sister had a tea and whist party
put snow kept many away; Fred Bancroft sang some Irish ballads; went to dancing
school; efforts to sell camera; might get a new “wheel” [bicycle]; looking
forward to church fair;
With envelope, addressed
to Montpelier, with a debate question written on it (“Resolved that the U.S.
should control the telegraph”), with the names of those in affirmative and
negative
[this is Albert Henry Cushman, born 1880, son of Henry Cushman, a
clergyman in Providence; he had an older sister named Ruth; he attended Brown
University, class of 1902]
.5 from Chester [Wright], Newton, Mass.,
January 31, 1897: have been having exams; skating has been good; inquires after
sliding [sledding]; mentions what is reading; mentions Brooks’ upcoming mock
trail; inquires after whist club and Poverty Ball
.6a-b from Philip Whitney, Newton, Mass., February
15, 1897: has developed negatives he took last summer but has not printed them
yet; Chet [Chester] is sick; had la grippe last week; inquires if Louis knows
anything about Valentine Chester received; inquires after snow shoeing;
With envelope, addressed
to Montpelier
.7a-b from Chester [Wright], Newton, Mass.,
February 28, 1897: have returned to school [after being ill]; immediately had
to take exams; thanks for pictures; how is dancing school; mentions the
Valentine; saw Richard Mansfield in “The Merchant of Venice”; mentions
bicycles; inquires if Louis plans to tap trees; with envelope, addressed to
Montpelier
.8a-b from Chester [Wright], Newton, Mass., April
4, 1897: have been riding bicycle often; doesn’t know if can go home for
vacation; has been to theater several times; with envelope, addressed to Montpelier
.9 from Albert Cushman, May 9, 1897,
Providence, R.I.: glad he has also gotten a new bicycle; just got over measles
– missed several social opportunities; went to a fun May party; plans to
bicycle to Boston to visit brother; still trying to sell camera; summer plans
.10a-b from Chester Wright, Newton, Mass., May 23,
1897: bicycle riding; studying a lot but doesn’t expect to make it into
college; school baseball and tennis teams doing well;
with
envelope, addressed to Montpelier; on back: list of names, Montpelier H.S., 98
.11 from A. H. Cushman, Providence, R.I.,
June 6, 1897: new plans for the summer: going to a boys’ camp rather than to
Montpelier; got a new Hawk Eye Jr. [apparently a camera]; riding bicycle a lot;
off to Sunday school
Folder 2: 1898
(.12-.25)
.12a-b from Mary Elizabeth Morse, Baltimore,
Maryland, Jan. 1, 1898: hears he plans to go to Amherst – sorry it isn’t the
Hopkins; try to meet cousin Ely Morse at Amherst; working as chemistry lab
assistant to earn money for medical school; mentions Louis is delivering
newspapers; new year greetings to him, Edith, and Ruth;
With envelope, addressed
to Mrs. J. V. Brooks, Montpelier; a sketch and various notes are found on the
back of the letter, [the letter is to Louis, however]
.13 from Chester Wright, Cambridge, Mass.,
April 17, 1898: plans to spend vacation “down here” – doesn’t want to repeat
his last Easter vacation in Montpelier; am drilling with a company but doesn’t
expect to go to war just now; keep the seventy-five cents until later; tell Red
to write; planning to ride bicycle soon; inquires after Louis’ summer plans –
not sure what he will do; wishes he could be in Montpelier for Louis’
graduation
.14a-b from Eula W. Putnam, Putnamville, Vt.,
postmark May 28, 1898: unable to be at Berlin Pond next Monday; thanks for
invitation; [see also .180];
With envelope, on back
of which someone practiced writing letters and the name J. Louis Brooks in
fancy writing
.15a-b from Anson E. Morse, postmark Amherst, Mass.,
June 6, 1898: glad to hear Louis is coming to Amherst; remembers meeting at
cousin Robert’s house, where they had a fight – hopes next meeting will be more
amicable;
With envelope, addressed
to Montpelier;
Monogram removed from
the letter
,16 from J. Louis Brooks, Montpelier, June 8,
1898, to Mr. Morse [Anson E. Morse]: am sure next meeting will be a friendly
one; not sure if will come to Amherst this fall or wait another year; asks for
Morse’s advice on this;
Someone marked and
numbered mistakes in the letter
.17a-b from J. H. Sawyer, Williston Seminary, Aug.
19, 1898: needs to get proof of what high school courses Louis has taken
(Latin, Greek, algebra, geometry, French or Germany, ancient history, and
English are mentioned) in order to obtain admission to Williston;
With envelope, with
various notes added to it
.18a-b from Susie S. Vines[?], postmarked Montpelier,
Aug. 27, 1898: sorry didn’t see him again last night, but dance ended sooner
than she expected;
With envelope
.19 from Albert H. Cushman, Providence, R.I.,
Oct. 9, 1898: college [Brown] has started; pledged Alpha Delta Phi; inquires
after Red; have been to theater
.20a-b from cousin Solan Vail, Stamford, Conn., Nov.
5, 1898: hopes he will be allowed to leave school in time to travel with Louis
for holidays; Papa and Cousin Franklin Billings went to Corbin’s Park to get an
elk and a wild boar;
With envelope, addressed
to Williston Seminary, Easthampton, Mass.
.21a-b from aunt M. O. Brooks, Milwaukee, Wis., Nov.
27, 1898: wishes his mother could have a long vacation; enjoyed visit to Mt.
Tom; people to call on in Amherst; are the ground of his Uncle Harmon’s [Harmon
Morse] house kept up; heard Robert [Morse] received college scholarship; Beth
wrote an article on women’s suffrage for her college magazine; spent
Thanksgiving with cousin Mary Bridges; she and cousin Hattie Watkins went to
hear Sousa and his band;
With envelope, addressed
to Easthampton;
[Mary O. Brooks (1842-1918
or 1919) was sister to Louis’ father John Vail Brooks.]
.22a-e from Smithy, Montpelier, Nov. 29, 1898:
football game results; don’t play basketball so didn’t join gym; will go
skating later today; law passed that no store can have a 5 cent machine; taking
dancing lessons; [news of home and friends]
.23 from Harry, Montpelier, Dec. 10, 1898:
have enough snow for good sleighing; not skating right now; don’t know the new
basketball rules; put Christmas goods out in store yesterday; have to close as
expects boss at any time;
On stationery of
Citizen’s Drug & Supply Co., Montpelier;
.24a-b from Edith Blanchard, Northampton, Mass., Dec.
12, 1898: sorry to miss him; had to run an errand;
With envelope addressed
to Williston Seminary
.25a-b from Edith, Montpelier, Dec. 13, 1898: Geo.
Laplin[?] died last night; Harry was not sent for in time; having exams; stores
look pretty with all the Christmas things
Folder 3: 1899: January-April (.26-.42)
.26a-b from sister Ruth, Montpelier, Jan. 22, 1899:
this term easier for her; didn’t go skating; others went snow-showing, but she
went sliding; Edith went to basketball game; mother is better;
With envelope, addressed
to Williston Seminary
.27 from Edwin C. Buffum, DKE House, Amherst,
Jan. 23, 1899: invitation to a Williston smoker – hopes he will come
.28a-b from Louis, no place, Jan. 23, 1899:
encloses Ned Buffum’s invitation, which
he has accepted; please read and return (and do not let Edith have the monogram);
will borrow a dress suit, but requests money as hasn’t any;
With envelope addressed
to Louis, Easthampton, Mass.;
Monogram removed from
the letter
.28c from father John V. Brooks, Montpelier,
Jan. 24, 1899: gives permission for Louis to attend smoker, provided he is
prepared for Monday’s recitation; be sure to get Prof. Sawyer’s permission;
encloses check; please send financial statement; glad his grades have improved;
On printed letterhead:
Brooks & Deming, hardware, paints, oils, varnishes, cordage, belting, mill
supplies, doors, sash, blinds and glass
.29 from [sister] Edith, Montpelier, Jan. 29,
1899: made chocolate candy; went to church, and Dr. Seaver would not allow Kate
Hutchinson to sing; Geo. Wilder drinking again; many are or have been ill;
mentions several deaths; am treasurer of whist club; other social doings in
town
.30a-c invitation: from Mr. and Mrs. Edward Dewey to
marriage of daughter Margaret Louise to Fred Arthur Howland, Montpelier, Feb.1,
1899;
With inner and outer
envelopes, the latter addressed to Easthampton; printed invitation
.31a-b from sister Ruth Brooks, Montpelier, Feb. 7, 1899:
finds life dull; Mrs. Ed. Morse better; funeral of Mr. Heaton; haven’t had good
snowshoeing, and haven’t been able to go skating; other girls go to gym rather
than skate; wedding engagements;
With envelope, addressed
to Williston Seminary
.32 from Mother, Montpelier, Feb. 8,1899:
glad to hear he is having pleasant times; asks about the Buffums; did see any
of Prof. Morse’s family?; hopes the food is better; general news
.33a-b from [sister] Edith, Montpelier, Feb. 19,
1899: exam results; who gave the tea?; basketball games; Geo. Seguin[?] has
resigned from team because he plays too roughly;; attended a wedding; town and
school news;
With envelope, addressed
to Williston Seminary
.34a-c from Mother, Montpelier, Feb. 26, 1899: hopes
his cold is better; was there a celebration of the 22d [Washington’s Birthday]
in Easthampton?; please write Aunt Sarah; asks after Chester; does he hear from
Redfield?; pleased he is doing well in school; news about the Heatons; enjoyed
reading “The Recreation”;
With enveloped,
addressed to Williston Seminary
.35 from Edwin C. Buffum, Amherst, Feb. 26,
1899: pleased that he has pledged Deke [Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity];
Stationery has coat of
arms of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity
.36 from Edwin C. Buffum, Amherst, March 3,
1899: invitation to freshman play and an athletic meet
.37a-b from Edwin C. Buffum, Amherst, March 9, 1899:
about upcoming visit;
With envelope, addressed
to Williston Seminary
.38a-b from father John V. Brooks, Montpelier, March
24, 1899: have had cold; encloses check; advice on travel date;
On printed letterhead:
Brooks & Deming, hardware, paints, oils, varnishes, cordage, belting, mill
supplies, doors, sash, blinds and glass;
With envelope printed
with return address of Brooks & Deming, addressed to Easthampton
.39a-b from Mother, Montpelier, April 11m 1899:
misses him after his visit home; grandmother would have been 82 today;
prediction of poor maple sugar harvest; Ruth wrote her wheel [bicycle] today;
hopes to find arbutus this spring; George Wilder gave father a lesson on
Friday; he [Wilder] is to marry today; haven’t seen Redfield;
With envelope, addressed
to Williston Seminary
.40 from [sister] M. Edith Brooks,
Montpelier, April 16, 1899: new clothes for her and Ruth; social doings of town
and school; has joined camera club; Deweys’ new piazza looks good; cake walk
held twice; tell Mr. S thanks for the monograms
.41a-b from Anson Ely Morse, Princeton, N.J., April
17, 1899: pleased he has pledged Delta Kappa Epsilon; hopes to see him in
Easthampton;
On printed stationery of
Library of Princeton University;
With envelope, printed
with return address of Library of Princeton University; addressed to Williston
Seminary
.42a-b from T. R. Phillips, Boston, April 19, 1891:
have had good time in Boston; will be with him tomorrow night;
On printed stationery of
Adams House, Boston; envelope also printed with the return address of Adams
House; addressed to Williston Seminary
Folder 4: 1899: May-December (.43.-.57)
.43a-b from [sister] Edith, Montpelier, May 11, 1899:
sang a solo at school musical; they all like his photo; glad to have the Kodak
[camera] as a birthday gift; events at school; papa has started garden; other
news of friends;
With envelope, addressed
to Williston Seminary
.44a-b from Charles E. Robertson, Amherst, June 7,
1899: offers to rent him a room in house in back of Chi Psi Lodge – will be
more pleasant than the dormitory;
With envelope, addressed
to Williston Seminary; envelope printed with return address of Chi Psi Lodge,
Amherst
.45a-b from M. D. Morse (Mrs. A.D. Morse), postmark
Amherst, June 14, 1899: invitation to tea; his cousin Robert Morse is now here;
Monogram has been
removed from stationery;
With envelope, addressed
to Williston Seminary;
[Margaret D. Morse was
married to Anson Daniel Morse, a professor of history and political science at
Amherst College; Anson Morse’s brother was Harmon Morse, who married Caroline
A. Brooks]
.46a-b from Edwin L. Buffum, Amherst, June 15, 1899:
hopes to see him Saturday; invites Louis to stay with him while takes the
entrance exams;
Monogram (and part of
text) has been removed from stationery;
With envelope, addressed
to Williston Seminary;
.47a-b from Chester Wright, Cambridge, June 15, 1899:
have finished exams but won’t leave for Montpelier until the 24th because
wants to have some fun; doesn’t know what he’ll do for the summer but will
probably work;
With envelope, addressed
to Williston Seminary;
.48a-b from James A. Livingston, 1902, Amherst, postmark
June 7, 1899: invitation to a fraternity party;
Monogram (and part of
text) has been removed from stationery;
With envelope, addressed
to Williston Seminary;
.49a-c invitation from Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Augustus
Huse to marriage of daughter Harriet Emily to Carolos Camp Bancroft, June 19,
1899; with at home card, and inner envelope;
Printed invitation and
card
.50a-b from father John V. Brooks, Montpelier, July
18, 1899: glad he is enjoying his place; couldn’t find watch key – encloses one
– please say whether he needs larger or smaller one; John Hubbard died;
presentation of paintings to Catholic Church and to gallery; Ruth having good
time with Aunt Mary;
On printed letterhead:
Brooks & Deming, hardware, paints, oils, varnishes, cordage, belting, mill
supplies, doors, sash, blinds and glass;
With envelope printed
with return address of Brooks & Deming, addressed to Franconia Inn,
Franconia, N.H.
.51a-b from Florence A. F., Montpelier, July 30,
1899: am pleased with the pictures; had a fun excursion to Mt. Mansfield;
With envelope, addressed
to Franconia Inn, Franconia, N.H.
.52a-b from [sister] Ruth, Montpelier, Aug. 2, 1899:
glad he likes tie; parents have gone to Quebec; too late to accept her
invitation to Swanton; several have seen the panther; are you playing with the
orchestra? Am learning to play tennis; must close in order to copy the club
paper
.53a-e from Mike, Bloomfield, N.J., August 20, 1899:
not going back to Williston but will start in business with brother in
Tarrytown; wishes could go back to school but this is a good business
opportunity; received a picture from Chuck; signed “Yours in Pi Beta Pi” [in
Greek letters, not in English transliteration];
With envelope,
originally addressed to Montpelier, but forwarded to Franconia, N.H.
.54a-b from Grant Ford, of Lowell, Mass., Aug. 23,
1899: about plans to for him, Louis, and Livingston to room together in frat
house; what furniture does Louis have:
On printed stationery of
The Atlantic, York Beach, Me.;
Envelope printed with
return address of Atlantic House, York Beach; addressed to Montpelier, and
forwarded to Franconia, N.H.
.55a-d from Harlan L. Walrath, Little Falls, N.Y.,
Sept. 10, 1899: has to take algebra exam in Sept.; mentions mutual friends;
spent 5 weeks on the Hudson, near West Point – lots of fun; also signs as a
brother in Pi Beta Pi;
With envelope, addressed
to Montpelier,
.56a-b from Vanessa[?] Jean Cochrane, postmarked
Northampton, Oct. 24, 1899: will be happy to see him tomorrow; have been
entertaining Mrs. Blanchard and Nellie Moulton;
Monogram removed from
stationery;
Envelope addressed to
DKE House, Amherst; sealing wax on back
.57a-b from father John V. Brooks,
Montpelier, Dec. 15, 1899: encloses check and mileage books;
On printed letterhead:
Brooks & Deming, hardware, paints, oils, varnishes, cordage, belting, mill
supplies, doors, sash, blinds and glass;
With envelope printed
with return address of Brooks & Deming, addressed to Amherst, Mass.
Folder 5: 1900: January-July (.58-.81)
.58 from Frederick A. Field, Rutland, Vt.,
Jan. 2, 1900: will meet you at Bellows Falls tomorrow; must now get ready for a
dance;
.59a-b from Martin H. Peck, Montpelier, Feb. 20,
1900: am going to Northampton to visit Julia and hopes they can meet;
With envelope, addressed
to Amherst;
On printed letterhead of
Peck Brothers, Plumbing & Heating, Montpelier
.60a-c printed invitation to senior promenade, Feb.
21, [1900], from Class of 1900, Williston Seminary; with unused envelope and a
small card on which is printed “Tickets, $3.00” [the small card is inside the
envelope]
.61 from Martin H. Peck, Montpelier, March 3,
1900: sorry missed him on recent visit to Amherst; went to Cambridge and saw
Chet [probably Chester Wright]
.62 from Mand[?] M. Skinner (G.F.A.), no
place, March 15, 1900: am ill, but if recover would be delighted to go to Glee
Club concert; please send name of chaperone and travel details;
Monogram removed from
stationery
.63a-c from A. F. Foster, Amherst, March 25, 1900:
check received; no one worrying about exams; encloses clipping (b-c) about gym
exhibition; went to dance [names others who were there]; inquires after Brooks’
health – hope he can return next term;
With newspaper clipping
about “Gymnastics at Amherst”;
Monogram, and part of
text, removed from stationery
.64 printed final examination for Freshman
Latin, March 27, 1900: translation from English into Latin, and translation
from Latin into English
.65 printed invitation from Pi Beta Pi
Fraternity of Williston Seminary to a banquet, march 28, 1900; reply to F. W.
Seymour
.66a-c from Robert P. Peckett, The Franconia Inn,
postmarked Littleton, N.H., April 9, 1900: can only hire him on the bell row
[i.e. as a bell boy]; gives rate of pay and color of uniform;
With a slip of
paper about how much one would earn for the months of July, Aug., Sept.;
With envelope,
addressed to Montpelier, printed with return address of Franconia Inn; several
names written in pencil on back of envelope;
On printed
letterhead of the Franconia Inn, Sugar Hill, N.H., Peckett Bros., proprietors
.67 from Chester Wright, Cambridge, [Mass.],
April 14, 1900: accepts Brooks’ invitation to visit Amherst; wishes he could
have snowshoed and tobogganed, but expects to play tennis
.68 from Mother, April 15, 1900: hopes he is
enjoying Easter; wishes she could see him; still a lot of snow on ground
.69 from [sister] M. Edith Brooks, Easter
[April 15], 1900: Ida Morgan boarding with family until end of school; Mrs.
Wells has given notice; will send laundry out until she is replaced; music at
Easter service was grand; afterwards, the choir members went to Wilkinson’s
studio to have photos taken; several are riding bicycles today, now that road
is dry enough; father uncovered rose and raspberry bushes; please send
monograms; other town news
.70 from Chester Wright, Cambridge, April 29,
1900: review of recent visit; thanks for forwarding Edith’s letter; tell Jim
Dewey to come visit; doesn’t have summer plans but hopes to spend some time in
Montpelier
Monogram,
and part of text, removed from stationery
.71a-b from [sister] Edith, May 10, 1900: hopes
mother will go visit aunt this summer; new “girl” [servant] cannot cook well
yet; town news; cold enough to need to wear winter coat, but is eager to wear
her new, very lovely, hat; attending rehearsals of a minstrel show with all the
latest “coon” songs; father eager to hear from him; aunt wants him to make a
call on Mrs. Hobart
.71c postcard from M.O.B. [aunt Mary O. Brooks],
Milwaukee, April 26, 1900: Aunt Eunice will give him a building lot if he moves
to Milwaukee; more family news;
Postcard
addressed to Montpelier; apparently enclosed in Edith’s letter above;
.72 from sister M. Edith Brooks, May 20,
1900: has received compliments on her singing at church; busy with minstrel
show rehearsals; dressmaker came;
.73a-b from sister Edith, June 12, 1900: mother says
it’s okay to have his friend come for a visit; no worms yet; minstrel show went
well; hopes he will be home in time for dance; mother wants him to call on Mrs.
Hobart again; questions for Ned Buffum;
With envelope,
addressed to Amherst
.74a-b from P.S. Phalen, no city [probably Worcester,
Mass.], June 25, 1900: Pearson says he has no room for Brooks, but Phalen
invites him to Worcester; unable to accept Brooks’ invitation to visit
.75a-c from E. Lynn Fisher, Greenfield, Mass., July
2, 1900: tried to get to Montpelier, but unable to arrange it; only had a short
visit home; closes with “Yours in Sigma”;
On printed letterhead of
American House, Greenfield, Mass., illustrated with flowers; and with envelope
printed with hotel’s return address; letter addressed to Montpelier, but
forwarded to Franconia Inn
.76a-d from Fred E. Gleason, Montpelier, July 9,
1800: asks advice on how to select a room. [Gleason plans to attend Williston
Seminary in the fall];
On printed stationery of
Gleason & Co., furniture, Montpelier; with envelope printed with the
company’s return address, addressed to Franconia Inn
.77a-b from Fred E. Gleason, Montpelier, July 11,
1800: still deciding on room at Williston; could enter Amherst in the fall, but
prefers a year at Williston and then on to Yale; plans to go to a dance that
evening; appreciates his advice;
with envelope, addressed
to Franconia Inn
.78a-c from Mother, Montpelier, July 22, 1900: glad
he likes his work; how nice to have music to work by; father has gone to
Halifax to join Mr. Stone; mentions son’s upcoming 21st birthday;
Edith has gone to Concord; Ruth enjoyed the seaside
with envelope, addressed
to Franconia Inn
.79a-d from [sister] Ruth S. Brooks, Montpelier, July
24, 1900: Edith on visits to friends; to get to seaside, took train, then
electric cars in Boston, then ferry, and then steam cars; went bathing almost
every day; took the subway in Boston one day; good raspberry crop; mother
feeling well and has been to church;
with envelope, addressed
to Franconia Inn
.80a-b from sister Edith, Montpelier, July 29, 1900:
had a lovely time in Concord; had a dance one evening; met some students from
Amherst who said they knew Louis; went out on river; visited the asylum and
talked to some patients; attended band concert; birthday wishes; thanks for
souvenir he sent;
with envelope, addressed
to Franconia Inn
.81a-i from Father, Montpelier, July 30, 1900:
birthday wishes; sends pocketknife he wanted; enjoyed the boat trip to Yarmouth
and the train trip to Halifax; met Dr. William J. Wood, author of Ways of Wood Folk; talks about camping
trip he and Mr. Stone went on; was thrilled to see a moose; saw signs of wildcats
and bears, but were annoyed by biting flies; hope Louis is making some money
with envelope, addressed
to Franconia Inn
those starting in folder 6 need to be
double-checked against originals to make sure accession numbers are correct,
and to make note of envelopes (which were not photocopies)
Folder 6: 1900: August-December (.82-.97)
.82a-b from H. Seymont [?], Aug. 14, 1900: will be
coming to see Louis [addressed as John]; signed in Pi Beta Pi [in Greek
letters];
On printed letterhead of
Mount Pleasant House, White Mountains, New Hampshire, where Seymont was staying;
with envelope
printed with address of Mount Pleasant House; envelope addressed to Brooks at
Franconia Inn, New Hampshire
.83a-b from sister M. Edith Brooks, Montpelier, Aug.
30, 1900: like the picture he sent; parents disappointed that they are not able
to go to Mansfield; some of the boys in town are having a tennis tournament and
all are enjoying watching it; the tailor Mr Worlson[?] died; has been taking
photos; everyone talking about how Nellie Fifield is chasing Ned Field; please
write auntie;
With envelope
addressed to Brooks at Franconia Inn, Franconia, N. H.
.84 from Freddie, no place, Sept. 6, 1900:
won’t bring “rig” back to school this
fall – takes up too much time; will be nice to be a sophomore rather than a
lowly freshman; has a new suit; played some ball lately in order to get in
practice for class games; made some money
playing with Rutland team
.85a-f from sister M. Edith Brooks, Montpelier,
Sept. 6, 1900: encloses some photos [with letter, but have darkened over time];
tennis tournament; election results and other remarks about it; parents hope to
go to Mansfield later this month; yesterday, she and mother went out for a long
ride with a team
.85b-d: photographs [to
dark to discern images];
.85e: newspaper article:
“30,000 for Stickney”;
.85f: envelope addressed
to Brooks at Franconia Inn, Franconia, N. H
.86a-c from Edwin C. Buffum, Sept. 10, 1900: hopes to
come for a visit but something is wrong with bicycle tire; Louis should try to come to Amherst for fraternity
rush; mentions Fisher; signed “sincerely in Deke”;
On letterhead of The
Arlington, Bethlehem, N.H.;
With envelope addressed
to Brooks at Franconia Inn, Franconia, N. H.; envelope printed with return
address of The Arlington; prices on back include hut, gloves, shoes, coat,
suit, , etc.
.87 from [sister] Edith, Montpelier, Sept.
24, 1900: parents enjoyed trip to Mt. Mansfield with Miss Smith; Mrs. Buffum
plans a short visit; aunty plans to be home by Thanksgiving; death of Carroll
Marvin; when will his class have their pipes; will be entertaining delegates of
the Missionary Convention
.88a-d from sister M. Edith Brooks, Montpelier, Oct.
17, 1900: “We are now doing a fine business” [apparently boarding men in town
for a political event]; mother enjoyed visit to Woodsville; very much enjoyed
musical festival in Burlington, where heard Madame Schuman Hinks and Herr
Burmeister; also enjoyed a concert in Montpelier; plans to take piano lessons;
other town news;
With envelope, addressed
to Amherst, Mass.
.89 from Cinderella, no place, Oct. 18, to
“my dear prince”: mentions a souvenir [apparently Louis has one of her
handkerchiefs], and a pair of slippers;
On stationery with the
Greek letters Gamma Delta Tau
.90 from Cinderella, no place, Oct. 22, 1900,
to “my dear prince”: thanks him for handkerchief; mentions an fight [argument]
and a slipper;
On stationery of Smith
College
.91a-b from sister Ruth S. Brooks, Montpelier, Oct.
30, 1900: rented out rooms during lady’s week and the convention of the
Colonial Dames; she and Edith will be attending a course of lectures and
entertainments; visits from various cousins; went to a ball at the Armory, just
to look on; Edith has begun piano lessons with George; went to Waterbury for
the Hillingham celebration, but it paled compared to Dewey Day; deaths in town;
other town news
.92 from [sister] Edith, Montpelier, Nov. 5,
1900: mother has had eye probed; taking piano and vocal lessons; attended a concert
[names performers]; death of Harold
Pitkin; boarder Mr. Thompson only stays a couple of nights a week; hopes
McKinley wins election; reminds him to send Amherst catalogue
.93a-b from
[sister] Edith, Montpelier, Nov. 17, 1900: aunty has delayed return; session is
about over; attended hearing on liquor question; Redfield’s business has broken
up; Military Ball was quite an event; went to a concert, at which Senator
Miller from Btrattleboro sang; programs were hand-painted; governor and his
wife attended; has he learned to write German script; thanks for catalogue;
With envelope, addressed
to Amherst, Mass.
.94 from [sister] Edith, Montpelier, Dec. 6,
1900: glad he enjoyed contents of box [which included cake and candy]; likes
the photos he sent; gives menu for Thanksgiving dinner at Aunt Laura’s;
mentions Mr. Wilder lives at old jail; enjoyed the visit of a friend’s cousin;
received a wedding invitation
.95 from sister Ruth S. Brooks, Montpelier,
Dec. 16, 1900: will probably have tests all next week; aunty arrived on
Thursday night; Edith sang a solo yesterday, at the Episcopal Ladies Reading
Club; asks if she could use his snowshoes;
.96a-b short note from father John V. Brooks,
Montpelier, Dec. 17 1900: encloses check; good luck on exams; very cold;
On printed letterhead:
Brooks & Deming, hardware, paints, oils, varnishes, cordage, belting, mill
supplies, doors, sash, blinds and glass;;
With envelope, addressed
to Amherst, Mass.; envelope with return address of Brooks & Deming
.97a-c printed wedding invitation from Lucy Barrows
Moulton to marriage of Nellie Charlotte Moulton to Clarence Edward Lowe,
Dec. 20, 1900; also printed at home
card, for receptions to be held Jan. 17 and 24, 1901; includes envelope
Folder 7: 1901: January-June (.98-.121)
.98 from W. Philip Smith, Williamstown,
Mass., Jan. 11, 1901, to “my dear Colonel”: didn’t need [whatever it was that]
he recently sent; surprised he left town after he said he would go to a dance;
will only study [“plug”] enough to not flunk
.99a-b from sister Edith, Montpelier, Jan. 21, 1901:
has been very cold; races on the ice [evidently, horse races]; expected visit
from cousins Sarah and Homer; comments on a new violinist; other news;
With envelope, addressed
to Amherst, Mass.
.100 from [sister] Ruth S. Brooks, Montpelier,
Feb. 2, 1901: has been ice skating; mentions skating races; good snowshoeing;
mother says to be sure not to tear sheets again; auntie wants to know where he
dines and about Ely Morse; high school
graduation class has asked to have speaker rather than usual exercises; Edith
plans to sing at Episcopal Church; since Miss Fulsom has gone to Burlington,
Edith should have more opportunities to sing;
.101a-b from
Avis Josephine Coburn, postmark Lowell, Mass., Feb. 11, 1901, to Louis Brooks
and Arthur [illegible] Foster: she and May must decline invitation on account
of sister Gwendolyn’s illness;
With envelope, addressed to Amherst College
.102 from
Mary Hilton Coburn, Feb.[?] 19, 1901[?]: sorry to have to miss the Delta Kappa
Epsilon event; please visit the next time he is at Smith;
On
letterhead stationery of Smith College, with a seal bearing the date 1902 [Miss
Coburn’s was a member of the class of 1902]
.103a-c printed invitation: from Class of
1901 of Williston Seminary to the senior promenade, February 21, Easthampton,
Mass.; with printed notice of price of tickets, and an envelope
.104 from
Jim, Worcester Academy, Feb. 21, 1901: will take tests for Amherst in June and
plans to come down on weekend to visit; hopes to have a good time while there
.105 from
[sister] Edith, Montpelier, Feb. 23, 1901: father feeling better; mother’s eye
hardly troubles her at all; she and Ruth are taken shorthand lessons by mail;
has received compliments on her solo singing and has been asked to do more;
hoped to be able to attend his reception, but found at last minute they could
not;
.106a-b from
Bernice[?] Terry, postmark Northampton, Mass., March 5, 1901: accepts
invitation for Saturday, but declines for Wednesday; [mentions this will be her
first appearance at Amherst];
With
envelope, addressed to D.K.E. House, Amherst
.107a-c from sister Ruth S. Brooks,
Montpelier, March 9, 1900 [sic – but apparently 1901 as it seems to follow
Edith’s letter of February 23; see .105 above]: Thanks for flag; mentions other
gifts [apparently for birthday]; death of Ned Smith and his mother; father is
better; Jane Bancroft cried when told she needed glasses; Edith singing solos;
request for graduation speaker denied; has been snow shoeing; Sibyl’s
substitute for a birthday party;
With
envelope, addressed to Amherst, Mass.
.108a-c from Mother, Montpelier, March 10,
1901: glad to receive his letter for her birthday; has been very cold; father
improving; others have not been very ill; her eye is better; has written his
aunts – feels nearer to them now that their parents are gone; not sure Chester
Wright will be coming this spring; it is better for his clothes to be washed
often enough;
With
envelope, addressed to Amherst, Mass.
.109a-c from Father, Montpelier, March 13,
1901: Mr. Stone has not yet found a place for Louis in a publishing house; he
leaves for San Francisco next week; thinks Louis will need to leave college at
end of term; since it is not preparing him for a profession, it is too
expensive and Louis needs to find a job that can lead to a profession; enjoyed
his pen and ink sketches; Ruth and Edith are
progressing with shorthand – perhaps he should learn it, too;
On printed letterhead:
Brooks & Deming, hardware, paints, oils, varnishes, cordage, belting, mill
supplies, doors, sash, blinds and glass
.110a-b from Father, Montpelier, March 19,
1901: encloses check for rest of term’s expenses; what did professors advise
him to do; would he be interested in working in insurance office; mother says
it is okay for him to sell his flute, if he so wishes;
With envelope, addressed
to Amherst;
On printed letterhead:
Brooks & Deming, hardware, paints, oils, varnishes, cordage, belting, mill
supplies, doors, sash, blinds and glass
.111 from [sister] Ruth, Montpelier, March 20,
1901: enjoyed his sketch; does he draw much from Gibson? Am enjoying
stenography lessons; have been snowshoeing and tobogganing; Aunt Hetta’s
grandson is a freshman at Amherst; father better; wishes spring break were
shorter so school would end sooner in June
.112a-b from Mary Hilton Coburn, postmarked
March 21, 1901: enjoyed his most original note and the picture; postman
hated to part with it; enjoyed some dramatics; wishes him success in future
endeavors;
On letterhead stationery of Smith College, with a seal
bearing the date 1902 [Miss Coburn’s was a member of the class of 1902]
.113a-c from T. R. Phillips, Montpelier,
March 2, 1901: looking forward to having good times when Louis returns;
“Georgie” Deavitt learning shorthand and typing; T.R. gets tired of the
typewriter and likes to use a pen for a change;
On
printed letterhead of Edward H. Deavitt, attorney and counselor at law;
With
envelope addressed to DKE House, Amherst
.114 printed
invitation from Pi Beta Pi Fraternity of Williston Seminary, to a banquet on
March 26, 1901, at Hotel Worthy, Springfield; will be fourteenth anniversary of
the organization
.115 from
T. Redfield Phillips, Montpelier, March 26, 1901: will meet Louis at the train;
snow is melting; looks forward to some fun;
On
printed letterhead of Edward H. Deavitt, attorney and counselor at law
.116 from Father, Montpelier,
March 26, 1901: encloses check to buy train mileage; advises him to pack
everything and ship it home as it does not look like Louis will return for the
next term; please say good-bye to all instructors before leaving; also call on
Mrs. Hobart and on Anson Morse;
On printed letterhead:
Brooks & Deming, hardware, paints, oils, varnishes, cordage, belting, mill
supplies, doors, sash, blinds and glass
.117a-d from Paul S. Phalen, Cedar Street,
no town, March 31, 1901: inquires whether Louis will stay at school or start
the “life-long struggle for existence’; must go visit ill grandfather so cannot
come to Montpelier; still cheerful despite “flunk” notice;
With envelope, addressed
to Montpelier
.118a-c from
various friends, probably all members of Delta Kappa Epsilon, no date:
A.T.: as several
are in the room, will let everyone write;
“Cigarette”
Phalen: news of various people;
[illegible]:
asks if a girl still wears a diamond pin; “the old woman threw me out”;
Bill: mentions a
new girl [who stands without hitching, so is perhaps a horse, not a human];
reminds Louis that Tip is a fool;
Dick: Amherst
beat Williams 10-0 in recent game; come visit when can;
With
envelope, addressed to Montpelier
.119a from Paul Phalen, no place, June 15, 1901: encloses
receipted bill for desk-moving; umbrella will be in Friday’s shipment; Tif
flunked him in class work and lab and will have to make it up; must work hard
to pass “Little Doc’s” course; going to Littleton to canvass with Burke on the
Chautagua desk; in August several are going on a canoe trip on the Connecticut,
Merrimack, and Concord Rivers - can
Louis join them;
.119b from “Dinkey”: writing because Paul is; all
missing him this spring; gave a concert last night and it was very hot inside
the church; elected to leadership of mandolin club; news of other school
friends
.120a-d printed
invitation: from Norwich University Corps of Cadets, to commencement hop, June
27, 1901; with printed notice of costs; inner envelope, and outer envelop
addressed to Brooks in Montpelier
.121
freight bill, from Boston & Maine Railroad, Amherst, June 27,1901, for
shipping a box of glass to Brooks in Montpelier; with U.S. Internal Revenue
stamp;
Printed
form
Folder 8: 1901: July-December (.122-.142)
.122a-d from Paul S. Phalen, Worcester
Mass., July 3, 1901: hopes everything he and Griswold packed in the box arrives
safely; couldn’t find his tennis racket so sent another one; forgot to pack
bookcase and offers to buy it; thanks Louis for letting him use his things;
wishes Louis would come on canoe trip; doesn’t think they will be able to meet this summer;
Note: small tear in .122d
.123a-c from
Paul S. Phalen, Worcester Mass., July 11, 1901: glad box arrived safely; no
need for Louis to pay for anything; urges him to come on canoe trip; wishes he
was working rather than loafing; C. Curtis was drunk all of commencement week;
[describes other incidents of commencement week, things that happened in the
fraternity house];
With envelope, addressed
to Montpelier
.124 from T. R. Phillips, postmarked July 18,
1901:sounds like Louis’ likes his work;
am having a good time where he is;
On
printed letterhead of The Ocean House, York Beach Maine; illustrated with a
dolphin and trident;
With
envelope printed with address of The Ocean House; addressed to Montpelier
.125a-c from Paul S. Phalen, Worcester Mass., July 28, 1901:
father is at Lake Sunapee and soon he and his mother will join him; wishes he
had gone to Littleton for summer to have fun and earn money; doesn’t see how he
can come see Louis this summer; if Louis comes for initiation, he can stay with
him; will be waiter at Kenfield’s the coming school year; Louis’ bicycle trip
sounds fun; will room with Trist Ford this year; has been put on the Olio
[Amherst yearbook] – maybe Louis can do some illustrations for it; please draw
a stunning girl to adorn my room
.126a-b from C. W. [Chester] Wright, Newton,
Mass., Aug. 25, 1901: asks if Louis has made plans for the coming year; has
decided not to return to college but instead to work some; describes his
current work at Boston Book Co.; wishes he could have been in Montpelier for Old
Home Week;
With envelope, addressed
to Montpelier
.127a-c from
Fred E. Gleason, postmarked New Haven,
Sept. 25, 1901: sending letter to Amherst; gives Louis his new address in New
Haven; furniture not yet arrived; sophomores are out raising hell tonight;
Sketched
on back of .127b: steamboat, with the name Massachusetts;
With
envelope, on back of which is drawn profiles of two men (one wearing a hat),
and what looks like part of a house plan
.128a-d from
[sister] Edith, Oct. 6, 1901: went to a classical concert; aunty has gone west,
along with Mr. and Mrs. Horn; sang a solo at the sociable for the choir; if
Louis has sent mileage to father, it has not been received; has he called on
Mrs. Morrison? Send us pictures of his
new home; Ruth didn’t come home this week; wishes she could visit New York this
winter
.129a-b from
Fred E. Gleason, [New Haven], Oct. 19, [1901]: Yale beat Penn State [in
football]; really likes Yale; gives Louis someone’s address [in New York]; will
come see Louis in New York sometime;
Monogram (and part of text)
has been removed from stationery;
With envelope addressed
to 417 West 114 St., New York, N.Y.
.130a-c from sister M. Edith Brooks,
Montpelier, Oct. 20, 1901: father is so pleased that Louis has entered the
illustration class; Ruth has returned to school; they had a fine time at a
dance; parents might go to New York this winter; the play “Cameron Pride” to be
performed to benefit the Y.M.C.A.; gives aunty’s address in Milwaukee; sorry
not able to go to music festival in Burlington; made steamed brown bread the
other day; must practice piano;
With
newspaper clipping, listing cast of a play; and envelope, addressed to N.Y.
.131 short
note from Mike, Tarrytown, N.Y., Nov. 6, 1901: invitation to dinner, meeting at
Grand Union Hotel;
On
printed stationery of Tarrytown Wallpaper Company, manufactures of paper
hangings of all grades (with decorative flourishes)
.132a-c from Les, Worcester, Mass., Nov. 12,
1901: congratulates Louis on “tricking a plan you like”; would like to visit
New York; Thanksgiving plans; names some concerts he has attended; has played
golf with Bloch at Worcester Golf Club; gave a supper to faculty the other
night;
On
stationery with a monogram, perhaps for a fraternity as a Greek Delta and Phi
form part of it;
With
envelope, addressed to N.Y.
.133
from Les, Worcester, Mass., Dec. 4, 1901: doesn’t like three day vacations
[Thanksgiving] – no sooner start to have fun than must return to work; went to
Boston but not to the H.M. game; didn’t see Chet [Chester Wright]; saw Jim in
Lowell, where he is working hard; Louis must like living in New York; time to
get up to Tech;
Monogram (and part of text)
has been removed from stationery;
.134 from Chester [Wright], Boston, Dec. 4,
1901: probably won’t stay at Boston Book Co. much longer as doesn’t see it as a
career and would like a larger salary; how is the Academy? Christmas plans;
friends from Providence visited for Yale game; saw Jim Dewey [who seems to have
been drunk];
Monogram (and part of
text) has been removed from stationery;
.135 from [sister] Ruth, Fayston, Vt., De. 5,
1901: teaching in Fayston this winter as thought she should be doing something;
pretty out-of-the-way and lonesome place and only accepted job because it was
the first, and for awhile only, offer; has nice room boarding with Howland
Russell; house on top of hill and have splendid view of mountains; has ten
students in her little brown schoolhouse; hopes to have some of his drawings
for her room;
On monogrammed stationery
.136a-b from aunty [Mary O. Brooks],
Milwaukee, Dec. 18, 1901: has been busy sewing for Christmas and has not had
time to write; has heard from Ruth and Edith; Robert [Morse] is in Cambridge and his eyes have been troubling him
[mentions that he does mechanical drawing] so has gotten behind in his work;
encloses Christmas remembrance;
With
envelope addressed to New York, stamped with return address of W.W. Watkins,
Milwaukee
.137a-e from Aunty [Mary O. Brooks], Milwaukee, Dec. 22,
1901: Robert leaving Boston to go home [Batlimore]; has decide to leave off
civil engineering and become a naval architect instead; Robert’s father thinks
he should spend winter in Vermont; Beth [Morse] went to Washington, D.C., and did some sightseeing and then
called on cousin Jessie Johnston; Beth impressed by Library of Congress
building; Jessie was evidently spoiled and “cares very much for the pleasures
of this world”; attended church and asks Louis where he goes to church; family
news;
With
three newspaper clippings: “High Water,” “Pleasant Reception,” and “T.C.
Phinney Dead”;
With
envelope, addressed to N.Y.
.138a-b from
sister Edith, Montpelier, Dec. 23, 1901: wanted to get him a mirror for
Christmas but father recommended sending
money instead as mirror might get broken; Ruth home for Christmas; sang a solo
at church; strange not to have him home; everyone admires his drawings; aunty
sent handkerchiefs for Christmas presents;
With
envelope, addressed to N.Y.
.139a-c from T. Redfield Phillips,
Montpelier, Dec. 26, 1901: about drawing on a note; please buy a flannel shirt
for him – not available locally; last night’s dance was tame;
On
printed letterhead of Edward H. Deavitt, attorney and counselor at law;
With
envelope, addressed to N.Y.; envelope with return address of E.H. Deavitt
.140 from
sister Ruth S. Brooks, Montpelier, Dec. 28, 1901: he sent the perfect presents
[mentions them, as well as her other Christmas presents]; Chester didn’t come
home; has he seen Jane Bancroft in New York; having good sleighing; other
family news
.141 from Aunty [Mary O. Brooks],
Milwaukee, Dec. 28, 1901: received the pretty Christmas gift and his good
letter; spent Christmas with cousins Mary and Harold Groves; [lists her gifts];
hopes to go to California in February; something about rug for dining room
[part of text is missing];
Monogram (and part of
text) has been removed from stationery;
.142a-b from William (Bill), Montpelier,
Dec. 28, 1901: delivered the [insurance] policy to Mr. Brooks as requested; had
a good time on Christmas [drank too much]; other news;
On printed stationery of
Home Office Agency, National Life Insurance Company of Vermont; with
illustration of earth among clouds;
envelope, addressed to N.Y., printed with return
address of National
Life Insurance Co.
Folder 9: 1902 (.143-.163)
.143 from sister Ruth, So. Fayston, Vt., Jan. 6,
1902: will be delighted for him to send her a drawing; already looking forward
to end of term; could snowshoe, if she had them with her and had someone with
whom to go out; discusses proper shoes to wear with snowshoes; father’s
rheumatism seemed no better;
On monogrammed
stationery: RSB
.144a-b from T. Redfield Phillips,
Montpelier, Jan. 8, 1902: glad Louis is getting along well; he is doing well in
his studies; please send a shirt; lots of talk about Ed’s marriage, but he
seems pleased about his choice; good sleighing;
On printed stationery of
John H. Senter, lawyer
.145a-b from T. Redfield Phillips,
Montpelier, Jan. 17, 1902: shirt received and likes it – if Louis gets a
chance, please send another; played billiards with Mr. Brooks; likes Louis’
drawing of woman sitting in chair; didn’t go to last night’s dance;
On printed letterhead of Edward H. Deavitt, attorney
and counselor at law
.146a-b from
sister Ruth S.
Brooks, So. Fayston, Vt., Jan. 18, 1902: received his drawings; asks if he got
the model who had posed as Gibson’s coachman; is glad that the Brooks’ home now
has a telephone; Edith now at Art Gallery; doesn’t care to do anything with the
people living around her; there are people in W. she would like to know but too
difficult to get there; sent him some of her pictures [photographs] and asks
for one of him
On monogrammed
stationery: RSB
.147a-c from
Les, Worcester, Mass., Jan. 19, 1902: “good to get out of the tall timbers,”
where nothing much happened except playing pool and smoking; mentions “girls”
[young women]; after exams going to a party;
On printed letterhead of
Phi Gamma Delta [fraternity], with picture of Pi Iota Chapter House;
With
envelope addressed to New York; printed with return address of Phi Gamma Delta,
Worcester, Mass.
.148a-b from Jim, postmarked Lowell, Mass., Jan.
22, 1902: in middle of mid-year exams; “my heart is where it always has been
…”; vacation was fun with sleigh rides and dances; plans to keep sober until
exams over; hasn’t seen Chet [Chester Wright] in Boston;
With envelope addressed to
New York;
.149 calling
card of Mrs. Jon W. Burgess, with invitation to meet The Women’s Art Club, Jan.
24;
With
envelope addressed to Brooks at the National Academy Art School, N.Y.,
postmarked Jan. 17, 1902
.150a-b from
Mike, Tarrytown, N.Y., Jan. 27, 1902: not able at present to accept his
invitation to New York; things at home are disrupted because of a brother’s
operation;
With envelope addressed to
New York;
.151a-b from
sister Edith, Montpelier, Feb. 1, 1902: who is model in picture; thinks the
paper is better quality and should be easier to draw on; wants him to copy a
photo of her; new telephone on same line as store and the Demings; Apollo Club
had a musical program; she and Nellie went to see “Zephra” in Barre; had to
back out of being in a play; sang one evening at the Food Fair to benefit the
hospital; ladies have formed a musical Saturday Afternoon Club; is enjoying
cooking; hopes he sees the Morrisons; Wilder opens new store today;
With envelope addressed to
New York;
.152a-b from
Jim, postmarked Lowell, Mass., Feb. 7,
1902: finished exams and has been drunk most of time since; saw some of Louis’
drawings and liked them; this summer they must take the girls out; going to
B.A.A. meet in Boston; thinks they will have a good ball team this year
.153a-c from
Les, Worcester, Mass., Feb. 13, 1902: news from home; “too bad about the old
ticker”; use of corrosive sublimate; got drunk at a party; eye troubles have
meant no studying in evening and has gotten out of shop; plans to see Maude
Adams [actress]; talks of girls [young women]; a face is drawn at bottom of
page 1: “portrayal of a sly wink”;
On printed letterhead of
Phi Gamma Delta [fraternity], with picture of Pi Iota Chapter House
.154 from [sister] Edith, Montpelier, Feb. 16,
1902: has been singing at funerals; almost had a flood; comments on his work;
tell us about Mrs. Morrison; curtains for window in his room; Easter music; he
should go to church to hear the music; pleased at who bought lot next door; she
and Nellie had photo taken on chunk of ice [part of the almost-flood]; aunty in
California
.155 from Mother, Montpelier, Feb. 25, 1902: haven’t
written because of eye troubles (making writing and reading in the evening
difficult) or been too busy; Father feeling better; glad he finally found
Cousin Flora [Mrs. Morrison]; wishes he could spend time in studio of Mrs.
Burgess’ friend;
.156 from Jim, no place, March 4, 1902:
excitement at home [probably the marriage he then writes about]; Anna has left
school; hasn’t been sober in a long time; enjoying being captain of school
basketball team; enjoys the girls who come to the games; he and Leslie [a man,
not a woman] had good time on his visit;
losing weight; “keep your shirt on & a padlock on your pants”;
.157a-c from
Father, Montpelier, March 10, 1902: drawings arrived and is pleased with Louis’
improvement; Prof. DeBoer also pleased with his work; wishes Louis had said
more about his call on Mr. Whitemon; mentions Louis taking an illustration
course from Chicago; copying antique works versus drawing live models; Mr.
Houghton died in Naples and funeral is next week – he was highly esteemed [he
was president of an insurance company and of an art gallery]; has started own
business;
On printed letterhead of
John V. Brooks, Glass, Glazed Windows, Doors, Sash and Blinds;
With envelope addressed
to New York; printed with return address of John V. Brooks
.158a-b from T. Redfield Phillips,
Montpelier, March 15, 1902: have been attending court a good deal; something
about $100; no new marriages;
On printed letterhead of Edward H. Deavitt, attorney
and counselor at law
.159 from
Jim, Appleton St., no place, March 21, 1902: broke finger and injured knee
while playing basketball; anticipates a slow summer, but suggests the two of
them could take a double-seater [a tandem bicycle?] and go somewhere; Peanut
gets drunk a lot; too many saloons for Jim to stay sober
.160a-b from
sister Ruth S. Brooks, Montpelier, March 26, 1902: discusses drawings he had
sent home; she took painting lessons from Mr. Whittemore a few years ago;
streets are dry enough to bicycle; no snowshoeing and no skating for her over
the winter; names those coming home for spring break; Charles Adams to start
work at cotton manufacturing company; lists upcoming weddings; shocked to hear
of Cora and Redfield’s engagement; Ned Wheatley joined army; she does the
dishes this evening;
On stationery monogramed RSB
.161a-b from T. Redfield Phillips,
Montpelier, April 12, 1902: thanks for his congratulations; has been looking
for a summer job for Louis but only possibility so far is in drugstore; hopes
Louis can be in Montpelier for summer;
On printed letterhead of Edward H. Deavitt, attorney
and counselor at law
.162a-d from
Jim, no place, 1902: exam time again; need to save money for Red’s [Redfield’s]
wedding present; hasn’t seen Chester in Boston; girls might go camping this
summer, and if so they should have boat rides and hammock parties;
On
printed letterhead stationery of Adams House [hotel], Boston, with a decorative
design; Jim acquired the stationery the last time he was in Boston
.163a-b from
Father, Montpelier, [April 1902?]: encloses note from Miss Smith about her
upcoming trip to New York, and her hopes that Louis will call on her; she may
be planning to take exams to be a teacher; she likes to walk so they could take
a stroll;
With
enclosure: note from Cora Ellen Smith, giving dates of upcoming trip and where
she will be staying in New York;
Father’s
letter on printed stationery of Apollo Club, with silhouette of Apollo
Box 2:
Folder 1: no date (.164-.181)
.164 from Katharine Beebe, Burnham House,
Northampton, Mass.: sorry she missed his call;
On stationery
monogrammed KB
.165 from Katharine Beebe, Burnham House: will
be home tomorrow to receive his call;
Monogram has been cut
from stationery
.166 from Avis Josephine Coburn, Smith College,
Northampton, Mass.: would enjoy going skating; bring Mr. Leonard and she’ll ask
a friend; hopes they will be allowed to have a “rabbit” in the parlor; sick of
some activity she has been doing;
On stationery printed
with Smith College, Northampton, Mass.
.167 from Jean Cochran, no place: will be busy
studying from Wednesday until Saturday; hopes his likes Miss Watson who is
taking him to a dance; [see also .177]
Stationery decorated
with a medallion
.168 from Jean [Cochran]: Miss Terry is pleased
to go; please write her with information about trains;
.169 from Jean [Cochran]: had a grand time at
the ball; exams start next week; going to a house party at Wesleyan; ice is
good [on a pond] but it’s too cold to skate;
On stationery
monogrammed TJC
.170 from Jean Cochran: Miss Watson cannot take
him to dance after all because a friend will be in town, but Miss Gordon would
like to take him; hopes he survived the fudge party; she was mad about the
conduct of the girls on Sunday night
.171 from Theresa Jean Cochran: Miss Douglass
and herself are delighted to accept invitation of Mr. Field and Louis;
On stationery
monogrammed TJC
.172 from E.A. Cottrell: try to come for
initiation and dance; names others coming;
On stationery of Pi Beta
Pi [in Greek letters]
.173 from Sarah [?] Kiniston[?]: thanks him for
the good time she had with Mr. Bayer; she wasn’t scared at Mrs. Todd’s after
all;
.174a-b from Les, Worcester, Mass.,
[February]: eyes better so no longer has excuse not to study at night; Jim came
for academy dance – drank a lot and went to several shows together; mentions
Ruth’s new married name; went to a soiree and got drunk; something about having
his arm branded; planning trip to Boston to see Floradora [presumably the play
of that name] and King [illegible]; hopes Louis and Jim can come to Worcester
after exams and all can go to tall timbers together; may have to forego trip to
New York in order to work in the shop over Easter;
On printed letterhead of
Phi Gamma Delta [fraternity], with picture of Pi Iota Chapter House;
.175 from Anson E. Morse, no place, June 19:
advises that he thinks Louis can enter Amherst directly from high school;
Monogram torn from
stationery, taking part of text with it
.176 from Robert B. Morse, [probably Baltimore],
January 12, [probably 1902]: can’t make it to Vermont this winter; hasn’t yet
decided what he wants to do [in the way of studies or profession] but will
probably return to MIT to study naval architecture; has been skating;
[mentions that Louis is
in New York]
.177 from Margaret Watson, Bedford Terrace,
Wednesday: can’t invite him to go with her to Thanksgiving dance but hopes to
see him there; [see also .167]
.178 from Julia E. Peck, no place: gives reasons
why he cannot call until next Saturday
.179 from T. Redfield Phillips, Sunday: has had
a bad cold; shirt is all right; glad Louis is enjoying his work; he is liking
the law; Ruth R. is in a baby scrape; having a snow storm; Will Brock engaged
.180 from Eula W. Putnam, Putnamville, Sunday
[after high school’s 1898 graduation]: thanks for picture; first day of
legislative session was rainy, and all representatives had new rubbers;
comments on friends; new rooms at school are “perfectly fine”; will send him a
photo of herself when gets a nice one;
[see also .14]
.181 from Charles G. Seward, no place: can’t
come visit because going to New Haven for the Princeton game;
Folder 2: letters not to or from J. Louis Brooks
(.182-.184)
.182a-b from
J. H.[?] Trudeau, Manchester, N.H., Feb. 27, 1901, to “Gentlemen,” with
envelope addressed to Mr. C. A. Brooks, Fryeburg, Maine: tenants cannot move
until autumn so will have to wait to borrow money because can’t do the work
while the tenants are in the cottage;
With envelope, addressed as above, printed with return
address of C.A. Brooks, Manchester, N.H.
[Charles
A. Brooks was a real estate agent in Manchester, N.H. It is not known how, or even if, he is
related to the family of John Vail Brooks.]
.183 from
Florence, Newport, Vermont, to Father [Mr. B.J. Balch], Topsfield, Mass., Nov.
6, 1901: please send pillow cases as someone will be giving her feathers she
can use for pillows; someone gave her a feather bed; asks how many sheets and
pillow cases she has at his house; does not want most of them until spring;
On printed letterhead
stationery of The American Sunday School Union, E.C. Kinney, Field Worker for
Vermont
.184 from
Florence, Newport, Vermont, to Father [Mr. B.J. Balch], Topsfield, Mass., Nov.
29, 1901: please also send steel knives and forks with green handles, also
bowl, pitcher, and sugar shaker, and clock;
with envelope, printed with return address of E.C.
Kinney, Newport, Vermont