The Winterthur Library

 The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

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