"I have crossed the continent twice without taking a sleeper and you certainly can ride one night in a chair car or coach.
Pop."
This is a brief letter from Ex-Governor Frank Steunenberg to his son (my future grandfather) Julian that I have decided to make public. You can also read a more lengthy and formal fatherly lecture in a letter from the governor (on Idanha Hotel letterhead) to Julian posted on my Saturday, March 1, 2008 blog entry. As opposed to the historical records and letters pertaining to the business of State, family correspondence gives us a glimpse into the more personal side of Frank Steunenberg and the everyday lessons that he imparts to his children. Here we can see that that Frank was a man of thriftiness and certainly wanted Julian to learn to be the same.
"Dear Julian -
Herewith pass to Huntington, you will have to pay $3.00 fare from there home. Herewith check for $25.00 - if this is not sufficient have Mr. Ohustaurm (spelling?) send me bill for balance. Show him this letter as authority. He will pay you enough out of the $25 to come home on. If you take night train you can come right through and not have any expense at Pendleton. You do not need to take a sleeper - I have crossed the continent twice without taking a sleeper and you certainly can ride one night in a chair car or coach.
Pop."
The letter and envelope are Caldwell Banking and Trust Company letterhead. Julian was attending Walla Walla College at the time. The envelope is postmarked March 16, 1905 from Pocotello, ID. About nine months later, on December 30th, 1905, the governor would be assassinated when opening the gate to the yard of his Caldwell, ID home. Julian would be home from college at the time visiting for the holidays. Typically Julian would have been at his fathers side but by a twist of fate had stayed in town for a few more minutes. He was walking toward home when the explosion occurred.
No comments:
Post a Comment