Emma's Letters

Maple Lane 8th May 1919 My Dear Joe, This is being written Thursday forenoon in the hope of it reaching you so you can answer Sunday - though possibly a Sunday in North Bay is not so long a day for you as a Sunday in Camp. Anyway, I hope you'll write. Well! I have had quite a spell of "Gadding" since I wrote last. I was at Newburgh over Sunday week before last (the day you arrived in N. Bay.) We had to drive to and from Oshawa station to catch the train Saturday morning when we went it was cold enough for March and we drove through snow drifts - down our "side-line" and in other spots - as deep as any we've had all Winter. Tuesday evening returning it was mild and balmy - birds singing, grass growing, etc., made it seem I'd been away quite awhile. Wednesday afternoon was Ladies Aid at Mrs Wes Glaspell's (Tracy's mother, south of Taunton) I went picking Mrs Bert Glaspell up on the way - Then Friday afternoon Beulah and I drove in to...

Maple Lane Hampton R.R. 1 5th March 1919 My Dear Joe, A letter from Douglas today told us where you are at least it told where you are not so that we can pretty well guess the rest. I hope you got my letter - I wrote as soon as you sent word you were in Webbwood - Stanley achieved a letter to you Sunday before last and I did not know just where to sent it until you would write again - but I'll enclose it now and trust if you haven't already done so, you will write when you get this. Papa was in Toronto yesterday investigating some sales greatly advertised, horses, harness, lumber, etc. Simpson & Royal Air Force and Munitions Board and ran into Van Norman and had quite a visit about all the old gang up there. We've thought of a lot he didn't ask since however. Do you know - is Steve Brouse [?] home where's Russell James? - did Otto ever come back? Where Kenneth Trty [?] and Charlie Phillips are now? Who lives in Dan Hanrahan's house and where ...

  Maple Lane Hampton R.R. 1 16th Feby 1919 My Dear Son, You thought it was a long time since any of us had written and I was quite sure you had the flu because we had not heard for over two weeks - then after papa had written I got the idea that you were planning to drop in some evening and surprise us. Anyway, now we are all well. I kind o' hope you are in Espanola - the camps seem so far away - but I am sending this to Webbwood for fear they might not find you so easy from any other Post Office. Be sure to write as soon as you get this so we'll know where you are. This has been a queer winter all over. I guess. We've had no sleighing since 2nd week of Jany. Papa sent the "demi-cart" (as Allen calls it) over to Hampton to be put on the "bobs" - before Christmas and last week Ted went and brought it home again on wheels with the runners on top. Tonight it is snowing out it is so mild not likely anything will come of it. Great year to ow...

  Maple Lane 1st Sept 1918 My Dear Joe We've all been so occupied with our visiting for a couple of weeks that letter writing has been neglected. If you have been in Massey and Webbwood today you've likely heard that Douglas and his family (including Katie) have been down to see us coming all the way in their "car". If they have not had any trouble by the way they are home again by now. They left Espanola Sunday morning got to North Bay first night brought Aunt Ella and Charlie with them and reached Bracebridge Monday night and got here via Orillia, Port Perry & Hampton a little after six Tuesday night. Ella and C. went up to Toronto to the Exhibition from Monday morning till Thurs night by train and Friday 30th morning early they set off home again going by 5 points.  John is a great little lad now - calls me "Gran". He and Allen got along fine - he was very fond of the babe - only he got the idea that she belonged to his Mama and would run to t...