| Title: | James A Smyth, Ontario, to Liza C Smyth, Castledamph |
|---|---|
| ID | 2687 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/3(2) |
| Year | 1903 |
| Sender | Smyth, James Alexander |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | school teacher |
| Sender Religion | Protestant (Methodist) |
| Origin | Essex Co., Ontario, Canada |
| Destination | Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Smyth, Eliza C. |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | siblings |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, Castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth. |
| Doc. No. | 0604129 |
| Date | 12/02/1903 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | |
| Word Count | 1347 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of Envelope] Miss Liza C Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co, Tyrone Ireland [Stamped] ESSEX FE 12 03 ONT [Stamped] [TA---?] [----?] [Stamped] INSUFFICIENTLY PREPAID [Back of envelope] [Stamped] HAMILTON CANADA FEB 12 10-PM 1903 [Stamped] NEWTOWNSTEWART AM 10 0 FE 23 O3 [Stamped] [WINDSOR?] [FE 12?] [03?] [ONT?] [Written sideways across envelope] Putting in Potatoes April 23rd [190-?] finished Bray Head field Yesterday [Page 1] Essex Ontario February Dear Sister, I suppose you are wondering why I have been so long in writing. It seems since I got old [sic] country visit over I have not done much writing. In fact I have not done much of anything. I am not as contented as I used to be. I am really sorry to hear of the accident which has happened to John. I had a letter, from him Saturday and he informs me he will have scars for life. That’s the worst part of it though if the Doctors had been careful and used a very fine needle and fine [gut?] there should not have been much of a scar. That young girl that I attended at the operation is all right again. Operations are very common here, I was out with Dr Brien last Sunday night and he lanced a mans hand, a [felon?] was the [cause?] [Page 2] In reference to accidents one gets accustomed to them in this country. About a month ago there [sic] 40 killed on a railroad accident at Sarnia not far from here, It was at the Xmas holidays and some families had three and four killed. Another railroad two weeks ago killed about 30 and then right here in Essex there has been about eight the past year. The enclosed clipping will give you an account of the last one on the 27 January. In fact during the Boer war there were killed and wounded over 22000 men and during that time the United States railroads following peaceful pursuits killed over 23000 people. So if we as a family have been exceptionally fortunate in reference to serious accidents and deaths we should remember that there are hundred [sic] and thousands of others who had to bear such things I just refer to this as mother may have taken such an accident more than in the ordinary way. Men who follow mechanical etc pursuits must always expect such things and when they do come we should, be prepared to bear them with fortitude, [Page 3] It may seem rather strange but the night before I got the letter informing me of his accident. I was quarrelling with John all night in dreams, I was trying to prevent him from going on the navy, The affair bothered me quite a bit and I said something was going to happen at home, At dinner time I got the letter, In case of a serious accident or worse like that you should send out a cablegram, are you aware that we could have the news in half an hour or so after it happened? I am really sorry that he will be so badly scared [scarred?]. Now in reference to his going on the navy I intended to write about that and then I changed my mind, Is he aware the class of men with whom he would have to associate? Is he also aware or does he know how many people ever [marry?] any money by joining the army or navy except those with a good education who got up to up[sic] to be officers? Would he have to be always [sic] at sea? If so he better take a 6 day trip across here and back again and [Page 4] that may settle him, He can do that by working his passage, I would go into no business where I had to work for a salary unless there were great chances of promotion, If he had the education to go in for a mechanical [or?] electrical mining or civil engineering, then if he spent ten years before he got through there would be money in it at the end, If he has got the head for study thats what I would do, I had nobody to advise me or I never would have been in the business I am in to-day, I could had any of the others for the same outlay, and just remember this you folks who are afraid to spend money on your children when there [they are?] young, [that?] no position is worth having unless it has cost time and money to get it, However the great thing in this country today is business There [sic] lots of money in it. I went down to Woodslee last night and it snowed all night so I had to walk back again today. I just gothhere at 7. o.clock. I did not go to [Page 5] Church, Mary & Mrs Wigle went and are just come back again, Mary is wearing her white silk waist tonight and I wish she would wear something like it all the time, Mary is not particular enough [in?] her dress. She should remember that she in [sic] one of as stylish places as in Ontario, We had another dance in the town Hall Friday night. Mary was at the last one, What did she think of it? We shall have another one two weeks from Friday night, There was quite a lot of strange ladies in [Friday?] night. I wish you girls were as stylish, but you can [sic] expect it and [slave?] around wash tubs pigs etc as you do, I am sure Mary got her eyes opened that night I took her out, And I have seen many parties here twice as stylish as that, It was to see this side of life I brought her out but I have been quite a long while in getting her prepared for it, Of course one has to have a little mo [Page 6 Private I suppose I might give you a little idea of my finances, I have still that $100 $20 to pay uncle yet, otherwise I am square with the world and I may say I never know what it is to be without money. I get paid once a month, sometimes £10, sometimes £11, I bought a new suit last Xmas £5, a black one something like that one I was wearing when home, Now I am boarding at the hotel and rooming here. I pay 17 shillings per week, for both, Mary pays £0.10,6 per week, and 3 shillings for music,. I pay 4 shilling [sic] per night for these balls, then concerts. which are usually 3 shillings for [us?] [and?], rent of horse and sleigh. a few dollars now and again take the most of it. I just give Mary $20 per month,. If I could get ahead $100 I would be square with the world, on the account of us two my expenses are just about as much as my income I have asked for an increase of salary of $100, but I may not get [sic] [Page 7] This position that I have now used to pay $700, at my rate I have hard work now, Quite a heavy class for Entrance work It keeps one studying half the night some times, This town is such a funny place as far as religion is concerned, Our church is rather weak at the present time and I think if I were a real good Methodist I would have no trouble in getting my $100 increase. If they do not give it and if I had about $200 in cash. I would hand them my resignation and let them try and get some other person for that money. It is too much work and worry for the money. Just think of [it?] five teachers under me and 300 pupils to look after for the paltry sum [Page 10] of one hundred and [ten?] pounds, I have been offered last week £15 per month and expenses out and back to go to New zeland [New Zealand?], as a Traveller but I am not sure whether I could do the business or not But that shows you what money is in business, one young fellow in town (Draper,)was offered $1200 £250 per year and? £5 per week expenses a short time ago, Really I often think if I had the nerve to [quit?] teaching I could make a good [deal?] more. This will do for tonight Yours truly James A Smyth Transcribed by Mohamed Souissy |
