| Title: | James A. Smyth, Ontario to "Dear Sister" |
|---|---|
| ID | 2701 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/8(3) |
| Year | 1925 |
| Sender | Smyth, James Alexander |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | teacher and university student |
| Sender Religion | Protestant (Methodist) |
| Origin | Essex Co., Ontario, Canada |
| Destination | Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Bella M.? Eliza C.? Mary? |
| 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. | 0604202 |
| Date | 04/10/1925 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | |
| Word Count | 1189 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [No envelope] [Page 1] 623 Quellette Ave, Windsor,Ont, October, 4, 1925 Dear Sister, Your letter of Sept, 14th to hand and I note the number of deaths recorded in that community. Well to tell you the truth such events pass unnoticed with us. If you take particular notice of the Border Cities Star you will scarcely see a day passed without some one being killed with a motor car or shot or otherwise. So your three events mentioned give your community an ordinary 1925 rating or in other words it gets Plumbridge into the newspaper column. Yes, my Post card was the first since April, and your letter was the first I received from there, Your letter was the first intimation I also had that my money order was received. Correct Training and business ethics [Page 2] demand that these matters receive prompt attention and ought to be acknowledged promptly. I was wondering until I got your letter if my money order had not gone astray. Re-writing, I made up my mind if you people did not care to write I was not particular either, I often think how few letters I get, It is one further proof that fellows like James Ballantyne take the proper course when they go away. If I had never returned and likewise forgot all about it. I would had a lot more money in my pocket today and a home and social connection different from what I have got. That is one reason I cut out the trip this year and hence will be much easier next year. Personal interests I think is the best in the end if only one begins it soon enough. [Page 3] I think both William and Tom had better give me a personal note of acknowledgment of the money, owing me. This is no telling when an accident might happen to them, Fourteen years now is a long time, Business considerations necessitate notes for any money loaned in this country or any other, Then there is no disputes If either of these met an accident where would I be? So I have often wondered, just as I have about no acknowledgment to my money order, why they have never thought to send a promissory note, when it is due they can renew it again Then I am protected in case of anything happening. The loans were in 1911 and to William at that time £419 was the amount. [Page 4] If I had brought that here in 1912 and invested it I would not need to work any more now. Even out at ordinary interest here I would have about £400 in interest due now. Tell them then to make out notes as to what is now due me, If they want them renewed at end of a year, they can do so, unless I might need some money, which is not likely unless I get in some investment. My friend Mr Harry Houston of the Imperial Bank staff is over there now probably leaving by end of this month. His address is 6 James St Omagh I called to see his mother last year. I did not think your school picnic was held so early each year. Who is the teacher there now?. This is information I would always like to know. [Page 5] I suppose the money I forward will be used for sports or prizes next year. Send me the teacher’s name and I may get into communication as to what distribution would be best. I have often wondered how George and all are getting on over here, Really when I see the specimens out from there it makes one weep. I called on Maggie Jane Hay when passing through Toronto. If I had to live like they do I would [torn] in a week. No screens on windows flies all around. It is no wonder the people have such a low opinion of Irish people They wonder how they are brought up. Of course the plain fact is they are not brought up at all. They just live and thrive like animals, then they wonder when they come into civilization why nobody wants to associate with them. Dunne is only making about $32 per week, I make $53 and I am considered poor and on a small salary. [Page 6] Absolutely the old country people live in such condition and style here that Canadian’s won`t rent them houses unless on some back street. I can’t understand why they can’t develop and be like other people. Of course one lack is education. Every body is educated here now. It is so different from 20 years ago, then only certain ones went to High School now all go and everybody has a secondary education. Then movie pictures are educative and the radio phone so persons like Maggie Jane Geo [George?] McCullagh have no chance here in this [-ege?]. The only place for them is a turf bank or a barn yard. Well if this year is good, next year is to be one of the worst in 100 years so look out. There is to be no summer next year, just like it was in 1816. [page 7] The photo of the “kids” is very good I am afraid they are too fat. Do you follow the articles on diet in the "Border City Star" You should read this column as well as that by “Dorothy Dix” in answering questions. Irene looks quite old for her age. I see she has her hair "bobbed" It’s rare here now to see a lady old or young who has not bobbed hair. Every one now wants to be slim. A fat girl has not a ghost of a chance. The fellows would not look at her. As a result nearly all are slim. By the way is Bella & [Davie?]] not thinking it is time to be starting to get the rest of their family educated I think one uneducated one should be enough in one family to be perhaps like Maggie Hay in future If Maggie Jane had paid some attention to me in 1901 and 1906 she would not be in the problem she is in today. Personally if I had children the last cow would [Page 8] be sold to give them a proper education. But that is not necessary because it is just as easy to bring teachers into the community to educate them there as it is to bring a preacher. I heard in Toronto that Robt [James?] was married. No comments where ignorance is bliss it is a folly to be wise. Re my university I passed my examinations. This is an example for those young ones. I am 52 years old I passed with III class honors in French. I began it in April and covered four years work in 5 months, likewise I never took Geology until this summer and I passed it also with III class honors I have now 8 subjects finished for my B.A. degree, 11 more to finish I can do it in 3 years more if I don’t go home in holidays. Bertie ought to had [sic] his degree by this time, They all lack ambition Jas A [James Alexander?] Smyth Transcribed By Gary Campbell |
