| Title: | W.J. Weir, California, to Annie Weir, Michigan |
|---|---|
| ID | 3272 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Weir, William J/43 |
| Year | 1890 |
| Sender | Weir, William J. |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | fireman |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Fresno, California, USA |
| Destination | Michigan, USA |
| Recipient | Weir, Annie |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | cousins |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mrs. Linda Weir, Tirmacspird, Lack, Co. Fermanagh, BT93 0SA |
| Archive | Ulster American Folk Park |
| Doc. No. | 9905023 |
| Date | 26/08/1890 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 12:05:99. |
| Word Count | 874 |
| Genre | |
| Note | N.B. William and Annie were engaged at intervals |
| Transcript | Engine Co. No.2 820 K St Fresno Aug 26th 1890 Dear Annie I once more take the oppertunity [opportunity?] of writing in answer to yours which I recieved [received?] a few days ago & glad to find that you were well hoping that this will find you enjoying the same blessing as it leaves me at present I had been watching the mailman pass every day for a week previous I was beginning to think that you might be sick or something might have occured [occurred?] but I was glad to find that you were enjoying yourself I know what it is to be caged up all the time I would like you were near I am sure I would have a recreation for a while I had a letter from Bella some time ago she was thinking of buying out a business there in partnership with some other Eastern lady she seemed to think that I did not know of her whereabouts but she was mistaken I have not had a letter from home since the 16th of July I dont know what is the matter with them I know this is a busy time of the year but if I be a little slow in writing they dont forget to tell me of it either I am expecting a letter from Australia in a few days if it dont fool me like yours (sic) I can never tell until it comes Dear Annie I dont know what you mean by preparing a substitute in case I should get killed or hurt but I think I will have poor luck if I dont be able to pull through the next 9 months & furthermore I dont think you might sum me up with that young Lady that paid your Uncle Johns passage if I say a thing I will stick to it you ought to know me better than that now the reason why I said we would talk matters over was because you never gave me a definite answer the reason why a great many girls say no at first is because they are like the photographer they know how to retouch their negatives I hope you are not like a young girl that lives in this neighbourhood her Brother told us that she had got 3 engagement rings & was going with another fellow & if he did not get her one she would fire him so if you cant say yes in plain English its no use asking me for a ring I ought not to tell you this there was a charming young widow of about 30 sent an invitation to me to go down to see her she lives in a $10 000 house & is worth about 20000 in property besides her late husband had been cashier in the Bank her brother belongs to the engine co she sent an invitation to me to go down & see her but I simply declined on the plea that I was already engaged I have made up my mind that I will never marry for riches & no woman will have the show to tell me that she is keeping me I believe in the old proverb marry for love & work for riches I think I am able enough to keep a woman I can keep myself & save $50 per month if there is any woman that dont think she could live on that I dont want her I may be speaking plain but I know you could do the same Dear Annie I do wish you would come out to California even in the Spring I would get a vacation & we would arrange everything relating to going home & buying that ring we are having a great time now we have only had 3 fires this month so far & we have a gay old time playing foot ball & all sorts of games some nights we are as tirred [tired?] as if we had been working we get up half past 5 OC in the morning & feed our team & hitch up & go to Breakfast a [at?] 6 & go out at 7 & drive round for about an hour & when we come back we have got to clean up it usually takes about from an hour & a half to two hours I have to wash the running gear of the engine clean the harness and [horses?] so we generally put in the other hour eating watermelon & playing tricks & so on we always find some thing to do this is the day of the republican convention they are having great excitement firing cannons & every thing to make a noise we are expecting a fire sure this is a great country for drink & rowing at elections Dear Annie I hope you will excuse this as I shall have more news next time hoping to hear from you soon I like to get one of your letters when you get sentimental I have not answered Bellas letter yet but I will tomorrow I have not much more to say at present hoping to hear from you soon again I remain your Sincere Lover W.J. Weir Fresno Cal [California?] To Miss Annie Weir Pontiac Mich [Michigan?] Good Bye for a while |
