Correspondence of Rutherford Hayes Platt, 1887-1915
[R. to Emily]
Columbus, O.
Tuesday, Feb. 22nd 1887
Dear Emily - We reached home, just as planned when we left here, last
Saturday afternoon - and so our wedding trip is over. No couple ever had a more
delightful one. We of course talk Bermuda to everyone we see - that is what they
all want to hear about – and we have enough to tell for the whole community -
and already we hear of neighbors who think of going the voyage next winter-viz.
Mr. & Mrs. John W. Andrews - If there is anything in talk you may expect
quite an emigration from here.- Of course Laura and Fanny are both much
disappointed that you have changed your plan so definitely outlined before our
visit to you - and in not coming to Columbus this year. Perhaps you will please
us all very much by again changing your plan - but if not very likely Laura or
Fanny will come on and see you in the East - though this is merely my
suggestion, they have neither of them considered it.
Maryette & I are at her parents house for a few days awaiting the arrival
of our cook. - Our furniture has just come and I am about going out to the house
to unpack and put it in place. There has been much buying of kettles and pans
& such since yesterday - A line of shopping for which I am not required to
participate-
Maryette has inquired about the self-baster - and one is to be made which if
it seems just the thing as to size &c shall be duplicated for you.
Jim Heyl called last evening looking uncommonly well and glad to hear from us
about his family and home. His parcels came through all right in our trunks. We
bought an extra trunk in N.Y. to facilitate packing & and then had plenty of
room. Mrs. Smith had Henry Taylor in to dinner with us Sunday evening and then
the talk was all Bermuda. He reported Maggie as very well - His Father about the
same - confined to his bed and suffering considerable at times - needing much
care. I am writing hurriedly as you notice from the office. Maryette is busy out
at the house. With love to all of you, the Hastings tribe, dear Emily -
Your brother
R.
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[R. to Emily]
Dear Emily - I hope you will get your patent roaster by this steamer from
Beardsley’s Sons. After we had ours made, they got in a stock here from the
manufacturer and on going to select one for you I found that they were made in
N.Y. City - So instead of sending one back there to be shipped I wrote Beardsley’s
Sons to procure one from the manufacturer & send to you.
Maryette is very
much interested in household matters - being engaged just now in a course of
cooking lessons - the teacher coming from Cincinnati. You learned of Mrs. Bates’
sudden death last week. The family bear their affliction very nobly. We went in
to see them Sunday evening and had a very cheerful pleasant call.
Two other old neighbors have just passed away - Col. Medberry in his 79th
year and Mr. G. F. Wheeler the grocer. Judge Benham whom you will remember as
once a next door neighbor, also died last week, in Louisiana, & was brought
here for burial. So we are having very funeral season.
Such news as I have I give -
With love to the Genl. & yourself & kisses to the dear children.
Your brother
R.
Thermometer this morning 20E
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[R. to Emily]
Dear Emily - I enclose your statement of your account and draft for your
balance. Had expected to pay the Front st. paving assessment before this but the
amount is not fixed until the street is completed to Town st. and so it is not
yet on the tax duplicate and there is only the usual tax to pay. The 4th
st. assessment on our Case property is $1566.42 to which will be added the State
st. probably $600. I propose to pay this as rents accrue, if this is
satisfactory to all concerned - making no further dividend from that source
until the assessments are paid.
You will think repairs at Front st. house considerable. There is still needed
a new roof over porches at rear along the entire row of four houses.--- Have
regretted that Genl Hastings did not find it convenient while here to inform
himself about your interests more particularly and take a look at the Front st.
house.
I hope that you may all have a very happy Christmas time in your beautiful
home.
With love
Your Brother
R.
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily - I enclose your N.Y. draft for $3000 - which as you see by the
enclosed receipt - to be signed & returned to me - is your share of a
Distribution from the Capital of the estate - Proceeds of Real Estate. Having
cash available for this purpose I decided after giving the matter consideration,
and consulting with those interested here, that such Distribution should be
made. And I hope that this course will be entirely satisfactory to you.
Maryette & William seem quite well again.
With love to you & your’s
Your Brother
Rutherford
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily - Your acct. since statement and draft sent April 7th
is as follows:
Cr.
Db.
May 1st/90 Div. from Case Property $200
š Nov. 19th
C. J. Wild - Papering &
May 2nd " Rect.
30 š
? Front of house
$20.30
May 9th " Div. From Estate
250 š May 9th
Draft enclosed 459.68
$480
herewith $480.00
Please return the receipt for $250 as usual.
We have taken a cottage at Kennebunkport, Me with Captain & Mrs. Smith for the Summer. Expect to go in in [sic] June - taking our servants with us to keep house. Your’s with love to all.
Judge Bates died last week. Rutherford
[has computations on envelope]
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Kennebunkport, Me.
Aug. 8th 1899
Dear Emily -
Within a few days I expect to complete a statement of Estate matters for the
past five years - such as I made for the period before that,
It is just seventeen years today since father died. I may not have copies
made for distribution until I get home.
We are counting very much on your coming this way and stopping with us.
Whether the General comes with you or the girls we will be equally pleased. If
the girls come they must bring their golf clubs. I wrote you two days ago about
it. Suppose you have been waiting till your plans matured before answering.
Maryette joins me in love to you all & is counting on seeing you.
Rutherford
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[Rud to Emily]
Kennebunkport
Sept. 7, 1899
Dear Emily -
We do wish you and the girls were here these bright clear days. This is a
different looking place. You really have not seen it.
We expect to go to Mrs. Elkins Tuesday the 19th & stay there
until Saturday following - then straight home. Would like to spend a day with
you at Northhampton - but you know how difficult it would be to break the
journey there - and get started again with our Caravan. Your visit here gave us
a great deal of pleasure.
With love to you all
Rud
P.S. I sent day before yesterday a small box by mail with two pins left by the girls.
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[Rud to Gen. Hastings]
My Dear General -
I am very glad you are going with Clive to Colorado or Arizona, to see him
settled in just the right place.
Maryette & I have a sincere affection and admiration for Clive - and have
sympathized most truly with him, and with you, in this trial - It brings a sad
break in his life, but we may well hope that in the right climate there is still
long life and happiness ahead of him.
That has been the experience of many others, and Clive’s character &
temperament will be in his favor.
I remember Uncle Birchard in his old age telling of overhearing the family
physician in Vermont, when he was quite a young man, break the news to his
Mother that he could not live more than a few months - because of consumption -
and how he resolved to prove the Doctor mistaken. - If I remember right, he
started in a favorable season, on a long horse back trip by easy stages. -
Though he always had weak lungs, he lived, as you know, with care and
cheerfulness to a good age, even in our Ohio climate.
Maryette has gone to K- port [Kennebunk Port] with our two boys. I hope to
follow in two or three weeks.
Do not trouble to answer this - I know how you must be preoccupied -
Your’s ever
Rud
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Friday
Oct. 23d 1903
Dear Emily - Your assurance that you are quite well again and getting back
those 39 pounds is the best news that has come from any quarter of the globe for
a long time.
Maryette has not been very well for some time - & finally made up her
mind to leave all home cares and go to Watkins N. Y. & devote herself for
two or three weeks to getting real well. - Her Mother went with her - she not being very well either. They went just a
week ago - are very much pleased with the place & treatment and I am sure
will come home in two or three weeks from now much benefitted. The following is
Maryette’s daily program which may interest you
7:30 A.M. glass of Salubria Spring Water
8:15
breakfast in bed
10 " "
glass of Salubria Spring Water & Neptune brine bath on
three days and electro
thermal baths on alternate days. After bath glass of
milk. Rest for an hour
12 n.
Glass of Salubria Spring Water. Walk until one o’clock
1 P.M. Lunch - Out in sunshine until 3 P.M.
3 P.M. Glass of S. S. water - Massage with oil on three days - Rub with
alcohol, salt
and vinegar on alternate days. Cup of grape juice after treatment.
Rest one hour.
5:30
Glass of S. S. water
6:30
Dinner
9
Glass of milk & bed time
The surroundings are beautiful & the house well ordered & nice in
every particular -
With love to you & yours
Rutherford
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Bonnington Hotel
27, Bloomsbury Square
London - Tuesday
Sep 20th, 1904
Dear Emily -
As you will learn from letters which the girls are themselves writing they
are hastening to join you. They are dear girls - are bearing bravely the shock
of the news, [General Hastings’s death on September 18, 1904] and longing to
be with you now when you need them so much.
You know without my saying it that we are all thinking of you in your great
sorrow.
Another thing which you will know without my saying it is that the girls have
added very much in every way to the pleasure of our trip - They are good company
always, and good travellers [sic] - and have accommodated themselves to all
exigencies - They will be a great help & comfort to you, & for this
reason we are reconciled to their going..
I will see them off at Southhampton on Saturday by the American Lines steamer
Philadelphia, we left no stone unturned to get berthes [sic] on one of the
steamers going tomorrow, but Saturday was the earliest possible date -
We arrived from the Hague this morning, & an hour later your Cable
message, which I suppose was sent Sunday, was handed to me at the Bank.
With love & sympathy Rutherford -
Cabled you that the girls will arrive at N.Y. Saturday, Oct 1
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily -
You have made a delightful plan for Robbie & Ruddy. Unfortunately Ruddy
is taking a turn at measles. We sent him to his grandmother’s under suspicion
last Monday and on Wednesday morning the thing was sure and their house duly
placarded. He was quite uncomfortable and suffering for a day or two but is now
well past the stage of fever & discomfort. It will be some time, of course,
before we get him home again.
If nothing unforeseen prevents I expect to take Robbie on a little trip
during his week of vacation, leaving home March 25th. The main object
is to visit the school at Wayne, near Phila [Philadelphia] to which
we expect to send him next fall, but to give added color to the trip we expect
to go to Washington for a couple of days - also to N.Y.
Maryette & I thank you and the girls for planning so delightfully for our
boys and want to look forward to their going to you some other time - It will be
a great event in their lives.
I am going to send you by Laura some recent photos. Your devoted niece Emily
will send hers later.
I am so glad Laura is going to you - on her account & yours too.
With love from us all to you all.
Rutherford
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[Rutherford to Emily]
My dear Emily
[Maryette’s section] Miss Emily Platt is the proud possessor of an
exquisite porridge set. She has had the spoon in her mouth, and has tried to get
the bowl in, but it was a little too large. It is really the most beautiful set
we have ever seen, and the whole Platt family wish to send thanks in Emily’s
name.
The little lady is gaining each day now, and her mamma is planning to go down
stairs next Sunday.
Rob is still over at his Grandma’s; but Ruddy and Joe have come home. How
glad we will all be when we are once more under the same roof. The boys still
talk of the good times they might have had in Bermuda; and are looking forward
to hearing all about it from Barry.
Please tell Fanny that "The Gay Dog" was given to Joe for
Christmas, and I passed it on thinking a grown up could better appreciate it.
[RHP’s section] Maryette has left me room to sign her name and a page for
myself. Your letter calling up romping days, the old well & all that, was
delightful and it gave me some new material for Joe, who is glad to sit in my
lap after supper if I will tell him about when I was a little boy. I hope little
Emily will be as jolly a little girl and enterprising and full of go as was her
Aunt Emily - and keep it up so for all the years of her life.
With love
Rutherford
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Monday
Dec. 17, 1906
Dear Emily,
Yours of the 9th received. I will send to your N.Y. bank, the Am.
Ex. National, $800 to be deposited to your credit - will send from here not
later thAn Jan. 2nd, earlier if possible.
I hope Russell’s trouble is over, and that he is gaining now & your
anxiety relieved.
Rob comes home Saturday next. Little Emily is a dream, bright & good, but
not very forward in accomplishments. The boys, Rob & Ruddy, will look
forward to paying you that promised visit at some opportune time.
With love to yourself, the dear girls, & Russell.
Affly. Your brother
Rutherford H. Platt
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Friday, Feb. 22nd, 1907
9 A.M.
Dear Emily - I just mailed a scrap of a scrawl on my way down to the office -
to say that we cannot carry out your beautiful plan as Maryette is flat on her
back & will not be in condition to travel for some time. I find your letter
to me here at the office, & as the N.Y. mail does not go tell near noon I
will write a little more. We were anxious about Maryette for two or three days
last week, but there was improvement by Sunday - and since then. While progress
is slow, we have felt that she is getting on as well as we can expect. The
doctor says that, in her case, the grip [grippe - an influenza-like viral
disease with a fever] has affected her heart temporarily - but he confidently
expects her to be as well as ever again with care and rest. Fortunately the
children keep well & I am quite myself again.
I wish you could take little Emily in your arms. She is not precocious, has
no accomplishments, but is smiling and jolly - a dear bit of rosy, loveable
babyhood.
We will look forward to coming to you some day - and the boys too - but we
never can come in such a family cortege. Until Emily is older she cannot go
visiting. She does not like changes of milk, and her accustomed nest is the best
place for her for some time to come.
I know how beautiful your home & Bermuda climate are, especially at this
time of year, & it would be good to be there with you & the girls. Thank
you for thinking of it & planning so perfectly for us. With love to you all.
Rutherford
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily -
Your letter by the last steamer came yesterday. I think Maryette will be
about again in a few weeks - but progress is slow and it may be longer. She has
a good appetite & takes her three meals a day - but has a good deal of
headache.
I hope Lucy is getting rid of her headaches.
Little Emily has learned to blow out a candle since she failed of that
accomplishment on her birthday. She does not try to creep and does not have a
tooth yet, but she is able to make herself pretty well understood, though her
only articulated word is Ba-Ba-Ba.
With love to you & Lucy & Fanny
Your brother
Rutherford
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily -
Maryette is beginning to sit up - half an hour at a time - and seems to be
gaining. The Robins and blue birds have appeared in the yard and we will soon
have fine Spring weather and there will be no excuse for anyone being sick.
Rob will be home in about three weeks for Easter vacation. He writes very
fully about all his doings, and I think is enjoying school life.
I will send your quarterly payment to the N.Y. Bank about April 1st:
$ 800.
With love to you & the girls
Rutherford
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily,
Your letter of Oct. 8th received. I can’t tell you how much I
would like to bring Maryette & the two younger children to Bermuda for the
winter-living there neighbors to you - but that will not be the thing for
Maryette this year. She needs some definite treatment and I have about decided
to take her to Dr. Mayo at Rochester, Minn. for an operation on the thyroid
gland. Dr. Rogers of N. Y. was of the opinion that this would be the
alternative, medical treatment failing - & Dr. Wilson concurs in this
opinion. They both think the case a favorable one for an operation & that we
may look confidently for a cure in that way. Dr. Mayo has had large experience
and much success in this operation. Maryette is quite willing to undergo it. We
have not yet taken her mother into our confidence in regard to it, but I will
want to fix an early date for going to Rochester, before cold weather.
Rob has just gone back to school, leaving Monday. Ruddy’s letters show that
he is getting on all right at Grotin [sic].
With love to you & Lucy & Fanny. Little Emily is as sweet as ever.
Rutherford
Joe is at school - the Girls’ (?) School at the old Parsons homestead.
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily -
Maryette came home last evening after an absence of four weeks. She is
stronger - is able to walk - has gained some in weight and looks much better. It
will take some time for the symptoms to disappear - her pulse will be more rapid
than is should be, but will no doubt gradually become normal again; and she
still suffers from headaches. The operation was three weeks ago last Monday -
Dr. Mayo said that in six weeks from that time she would be much better and in
three months well.
The operation was the removal of a small part of the thyroid gland - not very
dangerous when performed by a surgeon experienced in it, as Dr. Charles Mayo is.
He has had more than 800 cases of this sort. There is probably only one other
surgeon in the world of equal experience in that operation, and I do not believe
there is another of equal skill. The Mayos are not specialists - they perform
from 15 to 20 operations of all sorts every morning of six days in the week -
but I think Dr. Charles has a special reputation for this goiter operation.
Maryette’s wound has healed nicely. She has a mark still nearly half way
around her neck in front, at the base of the neck indicating what a wide cut it
was. It was like a decapitation begun but not quite completed.
You can imagine how thankful and happy I am, and Maryette too, that she is at
home again with the prospect of complete recovery in the course of two or three
months.
Joe goes to school and is quite keen to learn. Emily is the dearest little
blessing! She does not talk, but understands everything and has the sweetest
little ways. She has her hair tied with a bit of pink ribbon , on top of her
head, and is quite different from the boys. We have good letters from Rob &
Rudy. The time is short now to their Christmas vacation & homecoming.
With love to you & Lucy & Fanny
Your brother
Rutherford.
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily,
I sent yesterday a draft for $900 to your Am. E. Nat. Bank to be credited to
you.
Rob & Ruddy received their Bermuda parcels & were, you may be sure,
much pleased. And Emily’s beautiful cap arrived. She will appreciate it some
day.
We are more than interested in Fanny’s news - and even though for a time
she is likely to be in South Africa, which seems as far away as one of the
planets, it is just right, as Fanny knows he is the right man and you & Lucy
think so too.
Rob has gone back to school & Ruddy goes next Monday. Joe is getting to
be quite a lively boy; he is quite keen for learning. Emily, the little dear,
don’t care to talk yet. I hope the pictures, which will show how she looks,
arrived in good condition.
With love to you & the girls.
Your brother,
Rutherford
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily -
In making up my biennial account to file in Probate Court I fail to find two
of your receipts. If they reached me they are mislaid. Please sign & return
the enclosed.
In haste, With love to you & the dear girls -
Rutherford H. Platt
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily -
I found today your two missing receipts, so you need not return those
duplicates I sent you.
Our two absent boys seem to be getting on well at their respective schools -
and little Joe is a very wide-awake little scholar. Emily still refuses to talk
- just says single words - but makes known her wants in her own way and
understands everything that is said. We think she is a very winning little
personality.
Maryette is getting along cheerfully and happily - leading a very quiet life.
She keeps well & has no more headache which is a great relief. Her pulse is
still too fast, and the gain in strength slow.
With love to you & yours
Rutherford
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[Rutherford to Emily]
SEA CREST
KENNEBUNKPORT, MAINE
Dear Emily -
I was glad to receive your letter of the 17th with its news of
yourself and the girls.
We have been having a good summer. Maryette has not been as strong as I wish,
but she has some fairly good days, when she is able to go about some in her
father’s auto. She has been well enough to enjoy home life and the children,
which is better than last year. We have had visits from a number of the boys’
school friends - one after another - nice boys, all of them, and no trouble to
give them a good time.
Rob has gone away with the last one, to visit him for a week - near
Providence - and Ruddy went off for a week with one of his young friends on a
fine yacht. The children have all been well. I wish you could see Emily - She is
very winning and sweet.
Many times we have had saddening news, during the summer. The last was of the
death of Mary Ellis. I think you will remember her. She was a great favorite and
her death is a real grief not only to her immediate family but to a great many
besides.
It is possible I may take Maryette to N.Y. again this fall - but not
probable. Surely you will come to Columbus if you have a little time to spare on
your way to England. I think your plan for spending the winter in England is
just right. Fanny deserves it.
Maryette & I send love to you & Fanny. Your brother
Rutherford
P. S. Fanny thought you would be interested to read my Richmond paper - so I send you a copy. It is to appear in our Quarterly Bulletin & this is an advance copy printed from the Bulletin forms.
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily - Your letter of the 1st received. Am glad to know your
plans. Our plans are a little uncertain. Maryette has occasional good days and
then some that are less encouraging.
It is possible I may take her to N.Y. again to see Dr. Rogers, before going
home, leaving the children here. [Kennebunkport, Maine]
Ruddy’s school begins the 15th and Rob’s the 23rd.
I want to be home by the 25th. Will let you know what you need to
make good your bank account. I hope to keep the dividends up to $900, but will
have to do some figuring when I get home.
With love to you & Fanny. Your brother
Rutherford.
In haste to catch mail.
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily -
What a smart old woman you are! If I were half as smart I would have found
time to write you before this.
You may be sure we are very much interested in Lucy’s engagement, as we
were in Fanny’s - and we count on attending the three Hasting’s weddings,
whenever & wherever they are appointed.
Maryette is better than she has been for more than two years. Rob is just now
in the Newport(?) Hospital with an attack of scarlet fever in mild form - which
began about a week ago. The others of the children are well. Emily is a dear.
Maryette starts with the family for K. Port about June 15th. I
will go about three weeks later.
I enclose receipts for the last two drafts sent to your N.Y. bank &
doubtless duly acknowledged to you by the bank.
With love to you & your three dear children.
Rutherford
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily -
We are deeply interested in your doings and plannings and the happy times you
are having and that are in prospect for you all - especially dear Lucy. You may
be sure that Maryette & I would like nothing so much as to come down and be
part of the important occasion and make the acquaintance of Dr. Hasfall, but
Bermuda is a long way from Columbus and it is really impossible to break away
for such a long trip this year. We will hope to hear all about it, and our
thoughts and loving wishes will be very much with you.
Emily is getting to be a big
girl - with winning ways. Joe goes to public
school. He has just learned to ride a bicycle. We had letters form both Rob
& Ruddy which show that they are both happy in their schools and doing their
work. I think Rob must have missed his good friends and associates at St.
, but
he has only good things to say of Hotchkiss & the life there.
I sent your draft as usual to the Am. Ex. Nat. Bank. Will enclose receipt for
that and the July payment, to be signed & returned at your convenience.
With love to you & yours,
Affly, your brother
Rutherford
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily -
I am proud to be on your library table, in a silver frame - more distinctive
than deserved. This is a beautiful, bright Sunday morning - just a breath of air
from the sea, and the sound of waves - breaking up on the rocks as the tide
comes in. My little family are well & happy - but the change from former
summers is one that we feel - the dear Grandmother next door was a very
important part of the life here. Mr. Smith preferred not to come back this
season, and put his cottage at the disposal of our Rector, Mr. Reese - he with
his family are very good neighbors. We are very fond of them.
Rob is now a freshman - all examinations passed - & goes to New Haven
when the term opens, near the end of September. Ruddy goes to Hotchkiss School,
at Lakeville, Conn. They are both developing - dependable & nice boys to
have around. Joe is learning to swim - and Emily is a dear little maiden. I do
wish you could seen them all right now. We love to think of coming to Bermuda
some day.
All send love to you & Fanny & Lucy & Dr. Hasfall (?) , whom we
hope to know better.
Ever with best love
Rutherford H. Platt
P.S. Your Bank doubtless notified you of receipt of your quarterly payment a month ago - $800. I will send you a receipt to sign later.
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[Emily from Rutherford]
Dear Emily:
I think of you & Fanny on your way, and am sure you are having a most
interesting time. Your letter of March 13th from Paris was duly
received. I sent draft for $800 to our bank in N.Y. and have their
acknowledgment of its receipt to your credit Apr. 4th. Expect to send
$900 soon after July 1st. If you are a citizen of the U.S., whether
resident in the U.S. or abroad, you will be subject to the income tax law - as
to all your income from whatever source, not expressly exempted from the
operation of the law, and the obligation of making an annual return on or before
March 1st of each year would rest upon you - you would be subject to
the penalties of the act for default. If you are not a citizen of the U.S. the
law would apply only to your income in excess of 3000 from business carried on
in the U. S. or from property owned by you in the U.S. So far as your income
from the Testamentary trust under Father’s will is concerned, I am inclined to
view that it is neither from business carried on in the U.S. nor from property
owned by you in the U.S., within the meaning of the law - though the question is
not entirely free from doubt.
Whether or not you are a citizen of the U.S. would depend on just what
Russell’s status was - and on what you may have done since his death. I am
inclined to think that after his death you were in a position to choose your
citizenship - as between the U.S. & Great Britain - and in the absence of
any formal election or declaration perhaps what you have since done would be
sufficient to indicate an election - a choice of one citizenship in preference
to the other. In the absence of anything indicating such election, your status
as to citizenship probably continues exactly what Russell’s was at the time of
his death.
We have had a number of postal cards from Webb on his journey of five months
- the last from Tokio [sic], date March 24th and saying they expected
to arrive at Spiegel Grove April 15th. They have evidently not
crossed your track.
Rob is home for a short Easter vacation, he leaves tomorrow. Rud was here a
week earlier and is already back at school.
I am making arrangements to sail from N. Y. for Bergen, Norway, July 28th
- all the family going. We expect to see a little of Norway and then go to
Stockholm & St. Petersburg. Rob will leave us then & go by Siberia route to Chaujsha (?), China - to
arrive there before Sep. 9th. From St. Petersburg our route is not
determined, but we expect to sail from Hawberg(?) or Bremen on or after Sep 12th.
I had such a nice letter from Lucy soon after we got home last fall - &
have intended writing to her. I think of her very often and hope that all goes
well in the Australian home. Dorothy Hubbard is at the hospital & will
probably have an operation - but not one attended with much danger.
With love to you & Lucy & Fanny & my nephew Will (?) & dear
little grand niece.
Affly,
Rutherford H. Platt
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily,
I return you barrister’s letter. The plan we adopted seems to best suit the
situation.
Probably you will be in New Haven when this reaches N.Y. & I know Rud
will be glad to see you. He went on a motor trip Saturday with some friends to
Waterbury to celebrate at the home of one of them a 21st birthday.
We had interesting letters from Rob yesterday. One of them told of their
quartet singing at an entertainment and then two of them - Rob & Scotty -
engaging in an exhibition boxing match - which he said was rather strenuous. I
think since then the four have put in a month of vacation by walking across
country to Canton - several hundred miles away. He expects to get home about
Aug. 1st & to be married early in September.
With love to you & Fanny -
Your brother,
Rutherford
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily,
Many things may happen before May 12th - the date you suggest for
going to Bermuda - but probably nothing to add to the hazards of the trip;
perhaps on the contrary, the triumph of England & her allies will be appreciably nearer & more certain by
that time.
We expect Rud home for Easter vacation the middle of next week - a short (?)
vacation. Some time after he goes back I will come on to N. Y. - probably before May 1st.
Maryette thinks she will not come, but she may change her mind.
Rob’s last letter was dated Feb. 7th. It told of a trip across
country to Canton, he and five of his friends are making. The month of February
is vacation time there (?). They were walking 30 miles a day & having a most
interesting time, though the weather was not propitious. They had 15 coolies
& a house boy with them to carry two sedan chairs & their baggage, wash
dishes, etc.
Anticipating by a few days, I enclose draft of $900 & receipt to be
signed & returned -
With love to you & Fanny,
Your brother,
Rutherford
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily -
We are enjoying a little visit from your Fanny - she arrived this morning for
breakfast, coming by night train from N.Y. - and our own family are all here.
Joe came from his Boys’ camp twp weeks ago and Rud from the Students’
military camp at Plattsburg a week ago - and Rob came from his long travels a
few days ahead of both Joe & Rud.
Rob has had a most interesting year but the most important thing concerning
him is that his engagement is ended - in the confidence of our family circle I
can say that is a tremendous relief
Miss.
to us all. This woman is not interested in the things that interest Rob, and
is not just our kind - but I that she had the good sense to find it out and the
break came without a quarrel or unkind feeling, I think, on either side. We
never had a happier summer and it adds very much to our pleasure to have Fanny
here. The only regret is that her stay is to be very short. She played golf with
me this morning and has gone off to a dance with Rob tonight - and Rud will be
at the dance too after a dinner party with some of his young friends.
Emily is very well and has a little Chihuahua dog which is devoted to her. We
expect to be here [Kennebunkport, Maine] until the middle of September, &
then motor home.
Rud went to see the Burlington relatives from Plattsburg, and they were very
good to him - I was glad to learn that one of the girls is with you.
Maryette joins me in love to you.
Affly - your brother
Rutherford H. Platt
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[Rud to Emily]
Dear Emily:
Your letter of Aug. 31st received on arriving home a few days ago.
We were on the way eleven days - the whole family packed into the auto with
necessary bags and wraps, and motored from K-port through the White Mountains,
the Green Mountains, and the Adirondacks.
We enjoyed seeing the Hickoks (?) at Burlington and hearing of you from Kate.
Our last stop together was Saratoga - after a day there, we went to Albany and
put Maryette, with Joe & Emily and Emily’s small dog on the train for
Columbus. Rob & Rud and I with Harley to man the car then went on through
the Catskills and through Pennsylvania over the Alleghenies, the rest of the way
home. It was a fine trip - we enjoyed every bit of it. Rob & Rud after
nearly a week at home, go their several ways tomorrow - Rob to the Chicago
University, where he finds the best course for the line he wants to pursue -
geography, in a broad modern sense, and geology - and Rud to New Haven for his
sophomore year. Of course Rob’s experience was a trial & disappointment to
him, but I think when the end came as it did it was a relief to his mind. I
think he came to realize that Marguerite was not interested in China or the
things that most interest him. Maryette went to see the Weiners promptly when
she got home & had a pleasant call - and Rob & Rud are going out there
this afternoon for tea - the one time that they will see the Weiners.
We enjoyed Fanny’s little visit to Kenridge [Kennebunkport, Maine] very
much indeed. Webb Hayes took lunch with us last Friday & Rud Hayes turned up
the next day, spending one day with us. They are both getting pretty gray - but
seem the same as ever. The latter had just left his boy William at the Wisconsin
University.
We did see Mrs. Davis, of whom you speak, and were glad to hear of you
through her. I will send your draft, probably $900, to the Am. Exchange Nat.
Bank in a few days.
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[Maryette & Rutherford to Emily]
Monday
Nov. 19th
Dear Emily,
Rutherford & I were made happy this morning by the word from the
steamship office that your little boat had reached Bermuda by two o’clock on
Saturday! That was certainly fine and means good weather, I imagine. We have had
it also in New York; and we are almost sorry to go home. I have felt much
better, and so we were able to do a number of things. We went twice to the
theater; "Business before Pleasure" and "Polly with A Past,"
but they compared most unfavorably with our Hippodrome performance. On Sunday
Joe Swan sent his car for us, and took us out to Stamford for lunch - sending us
back again also. Then we stopped, and had a cup of tea with Kitty Loving Brown
in her charming little apartment.
I have brought a brown dress, hat, & coat; and wished you had been here
to assist.
Now Rutherford is going to tell you the rest of the news.
The affair of the two middle aged white haired ladies has not yet reached the
final chapter - but it is progressing. We expect to know later just how it turns
out - & will tell you someday.
We have had a most enjoyable vacation - every day full of interest. Expect to
be home for breakfast tomorrow morning arriving - Tuesday, Nov. 20th
- nearly three weeks from the day we left.
With love from us both to you and dear Lucy.
Your brother
Rutherford
P.S. You will receive from Putnams the two little books which Maryette spoke of. She hopes you & Lucy will like them as much as she did.
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