My mother is 89 and she has been going through old family letters, pictures, etc. From time to time she finds something that she wants to share. Considering the current economic situation, I have been talking to her about The Great Depression and what it was like for her family to live through. Today she gave me a letter that my great grandmother, Addie (Adelaide, also my mother’s middle name), wrote.
Some background (skip it if you wish): She was born in 1862 and outlived three husbands, a businessman, a member of the New York State Legislature, and a barber. This letter was written during The Great Depression to her friend Esther who had helped her when her first husband contracted TB and moved to Colorado for his "health." Addie had to run the shoe store in Colorado as she tended to her husband who was living his last days in a room in the back of the store. Esther helped - for free. After her husband died, she moved back to New York and settled in East Rochester.
It is not an easy letter to read because the way they spoke and wrote depended greatly on the region of the country from which they came. She was a talented painter, and we have several of her works. They are quite good. Both my daughter and I inherited her talent. For me it’s been a gift gone to waste.
The letter, including spelling, is exactly as she wrote it. Parts of the letter give a small snapshot of how "regular" people viewed the depression. I read this letter knowing that it was the last one that she wrote and - well - it meant more than I thought it would.
My Dear Esther
I was delighted to get your card at Xmas time and the few words written on the back, but sorry, you were in the cafe again, for I believe it is hard work. One hardly knows what to do these times, as you can not see how it is going to be better. I don’t know but we felt the same when other depressions came. When it picks up, for certainly it must, we will soon forget. Some lay it to Politics, and blame Hoover, but I really think it is the more ignorant class. The beginning was Wall St. N.Y. So many lost all they had, I don’t think I ever realized anything like this, but it don’t do any good to talk about it, like the Lindberg Baby, too much News Paper. No doubt the Baby would of been returned if not so much publicity shown.
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I just wish you could of seen our snow. We had it all in March not but a very little all Winter, but just came right down. You might say in one week. It was beautiful to look at trees and shrubs covered. Alfred said he did not see any thing beautiful when it was such hard work to keep the walks shoveled, but it gave a great many of the unemployed work for more than a week, but the city only paid 3 1/2 cents an hour but that was better than nothing. I don’t think Geo (George) has steady work. It is a good thing he is in his mothers house, quite a proposition to take care of a big family, but I think it is wicked to worry, when if we do our part God will not desirt us.
My it was just wonderful your Aunty coming out to see you.
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I just hope you both have your health and great success, so you may be able to atain what’s your desire, and I hope some day I may be able to come and see you. I have talked it so much. I think it has become quite a joke, but I will show them some day. I have been having a horrid cold, regular gripp, have not been out in over three weeks, in bed most of the time. I got better then got a little careless, and later a little more. I used to be able to throw most any thing off in a few days, but not now. I received a card from Nellye at Xmas time and she told how old she was her last birthday and I 18 yrs older. I did not know she knew, but thought she used good sense in telling me I was 18 yrs older, instead of saying just how old I was, for I don’t like to think
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about it as Geo says what is the use talking about it. How is your daughter, Mary and her family? No doubt her daughter is a young lady most, time goes so fast. I often think of your going over to the Cafe making doughnuts early in the a m. Are you doing that now? Esther, don’t work too hard. It does not pay in the end. Go a little slow, your health is worth more to you. I hope you both keep well. With my love to you both, and hope to hear from you before next xmas.
Yours Ever,
Addie Sparrow
Addie never did go out to Colorado to see her friend Esther. The "horrid cold" she talks about in the letter was more than a cold. Not long after she wrote this letter, she died. It was January 1933. It was the depression. She would not outlive it. She died in one of the worst of times when as she said so simply, "One hardly knows what to do these times, as you can not see how it is going to be better."