Jim Allen's Story

Greetings,

Nice site, thanks. My grandfather died there in 1929. Here is a summary of the letters he wrote:

Cheers,

Jim

Letters from James H. Allen to Ada Lydia Armstrong Allen and Family

(Transcribed by James D. Allen and copyright 2005)

In Ada’s possessions were a number of letters from Jim to his family during his stay at the Wm. H. Maybury Sanatorium (Northville, Wayne Co., MI,). The name of the sanatorium came from his death certificate and was suspected due to a letter postmarked “August 20, 1928, 9am, Northville, Mich.” (2 cents postage) [mailed to Cadillac, MI, C/O Irene Armstrong RFD No. 2.]. We also expected it was on of 12 sanatoriums because of its proximity to Mason Fish, Ada’s step brother, who visited frequently. James had twin sons, Henry and Howard in 1921.

There is no way to be sure of the sequence of these letters. The spelling was not corrected but the punctuation was just to make it readable. Most of the paragraphs had no periods, caps or question marks. The originals are in the “Allen” file currently in the possession of grandson, James D. Allen, Rochester, NY.

 

 

Infirmary Room 225 (no date)

 

Dear Ada and Mother.

 

Received your letters and was so awfully glad to hear from you. Mason was out yesterday. Took part of Radio home. I am about the same. I eat a little more than I did. No they don’t let me toast my bread here. They don’t let me out of bed even. Yes I like one of my roommates. The other one is so stingy he will not use the loud speaker for fear the rest of us will listen in but we are hooked up on another line so we don’t care. I wrote Gardners for money. They didn’t answer. I am glad you like your school. Tell mother not to work to hard. Sorry to hear she shouldn’t take a little vacation. Glad you like your car. Will let you know if I get worse or better. Give my love to the boys and kiss them for me.

 

Love to all,

Jim.

Infirmary Room 225 (no date)

 

Dear Ada and Mother,

 

Just a line I am feeling much better although I had a fever today 101. I am eating some better. I guess mebly [sic -maybe?] I may pull through OK. Let us hope so. Mason was out Sunday for a few minutes. He had to steal them from a meeting he had here in Detroit. Mrs. Gardner sent me some money so I am good for a while. Good service over in this building but oh how they die. It is cold here again. How is it up there? I hope it is comfortable. What are the boys doing? Are they helping? I would not let Henry work to hard you know. He will hurt himself if you let him. He is just as willing as Howard is unwilling. I wrote Clarence this week. I owe Zora and Mason a letter but I feel so tired I can hardly write. Tell Ma to take things easy and not to kill herself. Kiss the boys and love to all.

 

Jim

 

[JDA note – perhaps this Clarence is where Henry’s middle name came from]

 

 

(No date)

 

Dear Henry,

 

I received your letter. I was glad to think you thought of dady (sic). Next spring we are going to have a good time. We will go hunting in the woods and fishing. You Howard mother and me won’t we have one good time. Be a good boy and help mama. Daddy loves you so much .

 

Love and Kisses,

Daddy Jim

 

San Mar. 1st, 1929

 

Dear Mike Henry [original letter has a box around Mike – don’t know why]

 

How are you? I hope you have a good time with the sled. How are the geese. Do they chase you? Are you a good boy at School? I hope so. Be kind to Kids and Granma and mother. Uncle Howard was out to see me and he said you were growing big so Daddy wouldent (sic) know you. Wait until we go fishing. Won’t we have fun.

 

Love Daddy Jim

XXXXXX

 

 

No date

 

Daddy Jim’s little [???] Henry.

 

How is my little Henry behaving? Are you a good boy? Has the Bees stung you yet Henry? What are you going to do with all the money from Uncle Howard gave you for picking Berries?

 

Be a good boy to mama and learn to read and write so you can tell Daddy Jim the news.

Love and Kisses,

Daddy Jim.

Per your request, here a few pictures from between 1919 and 1929.

(see the story Gallery)

The woman with twin boys is his wife, Ada L. Armstrong Allen. My father isone of the boys. Ada is also at the bottom of the latter in the Haystack Pic. That was in Michigan. The pictures on the rock are from his work in Pyrites NY 1919 to 1920. He came back to Detroit to Marry Ada in 1920. Around 1920, one of his letters said that he saw a doctor about his cough and was told to stop smoking. I don't know if that contributed to his TB.

Regards,

Jim

Click on photos to enlarge