Write real soon and often, be good

Thomas Gray Haile subcollection, cards 29, 23, 43, 81

Four quick today–or three quick and one longer at the end (Madge, of course).

First up: another with condition issues but showing some pretty flowers. A previous owner sorted it into the flower section.

A birthday card, although don’t ask me from whom. I’m not entirely sure. Some of the words are partially obscured by the damage. Here’s what I was able to transcribe:

Hello How are you we are fine and dandy but you know we fell [unclear] becouse you all diden come but sure re[?] looking for you all Friday [unclear] must be sure and come so ou call me Friday going at state earle and let me know [unclear]

[unknown] to Thomas Haile, 4 July[?] 1910

So much for that, now onto another flower card but this one in rather better condition!

Similarly, the handwriting on the reverse is much more legible. Hurrah!

Have been reading since I came home. But can’t find that book we discussed any place in town. Am making some handkerchiefs but without any corners Courinville[?] is geting to be society. we have a dance hall, opera on Friday evenings. I shall be more than glad to hear any thing you may chance to say. Are violets still blooming? My plants all died.

[unknown] to Thomas Haile, 11 February 1911

And it’s rather more informative, although the postmark is somewhat obscured so I didn’t have that to help me figure out what town the writer referred to. That’s something to check against a map of Tennessee sometime. The writer was probably a woman based on the stereotype of women being more likely to make handkerchiefs. It’s a chatty card, suggesting an active correspondence of some sort in addition to visits or encounters such as their discussion about a book.

Then on to this artist-style image in the shape of a board for a painter to use.

As for the message, again one that suggests regular correspondence or interaction of some kind. The C is open to interpretation, could be the same as above but that’s a danger assumption to make.

Was delighted to get your card. Think it was mean of you not to come to C before you left How long do you suppose you will be away Let me hear from you again M.H.S

M.H.S. to Thomas Haile, 17 March 1911

Last but certainly not least, a Madge card. This is the last one for which I have a firm date–or at least that was the case when I processed them. I may be able to determine some additional dates in the next weeks when I take another look at them. But first, this one. The image is very Madge–deliberately romantic.

As for the message?

Hello,- WIsh I could have received a letter or card from you tonight ’cause I’m feeling Oh! so blue, ‘haven’t had a line from you since last week. Jimmie and I are getting to be big friends. Old Blue (the horse George drove to White Bend) is dead, died last night, Mary of course feels sad. guess they drove him to fast don’t you? write real soon and often. be good, will you? Madge

Madge [unknown] to Thomas Haile, 10 March 1907

Such tidbits about their circles! We don’t know who Jimmie is (or even if Jimmie is human). Then there’s Old Blue whom Madge evidently doesn’t expect Thomas to remember by name and hence provides some help. Old Blue presumably belonged to their mutual friend Mary or her family.

And that’s all for now. Two more weeks of Thomas (and at least four more cards from Madge) before we move on.

“Write real soon and often, be good,” copyright 2021, Alea Henle.