Letters to Home: Forrest Van Wert's Writings to His Wife and Kids

The Collection

Among the many artifacts of interest I received from my great-uncle Everette Van Wert (and subsequently scanned) were the letters and postcards I have included in this post. Each one is a letter from Forrest Everette Van Wert (my 2nd great grandfather) to his wife Carrie Blanche Smith (my 2nd great grandmother). Forrest was a risk taker. While this may have contributed to his success in business it also contributed to his early death aged 38 on the 21st of October, 1918- the result of his car rolling down an embankment. It is rather incredible that he survived as long as he did- he was a man who had brushed paths with death numerous times before. He had previously survived his car getting hit by a train and before that survived an accidental shooting. One of the postcards in my collection also suggests he may have narrowly escaped death by carbon monoxide poisoning after parking his car in a shed for the night. Given Forrest's propensity for beating the odds it seems fitting that after over 100 years his writings home have survived for me to scan and preserve.

In my preservation of these letters I attempted to provide faithful transcriptions. In old letters it isn't uncommon for the 'voice' of the writer to leak through the text in the form of grammatical and spelling decisions. A lot can be derived from how an ancestor writes; I particularly enjoy spelling errors that reflect the person's accent or manner of speaking. I have attempted to keep as many of these misspellings and grammatical deviations in my transcriptions as possible. It is entirely possible however, even likely, that I have made mistakes in some of my transcriptions. If you see one, I invite you to notify me in the comments below and I will correct the error.

Undated Postcard

Postcard Front

Postcard Front:

    Text:

        Affections Offering

    From:

      Forrest

    To:

       Blanche

Postcard Back

Postcard Back:

    Address:

       Mrs F. E. Van Wert

       Honesdale

       Pa

Jul 6, 1906

Postcard Front

Postcard Front:

    Picture Details:

        Copyright 1905

        By Robert McCrum

Text:

Lead Kindly Light.

Lead Kindly Light amid the encirculing gloom,

Lead thou me on;

The night is dark and I am far from home,

Lead thou me on.

From:

    Forrest

Postcard Back

Postcard Back:

    Postmark:

        Jul 6 1906

    Address:

        Mrs F. E. Van Wert

        Aldenville,

        Pa.

Aug 5, 1908

Postcard Front

Postcard Front:

    Blanche

Postcard Back

Postcard Back:

    Addressed to:

        Mrs. Blanche Van Wert

        Aldenville Pa.

        Wayne Co.

    Postcard Text:

        Emporium Pa

        Aug 5-1908

        Dear wife and babies

This leaves me quite well and hope it finds you all the same. it rained all night and most of the day so far I think I will get as far as Lacklyn(?) to night and to Bloomsburg(?) to morrow night if nothing happens I will close with love from your husband Forrest

Oct 3, 1908

Postcard Front

Postcard Front:

    To The Loved Ones At Home

Postcard Back:

    Addressed to:

        Mrs. F.E. Van Wert

        Beach Lake

        Pa.

        Wayne Co.

Letter Text:

    Richmond Va. Oct 3 1908

    Dear wife and children

    This leaves me well and hope it finds you the same it is quite cold here there is such a Draft here that I will half to cut this short or I will catch cold I think I will take the boat from here to Norfolk Sunday night and sleep on the boat it is a 12 hour ride from 7 to 7

From your husband Forrest

Oct 12, 1908

Postcard Front

Postcard Front:

    Front Text:

        FOREVER and FOREVER

Postcard Back:

    Address:

        Mrs. F. E. Van Wert

        Beach Lake

        Wayne Co.

        Pa

    Letter Text:

        Oct 12 1908

        Laurinburg N.C.

        I am well and hope this finds you the same. I will write tomorrow to you your letter got missent sent to me too Wilmington didn't get it in time to answer it before I left I came to Laurinburg and spent Sunday with the fellow that I told you I met in New York he took me all over his plantation. I will explain it all in my letter. (illegible) Old Canterbury and I also (illegible) all about the (illegible)

From Forrest

Oct 21, 1908

Postcard Front

Postcard Front: 

    Postcard Place: Windsor Hotel, Jacksonville, Fla.

    Written date: Oct 21-1908

Postcard Back

Postcard Back:

    Address:

        Mrs. F. E. Van Wert
        Beach Lake
        Wayne Co.
        Pa

    Letter Text:

        I received your last letter This one that you sent to Brunswick GA. but haven’t got the papers I also got Jimmies Postal I have got all of the letters that you sent, I sent you a post office order from savannah I suppose you have got it by this time I am going to leave here Tonight for Macon GA. will ride all night love to all from your husband Forrest

Nov 12, 1908

Postcard Front

Postcard Front:

    Postcard Place:

        Spring in Spring Valley Park, Kansas City, MO.

Postcard Back

Postcard Back:

    Addressed to:

        Mrs. F. E. Van Wert

        Beach Lake

        Wayne Co.

        Pa.

    Letter Text:

        Chicago Ill.

        11/12 - 1908

        I haven't got your letter yet or card(?) from the Cr.(?) but expect to today so can't tell you where to write me yet but will let you know as soon as I find out it is quite winter weather here I feel it quite bad I suppose on account of being down south it is a great deal warmer climate love to all from your husband Forrest.

Jan 25, 1909

Postcard Front

Postcard Front:

    "My Queen of Hearts"

    Mrs. F. E. Van Wert

    Mayhew Bldg.

    Main St.

    Honesdale Pa.

    Wayne Co.

Postcard Back

Postcard Back:

    Charleston S.C. Jan 25th 1909

    Dear wife hope this finds you all well. I am not feeling very well. It is a beautiful day here it is so nice to be comfortable when a person isn’t use to it, good by from your loving husband

    Forrest E. Van Wert

    You are what this postal says on the other side to me

Feb 13, 1909

Postcard Front

Postcard Front:

    Card Text:

        My Devoted Heart is Ever Thine

    Written Text:

        True

Postcard Back

Postcard Back:

    Mrs. F. E. Van Wert

    Mayhew Bldg. Main St.

    Honesdale

    Wayne Co.

    Pa.

    Lexington Ky. Feb 13 1909

        Dear wife. Hope this finds you all well I got word from the (illegible) to come home what way I pleased will be home by the first of march won't be able to tell you where to write to me for I am trying to pickout the best route home, don't know whether I will have you meet me at Peckville or not but I guess I will it depends on when I can get home be ready so you can come right over when you get word from me you can leave Harold(?) to keep house for a couple days also I am very glad this is my last trip I don't enjoy being away from from home like it. Be a good girl From your loving husband

Jan 22, 1912

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Letter Text:

    The St. James

    Denver Colo

    Jan 22-12

    Dear Blanche + all

        I am in denver just got here about 30 minutes ago came out to fix up the insurance and things about the mine and I got tired of going to Steamboat they have had me down there twice since I was down on the land case and I found out that they had another subpoena for me which was likely to keep me down there for a week so I took the train yesterday and got here this morning 6 o clock. I am sorry that you aren't feeling better. I love to get good long letters from you but dont do anything to tire yourself any more than you have to. Uncle William is here with me I think he is coming back east he isn't sure yet. I didn't want to come out until I came East but had to get it fixed up for if any of the men got crippled or killed and I didn't have the insurance and state end fixed up it would break us and you know we dont want to be broke for that would please to many people. The ride over the Hump was a terrible one Charley is breaking Nellies colt to ride I think it will be a dandy it seems to break real easy since the first time I sold the cow that was down on the Desert to mr Hutchins for $125. I thought it was to much to have tied up in a cow if I could sell her for that. It is a good day light here now so guess I will go to Breakfast when you need any money write get what you want you will find a check in this letter for $50 have a good time spend what money you need to dont try to be to saving on this trip we dont know when we will take another one.

    From your loving husband

    Forrest

Nov 11, 1912

Postcard Front

Postcard Front:

    7482 The Royal Gorge

    Canon of the Arkansas

    River, Colo.

Postcard Back

Postcard Back:

    Addressed to:

        Mrs. F.E. Van Wert

        Yampa

        Colo.,

        Routt Co.

    Postcard Text:

        Denver Nov 11-1912

        Dear wife tis storming hard here tonight has stormed all day I have been out to the stock yards all day gittin(?) cattle and weighing got $6.60 for a carload of steers they weighed 10 26 was pretty sick coming out.

        From Forrest

Mar 26, 1915

Envelope

Envelope:

    Address:

        Mrs F. E. Van Wert

        Oak Creek

        Routt Co.

        Colo.

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Page 2

Page 3

Letter:

    My Dear Blanche

    St Lukes Hospital

    Mar 26- 1915

        The weather is still bad here storms every day. Dr. Cole is in Denver going to leave this PM at 2:30 for Pennsylvania I have been talking with him two or three times he said that Dr Root said that it will be a week before I can come home it seems as though I have been away a year now I dont know how it will seem if I stay away much longer. I am so glad that Jack gave Parker a good Thumping I would like to of been there to of seen it but wasn't.

        I wish I could have you and the children come and see me but of course I can't I rather be able to come and see you. I am so I can get around on crutches now but there is a big hole in my leg yet and the Dr wont let me come until tis healed so he thinks it will be safe from infections and it is better for me to stay and have it right if I can. Tell Uncle Benson hello for me and antie. Tell Jack that if he has time and can get anyone to help him I would like to have him get those two gray fillies up and handle them some and I will help him finish breaking them when I come if there is any room in the barn but if there isnt not to bother.

        I am sitting by the table writing it is in the middle of the room and there are beds on both sides. The grub isnt much here I get some things sent up from a store nearby.

        Tell Maude + Hughie(?) hello for me and that I am with a good many dead men yet.

        Love to all From

        Forrest

Mar 29, 1915

Envelope

Envelope:

    Address:

        Mrs F. E. Van Wert

        Oak Creek

        Routt Co.

        Colo.

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Page 2

Page 3

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Letter Text:

    St. Lukes Hospital

    Mon. night Mar 29- 1915

        Dear Blanche and Dear little Children I would like very much to be with you tonight but dont know when you can look for me I ask the Dr every time he dresses my leg but he dont give me any satisfaction. I am looking for a letter from you in the morning but kept thinking so much about you that I had to write tonight it helps keep me from getting so lonesome. I don't know what I will do if I halfto stay much longer but guess it is best to stay as long as the Dr. says. I surely enjoy your long letters they dont get to long for me only I wish I had you here with me and the Dear little children. Do kiss them all for me and give them a great big hug. I miss you so I dont know how to put in the time they go to bed so early that a fellow cant sleep. The fellow that was on the bed along side of me left today and there is a new fellow there tonight that is going to be operated on Tomorrow.

        Charley Arnold is quite bad his insision bursted open last night and his entrals started out and they had to sew him up again. They have got a trained nurse with him now. I just heard Merril Montgomery talking to Charleys wife he was in the booth so didnt hear much that he said but I was talking to Charley this evening and he didnt seem very good but I think he will get along alright.

        The reason that it takes me so long is they took about two or three inches of the bone out of my left leg and it takes that place quite a while to heal and they keep it packed with gause so that it has to heal from the bottom we are having dreary weather here it is cloudy all the time and storms nearly every day.

        You remember the Postal that you sent me once will you love me in december as you did in may. I surely do the older I get and the older you get the more I love you so I think that our older days ought to be our happiest. I think you are the Dearest little woman I ever saw and I hope I never have any reason to think different. Tis time to turn the lights so guess I will halfto close for this time.

        With love and good luck

        From Forrest

Dec 27, 1916

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Letter Text:

Oak Creek Colo

Dec 27 1916

Dear Blanche and Babies

I just got your card was real anxious to hear how you all got there and awful glad to hear that you are not any worse I hope that you get better right along I worked all day xmas I have (illegible) my feet they are sore just about like Ruths were I have suffered trouble with them. I sold the upper places to Egry + Pitchford and the cattle all but 2 milk cows Pa has been up to Uncle Williams Ever since you have been gone we are selling over 20 ton of coal a day and will sell 40 in about a week I bought a small mule this morning for the mine the jack couldn't stand it and he wasn't fast enough it took him too long to make a trip Sallie(?) and bob are still at the House but I don't think I will keep them the men are not satisfied with them running the House I think I will get an old lady the mother of the fellow that is driving the teams his name is Paraday I don't know Her but they say she is a good (illegible) for a job like that. I would like to write all day to you but have got to go have you been to the Express office yet tell Everette that I got the violin for a xmas Present for him Love to you and the Dear Babies

Your loving little Forrest

Jan 15, 1917

Letter Page 1

Letter Page 2

Letter Text:

    Oak Creek, Colo.

    Jan 15 - 1917

    Dear Blanche + Babies,

        I got home from Steamboat yesterday and got your letter was very glad to hear from you but sorry to hear that you were not any better but hope that you will get better soon. That watch I think is a pretty good one. I would of sent you a bracelet watch only they were only 7 jewels and I wanted to get you a better one. I have got 12 men working for me. Mr Fulton got sick and I got a fellow by the name of Paraday to drive. Mr Fulton is working at carpenter work around the mine and building cabins he is a real good old man to have he can do most anything that is to do. I have got rid of all the hogs but 14 little pigs I have got 2 dandy little mules that we are working in the mine they will make us a dandy driving team when we don't need them in the mine but I suppose we will use them in the mine most of the time. The Jack was to slow we had to quit using him he will make a good packjack for some one. I sold Walter Neff the Roberts mares sold uncle Miles the Indian Pony and her colt sold Jeff to a fellow that is by the name of Lindsay. I sold the cattle to Egry and Pitch sold the ranch to Egry and Pitch, sold Smokie to Pitch. Rambler got kicked so I got him brot him down, he is getting better now. I think I will get Hughie to winter some horses for me. I sold the cow down at the desert to Hutchins for $125. I didn't think I could aford to keep a cow that I could sell for that price.

    Must close and go to work.

    From your loving husband Forrest

Feb 4, 1917

Letter Page 1

Letter Page 2

Letter Text:

    Oak Creek, Colo.

    Feb 4- 1917

    Dear Blanche + Babies

        I found 2 letters here from you when I got back from Denver. I left Denver Friday morning and got in Oak Creek 6 am. Sat. morning we laid in the snow sheads on top of the hill. The smoke came in the cars and made me terrible sick it was something terrible. Uncle William can tell you what a time we had in Denver trying to git out. I was sick and didn't start until they said the road was open and got here then as soon as the rest that started 3 Times an staid on top all night and then had to go back to Denver. I have had the grip and toncilitus and it doesn't seem to leave me it keeps me feeling miserable. I would like so much to come from Denver but couldn't it seemed as though I couldn't hardly stay off the Train when uncle William went bay. I went to the station with him and staid until the train left. It has been very nice here today but is blowing tonight and is getting cloudy, so expect it will storm tomorrow or very soon. Everybody is in bed I cant write when they are around they make so much noise that I can't  think what I am doing. I got a nice writing desk when I was in Denver it is one of those kind with a glass door and a plase for books. I bought 8 good chairs in Denver and 1 nice rocker. I am going to save them til you come back then I will bring them home. I wish you and the babies were here it is pretty lonesome to have you away so long but if you get your health back that is the one thing that I am hoping for you are the Dearest little woman in the world the more I see of others the more I can see the value of my little Dear. We are use the tall black colt to feed with now he is doing fine I think I will save them for our driving team they will be a dandy team for us to knock around with. I think I will start a store at the mine it would be a good job for Will to tend it and and weigh coal and tend the books(?) you can tak to him about it it might be just the think for both of them to come out here they might get better right away. I am taking a through of Calomel tonight and am going to take a dose of (sodium phosphate) it is to work on my liver and blood. Keen is feeding the Horse + doing the chores. I got the money for the cow of Hutchins. I have got an order for several car load of coal to ship to Rollins near Denver. I sent a nice little ring to Ruth by Uncle William it is her xmas present you get one from Benson + me love to all Forrest

Feb 8, 1917

Envelope

Envelope Text:

Mrs. F.E. Van Wert

R.F.D. 4

Honesdale

Pa.

Letter Page 1

Letter Page 2

Letter Text:

Oak Creek Colo

Feb 8 1917

Dear Blanche and children

I have been in Steamboat since mon. am going home on the Passenger this am dont think they will call me down here any more they have never called me on the witness stand and they have had me down here three different times it is the coldest place in the world here at Steamboat in the winter I catch cold every time I come down here I didn't have time to see much how things were when I was out at the mine but guess I will be able to stay there until I come back east now I suppose uncle William got back all right I told him that he might go to Peckville with you and the children for company. The train is here so must close to go and I want to send this on the train. I borrowed this paper of Perey(?) Hughes he is going to Oak Creek on this train I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better that I don't know what to do. Kiss the babies for me have them kiss you for me good by dearie

From your loving Husband F. VW

Mar 21, 1917

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Letter Text:

    Oak Creek, Colo., Mar 21 1917

    Dear Blanche

    I haven't had a letter from you in quite a while but thought I would write anyway for a letter from you breaks the lonesomeness I wish you and the Children were here I never want you to be gon again it seems like being alone in the world. I bought the Oak Creek livery and transfer business today I want to come back but I cant get the coal business looked after right unless I am here. You tell Will I think it would be the best thing for his health and graces health to come out here and I will see that he gets a good job. and makes as much in the end and maby more than he does back there I am going to get a house in Oak Creek and we will live on that end When do you think you will come back I just as soon be in jail as to have you gone like this any more but it would be pretty nasty to come here now- it is snowing and a fright here today. goodmight(?) is running the mine for me now he is doing fine Relong(?) wasnt much Count(?) Oates(?) La(?) Force(?) is going to stay with me here at the barn he understands it real good and Every body says he is a good honest fellow but I am not going to have any Pets any more everybody is going to hit the ball. Where do you think you would like to live in Oak Creek tell me and I will see if I can get a house there I would like to live as near the barn as possible your best friend in the world and your loving husband Forrest