They are letters from a distant cousin in Illinois to Eric Melody. Dated 1934-5, the writer, Melody Moore, was 20 years old. Eric would have been 36 and his sons Hayden (Paul) 9 and Barry 4 years old.
Eric has noted that Melody’s grandmother was William Melody’s sister Margaret.
8719 S. Carpenter St
Chicago Ill.
Oct 10 1935.
Dear Eric.
I received your letter of Sept. 5th and got quite a chuckle out of those summer trips of mine you were envious of. We took a trip last weekend. One of the boys of the crowd owns a beautiful cottage in Kansasville, Wisconsin. 10 of us drove down there on Sat night. The place was like an icebox. The boys got a fire going and we huddled around the fireplace in blankets. Finally all five girls went to bed – (in the same bed) and I guess the boys did the same. During the night we had snow – the first of the season and about 2 months early. We came home Sunday night or rather Monday morning – arrived at 3 am. There ends our summer.
My family didn’t like the snapshot I sent you but I think it looks like me. I’m so sorry the tractor had so much of me – I’ll try to better next time, but there really isn’t much of me to see. I’m not a very tall girl.
Your Hayden is a very handsome boy. Mother thinks he looks very like you. Does he really? I’d love to see Barry too.
Speaking of pubs – we call them Taverns here – you must find the same sort of enjoyment we do. We went to a Tavern for chicken last night and we drank highballs for three hours. Do you have a favorite drink? Some countries have a national drink for which they become famous. We Americans really mix our drinks – we try any and everything. You probably read that after the world war we had prohibition for many years. We had a great number of bootleggers and many gang slayings. Our present President repealed that amendment and now all taverns can have their doors open wide instead of hiding. I was too young to drink then but I’ve heard stories of having to give 3 knocks on a door and having someone peer out at them to see if the are just a citizen or a policeman before they could buy a drink.
I’m sorry you haven’t heard any more about the job you applied for. Would you like to live in a strange place? Of course it is British territory and probably isn’t much different than from moving from one state to another as we do here. But I wouldn’t care to live in any other state than Illinois. One of my sisters lives in California and another in Indiana. What would your wife think of moving? Where were you born Eric?
I haven’t been working for 6 months. I am a dental assistant and assist the dentist in operations and in his laboratory work – making bridges - inlay – plates, etc. I suppose I’ve lost my technique by now. I haven’t really looked for work. Mother needs someone to help manage the house. Then too, I’m thinking of being married. I haven’t any definite plans yet. Jimmie and I are waiting to see the outcome of A job he has applied for. He’s working now and makes $30 a week. That is a really good amount considering the depression we have but living expenses are so high that we would rather wait for this other job – which would pay about $45 a week and also a pension. Jimmie is a steel cutter – he guides an electric needle. It is dangerous work and he wears protective goggles to protect his eyes.
I enjoy horse racing but I don’t like to loose money. We have some beautiful tracks here – three in all – and just a short drive to reach them. American people are great gamblers. Somehow it disgusts me. We have a number of bookies here – places where you can place a bet from 50c up. I’ve gone with Jim a few times and saw the old ragged people betting there last ½ dollar and probably going without supper if they loose. It’s all the old cry “take a chance!” but I can’t see it.
I don’t play golf at all so I can’t say anything about the digging. Play very little tennis.
Our sport to enjoy are baseball but when the season is over football takes its place and there is just as much enthusiasm for it. We have so many college games and the boys are such good players. Our baseball is all professional and I don’t enjoy it half so much as football.
I hadn’t heard anything about the wheelbarrow derbies until you mentioned them. I don’t understand what you mean by a 14 stone man? Is that his weight – don’t you say so many pounds? - as for instance I weight 110 pounds.
I hope you have received “Napoli” by this time. And I do hope I brought the right one.
Mother asks if you could get data on your family history and send it to her – that is on the branch of the family over there. She said she would be glad to send you data if you are interested.
I’m sending some papers by separate mail. I’ve sent quite a few but you haven’t mentioned them – I received all you sent plus the railroad magazine – and very interesting it is.
Write soon and I’ll do like wise.
Love Melody
Melody mentions Eric applying for work overseas in a British territory? Where was that, Canada or Australia perhaps?
Melody also talks about sending “Napoli” was a musical score. In her other letters she talks about sourcing various scores for him including this one by Del Staiger who was a very popular trumpet and cornet artist. Chicago was in the height of the jazz age at this time so it must have seemed very exciting and exotic to Eric, a keen and accomplished musician. His relationship with his cousin enabled him to be up with what was cutting edge in the music world. Melody talks about going to various clubs and promises to remember the names of the Orchestra and the music they play.
