Sneaky and Kid -- the letters of Tom and Ruth (early courtship)

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Early Courtship

The letters of Tom and Ruth begin in 1911, about a year after they first met while working at Reno Power Light and Water Company.

TPW-1911-06-17: Dear Friend, I would rather be a Fire Hydrant in LA than mayor of Reno only the job might be tiresome. Gee what a time I'm having. - Percy Walker

Tom's Freshman Year

There were two periods of letter writing: when Tom's classes started and Ruth was in Montana, and then during Christmas break when Tom went off to earn some extra money.

But say Ruth I can't write a thing so I'll give you some don'ts -- Don't go around with your hair down your back -- it will get knotted. Don't walk in water you'll get your feet wet. Don't carry a parasol, freckles become you and above all don't fail to come back soon.

RAP-1911-09-01

Postcard of the M.E. Church in Lewistown Montana.

Waiting for train to Butte. Left Lewistown this morning after having best time on record. We went to this church last Sun. so I'm not a heathen yet. - RAP

TPW-1911-09-03

mystery-note-1911

Some fraternity or secret society thing.

TPW-1911-12-24

Tom sends a Christmas present for Ruth. Tom is taking the Christmas break to earn some money in the mines at Virginia City.

Stationery from Tom

The Christmas present.

RAP-1911-12-26

Ruth writes a poem in five limericks about Tom the silver miner. Here is the first verse:

I know a young Freshman from Reno,

Who's far from what he now seems-o!

With ideas for cash

He made a wild dash

To the mines to complete his dreams-o!

lots of l___ uck (fooled you)

TPW-telegram-1912-05-12

Telegram from Tom to his mother announcing receiving a scholarship.

Scholarship one hundred dollars given by Azro E. Cheney to be awarded to that student of the University who in the opinion of the President and the faculty has made the most progress in scholarship and has been the best example of student conduct during the present year.

TPW-1912-05-20

TPW-1912-06-12

Tom is in Los Angeles visiting his family.

RAP-1912-07-12

Ruth is in San Francisco.

TPW-1912-08-07

Ruth at Lake Tahoe, Tom writing from Reno.

Summer of 1913

These letters from Tom are postmarked from Fairview, Nevada where Tom is working in a silver mine.

RAP-1913-07-17
TPW-1913-07-18
RAP-1913-07-28
TPW-1913-07-31
TPW-1913-08-12
TPW-1913-08-21

Christmas Vacation 1913

Ruth is now a freshman at the University of Nevada, Reno, and Tom is a junior. Tom returns to the mine to earn some money during the break.

TPW-1913-12-24: This is the night I should wish you a Merry Christmas Ruth. I do with all my heart. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and many, many, more like it.
TPW-1914-01-05
January 6, 1914: Letter from Tom's Mother: News from home.; My Dear Boy, you will get a box of candy with this mail those girls are so popular they have had no time to make candy.
RAP-1914-01-07
TPW-1914-01-08

May 1914

The letters appear to be from a Glee Club tour. Here is a photo of the group.

TPW-1914-05-07
TPW-1914-05-08

Summer 1914

In the summer of 1914, Tom returned to the Fairview mines while Ruth spent the first part of the summer in Reno and then spent a month with her family in British Columbia. They re-united in San Francisco in late August.

TPW-1914-06-06

TPW-1914-06-08

I'll never get over wishing and working and worrying until everything is fixed for you and me. It will be, we know, but there's an awful strain. All of me for you, Ruth. - Tom.

Charles Huseman 1914-06-19

Charles Huseman is helping Tom get a scholarship from Mr. William Addison.

I have just finished a two hour talk with him [Addison] ... and I ups and asks him for a scholarship for some deserving student. He fell for it right off the reel....He is a prince of a fellow...He fell for the Glee Club and more especially you.

An unusual day at the mine.

Hello!!! If you ever act like our boy Willie is doing tonight I'll get a divorce. Here I've had supper ready three hours and no Willie. I've put the last stick in the fire now, and if he comes he'll eat a cold supper. He was supenaed on a coroners jury that is holding an inquest over the body of a poor fellow who fell into an ore chute today. Every body on the works was to the rescue. They got Perrin and me from the bottom of the mine -- took us to the first level and set us to shoveling. If you would see men work you should see them trying to save another. We pumped oxygen into him for an hour and a half all to no avail.

Bill just came home and ate a cold meal. He is to be the parson at the funeral -- poor Bill.

This has been an upset day and it's hard to write. I can send my love tho! Ruth it makes me hop up and down to read your letters. I know how lonesome you feel 'cause I feel it myself. We're two pieces of something that will never be any good until there fastened together. I'm sure in love -- X Tom X

Ruth must have been calling Tom "Tom Percy" in her letters.

Say!! nix on the Tom Percy stuff see!! -- nuf sed.

TPW-1914-08-02

RAP-1914-08-03

TPW-1914-08-09

George Perrin in a fit of exuberance started a subscription for a wedding present for you and me. He and Bill think we're engaged. Ha! Ha! Good joke, eh?