October 1916

571 Hamilton Rd [London, Ont]

Oct 2/16

Dear Madeline —

I was glad to receive your letter and also Edith’s. She certainly writes an interesting letter, she described her trip so nicely. I would like to visit Edith in her home very much even though she did not ask me. She is too far away for that though.

I saw in the paper that the 149 was going to spend the winter in Sarnia. I wish it were London, but it will be nice for you to be in Sarnia and for Will to be here all winter.

Alice was up here last Tuesday. Sh exam up to buy a suit. I did not see the suit but she said it was swell, she bought it before she came out here, so we did not unfasten it. She was going to Forest Fair on Wednesday so had to go right back. I would like to have had her stay longer.

There was a girl just came in and informed me that my name was down for reading the lesson at guild tonight. I have not been attending but I guess I will have to go tonight. They entertained some soldiers last week. I went over and had a real good time, but I can’t feel interested like I did at Arkona. I am going to try and attend this winter though.

I hear Grace Crawford is in the store in Lida’s place. They certainly have a big time getting girls in there, perhaps if I were there now I might get in as I always wanted to.

I would like to go to Arkona for the Thanksgiving supper this fall, but I can’t go very well. We are having one here in the church, but I dread having to help here, although I know nearly every body now.

Mary Brown was again this morning to see about getting into the hospital, but found she could not get in till next summer. The classes up till that time are all filled up.

I just cut my finger on the meat knife so I guess I better close. 

Write soon, Ella. 

______________________________________________________________________

Nemiskam, Alta [Alberta]1

Oct 4/16

My Dear Madeline,

Yes they forwarded your letter to me from Vienna & I was certainly glad to hear I am all bién & feeling OK again. I am in my dear very own home and oh I want you to come and see me. we are as happy as two kids in a play house. Frank had everything just as nice as could be for me. We have polished floors & rugs & large sq. windows with leaded [?] and mission favourite & the claimed [?] wood work oh it’s the greatest place out. the women’s laugh at me and say I think far too much of it because I don’t go out so very much but they are right. They had a surprise for us after we came. They presented us with a cut glass berry bowl & dishes. They are beautiful. We use our very prettiest things every night for dinner as your fork gets used often.

You tell Mr Williams that I said he must come west after he gets back. This is the the country for young people. This is a great year for Sask and Alta, with its great wheat crop & such prices. I realize it nearly every fair day now. When ever I look out the window and see train after train with their load of wheat, F. is a busy boy but on stormy days he is home nearly all the time as I count myself very lucky. Till this awful war will soon be over & you will have your boy all the time.

Our Gordon will be married in about a month. It’s likely I’ve told you about his girl but I will tell you again, she is an artist and such a lovely girl. She wrote us often last winter after their engagement was announced. she is the prettiest sister I ever saw and such lovely letters. Her home is in Folkestone England. She coloured a folder picture of Gordon for me, it is lovely, he is in his uniform. I am so pleased that they will be coming to se me soon because G. will come as far least to Edmonton. they will have a visit with the home folks too. 

Well this marrying business is very nice for every one but the home folks isn’t it? Poor Mother she tries to do so much for us & Lulu is thinking more seriously Mother says since I like it as well she is wearing a diamond this quite a while but she hasn’t wanted to settle down.

My it’s one glorious day out the sun is shining in full glory. I am expecting company for a week, a very jolly nice woman she is like Frank’s Ma, she mothered him all last year, she has sold out and is going back to the States for the winter then back to Nemiskaw, she hates to leave as she likes it so well here but her old home is down there and her husband feels dissatisfied here so she says she’ll take him back & give him his cure. Isn’t it strange that not many people like the east after the west. I certainly didn’t. I was pretty tickled to get back. 

Do you do much fancy work? I love it so & I have a lot that I want to do this fall & winter but I’ve been so lazy so far. I just eat & sleep it seems I never felt so hungry as I have since I came back and my face is as fat already. I must get weighed we have taken a lot of snaps but we haven’t been able to get them finished here, I will send you some when I them them from Lethbridge.

I have great fun with my cooking, I like it so well I am always experimenting. I made a few fruit cake I am very proud of it. I saved a piece added more fruit & steamed it for a plum pudding. I wish you could have tasted it.

Say Madeline tell me about Laura & Mable Jackson are they still in Arkona & Maud Fuller & Ruth Eastman so Alice Lampman still has trouble with her devoutees she was such a comical case. What about the other Lampman girls? My wouldn’t we have had a talk if I’d of known we actually passed through Alliston. I could kick my self yet for not knowing but I detest time tables & I never look at one & I tease F. if he does.

I get great letters from home. Father spent his holidays in Toronto. He bought a lorrie there as they move there next June. He got five acres so they will be fine and comfortable and be able to keep chickens.

Now I must certainly finish this and get down to business. Write me soon as love to hear and tell me some more news about Arkona and tell me where Ellie’s man lives.

With lots of love to Mr Williams & your self x x x  from Edith & Frank Ashmore

1 Founded in 1915, Edith and Frank Ashmore were certainly among its earliest inhabitants. More at  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemiscam,_Alberta. Sadly, Nemiskam became a ghost town http://www.ghosttownpix.com/alberta/nemiskam.html and http://hauntedcanuck.blogspot.ca/2011/12/nemiskam-dead-centre-ghost-town.html

______________________________________________________________

Toronto, Oct 4th, 1916

Dear Brother,

I received your letter this morning and I certainly was glad to hear from you. I got the money all right and i twill certainly come in handy. I am in a good ward No. 1 West wing there are ten of us in the ward all good fellows and we have all got rheumatism nobody confined to bed. 

We can go all over the hospital and grounds. We have good nurses in here and lots of them. Miss Bates from Arkona is in this hospital and my nurse Miss McWilliams has been at Arkona with her she knows Madeline and she has heard of you. Our night nurse is Miss Upper. We have a regular concert here every night one of the boys has a mouth organ and the others sing. The good singers from the other wards come into ours and sing too. I expect to get out the end of the week or the first of next. I can walk around now fairly well. Just stiff that’s all. Say I wish if you are going home you could take my tunic home it is hanging up in my tent, take the things out of the pockets and keep them. I don’t want to have to carry it when we move. If you can do that it will help me out a lot. About coming here your can suit yourself. It is a large hospital about 1000 in here now going and coming every day. I will call on that officer if I get a chance. I will have to close and get this posted or you will not get it in time.

Your loving Brother,

Alf 

_____________________________________________________________

Camp Borden

Oct. 10.1916

10 P.M.

Mrs W.A. Williams

Arkona, Ontario

Dear Madeline,

Just arrived 10 minutes ago, feeling tired and sleepy. The trip was a lonesome one, left Watford 11:15 and traveled right through to Toronto. Was in Toronto one hour and left for Borden, caught the special Allendale. Mr Wyatt came all the way with me. He is alright only tired and half sick from the long ride. He told me to be sure and remember him toy all and he will write soon. All the boys are getting to bed now. There will be a lot to come in yet. It is awful clear tonight and cold. Freezing hard and moon so bright. Mr Beattie had a nice warm fire on and the tent is comfortable, will surely sleep tonight as I feel that way.

MR Olle has not returned yet. Met Capt Kelly and mentioned the present hope you will send a note to [I.C.] Please shorten the toes of the socks left behind. Met Alf in Watford and he will return Saturday. Is getting along fine and hopes to be alright soon. Miss Millie Bates is in this hospital and Alf’s nurse was a Miss McWilliams, who knows you and I. You remember her up at Bates.

Now Dear I feel contented hope you feel alright and be sure and take care of yourself. Remember me to all and be sure and write all the news. No news of [Omerson] as yet. Mr Olle has just come in 10:30. 

GoodBye, your hubby. Billie

This space is for

P.S. Enclosing Alf’s letter. 7:30 A.M.  All’s well, clear and cold this A.M. Dick Stapleford left for the front this A.M. Butler & Kerry will be home day or two. Our Bn is a small one. We will be out in drill in 30 mins. Will close and write you Thursday evening.

GoodBye, Will 

_______________________________________________________________

Camp Borden
12 October 1916

9:45pm

Mrs W.A.Williams

Arkona, Ontario

Dear Madeline,

Yours to hand. Glad you are well and contented. Am well and tired tonight. Have been out all day on manoeuvres on parade and attack. The day has been warm and tonight is warm and cloudy threatening rain. The dust is settled and the camp in ideal for training.

Well Dear your prayers have been answered. The 149 leaves for London October 16th for winter quarters. The boys are all glad to get away from here. The nights have been awful cold and they hate this place especially after just coming home from their visit to Lambton.

Now you will surely be pleased over this, only for how long will be the next worry. Well I hope until spring and I believe it will be as we will no doubt recruit up to strength. Advance party of 1 officer and 25 men will leave Saturday. The Bn will leave Monday and 1 officer and 50 men will stay behind and clean up for a day or so. We will be quartered in Queens Park. This is out in today’s orders. Madeline if you pray as sincerely and earnestly in the future as you have in the past, I may never have to go overseas. Please keep this in mind. How will Lida like to hear of the boys staying.

This is my last page and will tell you to get ready for London as you can come down anytime. I hope you go to Mrs Nevilles or Mrs Hawkins - prefer Mrs Hawkins. Will write you soon as get to London also try Sunday if possible not packed up. Mrs Anderson was here today 157 rec’d colours. All Alliston were down I believe. Record no pay as yet will send some soon as get it maybe Sunday. Be sure and bring my duds when you go to London. Well Dear I’ll close and wish you the happiest yet and hope to get letter Saturday. 

GoodBye

Your loving husband, Will

Remember me to all.