Letters from George Thomas Curtis

Addressed to Mr. Lev. Curtis, New England, Wood Co., W. Va. Postmarked Auburn West Virginia, 7 Apr

Auburn W. Va.

April the 4/85

Dear Brother, Father and Mother

I have arrived here tonight at six oclock worn out and tired. How I would like to be with you all tomorrow. I have been selling a bill of goods so tis just 12 oclock. Since I left home I have been working hard and having a booming trade. So this connected with good health and pleasant weather, most of the time makes things more pleasant. I see any amount of poor starved cattle, sheep and horses every day. Great many are starving to death as feed is so scarce. Corn worth $1.50 bu. Wheat $1.75 bu, at this place. There is great deal of sickness througout the whole country, with fever. With much love to you all and tructing you are all well

I am your brother & son

Geo. T. Curtis

P.S

Address Weston W. Va

Lev, write me at once and mail at the port so I will get it at Weston.

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Addressed to Mr. E. W. Curtis, New England, Wood Co. W. Va. Postmarked Weston, W. Va. Apr 14

[On Bailey House letter head, E. M. Tunstill, Prop.]

Weston, W. Va., Apr 13th 1885

“Dear folks at home”

I arrived here tonight. Am feeling first rate. The weather still continues very bad. The people in some sections are in starving conditions. I shall not be at home before the middle or last of May. Wishing you are all well and mother all O.K. again. I am your

Son

Geo. T. Curtis

Much love to you all also Lethe & Ed. Good night

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Addressed to Mr E. W. Curtis, New England, Wood County, W. Va.

Auburn, June 4th 1885

Dear folks at home

I arrived here last night. Am working hard and Wade the same. Tis very dry throughout this this section and grass and wheat very short. Corn and potatoes are looking well. I was fishing one day last week and caught some nice ones. Will close for this time and write soon again. Wishing you are all well and love to all.

I am your son

George Curtis

Write me at once

Weston W. Va.

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On Bailey House stationery

Weston, W. Va., June 12th 1885

Dear folks at home

I came here today from Clarksburg. Will stay untill tomorrow. Then I shall go to Cumberland Ms. For Sunday. I am working hard all the time --. Trade very slow and collections worse. Still the house is well pleased. Tis very dry through this section of the state and crops look short. Many merchants are failing in business and wholesale houses suffering great losses. Many of the drummers are being paid off as trade so slow. -- house -- me some $3000 in statements to collect as the bill are all past due and the prospect for money. I was through the Asylum today and saw many horrible sights. I will see you all on or about July 25 to Aug 1st. Wishing you are all well and much love to all.

I am you son

Geo. T. Curtis

P.S.

I expected a letter from you today but was disappointed. - me to Nic-al E H, W. Va.

Good bye

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Addressed to Lev. Curtis Esq., New England, Wood Co. W. Va. Postmarked Jun 15 1885 Phillippi, W. Va.

Robinson House

Phillippi, W. Va

June 14 /[18]85

My dear brother & folks at home

I came here today. ‘Tis very warm & dry - 98 below niblo. I have been snorting and sweating all day long. Still I am enjoying best of health. I thought sure I would hear from you when at Weston but was disappointed. When I give you my address you must write at once or I will not get same. Where is little Frank & Alice and have you heard from John. How is Pa & Mother standing this warm weather. Trade continues very slow. Is your strawberries ripe yet. Have not had or saw one this year. A little boy was badly hurt here this eve. He fell from the Vallie River Bridge, a distance of 30 ft. Have no news to write this time, so believing you are all well and much love to you all.

Your brother – Good bye

Geo. T. Curtis

Address – Nicholas C. H., W. Va.

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Addressed to E. L. Curtis Esq., New England, Wood Co., W. Va. Postmarked Baltimore, MD Aug 4 1885; on stationery of the Clarendon, Corner Hanover & Pratt Sts.

Baltimore, Md., Aug 3rd 1885

Dear brother Lev,

I arrived here all OK. Find business very dull & nothing doing. The weather is very cool & pleasant with plenty of rain. I was down the Bay Sunday. Wish you had been with me, had a pleasant trip. Do not know when I will be at home, but will not remain here but few days. Will Write you Tomorrow again. With much love to Pa & Mother

I am your brother

Geo. T. Curtis

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Elizabeth, W. Va.

Nov. 1st 1885

“My dear parents & brother”

I have spent the entire day all by myself as ‘tis raining & every thing seems so dreary. I came here last night, will remain until tomorrow. Business is very dull here & nothing doing at all as all the mills have stopped work, waiting for better times. In all my collections since I left home, have received only ten dollars. This is certainly discouraging.

I wish I had something else to do this winter, as trade will be no better until spring. Lev: I want you to take care of our Cider and not let it stand out all winter. I have no doubt you feel bad & sorrowful since you darling Janice left you, but as I will see here sometime this winter will remember her with a kiss for you.

With much love to you all, I am

Yours

Geo. T. Curtis

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Addressed to E. W. Curtis Esqr., New England, Wood Co. W. Va. Postmarked Troy, W. Va. Nov 14 1885

Glenville, W. Va.

Nov 13th 1885

Dear Father – Mother & Brother

I came here to day. Am enjoying best of health & working hard. Trying to make home by New Year. Trade continues very dull, still some better than what it was. The crops through tis section were just splendid. Corn worth 25-30 per bu. Last year it sold for $1.50 to 2.00. I shall leave here tomorrow and will spend Sunday at St. Clara where my Peacocks are. Will be at Salem Mon. or Tuesday and hope for a letter from home. I have heard nothing from John as yet. Where is Alice & frank & how are they getting along. As I have no news of importance will close. Wish