Transcribed Letter
Corrected and Interpreted Letter
Enclosed find letter from my darling; Be sure and distroy as soon as contense is noted and let no one see it. I have since learned that she is a school marm. In regard to affair of December will be as still as church mouse.
Your future happiness
P.E. O'Hair
Enclosed find letter from my darling; be sure and destroy it as soon as contents are noted and let no one see it. I have since learned that she is a schoolteacher. In regard to affair of December, I will be as still as a church mouse.
Your future happiness,
P.E. O'Hair
My Little Pet,
If you were here I would be hapy - with out you I am alone for in all this city who can fill your place in my heart or hapyness. I wish you were here. I go to the California Theator this Eve. They are playing The Streets of New York. I am waiting for Sherman S. Jewets man who is going to show me around. All wholesale dealers close at six o'clock therefore I have nothing to do in the evening. As I look from my room I see the Electricl light and its just splendid. If you were here I would take so mutch more pleasure in every thing. Neley and Friend were going up there the day before I came away and I was to _ that was the reason I did not write and tell you I was going it would be mutch nicer to say good bye in person. This ink is poor and theres about 300 people in room all talking so it is hard to re. My man has come so I must close. He tells me to finish my letters there lots of time. What will I say. You know all that I can say for I have told you so often But I will think of you darling till the Iron horse returns me once more to your loveing arms which with one guilte plesure will repay me for all trouble. I must close pance your well.
Loveing Friend
P.E. O'Hair
My Little Pet,
If you were here I would be happy - without you I am alone, for in this entire city who can fill your place in my heart or happiness. I wish you were here. I go to the California Theater this evening. They are playing "The Streets of New York." I am waiting for Sherman S. Jewett (& Company's, stove manufacturer) man, who is going to show me around. All wholesale dealers close at six o'clock, therefore I have nothing to do in the evening. As I look from my room I see the electrical light and it is just splendid. If you were here I would take so much more pleasure in every thing. Neley (possibly Cora's older sister Nelley Almira Allen) and friend were going up there the day before I came away and I was to _ that was the reason I did not write and tell you I was going it would be much nicer to say good bye in person. This ink is poor and there are about 300 people in this room all talking so it is hard to re(ad). My man has come so I must close. He tells me to finish my letters there is lots of time. What will I say? You know all that I can say for I have told you so often But I will think of you darling till the iron horse (train) returns me once more to your loving arms which with one guilty pleasure will repay me for all trouble. I must close pance you are well.
Loving Friend,
P.E. O'Hair
Cora
I will call about Eight O Clock if you can go to theator please be ready.
Yours Sincerely,
P.E. O'Hair
Cora,
I will call about Eight O'Clock; if you can go to (the) theatre, please be ready.
Yours Sincerely,
P.E. O'Hair
Dearest Cora,
Your kind and welcome favor of the 23 received and contense noted with pleasure. in reply would say you are a dear dear dear little angle for not scolding me about my breach of trust in regard to stage business when I saw bert driving fast I thought of it for the first time. I called to him but he did not hear it or did not see no one. I was going down but thought of the afair of knight before and thought best to let bert go. But I could not do anything all day but think of how disappointed you must have been and when you come home you can break my neck for it.
When I received your letter from office was afraid to open it. You don't know how good you are for not scolding and how glad I am that all is well at home for your sake.
It has been one year since first we became acquainted from that time till now I have loved you dearer than all else and it has been my one thought when shall you and I be free from this fear of being separated. And I hope this time you will let nothing stand in my way as I am determined to be firm
Dearest Cora,
Your kind and welcome favor of the 23rd received and contents noted with pleasure. In reply, I would say that you are a dear, dear, dear little angel for not scolding me about my breach of trust regarding the stage business. When I saw Bert (possibly Cora's brother Albert) driving fast, I thought of it for the first time. I called to him, but he did not hear me or did not see anyone. I was going down, but thought of the affair of night before and thought best to let Bert go. But I could not do anything all day but think of how disappointed you must have been. When you come home you can break my neck for it.
When I received your letter from the office, I was afraid to open it. You don't know how good you are for not scolding and how glad I am that all is well at home for your sake.
It has been one year since first we became acquainted; from that time till now I have loved you dearer than all else and it has been my one thought: when shall you and I be free from this fear of being separated? And I hope this time you will let nothing stand in my way, as I am determined to be firm in this matter. And why should we not see one another once a week? And not have a thousand watching as if we had horns on? It is funny. But I can talk better on this subject than write and therefore will choose to talk. Can you come up to the store saturday evening for a few minutes? I have written enough and must close. But you must not be lonesome, for it is but a short time and then we will never be lonesome again. Do you think all I have ever told you is untrue? If not, what should I do? With out you I would rather be dead. But let us talk this way no more.
My Dear Wife
I hope your cold is as well as mine and that your as well every other way have been hard at work in yard. My business matters are always the same as when you left. Lusk came to see Hanshaw the other day and from what was said think they are anxious to settle. Will not close this till after to nights mail is received and noted as may be some nerves in it. You must take good care of your self if you stay up there but if it is not asking to much of you come down for I will be so loansome. I would go up only for the looks of the thing. Still if shes too awfull hard for you south come but it just seems as if I cannot stay from you more than a week at one time but I may go up I have not decided yet as there is nothing much for me to do here at present. The days are getting longer and if stage would only leave here sooner it would be better but if they do not like your teaching you tell them to go to the Hot place for one for I would rather you would not teach any way as it is so far away and you are so loansome. When up here if you could get a school where you could come home every night or every Saturday Evening it would be a different thing. So if you would care just come and make no bones of it. Inclosed find prices for printing as he said he would have it for me and I could inclose in my letter no more at present from Your Loving Husband.
P.E. O'Hair
My Dear Wife,
I hope your cold is as well as mine and that you are as well every other way have been hard at work in yard. My business matters are always the same as when you left. Lusk came to see Hanshaw the other day and from what was said, I think they are anxious to settle. Will not close this (deal) till after tonight's mail is received and read, as there may be some nerves in it. You must take good care of your self if you stay up there. But if it is not asking too much of you, come down (here) for I will be so lonesome. I would go up only for the looks of the thing. Still if she's too awful hard for you, come south; it just seems as if I cannot stay from you more than a week at one time. But I may go up; I have not decided yet as there is nothing much for me to do here now. The days are getting longer and if the stage coach would only leave here sooner it would be better. If they do not like your teaching, you tell them to go to hell, for I would rather you would not teach any way as it is so far away and you are so lonesome. When you visit here, if you could get a school where you could come home every night or every Saturday evening it would be a different thing. So if you would care just come and make no bones of it. Enclosed find the prices for printing, just as he said he would have it for to enclose in my letter. No more at present from your loving husband.
P.E. O'Hair
Santa Cruz, Cal June 13 1890
Dear Cora,
I suppose you are sick in bed or has the table turned that I have become the anxious one. Well then the laugh is on me as I write every evening you can keep and read these all at once but I was so disappointed in not getting anything to day. Well I have everything ready for business but no business to speak of. I have made the acquaintance of a great many as they get acquainted easy at the hotel. I had a lot of circulars printed and we took all the horses pack the sadles on them and took the poneys and drove in a procession all over town had boys passing the bills in the houses and billed the whole town. I had my riding suit and road the big horse. I think we made a fine show. We gave 1 lesson this after noon. There is 2 going in the morning and things are looking a little better of course we will have to stay here now for a month or two so what will we do will you come down or will I come up after you and what will we do with the house. I want you to come as soon as you can so we can have some fine riding. Think Mary had beter come if Nel or Coles girls want to come all ok the weather is fine very fine indeed. There is a great many coming now all the time we can rent a furnished House and board the mule and save something will you come before I go up or will I come up I want to stay hear till things are all fixed and running. Still all I am thinking of is why you did not write. I suppose I had better come home Sunday. Love to all your loving husband,
P.E. O'Hair
Write and tell me what to do.
Santa Cruz, Cal., June 13, 1890
Dear Cora,
I suppose you are sick in bed or have the table turned that I have become the anxious one. Well then the laugh is on me, because since I write every evening you can keep and read these (letters) all at once. I was so disappointed in not getting any mail today. Well I have everything ready for business but no business to speak of. I have made the acquaintance of a great many as they get acquainted easy at the hotel. I had a lot of circulars printed and we took all the horses, packed the saddles on them, and took the ponies and drove in a procession all over town. I had boys passing the bills (advertisements) in the houses and billed the whole town. I had my riding suit and rode the big horse. I think we made a fine show. We gave 1 lesson this afternoon. There are 2 (lessons) going in the morning and things are looking a little better. Of course, we will have to stay here now for a month or two. So what will we do? Will you come down or will I come up after you? And what will we do with the house? I want you to come as soon as you can so we can have some fine riding. Think Mary had better come if Nel (possibly Cora's older sister, Nelley Almira Allen) or Cole's (possibly P.E.'s business partner in O'Hair & Cole livery stable) girls want to come it's okay. The weather is fine, very fine indeed. There is a great many coming now all the time. We can rent a furnished house and board the mule and save something. Will you come before I go up or will I come up? I want to stay here till things are all fixed and running. Still, all I am thinking of is why you did not write. I suppose I had better come home Sunday. Love to all, your loving husband,
P.E. O'Hair
P.S. Write and tell me what to do.
Santa Cruz, Cal June 14 1890
Dear Wife,
You have the 2 Ladys Sad Shipped at once if they have not been shipped I wish you could come down at once get ready and come. Wish you was hear now no best what to do up there. Rent the house or leave it for some one else to rent as we will be hear for 2 or 3 months. Bring Nell if she wants to work. Can get all she wants to do down hear. I have the House all ready when will you be here. Just as soon as you can come come if any of Coles folks want to come let them come try and rent the house or leave it for Cole to rent to through an agent or Eva. Rent it to some one. Bring all you can and any of Cole folks that want to come. I may not come up at all as I could not come before Monday or Sunday Eve but you must come the same day you get this. By g-d I was loansome before I got your letter. I never will go off again with out you or Don. I am getting over it and but it is something to remember and I think it is the d-m roar of that sea I can hear it now they are swimming and want me to go. The roar is enough for me -- But I could and wood stay away. I do not want to give up But How Long I would last I cant tell still I am getting acquainted with the nicest people in the city and they are taking such pains to help me. I have talked all the time of my wifes riding her poneys. My boy and you will have to do grand to keep it good but as there is no riders in the city it will be easy to do that I business improves as it has done we will rushed till Bob the Black horse is lame. I will have to turn him out if his Back is sore may turn him out can get good pasture here for $2.50 for per month. We have the best in the place riding. It is quite a rage for the time we have been at it - I think after a while we may do very well.
We gave lessons at 6 10 12 and at 4 to day one horse went three times to day Mack poor Mack and the mare Kate she dose well. I may have to have Cora and Lily down here and griffen and Red Lee & the Black coach to pasture walk he is tame if the poneys was broak I would do fine with them. I am breaking them and when they see don riding them they will not be afraid. Wish Charlie was hear to break them mite have him come. Come on the next train after you get this.
P.E. O'Hair
Santa Cruz, Cal., June 14, 1890
Dear Wife,
You have the 2 ladies saddles shipped at once, if they have not already been shipped. I wish you could come down at once. Get ready and come. Wish you were here now; you know best what to do up there. Rent the house or leave it for someone else to rent; we will be here for 2 or 3 months. Bring Nell if she wants to work. Can get all (the work) she wants to do down here. I have the house all ready. When will you be here? Just as soon as you can come, come here. If any of Cole's folks want to come, let them come. Try and rent the house or leave it for Cole to rent to through (either) an agent or Eva. Rent it to some one. Bring all you can and any of Cole folks that want to come. I may not come up at all as I could not come before Monday or Sunday evening. But you must come the same day you get this (letter). By God, I was lonesome before I got your letter. I never will go off again without you or Don (probably P.E.'s son Donald). I am getting over it, but it is something to remember. I think it is the damned roar of that sea; I can hear it now. They are swimming and want me to go. The roar is enough for me -- but I could and would stay away. I do nnot want to give up. But how long I would last I can't tell. Still, I am getting acquainted with the nicest people in the city and they are taking such pains to help me. I have talked all the time of my wife's riding her ponies. My boy and you will have to do grand to keep it good; but as there are no riders in the city, it will be easy to do that. If business improves, as it has done, we will be rushed till Bob, the black horse, is lame. I will have to turn him out if his back is sore; may turn him out. I can get good pasture here for $2.50 per month. We have the best in the place riding. It is quite a rage -- for the time we have been at it. I think that after awhile we may do very well.
We gave lessons at 6, 10, 12, and at 4 o'clock today. One horse went three times today. Mack. Poor Mack, and the mare Kate -- she does well. I may have to have Cora and Lily down here and griffen and Red Lee and the Black coach to pasture walk he is tame. If the ponies were broke I would do fine with them. I am breaking them; when they see Don riding them they will not be afraid. I wish Charlie was hear to break them; might have him come. Come on the next train after you get this.
P.E. O'Hair
209 to 219 K Street
Sacramento, Cal, Oct 2 1897
Dear Cora,
You will be surprised to hear from me so soon but as I have 4 hr time to kill it will help me out - kid and I are having a good time have walked all over town been to the capital and over the grounds it is needless to say wish you was with us. It is very warm hear -- on our way up kid saw a cow and said poor thing it is lost -- saw a lot of pigs in a pen said "papa see the little barns" he said we can go down Mission St and get home and he wants to go.
Well this is really punishment to be away from you as I feel now I will make a very short visit of it and go home but suppose it will not be so bad after a while. How is the rest of the babies mine is ok hope you will not be too loansome.
Your Loving Husband
P.E. O'Hair
Train is going
209 to 219 K Street
Sacramento, Cal., Oct. 2, 1897
Dear Cora,
You will be surprised to hear from me so soon. But as I have 4 hours time to kill it will help me out. Kid and I are having a good time; we have walked all over town -- been to the capital and over the grounds. It is needless to say (that we) wish you were with us. It is very warm here. On our way up, kid saw a cow and said, "poor thing it is lost." We saw a lot of pigs in a pen; he said, "papa see the little barns." He said we can go down Mission St. (San Francisco) and get home -- and he wants to go.
Well, this is really punishment to be away from you. I feel now that I will make a very short visit of it and go home. But suppose it will not be so bad after a while. How are the rest of the babies? Mine is okay. Hope you will not be too lonesome.
Your Loving Husband
P.E. O'Hair
P.S. Train is going
Dear Cora,
Your darling boy and myself are all well. When kid turned over in bed this morning I asked him if he wanted to see Mama or write to her he said how he wanted to write to ma he thought I had taken him home
Your loving Husband
P.E. O'Hair
Dear Cora,
Your darling boy and myself are all well. When kid turned over in bed this morning, I asked him if he wanted to see Mama or write to her. He said that he wanted to write to Ma; he thought I had taken him home and said why did I not let him stay in Chico. When he looked around, he said, "I so like Chico," and laughed. They make a king of me and a prince of him. Everybody and I have enjoyed my trip very much and so glad to hear from you. You can always send such nice letters and if you think of me as you say you do I am surely a happy and lucky man -- for the love you are able to give is not found elsewhere. All things look just lovely and I am under strictest probation till I return to you -- as I will in about 10 or 11 days, a neww man. I have so much to tell you. Do not let any of them drummers (salesmen) run away with you. Tell all of my darlings that I am so anxious to see them. I may go up in the hills (Sierra Nevada) tomorrow to visit the Sutter house. We ride, eat, sleep, talk, and that is all. I hope everything is running nicely there. We have just splendid times and the weather is perfectly grand. I will have lots to tell you when I come home.
Your loving husband,
P.E. O'Hair