Explanation
The following four letters were written by Clara Ada Morrow Brooks Nutt (1889-1955) to her second daughter, Rotha L. Brooks Abbott (later MacKay), who married David K. Abbott in 1933. They divorced in 1948. References are made to Rotha's siblings: Opal Brooks Rue, T. Walker Brooks, and Eunice D. Nutt. These letters were lent to me to photocopy by the recipient, in December 1976 and immediately returned. Photocopies are in my possession. -TSR
[Postmarked May 16, 1935, 10 PM, Los Angeles, Calif.
Postage: Air Mail - 6¢ U.S. affixed.
Addressed: Mrs. D.K. Abbott, 18023 E. Park Dr., Cleveland Ohio]May 14, 1935
712 California St.
Rotha Dear, I got your letter this morning and was sure glad you are fine and dear I do want you to be happy. Play as much as you can. Get as much out of life as you can. You won't be young but once (says I.)
I hope you went over Detroit and had a good time. If so tell me all about Opal and the children. You did not say any thing about Aunt Eunice. I suppose she was O.K. are you have said so. Dear uncle Fair and aunt Alice they sure have their hands and heart full. Well I am still working but haven't gotten my stomach straitened out yet. It is still cold and couldy. Haven't had 3 sunny days since you went away. I got a nice card from Opal Sunday by special delivery. Eunice Deane had sliped enough penneys away that I knew nothing about so she went out Sat. and bought me a nice boquet.
I hope your job pans out just as you wish. It was sweet of Mrs. Abbott to dress you out. I will admit you could use clothes very nisely.
Well Johnie and Helen are back. Jake [?] said times were in a very bad way in Texas. I would like to get a Permanent next week. Don't know if I can are not. Mr. Kittle is up apart of the time. But I don't believe he will ever be well.
The boys and Dorthy moved and was I glad to cut my work down a lot.
I did not tell you about what happened when Mr. Brooks called for you. He called and ask for Miss Brooks. Mrs. Kittle thinking it was for I are Goldie called their apart. And Goldie ans. told him he had the wrong no. When she hung up and told me what he said I knew it was for you so I tried to trace the call and could not.
So I got T. Walker to call Virginia and tell her to have Mr. Brooks call Mr. Ray at this no. So he did. In the mean time I told Mrs. Kittle if a call came for Mr. Ray to call me so she did and I talked to him and I am sure he called from Virginia's office for in about 15 minutes after I talked to him. (She called for Mr. Ray. I answered she said is Mr. Ray in. I said no he isn't. She thanked me and hung up. Well I knew if I tried to get him and she recognized my voice she would not tell him. Any way we put one over on her and I bet she was sore.
Well Dear I will close am sending this by Air not anything especial but it takes so long by rail. Write me as soon as you get this. Lots of love,
Mother
[Postmarked May 28, 1935, 9 PM, Los Angeles, Calif., Arcade Sta. 6
Postage: 3¢ U.S. affixed.
Addressed: Mrs. D.K. Abbott,18023 E. Park Dr.10920 Hathaway, Cleveland Ohio]May 28, 1935
712 California St.Dear Rotha & David, Well we are still on top. Don't know how long we will be. In other words we are all right. Mrs. Winterbottom just left, has been here since 12 and it is now 6. I intended to sew and she came with sewing so I only mended. We are still having cold cloudy weather. Cold as heck. T. Walker worked Sat. and Sunday at the lot Mr. Abbott went to Santi Ago to the Fair. He worked there today. He does not have as much to do for I heard the fall. Then Mrs. Kittle screamed and came for me. I sure thought he was gone. I called the Dr. and got one of the men in the house to help me get him on the bed. The Dr. said he was graduly declining and his disease affected the mind so I guess he really is losing his mind. He has tried to committ Suicide twice since you left. I sure do feel sorry for her.
Any time you want me to send your things say so Dear. Don't work to hard and above all don't worry. Oh! dear how I wish I could take all of your troubles away. Be happy hear and have a good time while you are young. You wont be young but once. How does Dave like Cleaveland? No dear if I hear from Pat she won't find out any thing from me. Write soone. Take care of your health above all else. Remember I am Hoping and praying for your happiness. If any one is deserving you are and that one thing is your birth right. Write soon. Lots of love,
Mother
[Postmarked June 15, 1935, 10 PM, Los Angeles, Calif.
Postage: Air Mail - 6¢ U.S. affixed.
Addressed: Mrs. D.K. Abbott, 10920 Hathaway, Cleveland Ohio]June 15, 1935
Sister Dear & Dave,
I got your letter day before yesterday We are feeling very well considering every thing. Poor Pop we did not learn of his death until yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Abbott was at the [?] but I was out to see him Monday night. He was up working a cross word puzzle. Told T. then he had wired Dave to come and take him over the but said he did not want to get well since he had nothing to live for. T. and I will go to the funeral this morning 10:30.
I wondered if you all would come back. T. Walker said business was about as usual down there. I have packed your things. Write me. I am going to give up this job as soon as I get my rent check. School will be out 21st. I have taken every thing in to consideration dear. I don't want to live with you and Dave you know dear to much in-laws are not good especially in the house. Write me what you are going to do. Lots of love to you both,
Mother
[Postmarked June 19, 1935, 10 PM, Los Angeles, Calif., Arcade Sta. 6
Postage: Air Mail - 3¢ U.S. affixed.
Addressed: Mrs. D.K. Abbott, 10920 Hathaway N.E., Cleveland Ohio]Tuesday afternoon
June 17, 1935Dear Rotha & David, Well you children have been gone past 2 days over two months. Seems like two years. Dear you you [sic] all coming back. T. Walker said Mrs. Abbott was down to the late upstairs and she did not know what you all would do. I am sure you are both making pretty good wages. Dell is in charge of the late. Pop last track of T. when he moved and he could not find him. He went over Branche's twice hunting for me so he could get T. to take charge but failed to find either and he was so sick. We were at the funeral. He looked just like he was asleep. Burried him out in the Valley. T. and I went. Mac was there. Mac said tell Dave to come on back and take care of the lot. I called Addie Sat. night. Said she would be over tomorrow. I am tired. I walked all morning. Then washed this after noon. Devemary [?] and I went out to see Mrs. Roberts last night. Dear I have those things packed all but what is at Addi's but won't send them until I hear from you. Gee I wish I could see you. Write soon.
Lots of love,
Mother
Eunice is washing the dishes. Said give you both her love.
T. Walker & Goldie Rep and Ada went to Ada's folks Sat. night brought back a gunny sack full of grape fruit and are they good. When will you go see Opal. Soon I hope. Lots of love,
Mother
FAMILY WRITINGS
