[From the Rev. Dr. Oscar Kriebel to Mrs. Isaac S. Schultz]
Oct. 29, 1931.
Mrs. Isaac Schultz,
Thermopolis, Wyo.
My dear Mrs. Schultz:
Your letter of September 27 was received during my absence from school for a much-needed change and rest in Ohio, and consequently my answer was delayed.
I must apologize for not acknowledging your letter about the watch chain. I put it in my desk, where it is now, and I am very sorry indeed I did not write to your about it immediately as I should have done.
I thank you for the compliment. However, I feel in my own mind that the chain really should go to the old home, possibly to Mrs. Fox, since she lives there. If not, probably it could be put in our Historical Museum as a memento, I should be very glad to have your suggestion in the matter. I am holding it now, but I feel I have no claim on it, as least not since there are other relatives who are more close to Isaac than I was.
I was not much surprised to find that you have not heard from Eugene Schultz, since he is no great hand at writing letters. He wrote me an account which was indeed very interesting about his visit with you. He was very glad to make personal acquaintance with you and visit the town in which his late uncle lived for so long a time. He got good reports from people in the town whom he met casually about your late husband, his recognized ability and intelligence, good citizenship in the community, etc., all of which is indeed very gratifying to all the relatives who have by this time all heard about it.
As to your own financial troubles, I do not see how I can help out or suggest any solution. It might be best, temporarily at least, to accept your adopted daughter's invitation to come and live with her. I understood by former letters that by Fall of this year you would have some income from some organization or fund that would provide for your immediate needs.
I should be glad to hear from you occasionally, and shall be interested to hear if you decide to accept your daughter's invitation to live with her on the Pacific Coast during the winter. I certainly hope some way may be found by which you may continue to live in your own home, among familiar surroundings.
Very truly yours,
[typed carbon copy, unsigned]
OSK:D
[Letter from the collection of Lee Shultz]
[From Mrs. Isaac S. Schultz to her nephew Eugene Schultz]
1697 Grand Ave. Seattle Wash
Dec 3rd 1931
My dear Nephew, Eugene,
Your long looked for letter arrived at last, and I must say that I was very much pleased to hear from you.
I arrived here in Seattle the 15th of October and have been sick with Flue—for a month. I am now able to be out of bed, but still very weak, I found my sister out of danger but still in poor health.
My daughter insisted on my coming and stay with her this winter or as long as I was contented here, and has been really kind to me while I was sick in bed. She promised that if I would stay with her that she would keep a housemaid to do the work, and I would not have to even go down stairs to the dining room for my meals—While I was ill she did have her husband or herself bring my meals to my room—and all went fine—But as soon as I was able to walk down stairs—I was invited to do so. She has a maid come to the house 3 days out of the week to do the washing and ironing and sweeping—she comes at 9 o'clock AM. goes away at 3 P.M. and gets the lunch at noon while here—My daughter promised to have a maid in the house all the time. She has not done so—and she leaves home at 10 AM. to go to her office takes her lunch in the city—and does not come home until 8. PM—and sometimes not until 2 oclock in the morning—sometimes taking her supper out—then she Phones for me to eat my supper alone—Her husband was here during Thanksgiving week but has returned to his Logging camp, But is not doing any business only building a cabin on his ranch land—
Since I have been able to go down stairs for my meals—My daughter had decided not to keep a maid in the house and has decided that I can do the cooking, washing dishes—answer the Phone and door bell which requires my going down stairs at least 10-times a day—and I have her bed to make—and my own room to care for—and then lays out sewing—mending and many other tasks to do—The 4 days left of the week—This is a great disapointment to me— and I have only been to see my sister but once since I came at first I was too ill and now have no time.
I had to sell my furniture and take a Note and I only had money enough to pay freight on my Trunk—I had intended if not satisfied here I would go on to Independence M.O. to my Church where they will take care of me. I found I could not sell my Homestead now so thought I might stay here until I did then I could have money to go away—
I have rented my house for ten dollars per month— and in time it will pay my taxes. Now I am in a dilema—My daughter has asked me to deed her the Homestead—without any assurence of any money in return—only a promise to keep me here in her home and feed me and cloth me the rest of my life. And I would have to do as I am doing now be just a servent for her the rest of my life.
I don't propose to do so, and I may try to stand present conditions, until I can raise money to return to my home in Thermopolis—and ask for an old age pension or go on to Independence to my Church and let them take care of me and my property, which they will be glad to do and I can be happy there.
My brothers and sisters would rather I do that than have me working for Helen.
I have only 2 copies of one manuscript—which I can send you one—and if it is of any value—you can use it—or keep it yourself as a souvanier—as soon as I can go to the city and get an envelope large enough to cover it, I will mail it to you. I think it is one of my best—and it is my last. If I should leave here, Helen will be frantic—and it will break our relations for good. The object she had in inducing me to come was to get hold of my property. I would rather deed it to you—and take chances of your doing the right thing by me in future—
I am very much unsettled in what is best to do—Will you please advise me in this matter—
Hoping this finds you and family well
I am as ever your loving Aunt—
Mrs I S Schultz—
P.S. I am glad you like the Picture
[Letter from the collection of Lloyd Geissinger]
1697 Grand Ave. Seattle Wash
Dec 3rd 1931
My dear Nephew, Eugene,
Your long looked for letter arrived at last, and I must say that I was very much pleased to hear from you.
I arrived here in Seattle the 15th of October and have been sick with Flue—for a month. I am now able to be out of bed, but still very weak, I found my sister out of danger but still in poor health.
My daughter insisted on my coming and stay with her this winter or as long as I was contented here, and has been really kind to me while I was sick in bed. She promised that if I would stay with her that she would keep a housemaid to do the work, and I would not have to even go down stairs to the dining room for my meals—While I was ill she did have her husband or herself bring my meals to my room—and all went fine—But as soon as I was able to walk down stairs—I was invited to do so. She has a maid come to the house 3 days out of the week to do the washing and ironing and sweeping—she comes at 9 o'clock AM. goes away at 3 P.M. and gets the lunch at noon while here—My daughter promised to have a maid in the house all the time. She has not done so—and she leaves home at 10 AM. to go to her office takes her lunch in the city—and does not come home until 8. PM—and sometimes not until 2 oclock in the morning—sometimes taking her supper out—then she Phones for me to eat my supper alone—Her husband was here during Thanksgiving week but has returned to his Logging camp, But is not doing any business only building a cabin on his ranch land—
Since I have been able to go down stairs for my meals—My daughter had decided not to keep a maid in the house and has decided that I can do the cooking, washing dishes—answer the Phone and door bell which requires my going down stairs at least 10-times a day—and I have her bed to make—and my own room to care for—and then lays out sewing—mending and many other tasks to do—The 4 days left of the week—This is a great disapointment to me— and I have only been to see my sister but once since I came at first I was too ill and now have no time.
I had to sell my furniture and take a Note and I only had money enough to pay freight on my Trunk—I had intended if not satisfied here I would go on to Independence M.O. to my Church where they will take care of me. I found I could not sell my Homestead now so thought I might stay here until I did then I could have money to go away—
I have rented my house for ten dollars per month— and in time it will pay my taxes. Now I am in a dilema—My daughter has asked me to deed her the Homestead—without any assurence of any money in return—only a promise to keep me here in her home and feed me and cloth me the rest of my life. And I would have to do as I am doing now be just a servent for her the rest of my life.
I don't propose to do so, and I may try to stand present conditions, until I can raise money to return to my home in Thermopolis—and ask for an old age pension or go on to Independence to my Church and let them take care of me and my property, which they will be glad to do and I can be happy there.
My brothers and sisters would rather I do that than have me working for Helen.
I have only 2 copies of one manuscript—which I can send you one—and if it is of any value—you can use it—or keep it yourself as a souvanier—as soon as I can go to the city and get an envelope large enough to cover it, I will mail it to you. I think it is one of my best—and it is my last. If I should leave here, Helen will be frantic—and it will break our relations for good. The object she had in inducing me to come was to get hold of my property. I would rather deed it to you—and take chances of your doing the right thing by me in future—
I am very much unsettled in what is best to do—Will you please advise me in this matter—
Hoping this finds you and family well
I am as ever your loving Aunt—
Mrs I S Schultz—
P.S. I am glad you like the Picture
[Letter from the collection of Lloyd Geissinger]
[From Mrs. Isaac S. Schultz to her brother-in-law, Alfred Shultz]
Seattle Wash. 1607 Grand Ave-
Dec 15 1931.
Mr. A S Schultz,
Dear brother Alfred,
Your very welcome letter arrived and I had just mailed a letter to you a few days before. I was indeed glad to hear from you.
We are having exciting times here in Seattle. A Bank closed last Friday, with all my daughters ready money, but she still has her profession to fall back on as she has quite a few patients—but no telling how soon they will fail to pay their bills for the same reason—Bank failure. A mob was quelled by the Police force—as a wild crazy uprising of the people who lost their all and was driven to Frenzy—
The out look is terrible here as people's fears of war is driving them mad—and I for one am anxious to get back to an inland town where there is less danger of a Revolution of our own people—I am still trying to raise money to pay my fare back home—where I can be assured of my living by an old age pension of 30 dollars per month and can still own my home. I have not heard from the real estate man whom I have arranged to sell my Homestead—but look for a little any day—
My health is not good here—I feel better in a higher altitude— and now my daughter feels that she cant afford to hire a housemaid—and has put me to the task of cooking and washing dishes and the going up and down stairs are causing me to have my old foot trouble to come back and I feel that I can't stand it much longer, but I will try to have patients until I can get relief from my present situation.
I received a nice letter from Eugene, and it makes me very happy to hear from my dear husbands people, and Eugene has been extremely good to me. Christmas is near but we are not making any usual preparations—as we have no little folks with us—and money is too scarce—
I hope this finds you well and happy—and that I may hear again soon from you—
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. I remain sincerely your sister
Mrs. I S Schultz-
[Letter from the collection of Lloyd Geissinger]
[From Mrs. Isaac S. Schultz to her nephew, Eugene Schultz]
1607. Grand Ave Seattle Wash
Jan. 4th. 1932
Mr. E. S Schultz, My dear nephew Eugene,
I will give my Note for money to get me out of this place
I am writing to tell you of the serious circumstances, I now find I am trapped in by Helen.
She has been very cautious not to let me meet any of her old friends or new ones—fearing I would learn her financial condition. On new Years day she and her husband were invited out to a New Years Dinner. I was not invited—at least I was not told that I was—They were to go at 2 oclock P.M. and at 12. Helen told me to put on my hat and coat—and her husband would take me for a little ride as he had to go to a grocery store for some provisions—
Thinking I would not have to take of coat or hat, I went with my house dress on—and after going for a few blocks Helen's husband asked me if I would like to call on a lady and her husband, whom I knew to be Helens most devoted friends for 20 years—and they were the only people Helen had allowed me to meet since my coming here—and then only in her presence. I called on them and they begged me to spend the afternoon and night with them as I would have to be alone for that time and Helen had made no preparations for my amusement or company for New Years day—I did not know until they asked me to go for this little ride but that I was happy to accompany them to their friends dinner. Being disapointed on the out look for a Happy New Year, I remained with this old couple—I had them to Phone to Helen and ask her if it was alright with her if I did remain for the rest of the day and night with her friends—
Helen answered and said yes—To my great surprise. They told me that Helen was loosing her mind and had lost all her friends over her greed for property and that they were only her friends to keep her from harming them. They said they wanted to warn me of the danger of my life, if I remained with Helen, that she had only invited me on this visit, to get me to sign over all my property to her—and then she would give me a dose of sleeping powder—and I would be found dead in my bed—and no investigation would be made—as I was getting old. They advised me to sign no papers whatever, and to get away as soon as possible—As Helen has mortgaged all her real estate—and had borrowed two thousand dollars recently and that she can never pay cash, and that she wanted my property to me a collateral or chattel—to borrow more money—when she dont intend to ever pay—Now this is plain talk from Helens best friends.
They know what they are talking about. For Helen has asked me to deed her my property, saying it was to make it safe for me. But will not sign any writing to make me safe.
I have said nothing to her of what I have heard, but I want to get away without quarreling with her—and in regards to her sanity, I have consulted—a prominent Doctor here—and he told me it was true—that Helen was not normal and that he advised me for my own safety to go home as soon as possible—Now this is my serious condition. I have twenty five dollars—but it will take 75 dollars to pay my fare and get 2 trunks sent by express—I have my house rented—for ten dollars per month—and I have reserved the 2 back rooms, where I can live. Also I am told that I can get an old age pension now, of 30 dollars per month.
I have had my mind made up to go back for over a month, I am just waiting to get money to pay my fare. My people here are unable to help me.
My plan is, when Helen goes away for "weekends" as she calls it, to her husbands ranch a hundred miles away and is gone from Saturday noon—to Sunday night then I will make my get away, leaving at 7 Saturday night. My nephew will help me to the train.
I had thought I would try to hold out here until cold weather was over—But now I have decided to go as soon as I can get the money to pay my fare—But since these supposed friends of Helen has told me what they have—I feel I must get away as soon as possible—
Now there is more to make me suspicious of my safety here. Helen disolved partnership with a Chiropractic Doctor—last July—She has told me it was because he was a Dope fiend and drinker, until he could not do business and so she quit him—but holds his friendship through some influence she holds over him—and she dont want to make him mad as she wants to use him.
Now I have found out that this doctor is crazy—and inbalanced in mind—and Helen has told me that he has a criminal mind, and these friends of Helen tell me that is why Helen holds his friendship—She has some crime she intends to use him in, and the crime will to get him to forge my name to my property if I refuse to sign it over myself—Now last night after Helen and husband had gone out for the evening someone came into the home and went to the Basement, I heard them but thinking it was Helen coming in I went to sleep. They always leave me alone—
When they returned they found a light in the basement—and some one had made a search of the house and was frightened away at 2 oclock in the morning—
Now this crazy doctor has a night key to the house ever since he was Helens partner and she has never asked him for it, and I have discovered he has been making regular trips to the basement 3 times a week when Helen is out at night. I have heard him and called to ask who was there and he answers—"dont be afraid it is only Dr. McGrath—I want to get a file in the basement"—and other times it is some other tool he wants—
I have noticed these trips for a month. I told Helen about them, she is worried but dont want me to be worried, says she thinks he has dope case left in the basement.
Now Eugene this makes me nervous—and I cant stand the strain much longer or I will be crazy also.
I am at the mercy of 2 crazy people—and I must get away—I cant go to my sister she has no room to keep me and I dont want to stay in the same town as Helen.
Trusting to God to send me relief—I am your aunt
Mrs. I S Schultz
[Letter from the collection of Lloyd Geissinger]
1607. Grand Ave Seattle Wash
Jan. 4th. 1932
Mr. E. S Schultz, My dear nephew Eugene,
I will give my Note for money to get me out of this place
I am writing to tell you of the serious circumstances, I now find I am trapped in by Helen.
She has been very cautious not to let me meet any of her old friends or new ones—fearing I would learn her financial condition. On new Years day she and her husband were invited out to a New Years Dinner. I was not invited—at least I was not told that I was—They were to go at 2 oclock P.M. and at 12. Helen told me to put on my hat and coat—and her husband would take me for a little ride as he had to go to a grocery store for some provisions—
Thinking I would not have to take of coat or hat, I went with my house dress on—and after going for a few blocks Helen's husband asked me if I would like to call on a lady and her husband, whom I knew to be Helens most devoted friends for 20 years—and they were the only people Helen had allowed me to meet since my coming here—and then only in her presence. I called on them and they begged me to spend the afternoon and night with them as I would have to be alone for that time and Helen had made no preparations for my amusement or company for New Years day—I did not know until they asked me to go for this little ride but that I was happy to accompany them to their friends dinner. Being disapointed on the out look for a Happy New Year, I remained with this old couple—I had them to Phone to Helen and ask her if it was alright with her if I did remain for the rest of the day and night with her friends—
Helen answered and said yes—To my great surprise. They told me that Helen was loosing her mind and had lost all her friends over her greed for property and that they were only her friends to keep her from harming them. They said they wanted to warn me of the danger of my life, if I remained with Helen, that she had only invited me on this visit, to get me to sign over all my property to her—and then she would give me a dose of sleeping powder—and I would be found dead in my bed—and no investigation would be made—as I was getting old. They advised me to sign no papers whatever, and to get away as soon as possible—As Helen has mortgaged all her real estate—and had borrowed two thousand dollars recently and that she can never pay cash, and that she wanted my property to me a collateral or chattel—to borrow more money—when she dont intend to ever pay—Now this is plain talk from Helens best friends.
They know what they are talking about. For Helen has asked me to deed her my property, saying it was to make it safe for me. But will not sign any writing to make me safe.
I have said nothing to her of what I have heard, but I want to get away without quarreling with her—and in regards to her sanity, I have consulted—a prominent Doctor here—and he told me it was true—that Helen was not normal and that he advised me for my own safety to go home as soon as possible—Now this is my serious condition. I have twenty five dollars—but it will take 75 dollars to pay my fare and get 2 trunks sent by express—I have my house rented—for ten dollars per month—and I have reserved the 2 back rooms, where I can live. Also I am told that I can get an old age pension now, of 30 dollars per month.
I have had my mind made up to go back for over a month, I am just waiting to get money to pay my fare. My people here are unable to help me.
My plan is, when Helen goes away for "weekends" as she calls it, to her husbands ranch a hundred miles away and is gone from Saturday noon—to Sunday night then I will make my get away, leaving at 7 Saturday night. My nephew will help me to the train.
I had thought I would try to hold out here until cold weather was over—But now I have decided to go as soon as I can get the money to pay my fare—But since these supposed friends of Helen has told me what they have—I feel I must get away as soon as possible—
Now there is more to make me suspicious of my safety here. Helen disolved partnership with a Chiropractic Doctor—last July—She has told me it was because he was a Dope fiend and drinker, until he could not do business and so she quit him—but holds his friendship through some influence she holds over him—and she dont want to make him mad as she wants to use him.
Now I have found out that this doctor is crazy—and inbalanced in mind—and Helen has told me that he has a criminal mind, and these friends of Helen tell me that is why Helen holds his friendship—She has some crime she intends to use him in, and the crime will to get him to forge my name to my property if I refuse to sign it over myself—Now last night after Helen and husband had gone out for the evening someone came into the home and went to the Basement, I heard them but thinking it was Helen coming in I went to sleep. They always leave me alone—
When they returned they found a light in the basement—and some one had made a search of the house and was frightened away at 2 oclock in the morning—
Now this crazy doctor has a night key to the house ever since he was Helens partner and she has never asked him for it, and I have discovered he has been making regular trips to the basement 3 times a week when Helen is out at night. I have heard him and called to ask who was there and he answers—"dont be afraid it is only Dr. McGrath—I want to get a file in the basement"—and other times it is some other tool he wants—
I have noticed these trips for a month. I told Helen about them, she is worried but dont want me to be worried, says she thinks he has dope case left in the basement.
Now Eugene this makes me nervous—and I cant stand the strain much longer or I will be crazy also.
I am at the mercy of 2 crazy people—and I must get away—I cant go to my sister she has no room to keep me and I dont want to stay in the same town as Helen.
Trusting to God to send me relief—I am your aunt
Mrs. I S Schultz
[Letter from the collection of Lloyd Geissinger]
[From Mrs. Isaac S. Schultz to her nephew, Eugene Schultz]
Jan. 18-1932-
Dear Eugene-
I am starting to Thermopolis Wy—probably tomorrow—Helen is paying for a ticket
—and will see me off on a train—
I am overjoyed to go—will write particulars when I get home—Dont address any letters to me here—but to Thermopolis Wyoming—
With love from your Aunt Mrs I S Schultz
[Letter from the collection of Lloyd Geissinger]
Jan. 18-1932-
Dear Eugene-
I am starting to Thermopolis Wy—probably tomorrow—Helen is paying for a ticket
—and will see me off on a train—
I am overjoyed to go—will write particulars when I get home—Dont address any letters to me here—but to Thermopolis Wyoming—
With love from your Aunt Mrs I S Schultz
[Letter from the collection of Lloyd Geissinger]
[From Mrs. Isaac S. Schultz to her nephew, Eugene Schultz]
Thermopolis Wyo.
Jan 25 1932
Dear Eugene,
Your letter—and Check arrived the morning I left Seattle—I had no time to write then—I arrived here in Thermopolis—Saturday—I am staying at a friends rooming house—I will remain here until I can get my home warmed up—I will occupy 2 room. My health is fairly well—
Helen was terribly mad when she found out I could not deed over all my property—and she told me she was through with me. She made me pay for the freight on my Baggage—and she sent it C.O.D. so I had to pay it here—
I thank you for the check, it will help me until I can get the old age pension—The snow is about a foot here—and I will be delayed getting around to see about the pension. I am in comfortable rooms—and will buy my food and prepare it in my room—The land lady will let me cook anything I wish to on her kitchen stove—so I will be all O.K. I will write again soon—again thanking you for all favors—with best wishes from your aunt.
Mrs I S Schultz—
Write when convenient—
[Letter from the collection of Lloyd Geissinger]
Isaac transferred the deed to his homestead to his wife Amanda shortly before he passed away in 1931. [Deed from the collection of Lee Shultz]
On June 15, 1932, Amanda Schultz (Isaac's widow), transferred the deed to her properties to her daughter Helen, including a half-divided interest in a tract of 20 acres, presumably where Amanda Schultz's house was located. [Deed from the collection of Lee Shultz]
Thermopolis Wyo.
Jan 25 1932
Dear Eugene,
Your letter—and Check arrived the morning I left Seattle—I had no time to write then—I arrived here in Thermopolis—Saturday—I am staying at a friends rooming house—I will remain here until I can get my home warmed up—I will occupy 2 room. My health is fairly well—
Helen was terribly mad when she found out I could not deed over all my property—and she told me she was through with me. She made me pay for the freight on my Baggage—and she sent it C.O.D. so I had to pay it here—
I thank you for the check, it will help me until I can get the old age pension—The snow is about a foot here—and I will be delayed getting around to see about the pension. I am in comfortable rooms—and will buy my food and prepare it in my room—The land lady will let me cook anything I wish to on her kitchen stove—so I will be all O.K. I will write again soon—again thanking you for all favors—with best wishes from your aunt.
Mrs I S Schultz—
Write when convenient—
[Letter from the collection of Lloyd Geissinger]
Isaac transferred the deed to his homestead to his wife Amanda shortly before he passed away in 1931. [Deed from the collection of Lee Shultz]
On June 15, 1932, Amanda Schultz (Isaac's widow), transferred the deed to her properties to her daughter Helen, including a half-divided interest in a tract of 20 acres, presumably where Amanda Schultz's house was located. [Deed from the collection of Lee Shultz]
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