Isaac S. Schultz Family Letters 1931-1932

[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]