Frances Brooks Chase letters and photos 1924 - 1964

Here is a collection of letters from Frances Brooks Chase to her family.

(See earlier post from November 25, 2015 for a biography and photos of Frances B Chase)

Frances B. Chase 1893, age 20

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To Mr. Hamilton Chase (her nephew)

524 North Henry Street,  Madison, Wisconsin, USA

From Frances B Chase in Paris

April 13, 1924,  Palm Sunday, a postcard

Went to Notre Dame church today, especially to hear the organ.  Paris is crowded.

I rush through the traffic in terror.  Bicycles, carts, taxis, etc. but all is fascinating.

Went to the Comedie Francaise last night.  Spend the day at Chartres tomorrow.

Love,  Aunt Fan

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Frances B. Chase 1901

Frances B. Chase 1901

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To Mr. Hamilton Chase

427 College Street,  Winfield, Kansas

From Frances B Chase from Dallas, PA

January 20, 1934,  Saturday, a postcard

Have just noticed the cute “wild Goose” on the playing cards you sent me for Christmas.

Aunt Fan

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"Taken chiefly from  articles by George F. Kunz in the 

Saturday Evening Post of 1927 - 1928"

(6 articles not consecutive)

She kept these typewritten notes about these articles

She also wrote this about the Queen of Roumania

(I do not know why she did this research)

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To Frances L Chase (Hamilton Chase's daughter, born in 1930)

423 College Street,  Winfield, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase

“Wild Goose Chase”,  R.F. D. No. 2, Dallas, PA, near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

August 16, 1934

Dear Frances: --

Today I looked out the window and there I saw eleven robins all trying to get into the bird bath under the apple tree all at once !   Three got in and how they do splash! Rather than wash themselves. I hope you can get here in September to help me keep it filled.  

Ned Milligan has a tiny donkey and there he was in our yard, eating all yellow flowers.  I hope you will be here the next time he runs away to eat our grass and help me send him home next door.

Your father’s letter came today and I am so glad your grandmother is better.

Love to your mother,  father --

Much love Frances

From Aunt Frances

P.S.  I can wait until you can surely find out if you can come in September.

(August the sixteenth)
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To Ethel Nethercot and Hamilton Chase (her niece and nephew; upon the death of her brother, Harold Taylor Chase)

From Frances Brooks Chase, Huntsville, Dallas P.0., Pennsylvania

June 22, 1935, Saturday

Dear Ethel and Hamilton: --

Your letters help to prepare us for the telegrams today, though Ethel’s last note had cheered us considerably and we were hoping against hope.  There is nothing I want to do more than to go to Topeka, but I can’t leave Uncle Sam and he cannot go.  Harold always came to us in family sorrows and I never thought I couldn’t go to him.

Uncle Sam’s throat is better.  He is responding to the bi-weekly treatments.  He is allowed to talk a little more and he is much less husky than last summer.

Will please send us over here half-a-dozen Topeka Captials to send to friends ?

I want one for Will Chase in Haverhill, who wrote me today a letter of concern about Harold.   She said Delia (her sister-in-law who lives with her) and Harry Chase always loved Harold and admired him.

You poor children.  How my heart aches for you and Annie.

My best love to you one and all.

Aunt Fan

I have just sent a telegram to Annie.

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To Hamilton Chase (upon the death of her brother Samuel C. Chase)

1609 Sixth Avenue,   Dodge City, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase, Huntsville, Dallas P.O., Pennsylvania

November 12, 1938, Saturday

Dear Hamilton,

Your good letter was a comfort to me, and your (and Annie’s) beautiful white chrysanthemums were put near Uncle Sam.  Not having been ill he looked younger -- better than in years. Everyone is kindness itself and Mariana stayed until yesterday.  There is so much to be attended to that I don’t get lunch time to think, as yet, fortunately. Mr. Lawrence Jones (George’s father) is attending to all business.  He asked me to ask you (or Annie) what value was placed on your father’s interest in the Coal lease when it was turned over to your mother (I think I’ve got that straight).  I am having the most beautiful weather and have lived on the terrace. I am perfectly well, so don’t worry about me.

Uncle Sam left everything to me knowing that I would look after my nieces and nephew.  Of course, the legacy that Henry left me goes back to his estate at my death. I can make no plans, but shall take my time.  Will go to Mariana for Christmas.  

It comes over me with full force at such times how far away my Western family are -- You would have been comforted at the outpouring of love for Uncle Sam.  Even some of the waiters at the Westmoreland Club came to the funeral.  

Love to Frances and Lieuween and thanks for the picture.  Is that the house in Dodge City? What a big girl Frances is -- I can’t realize it.

The flowers were the loveliest I’ve ever seen -- Everyone says they never saw anything like them.

Love to you all -- Aunt Fan

Thank Lieuween for her messages.

Do you think you could wear a good winter overcoat of Uncle Sam’s, and your father’s grey ulster Annie gave Uncle Sam?

Could you possibly wear any of his things? --

Samuel Cogswell Chase at his farm, "Wild Goose Chase"

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To Hamilton Chase

1609 Sixth Avenue,   Dodge City, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase

“Wild Goose Chase”,  R.F. D. No. 2, Dallas, PA, near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

May 21, 1941

Dear Chase Family

Enjoyed Lieuween and Frances’ letters and have re-read them out on the terrace where I am writing this lovely afternoon (thermometer 80 degrees).   Stephanie admired Frances’ letter very much. Hamp -- yours was so like your father’s letters he used to write me.

I took it down to New York to answer, but you already know the answer to that riddle.  It’s being answered today ! Mariana enjoyed reading it down there.

I am looking forward to seeing you anytime after July 4 as you said July would suit your vacation plans.   I wish you could see the place in all its May freshness. The grass all cut and the trees and shrubs now hiding us entirely from the road except in front where we do not have to sit.  The wrens are trilling away in the well where they have a nest and the handsome cat birds dart in and out as they have theirs in the 70 year red syringa bush. What is left of the old apple tree by the dining room is a bird’s apartment house.  Baltimore orioles (our substitute for your beautiful cardinals) robins, gold finches and native sparrows rent an apartment each Spring!

I’ve gotten to the toe of my Bundles’ for Britain sock and come out (as usual) with too many stiches on my needles !  and I did it all by my lonesome with fasting and prayer and directions on my lap for the final home run !

Have finished all the terrifying news in the New York paper -- shall try and forget them as fast as I can in the Saturday Evening Post when I finish this letter.

Frances must be ten ?  I’m bad on dates and ages.  She must have old shoes and clothes, when she comes, to wear around the place.  It is still rough when you get off the terrace -- croquet ground. I want your mother to get here this summer, too, and hope Ethel and Marianne will come also.  I don’t seem to get farther than N.Y. in my travels so you must come to see me.

Marianna sent Henry at 11 and Stephen at 10 for their Easter vacation.  They hated to leave and go back to school. Henry is a tall as I am -- weighs nearly 150 lbs !  Steve is a long, thin icicle ! and eats more than Henry. I had a fine time. Their Mother asked me to give them plenty of chores and keep them from scrapping and insisted on their making their own beds.  They tried to and I didn’t let them know I made them over later ! They were full of mischief, but as Harold said: “ Nothing mean about them.” I had lovely weather so the house wasn’t torn to pieces. They traveled alone -- Henry will be 12 in September.  They sure enjoyed my typewriter !!!

Let me know when to expect you.  It will be grand to see you again.

Much love from Aunt Fan

Frances B. Chase with daughter-in-law Lieuween T. Chase
July 1941, "Wild Goose Chase", Dallas, PA

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To Hamilton Chase

1609 Sixth Avenue,  Dodge City, Kansas (1257 Western Ave, Topeka, Kansas)

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

January 12, 1944

My dear Hamilton,

I am anxiously awaiting word of Annie’s illness and know as soon as you have recovered somewhat from the shock of its suddenness I shall hear.  Ethel’s telegram came Sunday am when she and Dave were on their way to Topeka. I imagine you arrived there before them and I have thought so often of what a blow it was not to be welcomed by your dear mother.  You meant so much to her always. She wrote me of her happiness in having you with her last summer. There are so few of us left now. I appreciate your letters so much, and you must keep more in touch than ever now, with me.

Please thank Lieuween for her splendid letter, and thanks for the book of A. Galcott.   I am looking forward to reading it.

I wondered if you motored to Topeka and if the snow interfered at all.  We’ve had no snow as yet to speak of, an open unhealthy winter thus far.  Plenty of Grippe about, which my good maid and I have escaped.

I think Lieuween is working too hard.  The “willing worker” gets imposed on as she was at the U.S.O. Christmas.   I have told many people of the soldier boys experiences in trying to get telephone messages through to their families;   they all realize they should not use the telephone for long-distance calls at night.

I find in the Wilkes-Barre Record a notice of your mother’s death.  So many new friends she made in her visits, besides the old ones. They all talk of her friendliness and how much they liked her.  

Write, you or Lieuween, when you can.  

Your loving,   Aunt Fan

Frances B. Chase in the early 1940s

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To Mr. Hamilton Chase

21 East 51st Terrace,  Kansas City, 2, Missouri

From Frances Brooks Chase, 76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

January 11, 1945

Dear Hamilton:

It is your and Frances’ turn to get a letter from me.  I have F’s pretty card and letter inside -- her penmanship is so clear, ‘tis a pleasure to read it as well as the news she brings.  

A 7 ft. Xmas tree -- that makes me think of the Peterkin family and their doings in the old St. Nicholases.  They brought in a tree too tall for the parlor, so they cut a hole in the ceiling, which made it awkward for Eliza Ann who lived above it.  She didn’t much like the bump it made in her room!  I have a little of the Peterkins in me.  The Woodruffs and Helen Pease came here Xmas day and for a place-card I wanted to get (??) rubber-bands, erasers and small memo-pads, colored ones.  The 10-cent store girl brought out a package, but it had a white pad on top.  “No, that won’t do” and I turned sadly away.  “Couldn’t you put the blue on one top?”, said she.  So, then I told her about some of the doings of the Peterkins, but as it was just about her noon-hour, she didn’t take as kindly to being educated!

The Woodruffs had sent me a huge poinsettia -- 6 blooms on it and ferns growing in it too.  It was in a Chinese bowl I inherited from Aunt Amelia Taylor and quite decorated the parlor.  Mr. Woodruff sat facing it, and remarked “Frances, that is the loveliest poinsettia I ever saw!”  

“Well,” I told him, “You should know as you sent it to me.”  Of course his wife had never bothered to tell him.  We had a good laugh.

I am glad you had an enjoyable Xmas as Lieuween writes.  I too played bridge and drank egg-nog New Year’s eve -- and went over to Jessie Bennett’s at Huntsville for dinner New Year’s.  Her sister, Louise Thomas, had us driven over in a heavy fog and we came home in a heavy snow storm.  Just home when the thermometer began to drop and did drop 14 degrees by night.  Just her family, 12 of us in all.  Harvey, thin and wan from an all-night party, his son 5 ft 8 about.  We had a lovely time and I saw and heard the dogs,  58 of them.  Jessie, doing everything, has lost her good kennel man and has a nit-wit now, she said.

It does not seem possible that a year has passed since Annie died.  I think of her very often.  We had good times together when she came on to the farm.  This is a sad time of year for you and I’m glad you’ve made friends in Kansas City.  I read every article in the papers marked “Kansas City” nowadays.  Please thank L. for her fine letter.  I do hope she can get someone to help with the heavy work.  It must be a comfort for her to have her mother with her.  

Mrs. Marriner wrote suggesting we try N.Y. again for a little while, but not before late February or March.  I listen to the opera on the radio;  some friends went down to N.Y. for a week and couldn’t get a seat at the opera any day or night.  Both very musical and awfully disappointed.

Well, it is a nice thing to thank you all in 1945 or a very nice book that came in 1944!  I had gotten it out of the lending library and only read part of it and returned it paying 45 cents.  It is a book I want to own very much, as it is a splendid reportial job, but requires careful reading and not a lending library kind.  I get my serious reading (when I can) at the public library and my fast detective tales at the lending library.  I finished one last night I shall return today -- “The Cat’s Whiskers” by H. C. Bailey.  Pretty good.

Am glad you got F. the pink sweater and that she likes it.

With wishes for a happier New Year for us and the world.

Much love,

Aunt Fan

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To Hamilton Chase

21 East 51st Terrace,  Kansas City, 2, Missouri

From Frances Brooks Chase,  Huntsville, Dallas P.O.

76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

December 1, 1945

Dear Hamilton,

Am passing the brick again to you -- Lieuween to take care of my Xmas to you three.

The check carries much love and best Xmas wishes !  

You will all be amused to hear I have joined an art class gotten up through our Women’s Club and find it lots of fun.  I never have drawn anything in my life and we tip toe past the last year’s class promoted to painting with awe - reverence.  Have been 3 times (once a week) and have slaved over a pitcher, bowl and fruit on a table ! Told to make a picture of it.  The charcoal is so dirty I hold it most gingerly and was tickled that the teacher told a friend I held my charcoal like a paint-brush!  Little did she know why. She also said I could not get my “values” ? Contrasting light and shade, to talk English.  We are on the top floor of a building next to Miner’s Bank and had to walk 2 floors down to the elevator yesterday, elevator refusing to climb to the 5th floor (the blackest, darkest, dirtiest stairs) and I chiefly joined because the class was to be held across the street in Mrs. Kirby’s house, now Bucknell Jr. College !

Am at long last putting downstairs as it was before the doctor made 3 rooms out of old parlor and library.   A temporary partition is now down and the paper hanger is now taking off scientifically many layers of paper but before Dan can paint the wood, work glass for the window is holding us up.  12 years ago we put a door where one front window was for the doctor. Fortunately the larger glass of old window was found intact in the cellar but the upper had been cut to fit glass door.  Window is 3 yards long. It is nice to see the parlor its old size even in this mussed up state.

I hope when Frances goes to college I shall be  in a position to help you “eddicate” her, if you would like some assistance.  I have thought about it but can’t realize she is old enough to be getting near college.

Does she especially favor Wellesley ?  I’ve always had a great weakness for Smith.  Mary Ellen Chase, the authoress, is not a very far distant relative of ours and she is the English Professor-ess there and the Miner girls etc. are crazy about her.

Now I must go up town - A wintry day, but no snow as yet --

Thanks for your fine letter.

Love to all,

Aunt Fan -- 

Tell me about the scholarship idea?

How far financially is it a help ?

Painting by Frances B. Chase

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To Hamilton Chase

21 East 51st Terrace,  Kansas City, 2, Missouri

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

June 22, 1948

Dear Hamilton,

How happy and thrilled you all were that Francis made the grade so well.

I went to the phone to reply by telegraph to your telegram, and then sat down and wrote Frances.  Now I want to know when college opens and where you three will arrive here, as I must tell a woman who will come in to help my poor “nit - wit” Katherine.

She will take a place some time in September, but I am hoping she can come to me while you are here.  So please let me know approximate time. I am planning to rent 2 rooms and a bath in the 3rd floor by October.  The college here occupies all the fine old homes from South St. up River St. and the professors are all crying for rooms.  

The college has a good cafeteria and I am just opposite the college library (Mr. Kirby’s fine home) and the cafeteria in just back of our old home, but is not out of sight, being  nearly to Franklin St. I think it sensible to have some one in the house at night. Maids are so uncertain as to their staying with me.

I am looking forward to visiting the Nethercots, Flying July 6th from our own airport. (I wish you lived nearer).   First I wrote Ethel I would not take that long train trip, having tried it once and then thought of flying.  All I am afraid of now are fog and thunderstorms !

We have had continuous showers, and I am hoping to get up town between them this morning - but it is pouring now.

I am looking forward to our reunion this fall and hope we can have good motoring weather by then.  I have been out in my car very little. Am trying to hear the Philadelphia Republican convention but our (..) make too much interference for anything but our local stations.

Am proud of you all, you with a bigger job,  Frances learning to type-write, Lieuween for all her energy and accomplishments.

Much love,   Aunt Fan

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To Mrs. Hamilton Chase

21 East 51st Terrace,  Kansas City, 2, Missouri

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

April 30, 1950, Sunday

Dear Lieuween,

I sent the two letters Hamilton sent me, back to him today. I had hid them very carefully right in the letter holder on top of my desk in his letter to me, but looked in all unlikely places in hunting them!  

I was much pleased with the card of Queen Mary’s rug.  She is a great old girl and seems to have gone back to old baronial days.

We too are taxed to death in drives, so much so that our Community Chest had a meeting to look into the question as the Chest takes in 37 local charities just to avoid overlapping, but of course, can’t control national ones.  With everything costing twice as much as it should, all organizations are in need of the almighty $ -- I was sorry indeed to hear of your Winfield fire.

Frances sent me a lovely soft moss-green bowl full of yellow and white daisies, arranged most gracefully from a florist here who is really an artist and has the finest orchids in Eastern Pennsylvania.  I took it up to the studio and have at last finished painting it.  I hurried blocked in the flowers before they faded and they lasted for over a week.  It was almost a week after they came that I took them to the studio.  “Teacher” was away but I left the painting up there for a criticism from her and she liked it very much.  One does much better work if one likes the subject.  Tomorrow I bring it home and varnish and frame it.

Frances looked so very well in her blue suit.  Everyone liked her who met her.  Bruce Payne stopped me the other day to tell me how attractive all his family found her to be, including himself.  All the B. Paynes were at Jess (Cunningham’s ?) that Sunday we went in.

Alas!  All Jess’ 3 sons are bespoke;  one married,  one engaged and the other has a girl.

It is fine she has such a good time with outside things at college and keeps up her good marks.  Also it is smart of her to take in so much of the East;  N.Y., West Point, the colleges, Washington DC.

We are having an alumni dinner of our day school here of 60 years ago (it is still going!).   As oldest living inhabitant and first President of the Association, I am to sit on the platform.  The Association went to pieces years ago and the “young ones” are trying to revive it. 

I was called up to see if I could give them any ancient data about it and they must have been disgusted that the only thing I could recall was when my name was suggested as 1st President, a friend poked me and said, “Go on and take it!!”

Have been so busy doing nothing that I have just written Professor Bugbee and am sending Harold’s papers to him tomorrow.  

Much love to you and Hamp--

Aunt Fan

The back of her letter from 1950

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To Mrs. Hamilton Chase

21 East 51st Terrace,  Kansas City, Missouri

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

January 5, 1953

Dear Lieuween,

Hamp’s letter just here with the sad news of your mother’s death.

It cannot help being a comfort to you that you had gotten out to Oregon and had had that week with your mother.   I know how fond you all were of your Mother; it will be a blow to Hamp and Frances.  I remember Annie Chase telling me about her and such nice things.

Hamp says you are coming to Winfield and I hope you will see some of your old friends there.

I know you are grieving, and I wish I might do something for you.  

No one can take a mother’s place.

My own mother and I were like sisters.

I am very well and very busy.  The holidays were quite pleasant for us ancients and I want to thank you both for my lovely satin slip.  A good fit, too.

Love and sympathy to you and Hamilton

Aunt Fan

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To Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City - 3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase at Fernheim near Montrose, PA  (usual residence is 76 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)

June 30, 1954, Wednesday

Dear Niece and Nephew,

I started to write Hamp Sunday am, but church time interfered.  Then, I went up to dine with Helen Pease at 12:30 and as she hates to be alone (almost an obsession with her since her sickness) I didn’t get home till nearly six.  Tired from talking so long ! Monday Lieuween’s letter came and I was glad I had waited.  

We had the worst day of the summer last Saturday -- so humid too.  I couldn’t get the house cool. I wake early and go down stairs at 5 am or a little later and open up the house.  Mabel shuts it up tight and dark by 8, and it is really cool, when the porch gets too uncomfortably hot.

But nothing to compare with your heat.

Frances and Don were held up by Decoration Day traffic in Pa. and got here Sunday at 3 pm and left 9:30 am Monday.  We had a nice steak dinner for them Saturday night which I ate all the following week (the steak) as we dined at the Sterling Sunday.   They were tired from their long trip and poor Don’s eyes kept closing as we visited on the porch Sunday. I liked him very much. He struck me as a manly boy who would get somewhere.  No doubt you feel the same. Frances told me how lovely you, Lieuween, had planned the table decorations and all. She was radiant. I introduced her to Mrs. Jones (who played bridge with us the last time you were here) at the hotel and she raved about her to me and Miss Pease and others.  I spent a long weekend with the Davenports last week. Henry’s fiance in charming, good to look at and very intelligent. Her father is with the Grace line (the Carribean cruise line) and they lived 12 years in Lima, Peru -- kept up their Spanish at their table. If Henry’s job gets more permanent, they will marry in September.

Sammy was earning money for his deep-woods Canadian trip by doing unskilled labor which is better paid (which I don’t believe in!) than skilled labor.  He is husky and was working with a construction gang demolishing a building. He likes the crew and said they had good fun. They are fine lads, so utterly unspoiled.   Johnny goes on the trip too and was selling furnace cleaners for his funds. Stephen always has made the boys earn money summers. Sam is a junior at Amherst and John enters this fall.   He got a prize at Kent in June for his work on the organ. He keeps up his music. The weekend is hard on Nana -- 4 men, hearty eaters, who would like to have the Sunday roast again for supper!   Not permitted, but she needs someone to help her over the weekend. Can’t get a soul. Has a young Italian girl several days a week at $10 a day ! Has to get her and take her home. Gets dinner started by leaves at 4 -- The boys help a lot and clear and set the table and put dishes in the dishwasher, but she is busy every minute.  She loves it, but she isn’t any too strong.

I stayed 2 nights in my beloved NY on my way home, but it was 88 degrees on Monday, 81 degrees on Tuesday, so I was glad to depart.

Tomorrow Arline Sterling drives Mable H. and me and someone else up to Eaglesmere to lunch with Mary Hillman.  Friday, I lunched over at the Irem Temple Club. Had not been there since we were there. A week from today I go up to Fernheim for two weeks as Stella Warrimer will be alone, her children and grandchildren going out to a western ranch.  I may not go up to the Montrose Inn until the foliage turns. It is beautiful there in late September.

Frances’ peacock or turquoise blue outfit was so becoming to her -- Lieuween you are very smart to make it and the other clothes.  I must stop now and go up town. This afternoon I must take out my Ford before I go up to Montrose.  I have driven very little since I took it out of winter storage. Will call on Clara Phelps over at Idletown, or really Huntsville.   Mrs. Kent has moved back to Georgia where she came from and we all miss her. That picture of you both is splendid -- I am so glad you sent it.  My hybrid tea-roses have been large and beautiful, but had such bad luck with my tomatoes I haven’t planted any. Stephen D’s were coming along finely -- Frances was so enthusiastic over your new home on Tahoe Lane.

Now, no more.   What a volume. Tire you out to read it.

Love, 

Aunt Fan

Hamp’s nice letter this am -- Frances’ picture lovely.   I had a nice letter from her.

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To Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City,  Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

August 26, 1954

Dear Lieuween,

I see my papermate pen I adore has given out and I’ll soon go downstairs and get Mabel to help with the refill.  She is so smart.

We have had a queer August; much cool weather and almost a week of chilly rainy weather; just now 3 hot muggy humid days and now another good shower this morning and cool weather promised.

It has been so dull in town, I have been driven to trying to draw in my attic-studio.  I can’t draw and it is good practice to do it.  Bowls etc. that are on a table are much easier than to do furniture.  Can’t measure things on the floor!

Hamp’s nice letter of August 10 tells of your change to better weather.  Am glad to hear that and am sorry you were knocked out by the heat.  We too, have had cool nights and quite a lot of rain lately.  A heavy long shower this morning.

That was a lovely present from the bride and groom on your 25th anniversary -- Can’t realize my nieces and nephews are getting on.

You must write me after your visit with F.; how they are faring etc.  She must have kept her job or got the better new one she talked about when here.

Mrs. Kent is with her brother and wife in Atlanta, Georgia.  She said she was just beginning to feel like herself once more.  When she had a bad fall in the kitchen and hurt her sciatic nerve badly, and flat on her back once more.  The doctor wants her to walk as much as she can, which is painful.  

Mrs. Rhoads fell on a slipping rub, cracked her collar bone and nicked her shoulder bone!  Has been housed all summer.  I drove over to her a day or so ago and she looks very well, considering.  I tell you I walk around the house with much caution and distrust!

Mrs. Jones is fairly well.  Helen Pease and I took dinner with her at the Sterling on Sunday.  She has a serious heart condition (fluid around her heart) but she is taking the best care of herself to be able to go back with her daughter to Beaufort, S.C. after her daughter brings her daughter to boarding school in Virginia in September.  I feel if she can go, it will do her so much good;  it is really where she belongs, but I do not think she will ever return to W. B. if she gets south.  We shall miss her very much.

My hybrid tea roses are all the flowers I have.  Am glad they are steady bloomers.  I put a good commercial fertilizer on 3 times a year, but the later bloomings develop more slowly.  I cut the opening buds as they open and keep them in as tall and large a vase that will go in the refrigerator.  It takes several days to get even 6 blooms anon.

Louise Thomas’ old colored Albert is very proud because the oculist tells him he has “a cadillac!”

Much love to you both

Aunt Fan

P.S.  I didn’t need Mabel’s help in fixing my pen!

I’ve never heard a work from the Lehigh Valley about our royalties.  One of the banks said not to count on the royalties, I am sorry to say.   Fan

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To Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City - 3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

April 28, 1956

Dear Hamilton,

I enjoyed your letter and decided that it came about 10 days ago and needed a reply.  I find it dated March 30th! It was a shame the blizzard kept F & Don from getting here, but she writes that they will come when they are settled in Bethlehem.  (note: F & Don are Frances Chase Courtsal and Donald Courtsal)

How was St. Louis?  I’ve always heard it was a fine place and I presume huge now.  Stella Warriner put me up at a lovely Women’s Club; The Acorn Club in Philadelphia.  She was living at the Barclay Hotel just around the corner. I stayed nearly a week and then spent Easter weekend with Helen Bonnell at Chestnut Hill.  She has a lovely home and has put a lot of thought as well as money into its perfection.  She looks as young as ever, in fact prettier. A great traveler. Has been on an African trip;  Cairo to Capetown, and has remarkable pictures. Some of the wild beasts in their 3 mile ranges. They were not allowed to get out of the car (auto) to take pictures of the animals.   One huge elephant seemed about to charge their car. The only sign they saw said “Beware elephants”. This fall she meets a friend in Egypt and they go to the Malay peninsula -- She says Africa is beautiful and her pictures were (???) about Africa wants to go back.

What do you suppose I did about 3 weeks ago?   Fell flat on my face on the sidewalk; felt my forehead hit the concrete.  Was strolling slowly along South Street in the sunshine when there I was, down!  Must have hit an imperfection in the pave. A nice colored, also a white man, helped me up and the “ “ man gave me an immaculate handkerchief to let my nose bleed on.   I staggered home, went to the doctor and asked him if my nose was broken; I could blow it, so after feeling it, he said, “No”. Have I broken by knee cap? “No, you couldn’t walk.”

Have I a detached retina?  “No, you couldn’t see.”

I looked for some time as if I had put on a black mask to go to a masquerade ball and I still have a black bruise under one eye.  I certainly was fortunate. No ill effects whatsoever. I was worried about my eyes, as if I couldn’t read, I’d be the most cross-grained old lady in Wilkes-Barre.

Spring is so late here that for once I got the roses pruned and fertilized, lawns limed and fertilized before the warm weather.  We have had 2 very hot days, 88 degrees, with a wild thunderstorm last night. Fortunately four of us were playing Bolivia and I wasn’t alone.  Very hot again today and another thunderstorm threatened but it seems to be moving away. It spoiled my Sunday 6 pm “Meet the Press” program that I enjoy;  too much static.

Stephen Davenport retires next April, but wants another job of some kind.   Henry and Stephen have wives Mariana is devoted to, luckily. Steve Jr. in a bank  in N.Y.; Henry in an office now of Nestle’s Foods. Wives have jobs; One in Doubleday and McClure’s publishers ( 9 - 5 hrs) and the other same hours in a library in Scarsdale, NY, where they live.

Well, you have these Chases up to date.

Hope you keep well and I know Lieuween keeps very busy and interested in all she has to do.

Love to you both ---

Aunt Fan

________________________________________________________

To Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City - 3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

June 20, 1956

Dear Hamilton,

Your plans fit in with my plans very nicely.  The only thing is we shall have to stay “city-put” as you will be here over the Labor Day holiday and traffic to Montrose or Poconos will make the roads too dangerous and crowded to make a days trip from here impossible.  Very nice for me to have company then, but very dull for you and Lieuween. I told the garage man you would be here at that time.

I am sending the tale of great-aunt Elizabeth, which you no doubt know about.  I was telling it to Charlie Waller one evening, and he said “copy it and send it to me and I’ll put it in the Record” (he is a director of the paper).  So it came out last week.

I drove Esther French up to “Tunkhancock” yesterday for lunch and then nearly to Montrose.

I do up to the Warriner’s July 2nd for 10 days.

Where is Frances?  I want to send her a copy of our Ancestor Spy.

Love to you both,

Aunt Fan

_______________________________________________________

To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City - 3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

December 23, 1956

Dear Lieuween and Hamilton,

I was stupid enough to catch a cold earlier in the week and it certainly handicapped last Christmas doings.  But I’ve stayed in over the weekend and cold is about over. We’re having most unhealthy weather. Damp. Lots of rain, river fog and too mild temperatures.  It has lasted almost the entire week.

That delicious grapefruit I am reveling in.  I had one for lunch the very morning the box came.

It is the best grapefruit I ever got.  Mabel patience agrees with me. Such a big box of it.  I have one daily.

Dave sent me a copy of the letter he sent you after his visit to Marianne.  I was so glad to get it.  

I was impressed with your 3- level underground parking stations.  I suppose we shall all have to come to it. I also hope you’ve had some of our rain.  You need it so and we are warned that rain is due here tomorrow. I called Charlie Loveland up to find out if the river would flood, and he says “Oh ! No danger at all.”  I’ll give him your message. He came up to dinner one night with one of the Wilkes College ex-professors; who was deeply interested in all Charlie had to tell him about the valley, etc. etc.  He talked as he did to you and Lieuween on the porch -- Mabel gave us a bang-up dinner “if I do say so” -- and Charlie said he had had a wonderful time. He is going right along with church and office work and his many charities.  Mary Hillman came in as I started this letter, but had to leave before it got dark, as she sees so poorly. We are all getting to be “old crocks”! Enjoyed both your and L’s letter so much.

Love and all good greetings for the New Year --

Aunt Fan

_______________________________________________________

To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City - 3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

April 22, 1957

Dear Lieuween and Hamilton,

Had a nice letter from Ethel.

Your two fine letters I planned to answer yesterday, but it was a very full Easter.  I left for church at 10 am. Four of us old ladies had dinner at the Sterling; I made some calls and got home at 5!   Read a new book on the “4 Georges of England” (whom I know nothing about) and also one of Arnold Bennett’s novels “there to bed” a la Pefys.

I think it will be splendid if the new school is named for Harold.  He did so much for his city - state. Didn’t your mother once say he took on every unpaid job in Topeka ?  In Wilkes-Barre we have the Cuningham public school and the Guthrie and so on.  

Now I’m glad I did not write until this am as your (H’s) came this am.  I remember the dinner given H.T.C. and W. A. White’s remarks. Is his son “Bill White” on the N.Y. Tribune or Times?

I read articles with that signature.

I am so glad the rains and heavy snow came to you at long last, though it did damage a lot in the western parts and other states.  My small border of 10 rose bushes look healthy and I must have my car put in shape for summer soon. It was 82 degrees here yesterday - lovely after a moist, long and disagreeable Spring.

Why don’t you (H) take up painting?  Take up where I left off (I’ve not painted for a year).

Anyone can learn to paint (one doesn’t expect to turn out an artist, just as anyone can learn to play without being a musician).

This is another summer and I feel “en vacanse” and will go to the movies and see Fred Astaire in “Funny Face”.  I am one of his fans.

Take care of yourselves.  Your Easter card was the prettiest one I got.  Am so glad you are now a member of a church, though I took it for granted you always were.

Much love,

Aunt Fan

Do keep me posted about naming of the new school.

________________________________________________________

To Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City - 3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase in Greenwich, CT (usual residence is 76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)

October 14, 1957, Monday

Dear H. and L: --

Warren drove me up here Friday - a five-hour ride.   Poconos and Merrick Parkway brilliant with the autumn foliage.  A lovely day -- cool. Steve Sr. and Sam were playing tennis when I arrived.  Sam goes back to Camp Derens Thursday (the day I go home) to be formally dismissed from the army.  He hasn’t minded his 2 years (except it delayed his getting to work). Having a reputation at baseball in college, he was on the army team and they played 70 games with rival teams in the summer.  That’s all the present household.

To help celebrate Nana and Steve’s 29th wedding anniversary, Sam drove us to a most spiffy place.  Fox Hill, about 30 some miles on winding roads (the beauty of the colored woods unbelievable) for dinner Saturday night.  The restaurant personnel meet you in great state and brought Steve the wine list as we drank our cocktails in the (too dim) lighted cocktail room.  Home at 10 pm and 8 hours sleep!   Sunday some friends came in for cocktails after lunch and Henry, Lucy and 13 month-old curly-headed George came for dinner.  They are certainly a happy family. All the D’s together.

Nana told me all about her visit with you two and how fine it was to see Frances and Don (Steve thought the latter quite a lad.)  Nana said you gave them a grand dinner and a fine and fulsome breakfast. Also a full account of her talk with a sub-editor at the Topeka Capital.

I am so glad they stopped with you, even though it was an awkward time for you; on the eve of your trip.  

The weather has been lovely every since I arrived, and if it still holds, we will drive this afternoon through this lovely countryside and eat somewhere;  calling on young Steve and Jo. at Pawling, NY, where he is teaching at a boy’s boarding school. Jo expects her baby in early November.  

I started a letter to you when you had gone to Colorado on your vacation and never sent it.  Have had a miserable time getting used to lower denture. Very different from bridge work. 3 weeks on soft food -- Lost 4 lbs (which I don’t object to) and am slowly eating solid food.  Now we are off shopping -- Steve deep in lime-ing his lawn.  

I brought your letter up to show them.  Nana said she had a fine one from you.

Much love,   Aunt Fan

Riverside, Connecticut

________________________________________________________

To Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City - 3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase, 76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

November 28, 1957, Thanksgiving Day

Dear Lieuween and Hamilton: --

Well, H’s good newsy letter is here and one from Ethel too.  She is certainly a grand grandmother. Mariana has 2 now (Stephen Jr.’s little daughter here).

Helen Pease and Mary Woodruff and I are dining at 2:30 with the Derrs today.   A very pleasant way to spend the day. I remember Aunt Eliza Ingalls (his sister) in Haverhill.  She had rosy cheeks, was in her eighties. When 80 (I think) she felt it wasn’t “becoming” to go out of her yard and gave up her daily drive (I hope she didn’t miss it).   Senator John James Ingalls wasn’t one to be too proud of, as I remember. His policies in politics, wasn’t it? I liked his “Blue Grass” essay.  

Stella Warriner stopped a few days with me 2 weeks ago, on her way to Montrose from Baltimore, where she fell over a loose stone on the sidewalk.  The drs there didn’t bother to come and see her ankle (had a Sunday golf match, I guess) and treated it over the phone.  Told her she had just turned it and to walk on it. Being a Spartan type she did; but while here, it swelled more and our bone specialist found she had snapped a bone.   Strapped her up and told her to keep off of it. A clean break apparently. I hope she was able to go to Philadelphia for Thanksgiving as she was planning.  

She is as energetic as ever in her travel plans.  Thought she would take a house near Mexico City the first of the year;  that is given up (before she hurt her ankle) and she now expects to go, but board.  Go alone, as none of her aging friends want to take the trip. A Philadelphia friend went alone last year to a delightful boarding place with most pleasant people there.  Stella loves Mexico.  It will be her 3rd trip there.  As everyone agrees, she is a remarkable “young woman”.  Went entirely around the world in her 80’s! Over the Pacific out and home by the Atlantic.   Well, she has a wonderful digestion.  I have taken a (scunner?) to flying -- now wonder how I ever did it.

Am glad you took a vacation and good rest.  

Take good care of yourselves -- Much love -- Aunt Fan

____________________________________________________________

To Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City - 3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase, 76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

December 14, 1957, Saturday

Dear Lieuween and Hamp: --

My lovely half bushel of birthday and Christmas grape-fruit arrived yesterday.   You couldn’t have sent me anything I liked more. Sprays of Kumquats adorn it and the fruit is wrapped (top layer) in different colored tissue paper.

Nana sent me Hamp’s letter-- “Such a good one”, she wrote on it.  

I’m not going up to Montrose for Christmas and shall miss it, especially as she says it will be the last one -- I guess “servant question” making it too difficult;  but I shall have my Samba 3 and Helen Pease here. They come at 1:30 and Helen gets quickly tired and likes to depart early in afternoon. After a while we start to play, stopping at 8 for cold turkey and milk and then play on !  But I told you this before - 1956!

We’ve had freezing weather and I do enjoy my electric blanket.

My Xmas cards are all written and out of town ones sent.   I sent (or received) 75 last Xmas but sent only 62 this one.  Mabel Patience receives and sends 175 !!!

Lieuween, I am writing this letter in a “nigger” red 80% orlon, 20% wool dress ( and I will be 84 years old tomorrow) but it is a good style and the only warm dress I could find all over town !

Now I must get to other letters and trot up town.

Much love and a very Happy Christmas -- Aunt Fan

P.S. Cash check before January 1, 1958

________________________________________________________

To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City - 3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase, 76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

January 20, 1958, Sunday

Dear H. and L.

(I should have put L. before H. ! (Ladies first)).

Have been reading over your past letters - one from L. in June, and a snap shot of your red climbing rose.  Very pretty.  

We have had bitter winter weather, but no snow to protect people’s gardens.  Huge snow storms all around us and I do love a snowy winter.   A snow storm promised for this coming Tuesday. This am, I heard Kansas City was promised a big snow.  So it we get ours Tuesday, I’ll feel you sent some of yours to us.

Doing nothing much.  We had an especially good exhibition of paintings from the brushes of our Art League members (167 members).  I put one in - the only thing I’ve done in a year. Pretty fruit.

I went up to the Library annex to bring it home and stopped to leave a piece of squash pie (at Mabel Patience’s suggestion) for Clara Phelps.  She has had another bad fall on the ice this time; but had been using her usual method of cure -- ignoring it! But felt so bad yesterday that she went to her dr. who found she had pushed out her left sacroiliac (I didn’t know one had left and right).  Then she took a ride with Leigh Ricketts and was just (rather painfully) getting out of the care as I reached her apartment. So, I didn’t have to climb her stairs. She is one reckless gal and has no sense about taking care of herself. She and Mary H. had come down here last Thursday night (at their own suggestion) and I had to take Clara’s two hands to help her out of her chair.  

Had a fine long letter from Frances last week.  Ethel wrote me; she seemed fine and well when she saw her.  Had a nice letter, too, from Marianne. It certainly is nice to hear from great nieces and nephews and keep in touch with them.

Stella W. is in Mexico.   None of her elderly friends would go with her, so she went alone.  She has more “gumption” than any one I know. This is her 3rd tip there and she loves Mexico.

Now if you lived nearer, I could see you in your cocky new hat and Lieuween and I could wear our red dresses together!  Mine is warm and I have it on now (12 degrees above this am). Seems to me this letter is chiefly parenthesis!  

I have a houseful of good reading matter on hand, so weather can act up all it cares to.

My old friend Mrs. Lawrence Jones died.  I had been her bride’s maid. Stella W. and Helen Pease and I are about the only ones of our old crowd still hanging on.  Charlie Loveland is as active as ever. Now busy with everyone’s income tax and comes home exhausted, his sister says. He is reading the Jalna books aloud, which seems to relax him.  

Now I must attend to warming up my Sunday dinner.  Your letters sound as if you had had a fine holiday.  Keep up the good work. Keep well.

Much love, Aunt Fan  

Painted by Frances B. Chase

___________________________________________________________

To Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase, 76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

February 26, 1958

Dear Hamilton,

Enjoyed your letter and all your doings.  Nice to hear you and L. had such a very pleasant winter -- wish it over tho.  Our blizzard and 18 inches of snow gone and now we are worrying about a flood.  

As I say so often, I wish you lived here or near.  I’ve been through a siege. Mabel P. came down with a heavy cold two weeks ago Friday (tomorrow), developed into bad bronchitis and a heart weakness and went suddenly to the hospital in the ambulance.  Is out of the hospital and with her stepson’s family and will be some time longer. 

Fortunately I got the nice, big, good-natured colored woman who was with me in September to come the next day -- and she has been with me ever since.  I had a cold and have been under the Dr.’s care. Cold and shock played beautifully on my nerves!  But everything is clearing up, I hope.

“The girls” are coming in to play tonight.  Clara P. has just escaped pneumonia, but goes to Florida Saturday (the telephone just rang and I jumped and blurred by writing).  It was Mary W. saying she would make a fourth tonight.

Rose Loveland is visiting Charlie and took me on a drive to Wild Goose Chase and Lehman yesterday.  Tomorrow I plan to go to a cocktail party, so don’t worry about me. I must write Mariana. Haven’t had the gumption to write.  Will tomorrow.  

Your photo on my filing cabinet cheered me up.  You have a nice smile.

Well, I must eat my supper of cream of wheat and applesauce (Mary Leonard left for me - Thursday maid’s day out, but not till after lunch).

Much love to you both.  

If you’re writing Ethel you could tell her, but everything going along so well, it isn’t necessary.  I’ll be writing her soon.

Aunt Fan

P.S.  Show off my Churchill paintings.  I don’t know if anyone who has them.

___________________________________________________________

To Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase, 76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

March 6, 1958

Dear Hamp and Lieuween: --

I certainly appreciate your thought of me, but all I need is to get my strength back and gain some weight.  The young doctor was too strenuous.  He took off 10 lbs in too short a time (for my stomach’s sake) -- I think.  Am no longer sick and am resting all the time.

Cook a joy (no cook like Mabel, but does her best).

Will love seeing you in August.

Much love,

Aunt Fan

_____________________________________________________________

To Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City - 3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase, 76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

April 26, 1958, Saturday

Dear Hamp and Lieuween: --

I don’t know who owes who, but Hamp is so good a correspondent, I think I’m the debtor!

Have just come in from cutting small dead branches from the yew hedge out in front; winter killed.  A good ½ hours work on a beautiful spring day. The Tribune had a cute short editorial on whether we shall ever again be able to say:  “a beautiful spring day” as for the past two years we have jumped from winter right into early summer, which is certainly true here; leaves are out on the trees and the fresh green in lovely.  River back so cheerful looking. My roses (hybrid teas) were only pruned a week ago and their leaves are full out in some of the ten.

Had a postal from Mariana this morning.  She and Steve on a motor trip to Charleston, etc. Now on way home.  It is very convenient having Henry so near, as his family moves right in and looks after Sam.  The baby loves a house to fly around in, instead of their small apartment. She spent 3 days with me in March (I guess) looking prettier than ever, but worried about her weight.  She says Sam says, “You know mother, you like to eat.”

Frances kindly sent me Harold’s diary just after you sent it to me.  She told me to keep it.

I read the W. B. parts of the Assembly ball and New Years calling to the few W. Barrians, alas, that are left.  I am taking those 3 pages up to Horense Beaumont as soon as she is well. She is 90 and full of life. I did so enjoy hearing your and Lieuween’s voices over the phone.  I do appreciate it. 

Stella Warriner is impressed how close we are tho’ living so far apart.  It certainly is very nice.

The gals are coming down to play tonight.  That seems to be all my gaiety at present.  

Mabel Patience is practically well, but goes slow and gets tired easily.

I imagine your spring is way ahead of ours.

Much love,    Aunt Fan 

___________________________________________________________

To Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase, 76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

May 25, 1958,  Thursday

Dear Hamilton: --

I think it is fine that Lieuween played before the Club and keeps up her music.  It takes a lot of time to keep up one’s practicing. Am daily expecting word of Frances, as May is so far advanced.  I expect to spend the month of June with Stella Warriner at Montrose, PA (Fernheim). All her staff up there fell by the wayside and she almost thought she couldn’t open her house;  the Irish young couple weren’t too good (She was fine, he wasn’t !) and her splendid cook had to leave;  social security and getting very lame. I’ve known her (with a helper in the kitchen) to get up a fine dinner for 17 people.  Her chauffeur first had a hemmorhage, so house-keeping is no joke these days. But she found a good Polish cook in Philadelphia and I hope all goes well.  So children arrive for the summer July 1st. Mabel Patience is still weak and her strength returns slowly -- (telephone just rang)-- Nice Charlie Waller fished at North Mountain yesterday and has some trout for me.

In respect to Elmer Davis, I’ve taken his book from the book case: “But we were born free” written in 1953 and never read by me.  We’ve had no commentator equal to him since.

I got my 1940 Ford out of storage last week and she still goes like a bird -- even it she doesn’t look like one !  Those early Ford engines unequaled.

We’re having cool nights (threats of frost) and so warm I’m on the front porch all day.  Helen Pease and I are going down to have dinner with Charlie Loveland and his sister today.  I went to a big supper party Friday night and Chester Derr and I sat on not too big a seat with no back for nearly an hour before we ate.  He neither drinks nor smokes, hears very little and his eyes are bad.  He is 85. Says definitely this his last big party.  He decided to get a taxi and go home before his wife was quite ready to go;  so he took me home and she could drive the car when she was ready. No one drinks too much and gets gay anymore at these parties (perhaps the younger cocktail parties do !).   I think the novelty has worn off. I am amused to see many drinking tomato juice, but they didn’t happen to Friday night. Mariana back from their southern trip and cooking for 7 many Sundays;  but the children all help and Sam can get up a first class lunch.

Well, trout here and in the freezer part of the refrigerator.

Keep well.

Love to you both,   Aunt Fan

________________________________________________________

To Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City - 3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase in Montrose, PA at Fernheim (usual residence is 76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)

June 16, 1958

Dear Hamilton,

It was very nice to find your letter here when I arrived June 3rd.  I was very luxurious and had Warren drive me up and take the car back, as I don’t need it up here.  Mabel P. is staying at the house and getting her strength back, but she has been washing curtains, cleaning pantry cupboards, rugs, etc. she writes me.

We have had every kind of weather since I came from 82 down to 46 degrees.  I have learned over the years to bring thick and thin. The garden is lovely now and S. and I picked quantities of flowers for Children’s day Sunday for the church.  Alas! They were not arranged attractively and S. was much disappointed.  

Today we go to a garden club meeting at the house of such a nice woman here, but the meeting will be given over to last-plans for the annual Montrose flower show to be held June 27th.  S. suggests I put something in it, but the rules as to “what and how” are so strict I don’t know if I can. S. may stay over the fourth of July, it all depends. I should like her to see her children who come up then, as I’ve been here with them so many 4ths.  

I was so glad to hear from you about Lyle D. Courtsal, hope soon to hear from Frances.

Now for my “morning walk” around the place -- Mary Hillman has gone to Eaglesmere after meeting Eisenhower in Annapolis where her daughter lives.  He spoke to the cadets and Katherine’s husband is head of the museum and they meet all the V.I.P’s who come there.

Last summer at Eaglesmere K. showed us the 4 hats she had bought to meet the Queen of England;  and Annapolis came down with the flu or measles and the Queen was not allowed to come over from Washington!   And one hat cost $ 45 !!  Funny, but very disappointing --

Delighted you and L. will be with me from Sunday till Friday in August.  Hoping Mabel will be herself by then.

Love, 

Aunt Fan

_________________________________________________________

To Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City,  Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

July 4, 1958

Dear Hamilton:

At last I can write at my desk -- pleasantly cool this am.  The sun poured in the 4 windows (with no elm tree to protect the house -- cut down 1 year ago) and though I had a month’s work at the desk I couldn’t go near it (Thursday 90 degrees).  Now all work is done;  taxes paid, Mabel’s Social Security, dividend checks listed etc. etc. etc.

This am (can work better in the morning) I settled down with 5 checkbooks to list the monies I have paid the cleaning woman since 1955, as she is applying for old age pension -- and I received a report from the Wilkes-Barre office so to do.  BUT I’ve paid cash always and never kept a record !!  I was hauled over the coals a few months ago and she and I appeared before the Welfare Monsters -- so I have kept an account since January 1958.  So I shall have to copy the report she will have to send it.  There are many absent Fridays when I was away or she was, so I have no idea what I’ve paid her !  

Mabel is practically herself again -- (blood pressure down to 140;  lower than mine the last time I had it taken;  though I forgot to ask the dr. what mine is.   As long as he seems satisfied, I am.  Mabel has quite a weakness for you and Lieuween and Frances.  Indeed I shall be delighted to see you August, for the 5 days.  

Frances send me Lyle’s 23 day old picture.   So big, looks like 6 months -- a lovely baby.

We had cool rainy weather most of June, but did a good deal notwithstanding.  

Could hardly wait to get the reports on the radio about Alaska’s statehood, and all about poor guileless Sherman Adams.  I read “Ice Palace” by Edna Ferber up there and the book, having been to Alaska, kept me on the “quivure”.

Stella drives her English Ford only to “get there”.   Her gardener (52 years at Fernheim and still looks young) says “I wouldn’t like to drive with her !” She got her Ford last year and has had to have 4 clutches replaced.  It stalled on the hill while we were driving out from Montrose and so luckily was out of commission the last part of my visit!  I wasn’t nearly as scared in her Hillman she had 2 years ago.  

Miss Pease and I expect to get together later today.

Love to you both,

Aunt Fan

Hamilton with Frances B. Chase, Aug 1958 at her home

Frances B. Chase with nephew Hamilton, Aug. 1958 at her home

_________________________________________________________

To Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City,  Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

September 1958, Saturday

Dear Hamp and Lieuween,

It was fine to get H’s 3 postcards and to know how successful your vacation has been.

The house seemed very empty after you left.  I started in with a siege at the dentist’s “capping” last teeth instead of pulling them out as used to be the custom.  “Keep your teeth as long as possible”.   Going this afternoon to a large reception at the Westmoreland Club for a bride to be -- Wish you were here to go with me.

Your ears should burn from the nice things Mary McLean and Clara P. say about you.

Clara has been ruining her eyes finishing 2 hook rugs.  She wants to start a new one to take to Eaglesmere Tuesday.   Mary Hillman’s family leave her alone Tuesday so Clara will go up and stay a week and Mary then moves home.  They will cook their own meals.

I’ve taken my electric fan out and now it promises hot weather.  Ninety tomorrow when I take dinner with Helen Pease.  Mabel Hillman was sorry not to see you, but she feels pretty forlorn.   Feels sure she has had another stroke, but her dr. says: “No”.

Mabel Patience has made chili sauce and canned tomatoes and will do another big basket after Labor Day (now 18 quarts of  tomatoes canned).  She is washing today because of Labor Day (Here it is a week later Saturday!)

The Wallers are back from their summer and Charlie brought 2 fine trout he caught at No. Mountain.  One a big rainbow one that leaped 4 ft out of the water.  He had a fight to land it. (Remember how Annie loved to fish?)

You were certainly generous, using your car and so much gasoline.  Mine goes like a bird.  Hardly rattles -- I had it out the other day.  Drove over beyond Wild Goose Chase towards Sweet Valley (No. Mountain road).

I appreciated Hamp’s walking up to Marjorie Smith’s funeral with me and Lieuween meeting me on the way home.  Very thoughtful and comforting.  A burglar got in her empty house the next evening.  Stole clothing only. 

Lieuween, do you remember giving me colored stockings -- blue ones?  Still going strong -- I wore them to the huge Deemur party.

This letter was begun a week ago, but now I think it will find you home again -- safe and sound.

Love from Aunt Fan.

________________________________________________________

To Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City,  Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

November 20, 1958

Dear Hamp and Lieuween,

I know I’ve not written for some time and plan to all the time!  And have treated every one else the same way.  I went up to Nana’s in late October for 5 days in the most terrible snowstorm.  Will Rickett’s sister, Leigh McLean, has a married daughter living near Nana and Leigh drove me up.  Her driver got lost and we arrived an hour late.

All were well and I saw the new baby girl 1 year-old (Stevie’s)  We had chilly rainy weather but had a good time.  Enjoyed Ethel and Dave’s very short visit.  Dave very interested in family data.  He spent ½ evening getting dates and names from the Cogswell book.  I never (?) got a Chase one when I had the opportunity.  

Stella Warriner is spending 2 months at the Sterling Hotel and we are planning to go to N.Y. for Thanksgiving.  It is 3 years since we had had that bat.  It is fine having Stella here to do things with.   We take in a movie this p.m.

Just this fall my hands and fingers stiffen up when I write.  No pain, but makes my handwriting so small and awkward.  Well, Hamp certainly has been jaunting about.   A nice change, I should think.  I was delighted with the pictures.  So good.   Lieuween has a full life with music she enjoys.  That is splendid.  Perhaps answering H’s letter that came this a.m. may (___) me up to answer of hers.  Short and often would be the wise plan.

Take care of yourselves,  I had a good time last summer.

Love,  Aunt Fan

________________________________________________________

To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City,  Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

December 18, 1958

Dear L. and H.: --

You both have long names to write so please excuse the reductions --

Merry Christmas!

Thanks very much for snapshots.

We too have had very low temperatures and if we have many more this month we will break our record of 37 years;  the length of time we’ve had a record bureau.

Being in the telephone business I presume you are spilling over with A & T stock and will make your fortune.  I have only a few shares and wish I had more.  

Thank you a lot for that lovely birthday scarf.  I put it on the a.m. it came to wear up town, as it was so warm and pretty.   Clara P. came in and exclaimed over it.  Stella W. gave me a birthday party at the Sterling Hotel that night.  5 of us and a birthday cake for me to cut, with one large red candle in it.  

My Harvey’s Lake wreath man hasn’t turned up this year and the florist’s wreaths are much more expensive; so I was much pleased to find just what I wanted yesterday in the little town of Berwick down the river.  

Leigh Ricketts McLean (Will Ricketts younger sister) took Stella and me there for lunch.  She is nearly blind and is a beautiful woman and her eyes especially so.  She and I went to the front door of the tea-house after lunch to see if her man was back in the car.  The street full of cars and she couldn’t see one !

Not an especially good winter for the theatre this winter in New York.  I thought very well acted but morbid and dreary.  “The Girls in 509” was capital and “Sunrise at Campobello” - a history of the young married F. D. Roosevelts - very entertaining.  I didn’t expect to like them so much.  

Stella is quite absent-minded and she went off one morning to get tickets for Saturday’s matinee (we had all of the others (6 plays in 5 days we saw!)) of The Lunt’s Play.  So we sailed over to it Saturday.  Stella gave the tickets to the ticket man;  “These tickets”, he said, “are for the Lyric Theater right next door.”  Stella is a grand fighter and insisted she had been there that morning and got them;  he ignored her, but she made a brave fight, to the amusement of the people in line.  The play next door was “Shadow of the Gunman” !  I displayed the tickets to a couple next door in the queue and as they were in C, they willingly bought them of us and we went on and saw another good play.

We also saw the best movie I have ever seen - Hemmingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea” - Spencer Tracey and a little Italian boy did the whole show.

I thoroughly enjoyed Lieuween’s full account of your trip.  It made the Scituate families so real as well as the Nethercots.  I did enjoy their short visit here.

The best of Christmas wishes for you.

Much love - Aunt Fan

Fine you will see Frances and Lyle in April.

________________________________________________________

To Mr. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City,  Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

January 2, 1959

Dear Lieuween and Hamilton: --

Happy New Year !

I am reveling in the delicious grapefruit - one daily!  Thank you very much.

Today Louise Thomas drives me over to her sister Jessie Bennett’s (dog-kennel lady) for a family New Year’s Day dinner - 12 in all.  I’ve gone once or twice in the past and there is nothing I would rather do.  It brings back the past, even though it will be chiefly a new generation.  I like them and their older sister Eleanor was one of my oldest friends from childhood.  

Last night we saw the old year out at Clara’s around the Samba table.  She had a broom and swept the old year out.  Got up the entire dinner herself instead of sending to the “Dresden” for a restaurant dinner.  The best thick tomato bisque, a round of ham with pineapple slice, macaroni and cheese, asparagus and a very rich ice-cream.  We had a good full day here Christmas.  Ate turkey at 1:30 and 8 firm but separated at 10 pm.  

I just started my Xmas notes - pure unadulterated laziness.  Stella is settling in at a Philadelphia hotel.  She went to her children ‘till after Xmas.  as one of her friends there told her, her tips for the hotel “help” last Xmas was $ 500. ------  As usual she left things behind her at the hotel (all stolen she thought) and all found among her own possessions !  

We are promised a miserable day.   Rain and snow, but Louise T. has just bought 2 snowtyres and her niece is a good driver.  

I hope L. got what she wanted for my Xmas check and you are scuffing around in gay bedroom slippers.  I think you are wining and dining in great style for the holidays.

I expect to get down to earth tomorrow.

Much love, 

Aunt Fan.
________________________________________________________________

To Mr. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City,  Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

February 24, 1959, Sunday

Dear Hamp and Lieuween: --

What a winter!  Did your Kansas City blizzard take a toll in your part of town?  I hope not.

We are hoping that the investigation of the Knox mine disaster will bring punishment where deserved; though I imagine that all the many guilty ones are trying to “pass the buck” and put it on each other.

Last week I had my Church Circle here for a dessert luncheon and as 14 seems the highest number to come to these monthly meetings, I ordered 18 cream puffs;  the secretary telephoned me later to expect 18;  then 2 others telephoned they would come.  I decided to order 20 cream puffs and to be on the safe side stopped in Percy B’s and bought a small cake to help out.  Then 4 telephoned me Wednesday morning “not coming”.  So we were 16 including myself.  So last night we four Samba players ate up the cake !

Awfully cold weather.   The thermometer thinks nothing of hovering around zero at night.

I dined with my dress-shop next door neighbor the other night.  She had 12 for dinner and her husband carved a 7 ½ rib roast (23 ½ lbs).  I don’t remember seeing one so big.  Done just right.  Rare in the middle, or just past the first few cuts.  They never insult it by using it up by stews, etc.  just love rare cold cuts to the bitter end.  They dog is allowed beef bones.

Dave N. sent me Dr. Shivago for Xmas and the other night a very clever Rabbi of Temple Israel analyzed the book and I did so want to go and hear him.  The tabernacle is just below South Street on South River, but it had been very slippery and a heavy fog settled in and I didn’t dare venture; having fallen bang down on the floor in the bathroom, heard my head crack -- “Well, now I’ve done it,” I thought.  But must have a tough empty skull as not even a bruise or a headache resulted.  But all my weight seemed to fall on my left hand fortunately.  But x-rays showed no broken bones.  But it all puffed up and was quite painful for some time.  Practically well now.

I hope Lieuween’s up-side down cake was a success in the new fryer.  People tell me they are good, this Sunbeam is it ?

Now to hand this to the postman and then to sew at Friend’s Service till lunch time.  Boy the days have slipped by till Tuesday, today !

Love to you both,

Aunt Fan

Steve D. has been ten days in the hospital with a hernia operation.  All fine.

____________________________________________________

To Mr. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City,, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

April 13, 1959

Dear Hamilton and Lieuween: --

Thanks for remembering me at Easter.  I don’t think I sent any Easter cards and yours was the only card I got.  But I still have azalea blossoms on the table, though plants are put away to be planted in the border.  Over 2 weeks the plants were still looking nice.  

Things go on as per usual.  Snow threatened tonight; so can’t send winter dresses to cleaner to be put away ‘till fall (small demand I hear !)  

We are having an exhibition in our Art League of 30 paintings showing the last 30 years of American artists from the Museum of Modern Art in NY.  Quite a feather in our cap to get them.  First time loaned out.  I was on duty yesterday morning from 10 to noon as hostess.  

A bad, rainy day and about 10 came to see them.  

My cleaning woman supplies me with forsythia twigs that burst into golden glory and now I see leaves coming on some spreading branches of wild crab-apples that she brought Friday.

Lots of friends have been in the hospital having, or to have, operations -- Chester Derr’s brother-in-law is first out.  I’m thankful I’ve escaped the hospital.

Have bought me a new Spring suit and am horrified at prices!  Luckily my clothes last forever, though no doubt not in style!  

Haven’t heard from Davenports for some time.  Steven has gotten over a hernia operation and they were going on a vacation;  they hadn’t decided where when last heard from.

PM
Steady snowing all afternoon and we are promised 5 inches!  Luckily I’m surrounded with interesting books.  What will become of me if my eyes give out, I don’t know.  I certainly will be the most crotchety old woman in Wilkes-Barre.  I go monthly to the eye doctor and was glad when last I went, not to come back for 2 months.  I have to use eye-drops 3 times daily.

As soon as the weather gets nice and settled, I start in with the dentist.

Old age takes its toll!

Hope you both keep well -- Glad the difficulties of age are miles away from you.

Much love, Aunt Fan

Has Frances come for her visit -- with Lyle with her

I hope all is OK.

________________________________________________________

To Mr. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase, Montrose, PA (Fernheim)

July 2, 1959

Dear Hamilton,

You will be sorry to read these 2 Wilkes-Barre clippings about the deaths of Mrs. Frederick Hillman and her daughter, Mrs. Frances H. Bertels.  We had such a nice time at Frances H. Bertel’s home that summer afternoon.  I am glad you called on Mrs. Hillman, too, last year.  I go home, Monday, July 6th.  Warren coming for me.

We are having all kinds of weather up here.  Cold and rainy at first (came up June 12th) and hotter than pepper of late, but we always have a breeze on these hills.  Yesterday we went to Binghamton, the hottest of river towns.  That is where Clara P. comes from.  Mabel Patience feels very sorry you and L. are not coming East in September.  You and L. and Frances are great favorites.

I am worried to hear you “haven’t had much pep lately.”  I suppose you are wise to go to Colorado rather than the highways East, but I shall miss seeing you a lot.  Mabel Hillman’s funeral I see is private.  She never went to one after she lost a little boy, so I imagine she wanted a very quiet one.  

“Times is changed,” up here.  We used to go to so many parties and Stella’s married daughter does that nowadays.  She and husband come up tomorrow for the 4th.  They are at the North Mountain Club fishing today.  She is a great fisherman like your mother.  

You tell me to keep well and I am really well.  Now I tell you to keep well.

Love to you both.   Aunt Fan.

PS.  Your Italian friend sounds so interesting.

________________________________________________________

To Mr. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase, 76 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA

August 6, 1959

Dear Hamp: --

Dave wrote me asking if we are to do anything about the letter about Lehigh Valley coal matter from the coal company.  Charlie says nothing to do about it.  He is “en vaconse” in Maine now.  Anne Young ways all the surface we had is sold into lots to other people, so we have no question of taxes to worry about.  

Had a fine letter from Frances this week.

A young antique dealer came up on the porch day before yesterday and greeting me by saying “I suppose you’re an old timer around here.”  I agreed with him, but the only antique I let him see was me.

Your letter is dated July 11.  July was awful here.  Humidity unbearable.  Glad it is gone.  Today we having what father called a “sea-turn”, but it doesn’t rain.  I must go and do some errands.

The town is pretty empty.  Mrs. Phelps and I sit on my porch evenings and converse sociably.  Mark Hillman sat there the other night as she had to come down from Eaglesmare to have a tooth pulled.

The account of New Year’s Day calling, in your father’s diary, tempts he to copy it and publish it in the Wilkes-Barre Record.  It is a custom so completely out of date nowadays.  You wouldn’t object, would you?  I will ask Ethel too.  Someone suggested I do it.

Mabel Patience is petering out slowly.  She walks so slowly on the street and is much thinner.  It makes me feel badly, not only for her sake, but my own.  She doesn’t complain and made currant jelly as usually and wants me to get tomatoes for chili sauce and canning.

I shall miss very much not seeing you and L. this summer.  You maybe on your vacation in Colorado now.

When I came home from Montrose I saw my oculist (every 2 months), had a check up with Dr. Kerr and he took my salt cellar off the dining room table.  Lieuween’s doctor Harry Smith strapped me up, as I had cracked a rib leaning over the arm of a chair to pick up something.  I remember my side hurt when I did it, but didn’t know what I had done.  Now the strapping is off and that is a relief.  All well.

We grow quite a few tomatoes along the end of the back porch in the sun.

Well my news does not amount to much.

Hope you both are fine.

Love from Aunt Fan.

________________________________________________________

To Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City -3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase, 76 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA

August 24, 1959, Sunday

Dear Lieuween and H.

Having read over your last letters - both full of news (I was very interested in the exchange students) - I begin a short one.

On top of the hottest summer I ever remember.

I fell flat coming around home by the cafeteria over at Wilkes College.  I felt my rib crack and bless you, not one but two and bruised my right side as well.  That was two weeks ago tomorrow.  Two Wilkes College grounds-men picked me up and settled me on my 2 feet.  I walked across the street, grabbed my hand rail and fell again.  A young man passing helped me up.  After the doctor strapped me up, I just stayed around the house and tried to stay cool.

I can laugh or cough or sneeze now without any pain, so I am practically myself again;  but I carry outdoors one of Sam’s canes with a bright red tip on it.  A most unpleasant summer, but so glad I didn’t break my hip.

Mabel Patience was prostrated from the intense heat one day;  couldn’t get her breath, too weak to even fan herself.  She is better, but goes very slow.  She has been petering out for some time.

Am glad you are going to Colorado.

That’s a fine picture of Hamp.  Was his suit blue, as in the picture?   Sweet photo of your house with the rose bush on the trellis.

Door bell rang and Charlie Waller brought me a rainbow trout he caught this morning over at North Mountain.

This is a very poor attempt at a letter after your splendid long one.  But no news; town empty.

Much love, Aunt Fan

________________________________________________________

To Mr. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City -3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase, 76 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA

October 1, 1959

Dear Hamilton and Lieuween; --

Well, we’re having all day showers from the hurricane today, and it is a joy to see rain.

Mabel P. is off on her fall vacation and I have Mary Leonard, one of the nicest and kindest colored woman while Mabel is away.  She helps me out quite often.

Next week I’m going up to visit Nana--

Fortunately, Leigh, Rickett McLean’s daughter, lives in Greenwich and she will drive me up Monday.  She is returning  the next day (as she goes up very often) and Warren will bring me home Friday.

I’ve just read over your last two letters;  all about the wedding in Topeka and your other doings.

You will be sorry to hear Ned Buchy died;  my doctor, before he retired some years ago.  His wife is Helen Miner.  No, it was Ethel and Dave who met him last year when he and Helen called to say Good-bye.  They live at Glen Summit in the summer and Florida in the winter.

I’m in such a rut that I thought I wouldn’t go to Riverside, but Leigh taking me changed the whole picture;  especially as Warren charges so much now that he uses his car.

This is just a line to keep you posted. 

I hope you feel better after your Colorado trip and that it did you both good.

I wouldn’t give any more blood to the blood bank.  You need it yourself.

Much love to both,

Aunt Fan
___________________________________________________________________

To Mr. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City - 3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

November 19, 1959

Dear Hamilton:--

Here I have been worrying that you might be sick as you had owed me a letter for so long; and apparently the shoe is on the other foot!

I go on the same old way and have very little to tell you.  Mary Hillman is getting over a second cataract operation  - luckily she has no more eyes to be operated on !  Mary Woodruff, Clara P. and I will have a game here tonight.  The other night we played from 7:30 - 10:30 and it literally was just one game.  I’ve been on the losing end of late. 

Had nice weather and a nice visit with the D’s (Davenports).  Just long enough, as Nana doesn’t let me help much in the kitchen.  The 2 boys at home go daily to NY to the Columbia University graduate school.  Sam’s business course finishes in February.  John does another year.  They leave early and get back at 6 pm. Both study all evening.  John, often till midnight.  He is to be a lawyer.  He may start with Stephen’s nephew in Richmond, Va, who has a good practice.  Steven Sr. spent his days on his lawn, putting it in shape.  At it all day.

We had a taste of Montana’s winter yesterday, only 11 degrees above zero.  We’re just about through house-cleaning.  Will get curtains and draperies up tomorrow.

The doorbell man just came, as the bell was out of order.  It is ringing like mad now, as he tries it and I jump every shrill ring.  It is nice to own one’s home, but I do envy my friends in apartments where all repairs are done for them.

I began a letter to Frances Sunday, still unfinished.  Had a good one from her.  It is fine she is so active in civic duties in Scituate.  Lyle is very fascinating too.

How fine of Marianne with a 3rd adopted baby, instead of a dog.

This is a stupid letter, nothing to say.

I carry one of Sam’s canes as mental support.  Dr. suggested it.  House full of good books to read.  Am short of detective tales at present.  Brought home 6 the other day and sandwiched them among the worthy books.   Enjoyed reading “Exodus”  - learned a lot about the settlement of Israel.  Not too much of what father called “Information”, as is in some heavy type such books.

Now to the liquor store for “Four Roses.”  I asked for “4 Georges” the other day there, Thackeray taking precedence over nourishment.  

Fine Lieuween keeps up her music and does so well.  Playing at concerts and all.

My best to you both -- 

As ever,  Aunt Fan

___________________________________________________________________

To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City,, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

December 29, 1959

Dear Lieuween and Hamilton: --

The attractive b’day card here, with 86 sticking out in bold figures at the top!

And the big basket of grapefruit, juicier than ever if possible.  Thanks very much.  I eat one daily.

I was very much taken with “Decide and Advice” (or visa versa), the best book I’ve read in 1959.  I love politics and read every word.  Another good one one newspaper journalism is “Sugar Pill” (meaning make easy reading by so doing).  I thought how Harold would have enjoyed it, and I think you also.  

Had a nice holiday.  Went to dinner at Mary Woodruff’s last night, “the Gambling 4” -- home midnight -- finish up New Year’s Eve dinner and cards at Clara Phelps.

We are wallowing in constant rain, a 2-day fog (oldest inhabitant can’t remember a worse one) -- no sun since before Christmas.  Had a good snowstorm and a white Christmas and this doleful weather ever since.  Miss Pease is having a birthday (same as mine) today and I am taking her a bottle of sherry as she can’t read a book.

Hope you are as well as I am and had a happy holiday.  They tell us we must see Ben Hur on the movies when it comes.

Again many thanks and a Happy New Year.

Love from Aunt Fan.

_______________________________________________________

To Mr. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City,  Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

February 22, 1960

Dear Hamilton,

I have been huddling near the radiators since Wednesday, as I must have caught cold in a back muscle and it felt like I expect lumbago must feel!

The “girls” come down 3 times a week and play Bolivia and I expect to get out tomorrow and have my hair shampooed.  Mabel P. has been in Philadelphia at a big church meeting since Thursday and gets back today.  My nice Mary Leonard has been here since Friday morning and got me a good Sunday dinner.

You never mention the western storms, so I guess Kansas City has escaped.  We had our heaviest snowstorm of the winter Thursday night, but escaped a blizzard.

Frances sent me a valentine of a large photo of Don with Lynn (transcription note: actually Don’s son, Lyle Courtsal) on his shoulder.   Taken last September, Lynn had fallen down and his father had picked him up to comfort him and the photographer snapped them.  The sweetest baby picture you ever saw, or perhaps you have it too.

The radio is on and playing a lovely concert.  Clara P. just blew in to see why I was not at church.  Her son and grandson have jobs at Canaveral and were hoping to see Eisenhower when he was there.

I am surrounded with interesting books - am certainly blessed that my eyes hold out.

Father read every moment in later life.

I am too dull to make an interesting letter -- Been out too little.

Hope you both keep well.  Feb and March are bad months, so watch your step.

Love from Aunt Fan

_______________________________________________________

To Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City-3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

April 3, 1960, Sunday

Dear Lieuween,

Your “snow” reached us too (I think we had 15 inches) and with all the snow north of us, we’ve just escaped a flood.  The river crested Saturday at 29.60 feet (6 feet above flood level).  I went over twice to look at it -- very angry and threatening.  Full of debris and muddy colored.  Now it has dropped a foot and they tell us all danger is over.  But all police were on 24 hour duty, banks and dike patrolled.  Charlie Loveland engineered having the dikes made years ago and annoyed the West River Street people (spoiling their view).  They are glad now.

In 1936 the water came over the banks and ran down Wright Street (where Warren’s Garage is).  It has rained today off and on, but I think it is too late to do any harm.  The last flood water got on the cellar but did no harm.  The harm is the steam heat goes off and one has to leave the house.

I am proud to think Hamilton has been elected President of the Central Credit Union, even without it being a paying job.  I remember Annie used to say Harold was on every non-paying organization in Topeka.  I think you both have lots of good friends and a very good time.

We have our Samba games about 3 evenings a week.  Played here last night.
I am disgusted that I’m getting to be a poor walker.  I loved to walk and now my legs don’t behave well at all.  My arthritis or neuritis or phlebitis - just slowing down.  As Mary Hillman says, she can’t make her fingers do what she wants them to !  

I stayed in the house for a week with a cold (no Grippe) and was just read out, when a box of 9 books arrived from Nana.  She had been cleaning out her shelves and passed those on to me.  I’d only read one of them and they tided me over very nicely.  Sam is at work in a Bridgeport factory.  He and a friend there have an apartment together and were getting a stove from Bryn Mawr where his friend lives, the last I heard of them.  The apartment sounded very comfortable and they seem to be furnishing it.  John is one his last lap at Columbia, but the college demands he be a resident of NYC his last 6 months.  

Mabel is less and less strong and we live simply.  It is a long time since I did any entertaining.  She has been making old-fashioned desserts lately;  Brown Betty, Indian Pudding, Bavarian cream etc.  I lost 8 lbs the week I had a cold and luckily it hasn’t started to come back!

Thanks for the snow pictures and your good letter and Hamp’s.  I hope you weren’t damaged by so much snow.

Take care of yourselves.  I hope Frances and family are all right.  I owe her a letter.

Best love from Aunt Fan

________________________________________________________

To Mr. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City - 3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

May 14, 1960

Dear Hamilton,

So glad you are coming East in August and we’ll be seeing you -- missed you last summer.

Mariana’s coming up for a few days this week.  The annual Fiesta is on and public square contains it.  Ballets, all sorts of booths -- arts and crafts, books, Punch and Judy etc. etc.

Your saucy remarks about my “Job’s trotters” also hold true.  Sella Warriner is at the Sterling Hotel to try and get servants to take to Montrose.

It was nice to have a visit from Ethel, and I’m sure you got to Topeka.

The Bolivia club had dinner with Mary Hillman last night.  Each pair won a game.

We’ve had a week of rain and my rose bushes look rejoiced.  Now for good weather.

“Good hunting” to you both and love from Aunt Fan

Talk about my writing a good letter, how about you yourself?

_______________________________________________________

To Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City - 3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

September 20, 1960, Tuesday

Dear Lieuween and Hamilton,

So glad to get your postals and Hamp’s good, long letter, and to hear you are safely home.

I went all through the catalogue of the Kansas City art gallery.  It is a fine one and the Persian paintings were lovely, I thought.  Thanks very much.

Mabel had to leave early on her vacation as her sister whom she visited in Washington, PA, died rather suddenly.  The sisters were very close and it is a great blow to Mabel.  They had no children.  I was able to get nice Mary Leonard, who has come to me when Mabel was away for several years.  She is a good cook.  We sit on the porch a lot as the weather has been like summer for quite a while and is keeping it up.  

Clara P. was pleased with your message about her bridge, though she insists it must be sarcasm. 

We have heavy morning fogs and they do not let the sun through much before 11 am.

I must soon go out in one to sin at the church.  The Friends Service work begins today.

Glad you had so fine a vacation and Lyle sounds fascinating.  

Jessie Bennett, who had the dog kennels, died last week. She was Louise Thomas’s sister.

Hope your garden is better.  We really need rain here.  My roses blossom slowly now.

Take care of yourselves.

Much love,

Aunt Fan

_________________________________________________________

To Mr. Hamilton Chase

Shawnee Mission, Kansas (5528 Tahoe Lane)

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

November 20, 1960, Sunday

Dear Hamilton: --

Your and Lieuween’s good letters I have been slow in answering.

Jill wrote me such a nice letter urging me to come to her wedding. Alas, I feel even New York is too far and Stella and I are not going to take our Thanksgiving trip there this year.

This is a sad time. My life-long friend Helen Pease had a bad stroke a week ago and never regained consciousness and died Tuesday night. Now Stella Warriner and I are the only ones left of our old crowd.

I had such a very nice letter from Frances some time ago.  I guess I owe everyone. Mariana had a gallbladder operation two weeks ago Monday -- very satisfactory and was to leave the hospital yesterday.

We are very disappointed, naturally, in the presidential election. I can see all that huge Kennedy family filling the White House!

I’m so glad your eastern visit was so satisfactory - It is a long trip, and now you’ve been to the Ozarks.

Just a line with lots of love from Aunt Fan.

Keep well

_____________________________________________________________

To Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City, Kansas (Shawnee Mission)

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

January 4, 1961

Dear Lieuween and Hamp,

Happy New Year

It was very nice to hear your voices New Year’s Day -- Cheered up the whole day.

Last night my gamblind playmates were here (we play three times a week).  Clara was winner.

I am sorry your Christmas check went astray. I enclose it today.

We’ve had old-fashioned Christmas weather, but I’d rather a good “snow storm”, rather than sleet and ice and rain, though the ground is well-covered with snow.  Walking is so bad, so slippery in spots that I’m in for the day.

Go interested in re-reading the “Jalua” books -- Have 2 in the house now. What a family !

Cold weather is healthy apparently.

I want to get this letter out to the postman who is due soon.

Mariana writes about a full Christmas -- 8 in the house.  She has recovered from her operation.

Mabel keeps the same. Going on the even tenor of her way.

People are amused at Kennedy appointing his brother as attorney general.  At a cocktail party January 1, I talked to a very fine man and lawyer here, who said that not the women but Tammany Hall elected Kennedy.  But what a job he faces.

Keep well

Much love

Aunt Fan

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To Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane, Shawnee Mission, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

June 26, 1961, Monday

Dear Hamilton and Lieuween,

I am enclosing Ethel’s letter and account of the wedding.  

The last I heard from Mariana was a card from some lake resort in Maine, she and Steve had motored to for a little change.  She said it was great getting back to normal.

Alas! -- 2 “card sharpers” are off for the summer, so no games until fall.  Stella Warriner is at the hotel hunting for a cook.  I had dinner there yesterday with her.  We walked up River Street after church and Stella (whose back is bad) suggested we sit down on a broad flat tree stump.  The Rich Hands came along and said they wished they had a camera with them.

Is this your summer to come to see Frances?  I hope so and I shall see you.

We are having lovely June weather, but lots of rain with it.  I brought 3 books home from the library, Mary Koons lent me 2 and Mariana (cleaning out her shelves) sent me 4 !  Luckily I had read none of them, and am now reading Bernard Baruch’s story of his life.  I must clean out my shelves soon.  I take the books to the Montrose Library. 

Stella Warriner is at (I said that before !)

Clara P and I hold down the porch in the evenings and expect to all summer.  She sends her best to you.

Your letters were both interesting and Lieuween keeps very busy with her music clubs etc.  That is splendid.

I get lazier by the minute, am only too delighted when I don’t have to go off the porch.

I tried to get this in yesterday’s mail, but the postman came too soon.  I’ll take it downstairs now.

Much love to you both

Aunt Fan

June 27, 1961
under construction

Letter from Ethel Nethercot, Frances B. Chase's neice

Julia Page Nethercot's wedding June 18, 1961

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To Mr. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane, Shawnee Mission, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

July 13, 1961, Thursday

Dear Hamilton: --

I hope I thanked Lieuween for the little booklet.  If not, I do so now.

Our relative, Mary Ellen Chase, authoress, taught the Bible at Smith College and English, for years.  She says the theory of the David authorship of the Psalms is entirely impossible. “That his name provides the title of many of the psalms could be ascribed to the addition of titles by editors, who of course, remembered his fame as a poet and vision” (from “her book” The Bible and the Common Reader”, which I own).  Nell Chase of Haverhill met her one summer and they discovered we are collaterly related.

Mabel Patience is away Labor Day and her real vacation comes from the middle of September to middle of October.  If your plans would fit in with Frances, couldn’t you stop here for a week right around middle August?  We could drive to Eaglesmere and over to the Poconos for entertainment.

This cool wet summer has been most pleasant. Mrs. Phelps and I sit on the porch evenings.  The town is pretty deserted.

My roses have had a profuse early blooming;  no second buds are forming.  I only have hybrid pink (and one red) tea roses.

I suggested games of bridge to Mrs. P. when you are here and she is afraid to play with you and L.

Keep well.  That’s all I do !

Love, 

Aunt Fan

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To Mr. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane Fairway, Shawnee Mission, Kansas City, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

July 13, 1961,  Hot, hotter, Hottest

Dear Hamilton: --

I am looking forward to your and Lieuween’s visit and only hope the hot weather will have worn itself out by then (around August 23rd).

Mabel P. had a heart spell last week, not from the heat (which she doesn’t mind) but from climbing and reaching up to clean her kitchen pantry shelves.

I sit on the porch most of the day and evening.  Charlie Waller came up on it the other afternoon and I had a nice visit from him.  We didn’t talk business at all !

It’s getting hot here upstairs, so I’ll stop.  I open up doors and windows downstairs at 5 am and close up at 8 am, which keeps the house cool.

Love, Aunt Fan

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To Mr. Hamilton Chase

Shawnee Mission, Kansas City, Kansas (5528 Tahoe Lane)

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

September 18, 1961, Thursday

Dear Hamilton:

Your card and letter here.  I think you covered a lot of ground and accomplished much in your vacation.

Everything goes on the same here.

Last night Clara, Mary Hillman sat on the porch in near-freezing weather.  I wrapped up to my ears and Clara with her coat open!

Tomorrow Mabel departs for her vacation and I start in with a complete stranger.  She seems a nice woman but as she has never “cooked out”, I expect to lose some pounds  Never mind, there is always Percy Brown to fall back on!

I haven’t seen Mary McLean (except to walk home from church with her) since she took me to dinner here.

I still think of the nice trips we took in your car.  I don’t expect any more.  People don’t drive much for pleasure any more because the roads are so crowded.

We’re having cool days after 15 days of unprecedented heat.  I am glad it didn’t come while you were here.

Am surrounded with library books but must take some back today.

I haven’t heard from Mariana for sometime - they may still be up in Maine.

Thanks for giving me such a good time.  I enjoyed your visit very much.

Love, 

Aunt Fan

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To Mr. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane, Shawnee Mission, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

May 24, 1962

Dear Family:--

The days slip by unmarked, and I can’t believe Hamp’s last letter came nearly a month ago.

Glad to have H.T.C’s old age (note: her brother, Harold Taylor Chase).  He had a nice as well as a fine mind.

The street is very noisy (I am on the porch) and the men are filling with asphalt newly dug holes in the street.  Mrs. Phelps is having a most painful time with poor circulation in her legs.

I am not half grateful enough that I have no aches and pains.  

That awful hot weather:  I wouldn’t walk up to the library and read Dickens and Hawthorne.

So now I’ve gotten his life from the library.  I sit on the porch night and day.

We miss our Samba games, as Mary Hillman is visiting Catherine in Annapolis -- her husband is in charge of the naval museum.

It’s time I had another postcard from Nana.  I must look at her itinerary. 

I think today is the last Sennight meeting till fall.  It is over in the country and thunderstorms are threatened, and I do not like them !

All the green around is most luxurious, and yet we need rain terribly.  We had some last night.

Mabel and I are taking things very easy, on account of the hot weather.  She had the kitchen radio on when I came down to breakfast.  We had Carpenter on (note: astronaut Scott Carpenter).  She keeps a great interest in current events and inspired me to.

The postman will be along soon with the morning’s mail and I’ll have this letter ready for him.  He used to come around 8, now he comes around 11.

Your garden sounds very attractive.  My roses are coming along.  That is all the bloom I have in the yard nowadays.

Here’s the postman

Love to you both, 

Aunt Fan

_______________________________________________________

To Mr. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane, Shawnee Mission, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

July 19, 1962

Dear Hamilton and Lieuween:--

Looking forward very much to your visit.  Just tell us when.

Will enjoy the drives to the Poconos etc.

Everything goes on the same here;  that is why I don’t write more.

Clara Phelps has had bad troubles with her legs.  Came home yesterday from hospital.  Must telephone her soon.

No rain here.  Worst drought in 30 years, but my pink hybrid tea roses have been lovely.

Glad you are both well.

I’m bursting with health.

Love, Aunt Fan

P.S.  How is Frances ? (note;  she was pregnant with her second child)

________________________________________________________

Frances B. Chase with nephew Hamilton, August 22, 1962
Buck Hill Falls, PA

Marion Nason, Hamilton Chase, Frances B. Chase, Marion's daughter-in-law
Buck Hill Falls, Pa; August 22, 1962

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To Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane,  Kansas City - 3, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

December 17, 1962

Dear Lieuween and Hamilton,

Merrie Christmas!

Your birthday greetings were much appreciated.   I had a nice day ending up with dinner and cards at Mary Hillman’s.  We have our card games 3 times a week. Clara has trouble walking. I don’t think she is awfully well.

I should have sent your Christmas check earlier but am getting even lazier!

May you have a nice day and keep as well as I do.

Love,

Aunt Fan
__________________________________________________

To Mr. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane, Shawnee Mission, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

July 9, 1963

Dear Lieuween and Hamilton: --

Sorry not to see you this summer but you will certainly enjoy having Frances and Lyle with you.  

We had one hot week the last of June, but cool ever since.  

I think you and L. keep your place up most energetically;  bushels of weeds taken up etc. etc.

Everything  goes on here as usual.  Clara and I sit on the porch hot nights and watch the cars roll by.  I haven’t heard from Stella Warriner.  I don’t think she is fixed up domestically.  She wasn’t when I last heard.  

I’ve gotten so I hate to move, which my foot doctor told me yesterday wasn’t a good thing.

Just read a good book “Sand Pebbles” about a patrol gun boat protecting business men and missionaries in China.

I’ve gotten so I hate to go up town, but will have to this morning.

I don’t suppose L. is doing much with her music in the summer.  That will start up later.

I just got a dividend check from the Merrimack Bank in Haverhill, Mass.  I think Uncle Stuart Chase left me that years ago.  It takes me back to my New England summers.  Now I must read the Morning Record and cut out any news for Mary Woodruff at Nantucket.  She isn’t taking a Wilkes-Barre paper up there this summer.  

The weather’s lovely, but we need rain badly.

Much love, Aunt Fan

________________________________________________________

To Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane, Shawnee Mission, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase,  76 West South Street,  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

April 5, 1964

Dear Lieuween and Hamp:--

I didn’t realize I hadn’t written lately, so this is to assure you I keep fat and dandy and hope you do the same.

Charlie Waller looks after my finances and keeps the wolf from the door.

I haven’t heard from Nana lately, but everything was O.K. when I did.

The papers keep me informed of what is going on in the wicked world which I forget as quick as I can.

I am writing this so badly, I’ll cut it short!

Keep well

Love to Lieuween

Much from Aunt Fan

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Note the date of July 12, 1951

This is the inside of the same "funeral plans" note
(this hymn's words by John Greenleaf Whittier)

“Plans for my funeral” included a 3 x 5 card with these words written by Theodore Parker in 1848, included in the hymn he wrote:  “O Thou Great Friend of All of Us Below”

“Yes, Thou are still the Life; Thou are the Way.

The holiest know -- Life, Light and Way of heaven;

And they who dearest hope and deepest pray

Toil by the truth, life, way that Thou hast given.”

____________________________________________________________

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To Mariana Davenport from Ms. Kwiatkoswki, perhaps the daughter

of Mabel Patience; probably 1965

From Mabel Patience, 1965

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The Last Will and Testament of Frances B. Chase