Companion for Time and Eternity

San Antonio, TX
April 4, 1909

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My Dearest Ruthy:

Here we are in S. A. yet. I have just finished writing my orders and it is 1:15 A. M.
Sunday morning. You will be interested to know the orders amount to over $3,500.00, accomplishing exactly what I came to this town for in the face of many difficulties. This represents nearly 2 carloads of envelopes.

Well Dearie, late as the hour is I just couldn’t go to bed without having a few words
with you. You must have had several letters from me by this time. The package containing light suit came this morning and I found your note the first I’ve heard from you since your letter telling of Ethels party. I figured that you would have had my Galveston and Houston letters Monday or Tuesday last and that I would have heard from you again here. It saddened me to note from your letter received today that your many burdens are bothering you, and I feel very badly that I have been the cause of it all. Dearest Ruthy my own sweet pure girlie and wife, I love you more than I can ever tell you, and altho what has been done can’t be undone, it shall be the work of my life to do something for you which will in a measure compensate for the discomfort I have through no wrong intention brought upon you. After all, I understand you, Dearest, and know how you feel. I know you wouldn’t change your lot for that of any other woman in creation so lets go through life, sweetheart,
hand in hand content with the pathway fate has chosen for us, knowing that we shall reach the land of sunshine and flowers at no very distant date.

Since I have been at this hotel, it has been filled to overflowing with conventions of
Womans clubs. The Federation of Womans Clubs I believe they call it. At meal times, I’ve had opportunity to observe this class of women. Imagine all sorts of freaks, young, middle aged and old, most of them homely as mud, nearly all over dressed, dames of 50 summers or more, using the dress of a 16 year old. Occasionally a woman perhaps 40 might have with her a scrawny kid, the product of some accident. Would you change places with any of these? That’s a foolish question to ask you for I know how much you despise this sort of thing. 

 

Made a Few Purchases of Souviners

San Antonio, TX
April 1, 1909

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My Dearest Wife Ruthy:

Am too sleepy to write you a long letter tonight altho I should like to. Just finished a
5 page epistle to B & J, but must have a few words with you before retiring. Went to a
Mexican dinner with Mr & Mrs Savage tonight. Think I told you of this before. It was
postponed from last night on account of a shower. I enclose souvenir of the occasion.

Made a few purchases of souvenirs tonight notably Mexican hats for Ethel Ruthy &
Katherine, napkin ring for Jack, whip for Billy & something for big Ruthy too. I do so want to see you all again, don’t see how I can wait to get home. Have had some success here which I’ll reserve to tell you about till I get home. Can’t get away until Saturday 3rd which will put us 2 days behind schedule I sent you. Had expected a letter from you today, but none came. 

 

When Our Family Is Grown Up and Our Ship Has Come

San Antonio, TX
March 31, 1909

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My Dearest Ruthy:

I told you in a postal of our arrival here yesterday A. M. and I would write you last night. I,did not write and I am taking this half hour before lunch to do so. Geo & I called on Hamilton Savage last night, Clay remaining at the hotel, and returning about 10:30. I was so sleepy that I could scarcely get my clothes off. The Savages live about 15 minutes trolly ride from the hotel in a sort of bungalow cottage. Mrs S is a nice woman. They have two youngsters, a boy 3 and girl 6 months. I haven’t seen much of the city yet, but I should say the great feature of the place is the most agreeable and comfortable climate. I never saw a finer night that last. Moon & stars shining brightly & temperature feeling wholly lacking in our Eastern climate. I received your second letter yesterday morning and was very happy to hear so good a report of your general condition at home, I am already very tired and am anxious to get back. The boys want to prolong it and remain here balance of the week, cutting out Waco & Austin & making our next stop Dallas. I think however we shall move along about as per schedule I sent you from Houston. I must get home before the 15th to take care of personal affairs as well as business, and so must move along
pretty fast after leaving here. The opportunities for doing business are good in this state altho it can’t be worked up in a minute and need some plugging before getting it in line. The big jobber here is San Antonio Drug Co and they have an order now 2 loads of envelopes which will last them well into the summer.

This would be a royal trip under right conditions. This hotel is full to the doors of tourists, men women & children who appear to have nothing to do except to go about having a good time. I know a good fellow to travel with. Her name is Ruthy Gray (I saw a shingle in Houston Dr Barrell physician) and some day she and I are going to see all this country together. For that reason I have no special interest in seeing sights now, deferring this pleasure until we can come together. I still believe that the auto is about the nicest way to get around and when our family is grown up and our “ship has come,” I can see we two with some of the younger Grays speeding
along in our fully equipped touring car, going where and when we please. There is no fellow in the world I can have as good a time with as Ruthy B Gray. So to the work, both of us, to bring about the time when the interrupted companionship of the present will be replaced with a long holiday of being together and doing & going what & where we please. 

 

New Jersey Is Good Enough For Me

Houston, TX
March 28, 1909

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My own Dearest Wife, Ruthy:

Here it is Sunday evening and I have been away from you eight long days and as
many nights. Well to say that I am lonesome is putting it very mildly. I would give anything to be able to see you tonight seated, perhaps at the piano, going over some of the old hymns which have been mingled with all the sweet memories from our first acquaintance to the present time. Children all to bed after a day of busy activity and a comfortable feeling that you have done your part and all is well.

I think I wrote you that we arrived here Friday night last. We busied ourselves
looking up trade until 3 P. M. Saturday and finished the afternoon at a ball game. Last night we went to the theatre seeing Louis Mann in “The Man Who Stood Still.” Personally, I don’t care about going, but the boys are the most fidgety fellows, and I have to give them some satisfying diversion, choosing the least harmful. The play was rather funny in spots. The theme was not a happy one and would not interest you or I.

On account of visiting baseball teams, theatrical troupes, drummers, etc., etc. this
hotel is very crowded and we could not get decent accommodations until tonight. Friday & Saturday nights we had miserable rooms opening on a court without bath or running water and the beds were the limit. Tonight we are transferred to better quarters with bath and writing this letter is the first bit of privacy and comfort I’ve had since coming to this town. I haven’t seen anything yet that I’d trade the Forest Hill home for house, ground, bed, or anything else. New Jersey is good enough for me. The weather has been sultry and hot and fearing my one suit wouldn’t “suffice,” I wired you last night to express my newest 2 piece suit to San Antonio. I can’t wear the suit I wore away from NJ at all here. The temperature is over 80 and the sun would melt you. The ground is dry and dusty. I also wired you to send me a group picture. I want to carry this around with me to put out in my hotel room for company in my lonesomeness. I hope you were able to mail it. 

 

The Dearest Girl and Wife that Ever Lived

Galveston, TX
March 26, 1909

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My dearest Ruthy:

Your most welcome and soul refreshing letter awaited me at Galveston this
morning. I have read it twice so far and shall read it over and over again until your next one is received. I am glad you are all well and that Jack is improving. It must have been a relief to call Dr MeEwen up and to know he has been in consultation with Dr Penneo. Jack is in good hands and I’m sure will pick up from now on. I didn’t suppose he had any sickness, and this probably explained his condition.

Well we have worked Galveston. There is not much here in the business line. Trade
is very quiet and everyone is complaining. One merchant said to me if he only had half as many customers call as he had traveling men he would be satisfied. However, we sold some stuff here to one concern and have good prospects with another. Getting through here and having seen about all there is to see we move on to Houston tonight arriving there at 8:30 P. M. Our movements will be something like this: 

 

How Sweet the Homecoming Will Be

Enroute to Galveston
March 25, 1909

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My own dearest Ruthy:

This is the last night on water. We arrive at Galveston early tomorrow morning. I
meant to have started a letter to you sooner but there has been nothing especially to write about. The voyage has been without event. Good weather and very smooth sailing has prevailed. I sat around Saturday afternoon and Sunday, but have worked every day since, not finishing until late today. There are comparatively few people aboard, and most of them have been very nice. We have sat at the Captain’s table for meals and none of us have missed any. I have felt a little squeamish at times, I think due to writing and making small figures. The boys have knocked around and being out of mischief’s way have done no mischief. Have been good fellows and of course made a hit with all the passengers on account of their nice manners and good appearance. One of the passengers traveling with her husband told me they had us figured out as two young men being accompanied by their tutor. She certainly was a good guesser. I think there are only about 25 first class passengers in all, which on a boat of this size is hardly enough to notice. There are no means of entertainment — no piano or anything of the kind. The Captain is a very nice man, Mr Evans by name. He owns a Gospel hymn collection and on Sunday we all got together and sung most of the old hymns you and I know so well. Tonight the Captain requested us to repeat the performance. So as there was nothing better to do we spent an hour tonight in the same way. I sang many hymns, closing my eyes and getting my thoughts back to my dear wife and sweet, sweet home and all the dear youngsters, and those were the happiest moments I’ve spent on the trip. 

 

Just a Word Before Retiring

New York, NY
December 15, 1908

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

Dearest Ruthy:

Just a word before retiring. A few sweet words in small space to tuck close in to
your heart. I love you tonight more than ever before — and my last thoughts before going to sleep will be of Ruthy, the purest, sweetest wife and mother in all the world. Bless you Sweet-heart and keep you well and happy in all those years to come. To enjoy all the sweetness coming to one who has sown the seed which is sure to bring rich blessings in future.

Your
Will

 

Opportunity to Ponder Over Your Many Sweet Traits

Albany, NY
July 21, 1908

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My own dearest Ruthy:

Made the train all right this morning and arrived here according to schedule. Billy is
lots of company but I guess both of us would like to look in at the Forest Hill home tonight.

The train ride was without incident and we have been entertained with an auto ride 4 miles out of town to a tavern where a chicken dinner was put away with much relish. Billy ate – soup – fish – broiled chicken – pie and was asking for more when we got through. After dinner the auto carried us to the ball ground where we saw the Albany nine defeat Wilkesbarre with a score of 10 to 1. All this killed the day up to 6 o’clock when we landed at this inn, shaved, dined, and of course feeling quite well disposed to all the world. 

 

Recounting All Your Sweet Virtues

Buffalo, NY
July 1, 1908

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My dearest Wife, Ruthy:

Arrived here safely, have taken a half hour walk and am back to the hotel fit for
nothing but bed and rest. The day has been a tedious one, never so hot and disagreeable trip in my life, and dirt — I was fairly black upon arriving at Buffalo. I don’t know when I’ve felt as lonesome as tonight. Leaving the depot, the first hotel I passed was the “Broezel.”

The recollections this name brought to mind did not help my lonesomeness. Passing the hotel I walked up to the main st which we traversed a few times, “long” years ago. Didn’t stop at the “Broezel.” Thought I would wait until I can have you with me and then will look up the same room and have some of our honeymoon all over again. The trouble with me is that I am still “in love” and to be all alone in this town so far from my love and loved ones, it isn’t easily bearable. Thoughts don’t flow very copiously to-night. Guess I’m pretty sleepy! So after a few squeezes and good night kisses, I’ll retire. 

 

Something Like Wireless Telegraphy

NY, NY steamship
May 27, 1908

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

Dearest Ruthy:

Just addressed and mailed some souvenir postals to the dear kids, and am going to
send you yours in this form which I know will be acceptable. There isn’t much to say and in all probability I shall deliver myself in person before the postman brings you this letter, but I know you always find refreshment in a love note from me, no matter when received. I am very lonesome away from you tonight and would give anything to have you with me. The day will come, I know, when we will be privileged to be together more than now and I look forward to it with lots of comfort. I ask for no better play fellow than you and shall never have been happier than when you can join me in my every trip and diversion. Perhaps we won’t go to the extreme of a Newark couple I read of in the news not long ago. They celebrated their Silver wedding by going through the marriage ceremony all over again, minister and all having daughter and son for maid and best man, and departing on a honeymoon trip after the wedding feast had been served. This certainly proved their
devotion to each other. I hope we can have at least part of our honeymoon over again. I mean the holiday together with all responsibility and worry lifted from our path for a short time and nothing to do but be with each other and play together. Probably you’ll say I’d better stop dreaming and get back to earth — Alright — the present is good enough for me. 

 

A Word of Love

NY, NY steamship
May 26, 1908

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray, 287 Montclair Ave, Newark, NJ

Dearest Wife, Ruthy:

After a strenuous day just got aboard and want you to have a word of love in the
mail tomorrow morning. I love you more than ever and the more I travel and the more of the world and its people I see, the stronger and better my love grows for you, Dear, the sweetest and purest girl of all. Love to Billy, Ethel, Ruthy, Kittens & Jack.

Will

 

I Didn’t Envy That Man

Enroute to New York
March 5, 1908

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My dearest Wife, Ruthy:

Homeward bound! It is now 8:45 P. M. and we are well out to sea pointed toward
good old New York. If there will be one happy woman in Forest Hill when I return, there will also be one very happy man.

I wrote you last night after a day of very hard work — resuming where I left off then,
spent a very good night in sound slumber. Waking up at 6:30. The morning was beautiful, temperature about 70 and sky bright and clear. After breakfast, at seven we went to the ship, left our grips, and started out to see Jacksonville. We hired a team driven by a coon, and spent an hour or more driving about the city seeing what there was to see. Took several pictures of points of interest which I hope will turn out all right. (Have taken 30 in all.) Jacksonville is much like our northern cities, except for the preponderance of coons which brands the southern city. The reason for it’s modernness is because of a fire devastating the place about 4 years ago. This presents the opportunity to rebuild with up-to-date structures. The ship was scheduled to leave at 10 A. M. but did not get off until after 12. Tomorrow we stop at Charleston and then for New York. The weather as I write is very balmy. I sit close to a wide open door and the whole situation is as a summer’s night north. 

 

It Seemed Like Reading History

Enroute to Jacksonville, FL
March 3, 1908

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My own Sweetheart and dearest Wife:

It is now a few minutes past eight, dinner over, (and I never ate such a meal in my
life, Chester said he was ashamed of me). Passengers mostly in saloon because of
dampness and fog out doors. The ships fog horn is keeping up quite a noise, and if the fog lasts all night, we won’t get much sleep, as the whistle makes quite a din. To briefly describe the day: Arrived at Charleston about midnight. Was up at 6:30 dressed and as breakfast is not served until eight had ¾ of an hour to walk about the town. The weather was beautiful — one of those balmy mornings such as we get at home in June.

Temperature about 70. I walked up Broad St to Battery Park. This is a very pretty little park on the edge of the bay. This whole place (Charleston, I mean) seems more than anything else a relic of the Civil War, and the people look as tho they were still living back at that time. The place is profuse in palm trees and nearly every house of any size has its door yard with fruit trees and flowers. 

 

A Very Hard Worked Girlie

Off South Carolina
March 2, 1908

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My Dearest Ruthy:

I just finished a letter on Chester’s stationery and send you this sample of the ships.
I guess there’s just a little more room for love and kisses in addition to what my
former letter conveyed.

Will be thinking about you until my eyes close in sleep.

Good night, Sweetheart mine.
Will

Kiss! Kiss! Kiss
Billy
Ethel
Ruthy
Katherine
and …. little stranger,
next month, this date.
for me

Offshore North Carolina
March 2, 1908

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My own Dearest Ruthy:

We are nearing Charleston and I want to put together a nice letter to mail at that
point. They say we will be there about midnight. We sleep through, having breakfast on the ship and then go out to see the town. 

 

I Always Was a Lovesick Kid

Enroute from Chicago
Dec 3, 1907

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My own Dearest Wife, Ruthy:

I may reach you before this letter, but I know if it comes to you “in the working
hours,” you will pause to read it and thus the effort will not be in vain.

Well, I’m mighty glad to have said good bye to Chicago, with the prospect of
spending tomorrow night with my sweet heart in New Jersey. Haven’t seen any place since leaving you that I’d rather live in. There is no use in going into any detail of the trip since arriving in Chicago, in this post mortem letter. The hour is 9:30, my bed is ready and before dropping away for the night it is sweet to write you a few lines of love, a habit formed many years ago and I am frank to say still followed with intense satisfaction.

So far as you are concerned, Ruthy, I always was a love sick kid and it looks as if I
shall always be. It is sweet to know that in you I have one who thoroughly reciprocates my fondness with a love as eternal as the heavens. 

 

I Am Convinced the Auto is the Way to See the Country

Unknown Passenger and Will’s father- in Will’s Franklin, 1905.

Enroute to Chicago
Dec 1, 1907

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My Dearest Wife Ruthy:

It isn’t much fun trying to write on this shaky old train, but I want to talk to you so
much and I know you’ll appreciate the effort. Well, here I am at 5 P. M. 100 miles away from Denver on my way to you and home. I’d give all I have except you and the babies to have this train take wings and drop me down in your midst tonight. Before I started to write and just as darkness was settling down over the plains, I closed my eyes and tried to picture my little family at home. Sunday evenings work all done for a while, my love in our cosy corner on the couch, Billy on one side, Ethel on the other, Ruthy perhaps sparring for both positions and Katherine, dear little Katherine arrive somewhere near by happy and contented — and the Sunday school lesson or maybe a story absorbing the attention of all. Perhaps too, you are at the piano going over the children’s hymns, with all the little voices piping out their best and coming in strong on the refrain. Its a nice sort of a picture, and one would have to go a long way to beat it.

I wrote you yesterday from Denver a synopsis of events of that date. Last night I
took Mr Shields buyer of books & stationery for Denver Dry Goods Co to the “Broadway theater.” We saw Taversham in the “Squaw Man.” (By the way the whole company is on the train now.) It was a drama of Western setting and altogether too much blood and thunder to suit me. Got to bed about 11:30 and had a rather restless night, but managed to get some sleep before morning. Breakfast at 8 o’clock and then started out to see if there was any word of my man. Sure enough he arrived at the Albany Sunday morning. I quietly found him in his room and in a couple of hours accomplished the object of my trip. 

 

A Very Nice Looking Town

Denver, CO
Nov 30, 1907

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My Dearest Wife, Ruthy:

Arrived here about 8 A. M. and after a bath and shave occupying about an hour was
ready for business. Felt somewhat squeamish as the bowel trouble which bothered me before leaving followed me all the way out, perhaps aggravated by the refrigerated diet which you have to put up with on Diners. Have had 2 doses of a black berry brandy mixture and feel somewhat better now. It is a quarter to six (7:45 by your clock) and I have accomplished nothing thus far and will now have to remain over Sunday. The man I came here to see is not here and I don’t know where to find him. He was due last Thursday and I did not anticipate any trouble finding him. Reported the situation by wire to the firm and am awaiting advice. 

 

Some Day the Work Will Be Done

Enroute to Denver
Nov 29, 1907

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My own Dearest Sweetheart and Wife, Ruthy:

The youngsters are the other sweethearts, but you are the dearest of all.

Well, it is now 7:30 central time, 8:30 at Newark and I have just finished breakfast of
hot milk, cereal, boiled eggs and toast. The hot milk because I have a slight dysentery ever since leaving home, and last night had to get up twice. Am feeling quite well however, and with careful eating will probably be all right in a day or two.

Am in the observation car of the train, traveling through Western Iowa. There is
nothing startling to see, simply a broad expanse of prairie. Some under cultivation and mostly for grazing purposes with very little timber. Will be in Omaha about 8:30 where I shall have to lay over until 3 P.M. or so for Union Pacific train for Denver, reaching Denver at 8 o’clock Saturday morning.

Met a Wyoming sheep ranch man at Chicago, a fellow about the age and type of
Billy Galbraith, whose wife & son live at Omaha. He told me a lot about the sheep raising business and the profits in it. Has 40,000 acres of ground and thousands of sheep and clears up over $50,000 per year. To illustrate how land in Wyoming has increased in value, cited that 5 years ago he bought 20,000 acre @ $50 an acre, paying $10,000. He sold it this last summer for $54,000. His wife evidently is trying to spend the profits. She is building a house in Omaha in the center of the city, worth $21,000. The old man doesn’t know whether in view of the present depression it is good judgment to go on with the building. He says the mother just bought for the son an auto, paying $3,800 cash. He is the only acquaintance I have picked up and offers to have his boy show me Omaha in the auto. 

 

The Happy Day

Enroute to Denver
Nov 28, 1907

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My own Dearest Ruthy:

We have just left Lima, Ohio — my watch says 11:50 A. M., but they say it is only
10:50. Train stopped to take water about 10 minutes. I went out and ran up and down. The day is clear, the air cool and crisp. Am feeling well, but lonesome. Have just been reading a story in Everybody’s entitled “The Happy Day.” It is a quaint story of a little boy and brings me quite close to my sweet wife and dear little ones. Certain people were to this little boy in the story mere “persons,” others were “feelings.” His father was a “person,” his playmate “sammy,” a person, his dead mother whom he had never seen, a “feeling.” His dog, a “feeling,” and Sammy’s sister Sophia, a “feeling.” Well, you and all the little ones Billy, Ethel, Katherine and Ruthy are all “feelings” to me today. As the day dawned I remembered to be thankful for what we have today. So much of the real things in life that after all are the only things worth having. I hope you are well and have a happy day with the children, myself absent from you only in presence, not in “feeling.” 

 

Just Squeeze All the Nonsense Out of This

On Hudson River
Sep 26, 1907

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray, 287 Monclair Ave, Newark, NJ

My own Sweetheart Ruthy:

Perhaps the perpetrator of this letter will turn up before the article, but even so, I will have had the pleasure of being closer to you as is always the case when writing you a little foot note. If I could just gather you in close to me this minute there wouldn’t be a happier man in USA, but I suppose I will have to content myself with just a mind picture of an awfully comfy Newark, NJ home, the dear sweet mama at the head of it, the hour 9:45 or thereabouts, 4 sweet unmatched youngsters peacefully sleeping and the mama wearied with a very satisfying weariness over the unceasing mother duties of the day, retiring from the home like comfort of easy chair, oriental rugs and cozy atmosphere of sitting room dragging with her a basketful of assorted sizes of foot gear, more holy than righteous, the bottom of which is rarely reached, to the altogether delightful bedroom where the sweetest of rest is found. 

 

From Saratoga Springs to Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, Ont
Sep 10, 1907

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My own Dearest Ruthy:

Just a few words before retiring. It is now 9:00 P. M. and I am weary — not with the
day’s exertions, but rather with its dullness. Rain has fallen most of the day and much sight seeing was out of the question. Dave came over here about 1:15. He looks about the same as ever. We went to Buffalo with him, returning about 7:30. I suppose of all great sights in the world, the Falls must stand in first place. I shall delight in bringing you here some time with some or all of the kids, and sit with you on the piazza of this hotel as I have to night and see the Falls lit up by many search lights, so arranged as to make the whole American Falls brilliant in a dazzling light. This is varied by changing the colors, and at times giving the Falls the appearance of possessing every color of the rainbow. This hotel affords a magnificent view of the whole spectacle. Perhaps you will recall the location of it when described. You remember on our visit here when we were boy and girl, we went down the
incline railway and walked across the ice bridge to a point where the “Maid of the Mist” was housed for the winter. We got up the cliff some how or other and walked to the right, coming first to a little house where souvenirs were on sale and where you could look out a large window, giving the Falls the appearance of a framed picture, and then to a bridge where we returned to USA. Well, this hotel is located just back from this small house and near bridge affording a grand view of the whole show.  

 

A Terrible Air of Loneliness About the Place

Newark, NJ
July 5, 1906

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray, 135 Pennsylvania Ave, Ocean Grove, NJ

My dearest Ruthy:

Just arrived at Forest Hill (5:00 P. M.) and with exception of sore feet am in fair
shape. Things here seem to be ok. Mrs Hatfield is here yet and will stay until to-morrow. She appears to have straightened out the upstairs rooms and everything seems quite straight except there is a terrible air of lonliness about the place. Milton, I learn has whooping cough and is vomiting and passing all meals by. Enclosed is a letter from the slob — Miss Cameroon — which I know? you will be quite pleased to receive. Will probably be down on Saturday P. M. and hope you get along all right. With much love to yourself and all the babies, I am

Always your
Will

 

My Love For You Never Was So Strong

35 De Forest Ave
Summit, NJ
May 14, 1906

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My own dearest Ruthy:

My hand is stiff to-night and I can’t write very well but I do not want to go to bed
without sending my Pet a few words of love. I have such sweet memories of our visit
together last Thursday & Friday and then your coming to the train with me helped so much.

You looked so sweet to me and it seemed so natural and like real life again to be out with you. It was just a very faint reminder of what we expect the summer to bring.

I do hope Ethels and Ruthys measles will not wear you out in attendance upon them
and that by Wednesday they will be over the worst of it. Don’t hesitate, dearie, to get any help you need to relieve yourself. I trust the kitchen situation will soon adjust itself satisfactorily.

I haven’t any special message to communicate. All my thoughts to-night are on you
and the babies. Don’t you think I could be of some use to you at home. I could probably amuse the youngsters, making things for them & perhaps give you a chance to get out. 

 

As to a Name, I Am All At Sea

35 DeForest Ave
Summit, N. J.
May 9, 1906

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray, 908 Lake Street, Newark, NJ

My Dearest Ruthy:

Most precious girl in all the world and my Love for time and eternity — how I wish I
could be with you to-night. Our visit together yesterday was as you say in your letter
received today, very sweet indeed but all together too short. I didn’t have time to think of all I wanted to say to you, most of all my attention having been absorbed in taking in the family in general. I wanted to have thanked you for that nice fat letter you put in the suit case. I have to thank you for another sweet one that came today. I crave nothing else as much than to always be in your life what your loving letters assure me I am. 

 

Take Good Care of Yourself

35 De Forest Ave
Summit, N. J.
May 2, 1906

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray, 908 Lake Street, Newark, NJ

My own Dearest Ruthy:

This is not a letter in which I am going to talk about myself, it is simply and purely a
love letter.

I want to tell you that I love you a lot more than there are words to express, and that
never since I have known you, did I want to see you more than I do to-night. The miserable weather prevented my seeing you today. Perhaps will have better luck to-morrow. I am not worrying about Billy because I know he is in good hands and will in all probability come around in good shape, but I am afraid you will wear yourself out. Take good care of yourself, sweetheart, and get all the help you need so as to spare yourself. This is my second letter, having written one to Mr. Berlin and my hand is tired out so will not write more, other than to send you great chunks of love for many hugs and kisses — Also the same for
Billy
Ethel
Ruthy
____?

Lovingly your husband

Will

 

I Feel Quite Bostonian

Boston, MA
Dec 17, 1905

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My dearest Sweetheart Ruthy:

Couldn’t wait until I reached Boston to look for your note. During the tedious hours
of the afternoon my thoughts traveled the reverse way of the train and I really grew
homesick thinking of the dear home I left this morning, the loving wife and precious babies. Then I looked up your note. I knew what was in it and I needed those sweet assurances just at that time.

Arrived here on time. Haven’t succeeded in connecting up with anybody yet. Mr
Haws was to meet me at depot. He didn’t. He was to be at this hotel. He isn’t. It is certainly exasperating to have one’s employer keep appointments this way. I suppose he’ll turn up sooner or later. 

 

It Was Quite Warm But Cool Enough to Live

Will

“Grays”
Bradley Beach, NJ
July 20, 1905

From: Ruth Barrell Gray
To: William A Gray

Dear Will: –
I am missing you a great deal and I do wish Saturday would hurry here. Let know
when to expect you.

The children were good all day, and I think Ruthy is better. She has been good all
day, but is not quite right yet.

The bathing suits came this morning. Billy wanted his on right away so after dinner I
tried them on. Billy looks fine in his. Sisters is a trifle large, but will do. Who is the small suit for? Ruthy hardly needs one and it was too small for sister. I think one large enough of that style would be right for Sister though the big one will do. The large one just fits Altha and Julia and Allice would like you to bring two out for the girls on Saturday if you have an opportunity to get them. She wants to keep the small suit for Elizabeth. They all had a fine time at the beach today. If you could get one like the small one for Sister, you need only bring one of the large suits for the one here will do for the other girl. It was quite warm but cool enough to live. 

 

Just a Few Lines

Springfield, MA
May 22, 1905

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My dearest Ruthy:

Just a few lines to carry out my practice of either being with you in person or at least
giving you some tangible evidence that my thoughts were upon my dear ones for at least some part of the busy day. The hour is 12:30 A. M. Am here with Mr Hopper waiting for the 2:35 train for New York, having missed all the earlier ones on account of not having gotten through with our business sooner. Will not attempt to record any of the days experiences or our reasons for coming here. I only want this to take the place of and be the expression of that love which I have for you which makes you the dearest, sweetest girl in all the world, which I would have been telling you tonight, in close embrace if I were with you. 

 

A Hundred Good Night Kisses

NY, NY
Feb 10, 1905

From: William A Gray
To: Ruth (Barrell) Gray

My own dearest, sweetest wife, Ruthy:

It is now just 12:45 A. M. by my watch and I sit in a very cosy room in this hotel in
pajamas after having attended one of the most magnificent dinners ever given by a
commercial organization, the details of which I shall relate to you at home, but my thoughts now are not on the gaudy empty magnificence of the early evening, but upon the wholesome precious little home at 908 Lake Street, Forest Hill, made wholesome and precious by these virtues so richly possessed by the dear ones who spend most of their time within its confines. My heart is full of love for you, Ruthy and the little ones, fresh, strong, unceasing love and now as I close this letter and crawl into my couch my parting thought is the prayer we often spoke when we were new lovers, but not stronger: 

 

1904

No letters for 1904….just a couple of photographs.

Billy and Ethel with Jim the Dog.