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Wartime Letters to Charles Pitzen from his mother,
Katherine.
Introduction
Charles B. Pitzen
was born in
Charles’
father had passed in 1895 and his mother could neither read, nor write, so the
letters to Charles were written for her by friends.
Names
mentioned in the letters are those of Charles siblings. Sisters: Anna and her husband, Tom Hall;
Lillian (wife of Nicholas Samson) and her son, Walter. Younger brothers: Henry,
Herman, and William. Unnamed but implied
are younger brothers: Albert and Edward.
Stepfather, Sam Schmaus, and step-brother, George
Schmaus.
During the whole of his enlistment (Sept 1, 1898-July 2, 1901), Charles maintained a diary which also appears on this site.
Contributors:
Transcription of the letters – Barbara Durgin
Photos – Dennis Ross
photos of Katherine Braker Pitzen and her son, Charles Pitzen
My dear Charlie
I have not received a letter from you
in quite a while, and getting very anxious
for some word.
I wrote you a letter about four weeks ago. When I received two letters
from you. We
all well just at present, but the little children have been having the measles.
The
big boys Henry, Herman & willie
are picking berries over at the river.
Sam is working
for the city, and I keep busy as usual. We have moved into a new neighborhood on
we will stay there this winter it is a pretty wild
neighborhood. On the fourth of July
Tom
Hall came over and gave me five dollars and said it was all you sent for
me. I am
keeping account of every cent they give me, so
you will know just where your money goes to.
I
am wondering if the government will send you regiment to
to me so we will know. The boys are always so glad to hear from, and
so are we all.
I
have the prospect of getting Henry & herman
into the glass works. I work for a
Mrs Ross whose husband (the letter ends here)
Friend Charlie
Your letter has just come via my care
- and I will answer it for your mother.
She
will not be here until Monday and this letter can get a good start by that
time.
We
did not get the box of shells you speak of in your letter today, how did you send them
by mail?
Did you pat the postage. Your mother has been looking for a letter
from you this
one today is the first we have had in a long time,
she will be glad to get it. She and
the boys are well.
Herman & Henry are working in the Libby glass works. Not steady but
when there is something to do. Sam is working on a street pavement. She has not had any
money from your sister in a good while. She wanted me to write to
see about it, but I have not done so. I thought you would look after that your
self.
Your
mother was here two days ago. She had
the baby with her. He walks now. Charlie you
must have a book and put down everyday what you do
and what you see. It will help you to
remember.
And will be of interest to you when you grow to be old. How do you pass the time?
Harry
& Carl are both in
when they are at home. Where do you think you will start for home. We thought your
regement
would be coming home to vote, but it could not get
here now. Write often to your mother
Charlie
she is anxious to hear from you. This letter is written for her to you. So you must
answer it to here as soon as you get this. I will put in a stamp so you can write, right
a way.
Be a
good Boy
Your
friend H.I.C
for
your mother Kate Pitzen
[NOTE from Denise Pitzen: I believe that Henry Cotter of
In her July 1900 letter,
Katherine Pitzen mentions that her family has moved into a new home on
My dear Charles
I am writing today to let you know
that we are all well & are looking every day
for another letter from you. We are writing you letters very often, but do
not hear often
from you. We
did not get the box of shells you wrote about in your letter. Anne got some,
and brought us over a handfull
about six in number. I also received the
cushon top from Anne,
but she does not give me any money. Charlie I have not received any money since
August tenth
and then only five dollars. Tom Hall has lost his job for sleeping on his
beat. Charlie if
you had sent your money direct to me I would have
taken care of it, as it is now I do not get
what you intended me ot
have, and you are not getting it either, you had better send to
get 90 cents a day apiece when they work. Sam is working and I am doing all I can to
help.
Sister
Lillie lives next door to us, and has a new little baby boy, born the 14 of
October.
we are living now at 335 Summer
we have no water there. so send your letters
in care of Mrs Cotter the same as before, and
I
will get them when I go there.
Everything is just the same as when you leftd the
children
are growing, and going to school when I am at
home. Charlie write
to us often and save us
some shells and things to bring home with you when
you come. I am thinking of you often and
we all send love to you.
Be a good
Boy
Your affectionate mother
Katy Pitzen
My dear Charlie
I received your letter dated Aug 18th
yesterday morning, and as usual was glad to
hear from you.
I was working at Mrs. Cotters when your letter came. The boys were all glad
when I came home and told them I had a letter from
Charlie. Herman and Henry have been
working in the glass factory, but of course you
know Charlie how uncertain such jobs are.
One
week there is owrk and the mext
week none. I need all the help you
promised to send me.
Enclosed
i send you a list of all hte
money I have had so you will know just where your money
goes. Anne
came over the other day and gave me ten dollars. you will see the
date at the
last of the list. Tom Hall is out of work I do not
know if she saving your money or spending it.
I
suppose the boyrs told you in their letter that I
have moved. We have moved again to
six dollars a month. You know Charlie if I could write myself I
could write oftener. As it
is I must write when I can get Mrs
Cotter to write for me. Anne said you
told her to keep a
dollar of my money to pay her for her trouble. You will see by the list that I have not had
six dollars a month, for some of the months. You will see I got nothing. Will you please see
to it that I get what you promised to send for you
know the children must be fed and clothed.
I
wish you could be with up by Christmas. today is election day, who would you vote for
McKinley or Bayon. Write to us as ofter
as you can. The children always want to
hear from
Charlie. When this reaches you snow will be flying
here. Now Charlie if you cannot read
this
letter call on some of the other soldier boys to help
you make it out. We all send love and
will write again soon.
your Mother
Katy Pitzen
This
is the accounting of the money Katy Pitzen received from Charles Pitzen
Sum Total $53
Feburary 7, 1900 (a partial letter)
Charlie why not send me the money as well
as to Anne I have only got 8 dollars since the
10th
of November and ain't got any since. Sam is working or it would not snow. What to do
Georgie is well big and fat he is a rage. Well
Charlie good by until I hear from you again.
(from Katy Pitzen)
Feburary 14, 1901
My dear Son Charles
I received you letter written just before
Christmas a few days ago. It found us
all well as usual.
The boys Henry & Herman are working at the glass factory still. They
would
like to have me move down near the factory as you
remember it is about five miles away.
The
weather is so cold and stormy now that I do not
like to pack up andmove, but if the boys
continue to work there will do so in the
spring. Of course to ride the (cable)cars takes quite
a bit out of their wages that we could use for
the rent. Anne is now allowing me five dollars
a month, but this month has not yet sent me
any. I will keep a
account as you said I should of
what she lets me have. Lillie has gone back to live with her
mother-in-law again. I have not
seen her for quite a while. but think she and
the babies are well. I am ??? (the letter ends
here)
Write a letter for me to you. Your sister Anna sent your letter over to me
to read,
and of course I was glad to hear from you. But I cannot understand why you do not write
to me.
Just as you did in the first place. I have not had any money this month. I have only had
eleven dollars in all since you went away. Why did you not send me the money as you said
you
would. The
children are well. Henry has got no work
now and of (letter stops here)
Page
2 and 3 of a letter
Sent me twelve dollars the 31 of
March. this
makes 23 dollars in all that I have had
since you went away.
In your last letter to me you said you were going to send your money
direct to me, but I have not heard from you
since. What are your prospects about
coming home.
I
try to keep track in the papers, but cannot.
You must write to me Charlie for the children
and we all are anxious to hear from you. Everything here is just the same as when you
went
away. I have
got one here with five little chicks and Mrs Cotter
has given me a setting of
ducks eggs, so we will have ducks for next Christmas,
and hope you will be here to eat them
with us. Anne
sent your clothes over by Henry. The
cape to the soldiers coat she made over
into one for herself, so she kept that and would not
give it up. It seems to me Tom Hall
ought
to provide clothes for her. Enclosed I will send a few stamps so you can
send me a letter as
soon as you get this. Take your time and write us all about the
country you are in & yourself.
the children all send love and a kiss to you so do
I.
With
Love your Mother
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