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Wartime Letters to Charles Pitzen from his mother, Katherine.

 


Introduction

 

Charles B. Pitzen was born in Toledo, Ohio in August 1880.  He was the eldest son of John and Katherine (Braker) Pitzen.  In September of 1899, at the age of 19, Charles enlisted for the Philippine Service at Toledo, Ohio.  He left for Camp Meade at 2:30 p.m. the next afternoon.   The letters on this page are what remains of the correspondence he received from his mother while serving as a volunteer in the 47th Regiment Co. B during the Philippine-American War.

 

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


 

 

 

Katherine Braker Pitzen         Charles B. Pitzen

 

photos of  Katherine Braker Pitzen and her son, Charles Pitzen



 

July 9, 1900

     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

Sumner street near Western Ave. have a larger house and a better yard, but I do not think

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 China.  You must write oftener

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)

 

 

 

October 5th 1900

     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 Washington for her 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 Ann Arbor Michigan going to school, they ask about you of your mother

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 Toledo, Ohio is the author of this letter.

In her July 1900 letter, Katherine Pitzen mentions that her family has moved into a new home on Sumner St., which is adjacent to Western Ave.  In later letters from this collection, Katherine tells Charles to send his letters for her to Mrs. Cotter, and also states that Mrs. Cotter writes letters for her.  Research in the 1900 census of Toledo, Lucas Co., Ohio shows a Henry Cotter, aged 63 years old, living at 538 Western Ave. along with his wife, Alice (50 yrs.) and their sons, Harry (21 yrs) and Carl (18 yrs).   In the above letter H.I.C. writes, “Harry & Carl are both in Ann Arbor Michigan going to school, they ask about you of your mother when they are at home.”  The young men from the 1900 census would have been of college age, and therefore I believe that H.I.C. aka Henry Cotter was referring to his sons.]

 

 

 

October 24, 1900

     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

Washington and have it sent direct to me.  The boys are working at the glass factory they

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 St., but we expect to move before cold weather sets in, for

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

 

 

 

 

November 6th 1900

     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

428 South Street.  The other place had no water, and this place is more convienient.  We pay

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

                    Oct 11, 1899 $3

                    Nov 10, 1899 $3

                    Jan 03, 1900 $5

                    Mar 31, 1900 $12

                    May 31, 1900 $10

                    July 03, 1900 $5

                    Aug 10, 1900 $5

                    Oct 25, 1900 $10

                    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)

 

 

 

 

March 4, 1900 (looks like the middle of a letter)

          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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