Mrs. J. C. Bitterman Madison, Wisconsin Jan. 10, 1926 Dear Circle: I see it was Dec. 12 I wrote before. I will follow Henry's good example, but I forgot to make any resolutions for the new year. The Sunday paper states that the lustiest of them still survive but the mortality rate is fearful! Grace decided it was best not to come down with the baby at Xmas time, so we just "nachelly" had to see that baby and went to St. Paul for a few days. We went up on Thurs and Cal came home Sun. night but I staid till Wed. morning and then stopped off at Merle's for the day on Wed. & came home in the night. We had a very happy Christmas and did our best to spoil the grand child with attention. Merle has a lovely home and is a perfect hostess. Rufus, what kind of a radio do you have? Do you get W.E.A.F. Sun. eve programs from the Atwater-Kent studio? Last Sun. eve Albert Spaulding played the violin so that we heard it as perfectly as if he were in the room. We like the travel talks by Dr. Palmer of the Chiropractic School at Davenport on Tues. & Fri. evenings. I see Henry has enclosed the cartoon from the Sun. paper today. It doesn't look quite so much like my better half as the one in the New Year paper did. I will enclose that. We went for a ride around the city this PM to see the MANY new houses and business blocks under construction. Some of the hilly streets are very icy, but the balloon tires are good about not slipping easily, Cal says. He won't use chains except in mud. Roger is feeling quite at home in "little old New Yawk" by this time, and is surely forging ahead. [Roger Wilkinson] Best wishes to you all for 1926, and love from Annie P.S. I read Arthur's letter quite easily this time and enclosed the card he sent me so that Myrta's comment would be plain to him. Cal has put a wire from our Radio across the driveway to Mr. Ulve's house & he bought a loud speaker so we operate both speakers when we run the radio. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Madison, Wis. Feb. 11, 1926 Dear Circle: I shall have to try to write while listening to the radio, and it is not very easy. There has been a great deal of interference in Madison the past two months but, with the indoor loop, we are not bothered so much as some are. It seems to be all over the country for Miss Paul, who has come to room with us for the second semester, says the Mason City fans are troubled the same way. Miss Paul is the youngest daughter of Frank Paul at Mason C. She is teaching art in the Randall school just near us and took the vacant room I had, for the rest of the school year. I think that is a fine group of Pickfords and by another year Arthur will have to be taken with them in installments for they grow so fast if they keep well. I think little Jimmie looks like Rollo. We want a snap of "Jack" and Janet next. Ruth writes that they had two blizzards the last week of Jan. We have had a pretty comfortable winter in Mad. but the streets and walks have been icy all the year so far, and a good many have had falls & broken bones. We have Kept well. Cal. has had a siege of dentistry, but is thro' for a while now. Skating is fine and the young folks are enjoying it but I am not tempted and so far Cal. has not put his on this winter. Many happy returns for those having birthdays this month, and much love from Annie. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Madison, Wis. March 16, 1926 Dear Circle: I haven't "pep" enough to do anything more strenous than write a letter today, as I'm just emerging from a tussle with the"flu", looking a little (?) worse for wear with a row of cold sores edging my nose (think of that !!) and on both lips and inside on my gums! and a trifle pale about the gills. Just heard from Dale's and Ruth & they are also both having it. Today Rena wrote that Rue Bitterman's little 9 months old girl had died on Fri. from a weak heart after bronchitis. [Ruby May b. June 21 1925, d. March 12, 1926] Cal has not had it yet & I hope he escapes. It is still so cold. We got two more tons of coal yesterday & hope it will be enough for this spring. Henry & Ella are going to be all spruced up for Easter with a car all repainted & a new gown &, I suppose, a new bonnet for the Missus and no telling what for H.W. Ruth says they got London twice recently on their radio. We do not get staions so far away as last year, but they come clear & good. We got 3 hours of "the Miracle" from Chicago two weeks ago, and we enjoyed the W.E.A. F. soloists last Sun. very much. Noel Thompson is in Wash. D.C. for two weeks but Grace did not think it best to take the baby out. There are so many measles & flu everywhere, so she is staying at home. Amelia Churchill said she expected Helen & babies home for two weeks about this time. They live in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. Uncle Walter is having one long holiday to finish up with after being tied down so closely all those years, in Chicago. A great change from N. Dak. Must get supper now. Love to you all. Annie - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Madison, Wis. Apr. 27, 1926 Dear Circle: I shall have to write while listening to the radio also. Cal. put in some new batteries last eve and it is very nice and clear now. We use all dry batteries, Charles. Two large B batteries in place of wet ones. They cost $9.00 per pair and last 1 1/2 years. I am feeling better than when I wrote last, but haven't nearly the endurance I used to have. Fortunately I have not so much to do either. I have just finished cleaning house. We hired some indoor painting done that I have been accustomed to do heretofore. Cal has been very busy every minute when at home, too. Our cistern leaked, so he put a three inch wall of cement inside the other and it holds now, but it has no water in it for the roof is so black that it will need several rains to clean it off. He tried it out by filling it with city water. He did the mixing and carrying all himself, and then he widened the drive up to the garage to fit the double garage he made last fall. Then he put a cement wall under the front porch where the old one had rotted away. He has only a couple of hours of daylight at home nights to work. We expect Ruth & Dick & baby next week. They plan to drive thro' in the auto & it will take them three days if they can make 300 miles a day. Dick has three weeks vacation. Noel James walks all round, Alice Ruth stands alone but does not walk yet. We were glad to see cunning little Jack's picture. He'll probably be as plump as his parents some day. A furnace fire feels fine tonight. I have planted radish & lettuce seed, but they are not up yet. Love to you all from your sister Annie - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Madison, Wis. May 30, 1926 Dear Circle: This has been a real suumer day after a hard thunder storm last night just when the Univ. Venetian Night was to have been held on Lake Mendota. After the storm was over, they had part of it. Cal & I took a drive in the country this PM. Everything is so green and fresh. Oats several inches high & corn just appearing. Henry & Ella went to Fennimore & Potosi today & will return tomorrow. Cal is planning to spend tomorrow painting the white part of the house as far as possible, and I'm sure I can keep busy. Ruth & family left for home Fri PM at 3 o'clock & drove to Mil. & took the boat across Lake Michigan as that shortened the time in getting home. Little Alice stood all the travelling very well. I'm sure I should never have thought I could take a small child on such a long trip. And to see her eat such a variety of vegetables was a revelation to this old fashioned mother. But every day there is something to remind me that I am of a past generation, and in view of the many tangled problems that are to be solved somehow in the near future, I am rather glad it is so. Little Jimmie is as cunning as can be. Roswell's surely gave us all a surprise. [Roswell & Kate's son Thomas Ingram Pickford, b. ma5 26, 1926] I would like to have a copy of the revised family tree, Henry. I have added all I know. Must close now, with love to all Annie - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mrs. J. C. Bitterman 1717 Chadbourne Avenue Madison, Wisconsin July 5, 1926 Dear Circle: The "glorious 4th" lasted three days this year but the doings were out at the Fair grounds a mile from the city, so it has been a very quiet 4th up town. In fact, the man of this house was so indifferent that he wouldn't even stay to see the fireworks one evening outside the fairgounds. So we just worked for excitement and novelty. Most Sundays he can't get dinner over fast enough to get out on the road but for some reason known only to himself, he was rooted at home for two days. I think one reason was that the Chev. coupe he has just treated himself to for $270. needed some repairs to go 1 1/2 miles to the office and back each day & that took precedence over anything else. There wasn't another thing we needed indoors or out so much as another car, so we got another at once. This has been a real July day, 82 degrees in the shade, and the corn has stretched a lot in the garden, and in the fields, too, I hope. Have been canning gooseberries and strawberries today. Dale and family visited us over the week end last week, for three days. We were glad to see them. They may not be able to come to the reunion on acct of farm work. Henry found the "Robin" just before he left for Eau C. in the pocket of the car. We think Gerald [Rufus' son] did splendidly to get honors & finish in 3 1/2 years, too. Love from Annie - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Madison, Wis. Aug. ll. 1926 [after the second Reunion, at Devils Lake Wis] Dear Circle: I hope you all arrived safely at your homes after the Reunion. We had a fine time in spite of the humidity. We staid till just after noon on Mon. as Cal & Lyle helped take up all the floors in the tents & store them and it was all six men could lift to put them in place. Then Henry & his big load of goods & Will Pickford & family & Cal & I came down to Mad. The Pickfords went to Henry's for supper & back to our house for over night. They left for home about 9 AM on Tues. very much "sold" on Wisconsin. We were somewhat surprised to find we were among those present at Paul's wedding on Aug. 4. We would have been pleased to be there but could not, but wish the young couple many happy years of married life. [Paul Heisey Pickford, son of Charles, m. Madelle Miller] Henry gave me a revised typed copy of the family tree last evening that is right up to date with Paul's marriage added, but Cal and I can't understand why Carrie Heintzelman's name is ommitted from Charles' family group, she being his first lawful wedded wife. The date of Grace's marriage should be Dec 23, 1922, instead of 1923. Grace is spending a couple of weeks with us and we are enjoying that little lad to the limit. [Thats ME!] Uncle Will is planning to come to the Reunion next year also, and surely enjoys it. He will visit in Mason City, Manly & Des Moines before going home. This leaves us well as usual. Love to you all. Annie - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sept. 12, 1926 Dear Circle: We are at Dales. Cal and Dale have made a very good looking garage for the truck and the tractor out of lumber sawed out of the cotton wood trees cut down from along the road to the railroad tracks. and have it painted, too, during the past six days. Rena and I have had our hands full to do the housework and take care of Janet Louise who has been running a temperature of 102 to 105 most of the time for three weeks. The Dr. thought it was intestinal "flu" at first but of late it seems to be more in her throat. Today is the first day she has sat on the floor & taken any interest in her play things. So we are hoping she is going to be better from now on. Today is Cal's birthday, 60 years young. He got an alarm clock for one gift so we won't oversleep and he had a birthday cake with candles on it. We have been so busy that we have not called on anyone yet. But Wendell came in today and said that Myrta was in the hospital with ulcers of the stomach. We were vey sorry to hear this. On Thurs, Levi & Mary Hendrickson of Santa Ana, Calif. called to see us. They are visiting here for a month. Alice Yazzy has been brought home from the Park Hospital with an incurable case of cancer. I am enclosing two pictures Grace took of Uncle Will and Noel James, the oldest and the youngest of the family picnic group. [I have this picture in my Baby Book - Noel] It has been cold enough today to necessitate a furnace fire and we rode in the rain all the way coming here from Madison by way of Dubuque, Independence, Fayette & West Union, to keep on gravelled roads. Love to you all from your sister Annie Elizabeth - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Madison, Wis. Oct. 2, 1926 Dear Circle: I took the last circular letter up to Myrta at the hospital and here is another and we have only heard twice how she is getting on. We are so anxious about her and would like to know often how she is, hoping to hear of improvement each time. Tomorrow we expect to drive to Fennimore and will take Theo and Henry & Ella with us. The first football game was on this PM, Cornell vs. Wis. with the score 34 to 0 in favor of Wis. I could hear them cheering in the house, and the street for blocks was lined with autos. Two of my three roomers went home today & will come back tomorrow. They live near Racine and so can drive back and forth occasionally. The Univ. has more students than ever this year, about 800 more, I think. I think our newspaper man is behind the times sending copy that is a month old around in the "Robin"! Cal had his eyes tested this week to have some more glasses made, & the oculist told him he had eyes like a man of 45. Cal is planning to lay a cement walk from the kitchen porch to the garage drive before it freezes up. I think he sees a little less mowing to do the more walks he lays, but that one we really need as it is sometimes quite wet going out to the car. We are well but are busy every day with one thing or another. We surely hope Myrta's condition has improved very much since the last card came. With much love to you all, I am, your Sister Annie. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Madison, Wis. Oct. 20, 1926 Dear Circle.- First and foremost, we're so glad to hear Myrta is better and hope it will be a steady return to her usual good health. I can imagine how happy she is to be in her own cosy home again after that hospital. Little Lorraine is dear in her picture. [Arthur's granddaughter, b. May 1, 1925. ] Grace writes that they have cut off Noel James' curls and think he looks better with short hair. We are expecting them down to spend Thanksgiving with us. They have lately taken a week end trip to Duluth and Superior & stopped a couple of hours at Mora, Minn. where Ed & Genie Bitterman are living on their farm, where they have built a cosy three room bungalow. We are going to the church for the annual parish supper tonight, and I have prepared my first public speech as Pres. of the Alliance and, need I add? it is not long. I had the first business meeting of the Alliance yesterday and, as Arthur says, "Believe me" I'll have Roberts Rules of Order on deck for the next meeting and the social hour will FOLLOW. Rena writes that Little Janet is better now. She was a year old on Oct. 4th and had a little cake with one candle on it. The other children & families were well when we last heard. Cal & I went with Henry when he visited Adams Dormitory Sunday. The buildings are of fire proof construction, each room contains a single bed, dresser, and table and two chairs, all except the chairs are of metal enamaled in dark green. The walls are tinted in cream. They are served very good, plentiful meals for about 35 cts each, I understood. It was interesting to see so many boys together, and of such different types. I must close now. Hoping the very best things for Myrta and with much love to you all, I am your youngest sister Annie Elizabeth - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Madison, Wis. Nov. 26, 1926 Dear Circle: Wow! but it's cold tonight, and was a real blizzard half of the day. We are glad we can stay at home tonight. Had a very pleasant day on Thanksgiving with just ourselves & Grace & family and one of our roomers who couldn't go home. We took a ride over the city in the PM to show Grace & Noel how Madison had grown the past year. Noel went on to Chicago Thurs. eve. to the International Stock Show where he will put on an exhibit in barberry work, and Grace & Noel James will stay with us for a week or so. Noel J. is quite a lad now. Wearing a 4 year old suit today and not any too big. Does not say much but understands what is said to him and has some original ideas of his own. Grace is sending two pictures around. We are surely glad to hear that Myrta is able to go calling again, and hope she continues to improve right along. Our church sale went off very well and we had pretty good weather & Cal says that with that over and also the annual concert of the Mozart Club over, we spent a real Thanksgiving day. We heard Werraurath sing so well fron N.Y. City on Sun. night over the radio, & Cal. has been getting stations all over the country tonight, & last night couldn't get anything. We heard Muriel La France sing last week & she is a very fine soprano, a protege of Galli-Curci. Will enclose a flash light picture of the Mozart Club taken on the stage after the concert this week. We are all well as far as we know, and are thankful for that blesssing. Love to you all, Annie Cal had no rain or mud after he left Fredricksburg on his way home from Iowa.