Anna Nelson saved many letters that her two brothers, Charlie and Victor, wrote to her and her mother, Ulrika, in the 1890s from North Dakota. These are Victor's letters, written in English; Charlie wrote in Swedish. Ron Nelson also has several letters from the brothers.
You can find the places mentioned in the letters on a map
stationary, no envelope)
M.R. Isham,
General Merchandise.
La Moure, N.D., Mch 2nd 1893
Dear Sister Mother + Alfred
I received your ever wellcome letter a few days since but I thought that you had forgotten me but I see not. Well I am felling good this winter have gained quite a little . Tell Mother by the time you get this letter I will be moved. Up over the store that I work in in the 2 front Rooms where Lile Harris used to have his office. It will be very nice and handy - And good big Rooms too - I have had them well washed and cleaned all over. You bet when I go to Chicago I am going to see you and Mother and all of you. that is the most reason why I want to go. I am getting homesick after Mother. Tell her what dishes and stuff Charlie did not take I have sold at a good price. But he took most of it. But I will have a nice place to stay this summer it is always nice and cool in that room. You know our store is a brick Building And also tell her that J.O. Baughman has taken the Le Land Hotel And Fred Stone has opened up the Windsor house Moved all of his furniture from the Le Land to the Windsor and Baughman has bought all new furniture from Minneapolis (?) to put in the Le Land - So you see that the town has taken a boom. Mrs. brerar (?) has moved to Lighthalls old place. Well that is all the news that I know of and I tell you we are having fine weather again Hope it will last. Well this is all hoping you are all well I send my best love to you all and especially to Mother. And tell her if she wants some more money to say so.
Good bye
From AV Carlson
Please write soon as you have time please
- Victor -
(stationary, no envelope)
Hotel Mildred,
6127-6135 Cottage Grove Avenue,
Taylor & Rockwell, Managers
City Office Address,
175 Dearborn Street,
Room 67.
Chicago, Aug 4th 1893
Dear Mother
I am here in Chicago now all well and Happy and having lots of fun too. The Fair is great there is everything there too see - And it is all very nice too you cant imagine how much there is here till you see it. I have a nice place to stop at. And everything is lovely. Hoping to be with you soon I am as ever Your Loving son
Victor -
If you have time please drop me a few words here
(stationary)
M.R. Isham (crossed out)
General Merchandise
(stamped)
F.M. Kinter, Receiver
A.V. Carlson, Manager
LaMoure, No.Dak.
Oct. 8th, 1893
Dear Mother,
Your letter of the 4th received with pleasure. And I will now try and answer it. Well Mother as you see by the heading of this letter - F.M. Kinter receiver - and I am manager - of which I am glad. So I won't be out of a job for a while anyway. Mr. Millson is in Chicago yet. And when he comes He wont stay here only for a few days. And then move away from here. I dont know what will be done with the store yet. (S? T?)he may sell it to somebody Or else move the stock of goods (up?) in Bronson's store as Kinter is receiver of that too. And then the expenses wont be so big this winter.
Well everything is dull here Price of wheat is awfull low - So it makes it hard for everybody. Please let me know if you have got your box yet. I will send you $20.00 Dollars in an Express order Payable to Alfred Nelson. Ask him to get it for you. Hoping you are all well As I am -
I remain as ever Your True Son
"AV Carlson"
(LaMoure S by SE from Jamestown, which is halfway between Fargo and Bismarck, LaMoure now pop. 970)
(stationary)
Pearce & Orlady
H. Pearce B.N. Orlady
Dressmaking a Specialty...Exclusive Dry Goods house
Opera House Block
Jamestown N.D. Aug. 4th 1894
Dearest Mother Sister + Alfred,
I have now changed my place to work and I am now working in Jamestown, In a Big Dry Goods store. There is 4 clerks and 3 proprietors, So you see that we have some business It is a fine Store and I am Head Clerk. So you see that I have a nice place. I board at the (Caprito?) Hotel. The town is large. We have electric lights in the store and steam Heat. Mother knows where Jamestown is Only 50 Miles from LaMoure. I have been to LaMoure and seen Charlie he is all right. And has a fair crop, But in general crops are not very good. I struck it very lucky to get in a place like this. That is what I have wanted too, And now have it. I don't do an thing Only sell fine Goods.
Tell Mother LaMoure is burned all up. That is the business part. It started in Hageman's Shoe Shop and burnt all the Business houses. I will send you a slip of those burnt. The have begun harvesting all ready. The Hotel where I board had 100 people for Dinner. And we get fine things to eat. Well this is about all for this time. Hoping you and all well. I will close. Give my love to Mother. And please write soon. From your Brother
A.V. Carlson
Jamestown NoDak.
There is about 4000 people in this town,
Goodbye
Victor
(Jamestown is halfway between Fargo and Bismarck, now pop.15,571)
(newspaper clipping)
(handwritten note at bottom)
This is the Editor of the Oberon Echo that was down to Jamestown. He wrote this.
Victor
(part of heading clipped away - I reconstructed date from clues in the text)
(The) Oberon (Echo)
Benson County, North Dakota, Friday, August 13, 1894)
(item begins bottom of first column)
The scribe had the pleasure of visiting the bright and blooming city of Jamestown the first of the week. Upon our arrival there we were immediately ushered into the care of A.V. carlson who did his utmost to make everything pleasant and enjoyable for us. He has his headquarters at the well-known and newly equipped Capital House which is now under the efficient management of G.W. Ingraham & Son. Vick. is head saleman for Pearce & Orlady who are among the most extensive retail dealers in the city. Their store is simply magnificent carrying an immense stock of goods. They employ 6 clerks and do as large a business as any house in the southern metropolis. We then visited the newspaper offices, including both Capital and Alert. Being somewhat acquainted with Bro. Ellsworth of the Capital, we enjoyed our visit with him very much. The Capital boys say they have no kick coming and we are glad to see them progressing so finely. Their paper is one of the brightest papers in the state and so long as it is under its present management it will continue so. May success crown your every effort is our worst wish for the Capital.
Sunday morning after breakfast accompanied by A.V. Carlson we visited the insane assylum. There we met with Dr. Archibald, who, to say the least is one of the most skillful physicians in this northwest. He has now under his control 350 patients all of which are very quiet and behave exceedingly well. We had formed the idea that the assylum was a place where the people were raging and always kept locked in cells. But not so. For there you see all the male patients talking and conversing with one another, but never without a guard. They all seem friendly, shaking hads with you when entering and say Good Bye when you depart. Dr. Anderson another one of those genteel gentlemen showed us through his part of this grand and noble institution. Then lastly it was our pleasure to meet with Miss. H. Barnard who escourted us through the ladies' department. Thus we passed through the entire building seeing every department as it is, and it is simply wonderful. N. Dak. should feel proud of such an institution for there can be none better nor more complicated than this one. Its officers and physicians can be excelled by none, and everything is done for the patient that is in their
(Oberon Echo newspaper clipping cont'd)
power. Kind reader when you are in Jamestown, just avail yourself of the opportunity and visit the assylum; you will instantly feel yourself doubly paid for your trouble.
We then returned to the Capital House where dinner was already being served to its numerous guests. So we soon joined the merry-go-round and was in the "swim." In the evening we met our friend Ellsworth and the time flew so rapidly it was bed time 'ere we knew it. So summing up the entire trip we come to the conclusion that our visit to Jamestown was one of benefit as well as of pleasure. And if we ever have the privilege of visiting the city again we shall try and improve the time as we did this. We left the city at 8 o'clock Monday morning by the J. & N. and arrived home in the latter part of the day. Thus ends our visit to Jamestown.
(Benson County is just west of Devil's Lake)
(stationary, no envelope)
Pearce & Orlady,
....Exclusive Dry Goods house
Dressmaking a Specialty
Opera house Block
H. Pearce
B.N. Orlady
Jamestown, N.D. 12/20th 1894
Dear Mother -
I sent you a few presents for Christmas. The are not much But I cant think of what to send - The necktie is for Alfred. And 1 Hdkf is for Anna The rest are for you - Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Good Bye -
Victor -
"In Haste"
Write and let me know if you get there all right
stationary
Cody House
Mayville N.Dak.
W.M. Sampey, Prop'r.
Headquarters for Commercial Men
Mayville, N.D., June 3rd, 1895
Dear Mother Sister + Alfred -
Your very wellcome letter received a few days ago. Was glad to hear from you and I see that you are all well which I am also. I started out some time ago to travel. And am selling "copying Books" I have done very well and am going further North. I all so have good chance to see the country Everything up this way is looking fine. Crops are good. Lots of Rain. Around LaMoure they are not so good. Charlie's is fair - I have also struck it lucky here in about 3 or 4 weeks I am going to work in a Large Dry Goods Store again, in this town That is Mayville - a pretty little Town about 1000 people Lots of trees here. And the Population is mostly Norwegian and Swedes. And the finest farming country in Dakota I am just going North to sell my Books and to see the Country - Will go to LaMoure before I come here to stay So please write to me there and let me know How Mother is and how she is getting along - Tell her I am well and allright and hope she is the same. Would also write to her But you can read this to her "Please"
Hope that you will write soon and I will get it when I come to LaMoure
Goodbye
From Your True Brother
A.V. Carlson
P.S. This is a very pretty Town.
(Mayville is just SE of Grand Forks - Mayville now pop. 2,092
LaMoure is S by SE of Jamestown, which is halfway between Fargo and Bismarck - LaMoure now pop. 970)
(stationary, no envelope)
Mayville Mercantile Co.
General Merchants
Incorporated Dec. 9, 1893
Geo. Schlosser, Prest.
R.S. Wilson, Secretary
J.J. Stephens, Treasurer and Manager
(printed "Mayville" crossed out, "Clifford" written in) North Dakota, Sunday, Aug 25th 1895
Dear Sister Anna -
Your very wellcome letter received a couple of days ago and I was very glad to hear from you. But I am sorry to hear that you are not very well now days. Well I am glad to say that I am well and feeling good. And I have also changed my location as you see. Well I have struck it very lucky. The Mayville Mercantile has put in a Branch Store in Clifford No. Dak. And I am here taking charge of it. And Manager. I have just one Clerk now. But may have 2 later on. I have just been here a short time So have not all the goods in yet. But they are coming every day. We are going to handle everything. So it will be lots to look after But then I am my own boss. So it is a nice job. The town is small. But the farming country is fine around here. Clifford is the second best Wheat Point in North Dakota - So there will be lots of people in town this fall. There is nothing too the town, So it will be a little lonesome. But it is a very good business town. Although it is small - But it is a very good job So I was lucky to get it. As it was 30 others after it. So you see that I am lucky to get it. Well I have been pretty lucky all the time to get as good or better job than most of the Clerks - Please give Mother my love and tell her about this. Hope she is well.- Give my regards to Alfred and all -
Goodbye From Your Brother
A.V. Carlson
Clifford No. Dak.
Answer soon please -
"Trailoo" (?)
(no envelope, no stationary)
Clifford No Dak Sept 23rd 95
Dear Mother Sister + Alfred -
Your very wellcome letter received a while ago. Glad to hear from you and also see that you are all well. I suppose that your children are large by this time. I would like to see them very much. Well we are doing good business here even if the town is small. But there is fine farming country around here, and the crops are good. We are in the Best country in the world for raising wheat. And that is the Red River Valley. But the price on wheat is too low. So that they farmers dont make much money. Yes I have plenty to do. I have to keep the books Take care of the (word?) Buy Goods and sell Goods So you see that I have plenty to do. But then I am my own boss. I can close up when I want too and get to the store when I want too. Sleep late in the morning if I want too. As the other clerk has to get here early and open up. I go to Mayville about once a week to the other store and get Goods if we get out of anything we need quick. Otherwise I buy all the Goods in Minneapolis St.Paul, Chicago and all over. I will send in this letter a Great Northern Express Money Order to Alfred for 20.00. Please give it to Mother. Hope that she is well and getting along all right. Tell here if I could get a house and had furniture that she could come and stay with me. But you see that I cant afford it just now. And there is no house in town. And it takes lots of money to buy furniture. So I hope she is satisfied where she is. And I will try and send her all the money I can. I hope she has all she needs. And I will save all I can to send her money. You see it takes a good deal of money for me for clothes + Board and lots of other things. Please give her my love and a Kiss. Try and do all you can for her as she is old and needs help. Tell her I am well and hope she feels good. And hope you all feel good - Love to all -
From Your True Brother
Victor Carlson
"In haste"
Please write soon and tell me if you get the money allright - Goodbye
Regards to all - Clifford NoDak
(word?)
(Clifford and Mayville just SE of Grand Forks, Mayville now pop.2,092)
(envelope)
(To) Alfred Nelson Esq
1429 "Cleveland Ave"
Burlington Iowa
After 10 days, return to AV Carlson
Devils Lake N.Dak
(postmarked Devil's Lake N.Dak. Sep.11, 1896)
(stationary)
The Sevilla House
Refitted Throughout
Newly Furnished
Rates, $2.00
Strictly First Class
J.O.Baughman, Proprietor
Devil's Lake, N.Dak. Sept 11th. 1896
Dear Mother, Alfred and Anna -
Your very wellcome letter received glad to hear from you all and glad to see that you are all getting along well only that you only work 8 hours a day But that is better than none. How much do you get a day or an hour. Well I am working every day hard too we have a very large store and lots of business. Crops are quite good here. But of course the price is low. But anyway the farmers are going to have a little money to spend. How are the politics in Burlington Are there many Silver people there or is the Republicans taking the lead I hope so as I think that we need sound money protection and good Goverment. Well it is beginning to get cold up here and the long and dreary winter will soon be here Well I have nothing new to tell you only that I am well and hope you are all the same. Charlie I think has a fair crop this year and is getting along all right. Hope you will write soon Well Alfred you will find a Great Northern Express Money Order for 20.00 for Mother. Please get it cashed and give it to her I hope that she is not suffering for anything. I tell you it pulls pretty hard on me to buy clothes pay board and other expenses and to be able to send Mother some. Well goodbye for this time Please write soon. I remain as ever
Victor Carlson
Kindest love to Mother and to you all.
(Devil's Lake, now pop. 7,782, is halfway between Grand Forks and Minot, on a major rail line, and adjacent to an Indian reservation)
(stationary)
The Sevilla House
J.O. Baughman, Proprietor
Refitted Throughout
Newly Furnished
Rates, $2.00.
Strictly First Class
Devils Lake, N. Dak. 1896
(no date - perhaps November?)
(pages 2 & 3, page 1 missing)
...make times better in this coutry and that is what we want. We want a party in power that will give us a good administration and also protection ("from" crossed out) So other country's wont send thier goods here. Well we got it. And I hope that we will have better times here now.
Well give my regards to Anna + Alfred - And Hope you will write soon I will close for this time -
Remaining as ever
Your True Son
Victor
Love to Mother and a Kiss
Goodbye -
Write soon -
(page 3)
Mother what do you want for Christmas. Do you need any Dress Goods or any thing like that Or maybe you can buy what you want better there. And I will send you the money. I will have my picture taken before Christmas and send you too. It is very cold in Dakota now how is it there - Charlie and his folks are well and send you their love -
Goodbye
Victor
(lined tablet paper, no envelope)
(hand stamp: "Stade & Svee, Devil's Lake, N.Dak.)
July 20th 1897
Dearest Mother -
I will try and write you a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and all right. Only very busy. It is some time since I received your wellcome letter and glad to hear that you are the same as usual. Glad to hear that you are not worse. That hot weather down there must be very uncomfortable That is one thing about Dakota We have lots of hot weather during the day. But in the evening it is very cool - So that a person can sleep good. All though the last few days it has been raining steady. So that we have plenty rain. The wheat is looking good most all over Dakota now and if nothing happens we will have a good big crop this year. Charlie says that his crop is quite good too. So that he will get out of debt this year -
Well I dont know of much more to write this time - Only that I will send you some money about the 1st of August. Hope that you wont need it before.-
Please write soon -
From yours as ever
Victor
P.S. Give my best regards to you all. I wish that I could come and see you but it cost to much so that I cant afford it. Please tell me who it is that writes your letters And thank her very much for me
(envelope)
To Mrs. Anna L. Nelson
1429 "Cleveland Ave"
Burlington Iowa
Return 10 Days To A.V. Carlson
Devils Lake No.Dak
(postmarked Devil's Lake N.Dak Aug 5 1897)
Devils Lake Aug 5th 1897
Dear Mother + Sister -
Your very wellcome letter I received a few days ago and I was more than glad to hear from you all. It is quite lonesome to live away out in the West all alone and you all being down in Iowa where there is nice trees and fruit and everything to injoy. But still I like it out here and than to have more out here than I would down there. I am glad to see that Charlie is working hard and getting along well and if he gets a good crop her will be all O.K. Then he has horses, cows, machinery and everything and all paid for. That is what Alfred should do come out West and start farming and in 10 years he will be well fixed and be able to live without working - I think that I will take up 160 acres of land just to make money on as pretty soon there won't be any land left that a person can get free. Well tell Mother that I am well and hope that she is the same. I will also send her $20.00 in this letter to A Nelson. I hope that she will keep well and allright it is pretty hard when a person is old. Tell me, when our cousin Anna is going to Sweden. Oh yes, I can read Swede and I can write it too but it takes so long as I have to think so long before I can write it. Well I will close with best Regards to all and that you will write soon -
I Remain as ever
"Goodbye"
Victor Carlson
(Devil's Lake, now pop. 7,782, is halfway between Grand Forks and Minot, on a major rail line, and adjacent to an Indian reservation)
(envelope)
Western Union Telegraph Co.
Cable Service to All Parts of the World
(torn)...arges to Messenger unless written in Ink in Delivery Book
Mrs. Ulrica Carlson
1532 Alma + Zebruck (Aetna + Leebrick?)
(telegraph)
Received 218 N. Main St. Burlington Iowa 2:40 PM Oct 22 1897
Dated Devil's Lake, N.D.22
To Mrs. Ulrica Carlson
1532 Alma + Zebruck Sts.
Victor died Wednesday night at Devils Lake, I am taking the remains to Lemore today will write.
XX
Chas Carlson
(Devil's Lake, now pop. 7,782, is halfway between Grand Forks and Minot, on a major rail line, and adjacent to an Indian reservation)
(October 22 was a Thursday, so Victor presumably died Oct. 21, 1897)
Victor Carlson's letters from North Dakota
