WCS_letter_1894-06-11

A sad letter of loss and failures

After such an optimistic start to his business and his marriage, this letter provides a complete turnabout of his fortunes. Unfortunately, WCS’s shop went out of business as there was not even enough work for one person. He and Ella moved back to Canada.

To matters worse at this sad time, his brother has died as did his sister’s husband. All reports about the family at this time have a disconsolate air.

WILL C.SLATER

Taylor

Rooms 316 to 17

ABEL BUILDING

GOR. 63rd and STEWART AVE.,

Chicago, IL

June 11, 1894

Dear Cousin Charlie,

It is a long long time since I received your very kind letter, for many reasons I am very much ashamed of myself. if this was the first case of carelessness I would not mind it so much. but I seem to grow worse instead of better.

Well now my boy I will have to go back a couple of months to begin with. Business is at a complete standstill and has been for the past three months. You will be surprised when I tell you I have not had steady work for one man this spring and I should have had two. So I have decided to close up the

p.2

shop at the end of the month and go back to Canada.

We broke up housekeeping nearly 3 weeks ago are you at boarding at Furnivals. I shipped our furniture yesterday to Paris Ont (?Ontario) And soon expect to follow it.

I suppose you know that Robert is dead. Yes Annie sent for me about 7 May to go at once and I went that day and the day afterwards I got Paris. Robert died he was unconscious most of the time after I got there. he scarcely knew me. Poor sister Annie feels her

p. 3

loss very keenly and I feel it will be a long long time before she recovers from the shock although she had been expecting it for some time.

Father Mother Lizzie and Jeannie were also there Lizzy is still stopping with Annie. Father and Mother are boarding are looking real well Also Lizzie Jeanie is thin but well.

I could not find much about Herbie or his affairs. Father and he have several connections and farming interests I think.

George Graham will get out the penn sometime this month. His father died about

p. 4

two weeks ago. George’s position did not help things and all but on the contrar rather hastened his poor old father’s journey to the other world,

Wednesday morning and all is well. Fred started on his trip last night And is in St. Paul today.

Geo Birley has gone up the spout and let the blooming sparrows out. He has made an ass of himself from start to finish

All join in love and best wishes to you hoping you will write soon

we are you are affectionate cousins
Will and Ella.

This letter is a sad turnabout after all the optimism and joy or earlier letters.

We do not know anything further about the family following this date but somehow these few letters give a feeling of the insecurities and resilience that is behind the process of starting a business in a new land.

Of one thing history will never doubt. William C. Slater deeply loved and admired his wife, Ella.