Category Archives: Letters

July 11, 1905 – Missing Minnie & Music In The Night

Indianapolis, Letters, Pearl Reed's Letters, Reeds,
Courtesy of Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library/University of Georgia Libraries. Click to enlarge.
Pearl Reed

Homer Jarrett
1702 Chestnut St.
St. Louis, MO

2730 Kenwood
July 11, 1905

Mr. Jarrett,

Dear Homer, your letter came this morning just as I was starting downtown. Was very glad to hear from you so soon, but sorry that you showed the picture to your landlady, for I have an idea that I would not like her one bit Homer, please don’t show it to anyone else, will you? It came to you, not the people of St. Louis generally.

How are you? Well, I hope. I am very well myself. Glad that your mother is quite well also. Mother is well and I think we all feel better for her coming home. She is just telling me to tell you that she would like to see you, also to forward her love and best wishes.

O Homer the band at Fairbanks is playing O just lovely and something very sad and yet again strangely gay. O I just love good music, you do too, do you not? Now they are playing a song that Minnie use to have me sing for her. You don’t know how we miss her and the babies Homer.

We were at Allen Chapel Sunday Morning and heard good music and a very good sermon. I have not visited my own church for a few weeks. We are divided into clubs for the purpose of raising funds to pay for the new additions in the rear and Homer, believe me, I have not asked one person for aid. Mr. Williams will think me an odd number I suppose, but really, I just can’t beg like they expect you to do.

You spoke of you coming back Homer, and ask me to speak truthfully. Of course I have six relations and acquaintances but would be very much pleased to have you too, believe me Homer. Would I forgive you and wait until the flowers bloom again, why Homer use your own judgment about coming back. You know what is best for you to do. Do not consider my feelings at all Homer, friend because I would forgive you and like you just the same if you concluded not to return at all, believe me. I would know that it was the best that could have “happened.” That you was at some place that pleased you and afforded you better employment. Homer the band is now playing “My old Kentucky Home” and I am sleepy. All are in bed and asleep. You are tired too of this stuff are you not?

Yours sincerely,
Pearl D. Reed

____________________

I wondered what church my grandmother attended. I had an idea it was 9th Presbyterian Church because she met my grandfather at church several years later and they were both founding members of Witherspoon United Presbyterian Church, which was started by members of 9th Presbyterian. She seems to have attended Allen Chapel quite often, but always referred to “her church”. I believe the Prof. Williams, superintendent of Sunday School at 9th Presbyterian Church, is the Mr. Williams she refers to in this letter to Homer.

Pearl’s house is in red. The park where the concert was given is circled in red.
The Indianapolis News Sat. July 8, 1905   Click to enlarge.

June 25, 1905 – Pearl Receives Photograph of Homer, Promises to Send Hers in Return

Indianapolis, Letters, Pearl Reed's Letters, Reeds,
Courtesy of Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library/University of Georgia Libraries. Click to enlarge.
Pearl Reed

Homer Jarrett
1702 Chestnut St.
St. Louis, MO

2730 Kenwood Ave.
June 25, 1905

Dear Homer;

Received your letter, was delighted to hear from you after so long a period of silence. Glad you are well and having such a nice time in Missouri.

I thought that you had forgotten us. The photo is simply you. If you do not like it, you do not like yourself, for if it was any different it would not be like you. Really, Homer, I think it just lovely of you.

Thank you for it ever so much. Shall send you mine in a day or so, if nothing happens to prevent it. I am liable to break the camera but I suppose the artist can secure another one.

Do you like St. Louis? Shall you remain there long? Are you with the same people?
Hoping to hear from you soon,

I remain
Yours Sincerely
Pearl D. Reed

________________

Trying to picture Homer years younger from this later photo. In his WW1 and WW2 draft registrations, Homer was described as 5 ft 8 in, slender, with black hair and blue eyes.

Homer Jarrett, at a later date. Used by permission of a Jarrett descendant.

May 28, 1905 – A Walk, Request For A Photograph & Mother Ill in Benton Harbor.

Indianapolis, Letters, Pearl Reed's Letters, Reeds,
Pearl Reed

No envelope

2730 Kenwood Ave
May 28, 1905

Dear Homer

Your letters were received and I should have written sooner but I just neglected it. How are you? I am quite well myself. (as if I could be well anybody else!) It is about (9P.M.) nine o’clock and quite cool after a very hot day. I visited Riverside Park today and found it very warm, very dusty, very crowded and noisy and so came back home much more uncomfortable and disgusted with the heat than ever. I do not like the place a bit. Do you? I just returned from a pleasant walk, through that compensates for the trip to the park. Do not laugh Homer! I am aware that it is nothing like the trips that you take to the mountains but we have none you know. Please send me your sympathy, that a good boy!

Ok Homer I wish that you could sketch so that when you go sight seeing you could send me the pictures that I might see too. That reminds me, Homer, get a photo of yourself taken and send it to me, will you? Please do Homer, and I will think you are the most kind man that ever was (or boy) and “maybe” I shall give you one of mine.

How is your mother? Does she and your friends want you to come home? I know they would like to see you. I have not heard from mother for more than a week. She was ill then and I am anxious about her.

Visited my church this morning. Did you go to church Homer? I hope you did.

Do you read much now? I haven’t lately. I did not get a book from the library the other day. I simply read a while in the reading room, a May or June magazine. After returning from the park about five (5) o’clock, I read awhile in the little book by Emerson that you gave me in 1903, nearly “two centuries”, ago. Homer I think he must have been or is a lovely old man, don’t you?

The boys send best regards to you.
Do not forget the photo Homer, please.
Yours sincerely
Pearl D. Reed

__________________

Pearl lived at the far lower right corner of the blacked out block.  Click to enlarge.

Pearl’s house is down there in the block of the black square. Riverside Park is up at the top.

April 26, 1905 – No Flowers For Easter & A Mystery Cousin

Great Migration, Indianapolis, Letters, Pearl Reed's Letters, Reeds,
Courtesy of Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library/University of Georgia Libraries. Click to enlarge.
Pearl Reed

Homer Jarrett
9 Walnut St.
Hot Springs, Ark

2730 Kenwood Ave.
Indianapolis, Indiana
April 26, 1905

Dear Homer;

Your letter came today and I was very glad to hear from you. I have but just written to mother and thought I would “speak” with you too.

Glad you had a nice Easter, Homer, for mine was a “grand failure” I think the most pleasure I had that day was a fifteen, twenty minute walk home with my cousin on the way from a friends house. He was so full of his troubles and trials that in trying to make him forget his, I forgot my own.

I received a very nice book a few days ago “The Eternal City” by Hall Caine. I think I have read it but never owned it before.

You wonder why I did not accompany mother away? Well I didn’t. I did want to go, but still, I wanted to take a few more lessons in music and I stayed for that purpose solely. I have a real nice elderly lady teaching me now, a Miss Williams. Mother wanted me to go badly and only yesterday her letter tells me not to stay away too long. I don’t think I shall go this year.

The question you mention is, if I had told another of I struggle of warfare(?), is it not? Well, I have not.

Glad your mother is improving so nicely.

We are having just typical April weather here now sunshine-cloud-rain-snow-hail all in one day.

I received no flowers Easter. I was not disappointed and didn’t expect any. I saw and admired them though.

Thank you for thinking of me at that time. I am grateful for it.

Good-by
Yours Sincerely
Pearl Reed

_________________

I wish I knew who the cousin was who was having such a hard time. Pearl’s older sister, Josie, had two children – a boy and a girl about pearl’s age. I cannot trace them so I don’t know if this cousin is that boy or not.

The Eternal City  (click link to see original review)
Hall Caine (1853–1931)

Eternal City, The, by Hall Caine was published in 1901. The story opens in London, where Prince Volonna, who has been exiled for conspiracy against the Italian government, lives a life of charity under an assumed name, being known as Dr. Roselli. He rescues from the snow, a street waif, David Leone, who is one of the many who are brought to England yearly from the south to play and beg in the streets. This lad grows up in the household of the good doctor and his English wife and little daughter Roma, imbibing his foster father’s theories and becoming his disciple. Prince Volonna is finally tricked back to Italy, where he is captured and transported to Elba, and David Leone is likewise condemned as a conspirator; the latter escapes, and as David Rossi enters Rome and preaches his principle of the brotherhood of man. After the death of her father, Roma is discovered by the Baron Bonelli, Secretary of State, and a man of cunning and duplicity, who brings her to Rome where she becomes the reigning belle of the capital, but one whose name has not remained untarnished. The author recounts her meeting with David Rossi, her recognition of her foster brother, their love and the various obstacles which beset their path. In ‘The Eternal City’ Mr. Caine has presented a sociological study with a strong element of love-making in it. Through the efforts of a humanizing socialism, the principles of which are based upon the Lord’s Prayer, the Pope resigns all temporal power and the young King is brought to abdicate his throne, and an ideal republic is born, whose creed is the brotherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. The story, with its background of Rome the Eternal city, is thrilling in detail and holds the reader’s attention by the intricacies of its plot and the brilliancy of its author’s dramatic style.

The_Indianapolis_Star_Sun__Sep_9__1906

Miss Mary L. Williams was born September 5, 1837 in Beares, Pennsylvania. Her father, Louis, was a school teacher. Her mother, Rebecca, did not work outside the home.   The family were members of the United  Presbyterian Church.

By the time Mary was 23, she was teaching music. Between 1870 and 1880, Mary’s mother died and she and her father moved to Indianapolis. He taught Latin and died in 1888. Mary continued to teach music, both guitar and piano. She died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Indianapolis on April 23, 1916.

By 1916, my grandmother Pearl was married to my grandfather, Albert B. Cleage.  The first three of their seven children had been born. They lived in Detroit, Michigan where my grandfather practiced medicine.

April 21, 1905 – Busy Sewing for Mother’s Trip to Benton Harbor

Indianapolis, Letters, Pearl Reed's Letters, Reeds,
Courtesy of Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library/University of Georgia Libraries. Click to enlarge.
Pearl Reed

Homer Jarrett
9 Walnut St.
Hot Springs, Ark

2730 Kenwood Ave
Indianapolis, Indiana
April 21, 1905

Dear Homer,

Your letter was received ok and I should have answered it sooner but have been so busy. Mother leaves tomorrow at 7:00 A.M. for Benton Harbor and I have been sewing for her and helping her get ready to go. She will stay until late fall or early winter – I think. She sends her sincere regards to you Homer and would have you be a good boy. When you get this she will be in the Harbor and I shall be one of the most lonesome of people.

Forgive me for neglecting you Homer, but how are you? I hope you are in good health, as you generally are. Are you not glad Spring is here? Don’t you know that I just detest cold weather of late? I would live in a warm climate if I was able, at all times. I think. What are you doing? Have you the same mates yet? Have you changed homes as often as you did here? Or, are they more to your liking there?

O, where shall you spend Easter? I hope that you have a pleasant one. I shall try to, although I shall miss mother very much.

How is your mother? Really Homer I don’t know any thing to tell you, friend, except what you know. Well, I think I shall stop. Are you not glad? For you can’t read this, can you?

Please write as often as you have time Homer for I know you are busy.

Yours Sincerely
Pearl Reed

______________________

March 20, 1905 – Sorry to Read Homer’s Letter

Indianapolis, Letters, Pearl Reed's Letters, Reeds,
Courtesy of Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library/University of Georgia Libraries. Click to enlarge.
Pearl Reed

Homer Jarrett
9 Walnut St.
Hot Springs, Ark

2730 Kenwood Ave
Indianapolis, Ind
March 20, 1905

Dear Homer;
I received your strange letter an hour or so ago about 5:45 o’clock. I was glad to hear from you, but very sorry to read that letter Homer.

You must think me terribly hard hearted and cruel to think that I would tell or insinuate to her that she was not wanted with us. I should not expect anyone to do that for me, as I’ve often told you.

You must see Homer that we can’t agree or understand one another, and so I shall say Good-by I am sorry Homer it is so, but it is.

I think I am doing my duty to my mother, as I ever hope to do.

Good-by
Good-by
Pearl Doris Reed

March 10, 1905 – Homer Sends Music and 50 Stamps. Hugh Whistles.

African-American Genealogy & Slave Ancestry Research, Great Migration, Indianapolis, Letters, Pearl Reed's Letters, Reeds,
Courtesy of Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library/University of Georgia Libraries. Click to enlarge.
Pearl Reed

Homer Jarrett
9 Walnut St.
Hot Springs, Ark

2730 Kenwood Ave.
Indianapolis, In
March 10, 1905

Dear Homer;

Your letter, stamps and music were received o.k. and I am very grateful to you. Since I wrote to you I’ve learned that the song mentioned is quite old and Hugh seems to have whistled it in a very long time and heard it at the theater. I do not like it a bit less for all that. I think it very sweet and sad and mother likes it too.

I asked you when you were coming back and for answer you sent me 50 stamps. Do you mean to be away until they are used? If I should write each week, why they would last 12 months and one half. Do you mean to remain away that long Homer? In asking you that, I did not imply that you should pay me postage sir.

You spoke of the fire, Homer, well “my” paper said “The exact area burned over is 104 ½ acres” and also, “It is impossible to give a close estimate of the losses or the insurances. Probably a million dollars ($1,000,000) is not too high and may not be high enough. Insurance will not reach 50% of losses.”

The game of “Pit” is played with cards that resemble ordinary playing cards. All of the different grains are mentioned and worth from 35 to 100 points. The players try to corner all of one grain and when they do so they receive to their credit whatever it’s worth. The game has 500 points in all. Very interesting. Think you would like it. I did then.

You asked me whom or who accompanied me to Allen Chapel; well I will inform you “mother and Hugh.”

Have you heard from home and friends lately? How are your mother and brother?

Forgive me Homer and how are you? I forgot to ask. I am very well; and very busy just at present. Mother wanted to go to Benton Harbor this spring and I did not so, I think I’m big girl tho to remain at home. Have I tired you Homer with this stuff? I am sure I have. You must write and tell me all about yourself and mates and O everything. It is almost 11:30 P.M. and I am sleepy so just,

Good night
Pearl

___________________

I looked for the song “Down on The Farm” on youtube, alas, I could not find it. I did find the sheet music, which I gather Homer sent and Pearl would have played on the piano, or the guitar.

Click the link for more about Harry Von Tilzer, the author of this and many popular songs.

March 2, 1905 – Delighted With Stereoscopic Views, a Big Fire and Neglect of MacFadden’s Program

African-American Genealogy & Slave Ancestry Research, Great Migration, Indianapolis, Letters, Pearl Reed's Letters, Reeds,
Courtesy of Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library/University of Georgia Libraries. Click to enlarge.
Pearl Reed

Homer Jarrett
9 Walnut St.
Hot Springs, Ark

2730 Kenwood Ave
Indianapolis Ind.
March 2, 1905

Dear Homer

Your paper was received and I thank you for sending it to me. Very glad to hear that your mother is improving so nicely and that you will not be obliged to return home. It seems strange that it all happens while you are away but it seems that way, that when we would most have things do nicely and run smoothly – it most assuredly goes just the contrary.

You asked me if I still followed the advice of Mr. McFadden. Well to speak confidentially I think that I’ve neglected in some things, but the main and most important, I have followed closely as I hope ever to do. I am sorry that you have neglected also.

Our fire, which you mentioned, was not so very bad Homer, only about one half a block. Of course it was bad in a way it burned and smoked for two days. I have forgotten the cause of it, if indeed I ever knew. I was not interested in it, only that through it many poor men would find employment. The building at the corner of Mer(idian) & Wash(ington) the S.W. Cor(ner) is being torn down to make room for a large department store of L.S. Ayres.

O Homer, I almost forgot to tell you that I visited Allen Chapel Sunday Eve. There was an illustrated sermon with stereoscopic views, which was very good. Don’t you know I never tire of them. When I was real little I would be delighted with a series of these pictures and I am almost the same now. There was one set of pictures accompanied by a beautiful song entitled the or I should have said “Down on the Farm” which I thought just lovely. I never heard it before and I think I shall try and get it if I can.

Last night we had some company and someone had brought the game of “Pit”. It derived it’s name from it’s allusions to Wall Street. Really Homer it is great. I really enjoyed it.

I have tried your patience surely I know haven’t I, Homer. O, it takes so much scribbling to say such a little, where as in speaking in only a few minutes we can say so much.

When are you coming home or, I beg your pardon, back to Indianapolis?

Sincerely
Pearl Doris Reed

______________

February 6, 1905 – Pearl Accused of a Flighty Disposition & Illness in Homer’s Family

Indianapolis, Letters, Pearl Reed's Letters, Reeds,
Courtesy of Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library/University of Georgia Libraries. Click to enlarge.
Pearl Reed

Homer Jarrett
9 Walnut St.
Hot Springs, Ark

2730 Kenwood Ave
Indianapolis IN
February 6, 1905

Dear Homer;

Your letter was received a few hours ago and I find you as obstinate as ever.

Homer I am so very sorry for your mother and for your family generally. They have had so much of sickness lately that your poor mother must be nearly broken down. It is too bad that she is ill now, just when your brother needs her attention so much. Will you be needed at home? I hope not. That is I hope it will not be required of you to come home.

Minnie and family left for home this morning. She would like to hear from you sometime. Her address is #596 McCallister Ave B.H. Michigan.

Homer, our acquaintance was very pleasant to me, I am only sorry that you did not find it so, and were continually finding fault with me. You are not aware of the fact, that you are the first and only person who ever told me that I was of a “flighty disposition”. You seem to understand me better than anyone that I’ve came in contact with Homer, it seems that you should know why I did not turn to you?

Remember, I am only sorry for my “flighty disposition” in so much as it displeases you, I detest to displease anyone.

It seems that I’ve been very, very, willful, disagreeably flighty and everything else that I should not, Homer, in your eyes. Since all confidence is lost, why I think the case is hopeless. I should not care for anyone that I had no faith in and I do not think that anyone loves without it. I do not think, I should care for that one at any rate, for it would not satisfy me.

Glad to hear that you are doing so nicely and getting acquainted and being invited out so often. It must be cheerful to have two roommates? Pleased that your cold is better. Sorry the weather there is so various and disagreeable. Ours is lovely here.

Love from all
Sincerely Pearl D. Reed

January 27, 1905 – Minnie and Family Visiting, All Are Sick & Pearl Takes a Walk

Great Migration, Letters, Pearl Reed's Letters, Reeds,
Courtesy of Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library/University of Georgia Libraries. Click to enlarge.
Pearl Reed

Homer Jarrett
9 Walnut St.
Hot Springs, Ark

2730 Kenwood Ave
Indianapolis Ind
January 27, 1905

Mr. Jarrett;
Homer, your letter was received O.K. Very glad to hear from you so soon. How are you? Hope you are well as I am.
We are having very cold weather here just now and have had several heavy snows. We received a letter from James Mullins and he said they were having very severe weather in Michigan and that at the time he was writing they were having a blizzard.

Minnie and family are with us still. All of them are quite ill this evening with severe colds and fever She sends her best regards to you. I have been quite busy serving for her for a few days and today being clear, bright and sharp, I went for a walk about 2:30 PM. I walked all the way to the Library and back. You have no idea, how I enjoyed the walk Homer. I felt rather blue when I left home, but, by the time I reached it again, thought life was worth living after all. Really there is nothing like walking to cause you to forget your pretty troubles and ills, I think. Don’t you think so too? The book I got is “Bayou Folk,” by Kate Chopin. Have you read it, or any of her works?

Are you interested in the Russian Rebellion? I feel very sorry for them, the poor ones I mean, and I hope that they will get their rights and desires in the end, but I wonder if they sympathized with the poor negro when he was in as bad, if not worse, a plight as themselves. All of the Czar’s troubles are coming at once, it seems. The “Japs” proved too much for them and then the “people” turned as it were, on them. I think his son that he longed and prayed for has brought him ill luck so far.

I have not been any place lately and Hugh and I shall go to the Grand Opera House Saturday if nothing happens to prevent it. I do not think that I have seen the play. It is “Paul Conchas”, something that Hugh has seen before and liked I suppose.

Homer, tell me about yourself won’t you? You never tell me what you are doing at all. Are you not glad you are not here in this severe weather. I envy you your location just now. Please pity us poor mortals Homer.
You think I shall never finish. Do you not? Well, I am after all.

All send love and best wishes to you. O, have you become acquainted with many yet? Write some Homer. Yours Sincerely,
Pearl Doris Reed

________________

When I first read this letter, I thought that my grandmother Pearl and her brother were going to an opera.  I was impressed. When I looked a bit further, I found that Paul Conchas was not an opera singer but a strong man juggler who performed in vaudeville opera houses around the country.

Hugh Marion Reed Averette – Pearl’s older brother.
paul conchas The_Indianapolis_News_Tue__Jan_24__1905

Stories of the Russian revolt were all over the newspapers during that time. Interesting that my grandmother Pearl was already interested in the news and in relating it to black people.