Jarbidge to the Oregon Trail

I have several incomplete letters from Dale Melrose in my mother’s collection (I still think of it as “Mom’s Collection”, although she’s been gone for 20 years). I am sad that there are incomplete letters, but when I consider that this collection is one hundred years old, I think I am quite fortunate to have the letters, have them in good condition, and to be able to share them with not only my family, but the world.

Prentiss Hall, June 7, 1915.

Dear Folks, I have just finished a Psychology exam. It was a masterpiece, but I think I will get about 90% in it anyway.

  We had out Bible exam on Saturday. It was like taking candy from a kid. But I have only two more easy exams coming, Germand and Greek. The other two, Math, and Physics, are going to be corkers.

   I will start away from here as soon as my exams are over, but do not know yet the exact train I shall leave on. I will be back there sometime within a week after you get this though.

~END No Signature, no second page. Darn.~

Summer is skipped over, and the next missive is dated a little over two months later. It is also short a page, right in the middle. Dale bemoans employment, and is working his way south to Eugene and the University of Oregon.

Newberg, Ore. Aug20, 1915

Dear Folks,

       I finished my job at the crusher last night and was not very sorry either. Hanson is no man to enjoy working for and I would enjoy it more if I had my money now. I worked 8 3/4 days for him, and I cant get paid until the county pays him.

      I heard that Hodges is running a crusher north of town and it is a toss up with me whether to hit him for a job or not. I would like to work for him in a way, and again I would rather get some board job lined up for the winter down at Eugene. You may have noticed the condition here for board jobs for students. If you haven’t, look at the want column in the Enterprise.

       Do you remember Johnson the man who lives in Dammon’s house? Well, he worked at the crushed in about the same capacity as Dad worked at Votaw last fall. He told me to come up to his place today and he would give me an auto ride. I am going to take him up in about an hour from now. (?) I haven’t found out about your note yet but will before I finish this letter.

How are things back there. Tell Aunt Jane that I have just finished her honey. It thawed out and ran some, but it tasted mighty good anyway.

     I hope I can get settled some place before long. This sleeping in the jungles and eating what

(missing a page here. Too bad – I can imagine he was camping in the fir forest, among bracken and sword ferns.)

I was talking with Edna Hodges about working for her father in the crusher, and she told him that I wanted a job. He expected to see there last night to get the job, so she told me this morning… I will have to see him, I guess. I may have to work for him.

      I would like to get that money from Hanson. The men are afraid of him and his “County Pay Day” story. I will make another trial at him today. I dont want to go very far until I get that money.

     Well, this will be enough for now. I will write again soon.

Dale Melrose