Letter, James Gleason to Kate Gleason
A handwritten letter from James Gleason to his sister, Kate Gleason. Jim tells Kate about various social events happening in Rochester while she is attending college at Cornell University. He reports that their mother Ellen Gleason danced at the Grand Ball they recently attended, that family friend Emma Michel was his date, and that they hired “two colored waiters” for the occasion. He describes the fashionable slippers worn by the men and reports that he and Ellen plan to attend the Grand Charity Ball at Powers Hall the following night. Jim further reports that he has been sleigh riding and ice skating and that their father William Gleason has bought a new cutter (a small horse-drawn sled) for the family.
[page 1]
Rochester NY Jan 27–84
Dear Katie,-
At last
after a great effort
I have started to write
one of the longest letters
on record. I believe
I promised to send you
a programme and
description of our Grand
Ball. Everything passed
off finely, and a large
number of Mr Woods
old scholars attended. We
went so far as to procure
[page 2]
The services of two colored
waiters to be around and
make themselves generally
useful. Ma went with
Jim and She danced
considerably, and I
escorted Emma Michel.
Talk of style the boys
wore kids bouquets
slippers and all the latest
improvements, in fact
we looked quite tony. I
had to buy a new pair
of slippers for the occasion.
Tomorrow night comes
off the Grand Charity Ball
at Powers hall tickets $3.
the art gallery is also
[page 3]
thrown open. It promises
to be the swell affair of
the season. I suppose
about this time you begin
to wish you were home
for all this instead of
down there dancing in
the Gym. Ma and I
will tomorrow evening
grace Powers hall with our
elegant presence. Last
night the O.f.f.s. met
at Nugents and the
evening was spent after
the rendering of a
very fine programme
especially an essay by
myself in talking
[page 4]
Sleigh rides and listening
to Burt Warrens fine
voice he gave a very fine
solo which as usual
was not appreciated by
his audience and the
result was numerous
bouquets in the usual
form. As usual the
Sleigh ride party fell
through this time Mont
Leary tried to start it.
The sleighing is fine and
Pa has several times scooped
the whole avenue Steward
and Michel with their horses
dont stand any show at all.
[page 5]
Pa bought a new cutter on
account of the heaviness of
the old one. It is just
large enough for himself
and when Ma and I go
out it is a rather tight
fit. Skating is fine but
the boys have one
impediment this year in
the shape of a girl
learning to skate.
Frankie Mock is taking
her first lessons and
She is a terror to all her
gentleman friends. As
soon as anybody gets
[page 6]
near her, She always
invites them skating
and then their trials
begin. I got caught
once and that was enough.
Last Saturday afternoon
I started with George
Tegg skating everything
went on swimmingly until
She put in an appearance
with and an old pair
of her brothers skates.
George melted like
butter and I had to
put on her skates and
skate with her for the
first time She was ever
on ice, her skates
[page 7]
soon broke and I
was relieved.
Your Brother
Jas. E. Gleason.
P.S. Remember that
catalogue.