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- Description:
- This 2-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by Louis Blitz who was the proprietor of the Detroit City Glass Works. The paper shows the company letterhead across the top of the page and also has the watermark, "Calvert Litho Co." The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: "Detroit, Mich. December 31st 1900 His Honor, the Mayor, having transferred a request that I prepare a paper on "The Jewish People in Detroit in the 19th Century and their relations to Social, Commercial and religious life" I feel that so far as their communal and denominational activity and usefulness is concerned, I cannot do better, than to attach to this letter, a copy of the Souvenir History of Congregation Beth-El, established in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of said the leading Jewish Congregation of our city and state, which faithfully reflects not alone its growth spiritually and materially but is also a fair index of the individual growth and civic standing, of the representative citizens of the Jewish faith, that compose its membership. - The XIX Century has been an eventful one, not alone in the local history of the Jews of our fair city, but throughout the nation and the world. - It was ushered in by the ringing declarations for civil and religious Liberty - Equality - and Fraternity - that have immortalized both the American and French Revolutions - Centuries of Persecution - of passion and repression, had been Israel's hard lot, until the yoke of tyranny and the barriers of fanaticism and bigotry were first thrown down, and hence it is, with undying gratitude and affection, that we the descendants of "the People of the Book" cling to lands and communities, that have given them the opportunities to found farm and homes and endowed them with equal privileges - Thus fitting them for the highest duties of responsible citizenship. How well we have made use of this great boon, the honorable words of our Co-religionists in every walk of life attest and wherever and whenever, public duties. Patriotic devotion and private sacrifice for the common good have been called for, we have not been found wanting; Hence it is with confidence, that I may be permitted to bespeak for them an honorable participation in all that may tend to the future welfare and greatness of our beloved city and country in and throughout the coming century and that in all that different walks of life, in their social, commercial and religious status, they will harmoniously blend their lives, with those of their fellow citizens of every station and denomination - mingling and fraternizing in their respective homes, lodges, churches, public and private charities, commercial organizations. Each added year will bear witness to a closer affiliation with our fellow citizens and may God, keep watch and ward over this our fair city and exalted nation and when these plain but grateful lines are read at the dawn of the 21st Century, may they have indeed arrived [at] that era of "Peace on earth and good will to men" that shall have made possible, that common Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of man, that will have beaten the sword into ploughshares, the spear into pruning hook and nations shall have unlearned war - Amen. #26 Woodward Avenue Terrace Louis Blitz"
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- Letter on D. M. Ferry and Company letter head, no image, with company executives listed; to the Exchange Bank, Bloomfield, IA.; reads: "Gentlemen:- If our sight draft #4549 on Eberline Kneedler, of Belknap, IA, for $8.52 sent you Oct. 11th has not been paid by the time this letter reaches you kindly return it to us at once, and oblige Yours truly, D. M. Ferry and Co.; handwritten not to call Eberline; follow-up handwritten not dated 12/14/12 stating Eberline was called; Dated Dec. 12th, 1912
- Date Issued:
- 1912-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- Two page typewritten letter from E.J. Sinbeck, head of the Navy's L.D.W.T. Station in Key West, Florida to Thomas E. Clark dated December 18, 1906, regarding contact they made over wireless telegraphy. Sinbeck describes his antennae, suggests that each word be repeated two or three times to account for static and interference, recommends a government book called Lis of Wireless-Telegraph Stations of the World, lists other stations he communicates with, his success in talking to ships up to 200 miles out, and the hours he broadcasts. The letter closes with Sinbeck's signature. The first page is printed on U.S. Naval Station, Key West, Flordia letterhead.
- Date Issued:
- 1906-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
164. This 8-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by George H. Russell
- Description:
- This 8-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by George H. Russell who was the President of the State Savings Bank. The bank letterhead is printed in black text at the top. The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: "Detroit's Banking, Retrospective" George H. Russel 31 Dec 1900 To Detroit in 2001 A.D. Our worthy and honorable Mayor William C. Maybury has requested me to write a few words for the "Century Box" on the subject of my present occupation, Banking - I much regret that no time is given me to properly prepare an article upon so important a subject as such a city and people as then may be resident here. Now I can only briefly and hastily give such recollections and present facts that may occur to me. Born in Detroit Nov 29. 1847 educated in its Public Schools I have lived in this good city over fifty three years. I commenced work in 1863 and since then have been engaged and actively connected with the manufacturing interests of this city (particularly in the manufacture of Pig Iron, Castings Car Wheels, Cars, Structural Steel, Chemicals, etc.). I did not enter the Banking business until Dec 1889 when I accepted the presidency of the State Savings Bank which then had deposits of about $1,000,000.00 and ranked thirteenth in place. Now the State Savings Bank in its new marble building has deposits of over $9,000,000.00 and holds first place among the banks of this city and state. Living in the city during the last half of this great century in a period when Detroit's population has increased from 20,000 to 300,000 people, I have seen many changes. From a few private and incorporated banks having a total deposit of less than one million dollars, we now have fifteen (15) State Banks, six National Banks, two Trust Company[ies], one private banker having total deposits of over $73,000,000.00. I can remember the Michigan State Bank, The Michigan Insurance Bank, The Peninsular, The Farmers and Mechanic's Bank and the State Bank all incorporated and ably managed under such men as C.C. Trowbridge, John A. Wells, John Owen, H.K. Sanger, H.H. Brown, H.J. Stringham, L.M. Mason, J.C.W. Seymour, Walter Ingersoll, J.P. Hall, Emory Wendell, A.H. Adams and many others whom I knew and pleasantly remember. Then the Detroit Savings Fund Institute a specially chartered Savings Bank, upon the mutual plan, organized by H.N. Walker, Elon Farnsworth, Samuel Lewis, A.H. Adams and others, was our first bank for savings. The incorporated banks after surviving the "Wild Cat" period and the varying values of different state bank currency gave way to the National System in 1863 - which for some years did nearly all the commercial business but through this time the private banks of A.H. Dey, Wen. A. Butler and G.A. Ives and David Preston did a successful business. Then after 1870 the Peoples Saving's Bank organized by Francis Palms and M.W. O'Brien and the Wayne County Savings under S. Dow Elwood, W.B. Wesson and Herman Kiefer occupied this field of State and Savings Banks until 1883 when the State Savings Bank was organized by David Hamilton, T.S. Anderson and R.S. Mason. In 1887 the new banking law was passed and as a Constitutional Amendment was confirmed by a vote of the people in 1888. From this time until the panic of 1893 several banks were organized whose statements and officers names appear in the pamphlet enclosed. These banks enter the 20th Century in strong condition and with the best prospects. The country takes place as the leading nation in the world and New York City soon will become the clearing center for the financial interests of all nations. The outlook is bright but the future of business and banking depends so much upon the political condition in our great Republic that one cannot look far into the future. At present the business is good and it is a pleasure to do banking and to be associated with such men as M.W. O'Brien, D.M. Ferry. F.W. Hayes, Hugh McMillan, Alex McPherson, Wm Livingstone, Alex McGregor and others who lead the chief financial institutions of our city. Wishing that I could see the development of another 100 years I leave to younger bankers and those that follow them my blessing. George Howard Russel. I am the son of Dr. Geo. B. Russel who came here in 1836 and of Anna Davenport born in Detroit in 1827. She was the daughter of Lewis Davenport who came from Vermont and of Sarah Homer born in Detroit in 1809. G.H.R."
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- Headquarters Department of the East, Office of the Chief Signal Officer order form letter, filled in with type from Captain G.C. Burnell to The Clark Electrical Engineering Company at 193 Cass Avenue, dated July 6, 1906 providing the proper addressing for an order placed for the company, as well as a note that the government bill of lading will be issued by the Department of the Quartermaster in New York City. Burnell closes with his signature.
- Date Issued:
- 1901-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- Typewritten letter from D. McNicol, the manager of the telegraph office of the Soo Line of the Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Sault Sainte Marie Railway Company to Thomas E. Clark, dated April 11, 1902. In the letter, McNicol agrees the sentiment of Clark in a previous correspondence that mysterious wireless telegraph signals picked up by McNicol in Minneapolis were most likely were not sent by Clark in Detroit. McNicol says he will continue learning and experimenting with wireless telegraphy, and hopes to help monitor for signals from Clark when he uses his "big coil." The letter closes with McNicol's signature. It is printed on Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Sault Sainte Marie Railway Company letterhead. "622 Guaranty Loan Bldg," is handwritten at the bottom.
- Date Issued:
- 1902-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- Typewritten letter of introduction written by the Acting Secretary of State Huntington Wilson, on behalf of the windowed Annette Alger, who is about to embark on a trip abroad, and addressed to "the Diplomatic and Consular Officers of the United States." The letter is dated August 17, 1910.
- Date Issued:
- 1910-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- This 14-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by Sara M. Philleo Skinner. The paper is printed with light blue lines. The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: "Woman's Suffrage - Retrospect and Prophecy. One of the largest questions before the civilized world at the close of the 19th century is Woman's Suffrage, for it underlies the just settlement of mans problems of the day. There is no better evidence of the progress of an era than that found in the progress of its women. The line that marked woman's limitations at the beginning of the 19th century was long since broken. 100 year ago, married women in any country could not control their property or will it at death. The Common Law of England and in [the] United States held husband and wife as one and that one the husband. The wife was 'dead in law.' the husband collected and used her wages, he could legally whip her if he wished. Many husbands were so much better than the law that they treated their wives humanely. Very few occupations were open to women; no college admitted her, men did most of her thinking (or thought they did) and most, because women's minds were so inferior, pulpits emphasized women's subordination. But women were thinking and there were premonitions of coming events. Mary Wollstonecraft plead eloquently for greater opportunities for women. In 1809, Connecticut was [the] first state to enact a law giving married women right[s] to make wills. In 1820, Gov. Clinton of New York called attention in his annual address to the 'Academy for Female Education at Waterford, N.Y.' established by Mrs. Emma Willard. In the following year Mrs. Willard combined her school with the Troy Seminary, the first institution in the United States offering higher education to women. Later, Boston had a high school for girls and Mt. Holyoke Seminary in Mass. was opened for higher education for women. The lectures of Abby Kelly, Frances Wright, the Grimke sisters, the book of Lydia Main Childs, 'History of Woman' published in 1832, Catharine Beecher's high school for girls in Cincinnati, the opening of Oberlin College for women, Prudence Crandall's school for colored girls in Canterbury, Conn. (in 1834), Ernestine Rose, in 1836, pleading for enfranchise of women, Margaret Fuller's book, "Women of 19th Century' an appeal for equal rights for women. These and many other events were clarion notes whose sounding roused sympathy in favor of woman's suffrage. States gradually gave women power to make wills, the right to control property and wages, and to have equal guardianship of children, though as late as 1817, husbands could legally will away their children, even unborn ones. In 1840, a world's anti-slavery convention was held in London, Eng. A few women delegates were sent from America, but they were not allowed to have any voice in [the] convention. This circumstance marked a new era for women. Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton (then a bride) resolved then and there to call a 'Woman's Rights Convention.' It was held in Seneca Falls, N.Y., July 19 & 20, 1848. When equal rights were demanded for men and women in colleges, universities, trades, professions, the right to vote, to share in political offices, honors and emoluments, equal rights in property, in wages for equal work, equal rights in minor children, etc., in fact, they asked for all that the most radical have ever asked for up to this date. Other conventions followed, many leading men and women, even in the face of ridicule, espoused the cause. Many laws pertaining to women were modified; ridicule and persecution began to abate. The Civil War gave women opportunity to show their ability in many ways. The planned money-making enterprises and millions of dollars were realized for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers. Dorothea Dix, superintendent of nurses, Clara Barton on the field relieving wounded soldiers, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell founding in New York City the Woman's Loyal League which developed into the Sanitary Commission with which Mrs. Mary A. Livermore was so grandly connected, there women and their works proved to the world that women could plan and carry out schemes for good as well as could men, and all was [were] a part in the evolution of woman's suffrage. In 1869, a National Woman's Suffrage Association was formed, and another named American Woman's Suffrage Association. The first had headquarters in New York and Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony published there 'The Revolution,' a strong suffrage organ. The other had headquarters in Boston where Mary A. Livermore, Julia Ward Howe, Lucy Stone, Wm. Lloyd Garrison, and L. W. Higginson published 'The Woman's Journal' a paper equally strong in favor of equal suffrage. Later the two associations united under the name 'National American Woman's Suffrage Association.' In 1861, school suffrage was given to women in Colorado and Kansas. In 1869, full suffrage was granted to women of Wyoming Territory. It was in this year that the University of Ann Arbor [Michigan] opened its doors to women. In 1870, the Territory of Utah had full suffrage; it was taken away in 1883, but restored when Utah became a state in 1896. In 1875, school suffrage was granted in Michigan and Minnesota. In 1876, Colorado was granted school suffrage when it was made a state. In 1878, school suffrage was given to women in New Hampshire and in Oregon. In 1879, it was granted to women in Massachusetts. In 1880, it was given to women in New York and Vermont. In 1881, a universal suffrage convention was held in Rome (Italy) where a strong appeal was made by Anna Mazzoni for woman suffrage. During all these years many foreign countries were given municipal suffrage for women. In 1883, school suffrage was given to women in Nebraska and in [the] same year full suffrage was granted to women in Washington by Territorial legislature. It was taken away on ground[s] of being unconstitutional. In 1885, full suffrage given to women of Dakota by legislature of the territory, but was vetoed by Gov. Price. In 1886, school suffrage was granted to women of Washington Territory. In 1887, municipal suffrage was granted Kansas women, and school suffrage to women of Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, North and South Dakota. In 1888, a permanent International Council of women was organized. In 1890, Wyoming became a state with equal suffrage for women. In 1891, school suffrage was given women of Illinois. In 1893, Colorado had full suffrage for women, and Connecticut had school suffrage. The Congress of Representative Women in Chicago, during World's Fair, helped the cause of woman's suffrage. In 1894 Ohio women had school suffrage. In same year 600,000 men and women petitioned New York constitutional convention for woman's suffrage. In 1895 Utah became a state with equal suffrage. 1896 brought same fate to Idaho. In 1899, the 2nd International Council of Women was held in London with delegates from nearly all civilized countries. So we see the gains for women during the 19th century were many. Condensed, it might read: 1. Married women granted control of their separate property in all United States but Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, N. Carolina, Texas, New Mexico, Tennessee. And the same was granted to Great Britain and her colonies; Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Russia. 2. Married women granted right to make wills in all United States in Great Britain and her colonies, and in many, nearly all European countries. 3. Married women given control of their wages in all United States except Louisiana and Texas (although control is not complete) in Arizona, California, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, N. Carolina, S. Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee. The right was granted in Great Britain and her colonies, in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Russia. 4. Mothers were granted control or rather guardianship with fathers over their children in California, Kansas, Maine, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island. In all the other states, the father only is the guardian. 5. The age of consent has been raised in nearly all United States and in Great Britain and her colonies, and this shows influence of women's work. 6. Nearly all professions (not ministry and law in certain states) have been opened to women; the right to labor in nearly all occupations; a voice is given women in most business and church meetings. 7. Women may petition city councils, legislatures, and Congress. Of the 44 United States, 25 have limited suffrage, 4 have full suffrage, limited suffrage is granted in many foreign countries and full suffrage in New Zealand, South and West Australia, and in Isle of Man. Woman has made progress in industries, in teaching, in medicine, in the ministry, in law, in journalism, in social-political liberty, and public opinion has materially changed in her favor in the 19th century. The prophecy for the new century is that she will make greater advance and with less opposition than she has in the 19th century. Popular opinion will be educated to grant woman's suffrage to nearly all parts if not all of the civilized countries. Ignorance, bigotry, conservatism, prejudice, and fear concerning woman's use of the ballot will have passed away, and by her use of the ballot, there will be less evil and a higher civilization. Sara M. Philleo Skinner."
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Description:
- Handwritten letter, consisting of two half-folded sheets, written by songwriter Samuel Francis Smith to B.J. Hathaway, telling the story of his inspiration to write "America." The second sheet includes the lyrics to the song, handwritten by Hathaway. The letter reads: Newton Centre, Mass. Nov. 3, '87 Mr. B.T. Hathaway D Sir The circumstances which led to the writing of the hymn "America" are briefly told. In 1832, a pile of German music books and books on music were put into my hands by Mr. Lowell Mason, he having rec. these from a friend who had lately brought them from Germany. Mr. Mason requested me, at my leisure to turn over the leaves, & if any pieces of music struck me favorably to furnish him either translations into English poetry or songs of my own adapted to the music. Falling in with the patriotic "God save the king," I liked the music and, without any reference to the German books, made on the impulse of the moment my own hymn which has since gained so wide currency. I had not thought of writing a national hymn, and was impressed at the way in which the people at once took it up. It was first sung at a children's celebration of July 4 in Boston, the same year in which it was written. My birthday as many sources of information reported was Oct. 21, 1808, in Boston, Mass.,--graduated at Harvard College, 1829. Sincerely yours, S.F. Smith America. My country, 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims' pride, From every mountain side Let freedom ring. My native country, thee, Land of the noble, free, Thy name I love; I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills, My heart with rapture thrills Like that above. Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees Sweet freedom's song; Let mortal tongues awake, Let all that breathe partake, Let rocks their silence break, The sounds prolong Our fathers' God, to thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing; Long may our land be bright With freedom's holy light, Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King. Written in 1832. Newton Centre, Mass., Sept. 17, 1887. S.F. Smith
- Date Issued:
- 1887-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
170. One 2-page letter from McNamee & Mann, Contractors, Montreal, to Dunbar & Sullivan, Port Colborne
- Description:
- One 2-page letter from McNamee & Mann, Contractors, Montreal, to Dunbar & Sullivan, Port Colborne. The letter is handwritten in black ink on white linen paper that is watermarked "Standard, Pure Linen." The letter is transcribed as follows: "15th Jany. 1902 Messrs. Dunbar & Sullivan Buffalo, N.Y. Dear Sirs 'In the American Co. Abbey Salts' A company has been formed in London, England, to take over and control the American Co. in which American Co. you hold $6500.00 in stock and on full owning terms. They exchange your $6500 in American Co. and give you stock in English Co. with a stock bonus of 25% this makes £1630 Stg. [Sterling] Also a cash bonus of 20% on $6500 = $1300. All our firm have accepted this offer and as we promised to place your firm upon same terms as we recd. we trust this will give you satisfaction. We wish you to do the following to complete the transfer - 1st Sign name of your firm upon the 2 stubs of the new scrip for £1630 Stg. and return us the stubs. You keep the scrip. 2nd Sign enclosed receipt for cheque for $1300.00 being the cash bonus of 20% and return us the receipt. 3rd Send us and order on the Quebec Bank here to deliver us the $6500.00 in American Co. scrip which was placed with the Bank merely for safekeeping. Sign all these papers before a witness and return them right away. The English Co. are only buying a sufficient nr. of shares to control the American Co. so if you do not wish to accepts one for the other you can return us the enclosed papers. The English Co. expect to pay another bonus part cash & part stock in March next - as they are selling rights to Australia & India but they will control the stock. Yours truly, McNamee & Mann."
- Date Issued:
- 1902-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society