Description:
A man writes to his daughter regarding his trip to India. Partial diary letter, sixteen-pages, approximately 9” x 7”,unsigned, first page missing, and dates scattered from March 6 – April 20, 1921. A separate note says “Hello Baby From Daddy xoxoxo.”
In small part, “Many things to do this morning…Immediately after breakfast we went up on the deck and watched the ship as it landed at the dock. There were many friends and relatives awaiting their loved ones…Verne had to pay 15 rupees duty on his gun…A Mr. Allen met Dr. Frame at the ship and told us he had reserved some rooms at the Ballard Pier Hotel. This was right across the road. The mission house was crowded. The coolies carried our baggage over to Room #14. The hotel had been built during the war and it looked much like a summer hotel. It was built like a large bungalow; painted white, with flowers and shrubbery in front of the veranda…
“Bombay is a wonderful place. The people are kind and courteous. They wear their native custom of a jacket and a piece of cloth about their bodies and part of their legs. They wear the turban on their heads…They…talk and gesticulate with their hands and faces. They mostly drive a pair of bullocks pulling a two-wheeled cart; there were many automobiles and carriages.
“Many shops very small. Selling all manner of things, fruits, clothes, trinkets, food. Many people selling dirty and filthy. Beggars. Woman at (street car) window blind, little girl at her skirt begging. Children begging. People sleeping on streets, sitting on the ground, dirty and unkempt. Victoria Gardens beautiful, native trees, shrubbery and flowers. Many Indians in park. Elephant walking up and down.
“…Woman with baby tied tied across the small of her back, feet sticking out at one end and hand at the other. Holding baby’s hand out for money. People very short, small and slim, poor and destitute.
“…It was very hot traveling…Everything looked as though it were dead. Many villages in the distance as we passed along. No green grass, few trees, barren and, along the first hundred miles rather hilly and mountainous. Train stopping at villages. People would gather about, selling Indian fruits and various Indian foods, children begging. Threw picture postcards at them. Did not notice them at all. Herds of cows and goats pasturing in dry fields and they looked it.”
Continuing his travels the next day: “Sights from window very interesting. Rugged hills, old forts and walls. Better farms. Harvest time – wheat grinding with oxen like Bible times. “
“…Rode to Mission Station in carriage. Mission compound beautiful. More than expected. McKee’s home large, mud verandas, hedges, large rooms, pictures, carpets, victrola, furniture…Everything just like America.
“…While sitting in the music room later, we talked with a South Irishman who made the statement that it was not a religious matter in Ireland at all. He told some blood-curdling stories of the sad affairs happening in Ireland today. It made us proud of America.”
Letter is in very good condition with two paper clip marks on one page, apparently caused by the paperclip attaching the note to his daugther.
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