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Clarence Darrow to Jessie Ohl Darrow, September 8, 1903


Darrow's reference to "Ruby" is to Ruby Hammerstrom, whom he married on July 16, 1903.

Click on the image to view as a PDF. A transcription of the letter is on the right.

Clarence Darrow to Jessie Ohl Darrow, September 8, 1903 page one
Hotel de Zermatt
Alexandre Leiler & Freres
Proprietaires

(Zermatt (Valais Suisse)

Altitude 1620: Metres.

le Sept 8 1903

Dear Jessie

I have been on the move all the time since leaving America but have settled down here for a few days[.] Have not written many letters & have had very few so dont know just how things are going at home. Though I had a letter from Paul in which he said you were all having a good time and of course I was glad of this[.]

I rather think I shall come home soon. The stock market has been so bad that I feel as though I ought to look closely after my business for an other year. I did think that I had enough to keep us all but dont want to risk any thing now on account of any



Clarence Darrow to Jessie Ohl Darrow, September 8, 1903 page two

of us. Still I am in hopes that things will look better soon so that I will have enough with what money I have on hand to finish paying for 200 shares[.]

Before I left I told Frank to give you all the money that came in or to give it to Baker to be paid in stocks[.] There should have been some in [ Aug?] I have not heard. I wish you would telephone him and if there is let him send it to you or to Baker whichever whichever you choose. I would not send Baker less than $1000— but would rather keep it[.] I want you to know that when I return I shall live where I did before or in some cheap house near buy and shall not spend money or be extravagant in any way. I should not do this even if we were all provided for but this must come first. I do not know whether the land was sold I thought it would be and I left word to have all the money paid to you or Baker if this was sold it would make things easy.

Ruby understood every thing in advance xxx & knew how much I thought of you and Paul and that I should always consider that I must first look out for both and she believes in it fully and wants it that way. You will find that I will not be changed in any way and that so long as I live you will both come first. This is all I will need to say for I want you to be happy & there is no occasion for

Clarence Darrow to Jessie Ohl Darrow, September 8, 1903 page three
our discussing things. You will find that always every thing will be done without asking. I hope your Mother is with you & that you are both well[.] I think you ought to keep a girl if you are back in the house. Really the expense is very little & I would feel much better to have it that way.

Ever with love

Clarence

Love to your Mother.
Clarence Darrow to Jessie Ohl Darrow, September 8, 1903 envelope
Hotels-
Seiler
Zermatt
Alexandre Seiler & Freres
Propr
Mrs. Jessie O. Darrow
40 E. 29th Place
Chicago USA
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