CHAPTER 8
OKLAHOMA
August 3, 1921 – April 8, 1924

[Note:  All letters are addressed to Mrs. Carl T. Hansen, Seneca, Missouri, c/o Bert Atkins.]
Neosho, Missouri
August 3, 1921
Dearest Hazel – Jr.,
	I have just had my supper.  I was going to cook some, but Mr. S. gave me some chicken and beans, and I made out on that.  I have just cooked one meal and lunched here and there for the rest.  Smiths have had some company from Kansas.  They are leaving tonight for St. Louis.
	Mr. Brandon came last Sunday evening and I think they will leave the last of the week for Colorado, and Mr. Queener’s (?) cousin and wife from K.C. are there.  So they are blessed with company.  I have just ate 2 meals there.  I don’t like to impose on them, although they ask me in every time.
	I am enclosing Mrs. Kiddoo’s (?) letter and I am writing her tonight.  I told Mrs. Geer this morning we would leave and she rented the house tonight to Mr. Noland.  He works for the nursery.  Mrs. Geer was very pleasant about it.
	The melon trade is mighty poor.  The town is full of small cantaloupes and melons, but Queener thinks it will soon pick up.  We took a big load of cantaloupes and melons to town this morning, but we had to bring them back again.  Everybody is peddling cantaloupes about as big as baseballs, and 5 lb. melons, and it is just ruining the market for good stuff.  It is looking awful dark right now, but it may pick up again.  I think we could get 1,000 Rocky Fords right now, but we can’t get anything for them.  We have put up a stand in Queener’s yard, but they are not selling very fast.  We have just taken $5.00 each and I gave that to Mrs. Geer.
	Mr. Wood took a load of cantaloupes to Joplin.  He got rid of them, but he said town was full of them.
	How is the baby?  I am just dying to see you both, but I want you to stay until you are ready to come back.  
	This will be all this time.  I am going to write Mrs. Kiddo (?) yet.  Write real soon and tell me when you think you will be home.
	With love and best wishes to you all.
						From Carl

Miami, Oklahoma
February 23, 1923 (?)
Dearest Hazel – Children,
	I got in to Miami about 7:45 last night.  When I got up to Billy’s house, Blanche Billy and Juanita were just starting out to hunt a house.  They have to move.  I went with them.  They looked at one house about the size of Baldry’s.  They thought maybe they could trade a farm in on it, but the man said he would neither rent nor trade, but he would sell it for $12,000.  We went back home and proceeded to go to bed and Lonnie and Juanita had a real fight.  It seemed as if Lonnie had gone to bed wearing Juanita’s gown, and Juanita started in to wake her up and pull it off from her.  They both came to Billy with their trouble and chewed the rag for about 30 minutes.  They could hear them all over the neighborhood.  Finally, Blanche got tired of listening to them and started in to beat Juanita and Juanita began cursing her Mother.  Blanch beat up on her some more, and finally Juanita had a Hysterical Fit and fainted away for awhile.  Billy went to see the doctor and brought home some medicine and she went to sleep about midnight.  I don’t think I will stay there any more.  Billy apologized to me this morning.  They were all ashamed of themselves.  Billy said it was caused by Juanita working too hard.  I don’t know whether it is nervousness or cursedness.  Billy told them this morning he was proud of them.  He said they showed so much culture and refinement.
	I left Miami 7:30 this a.m. and have been here all day and will possible be here all day tomorrow, and possible longer.  I go from here to Pryor, Wagoner, Tulsa, and will be there over Sunday.  Write me a long letter to Tulsa, Dearest.  I miss you all dreadfully when night comes.  Kiss the babies for me, Honey.
	All my love to all of you.
						Dad

Vinita, Oklahoma
June 26, 1923
Dearest Hazel,
	We got in to Vinita 8 o’clock last night.  Got through there at noon and went to White Oak and Catale this afternoon.  Just got in here an hour ago.  It is nine now, and I am tired and I am going to bed right away.  I have had a fine day.  I think we will be in Afton tomorrow night and maybe Wednesday night too, and if we don’t have any bad luck, we will be in Seneca sometime Thursday afternoon and in Neosho by evening. And so I think you had better go home Thursday morning, dear, for I don’t think I will be in in time to meet you at the train if you wait till evening.  We are going from Seneca to Peoria before we come to Neosho.  Mr. Rogers is a fine man and I am enjoying his company.
	With all my love, dearest.
						Carl

Tulsa, Oklahoma
July 1, 1923
Dearest Hazel – Children,
	Just drove in here this evening from Muskogee.  I didn’t get through over there and will leave to go back, but I wanted to hear from home.
	I think I got a good man at Vinita, but so far, I have had no luck at Pryor nor Wagoner.  It is 9 o’clock.  I have just had my supper and a bath.  I have a room with bath, telephone, electric fan, and a thermos bottle full of distilled ice water.  So you wee, I am mighty comfortable.  I have half a dozen men here to see and I expect I will be here and close in the best part of next week.
	I think Tulsa and the country around here is a wonderful field for us, and if I can find a good man or two here then I am going to stay with them a few days and get them started out.  Those are my instructions and I know I can’t get back until 2 weeks from tonight, if then.
	I am surprised at this country.  I think it has a wonderful future for fruit canning.  In this evening, I saw several nice peach orchards loaded with the nicest red peaches.  I wish I had this territory up home.  I could make the company a lot of money.
	No, Dearest, I just can’t come up the 4th.  It will cost $10.00 and I can’t afford it.  I am going to spend the 4th here and rest up, for I am going to do a lot of hustling here.  If you write me Tuesday, you can write me here, General Delivery, for I am sure I will be here until then, and I will write you again about Monday and let you know where I will be next Sunday.
	I have had a lot of tire trouble today and I am tired and I am going to bed now.  I don’t think I will stay at this place any longer than Monday, for this room is $3.00 a day and I don’t want to pile up expenses too high on them.  I met one of my Buddies today and he rode to Tulsa with me.  We had a dandy visit.  I called on Dr. Campbell at Vinita and he told me to remember him to your Momma and Papa.
	Good night, Dearest.
						With all my love.
						Kiss the Babies for me.

Tulsa, Oklahoma
July 4, 1923
My Dearest Hazel – Babies,
	It is nine p.m. and I have been out to Sand Springs all day.  They have a large park, lake, and a lot of animals, and I have browsed around in the shade all day trying to keep cool.  It is dreadful hot in town, and you can’t get a decent drink of water here.  I haven’t had any luck here trying to find any men here.  This is the hardest place to find a good man.  Wages are high and a man out of a job here isn’t much good.
	I will be here up till Friday night and possible the rest of the week.  I am looking over the country while I am here so I can have something to tell the folks when I get back.  There is a wonderful lot of business to be gotten here.  The big job is to get a man who can get it.  I am afraid the Firm will propose to send both Nolan and me down here when I come home and tell them about the possibilities here, but I will never move to Tulsa to live.  There is a lot of money to be made here if a person can put up with conditions here.  Then again, expenses are awful high.  It cost me from $6.00 to $7.00 a day here.
	How are you getting along, Dearest?  And how are the litle folks?  I am worried about you all in this hot weather, but I am glad you are up there instead of here.
I SAW Mrs. Alexander’s sister on the street a few days ago, and I saw Bob Jamison here today.  He lives here now.  And I was in to see Vivian Smith for a few minutes Monday.
	I can’t tell you, Dear, where I will spend next Sunday, but you had better send my mail to Bartlesville, General Delivery.  I don’t know when I will get in there.  When I get through here I am going to Collinsville, Nowata, Skiatook, and possible Claremore, and Bartlesville.  I would like to get to Kansas.
	I meant, send my mail to Bartlesville for a week from Sunday.  If you write any more this week, you had better get the letter off on the evening train Friday, then I will get it by Saturday.  
	I will close now, hoping you are all well.  All my love to you all.
						Carl
	Kiss the children for me.

Tulsa, Oklahoma
July 5, 1923
My dearest Hazel – Children,
	I received your letter this morning and I was mighty glad to get word from you.  I have had a hunch all week that things were not right with you, and I have been mighty worried about you.  I wish you would go down and see the doctor at once.  Do you think it is the result of Foster’s treatment?
	I went to Sand Springs early this morning.  They had a big fire in town.  I couldn’t see my man, so I went to Broken Arrow about 18 miles from here, and got back at 6 p.m.  I had my supper and went to a moving picture.
	I am sending you a blank check.  I wish you would check out what ever money you need, Honey, and not deny yourself anything.  I am mailing a check to Mrs. Kiddoo tonight and I sent one for my insurance several days ago.
	I am going out around Sand Springs tomorrow and Saturday.  I think I will get an order for about 4,000 trees out there.  I am going to run another ad in the papers again Saturday, and whether I find anybody or not, I am leaving here sometime Sunday or Monday for Collinsville or Claremore.
	It is awful hot and noisy here.  I never get to sleep until 1 o’clock in the morning.  The street cars and lots of other noise keeps me awake.  I am hoping to make pretty good time after I get out of Tulsa, and I am coming home just as fast as I can.  I am getting mighty tired of this life.
	Take mighty good care of yourself and the children, Dear.  I will close for tonight and write me at Bartlesville.
	All my love to you all.
						Daddy
	Kiss the babies for me.

Bartlesville, Oklahoma
July 9, 1923
My dearest Hazel – Children,
	I received your letter this a.m. and was mighty glad to hear from you, but I am mighty worried about you, dearest, for I know you are not at all well, and I do wish you would go down and see the doctor.  I am hurrying home now just as fast as I can, and whether I get through or not, I will be in Seneca Sunday.  I am not going to stay out another Sunday, and I am sure I am just as lonesome for you as you are for me.  
	I made contact with a man in Nowata yesterday and drove in here last night at 10 o’clock.  I haven’t had any luck here yet.  I am running an ad in the paper this evening.  I would awful well like to get away from here tonight so I could drive while it is cool.  I go from here to Coffeyville, Kansas, and then to Independence and Parsons.  I am supposed to make Oswego, Columbus, and Galena, but I know I can’t get through.  The temperature is running from 98 to 103 in the shade, and there is very litle shade here.  
	I am getting just a litle tired of this and I know Missouri will look awful good to me.  I haven’t heard from the home for a week.  I guess Weston is busy playing tennis.  I am getting down to my last $20.00 but I guess that will take me in.  I haven’t seen a drop of rain since I left home, and the corn is burning up now.  It is getting dry enough so the hot winds are beginning to blow.
	It is 5 o’clock, and I have a date with the county agent.
						All my love to you all.
						Carl
	Kiss the babies for me.

Tulsa, Oklahoma
July 24, 1923
My Dearest Hazel and children,
	I arrived here 1 o’clock Monday a.m. without much trouble and spent the best part of yesterday getting located.  I have a room with a private family.  In fact, I have a room and a sleeping porch open on 3 sides, so I am as comfortable as I could be anywhere in Tulsa.  It is awful hot here again.  103 today, and while my room is terrible hot, the porch is nice and cool, and I can always get a good night’s rest, and then the heat don’t bother me.
	Morgan came in last night and I told him to get out and get himself located today so he could go out with me tomorrow, but he has fooled around all day and hasn’t found a place yet, and I don’t know what he is going to do, and I don’t care.
	I have been out to Sand Springs today and I think I will get that order this week.  I think Mr. Page is related to the Jews.  He is trying to jew me down on prices.  I stopped in Miami for supper.  Things were rather quiet around there.  I didn’t get away from there until 7:30.  I had a puncture close to Claremore.
	I saw Milton Mahan here yesterday.  He is here looking for a job, and I saw Ben Caruthers yesterday.  They live here now.  He is bookkeeper for the First Baptist Church here.
	How are you feeling, Dear, and how are the babies?  Write right away and let me know how you all are.  I will write again tomorrow or the next day.
	All my love to you all.
						Dad
	Kiss the babies for me.

Tulsa, Oklahoma
July 27, 1923
My Dearest Hazel and children,
	I didn’t write you last night.  I thought sure I would have a letter from you today, but none came.  I am getting along just fine, although it is awful hot, but I am standing it fine.  I am enjoying the sleeping porch these hot nights.  It is running from 102 to 103 here and has been for 4 or 5 days.  I manage to stay in the shade in the middle of the day.
	I am not getting any business and do not expect much during this hot weather.  We are strangers here, and we will have to do a good deal of missionary work.  I do not think Morgan was ever cut out for a salesman.  He has been all week trying to find him a room, and he hasn’t gotten located.  He was out with me one day, but selling goods does not appeal to him.  He is a rich man’s son, and he has never had to make his living that way.  I am going to recommend to the Firm that they call him in and put him at something else.  I didn’t have any faith in him to begin with, but they are paying the bill.
	How are you feeling, Dearest, and how are the children?  Write me real often.  I will write you a better letter Sunday.  I think I will go to the movie tonight.  They are showing (Main Street) here.
	All my love to you and the babies.
						Dad

Tulsa, Oklahoma
July 30, 1923
My Dearest Hazel – Children,
	I promised to write you yesterday, and my intentions were the best in the world, but I didn’t get up till 8:30, went down town and got breakfast, came back and worked on the car until 12:30, went back to town for dinner, then I met Earl Rudy.  We drove around over town and went to Sand Springs Park.  I was tired when I got back, so I thought I would write this a.m.  It is 6:30 now.  It was nice and cool here last night.  In fact, we have had 4 or 5 cool nights here.  It is not near as hot as it was the first time I was here.
	Business is pretty dull here right now.  They are closing all the big oil refineries this week.  That will put a lot of men out of work.  There seems to be a fight on between the oil companies.  They are producing oil faster than they can use it up, so they either have to drop the price or shut down.
	How are you feeling, Dearest?  And how are the children?  I am dreadful lonesome for you all.  Write me often, Dearest.  I will write you again tomorrow.
	All my love to you all.  Kiss the babies for me.
						Dad
[Note:  Carl writes from 1319 South Carson Avenue, Tulsa, OK, where he rents a room.]

Tulsa, Oklahoma
July 31, 1923
My dearest Hazel and children,
	I just got your letter and I was so very glad to have it.  Yes, I will admit dearest, I haven’t written you as often as I should, but really Honey dear, I came in all worn out after having been out in this hot sun all day, and I am just dead.  I am working hard every day, but not getting any business.  I am getting some nice prospects, but prospects are not orders.
	I got a notice from the home today telling me not to book anything but delivered price until I heard from them.  I am going to write them now and tell them that unless they want me to stay here, I am coming in the last of this week.  We are doing nothing here and it is costing them a lot of money to keep us here.
	It is awful hot again, but the nights are not as hot as they were before.
	Dearest, I have asked you in every one of my letters how you were feeling, but you have never answered me.  Mr. Morgan has not been feeling good since he came down here.  He can’t stand this dry heat, but I am feeling pretty good this time.  The nights are so much cooler here now.
	I am going to run down now and mail this so you will get it in the morning.  Just as soon as I know, I will let you know when I will be home.
	Kiss the babies for me, Honey.
	All my love to you all.
						Carl

Tulsa, Oklahoma
August 1, 1923
My dearest Hazel and children,
	Just a few lines to tell you I am still alive and feeling fine, although I thought I would have died today.  The thermometer went up to 112 today, and it is still in the nineties now at 9:30.  I am coming in just as soon as I hear from the House.  Morgan is about down now.  He can’t stand this heat.  We are not doing anything here and it costs a lot of money to live here.  I am just waiting to hear from the office.  I am going to Sapulpa to see a man tomorrow.  This is going to be a dreadful night here even on the sleeping porch.
	Thursday a.m.  The weather cooled off about midnight, and I had a good night’s sleep.  I am going to drive over to Sapulpa this morning while it is cool.  I expect I will be home in a few days.  I think I will have a letter from the Firm today.
	All my love to you, Darling, and kiss the babies for me.
						Carl

Tulsa, Oklahoma
	September 18, 1923
My Dearest Hazel and children,
	I got in here about 7 o’clock last night after fighting the mud all day.  From Afton on, the roads were the worst I ever saw, and I was mighty tired when I got in.
	I am stopping at the same place I did before and I am getting breakfast and supper.  The son and daughter has gone back to school, and the old folks were mighty glad to have me.  They are so lonesome since their children has gone.  It costs me about $10.00 a week here.  I have a room on the 2nd floor this time and I am mighty comfortable here.  I can’t see that martial law has any material effect on Tulsa.  In fact, I haven’t seen a soldier yet, and as far as I can see, business is running along as smooth as ever.  I don’t think, however, that business is as good here now as it was the first time I was here.  
	I saw Milton Mahan here today.  He is working in a filling station and his wife is working too.  I don’t know what she is doing.
	It has rained here all morning but it cleared off about noon, but it is getting ready to rain again.  They have had more rain here than up home.
	This is about all I can think of now, so will close for this time.
	With all my love to all of you.
						Carl
P.S.  Send all my mail to the House.  1319 South Carson Avenue.

[Note:  Hazel writes on the envelope below, “Just before I went to Tulsa to live until March, 1924”.]
Tulsa, Oklahoma
September 21, 1923
My Dearest Hazel and children,
	I have just gotten up from the supper table and I will try and write you a few lines.
	It has rained ever since I came here up till this morning, and it has been a mighty pretty day.  And I have made good use of it.  I have been out in the country on the edge of town all day.  I got two orders today, one for $21.00 and one for $82.00.  I think I am going to have a pretty good business down here, and I surely hope so, for I see now that we will have to have more money than I am getting now to live here.  We will not be able to get a house here for less than $45.00.  
	I am sure glad that I got Mrs. Fortier to give me breakfast and supper.  It is so handy.  I don’t have to be down town very much, and this place is so much more home like.  I brought in a watermelon this evening that weighed 60 pounds.  A farmer gave it to me.  They have some good ones here.
	I just dread to be here by myself and to have you and the babies so far away from me, but we will have to make the best of it for a while.  I only hope that Carl won’t forget me.
	I am going to close this now and I will write you again in a day or two.
	With all my love to the children and you, Dearest.
						Carl

Tulsa, Oklahoma
September 23, 1923
My Dearest Hazel and children,
	I felt mighty disappointed when I came in last night and didn’t find a letter from you.  I mailed you one letter Wednesday a.m. and one Friday a.m., but I haven’t had a word from you.  And I was so sure I would have a letter from you Saturday, but maybe the mail is delayed.  I got a letter from the Firm last night that was mailed Thursday.  I had intended to write you last night, but I went down town to a picture show.
	I have had a fairly good week.  Sold $130.00 and I think business will be pretty good.  Oil business here is mighty poor now, and everybody is yelling hard times, but they don’t know what hard times are.  And you can always hunt around and find someone who has some money to spend.
	I was so lonesome for you and the babies last night that I wanted to come home.
	I am going to drive over to Keystone and Sapulpa today just to see what the country looks like.  I can’t stay around the house.  I get homesick.  Mr. and Mrs. Fortier has gone over to Wagoner to bring Mrs. Fortier’s mother home.  They will be home tonight.
	I am going to close this now and go and wash the car.  It is just covered with mud.  I hope I get a letter from you tomorrow.  Write me as often as you can, Dearest.  All my love to all of you.
						Carl

Tulsa, Oklahoma
September 23, 1923
My Dearest Hazel and children,
	I have to write you again tonight, for I am so dreadful lonesome for you and the children, and I feel better when I have written you.
	Earl Rudy and I drove out to Keystone and came back by way of Sapulpa.  We had dinner in Sapulpa 3 o’clock, and got back about 6.  It was an awful pretty drive and I wished you all could have been with me.  I know now I am not cut out to be a traveling man, for I am not going to stay away from my family, and I am going to work early and late and see if I can get business enough to get more money, for we can not live here very well on what I am getting.  
	I just can’t stand the thought of renting a house on a 50 ft. lot down town with these two children of ours, and as crowded streets too.  It would keep you busy all the time watching them, and I am studying day and night trying to find a way out, and I guess where there is a will, there is a way, but I am not going to spend my life in one place and have my family in another.  But I am going to close now and go to bed.  Good night, Dearest.  Kiss the babies for me.  All my love to you all.
						Carl 

Tulsa, Oklahoma
September 26, 1923
My Dearest Hazel – children,
	After waiting a week, I received a letter from you yesterday and another one today, and I am feeling a whole lot better to know that you are all well.  I do not think there is any danger connected with the children’s’ ailment, but don’t neglect to call the doctor, dearest, if you think necessary, and I know you won’t.  
	Of course, you know I am mighty sorry I didn’t get to see Albert and Verna.  I am glad to hear, however, that they have acquired a litle sense.  It was too bad you couldn’t go back with them.  It would have been a nice trip for you and I wish you could have gone.
	No, I haven’t heard a word from Todds yet, although there is a letter at the Post Office to C. E. Hansen, and I will see in the morning if they will give it to me.  And you really would like to take that corresponding course.  I thought you were kidding.  Well, Honey, I am not going to stand in your way at all.  If you feel you are talented in that direction, I say go ahead.  $10.00 is not going to break us, and we have spent many $10.00 bills foolish, and I am going to get it for you as soon as I can.  
	It is hot here tonight and I think it is going to rain.  I am working pretty hard now.  I didn’t get an order yesterday, but got a $50.00 order today.  Between the depression in oil business and the trouble in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, business is getting paralyzed.  Still, there are always someone who is making money in a place like this, and I think I will be able to find enough of them to make it pay.  I am going to Sand Springs and spend the day tomorrow.  I don’t think I have much show of landing the Page order over there.  This would be a wonderful territory in normal times.  I wish I had come here 5 years ago.  I might have had some money today.
	I am going to close this now.  Take good care of the children and yourself.  All my love to you all.
						Carl 

Tulsa, Oklahoma
September 27, 1923
My Dearest Hazel and children,
	It is nearly 10 o’clock and I have just come in from work.  I had to go out 7 miles to see an oil man at 6 o’clock, and I didn’t get through with him.  I have to go back tomorrow.  I think I will get a pretty good order out of him.  Nothing very big, but possible $150.00.  These oil men are hanging on to their money mighty tight right now.
	I had a letter from the office yesterday and they were mighty pleased over my work last week.  I half way looked for a letter from you this evening.  Guess it will come tomorrow.
	Business hasn’t been so very good so far this week, but I expect to close a few orders before the week is over.  I don’t like very much to work over here.  These people are hard to deal with.  These oil people are great plungers.  They spend money freely when they make it, but the oil business is at a standstill now and they do not look for conditions to get much better until sometime in February.
	How are you getting along, Honey?  I am getting mighty anxious to see you and the babies, and I don’t know what to tell you as to when I will be home, but maybe a week from Saturday.
	It is getting late, Dearest, and I will close this.  Hope I hear from you tomorrow.
	Kiss the babies for me.  All my love to all of you.
						Carl 

Tulsa, Oklahoma
September 30, 1923
My Dearest Hazel and Kids,
	I was awful glad to have your letter Friday, and to know you are all well.  I didn’t have so good luck this week.  Just sold $118.00.  Think I will do better next week.  I don’t know yet if I will see you next Saturday.  A Mr. Hughes here owns some land at Richie and will probably buy 1,500 trees.  He is going to Richie soon, and I am going up with him and sell them to him, but I don’t know how soon he is going.  He is a brother in law of Bill Mullen.
	We had a dandy rain last night and it has cleared off and is awful pretty.  I am going down and mail this to you now, then I am coming back to work on the car.  I have to scrape the carbon out of it and put in new piston rings.  The new spring is broke again.  So I will close this and write you again tomorrow.
	All my love to you all.
						Carl

Tulsa, Oklahoma
October 1, 1923
My Dearest Hazel and children,
	I am going to write you a few lines again tonight before I go to bed.  I have been working on the car all day, and still it is not running very good.  It is pumping oil up in the spark plugs.  I put in new piston rings today but it didn’t seem to help any, and I am not sure that I will be able to drive it back this way.  If it doesn’t get better, I am afraid that I will have to have the cylinders bored, and I hate to have that done this soon.  It ought to run another year before that is done.
	I don’t know yet if I’ll come up this week.  I am getting awful hungry to see my family, and I don’t want to keep on living this way.  I want you with me and I guess we will have to make arrangements to move next time I come up.  I just can’t get used to the idea of moving you folks down here.  I hate this country, but I guess we can stand it for the winter, but I don’t want to settle down here, and we will have to decide to settle somewhere before long and make a home for our children’s sake.  
	If Mr. Hughes goes up to Richie this week, then I am coming up, and if I have a good week, I might come anyhow.
	It is 10:30 and I will close this now.  How I wish I could see you and the babies, if only for a few minutes.
	Good night, dearest.
						Carl

Tulsa, Oklahoma
October 2, 1923
My Dearest Hazel and children,
	I got your letter this evening and was sure glad to have it.  I have been out around Sand Springs all day, and I am pretty tired.  I stayed away from Tulsa today.  I had really expected a litle trouble at the election, but the day proved quite peaceful, and they had their election in spite of Dalton’s threat.
	Martial law is beginning to tell on Tulsa.  It is gradually paralyzing all lines of business and credit, and people are getting very impatient.  I had sure expected trouble today and yesterday.  There were hundreds of men hanging around the city hall and courthouse carrying guns on their hips.
	You ask me what I do evenings.  I read, write or talk to the folks here.  I haven’t been out of the house but one evening since I came.  The first Saturday here I went to a picture show.  
	Mr. Fortier is an interesting character.  He has made a good deal of money in the oil game.  I think about $20,000, and has never had over $250.00 invested.  He is starting over to McAllister day after tomorrow to get a lease on about 2,000 acres.  He thinks now is a good time to go in to it while oil prices are low.  He says if it looks good to him, he will put me next so I can make a litle easy money.
	I was not at all surprised to hear that Max is crawling.  I knew it wouldn’t be long, and I think he will walk by Xmas.  It is very likely that I will come up Saturday and if the Firm wants me to, we might as well get ready to move down here.  There are a good many empty houses here now, and we can get most any kind of a house we want now.  It looks like there are a great many people leaving Tulsa now, so I am not going to rent a house until our furniture gets here.  I think we might as well sell nearly everything we have but our bedroom suite.  We can watch our chance here and buy some pretty good stuff here mighty cheap.  
	Business has not been very good so far this week.  I got skunked Monday and just got a $10.00 order today.
	But I will close this now and write you again in a day or two.
	All my love to you, dearest.  Kiss the babies for me.
						Carl 

Tulsa, Oklahoma
October 17, 1923
My Dearest Hazel and children,
	I am going to write you a few lines tonight.  It is 11 o’clock and I have just come in.  Made several calls after supper.  Our furniture has not come yet and I haven’t found a house yet.  I bought a gas range and 2 heaters today.  Paid $29.00 for all three, and I bought a dining room set, 6 chairs and a table, all for $8.00.  And you don’t need to laugh, for it is good stuff too.  But we are not going to be able to get a house for less than $45.00 or $50.00.  
	It has rained ever since I got here, but cleared up this evening.  I will write you again tomorrow.
	All my love to all of you.
						Carl 
Tulsa, Oklahoma
October 14, 1923
Dearest Hazel and children,
	I came in Friday evening 6 o’clock and I am mighty lucky I got here, for it has rained ever since.  We have had about 7 inches and the river is coming up fast.
	I had intended to go home hunting today, but it hasn’t been fit to go out of doors.  I have been studying the want ads and using the telephone some, but I haven’t found anything I thought would suit us.  I called up two places I thought would suit us and they said we could have their place if we didn’t have any children.  I told them I didn’t have any intention of selling my children.  
	How is Carl?  I hope he is well by this time.  With this weather I don’t know if I will be able to drive up after you, but if you want me to, I will come up on the train and get you.  I will try to find a house just as quick as I possible can.  I haven’t any news to tell you, so will close this.
	All my love to all of you.
						Carl 

Tulsa, Oklahoma
October 18, 1923
My Dearest Hazel and children,
	Our furniture came today but I have not yet found a house.  I am hoping I can get one tomorrow.  I wonder if you could get your Dad to pack what stuff we have up there and send it on the same train.  You come on by Express.  It is impossible for me to drive through now, and I believe you can make it through on the train with the children.
	Thursday a.m.   I have rented a house and will move furniture in this evening.  I am mailing you a blank check.  Get your Papa to fix up your stuff to ship by Express and telegraph me what train you will come on.
	All my love to you all.
						Carl 

[Note:  Hazel writes on the envelope below, “After I went to Seneca and we stored the furniture in Tulsa till we could get a house in Seneca.  Carl worked in Oklahoma and came to Seneca every 2-3 weeks.”]
Tulsa, Oklahoma
March 24, 1924
Dearest Hazel and children,
	I got the household goods off today and got everything stored away.  They got stuck with the furniture on 12th Street and were there for 3 hours, and it cost me $11.00, and I got stuck there myself.
	The storage amounts to $2.00 a month.  I worked all day yesterday to get everything packed.
	Metcalf called up yesterday and said they didn’t expect his Mother to live another hour.
	The sun has been shining all day today, but the paper reports another snowstorm for this country.  I wanted to go out to the house and get that nursery stock, but the road is so bad now that I can’t get in there.
	How did you make the trip with the children?  It started raining here right after you left, and it rained all day yesterday.
	Mrs. Fortier got back from Oklahoma City tonight.  Of course, I haven’t anything new to write about, but will write again in a day or two.  All my love to you and babies.
						Carl
1319 Carson Avenue South
P.S.   I wish you would send my light underwear.

Tulsa, Oklahoma
March 28, 1924
Dearest Hazel – children,
	I just got your letter this evening and was mighty glad to hear from you all.  Yes, Dearest, by all means, go to the doctor at once and let him examine you.  
	We have had 2 nice days this week, but it has rained all day yesterday and today.  I was going out to Wohlauf's place yesterday.  Now I will have to wait another week.  His pea fowls left him last Tuesday.  He found them out in the woods about 4 miles from the house, but he can’t catch them.
	It is real warm here and this rain is bringing everything out in bloom, and our season is going to be over with before we know it.  I expect to get through here next week.  I would quit right now if I had all the collections in.  There isn’t any business here at all.
	I was mighty surprised to hear of Dutton’s death.  I don’t know what Fortiers are going to charge me.  I haven’t asked them, but I know I can stay there cheaper than down town.
	I called Mrs. Metcalf last Tuesday evening.  She said Mr. Metcalf’s Mother died Monday.  I don’t know if he is back yet.
	I haven’t a bit of news to write about so will close and write again real soon.  If anything should happen,  telegraph me.
	All my love to you all.
						Carl 

Tulsa, Oklahoma
March 31, 1924
My Dearest Hazel – children,
	I got terribly scared and worried about you when I got your letter this evening, and I hope you are feeling as well as you said you did.  Please don’t fail to call me if anything should go wrong.
	I have been out to Wohlauf's all day yesterday and today, and hope to get through there tomorrow.  I am trying to get through here this week and make a trip to Sapulpa, Okmulgee, Muskogee next week, and next week come up along the Frisco and stay up around House for a few days or a week.  It looks like the nursery season is over here, and I think I can get all collections in this week.
	I had a letter from Buehner.  He said his family is still in Neosho and would be there until he could rent or sell their house.  He said he was in the advertising business.
	We had a terrible storm here Friday night.  Mr. Fortier said it was the first time he ever felt this house rock.  It sure rocked.  Kept us awake all night.  It blew down 700 oil rigs in the oil fields.  I went past the place where we lived on 7th Street.  It blew the whole roof off the sheet from garage and it did a great deal of damage here in town.
	I think your Mother made you an awful cheap rate.  I wish you would find someone to do your washing for you.  I will mail you a check just as soon as I get my check from Neosho, and this will be my last check from there, but I have great hopes about that proposition of Mr. Wohlauf’s, and I think I am going to be able to make some good money with it after 3 or 4 weeks.  I wish you would try to send my grip at once.  I will need it real soon.
	With all my love to yourself and children, and take good care of yourself.
						Carl

Tulsa, Oklahoma
April 2, 1924
My Dearest Hazel and children,
	Your nice letter came today and I was so very glad to have it, and to know you are feeling some better.  I don’t wonder that you look like a ghost, for what you have gone through the last 3 months.
	No, we didn’t have any snow here Monday.  Just a few flakes.  We have had almost a week of good weather here now, and I think the roads are getting in pretty good shape by this time.
	I am finishing up my collections here this week.  There isn’t any business here, and if the weather remains good, I expect to get away from here the first part of next week.  I am going southwest from here through Sapulpa, Mounds, Beggs, Okmulgee, then come back east to Muskogee and up around home.  I don’t know about when I will be home, but perhaps some time a week after next.  I think the oil business is looking up a litle bit lately.  I think if this weather stays, things are bound to pick up in the oil field.
	I got through out to Wohlauf’s last night.  Worked until 7 o’clock.  Stayed there for supper and then tuned in on the radio and heard a string instrument orchestra in Havana, Cuba.  I think I have the casters for the bed in my car.  I will send them tomorrow with some ??? for the dresser.  I am also sending you 2 pair of hose.  They had a sale at Vandevers, and it looked like a good bargain.  I paid .69 a pair.
	I am getting awful hungry to see you and the children, Dearest, and I will come up as soon as I can.  My check came today and I am enclosing a check for $25.00.  I don’t know when you will get another one, Honey.  I am going out on commission basis now.
	I will close this now and I will write you again Friday evening.  Write me at Gen Del, Okmulgee for Tuesday and Muskogee for Friday.  I am going to try and send $15.00 to McGinty and Henderson.
	All my love to you, Dearest, and kiss the babies for me.
						Carl 

Tulsa, Oklahoma
April 4, 1924
Dearest Hazel – children,
	Just a few lines to tell you that I do not think I will go to Okmulgee next week.  It is raining hard here again, and I am afraid of the roads.  I think, however, I will go over to Muskogee Monday or Tuesday and if the roads get better, I will come up towards home.  If not, I will have to come back to Tulsa.
	It rained awful hard here yesterday and last night, and travelers said roads are very bad around Okmulgee.
	I don’t think I will get away from here until Tuesday morning, so you can write me here once more, but write me one letter to Muskogee Gen Del., and I will try to give you my routing from there.
	Love to all of you.
						Carl 

Tulsa, Oklahoma
April 5, 1924
Dearest Hazel and children,
	I am going to write you a few lines this afternoon in order that you may get a letter Sunday.  I am all through here now, and will get away from here sometime Monday or Tuesday on my new job.  I guess I will go over to Muskogee.  The roads are awful bad, and that is the only direction I can get out of here.  It is still raining here every day and all kinds of businesses are at a standstill.
	And Raymond and O??? finally got married.  Well, it was about time.
	Earl Rudy just came back from Neosho, but he didn’t know anything about it.  I am not surprised to hear that Sam and the priest had a fight.  Same is a very devoted Ku Klux.  The Ku Klux all won the election down here and things are settling down again.
	You asked me in one of your letters what I done with the bed slats.  I nailed them on to the sides of the bed and tied them all together.  I don’t understand how they could get lost.
	Mr. Wohlauf got all his dogs back from Florida today.  11 of them.  And one of them has 9 pups.  Do you want a greyhound?  He is going to dispose of all the old ones but 2, and he said I can have one of them.  He hasn’t got a dog that cost less than $350.00, and if you want one of them, I will ship him up.
	I haven’t got a lot of news this time.
	With all my love to you all.
						Carl 

Tulsa, Oklahoma
April 8, 1924
Dearest Hazel – babies,
	I got your letter yesterday.  Awful glad to have it.  I didn’t get away yesterday but will leave this a.m. for Mounds, Beggs, Okmulgee, Muskogee, and back to Tulsa later part of this week.  I have to come back to Tulsa, and I will leave here Monday and come up along the Frisco if the roads are good.
	I will write you tonight or tomorrow.
	Write me at Tulsa for Saturday.
	Love to you all.
						Carl

Coffeyville, Kansas
April 23, 1924
My Dearest Hazel – children,
	I have been going pretty fast since I left here yesterday, and I am ahead of schedule.  Business has been rotten through this part of the country.  I just came in here from Nowata and Delaware.  Stayed in Nowata last night and will be here tonight.  I haven’t decided if I will go to Independence on this trip or not.  If I don’t, I will go from here to Bartlesville from here, then to Pawhuska and in to Tulsa.
	I am going out to see a man now.  You must excuse this short letter.  I will write you again tomorrow or next day.  Am feeling fine.  Weather and roads fine.
	Love to you all.
						Carl