Volume 11 , Issue 20

Insight Into Grandma

July 25, 1904, is the postmark of John's letter to Constance this week. It sounds like John's coaxing of getting Constance to come to Quincy's business college was beginning to sink in with Constance Estella Warwick. We also find out that Constance would be going to the Worlds Fair in St. Louis the Summer of 1904 (around July or August) -- meeting friends on "The Pike" at the World's Fair and encouraging John C. McClure to join them on "The Pike."

Doing some research online, I found that "The Pike" was a street a mile long, solidly lined with amusements, more varied, more elaborate and more costly than any previous exposition had ever contained.

Besides meeting friends in St. Louis on "The Pike," Constance was also thinking about going to Gem City Business College, in Quincy, Illinois, to take some courses, especially Short-Hand. I am beginning to wonder how serious was this letter writing between "true friends?" Were they only "True Friends?" Was there something more going on here? Who was infatuated with whom?

This week's letter begins:
"Quincy, Ill, Sun. Afternoon, Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, Okla., Dear Estella ... I received your ever welcome letter a few days ago. We have been having some scorching weather but today is quite comfortable. Well, I am glad you are coming to the Worlds fair. I am sure you will have a good time.

"You said, there would be some friends on the Pike who would be glad to see me. Of course I think the friends will be there, but I don't know about the other part. I would be delighted to come to St. Louis on the 18th but I don't know if it will be possible for me to do so ... and of course I am a little scart of Bert. What course do you intend to take if you come to Quincy?

"I would advise you to take just the S.Hand course. The College of course will advise different. Of course if you are going to be an old maid, as I know you are not, then the Bookkeep course would be nice to have. About quaranteeing positions, they do not make a practice of it, but I believe with the qualifications you possess, you could persuade them to guarantee you a position. Be sure to put them up a speal.

"Ask them if they will not take half tuition down and the other half when you get your position. Or take out a three months scholarship $35, and before they will leave you go they will let you graduate pay the balance when you have your position. Of course this last is just speculation, but I know two cases like the latter in school now.

"But don't come to take Short-Hand, or even take in any place until you have carefully studied over the matter. Remember you perhaps can not get a position just exactly where you want it. Remember the influence of a person in a large city. Girls who come to take Short Hand here, generally do not go away as good as good as they come. I have seen several cases here during the summer.

"You know why I wanted you to come to Quincy as well as I do. Now, Connie, you will not find this in the G.C.B.C. Catalogue. This is my Speal. Take it for what it is worth. If you have made up your mind to take Short-Hand, take it in G.C.B.C. before I leave town which will be in 5 weeks time.

"I went to the Big tent meeting tonight. There were about 5000 people there. Tomorrow night is the last evening of the meetings. He is going to tell about his trip to Jerusalem also all over Europe.

"Barnum and Baily's Circus was here this last week. I, of course, had to go. Missed 1/2 day of school. Say, Really, I can't pronounce that word. I don't see why anybody should use such big words for. Your the 1st person that ever called me Prof.

"Are you sure you are right. Well, I will close for this time. Answer soon. Best of the last. Thanks for the photo. J. C. Mc. Your True Friend, John McClure."
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