World War I Collection

Les scattered all over the world as you were [underlined] the envelopes were a very good plan. this [underlined] I don't care for. I wrote you before dear since your last letter came this am enclosing Kodacs [Kodaks] & stating that you were ordered up to Auquinne au Louis for U classification It is a grevious disappointment that you were about to be sent home when this happened. I am very eager for your return dearest I fear if you don't come soon you will be kept there indefinitely I don't know what S.O.S stands for. You say the order to go to Louis will mean probably back to Germany or else S.O.S. I think it means

Mother yesterday, as she was confined to bed with an unusually heavy cold. This morning she is much better, though still in bed, but she intends to get up tomorrow. Lesley came in while I was there, he had been at the boat house, as it was a lovely sunny day and also was Sunday - Your father was or had been working hard all the morning he said and as I noticed a bonfire in the back of the yard there was some proof of it. A week ago on Sunday Jocelyn took us all down to Saratoga, with Martha, to see the fruit blossoms. It was a lovely day and the blossoms were gorgeous. We ate our lunch beyond Los Gatos and enjoyed the day very much.

We have to move in about ten days as the landlady wants to come back to the house. We have not found a house

MAGDEBURG FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, [centered] OF MAGDEBURG, GERMANY. [centered] GUTTE & FRANK, Managers, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. [centered]

LESLEY BATES, Special Agent.

Pullman Wash 10th Aug '99

My dear little son "Boogoo"

I want to wish you a very happy birthday and many happy returns of the day. You are now five years old and getting to be a great big boy, and I hope you will try to be a good boy too.

I sent you today two very pretty picture books which I hope you will like, and I send you a dollar which you can put in your bank, or get dear Mother to spend for you. Your birthday will be on Sunday so I have to put extra stamps so that you will get the dollar and the books on that day. You must get Mother to read them to you and soon you will be able to read for yourself.

Give each of your brothers 5 Kisses, and Mother five on each cheek because you are 5 years old.

God bless you my dear little boy, and may you grow up to be a strong honest man; never tell a lie or steal and you wil make Mother and me happy.

I hope little boy that you will have a nice cake and that the candles will all burn brightly.

Be a good boy Boogoo and love dear Mother and all your brothers. Goodbye

always your loving Father Lesley Bates.

MAGDEBURG FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, [centered] OF MAGDEBURG, GERMANY. [centered] GUTTE & FRANK, Managers, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. [centered]

LESLEY BATES, Special Agent.

Spokane Wash Aug 10th 1900.

My dear little boy "Boogoo,"

Today is Mother's birthday that I am writing, but the letter will reach you on your own birthday. I wish you a very happy day, and many happy returns of it. I send you a dollar bill, and I hope that Mother will be able to give you a little present that you will want. You must be an awfully good boy now, for you are six years old and getting to be a fine boy, and I suppose will soon be going to school. Try not to stammer but talk slowly and in a quiet voice, and try not to be angry with anyone. I send you six Kisses, and I want you to ask Mama to give them to you, and then I want you to give Mama six from me, because you are six now.

Dear little son, I hope the day will be fine so that you will be as happy as happy can be.

Good bye dear "boy blue", and with lots of Kisses to Tiny and you, and your three bigger brothers.

always your loving father H. L A Bates

MAGDEBURG FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, [centered] OF MAGDEBURG, GERMANY. [centered] GUTTE & FRANK, Managers, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. [centered]

LESLEY BATES, Special Agent.

Los Angeles Cal 19th March 1901

My dear little boy Edward,

I was very glad last night to get your nice letter which I found in the newspaper which Mother sent telling me about your having a little boy cousin over in England. It was very good of you to think of me and to write me that long letter, but you always ought to sign your name to your letters, as I might make a mistake and think it was from Jocelyn. I am very glad to Know you are all well, but I hope you wont play with the fire in the ovens in the back yard because I am afraid you will set yourselves on fire too. Give my love to your brothers and give Mother and Jocelyn each a Kiss for me.

I will try to get you and Jocelyn each one of those watches you asked for, but I am far too busy now as I am working hard.

Be a good little boy, and dont cry, and always do what your Mother tells you to. I send you a Kiss

always your loving Father H L A Bates

*Kiss