Category: Teacher

1911 Courtship: June 12 Dear Ethel

4/7/2013

Saskatchewan c1911, Courtesy of the Prairie Postcard Collection, http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/postcards/PC002983.html

In this week's letter, Noah writes that he's now living in a grannary, (or grainery) next to the tent on his land. A grainery is a small building, traditionally wooden, but more recently metal, which is used for storing grain. In the above postcard, the grainery is the small building in the centre of the image, on this side of the fence. The smaller building beside the grainery could very well be an outhouse or an equipment building of some sort. The above image is a typical layout for a Saskatchewan farm and the house could even be an Eaton's kit house as shown in 1911 Courthship May 21 Dear Noah.

Author of Letter: Noah Clement Draper (24 yrs old)
Dated: June 12th, 1911
Addressed to: Miss E. Nelson, My Dear Ethel (21 yrs old)
Mailed from: Grand Coulee (Saskatchewan)
Relationship: Courting
Profession: Farmer
Writing instrument: Fine point pen, Black ink, but looks blue-grey in places
Writing Paper: Thick, textured, linen-like paper, 9 inches x 6.5 inches. Paper is folded in half, written on front and back like a book, but inside, paper is turned sideways and written across short length.

People/Places mentioned in this letter:
- Fred's - Noah's sister, *Louie, is married to Fred Coventry, and they live nearby
- Mother - *Sarah Sophia Deverell Draper
- *Sadie Nelson - Ethel's 16 yrs old sister- *Veda - 16 yr old daughter of Noah's sister, Eva Amelia and Joe Perrault
- *Fanny - niece of Joe Perrault, husband of Noah's sister, Eva Amelia
- your Aunt's - Ethel's Aunt *Sarah Elizabeth Glover, sister of Ethel's mom, Ida Amelia Glover
- Dora *Mahoney - a neighbor and school friend of Sadie's

- "get a man" - a *hired man to work on the farm
- Bell Plain - a town (Belle Plain) to the west who play baseball with Grand Coulee

- a rod** = approx 165 feet

* Look under the Categories/Labels in the right column for more on posts on the above people.

**More info under Genealogical Notes

Grand Coulee, June. 12./11

Miss. E. Nelson,
Belhaven Ont;-
My Dear Ethel;-
Received your letter Saturaday
Morning and was glad to hear
you were well as this leaves me
at present.
Am going into Regina today
to order the lumber. also a circus
in town but dont know as I will
go. As I want to get a man and
get back home to work.
Well Pense did not get down
to play ball last Wed. on
account of the rain but will
be down this Wed. We were
up to Bell Plain on Sat.
and beat them 10 to 7. not
Bad for the coulee.

Say I guess Dora would be mad all
right when the teachers told her
she could not pass her exams. I'll bet
she told the teachers a few things.
No I dont think mother will go down
in the winter for it is not near as nice
as it would be in the summer time
for her as she does not like the cold.
Say I hope you can go up for a few
weeks to your Aunt's it would do you
a lot of good I am shure.
Guess I will not get down to the
raising but I would like to I guess
I would be a dandy at it as I have
only been at two that I helped
at.
Oh. say Ethel! Veda seems to know
me better than you do but still I guess
I would not have to die an old bachelor
if I had tried very hard. HaHa.
She sure is a great kid I showed
her that part of the letter and she said
it was Fanny sent it. Fanny asked her
what but she wouldnt tell so Fanny
said some more of your lies eh.
I was down to Fred's last night
after church for a couple of settings
of eggs. sothegirls went along and I
laughed untill I thot. I would
hurt my self. Veda kept bothering
Fanny untill she got about half mad.
so she said if we would stop the

horse she would get out & walk
back home. so of course we
stopped & she got out and started
back she went about 10 rod & we
sat in the buggy laughing at
her and she turned around & run
back. Oh gee but it was funny.
Am living in a grannary beside
the tent and having a bigtime.
batching mother will be coming
down this week I guess. so it will
soon be over for this time.
Well I guess this is all for this
time only be a good little girl
untill I get down & after that
I will make you. Ha Ha.
Well good bye untill next time
I am yours as B. 4. N. C. Draper.
xxxxxxxxx and a thousand
and one more.

Genealogy Notes

Note #1: A Rod

In this week's letter, Noah writes, "...she went about 10 rod & we sat in the buggy laughing at her..."

Do you know what a rod is? In its simplest term, a rod = 16.5 ft, so if Fanny walked 10 rods ahead, she was about 165 feet away. I tried writing a good explanation, but after struggling, I decided to give you the wikipedia version:

The rod is a unit of length equal to 5½ yards or 16½ feet. Under an agreement in 1959 between Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States, the yard (known as the "international yard" in the United States) was legally defined to be exactly 0.9144 metres. Prior to that date, the legal definition of the yard when expressed in terms of metric units varied slightly from country to country.

In surveying, fields were measured in acres, which were one chain (four rods) by one furlong (in the United Kingdom, ten chains). Bars of metal one rod long were used as standards of length when surveying land. The rod was still in use as a common unit of measurement in the mid-19th century, when Henry David Thoreau used it frequently when describing distances in his work Walden.

Note #2 - An update on Melvina Cole

In the Genealogy Notes of 1911 Courtship letter of May 7, Ethel mentions that her cousin, Melvina Cole, will have a June 1911 Wedding. Although Ethel doesn't mention it further in her June letters, I found the following snippet in this week's 1911 Newmarket Era:

1911 Courtship: Apr 9, Dear Noah

11/26/2012

After a couple months of weekly letters, Ethel finally addresses her Courtship letter, Dear Noah, and drops the location she's sending it to. Their formality is shedding as they slowly admit their feelings to each other on paper. Not all at once, but between hints, salutations and signatures.

Author of Letter: Ethel Isabell Nelson, age 21
Dated: Apr 9, 1911
Addressed to: Noah
Mailed from: Belhaven, Ontario
Relationship: Courting
Profession: Farmer's Daughter
Writing instrument: Fine point pen, Black ink
Written on: Slightly thick, textured, linen-like paper, 9 inches x 6.5 inches, folded in half. Ethel has written on the pages in order from 1 to 4, so it reads like a book.

People/Places mentioned in this letter:
- Emmanuel Nelson - brother of Ethel's father
- Veda Perrault - Noah's 16 yr old niece in Regina.
- Alice Draper - school teacher. For a social visit? Or for Sadie's studies? **
- Della Mahoney* - friend/neighbour
- Mr. Shepherd - the man who wanted to buy the Nelson farm
- Holland Landing - a nearby town

*Look under the Categories/Labels in the right column for more on posts on this
person.

** see Genealogy Notes below

Belhaven. Apr 9 11.

Dear Noah, --
Rec'd your long looked
for letter last night. You may depend
I thot you had forgotten all about
me. I don't know wether this
letter will be much better than
none or not. I am feeling rather
lazy to day. Guess I have the
La Grippe. what ever it is I hope
I will soon be rid of it.
Well you think you
will be glad when you have
your threshing done and started
for the East again. And I guess
you are not the only one,

for I will certainly be pleased
when the day comes for you
to start for here. And the house
that Noah built looks. (kind of
uppish) eh.
The reason we did not
sell our place, was because
Uncle Emmanuel didn't want
us to. also People said we were
not getting enough for it.
Mr Sheppard had the money
alright. May I ask who
told you about Pa having the
price shoved under his nose? and
refusing it.
I think I am beginning
to realize how far away you are

when I think, my it would be
nice if Noah would run in this
evening. (But wishing that is all in
vain. at least for a time.)
               I see by the paper you
have had quite a fire in Regina.
Have you no College's or High Schools
at Regina. I certainly wish
Veda success in her studies.
Sadie is studying very hard
lately. but perhaps it will pay
in the end.
                 Alice Draper is here
this afternoon.
                  Hav'nt saw Della yet
but I think, she is home now,
Came on Friday.

         Well Noah you tell me
to write you, what you most
want to hear. i guess you will
have to tell me what it is.
           Our sleighing is all gone long
ago. You can't see any snow
now. I like the summer best,
anyway.
             Sadie and I have an
in vitation to spend our Easter
holidays at the Holland Landing
We don't yet whether we will
accept it or not.
              Say you will have to excuse
paper for this time, And now I am
going to say. Good-Bye for this
this time with lots of xxx
                from Your Sweet heart.

Genealogy Notes

Entrance Exams certificates have been mentioned several times in these Courtship letters starting with images of the ones awarded to Noah and Ethel. Sadie is studying for her entrance exam. I used to think it was like a graduation diploma from Grade 12, but it's not. Yet, I couldn't find information explaining why the certificates said the person named on it was ready to be admitted to high school when both Noah and Ethel ended school at that point.

During an internet search, I found the Government of Ontario archives with a current exhibit on Education. I emailed the curator and asked. Here is part of the archivist's response:

This quotation is taken from the Archives of Ontario’s online exhibit, Lessons Learned: The Evaluation of Education in Ontario.

“In 1871 An Act to Improve the Common and Grammar Schools of the Province of Ontario established high school entrance examinations. Students had to pass these examinations in order to be admitted to a collegiate institute or high school. High school entrance examinations were originally administered by a board consisting of the school inspector; the chairman of the high school board; and the high school principal. Revised regulations issued in 1873 centralized the conduct of the High School Entrance Examinations under the Central Committee of Examiners.

High school entrance examinations were abolished in 1949, and the last of the departmental examinations (for graduation from Grade 13) was eliminated in 1967.”

Thank you to Nana Robinette, Archivist, Ontario of Archives, for answering my email.

To recap, the entrance exam confirmed that the student was at a level of proficiency to enter high school or the equivalent. Noah left school when he received his Entrance Exam Certificate in 1903 at the age of 15yrs. Two years later, 15 yr old Ethel received her Certificate and left school.

1903 Entrance Exam Certificate made out to Noah Draper

1905 Entrance Examination Certificate made out to Ethel Nelson

When I first read that Alice Draper was visiting the Nelson house, I didn't think anything unusual since Belhaven is a small village and both Nelsons and Draper's abound. But then I noticed how Ethel made the statement as a distinct paragragh all by itself - and it immediately followed the mention of Sadie studying for her exam. I believe this is significant.

Mrs Alice Draper is a school teacher. I don't know which school she teaches at, but I don't believe she's there for a social call. Especially after Ethel's crack that 'perhaps it (the studying) will pay off in the end'.

We shall see in the weeks ahead.

As for the romance between Noah and Ethel... did you catch Ethel's coy answer on page 4?

Well Noah you tell me to write you, what you most want to hear. i guess you will have to tell me what it is.

Her answer was in response to Noah's last letter where he ended it with, "Write & tell me
what I most want to hear".

Noah might be her fiance, but in each letter he's dancing around the topic of love without admitting much himself. Sure he misses her, but how much? Why can't be tell the woman he loves that he loves her? Does he love her, or is he just lonely out there on the windy prairies where men outnumber women 10 or more to one?

I like Ethel's spunk. On the other hand, we have no idea how Noah proposed, and now I'm wondering if he's ever professed his love.

Do you think Ethel is shy, a tease, or insecure at this point of their courtship?

1911 Courtship: Mar 19 Dear Noah

10/8/2012

I find that as each week passes and Noah and Ethel mention more people, I find myself with a growing list of people to research. Who are friends, and who are relatives? Who do I give details on, and who do I merely mention? I'd love to research them all, but unfortunately, time restraints won't allow that.

And then I find a letter like this one when Ethel turns her thoughts inward and reveals how she's really dealing with this courtship year.

Our last 1911 Courtship letter was Mar 14, Dear Ethel. If you've missed some of the courtship letters, click here for a list of links.

Author of Letter: Ethel Isabell Nelson, age 21
Dated: March 19th, 1911
Addressed to: Mr. N. C Draper, Grand Coulee
Mailed from: Belhaven
Relationship: Courting
Profession: Farmer's Daughter

Writing instrument: Fine point pen, Black ink,
Written on: Slightly thick, textured linen-like paper,
9 inches x 6.5 inches. Ethel has written page 1 and 4 as covers, but inside,
pages 2 and 3 are written together as one long page.

People mentioned in this letter:

- the Kings including Orville - neighbours of Ethel's family
- the Crowders - neighbours of Ethel's family
- Professor Dales*
- School Teacher, Miss McClure
- Mrs. Dafoe*
- Pollacks
* see Genealogy notes at bottom of post

Famous quote: "Time flies"

Belhaven, Mar 19, 1911

Mr N.C. Draper,
        Grand Coulee,
My Dear Noah, -
                           Well here I am again
with some more of my scribbling.
and I was disapointed last night
for I missed your letter last
week. And I wonder why it failed
to get here? I will look for two this week.
                                We were up to
Sunday School this afternoon, and
Kings came home with us for tea.
We were to go to Church but it
was snowing to hard. And my
Ma said I had better stay at home.
Oh say; I have a dreadful cold in
           my head.

We rang Crowder's up and they were
telling us, Professor Dales preached
and our School Teacher, Miss McClure
gave a solo. Orville King plays his
violin in the Sunday School now. He
says we've got to make the music go
now.
         Mrs Dafoe died last Monday
at 12 o'clock. and buried on Thrusday.
Will Dafoe came down from Swift
Current, but he did not get here until
the next morning after the funeral.
          Well it seems to me the past
week has been a very lonesome one,
I don't know but I guess I must be
foolish, for I get so lonesome I hardly
know what to do to pass the time.
          People say, Time flies.
but I don't think it is fling any
to fast to suit me at the present
time. I don't know what you think
about it.

The clock has just struck
eleven, and everyone is asleep
but me. I guess. So I think
you would be saying you had
better say your prayers and
go to bed.
There has been quite a few
from around here start for the
West this spring. I think Pollocks
went last week. Saw a man
from the west. and oh the
wiskers he had. He said it was
cold up there, so he grew them
to help keep his face warm.
What about it, Eh. Well Noah. I
close my scribble for this time
and hope to hear from you.
Soon. Hope all are well. From
One who loves you. Ethel.
X X X x & lots more.

That point about growing the whiskers to keep your face warm is a fact. One of the worst things you can do in sub-zero temperatures is shave and then go outside while your face is raw. It'll sting and hurt for sure. This photo isn't even old enough to be called vintage, but it's right on topic as it shows my husband, Nelson Draper, when he was in the Canadian military and serving at Alert, which is the closest inhabited site to the North Pole. The CAF doesn't allow beards unless you're in the Navy or you have doctor's chit for a medical condition, but men in remote northern stations are allowed to grow one if they wise. Nelson served there for 4 long months and when he came home, his beard was three times as bushy as this:

Nelson Clement Draper, grandson of Noah Draper and Ethel Nelson, 1987, Canadian Forces Station Alert, Northwest Territories (now known as Nunavet).

Genealogy Notes

Back to the courtship letters of Nelson's Grandpa Noah and Grandma Ethel...

This week while looking for one of Ethel's mentions, Professor Dales, I stumbled upon the website of http://news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/ which lists newspapers of the Belhaven area. I couldn't resist and brought up the issue that carried the same date as this courtship letter of Ethel's. Although it's digitized, the newspaper is difficult to read in the bottom left of every page which happens to be where the Belhaven news is, so like the letters, I'll post the image then transcribe the words except this time, I'm skipping the hyphenated words.

The first column talks about something Ethel and Noah have mentioned a couple times - that of her Pa selling their farm. That's when I knew this was the perfect type of newspaper to get all the information I've been searching.

Belhaven

   It was reported that Mr. James
Nelson has sold his place. Don't
you believe it.
   The sleighing has nearly gone, we
use buggies now.
   The special meetings at Keswick
still go on. We thank Mr. McCarthy
for the good he is doing.
   Sorry to hear Mrs. Albert Dafoe
passed away on Monday, March 13.
We mourn the loss in Belhaven.

    Service was held in Belhaven on
Sunday night.   But Keswick got
the largest crowd as a very queer subject was to be discussed. Ask the men about it.
     Mrs. W. Rose is still improving.
We rejoice with her relations.
    Belhaven is looking up. Mr. Norman York is buying butter and eggs
and shipping them to Toronto.
     Mr. Ough and Mr. allison made a
flying visit to friends near Fish Market.
     Mr. Wm. Wrightman is moving to
Mr. Steve Winche's house at Belhaven.
     Mr. Wm. King is still in Toronto.

Of course, the first paragraph in the 2nd column intrigued me, especially since it was about Mr. McCarthy who was also mentioned in the right column, so I dug out Ethel's last letter and this is what she'd written:

There are special meetings being held
in the Christian Church, Keswick by an
Evangelist, Mr McCarthy. I have been up
three times and say he is a fine speaker.
Friday night his topic was Impure
Amusements. He spoke of Theatre, Dances
and card tables. His topic to-night was
"He blamed his wife for it". Wish you were
here to hear him.

And that's when it clicked in what the newspaper was talking about... "He blamed his wife for it." It must've been a fun speech if the reporter said to "Ask the men about it." Haha

On a sad note, the newspaper gave a brief mention that Mrs. Albert Dafoe died. Another issue of the newspaper mentions her son, Will, came down for the funeral. What the paper doesn't say is what Ethel says with such emotion in her letter - and the misspelling is Ethel's not mine:

Mrs Dafoe died last Monday
at 12 o'clock. and buried on Thrusday.
Will Dafoe came down from Swift
Current, but he did not get here until
the next morning after the funeral.

However, back to Professor Dales, several editions mentioned he would be conducting services in Belhaven, and one mentioned that he was from Toronto. I'm assuming his title is for theological training.

I've read some upcoming issues of the Newmarket Era and think showing the stories side-by-side with Ethel's will had a new dimension to these posts.

What do you think? Did you like when I added the newspaper clipping above?

Forward>>

1911 Courtship: June 12 Dear Ethel

Genealogy Notes

1911 Courtship: Apr 9, Dear Noah

Genealogy Notes

1911 Courtship: Mar 19 Dear Noah

Genealogy Notes

Belhaven

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