1901 Boston Postcard from John Gavit Morse *

 1901 Boston Postcard from John Gavit Morse

This postcard breaks from the norm of his usual travel writings. Unlike his customary practice of composing messages during business trips and from train stations, this one comes from the office. When he mentions the 'train,' he's referring to the local commuter train from Salem to Boston—a routine journey for him. It appears that he'll be embarking on another trip straight from the office once he handles the workload there. 

The Murdocks and Dixie, fellow companions on the train journey, must be familiar faces to Julie, possibly acquaintances from Salem. The absence of commas in the sentence 'Came up on the train with the Murdocks and Dixie who at the last moment had decided to stay down' implies that multiple individuals with the surname Murdock were traveling, alongside another person named Dixie. In this construction, the relationship between Dixie and the Murdocks remains ambiguous.

However, if a comma were inserted, as in 'Came up on the train with the Murdocks and Dixie, who at the last moment had decided to stay down,' the meaning becomes clearer. In this revised version, Dixie is perceived as a distinct individual, potentially the given name or first name of one of the Murdocks. Punctuation, in this case, plays a pivotal role in disambiguating the relationships within the sentence. Given our uncertainty about whether John intentionally omitted a comma or overlooked its placement, we are left to conjecture his intended meaning.

Oct. 14, 1901

Dear Julie,

Came up on train with the Murdocks and Dixie who at the last moment had decided to stay down. Find myself deluged in work here in the office but will try to write you a letter before I leave.

Good bye for now,

John

April 30, 1906 Postcard from John Gavit Morse *

April 30, 1906 Postcard from John Gavit Morse

John writes from South Station (Railway Station), Boston.

So. Station, Apr 30, 1906

My dear Julie,

There was no car so I walked over. Instead of going in to my usual friend I found Radford's open so went in there for a (pufer?) and had a talk with Will Radford until the train came. Met no other friends and came up here in time and without incident. Am now going to bed. 

Your own 

John

The postcard, marked with a Boston postmark dated May 1, 1906, at 4 AM, reveals intriguing details. John's message indicates a challenge in catching a streetcar from his location, prompting him to opt for a leisurely walk. Despite living about a mile away from the old train station in Salem, at 12 Linden St., the pleasant weather on April 30, with online records noting temperatures between 50°F and 66°F, made the stroll enjoyable.

The phrase "my usual friend" sparks curiosity, hinting at familiarity with a place rather than a person. Deciphering John's note about Radford's proves challenging. It seems he was involved in some activity or acquired something there. Will or William Radford owned a cigar/tobacco store in Salem near the train station. The unclear word may be "pufer," a misspelling of "puffer," indicating a possible visit for a smoke.

John's use of past tense in reference to the train journey from Salem to Boston contrasts with the streetcar, likely a local transport facilitating his commute from near his Salem residence to the local train station.

As we track John's journey, the question arises: where did he stay the night he wrote 'am going to bed' on the postcard sent from the Boston train station? Could it have been a hotel room in Boston, or did his company's location grant him access to a comfortable bed within the building?

John G. Morse 1908 Albany, NY Postcard *

This is another postcard from John while he's on the road for this business trip. The postmark is dated September 14, 1908, at 10 AM, with R.P.O. indicating Railway Post Office.

 John G. Morse 1908 Albany, NY Postcard 

As John traveled for work, covering territories for the Factory Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Boston, he navigated through different regions, inspecting various sites. The company's coverage of his expenses, from transportation to meals and lodging, made the extensive trips feasible. The absence of motels meant his accommodations likely leaned towards better hotels, a reflection of the times.

While on the road, John's experiences and observations would have shaped his perspective. The practicality of his job may have led to nights spent in different hotels, offering a glimpse into the diverse landscapes he encountered. Meanwhile, back home, Julie faced the reality of many lonely nights, eagerly anticipating John's return and finding comfort in the postcards that connected them across the distance.

My dear Julie,

Had a comfortable night and a fine sleep. Putnam the inspector I met  in N.Y. last and Simonds a draftsman are with me and we are having breakfast together. Cool and pleasant this morning. More later. 

Yours, John

John Gavit Morse 1905 from Hamilton, Canada *

Written by John to his wife Julie in Salem, Massachusetts 

Hamilton, Oct 12, 05

My dear Julie, 

I took some time this morn to look for trains and find that I cannot get to Muskegon in time and to do any work Saturday even if I should finish here tomorrow night. I may leave here on Saturday during the day, however, so send Friday to Muskegon if you have not already sent here. Also write Muskegon Saturday and Sunday.

Your John 

This card is quite rare, being written in ink, unlike most of his cards which were written in pencil and have faded considerably over the past 120 years. Deciphering his destination from Hamilton proved challenging. Initially, I misread the town as "Muskogee," but no such town exists in Canada, and it seemed unlikely he was traveling to Muskogee, Oklahoma. I found myself at an impasse. Upon reconsideration, I considered the possibility that the word was "Michigan." However, in three instances where he used that term, he did not "dot" the "Is," leaving me uncertain. Returning to square one, I scrutinized the map for similar-sounding words and discovered Muskegon! The journey by train covered approximately 330-350 miles—a lengthy but feasible trip for a seasoned traveler like John.

As I acclimate to John's untidy and scrawled penmanship, I find myself reading much faster than I did a few months ago. To those unaccustomed to his style, it might appear more like codes than actual words.

John G. Morse 1904 on Bangor & Boston Railroad *

 

North Station, Boston on January 24, 1904

Written from North Station, Boston on January 24, 1904 to his wife Julie.

My dear Julie,

Got a car at once and caught my train all right xxx now am in ample time for the Bellows Falls train. Rode up with Harry Worthey, the youngest of the Worthey boys day after tomorrow only xxxxx

Your own, John

As someone not well-versed in philately, the partial postmark displaying "BANGOR" left me perplexed. John was on a train journey from Boston to Bellows Falls, Vermont. It struck me as odd to see a Bangor postmark, a location over 300 miles away, with no indication that he had ventured to Maine, as per the postcard's message. His business trip was merely from his hometown of Salem to Bellows Falls.

Curiosity led me to investigate the obscured word following "Bangor." By making educated guesses, I used the term "railroad" for my online searches. Fortunately, this led me to the Bangor & Boston Railroad Company. It turns out, the postmark was imprinted by that railroad company, specifically a Railroad Post Office (RPO). The complete stamp would have read: BANGOR & BOSTON, JAN 25, 1904, with a train number beneath the year and RPO below it (I show a clearer example of similar postmark I found online).

this is a clearer version of another 1904 card I found online

Paul Pelseneer to Edward S. Morse 1920 on Shell Heaps Mollusks

sent by Pelseneer from Bruxelles, Palais des Academies

　This correspondence holds significant importance, as it involves an inquiry from one malacologist to another regarding specific mollusk species. The postcard is addressed to Edw. S. Morse Esq. at the Peabody Academy of Science in Salem, Mass, United States of N. America. It was sent by Pelseneer from Bruxelles, Palais des Academies, and is postmarked November 21, 1920, Bruxelles - Brussel. Jean Paul Louis Pelseneer (26 June 1863 – 5 May 1945) was a distinguished Belgian malacologist, morphologist, ethologist, and phylogenist.

scarce correspondence betweem two scientists

Given that the text is predominantly in French and written in longhand, my understanding relies on Google Translator. Although not entirely precise, I am confident that we can grasp the essence of this letter, as the subject matter appears clear. The Google translation is provided below:

Brussel Nov. 21, 1920

Dear Sir,

I currently have an extensive work in print on variations among the Mollusks. I tried to cite the less intersting observations, and in particular yours on Omori Shell Heaps. In order to be very precise, can I ask you what are the species of hunatia and Mya..., which are discussed in connection with the New England Shell Heaps, American Journal of Science, vol. XX, p.11 323, 1882? will oblige me by indicating the species. I thank you for this and ask you to believe me in.... 

Paul Pelseneex

Palace of Academies

Jean Paul Louis Pelseneer 

John G. Morse 1901 Postcard Canada to Julie Morse *

John G. Morse 1901 Postcard Canada to Julie Morse

John, an insurance investigator from Salem, Massachusetts, embarked on a series of train rides crisscrossing Canada, from St. Stephen to McAdam Junction and onward to St. John. Amidst his professional observations, thoughts of his wife back in Salem often lingered, adding a personal touch to his experiences.

Departing St. Stephen at daybreak, the train's journey unveiled a transition from the familiar landscapes of home to the untamed allure of Canada. The morning rain, a gentle companion against the train windows, eventually yielded to clearer skies, revealing the splendor outside.

McAdam Junction, adorned with a modern station, showcased the region's progress amid rugged terrains. Among his professional pursuits, a thoughtful gesture from the Canadian Pacific Railroad staff—a complimentary postal—served as a reminder of human warmth amidst his investigative duties.

Throughout these train rides, John couldn't help but reflect on the lives he encountered and the challenges they faced, resonating with his work back in Salem. The rough tracks leading to McAdam Junction echoed the resilience required to navigate such terrains, mirroring the risks inherent in his insurance investigations.

In the midst of these experiences, thoughts of his beloved wife lingered. Her presence, though distant, added a comforting layer to his journey. Her steadfast support and understanding were the steadying force in his life, bridging the gap between his professional pursuits and the warmth of home awaiting his return.

These train rides, beyond their professional significance, provided John with a broader understanding of life's intricacies. They were not just expeditions through Canadian landscapes but windows into the diverse stories that both connected him to home and expanded his horizons abroad.

McAdam Jct, N.B.

May 28, 1901

My dear Julie:  

I left St. Stephen at 7:30 this morning and went north getting here at 8:50 and leave at 9:20 for St. John. It rained slightly at first but is now clearing. 

They have a fine modern station here. This postal is a gift of the Canadian Pacific R.R. for I could find no place to buy one and one of the office force initiated in giving it to me. 

Will write you a letter on the way to St. John. The road was too rough coming up here. 

Your loving,

John

1907 John Gavit Morse Postcard from Boston *

1907 John Gavit Morse Postcard from Boston

John G. Morse penned this intriguing postcard to his wife, Julie, on October 6, 1907, while he was in Boston's South Station, en route to New York from Boston. The exact starting point of his journey to the South Station remains uncertain, but Salem was likely where he began. The curiosity arises from his mention of the "Lynn car" and "Marblehead car," which he doesn't refer to as "trains," suggesting they were electric streetcars. He specifically notes boarding the "Marblehead car.".

This is the first instance where he talks about "cars," whereas it was previously assumed that he routinely took the train from Salem to Boston. The change in transportation mode prompts questions: Why the shift? Adding to the intrigue is his sign-off, "With love to the three of you." John and Julie had a daughter, Edith, born in 1906, accounting for two individuals. However, the third person remains a mystery. Could he have meant their yet-to-be-born son, John Edward, who arrived on June 11, 1908? If so, Julie would have been around two months pregnant when she received this postcard.

this is the type of "car" John must have ridden to Boston

The postmark from Boston on this card piques curiosity due to its remarkably early morning hour: 4 AM, 1907. Did John commence his journey late on the night of October 6 or in the wee hours of October 7? The pressing question emerges regarding the availability of transportation at such an early hour. Were there electric streetcars, the "cars" to which John refers, operational during those times?

So Station Oct 6, 1907

My dear Julie

There was no Lynn car but a Marblehead car come along in ample time. Found John Roberts at the station and he is going to New York too so I have company over here in plenty of time. With love to the three of you.

Your own, John

* There is a clear, inked fingerprint on this postcard. Whether it belongs to John or a postal worker is a mystery that will never be solved.

whose fingerprint is this?