I’m worrying about our radiator–2nd Letter Home– Jan 18, 1921

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Town Clerk’s Office

Town of Hume

Fillmore, N.Y.

1/18/21

My Darling:

I have mailed a letter to you. Its awful cold and I’m worrying about our radiator. Have Frank [John and Sue's teenage son] draw off the water and if you have pails you can save it. He wants to open the first cock under radiator and also one under pump. I’ll be thankful if it’s not already frozen. Don’t delay but have him do this at once.

Jack

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Editor's notes

The little typed note was enclosed with the letter. There isn't a reference to it but it seems to be a code for a game.

Antifreeze was first used in cars beginning in 1926. Before this water was used as a coolant. Obviously for the fierce winters of upstate New York, this was a problem.

It's now clear that the Briggs family has a car. I am intrigued that it is left at home while John takes the train and hires cars to get around for his work, and also that Sue often "walks into town" to go to the post office.

I do know that in Earlville, until at least 10 years ago, and perhaps to this day, the mail is delivered only to a central post office in town and everyone comes in to open their box and retrieve their mail. Sue and John's box was 415--the same one I used to fetch mail until the late 1990s. I still remember the Art Deco design and the small dial on the little brass door.