20th Century

My dear Bessie: I did not write you last night as usual, for a very unusual reason. I was sick in bed and not feeling quite well. I let go by default the usual pleasure of a few lines home. I took quite a severe cold either on the sleeper the night I left Spokane, or night before last at N. Yakima, and when I left there yesterday am was feeling very badly. So when I got to Prosser I was not much improved, and found I could not get myself warm. I had some breakfast here, thinking a “good feed” would likely improve me, but still found I could not get the “steam” raised, the usual process. Then I sat myself over the register for several hours and was still unable to get the temperature to rise much. At noon I was way down below zero and about 2 pm I decided to try the bed, and see if I could not get warm that way. So I turned in with shoes and all clothes on, and put an extra cover and my overcoat on the bed, and the landlord turned on the heat full blast, and it was 7 or 8 o’clock pm before I could get my hands warm. Besides this unusual chill, I was feeling quite achy and had quite a head ache. But after I began to get a little steam up I felt some better, and had a fair night’s rest. But felt pretty bum this am, and did not get up till nearly noon. I ate nothing from yesterday breakfast until today noon, when I had a fair appetite. But fearing a return of the “chilly wave” I did not try to do any business this afternoon. This means Sunday here, and nearly all day Monday. Then I go to Kennewick. I had a notion to come home this pm, but feeling some better, I decided to stay over and work my way back. Now don’t allow this to alarm you in the least as I am feeling much better tonight, and if the same trouble comes up again I will run home, and let you doctor me well. I hope this will find you all well as usual, and that you will not think I am still “down,” for I am not. I was quite successful at North Yakima. Established the Agency I went for and sold another order, in all $892.13 which I think did pretty well for one day’s work. So cheer up my dear, may be my name will be on the list of January winners, and whether it is or not I am sure that my January business will aggregate quite a nice little sum. Now assuring you I am feeling about normal, and regretting I will not be able to spend Sunday with my loved ones, and with lots of hugs and kisses for the little ones, and my best love for you, I am, Lovingly your husband, Geo. W.D.

❄️ Physical Experience of Illness (Travel Reality) Severe cold exposure while traveling by sleeper train Inability to warm up even indoors Described in mechanical metaphor: “could not get the ‘steam’ raised” Self-treatment methods: Sitting over a heat register Staying fully clothed in bed with overcoat Relying on hotel heating 👉 This reflects pre-modern medical limitations and reliance on rest, heat, and food. 🚆 Hardships of Early Travel Sleeper cars were: Drafty Poorly insulated Likely source of illness Travel required endurance: He continues working despite illness Only considers going home if condition worsens

Historical Note

🏨 Hotel – The Prosser Hotel (Prosser, Washington) Functioned as: Lodging for traveling salesmen Temporary workplace and recovery space Heating via: Coal or wood systems Central registers (mentioned in letter) 🌡️ Medical Context (1908) No antibiotics Limited understanding of viral illness Common treatments: Rest Warmth Food His “chill” and inability to warm up suggests: Possible fever cycle or early influenza-type illness 💰 Business Insight Sale of $892.13 in one day is significant: Equivalent to several tens of thousands today (approximate purchasing power) Indicates: High-value goods Skilled salesmanship