20th Century

Dear Bessie: This is to advise you I am well, but wet, my O my O me. Rain, rain and more rain. You never saw so much rain and as wet rain as this Oregon rain can rain when it does rain, and it is raining all the time, the wettest kind of rain. I have worn out my rubbers and almost worn out my umbrella trying to keep dry. But I suppose sometime this rain will cease. I see by the papers there are great floods in certain portions of the northwest and by the kind of rains I am encountering, I think it is no wonder. I am pleased to tell you my prospects for business here are quite good, and if they materialize as I hope I will even up here and more, for what I may have missed at Albany, my last town. I hope this may find you all well and happy at home, and that you may be having more moderate weather than ten days ago. I expect to be at Portland early in the coming week, and I hope there may be some word from you for me there. With my dearest love to you all, I am Lovingly your husband, Geo. W.D.

This letter vividly captures the environmental reality of winter in the Pacific Northwest, particularly for a traveling salesman unaccustomed to prolonged exposure to coastal rain climates. Key cultural insights: Travel hardship: Constant rain made mobility difficult, even with period-appropriate gear like rubber overshoes (“rubbers”) and umbrellas. Emotional tone: The exaggerated repetition (“rain, rain and more rain”) reflects both humor and genuine discomfort—a common rhetorical style in personal letters of the era. Work ethic and optimism: Despite harsh conditions, the writer remains focused on business opportunity, revealing the mindset of early 20th-century commercial travelers. Communication patterns: Regular letters served as the primary emotional and informational link between traveling husbands and families.

Historical Note

🏨 Hotel – Willamette Hotel (Salem, Oregon) Name: Willamette Hotel Location: Salem, Oregon Proprietor: F. C. Fish Context: The Willamette Hotel was a prominent early 20th-century establishment in Salem, serving: Traveling businessmen Government visitors (Salem being the state capital) Regional commerce tied to agriculture and industry Hotels like this were central to: Trade networks Political travel Rail-based mobility It is unclear whether the original structure survives today; many early Salem commercial buildings were replaced or significantly altered during 20th-century development. 🌧 Pacific Northwest Weather & Flooding (1909) The writer’s complaints align with real regional conditions: Winter months often brought prolonged heavy rainfall Flooding was common in: Willamette Valley Columbia River basin The mention of floods in newspapers suggests: Widespread regional weather events Limited flood control infrastructure at the time 🚆 Travel Route Context This letter helps establish the sequence of travel: Albany, Oregon (previous stop) Salem, Oregon (current letter) Portland, Oregon (next destination) Later letters: Astoria, Aberdeen, etc. This confirms a northward business route through the Willamette Valley.