Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

I don't think I've ever seen a message quite like this one. Is it vindictive or is it an insider joke? I couldn't find any information on Adam Faque, M.D., who charges $10.00 for chloroform, but only 30 cents for a politician or $1.50 for a Wall Street Banker. I'm definitely missing some sort of historical or political reference here. Any ideas?

Here's the message on the card:

take this how do you like it. ha ha ha  how do you like it. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha etc.

The card was sent to Jesse Rinkenburg of Martinsburg, New York in 1907. It turns out that Jesse Rinkenburg was born in 1883. He then married Seraphena Rose Beron in 1916--long after this card was sent, so it can't be a joke about any immediate wedding plans. The caption on the card says: Do it now. Take a wife before forty. Take chloroform at sixty. _____ I'm just not sure what it means, and the card is not signed.

In any case, census records show that Jesse worked as a laborer at a box factory. Seraphena worked at the same factory as an accountant, although by 1930 she was employed as a school teacher at the local elementary school. Records don't indicate that they had any children.

The Bees of Edinburgh

You probably think I've been sitting in a lawn chair for the last month, but actually I have been hard at work conducting intensive postcard research (cough, cough). Well, it's almost true. Between stops for fish and chips, beer samplings, scenic outlooks, and visits to blog friends, I did make one side trip to track down the former residence of one of my favorite postcard recipients, Nettie Bee. You may remember some of the previous postcards to the Bee family, such as this one, sent to Edith Bee.

Nettie Bee lived in the Rosemount Buildings in Edinburgh, Scotland, with at least two sisters (Chrissie and Edith). Her mother also lived there, but her father is never mentioned, so I'm not sure if he lived there or not. The apartment would have been very small, with one bedroom, one bathroom, and dining in the kitchen.

Rosemount buildings is a three-story brick building built in Edinburgh's West End. The building, which was constructed for working class families in the 1860s, is now part of the West End Conservation Area.

Here's what it looks like today.

 And here's the inner courtyard.

The door to # 9 is on the second floor (first, if you're from the UK), the blue door with the potted plants in front.

As with a  number of the cards to Nettie and family, this one was sent from a young soldier in World War I. I can't help but wonder if he made it home safely.

On the front of the card of John o'Groats in northern Scotland, he wrote: I would like to take you here for a day.

The message on the back reads:

8th Aug.  21 Shore St. Thurso

Home today for six days Leave, spending most of the time with Jessie and Maggie. Sorry you did not come along with them. Drop a line + let me know how you are getting on. I would like to hear from you before  going away with best love I remain yours faithfully

B. Thompson

Hope you enjoy your holidays

xxxxx

xxxxx

xxxxx

To read more posts about the Bee, family, click here.

Taking A Break

The Daily Postcard is taking a sabbatical for the month of May. Some time away from the computer will do me good, and I promise to return refreshed and with renewed vigor.  I look forward to seeing you back here on June 1st.

Here's the back of the card.

Nellie sent this card to Harry in Redfield, New York in 1909 with a message that reads:

Going to Mexico Thur. with Jones. Just got back from Selkirk. I been out on the river nearly every day. Nellie

We will be home Fri on the ten o'clock train.

If you're wondering how Nellie could be in Scotland and then go to Mexico on Thursday and be home on the train on Friday, it's because she was referring to Selkirk and Mexico, New York. Her entire trip was about 150 miles.