Hinman Bigelow Letters: With Lots of Love (19 Mar 1919)

This letter was written on 19 March 1919. Hinman Bigelow has received the $30 he demanded in his last letter, but he's not finished yet. I don't think he's going to be happy until he's emptied his poor mother's savings account.

March 10th

Dear Mother,

I received your letter also the check for $30. The pictures were good, infact better than I expected. Thank sister for me. Tell her to write me once in awhile, I think I write about two letters to her one. Ask her if she kept one of each picture containing myself if she didn't I will send her the pictures to keep!

You don't seem to realize I am saving money by not coming to Atlantic City, well I figure I am saving at least $15.

Travelling expenses =	22.50
Board 10 days (in Atlantic)	30.00
Allowance	7.00
	59.50

Well it is closer to $30 than $15. Don't you think I have done what is best? Although I hate to sacrifice my vacation.

Well mother I have not made good this term in either deportment or lessons but hope to make them both up during vacation and next term I will start afresh.

I hope also to make good in track. Tell sister to show you some of the clippings I sent her.

Also during my stay here I hope to get off my conditions and be eligible to compete for Mercersburg in the coming meets. If when the Pennsylvania meet is about a week off I send for some money to spend on the trip you send me anywhere from $5 to $10 to get my suit in condition and for any little extra's, and remember the sacrifice I am now making.

Please give the enclosed clipping to sister to put with the rest.

With lots of love to you and best regards to Mrs Russell and the rest.

Your loving son
Ted Bigelow

P.S. Bob Card is the fellow not Bob Kimble.

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Hinman Bigelow Letters: Crazy Ted Bigelow (11 Mar 1919)

This letter was written on 11 March 1919. Hinman Bigelow writes his angriest letter yet! It really makes you wonder what his mother said to him! Not surprisingly, he spent some time at the Episcopal Hospital in Philadelphia just a few years later in 1923. His mental health was examined, but their verdict was simply an ungovernable temper.

Be sure to check out the scans, you can see the anger in his handwriting. His rage increasing with each sentence he wrote.

March 11th

Mrs. George A. Bigelow,

I received your most insulting letter and I paid the doctors bill.

I don't think I want to come to Atlantic City if you are there, but I would like to see Sister and Aunt Hattie. I won't stay penned up in this prison all vacation with the fellows gone. I need a relaxation, the doctor told me so!

So you send me the $30 to leave here not later than March 21st!

I am keeping that letter you wrote so I will have something to show concerning my mental condition. Tell people letters of such a kind drove me to it.

I absolutely must have a vacation after this awful routine and no society, down town only two hours a day and I have guard and can't go down. Also I will endeavor to show any doctor which you examine my head some of the reasons for which I may be mentally upset.

Sister has written she wants to see me and I have other friends so send the money. I promise I won't come see you under any circumstances.

$30!

I have means of getting it if you don't send. So send before March 21st!

[Crazy] Ted Bigelow

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Hinman Bigelow Letters: Express Your Gratitude (4 Mar 1919)

This letter was written on 4 March 1919. Hinman Bigelow writes a letter about his plans for vacation as he continues to be a jerk to his poor mother.

March 4th,

Dear Mother,

I received your very interesting letter also the $3. But that won't pay my debt and get a pair of "puts" and leave me any allowance, so you send the money I asked for! If I send you some negatives to be taken to Haworths on the Boardwalk do you think you could do it right? Well I will try you out, just take these negatives and say to them that you want one of each printed and then get them, pay for them out of my next allowance and send them to me as soon as done.

Don't take any of them! If you want any of them leave the negatives there afterwards and get the ones you want, but rush the originals.

About this coming vacation, Bob Card, Kemble and myself have decided to stay in Mercersburg and get off all our conditions, and after that to run down to Philadelphia to visit Card for a day or so. Well that will save a week and a half of board at Craig Hall, besides getting my conditioned subjects above grade. Well send me a check for twenty five and I will stay and do this. It is an awful sacrifice to be penned up here, never allowed out at night and down to town only two hours a day. Some prison but I will stand it for it will get me back into the good graces of Dr. Irvine.

Here is my expense outline.
Allowance for week and half	$7.00
(Remember this vacation)
Trip to Phila and back	20.00
Tip to waiter	1.00
"     "   Bidy	1.00
	$30.00

That is running pretty close considering I will have to get my suits pressed out of that. I promise I won't visit anybody in Philadelphia except Aunt Hattie for about half an hour! Bob and his father have a day all planned for me. He is the fellow that lived in Elkins Park, who I was going to see this summer. Bob's folks are very respectable people and I will be perfectly safe in their care. Or maybe if you want I will drop in on you for 1 day?

I must have a little vacation or I'll go wild being penned up like a convict.

Well write soon and express your gratitude for my act.

Your loving son,
Hinman

P.S. If I took the whole vacation, I would be conditioned and would spend at least $25 more dollars for board and clothes and excitement! So consider faithfully!

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Hinman Bigelow Letters: Kiddish Attitude (25 Feb 1919)

This letter was written on 25 February 1919. Mercersburg Academy headmaster, Dr. William Mann Irvine, writes Hinman Bigelow's mother about Hinman's promises to do better in school.

February 25, 1919.

Mrs. Anna C. Bigelow,
Philadelphia, Pa.

My dear Mrs. Bigelow:

Your kind letter of recent date has been received. I permitted your son to read your letter and we discussed the same very frankly. He assures me that he is trying to keep away from the guard squad. I want him to clean up his guard record and then get no more guard. He also says that he is trying to study more faithfully than ever before. He is anxious to do some jumping in the spring term and he realizes that he must clean up his record or he will not be eligible for the team. I certainly hope that he will hold to his good resolution.

Don't worry too much about the boy. Simply do your best and with our backing we hope that we can pull him through in good style. He has a lot of fine qualities and it is just a "kiddish" different attitude on his part that makes the trouble for him. If he can change this attitude so that he will be more ambitious the battle will be won.

With very kind regards, believe me,

Most cordially yours,
William Mann Irvine

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Hinman Bigelow Letters: Guard Sheet (18 Feb 1919)

This letter was written on 18 February 1919. Mercersburg Academy headmaster, Dr. William Mann Irvine, writes Hinman Bigelow's mother about the long list of guard and demerits he has acquired during the winter term.

February
18--1919

Mrs. Anna C. Bigelow,
Philadelphia, Pa.

My dear Mrs. Bigelow:

I herewith enclose a copy of your son's guard record for the winter term. As you will recognize, it is a pretty bad record. In truth, it is one of the worst made in our school during the present term. I have had several conferences with your son. He always promises to do better. When he goes back into the school he forgets some of his promises. Disobedience, insolence, obscene language and impertinence are certainly not complimentary to any boy's record. Your son really ought to be a leader in the school. He has the ability to make everyone respect him. At the present time with such a record the best boys of the school cannot possibly respect him. As I told him, he acts like a boy who is eight or ten years of age and who had not yet learned the lesson of self-control.

In our interview this morning your son promised not to get any more guard and I certainly hope he will keep that promise. I want you to write him a most urgent letter on receipt of this communication. You will note the fact that he has eighty hours of guard and four demerits standing against him and six demerits will automatically dismiss him from the school. He has been with us for a number of years and I feel humiliated that a boy who knows Mercersburg as he is supposed to know it should act in this way.

With kindest regards, believe me,

Most cordially yours,
William Mann Irvine

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Hinman Bigelow Letters: Specimen of Loyalty (17 Feb 1919)

This letter was written on 17 February 1919. Hinman Bigelow isn't happy with the reply his mother sent him, but he has finally given up asking for the car. That doesn't mean he's done asking for money though!

Feb 17th. 1919,

Dear Mrs. Bigelow,

I received your very sarcastic and poorly spelled letter.

About the passing of my English, if I don't pass it I won't come back after Spring vacation so if you don't send the money I am out of luck!

Also I must have at least $3 extra for the debate Feb 22nd. next Saturday so please send it as I must get my suits fixed up and everything.

You are right, I did have auto fever.

As for any trips, if I am so fortunate as to make the team again, I will go on every possible trip to represent the school, you say no trips of any kind well that is a poor specimen of loyalty to the school.

You may leave the sarcasm out of your letters or I will use some of my own also some letters that might to interesting.

Also I want to have some photo's taken at the photographer as all the fellows are doing it and I never have had any so you may send me $8 to get a dozen. Don't forget! Which do you want taken in citizens or uniform?

Well don't forget to send the things I asked for $3.00 for a pair of new puttees everyone has to have two pair.

Yours,
Mr. Ted Bigelow

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Hinman Bigelow Letters: Consider it Seriously (11 Feb 1919)

This letter was written on 11 February 1919. Dear Hinman Bigelow's mother, Why aren't you sending your son all your money?! "Gee, it seems to be just one expense after another."

Feb 11th, 1919

Dear Mother,

I received your letter and the check for nine dollars. Thanks for sending me that investment sheet, I read it, but what do you want me to do with it?

On one condition will I stay here Easter vacation and only one, that is that you write me a check for $55 payable to me. My reasons are, first, I would like to tutor some conditions off if I get any which I am sure to do. Also it is like a prison here if you never get back to civilization and all the fellows except a few foreigners go home and I would be lonesome, but for $55 I will do it! That will be saving about $25 and also I will be getting my conditions off. But unless you send me the $55 why I will be home the first chance I get. So consider it seriously!

I have a condition in English this term which must be removed before March 5th. Therefore about February 17th, please send me $10 to tutor it off.

Gee, it seems to be just one expense after another, but I don't see how I can help it.

I think if I come back next year I will work my way through as that is about $400 cheaper and I would have that much more to spend upon necessary things.

Can't you please let me have a little extra before the debate about Feb 20th. because that debate comes off the night of the 22nd and I want to get my suit pressed and cleaned also I might be asked downtown for supper and would want to have some money on hand and also for society stunts.

I am going to work this summer either at Wanamakers or as I hope to get a chauffeur's job with Miss Parsons.

Don't you think I could get a cheap car say my Ford racer costing $400, insured and everything, you know you would like it and if I work my board money alone would easily pay the expense of the car.

So think it over. Well write soon.

Your loving son
Ted Bigelow

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Hinman Bigelow Letters: Sarcasm (5 Feb 1919)

This letter was written on 5 February 1919. Hinman Bigelow writes to his mother for, you guessed it, more money! I've included a photograph of Hinman with his track team.

Feb 5th.

Dear Mother,

I received your letter, the check for school, and my own $3 check but not the one for the indoor shoes. Now mother I must have those shoes for track and must have them immediately, so by return mail you send me a check for the shoes.

Now you might as well leave out your sarcasm about my age and etc. because the shoes fitts both of us. Especially what you said about the Armstrong's and I am keeping that letter for future use if necessary.

I have cut the smoking as I said so don't you think you help me toward that car I want?

Well I am practising hard for both track and swimming.

What will you give me to stay here during Easter vacation? My railroad fare would mount to $20. My board $18 and my other expenses $25. Send me a check for $55 and I will stay here in Mercersburg for over vacation. Pretty little sacrifice but I will do it you send me the $55. Consider the matter! It would save both time and money.

Is Miss Parsons going to be in Atlantic City in March about the 15th? Ask her for me will you please.

There is going to be a dance here soon and the debate the 22nd so couldn't you add a little for these occassions because I need my suits pressed and also the debate night for stunts. So please send me a little extra.

Well don't forget the $6 for the track shoes and the rest.

Give my best to Miss Parsons and Marguerite Armstrong, the Milburns, Mrs. Ivyville and the rest.

Sincerely,
Ted Bigelow

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Hinman Bigelow Letters: Miss Parsons (29 Jan 1919)

This letter was written on 29 January 1919. Hinman Bigelow writes to family friend, Miss Parsons, asking for help to purchase his little Ford Racer. Unfortunately for Hinman, instead of helping him, she forwarded his letter to his mother.

Jan 29th
Morning

Dear Miss Parsons,

I received the box of caramels and liked them very much, thanks to you! I am now enjoying them with several of the fellows.

Am enclosing several of my drawings of the Ford racer I wish to get. I will get it too if I have to sell everything I ever owned. It only costs $400 but I am finding it hard to get that much together but I will do so. Won't you help me some? It means everything to me and think of the good times I will have during the summer.

I am 19 years old this April 29th and you can get a license in Penn. at the age of 16 so I can easily procure that little article.

I know where I can get $100 of the $400 but unless Sister [Jane Ashley Bigelow] and Aunt Hattie [Colson] help me some and you help me to an extent I don't know how I will get it but hope for the best. The old saying is, "where there is a will there's a way." Well tell Mother I said this and will get the car. I have a watch that will bring $20, a rug = $20, and some penants worth $10 also several other little items worth about $25, so you see I have prospects of succeeding if only you will help me. Won't you please Miss Parsons? You don't realize what it would mean to me.

Thanking you again for the candy and hoping to hear from you soon!

Your friend,
Ted Bigelow

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Hinman Bigelow Letters: Track Shoes (28 Jan 1919)

This letter was written on 28 January 1919. Hinman Bigelow writes his mother again about the Ford Racer as well as the track shoes he needs for school. Hey, wait a minute! Weren't the track shoes $5 in his last letter?

Jan 28th.

Mrs. Bigelow,

I received your letter also the check, I got the make up slips and have made 2 classes up already and will make 2 more tomorrow if everything goes right.

You forgot the track shoes which are an absolute necessity for me so please send the $6 dollars necessary to get the shoes.

You said nothing about my quitting cigarettes for awhile although I mentioned the fact in my last letter.

As for a car that is all settled that I am going to get one and I expect you to help me to the extent of $75. You say license in every state well a Penn license costs $5 with visiting privilege in most every state except for Florida and lasts a year. Also gasolene for a Ford costs very little and the repairs on a Ford Speeder cost almost nothing. Besides the pleasure I would have running it around town you would be ample and furthermore it is a safe investment as it will sell for even money anytime at all.

Besides the learning to drive and handle the machinery, the man that can drive a car and knows its parts is an awful handy man to have around ask Miss Parsons or any car owner concerning this.

I have not begged a cent from anyone, I asked several people to help me and sincerely hope that they will as it means a lot to me.

Well write soon and send the track shoe money and reconsider the car proposition as you would like to ride in it if I got one.

Your son,
H.A. Bigelow

P.S. Whoever told you I spent 50 cents a week writing to girls was misinformed.

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