1916

ca. 50 items from Jan 12 to Feb 8; ca. 50 from Feb 10 to June 12; in Box 5 ca. 60 items from June 13- July 11; in Box 5 ca. 50 items from July 12 to Nov. 3, 1916; in box 5

Box 5

A continuation of the exchange of letters between Howard and Kitty, generally while he travels for the Philadelphia Quartz Company (which is a family business), his locations usually evident from hotel letterheads, in the same playful and loving tone, and peppered with sketches in his letters to her, as well as letters of others to them.

Highlights include:

to K.M. New York, 1/12. Their program has the approval of his travelling companion; his notions on education; viewed a paraffin-coating machine

to H.E. While her mother has been sick, she has doled out aspirin, hot water bottles, mustard plasters, etc.; worked at the Employment Society handing out work to women who earn $.75/ week sewing for the hospitals

to H.E. 1916 1/14. Haverford College students go to the Frankford Asylum to entertain inmates

to H.E. 1916 1/13. Her family is against women working after marriage

to K.M. Syracuse, NY., 1/20. He is in favor of a woman working after marriage because it makes her stronger and more useful; discussion of faith & spirituality

to K.M. Schenectady, NY., 1/28. Thinks attending meeting should be for religious, not social reasons

to K.M. Albany, NY, 1/30. Believes charitable contributions should be to organizations, not to street beggars

to K.M. New York City, 1/31. Making purchases and reporting costs

to K.M. New York City, 2/2. Kinds of gifts they might receive for their wedding and how to record them properly

to K.M. Windsor Locks, CT, 2/3. Detailed list of things needed for their house

to K.M. Springfield, MA, 2/4. Mentions Haverford College and the students who perished in the war

to K.M. Springfield, MA, 2/5. Answers her question concerning the survival of certain religions

to K.M. Boston, 2/10. Tells her there is no place for depression; hopes he will be a good husband

to K.M. Boston, 2/11. Tells of his trip across Pennsylvania; thinks toward the time when they are married and that before there will be children, she may find she has time to do something to benefit the condition of society; also, to be sure that after their marriage, it is clear to her mother that she (Kitty) is the pilot and not her mother; also, that despite her feeling to the contrary, he isn't away all that much

to K.M. Boston, 2/14. Still thinking about work she could do that he would find acceptable would include an opportunity of study, including being a waitress

to K.M. Boston, 2/15. His work was to visit the plant of a company that make board and package stock and to see a pump

Edwards, L.T to H.E. Philadelphia, 2/14. H.E. has been accepted into Phi Beta Kappa

to H.E. "the 16th of the month." Wants to know more about the working poor; if she became a waitress, might she care if her friends see her at the job; one doesn't usually think about who does all the little unnoticed, but absolutely necessary bits of work that make up the routine of life, and why is society so stratified

Published notice to Haverfordians. 4/25. Requesting donations for the building of Sharpless Hall

to K.M. Boston, 2/16. Gives instructions on how to behave; tells of impressing important members of his company with information; description of office personnel and workings of a literary office

to K.M. Lancaster, PA. 5/24. Reports on war in Europe

Box 6

Many letters refer to preparations for the wedding of Katharine Mason and Howard Elkinton

Highlights include:

to H.E. 6/13. Having some sort of misgivings about women working outside the home the more she reads

to H.E. 6/15. Discussion of the role of women

to H.E. 6/17. Mentions Thomas R. Kelly who was a classmate of Howard's and that she has been at the Haverford graduation

to H.E. 6/23. He has given her a G.O.P. pendant; John Cary has struck it rich, finding oil wells on his place in the west

to H.E. 6/24. Mentions the possibility of war with Mexico

Mother to H.E. 6/27. Mentions arrival of Iwao Frederick Ayusawa

to H.E. 6/27. Philosophical discussion of love

to H.E. 7/19. Sometimes feels she should go abroad and nurse or work in some capacity

to H.E. 7/17. Refers to large number of cases of infantile paralysis (polio) and precautions being taken

Elkinton, Frances to K.M. Birmingham, England, 1916 8/24. Has traveled around Europe with rumors of war and returned to England

to H.E. 8/30. Reflects on their life after marriage: "This future of ours, at least for me, an unexperienced lot of hardships that are beyond my comprehension because they are beyond my experience."

to H.E. 9/6. Reveals her religious beliefs, and thinks they do not have a belief in common

Description of the wedding day for Katharine Mason and Howard Elkinton. Oct. 1916

to family. Description of honeymoon at Meadow Farm in Darlington, MD.