From James Silver (1863-1949) to his daughter Bella Dobbs (1893-1968)
Burnside Whitmore St Taringa SW1 27/9/39
My Dear Bell and all,
How are you all getting on, I hope you are all in good health and got over your colds? I don’t know how you folks are but we still have a hint of cold weather here yet. We are all well down here. Mr Schaumburg is getting on well and will soon be able to go under the operation. He was in a bad way when he came down and the Dr told him that if he had been a day or two longer, it would have gone hard with him. But he is improving well. He was too long in coming down. Mrs S. is still here, may not go away until Jack gets better. Well, Bella, Jack and I went over to the crematorium last Sunday and saw that everything was fixed up all right and it was lovely. Such a heaven to rest until called on overlooking the city of Brisbane everything so well prepared and clean and tidy. She has her little niche in the wall with the casket and that is sealed with a bronze plate and there is inscribed on it, Janet Silver, died 19th August, 1939, aged 75 years. And that is all that remains of our dear mother but the sweet memory will ever be remembered by us all. Yes, Bella, I miss her but the family she gave me will help me to bear the cross and lighten the few years I have left to run. Well, I was glad you got the box and parcel up all safe. No Bella, I asked the price per goods and also by passenger rates and there was so little between them that I said by passenger. I thought you would get it soon but look Bella, I’m in no hurry for it. I am not in want of it, it will do when you are more flush. Re Jim’s barrow, they told me about it after I had all the box done up and it was impossible for me to get it in but if I can find some way of sending it along, I will do so. Well, I have had no luck with a tenant for the house. I will put it into an agent’s hand, they may get one. No doubt this war will make things bad; I do not know how long it will last but there will not be much of Germany left for Hitler; all the countries are up against him; even Russia seems to be not too sure of him. I had a letter from Eva she seems settled down having an easy time. No I think that is about all my news for the present. I feel fairly well and quite comfortable just doing a little gardening and odd jobs. Well, give my love to all the little ones and give Jim and extra kiss. Remember me to Alex with kindest regards to you all form your affectionate Dad.
19 Wyte St, Toowoomba, 13/2/47 Dear Bella and all,
How are you all in this time of this great rain? I have been watching the rain fall but so far I have not seen any cause for you to have to shift in the papers. So far you seem to be like us – away from the heavy rains. We have nice rains but nothing to what they had had on the coast, especially down Brisbane and the border. We have been very lucky only the wind has been very strong but I have heard of no damage and it is still raining here and has been ever since last Thursday. We just got home from Brisbane on the Monday and had good weather all the time. We was only three days away and expected to see you but Phil told us that she thought Peg was too and that way you was left out but with the weather as it has been, it may just as well you did not come down. They had a very nice, quiet wedding (Peg and Allan’s wedding), not so many as there was at Jean’s but a nice few and everything went off so nicely. She got a nice lot of presents, some nice ones I give her four pounds. Eva gave her a nice box. They went down to the south coast for their honeymoon but they had had terrible time. Got that I don’t know when they will get back to Cairns if this weather keeps on. Well, Bella, I got the tobacco all right; many thanks. Only thing, I did not get the account; there has been a rise in the price however I am forwarding on 25 shillings which should cover all costs; it was just the thing I like. I also got the calendar; many thanks, it is very nice. I suppose you will soon be on the way to Mavis; how is she keeping? I hope you will get a dry trip and not get into floods for at present one is not sure when you get into one of them. I saw Mrs Connley, Phil’s sister, at the marriage; she was asking very kindly after you, she said she had a letter form you and she looked very well. They have had a bad time; lost a lot of their stock. This has been a terrible time all over the world. Are they not have their troubles at home, it must be bad; no light, no coals and so cold weather and very little food; we should not complain here. The only thing her is less work and more pay. Well, I hope you are all well, the cows should be doing well now and the feed plentiful. Well, we are all well, and still in the same quarters; we thought we would be in the new home soon but we are back to where we were. The powers below has been looking it up and find that price put on it some time ago and the price now shows signs of black marketing and will not pass it so we do not know how it will go. George is all right, the seller is the one that my get into trouble. Oh, well, I think I have given you all the news,we are anxious to know how you are in the flood. Alex will have a wet time after the cows and theyard will be no treat, so remember me to all the youngsters, also Alex, not forgetting yourself. From all at Toowoomba.
From your loving dad,
James Silver
12/3/1949
Dear Alex, yourself and all the family,
I am very anxious to know how you are all getting through this terrible time. I see by the papers that you are having bad times round Rocky. I hope you have got over the worst now with the floods and the country around your way that has got a good soaking around your way. Some of the places along the coast had a bad time of it but it is nice to think that all the central west have got their share. We have not had much only about 4 inches; nice rain, very little wind; it all fell on the coast; they had a very rough time on the south coast even worse than up here. I hope you had your house fixed up and had not to be out in it. It would be no joke and I intended to write you but, Bella, must have got a few letters from Eva and I thought you must have got one of them only the weather conditions had stopped your. Only a wire would find us but I expect one will be along soon if not I will be up to see what is doing. I would like to come up. How is the builder getting on, he ought to be making good money. When do you think you will be able to give me a camp?, it would be nice if I could come up with the girls when they come back from their holidays. I suppose they are always on the mind. I am not troubling myself about the marriage, (Rob and Heather) I don’t think I will be there. I am feeling a lot better lately although I am a bit off but a lot better. I don’t do any work nor got out much but I am not too bad. The tobacco? is not finished yet, I will see how it goes by then. How is the boss keeping, I hope the cream cheques will be all right now. Oh, well, I hope you are all well and everything in order and I hope to have a look at you all some off these days (be sure and write soon or wire how you are)