DAWSON Letters

From	To	Dated
Letitia R. (Dawson) Johnson	Marjorie [Dawson?] ?	ca. Autumn 1922
William Dawson	Letitia (Dawson) Johnson	August 24, 1925
Grace (Dawson) Clark	Harry D. Johnson, Sr.	February 21, 1933
Alice E. MacGregor 2	Harry D. Johnson, Sr.	March 14, 1933
Alice E. MacGregor	Harry D. Johnson, Sr.	April 1, 1933
Alice E. MacGregor	Harry D. Johnson, Sr.	July 12, 1933
Alice I. Dawson	Elizabeth Cheatham 1	October 1, 1962

	LETTER		ENVELOPE
To:	Marjorie [Dawson?] ?	Addressed To:	(no envelope)
From:	Letitia R. (Dawson) Johnson	Return Address:
Date:	ca. Autumn 1922	Postmark:
Stationery:	7 pages written in longhand with ink on two sheets of folded letterhead of Resco Service Incorporated, 188 Montague Street, Brooklyn, NY	Stamp:

It is a very hard task to write about Harry Jr. as I just have to brace myself for the ordeal, no one else could see or realize his condition, for a long time, but being with him so much, I could see all the different moods from the start, (which was at camp) When I would go to camp to see him, he would cry and sob, and say he wasn't any good for his country, because they turned him down for overseas, and put him in the hospital for consumptives. And you know at the time of the Mexican Border trouble he as the only one of his company, not allowed to go, on account of his heart. This all worried him, and it made me feel so sad to see him so disheartened. Then when he was discharged he began to act queer about his food, (we were living then at a hotel) he would not eat at the same places we did, and would have fits of laughter, for no reason whatsoever, then he would have times of being very noisy, and at

other times very silent. (It never dawned on me about it being insanity as I have never known any one that was so, but since we have been going out to see Harry, have seen all the other soldiers and they seem to have gone through the same stages of the disease having talked with a number of their mothers. My heart was just broken to see my dear boy so. Some days he would be fine, and I would think he was going to be all right, and perhaps next day he would be very much excited, I tried so hard to hide the fact from every one, and tried to keep him home with me, but he wanted to go, go. all the time He would come home without his hat, and he finally got so he could not sleep, and would walk about the streets + parks all night long. You cannot imagine how worried we were afraid he would be arrested. Then he refused to eat, and he got like a shadow,and so weak - he thought I poisoned his food and drink. He turned on the gas, and told me about it next day, and said he didn't like the smell of it "thank goodness". Every pain and ache he had, he thought some one else was wishing on him, he would wake up in the middle of the night and say his head was all swelled up, and we would make him put on his hat to try and convince him, but he said the swelling went down as soon as the hat went on.

Then Marjorie I began to be afraid to be alone with him, as he had bought a large bowie knife and would keep it under his pillow. he was gettting more excitable every day, and would act queerly on the street. I could not keep him in the house, he began to be very noisy and would stamp and bang things about.

all our chairs were Germans and they were all bayoneted with a curtain pole he would charge everything, he broke one chair after another, and cut the mattress sheets blankets, even twisted the brass at the foot of the bed, and then began on the wall making big holes in it he would kick in the panels of the doors, and I think it was because he tried hard not to hurt us, although something seemed to make him want to do so.

Then we began to find notes and jottings about wanting to kill different people, such as Harding, Pershing, Bill and a couple of girls he knew. He thought Harding + Pershing were ordering him to do these things, and he would hear noises all the time. And then he began to glare at people in the cars and also those in the house, and at last he wanted to go and live in the woods, and came home to pack his things he was shouting and singing at the top of his voice, and laughing also at times. we could do nothing with him and were at our wits end. We knew if he went away, he would be picked up by the police, and sent away, as he was unable to control himself. So we had to call an ambulance on the 6th of October a year ago, and have him taken away for his own protection.

That was the first nights sleep in many a night, as we would have to be on the lookout all the time as we would wake up and find him glaring (always at me) and O, Marjorie I loved Harry so dearly, but they tell me that they always turn against the ones they have loved best. We have been going out every Sunday to see him, and any time I am not well Bill goes with Harry Sr. Hefatherhas never missed a Sunday (about his condition at present). He is nice and quiet, and they (the keepers) all speak very nicely of him. He is looked over by the Gov't. which pays $2.50 a day to the state for their welfare. They supply vocational teachers, and Harry is making baskets, belts, and pocketbooks. He is more contented now that he is busy and expects to have a parole card soon and then he can go all over the place and have a lot of freedom but they have to make sure he will not wander away and get lost.

He is in splendid health and I think he will come around all right, but it takes time. I do long to have him at home, but have got to know that it is the best way at present. Now I will tell you about the place. It is called Kings Park and is indeed a park, beautiful grounds (not fenced in) beautiful buildings, his place is situated on the Sound and all Summer he has gone swimming with Bill, and others every Sunday he and his father take a nice long walk, over to see Mr. + Mrs. Rorke (he is a vocational teacher) and was

They (the soldiers) play baseball, volleyball, have shows, movies, and a dance every week. he thought he danced with Viola Dance the other day but of course that was in his dreams. If I stay away a Sunday he thinks we are separated, and when Bill doesn't come he thinks he is in Sing-Sing. However I am hopeful and think he is much better and this Sunday he helped me on with my coat, and asked me to write to him, and that is fine as he has not taken any more notice of me as though I wasn't there.

Marjorie, I did not tell you all as I know it would make you ~~all~~ feel badly. But this is all true in this letter, and there are things that I have not, and will not tell any one not even his father that happened, as it was not my dear Harry, but the devil which must come out of him. Pray for him Marjorie dear for that is our only hope God's help. Good Bye Dear

	LETTER		ENVELOPE
To:	Letitia R. (Dawson) Johnson	Addressed To:	Mrs. H. D. Johnson 616 Nostrand Ave Brooklyn NY
From:	William Dawson	Return Address:	110 Bank St Painesville OH
Date:	August 24, 1925	Postmark:	Sep 23 1925 3:30PM Painesville OH
Stationery:	Letterhead of CLARK & SEARL Wholesale Cigars, Cigarettes, Tobacco and Candy Sterling Avenue PAINESVILLE, OHIO R.N. Clark Geo. T. Searl	Stamp:	torn from envelope

Your letter received this A.M. cannot understand why you have not discovered my garments as you may recognize them by the trade mark vis. the Gorwith Mills shirt + drawers I never thought of examining those you laid out for me and put them right in the bag at any rate am returning yours by Parcel Post along with this letter -- just received a letter from Marjorie she is well and prospering but is going to change her address as she does not like the place she is in at present Alice is doing well we all went to the Church Picnic at the lake side last Thursday and had a fine time Grace and Bob and Kiddies send love also Alice and accept same from

	LETTER		ENVELOPE
To:	Harry D. Johnson, Sr.	Addressed To:	Mr. H.D. Johnson 26-10 150th St., Flushing, N.Y.
From:	Grace (Dawson) Clark	Return Address:	Mrs. R.N. Clark, 304 Bank St., Painesville, Ohio.
Date:	February 21, 1933	Postmark:	PAINESVILLE OHIO FEB 21 1933 6PM SPECIAL DELIVERY
Stationery:	2 pages on letter paper. Also enclosed were a note on a vellum card and 2 pages on note paper to Letitia Dawson Johnson	Stamp:

Your letter came yesterday noon and I have read it over and over and still do not know what to say. I telephoned Alice immediately and she thought I ought to tell Dad, so I did, and Alice came up to the house last night. Of course we are all terribly broken up by your news and it seems awful that poor Lettie has waited until it is too late to operate. I wish you would write and tell me more about her and how long the doctor thinks she will be here. Do you think it would help her any if one of us came on to see her? I do not think Dad should go but Alice or I could go . You know we would love to see her and do anything we could to help her but I want you to say frankly just what you think is best for her. I am enclosing a little note to her and please let us hear from you soon, Harry, as to just what you think. Where is the cancer?

If I could only be near enough to run in and do anything possible to help you! It seems awful to be so far away at such a time. If you think you would like to see one of us, just say so and either Alice or I will come. Dad is well but I do not think he should make the trip.

We are all thinking of you every minute and praying that you are comfortable and at peace. I do not think I can say anything more than repeat Mother's last words - "O! Saviour of the world, who by thy cross and precious blood hath redeemed us, save us and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O, Lord."

I dont know what to say. I am shocked. I have before me, her letter of February 15 - and now your letter of March 8th telling me of her passing. I can not believe it; had she been sick very long: if you had only told me, I would have gone to help care for her. did she know she had a cansar. Harry dear I am so sorry for you, I know how lonely you are, and little Harry to care for, what in the world are you going to do.

You and Lettie were so very happy I know how much she allways loved you. Very few people look back, to years of happiness such as you hav known. But strange the greater the happiness the greater the loneliness. I regreat the miles that separate us, but hope one day soon to be with you. It does seem Harry dear, that you have trouble enough without money troubles are things going very hard. I am so worried about you. Lettie must have felt dreadfully at leaving little Harry so helpless. You must try to be brave.

Harry dear I am simply crushed. I cant think of anything to say to comfort you, for I know what you are going through It will be two years the 5th next month since Jack passed on, and I am just as lonely now. Write me soon Harry, and let me know if there is anything I can do to comfort you.

	LETTER		ENVELOPE
To:	Harry D. Johnson, Sr.	Addressed To:	(no envelope)
From:	Alice E. MacGregor	Return Address:
Date:	April 1, 1933	Postmark:
Stationery:	On a torn half page of an invoice/bill with text preprinted on the reverse of the note: The Harris Company, San Bernardino, Calif.	Stamp:

Do write and tell me what you are doing. I have been away a few days. Am thinking of you constantly You know what a poor writer I am, so you will have to do most of the writing Do let me hear from you soon, as you are the only one I have left. Lettie was more like a Sister to me, than a niece, you know there is only 11 years difference in our ages. Tell me if little Harry misses Lettie

Just received your very wellcome letter of the 8th. kind of you to keep writing, when you receive no answer, but Harry dear I think of you always. What a wonderfull Husband you must have been to Lettie, you ar so thoughtfull. Very glad to know you are settled, in your own home do hope you will be comfortable. I cant plan to go to you now, as I will have no one to go to. Lettie and you, are the only ones that I had. I am so very lonely, do wish you were near me.

I like you, never hear from Painesville. If your friend comes to see me, I will be more then pleased to see him. there is a great deal I would like to write, but you see Harry, I am such a poor letter writer, that I just cant do it, you know. Jack always wrote my letters.

	LETTER		ENVELOPE
To:	Mrs. Elizabeth Cheatham	Addressed To:	Mrs. Elizabeth Cheatham 520 Central Ave., Plainfield, N.J.
From:	Alice I. Dawson	Return Address:	St. Mary's Memorial Home (written over label that reads: 469 Albion Ave Glendale Ohio)
Date:	October 1, 1962	Postmark:	Oct 3, 1962 7:30PM Cincinnati Ohio
Stationery:	personal stationery with address 469 ALBION AVENUE GLENDALE, OHIO	Stamp:	purple 4 cent Lincoln

Your name and address was sent to me by Mrs. Georgina Haa, Clerk of First Church of Christ Scientist, 144-27 Sanford Ave., Flushing 55 New York in answer to my request for any information leading to the whereabouts of my departed sister's boy, Harry Johnson Jr.

Since you were mentioned as their friend, I thought perhaps you could enlighten me. I presumed Harry, Sr. had passed away. If that is true, could you tell me the date and circumstances of his passing, and whether or not Harry, Jr. returned to the Veteran's Hospital on Long Island.