1899- Journey to Mars

TELEGRAMS & LETTERS

Letter to Edwin A. Cooper from Ethan B. Stokes

June 1, 1891

Edwin A. Cooper

Managing Partner

Bessemer Steel Works

140 Trader Way

Allentown, Pennsylvania

USA

Dear Mister Cooper,

This office has been retained by the Estate of the late Dr. Jonathan Conklin in the matter of the order of twelve steel drums.

As you know, Dr. Conklin was the foremost medical practitioner in the field of anatomy and cellular regeneration. His work is now carried forward by his estate.

In order to further Dr. Conklin’s research, the Executor, Mr. Cort Whatley, has ordered one dozen steel drums from your factory. This order was received the 27th instant, and was found to be unsatisfactory. The original request was for twelve “interiorly enameled” steel drums. The drums delivered were without enamel and are unsuitable for use in a medical laboratory. Those drums are returned with a bill of lading for their transshipment, enclosed. We will not pay delivery charges for your mistake!

I have directed my contacts in the United States to take this matter to your competitor, should you further neglect to fulfill the requested order in a timely fashion.

Cordially,

Ethan B. Stokes

Fotheringill & Stokes, Solicitors

Telegram from Avinash Rathmandu to Billy Gostman

18 MARCH 1893

TO BILLY GOSTMAN

WACO TEXAS UNITED STATES

DEAR BILLY

YOU MUST BE INFORMED THAT PEOPLE OF THE COLOR WHICH IS YOURS HAVE BEEN UPON CEYLON ASKING MANY QUESTIONS OF THE VILLAGERS STOP I AM BEING SAYING THESE THINGS UNTO THE TELEGRAPH OPERATOR OF OUR VILLAGE AND BECAUSE THE LANGUAGE OF YOURS IS QUITE DEFICIENT IN MY HEAD HE IS SAYING THIS TO YOU FOR ME STOP DO NOT BE ALARMED STOP HE IS MY COUSIN AND WILL NOT GIVE UP THE GREAT SECRET STOP THE LARGE BOATS GO NEAR THE COASTLINE OF THE DAY AND OF THE NIGHT STOP THEY ARE LOOKING FOR IT STOP WE TOLD THEM IT WAS IN THE PLACE WHICH IS BEING MOST INCORRECT AND THEY ARE SEARCHING IN THAT PLACE STOP SHALL YOU BE RETURNING TO US ONCE AGAIN INTERROGATIVE THE FINDING OF IT IS FOR YOU ALONE STOP IT IS THE WISH OF MY FAMILY MOST FERVENT STOP FATHER IS ILL STOP OF THIS WORLD HE WILL NOT LONG BE STOP HE IS YOUR FRIEND IN TRUTH STOP AS IS HIS SON WHICH IS MYSELF STOP

RATHMANDU AVANISH JOSEPH

Reply by Telegram from Billy Gostman to Avanish Rathmandu

30 MARCH 1893