On June 12, 1901, Karl wrote a letter from Glasgow to his younger sister Mattie. This was letter 43 of 44 letters that are preserved in the archives. It was written on blank paper, without bearing the stamp or watermark of a hotel or other business.
This letter, in particular, provides a bit more insight into Karl’s character. Karl writes letters as if he’s in the middle of a conversation, responding to her last correspondence while sharing the reports of his day. I find it reads like he would talk, less formal than his letters to the editor about his travels and more “Karl”.
Dear Mattie;
So I owe you two letters do I. Well here goes one, so let me off easy if I forget the other one.
Arrived here at two pm on Saturday and went to the YMCA, changed my clothes there and got a letter from a girl of mine in London.
First thing, I got a boarding house for a day or so, then went out to hunt for a friend of mine whom I met in Edinburgh. Found the house, but the Gent was out back, horseback riding.
Called on Sunday at two pm after church and dinner was over and found him. We went for a walk and had lunch at 4 and at 6 went into the Royal Infirmary. He to see two of his friends and I to see one young lady, a sister to the postmaster of Wick. We saw neither of them, but Mr Cullen, my friend left word for his friends to come at his office in the morning, after they had finished their work. So then we went to the Cathedral in the Evening and enjoyed a musical service one would think it was an Episcopal Church instead of the established Church of Scotland.
After church, we went to see Mrs. Scott Dick, one of Glasgows Society Women and had a cup of tea with the family.
Monday morning the two Smith sisters (nurses) ….
(excuse me a band is playing down the street will be back soon as music is over, it is now 7pm).
8am wednesday morning.
Well I got back again last night after the band had ceased performing. I was as much fun looking at the pranks of the young boys and girls, who were up to all sort of tricks. As we have no slums in Truro you will be ignorant of the ways of the poor and the ways of the city youth.
Well as I was saying where was I anyway, when I left off last night. Oh yes, on Monday morning the (now my space is filled). Yes on Monday morning the two Smith girls from the hospital called around to the office of a friend and I happened to be there at the time. I had to call on their people at London Derry. Went back to the hospital with them and found the young lady to whom I had a letter of introduction. She showed me all around the place, operation room, wards, etc. Have to go up again this afternoon to tea. Suppose I’ll have to although I would prefer not to go.
Ate some Nova Scotia apples out at the exhibition yesterday , got acquainted with some of the Canadians there. Am just waiting for a boat to Ireland and will sail tomorrow afternoon. Either to Waterford or Londonderry. Hope you are keeping all the clippings and pictures I send home. Of course you are. No need for me to ask that. Suppose summer holidays will soon be coming. How nice that will be to those who are like, what I was once - a school hater.
I guess this letter is long enough for the two I owe you. So you will have to send me one to Dublin or to be in my debt.
Karl Creelman (M,A) Monkey Admirer”
So it’s clear that Karl is devout in his faith, regularly attending church services throughout his travels. But at the same time, it’s now 1901, and Karl is 23 years old.
Very few 23-year-olds then and now would write to their siblings, let alone opt for tea with the church ladies. But Karl’s easily captured attention for live music and a fun scene with a local friend is timeless.
Looping back to his faith and outings related to the church, I can confidently say that the reference to his “girl” was entirely honourable. Given his story, I’m sure he was quite a hit with the ladies, but Karl certainly wasn’t travelling to have a “girl in every port”. His few referenced romances were innocent, and given that he was travelling, the girls he met became more “penpals” than “girlfriends”. I can imagine the gist of the tone and light-hearted romantic notions on their pages. They are a right of passage when travelling in your 20s. Because dear reader, I also wrote those types of letters when I was travelling in my youth, as I’m sure you did.
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