Anna Dickinson GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Nunn, C.A. 1884-91Bay City Feb 3rd 1884 Dear Lolly Your letter is at hand, and after A delay on account of sickness I desire to thank you for your very unnecessary apologies for I was sure you had A sad time and much correspondence to attend to tho I did fear I had given offence at my presumption that you would accept my invitation, then again I did not know but that you needed the means of getting here and felt angry at myself for not [delivering] sending you tickets and then I heard you had left Detroit so did not know what to do - now I am glad that I did not offend by my advice and indeed I meant all I said - and it was the memory of A time when my darling, was left by a dishonest manager far from Homeand you so kindly helped us over that difficulty that I felt that I must do something - so please pardon all thats amiss - now dear friend take small courage when I tell you that you are apreceated - with that Envy and Fear - that it sadly will take the character you have and convey them out successfully & have made some of our Tragedies Wake up to the knowledge that some one will supercede them will want spend quite a sum to prevent it and a little newspaper talk will make or mar the success of any one no matter how deserving they may be Margaret Can be Bought - 25 years experience in the Theatrical Business have learned me much so it is not in because you can not succeed but are prevented by Trickery or dishonesty in doing so if the wishes of my family can't keep you in your place on the top of ladders you want not come down one step. now dear friend if there is any thing at any time we can do for you or yours let me know My health have not been very good this Winter but hope the Spring will cure all aches for me. tho most of my aches is the absence of my sons 5 in number and the danger of traveling here be so great of late that I am always aware about them. There is a wealthy man named Nunemacker who I think will be glad to back you he is well known as a honorable man who desires to place a [?] go on the road from love of the excitement aloneMr John Hamlin is Aquainted with him Sent by Nanicy, this to you hoping you well kindly excuse me for intruding upon your valuable time I close wishing you success & courage and that in the end your way be wire you. Superior merits should take you and enable you to at last become Rich in the Pocket as well as Intelect Good Night dear Kind friend God Bless You From Your friend C A Nunn who will be so glad to hear from you at any time Mr hamlin is Manager of the Opera House Chicago March 18th, 1884 My kind Friend how glad I am to hear from you and to think that you have not forgotten me- and to know that A word from me will please you I wish I had something better than words to send you now- I have never worked for money more thus. I do now that I could place to you as Benifit- and to help you into the position that you desire to be in for believe me when I say that all I have I want venture in your behalf not that you may sit Idly down- and hide your Bright light under A Bushel- but that you cant go on- or on and scatter that wisdom that crowds your brain Among the less [fair??ed] one of the Earth [?] I am sorry you have [?] in Pity as I wait now stop overBeen sick and wish I could have been near you to do something for you. Now cheer up Dear and dont let any thing Break your Spirits up. I know it is hard to carry A load of dissapointment and loss for I have been dashed down more than once by Swindling Speculator and with A Brood of Young Birdlings that I was Bearing with such [?Aim] castles and while they paid for Diamonds I was nearly wanting Bread- thank God that is over now and I hope never to see that day again. dont I know how you have suffered- but dear hold up your clasic Head and hope again for remember that your words have been listened to so oft with wonder your writing are great Your Impersonation as Near perfection and nature as man or woman can render them. What more is needed. One manager [not] only one honest man- and a little money- (and that will come) there are many who would be willing to invest any amount if they only knew that such a star was waiting and all are not alike- god forbid they should be- Dishonest and averse have been the ride I know but there are exceptions nevertheless. I thank you for your kind enquiries of my Dear Boys- they are at last home with me for a few weeks- they have been South and got into the Flooded district on their return trip- and the account they give would make you shudder but they are here safe thank God- we are overRegaining some of the strength that travel and hard Playing robbed them of and a little of mothers petting seem the Best Medicine -- and I look forward with Sadness to the Opening Season for then I will have to say that - Farewell again that is the Saddest of all Words to me but I know when they leave me it is not to Mate with you dissapation but to return with Honour & fresh Laurels - if you knew then Dear friend you wait say they are A Marvel they neither drink Smoke Chew or use any Language but that of A Gentleman and O how I love them - and they think there is no Mother like their Mother but I have sent you A Litho of them all so you if you ever Meet them you will Recognise them O I cant turn you out with Prayers My darlings but will portend You will Pardon me for taking up so much of your Valuable time but I want to write A Volume but don't know what to say that you do not know or that may seem flattering to you - but Beleave Me I feel all I say and if there is anything I can do let me know it Please - and now dear friend before I Close let me urge you not to despond but Play well the Next Act and when the World that Anna dickinson - the Great the Wonder Woman of the - World - Can do her Part Well in Bearing the Ills that have been thrown upon her and Ready for the Next that will Surely Add the Clash to. A Crown not of thorns - but of greatness, [to all] in future time - the one Woman whose truthful Words have thrilled thoroughly [*over*]and whose Aim have been to shew the true Wishes & [Canard?] of the great Son Mothers - Virtue in its Right and Vice in its Wrong doing and above all have in her Charity, have done to others as she [need?] be done by, as I am A Witness in that Case - O Yes you will hear on the Closing Act - the Cheering words - Well done good and faithful - I gave you one talent you have Returned me many - not the thorny Crown but one of Imortality for You look up Dear. from one whose wish is that I were like you. C A Nunn ----------------- Bay City May 4th 1884 Dear friend how is it with you - are you Improving in health I hope so - for when that is gone - there is little to care for - for with that loss comes every thing thats sad - & so I hope your health is Restored. You - and that you are feeling more Couraegous and hopeful than your last letter implied I have been much better myself of late than usuol and have My Sons home for the Sumer which is all I can wish for - So You think My - Boys - A Nice lot of Sons for little Me to have - oh Yes - if yourwere aquanted with them you surprise was to be much Greater - for they are all A great Blessing to me and as you say home is one Bright holiday when they are here - and how my heart Sinks when I see them go away, but the Wolf must be Kept from the door You Know and debt is A thing that we never have to Worry for- and ours is a World were all are united, one home, one Purse, one Mind if one sorrow - all share it. or the Reverse, and so may God Keep them my Presious ones all who know them love them and I hope some day they will become Aquainted with you Dear friend. Do you know that your Name have been A household Name for many years. In fact, before my Dear Husband Death it dated from the Eveng when you were in New Britian Connecticit over 14 years Ago. My self & husband met you in the Hotel there - and I never forgot you - and when I wanted to tell of A Noble Woman I spoke of You. God forever Bless You for the Good you have done. And he will- tho it is well that sometime we shall have A Rough Road to Pass over- it make the smooth Road More Apreciated and it Cannot be all Sunshine here you know. Just ask what I think of your success in California. I think that with An honest managerand in A field were there is not so much envy and predudice among the profession that you must suceed anywere. My sons agree with me that in England you cant stand among the greatest for there they give eny one a chance but here the secret is traducers don't like a lady to surpass them in that heavy Barriers and you can do it with good suport. I wish I had the money I would risk it and make it too. Now dear friend with loving sincere good wishes for you and hoping you will not be long in telling me all is well and as my pen is bad and my penmanship is worse I will close this time for I have but little of interest to tell you. Praying you will not forget the little nunnery of nuns ever yours greatful CA NunnBay City Dec 20 1886 Dear Lady, don't you think that I have forgotten about you - that is not the case but I have been away from home and I thought it best to return and then write - you will be dispaired to hear news that I have been to England- it came to me through an advertisement that a little property was in waiting for me. So myself and Daughter started for london last October we had quite a rough passage but arrived safely after 12 days tossing on the Water. on my arrival I found that I was the Next heir to quite a lot of property. Farm land & Horses also one fourth interestin Corpus Chisty College was fortnate in finding the Nessesary Papers - Certicurate s&e - but was taken very Sick and was compelled to Return before the Completion of the Business - I cant not stand the Foggs - it is terrible there so was very Sick Both on the ship Wyoming and after I got Home - I shall be Compelled to take another journey as soon as the Weather permits - I hope them to be able to Place my Children in A good Passision were no more managers can use them and them keep their Salerry - I know dear friend you will be pleasd to hear this and know that one whom You have helped in her time of Nessity - Can Some day - Well let in all Hope for the Sunshiny day Again you will be Surprised to hear that I have had the Presumtion to write A Book -Now Laugh - Well thats Right Entitled - Looking Back_- and when I do look Back I Could write 10 Books I I [did] Said all I have Passed through and god only knows how. I have kept my Sences - us with A 63 years Experence in such A World as we are in - who Could not - You Can Answer w[i]ell and truly for you have had Experience - Sin e I have known you - now 18 year - I first saw in New Brittian Conn at the hotel now Dear friend I hope you will not think me Bold when I ask you if you can tell me the Best way to - Proced to get this Book out I depend much on this for themean of going to England and I am much Encouraged by already having large orders for them. Last tho not least I write hoping to hear you are in the Enjoyment of Good health and am A little curious to Know if you are closing any Successful [Business] --- I hope you are for you have too many talents to let them Lay Rusting -- that if you are I shall be glad - if not Dear - Wait till the Clouds Roll bye -and I Return Home again - in the meantime my Best wishes is with you and Yours and in Trouble or Joy may God Bless You and be even with You 6 A Nums 815 William Street Bay City MichNov 4th 1888 818 William st Bay City Michigan My Dear friend You will think I have forgotten you - but I have not - I have had a long sickness and am only just now able to write my own letters. I hope this will find you and those you love in good health- and prosperity. Now Dear you will Remember I said if I cant help you I would like to- my sons with the help of a friend are Building a small theatre- that is opposite my House and by this means I hope to keep them by my side for the little time I am with them in this World. Now dear- Dear Friend if you can use it for any purpose as by giving anything in the shape of Entertainment you can do so at any time and it will be a great pleasure to my family to help with music or talent which they all possess.- and if you like to do so without wasting your self you shall have a share in it and we will be faithful to you Interest as to our own- Dear friend I wrote you but the letters did not reach you- it was returned to me I did not get my property in England as it takes a lot of money and my health gave out so that I can not attend to it- but will still Hope now if you have not forgotten your Humble friend and can spare a few minutes to write me I shall be so glad to Hear from you- hoping you are quite well for that is the greatest Blessing we have Enjoy I am ever the Loving friend of Anna Dickinson C A Nunn[* Please Excuse this Paper *] Season 1887--'88, WORLDS MINSTRELS BRASS BAND AND ORCHESTRA. C. G. NUNN, Manager, (Late of Haverly's Minstrels.) PRESS OPINIONS. Worth the price of admission every day in the week. - Herald, Dubuque, Iowa. Cannot be excelled - Omaha Bee. Above Criticism - Hawkeye, Burlington, Iowa. Faultless - Bloomington Eye. They are fine - Commercial, Dallas, Texas. Excellent Organization - News, Keokuk, Iowa. Enthusiastically encored - Globe, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Very fine - Daily Champion, Atchison, Kansas. News and Elegant Printing, Lithographs, Engraved Mammoth Quarter sheet Windon Bills, Dodgers, &c. Many styles, the finest in the country and all you want to use. Dear Sir: Please answer the following questions and return the same to me immediately; I would be pleased to play the WORLD'S MINSTRELS _ Will give you _ gross receipts. Name of Hall _ Size of Stage and amount of Scenery _ Open Dates in _ Lowest Rent per night, including License and Attaches _ Exact Seating Capacity _ Population of City_ Name of last Minstrel Co. and Date _ Name of the next Stand - East, West, North and South _ Distance _ Address of all Daily Papers _ Bill Poster's Address _ SHARING TERMS: You to furnish hall, license, bill-posting and boards, newspaper advertising (one week in advance,) the sale of tickets, distributing, ushers, stage-hands, etc. - We the entire entertainment (first-class in every respect.) New and Elegant Printing, Lithography, mammoth quarter sheet Descriptives, Window Bills, Dodgers, Programmes, etc. etc., Very Respectfully, Yours, C. G. NUNN.Sept 21st 1891 Dear Friend it is with pleasure so deep that I am unable to describe at this time- Not a few minutes ago I took up a newspaper telling were [that] you cant be found at last I have written 3 time and my correspondences have been unanswered - and now I know the cause - I did not send it to the right address. . and so the world have been [??sing] you so I'll god how can they do so will they never know how to discriminate between the right and wrong - I for one know -you to be one of the best goodies in all America- and my best friend in time of needif I had known where to find you I might have come to you. Can I do any thing for you now? If not, will you take my loving sympathy and in all your many misfortune tell me what I can do for you. I will never forget the time you helped me in my need.. God Bless those who have been your friend and God Bless Your and keep you in health and Prosperity is and ever will be the Prayer of C. A. Nunn (?) Pray Excuse this Incoherent letter but I am quite excited to hear of you & A. Line (?) some ? Please