08/24/1925 Letter from Ted Surdez



Dear little Pal:

Just a few lines to let you know I got your letter and was glad to hear that you got there O.K.  I am sorry the way things turned out but I guess it cant be helped.  I haven't much time this morning.  Am writing this while waiting on breakfast and please excuse this paper as it is the best I could find.  I have been pretty good since you left went to dance at Renner last saturday night.  And it rained so we all came home about ten oclock.  I think I will go to Kennedys barn dance tomorrow night.  Well breakfast is ready so must close answer real soon as I think of you every minute.

                                                                As Ever Yours Only

                                                                          Ted

"Doris, get your gun." by Dione M. Surdez (September 20, 2007)

Doris, get your gun.

 

Father has a girlfriend.

Father used to roam.

Father settles in Sheridan.

He calls that place his home.

Father falters, There is good work here.  I’ve got a fine girl.  I think I’ll make a home.

Mother tends to her man.

Mother bears him four.

Mother attempts to understand.

She thinks that woman a whore.

Mother marauds, I am told that since the time that they have installed the road around the Northern end of those Black Hills, driving through has become less stressful than in past circumstances.

Doris procures the car of steel.

Doris packs the good book.

Doris is told to take the wheel.

She insists for her sisters to look.

Doris declares, Dear Father has thought to reside away from our family.  Uncle believes it in our best interest to dissuade him from doing so.  Hurry now.  Move along quickly.  We must go forthright. 

Three little ladies head toward the west.

Three little ladies pulley round the hill.

Three little ladies navigate their best.

They pause for overheating, gathering all their will.

Ladies labor, Once we arrive, we will have a sit with Father.  Certainly he will choose to come home soon.

Father agrees. 

Mother gives smile.

Doris perceives.

Three little ladies drive an extra long while.

Siblings simmer, Mother regrets that, after a month’s wait, a letter has arrived.  Father will not come.  Mother has retained an attorney for processing of divorce.

OUT WEST by Doriz Zilpha Sisson



Harry Sisson and Delia Johnson Sisson
(September 11th, 1898)

While I was still at Kennedy's I got a call from Lawyer Owens to come in on the next Saturday. He had a letter from my Dad stating that he and Mother had never been happy and he would like a divorce, to "talk to Doris--she would understand". Yes, I understood alright. I told the lawyer about us hearing how Lula Barber was out there, too and certainly did not take my Dad's side. We decided that Mother should see Dad, so I bought a Ford coupe, and mother, Maude, who was about 8, I think, Lorraine and I headed for Wyoming in my little Ford. We set a little wooden yeast box on the floor at Mother's feet that Maude was to sit on. That wasn't a very good place for a kid as she couldn't see much and I think she was on Mother's lap most of the time. What a trip. None of us had even been in the Black Hills, leave alone mountains. And we had little money to spare. One night Mother and the girls slept on benches in a community log cabin and I curled up in my car, best way I could. We were half scared to death going from Black Hills to Sheridan. The roads were not good like they are now. One place we met another car just as we came around the mountain, and met another one with two older men and a lady in it. The road wasn't very wide, and I couldn't see how we would meet. Both stopped and the men had the woman drive close to the edge against a young tree--sappling--and they, hanging onto the tree held the car there and let us drive to the inside! When I got to Sheridan I was so fearful I didn't think I'd dare drive home again. But Clifford and Marie Clark soon got me over that. They got their friends and really took me for rides on mountain trails. Their fast driving in the country scared me stiff. At first I'd just yell! After I got used to it I loved it.



The Sisson Family - Lorraine, Harry, Delia, Maude, Doris (Sheridan, Wyoming - 1925)



Harry Sisson (center) - Chef in Veteran's Home (Sheridan, Wyoming 1925)

We were there and Dad and Mother made amends and made plans for the next year. She and Harvey were to farm another year, till spring. Then Clarks and Mom and the kids were to join Dad in North Dakota, where all would go into farming again. And so we started for home much happier.

Mother wondered why she didn't hear from Dad after several days. Finally she did, he said he couldn't go through with it--he wanted "out". Then he had suit for divorce delivered on their wedding anniversary! But lawyer Owens took her side and said he'd really hurt Dad if he didn't buy the old home in Colton for Mother. He did, and Mother moved the next spring, after having her farm sale.

Doris and Lorraine (Colton, South Dakota - circa 1913/1914)